Behind the screen, Fifth Miss Niu’s silhouette was hazy as she whispered with Third Miss Niu as if the scheme had nothing to do with her at all.
Ying’ying Ji finally understood that in the eyes of these noble young ladies, she was nothing but an insect on the ground. For them to step on her was already showing her consideration. They didn’t even deign to spare her a proper glance.
Ying’ying Ji stood up abruptly. Since Fifth Miss Niu dared to devise such a scheme, if she didn’t accept it, there would surely be even more humiliating plans to follow. Although she thought this idea was terrible, it was what Fifth Miss Niu wanted.
“I-I just meant we could pretend, Sister Ji, please don’t be angry,” Seventh Miss Niu panicked at Ying’ying’s reaction.
Sister Fifth had quietly instructed her to find an opportunity to splash tea on Ying’ying Ji’s face. Seventh Miss Niu had been honest about it, hoping to gain Ying’ying’s understanding—after all, the tea didn’t necessarily have to hit her face.
Ying’ying Ji finally redeemed her judgment somewhat. Seventh Miss Niu still retained her innocence, her heart relatively pure. She directly picked up the teacup from the nearby table and splashed it on Seventh Miss Niu’s clothes.
You can manipulate your sister but don’t blame me for striking first. My lower status doesn’t mean you can do as you please. This kind of public humiliation concerns my reputation—why should I have to endure it?
“Quick, get angry now. Don’t forget to lower the bamboo blinds,” Ying’ying Ji’s lips moved as she whispered.
What? How did it turn around like this? Oh right, this would also make Zhao Xiuyuan think she was bullying Second Miss Ji! Seventh Miss Niu was stunned for a moment before she understood. She patted at the tea on her clothes, pointing at Ying’ying Ji, struggling to maintain a stern expression: “Sister Ji, you’re so clever!”
Were Fifth Miss Niu and Seventh Miss Niu blood sisters? Ying’ying Ji wondered internally, glancing at Ying’er.
Standing nearby, Ying’er understood the signal and pulled the bamboo blinds down with a swoosh.
Those outside could no longer see what was happening inside. The last image they saw was Seventh Miss Niu angrily pointing at Ying’ying Ji.
“I’ve soiled your clothes. Please don’t be angry with me, Seventh Miss.” Ying’ying Ji was genuinely apologetic. Who could blame her when Seventh Miss Niu was so endearingly innocent?
Seventh Miss Niu smiled cheerfully, “It’s nothing, just a piece of clothing. Please sit comfortably, sister.” Afraid of missing Zhao Xiuyuan’s reaction, she hurriedly left with her maid to change clothes.
“Seventh Miss, what happened?”
The conversation by the window had been inaudible to others in the room, but Seventh Miss Niu’s need to change clothes caught Madam Niu’s attention.
“Mother, I spilled some tea. I’ll just change my clothes and return,” Seventh Miss Niu immediately took responsibility for the incident, making Ying’ying Ji’s fondness for her grow even more.
“The brocade competition has begun. Remove the screen, let’s all watch the competition.”
After the bamboo blinds were lowered, the screen behind was promptly removed. The maids helped Madam Niu, Third Miss, and Fifth Miss move to the window.
Despite the screen, some had seen Ying’ying Ji throw tea on Seventh Miss Niu. Madam Niu’s gaze toward Ying’ying Ji showed clear displeasure, and she automatically kept her distance.
You invited me upstairs with ill intentions first, so you can’t blame me, Ying’ying Ji thought privately, though she maintained appearances. She anxiously bowed to Madam Niu and apologized: “I was careless and spilled tea on Seventh Miss. She even covered for me, which made me feel truly uncomfortable. I hope Madam will be forgiving.”
Fifth Miss Niu’s instruction to her sister about the tea-splashing had been a sudden idea, not shared with their mother. Madam Niu was annoyed at Ying’ying Ji’s clumsiness, but hearing her apology, her anger subsided somewhat: “It’s fine, just a small matter. Whose brocade is this?”
A servant promptly provided the requested information.
Though Madam Niu ignored her, the matter seemed settled. Ying’ying Ji secretly sighed in relief. At this moment, Third Miss Niu sat beside Madam Niu, while Fifth Miss Niu came to stand next to Ying’ying Ji. Their gazes finally met.
The moon-white veil concealed Fifth Miss Niu’s pockmarks, drawing all attention to her beautiful eyes.
Her gaze held appreciation and surprise, along with a mocking smile. As if telling Ying’ying Ji that no matter what tricks she played, she couldn’t outmaneuver her.
I don’t want to compete with you. I know my family status isn’t equal to yours, and since the Zhao and Niu families are engaged, I won’t do anything to entangle myself with Zhao Xiuyuan—I still have my dignity.
After studying Ying’ying Ji for a long while, Fifth Miss Niu let out a light sigh. It seemed to express both regret and pity. She turned her head to look across the way.
Through the bamboo blinds, Ying’ying Ji saw Zhao Xiuyuan standing by the window, hands behind his back, his face expressionless. His gaze seemed directed toward the Niu family’s chamber, yet also appeared to be watching the brocade competition on the stage.
By Huanhua Creek on the fifteenth of the eighth month. When she had been harassed and chased by Young Master Zhou Seven and his group of prodigal sons. Zhao Xiuyuan had rushed over, kicking Zhou Seven till he stumbled, shouting angrily: “Beat them!” At that time, he had been her support and protector. Seeing him arrive had given her courage. Now, he could only watch from afar.
“Disappointed?” Fifth Miss Niu suddenly asked.
Ying’ying Ji replied calmly: “It’s to be expected.”
Fifth Miss Niu gave a soft laugh: “You’re quite understanding. Both you and Seventh Miss misunderstood.”
What was misunderstood? Didn’t you instruct Seventh Miss Niu to splash tea in my face to see if Zhao Xiuyuan still cared about me? Ying’ying Ji didn’t understand Fifth Miss Niu’s meaning.
“Whether he cares for you or not doesn’t concern me. If he had rushed over, I wanted to see how he would try to help you out of the situation. Now that he remains composed, showing the breadth of mind of a true gentleman, that’s excellent too,” Fifth Miss Niu covered her mouth with her fan, laughing softly. “Anyone with a face like mine wouldn’t expect their husband to be faithful. Zhongli Chun offered herself in marriage to King Xuan of Qi. But King Xuan had to be a wise ruler. Not everyone can marry an ugly woman.”
Ying’ying Ji: “…”
It was like how she only knew to enjoy the sweetness when eating sugar art, not considering that no matter how well it was made, it was just meant to be eaten. Fifth Miss Niu’s thoughts were far beyond such simple matters… Ying’ying Ji recalled phrases about palace walls reaching to heaven and looking up to someone’s height. She had also harbored a vain hope that Zhao Xiuyuan would worry about her and come to her rescue. How could she not? Any woman would. Now Ying’ying Ji just found it all meaningless. She just wanted to say, Fifth Miss Niu, you’re truly formidable! You’re not choosing a husband, you’re selecting a pillar of the state. I, a mere merchant’s daughter, truly can’t compare.
At this moment, Seventh Miss Niu, having changed her clothes, came running back. Fifth Miss Niu smiled at Ying’ying Ji, yielded her position, and strolled over to Madam Niu’s side, sitting again with Third Miss, quietly discussing the ongoing brocade competition on the stage.
As soon as she arrived, Seventh Miss Niu pressed against the bamboo blinds to look outside. Seeing Zhao Xiuyuan still standing by the window watching the competition, her face lit up with joy: “Sister Ji, he truly is a man who observes proper conduct.”
Ying’ying Ji was once again speechless. To say such things in front of me, aren’t you afraid of hurting my feelings?
This was for the best. They weren’t meant to be together anyway. He would take a wife, and she would marry someone else in the future. What was the point of dwelling on past promises of love?
“Sang Fourteen pays respects to Madam Niu!” A voice suddenly called from outside the door. Without waiting for the servants to announce him, Sang Fourteen eagerly lifted the door curtain and strode in casually, “I heard Madam came to watch the brocade competition this year, Fourteen was quite surprised. Ah, Third Sister and Fifth Sister are here too, Fourteen pays his respects!”
Even in the Tang Dynasty’s open society, no one would enter without being announced by servants, lifting the curtain themselves. Yet he smiled like a spring wind as if stepping into his own home.
Everyone stared in astonishment.