The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 1329: Chapter 182: The Cold-Hearted Constitutional Soldier Colonel (Part 2)

Bakarjin sighed deeply, ”Well... that’s what I was thinking too, but with the heavy snow these days sealing off the mountains, we can’t gather any high-end ingredients at home. I also don’t know if our cook’s dishes would suit his taste.”

”The dishes? You’re worried about the dishes?”

The lady rolled her eyes, ”Quickly send someone with the cook to search each household in the market. Even if it means turning the place upside down, we must gather the freshest ingredients for a table. Oh, and the ’Nobility Recipe’ book I brought back from Moscow last year, it’s the perfect time to use it. When I bought that book, you glared at me for wasting money, but you didn’t know I bought it for these situations! You should secretly be glad to have married such a thrifty wife like me! Looking at the way you’re dressed, I get so annoyed, you look like a bear in the mountains with that shabby coat, if I left you for three days, you’d definitely go back to living in a cave...”

Bakarjin was frustrated and irritated by his wife’s nagging. No matter what, he was still a prominent figure in Druiysk. Even if her family was from a wealthy provincial city, she shouldn’t treat him so rudely.

Bakarjin raised his eyebrows, ”Anna! Don’t go too far!”

The Mayor’s wife shot a glare like an almond-like eye, ”What is it?”

Bakarjin was so startled by her glare that he lost half of his courage and hunched his back to apologize, ”Entertaining the imperial envoy, we can’t just have food without wine! You need to send some people to find Merchant Korchugkin and ask him to bring out his best wine. I remember he has some unopened bottles of Bordeaux.”

”At least you finally have some sense.”

The Mayor’s wife paced back and forth, clearly already planning the details of a grand feast in her mind.

Suddenly, she halted abruptly, turned back to stare at Bakarjin, who was changing clothes with the help of a servant, a strong curiosity in her eyes.

”Aleksey, what’s the name of the Imperial Envoy? How old is he? What does he look like? How tall is he? Is he a very imposing person? And, is he a Colonel? Don’t tell me you don’t even know these!”

Bakarjin was taken aback by the rapid-fire questions, he scratched his head and answered cautiously, ”Madam, his name is Hestingov, full name... uh, Arthur Agaresovich Hestingov. He’s said to be an officer from the Third Bureau, a bona fide Cavalry Colonel, a Sixth Rank Army Councillor. As for his looks... I remember Zaharov said he’s not short, has a pretty well-proportioned figure, and his face... has a bit of a scholarly air, that’s the impression I get.”

The lady frowned, clearly dissatisfied with the description of ”scholarly air”: ”Scholarly air? Are you sure? The Imperial Envoy is not a university professor! Oh, dear, if he looks weak and dull, how can we possibly please him? We must entertain him well and leave the deepest impression on him. It’d be best if, when he returns to St. Petersburg, he praises you like a saint.”

As she spoke, she turned and yelled at Valeriy, ”Remember to put out the best porcelain on the table, the set with the gold trim! Also, the curtains must be ironed again!”

Bakarjin’s mouth twitched, and thinking of what Zaharov said earlier, he couldn’t help but mutter quietly, ”Madam, I’d rather he not remember me too deeply, so I could sleep a bit more peacefully...”

The lady immediately glared at him and said coldly, ”Stop talking nonsense, Aleksey! You spineless man, this is a rare opportunity, just follow my instructions and don’t mess it up!”

A sprightly sound of footsteps came from upstairs, and the Mayor’s daughter, Marina, emerged, dragging her skirt as she descended. While tidying her fluffy curls, she was evidently just waking up.

”Mom, I heard from Valeriy that we’re hosting the Imperial Envoy, is that true?”

The Mayor’s wife immediately turned around, and her face, previously tinged with a bit of anger, instantly softened into a loving smile, ”That’s right, Marina, you need to hurry up and prepare yourself, pick out the most appropriate outfit for the guests.”

Marina’s eyes brightened, and she excitedly asked, ”Can I wear that blue silk dress? The one we brought back from Moscow last year, I think it’s perfect for such an occasion!”

Upon hearing this, the lady’s smile froze slightly. The blue silk dress was indeed impressive, but she planned to wear it herself to demonstrate her elegance as the First Lady of Druiysk in front of the Imperial Envoy.

Her eyes shifted, and she immediately adopted a gentle, persuasive tone, ”Oh, Marina, that dress is indeed beautiful, but you know, blue is too cold and doesn’t match your age very well. The Imperial Envoy is the Emperor’s special envoy, and he pays most attention to first impressions. Wouldn’t wearing that light yellow dress be better? It makes you look young and full of vitality, perfectly matching your temperament!”

”But I don’t like yellow, that dress is too plain!” Marina frowned, clearly unwilling to compromise easily.

”Oh, you child, you don’t understand the nuances of social occasions!” The lady smiled as she hugged Marina’s shoulder, but there was a hint of firmness in her tone, ”Listen to your mother, yellow complements your fair complexion and makes you look well-mannered. Blue is too picky, wear it wrong and you’ll look vulgar, how can you leave a good impression on the Imperial Envoy then?”

”But—” Marina wanted to argue, but the lady didn’t give her a chance, continuing, ”Just listen, it’s all for your own good! Plus, the waistline of the blue silk dress is too high, it’s not suitable for your petite frame. The yellow dress suits you best!”