It was still dark, but the manor was bustling with activity: chickens, ducks, geese, horses, cows, and sheep were herded out, animal droppings collected, courtyards cleaned, furniture wiped down, and ingredients for the late morning feast prepared. Everyone was busily engaged, spinning like tops, with not a single idle person around.
Cai Wei also deliberately dressed up today. She wore a rose-colored long Beizi with matching collar, sleeves, and twisted branches of pomegranate flowers, paired with a light pink satin Xiang skirt underneath, her hair styled in a pendant cloud bun, adorned with two red gold plum blossom hairpins awarded by the old Madame of Duke Li Guo, her face lightly made up, looking beautiful yet not voluptuous.
Two little children were dressed in festive red robes, their hair done up in topknots, wearing shining golden lock pieces around their necks, looking like a pair of cherubic children beside an elder deity, their fair and tender appearance very endearing.