Travel through troubled times and escape famine with the system

Chapter 412 Old Guan's Integrity

"These are clothes that the master asked His Majesty to have made for you at the Imperial Clothing Bureau."

"After you take a bath, Miss, you can try them on. If any parts don't fit, we can send them to be altered."

Mingcui stood beside Luyou and explained softly.

Lu You reached out and gently brushed her hand over the two sets of clothes. With just a light touch, she could tell that the fabric was precious.

"What kind of place is the Imperial Clothing Bureau? As a Hanlin Academician, does Mr. Guan need His Majesty's permission to make two garments for me?"

Maids and servants are the best at reading people's minds. After spending some time together, Mingcui Bingqin realized that Luyou was not a mean or difficult person, so she relaxed a lot.

Mingcui reached out to test the water temperature, and when she heard Luyou's question, she quickly turned around and answered.

"The Bureau of Imperial Clothing was one of the six bureaus of the imperial court, and it was divided into four departments: the Bureau of Imperial Seals, the Bureau of Imperial Clothing, the Bureau of Imperial Ornaments, and the Bureau of Imperial Guards. In the previous dynasty, it was in charge of the royal clothing and ceremonial guards."

"After the founding of our Wu Kingdom, the Bureau of Clothing was reorganized, and the official robes of officials of the seventh rank and above were also placed under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Clothing."

"Miss, don't underestimate these two dresses."

"In the more than sixty years since the founding of our Wu Dynasty, there are fewer than a hundred people outside the capital who, without being officials, wear the brocade robes of the Imperial Clothing Bureau."

"This represents His Majesty's grace!"

Upon hearing Mingcui's introduction, Lu You frowned slightly.

To save himself, Lao Guan is really going all out!

She had heard before that Guan Shanyue, in order to avoid being bound by the court factions, had even erected a sign at the gate of his mansion declaring that he would never marry.

People praise his integrity as a scholar, but some say he is just seeking fame and fortune...

But a gentleman judges by actions, not intentions. Even if he really coveted the worldly fame that would last before and after his death, he never compromised his integrity.

Now, however, he's asking the Empress for clothes because of his suddenly appearing granddaughter.

Is this a request for clothes?

This is a lifesaver!

The Emperor has issued an edict to bestow clothing upon Lu You. Although this is not a major event, it is still a declaration to the world: the Emperor knows of Lu You!

This alone is enough to make those who have their eyes on Lu You think twice.

I owe this person a huge favor...

Lu You was thinking about how to repay Lao Guan when she heard Ming Cui beside her speak.

"Miss, the water temperature is just right. You may undress and take a bath now."

As the words were spoken, several maids carrying wooden buckets came out of the room, while four other maids went around and untied the thin gauze tied to the pillars.

These thin veils were likely used to block the view and protect privacy.

Looking at the colorful gauze curtains swaying gently in the wind around her, Lu You was momentarily dazed. This scene was just like something out of an ancient costume drama.

Mingcui and Bingqin stood on the left and right sides respectively.

"Miss, I will help you undress right away."

"No need!" Lu You grabbed Ming Cui's wrist: "It's just taking off my clothes, I'll do it myself."

As Lu You spoke, she untied her belt, but as soon as she did, she saw a pair of delicate hands being offered to her.

Lu You looked up and saw Ming Cui bowing and preparing.

Lu You draped the belt over Ming Cui's hand and was about to unbutton her clothes when she saw Bing Qin also respectfully offer her hands.

"no……"

"Sisters, could you please turn your backs?"

"I feel very uncomfortable with you all staring at me like that!"

Mingcui and Bingqin were startled when they heard Luyou address her as "elder sister".

But after hearing what Lu You said next, the two of them knelt down at the same time.

"If Miss is not pleased, we two servants will kneel and serve you."

"I……"

Hearing their hesitant words, Lu You wanted to refuse but ultimately didn't say it.

With a light step, Lu You darted to the other side of the bathtub.

"Don't look up!"

As she spoke, Lu You quickly took off her clothes, changed her clothes in no time, and jumped into the bathtub.

"Miss……"

Upon hearing the sound of Lu You entering the water, Mingcui and the other person quickly got up to check.

"You haven't washed your hands or face yet..."

"Wash your hands and face?" Lu You placed her hands on the edge of the bathtub, letting the warm water envelop her entire body. "I'm taking a bath, why do I need to wash my hands and face first?"

“This is the rule…” Mingcui said, looking at the copper basin that had been prepared beside her.

"Let's just forget about these unnecessary rules."

Lu You waved her hand and said, then leaned back comfortably in the bathtub.

This bathtub is thoughtfully designed; there are even steps underneath for people to sit on.

The length is just right; even with both legs outstretched, they won't touch the barrel wall in front of them.

What pleased Lu You the most was the thick layer of petals floating on the water.

Those were all flower petals!

The maids just brought in two large basins of washed flower petals, and we poured them all into them.

As the warm water steamed, the delicate fragrance of the flower petals rose, and the enchanted deer couldn't help but sniff it a few times.

This taste...

nice!

Leaning against the bathtub, Lu You sighed and looked up at the ceiling.

Morality was exemplified by the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, while fame and achievement were attributed to the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties.

The Five Hegemons and Seven Warring States dominated the Spring and Autumn Period; the rise and fall of the Qin and Han dynasties were intertwined.

A few lines of names in the annals of history, countless desolate mounds in the Northern Mang Mountains.

The land of our ancestors will be reaped by their descendants; what is the point of talking about the struggle between dragons and tigers?

Regardless of past or present lives, throughout history, the rise and fall of dynasties were all for the sake of vying for power and profit.

In the heat of youth, power and money are nothing but filthy cow dung.

But once you've truly experienced the harsh realities of society, you'll find that these two things are the most authentic.

Old Guan was only a third-rank official, yet he lived such a luxurious life.

If it were a second-rank official, a first-rank official, or even the current emperor...

How comfortable would that be?

That's why everyone dreams of being an emperor.

It's vulgar yet satisfying!

Of course, this is just the emperor's happiness imagined by someone like me.

In reality, the emperor's happiness was beyond his imagination.

As Lu You was thinking, she heard a soft sound behind her.

Turning around, I saw that Bingqin had placed a copper basin behind her.

"Miss, please lie down, I'll wash your hair for you."

"No need..." Lu You said with a laugh, "I'll just wash my hair after I take a shower."

"No!" Bingqin picked up a wooden ladle and said softly, "Hair easily attracts dust and dirt. If you wash it together, you'll inevitably get dirty. You should wash it separately."

As she spoke, Bingqin scooped up some warm water and gently poured it down Lu You's hairline.

Lu You lay there quietly, enjoying the service of the two maids.

Half an hour later, Lu You finally finished changing her clothes.

She chose that black outfit.

These clothes are truly worthy of being made by the Imperial Clothing Bureau. I wonder how these people obtained their body measurements; the clothes fit perfectly from the inside out and from top to bottom.

Moreover, after moving around a bit, Lu You discovered that the fabric of the clothes was also of excellent quality.

Especially in areas like the armpits and back, the clothes are different from my previous ones, and even when I move around, there is no feeling of tightness.

This outfit really shows a lot of thought...