pdf-ebookys Chapter 1225 The Engaged Couple Meets
Chapter 1225 The Engaged Couple Meets
Zhao Yungui carefully placed the longevity lock back into the box, his voice choked with a barely perceptible sob: "Thank you, Her Majesty, for me...for me and my daughter! I...I understand Her Majesty's intentions!"
Her eyes swept across the pair of small golden bell anklets, as if she saw her daughter's appearance when she grew up and took her first steps.
The bitterness in her heart caused by her husband's absence was largely soothed by this heavy sisterhood.
Zhao Yungui looked up at the leaden sky outside the window and murmured, as if speaking to Fuqiu, or perhaps even to himself: "My daughter will definitely wait for her father to return and personally put on her the golden bell given by Concubine Chen!"
Fuqiu lowered her head in agreement and carefully repeated Shen Zhinian's words about Zhou Yuxi's good fortune.
Zhao Yungui listened, nodded vigorously, and the bright light in his eyes rekindled.
The snow outside the window fell silently, covering the courtyard and seeming to temporarily cover the sadness of parting.
The room was filled with warmth, and the gift from the palace quietly emitted a warm glow, reflecting the hope brought by the new life.
Then, the two talked for a while.
Zhao Yungui blinked mischievously, his voice filled with familiar joking: "Alright, alright! Miss Fuqiu, go quickly, there are people waiting over there. As your sister-in-law, I can't monopolize you for too long."
She deliberately pointed in the direction of the second house's courtyard.
Two red clouds suddenly appeared on Fuqiu's fair cheeks, as if they were stained with the finest rouge.
She hurriedly lowered her head and whispered, "Yes, Madam."
Her voice was as soft as a mosquito's, and carried the embarrassment of a girl having her secrets exposed.
Fuqiu knelt and took her leave, her steps a little faster than when she came, almost as if she were fleeing in panic. This caused Zhao Yun to retreat behind her, and he laughed heartily again.
A clever maid had been waiting at the gate of the second courtyard. When she saw Fuqiu, her face was filled with warm smiles, and she said repeatedly, "Miss Fuqiu is here! Please come in quickly. The Second Madam has been missing you for a while!"
The main room of the second house was warm and cozy, with the smell of charcoal fire mixed with a faint incense.
Mrs. Zhou Er was sitting on the warm kang by the window. When she saw Fuqiu come in, a genuine smile appeared on her face.
She waved before she spoke: "Come over here and warm your hands! It's so cold, it's hard for you to make such a trip."
The tone was very concerned.
Fuqiu followed his instructions and went forward, bowing politely before sitting half way down on the embroidered cushion beside the kang.
Then, she took out a pair of neatly folded insoles from the plain brocade purse she carried with her, and presented them with both hands, saying in a gentle voice, "Second Madam, this is what I made in my spare time. The needlework is crude, so I hope you won't dislike it."
"Thank you, Second Madam, for having the steward send the sachet embroidered with the words 'peace and blessings' when we were at Mulan Paddock."
The insoles were made of thick, fine cotton, with stitches so fine they were almost invisible. Embroidered with plump chayote and gourds in various colors of silk, they symbolized both good fortune and prosperity.
The colors are elegant and the embroidery is exquisite, and you can tell at first glance that it took a lot of thought.
Mrs. Zhou Er took the insole, stroked the dense stitching with her fingertips, her eyes full of love and approval.
When she heard Fuqiu mention the scent sachet from Mulan Paddock, the smile on her face faded, tinged with a hint of fear and solemnity: "That scent sachet..."
"Alas, although I didn't go to Mulan Paddock, I heard bits and pieces from the steward who came back later. It was truly dangerous! The flashing of swords and sabers, just thinking about it makes me terrified!"
"Thank goodness you're following Concubine Chen, you're blessed with a long life. Safe and sound is better than anything else! Who knows... maybe... that amulet really is working!"
As she spoke, her eyes looking at Fuqiu became softer and more loving. She felt that this girl was not only steady and sensible, but also sentimental and grateful, which was truly rare.
The two chatted about some family matters. Mrs. Zhou Er asked in detail about the palace's preparations for the New Year. Fuqiu picked out the things she could say and answered them in a gentle voice.
Her words were measured, neither appearing distant nor losing the dignity of a palace lady.
The more Mrs. Zhou Er looked at it, the more satisfied she became. She felt that her son's marriage was truly a perfect match!
Seeing the sun setting in the west, Fuqiu stood up and took her leave.
Mrs. Zhou Er knew the palace had its own rules, so she didn't keep her for long. She only earnestly told her to be careful on the road. She also asked her maid to pack some freshly made snacks for Fuqiu to take back.
Fuqiu had just walked a few steps out of the second courtyard gate and walked around a clump of dead bamboo covered with a thin layer of snow when she met a figure in green clothes walking hurriedly from the direction of the study.
It was Zhou Yuhu.
He seemed to know that Fuqiu had come to Zhou's house and came here specially.
The dim light of winter fell on Zhou Yuhu's handsome face, making his ears turn red instantly.
The two of them were a few steps apart and froze in place for a moment. The only sound around them was the rustling of the cold wind through the bamboo shoots.
Fuqiu was the first to react. She hurriedly lowered her eyelids, knelt down and saluted, and said in a weak voice: "Second... Second Young Master."
"Miss Fu, Fuqiu."
Zhou Yuhu's voice was also a little unsteady. His eyes quickly swept across Fuqiu's slightly red face, then looked away as if he had been electrocuted, staring only at the blue bricks under his feet: "But, from mother's place? It's, it's cold, be careful on the road, girl."
Fuqiu felt her face burning even more. She replied softly, not daring to look up: "Yes, thank you for your concern, Second Young Master."
After a few brief, almost clumsy greetings, both of them blushed and were speechless for a moment.
Fuqiu bent her knees again.
Zhou Yuhu also nodded slightly, but his eyes were still fixed on the blue brick floor.
Fuqiu then lowered her head and walked hurriedly past him, bringing up a barely perceptible breeze.
It was not until the graceful figure disappeared behind the moon-shaped door that Zhou Yuhu slowly raised his head, looked in the direction she left, and stood there for a while.
The faint blush on his face had not yet faded, but there was a hint of warmth in his eyes that he himself had not noticed.
Fuqiu walked quickly out of the side door of Zhou's mansion and got into the carriage she had come in.
When her cold fingertips touched her still hot cheek, she belatedly exhaled a breath of white air.
The curtain of the sedan chair fell, blocking out the cold wind from outside and hiding the faint smile on her lips.
……
The cold weather at the end of the year is getting stronger day by day. The north wind blows fine snow particles against the palace walls, making a rustling sound.
The dead branches in the palace garden were covered with a thin layer of white, which bent the branches heavily, revealing a sense of tranquility after the solemnity.
However, beneath this tranquility lies an increasingly noisy undercurrent.
New Year's Eve is approaching.
Especially this year's New Year's Eve, which happens to be the 500th anniversary of the founding of the Great Zhou Dynasty.
As the celebration was approaching, the festive atmosphere in the palace suddenly boiled over like cold water thrown into boiling oil.
The Imperial Household Department worked day and night, sending a stream of colorful palace lanterns, colored silks, and incense and candles into the various palaces. The air was filled with the scent of fresh lacquer and gold powder.