Chapter 385: Chapter 385: Back to the County Government Office
The following day, as scheduled, Shopkeeper Lin arrived and Wufu took Hongyu and Liu Jin onto their familyâs carriage and went to the County Government Office with him.
"Miss, isnât your attire a bit too plain?" Hongyu asked once more.
It was late autumn approaching winter, and although the weather had already turned cold, Wufu was still dressed in a single layer of light blue cross-collared ruqun; it was the unlined kind, and Hongyu felt chilly just looking at it, yet she insisted it was sufficient.
Her clothing was simple, and her hair even more so. Since she hadnât reached the age of marriage, she hadnât bound her hair into a bun but simply used a light purple silk ribbon to tie a lock of her hairâutter simplicity.
Hongyu glanced at her own wrist, where she wore a silver bracelet, and the beaded flowers adorned her double buns on her head, while the young lady wore nothing but a pair of pearl earrings, with no other accessories.
"Itâs quite nice," Wufu said with a smile, looking down at herself.
"Miss, how about applying a bit of lip rouge?" Hongyu brought out a small target mirror and powder, gazing at her eagerly.
Wufu dodged back and shook her head, "No, that stuffâs too bright red, looks like Iâve drunk chicken blood or something, quite frightening. This is enough."
She didnât like to dress up, and even the outfit she wore now was put on her under the insistence of Madam Zhou and Hongyu. As Madam Zhou tied the hair band for her, she said, "My child will be of age to bind her hair in a few months, and then mother will make several more hairpins for you to wear."
Wufuâs birthday was on the day of âDragon Raising Its Headâ in February, and now it was already October; indeed, it wouldnât be long before she reached the age of marriage.
"The young lady must be the least fond of dressing up out of all the women I have seen," Hongyu said, a bit irked.
Wufu responded cheerfully, "Simplicity is best. Your mistress doesnât like anything complicated, especially headdresses on the headâarenât they heavy? If you like them, when you grow up and are about to get married, I will have a full gold headdress made just for you."
A blush crept onto Hongyuâs small face, and she cried out in feigned annoyance.
As the master and servant talked, the carriage soon came to a halt, and Liu Jin, sitting on the shaft, jumped down and stood by the carriage door, facing inward he said, "Miss, weâve arrived."
Wufu lifted the carriage curtain and saw a stretch of white walls and gray tiles; the corners of her mouth twitched slightlyâhere she was at the County Government Office again!
She didnât wait for Liu Jin to hand over the footstool; she jumped down from the carriage herself. Although the trip wasnât far, sitting inside the carriage was suffocating; it was nothing like the exhilaration of horseback riding.
Liu Jin was used to her bold leaps and followed without surprise, while Hongyu, trailing behind, sighed in dismay.
In these recent days, she had taken to trailing behind Qiu Xiang, learning many rules. She didnât know what sort of family Qiu Xiang had served in before, but her manners seemed even more proper than those of Qiu Ye, who was born a criminal slave, and she also knew a great deal.
Therefore, she understood that her mistressâs behavior would likely bring criticism from noble ladies and Madams.
But as a servant, she had no place to lecture, and besides, Wufu had already walked to the entrance; Hongyu and Liu Jin hurried to grab the gifts and follow.
"The master is taking a bath and resting today, so weâll go straight to the Rear Government Office," Shopkeeper Lin said, leading the way through the Yamenâs back door, and to avoid any misunderstanding, he offered an explanation.
"Thank you for the trouble, Shopkeeper Lin," Wufu said with a smile, bowing slightly.
After calling someone to open the door, there was a servant to lead the way, ushering Shopkeeper Lin and the others towards the Rear Government Office residence.
Upon reaching the secondary gate, someone was waiting there. Shopkeeper Lin hurried forward a few steps, bowed slightly, and greeted, "How could we make Miss Lan Shu wait here?"
Wufu looked on curiously and saw a young lady about seventeen or eighteen standing by the gate, her face brimming with a pleasant smile, and very composed. Behind her followed several young maids and older women attendants.
Sensing Wufuâs gaze, Miss Lan Shu looked over, and their eyes met squarely.