Concealment

Back in Lulu's bedroom, Chen Jing helped bandage her finger. When it was done, Chen Jing said, "That cut was deeper than it looked. I hope it doesn't leave a scar."

Lulu sighed, "I'm so clumsy all the time. It's a wonder I don't have scars all over."

"These things happen Miss. Try not to let it upset you," the maidservant said with concern in her eyes as she sincerely liked the young woman.

"That's sweet of you to say Chen Jing. But what do I keep telling you? When we're alone, you can just call me by my name," Lulu chided gently.

Chen Jing waved her hands, "I dare not."

"Please?," Lulu pleaded. "I'm not a noblewoman and I feel like we could just be friends."

"Well…," Chen Jing said, wringing her hands for a moment. "Alright. I suppose I can do that for you. But only when we know for sure we are alone." She gave a stern nod for emphasis.

Lulu's smile lit up the room as she grabbed onto the maidservant's hands, "Thank you!"

Chen Jing blushed slightly and thought, "She sure is odd. But at least she's kind to me."

"Now," Lulu clapped her hands, "I'd better go back to the kitchen and see how I can help."

There were no more mishaps when Lulu returned to Chen Yong's side. She happily helped to cut up vegetables and meats for that night's dinner.

Later, as the family and Lulu dined, Tang Jing noticed Lulu's bandaged finger immediately and asked what happened.

"Oh this," Lulu lifted the hand with the bandage up and then waved both hands as to indicate it was not a big issue. "It's nothing. Just a small cut. Kitchen hazards and all that good stuff."

Tang Jing frowned and looked at his sister, "What does she mean about kitchen hazards? What was she doing in the kitchen?"

"There he goes again," Lulu thought, "Talking about me like I'm not here. I thought we had moved passed that?"

Xiao Chu told her brother about Lulu wanting to help in the kitchen. Tang Jing listened to her explanation, but part of him was thinking about the kind of cut that would have needed such a thick bandage. It was certainly not a small cut. He knew Lulu would minimize the situation so that is why he had asked his sister what happened.

Tang Jing looked at Lulu and with a sigh said, "It's admirable that you want to help our Manor, but you really don't need to go to that length. You're our guest here, not a servant after all."

Lulu had to keep herself from frowning. Instead, she gave him a small smile and replied, "But, um, that is…I really enjoy working there…and, um…I've learned a lot so far. Please let me continue."

Seeing her stammering a bit was difficult for Tang Jing and he felt as if tiny needles were piercing at his heart. Tang Mei, feeling empathy for the young woman, interrupted before he could say anything, however, "I think it's fine, older brother. It's not like Xiao Chu has never cooked before either. Why don't you let her do what she enjoys?"

Tang Jing gave a frustrated look at his younger brother before he responded, "I didn't say she couldn't help in the kitchen. I simply meant she did not have to feel obliged to do so."

"Thank you," Lulu said quickly. "I look forward to learning more from Chef Chen Yong then."

Xiao Chu put one hand on Lulu's shoulder and squeezed gently before she said, "That's settled then. Let's continue eating this wonderful meal that Lulu assisted with."

The day of the Tang banquet arrived sooner than Tang Jing would have liked. He had to trust that his sister and the servants would pull off a miracle in somehow disguising just how much of a foreigner Lulu truly was. Xiao Chu had suggested to her older brothers that they tell Lulu some of the truth for her own safety, but Tang Jing was adamant against it, "There is still so much we don't know about the prophecy that I don't think it would be wise just yet. In fact, only use one servant to help you with her disguise. Old Chen's daughter, what's her name? Jing? Have her do it. We can trust her."

Xiao Chu told Lulu that they were going to dress her up in a traditional style since it was going to be a formal dinner party. "This means that we will need to straighten your hair. I hope that is alright," she said with a tone that indicated it wasn't really a question.

Lulu responded with, "Yes, of course, but that will be hard to do with my hair, I think. It's so curly. But you're welcome to try."

Chen Jing used a hot iron and a piece of cloth as a barrier so as not to touch Lulu's hair directly for fear of burning it. They tested the method out on a portion of hair from the nape of Lulu's neck and it seemed to work. She had to go over it many times and the whole process took over two hours before all the hair was completely straight. The effect was quite a contrast, however, to her usual curls and Lulu could not believe it when she looked at herself in a bronze mirror.

Tang Xiao Chu instructed the maidservant to style Lulu's hair simply given how long it was in order to showcase it. Then they used a little make-up to outline her eyes darkly as they were her best feature according to Xiao Chu. After some experimentation with the make-up, they figured out a way to make Lulu's complexion somewhat darker. In truth, it looked like she had gotten tanned under the hot sun. At this aspect of her look, Lulu was a little taken aback, but Xiao Chu just simply said "Trust me," and Lulu didn't say another word.

After the women were both dressed and ready to go, Xiao Chu dismissed Chen Jing from the room, telling her not to wait around. Once she was sure there was no one around, Xiao Chu turned to Lulu and said, "I know this may seem odd, but it would be best for everyone if we didn't let the rest of the family know that you are a foreigner, and we especially can't tell them that you've lost your memories." Seeing Lulu's questioning look, she continued, "It's hard to explain so you will just have to trust me on this. We will say that you are from the West and if anyone probes further, then we can say that your mother was from Tibetan peoples. That way there will be fewer questions to bother you."

"Alright," Lulu nodded solemnly. "If that's what you all think is best."

When Xiao Chu and Lulu appeared before Tang Mei and Tang Jing, it was quite clear by the looks on the men's faces that Lulu looked breathtaking. Tang Jing in particular caught himself admiring her and coughed a little to cover it up. Tang Mei did not stop himself and gave Lulu a big smile, "You look beautiful, Lulu."

Lulu blushed and said, "Oh, I'm sure it's just this dress and the make-up." She looked at Xiao Chu and continued, "It's all thanks to your sister and Chen Jing."

"No, I mean it," Tang Mei affirmed. "I can't believe how straight your hair is! You look like a completely different person!"

"Well, thank you then!" Lulu replied with a head bow.

"Doesn't she look pretty older brother?" teased Tang Mei.

"Ahem, yes…that is, she looks just fine," Tang Jing replied. "We better get going."

As they left, one of the servants who had been hiding in the shadows and watching them stepped out. It was Xiao Chu's regular attendant, Zhao Hua. She hadn't been able to get a good look at Lulu but she did notice the straightened hair.