"Chun Lan, has the Young Master's new clothes, shoes, and socks been prepared? Zhao Momo is waiting to use them."
"Hui Lan-jiejie1, it's all prepared. We already sorted them out last night."
"Is this the outfit the Mistress wanted? Make sure not to take the wrong one."
"It can't be wrong. Mistress inspected them yesterday, even the bib is matched with a floral pattern." Chun Lan covered her mouth and chuckled softly.
"Alright, I'll go ahead then. Go and check on how Ruo Lan is doing with the Young Master's food. If she's too busy and cannot handle it, lend her a hand. Move fast."
"Alright, I'll go right away."
——
Early in the morning, Danruo Courtyard was already bustling with activity, except for the main house which remained quiet.
"How long does Jiao Jiao plan to linger in bed?" Zong Zheng Lin embraced the person pretending to be asleep from behind.
Mu Xi Yao's eyelashes quivered incessantly. She maintained a calm expression, pretending to ignore him.
"Then continue sleeping. Cheng Qing, that boy, momo might as well take him out to show him to others."
"How could that be?" Mu Xi Yao immediately said.
"Are you awake now?" The Sixth Highness's voice was deep, sounding particularly pleasant in the early morning.
Ah, she fell for it….the boss was playing tricks on her so early in the morning! This man was clearly intentionally teasing her.
Zong Zheng Lin chuckled and patted Mu Xi Yao on the head before getting up and planting a kiss on her cheek.
The little woman may sound tough on the outside, but she actually cared for her son. How could she miss such an important Draw Lots Ceremony?
"Didn't Jiao Jiao say that you'd overshadow everyone today? Bendian is waiting to see," Last night, this woman had a spat with him and boldly declared that not even the Shengjing's number one beauty, Shi Yan Ling, could surpass her versatile charm. Zong Zheng Lin was looking forward to seeing how this woman would wrap things up.
With a pout, Mu Xi Yao nuzzled her little head into the soft pillow. If Zong Zheng Lin hadn't said 'Being heavy with child, there's no need for elaborate dressing up; it won't flatter the waist, so no need to fuss.'
With just that one sentence, Mu Xi Yao felt that the boss disapproved that her figure had changed and was not as it used to be. Thus, she shot back with a bold declaration.
Little did she know that Zong Zheng Lin had actually taken her words to heart, and early in the morning, he brought it up, leaving her with no way to back down.
The Sixth Highness got out of bed and put on his robe, watching the woman in the bed twisted into a ball with a gentle expression in his eyes.
Mu Xi Yao had a rather eccentric personality and was unreasonably competitive about certain things. For example, when it came to a woman's appearance and temperament, this woman's views were entirely contrary to the traditional female upbringing of the past and present.
"Whether a woman has a good or bad temperament, isn't it all based on the words of the head of the household? What a man ultimately says, at the end of the day, depends on whether you're good-looking or not and whether you fit his fancy."
These were the words Mu Xi Yao casually uttered to Zong Zheng Lin during their idle conversation. At the time, Zong Zheng Lin raised his eyebrow and looked at Mu Xi Yao with an inexplicable smile.
According to this woman, he, the dignified Sixth Prince, was merely interested in her beauty, which was why he was so attentive to her.
Actually, Mu Xi Yao's original intention was to complain that many times women had no say, and their future was determined solely by men. Unfortunately, her thinking was too forward. She considered it a matter of course, but at this moment, the Sixth Highness couldn't understand it in any way, nor could he guess at all, so he took a detour and presumed that this woman cared a lot about looks.
This led to an even deeper misunderstanding this morning. To soothe Mu Xi Yao's delicate heart, Zong Zheng Lin did not forget to add a word of comfort.
"Even if Jiao Jiao can't compare to other women's charm, Bendian can make do." This statement was meant to offer Mu Xi Yao a way out, but unfortunately, this woman didn't appreciate it at all and was secretly holding a grudge.
Boss, do you really know how to talk? Although it's well-intentioned, why does Qie get more and more irritated as Qie listens? You are not here to make people angry early in the morning, are you?
Seeing Mu Xi Yao fully awake, throwing a tantrum, and glaring at him spiritedly, Zong Zheng Lin put on his outer robe and called people for Mu Xi Yao.
He never allowed others to serve him, except for the occasional times when Mu Xi Yao was in a good mood and offered him attentive gestures. Most of the time, Zong Zheng Lin took care of himself.
Mo Lan looked at the sky and was anxious to go up and knock on the door. Now that His Highness has called someone into the room, it couldn't be more perfect.
Today, everyone who came to the Prince's Residence to offer congratulations was dressed festively. They better exercise caution in front of the Sixth Highness. Although the Sixth Highness wouldn't get angry over these minor details, no one knew whether he would remember them privately. Besides, today's Draw Lots Ceremony was for the firstborn son of Lady Mu, whom His Highness deeply favored. This matter could be of great importance, so it was best to think about it more thoroughly.
He Lian Min Min, accompanied by her attendants, greeted various madams and young ladies in the courtyard, while the other princesses and commandery princesses gathered in the warm pavilion, sipping and chatting, not mingling with ordinary court ladies.
"So that's Miss Shi from Shi House, truly astonishingly beautiful. Just look at her attire; it couldn't have been made for less than a hundred taels of silver. I heard that Miss Shi just arrived from the south and initially couldn't adapt to the weather in Shengjing. She even fell ill and it wasn't until last month that she started going out. But it was just a few instances, her beauty has already become renowned throughout Shengjing, known by all."
"Miss Shi is indeed beautiful, but she doesn't match the unique charm of the lady beside her."
"Do you know who she is? She is Zhu Ge Yue, a pearl in the palm2 of the Zhu Ge House, a woman renowned alongside His Highness's Cefei, Lady Mu."
"So, it's her! Truly deserving of her reputation. But how is she connected to Lady Mu? Why is there talk of them being equally renowned?"
"This, you are not aware of. A while ago, in the palace…"
As He Lian Min Min listened to the whispers of the madams behind her, she was already accustomed to Mu Xi Yao's habit of stealing the spotlight. Even when that woman wasn't present, it was not easy for people to forget about her.
In a way, it was good. With Mu'shi diverting attention, she might face less deliberate flattery from others. The sight of these opportunistic people made her heart upset. One could truly comprehend the bitterness of the human's fickle sentiments only when experienced firsthand.
"This humble servant pays respects to Princess Consort." Zhu Ge Yue and Shi Yan Ling came together, both rare beauties in their sixteenth. Their graceful arrival instantly attracted a lot of attention.
"The visitors are considered guests; there's no need for such formality. Both misses are truly courteous." He Lian Min Min displayed the demeanor of a host and soon engaged in conversation with the two.
"Miss He Lian has arrived."
Upon hearing 'Miss He Lian', all present turned their gaze simultaneously and saw a beautiful woman. She was as radiant as a moon, moving gracefully with lotus-like steps, captivating people's hearts within a few strides.
Beautiful—beautiful beyond compare, a beauty that imparts a sense of solitude and coldness. Such a woman should be the peerless beauty that sparked countless imaginations in 《Ode to the Moon Goddess》. If not for that incident, she could have entered the Sixth Highness's inner yard…
He Lian Wei Rui wore a moon-white thousand river skirt3 embellished with embroidered butterflies. The trailing hem of the skirt featured layers of intricate hidden flowers. It seemed to be adorned with silver threads, gleaming as she walked, exceptionally exquisite. On her head, there was only a simple jade hairpin as a modest complement that accentuated the woman's snow-white complexion, luminous eyes, and white teeth.
If Shi Yan Ling was considered beautiful for her exquisite features, then He Lian Wei Rui captivated hearts with her overall grace and demeanor. If one were to compare them, the two were evenly matched, sharing the spotlight equally.
"Here is my jiejie, meimei4 has come to pay my respects." He Lian Wei Rui, as usual, displayed polite courtesy to He Lian Min Min. However, deep down, she knew that she harbored resentment mixed with disdain for this elder di sister who lacked any noteworthy abilities. If it weren't for Helian Min Min's own mistakes, the one currently receiving compliments and flattery here would undoubtedly include her, He Lian Wei Rui.
Translation notes:
[1] Jiejie means elder sister and is a term used to address or refer to an older female, either blood-related or not.
[2] Pearl in the palm fig. beloved person, mostly daughter.
[3] Thousand rivers skirt refers to a type of skirt with a design reminiscent of flowing water.
[4] Meimei refers to a younger sister and a term used to address or refer to a younger female, either blood-related or not
"Why is there no joy on jiejie's face despite narrowly escaping a great disaster?"
Without outsiders around, the two sisters from the He Lian House gathered in a corner of the waterside pavilion. Onlookers have thought it was a rare reunion between sisters and they were engaging in affectionate private conversations, but little did they know that these two seldom saw eye to eye. Even if they did meet, they often parted ways on bad terms.
"Why, then, does meimei still exude so much confidence even though your plans failed?" He Lian Min Min, upon seeing He Lian Wei Rui's attire today, knew that she wouldn't easily give up. This woman was never willing to admit defeat, and she had never lost to anyone. This time, her scheme to enter the household was almost about to succeed, but it was thwarted by the sudden appearance of an unknown person. Now that she could no longer enter the Sixth Highness's inner yard, how did she plan to turn the situation around?
"Jiejie must be jesting. The selection of a consort has just begun; how can the daughters of the He Lian House retreat without a fight?" He Lian Wei Rui's tone was cold and proud, starkly different from her usual pretentious demeanor.
Did she realize there wouldn't be many opportunities to be under the same roof in the future and thus she finally restrained that nauseating attitude of hers? He Lian Min Min snorted coldly.
Selection? She actually had the audacity to bring it up. Was she planning to change person and seek another wealth and glory? Did this woman have any sense of shame? She had just suffered a setback with Zong Zheng Lin and was now trying to dive into the arms of another man. With a daughter like her, the He Lian House had long lost its face.
"Mistress, the Crown Princess, and the Fourth Princess Consort have arrived." Just as He Lian Min Min was unwilling to continue the conversation with He Lian Wei Rui, coincidentally, Liu Qing came in with a message. She stood up and left without even exchanging pleasantries.
"Take care, jiejie. If, in the future, you don't want meimei to visit your residence every now and then, causing a bother to your eyes, meimei hopes that jiejie can offer convenience to the plans meimei will carry out next."
He Lian Min Min's departing footsteps suddenly paused. She slowly turned around with a frosty expression in her eyes.
"What are you going to do? Are you perhaps still harboring thoughts of carrying out coercion in the prince's residence? Or have you not fully grasped your current situation and think you're still the darling that the He Lian House cradles and cares for in the palm of their hands?"
Ignoring the sarcastic mockery in He Lian Min Min's words, He Lian Wei Rui gently faced the cloud patterns carved on the table, and a smile finally appeared on her face. Since entering the residence, this was the first time she broke her icy facade, smiling just like usual. Although it was a smile, there was no sense of genuine delight; instead, there was a chilling and eerie feeling that sent shivers down one's spine.
"Jiejie, weren't you the one who was most eager for meimei to marry off? How is that now meimei is willing, jiejie refuses to lend a hand? Moreover, if this matter comes to fruition, it may not be without benefits for jiejie. That Mu'shi in your residence, does jiejie think you alone can keep her in check?"
He Lian Wei Rui leisurely finished her words and raised her head only to see visible disgust in the other's eyes.
"Do as you please; don't try to drag others down." He Lian Min Min, accompanied by Liu Qing, turned and left without hesitation. If she were to look at He Lian Wei Rui's annoying face again, she would feel nauseous in her stomach.
"Mistress, the Eldest Miss, she….seems unwilling to help?" Xue Qin felt that the Mistress had put in a lot of scheming for today, and it might end up in vain once again. Without the Eldest Miss's helping, how could they freely roam in the residence?
"Xue Qin, you are mistaken." He Lian Wei Rui smiled coldly. Today's choice of attire was perfectly matched.
"This Eldest Miss of the He Lian House has never been the one aligned in the thoughts and words. Although she speaks with righteousness and reason, it doesn't mean her heart doesn't harbor thoughts that are best kept hidden from others. He Lian Min Min is just a woman who can't win a man's favor. No matter how she pretends to be indifferent, Mu'shi will always be a thorn in her heart. Say, with the possibility of us joining forces against Mu'shi in the future, and it doesn't affect her interests, how could she possibly block my path?"
Just as He Lian Wei Rui guessed, He Lian Min Min, who went straight to the second gate to greet guests after leaving, did not reject the proposal she had just made.
"Why bother refusing?" Supported by Liu Qing, He Lian Min Min walked with grace and elegance. "If she wants a comeback, her only option is to enter the Eighth Prince's residence. Regardless of her efforts, she would get nothing more than a cefei position."
Dishu1-wise, He Lian Wei Rui has been always inferior to her. With this marriage, there's even less of a possibility for her to surpass her in terms of status. Since it's like this, why drive her over the edge and develop a deadly feud with that hard-to-deal-with woman?
"Whatever she does, as long as it's not crossing the line, just turn a blind eye." If she opened the door wide for her convenience in such a way, and she still doesn't consider it as lending a hand, then He Lian Wei Rui deserved not to enjoy a life of luxury and prosperity!
Elsewhere, Di Wu Yu Ying was sitting with female students from the literary society, discussing the continued absence of the renowned Lady Mu, Mu Cefei.
"Yu Ying, didn't you say that Cefei would definitely show up today? Why is there no sign of her?"
The court ladies and madams chattered over tea. The young ladies from prominent families, already well-acquainted from their time in the literary society, couldn't wait to come together at the prince's residence, join in the fun, and have a good time.
Being in the Sixth Highness's inner yard at this moment, it was only natural everyone was eager to catch a glimpse of Mu Cefei's true appearance. These noble ladies were quite intrigued about the appearance of the woman who shared equal fame with Miss Zhu Ge, who was well-known in every Shengjing household, and the Second Miss of He Lian House, who hailed from a distinguished background.
Unfortunately, among them, only Di Wu Yu Ying, due to Di Wu Yi Zhao pledging allegiance to the Sixth Highness and getting acquainted with the Cefei early on, had formed with Cefei a friendship so tight that calling them confidantes would not be an exaggeration.
"Cefei is about to give birth and must be feeling somewhat fatigued. Besides, considering the heaviness of carrying a child, she must move with care; thus she's a bit slower than others. She'll surely arrive later. Why the rush?" Di Wu Yu Ying found it amusing. It was Mu Xi Yao's son's Draw Lots Ceremony so how could she not be there? She had confirmed in her letter. Today, she also needs to send her a gift. This content belongs to , if you see this translation elsewhere, it's been stolen!
Ever since she accidentally dropped a letter from Mu Xi Yao that was tucked into a book, and it was seen by others, it had caused a stir for several days. Why hadn't the enthusiasm died down? She never noticed before that Mu Xi Yao was so popular among the female students.
"Are you so interested in her just because Cefei shares equal fame with Zhu Ge Li and He Lian Wei Rui?
"You can exchange letters with Cefei and have become familiar with her so it's not surprising for you. That's easy for you to say. You just mentioned one point; besides that, who wouldn't want to take a look at the owner of Jiayi Workshop and carefully observe the woman who could make the Sixth Highness fall in love with her?"
Zong Zheng Lin was highly admired by young ladies from prestigious families in Shengjing.
The Sixth Highness not only possessed an impressive appearance and outstanding abilities but was also highly regarded by His Majesty, carrying himself with great dignity. Whenever he went out, he inevitably attracted the attention of young ladies.
During Zong Zheng Lin's grand wedding, countless young ladies dampened their handkerchiefs with tears, feeling a sense of melancholy. Now that they had the opportunity to see the person favored by His Highness, how could they remain calm?
"If I could see His Highness up close, I would have no regrets after today."
Di Wu Yu Ying chuckled, leaving everyone puzzled. Only she knew that if these delicate young ladies faced that one's icy and intimidating appearance, they might not have the mind for fanciful thoughts anymore. Moreover, why would that person come to the inner yard today? The gathering place for womenfolk was not a suitable place.
Translation notes:
[1] Dishu here refers to He Lian Min Min being di (born of a legitimate wife) and shu to He Lian Wei Rui (born to a concubine
At the third quarter of the hour of Chen1, all the princes and ministers had already gathered in the front yard, but the legitimate master of the prince's residence had yet to make an appearance.
"Elder brother, where do you think the Sixth Brother is right now?" Recently, the Crown Prince would undoubtedly approach Zong Zheng Chun to engage in conversation when they met. He did this to enjoy the sight of his extremely unwilling expression. It allowed the Crown Prince, who had endured grievances for over a decade, to feel immense satisfaction whenever he got his way.
"Bendian's eyes and ears2are nowhere as good as the Second Brother's." Zong Zheng Chun snorted disdainfully. Zong Zheng Hui had become increasingly excessive in the past two months. Even if this matter was brought before the Yuancheng Emperor, he was unafraid.
The Crown Prince's face darkened. He actually called him his Second Brother? This was not a display of intimacy but a blatant disregard for the status of the Crown Prince.
Both of them looked at each other with mutual disdain, yet neither was willing to show weakness by taking the first step to retreat.
Zong Zheng Ming and Zong Zheng Yun looked on indifferently, each holding their tea and sitting comfortably. Zong Zheng Han lowered his head, pondering over the list of names sent by the Imperial Noble Consort. There were more than forty young ladies from prestigious families. If there was someone to his liking, he could make an early decision, and the rest could be slowly chosen during the flower viewing banquet.
"Eighth, this time, they're selecting people for you. Do you have someone you fancy? Or shall us brothers offer some advice for your consideration?" Zong Zheng Yun couldn't be bothered with the discord between the two on the other side. He chose to change the topic and joined Zong Zheng Han in a separate discussion.
"Didi3received the list of names yesterday and hasn't had a chance to look at it carefully yet." Zong Zheng Han said, but his words were untrue.
He had carefully read the list twice after receiving it. The people he held in highest regard were none other than the Second Miss of Grand Preceptor4House Yu Hong Ying and the daughter of the Chief Grand Minister5Zhu Ge Li. There was originally one more person, but it seemed that the lady had a great admiration for Zong Zheng Lin. She had utilized connections in the palace once already. He considered himself a prideful man, so he didn't make any undue efforts.
"Unfortunately, the most intriguing woman in Shengjing City has already been taken by Sixth Brother. If we want to find such a woman again, it might not be easy." The Crown Prince suddenly interrupted their conversation. His words, however, were quite rude.
Zong Zheng Yun set down his teacup, stared at the Crown Prince for a moment, and suddenly burst into laughter, "If Second Brother has taken a fancy to any of Sixth Brother's concubines,Bendiancan certainly help inquire. If there are unmarried girls in her family, it's not a problem to send them to Second Brother's residence."
The Crown Prince became increasingly hostile towards Zong Zheng Lin. At this moment, bringing this up in front of Zong Zheng Han, the implications behind it, both explicit and implicit, were not just provocation but also a blatant display of coveting.
Zong Zheng Yun had never wielded power. He was unafraid of gains or losses, so why would he be afraid of the Crown Prince? The response he gave was neither soft nor confrontational.
The likes of concubines were just playthings; even if given away, no one would make a fuss. Especially when they were some family's unmarried girls – sending them to the Crown Prince's residence was doable.
Unfortunately, everyone present here knew very well that the woman mentioned by the Crown Prince was undoubtedly Zong Zheng Lin's dearest. That cefei was recorded in the Zong clan's genealogy, a legitimate member of the imperial family. If the Crown Prince dared to blatantly express that he coveted Mu'shi,he could forget keeping his position as heir apparent.
Zong Zheng Hui had a displeased look on his face. He did not expect Zong Zheng Yun, who has always been frivolous and uninvolved in political affairs, would openly confront him to defend Zong Zheng Lin.
The atmosphere here was getting increasingly tense when a singing voice was heard outside the door, "His Sixth Highness has arrived."
Instantly, the front yard quieted down, and everyone who had been chatting and laughing turned to look outside the main gate.
Zong Zheng Lin's expression was grim. A face that should have been filled with joy now was as dark as ink. Complemented by his deep blue brocade robe today, his whole person appeared much colder.
All present saw the Sixth Prince walking straight into the hall. Upon encountering the other princes, he simply nodded in greeting, sparing no more words. Even his full-blooded brother, the Fourth Prince, didn't get a friendly expression.
Damn woman! Zong Zheng Lin was so infuriated by Mu Xi Yao that he couldn't calm his anger now. Crossing through the second gate to the front yard from Danruo Courtyard, the more he thought, the more he felt he shouldn't have let her behave so audaciously.
Turning his gaze back to the Crown Prince and the First Prince, who secretly disregarded decorum, the hidden hostility in Zong Zheng Lin's phoenix eyes intensified. Additionally, there was Zong Zheng Ming, who exhibited the appearance of an upright gentleman, yet never concealed his heartfelt admiration for Mu Xi Yao. The more Zong Zheng Lin contemplated the more he felt that the solemn occasion of the Draw Lots Ceremony should not have permitted women to attend! Especially someone as stubborn and troublesome as Mu Xi Yao.
As the hour of Si6approached, Consort Shu and her attendants arrived belatedly from the palace. Once the most esteemed figure in the residence arrived, the womenfolk followed suit and made their way towards the main hall. They were simply waiting to witness the completion of the Draw Lots Ceremony for the Sixth Highness's firstborn son before heading back to the courtyard to enjoy a play and have tea.
"Where is Cefei? Bring Cheng Qing out quickly. If the auspicious moment is missed,Bengongwon't let it slide easily." Consort Shu, seated high up on the seat of honor, scanned around but couldn't spot her precious grandson. She grew somewhat anxious at this time.
Consort Shu got ready early today, but on the way, she encountered those who had recently gained favor. They exchanged a few innocuous yet cutting words, and only then did they perfunctorily offer a few polite congratulations. In all honesty, she didn't hear any sincerity from them, but they were quite envious of the new waistcoat she had on. Consequently, she was delayed by these encounters and arrived a bit later.
If Consort Shu arrived almost at the last moment, there were individuals who were even more composed. Mu Cefei, who hasn't shown her face until now, has left everyone somewhat perplexed.This content belongs to , if you see this translation elsewhere, it's been stolen!
"Consort-mother seems to be intending to reprimand someone;Qiedares not delay and rush to throw herself into your line of fire."
While the person had yet to arrive, the woman's sweet and charming response had reached them first.
Upon hearing this, Zong Zheng Lin's expression darkened even further; reluctant as he was, he couldn't hold her outside.
"Alright, here she comes." Di Wu Yu Ying pursed her lips, soothing her anxious companions.
"Too bad she's too far away to see her clearly." If Mu Cefei could have come to the courtyard earlier, it would have been much better; it was a pity that she only arrived now.
"What's the rush? She'll still pass by here later."
"Oh, that's true! Fortunately, there's still something to console us."
Below, people whispered in hushed tones, all waiting for the protagonist to make an appearance today. Cheng Qing was supposed to be the only one receiving attention, but now, due to Cefei's delayed arrival, even she was included in the attention.
Unintentionally, Mu Xi Yao stole the limelight from her son. This act of overshadowing the main character and stealing the spotlight, she has played it more than once.
Everyone was staring at the entrance of the main hall. In the blink of an eye, a group of people turned in from the corridor, and the woman in the middle, surrounded by others, instantly captured everyone's attention. A series of gasps rose one after another.
Enchanting! Enchanting to the point of dazzling and mesmerizing. Stunning! Stunning to the extent that the entire grand hall lost its luster, with her alone shining brightly.
Black! The Sixth Highness's Cefei, Lady Mu, surprisingly chose a black wide-trailing dress as the base for such a grand banquet. Her waist was cinched very high, folding pleats just half an inch below the chest, tied with a jujube red silk belt that accentuated every detail of her alluring curves.
The wide and high-waisted skirt perfectly camouflaged the woman's lack of a defined waist due to the flaw attributed to her prominently raised abdomen. As she walked, there was not the slightest appearance of heaviness.
The double-layer stand-up collar that has never been seen before accentuated the woman's jawline with an exceptionally delicate profile. The upper part of the body had no other intricate embellishments besides being adorned with red-edged decorative toggles. The lower part with its layered large skirt was extraordinarily magnificent, interweaving two shades of red silk threads, light and dark. It turned out to be the unique craftsmanship of the Jiayi Workshop's 'Shadow Embroidery', renowned as the best embroidery in Shengjing. The patterns were daring and innovative, opting for a rarely used safflower and red spider lily. Just a single red spider lily occupied the majority of the skirt's hem, and its ostentatious and unbridled appearance complemented the woman in the hall perfectly.
The entire long skirt featured only red and black, complementing each other, fervent and intense.
Looking at the woman's makeup, they were astonished to find her beauty so remarkable that they couldn't remember various beauties they had encountered before. Just the languid and seductive starlight emanating from her bright eyes, adorned by winged eyeliner, was sufficient to captivate one's entire heart and mind.
In her act of defiance against Zong Zheng Lin today, Mu Xi Yao ventured into bold makeup for the first time. Not only did she ornament her forehead with a golden-edged flower marking, but she also applied crimson lipstick several times. The red lips enhanced her complexion, making her appear as fair as snow, while her eyes seemed even darker.
Coupled with an exquisitely crafted fire-like feather fan in hand, Mu Xi Yao resembled a flower spirit who heedlessly charged into people's sight, as if she were oblivious to the world around her.
"Qiehas arrived late.Qiehopes consort-mother and all the esteemed guests can forgiveQie."
With a subtle lift of her right hand, Mu Xi Yao's sleeves floated gracefully in the air. As she bowed with elegance, she rested the feather fan against her cheek, concealing half of her face.
A beauty like this lowered her eyes as if words were on the verge of being spoken but held back. When she spoke, her words carried a laid-back and languid charm. With each blink, a shimmering radiance graced her eyes, and her glossy red lips parted, rendering everyone nearby spellbound.
Beautiful – this woman was astonishingly beautiful. Transcending mere physical charm, her entire soul radiated a seductive allure.
Di Wu Yu Ying dazedly stared at Mu Xi Yao as she walked gracefully by, giving her a teasing wink. She felt her heart beating a little faster. Even after the person had moved some distance away, Di Wu Yu Ying continued to gaze in a daze at the highly coiled hair knot on the back of her head.
"Yu Ying," the young ladies from prestigious families beside Di Wu Yu Ying, who were not much better than her, couldn't conceal their admiration, "Cefei is indeed as you said; she is truly a beauty. More captivating than Shi Yan Ling. Merely looking at her overall grace, it's likely that there's no one in the entire hall who can compare. No wonder His Highness is enamored with her."
While Shi Yan Ling was beautiful in her exquisite facial features, He Lian Wei Rui's beauty lay in her cold and elegant demeanor. Regrettably, compared to Mu Xi Yao, who stood out uniquely in Great Wei with her enchanting and flamboyant charm, even if you searched through the entire 《History of Wei》, it would still be hard to describe this bewitching and soul-captivating feeling that consumes you unconsciously.
Startled by her companion's words, Di Wu Yu Ying came back to her senses. She quickly tugged at the person's sleeve upon hearing her disrespectful remark towards the Sixth Highness, warning her with a stern glare. These words must not reach His Highness's ears. Whether he was enamored or not was none of their business, but they mustn't provide others a basis for gossip.
Even women were affected in such a way; the princes and courtiers present, awestruck by Mu Xi Yao, were too numerous to count.
This wasn't the first time they'd seen Mu Xi Yao's true appearance, but it was the most astonishing and uncontrollable one. Even He Lian Zhang, someone with profound grudges against Mu Xi Yao, couldn't help but admit that the entrancing allure of this woman had permeated to her very core. Despite being more than a full twelve years older than Mu Xi Yao, he couldn't help but feel briefly entranced upon their first meeting. Men's pursuit of women was indeed instinctive and impossible to resist.
Zong Zheng Lin's face had already turned extremely bad. Just witnessing the shamelessly lecherous and entranced expressions on the Crown Prince and the First Prince's faces, the inner fury of the Sixth Highness surged uncontrollably. Then, there was also Zong Zheng Yun's teasing look, revealing in the spectacle. This made him wish he could grab the person and bring her back to her quarters, preventing her from causing further trouble by going out.
Zong Zheng Lin already got riled up at the sight of the dress she had prepared when he went out. That woman, with her prominently showing belly, shielded the dress he wanted to tear to shreds. She persistently demanded him to watch closely, adamant about going out to flaunt herself, proving that even without her slender waist, the conversation from last night was a result of his misspoken words.
Now, not only did she wear this damn dress, but she also put on such seductive and enchanting makeup, blatantly inviting amorous encounters.
The ostentatious feather fan in her hand was even more irritating to look at. Zong Zheng Lin fixed his phoenix eyes firmly on Mu Xi Yao, his gaze filled with suppressed rage.
Translation notes:
[1] Hour of Chen refers to 7-9 am.
[2] Eyes and ears can also refer to spies.
[3] Didi is a pronoun used by males to address themselves in front of an older male.
[4] Grand preceptor refers to the seniormost of theThree Ducal Ministersor Excellencies, the top three civil positions (source).
[5] Chief Grand Minister refers to first rank Chief of the Imperial Guards, one of the highest-ranking military positions.
[6] Hour of Si refers to 9-11 AM.