Chapter 98 : Choosing A Concubine

                                    

                                          
As if compensating for the intense rains of the past, the weather was bright and sunny for several days. The sky was blue, the clouds were a pale color, fresh green leaflets sprouted on branches, and spring color quietly covered the capital of the Great Jin dynasty.


Lian Qiao and Bai Zhi got up early in the morning to prepare food for Jiang Lisa  as they were afraid that even after entering the palace there would be a long wait for the feast to begin. Since she would be unable to eat a lot, they'd readied a variety of small light dishes such as steamed eggs and ham, congee, and hibiscus cake.


Steamed egg and ham


Round-grain rice congee: a porridge made with a type of rice from Hebei


Hibiscus cake


Once Jiang Lisa  had eaten, Lu Zhu brought over a small rattan box. Smiling, she said, "The palace has many rules. This slave has prepared some small snacks for Miss, but they won't ruin your make-up when you eat."


Lian Qiao said, "That's good."


As she brushed Jiang Lisa 's hair, Bai Zhi commented, "Anything else that needs to be prepared, don't forget it later." She skillfully twisted Jiang Lisa 's hair into a beautiful coiled bun, and picked out a light red dangling rose ornament from the jewelry box to gently insert into Jiang Lisa 's hair. She smiled. "It's done."


Coiled bun


Jiang Lisa  raised her eyes and looked into the mirror. Although she was naturally charming and lovable with clear and profound features, after her past life's experiences, she now carried an air of maturity beyond her years. But after she added a cute coiled bun, she showed a bit of innocence not usually on display. Her gaze slightly deepened. In the palace of her past, the regulations required heavy and complicated hairstyles, with several dangling hair ornaments placed in the hair. Thus, where would you see such a simple and refreshing style?



Lian Qiao was surprised and spoke up: "Miss also looks pretty like this."


"When does Miss not look pretty?" Lu Zhu retorted. "For an ensemble to be as refreshing as this, it's all because of her natural beauty."


"You actually know the phrase 'natural beauty'." Lian Qiao smiled until her eyes squinted. "You really know how to talk."


The group cheerfully bantered for a while, until Cai Que, Old Jiang Madame's maidservant, came to inform Jiang Lisa  that it was time to depart.


Parked at the Jiang fu's gates was a carved and gilded sandalwood carriage which emitted a faint fragrance. The interior was even more exquisite, with light blue curtains and small fragrance sachets hanging from above.


Old Jiang Madame was standing at the gates speaking to Jiang Xin Eunwoo . Upon seeing Jiang Lisa  approach, she said to him, "Eldest Girl is entering the imperial palace today, you must be extremely careful. Don't say anything you shouldn't."