Female martial arts fanatics only love to fight, while men fight for their lives.

46

In an increasingly tense atmosphere, the long-awaited Wanshou Festival finally arrived.

It was a nice time of the year in March, and before dawn, Lou Xiao was called up to wash and dress.

She was a favorite of His Majesty, and the most eye-catching woman besides the Empress on the birthday of His Majesty. Lou Hong was very happy for her appearance.

It took a lot of effort to let the world know that the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion is still standing.

The palace sent a dress specially made for her. Lou Hong thought it was quite different from her usual style, but the servant said it was chosen by Lou Xiao herself. He really couldn't say anything and could only put some effort into the accessories.

After Lou Xiao washed herself, she came out wearing only her underwear and saw Lou Hong and his men comparing the accessories she was about to put on one by one, fearing that something might go wrong.

"Is it too heavy? The hair crown itself looks heavy, and I have to wear so many jewels. I have to wear it all day."

When Lou Xiao thought about having to dress in a dignified manner all day, she just wanted to travel light, but no one allowed her. If she traveled light like she did when she went to Li Huaiqing's house to practice calligraphy, the Queen would glare at her and scare her to death.

"You are the forerunner of His Majesty's imperial procession, leading the way with Marquis Wu'an, and you are the one who attracts the most attention.

If it’s less, you’ll think that my Zhenguo Mansion has neglected you and is deliberately making things difficult for you.”

Lou Hong untied her hair himself and was about to pick up the jeweled jade comb to straighten it for her, but Lou Xiao tilted her head to avoid him and smiled.

"Let her do it, be steady, and tie it tightly as usual, otherwise the crown will be too heavy and fall off halfway."

Lou Hong readily gave up his seat and stood beside her to supervise and direct her, "Someone come! Help her change clothes!"

Only Lou Xiao was calm and composed. The dark purple dress with flower, fruit and lion pattern sent by the Shanggong Bureau had a heavy and solemn color that overshadowed the layer of marigold gauze underneath. It was paired with a wide belt with bat-wing chrysanthemum pattern inlaid with topaz, which made her look mature and dignified.

It was very different from what she usually wore.

Lou Hong looked at her from behind. If the person in the mirror didn't have a young face, he would have thought it was an old ancestor participating in the celebration.

Her usual aesthetic taste is not like this, why did she fail at the critical moment... ?

Thinking of this, he turned around and picked out a pair of jasper bracelets, and then selected a red agate necklace and a Suzhou embroidery sachet from the best jewelry in the Zhenguogong Mansion's storehouse.

I want to add a little more color to her.

At Lou Hong's suggestion, Lou Xiao finally got dressed. She looked at herself in the mirror and saw that she was unfamiliar.

The eyebrows are slanted into the temples, the corners of the eyes are raised, and the bun is stable without a single strand of hair showing, which is completely gathered in the hair crown.

The beast patterns on the hair crown are lifelike in various postures. A bunch of tail feathers extend from each side and hang down, hanging with gold beads and jade stones. The slightest movement produces a crisp and pleasant sound.

When he had no expression, he looked intimidating without even getting angry. Lou Xiao slightly raised his chin towards the mirror, and his whole body exuded a sense of arrogance that came from being in a high position for a long time, which was enough to bluff people.

"Good." She lowered her eyes and could see Lou Hong still squatting on the ground tying her belt. He did not miss any details and adjusted every angle, striving to make the "Duke of Zhenguo" majestic enough.

She quietly tried to take off the bracelet on her wrist, but Lou Hong suddenly looked up at her without saying a word, his eyes full of accusation.

Lou Xiao blinked and decided to just forget it and wear it.

"The time has come. The ancestors are all ready. Let's go to the palace to celebrate the birthday of His Majesty." Lou Hong stood up and stretched out the corner of her clothes behind her.

Jiubai supported her carefully and saw that she had learned the rules well in the mansion and was not as casual as before.

Seeing that he was dressed the same as usual, Lou Xiao seemed not to be planning to join them, so she asked, "What about you?"

The whole family goes to the palace to celebrate the empress's birthday. This is something that many people in the capital wish for but cannot. Why won't he participate?

"I am a divorcee, and I am inauspicious, so I will not go." Lou Hong took a step back to confirm once again that her appearance would not bring shame to the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion.

He ordered Jiubai, "You have followed the rules in the mansion and served the Duke of Zhenguo well. If you fail to do so, I will not show mercy. You should be punished according to the rules of the mansion, and no one can do anything about it."

Lou Xiao couldn't stop it either.

Jiubai lowered his eyebrows and said "yes". Lou Xiao felt that he was speaking too seriously and held Jiubai's hand. "It's not that serious. The Palace's Ministry of Rites is watching over everything today. We won't make any mistakes if we follow the procedures. There's no need to be nervous."

On weekdays, she doesn't care about rules and etiquette. As long as she can get by on the surface, she doesn't pay attention to details.

Lou Hong's eyes flashed with a hint of disapproval, and he just urged, "It's getting late, we should go."

The Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion does not have to be the first to celebrate the birthday, but it also cannot be arrogant and be the last.

As Lou Xiao walked out, she asked Lou Hong, "Did you keep my calligraphy? I spent a lot of effort to learn it, and His Majesty wants to see it."

Although she only practiced the calligraphy of Li Huaiqing's authentic calligraphy, she felt that she had made great progress and it was definitely much more worth reading than Xiao Zhengdu's Buddhist scriptures.

It will be presented today as a birthday gift, and Lou Xiao can't wait to hear the praise from her senior sister.

Lou Hong responded repeatedly, and personally helped the old ancestor to sit on the carriage in front of the gate of the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion. After everything was settled, he stood alone in front of the mansion and watched them enter the palace.

Lou Xiao had already jumped onto the carriage, and the palace visitors standing beside the carriage bowed their heads and greeted him.

That was someone who served Ling Yu and was specially sent to follow her.

After the carriage started moving, Lou Xiao stuck her head out and asked him, "Did Marquis Wu'an return as scheduled? I've been busy these days and haven't been to the palace for several days, so I didn't know."

She was so absorbed in practicing calligraphy that she paid no attention to external affairs, that she thought of this matter.

"Replying to the Duke of Zhenguo, Lord Wu'an Marquis Lu has already returned to the capital yesterday. You will be able to see him soon." The little servant smiled flatteringly.

Jiubai handed over a purse and said, "You've been waiting here since early morning. Thank you for your hard work."

The young servant took it and put it into his sleeve, then thanked him and added, "If it's a lucky day, you might be able to see Lord Lu on the way to the palace. The Marquis of Wu'an's mansion is not far away, and he will set off at about this time."

Seeing that he was well-informed, Lou Xiao joked, "You know everything? Why don't you tell me what birthday gifts everyone has prepared?"

She smiled, and as the carriage moved forward, the pendants on her hair crown jingled. The servant begged for mercy with a bitter face.

"Sir! Please spare me. There are so many officials, nobles, merchants, and foreign envoys coming to celebrate your birthday. How can I know what they have prepared?

Moreover, in order to present something new, everyone kept it a secret, fearing that it would be ruined in advance. It would be fine if it was ordinary, but the fear was that it would violate the taboo and anger His Majesty, which would be a serious crime!"

That makes sense.

Lou Xiao stopped asking and retreated back into the carriage, closing her eyes to rest. Today had been extremely exhausting and she hadn't slept well yet.

Occasionally, they would encounter carriages of other officials on the road, and they would consciously give way. Lou Xiao lifted a corner of the curtain and nodded to the people who gave way.

Until the little servant whispered with uncontrollable excitement,

"It's Lord Lu, Marquis of Wu'an!"