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I sigh in absolute pleasure at the feel of delicate hands massaging my scalp in the lukewarm water. Wearing the soft silky bathrobe over my undergarments simply intensifies the relaxing movement. I could surely fall asleep by this at any moment. My fingers perched on the seat handle for the nail artists, located on both sides, to work on my ready nails. The room filled with the soothing fragrance of sweet vanilla and shea butter. Although, the relaxing sensation instantly diminishes when my dear mother marches in.
"Is my daughter done yet?" she quickly asks as I gradually blinked my eyes to awaken myself. I gasp when she abruptly pulls me to my bare feet and clutches my cheeks to thoughtfully examine my face.
"Lady Lihua is done," one of the workers responds, from the corners of my sight I notice her heartedly containing her laughter. I inwardly screamed to my mother as another person snorts while using a fresh towel to lightly dry my damped locks.
Huffing as a frown develops on my appearance, "You did not have to squeeze my cheeks like that," I then descended off the chair with Nuan leading me towards the dressing room, where tonight's attire is currently hanged.
With the necessary assistance of Nuan, the stunning hanfu expressed elegantly on my curved body. The silky black upper garment reached above my ankle, eye-catching bold red collar, sash, cuffs and curved hem with traditional golden embroidery. The skirt under the upper garment is simply white. A red string is snuggly wrapped around my waist, over the sash with a dangling white jade and braids attached by my hips. Lastly, a soft and light red unbuttoned cardigan adorned over my attire, including noble glistening golden dragons imprinted on the sleeves.
I am grateful for my mother, as we share a similar taste in clothing. Simplicity and sophistication are best, donning heavy apparel with an exaggerated design are absolutely unfavourable.
My mother benevolently places her palms over my shoulder, planting a motherly kiss on my cheek, "You look utterly gorgeous, sweetie. If this does not make the Fire Lord fall for you, I don't know what will."
Her comment provokes my ears to significantly redden, "Mother, please!"
"Your mother is correct," my vision darts towards Nuan, as she gazes at me sincerely, "You have a natural beauty, the makeup and headdress will simply enhance it. You look breathtaking, Lady Lihua."
The blush intensifies, but nevertheless, I smile in return, "Thank you."
Taking my hand softly into hers, Nuan drags me towards the hairstylist, "Now, you have an hour left before the party begins. Your mother, in the meantime, will dress. Your father will join you two in the palace."
Placing be on one of the seats, the hairstylist began playing with my hair. Truthfully, it makes me feel somewhat uncomfortable with strangers within the salon beholding my face, Lee -though I do not consider him a stranger anymore- is undoubtedly an exception. The hairdresser precisely parts my hair in the middle, leaving my bangs and loose stands to the front. A chunk of the parted hair is tightly pulled back into a braided bun, the remaining hair descending down my back. A gold fire lily hairclip nestled carefully on my head, with two similarly designed tassel hairpin clipped on both sides of my head.
Punctually, the makeup artist arrives with her cosmetics rolled beside her. Applying a sheer coating of powder on my face, she then works on my eyelids. After I hear her muttering 'done,' I slowly open my eyes and see the light utilization of peach eyeshadow and mascara. Puckering my lips as told, she gently colours my lips with red and rosy lipstick. By smacking my lips against each other, the lipstick gives a natural glow to my fair features. Exceedingly content with her production, I nod my head with a graceful 'thank you.'
When heading towards the dressing room where my mother is supposed to be, I suddenly find a body mirror with my complete reflection. I stare at myself in awe, cheeks blossoming when a question pops into my head.
