"Heh, so all this worry was because of a sword," how ridiculous.
Stroking the ice blue sword that laid on the table of my room, I felt a cold icy breeze go through the room.
How interesting.
Picking up the sword, I pulled the sword out of its sheath. With a crisp ring, the silver sword glided out of its case, relieving a beautiful sharp sword.
Fiddling with the blade, I found it had a good weight and was well balanced, a similar feeling to the qi blades I usually used.
Junior Sister must've worked hard to create this.
The corners of my lips twitched as I recalled Junior Sister's embarrassed expression as she rushed through her piece from a few days ago.
I have to admit it was almost worth not seeing her for two days, as her embarrassed and nervous expression was too cute. She looked as if she were a puppy, desperate to please.
"Honestly, was this reason that Junior Sister ignored me for the past two days?"
Junior Sister could've given me a rock, and I would've given her a positive reaction regardless. After all, it's a gift from her, and I doubt she would pick something up unless there was a reason behind it.
"Heh, so silly," another odd wave of giggles came over me. So strange.
"Second Young Miss," suddenly, there was a knock on the door as my laughter subsided. Xia Jia meekly pushed the door open and bowed her head in greeting. "This slave hopes that Second Young Miss isn't busy."
Sheathing the sword, I set it down on the table once more. "No, I'm not. What is it, Xia Jia?"
"Um, Second Young Miss," she bowed her head as she fiddled with her hands. "it's about Miss Zhu."
Junior Sister?
Furrowing my brows, I walked over to Xia Jia's skittish form.
"What's wrong with her?" Did something happen? Ah, I hope she isn't causing trouble for the servants.
Ah, I could already feel a headache of trouble coming.
"Um, i-it's perhaps best if Second Young MIss sees for herself," Xia Jia mumbled as she wrung her hands in a nervous sweat.
"Alright, take me there."
---
As we approached closer to Zhu Na Ran's courtyard, the sounds of a scuffle came from inside.
What is going on?
Picking up the pace, we quickly arrived at her door. From the outside, we could hear sounds of frustration and annoyance.
"What is going on?"
Pushing the door open, I see the scene of Zhu Na Ran trying to bat away the hands of a few maidservants trying to dress her and arrange her hair.
"Senior Sister, help me," Zhu Na Ran pouted with teary eyes as the other maidservants quickly took notice of my arrival.
"Second Young Miss," the group of maidservants bowed their heads as I walked into the room.
"What is going on," going to Zhu Na Ran, I take notice of her half-dressed state and messy appearance.
"Senior Sister," Zhu Na Ran mumbled as she bowed her head.
"What is the meaning of this," looking over at the group of young women, I scanned their faces. Was Zhu Na Ran being bullied?
"Um," the head maidservants of the group stepped forward. "We tried to help Miss Zhu prepare herself according to Second Young Miss instruction. However, it was a bit… difficult.
Miss Zhu wished to do things herself; however, when Miss Zhu couldn't correctly put things on herself, Miss Zhu became frustrated.
We tried to help Miss Zhu, but unfortunately, it didn't go as planned, and the Second Young Miss arrived," the maidservant bowed once more before backing up.
Looking back at Zhu Na Ran, I rose a brow as she sheepishly shrugged while scratching her head.
Sigh.
"No issue," rubbing the crease between my brows, I dismissed the maidservants. "I'll handle this myself. Thank you for your service."
"Yes," bowing once more, the maidservants left before Xia Jia walked out and shut the door behind her.
"Honestly, what am I going to do with you," lightly flicking Zhu Na Ran forehead, she cried out. "Acting like a child."
"Wu, it's not my fault," she pouted as she rubbed the area of impact. "It's just that they were so persistent. It's weird~.
Plus, I know how to put on clothes! It's just that...
I didn't expect these clothes to have so many layers!"
"Sigh, goodness," I can't take this girl anywhere. "Do you want to go to the banquet with me or not."
"Eh, eh, I do," she nodded with an enthusiastic smile. "I want to see what the imperial palace looks like."
Today was the emperor's birthday, and as a noblewoman, I would have to attend. Initially, I was going to go on my own; however, Zhu Na Ran heard that I was going and wished to tag along.
"Alright then," straightening out her clothes, I placed my hands on her shoulders. "Then, you need to look appropriate for the occasion."
"Hah, fine," sitting her down in front of the vanity, I picked up a comb to straighten out all of the knots and kinks in her hair.
Zhu Na Ran obediently sat still as I pulled her hair atop her head.
"Eh? What is this," grabbing the mirror with wide eyes, she looked back at me for an answer before gapping at her reflection.
Atop her head was two large hair buns with two pigtails neatly tied with some red ribbons. "It's an appropriate hairstyle for girls your age."
"G-girls my age," she cried with a wronged look. "How could this look match my age?
Sniff, I look so ridiculous…"
I couldn't help but smile a little as my junior sister mumbled about her hairstyle. Well, I suppose I was too mean with this look. "Alright, alright. Settle down. I'll fix it for you," appeasing the angry child, I sat her down and undid my work.
"Senior Sister."
"Em?"
"Thank you for doing this."
My hands paused as I looked up to see Zhu Na Ran's strange expression through the blurred mirror. "It's no issue. It's what sisters do for each other, after all."
I made quick work of Junior Sister's new hairstyle, which consisted of a few loose braids on the side of her head pulled together into a ponytail.
Turning her so that she would face me, I washed her face before I started to clean up her appearance.
"Ow, ow," Zhu Na Ran cried as I plucked the hairs between her brows and upper lip. "Gently, gently, Senior Sister."
"Hah, who told you to look like a hairy beast," narrowing my eyes, I tried to focus on grooming her eyebrows. "You think I'll let you run around like a wild beast?"
"Em, no, ow ow."
Once I finished, I rubbed out the red areas on her face. "There, there, it's over now."
"Sniff, Senior Sister, is this some sort of punishment for being difficult with those maids, or something?"
"No, of course not," picking up some makeup, I began to brush some onto her face. "Beauty is pain, Junior Sister."
"Hmph."
"Tsk, no frowning, you'll cause wrinkles."
Junior Sister has a more of a golden complexion; pearl powder would look unnatural on her. Maybe I should just stick to something more natural.
Lifting her face upwards, I concentrated on painting her lips.
"Heh, you look good, Senior Sister."
I nearly painted off her face, at her sudden complement. "Tsk, what a sweet talker," my face burned as I tried to keep a steady hand. "Now sit still, I'm trying to concentrate. You don't want me to mess up, do you?"
"Alright, alright, I'll be good~."
---
"Wow! I look amazing," posing in the mirror; Zhu Na Ran smiled until her eyes turned into crescents. "Thank you, Senior Sister!"
"Em, no issue," I stood back as I took in Zhu Na Ran's new appearance. Since Zhu Na Ran didn't receive an invitation to the emperor's birthday, she would come as my maidservant.
It would've been ideal if she could come as a guest, however Junior Sister's background is unknown, and it would too last minute for her to go as the martial aunt of Yun Cai as it would be too suspicious for the emperor's liking.
"Second Young Miss, the carriage is waiting," Xia Jia called from outside.
"Well, are you ready?"
"Yep! Let's go!"
---
"Woah! This place is huge!" Gawking at the sights, Zhu Na Ran seemed fascinated with every little thing.
"Don't run off; it's dangerous for you to wander through the palace aimlessly."
"Eh, I won't!"
Walking through the imperial garden, we waited for the banquet to start. It would've been nice to see Eldest Brother as I haven't seen him since my birthday.
And as surprising as it was, Eldest Brother's gift was indeed a surprise.
Mother's favorite yulan hairpin.
When he presented it to me, it was as if I saw a ghost. I hadn't seen this hairpin in years, not since my mother passed.
"I know how much you liked this hairpin," he said as he pushed the box where the hairpin laid in over to me. "And how crushed you were when it went missing.
It's not perfect, but I tried my best to replicate it," he smiled as Eldest Brother stood up and placed it into my hair. "Happy Birthday, Xiao Hua."