Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 794 - 992

Chapter 794: Chapter 992

Shangguan Xuanyi has been quite busy recently. He needed to delegate and handle all matters of the Imperial Capital before he could embark on their honeymoon trip with Xiao’er.

Shangguan Xuanhao was extremely envious after hearing about it, but his son was still young and not suitable for long journeys, so he could only watch helplessly.

Xiao’er was also busy each day. There were many tasks to handle and delegate at the shop. However, the most important thing was the provision of high-quality food from the supermarket. Xiao’er took out many goods from their inventory and handed them to Shen Chengyao in bulk, instructing him to store them in his spatial ring and distribute them regularly each day. Shen Chengyao’s spatial ring was stuffed full of various fresh goods.

It took Xiao’er a whole day to pack her luggage. Even though her space already had everything she needed, going on a long journey without bringing anything, yet being able to procure whatever she needs, would attract too much attention. Hence, it was necessary to put on an act.

The emperor understood exactly what Shangguan Xuanyi was up to. Hence, he assigned some tasks to Shangguan Xuanyi: namely, to look into local politics as he travelled through various states and counties, to root out corrupt officials and come up with strategies for enriching the land.

In conclusion, he won’t let them have fun easily. Who can blame him for feeling unbalanced at the fact that he had to remain in the Imperial Palace, an area of just over one acre, while his son was free to experience the world? Hence, he allocated some more work to Shangguan Xuanyi.

Two days before their departure, Fu Ranhui invited Xiao’er out for a stroll.

Xiao’er gladly agreed.

"Xiao’er, when will you be returning from this trip to the northwest? You won’t be staying away for several years, will you?"

"No, my eldest brother is getting married next year, and Yun’er is also to be married. I will definitely come back."

This year is a leap year, so many people postponed their marriages until the next year, including both Fu Ranhui and Princess Ling’er.

"That’s good. I’m also getting married next year, though the specific date is yet to be decided. I’ll notify you in advance and you must hurry back, otherwise I’ll ignore you!"

"Sure!" Xiao’er agreed with a smile.

"Let’s go. Mr. Zhao’s birthday is coming up, and my mother asked me to make a set of clothes for him. You can accompany me to the cloth shop to help me choose the fabric because your taste is better than mine."

"Okay, I also want to buy some fabric. Summer is coming and I need to prepare summer clothes." The Imperial City had a wide selection of fabrics, and Xiao’er decided to buy more to store in her space ring for future use. If she didn’t end up using them, she could always gift them to others when they reached other places.

The two of them arrived at the cloth shop. Xiao’er glanced at the recently displayed fabrics and began to pick out several colours she didn’t like. "Shopkeeper, I don’t want these, but I’ll take four yards of everything else. Please deliver it to Prince Rui’s Mansion."

"Sure." The shopkeeper was nearly bursting with joy upon hearing that Xiao’er was buying so much.

Fu Ranhui held two pieces of fabric, deep grey and black summer cloth, and couldn’t decide which one was better. "Xiao’er, which one do you think is better?"

Xiao’er turned around and saw the fabrics in Fu Ranhui’s hands.

"Mr. Zhao tends to wear these two colours. I thought they looked a bit plain, so why don’t you try making a bamboo-green or azure, or even a maroon robe? I think he would look good in these colours. He would look more spirited, especially in bamboo-green," Xiao’er suggested while pointing at the fabrics of those colours.

"I’ve never seen him wear these colours. What if he doesn’t like them?" Fu Ranhui was hesitant.

Since this is a birthday gift for him, Fu Ranhui wanted to cater to his tastes to show her sincerity. She wanted to thank him for saving her that day.

"If his future wife makes the clothes, he wouldn’t dare not to like them," Xiao’er joked.

"You’re only making fun of me. If I’d known, I wouldn’t have asked you!" Fu Ranhui blushed at her words.

Just then, Zhao Minhua and Zhao Youwei walked in. Zhao Minhua cheerfully said, "Did Princess Rui and the Princess also come to buy fabric? What a coincidence!"

As soon as Xiao’er spotted the main characters, she looked at Fu Ranhui and said, "Indeed, it is a coincidence. It’s great that you two could join us."

"Princess Rui, Princess." Zhao Youwei greeted the two women.

Fu Ranhui blushed and barely dared look at the tall and imposing man in front of her.

"I heard Princess Rui mention something about clothes made by a future wife - future sister-in-law, are you planning to make clothes for my older brother?" Zhao Minhua couldn’t resist fanning the flames as he looked at the blushing Fu Ranhui.

Fu Ranhui’s face reddened further. Making the clothes secretly and having them sent over by her mother was one thing, but having the recipient find out in person was another. Fu Ranhui felt embarrassed.

"Your future sister-in-law is shy, don’t tease her! Since the one who’ll wear the clothes is here, let him choose. Mr. Zhao, these fabrics were chosen by us. Which colour do you prefer? Choose one!" Xiao’er pointed out the fabrics that they had selected.

"My older brother likes to wear black and grey, and rarely wears any other colour," Zhao Minhua said with a smile.

"Bamboo-green," Zhao Youwei replied.

He had heard Xiao’er’s suggestion earlier; she thought he would look good in bamboo-green.

Zhao Minhua looked in surprise at Zhao Youwei. "Don’t you dislike wearing other colours?"

Fu Ranhui couldn’t help but look at him after hearing this.

Looking as though it was nothing, Zhao Youwei said, "Black absorbs too much heat in the summer, and I have to train soldiers under the sun."

"That makes sense!" Zhao Minhua agreed, although in previous summers his older brother always wore black.

Without any suspicions, Fu Ranhui asked the shopkeeper to cut a piece of bamboo-green fabric.

Zhao Minhua brought Zhao Youwei out to pick a piece of fabric for a suit as a birthday gift. "Big Brother, choose another colour. I also want to make a suit for you."

"Just choose azure then. It doesn’t really matter." Zhao Youwei spoke indifferently.

"Alright."

After buying the fabric, they decided to grab a meal together since they all happened to run into each other. Zhao Minhua intended for Fu Ranhui and his older brother to develop a closer relationship, so he suggested, "Princess, Princess Rui, since we’ve run into each other, why don’t we have a meal together before going back? Big brother, you can be our guard."

Xiao’er understood Zhao Minhua’s intentions and did not refuse. Shangguan Xuanyi had been so busy lately that he barely had time to come home for meals.

On the street,

Zhao Minhua held Xiao’er’s arm as they walked in front, followed by Fu Ranhui and Zhao Youwei.

A new dumpling shop opened in the Imperial City, known for dumplings of various fillings. Many people who had tasted their offerings found them quite good. Since none of them had ever eaten there before, they decided to give it a try.

As they entered the dumpling shop, the main hall was bustling and full of people.

The shopkeeper immediately welcomed them upon seeing their distinguished looks. "Are you here for dumplings? Shall I take you to our best private room?"

"Thank you, shopkeeper."