Chapter 13: A drop of red on the white handkerchief (1/2)
Han Yunxi spent the night nesting in the study. Fortunately, it wasn’t very cold so she could bear it. When she woke up the next day, Long Feiye was already gone from the bedroom. He wouldn’t have gone back on his word, right? Then again, he’d never given her a straight answer last night. Han Yunxi began to grow restless and burst out the doors.
Who knew that Long Feiye would be drinking tea right outside? He saw her flustered form run out, her robes and hair in a mess. She wasn’t even wearing any shoes. He detested the sight and said unhappily, “You have an hour to prepare. Get yourself together before leaving the room!”
“Yes, I promise I won’t make your highness lose face,” Han Yunxi smiled like a lackey before hastily closing the doors. One hour was enough time for her to soak in the hot spring pool indoors.
However, she quickly discovered that she’d been far too optimistic. Ancient hairstyles were so complicated that she had no idea how to fix them. It took her a long time just to undo her hairstyle from yesterday. In the end, she had no choice but to adopt a typical Han-styled princess half-updo[1], spending three to seven minutes just fixing her bangs. She wanted to find some hair accessories, but the dowry that came with her wedding were all substandard goods. Han Yunxi was very clear that she’d lose face both for herself and the Duke of Qin’s household if she wore those things.
Forget it, she wasn’t skilled at pinning them anyways, so she might as well wear no ornaments at all.
Han Yunxi was right on time as she opened the doors again. She was wearing a draping, ice-blue dress that highlighted the freshness of her white skin. The simplicity of the outfit complemented her unadorned hair. Even though she had no precious jewelry to enhance her appearance, the overall effect was quiet and exquisite, a refined beauty that brightened one’s eyes.
A beautiful person didn’t need extra accessories. Simplicity was the most beautiful thing of all.
“I’ve prepared myself, would Your Lordship offer his inspection?” Han Yunxi was in a rather good mood.
Long Feiye looked at her for a long while before rising to his feet and walking away without a word.
“Such a miser, it’s not like you’ll die from saying one sentence,” Han Yunxi whispered to herself as she hurried to catch up. Of course, she didn’t know that Long Feiye had never looked at a woman for longer than three seconds.
With Long Feiye leading, Han Yunxi followed a step behind. Yesterday she hadn’t seen clearly because the wedding veil was over her head, but now she discovered that this Hibiscus Courtyard was filled with flowers and plants, and even a man-made brook complete with a grove of bamboo. It was a secluded and peaceful place that exuded refinement, almost like a hermit’s home.