Chapter 31: The Empress Dowager's Birthday — Getting Dressed
Today was the Empress Dowager's birthday. Early in the morning, Hua Ling was called up to dress and do her makeup. Hua Ling said discontentedly, "Why so early? I haven't even woken up yet."
"Madam, today you absolutely cannot sleep in," Yue Chun said with a smile. "Today is the Empress Dowager's birthday. Did you forget?"
Hearing Yue Chun say this, Hua Ling suddenly became fully awake. "Right, I overslept. Did you finish the things I instructed you to do last night? Those are things I'll need to use today."
"You can rest assured, everything has already been packed," Yue Chun said with a smile. Matters entrusted by Madam—how could she not take them to heart? "By the way, Yun Xiu said her mother's illness has much improved, and she wants to return."
"If she wants to come back, let her come back. However, her mother's illness must truly be fine. After recovering from a serious illness, one needs to recuperate well. Don't be careless; otherwise, have her come back a few days later," Hua Ling said worriedly. This Yun Xiu was simply too stubborn.
"I think we'd better not say anything. Her temper is terribly stubborn. If she wants to come back, let her come back. Anyway, it's not far from her home to here; she can go back to visit often," Yue Chun said helplessly. She and Yun Xiu were old acquaintances, so naturally she knew her temper.
"Fine, handle it as you see fit. What should I wear today? It can't be too flashy, yet it can't be too shabby either. Let me see." Hua Ling opened the wardrobe, looked at the pitifully few garments inside, and sighed helplessly. "There's nothing much to choose from. In any case, there are only these few pieces. Just grab one randomly."
Zhi Jin muttered softly at the side, "The Master is really something. He clearly knows Madam is attending the Empress Dowager's birthday, yet he doesn't even think of adding a few pieces of clothing for Madam. Going out in these clothes, wouldn't that just invite gossip?" Her words were full of grievance on Hua Ling's behalf. Nowadays, these young servant girls all adored Hua Ling.
"Yes, the Master only knows to care about the Cousin Miss all day long. Over at the Cousin Miss's place, new clothes pile up faster than she can wear them, yet Madam has so pitifully few here—not even a single proper garment fit to go outside in!" Cai Lian also deeply felt aggrieved on Hua Ling's behalf.
Hearing them voice such indignation on her behalf, Hua Ling actually smiled and said, "This is nothing. Clothes are merely things worn on the body. New and old don't make much difference, as long as it's novel and unique. Little girls, watch how your Madam turns waste into treasure. Even if we don't have gorgeous clothes, we can still outshine everyone else."
Hearing Hua Ling's words, everyone was extremely curious. Looking at Hua Ling, they said, "Madam, what are you going to do? How will you turn waste into treasure?"
"Originally, I didn't really want to steal the spotlight. But seeing how you're all speaking up for me, your Madam can't let you down, can she? Watch me. Yue Chun, bring me a pair of scissors. Zhi Jin, take out all the clothes from our wardrobe," Hua Ling said loudly, her face full of smiles.
Yue Chun quickly brought the scissors, and Zhi Jin also took out all the clothes from the wardrobe and laid them on the bed. Hua Ling looked left and right but wasn't very satisfied. She turned to Yue Chun and said, "Go to the steward and tell him I want a piece of patterned cloth, about a dozen or so feet long will do. The pattern must be fresh and elegant, something that looks refreshing and pleasing to the eye."
"Yes, I'll go right now." Yue Chun knew time was pressing and didn't ask why before running out. Once Yue Chun left, Hua Ling picked up the scissors, found a relatively well-fitting garment, and cut it open in a few snips. Then she constantly measured it against her body, immediately altering any parts that didn't fit. After cutting, she also used needle and thread to sew several places.
The young servant girls really couldn't understand how Madam would wear a perfectly good garment cut so short on her body! Watching Madam constantly cutting away by herself, they couldn't help in the slightest and could only fret anxiously.
Hua Ling finished cutting and, satisfied, picked it up to examine it. Not bad—even better than the effect she had expected. Just then, Yue Chun returned, holding a large roll of fabric in her hands. The moment she entered, she hurriedly asked, "Madam, will this do?"
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