Chapter 273 - 164: What Is This?
Three days flew by like a fleeting moment, and in the blink of an eye, it was Princess Changle’s twenty-fourth birthday.
At dawn, the Champion Marquis Mansion was already decorated with lanterns and streamers, the two stone lions at the vermilion-painted gate were adorned with red cloth, and even the lanterns under the eaves were exchanged for a gold-trimmed design.
When the sun had risen in the sky, Han Lei was still dressed as a chubby young man. Wrapped in a black cloak, she had been standing under a tree at the street corner for half an hour.
The telescope in her hand gleamed with a cold light in the morning sun, capturing the movements in front of the mansion’s entrance.
"I see Mr. Wei’s family has already gone inside," Han Lei commented while observing the scene ahead.
"Yes!"
Da Si, dressed as a servant, leaned against the wall at the street corner and nodded lightly.
"A blue-curtained horse carriage is coming, and judging by the design, it belongs to the Assistant Minister of Rites’ family." She murmured softly, suddenly straightening her back, "Quick, look at that sedan chair carried by eight men!"
With these words, Da Si leaned in for a closer look, only to see a bright yellow sedan chair slowly approaching, surrounded by Yulin Guards.
When the curtain was lifted, there was a glimpse of Emperor Jing seated inside, clad in a robe adorned with dragon patterns.
"Even the imperial presence has been alerted."
Da Si clicked his tongue, and the brocade box in his arms nearly slipped. Han Lei deftly pressed the box from behind, feeling the chill of the silk-covered sandalwood box, which contained the gift they had meticulously prepared.
Guests were streaming into the Champion Marquis Mansion, and by the time it was almost noon, the area in front of the mansion finally quieted down.
𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺
Han Lei tucked the telescope into her sleeve and absentmindedly stroked the jade pendant in her arms.
This jade pendant was precisely the one she had tricked Wei Dabao into giving her a few days ago. With this jade pendant, Han Lei navigated the Capital City with ease.
"Let’s go, it’s our turn now!"
Suddenly, Han Lei threw back the black cloak, revealing the dark green brocade robe underneath, further accentuating her aristocratic air.
She shook her folding fan and strode forward, with Da Si puffing up his chest and closely following behind, carrying the brocade box with both hands.
Just as they reached the entrance of the mansion, they were halted by the guard at the gate.
"Stop!"
The guard in front of the vermilion-painted gate crossed his halberd to block them, the crisp sound of iron colliding startled the sparrows under the eaves.
The leading guard with a dark face scrutinized them, "Do you have an invitation?"
Han Lei coughed softly, her lips curling into a perfect smile, speaking with grace and ease.
"The invitation is with my uncle." She gestured to the brocade box in Da Si’s hands, "Earlier, my uncle sent me back to retrieve this gift, which caused the delay."
The guard’s gaze roamed over the box.
The box’s surface was adorned with lotus patterns embroidered in gold thread, with locks made from two intricately carved jade cicadas. Such craftsmanship resembled that of a wealthy household.
"Who is your uncle?"
"My uncle is Mr. Wei." Han Lei calmly handed over the jade pendant, "My cousin Wei Chengchao should already be attending the banquet with him."
Han Lei deliberately emphasized "Wei Chengchao," and as expected, the guard’s expression relaxed.
The dark-faced guard took the jade pendant and examined it closely against the light. Mr. Wei often visited the mansion, and the guards naturally recognized the Wei Family’s jade pendants.
Seeing that the pendant was genuine, the guard immediately returned it with both hands, a hint of a flattering smile appearing on his face.
Everyone knew Mr. Wei was in the Emperor’s favor; last winter hunt, the Emperor had personally draped a mink cloak over him.
As the guard stepped aside to open the path, Han Lei noticed cold sweat seeping from the back of his neck.
When they stepped over the threshold, Da Si’s boot scuffed against the stone steps, causing a "ding ding" sound from metal clashing inside the brocade box.
The guards looked up alertly, but saw the chubby young man smile back at them, before turning stern to scold the servant.
"Be careful, if you break the South Sea pearls meant for the Commandery Princess, you’ll pay for it."
Once they rounded the screen wall, Da Si finally breathed a sigh of relief.
However, Han Lei suddenly paused, taking out a piece of apricot from a pouch and stuffing it into her mouth.
"Did you see the badge that guard was wearing?" She mumbled, "It’s made of black iron with a vermillion bird pattern. Seems today’s banquet is even livelier than we thought."
"I saw it." Da Si nodded, "Even the imperial presence has been alerted. I’m afraid all the guards have been replaced by the Imperial Army."
Han Lei stroked her plump chin, earnestly advising, "Yes! Be careful, don’t make any mistakes from now on."
"Alright!"
Da Si took a deep breath, still a bit nervous.
Unlike Da Jiu, he didn’t have exceptional acting skills or quick wit. But today Da Jiu couldn’t be here, and his honest look was the reason Han Lei chose him.
Luckily, Han Lei told him, as long as he did what a servant should do, the rest was up to Han Lei.
Once inside the mansion, the banquet had already begun.
The spacious garden of the mansion was decorated with lanterns and streamers, filled with the fragrance of flowers.