Chapter 197

"Is that so?" Following Xiao Weiyang's actions, Bai Lian awkwardly inquired. Her usual gestures of respect included the commonly used fist salute in the martial world or the more grandiose sword ritual of the Taihua Sword Sect. Regardless, both advocated for dignity and elegance. But the etiquette taught by Xiao Weiyang was completely different. It not only lacked the air of dignity but also gave off a deliberate display of herself to the other party. As someone who had received modern education and was deeply influenced by the customs of a sect, she found it particularly repulsive. "Um... Yes, that's the way to do it." Xiao Weiyang lowered her head, looking at Bai Lian holding the gesture of respect, feeling that something was off. Bai Lian was dressed in a chest-high ceremonial dress that was not revealing in itself, only accentuating her graceful neck and collarbones. If an ordinary person wore it, it would just look more beautiful. When she designed this outfit, she had the girls, Mingzhao and Baoqin, as experimental subjects several times, and there was indeed no problem. Yet, when the same attire was worn by Bai Lian, it exuded a bewitching sensation, as if she wasn't an ordinary female official but a world-renowned courtesan. The more Xiao Weiyang looked, the more she felt that Bai Lian's prominently fair chest was glaring. If she were to enter the palace and bow in the same way in front of those princes and ministers, wouldn't those filthy guys be able to see Bai Lian's appearance? At the thought, Xiao Weiyang couldn't help but feel a pang of discomfort, as if a sourness was spreading within her. Suddenly feeling irritable, she waved her hand and said, "Forget it. As my personal female official, other than me and my father, you don't need to bow to anyone." "I'm a bit tired. You can go rest for now," she said absentmindedly, completely forgetting that she had just woken up. "And, this dress is too ugly, hurry and go change into another one." "What? Why is that?" Bai Lian didn't understand why Xiao Weiyang would say such nonsensical things, given her praise for the dress she designed just a moment ago. "Well, if it's not good-looking, it's not good-looking, what's the reason!" Xiao Weiyang pouted, as if feeling insulted. "Alright." Bai Lian was puzzled but didn't say much. She knew well that a girl's change of heart was quicker than turning pages of a book. If speculated with ordinary thoughts, it might be harder than finding a needle in a haystack. The best approach now was to go along with Weiyang's mood. However capricious Xiao Weiyang appeared before others, she was always sensible in front of her. Why did she suddenly become so unpredictable? Unable to understand, Bai Lian had no choice but to take her leave first. Xiao Weiyang stood in place, watching Bai Lian's departing figure, taking several deep breaths to suppress the sourness in her heart. Her lips involuntarily formed into a ∧ shape. She knew her demands were somewhat unreasonable, but the thought of those men looking at Bai Lian with that kind of gaze made her particularly angry. How could the future queen of a dignified empress become an object of admiration? Such a Bai Lian could only be admired by her alone! Time at the Weiyang Palace seemed to fly by, with endless tasks and knowledge to be learned every day. In the blink of an eye, several days had passed. Today was the birthday of the current emperor of the Xia Dynasty, Xiao Muxuan. As the emperor of the greatest nation, the celebrations for Xiao Muxuan's birthday were grand and extravagant, and the capital city had been adorned with all kinds of lanterns, while the people strolled around the bustling markets. The capital city had opened the skies, allowing cultivators from all corners to come and offer birthday wishes to the emperor, creating colorful streaks that lit up the sky—extra entertainment for the people in celebration of the emperor's birthday. Leaning against the window of the carriage, Bai Lian marveled at the bustling scene outside, remarking that the capital city truly lived up to its reputation as the heart of the Xia Dynasty. As a cultivator, the intricate etiquette of the mortal world might be complicated, but it could not overwhelm her. She had already integrated the knowledge she learned and underwent a remarkable change in her demeanor. If she used to be like an unapproachable snowy lotus, she was now a graceful and elegant orchid. Any onlookers would likely be captivated by her gentle disposition, unable to detect her origins as a disciple of a sect. Of course, all this was just a disguise. One's disposition could not change overnight, but a short-term disguise posed no problem. She even utilized secret techniques to alter her appearance and concealed her spiritual power, revealing only the cultivation level of a fifth or sixth level cultivator, which was more befitting a personal female official serving a princess. Her purpose for this trip was the Mu Residence. After several days had passed, she was unsure about the situation of her acquaintance, Mu Shijie. As she drew closer to the Mu Residence, the number of pedestrians decreased, and the surroundings became quiet. The familiar gates of the Mu Residence came into view. "Miss Bai, we have arrived at the Mu Residence," said the young attendant in charge of driving the carriage from outside the curtains. "Alright." Bai Lian acknowledged, getting down from the stopped carriage and nodding to the attendant. "Thank you." "Not at all." The attendant blushed, stealing a glance at Bai Lian out of the corner of his eye. It was evident that the charming and virtuous Bai Lian's charm had not diminished at all, but instead had become even stronger. As Bai Lian alighted from the carriage, she couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. Another sedan was parked in front of the Mu Residence, its silk drapes embroidered with the phoenix pattern. As far as Bai Lian knew, the only person in the capital who could have the phoenix embroidered on the sedan curtains was the queen. Since the passing of the former queen, also the birth mother of Xiao Weiyang, the sight of a sedan with phoenix embroidery had not been seen for a long time. In Bai Lian's mind, the image of Liu Yunmeng's bewitching face involuntarily surfaced. As a merchant's daughter, she ascended to the position of queen and captured the heart of the emperor by the time she was just in her twenties. She was both unique and mysterious. What was Liu Yunmeng doing at the Mu Residence? Bai Lian was bewildered before recalling the relationship between Liu Yunmeng and Lin Jingyi. These two apparently unrelated women were widely known to be sisters. Just then, the curtain of the queen's sedan was lifted, revealing Liu Yunmeng's face. She seemed surprised to see Bai Lian, but then a hearty smile crossed her features. "Miss Bai, what a coincidence to meet again," she said with pronounced amusement. "Bai Lian pays respect to Her Majesty the Queen," Bai Lian hurriedly curtsied. She used the palace's etiquette as taught by Xiao Weiyang. Seeing Bai Lian in her current attire and her way of paying respect, Liu Yunmeng's smile deepened with amusement.