Chapter 125: The Wave-Treading Fairy, Whose Stockings Stir Dust; Light Steps Upon the Water, Beneath a Faint Moon.

Chapter 125: Chapter 125: The Wave-Treading Fairy, Whose Stockings Stir Dust; Light Steps Upon the Water, Beneath a Faint Moon. ???? Important Note : For the continuity of this story consider to Support us on Patreon.com/Flokixy to access +200 advance Chapters and To Support The Daily Update The next day, at the crack of dawn, the sky was just beginning to lighten. Su Li was roused from her bed by several maids to wash and dress. Seeing them all lined up, as if preparing for a major battle, Su Li found it rather amusing. Why were they more nervous than she, the one actually involved? Zhishu entered, carrying a tray, and said, "Miss, this servant went to the kitchen to get breakfast. There’s jade-green rice porridge and plum blossom fragrant cakes. Please have some to line your stomach; the palace isn’t a place where one can expect to eat their fill." Su Li nodded, took the porridge, and ate it in small sips while Siqin styled her hair into a bun. After finishing a small bowl of porridge, she ate a plum blossom fragrant cake. Su Li’s eyes lit up; today’s fragrant cakes were exceptionally delicious. She couldn’t help but raise her hand to take another, but her hand grasped at empty air. Zhishu, holding the food tray, said, "Miss, you can’t eat anymore." Su Li shook her head with an amused smile. She had truly spoiled these maids to no end; they wouldn’t even let her eat her fill. Seeing the somewhat helpless expression on her face, Siqin chuckled, "Miss, Zhishu is right. It’s not advisable to overeat. Besides, this servant needs to apply your makeup, and it wouldn’t do if your lip rouge smudged later." Su Li nodded and said, "Alright, alright, I won’t eat. Happy now?" At this moment, Mohua hurried in from outside, holding a large box, her face wreathed in smiles. Su Li, looking in the bronze mirror, asked in surprise, "What’s this?" "Miss, His Highness Prince Jing has arrived! Master and Madam are currently accompanying him for tea. His Highness is truly thoughtful; this is the attire His Highness sent for you to wear to the banquet." Curiosity piqued, Su Li turned around and said, "He’s here so early?" "Yes, and His Highness is so approachable today." Su Li’s lips curved into a smile. "Open it and let’s see. We don’t even know if it will fit." Mohua placed the box on the table and carefully opened it. "Wow! It’s so beautiful!" Zhishu stepped forward to help take out the attire. "What kind of satin is this? It looks like water, and it feels so soft to the touch. It’s too beautiful!" Su Li was taken aback. "This is Moonlight Brocade!" Moonlight Brocade! Even the imperial family didn’t have much of it; only a single bolt might be produced over decades! Moonlight Brocade was a tribute from Jiangcheng. She knew that the imperial family, in total, possessed no more than ten bolts or so. In her previous life, she had only ever seen it on Consort Yun when the latter was in power. Seeing Su Li hesitate, Mohua said, "Miss, His Highness said that the future Princess Jing is unparalleled in her nobility and deserves the best in the world." A flicker of surprise crossed Su Li’s eyes; he held her in such high regard. Su Li nodded slightly. She was tired of hearing that her supposedly plain looks were unworthy of the dashing and graceful Prince Jing. Today, she didn’t want to hear such words anymore. She would show the world that his future princess was more than capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with him! In the front hall, Prince Jing remained perfectly composed under the scrutiny of his future parents-in-law. His conversation was refined, and his responses were apt. Even Father Su, who typically looked down on all men under heaven, found himself gradually acknowledging him in his heart. In his view, his daughter was good in countless ways, and this Prince Jing was perhaps barely worthy of her. Mother Su, on the other hand, nodded repeatedly, the smile on her lips never ceasing. "Miss has arrived," Wangxia announced, entering from the outer courtyard. Jun Mo looked up and, for a moment, was utterly stunned. Through the semi-circular archway, a woman of peerless beauty approached with graceful steps. She wore a moon-white cape trimmed with snow fox fur, which, with her lotus-like steps, revealed the creamy-white and water-blue Moonlight Brocade gown underneath. The most wondrous part was that, as she moved, it seemed as if moonlight draped over her, rippling like gentle waves in the snow. The sleeves were slightly wide, further accentuating a waist so slender it seemed less than a handful, highlighting her exquisite figure. The fluffy circle of snow fox fur on the cape framed her small face, making it appear even more delicate and translucent. Her large, limpid eyes, like obsidian, sparkled with a unique brilliance as they blinked. Her cherry-small mouth was a vivid vermilion without the need for rouge. Her lustrous hair was lightly coiled and adorned with a silver, jade, and purple moon hairpin, giving her an air of devastating beauty, as if she were an ethereal immortal. Su Li stepped forward, curtsied to her parents, then looked at Jun Mo and said, "Your Highness has arrived very early." Today, Jun Mo wore a sapphire-blue, straight-cut princely robe. The belt at his waist was of the same color, adorned with gold-thread spiderweb patterns. His black hair was tied up and secured with a turquoise-inlaid, gilded coronet. His bearing was imposing, his features handsome. His entire person exuded an innate nobility, blended with a dashing, spirited charm. Jun Mo smiled as he looked at her, and she, in turn, allowed him to look his fill with composure. Mother Su smiled and said, "This shows His Highness’s thoughtfulness. Li’er, you look truly beautiful today." Seeing her daughter standing with Prince Jing, it simply elevated Mother Su’s maternal pride to its peak. The colors of their attire were so similar, as if intentionally coordinated. They were such a perfect match! Father Su also nodded and smiled. "Indeed. As beautiful as your mother was in her youth." Mother Su cast a coquettish glance at Father Su. "What nonsense are you spouting in front of the children! Li’er is much more beautiful than I ever was." She then thought for a moment, and it felt wrong. She slanted her eyes at him, "In her youth? Are you saying I’m old now?" Father Su hurriedly put on a placating smile. "No, no, my dear wife, in my heart, you are just as you were back then." Su Li burst out laughing, and Jun Mo’s eyes also brimmed with mirth, his gaze falling softly upon Su Li. Only then did Mother Su realize she had made a fool of herself in front of her daughter and future son-in-law. "Such nonsense! Alright, it’s getting late. We should depart." With that, she hurriedly walked outside. Father Su was startled and quickly followed. "My lady, the snowy path is slippery, be careful!" Arriving at the manor gate, Jun Mo stood beside the carriage and extended his hand. Su Li placed her hand in his large one and carefully boarded the carriage. Then, Jun Mo also slipped into the carriage. "It’s too cold to ride a horse in this snowy weather." Su Li smiled faintly, and Jun Mo was momentarily dazed by that smile. "Your Highness? Why are you looking at me like that? Is there something amiss with me?" Jun Mo said softly, "Li’er, I told you to call me Ziyan. Why do you keep calling me ’Your Highness’?" Su Li paused, then chuckled lightly, her features gentle, her eyes overflowing with a hint of a smile. She softly called out, "Ziyan." She had just felt that an intimate name was something only close relations could use. When he had asked her to call him that before, he had said it was merely to make the act convincing. Therefore, in private, she had never called him by his intimate name. Jun Mo’s heart stirred. "Li’er, what is your intimate name?" Su Li’s face flushed slightly, and she said in a low voice, "Weiyue." Her vermilion lips parted slightly, her breath as fragrant as orchids, revealing perfectly white teeth. The sight of her instantly evoked affection. Jun Mo murmured, "’The Wave-Treading Fairy, whose stockings stir dust; light steps upon the water, beneath a faint moon.’ Only Li’er is worthy of such an intimate name." Su Li smiled and said, "Ziyan, you flatter me." Just as Jun Mo was about to speak, the carriage suddenly jolted. Su Li’s head was about to hit the carriage wall when Jun Mo swiftly encircled her with his arm, pulling her into his embrace. A warm, fragrant, soft armful. A faint, fresh scent entered his nostrils, and Su Li felt the large hand on her waist tighten slightly. Su Li’s face was tinged with red. "You can let go now." Jun Mo chuckled. "This stretch of road is quite bumpy. Let’s wait until we’re past it." It was indeed as he said; the carriage body swayed occasionally. After a good while, the carriage stabilized, and only then did Jun Mo release his hold, a look of wistful regret on his face. Upon arriving at the Imperial Palace, Father Su had to first go to the outer court to pay birthday respects, so he instructed his daughter to look after her mother. Su Li linked arms with Mother Su, smiled, and assured her father not to worry. After Father Su left, they saw a female official from Consort De’s retinue approaching them from a distance. "Greetings to Your Highness, greetings to Madam Su and Princess Changning. Consort De requests that you both first rest at Jade Hibiscus Palace. You may proceed to the banquet when it is about to begin." Jun Mo smiled. "Then I shall go and pay my respects to Mother Consort as well." Jade Hibiscus Palace was Consort De’s bedchamber. Consort De had always preferred tranquility; Mother Su hadn’t expected her to invite them to disturb her. Su Li smiled. "Then we shall impose on Consort De." Su Li supported her mother, and together with the female official and Jun Mo, they proceeded to Jade Hibiscus Palace.