The Emperor’s Beloved Ugly Girl

98. Twin Lotus Flowers on One Stalk

Translator: Iris Guo

Zhong Mingwei saw A’Chou lower her head and couldn’t help smiling. She was so bashful.

It was so obvious that she didn’t want to get up from his lap, but in one instant she blushed like this.

…

A’Chou was indeed bashful, not only because of the word “underwear” she just blurted out.

She had never worn a dudou [1] before. Never. It wasn’t because of the money. Even if she didn’t have enough money for silk, at least she could afford cotton. She never wore it because she didn’t need it. She still looked like a child, flat-chested with flat bottom. However, recently, she felt that her body was undergoing some small changes…

Note: The dudou (literally “belly cover”) is a type of old-fashioned Chinese bra first worn in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and then in the Qing Dynasty. Unlike bras today, it was worn to flatten the breasts as flat-chested women were thought to be graceful while busty women were considered a temptation.

It seemed that she was taller. Moreover, as time went by, she had obtained some weight and curves. Although the changes weren’t that obvious, she knew about them clearly. As the elder maids at the Imperial Washhouse and Mrs. Chen said, she had entered puberty.

She was very bashful, especially when she was in front of Zhong Mingwei.

She didn’t have to buy new clothes but some cloth to make a dudou. What would she embroider on it then?

…

“Does it look nice?” A’Chou suddenly looked up and eagerly passed the half-finished pattern of two Mandarin ducks playing in the water.

“How would I know? It’s unfinished.” Zhong Mingwei looked at a lotus flower bud on the cloth and couldn’t help laughing.

“How about these?” A’Chou hastened to find the three patterns she finished from the sewing kit and showed Zhong Mingwei, “Nice-looking? There are two fishes swimming under lotus leaves, two birds flying side by side, and twin lotus flowers on one stalk. Which one is best?”

“Why?” Zhong Mingwei looked at the patterns, really confused. Then, he got more confused when looking at A’Chou’s face: “Why are you blushing?”

“Who told you to look at me? Check it out!” A’Chou got so exasperated that she hit Zhong Mingwei on the leg: “Come on! Which one?”

“This one.” Zhong Mingwei casually pointed at the pattern of twin lotus flowers on one stalk. However, in fact, he couldn’t distinguish between them.

“Okay.” A’Chou calmed down, started to pack, and peeked at that pattern unconsciously several times。

“What’s going on?” asked Zhong Mingwei.

“I…I won’t tell you! Never!” A’Chou straightened her neck, blushed, and walked out anxiously with the sewing kit.

“Hey! Why you walking away?” Zhong Mingwei got anxious, turned his head, and saw A’Chou enter the main hall. “Where are you going, girl? Why left me here?”

“Just enjoy the sunshine!” said A’Chou without looking back.

“Okay.” Zhong Mingwei snuffled pitifully and picked up the half bowl of jasmine tea. When he was about to drink, the bowl was taken away.

“How dare you drink such cold tea? What if you have diarrhea? Are you trying to make me mad?” A’Chou came back with a blanket and glared at Zhong Mingwei.

Zhong Mingwei knew that he was in the wrong, so he smiled and admitted it. A’Chou rolled her eyes, put down the bowl, and covered his body with the blanket even if he was still sweaty. When he was about to object, she spoke seriously: “I know you feel warm in the sun, but it’s already autumn. What if the cold wind harm your body?”

“Sure. Sure.” Zhong Mingwei hastened to nod. “You’re right, miss.”

“Don’t you get clever with me!” A’Chou glared at Zhong Mingwei again, but she couldn’t help laughing: “What do you want for dinner?”