Chapter 122: Recognition
Chapter 122: Recognition
Lin Wan'er spent the entire afternoon at Yanyuge, browsing through wedding dresses. At one moment, she admired a particular style, and the next, she favored another for its novelty. She flipped through the shop's catalog incessantly, her eyes darting back and forth, nearly tearing the pages in her eagerness.
The matriarch from the Duke's mansion, who was accompanying her, looked down on Lin Wan'er, her heart filled with contempt for the girl's obvious lack of exposure to the world.
Lin Wan'er's gaze landed on another catalog with golden threads, and she asked with her eyes if she could take a look at it.
That particular book featured designs of a different caliber, and she was not the legitimate daughter of the Duke's mansion. Why would they spend a fortune on an expensive wedding dress for her?
The matriarch from the Duke's mansion said, "Miss Lin, your wedding is approaching, and we don't have time for anything too complicated. Why don't we go to another embroidery house and get more embroiderers to help?"
At the mention of changing embroidery houses, Lin Wan'er immediately abandoned the idea.
The daughters of prestigious families in the capital took pride in wearing wedding dresses from Yanyuge, and she was determined that her wedding dress would be from there as well.
Finally, urged by the matriarch from the Duke's mansion, who needed to return and report back before dark, Lin Wan'er made a decision and chose the first design.
The master embroiderer, whose surname was Wu, approached Lin Wan'er and asked her a few questions. Lin Wan'er had a long list of demands: she wanted something stunning, grand, and extravagant.
"Chun'er, take note of Miss Lin's requests, and inform me later. Miss Lin, I have another appointment, so I'll take my leave for now. Chun'er will take your measurements shortly." With a smile, Master Wu exited the room.
Lin Wan'er hesitated, wanting to say something more.
She hadn't finished speaking yet.
It wasn't until the embroidery house was about to close its doors to guests that Lin Wan'er reluctantly stepped out, still feeling intrigued by everything she had seen.
Biting her lip, she felt as if there was something else she had forgotten to mention...
At that moment, a carriage emitting a faint, elegant fragrance pulled up in front of the embroidery house. A woman in green descended from the carriage, her steps graceful and slow.
Her features were not exceptionally beautiful, but her serene and aloof demeanor was refreshing, and her hands were like exquisite jade, resembling those of a fairy.
Lin Wan'er was stunned.
"Master!"
Master Wu and several other top-tier embroiderers rushed out to greet the woman.
Lin Wan'er was astonished. Was this woman the owner of Yanyuge? When she had met Master Wu earlier, she had been impressed by the latter's noble air, but she never expected the owner of Yanyuge to be even more breathtaking.
Yun Xiyao entered Yanyuge and went directly to the third floor.
Only she resided on that floor, and when she was away, her disciples would come to clean daily, ensuring that the place remained spotless.
Master Wu served tea and snacks, asking, "Master, where have you been all day?"
Yun Xiyao picked up the teacup, "I waited for two hours."
Master Wu was surprised, "Who is that customer that dared to make our master wait for them?"
Yun Xiyao's face showed no anger.
Master Wu was even more astonished. She knew her master's temperament well, and anyone who dared to keep her waiting for even a moment would never get their business.
Yet, her master had patiently waited for two hours and still didn't seem angry upon returning.
She asked respectfully, "Master, which design did she choose, and what type of fabric? I'll prepare the clothing."
"I'll do it myself," Yun Xiyao said.
If Master Wu had been surprised before, she was now at a complete loss for words.
As their business grew, each skilled embroiderer had taken on several apprentices. Usually, the apprentices handled the cutting and sewing of the garments, while the master embroiderers focused on the embroidery itself.
The same was true for Lin Wan'er's wedding dress.
Yun Xiyao said, "I'm going to start working on the wedding dress. For the next month, make sure no one disturbs me."
After descending the stairs, the embroiderers gathered around Master Wu, eager to hear about the encounter. When they learned that their master intended to handle everything personally, their reactions mirrored that of Master Wu.
"Previously, when we made a skirt for Princess Wanping, Master only handled the design and embroidery," another embroiderer remarked.
Tasks like cutting and sewing were usually shared by the apprentices to lighten the master's burden.
She continued, "Whose status is higher than Princess Wanping's?"
Master Wu shook her head, "Master didn't say, and she didn't ask for any catalogs either."
Yet another embroiderer added, "All the designs in the catalogs are created by our master herself, so she naturally doesn't need them. But since Master is going into seclusion for a month, it seems like she's about to create another 'masterpiece'."
At this thought, everyone became excited.
They still remembered the sensation caused by the Rainbow Feather Garment years ago, which had captivated the entire capital and was still talked about to this day.
They wondered what kind of surprise their master would bring them this time.
Deep in the night, Meng Qianqian finally rested.
She had been out for most of the day and felt exhausted. She didn't even have the energy to read her storybooks.
Not long after she fell asleep, a burly man with an ox-like build and a bushy beard strode into the alley, holding a huge axe. His steps were slow, and his aura was thick with killing intent.
As he passed by the houses of Xuanyi and Bai Fa Meng Qianqian, his scarlet eyes glanced at the two residences.
His breathing was heavy, and in the darkness, his presence was as cold as a vengeful ghost.
"Someone's here..."
He raised the giant axe in his hand and brought it down heavily on the gate of the Meng family's courtyard.
However, just before it landed, a flying hand bone deflected the axe.
He looked at the bone on the ground and asked in a deep voice, "Old Woman Feng?"
An old, hoarse voice came from Old Woman Feng's house, "Don't touch this family."
The bearded man was taken aback, "Old Woman Feng, aren't you the one who loves killing the most? When did you start protecting people?"
The old woman ignored him.
The bearded man said, "Alright, but they better not cause any trouble. I like my peace and quiet, and if they get too rowdy, I won't hold back."
He then pointed his giant axe at the neighboring house and asked, "Are you going to protect them too?"
The old woman replied, "Suit yourself."
Inside the main house, the man with the white hair and black robe stared at his strikingly handsome reflection in the bronze mirror, his excitement reaching new heights. "Finally, my good looks are back!"
The last time he had been struck by Old Lady Tai's wooden plank, it had turned his face into a pig's head, and he hadn't dared to leave the house since.
But now, he could finally challenge Little Tiger!
Little Tiger wouldn't be able to withstand my moves and would surely be killed by me!
"Wuhahaha, wuhahahaha!"
Bang!
His door was suddenly flung open, and the splintering wood, accompanied by a burst of inner strength, rushed towards him like a storm.
His eyes turned cold, and he said, "Again? After being struck by a door once, am I going to be flattened by one a second time?"
With a palm strike, he shattered the door panel that was flying towards him.
Only after destroying it did he realize something was amiss.
"This is my door!"
Anger rose within him, and he instantly flashed down to the corridor, gazing at the uninvited guest in the courtyard holding a giant axe.
The man's massive body, like that of a fierce beast, took him by surprise.
However, a trace of disdain soon flashed in his eyes as he said, "Who are you? State your name. This handsome one does not kill those without a reputation."
The bearded man brought his axe down towards him.
The white-haired man lifted his arm to block the wrist, then struck the man's chest with a palm, sending him staggering back three steps.
That's right, only three steps!
He was shocked. Who was this man? His strength was incredible!
If it had been another expert, they would have been sent flying by his palm, with light injuries at best and death at worst. The black-robed man who had intruded earlier was an example of the latter.
The bearded man was also astonished.
To withstand his axe and force him back, the white-haired youngster had some real skill.
Within the tent, Meng Qianqian abruptly opened her eyes.
"Sister."
Tany crawled in through the window, lifted the curtain, shook her arm, and whispered, "Someone's fighting. Do you want to go take a look?"
Meng Qianqian nodded.
The commotion did not seem like an ordinary scuffle.
The two of them jumped onto their roof and crouched behind the eaves, observing the fight in the neighboring courtyard.
Tany's gaze fell on the bearded man, and she excitedly said, "So tall and mighty! Riding on his neck would be so... cool!"
However, Meng Qianqian's attention was drawn to the other person involved in the fight.
He wore a black robe and had white hair. His moves were light and graceful, and as he fought, his killing intent was one part, but his handsomeness was three parts.
This person was...
"Ji Li."
A name escaped her lips involuntarily.
"Ji Ni?" Tany followed Meng Qianqian's gaze and looked at the white-haired man. "Isn't he the chicken prince who's so poor that he has to borrow rice from Wan Mama? His name is so weird! Where is he from?"
Meng Qianqian whispered, "Ji, one of the Twelve Guards."
Tany put her hands on her waist and widened her eyes. "He's really a chicken!"
Meng Qianqian fell into deep thought.
Why was Ji Li here? And why was he living next door? Had he come to find her?
Tany giggled. "Sister, since he's also one of the Twelve Guards, do you want to go and say hello?"
Meng Qianqian shook her head.
With a traitor among the Twelve Guards, she did not want to get too close to any of them until she figured out who the traitor was.
Tany asked, "Sister, do you think he'll be killed?"
Meng Qianqian glanced at the two men engaged in a fierce battle and replied, "No. Ji Li's martial arts skills rank among the top three in the Twelve Guards. This man is no match for him."
However, the fact that this bearded man could fight Ji Li to a standstill meant that he was also terrifyingly powerful.
This alley was indeed a dangerous place.
Tany's eyes sparkled with excitement, and she said, "Sister, I really... love it here!"
After exchanging hundreds of moves, neither man had gained the upper hand. Finally, the bearded man left, carrying his axe.
Ji Li snapped open his folding fan and gently waved it, saying meaningfully, "Little Tiger, after watching the show for so long, isn't it time for you to show yourself?"
Meng Qianqian's expression changed.
Tany covered her mouth. "We've been found out."
Tany blinked. "Eh? Where is he?"
"Here."
Ji Li's voice came from behind them.
Tany turned around in shock. "So fast! My mother always says that men who are too fast..."
Before she could finish her sentence, Ji Li pressed two fingers against her, sealing her acupoints and tossing her off the roof.
"Little girl, this doesn't concern you. Be a good girl and stay on the swing."
Tany sat on the swing, her entire body frozen except for her eyes, which darted around.
Ji Li looked down at Meng Qianqian, who was sitting on the roof, and said gracefully, "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Ji Li, the Rooster of the Twelve Guards. Don't get too excited yet, because I may be here to kill and take the token."
Meng Qianqian tilted her head up, meeting his gaze, which did not hide his killing intent. She blinked and said, "I think you should put your pants on before you talk."
Ji Li looked down and then glanced back at his own courtyard.
He had come up, but his pants had fallen!
No wonder that guy had left so easily. He had split his pants!
Meng Qianqian looked innocent, and she added, "Are you sure you want to take the token while naked?"
Ji Li: "...!!!"
Everyone, check your pockets for double monthly tickets. If you have any, clear them out and vote for Little Nine!
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
