Transmigrated Female Official

This nightly massage-like enjoyment eased Chu Qingluo's stiff shoulders considerably. However, the curriculum for the Ninth Rank was truly impressive—numerous and detailed—and she was beginning to regret her decision.

They had to go through a series of lessons, from embroidery, dyeing, tailoring, and clothing making to making various jewelry... Only seven days had passed, and Chu Qingluo's head was already spinning.

"Who among you is free now? Go and take measurements for the princess and prince," Seventh Aunt asked. Li Ziyou had gone to the Empress's side herself; the princesses and princes were still needed.

No one answered.

“I am Seventh Aunt,” Chu Qingluo volunteered, standing up. Actually, she was still learning how to dye cloth, but the smell was so pungent that she couldn’t stand it anymore.

Aunt Qi glanced at her but ignored her. She asked again, but still no one answered. She had no choice but to hand the task over to Chu Qingluo and instructed her, "This time, we're going to design costumes for the Summer Festival. You'd better be careful."

"Yes, Seventh Aunt."

Seeing the dye on her face, he said with disdain, "Also, wash your face and hands clean."

"okay."

……

The Empress had three princesses and eight princes, and Chu Qingluo planned to visit the esteemed princesses first. The Fourth Princess was the eldest of the three, so Chu Qingluo went straight to her chambers. The Fourth Princess's male attendant led her into the inner chambers and asked her to wait.

The Fourth Princess was the Empress's first daughter. She was bestowed the title of "Princess Fulin" on the day of her birth, which shows how happy the Empress was at the time.

"Princess Fulin." Chu Qingluo saw a woman in her early thirties come out and immediately bowed.

"Yes." The fourth princess was slightly plump. "I will be playing a piece on the zither at the Summer Festival this year. Could the Clothing Pavilion make a dress that will make me outshine everyone else?"

"The princess is naturally beautiful and the most dazzling." Chu Qingluo quickly began to flatter her. Fortunately, she had watched a lot of palace dramas, otherwise she wouldn't know how to respond.

The fourth princess smiled contentedly and said, "My request is very simple. I just don't like blue, green, orange, black, or yellow. I'm tired of wearing the traditional Chinese jacket and cross-collar styles. Can you think of something new?"

"...Yes." No wonder no one wanted to do this job; she's really stupid! The Fourth Princess still had a smile on her face and talked for a long time without even taking a breath. Chu Qingluo really admired her.

After leaving the Fourth Princess's palace, Chu Qingluo headed straight for the Sixth Princess. She hoped the Sixth Princess would make fewer demands; she only wished there were no cell phones or even pens in this day and age… Could her brain possibly remember so many things? A million curses were running through her mind.

As luck would have it, the Seventh Prince was also there, and Chu Qingluo bowed to the two of them.

"Why are you here?" Ji Qiran momentarily forgot that she had already entered the court.

"Seventh brother knows this young lady?" The sixth princess asked with a gentle smile. She was slender, her frail figure a far cry from that of her fourth sister.

"Yes, she is Yilin's younger sister."

"Oh?! Then you'll have to take good care of her." The Sixth Princess seemed more approachable.

I just didn't expect that the Sixth Princess and Chu Yilin were also acquainted. With his status, he's really doing quite well.

While taking her measurements, Chu Qingluo asked, "What are your requirements for the attire for the grand ceremony, Princess?"

"Simply fresh and unconventional."

"Yes..." Sometimes, having no requirements is harder to grasp than having many. Who knows if their understanding of "refined and unconventional" is the same?

After taking her measurements, the Sixth Princess thoughtfully said, "Since the Seventh Brother is here too, let's take his measurements as well, so you don't have to make a special trip to his palace."

Ji Qiran raised an eyebrow: "Alright." He then raised both arms, waiting for Chu Qingluo to take his measurements.

Chu Qingluo was naturally happy to save herself the trouble. Following the usual procedure, she asked while taking measurements, "May I ask what the Seventh Prince's requirements are?"

"casual."

"..." Chu Qingluo couldn't help but gasp. These two words were even more difficult than the four words the Sixth Princess had just uttered! People who usually say "whatever" don't actually mean anything; they just haven't decided what they want. Once you put something in front of them, they'll tell you they don't want this or that. But her mother is the Empress. Even if she asks you to pluck a star from the sky, whether you can actually get it or not, you have to agree first.

To put it more precisely, this is an era where mothers are highly valued.

After Chu Qingluo finished her work here, Ji Qiran followed her out of the Sixth Princess's palace. "Where are you going?"

“Eighth Princess, First Prince, Second Prince…” she counted on her fingers and replied, “There are still many places to go.”

"Then... do you need me to come with you?"

"No need, no need, thank you for your kindness, Seventh Prince."

She used to always call him "Brother Qi Ran," but now she respectfully addresses him as "Seventh Prince" in any situation. Although he didn't like her clinging to him, this sudden distance made him feel somewhat uncomfortable.

"Seventh Prince, I'll be leaving now." She bowed to him again.

"Hmm..." Ji Qiran felt awkward, but could only watch her walk away silently.

The Eighth Princess was the Empress's youngest daughter, a fact known throughout the palace. She was also the Empress's most favored princess, as she was born to the Empress and her most beloved male servant. This servant, named Rui'an, was exceptionally handsome and charming. He gained the Empress's exclusive favor upon entering the palace, and it was during that time that the Eighth Princess conceived.

Chu Qingluo heard all the gossip and scandalous stories about the palace from Ziyan, the attendant who gave her massages every day. Originally, this guy seemed quiet and obedient, but after spending more time with him, he turned out to be just like Momo, with a particular fondness for collecting and spreading all sorts of gossip.

"Princess Joy." The most beloved princess was naturally bestowed with this title.

The Eighth Princess was a year older than Chu Qingluo, with a face as beautiful as jade and skin as smooth as porcelain. At this moment, she was practicing dance, beads of sweat glistening on her forehead. She stopped, glanced at Chu Qingluo, and asked, "Are you the one sent by the Clothing Pavilion?"

"Yes, Your Highness, please take my measurements."

"You wait here. I'm covered in sweat. I'll go take a bath first." After saying that, the Eighth Princess turned and went into the inner palace. She never gave a good look to women who were prettier than her.

"..." Chu Qingluo was speechless, but she didn't dare to go to another palace and come back. She could only stand there awkwardly and wait.

It's estimated that the Eighth Princess was already exhausted before she finally noticed her approaching.

The Eighth Princess had a shapely figure; any more flesh would have made her look plump, and any less flesh would have made her look thin. "May I ask what the Princess's requirements are for clothing?" Chu Qingluo asked as usual.

"Same as in previous years."

"..." Seeing Chu Qingluo's embarrassed expression, he continued, "You're new here, right? What's your name?"

"Yes. My name is Chu Qingluo."

"Then I'll repeat myself." She rolled her eyes and said mercifully, "My dress must have at least four colors, and it must have a graceful, flowing effect when I dance. My headdress must be movable but not fall off. This year's sleeves must be made into flowing sleeves that can swing a meter or more. All these combinations must be just right, and it absolutely cannot be just flashy but not pretty."

"Yes." Chu Qinglu listened with unusual care, afraid of missing anything.

……

Leaving the Eighth Princess's residence, she let out a heavy sigh. Judging by the current sky, it would probably be dark by the time she reached another palace. The Fifth Prince's palace was the closest at the moment, so she decided to head there first.

Her attendant led her into the inner hall, where numerous display shelves held swords of varying lengths, their scabbards inlaid with exquisite gems. If she could bring one of these back to the modern world, she'd be a nouveau riche. Lost in these thoughts, she suddenly noticed a man in blue brocade standing directly in front of her, toying with a sharp short sword in his hand.

Hearing Chu Qingluo's footsteps, he looked up. Tan skin, well-defined features…wait! How could he look so much like her first love?! Chu Qingluo's eyes widened, her heart reeling! She forced a bow and said, "Fifth Prince," her voice icy cold.

That bastard!

She was eighteen that year, a freshman in college. She met her first love at a friend's birthday party. He was studying acting and said he wanted to be a successful actress. He was considerate and gentle, attending to her every need, and eventually became her first man. But while she was immersed in the pure joy of first love, he was already having an affair with a female producer in her forties. She then realized that even if a man has a hundred good qualities, if he's not devoted to you, he's completely useless.

In Momo's words, "Handsome guys are often scumbags."

Could this bastard have time-traveled too?! If so… should she confront him right there and then? Maybe she should just grab a sword from the side… No, no, he already has one, she's already at a disadvantage… It's better to play it safe…

Ji Qili found Chu Qingluo unfamiliar, and while she was taking his measurements, he took a few more glances at her. Although the woman before him possessed stunning beauty, she had a stern face, and her brows were deeply furrowed…

"I wonder if there's anything about Qi Li that displeases you, sir?" he couldn't help but ask.

"Huh?" Chu Qingluo was taken aback. His voice was nothing like that bastard's. Thank goodness! Then he replied calmly, "No."

Although Ji Qili was innocently implicated, she still couldn't bring herself to greet him with a smile. She could only blame himself for having the same face as that scumbag!

She quickly measured his body, her tone still stiff: "Does the Fifth Prince have any requirements for clothing? If not, I'll head back now."

Chu Qingluo didn't even lift her eyelids when she asked the question. After waiting for a while and seeing that he didn't answer, she said, "Then I'll go back."

Ji Qili considered himself to be a kind and gentle person who had never made enemies. Many female officials wanted to invite him to join their ranks, so he was quite popular among women. But this young female official had a gloomy face the entire time, as if she harbored a deep hatred for him. He extremely disliked this feeling of being disliked.

"Please wait a moment, my lord." Ji Qili stopped her, his eyes darting around, and said, "I don't have any ideas right now. If I suddenly do one day, I'll come to you then, my lord."

Chu Qingluo said in an unhappy tone, "Fifth Prince, please think it over as soon as possible, so as not to delay the time for making the clothes."

"Of course, of course. May I ask how you are addressed, sir?"

"My surname is Chu. Farewell." She didn't want to waste any more words with him, and she didn't want to see his face.

Watching Chu Qingluo's departing figure, Ji Qili felt both helpless and amused.