Aghast at Huang Yueying's Fashion Sense
I couldn't hide my shock at Huang Yueying's fashion sense.
Just trying on that gossamer silk dyed pink made me want to bite my tongue in shame.
It didn't expose any skin, but the flowing hanfu design fluttered so much it shredded my self-esteem. I argued with Huang Yueying for ages over it.
I ran to Uncle Gongming and begged him to make me something similar.
Zhuge Liang exclusive gear item: scholar's robes.
Huang Yueying was inwardly disappointed.
Uncle Gongming didn't show it, but he must've been flipping somersaults with joy inside, because for once, he openly approved and supported my suggestion.
Zhuge Jun got cocky. He brought dyes and wooden planks, blatantly testing me by messing around with them.
He was obviously hoping I'd say something like, "Make one for me?"
I have no idea why my carvings get such high praise.
I'm no Michelangelo, and I'm not 3D-printing cute figurines.
It's just stuff from elementary school woodworking and gardening classes—endless sanding and grunt work.
Finding a decent pearl in a pile of lumber and polishing it up. It's rewarding, though; time flies.
"But this is just a real plank."
The kind of neat board you'd see in a furniture district. Top-quality, with traces of someone planing it obsessively smooth.
"My brother uses a lot of paper, you see."
Ah, so this was scrap paper stock. Cut big and used roughly.
"But what are you doing right now?"
"Huh? Doesn't it look like what you're doing?"
"Finger painting?"
Zhuge Jun froze at my words, gave a defeated look, and left.
Eggs came out at dinner. I'm hugely dissatisfied that these are boiled eggs, not fried.
The fact that I could turn into a picky eater after just a week proves the late Han is a truly mysterious world.
I ate the healthy meal with gusto. Grandma, who handles all the housework, made it.
Eating food made with such care tastelessly would be a sin.
The servants kept glancing at me nervously, so I tried to avoid contact as much as possible.
It makes me uncomfortable, and them too.
Uncle Gongming lectured me at the dinner table. I let it go in one ear and out the other while enjoying my meal.
Huang Yueying dragged me into the bathhouse and gave me a scrub-down. Mortifying.
"All packed? Nothing forgotten? You'll be fine, have confidence! Oh dear, what to do... Your clothes aren't neat enough. Let me fetch something to drape over."
"Sigh... Yes, ma'am..."
Huang Yueying was making even more fuss than I was.
Lately, she scares me. She has this pure, innocent image, but her actions are the total opposite.
"My lady, no need for such theatrics."
"How can you be so indifferent, my lord? Isn't this our only daughter's first day at the Water Mirror Academy?"
"Do as you wish, my lady."
Huang Yueying dashed off to grab an outer robe.
"Uncle, I've got a question."
"What is it?"
"I feel a huge temperature difference in how you treat her versus me. Like... with her."
"A harmonious family brings a harmonious realm. Calling her 'mother' still feels awkward, eh?"
"Who wins when you two fight?"
Uncle Gongming looked utterly baffled.
"What a foolish question. Yet I shall answer. To govern the household, one must establish the fundamentals rightly. Governing the family is akin to governing the state—set legitimacy aright and rule by proper rites."
"So, in short, you yield the diagnosis, teacher?"
Uncle Gongming latched onto that like it scratched an itch, fanning faster.
"Husband and wife must harmonize for stability. Now, why do you ask such things?"
"Just curious. Wondered if you're henpecked."
"Must you poke? I've spoiled you too much."
"I was curious about your thoughts. From my limited view, I figured women get used up strategically in this world."
"...Used up."
Zhuge Liang unfolded his white feather fan to half-hide his face.
"I misspoke without gauging your thoughts. In family governance, father is heaven, mother is earth. Without firm earth, how stands heaven? How raise the beams of home?"
"No need to get so serious..."
"Be like Fan Hui who birthed a hegemon—a steadfast earth moving the realm. That is the propriety I wish for you."
People turn into someone else just holding that feather fan. Maybe I should get one too.
"What fun conversation are you having?"
"I likened my wife to Fan Hui, bidding you emulate her talents and ingenuity."
"As expected of my lord! Soyoung, heed his words well!"
Uncle Gongming put on a stern face and pressed a finger to his lips toward me.
I gave him my best cheeky grin, and he patted my head, satisfied.
"So, who’s stronger, Dad or Mom?"
"You brat!!! 'Cultivate self, regulate family, govern state, pacify realm!' As ever, the household..."
By the time I was mentally singing the anthem's first three verses in my head, the carriage started moving.
Bamboo branches crackle in the wind. The mountain ridges glow blue, rocking like the carriage.
Cold wind fills my lungs as we arrive at the temple-like academy, horses whinnying.
"You've had a hard journey."
I bowed politely, but the coachman waved it off humbly. It was a grueling hour up the steep slope, yet he never complained.
"Lady Soyoung endured as much."
"You can drop the formalities. No need to be so deferential."
"How could I? The lord would have my head!"
Knowing his hardship tugs at me.
"It's fine. It's just more comfortable for me. Please take care on the way back too. I'll ask Master Water Mirror if there's a rest spot for coachmen."
"I couldn't! I must watch the horses in the stable."
"No worries. If they're stolen, I'll tell them to bill this place."
"Pardon?"
Humility's fine once, but twice is too much in this harsh world.
"Anyway, I'm heading in. First day has me nervous."
"With the lord's high praise, Lady Soyoung will surely excel."
The coachman was kind. Makes sense—he's educated enough to handle horses.
Inside the gate, scholars' recitation rings clear in my ears.
Missing Jingzhou's bustling street noise, but it stirs old memories, easing my heart a bit.
True to Jingzhou form, they're freely debating and exchanging views.
"What brings you to the Water Mirror Academy? Seeking someone?"
A man in hemp robes approached politely, bowing.
Wow. This friendly?
Is this civilized society? Just from an equipment upgrade?
Treatment varies wildly—gear really matters.
Huang Yueying's pink getup was all I had while mine was being made, but layers hid it fine. Good enough.
"I have business with Master Water Mirror. Chen Soyoung."
"With the master? I'll check if he's in. Please wait in the guest room—it's cold outside."
"Thank you."
He was worldly kind.
A week ago, folks addressed me as "hey," "you," "wench."
"This way. Tea, perhaps? Only strong-scented ones, I'm afraid."
"Tea too?!"
Service level's insane.
"It's only proper to receive a noble guest properly."
From "lowly" to "noble," and the world's my playground. Doesn't sit entirely right, though.
Sipping tea under his guidance, he soon returned, bowing deeply.
"The master awaits eagerly. Follow me."
He seemed pleased.
Leading ahead, he kept checking if I'd trip—my steps must look shaky.
"The master has been unusually quiet and unsmiling lately. Might I ask Lady Soyoung's house?"
"House Gongming. The Zhuge household?"
He nodded, convinced.
"No wonder he's thrilled! But I never imagined Master Crouching Dragon marrying so soon. No word of such a child."
"You can tell from that?"
"Of course. You take after your mother—a little flower indeed. Yueying, Soyoung. What lovely resonance."
Urk.
"I resemble her? M-Mother?"
"She's visited a few times. Mind the rugged path."
Lip service? Compliment? Teasing?
"Nah."
"Even your pout could steal Master Crouching Dragon's heart. Lady Yueying was truly remarkable..."
Looks like Lady Yueying pulled some stunt. Whoever she was. No clue.