On the day of the Grand Elder Princess’s birthday, the Grand Elder Princess had already wanted to take Jing Wan as an adopted daughter. However, because of misgivings, she ultimately could only give up. Suddenly mentioning again now, if not Le Cheng Emperor having the intention, he definitely wouldn’t do something like this. The purpose was naturally for the sake of elevating Jing Wan’s status and position. Since she didn’t have a presentable father or mother, then can only give her an incomparably honorable adoptive mother.
This kind of acknowledgement of relations, from a certain degree, the level of intimacy even surpassed marriage connections.
After exchanging Jing Wan’s eight birthday characters with the Grand Elder Princess’s, as well as Jiang-fuma’s, the results were naturally a perfect match.
Towards the acknowledgement of relations this time, the two families both regarded it very highly, picking an auspicious date. Afterwards, the Grand Elder Princess even sent out numerous invitations, inviting guests for a meal. The scale of grandiose of this event was no less in comparison to her own birthday.
On the day of the acknowledgement of relations, the Luo family, after finishing preparations, headed to the Grand Elder Princess Manor. When the auspicious time came, the incense was lit, praying to the gods of heaven and earth. Shortly after, Jing Wan orderly performed a grand formal kowtow[1] to the Grand Elder Princess and Jiang-fuma, who resided in the main seats, and served tea.
Never mind the Grand Elder Princess being delighted, even Jiang-fuma was also very happy. This was his adopted daughter. There are many treasures in this adopted daughter’s hands. In the future, aside from Luo Pei Shan, that old fox, it’ll be just him that’s the most convenient.
Thus, the couple both prepared for Jing Wan a large red packet. Of course, everyone all knew, this red packet was actually just a small token. They just needed to have this process. The presents given by the majestic Grand Elder Princess can’t just be this.
The Grand Elder Princess was becoming increasingly fond of Jing Wan. One has to know, when her imperial brother (Le Cheng Emperor) sent word, wanting her to take Jing Wan as an adopted daughter, she didn’t ask anything and just happily agreed. Just try replacing with someone else, it definitely won’t be that easy.
Jing Wan followed the people by the Grand Elder Princess’s side to go bathe and change, nicely dressing up.
The outfit the Grand Elder Princess specially prepared for her, from head to toe, every single item was all meticulously selected. Aside from some things that were taboo, Jing Wan’s entire look, that was all according to a wenzhu’s standard.
The material used to cut out the outfit from was moonlight silk, and on her, it contrasted her smooth and lustrous skin, displaying an upright and graceful figure, truly was just like moonlight pouring over the body. In addition to every single ornament on her, delicate, precious, appearing exceptionally magnificent, then adding on that easy-going, confident, and dignified manner………..
“Good, good, good……” The Grand Elder Princess praised in succession several times. Originally she was still somewhat worried that she wouldn’t be able to uphold it, even separately preparing another set of clothes, but when she saw such a dazzling and moving Jing Wan, that other set of clothes was completely excessive. This adopted daughter of hers ought to be this noble. This entire outfit couldn’t be more fitting. Even if those princesses and junzhus were pulled out, they would still be adequately compared to the ground.
The Grand Elder Princess even felt, this was what her daughter ought to be like. At this time, she finally realized, in the past, she perhaps was unsatisfied with her own daughters, let alone those unpresentable daughter-in-laws. Jing Wan perfectly satisfied certain ideals of hers towards the younger generation. Pulling Luo Old Madam, “It is still old madam you that knows how to raise well.”
Luo Old Madam also smiled, grinning from ear to ear. This long wasn’t the first time hearing this kind of thing, but when the words came from the Grand Elder Princess’s mouth, the weight naturally was greatly different, “It’s Wan Wan herself, it’s all on her own………..”
The Grand Elder Princess took Jing Wan out to meet the guests.
That moment when numerous female guests saw her, not many weren’t emotionally stirred up by her. They were all extremely familiar with Jing Wan. And the ones with the greatest reaction were naturally those princesses and junzhus. They’ve never this clearly come to realize that in this world there was even such a girl, whose status was clearly far inferior to them, yet appear to have even more bearing than them. That heart of theirs was just like having overturned a five flavor jar, complicated and hard to describe. At the same time, they even produced a kind of feeling called jealousy. Indeed, as the most noble bunch of young ladies in Qi Yuan, they actually would one day also envy someone else, how inconceivable, yet this was the reality, a reality they were unwilling to acknowledge.
Either coldly, or disdainfully, they averted their eyes.
Ruan Fang Fei’s gaze landed on Jing Wan, unable to leave for a long time. Her gaze appeared tranquil, but what exactly she was thinking inside, afraid only she was the most clear.
Sitting together with her was still that junzhu who was the closest with her, having the apricot kernel in hand thrown back into the fruit tray. “A sparrow is just a sparrow, no matter how resembling of a phoenix, it still can’t change the fact that she’s a sparrow.”
Ruan Fang Fei didn’t say anything, her expression not even changing. The people by her side however didn’t notice her abnormality.
The Grand Elder Princess personally introduced to Jing Wan several noble madams, from the relatives of the imperial family to the first and second ranked titled madams.
The Grand Elder Princess used her words and actions to tell everyone, just how much she cared for and was fond of Jing Wan. There was even the line———–‘This girl is just like my own (biological) daughter’.
The Grand Elder Princess although didn’t hold power nor authority, she was highly regarded by Le Cheng Emperor. At certain times, she was even able to influence Le Cheng Emperor, so her position was exceptionally esteemed. It can be said, she had Jing Wan’s status instantly raised to the peak, no one would dare underestimate.
However, even more people were pondering the hidden intent within this.
They further understood the Grand Elder Princess’s position. She usually would never have any kind of dealings with court officials, yet now, she suddenly did something like this. Jing Wan’s status had originally already risen a chunk due to Luo Pei Shan getting promoted to the position of Head Minister of Appointments, and now, becoming the Grand Elder Princess’s adopted daughter, she for the most part was now equal in status to those first class noble daughters of the capital.
Marrying a princess meant severing one’s future prospects, so on the matter of marriage, they were worst off than junzhus. But, the fathers of those junzhus, not many held actual power in hand, and there further wasn’t even a single one that held great power. Therefore, their worth was also inferior to the noble daughters of high ranking court official families. That’s why, the princesses and junzhus of Qi Yuan actually were of little value. Perhaps, they were even worse than an ordinary daughter of the imperial clan[2] who had a father that held actual power.
Sun Yi Jia already married, and Ruan Fang Fei was already betrothed. As the Head Minister’s most beloved granddaughter and the Grand Elder Princess’s adopted daughter, if just one of the two, it all wouldn’t be anything, but adding the two together, Jing Wan became the noble daughter with the greatest marriage value.
Jing Wan’s previously circulating bad reputation made quite a few high-ranking families give up on the idea, but now, they very much regretted. Originally, at that time, if they were to earnestly and sincerely go to propose marriage, and not view it as conferring a favor down from high and above, then the Luo family most likely would agree. And now, even if they were getting restless, majority of families simply weren’t able to squeeze in.
This girl’s marriage was also full of twists and turns. Those that were in the know all were aware, she herself actually didn’t have any faults. However, if this girl really cursed husbands, perhaps trouble would appear again. For those that were unable to have ideas about making this girl their daughter-in-law or granddaughter-in-law, they might as well just watch and see. Perhaps there will be exciting developments.
After the Grand Elder Princess finished introducing her to people, Yu Yao Wenzhu just pulled this newly out of the oven older sister to play, with the excuse of taking her to get familiar with the Grand Elder Princess Manor. For the Qi Yuan dynasty that very much cared about adoptive relations, in addition to the Grand Elder Princess’s care towards Jing Wan, this place can even be considered Jing Wan’s second home. Coming to stay for three to five days from time to time completely wasn’t a problem.
[1] Just know that there are different types of kowtows for different etiquettes and occasions, and this one is the most formal one.
[2] In the imperial clan, there are a lot that probably don’t hold any titles but are considered part of the imperial clan based on blood relation. For example some distance cousin of the Emperor would be considered part of the imperial clan but doesn’t hold any noble title. In the end, depending on the reign, it’s usually only the close family of the Emperor that gets titles, farther the relation the more you’re like an ordinary noble even if having blood ties to the imperial family.
