Chapter 30 - Lucky Break (2/2)
Lei Xing wasn't particularly interested in picking out her wardrobe and rather spent most of the time scrutinizing the jewelry, especially the headpieces, some of them were just so intricate that she was completely fascinated, and was studying them in detail, wondering about the process to make them and wondering how much they would sell for. Xiao Ruo and Ah Jin, already used to Lei Xing's lack of interest on these things took it upon themselves to pick and choose as they'd like.
In the end, they ended up in a disagreement, Xiao Ruo wanted to pick the most extravagant set, while Ah Jin thought that that set was too loud, heavy and inconvenient and wanted to pick a second option which was just as extravagant but more subtle and lighter. So they turned to Lei xing to settle it, and of course, she chose the convenient option. She was actually holding the main headpiece of the set that Xiao Ruo picked and it was already quite heavy in her hand, and this was just one out of four pieces. She would have to hold her head high for hours and with that on...No way.
...Spraining my neck is not on my to-do list...
Lei Xing was actually looking forward to this festival because at the end of it, they release lanterns. She was told the idea is something about thanking the gods for a good harvest and a request for future blessings. She had always wanted to see a lantern release scene in real life, it always looked stunning on TV.
...I know it's bad for the environment and all, but it just looks so beautiful T_T)'...
The third day went by and there was still nothing, by this point Lei Xing's mind had moved on entirely from the archery event and was now bored.
...The life of an Imperial wife is pretty boring -_-)'...
She spent some time reading the 'Art of War' book she brought back with her, but after a while got bored and so went on a walk. Xiao Ruo suggested going to the Imperial garden and so she went there and was walking down a path surrounded by beautiful trees on each side. She quite liked this place, in here you could forget that you're trapped around with walls. While they were walking around, she heard the sound of music and subconsciously followed it. She reached a clearing and sitting in a pavilion there playing the qin was Noble consort Li, with her retinue on the side. When she saw Lei Xing pop out, she stopped and jumped up.
Lei Xing also froze and they all awkwardly stood there for a moment, then Lei Xing smiled and said, ”Ah, I'm sorry to interrupt you...I just followed the music, you can continue. I'm leaving.”
As Lei Xing turned, Noble consort Li shouted, ”Ah Wait!” Lei Xing looked at her and then she started twirling her fingers, fl.u.s.tered and said, ”You can sit and listen...if you'd like...There's also tea and snacks as well...if you don't mind...”
...Well, here's the opportunity...
Lei Xing looked at her for a while and then smiled, ”That will be nice...Thank you.”Lei Xing came up to the pavilion and sat down on the side. One of Noble consort Li's maids came up and poured tea for her. Noble consort Li also sat down and was casting nervous glances at Lei Xing, it seemed she was thinking of what to say. The atmosphere was really awkward.
”Um, the cakes you made were really nice. I enjoyed them.” Lei Xing said with a smile.
Noble consort Li beamed at her and then looked down again, ”I'm...I'm glad you liked them.”
Lei Xing knit her eyebrows and gave a short laugh, ”You don't have to be so nervous.”
”Am I?” Noble consort Li looked at Lei Xing with shock clear on her face.
Lei Xing almost burst into laughter seeing her face but quickly restrained herself, ”A bit.”
”Oh...”
”I didn't get a chance to say this before but you are very talented.” Lei Xing said to break another streak of awkward silence.
Noble consort Li blushed and then said, ”Thank you...you are also really t-”
”It's okay, no need to flatter. I am well aware of my capabilities.” Lei Xing said with a dismissive laugh.
”You are very admirable.” Noble consort Li resolutely said.
Lei Xing looked at her and smiled, ”Okay, I'll accept that one.”
Then they fell into awkward silence again.
After a while of this again, Lei Xing said, ”Your qin skills are exquisite...I just don't follow any sound...”
Noble consort Li looked up to see Lei Xing smiling at her, and then smiled back and said, ”Ah.. then I'll play you something...” and then began to play.
Lei Xing sat on the side listening to the soothing sound of the music and watching the scenery and felt a peace of mind she has been missing for a long while.
...Nature and music are really perfect together...
As Noble consort Li played her nerves also relaxed and afterwards, they were actually able to engage in a regular conversation. She told Lei Xing about her story, it was quite a lucky one. The reason she was able to learn these skills was because at first, she used to hide and listen in on her sister's lessons and then later her sister caught her and then came up with the bright idea of her doing the work for her when she saw that she was actually good. So her sister, Li Jiao persuaded the elders in the family to let them study together by acting spoiled, and so while Li Ru honed her skills, Li Jiao took her embroidery, art, literary works and passed them off as hers, while leaving Li Ru with her own shabby work. Li Jiao also came up with an elaborate setup to somehow have her play the qin in the background during her performances at family gatherings.
...I've seen that done in a drama once before, it didn't work out too well...well it didn't because the one on stage was a bit of an idiot...but it still all worked out it in the end...
This was a secret between them and Li Jiao's two maids who helped with covering up and assisted in setting up everything. The family thought Li Ru, the maid's daughter was a failure and unworthy in every way and Li Jiao was perfect in every way.
Lei Xing frowned listening to this.
...How did no one find out about this...the a.d.u.l.ts must have really not been paying attention -_-)'...
Anyway, her father was proud of his perfect daughter and thought that would really be the way for the family to climb back up in life. So he contacted his old friend in the capital and got him to agree to take his daughter in and adopt her as a goddaughter, so she could enter the competition through him. Unexpectedly, when Li Jiao heard of this great news, she profusely refused and threw a tantrum. The family, of course, could not understand this behavior and chucked it up to her just being a child, and that she will eventually see the light and understand this is what is best for the family and for her.
In the end, after sulking for a long time, as the competition and her departure to the capital were looming, she left them a goodbye note one day that said even the emperor cannot make her forget her love and that she will come back after the dust has settled to ask for forgiveness with her husband. Her father was infuriated and searched high and low but could not find Li Jiao's whereabouts. After torturing her personal maid, they discovered that she had run away with a gentleman called Ji Lo who is a poet and a musician. This love story began after he had saved her from a runaway horse one spring afternoon amidst falling cherry blossoms.
After looking into this Ji Lo character they discovered that he is roaming traveler who entered the city a couple of months ago, no one knows where he is from, where he is going, and he has no family here to hold responsible. There were no leads whatsoever. The family couldn't bear the shame of an elopement, not to mention there was also the reputation of his old friend on the line. So he had to send a daughter and he remembered that the family had another daughter, Li Ru and so thinking that sending a half one is better than none, put her in a carriage and sent her off to the capital along a letter explaining to his old friend that his younger daughter contracted an illness and so the older, more capable one was sent in her place.
Unknowingly, he did actually send the more capable one. Her father also thought that if she can at least make it to the concubine selection, even if she fails, it could increase her value as maybe she could attract a valuable connection while there. Li Ru, of course, had no objections because this was her best chance to escape and carve a somewhat decent future for herself, her stepmother was currently in talks with some rich old nobles about taking her in as a concubine and it was only the matter of weighing bids that was left, so when this opportunity arrived she latched onto it and gave the performance of her life.
Lei Xing sighed.
...This is indeed a lucky break...
The two girls spent the rest of the afternoon talking about all sorts of things and became fast friends. Once her nerves were calmed, Li Ru was actually quite an interesting person to talk to, and this was the most relaxed Lei Xing has been since she transmigrated. By the time, she returned to her palace, she was in a great mood and slept well that night.