The room was quiet. Jiraiya slowly flipped through the manuscript Ming Jing had submitted. Under his guidance, Ming Jing's writing had indeed improved considerably—at least it was readable now.
"There are still a few flaws, but this isn't meant to be collected. It's more than good enough for a bestseller." Jiraiya closed the manuscript and nodded in satisfaction.
"That's good!" Ming Jing breathed a sigh of relief, a smile appearing on his face.
"By the way, kid, you're getting married the day after tomorrow. Have you prepared everything?" Jiraiya lifted his teacup. Surprisingly, it contained goji berries.
"Yeah. Remember to come have a drink then." Ming Jing packed up the manuscript and rose to leave. Watching his retreating back, Jiraiya could not help but smile.
Time passed quickly. At dawn on Saturday, while it was still pitch-black outside, both the Kurama Clan Compound and the Hyuga Clan were brightly lit, every face beaming with joyful smiles.
Hanabi had not left Hinata's room at all the previous night. When the maids came in, she got up with them. The maids had clearly divided their tasks: some cleaned the room, some arranged the formal attire, while several gathered around Hinata to dress her hair and apply her makeup.
They gathered Hinata's long hair into a bun and fastened it with a tortoiseshell comb. Then they placed a hat called a "Kakure-gasa" over it to cover the bun. This symbolized "hiding one's edges," since a bride might have a sharp temper before marriage, but after marriage, she should rein it in and become a gentle, virtuous wife and mother.
"Miss, have some pastries to fill your stomach. You still need to go to the shrine to pray later." Hinata Mai carried over a plate of Red Bean Cake and set it before Hinata.