CH 80

November 3, 2021 by danmeiheaven

Xia Zuoyi’s perfume bottle was finally taken away by Segalot before he left.

As a gift in exchange.

Segalot gave him a rose ring carved with expensive ruby. It’s low-key and gorgeous. The shank was made of silver in the form of thorns. After it’s formed into a ring, it’s intertwined around the rose.

This is the pattern of the Desinian family badge again. He has been given an equally valuable and similar chest piece before.

Did the Pope fall into the rose bushes?!

Xia Zuoyi took the ring and put it on the index finger of his right hand.

He talked to Segalot for almost an hourglass before he went downstairs and left. Segalot saw him off at the door.

Xia Zuoyi had planned to send someone to inquire about the residence of Marquis Laurie, but he didn’t expect that after returning to the Duke’s house, Marquis Laurie would send someone to deliver a greeting card first.

—He hopes to meet him, and the location will also be decided by Xia Zuoyi.

After thinking about it for a while, he agreed. The meeting place was set on the ship docked in the port. Walker personally picked him up and brought him into the cabin.

Darnell took off his hat as soon as he walked in and combed his blond hair back, revealing his handsome face. He gave a friendly smile at Xia Zuoyi, “I thought you would refuse to meet me.”

Xia Zuoyi: “I also happen to have something to talk to you about, Marquis Laurie.”

Darnell didn’t expect that the other party also had something to talk to him about.

There were many thoughts racing in his mind, but his face didn’t show it as he sat on the chair, “The Lord should be able to guess the purpose of my coming here, but I don’t know what the Lord needs to discuss with me?”

Xia Zuoyi: “Why did Marquis Laurie want to meet me first?”

Darnell: “Naturally, it’s because of the secret recipe of sugar.”

“The Lord is a smart person. I never beat around the bush when talking to smart people. In the Anas Empire, I can become an ally of the Lord, with only one request.”

“—that is, the formula for making sugar will not be taken away by the king and his party.”

“I agree that this recipe should always be in your hands, this is what you already have, and it shouldn’t be robbed and plundered by others.”1

Xia Zuoyi was a little surprised, “Aren’t you tempted?”

Darnell: “Moved, but it can be restrained.”

“Because for me, some things are far more important than money.”

He saw Xia Zuoyi’s expression and smiled, “The Lord may not believe me now, but you should be warier of the king and his illegitimate son.”

“You know who I’m talking about.”

Xia Zuoyi nodded and gave a standard reply, “I will not let the king and his illegitimate son take anything from me.”

“As for what I want to talk to you—Marquis Laurie, I hope to see the queen. This birthday gift must be given to her in person.”

Darnell hesitated. His aunt hadn’t seen outsiders for a long time.

Xia Zuoyi pushed the box containing the rose perfume and the instructions to Darnell.

He said, “Lord Marquis, please give this to the queen.” 

“I need to give the queen the gift before the birthday dinner, and this will definitely make her dazzling at the banquet. No woman can hide her demeanor and beauty with this.”

Darnell took the box wrapped in red suede, “I can only bring this for you. Whether she agrees to see you or not depends on my aunt’s answer.”

Xia Zuoyi has no opinion.

Two days later, the day before the ball.

Xia Zuoyi received Darnell’s definite reply. The queen agreed to meet him in secret at Marquis Laurie’s house.

Xia Zuoyi brought the people and the accouterments that had been prepared for a long time, and finally saw the queen of the empire under Darnell’s leadership.

This queen is unexpected in appearance or clothing… Simple, beautiful facial features, with almost no makeup on her face, showing scattered freckles and pale lips.

She’s very white and her skin maintenance is not bad, but the coldness and arrogance between her eyebrows make people unconsciously distance themselves from her.

This is a proud and self-respecting woman.

On the Western Continent, “white” means elegance and wealth, and is also a symbol of the rich and aristocrats. A fair-looking woman will be more popular and favored by men than others.

Civilian women want to have fair skin.

Women’s so-called cosmetics and skincare preparations are directly linked to doctors and are developed through research by some physicians.

They use white flour, wheat flour, or a lot of lead-containing cosmetics to paint their faces, resulting in an extremely whitening effect.

Although to a certain extent, it will indeed cover up their own defects, spots, and so on, it will also extremely damage women’s skin and even bodies.

For example, some women who are extremely fond of being beautiful will use lead paint on their faces.

This causes their husbands to inadvertently eat the “cosmetics” containing lead and even arsenic when kissing their cheeks, resulting in the death of men from heavy metal poisoning.

But no one knew what the cause of their death was.

Although it sounds absurd and ridiculous, it’s true.

Of course, there are some harmless plant whitening methods, such as crushing the roots of lilies and applying them on one’s face to achieve the effect.

Xia Zuoyi looked at the queen. She was also looking at him and looked away after a while.

The queen’s name is Minina, and there’s only one maid by her side. When Xia Zuoyi did the ceremonial greetings, she said, “What gift do you want to give me?” 

Her voice was slightly cold, and there was no expression on her face. She has been holding the perfume bottle that Xia Zuoyi entrusted Darnell to give her, and it seems that it has been used a lot.

Xia Zuoyi: “A present that changes you.”

“Please allow my people to serve you next.” 

The queen obviously hesitated. She turned her gaze to Darnell standing aside.

Darnell: “I don’t know what kind of present the Lord is talking about?”

“One dress up, one feast.”

Xia Zuoyi turned sideways and stretched out his hand to signal Queen Minina to see the people standing behind him. There were tailors and maids… Everyone was holding a packed wooden box in their hands.

He thoughtfully said, “The maid you brought can stay with you.”

It was probably the indifference and self-confidence on Xia Zuoyi’s face that moved the queen.

She finally nodded in agreement.

Xia Zuoyi ordered all the people who dress up and primp the queen to stay. He and Darnell left the room and went to the living room to sit down and talk.

No one knows how long later, the queen’s maid ran over in a panic. The various expressions on her face were mixed, including disbelief, unimaginable surprise, excitement, and tears…

She said incoherently, “Oh, oh my God, praise the God of Creation! Thank you, Lord! L-lord Marquis, go and see the queen…”

Darnell was particularly nervous by the flustered appearance of the maid crying and laughing, and hurriedly stood up from the sofa and asked, “What happened to the queen?!” 

Xia Zuoyi calmly stood aside with his hands behind him, “Let’s take a look and we’ll know.” 

The queen’s maid could not speak, so she could only express her opinion by nodding excitedly. She led them to the room and knocked at the door.

“Come in.” The queen’s voice quivered.

Darnell was so worried, thinking that something really happened to his aunt.

He quickly stretched out his hand and pushed open the door. Just after a syllable came out from his throat, his whole body was stunned in place, his worried expression solidified on his face and then burst into amazing colors.

Minnina stood in the middle of the room. She doesn’t know where to put her hands wrapped in white gauze gloves. In the end, she could only cover her nose and mouth and quietly wipe the tears from the corners of her eyes.

She remembered the makeup on her face and immediately put her hands down a little bit at a loss, and finally held them in front of her.

The queen wore a luxurious golden dress. The shoulder was boldly designed with tulle, and two extended ribbons hung behind her, elegant and flexible.

The waist of the dress was tightened to outline a beautiful and curvy figure.

The exquisite patterns embroidered with gold threads on the gown extend from the waist up to the shoulders and down, and then gradually disappear in the layered skirts that bloom like flowers. By this time, they’re embellished with expensive crystal gems, hidden among the patterns.

It not only does not seize the limelight, but also can shine against the sun or candlelight when the skirt swings or moves, and sets off the dazzling brilliance and extravagance of the person wearing this gown.

On Minina’s feet are a pair of high-heeled shoes with the same golden color, revealing her white feet, which visually stretches her figure and makes her look taller.

The most important changes are her face, hairstyle, etc.

Queen Minina’s eyebrows are very beautiful, without modifying them too much, but more on to cover up the blemishes, wrinkles, and paleness of her face.

Before Xia Zuoyi came to the Anas Empire, he ordered the alchemists in the alchemy tower to develop a set of cosmetics that contained plant essence and were harmless as soon as possible.

Because of the limited conditions, they only need to invent whitening, concealing, repairing, lipstick, etc. 

Some other tools, such as eyebrow trimmers, eyebrow pencils, ironing tools, etc., are easy to handle. Hot tongs can be used to create curly hair.

The current Queen Minina has long wavy hair, deep divine eyebrows, and eyes2, white skin, rosy lips… 

After changing her slightly plain face, she is now extremely charming and enchanting.

Darnell couldn’t help taking a step forward and shouted, “The God of Creation high above!3“

“Auntie, you’re very beautiful at this time! Even the sun’s brilliance can’t rob you of your elegant demeanor. If you’re at the dinner party, you’re the focus of everyone, the most beautiful moonlight!” 

The queen couldn’t help laughing.

This is the first smile she showed since she dressed up. It can be seen that she’s in a good mood and is completely captured by this customized gift.

Darnell couldn’t refrain from closing his eyes, sniffing the pleasant smell in the air, and exclaimed, “It’s the fragrance of roses.”

“Auntie, you seem to be walking among the blooming rose bushes. Even the flowers are not as dazzling as you.”

Xia Zuoyi involuntarily shivered by his string of rainbow farts4 and rubbed his arms without a trace.

The next moment, Marquis Darnell, who was sincerely delighted for his aunt, suddenly turned around and hugged Xia Zuoyi, thanking him, “Your gift is really great!”

Xia Zuoyi politely pushed him away and again received the queen’s gratitude. 

“What do you need, I will definitely find a way to provide convenience for you.”

Minina looked at Darnell, “The same goes for the Laurie family.”

Darnell nodded.

Xia Zuoyi whispered, “Do you still have feelings for the king?”

Minina’s expression suddenly became obscure, “No, I can’t wait for him to die and let his soul go to the abyss, where the devil is. It’s his final destination!” 

The expressions of the people brought by Xia Zuoyi remained unchanged. They pretend not to hear and stand aside indifferently with their heads down.

The queen’s maid had the same expression of resentment.

Darnell: “Lord, we have a common enemy with you. We’re in the same camp.”

Xia Zuoyi smiled and said, “I understand.”

He bowed, “By then, before the dinner, please allow my people to dress you up again.”

Translator’s Notes:

So I missed updating last week and on Tuesday, my bad. It’s typhoon season in our country so my family are a little on edge and are preparing to evacuate if needed that’s why I kept on not updating on schedule. To compensate for that though, I’ll do a double update with this one on Friday (let’s just pray that the tropical storms that will pass through our country don’t actually turn into a typhoon). Always take care, everyone~~