https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-135-A-Familiar-Face-Returns-the-Wedding-Approaches/12582603/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-137-The-Night-Before-the-Wedding/12582605/
Chapter 136: The Belongings of the Twelve Guards
Chapter 136: The Belongings of the Twelve Guards
Today, Lin Wan'er's wedding dress was also ready. Early in the morning, she and Lu Luoro set out to collect it.
Lu Linglong also wanted a dress from Yanyuge, so she accompanied Lin Wan'er, intending to ask Wu Xiuniang to make one for herself as well.
Much to their disappointment, they didn't even get to meet Wu Xiuniang in person.
Lu Linglong huffed in annoyance, "Your status as the daughter of a duke doesn't seem to hold much weight here! It turns out that fake is indeed fake! I don't believe Yanyuge would dare to be so perfunctory and negligent even to Yao Qingluan!"
Lin Wan'er found her younger sister-in-law's attitude unreasonable.
Yao Qingluan is the empress, and the imperial decree has been issued with the wedding date set. What's wrong with this little sister-in-law? How can she compare herself to the empress of the nation?
Under the heavens, the only one daring to rival the empress's limelight is that mysterious daughter of Miaojiang, the future mistress of the Ducal Palace! Lin Wan'er had only found out recently that the Grand Duke had snatched the auspicious date meant for the emperor and empress.
It was something she herself dared not even imagine, yet that person had achieved it without leaving her home.
It would be a lie to say she wasn't envious. Which woman under the heavens wouldn't be? Even Yao Qingluan was probably envious.
Lu Linglong continued to grumble incessantly, and Lin Wan'er was exasperated by her. Thankfully, the wedding dress turned out beautifully. When she tried it on, she held her breath for a moment.
Initially, she had thought that her stomach had grown significantly in recent days and that alterations would be needed for the dress. Unexpectedly, it fit perfectly, and the waist even had adjustable buttons. If she grew larger, they could be undone, and the pattern would still align.
Even Lu Linglong was stunned by its beauty. The dresses from Yanyuge were truly exquisite!
Lu Luoro seized the opportunity to help Lin Wan'er save face, "Wu Xiuniang is indeed the personal disciple of the master of Yanyuge. I've never seen a more beautiful wedding dress!"
Lu Linglong opened her mouth to refute but found herself unable to utter a single word.
Lin Wan'er, too, was extremely satisfied.
She could almost imagine herself wearing this dress and astounding everyone with her beauty.
"Be careful! The master instructed that there must not be any mistakes!"
Wu Xiuniang's extremely cautious voice echoed through the hallway.
Lu Luoro asked, "Wu Xiuniang?"
Upon hearing that it was Wu Xiuniang, Lu Linglong quickly went outside to intercept her.
Lin Wan'er followed.
A maid carefully carried a set of clothing covered in silk and slowly descended the stairs from the third floor. A corner of the fabric peeked out from under the silk, and the shimmering, colorful material was like a flowing galaxy, fleetingly gliding past their eyes.
Lin Wan'er was instantly stunned.
A fleeting glance left her mesmerized for a long time.
The dress she had been extremely satisfied with now seemed dull and lackluster in comparison to that tiny corner of fabric.
Lu Linglong covered her mouth and exclaimed, "Oh heavens..."
"I'll go with you!" Wu Xiuniang quickly walked downstairs.
Lin Wan'er signaled Lu Luoro to stop her, "Wu Xiuniang, was that just now... also a wedding dress? Which embroiderer made it?"
Wu Xiuniang nodded to the two of them, "It was made by my master."
Lin Wan'er signaled to Lu Luoro with her eyes, and Lu Luoro asked, "May I ask which young lady is so fortunate to have your master personally make her wedding dress?"
Wu Xiuniang replied, "She is the Grand Duke's fiancee."
Lin Wan'er was so envious that she couldn't speak.
Both of them were getting married, and both of their weddings had been abruptly arranged. Yet, look at the treatment the other lady was receiving compared to hers.
Hastiness was not a reason for a simple wedding. It was a matter of whether one put their heart into it or not.
However, upon further thought, the other lady was the daughter of Miaojiang, backed by the entire Miaojiang. It wasn't strange that she couldn't compare to her.
Moreover, the more powerful the Miaojiang lady was, the more tragic Meng Qianqian's future would be.
With this thought, Lin Wan'er finally felt relieved.
...
Yun Xiyao worked tirelessly on the wedding dress, sometimes staying awake for two consecutive nights. Even when she slept, it was for only two to three hours at most before she had to get up again.
After working at such a high intensity for over a month, she finally finished the wedding dress, and at that moment, she could no longer stay awake and fell into a deep sleep.
Wu Xiuniang delivered the dress to Fengshui Hutong on behalf of her master.
Meng Qianqian went to the market today.
While strolling through the bustling market with Lin Xiaoru, Meng Qianqian discovered that it was indeed a treasure trove. Many long-lost items that were hard to come by elsewhere could be found here.
She had her eyes on a particular spear, but the owner of the iron shop told her that it had already been reserved by someone else. He promised a new batch would arrive in a few days, and if she wanted one, she should come early, or they would be sold out.
So, Meng Qianqian arrived at the iron shop early in the morning and waited at the entrance.
Tan'er, crouching on the ground, drew pictures of turtles and snakes, asking, "Sister, it's almost dark. Why haven't they opened the door yet?"
Meng Qianqian replied, "Xiaoru told me that the shops here are different from those outside. Business is conducted more casually, with some shops not receiving guests for days or even half a month."
Tan'er pointed at the tightly closed doors of the iron shop and asked, "If they don't open for ten days or half a month, do we really have to wait that long?"
Meng Qianqian shook her head. "No, the owner said they would open today."
Tan'er pouted and thought for a moment before saying, "Okay." She then continued drawing.
Just as she finished covering the empty ground in front of her with drawings, the owner of the iron shop finally arrived.
The owner looked at the turtles and snakes covering the ground, then at Tan'er, and exclaimed in surprise, "All of these... were drawn by you?"
Tan'er waved the charcoal pencil in her hand and said, "If they don't come soon, I'll start drawing on their door!"
The owner's mouth twitched.
Soon, he recognized Meng Qianqian and smiled, saying, "So, you really came, miss."
Meng Qianqian nodded. "You said you'd have new stock today."
The owner collected the bronze lock and invited them into the shop. "Indeed! It just arrived last night! I haven't even officially opened for business today, and you're my first customer!"
Tan'er popped out from behind Meng Qianqian, her face serious as she said, "Am I not human?"
The owner was startled by her sudden appearance. "Little miss... you're quite skilled."
With her hands folded in front of her and her eyes looking up, Tan'er said, "Consider it my good will!"
The owner led them to the warehouse.
Various weapons were scattered on the ground—knives, swords, bows, halberds, spears... There was quite a selection, and every single one was a high-quality weapon. If any one of these were displayed in an ordinary iron shop, it would be considered a treasure.
Yet here, they were casually tossed about like scrap metal.
The owner laughed and said, "I slept for an entire day and didn't have time to tidy up."
Tan'er picked up a heavy iron broadsword stained with blood. "Hmm? The blood looks fresh. Did you just kill someone with this?"
The owner smiled. "Our rule here is that we don't ask about the origin of the goods, nor do we inquire about what the customers do with their purchases."
"I understand," said Meng Qianqian.
The owner smiled. "Feel free to take your time and browse, my first customers of the day. If you're truly interested in something, we can discuss the price."
Meng Qianqian wasn't short on money, so as long as the goods were genuine, she wasn't too concerned about the price.
She tested a knife that Tan'er handed to her. It was significantly heavier than the Xiu Chun Knife and not as sharp.
"Sister, catch!" Tan'er threw a long sword to Meng Qianqian.
The owner quietly observed, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
This sword was even heavier than the heavy iron broadsword, yet the little girl threw it effortlessly, and Meng Qianqian caught it with ease. Clearly, both of them were skilled.
Meng Qianqian shook her head.
"You don't like it either?" Tan'er crouched down and continued searching.
After testing the last weapon, Meng Qianqian calmly said, "Shop owner, you haven't brought out your truly valuable items, have you?"
The owner looked deeply at Meng Qianqian, the playful smile from earlier gone from his face. "None of these weapons meet your standards, miss. It seems you've seen your fair share of treasures. You're right, I do have better goods, but..."
"I have money," Meng Qianqian said.
The owner laughed. "Money can't buy what I have. These are possessions of the Twelve Guards, and they can only be exchanged for items of equal value. How would I know if you have something worthy of trading for them?"
Meng Qianqian took out the Yin Hu Command and showed it to him. "Do I have the qualifications now?"
A quarter of an hour later, the two of them walked out of the iron shop.
Tan'er looked at the flute in her hand with a puzzled expression. "What kind of weapon is this?"
(End of Chapter)
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