"Hah?! You"re going back to Han? Why?" Mei"er asked, watching as Xiao Jun ordered for some maids to pack clothing and jewelry for the trip."Handsome brother"s mother has invited me to a banquet. Looks like he has told her about me."
Xiao Jun replied, smiling lightly and feeling nervous inside.
[A: Aiya... going back to calling him handsome brother I see.]
Taking Mei"er along with Yue, Xiao Jun slept in the carriage on the way to Han and woke up when they arrived.
To the prestigious guest, the Huo house had prepared an extravagant room and courtyard for Xiao Jun in their other home that wasn"t too far from the Huo Manor. .
"Yue, bring our things to the rooms. Mei"er, come with me to greet Madam Huo and Lord Huo."
Being escorted to the Huo Manor, Xiao Jun saw Zhi Ruo out front of the doors and gave a polite smile.
"Hey! You! Who are you to just walk past me?! Give your proper greetings!"
Mei"er stifled a laugh as she heard Zhi Ruo speak.
"What proper greetings? You are the one who should be giving greetings!"
Hua Zhi Ruo occasionally spent her days visiting the Huo Manor as she had the time to do so apparently.
Xiao Jun turned towards her and smiled again, "Miss Hua, you should be wary of those who are above you. Don"t think that everyone you see is lower than you."
Zhi Ruo stomped her feet in anger and then Xiao Jun turned, leaving the girl alone to pout and kick at the dust.
Entering the main hall, the servants bowed and Madam Huo bowed as well as Lord Huo.
"Please stand, no need to be so courteous." Xiao Jun stood them up personally with a kind smile that was sincere. These people were Yun Long"s parents and had good intentions.
Talking quietly with Madam Huo, Xiao Jun left with a light heart and a pleasant smile.
Walking back to her guest room, Xiao Jun did not see Zhi Ruo at all.
In the dark of the night, a figure dressed in all black came and Mei"er was about to scream when the person covered her mouth and handed her two parcels.
"For you and the Princess."
Mei"er nodded when she realized it was Yue Qi but smiled when he slipped a sapphire and jade hairpin into her hands. "Wear it tomorrow for the banquet and make sure your Princess is dressed well. The General prepared her the dress and I...I also prepared you one. Good night."
Yue Qi climbed over the wall again and Xiao Jun called from inside.
"Who was that? Why did they come so late?"
Mei"er set the box on the table. "That General of yours sent you a dress and Yue Qi...he..he um..sent me one.."
Xiao Jun smiled and then stood up, opening the velvet box and inside was a red and white dress with gold threading and it looked like a simple dress but in reality, it was a highly expensive dress that only higher up n.o.bles in Han could afford.
Even Hua Zhi Ruo could not afford it!
Mei"er had a light blue dress the color of water paired with white and it had hints of a light jade green on it as well.
It had been at least four months since they had last met, simply exchanging small letters to each other along with little riddles.
"Alright, take your dress and keep it in your room for tomorrow. Wake up early."
With that, the two girls blew their candles out and went to bed.
The chirps of birds early in the morning woke Xiao Jun and she sat up, calling for Yue, as the servant came over with a basin of warm water and a towel.
"In a while after you"re done helping me, go and tidy yourself up and change into the new dress I told you to bring. I"ll go help Mei"er."
Yue nodded and smiled, her miss indeed treated her kindly. Whether it was good or clothing, Xiao Jun never slighted her and treated her like a person.
Wearing the new dress, Xiao Jun examined herself and smiled. "Such good colors and this fits me just right."
Mei"er walked in all dressed and Xiao Jun laughed, "Hey! Do not run when it is wet outside! Your dress is already untidy."
Xiao Jun fixed her dress and then adjusted her hair pins. "How beautiful, no wonder Yue Qi took a liking to you. Live well in the future, alright? Come to me if he dares to do something to you."
Mei"er nodded and then the two went to have breakfast on their own together.
At the Huo Manor, almost everyone had arrived when Zhi Ruo walked inside with an invitation in hand. Going to greet Madam Huo, she gave a sweet smile and curtsied.
Madam Huo simply smiled and nodded before going to the door, "Her Highness, the Suo Kingdom"s 4th Princess, Princess Jun Feng." a servant announced, making all the other guests look with wide eyes.
Lots of them exclaimed about why a princess would suddenly attend. Especially one from another kingdom.
Madam Huo curtsied but Xiao Jun helped her up with a smile. "Since I am here, let the flower viewing begin."
The unmarried daughters of other n.o.bles tried to get close to Xiao Jun but she kept quiet and did not socialize as much.
"Such beautiful flowers, in your Suo Kingdom, what kind of flowers do you have?"
A lady, Madam Hua, asked, her handkerchief in front of her face.
"The Suo Kingdom has many flowers that can survive the dry weather and they aren"t as grand as flowers in the North where the weather can vary and flowers can thrive. But our flowers nonetheless are just as beautiful, they"re just more wild, unlike the flowers here."
Hidden in her words were phrases about the difference in nature between the women of the two kingdoms. One kingdom had docile women that were submissive and the other had women that were outspoken and weren"t as docile, freely learning martial arts or partic.i.p.ating in politics.
Since Madam Hua wanted to hide messages in her sentences to state that women of the south were too wild and unruly, Xiao Jun would gladly say some words back.
I, Feng Xiao Jun, do not let others step on me freely!