“You are Jiang Ruan?” Shen Mingzhen was stunned. She had heard about Jiang Ruan’s affairs long before. She had always been on good terms with Jiang Susu, who was beautiful with an ethereal appearance yet gentle temperament. Some days ago, because of Jiang Ruan’s statements in the public court, the Jiang manor had become the target of criticism, and even Jiang Susu had been frowning with worry for many days. Thus, in Shen Mingzhen’s eyes, Jiang Ruan was a crude, incompetent, cowardly, and ugly village girl. However, upon seeing her today, not even mentioning that bearing like a noble lady from the palace, just speaking of her appearance alone, she was on par with Jiang Susu, perhaps even more brilliant and radiant.

Jiang Ruan nodded. Jiang Li smiled and said, “Sister Mingzhen, this is my eldest sister. My eldest sister just returned from the estate and isn’t very familiar with affairs in the capital. This is also her first time visiting your manor.”

With such emphasis, a flash of contempt crossed Shen Mingzhen’s eyes as she said, “The capital is quite different from the estate. Miss Jiang should observe carefully.”

Displeasure flashed across Lu Zhu and Lian Qiao’s faces. As for the open and covert struggles here, Xia Yan was only chatting and laughing with Madam Shen, seemingly not noticing this side, so naturally wouldn’t speak up to resolve the situation.

Needless to say, Jiang Dan was already too frightened to even breathe loudly, keeping her head down and standing in place, wishing that everyone would fail to notice her. Jiang Li was already gloating over the misfortune. What was unexpected, however, was Jiang Susu’s attitude – she merely stood to the side with a smile, not speaking.

This kind of scene was truly the first of its kind. In her previous life, whenever young ladies from prominent families targeted Jiang Ruan with pointed remarks, as long as Jiang Susu was present, she would definitely step in to resolve the situation and speak for her. Perhaps it was to gain her trust, or perhaps to win a good reputation, but now she wouldn’t even say a kind word. Could it be that she was already unable to maintain her composure?

Jiang Ruan merely smiled quietly without responding, making Shen Mingzhen’s punch feel like it had hit cotton, completely ineffective. Shen Mingzhen held back her frustration and simply took Jiang Susu’s hand: “Mother, the ladies and sisters in the main hall have been waiting for a long time. Let Madam Jiang and Sister Su’er go quickly.”

Shen Mingzhen was arrogant and domineering, only mentioning Jiang Susu and Xia Yan in her words, which was originally an impolite matter, yet Madam Shen showed no intention of reproach and merely smiled in agreement. Obviously this was already a common occurrence – Shen Mingzhen was truly the precious pearl of the Shen manor, raised with indulgence since childhood.

In the main hall of the Shen manor, various ladies and misses had long been waiting. Those who were familiar sat together talking. Someone said, “I heard that the Jiang family’s eldest miss will also appear today.”

“The Jiang family’s eldest miss?” A lady with high cheekbones said, “Would that be the legitimate daughter who was mistreated by Minister Jiang? Heaven have pity – losing her birth mother at such a young age and ending up in such a miserable state now. If it weren’t for Censor Wang encountering her by chance this time, who knows how much more suffering she would have endured.”

However, the woman beside her smiled and said, “Though she’s a pitiful person, I heard she has an inauspicious destiny that brings misfortune to relatives. Minister Jiang is usually fair and just in his conduct – there must be reasons for this.” This woman had a round plate-like face, her eyes squinting into slits when she smiled, looking exactly like a plump, kind-faced Buddha statue in a temple, appearing completely amiable. She continued, “Having grown up on an estate, how could she compare to those raised in the manor? Her conduct must surely have inappropriate aspects. She certainly can’t compare to the outstanding Second Miss of the Jiang manor.”

Speaking of Second Miss Jiang, everyone unanimously thought of Jiang Susu’s talent and beauty, nodding in agreement: “Second Miss Jiang is naturally excellent – a person like a celestial fairy. The eldest Miss Jiang falls far short.”

“When the eldest Miss Jiang and Second Miss Jiang stand together, the contrast would be too stark.”

“The Jiang manor having one Second Miss Jiang is already sufficient. Second Miss Jiang is a talented woman of the capital! A girl who grew up in the wilderness must be incredibly crude, not to mention her appearance.”

The round-faced woman’s smile deepened as she nodded to the displeased high-cheekboned lady, then unhurriedly began drinking her tea. People’s discussion had not yet stopped when someone called out, “Look, Madam Jiang and Second Miss have arrived.”

Everyone looked up. Walking at the front were Xia Yan and Jiang Susu. Xia Yan’s clothing was appropriate and proper, displaying just the right amount of gentle scholarly refinement – clearly a gentle and virtuous woman. Such attire would not steal Jiang Susu’s spotlight.

The young lady walking gracefully wore a snow-white fragrant fox fur brocade-edged lute-front jacket, the jacket fitted to her waist to better display her graceful and enchanting figure. Below was a palace-white embroidered brocade skirt with an extremely large hem that moved like swirling clouds and mist, covered with a silver squirrel vest. Her long hair was simply bound in a bun at the back of her head with two pure white silk ribbons hanging down. Her face bore no makeup, her pale cherry lips holding a slight smile, dignified yet beautiful. Her features were naturally beautiful, and that appearance of innocent purity tinged with a trace of aloofness was truly as moving as a fairy. As she walked gracefully along, the female guests present were already praising her abundantly.

For Jiang Susu, this was a common occurrence, but today was different because the crowd was quickly drawn to the person behind Jiang Susu.

The young lady following behind Jiang Susu walked forward unhurriedly, like a ball of fire in the snow, like a plum blossom branch in frost and snow, immediately attracting everyone’s attention. Gold-threaded hundred butterflies through flowers bright red foreign satin narrow silver-trimmed jacket, jade-scattered flower foreign satin skirt, gold-pinched cloud-carved red fragrant sheepskin small boots – this outfit was already extremely luxurious, yet when worn on this young lady, it seemed like the natural wealth she should possess. The bright red cloak with white fox fur trim at the sleeve edges carried a hint of silver luminescence, truly vibrant and radiant.

As the young lady walked closer and closer, when people saw her appearance, everyone couldn’t help but hold their breath. She was naturally fair, and with light makeup applied, she was like the finest mutton-fat jade. Her lips were even redder, like the reddest morning clouds on the horizon. Her eyes were jet black, and as their radiance flowed, they were as charming as spring days, yet when one looked carefully, the upturned corners seemed to contain a trace of cold mockery. Her azure brows were long and dark, fragrant beyond compare. Jiang Susu was already refined and ethereal, but this young lady was beautifully vivacious and fragrant, making everyone who had grown accustomed to seeing fairy-like beauties feel their eyes brighten. It was as if they were seeing a lively spirit emerge from among flowers, coming along while parting flowers and brushing past willows.

Looking again at how the young lady moved with her skirt hem completely still, her hands properly folded across her chest, her hair not moving a strand, beneath her brilliant and radiant exterior was an inherent calm and noble elegance. This unique charm rarely appeared in young ladies of tender age, making people feel it was something that only time could create.

Most surprising of all was that when she stood with Jiang Susu, their grace and bearing were equally matched, and even upon careful observation, one felt that the refined and ethereal fairy suddenly lost several points of color before this vivacious and fragrant spirit. That pure and pristine snow white was truly somewhat inferior to this passionate and bold bright red.

“It’s the eldest Miss of the Jiang family!” A lady murmured.