Liu Ruyi looked at Jiang Ruan with some surprise, apparently not expecting her to choose such a bright bolt of silk. After thinking briefly, she smiled: “Miss Jiang has fair skin, so this red color would be quite flattering.”
Jiang Ruan smiled: “Manager Liu, I assume Su Niang chose white silk?”
“Yes, Second Miss Jiang has always preferred simple colors.” At this point, Liu Ruyi suddenly understood, and when she looked at Jiang Ruan again, her gaze was different: “Everyone in the capital says Second Miss Jiang is incomparably elegant like a celestial being, but seeing you now, eldest miss is truly the queen of beauty.” Liu Ruyi sighed inwardly. This eldest Miss Jiang had a mind as sharp as crystal. Originally, bright colors would appear vulgar next to Jiang Susu’s elegant simplicity, but if switched to fire-like red, if the person wearing it was naturally distinguished, it wouldn’t be easy to overshadow her. Second Miss Jiang wanted to be the center of attention, not knowing she had unknowingly become someone else’s foil. Liu Ruyi was a straightforward person, and having already developed a favorable impression of Jiang Ruan, she now admired her even more: “Eldest miss can rest assured. The clothes from Ruyi Building will surely satisfy you. When you wear them out, you’ll be dignified and magnificent, definitely the most eye-catching one.”
Jiang Ruan also smiled: “Thank you, Manager Liu.”
After taking measurements, the clothes from Ruyi Building were delivered a few days later. Since clothes were made together for several young ladies of the Jiang family, they were all placed in Madam Jiang’s Guilan Courtyard. When Jiang Ruan arrived at Guilan Courtyard with Lian Qiao, Jiang Susu was already there. Seeing Jiang Ruan, she smiled: “Is big sister also here to look at the clothes?”
Jiang Ruan nodded, then heard Jiang Susu continue: “They’re just a few pieces of clothing. Grandmother insists on having the sisters gather together. It’s always the same things, and wearing them doesn’t make much difference. What’s there to see?” She spoke with innocent romance, naturally having the appearance of a fairy from beyond the world, showing no interest in jewelry and clothing, without a trace of earthly concern. Such a woman seemed not to belong to the mortal world, born to be carefully protected in someone’s palm, naive and innocent for life. In her previous life, Jiang Susu’s talent was renowned throughout the capital, yet unlike other women, she didn’t covet fame and fortune. Everyone praised her without exception, and Jiang Ruan had once thought this sister truly didn’t understand worldly matters. Only at the last moment of her previous life did she realize that Jiang Susu wasn’t without desires, wasn’t dismissive of worldly fame and fortune – what she wanted was always the highest position, scorning everything else.
In this life, Jiang Susu was still young, but she wondered if she still had that determination now.
Hearing Jiang Susu’s words, Madam Jiang laughed and scolded: “Which young lady doesn’t like to dress up? You’re something else, always so plain like a maid. At the flower-like age, you don’t like wearing bright colors.” Though she said this, Madam Jiang’s eyes showed satisfaction, clearly believing that Jiang Susu was more suited to plain clothes, appearing refined.
Jiang Susu frowned: “I don’t like those things. I heard big sister wanted red silk – is that true?”
Jiang Ruan nodded: “Yes, since it’s just after the New Year, I wanted to dress more festively.” This reason was quite reasonable, and Jiang Susu couldn’t say anything more.
While waiting, Jiang Li and Jiang Dan also entered one after another. After paying respects to Madam Jiang, they stood to the side. Li was quite proper before Madam Jiang, except for some arrogance when meeting Jiang Ruan’s gaze, but nothing else could be criticized. Jiang Dan looked timid, nervously tugging at her dress hem, seeming very uncomfortable with everyone gathering together.
After a while, Cai Que, who served beside Madam Jiang, entered carrying a box and smiled: “Manager Liu from Ruyi Building said she finished these four pieces first. She’ll rush to make spring clothes later, and then let the eldest miss pick some fabrics.”
Among the four young ladies of the Jiang residence, Jiang Ruan had the fewest clothes, all old garments brought from the estate. Madam Jiang naturally wouldn’t let her wear such clothes when going out, so she first bought some from ready-made clothing shops to send over. When the weather improved, clothes for all four seasons would need to be remade.
Jiang Li’s gaze paused, glaring fiercely at Jiang Ruan with obvious dissatisfaction on her face. Due to the old madam’s presence, she ultimately said nothing.
Cai Que opened the small box: “Young ladies, please choose.”
All the clothes were neatly folded and placed in Ruyi Building’s specially made exquisite wooden box. Jiang Susu glanced at Jiang Ruan: “Big sister, please choose first.”
Jiang Ruan shook her head: “I’m the eldest. Dan Niang should choose first.”
Cai Que smiled: “They’re all finished clothes. Choosing earlier or later makes no difference.”
Hearing this, Jiang Susu felt embarrassed: “That’s true, then I’ll just choose directly.”
What Jiang Susu took from the box was indeed a snow-white fragrant fox fur original brocade-trimmed pipa-front coat, with a palace-white embroidered brocade skirt below and a silver squirrel vest over it. The style was exquisite and unique without appearing complicated, yet it radiated nobility everywhere. Even though Jiang Susu wanted to appear indifferent to clothing, seeing the finished garment, she couldn’t help but reveal a slight smile.
After seeing Jiang Susu’s clothes, Jiang Li’s eyes flashed with displeasure. However, the legitimate daughter’s clothes naturally required more attention than the concubine daughters’, and since Jiang Susu was so favored, despite her reluctance, Jiang Li dared not say anything. Jiang Li’s outfit was a light purple brocade narrow-sleeved jacket with a lotus-green foreign crepe skirt and flat gold pankou buttons, quite stunning.
Jiang Dan’s was a camellia-yellow fitted cotton jacket with an onion-yellow silk cotton skirt. Simple and bright, it perfectly suited Jiang Dan’s timid and pitiable temperament. Jiang Li and Jiang Dan’s clothes were actually quite beautiful, but compared to Jiang Susu’s, they fell short. If the three stood together, outsiders would only see Jiang Susu’s refined and transcendent bearing. Jiang Li realized this and didn’t seem happy seeing the clothes, while Jiang Dan was quite delighted, her eyes full of joy.
Jiang Ruan’s clothes were placed at the bottom. Cai Que helped her take them out and shake them open, revealing a gold-embroidered hundred-butterfly-through-flowers bright red foreign satin narrow-sleeved jacket, jade-scattered-flower foreign satin skirt, and gold-trimmed cloud-carved red fragrant sheepskin small boots. After everyone saw clearly, Jiang Susu exclaimed: “So bright and vivid!”
Though young ladies liked bright-colored clothes, they preferred softer pink and peach colors. Such water-red color was rarely attempted. First, because water-red clothes were mostly suitable for those with fiery, passionate temperaments – gentle women wearing red always seemed to be missing something. Second, because Jiang Susu in this residence most favored white, wearing red beside her would create a strong contrast. Jiang Li and Jiang Dan’s appearances couldn’t match Jiang Susu’s, so if they chose red, standing beside Jiang Susu would surely make them look foolish.
And Jiang Ruan had deliberately chosen such a passionately fire-like bright red.