The next day at the Bai residence, the oil lamp on the table had burned out, and the morning light was just beginning to break. Lingxiu, who had been dozing off with her head propped up, was startled awake by a loud thud from outside the door.
What was that noise? Rubbing her eyes, she got up in confusion and opened the door.
Standing outside was a graceful beauty, her figure elegant and her long black hair flowing like clouds. She wore a brocade dress adorned with peony patterns from the Yaochi, shimmering with light. The embroidery on the hem was exquisite, with layers of petals so detailed that even the stamens were visible. As she moved, it was as if a breeze had swept through a garden of peonies, and a faint fragrance lingered in the air.
Lingxiu stared in astonishment and cautiously asked, “Esteemed lady, who are you looking for?”
Hearing her voice, the beauty turned around, yawning. “You’re awake? Come help me out.”
With almond-shaped eyes and cherry-red lips, her porcelain-white face looked very familiar. Lingxiu gaped at her for a moment before suddenly exclaiming, “Miss?!”
Li Huaiyu smiled at her. “I came back a bit late, but we should still make it in time. Here, hold this.”
Saying that she shoved a heavy yellow pearwood makeup box into Lingxiu’s arms and then went inside to drink some cold tea.
Lingxiu stood there, dazed, clutching the makeup box. She stumbled a couple of steps to follow her inside, still in shock. “Where did you get this outfit?”
After swallowing some tea and catching her breath, Huaiyu replied, “Someone gave it to me.”
What? Given to you? Lingxiu shook her head repeatedly. How could that be? Such fine material was no less than what was found in the palace, not to mention the exquisite embroidery. It must be worth at least half a year’s salary of their master. Who would be foolish enough to give it away for free?
“Don’t worry about that for now.” Setting down her teacup, Li Huaiyu got up and went to the dressing table. “I saw a carriage waiting at the Bai residence gate when I climbed back over the wall. Quickly help me choose some jewelry. Once they leave, we’ll go too.”
Lingxiu was filled with confusion, but going to the Jiang residence was the top priority. She hurriedly opened the makeup box, intending to pick out a couple of pieces to adorn her mistress.
However, when she opened the box, she was left speechless.
“Hmm?” After a long silence, Huaiyu turned her head in curiosity.
Lingxiu’s mouth dropped open, her eyes wide as she pointed at the contents of the box, her face turning pale. “Miss, did you rob a jewelry shop?”
“…” Huaiyu was both amused and exasperated, rubbing her forehead and muttering, “I told him not to be so extravagant.”
Inside the makeup box were two sets of valuable hairpieces, along with various hairpins, hair ornaments, and floral decorations, a dazzling mix of gold and jade. Just picking out a golden eight-treasure hairpin was enough to reveal its exquisite craftsmanship, clearly worth a fortune.
When Lu Jingxing had chosen these for her, he frowned and said, “I feel heartbroken.”
But despite his words, he hadn’t held back at all when it came to giving her things. In the end, it was only when she punched him against the wall that he finally stopped.
“Are you crazy?” she glared at him.
Lu Jingxing rubbed his chest and sighed, “Is it normal to get hit for giving someone a gift?”
Standing straight, he inserted the last hairpin into her hair, smiling as he said, “But you, no matter what you wear, must always look dignified and elegant.”
Li Huaiyu rolled her eyes at him.
Now, thinking back to Lu Jingxing’s expression at that time, Huaiyu felt that he must have regretted it immensely after she was gone, which was why he was now trying to make up for it in every way possible.
People only realize the value of something after they’ve lost it.
With a sigh, Huaiyu picked out a set of hairpieces along with a hairpin and stuffed them into Lingxiu’s hands. “Your mistress is upright and proper, not a thief or a robber. You can rest assured.”
This statement was not very convincing. Lingxiu frowned, but she still complied and helped her arrange her hair and put on the jewelry.
The once downtrodden Fourth Miss of the Bai family was transformed into a princess of great elegance.
Looking at the person in the mirror, Huaiyu felt satisfied. She stood up and pulled Lingxiu along as they headed outside.
At the first watch of the day, Bai Dezhong had already taken Bai Xuanji onto the carriage. Li Huaiyu and Lingxiu hid around the corner of the courtyard wall, waiting until the carriage had driven out onto the main road before stepping out.
“Miss,” Lingxiu asked hesitantly, “have you thought about how to get to the Jiang residence?”
“What other way is there?” Huaiyu laughed. “We’ll hitch a ride on someone else’s carriage.”
“That’s not what I meant,” Lingxiu shook her head. “The Jiang residence has strict guards, and with Young Master Jiang’s birthday banquet, guests must present invitations to enter. You can hitch a ride, but you can’t hitch an invitation. Those without names on the invitation cannot enter.”
Upon hearing this, Huaiyu was dumbfounded. “Why didn’t you say so earlier?”
“…” Lingxiu had been too shocked by her mistress’s outfit to think of that.
With a sigh, Lingxiu clutched her handkerchief and said softly, “Actually, I regretted it the moment you left last night. I shouldn’t have made things difficult for you. If we can’t go, then we can’t go. As long as you’re well, we can still live our lives.”
Li Huaiyu turned to look at her.
This little girl cared deeply about this matter, yet she was trying to comfort her now, her nose slightly red and her gaze resolute.
With a sigh, Huaiyu was about to say something when she caught sight of someone approaching from a distance.
“That person…” squinting, Huaiyu pointed, “Look, doesn’t he have the character ‘Jiang’ embroidered on his chest?”
Following her gaze, Lingxiu nodded. “He’s a servant from the Jiang residence.”
Her eyes lit up, and Huaiyu pushed her forward. “While he hasn’t reached the front door yet, hurry, go strike up a conversation with him.”
Lingxiu was bewildered. “What do you mean by striking up a conversation?”
“Are you stupid?” Huaiyu stamped her foot. “You go distract him to draw his attention, and I’ll sneak up from behind, knock him out, and take his clothes. Then we’ll have a way to sneak into the Jiang residence!”
Lingxiu was so shocked she stood there, shaking her head vigorously. “That won’t work! That won’t work!”
“Oh, stop whining. I’ll be here to handle everything, just go!” Huaiyu pushed her out and hid back in the shadows, preparing to act.
Lingxiu stood stiffly in the middle of the road.
The servant was holding something and walking hurriedly. When he spotted Lingxiu from a distance, he approached her with a delighted expression. “Are you a maid from the Bai residence?”
“…Yes.”
“Do you recognize the Fourth Miss?”
“I do; I serve her.”
The servant let out a huge sigh of relief, smiling as he handed her the item in his hand. “This is an invitation specially sent by our Young Master for Fourth Miss Bai…”
The last word didn’t get out. The servant felt a sudden thud at the back of his neck, and then everything went dark.
Li Huaiyu blew on her hand, looking quite pleased as she turned to Lingxiu. “How was that? Am I impressive or what?”
Lingxiu: “…”
“Hmm? Why do you look like that?” Looking down at the item Lingxiu was holding, Huaiyu raised an eyebrow. “What is this?”