Fitting

The night was not particularly cold, but the occasional breeze felt almost freezing.

Khan Bojing's footsteps paused in front of the room before he pushed the doors and entered. "Greetings, father."

The emperor put down the scroll in his hands and glanced at his son who seemed to only change more and more each day. Almost unrecognizable. "Bojing, it's fitting that we share a conversation, don't you agree?"

"As you wish, father."

Khan Yingjie leaned back comfortably into the chair, but his sharp eyes lingered on Khan Bojing. "What's not to your liking? Did something happened?"

Khan Bojing couldn't hide the surprise in his eyes, such that he didn't know how to reply.

"The emperor of Le'kai?"

"Father, you knew...?"

"Of course," Khan Yingjie responded. "The moment Yi Zhengting stepped foot in Hai'an, Yue Shangwu immediately notified me. The old man is blind and his powers are weakening, but no one can mess with him easily."

"Then Master Yue's trip to Le'kai..." Khan Bojing muttered hesitantly.

"Why bother if the target delivers himself to our doorsteps?" Khan Yingjie shrugged nonchalantly. "Also, isn't this the minimal respect I should give to my future daughter in law's father?"

Khan Bojing realized the meaning behind his father's words and quickly bowed. "Thank you for your blessings, father."

"It's the least I should do for my own son," The emperor quietly said before reaching for the scroll.

Khan Bojing silently watched his father, whose face was now hidden. He was still unsure of how to take all of this. Before coming, he imagined hundreds of ways this meeting could've gone and none of those situations unfolded as he thought.

---

Under the bright windows, Li Wei's eyes drifted left and right and back again. No matter how long she studied the two patterns, she couldn't find the difference.

San'er walked over with a tray of desserts. "Miss, what are you looking at?"

"San'er, come here," Li Wei pulled the girl close to the table and placed the two pieces of fabrics side by side. "Do you see any difference between the one on the left and the one on the right?"

San'er didn't blink as she studied the embroideries, even flipping to the back and putting it against the sun. The more she looked, the more confused she became. "Miss, didn't you buy this three years ago in Na'an?"

"I bought the one on the left three years ago," Li Wei confirmed. "But the one on the right, I just got a week ago."

"Miss, I don't understand. Why is this important? Isn't it just a brocade?"

"It's nothing much," Li Wei placed a sweet candy into her mouth and changed the topic. "Earlier there was a message from Madam Yan?"

"Yes, she finished the dress you ordered earlier than anticipated and wants to know if you'd like to schedule a fitting this evening?"

The candy in her mouth tasted sweeter than usual. "Perfect."

---

Behind the changing screen, Li Wei's head popped out. "Madam Yan, may I ask for your assistance? I'm not used to Hai'an style of dressing just yet."

"Ah, of course," Madam Yan stood up.

Li Fahrin, who sat casually sipping on juice, couldn't pass this chance without a little teasing, "My dear niece, would you also call out for assistance during the wedding night?"

"Aunt Rin!" Li Wei covered her face with her hands bashfully.

San'er, who was standing in the corner, felt her face burned. She suddenly wanted to hide too.

"Don't mind Aunt Rin," Li Wei explained as Madam Yan came into the back. "She likes to joke around."

Madam Yan smiled reassuringly, "No worries, Hai'an attires are more complicated so it's understandable you were confused. This was made according to your measurements so it should fit perfectly."

"Actually, I have another concern..."

"If you don't like it, we can change the dress. It's not too late to make another one," She offered.

"It's not that..." Li Wei glanced down. "I-I am not confident about the ugly mark on my chest."

Madam Yan smoothly put on the dress for Li Wei, the red birthmark disappearing underneath the gold fabric. "You're the young lady of a dignified and noble family, and you're the prince's betrothed. If His Highness loves you, he wouldn't mind at all."

"R-really?" Li Wei's fingers trembled. "I was afraid the prince would hate me for the imperfection on my body..."

"Look at how beautiful you are." Madam Yan smoothed out the skirt and turned Li Wei towards the mirror. "If he loves you, would it matter?"

Li Wei stared at her reflection, the girl who stood timidly in a magnificent, almost glowing dress. Contrary to designs she'd seen before, there were no embroideries. The beads were the focus of the dress, each one chosen with care to create the image of golden flowers blooming in the sunlight.

"Oh my, darling, this is the one," Li Fahrin exclaimed at once when Li Wei walked out.

"I think so too." Li Wei excitedly twirled and the soft skirt spread out like the wings of a butterfly, elegantly floating in the air.

Madam Yan smiled. "If you ladies don't mind, I'd like to excuse myself."

Li Fahrin was satisfied. Very much so, thus, she immediately made the payment with a generous bonus.

"I can't accept this," Madam Yan stared at the amount in alarm.

Li Fahrin laughed. "So what if the bonus is more than the order? You earned it."

"Accept it, it's truly yours," Li Wei added gently. "If you don't mind, I'd like to work with you again."

"Of course, I'd love to." Madam Yan continued to thank them before taking her leave.

When it was just two of them, Li Fahrin stared admiringly at each bead that were hand sewn onto the dress, her mouth slightly opened in awe. "What a beautiful creation."

"A beautiful creation indeed," Li Wei whispered into the mirror.

"Li Wei."

"Hmm?" Li Wei glanced over to her aunt, whose smile almost slid off her face.

"Why are you even worried?" Li Fahrin strode over. "Want to know something?"

"En. What is it?"

"If it makes you feel any better, the prince knows how to take it off."

Li Wei was really going to cry. "Aunt Rin!"