Have to say, there was truly too many young ladies today, and ones with honorable statuses were further beyond countable. There were the daughters and granddaughters from each high official’s family, the delicate young misses from each Duke, Marquis, and Count Manor, and also the slew of princesses and junzhus. Those who originally assumed that they would certainly stand out today, after entering this hundred flower pile, eventually learned that they were gravely mistaken in their previous way of thinking.
Although the material of their clothing isn’t common, and ordinary people simply wouldn’t be able to afford to use, or even be able to obtain, but that moonlight silk, peacock silk, and mermaid scale muslin were similarly also things that they were unable to touch. Flowing like moonlight, speckled like splendid peacock feathers hidden within, and soft and slippery like water ripples, further appearing like a set of celestial robes.
In any case, it was material that one occasionally would hear about, appearing more beautiful than one can imagine. If one could touch it, then it undoubtedly would be light, soft, and smooth. Even if one were to wring in one’s hands, it wouldn’t raise wrinkles either.
And of course, there was further no need to mention the hair ornaments, as well as the accessories on the body, gathering the greatest and most capable workers and skilled craftsmen in the world. The design was elegant and unique, able to be as thin as cicada wings, and able to look as realistic as real flowers. If a string of lustrous plump pearls on a bracelet is able to make one immeasurably pleased, then seeing those giant precious stones of all kinds, with color and luster comparable to the highest quality silk pearls, with even the ones used on the necklace for pressing down the dress all worth thousands of gold, then afraid, one would only want to have their things on hand hidden away in shame.
The usually haughty Luo Jing Ying, who’d always thought highly of herself, upon entering such a high standard banquet, finally realized that she actually couldn’t be more average. Ordinary to the point that she couldn’t enter anyone’s eyes. With just this, yet still thinking to rise and dominate Rui Qinwang Manor’s rear court in the future? She might as well just keep dreaming.
Having deeply received a blow, Luo Jing Ying’s brain was even somewhat in a daze. Just, her gaze inadvertently swept over Jing Wan’s face that despite not using face powder, was still more lustrous than all the surrounding people’s. Right, it’s suppose to be like this. Those people merely elevated themselves by using their clothes. As long as she is able to obtain Rui Qinwang’s favor, then there would be no need to worry about not having these clothes and accessories. She didn’t need to admire, and further didn’t need to envy. Her top priority was to let herself become even better. Glossy and exquisite skin like lustrous pearls; straightened graceful posture; calm, confident and dignified air………..
Never mind Luo Jing Ying, even the other few young misses of the Luo family all unconsciously copied Jing Wan’s mannerism.
Once Luo Jing Ying realized what she did, her face turned somewhat pale. Luo Jing Wan, that slut, what part of her is worth learning from, what part of her posture is graceful, and that air, that air………..
Luo Jing Ying only felt increasingly stuffy, and inside, she also felt increasingly jealous, as she secretly stroked her own hand, feeling it was somewhat rough. However, that slut instead maintained herself nice and tenderly. Clearly she had good things, yet she would rather give to outsiders to pretend to be a good person, than to share with her own family’s sisters, even if it was just a tiny bit. To think there were still people that views such a selfish and self-serving, not considerate in the least of sisterly feelings, slut as a treasure. Just wait, see how you all will cower before this miss in the future!
Luo Jing Ying glared at Jing Wan, finding her more unpleasant to the eyes the more she looked. Already engaged, yet still dressed like a fox, who are you trying to seduce? Really a shameless one!
Luo Jing You’s gaze swept to Luo Jing Ying, her resentment nearly solidifying, but she still copied her own older sister’s posture, not relaxing in the slightest. Suddenly, she tugged on Jing Wan, “Older sister, that hand cream was really effective. It hasn’t even been two days, yet these hands no longer feel dry and uncomfortable.”
“That’s right, me too.” Sixth miss stretched her little hand before Jing Wan.
“It’s fine as long as you all think it’s good. When you finish using, you can come get more from me. You all are still young right now, and have no need for rouge and face powder, but just maintaining the skin is not a problem. I’m currently making an ointment to use on the body, however still need to wait a few days. When the time comes, I’ll send it over to you all, or you all can come get it.”
“We’ll go get it ourselves. Third sister, if we use it, will we be able to become like you, skin so smooth and glossy?” Sixth miss grabbed Jing Wan’s hand and stroked it, endlessly admiring.
“Although can’t be the same as third sister, but still can be better than others at least, just look at mine.” Seventh miss stretched her hand before sixth miss, and seeing that her hand was much fairer than this little tang (older) sister of hers that wasn’t much older than her, she felt a little pleased.
Sixth miss pouted her lips, “It’s because when you were with third sister at Qi’an Fu, you’d long started using already.”
Jing Wan couldn’t help but laugh, as she rubbed little six’s head, “From now on, you can also be like little seven.”
Little six nodded her head and smilingly looked to Jing Wan.
Luo Jing Ying’s expression darkened even more, as she swept a glance at Luo Jing Qiang, who seemingly intentionally or otherwise stroked the back of her own hand. That smile was shallow, but she truly seemed happy. Sisterly affections, they all had, only she didn’t get any! Luo Jing Ying nearly snapped her tooth, “It’s not good for third sister to be this bias. How come everyone all got something, but only this younger sister alone didn’t get any? Presumably, third sister must have forgotten.”
“Yours? I didn’t forget, but I thought you didn’t care for my things. The presents I brought for you all from Qi’an Fu didn’t fourth sister directly throw them all away? I figured you must have better things, thus no need for me to waste the effort.” Jing Wan softly said.
Those were merely playthings for formalities sake, why should she care for them? But these things that can make her become more beautiful aren’t the same. Luo Jing Ying inwardly cursed that unreliable little servant girl, letting her throw away some things secretly yet got found out. “Perhaps third sister misunderstood something, this younger sister didn’t……….”
Jing Wan directly turned her head away, too lazy to continue bothering with her.
Luo Jing Ying who didn’t even finish speaking, “………”
Not far behind Jing Wan and the others, Luo Old Madam saw Jing Wan’s appearance and couldn’t help but nod her head. As expected, this granddaughter can be brought out in any setting. She wasn’t the prettiest, nor was she dressed the most magnificently, but looking in from an outside perspective, she was definitely the crane in a flock of chickens.
Others all say, the more people there were, the more one would disappear into the mass. But for some people, the more the people, the greater the contrast, her strengths appearing even more prominent, and instead, stand out even more than usual.
Naturally it wasn’t just one or two people that noticed this, especially those madams, all can’t help but quietly inquire, which family’s young miss was this. This bearing and upbringing was unexpectedly even better than those princesses and junzhus. ———-Of course, this could be just a misconception, the reason being that with all the princesses and junzhus gathered together, there wasn’t any contrast, instead letting the whole all lean towards ordinary.
But in reality, this indeed wasn’t a misconception. A certain someone, standing not far away in a pavilion on top the tallest rockery that was able to survey the entire place, will tell you, even if he dismisses his own bias, his Wan Wan would still be the most dazzling one among all the young misses. Those so called younger sisters and tang sisters of his, even if their etiquette wasn’t lacking, and their bearing fostered since childhood, compared to Wan Wan, they still seem immature. That’s not saying that Jing Wan appeared old, but rather, her maturity mixed well with the most beautiful parts of herself. If she were to change into a different set of clothes, then she would definitely be able to powerfully suppress all flowers.
Li Hong Yuan narrowed his eyes. Why did he feel, even if one were to let Wan Wan wear the formal wangfei gown right now, she would still be able to firmly suppress it, not appearing inferior to the other wangfeis in the slightest. And among the middle-aged married women, she would still appear dignified and graceful, and among the elderly married women, still appear wise and steady, capable of overseeing the entire family, entire clan, or even the entire world!
She was still only at the young age of fourteen, but from her, he seemingly was able to see her old and gray-haired appearance, how unimaginable. The her right now seemingly was able to fit into the roles of all ages.
Because he himself was a special case, Li Hong Yuan began to suspect Jing Wan’s origins. An old monster that has experienced a lifetime of great changes, and the rise and fall of the world? No, shouldn’t be. If it really was to that degree, then when she ‘returned to her youth’, she would definitely be very much out of place. However, Wan Wan only appeared to be more steady than her peers, like a gentle and considerate older sister, and not an old-fashioned youth carrying the airs of an elder. She also had the joys and frustrations that belonged to the people of this age.
T/N: Tbh as an ancient person, Li Hong Yuan’s way of thinking is quite progressive for the time period. Anyways the next few chapters are also some of my favorites.
