Wufu, although she had matters to discuss with Ah Jiu, had just finished several bouts and was not only covered in sweat but her dress was also a sorry sight to behold. She certainly couldn’t meet to discuss affairs in such a state, could she? What would that look like?
Therefore, as soon as the fights ended, Xiao Li arranged for someone to take Wufu for a proper bath.
This arrangement made Liu Jin and Hongyu realize their inadequacies as servants, for they were unprepared for everything, not even having a change of clothes ready for their lady.
Yet, Xiao Li and the others had already instructed someone to prepare everything as soon as they saw Wufu feeding Zhao, so that everything was ready to use.
"Miss, next time we go out, I will definitely bring along an extra set of clothes," Hongyu said, helping Wufu wring out her hair with a dry handkerchief, while expressing her embarrassment.
"Who would expect so much trouble?" Wufu laughed, hehe. The ancients were very ceremonious. It was considered impolite to meet others with disheveled clothing.
Not to mention Wufu’s current state, even the noble young ladies from wealthy households would bring two or three sets of clothes with them to a banquet, just in case.
After drying her hair, which was loosely tied and hung at the back of her head, Wufu then went to meet Ah Jiu.
Ah Jiu was waiting in the Floral Hall. When he heard the report that she had arrived, he couldn’t help but look up. At that glance, he paused for a moment.
Wufu might not be a breathtaking beauty, but as her days grew more comfortable and she was regularly nourished with soups and the like, plus daily exercise, her complexion had turned rosy. Being at an age when one is at their most attractive, her skin was plump and tender.
She had just bathed, and the hot steam had turned her face a rosy pink, prettier than any application of powder. Her lips were a moist pink, and the brightest feature was her pair of eyes, shining black and glossy, as if two twinkling stars had been set within them, arresting anyone’s gaze.
The newly changed dress, bought from a ready-to-wear shop, was a lake-blue lined jacket and skirt. Her hair, carelessly hanging at the back of her head, gave her a look of fresh charm, while the quirk of her mouth showed a mix of unruliness and unabashed confidence, making her very pleasing to behold.
This girl, she seemed to grow more appealing with each look!
"Ninth Master?" Wufu greeted with a slight curtsy.
Ah Jiu snapped back to reality and coughed once before saying, "Please, take a seat."
Wufu sat down on the chair to the left, and a small table beside her held tea and snacks. The pastel-colored plates held exquisitely appealing small treats that were very tempting.
After all the action, Wufu was hungry. She took a sip of tea and then unceremoniously picked up a piece of lotus seed paste cake and ate it, nodding with approval at the taste. She couldn’t help but reach for another piece.
Ah Jiu and the others looked on in surprise. She, a young lady, seemed so at ease, not the least bit shy or hesitant.
But it was precisely this disposition that made her seem more forthright and interesting compared to those noble young ladies who never show their teeth when smiling, who speak in soft, gentle whispers.
"Miss Wufu, I must ask you to teach me some kung fu one of these days. Speaking of which, the style of your martial arts, from which school did you learn?" Xiao Li eagerly asked, unable to discern which martial arts school her style belonged to.
Wufu swallowed the bite of cake in her mouth and took a sip of tea before saying, "I created my own style."
Xiao Li was surprised and was about to ask more, but Ah Jiu gave him a look, and Xiao Li awkwardly shut his mouth, playing dumb.
"Did you come to find me because there is something you need?" Ah Jiu asked, seeing that she had stopped eating the snacks.
Only then did Wufu remember her real purpose, and she smiled, "It’s nothing much, I just wanted to ask Ninth Master if you knew that Chengdu Prefecture is holding a big stone gambling contest?"
Ah Jiu paused for a second.