Little Sorcerer, Divine Doctor-Chapter 889 - 41: Azalea Banquet

Early in the morning, Donghuang Lingling tirelessly held up clothes in front of Yun Sheng.

Yun Sheng rolled her eyes, she had lost count of how many outfits Lingling had picked out.

"No more choosing, I’ve decided to wear this one," Yun Sheng closed her eyes and casually pointed, landing on a sky-blue dress.

"No, this one is too plain. Today you are attending the azalea banquet at the palace. The women from the Crown Prince Mansion will definitely try their best to show off. I can’t enter the palace, so you must be careful about everything yourself," Donghuang Lingling said in a housekeeper-like tone.

Donghuang Lingling was posing as a maid; she was worried about being recognized, so she couldn’t accompany Yun Sheng into the palace.

Fortunately, earlier Lingling had already taught Yun Sheng all sorts of court etiquette. Although Yun Sheng had learned lazily, she was smart enough to grasp it quickly. When she performed the royal etiquette, she did so with some finesse.

"Lingling, you seem to have forgotten something. I have no interest in becoming a Crown Princess Consort or attracting anyone’s attention. I just want to quietly be a useless princess," Yun Sheng put on the sky-blue dress and casually did her hair in a simple style.

Only then did Donghuang Lingling give up.

Yun Sheng had spent several years on the Wuji Continent, learning everything except how to make hairstyles.

Having grown up in the rural Banana Leaf Village, she later entered Yujing City and spent her days with Gu Feng and others or with the Hunter Soldiers. She never learned the skills common to girls.

As for her nominal maid, Donghuang Lingling, she was raised as a princess and was used to being served, so she knew no hairstyles either.

Yun Sheng left the Taxue Garden and, after taking a few steps, saw a group of ladies approaching.

Dugu Xiu was wearing a luxurious black robe with gold embroidery of a python, his long hair now tied up, giving him less of a wild look and more elegance.

Next to Dugu Xiu were Lady Chi Bi, Qing Qiang, and Li Huali. Each was dressed vividly: Lady Chi Bi was alluring in a purple dress, Qing Qiang looked refreshing and dashing in an apricot-yellow modified martial artist’s dress, and Li Huali wore peach pink, appearing more charming.

Among these peacock-like women, only Yun Sheng wore sky blue, her face almost bare of makeup, looking overly simple.

Dugu Xiu saw this and frowned, but soon relaxed his expression.

It turned out Dugu Xiu’s eagle-like eyes scanned Yun Sheng’s body and face.

After a sweep, he had to admit to himself that Yun Sheng like this... hmm, was quite nice too.

Yun Sheng was naturally beautiful: her black hair like clouds, lips rosy without any rouge, brows dark without being painted. Even without any adornments, she stood out among the beautifully dressed concubines.

Her only jewelry was the ancient jade bracelet on her hand.

Yun Sheng wore this jade bracelet all the time. Dugu Xiu had examined it before; since it wasn’t a Storage Bracelet, he permitted her to wear it.

Though its material was unclear, against Yun Sheng’s slender white wrist, the ancient bracelet was more exquisite than the finest mutton fat jade.

She looked elegant and refined, indeed possessing some royal princess bearing.

But if she were to attend the azalea banquet like this, she would probably attract criticism.

Royal banquets, for men, were about political socializing.

For women, it was a contest of who was more elegant, from clothing and jewelry to their men’s offspring.

Yun Sheng was a Crown Princess Consort-to-be. Until she officially married, her every word and deed was scrutinized. Dugu Xiu didn’t want her to suffer ridicule at the banquet.

"Where is the jewelry I gave you?" Dugu Xiu stared at Yun Sheng.

Yun Sheng would never tell Dugu Xiu that his jewelry had all been pawned in Hou Qin and were now gleaming Imperial Purple Gold Coins.

"With money handy, even the dead need not worry"—that was the first life lesson Yun Sheng learned after coming to Wuji Continent.

"I’m just a wild girl from the countryside. When the Crown Prince met me, he knew my temperament. I dislike being decked in gold and silver. If the Crown Prince dislikes it, then I won’t enter the palace," Yun Sheng was lazy, pretending to turn back.

Just the small Crown Prince’s Mansion was already filled with uproar, not to mention the Hou Qin Palace.

"Wait, did I say you could go back? You look fine as you are," Dugu Xiu’s face darkened like the bottom of a pot.

This woman, how could she not understand the situation?

Dugu Xiu thought for a while, then took out a small box from his chest, a uniquely crafted jewelry box.

He opened the box and picked out a pair of pomegranate red earrings, ready to put them on Yun Sheng.

But Yun Sheng was on guard, taking a step back, looking very much like ’strangers keep out.’

Dugu Xiu’s eyes deepened, his hand paused mid-air, his expression one of pending storm.

"Your Highness, you’re clumsy; better not hurt the Princess. Let me help the Princess wear these earrings," Madam Chi Bi smiled, stepped forward, and cleverly dispelled Dugu Xiu’s embarrassment.

She saw the earrings Dugu Xiu gave to Yun Sheng, her eyes revealing a hint of jealousy.

When had Dugu Xiu ever gone to such lengths to please any woman?

What on earth was so good about this damned Yun Sheng?

Even Qing Qiang and Li Huali beside her were enviously red-eyed.

Yun Sheng put on the earrings, feeling a warmth spreading from them.

Since Dugu Xiu had used his unique combat skills to bind her Magic Power, she felt an obstruction in her circulation. Although Yun Sheng had often used Marrow Jade Technique to adjust her breath, she couldn’t break through the restraint of Dugu Xiu’s fighting spirit.

However, once she put on these earrings, she indeed felt that the power of her Marrow Jade Technique flowed more smoothly, making her limbs more agile.

Everything ready, Dugu Xiu, with the four women, took a palanquin to the Eastern Palace in Emperor Yang Palace, which was also the Taiyang Palace where Dugu Sheng, the Empress, and the concubines lived.

Yun Sheng and Madam Chi Bi sat in one car, as Madam Chi Bi casually chatted,

Reaching the front of Taiyang Palace, Yun Sheng got off the car.

Ahead, as soon as Dugu Che’s palanquin stopped, a group of Hou Qin nobles and ministers surrounded it.

In front of Taiyang Palace, a picturesque scene of flowers abounded, especially between the palace corridors where vibrant azaleas bloomed everywhere.

"I’ll go greet my aunt. I won’t stay with you sisters," Qing Qiang got off the car, left them, and went alone to the harem to find Empress Qing.

"Hmph, what’s so great about having an Empress aunt," Li Huali muttered, half-jealous, half-annoyed, "Let’s go to Qianzi Palace to see the noble concubine."

Li Huali wasn’t easy to deal with either. Qianzi Palace’s Princess Consort Zi was a newly favored concubine of the Hou Qin Emperor, roughly the same age as Li Huali, and was quite favored, so Li Huali took the chance to become close friends with her.

"Princess, there’s about an hour before the azalea banquet starts. I shall excuse myself for a while. If you like, you can stroll around the Flower Garden," Madam Chi Bi nodded and walked towards Dugu Xiu.

Unlike Qing Qiang and Li Huali who flattered the harem’s empress and concubines, Chi Bi preferred mingling with the Hou Qin ministers and nobles by Dugu Xiu’s side.

With the three women gone, Yun Sheng finally had some peace and started wandering around the Taiyang Palace.

~Mor, everyone’s longing for the fox, I understand; within seventy-two hours, the fox will surely appear~