Fan Min, Du Kexin, and Chen Yue had just come out of the garment store when they spotted someone they would rather not have encountered.

Third sister, youve come out shopping as well? Du Kexin gritted her teeth upon seeing Du Xiaoli, but forced herself to smile and greet her.

She would rather do this than bow to her!

However Chen Yue and Fan Min were required to curtsy to her.

Greetings, Princess Anle.

You may rise. Du Xiaoli glanced at them, saying: The seasons are s.h.i.+fting so weve come to purchase some clothes. Sister-in-law Zhou, Cailian, lets go in.

She couldnt muster up any good feelings for these three people and couldnt be bothered to pay attention to them. Instead, she directly brought Sister-in-law Zhou and the others into the garment store.

Behind them, Zhou Cheng pulled Niu Jing, asking: Wasnt Little Junior Sister the daughter of Prime Minister Du? How did she become a princess?

You guys stay in the sect valley and dont pay attention to matters of the outside world, but Little Junior Sister was conferred the t.i.tle of princess by the emperor a little while ago. Niu Jing informed her, Lets also see if we need to buy anything. This weather will only get colder and colder.

As Fan Min and Du Kexins group watched Du Xiaoli and the others, they each clenched their handkerchiefs fiercely, nearly shredding them. Fan Min commented, And the villain gets her way, before turning and leaving.

Du Kexin looked at Du Xiaoli choosing clothes and a terrifying light surfaced in her eyes. It was only after Chen Yue tugged at her a few times that she came back to her senses, following Fan Min as she left.

Du Xiaoli chose two sets each of clothing for Madam Zhou and the two girls, and then had the store clerks take their measurements and select cloth for the garments.

When Sister-in-law Zhou saw Du Xiaoli purchasing so many things for them, she declined hurriedly: How can we let you spend so much on us in one trip!

Its nothing. You have all just arrived in the capital so youre not too familiar with the weather here. All of these are necessities. Du Xiaoli smiled, saying, Actually its also my first time spending the winter here, but Ive heard a great deal about it from others, so Ive been preparing ahead of time. Its only right for me to take care of you guys outside like this.

Little Senior Aunt, youre so nice. Unlike her previous shyness, Zhou Cailian spoke a few words to Du Xiaoli.

Little Senior Aunt is so nice. Zhou Jiandong imitated Zhou Cailians words.

"You guys see if there's anything else necessary, and we can pick it up together." Du Xiaoli said, "In a little bit you guys can change straight into a set of thicker clothes and put your thin clothes here. The store will send them to Eldest Senior Brother's residence together with the other clothes youve purchased."

Okay.

After exiting the garment store, the Zhou family had all changed into padded cotton clothes and were no longer s.h.i.+vering.

Their entourage then went to the Blizzard Pavilion for lunch, and after eating lunch Du Xiaoli sent them back to Niu Jing's Manor before she herself returned to the Prime Minister's Manor.

The snow continued to fall for another day, however because it fell lightly, there was little snow left on the bamboo leaves and the snow on the ground had melted into puddles of water.

In the evening, Du Yunhan brought her and Du Xiuheng over to inform them of what they had discussed with the Senior Cabinet: the wedding date between Du Xiuheng and Fu Yalan was set for the twelfth day of the third month, and the bride would be married off ten days later, so they needed to start preparing the dowry immediately.

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This was essentially the only good news Du Xiaoli had received during this period of time. Although the Prime Ministers Manor was not extremely wealthy, it still had a considerable background, and so it wasnt necessary for Du Xiaoli to help prepare the dowry.

Han Mingxiang moved to the palace just a few days after the marriage alliance was set. The next time Du Xiaoli saw her was at Meng Jiangzhuos coming-of-age ceremony. She appeared thinner, and her eyes were dimmer it was truly heartbreaking to see.

Prior to the coming-of-age ceremony, the five of them had gotten together, thinking it would be their last meeting, and so everyones spirits were low.

After today, Jiangzhuo, you will have come of age. This is my gift for you and I hope you will like it, Du Xiaoli said with a smile as she placed her gift into Meng Jiangzhuos hands.

Thank you Xiaoli. Meng Jiangzhuo opened the gift, and saw the Glazed Gla.s.s Crystal inside and liked it very much. Its beautiful, when I get married, Ill make sure to bring it with me.

Ha, if youre bringing Xiaolis gift with you, you cant leave ours behind either. Fu Yalan placed her gift in Meng Jiangzhuos hand. It was a long box, most likely a painting.

Meng Jiangzhuo opened the box, and found that there was indeed a scroll inside. On it was a picture of everyone in a persimmon forest playing the piano, playing the flute, and dancing. Ji Liuxia was sword dancing, and it clearly depicted that time they had been dancing in the persimmon forest. The only different detail was that the persimmons on the persimmon tree had still been green, whereas in this painting the persimmons were already ripe and there were yellowing leaves on the ground.

"Originally, Xiaoli said that when we have time, we can go to the village to pick persimmons together. But now were all busy and Im guessing we wont have time, so I painted this picture instead. I was thinking that you don't have any good gifts for your coming-of-age, so you can take this as your gift." Fu Yalan explained.

Thank you, Sister Yalan. I will treasure this painting well. When I go to Jiangnan and miss all of you, I will take this out and look at it, Meng Jiangzhuo said.

Ji Liuxia and Han Mingxiangs gifts had been delivered before Du Xiaoli and the others arrived, so they chatted together inside until the nanny came to inform them that the coming-of-age ceremony as about to begin. Only then did they go to the parlor.

MoonWhisperer, skyrise's Thoughts

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