“I haven’t worn the two spring clothes that my grandmother made for us a couple of days ago. My mother also sent some fabric and clothes over.” An Ran smiled and politely declined, “My grandmother and mother gave me a lot of jewelry when I came here. That’s enough.”
Before Anran could even marvel at her stepmother's sudden generosity, Madam Shi explained the reason: "Our third aunt is hosting a spring banquet at her residence on the first day of next month, and she invites all the young ladies to attend."
I see.
An Ran smiled to herself. She was just worried that her inappropriate attire would embarrass Third Sister!
"Our Third Aunt's household is frequented by nobles and royalty!" Madam Shi said proudly. "I heard they even invited Princess Yunyang this time!"
Princess Yunyang?
An Ran blinked, looking completely bewildered.
Seeing that An Ran didn't react, Shi's mother felt a little embarrassed, as if she had been giving a flirtatious look to a blind man.
How could she forget that Ninth Sister was just a country bumpkin?
"Although Princess Yunyang is not a legitimate member of the royal family, she is more respectable than any princess or county princess!" Mama Shi said softly, trying to save face. "Princess Yunyang is the legitimate daughter of Marquis Ningyuan. She and Her Majesty the Empress were as close as sisters when they were young. The Emperor dotes on Her Majesty the Empress, and when Her Majesty showed any interest, the Emperor bestowed a title upon her."
"Princess Yunyang married Tan Lang, a close minister of the Emperor and now Minister of Revenue. Minister Tan has rendered meritorious service in supporting the Emperor's rise to power, and it's only a matter of time before he enters the cabinet and becomes a prime minister... Such prestige and honor are unmatched by ordinary imperial relatives..."
While Shi's mother was talking incessantly about the Princess of Yunyang, An Ran was quite curious about the Empress.
Men from ordinary families, once their lives improved, would dream of taking concubines and mistresses, wishing they had beautiful wives and concubines in their arms. The emperor, however, was the one who ruled the entire world... Although the number of three thousand beauties in the harem was a figurative figure, there were at least several hundred in every dynasty. Yet, the current emperor's harem was completely empty, with only one empress in the inner palace.
What kind of stunning beauty must the Empress have been? Or was she exceptionally cunning and scheming?
For ten years, the Emperor and Empress were deeply in love, and the Empress gave birth to three sons and one daughter. Those who had previously clamored for the Emperor to fill the harem have all fallen silent.
"Seven years ago, Princess Yunyang's eldest daughter went missing. The Emperor personally ordered a search, and the Imperial Guards practically turned the entire capital upside down to look for her." Madam Shi said with relish, "Even though she wasn't found, it was still a great honor! It's just that the girl wasn't lucky. If she had grown up properly under the Princess's care, I wonder what kind of blessing she would have had!"
"After that, Princess Yunyang didn't come out much for several years, at most she would go to the palace to accompany the Empress." After saying a lot, Madam Shi finally got back to the point: "She only came out in the last two years, and ordinary people can't even invite her! Our Third Miss is really something else!"
An Ran timely revealed a look of surprise and envy.
"Third Sister is amazing!" An Ran exclaimed with admiration.
Madam Shi said with pride, "Third Aunt has been blessed since childhood. Nowadays, no prince can compare to the prestige of Prince Yi's mansion!"
Seeing that she was still going on and on, Anran quickly helped her recall the important matter. "Since it's such an important spring banquet, I should prepare well and not embarrass the Marquis's mansion and my third sister. Why don't you help me choose clothes and jewelry, Mother?"
Before she could speak, An Ran called out, "Cui Ping, take the peach branches and leaves to open the chests and get the clothes and jewelry."
Seeing that Anran was very cooperative, Shi's mother nodded in satisfaction.
Before long, Taozhi and Taoye each came out carrying two sets of clothes, while Cuiping carried a vermilion lacquered box with openwork carvings.
An Ran chose a matching colored embroidered jacket with folded branches and a lake-blue silk skirt. She wasn't sure what Zhao Shi wanted from them, so she only chose simple and dignified colors.
She had assumed that the mistress of the house preferred quiet, obedient, and unassuming daughters of concubines, and that Madam Shi, as Zhao's confidante, would like the outfit she had chosen. However, Madam Shi shook her head, saying, "This outfit you chose, young lady, is too dignified and conservative. You are only in your teens; you should be wearing brighter colors!"
Seeing that An Ran looked hesitant and undecided, Shi's mother simply suggested to her, "That pink satin jacket with embroidered intertwined floral patterns would look great with a white silk skirt underneath."
As for jewelry, the two coincidentally chose an exquisite pearl headdress.
With the clothes and jewelry chosen, Madam Shi's task was complete. After exchanging a few pleasantries, she left.
She hadn't been gone long when Shi Niang, who lived across the street, came looking for An Ran.
"Ninth Sister, you've heard that we're going to Third Sister's residence on the first day of the lunar month?" Tenth Sister said with a smile.
Anran nodded.
“Just now, Madam Shi came over and said that I was feeling uneasy and didn’t know how to match my clothes and jewelry. I thought I’d ask Madam Shi for her advice.” An Ran said frankly, “I can’t make up my own mind. It would be bad if I embarrassed myself.”
Shi Niang laughed and said, "What is there for Ninth Sister to worry about? Ninth Sister's beauty is like a pearl in the morning dew; clothes and jewelry are just for show. Having such a beautiful older sister makes me feel proud when I go out!"
"What's so prestigious?" Seventh Sister lifted the curtain and entered; she had only just entered when she heard the voice.
"Seventh Sister."
"Seventh Sister."
Anran and Shiniang greeted Qiniang with smiles and invited her to sit on the kang (heated brick bed). Jinping then served hot tea and some snacks, placing them on the small tables and high tables next to the three sisters.
“My tenth sister and I were talking about going to my third sister’s house on the first day of the lunar new year,” An Ran interrupted. “Just now, Mama Shi came over and told me that I was worried that my clothes and jewelry might embarrass my third sister, so I asked Mama Shi to take a look. I was just talking to my tenth sister about this when she came over.”
Seventh Sister nodded and said, "So that's what it was about. Mother already called me over and gave me instructions. There are many important people at this spring banquet, and Mother was worried about me, so she picked out a set of clothes for me!" As she spoke, a hint of pride crept into Seventh Sister's voice: "I'm not like Tenth Sister, who has been well-behaved and sensible since childhood, making Mother worry-free!"
Shi Niang seemed oblivious, continuing to chat cheerfully about the people attending the spring banquet. She talked about which noblewoman's daughter was good, which family was close to the An family, and so on. Compared to Qi Niang's simple boasting, Shi Niang was more like an older sister, offering guidance to An Ran.
It seems everyone takes this very seriously!
An Ran had some doubts in her heart. Was there something special about this spring banquet?
******
Jinlan Courtyard.
Zhao Shi leaned against the daybed with her eyes half-closed, while two maids were massaging her legs with gentle pressure using a beauty hammer.
"Madam, Nan Mama is back," the head maid, Jinzhu, announced softly.
Zhao waved her hand, and the two maids put away the beauty hammers. Jinzhu led them away quietly.
“Madam, everything is arranged.” Nan Mama came in and reported, “Zhimo and Rulan are both ready. They are well-behaved and sensible. After a few more days of discipline, they will be fine.”
Zhao nodded, a hint of fatigue on her face.