An Youwei immediately wiped away his tears and said, "Your mother and I have discussed it. I've used all of my salary this month to make you some nice clothes. If we're frugal next month, we can still manage to get by."
An Xin hurriedly said, "No, Dad, my clothes are fine."
An Youwei said solemnly, "How can I let you be so shabby when you meet the Empress Dowager? All the daughters of noble families will be there. How can my daughter be outshone by them?!"
An Xin felt both heartbroken and amused. What was this? She had scrimped and saved to build her a lavish outfit.
An Youwei continued, "Luzhu has grown up with you. This girl doesn't have any skills, and she knows very little about women's makeup. I shamelessly asked a maid from the palace to help you with your makeup. You have to cooperate with me!"
An Xin's teeth ached, and she had to put on makeup—it was the first time a young woman had ever been in a bridal sedan chair! Admittedly, this body had already been in a bridal sedan chair before, but for An Xin in her previous life, this was truly a first.
Fearing the old man would cry again, An Xin had no choice but to say, "I agree."
She's never been one for pretense. Putting on makeup isn't like going to the guillotine; it's not difficult at all. Could it possibly be more difficult than the murder case in Fengxian Village?! Besides, isn't there a song that goes, "Those who don't love beauty will be struck down by heaven and earth"...?
An Xin's clothes since she changed clothes have all been very ordinary styles, and if you count them carefully, there are only two or three pieces. It's amazing that she hasn't gotten tired of wearing them for so long. Wearing new clothes for the first time, An Xin also feels a sense of novelty.
Dewdrop pushed open the door and came in happily, saying, "Miss, Aunt Ming is here."
An Xin got up and saw a woman in her thirties walking in with a group of maids. The woman was dignified and graceful, and it was clear that she was familiar with palace etiquette.
Before An Xin could speak, she had already stepped forward and greeted her with a smile: "This servant greets Miss An."
This woman was clearly a senior aunt in the palace. Logically speaking, she wouldn't need to bow to a young lady of An Xin's status, but she did so politely, giving her a full bow, which was quite a show of respect.
An Xin smiled slightly and said, "Auntie, you're too kind." Then she stepped forward and helped the woman up.
The woman smiled and said, "Miss An, you can just call me Aunt Ming. The Empress Dowager wants to see you, and as Lord An said, we must not be impolite or lose face. You are naturally beautiful, and with a little makeup, you will surely be stunning!"
As expected of someone from the palace, her words were so sweet and natural, without any affectation. Even An Xin, who was usually indifferent to such appearances, couldn't help but feel a little better and smiled slightly, saying, "Auntie, you flatter me."
Aunt Ming waved to the maids and said, "Lord An gave me some money, saying he wanted to pick out some clothes for the young lady. Although I am not literate, I have an excellent eye for clothes. Come and see which one you like, young lady." As she spoke, she lifted up the trays, and An Xin's eyes lit up.
A brocade robe with azure cloud and pearl patterns paired with peacock designs, worn with a long, soft silver gauze skirt adorned with lilies. A flowing, colorful robe with gold-embroidered pheasant patterns, worn with a long skirt featuring twelve slits resembling immortals. A double-silk robe with wide sleeves embroidered with auspicious grasses, clouds, geese, and phoenixes, worn with a satin skirt embroidered with butterflies. A white gauze robe with scattered magnolia blossoms, worn with a long, flowing skirt featuring peonies and a misty, ethereal design…
The fabric was exquisite and luxurious, and the color scheme was elegant and understated, making it truly beautiful. However, An Xin, who was always quick and efficient, suddenly felt a headache coming on when she looked at the complicated dress.
Aunt Ming smiled and asked, "Which one do you like, young lady?"
An Xin was not one to hesitate. She casually pointed to a double-silk robe with embroidered auspicious grass, clouds, wild geese, and wide sleeves, and said, "This one." Her father had spent a month's salary to buy her new clothes, and it would be rather heartless of her not to wear it.
Aunt Ming smiled and said, "Miss has good taste. This embroidered silk robe with auspicious grass, clouds and wild geese, and wide sleeves is most suitable for your temperament." As she spoke, she took out a jewelry box and said, "Miss, you can also choose from these jewelry pieces. Although they are not top-quality, they are novel and unique."
An Xin casually picked out a few items and handed them to Aunt Ming, saying, "Thank you for your trouble, Aunt."
Aunt Ming smiled and said, "Outsiders say that you are no ordinary person, and now that I've seen you, it's true..."
An Xin interrupted her with a laugh, saying, "Different from ordinary people? Am I that scary?"
Aunt Ming's smile froze slightly before she smiled again and said, "Let's begin. What kind of hairstyle would you like, young lady?"
An Xin looked at herself in the bronze mirror and said, "Whatever."
Dewdrop looked at Anxin excitedly and whispered, "Miss, I bought the rouge and face powder, but I don't know if they're any good."
An Xin said casually, "As long as it works."
Dewdrop said with a grin, "Miss looks so beautiful even without makeup or new clothes. If you dressed up, you would definitely outshine everyone else!"
Bored, An Xin couldn't help but tease, "You even know how to outshine everyone else?"
Dewdrop said smugly, "Of course." The young lady is so beautiful; let the Grand Tutor regret it!
The Imperial Palace.
Xiao Gongzi rushed into the main hall and said, "My lord, the Empress Dowager specifically requested that Miss An attend this banquet."
Yan Zhen paused for a moment, then asked, "What did Lord An say?"
"To prevent Miss An from appearing too...too..., Lord An asked Aunt Ming from the palace to choose new clothes and jewelry for her. She's currently getting her makeup done at the manor." Xiao Gongzi subconsciously avoided using the word "shabby."
Yan Zhen smiled and asked, "Xin'er, shall we get your makeup done?"
---Aside---
Warm Tide Girl's reasoning was very logical, so here's a kiss as a reward. I'll just use it directly in the story, and also use the Left Prime Minister's words to answer your question. Are you satisfied? ╭（╯3╰）╮
The murderer is "Lake" and not "Lake"—the truth will be revealed soon. All the clues have been given, and there's a prize for guessing correctly!
Chapter Sixty-Two: Don't Create Sins
Yan Zhen smiled and asked, "Xin'er, shall we get your makeup done?"
Xiao Gongzi lowered his voice and said, "Forgive me for speaking out of turn, but Lord An spent a month's salary to buy new clothes for Miss An. But as you know, the clothes of the daughters of other noblemen are far more expensive than a month's salary of Lord An's. Many of them wear expensive Shu brocade!"
Yan Zhen laughed and said, "Lord An is an honest official. What nice clothes could he buy with a month's salary? Let alone jewelry."
Xiao Gongzi immediately said, "Therefore, if you were to present one to Miss An now, she would surely be delighted!"
Yan Zhen's smile deepened, and her eyes, which she raised, became even more captivating: "Hmm, the method is excellent, but some people just won't appreciate it."
Xiao Gongzi stared blankly and said, "What does Your Excellency mean...?"
Yan Zhen smiled and said, "The reason she is willing to be manipulated is mostly because she has no choice but to do so under Lord An's orders. If I were to send her there, she would throw her out without hesitation."
Little Gongzi said blankly, "But don't girls all like pretty clothes and jewelry...?"
Yan Zhen raised her pen and laughed, "Why dress up so beautifully? It's pointless to let others see everything. Don't worry about it."