章 36: Her Auspicious Sign
編集者: Exodus Tales
Nan Baozhu was delighted, "You really are my sister, good eyesight!
"This dress is called 'Single-layered Silk Flower Dress'. It looks different and has different colors under the sun and in the room. It even uses gold thread to embroider birds and flowers that looked exquisite and delicate, making it very real, and vivid."
"My mother praised it and said it was 'beautiful as the floating clouds and bright scenery'. This was made with the most expensive silk in Shu County, last time only the royal family uses it!"
Nan Baoyi saw that she liked it and smiled, "Zhuzhu wants it?"
"I want it, but I can't wear it! Nan Baozhu grievously stroked her waist, "There was only a little bit of clothing material, not enough to make a dress for me… Sigh, Jiaojiao, one day I will be thinner and more beautiful than you, at that time I will definitely fight over the clothing material with you!"
Nan Baoyi pinched her tender smooth cheeks, "Cousin Sister's round figure means you have a good life and good fortune."
Nan Baozhu happily hugged her, "Jiaojiao, both us sisters will have good fortunes!"
...
This year's Spring Flower Festival in Jingguan City finally came as expected.
It was a clear and bright spring morning.
Nan Baoyi stood facing the morning sun, inhaling the sweet-smelling fragrance from the garden, recalling everything she had learned in the past twenty days.
Xiao Yi came out of his room.
The little girl wore a blue-green flower dress, her skirt was ruffled by the spring breeze. Under the golden sunlight, her skirt looked like water stirring up a thousand waves.
She had a slender figure and fair skin. Her usual double bun hairdo changed into an ingot hairdo. Her black hair was decorated with eye-catching hibiscus jade hairpins, making her looked less child-like and more mature like a grown-up young woman.
Her charming little face looked like hibiscus that had yet to bloom, very tender and sweet-tempered. But her phoenix-shaped eyes looked like it contained a sharp knife that was about to be unsheathed, exactly like the chilly air at the beginning of spring.
It looked like she had made all preparation to face the storm.
Xiao Yi locked his hands behind his back, "Nan Baoyi."
The little girl turned around, her slightly cold face instantly turned warm into a smile, "Second Brother!"
"Come here."
Nan Baoyi obediently lifted her skirt and walked to his front and twirled around beautifully, "Do I look extra beautiful today, Second Brother?"
Xiao Yi said quietly, "Why didn't you comb your usual hairdo?"
The little girl answered innocently, "Because ingot hairstyle looked better!"
Xiao Yi did not say anything.
He stroked the hairband tied around his wrist.
This hairband was taken from her hairdo previously. He tied it on his wrist unexplainably and stroked it at times as if he could still feel her soft hair.
He still hoped she would tie her double bun hairdo.
Because she would still look like a child with that hairdo and not attract any attention, not becoming the center of attention.
Now she was dressed so beautifully like a flower waiting to be plucked, he had a sudden urge to hide her away.
Yu Wei came over, "Master, Fifth Miss, it's time to leave."
...
Every year, the Spring Flower Festival in Jinguan City was held on the outskirts of the city.
The water on Bibo Lake was gleaming brightly. A high platform by the lake was built by servants earlier on, decorated with colorful cloths and flowers on all four sides, the seats for the audience were also laid out properly.
The yearly event was definitely very lively.
The wealthy dignitaries brought their family members and took their seats very early, all talking and laughing.
The crowd was huge, countless small vendors were pushing their carts along the side of the lake selling fruits and pastries, looking as if half of the people in town moved here.
At this time, several dames were sitting together and talking.
"Madam Cheng, I heard that Nan Baoyi is also participating in this year's Spring Flower Festival. This is ridiculous, she is an idiot who knows nothing, probably will even getting the qualifying question wrongly. Everyone knew that she would be your daughter-in-law, wouldn't this make your family into a laughing matter?
The woman that spoke had on luxurious makeup. She was the wife of Military Officer Zhang, Chang Danyu.
Madam Cheng did not think so, "Even if Nan Baoyi is an idiot, she was still a healthy girl. Unlike your family's marriage proposal, I heard that Nan Baorong is a weak girl who was always sick and stayed indoors, she may be gone any day."
Nan Baorong was the Nan residence's Big Master's daughter of the first wife, also Nan Baoyi's eldest cousin sister.
She had a marriage contract with the family of Military Officer Zhang. Although she reached a marriageable age, she could only marry into the family next year due to being ill and weak.
Madam Chang smiled lightly, "Marriage connections is not about our children's fate, clearly it's about two families' status and power. Everyone knew that the Nan residence is wealthy. I will say this frankly, I hope that my daughter-in-law is from a rich family and help to benefit our family, using the money for my son to build connections in bureaucracy. What's wrong with that? Isn't that what Madam Cheng hoped to do so as well?"
Madam Cheng smiled and said nothing, obviously agreeing with her.
The other dames talked as well, all curious about how much wealth does the Nan residence has.
When they looked at the platform, suddenly there was a stunning discussion.
Madam Chang pointed at the girl who just walked on the platform, "That is the daughter of Nan residence Third Master's mistress, Nan Yan. Her looks and talents are all outstanding, not inferior to other governor's daughters when standing next to them. It's a pity her family background is not good. Otherwise, I really hope that Madam Cheng would change a daughter-in-law."
Madam Cheng carefully looked over.
The girl was wearing a light pink dress, standing on the platform, and bowing towards the audience.
Her movement was gentle and very pleasing to the eye.
"She does have good etiquette." She praised.
Madam Chang said, "Although her background is not good, Nan Third Master loves her very much, it would not be a bad thing to marry her. At least when she was brought out in public, it would be better for your reputation compared to that idiot Nan Baoyi, isn't it? Seemed like Deyu would prefer a more educated girl too."
Madam Cheng thought about it more, "Although you are right, it would not be easy to justify to Nan Old Madam if we were to suddenly change the marriage contract."
They talked as though the daughters in the Nan family were goods that were exchangeable at will.
Nan Yan sat on the sidelines.
She smiled and kept her gentle and dignified manner.
She could feel the admiration of the group of dames as well as the gasps of amazement from the group of young men.
A few days ago she had bad luck because of what happened in the clan academy. Today was the time to get rid of her wretched luck.
She, Nan Yan, could definitely get first place in the competition!
Starting today, her reputation as a talented girl would spread throughout Shu County!
...
Amid all the bustling, an expensive-looking carriage stopped at the entrance.
In the carriage, Nan Baoyi could hear the overwhelming liveliness outside and she became nervous unexpectedly.
The scenes from the past and present life intersected from this moment on.
She was actually afraid.
Afraid of people judging her, afraid of making a mistake again, afraid of becoming a joke in Jinguan City like the previous life…
He Ye helped her to straighten her hairpin, and gave her a warm encouraging smile, "Miss has been so hardworking, you could definitely bring honor to the residence."
Yu Wei stuffed a few lotus candies at Nan Baoyi's purse, "The Spring Flower Festival is a long event. Miss is weak so you need to eat some candy for strength."
The lotus smelled fragrant.
Nan Baoyi inhaled deeply.
Chang Xin held out a wooden cylindrical case, "Eternal love, never to forget; wealth forever, everlasting happiness. Miss, draw out an inscribed stick?"
Nan Baoyi took the case.
She shook it and very quickly an inscribed stick fell out.
Chang Xin read, "Honor and glory come from oneself, all good to seek for reputation and benefits, all comings and goings of business would be of good interest, this year would surpass last year's interest. Miss, it's an auspicious sign."
[Translation note: the Chinese believed in drawing fortune-telling sticks (shaking on a case filled with sticks until one stick falls out) before doing something to determine whether it's an auspicious or ominous sign]
Auspicious sign!
Nan Baoyi trembled while holding on to the wooden stick.
All the hard work and diligence she had put in the past few days flashed quickly before her eyes.
She had put in the effort so no matter what the result was, she would not regret it.
The anxiousness in her heart gradually became calm.
She carefully kept the wooden stick and with He Ye's support, she got off the carriage. Xiao Yi had also just got off his horse.
He held the reins and stood there in his black robes, looking extremely graceful.
He said, "Nan Jiaojiao, win the battle and gain your good reputation."
Nan Baoyi's eyes teared up suddenly.
In this life, meeting him was her best auspicious sign!
-- 贈り物
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