Denghuaxiao

Chapter 248 Wedding Dress
Changwu County is far away from Shengjing, and the bodies of the Lu family could only be found at the place where Lu Rou was buried.

Ke Chengxing's death was unclear, and old lady Ke passed away hastily. The Ke family's funeral was handled by a nanny who had once been with old lady Ke, and the funeral was even more sloppy than when Lu Rou passed away. But precisely because of this sloppiness, Lu Rou was not buried with Ke Chengxing.

Lu Tong then built a cenotaph in front of Lu Rou's grave with the mud, water, ash and soil that he had asked someone to bring back from Changwu County, along with the Lu family's past relics that he had collected with great difficulty.

This way, families can stay together.

Pei Yunying was different. After Pei Di's death, the Pei family fell apart. He went back to the Pei family, took out his mother's tablet from the ancestral hall, and moved it to the house of his maternal uncle. From then on, his mother, his sister and his brother completely left the Pei family and had nothing to do with the Zhaoning Mansion.

Lu Tong and Pei Yunying went to the two tombs, burned the marriage certificates, informed their families in the afterlife, and made promises to each other.

Then they got busy. When the summer was halfway through, the Ge tailor shop on West Street began to receive gauze fans. "On the day of the summer solstice, all officials have three days off." It was during this summer festival that Lu Tong's wedding dress was delivered to the clinic.

When Qingfeng brought the wedding dress, Du Changqing was busy eating "Summer Solstice Cake" in the shop. When he saw Qingfeng coming, he opened his mouth and dropped the half-eaten cake on the table with a "clack". He didn't care, just looked at the visitor and said unhappily: "What are you doing here again?"

Du Changqing really had a bad attitude towards Pei Yunying.

Pei Yunying was a man of deep scheming. He had a good appearance, but he had fooled Lu Tong with some kind of magic potion. Not to mention that, since the engagement, he became more and more unscrupulous. Every day after finishing his work in the imperial city, he would come to Renxin Medical Clinic to find Lu Tong, and bring some snacks and sweet drinks.

The people in West Street had never seen much of the world. He stood in front of the clinic in his official uniform, tall and handsome, attracting a lot of attention. How could the aunts in West Street resist him? They even said he was more attractive than Dai Sanlang at the temple entrance.

Du Changqing was so angry that he cursed behind her back: "This is the 'Renxin Medical Clinic', not the 'Medicinal Materials Pan An'! There are a bunch of women watching here every day, what a mess it is!"

The widow Sun, who was full of lust, pushed him and said, "Nonsense, this Pan An is younger than that Pan An."

Du Changqing: "..."

That was not all. Pei Yunying came uninvited every day, but what was even more outrageous was that one day he came to the clinic to offer a betrothal gift. The gift list was dozens of loads and was longer than a belt, which made the neighbors on West Street stare in amazement.

Mom, that’s dozens of loads of betrothal gifts!
Du Changqing had talked about this with others before: "The richer people are, the more stingy they are. Haven't you seen wealthy families haggling over even the smallest penny? They just save face for outsiders. Who knows, they might just give a hasty betrothal gift in the end?"

However, at this moment, he could no longer utter any words to slander the other party.

Looking at the gift list again, wow, it was even more generous. The farms, shops and houses were given very generously. To be honest, if I were not a man, Du Changqing would be willing to marry me just for the money.

In short, the betrothal gift that day caused quite a stir in West Street, and later the news spread to the imperial city. Pei Yunying’s colleagues all secretly called him a “prodigal son.”

As a fellow prodigal son, Du Changqing deeply agreed with this, but at the same time he secretly cursed this man in his heart, saying that this man was very scheming and deliberately wandered around West Street in order to win people's hearts.

Lu Tong herself had no dowry, her dowry was the monthly salary Du Changqing gave her, which she spent almost all on buying sweet syrup for everyone in the clinic. Speaking of which, Lu Tong was also quite extravagant, and she really didn't know how to save money and manage the household.

Qing Feng placed the heavy box in his hand on the table in the inner bunk and said in a deep voice, "My Lord has ordered me to deliver the wedding dress to Madam."

Du Changqing frowned: "You haven't even married yet, why are you yelling?"

Qing Feng turned a deaf ear to it.

When Lu Tong and Yin Zheng lifted the felt curtain and came out, Miao Liangfang smiled, "Little Lu, you've come just in time. Come and take a look at the wedding dress I made for you."

Lu Tong's wedding dress was prepared by Pei Yunying.

According to the Liang Dynasty wedding customs, women's wedding dresses were mostly embroidered by themselves before marriage, and the whole process might take several years. However, Lu Tong was very busy. She had to work in the clinic every day and sort out prescriptions for the Medical Bureau. Her embroidery skills... Pei Yunying might be worried that her sewed and scribbled behind his back would appear at the wedding, so he specially invited the best embroiderer to rush the work for her.

Lu Tong walked to the table, opened the copper box in front of everyone's gaze, and took out a heavy wedding dress from it.

It's a gorgeous wedding dress.

A red long skirt with wide sleeves embroidered with gold, a corset of the same color, a pearl and jade crown and shawl, a embroidered veil... and a pair of red pointed-toe shoes.

The dress was embellished with embroidery and pearls, and the floral, grass, and phoenix patterns embroidered in gold thread were delicate and neat. The Ge Tailor Shop next door also had ready-made wedding dresses, but they were not as thoughtful and detailed.

"What beautiful embroidery," Yin Zheng exclaimed. "I have never seen such a style in Ge's tailor shop."

Qing Feng nodded: "The pattern of the wedding dress was drawn by the master himself."

Lu Tong was surprised.

She already knew that Pei Yunying was good at painting. But she didn't expect that the wedding dress pattern was also drawn by him. He had to work in the palace on weekdays, and sometimes he had to deal with official documents at night. Lu Tong was a little embarrassed that he had time to draw such a pattern.

Ah Cheng praised him: "Master Pei is a great painter! With this skill, even if he doesn't work in the Palace Front Department in the future, he can still support himself."

Miao Liangfang secretly twisted him.

After the wedding dress was delivered, Qingfeng went back to report. At night, after the door of the clinic was closed, Miao Liangfang and Du Changqing went home. Yin Zheng took the wedding dress out of the tung box and asked Lu Tong to try it on to see if it fit her.

When Lu Tong changed into her dress and came out from behind the screen, Yin Zheng's eyes lit up.

The woman was wearing a wide-sleeved brocade dress with a peony pattern. Her skirt was wide and her face was as beautiful as a flower under the light. She usually wore plain clothes, but today she wore something bright. Even though she didn't wear makeup and her long hair was down, she looked very different from usual.

Yin Zheng exclaimed and pushed Lu Tong in front of the bronze mirror.

Lu Tong looked at the woman in the bronze mirror. The woman in the red dress with wide sleeves was looking at him in the mirror. Her eyes were calm and soft, as strange as another person.

She hesitated a little, turned around and asked Yin Zheng: "Does it look good?"

"It looks good!" Yin Zheng smiled, and circled around Lu Tong, nodding and saying, "This size is perfect, there's no need to change it. On your wedding day, you'll be as beautiful as a fairy when you wear the three golds and the hair crown and put your hair into a bun!"

She exaggerated and Lu Tong felt embarrassed, so she let Yin Zheng help her sit down on the couch.

"The young lady is going to Pei's house soon." Yin Zheng traced the embroidery on Lu Tong's sleeves with her fingertips, and said with some emotion, "Time flies by so fast."

Even after Lu Tong got married, he still worked at Renxin Medical Clinic and they could still see each other every day, but Yin Zheng always felt reluctant to let him go.

She and Lu Tong had supported each other all the way to Shengjing since they met at Luomei Peak. She watched Lu Tong go from planning with nothing to revenge, and also saw Lu Tong gradually have a normal life in West Street. She was happy for Lu Tong to find a good man, but when Lu Tong was about to get married, she felt very complicated.

It's probably like watching your grown-up sister leave home. Even though you know she's smart and decisive, and that others won't let her suffer any injustice, you still can't help but worry.

"Yin Zheng," Lu Tong looked at her, "After I get married, you should move to Pei Mansion as well."

Yin Zheng was stunned for a moment, and subconsciously waved her hands: "How can this be possible?"

"I've told Pei Yunying that it's not safe for you to live alone in the clinic. Anyway, I'm still in the clinic on West Street, so after you move in, you can go in and out with me every day."

Yin Zheng shook her head: "How can I follow you when you get married..."

"Why should we separate ourselves from you?" Lu Tong said with a smile, "If you find someone you like in the future and want to move away, it's not too late to leave."

Speaking of "the person you admire", Yin Zheng's eyes moved.

Seeing this, Lu Tong asked, "What about you? Are you and Shopkeeper Du still planning to do the same as before?"

After returning to the clinic from southern Jiangsu, Lu Tong found that everything seemed to be the same.

Life seemed to be the same as before. Du Changqing was still the boss who was tough on the outside but soft on the inside. Yin Zheng helped Miao Liangfang sort out the herbs. The two of them got along normally, as if nothing had happened before. Only when they were joking occasionally, Du Changqing seemed a little unnatural.

Yin Zheng laughed.

This smile was different from the bitterness he had felt every time he mentioned this matter before. Instead, it was somewhat relaxed.

"Miss, I used to think that we should not only focus on the present and not think about the future. When I was young in Sunan Tower, I saw noble guests and wealthy families, and they were no more than that. I have no interest in these things."

"However, now that I have seen you, my thoughts have changed a little."

Lu Tong: “Me?”

Yin Zheng nodded.

"Before, I thought that the girl was just like me, with something on her mind, so she refused Master Pei many times. I didn't expect that after returning from Sunan, she would come to her senses. Perhaps the girl and I took this matter too seriously before. In fact, no matter how far we look ahead in life, how long can we see?"

She sighed, "Life is short, and the grass and trees are only for a few years. The most important thing is to take care of the present."

Lu Tong's eyes lit up: "So you..." Yin Zheng smiled and shook her head: "I haven't made up my mind yet, girl, this is just the beginning. I don't think Shopkeeper Du really wants to spend his whole life with me. Similarly, I don't like him so much that I have to have him. At most, I think he is a good person."

"It's fine now. As for the future, whether we can be family, friends, or lovers, that's all in the future. Anyway, the West Street Renxin Clinic will not be disbanded."

Lu Tong was silent for a moment. Before he could speak, she pulled Lu Tong up, pressed Lu Tong's shoulders and asked Lu Tong to sit down in front of the mirror.

"Let's not talk about this anymore. Our most urgent task is to think about how to style my hair into a bun on the wedding day. I've never styled my hair into a bun before."

She took the jewelry from the dressing table and gestured to Lu Tong's hair. Lu Tong looked at it for a while and shook her head.

Never mind, Yin Zheng has a point. Love and hate in this world are like clouds, and everyone has their own destiny. There is no need to force it.

It is best to seek benevolence and obtain it.

……

The embroiderer's wedding dress was delivered to West Street, and the Pei Mansion was busy day and night.

The furniture and utensils in the mansion have been replaced from inside to outside, and Pei Yunshu has taken great care of Pei Yunying's marriage.

The official duties of the Palace Guard were numerous and complicated, and the Pei family no longer had any parents or relatives. Pei Yunshu was originally a leisurely person, but when it came to Pei Yunying's marriage, her slow temper suddenly turned into an impatient one.

The six rituals were complicated and sometimes too busy to handle. Pei Yunying could not meet him in the palace, so Pei Yunshu had to go to the palace to find someone to deliver the message.

Duan Xiaoyan is often away, but Xiao Zhufeng often meets him. In addition, Xiao Zhufeng is good friends with Pei Yunying. Although he is taciturn, he has a good temper. Sometimes he helps deliver things to the mansion, and today is no exception.

Pei Yunying was on duty in the palace, and the wine he ordered for the engagement arrived, so he couldn't leave, so he asked Xiao Zhufeng to help deliver it to the mansion. The heavy wine for the engagement, each bottle was decorated with silk threads and decorated with gorgeous silver ornaments, and the red silk was very beautiful, commonly known as "Jiao Yinhong".

When Pei Yunshu saw him coming, she hurriedly asked someone to take the wine basket and then handed the tea on the table to him.

Xiao Zhufeng thanked him and was about to leave after drinking his tea.

"Deputy Envoy Xiao," Pei Yunshu called him.

Xiao Zhufeng turned around and Pei Yunshu looked at him with a troubled expression, "I want to ask you for help with something."

He stopped walking, turned around and said, "Miss Pei, please feel free to speak."

"It's about the wedding list." Pei Yunshu said, "Ah-Ye's wedding is coming soon. He previously wrote a list of guests for the Palace Guard. He has been drafting the menu these days. I'm looking at the list and I'm not sure if it's appropriate. Since you're from the Palace Guard, why don't you help take a look at it."

At this point, he felt a little embarrassed: "Actually, the housekeeper is doing all these things, but I'm always worried... Am I troubling you a little?"

This was not the first time Xiao Zhufeng came to help.

Even though he was Pei Yunying's good friend, Pei Yunshu felt bad every time she bothered him like this. She knew how busy the Palace Guard was, and she knew from Pei Yunying that this deputy commander must have a hard time. But he always came every time he was called. Pei Yunshu felt that although Deputy Envoy Xiao looked a little cold and unkind, he was actually a kind-hearted old man.

"It's okay, it's just a small matter." Xiao Zhufeng said.

Pei Yunshu felt relieved and handed the prepared menu to Xiao Zhufeng.

Every dish at the wedding banquet was carefully planned, just to see if there were any inappropriate dietary taboos. After all, Pei Yunshu was not very familiar with the people in the Palace Front Department. The ones she was most familiar with were Xiao Zhufeng and Duan Xiaoyan.

Just as he was thinking, Xiao Zhufeng reached out his hand, hesitated for a moment, and pointed at the name of one of the dishes: "Let's go with this one."

"Baiwei Yuntang?" Pei Yunshu was puzzled, "Is this one not okay?"

"There are clams." Xiao Zhufeng finished speaking, and added, "Someone in the Palace Front Department has an allergy to clams."

Pei Yunshu laughed, "I see. Come to think of it, I can't use clams either. I get rashes all over my body when I use them."

Xiao Zhufeng said "hmm".

He also ordered a lobster, a hand-washing crab, and several other dishes, all of which were things Pei Yunshu couldn't have. Pei Yunshu's gaze gradually changed.

One dish could be considered a coincidence, but two or three dishes, all of which are things that you cannot eat on normal days, might be a little strange.

Xiao Zhufeng picked a few dishes in a row, and just then he noticed Pei Yunshu's look, paused, and suddenly stopped talking. After a moment, he returned the menu to Pei Yunshu as if nothing had happened: "That's all."

This only makes the situation more obvious.

Pei Yunshu looked at him and gradually became suspicious.

Pei Yunying knew her taste, so it was no surprise that he told Xiao Zhufeng. But firstly, Pei Yunying was sensible and would not tell other men about her private affairs. Secondly, Pei Yunying left home when she was young, and there were some dishes that she did not eat later. How did Xiao Zhufeng know about this when even his own brother did not know about it?

Now that I think about it, in addition to this, he also seemed to know her very well. Every time he came to Pei's house, he would bring some fruits and snacks, which were all to her taste. When she got along with Xiao Zhufeng, it was like they were old friends for many years. He knew her very well, so it was natural that it was surprising.

Pei Yunshu looked at the man in front of her. He was dressed in a royal guard uniform and looked tall and neat. He looked familiar. However, she was sure that she had no deeper friendship with him except in the Palace Front Office. So she hesitated for a moment and asked softly, "Deputy Envoy Xiao, before you went to the Palace Front Office... have we met before?"

Xiao Zhufeng's body stiffened slightly.

"No," he said.

Pei Yunshu became even more suspicious.

As if he couldn't face her inquiring gaze, Xiao Zhufeng turned his back and said, "Nothing, I'll leave first. If there is anything else, please come to the Dianqiansi to find me." After that, he hurried out the door.

Pei Yunshu looked at his back and thought, Fangzi led Baozhu in. Little Baozhu could walk now, and called "Uncle-Uncle" when she came in.

Fangzi smiled and said, "The young lady heard that Deputy Envoy Xiao was here, and she insisted on coming out to look for him. Has he left yet?"

Pei Yunshu nodded, picked up Baozhu and sat her on her lap.

"He comes here every now and then, it's obvious what he's doing," Qiongying was a straightforward person, and immediately said, "He just fell in love with our young lady."

"Qiongying," Pei Yunshu scolded, "Don't talk nonsense."

"I also think Qiongying is not talking nonsense," Fangzi smiled and moved closer to her, pointing it out to her, "The Palace Front Office is so busy with official duties, but Deputy Envoy Xiao can still find time. He comes when the young lady calls. He helps when he should, and also helps when he shouldn't. He also brings gifts for the young lady every time he comes. If they were just ordinary friends, or if he came for the sake of the young master, it wouldn't be like this. Didn't you see that the young lady likes Deputy Envoy Xiao so much? It's obvious that Deputy Envoy Xiao wants to raise Baozhu as his own daughter."

"You!" Pei Yunshu pretended to be angry and wanted to hit her. Fangzi ran away giggling and laughed with Qiongying.

But Baozhu was still holding Pei Yunshu's collar in her arms, calling in a baby voice: "Mom - Uncle -"

Pei Yunshu was helpless, and her cheeks couldn't help but feel slightly hot.

She was not an unmarried girl of sixteen or seventeen. Even though she had never thought about it before, now that she was seen by the bystanders, she knew it clearly.

However, there is still one thing that puzzles her. Why is Xiao Zhufeng so familiar with her preferences and habits? Where does that inexplicable and vague sense of familiarity come from?

When Pei Yunying returned home at night, Pei Yunshu told him about what happened during the day. At the end, she asked, "I have been in the Pei family since I was young, and I have not been to many places. I don't remember meeting Deputy Envoy Xiao, but why does he know everything about me? Did you tell him?"

Pei Yunying shook his head.

"Why is that?"

He raised his eyebrows and deliberately said slowly, "It's a long story. If you want to know, go ask Deputy Envoy Xiao yourself."

"I asked, and he said no."

"Then just ask a few more times." Pei Yunying did not explain, "If you ask a few more times, he will be willing to tell you."

"Aye!"

The young man stretched lazily. "Come to think of it, I am also going to have a family soon. Deputy Envoy Xiao is older than me and still single. He is so lonely and miserable."

This sounded familiar, Pei Yunshu glared at him: "Pei Yunying..."

"Next time you go to Wan'en Temple to pray, remember to help Deputy Envoy Xiao to pray for peach blossoms."

He blinked. "He must be very happy."