Chapter 24 Formal Attire and Plain Clothes

Chapter 24 Formal Attire and Plain Clothes

The next day at 9:00 AM, the sun was shining brightly.

The usually closed, imposing vermilion gate of the Regent's Palace was unusually ajar today.

Tang Li got up very early.

Instead of dressing up as usual, she rummaged through her belongings and found the undergarment the original owner had worn on the day she first entered the manor—

It was a plain-colored cloth dress that had been washed until it was almost white, and the cuffs were even a little worn.

She sat in front of the bronze mirror, looking at her small face, which was already no bigger than the palm of her hand.

After thinking for a moment, she picked up a powder puff and applied several layers of pale lead powder to her face, covering up the rosy complexion that she had developed from the imperial meals over the past few days.

Finally, she pulled out the only silver hairpin in her hair, casually tied her hair into a bun with just a wooden chopstick, leaving a few strands of hair hanging down by her ears, making her look particularly disheveled and haggard.

"Tsk, perfect."

Tang Li made a "shivering" expression in front of the mirror and nodded in satisfaction.

He looked exactly like a pitiful little thing who had been tortured and was barely surviving in the Prince's mansion.

It would be a waste of talent if they didn't act in melodramatic roles.

"Your Highness, the person has arrived."

A servant's voice came from outside the door announcing the arrival of someone.

Tang Li straightened her clothes, took a deep breath, suppressed the sharp glint in her eyes, put on a timid expression, and walked out with "weak" steps.

...

The front hall of the Prince's Mansion.

Although Pei Yunjing said "let her do whatever she wants," Tang Li didn't lead her directly into the main courtyard (that would be suicidal), but instead arranged for her to stay in a side hall closest to the garden.

Before she even reached the door, Tang Li was dazzled by a burst of dazzling jewels.

In the side hall, two large statues were sitting.

Sitting at the head of the table was his stepmother, Wang.

She had clearly gone all out today, wearing a dark purple brocade long gown with five auspicious symbols and longevity symbols, her hair adorned with gold ornaments, and a huge jade beaded necklace around her neck.

With the slightest movement, his entire body jingled and rattled, as if he were wearing half of the Minister's mansion's wealth.

Sitting next to her was Tang Li's kind older sister, Tang Wan.

The moment Tang Li saw Tang Wan, she almost couldn't help but whistle.

Wow, it's really red.

Today, Tang Wan wore a fiery red pomegranate brocade dress, with large, blooming peonies embroidered in gold thread on the hem, and a gold tassel belt around her waist, outlining her slender figure.

The color is extremely saturated, so red in the sunlight it looks like it's about to burst into flames, more festive than New Year's lanterns and more dazzling than freshly slaughtered pig's blood.

Not only that, she also wore the most popular Wu Zetian makeup at the time, with a floral decoration on her forehead, making her radiant and aggressive.

In addition to the visual impact, there is also a olfactory assault.

Even from a distance, a rich, almost suffocating, fragrance of lilies wafted over.

That was the most expensive incense at the "Fragrance Pavilion" in the capital. Normally, a little bit would be fine, but Tang Wan must have poured out half a bottle or left it burning all night, making her look like a giant walking sachet.

Achoo!

The gecko hiding on the roof beam sneezed from the stench, cursing under its breath:

[It stinks! Did this female two-legged creature fall into a spice jar? It's choking the gecko to death!]

Tang Li resisted the urge to rub her nose, hunched her shoulders, and shuffled into the hall.

"Mother... Mother, sister..."

Her voice was barely audible, trembling slightly, and before she even bowed, her eyes were already red.

Wang and Tang Wan, who were drinking tea, looked up when they heard the sound.

When they saw Tang Li's "miserable" state, the two of them could hardly hide the gloating smile in their eyes.

That's right!

This is what happens when you marry a crazy regent!

Look at these faded, tattered clothes, look at this bloodless face, and look at this shabby appearance—he doesn't even have a single piece of jewelry on him…

It seems the rumors were all false; that little slut is indeed living a life worse than death in the Prince's mansion!

"Oh, my son!"

Wang put down her teacup, feigning concern as she took out a handkerchief to wipe away nonexistent tears, then stood up and took Tang Li's hand (actually to confirm if she was truly emaciated):

"How did you get so thin? You've only been here a few days, how come you look so haggard?"

As she spoke, she looked Tang Li up and down with her shrewd eyes, trying to find any injuries on her body.

Tang Wan did not get up.

She sat in the chair, elegantly adjusting the gold hairpin at her temple, looking down at Tang Li with an air of superiority:

“Mother, please don’t ask. What kind of place is this Regent’s Palace? It’s like the King of Hell’s palace.”

Tang Wan covered her mouth and chuckled softly, her gaze sweeping contemptuously over Tang M.

She deliberately shook her priceless red dress, its shimmering light making Tang Li look like a kitchen maid:

"The rules of the Prince's mansion are strict, and since you are born out of wedlock, it's normal that the Prince doesn't like you. Unlike at home, even though you are a daughter born out of wedlock, your mother and I have never lacked for your food or clothing."

Tang Li lowered her head, appearing submissive, but inwardly she was sneering.

Never lacked food or clothing?

You haven't been short of leftover food or old clothes, have you?

"Sister is right."

Tang Li timidly raised her head, her gaze falling on Tang Wan's red dress, her eyes revealing a hint of fear:

"Sister...you look really good in this outfit today. It's just...a bit too red."

"What? Are you jealous?"

Tang Wan stood up triumphantly, twirled around, and displayed her graceful figure:

"This was made by the best embroiderers at 'Jinxiu Manor' in three days and three nights. I heard that His Highness the Regent is fond of killing and bloodshed, and this red color, like raging fire and fresh blood, is the best way to highlight the prince's majesty."

Besides confirming Tang Li's fate, her most important purpose in coming here was to see Pei Yunjing.

She was initially unwilling to marry because she was afraid of dying, but now that she sees Tang Li doing well after marrying into the family, she wants to snatch the Regent away from her.

She was confident that with her beauty and this carefully prepared outfit, she would surely catch the eye of that powerful man.

As long as you catch the prince's eye, even becoming a concubine is a hundred times better than marrying into an ordinary family!

Looking at the brimming confidence of Tang Wan, Tang Li thought to herself:

Yes, he loves killing and bloodshed.

Unfortunately, he no longer sees red as a symbol of authority; instead, he feels nauseous.

The smell of you makes me want to kill someone.

"Sister is right, younger sister... dares not be jealous."

Tang Li shrank back, as if intimidated by Tang Wan's imposing aura, and her voice became even softer:

"However... the prince is unpredictable. If you wish to see him, sister, you should... be careful."

"Hmph, I don't need your fake kindness."

Tang Wan rolled her eyes at her, completely ignoring the warning.

She looked eagerly towards the door:

"By the way, now that we're here, why haven't we seen the Prince? We are, after all, family from the bride's side, and it's only right that we pay our respects to him."

They've arrived.

They were definitely here for Pei Yunjing.

Tangli's drooping eyelashes concealed the cunning in her eyes.

"Your Highness... is practicing swordsmanship in the back garden."