EMBROIDERED SHOES

OCTOBER 9, 2021 SLEEPCHASER LEAVE A COMMENT

Hua Liuli came out in a flash; in just five minutes, she was there. She wore a dress that was eight parts new with wide sleeves, held back with embroidered ropes. One look, and one could tell that she dropped what she had been doing earlier to rush over.

Just when Hua Changkong wanted to insincerely reprimand Hua Liuli for lacking manners in the crown prince’s presence, who would have imagined his younger sister to be even faster than him?

 

“May Your Highness please forgive me. Just now, this official’s daughter was playing with rouge with servant girls. Once this official’s daughter learned that Your Highness had come, this official’s daughter forgot to change clothes and hurried over here,” said Hua Liuli as she untied the ropes tying her sleeves back, all smiles as she looked at the crown prince. “Your Highness, what important matter has called for your visit?”

The crown prince found her smile contagious. “Just a while ago, as I was having the noon meal, I recalled that this would be Commandery Princess’ first Birthday of the Flowers in the capital city. And that you are not too familiar with our customs. So I wanted to invite you to play with me tomorrow.”

The crown prince specially took the trip here today just because he’s worried I wouldn’t have too much fun tomorrow?　　　　

How could there be such a great man in this world? Handsome, gentle, and even considerate!　

“This official’s daughter and Commandery Princess Jiamin have made plans to meet up tomorrow. But we haven’t decided on where to play yet.” Hua Liuli received a teacup from the hands of a servant girl. Changed out the crown prince’s old teacup with this one. “Your Highness wishes to play with the civilians tomorrow? Has Your Highness decided where to go? This official’s daughter can come look for you.”

She was genuinely happy that the crown prince, with his status, would want to accompany her alone to play. However, she feared that doing so would bring him inconveniences.

When the crown prince heard that Hua Liuli and Jiamin had made plans for tomorrow, his smile did not change. When he heard that Hua Liuli would look for him, his smile grew brilliant to the naked eye. “For these past few years on the Birthday of the Flowers, the young nobles and young misses of the capital liked going to Mount Qing in the suburbs. Tomorrow, the other imperial princes and I will be on the mountain, having fun and enjoying the view at Wangqing Pavilion. If Commandery Princess finds the mountains boring, you can look for me there.”

“Alright.” Hua Liuli nodded. “Tomorrow before noon, this official’s daughter will definitely look for Your Highness.”

Hua Changkong swept his gaze through the crown prince, then his younger sister, then back again. Earlier, he told her that he would be hiking with some of the other exam candidates, but his younger sister never said anything about finding him later to play?

Indeed, other people’s things were better. Even older brothers.

Having received Hua Liuli’s promise, the crown prince grew in high spirits. He had his personal attendants bring forward the gifts he had prepared for her.

There were all sorts of snacks and bolts of cloth. Not only that, several pairs of embroidered shoes of different styles and colors.

“The capital has a custom where, for every Birthday of the Flowers, the head of the household, fathers, and elder brothers would prepare embroidered shoes for the females of the family. During the Birthday of the Flowers, women would slip on said embroidered shoes that brimmed with their family members’ blessings, and receive the Flower Deity’s favor. Then for the next year, they would be healthy, safe, and sound,” said the crown prince. He opened one of the wooden boxes. Within lay a pair of embroidered shoes of exquisite craftsmanship. “Because I don’t know Commandery Princess’ size or the color of the clothes you’ll be wearing tomorrow, I had the seamstresses make several pairs. Hopefully, there is one to Commandery Princess’ liking.”

Whether male or female, sending someone shoes held an ambiguous flavor. The crown prince did not want the Hua family to find him impetuous, and so added, “Two months ago, Commandery Princess stayed in the imperial palace. I did not know whether the two generals could make it to the capital in time for the Birthday of the Flowers, so I took the initiative to have the seamstresses make these shoes. Hopefully Commandery Princess and Third Young Master will not blame me.”

Originally, Hua Changkong found something fishy about all this. But then he had second thoughts. The crown prince had sent these shoes in private, and he didn’t even know his sister’s shoe size. Two months ago, Hua Changkong was not familiar with the capital’s customs, and his sister was the type of person who paid even less attention to trivial matters like this. Since the crown prince was able to think of such an insignificant matter, his considerate nature was evident.

“How could Your Highness’ goodwill be meddlesome?” Hua Changkong rose to his feet and saluted the crown prince. “This humble subject and my silly sister indeed are not too accustomed to the capital’s customs. Fortunately, Your Highness has prepared in advance for her.”

My little sister can’t lack anything other young misses have. Otherwise, that’ll be wronging her.　

“I am being meddlesome. Now that General Hua and General Wei are around, they must have prepared everything already.” The smile on the crown prince’s face was more gentle than the spring breeze. “At first, I did not want to bring these shoes here, but I also did not want to waste them. After some more thought, I decided to deliver them anyway. If Commandery Princess does not like the shoes, just throw them aside.”

“These embroidered shoes are truly beautiful. This official’s daughter likes them very much.” Hua Liuli picked up an embroidered shoe. Felt the sole. Perhaps the seamstress considered the fact that she would be walking long periods during the Birthday of the Flowers, and so spent special attention in making the sole slip-proof.

“It’s great that Commandery Princess is fond of them.” The crown prince placed the wooden box, which was in his hands, in front of Hua Liuli. “I have to return and attend to some matters so cannot stay long. If Commandery Princess has taken a liking to these shoes, then I hope that you… will wear a pair tomorrow.”

“Alright,” said Hua Liuli, nodding.

At the sound of those words, the crown prince laughed. He stood, gaze falling upon her. “Then we will meet again tomorrow.”

“This official’s daughter will see you off.” With how rushed the crown prince appeared, Hua Liuli believed he was genuinely busy. Although this busy, he did not forget to be considerate toward her. Who wouldn’t feel moved by such a show of good will?

The crown prince truly was a good crown prince.

On the day of the Birthday of the Flowers, Jiamin, who was weighed down by exhaustion, muttered in an impatient manner, “What in the gods are you doing so early in the morning?”

“Commandery Princess, today is the Birthday of the Flowers. With your good looks, how could you allow other young misses to be as beautiful as you?” said Jiamin’s personal maidservant. Noticing her master’s unhappiness, she softly urged, “Let’s not talk about anyone else. The Lin family’s young miss, Lin Wan, absolutely must not overshadow your honored self.”

“Her?” Jiamin snickered. “She has such a dull appearance, looking delicate and weak every day. What a pity that with a precious pearl like Hua Liuli present, she won’t be able to keep up with her even if she tried her best. Just look, as long as Hua Liuli is around today, I’ll pay you 5 kg of silver if someone takes note of Lin Wan.”

“Commandery Princess’ insight has always been amazing. This slave fears not being able to earn that 5 kg of silver,” said the maidservant, coaxing Jiamin. “This slave feels that Lin Wan falls short of everything when compared to your honored self. If not for the fact that she has a just and honest father, who would give her a second look? Much less, allow her to be the future Princess Consort Ying.”

When Jiamin heard the three words “Princess Consort Ying,” the exhaustion in her mind vanished completely. She stared at her rosy-lipped reflection in the mirror. Said in a low voice, “What’s so special about being Princess Consort Ying?”

Translated by Sleepchaser at https://sleepchaser.wordpress.com/ If you read it anywhere else besides Sleepchaser’s wordpress, that copy was stolen.

But the maidservant dared not respond, dropping her head as she feigned selecting hairpins for Jiamin.

Just when Jiamin had finished grooming herself and dressing up, Princess Shunan sent someone to rush her.

“Commandery Princess, Commandery Princess Fushou has already been waiting for your honored self in the main hall for a while.”

“Who did you say?” Jiamin could not believe her ears.

“Commandery Princess Fushou,” said the maidservant. She sensed something strange from Jiamin’s complexion, and said in a doubtful manner, “Commandery Princess Fushou said that she made plans with your honored self a while ago. Could it be… that that isn’t true?”

“She’s right. We did make plans.” Jiamin forced a smile. Just why did I provoke Hua Liuli back then? Now, great. She won’t even let me off on the Birthday of the flowers.

Although Jiamin felt unwilling, she dared not stop walking. Her mother was impulsive with her words. She feared that if Hua Liuli grew impatient from waiting too long, she’d stab two holes into her mother.

As she rushed into the mail hall, Jiamin heard her mother laughing. As well as her tone of voice, which spoke of deliberately currying favor.

“Commandery Princess Fushou is truly a sight for the eyes today. Compared to you, Jiamin, that girl, looks like a dog’s tail.”

Hehe.　　

One month ago, you said your daughter was the most beautiful woman in the entire capital.

An insincere smile on her face, Jiamin stepped foot into the main hall. Upon her first glance at Hua Liuli, one thought flashed through her mind:

Where did this little yaojing come from? She’s actually this good-looking?!　

“Elder Sister Jiamin.” The little yaojin stood and curtsied to her, so lovable and adorable.

“You, child, what’s the matter? Why aren’t you returning the curtsy?” said Princess Shunan, sending a glare at Jiamin. Following that, she smiled at Hua Liuli. “This palace has spoiled this child too much. She doesn’t know any manners at all. Once you return from playing, this palace will definitely teach her a lesson properly.”

“Your Highness is too serious. This official’s daughter and Jiamin are friends who have gone through life and death together. There’s no need for so much courtesy and manners between us.” Hua Liuli drew Jiamin’s arm toward her. “May Your Highness please not treat Jiamin too harshly.”

“Take a look at how good Liuli is,” Princess Shunan said in an earnest manner toward Jiamin. “She came here so early to wait for you, yet you were in your room sleeping in. As a person, you need to abide by your promises. Since you made plans to meet, why did you make her wait?”

Looking at Hua Liuli, Princess Shunan called into mind Wei Mingyue. When she had still been young, she had not been sensible and thought that since she was an imperial princess, the other noble young misses would yield to her. As such, she never put too much thought into her tone and conduct.

In reality, things really had gone that way, and she passed many carefree days. Until one day, she finally provoked Wei Mingyue by accident…

And it was simply a nightmarish experience.

Later on, Wei Mingyue wanted to enter the army to be a general. Many members of the court opposed this. However, Princess Shunan exerted her abilities to support her decision. In order to help Wei Mingyue successfully become a general, she pulled aside her good friends from her maiden days and listed every benefit of women becoming generals. She wanted the help of her friends, to the point that she had even uttered things like “who said women aren’t equal to men?”

After Wei Mingyue successfully took up post as a general, Princess Shunan was so happy that she couldn’t sleep for three days.

That nightmarish woman could finally take a hike to the barracks, never to harm her again.

Ever since then, everyone in the capital believed she was Wei Mingyue’s fan. Even her own daughter heard the rumors circulating outside, and held Wei Mingyue to high, high esteem since young.

Only she herself knew this: What “holding to high esteem?” What “fan?” Those were all lies. She simply wanted to be farther away from Wei Mingyue.

Now, Wei Mingyue had returned to civilian life, and Princess Shunan even left her estate less often, much less dare have her daughter offend Hua Liuli. She feared that Wei Mingyue would not only be her nightmare, but that of her daughter as well.

She regretted it. Regretted it so much.

If she could go back in time, she would rather plunge into a river to clear her head than provoke Wei Mingyue. Absolutely not.

Watching as Hua Liuli and her daughter left, Princess Shunan let out a sigh of relief. Fortunately, her daughter’s life was better than her own. At least Hua Liuli was a girl that was easy to talk to and easy to coax, not frightful like her mother.

Sorry for the lateness; I had a doctor’s appointment today.

I find it so funny that both Princess Shunan and Jiamin are both terrorized by the Hua family women. Like mother, like daughter, huh? XD

Next release is Saturday, October 16, 2021 EST. 

For those of you interested in advanced chapters, there are two chapters remaining this month! If you pledge a tier that gives 3+ chapters now, you’re basically my suga daddi. Click here for October’s release schedule.

If you like this chapter, please add this novel to your reading list on NovelUpdates!

By the way, I have a new BL novel project, with my own summary below:

By the emperor’s decree, Fu Ming is to marry Jin Yi and become his male wife. The initial reception is cold. Can the two sort things out between them, the winter departing and the snow thawing?

 

Embroidered ropes: I’m assuming these ropes were more like long and narrow strips of cloth that have been embroidered.Yaojing: ‌‌妖精. In Chinese folklore, living creatures and inorganic substances other than humans will also gain mana, wisdom, or look completely similar to humans through years of cultivation. A yaojing is one of those creatures. So to call someone a yaojing is kind of like calling them abnormal, not of this word, mischievous etc. It doesn’t have a good connotation.