In the capital city of Kyoto, under the天子's feet.
Secrets are hard to keep here. All the prominent noble families know that there is a new fourth young lady in the residence of Prime Minister Lu.
However, it is also the place where secrets can be most effectively hidden. Otherwise, people wouldn't have accepted the sudden appearance of this fourth young lady so quickly.
Regardless of the truth, the fact is that there is a new young lady beside Prime Minister Lu. Coincidentally, as the Spring Banquet was about to be held, the Prince Qi's Mansion, which was in charge of this event, sent two invitations to the Prime Minister's Mansion.
Madam Lu had been out of the upper - class social circle in Kyoto for more than a decade. She didn't want her daughter to be the same. So she immediately accepted the invitation and even lifted Lu Jinran's confinement.
Going out to attend a banquet surely required new clothes. Madam Lu originally intended to get involved, but then she gave up the idea, considering that the housekeeping power was still in the hands of Concubine Wang.
She had never thought about taking back the housekeeping power since she left the small Buddhist hall. So naturally, the task of making new clothes fell into Concubine Wang's hands.
After breakfast and washing her hands, Lu Yinxi looked up and saw Hongmei hesitating. Without even thinking, she knew that there must be some news from Shang Luoshu.
She sent all the little maids out and said casually, "Tell me. What does he want to tell me this time?"
In the past few days, Shang Luoshu had sent messages on pink paper, giving her a general account of the deeds of the Regent King. But they were all well - known things, not much different from what Lu Yinxi had previously heard.
The only thing that really caught her attention was the man's words, "Sixteen years ago, he was only one step away from the throne."
He was just one step away from ascending the throne. What made the throne, which was almost within his reach, suddenly slip away?
Lu Yinxi was sure that something must have happened!
Noticing that the fourth young lady was deep in thought, Hongmei hesitated and said, "In addition, my master also told this servant to inform you that His Majesty has shown kindness and allowed that Captain Fang to enter the suburban military camp. He seems to want to see you and thank you in person."
"No need," the young lady refused firmly. Even to this day, she still regretted her decision to save Fang Qinhu. Now that the matter was over, they were even with each other, and there was no need to meet.
"Tell him that as long as he keeps his mouth shut, I'll be grateful enough."
Seeing Lu Yinxi's firm attitude, the maid didn't dare to persuade her anymore. She replied with a "Yes" and then stepped back.
As soon as the steady figure left, Hongrui came in, directing the servants to carry the clothes.
"Miss, the new clothes for the Prince Qi's Mansion are ready. May this servant help you try them on?"
Madam Lu had already told her about attending the Spring Banquet, so she also knew a bit about the new clothes.
"Okay," the young lady replied and stood up, waiting for Hongrui to come with the clothes to compare them on her. Unexpectedly, out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the girl's cold expression and her little feet stamping on the floor continuously.
"How could they do this?!"
"What's going on? Is there something wrong with the clothes?"
Lu Yinxi naturally picked up a dress. The color matching was appropriate, and the floral ornaments were acceptable. Although it wasn't outstanding, it suited her well.
"Of course there is!"
Hongrui snatched the dress from the young lady's hand and angrily threw it on the floor. If her mistress wasn't around, she might even have stepped on it.
"Miss, take a closer look. The color matching and floral ornaments of these clothes are all last year's popular styles. If you wear them to the Spring Banquet, won't you be laughed at?"
Because Lu Yinxi was young, she always indulged this girl. So when Hongrui talked to her, she was always a bit informal.
"Last year's?"
The young lady had only been in this world for a short time, so she wasn't very clear about the popular things in the capital.
"Yes, this servant is sure they are last year's. There isn't a single piece in this year's style."
She had rummaged through the clothes in the basket, and indeed, there wasn't a single new - style one. At this time, Hongrui's cheeks were puffed up like a puffer fish.
"No, I'm going to settle the score with that embroiderer!"
Throwing the clothes in her hand on the ground casually, Hongrui turned around and was about to run out. Unexpectedly, on the way, her wrist was caught by someone, and it was Lu Yinxi.
"Don't be impulsive. The problem with these clothes may have nothing to do with the embroiderer."
If she remembered correctly, Concubine Wang was in charge of making new clothes in the mansion this time. In this case, it wasn't strange that she got out - of - date styles.
After calming down the impulsive little girl, the young lady's phoenix - like eyes raised slightly, and a glint of light flashed in her light - brown pupils.
"Hongrui, fold these clothes neatly. Let's go to Rongjing Courtyard."
In Rongjing Courtyard, Lu Jinran was also trying on new clothes. The apricot - yellow embroidered long dress was inlaid with silver thread in the Guang embroidery style, low - key yet luxurious, truly eye - catching.
"Mother, does this dress look good on me?"
Holding the hem of the dress, Lu Jinran twirled around in place. The skirt instantly spread out, like a blooming azalea, intense and passionate.
"With Third Sister's good looks, of course this dress looks good on you!"
Unexpectedly, someone appeared. Lu Jinran immediately stopped what she was doing and looked at Lu Yinxi warily. "Why are you here?"
Concubine Wang also didn't expect the fourth young lady to come. Her heart skipped a beat, but on the surface, she smiled and said, "Xi'er, you haven't come to my place for a long time since you returned to the Prime Minister's Mansion."
"Aunt Wang, I think it's better for you to call me Fourth Young Lady."
Although Xi'er and Fourth Young Lady referred to the same person, different ways of addressing also implied different identities.
Before Madam Lu came out, Prime Minister Lu gave Concubine Wang the housekeeping power and also implicitly recognized her as the second mistress of the Lu family. So there was no problem for her to call Lu Yinxi Xi'er.
However, now her status had become that of an aunt, a concubine only slightly higher in status than the servants. What right did such a person have to call the young lady by her name?
"Lu Yinxi, don't go too far!"
Seeing her mother being bullied, as her daughter, Lu Jinran naturally stood up to protect her, without thinking whether she was a match for the young lady in front of her.
The corner of Lu Yinxi's lips curled up, and she squinted slightly, half - smiling. "Third Sister, is this the attitude you should have towards your younger sister?"
"You..."
"Fourth Young Lady is right," Concubine Wang gritted her teeth and grabbed her daughter's hand. In terms of reason, they were in the wrong today. "This concubine will pay more attention in the future and will definitely not make the same mistake again."
"Aunt!"
Lu Jinran was unwilling but could only bite her lips and glare at Lu Yinxi fiercely, wishing she could kill her with her eyes.
But the young lady just laughed softly and didn't take her glare seriously.
"Aunt Wang is able to admit her mistake and correct it. She is an example for us to learn from. Since that's the case, let's talk about the second mistake Aunt made?"
Before Concubine Wang could react, Lu Yinxi clapped her hands. Hearing the sound, Hongrui outside immediately carried a basket of clothes into the room.
Seeing this scene, even if Concubine Wang was stupid, she knew that Lu Yinxi had discovered something.
After the failure of the rumor - spreading incident, she had stopped targeting Lu Yinxi and had been hiding in the dark, trying to find her weakness and then strike a fatal blow.
Who would have thought that Lu Yinxi's words would put her daughter in confinement. So she came up with this way to take revenge. She thought that Lu Yinxi, who had just come to Kyoto, wouldn't understand these things, but unexpectedly, she still discovered the trick.
Concubine Wang said, "Is Fourth Young Lady not satisfied with these clothes? How about you tell me the style you want, and this concubine will immediately ask the embroiderer to make it."
"I see," Lu Yinxi deliberately lengthened her tone, at the same time tearing at Concubine Wang's nervous heart. "Then I want the set that Third Sister is wearing. Is that okay?"
"Why should I give it to you?"
Before Concubine Wang could speak, Lu Jinran shouted.
This was her favorite dress. She wanted to wear it to meet His Highness, the Prince Jing.
"Why? Because I'm the legitimate daughter and I'm younger than you. Is this answer satisfactory to you, Third Sister?"
With each word Lu Yinxi said, she took a step forward, forcing Lu Jinran to step back. Finally, Lu Jinran fell directly onto the chair and couldn't say a single word.
The embarrassed appearance of the third young lady was imprinted in the young lady's pupils. Her phoenix - like eyes were raised even more, completely immersing herself in the role of a bad person.
Legitimate daughter, again the legitimate daughter!
The advantage in status oppressed these two mother and daughter so much that they could hardly breathe, but they just couldn't refute.
"So, Third Sister, are you going to give this dress to me?"
No, she didn't want to at all!
Lu Jinran pinched the hem of the dress, and her lower lip was almost bitten through. "Lu Yinxi, aren't you afraid that I'll tell Father about today's matter?"
"Whatever," the young lady shrugged indifferently. "But before you go, please take off the clothes on your body and give them to me!"
"You!"
Lu Jinran was almost so angry that she vomited blood by Lu Yinxi's audacity. But for now, she could only take off the clothes and give them to her.
"Thank you, Third Sister!"
When she said this, the end of the young lady's eyes was still raised, and the provocation was obvious. However, the more provocative thing was yet to come.
"Hongrui!"
Hearing her mistress's voice, Hongrui immediately took something out of the clothes basket and handed it to Lu Yinxi.
Taking a closer look, it was actually a pair of scissors.
"Lu Yinxi, what are you going to do? I've already given you the clothes!"
Thinking that Lu Yinxi was going to do something to her, Lu Jinran burrowed into Concubine Wang's arms. Little did she know that Concubine Wang was also very scared.
"What am I going to do? Third Sister will know by just watching!"
As soon as the words fell, the scissors had penetrated the long dress, and the sound of the cloth tearing was clearly audible. The apricot - yellow azalea withered just like that in Lu Yinxi's hands.