Sending Gifts to the Bride

There were still three days before the Prince's wedding. Shen Mingjiao, the bride-to-be, was still eating and drinking as usual. She was not nervous at all.

Even the two Etiquette Nannies who came out of the palace praised her for her good self-control and calmness. She had the demeanor of a matriarch of a great family.

Shen Mingjiao was speechless for a moment. She wanted to pretend to be soft and shy like a new bride, but when she thought of the large storeroom filled with different kinds of silks and treasures in the Prince's Mansion and the pavilion, waterside pavilion, and back garden waiting for her to show off her skills at, she could only be excited. She really could not force herself to act shy.

Haitang came in and told her that Cabinet Elder Tong's daughter was here to give her some gifts. Shen Mingjiao was stunned for a moment before she realized that she was talking about Cui Lingling.

Before a girl got married, there would indeed be bridesmaids who came over to give her some gifts. However, she had never gone out to socialize before, so she naturally did not have any close friends. She had forgotten about this.

Shen Mingjiao went to the entrance of the courtyard to welcome Cui Lingling who had two maidservants following closely behind. Compared to the golden outfit she wore at the palace banquet last time, she was dressed much more elegantly today.

As soon as Cui Lingling saw Shen Mingjiao, her eyes lit up and she was about to run over.

The two maidservants behind her coughed lightly. Cui Lingling's smile froze and she retracted her feet in embarrassment. She retracted her stomach, puffed out her chest, and took small steps forward. She still had to work hard to maintain her expression management.

When Shen Mingjiao saw this, she almost laughed out loud.

Cui Lingling was the kind of girl who was quick-witted and cute. However, at this moment, she was wearing a long white collared robe and her hair was tied up neatly, making her look like a dignified young lady.

Shen Mingjiao stepped forward and grabbed Cui Lingling's hand. She said excitedly, "My good sister, why haven't you come to see me for so long? Do you know that I've been waiting for you every day!"

Cui Lingling stared at the exaggerated face in front of her in confusion. She thought to herself, 'It's only been over a month since I met Beautiful Demon Sister. How did she become like this? Could it be that this person in front of me has changed her appearance?'

Before she could figure it out, Shen Mingjiao pulled her into the courtyard. "Come in and have a seat. It's rare for my sister to come. We need to have a good time today."

Seeing that Cui Lingling was about to be pulled away, the two maidservants rushed forward anxiously. "Miss, Madam has instructed…"

Shen Mingjiao seemed to have just noticed the two of them. She gestured to Haitang. "My sister and I have a lot to talk about. Haitang, take the two girls to the garden."

Before the two of them could refuse, Haitang forcefully carried them away.

Seeing that they were gone, Cui Lingling heaved a sigh of relief. Her shoulders slumped and she leaned against the recliner in the courtyard without any care for her image. She sighed in satisfaction. "How comfortable!"

"You don't know how miserable I've been these past few days. Ever since the palace banquet that day, Mother has hired several strict Etiquette Nannis. She told me to learn the rules from them and not disgrace the Tong family."

She sighed dejectedly. "But I think I'm fine like this! Why does Mother insist that I become a blockhead who smiles without showing my teeth?"

Shen Mingjiao corrected her. "That is a lady with good etiquette, why do you say blockhead?"

Cui Lingling pursed her lips. "What do you call someone who pulls a long face all day if not a blockhead?"

Shen Mingjiao gently stroked her head, but the words she said were really hurtful. "Because the Tong family is a scholarly family, and they feel that you will embarrass them if you do not show good manners. In short, they look down on you very much."

Cui Lingling stared at her. Can't you be less blunt!

Shen Mingjiao glanced at her, as if to say, if I don't say it in such a direct manner, how can I destroy your fantasy of the Tong family's so-called kinship?

Cui Lingling answered. "Forget it, let's not talk about this anymore."

"I'm mainly here today to congratulate you on your upcoming wedding. I also specially prepared a gift for you."

After saying that, she took out a big golden bracelet that was as thick as a thumb.

The corners of Shen Mingjiao's mouth twitched. This gift-giving style was indeed very Cui Lingling.

Cui Lingling rolled her eyes. "This is not an ordinary bracelet." She pointed to a bulge on the inside. "If you encounter danger, three poisonous needles will shoot out if you activate the button."

Shen Mingjiao picked up the bracelet in surprise and looked at it carefully. "Is the poison needle very powerful?"

"Of course, it'll kill you." Cui Lingling's tone was inexplicably proud.

Shen Mingjiao didn't ask where she got it. She accepted it happily.

This was something that could save one's life at a critical moment. It was much more valuable than gold and silver jewelry.

At this moment, a maidservant came to report that Marquis Ningyuan's daughter had arrived.

Shen Mingjiao was a little confused. Since when did she know Marquis Ningyuan's daughter?

She remembered that Marquis Ning Yuan had lost his wife in his early years and only had one daughter. What was her name again?

While she was deep in thought, Gu Danxue walked in.

When Shen Mingjiao saw who it was, she still walked up to Gu Danxue with a smile and personally made a cup of tea for her although she was still puzzled. "My courtyard is rather simple. May I know what kind of tea Miss Gu likes?"

Gu Danxue hurriedly stood up and took the cup. "No… I'll do it…"

Shen Mingjiao was surprised. When she was at Pretty Pavilion the previous time, she felt that this girl was too self-abased. But how could she be raised like this if she was Marquis Ningyuan's only daughter?

However, when she thought about how secretive the backyards of advanced families had always been, she understood.

Gu Danxue took the wooden box from the maid and handed it to Shen Mingjiao. With a red face, she whispered, "…This is a gift for Miss Shen."

As soon as Shen Mingjiao opened it, she saw a white light inside. At a glance, a glow seemed to be flowing.

Cui Lingling came over curiously. "What a beautiful fabric!"

Shen Mingjiao pushed the wooden box back. "Miss Gu, I've received your sincerity, but this gift is too precious. I can't accept it."

If the price of Yansha satin in Jiangnan was higher than gold, then the Flowing Cloud Brocade was truly priceless. Every year, only Her Majesty in the palace could get a few.

"No, there's no use for me to keep this. It's perfect for Miss Shen!"

Gu Danxue pushed the wooden box back and carefully sized her up. Her expression became even more uneasy.

When Shen Mingjiao saw that she didn't know where to put her hands and feet, she couldn't help but sigh. In the end, she smiled and accepted the gift.

Given her personality, she had not been acknowledged for a long time. If she rejected her again, it would only make her feel even more inferior and even doubt herself.

Forget it. At most, when the other party gets married in the future, she would just give her a gift of about the same value.

Seeing that it was almost time for lunch, Shen Mingjiao ordered Haitang to book a table at the First Class Restaurant. Ever since the previous incident at the manor, she had completely fallen out with the Duke Mansion. It was naturally impossible to expect the main kitchen to send a decent meal.

However, the weather was too hot recently, so they did not have much of an appetite. Cui Lingling only ate a few mouthfuls before she put it down.

When Shen Mingjiao saw this, she pointed at a jar of milky white liquid that she had asked Haitang to buy and said, "This is yogurt from Northern Xinjiang."

She told Haitang to find some ice cubes and asked them to tell her their favorite fruits.

Not long after, Haitang got the necessary ingredients.

Shen Mingjiao asked the two of them to wash the fruits and cut them into pieces. Cui Lingling picked up the knife excitedly. As Gu Danxue had never done this before, she was a little uneasy. So, Shen Mingjiao asked her to wash the fruits while Cui Lingling cut them.

Gu Danxue was happy to be able to participate in a group event.

Shen Mingjiao took three maple leaf-shaped plates and placed the fruits inside. She poured yogurt on them and mixed them. Then, she sprinkled some ripe red beans and placed the plates into the ice.

Fifteen minutes later, Shen Mingjiao took out the plate. All of them looked at the fresh fruits soaked in white yogurt and the bits of red bean on them. The cold air hit them, making them drool.

Cui Lingling tried the grape and when the cold grape popped in her mouth, she immediately felt refreshed and soothing.

…

The few of them played for the entire afternoon. Before they left, Cui Lingling was still a little reluctant to leave, mainly because she had to learn the rules when she returned.

Gu Danxue also felt a rare sense of relaxation while she was here.

On the night before the wedding, the two nannies muttered in the room for a while. In the end, Granny Feng carried a small box into Shen Mingjiao's bedroom.

Shen Mingjiao asked, "Nanny, what are you doing?"

Nanny Feng coughed lightly. "Logically speaking, before a girl gets married, her mother will teach her about sex. However, Second Madam Shen passed away early, and the mistress of the residence…"

Shen Mingjiao instantly guessed what Nanny Feng was about to say. However, she wanted to tell her that she really did not need it. After all, she will not have the need to apply them.

Nanny Feng was professionally trained in this aspect. Naturally, every word she said was the essence. Not only a girl, but even a woman who had been married for many years would blush when she heard her advice.

Nanny Feng couldn't help but look at Shen Mingjiao. However, not only was she not shy, but she also propped up her face and listened excitedly.

Nanny Feng was speechless. This child is probably still confused.

Shen Mingjiao lay on the bed and casually flipped through the hardcover photo that Nanny Feng had just given her. She was a little curious. She had heard from others that this activity could make one feel very comfortable and even have a beauty effect.

However, it was a pity that she was destined not to feel it in this lifetime. Although she and Feng Lisheng were married by name, they were famous after all. She would not do anything to insult the Prince's Mansion.

As for Feng Lisheng, who was always right and proper… Forget it.

In her previous life, they had lived under the same roof for ten years, but Feng Lisheng had never shown any sexual desires for her. He probably would not do so either in this life.

She recalled that in her previous life, a good friend of hers had once exclaimed that her body was top-notch, which was what men called a supreme-grade stunner.

Shen Mingjiao only wanted to answer that it was useless no matter how 'supreme-grade' she was. No matter what, God's gift for her was destined to be wasted!