The nighttime cold wave came without anyone knowing and left without a trace. The next day turned out to be beautiful weather with brilliant sunshine.

Sunlight scattered across the pristine white snow, creating a dazzling expanse that nearly blinded anyone who looked at it.

The crabapple tree in the courtyard was covered with snow, its tender pink buds faintly visible beneath the white blanket—beautiful in their fragile yet stubborn way.

Wei Rao stood at the window wearing her cloak, her pale hand shading her brow as she smiled with crescent-shaped phoenix eyes at this snowy scene.

With such good sunshine, the accumulated snow on the ground wouldn’t last more than two or three days before melting completely. Not only would it not delay spring planting, it would add a layer of fertile water to the fields, making the soil moist and easy to plow. In this situation, the common people would probably be dancing with joy. Even if troublemakers wanted to spread rumors that the grandmother’s birthday celebration had brought heavenly punishment, it would only backfire and make the people grateful to the grandmother.

Although grandmother had long stopped caring about reputation, it was better to avoid even one basin of such baseless dirty water if possible.

“Young Lady, please come wash and dress. We’re going outside the city today—there will be plenty of time to admire the snow.”

Bitao and Liu Ya entered one after the other, carrying a water basin and teapot respectively.

Wei Rao smiled, removed her unnecessary cloak, and sat at the dressing table.

Today was grandmother’s birthday, so Wei Rao had Bitao use all her skills to dress her up like a fairy from the Jade Pool. Grandmother’s temperament was such that she didn’t care if her reputation was black as charcoal, but her appearance must always remain beautiful and elegant. She even trained the maids around her to have perfect deportment, so her requirements for granddaughters and great-granddaughters were even higher.

“Women, whether beautiful or plain, must dress themselves well. This isn’t for men or outsiders to see, but because we cherish ourselves and want to feel comfortable. Think about it—only when a woman lives comfortably will she be in good spirits, and only with good spirits will she have a good complexion. Good complexion is the first beauty. Otherwise, facing troublesome people and annoying matters every day, even the most expensive rouge and powder in the world cannot hide the haggardness and weariness in one’s eyes. If the heart isn’t beautiful, the face won’t look beautiful either.”

“Beauty comes in many forms—the poor have their way of being beautiful, the rich have theirs. What matters is this state of mind. Any woman who truly loves beauty will never let herself live too miserably. Certainly, some are born into mud pits, but as long as she loves beauty, she will find ways to leave that mud pit, find ways to live cleanly. When a person is clean, how can she not be beautiful?”

This was the wellness philosophy of Wei Rao’s grandmother, Shou’an Jun.

Not only did grandmother hold herself to these standards, but she also made the same demands of Wei Rao and her other young relatives.

Wei Rao deeply agreed.

She was naturally beautiful and treasured her beauty. So when grandmother had reminded her to avoid suspicion and visit her maternal grandmother less frequently, Wei Rao never listened, because she liked her grandmother and enjoyed catching fish and riding horses at her grandmother’s imperial-granted estate. That kind of good mood couldn’t be exchanged for any reputation or rouge and powder.

Of course, besides good spirits, makeup was also important.

The two senior maids by Wei Rao’s side—Bitao and Liu Ya—had learned their service skills directly from their grandmother herself. From small details like matching shoes, socks, and collar buttons to major aspects like health maintenance, hair care, and skincare, both maids had thoroughly mastered their grandmother’s teachings and could serve as instructress nannies in the palace.

Careful grooming took time. Even though Bitao and Liu Ya were both makeup experts, Wei Rao still sat for two quarters of an hour.

In the Western-style mirror inlaid with various gemstones, a face as beautiful as peach blossoms was reflected. Her delicate cheeks, smooth as silk, were only dabbed with a layer of moisturizing face cream. The makeup techniques were mainly displayed on her eyebrows and lips. Wei Rao’s eyebrows resembled her long-deceased father’s—thick and black, too heroic in appearance. Now they were trimmed into two crescent moons with slightly upturned ends, further accentuating her pair of radiant phoenix eyes.

As for Wei Rao’s lips, she thought there was nothing wrong with them, but her grandmother said her mouth was growing more like a seductress’s, as if enticing people to kiss her. Already born with striking beauty, having such lips made her even less like a proper woman. If she were already married, being a bit alluring wouldn’t matter, but since she hadn’t yet left the boudoir, it was better to be more restrained.

Therefore, whenever going out or receiving guests, Liu Ya would outline Wei Rao’s lips in a more dignified manner.

“I prefer Young Lady’s natural lip shape,” Liu Ya said with slight regret.

Wei Rao smiled—she was quite satisfied with this appearance, too. Last time when visiting her grandmother, she had gotten her shoes dirty while playfully picking flowers in the fields and was scolded by her grandmother. This time Wei Rao was determined that even if the Supreme Lord descended from heaven to offer immortal pills along the way, she wouldn’t step down from the carriage, and would appear before her grandmother looking beautiful and graceful.

“Let’s go.”

Liu Ya needed to stay behind to pack the luggage, so Wei Rao took Bitao to the front courtyard to have breakfast with the grandmother.

Wei Rao had timed her arrival perfectly. Old Madam Wei had just finished washing and dressing, wearing an eggplant-purple jacket. Her hair was gray-white, and though she was four years younger than Wei Rao’s maternal grandmother, she looked somewhat older.

The two old ladies had different philosophies but loved Wei Rao equally. Wei Rao both admired her free-spirited maternal grandmother and respected her capable paternal grandmother.

“Grandmother, do you think I look beautiful like this?” Wei Rao fluttered into the inner room like a little butterfly, lifting her skirt hem like a young girl and spinning around in front of Old Madam Wei.

Though not quite dignified enough, people of Old Madam Wei’s age loved it when the younger generation acted coquettish and playful.

“Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful—you’re the most beautiful in all of the Capital City,” Old Madam Wei said with a smile, her loving gaze examining her little granddaughter from head to toe.

This little granddaughter of hers was truly beautiful.

When her second son died tragically, she was heartbroken beyond measure. Her daughter-in-law Xiao Zhou Shi was also grief-stricken for a while. Despite having a restless-looking face, she dutifully observed three years of mourning for her second son and took good care of her little granddaughter. Old Madam Wei was greatly comforted, but unexpectedly, once the three years passed, Xiao Zhou Shi knelt before her and calmly requested to leave.

At that time, Old Madam Wei couldn’t help but feel disappointed.

As a mother-in-law, she felt she had treated Xiao Zhou Shi well, and when her tragically deceased second son was alive, he treasured Xiao Zhou Shi like a pearl or precious jade. Da Zhou Shi’s divorce and remarriage were because her husband had developed the bad habit of drinking and beating people. Da Zhou Shi’s divorce was understandable. But what grievance had Xiao Zhou Shi suffered? Why was she unwilling to remain a widow for her beloved husband?

Even if she didn’t care about her deceased husband, why didn’t she think about her daughter? Wei Rao already had a grandmother with a bad reputation, and her aunt’s marriage to a wealthy merchant wasn’t very glorious either. If her birth mother also returned home to remarry, what would others say about Wei Rao?

Old Madam Wei explained various principles to Xiao Zhou Shi, but she still insisted on leaving, preferably taking her daughter with her.

Old Madam Wei told her to dream on! Wei Rao was the only flesh and blood her son had left in this world—Xiao Zhou Shi shouldn’t even dream of taking her away.

During the period just after Xiao Zhou Shi left, Old Madam Wei also harbored some resentment toward Wei Rao. But seeing Wei Rao’s beautiful little face, like a little fairy descended from heaven, Old Madam Wei could no longer stay angry. Fearing the servants wouldn’t take good care of Wei Rao, Old Madam Wei brought Wei Rao to her courtyard and had been raising her for four years now.

“It just snowed and it’s cold—why didn’t you wear more clothes?” Calling her little granddaughter to her side, Old Madam Wei pinched her granddaughter’s sleeve and frowned.

Wei Rao truly didn’t feel cold: “The sun is so good, and I’ll be sitting in the carriage—I won’t get cold.”

Old Madam Wei could do nothing with this little girl, so the grandmother and granddaughter went hand in hand to eat.

After breakfast, Old Madam Wei signaled her granddaughter not to hurry away and gave a meaningful look to Nanny Song, who had served her for decades.

Nanny Song went to the inner room and came out after a while, carrying a rosewood box about two feet long.

Old Madam Wei looked at Wei Rao and said, “Inside this is a string of prayer beads. Years ago, when Master Jingkong traveled through the Capital City, I was fortunate to have the master bless these prayer beads. Today is Shou’an Jun’s sixtieth birthday. Grandmother doesn’t have anything particularly fine here, so Rao Rao, please take these prayer beads over for me.”

She and Shou’an Jun didn’t get along, but they hadn’t reached the point of bearing grudges. How many sixtieth birthdays can one have in life? What should be given must be given.

Master Jingkong was a highly respected monk of this dynasty, and Old Madam Wei was a Buddhist devotee. These prayer beads were truly a treasured possession for her.

Wei Rao quickly said, “Grandmother should keep them for yourself. Just having your kind intentions will make my maternal grandmother very happy.”

Old Madam Wei signaled Bitao to take the box, saying: “This is a matter between us elders. You just run the errand—don’t worry about anything else.”

Wei Rao thought to herself: You’re giving this gift sincerely, but maternal grandmother doesn’t believe in gods or Buddha. Even receiving prayer beads blessed by a master, she won’t take them seriously and will just waste such a precious thing.

But grandmother had such good intentions that Wei Rao couldn’t bear to tell the truth and disappoint her.

“Maternal grandmother wanted to invite you to the estate for the feast, but fearing the long journey would be hard on you in the carriage, she didn’t send an invitation.” Wei Rao hugged her grandmother’s hand, smiling as she spoke well of her maternal grandmother.

Old Madam Wei smiled with pursed lips, glaring at her little granddaughter: “Who are you trying to fool? Shou’an Jun has been out of the palace for so many years—have you ever seen her invite anyone? She only meets with blood relatives like you all.”

Wei Rao smiled apologetically: “Maternal grandmother is afraid people look down on her. If they received invitations and didn’t come, she’d lose even more face.”

Just as Old Madam Wei was about to speak, a young maid came from outside to report that Madam Guo Shi and Third Young Lady had come to pay their respects to the old madam.

Guo Shi was Old Madam Wei’s eldest daughter-in-law, the current Countess of Earl Cheng’an, and also Wei Rao’s eldest aunt.

The grandmother and granddaughter exchanged glances. Wei Rao openly pouted—she didn’t get along with Guo Shi and her daughter at all.

“Alright, alright, go prepare to leave. I’ll chat with them.” Old Madam Wei didn’t want to hear Guo Shi speak those barbed words in front of her little granddaughter either.

Wei Rao knew it—her grandmother favored her the most.

Hugging grandmother’s shoulders and leaning in for a kiss, deliberately leaving a faint lip print on the old lady’s face, Wei Rao walked out with a smile.

“Greetings, Eldest Aunt. Greetings, Third Sister.”

Coming out of the door and seeing Guo Shi and Wei Chan approaching, Wei Rao politely curtsied.

What Wei Chan noticed first were the jade earrings around Wei Rao’s ears—bright green like the color of tender leaves showing through ice.

What Guo Shi saw was the gorgeous and expensive silk Wei Rao was wearing—needless to say, it must have been sent by Wei Rao’s aunt, Da Zhou Shi.

Wei Rao’s father, Second Master Wei, had died investigating corrupt officials, winning popular acclaim for Earl Cheng’an’s mansion, but the Wei family’s circumstances weren’t wealthy. Everyone from Old Madam Wei down lived frugally, except for Wei Rao. Relying on having an aunt married to a wealthy merchant and a grandmother who often received rewards from Emperor Yuanjia, she wore gold and silver daily, standing out conspicuously.

“The snowy roads are difficult to travel, yet Rao Rao still wants to go outside the city to visit Shou’an Jun—how truly filial,” Guo Shi said deliberately loudly, using words to needle Old Madam Wei inside! The old lady was truly confused, pouring out her heart to favor this ungrateful Wei Rao. No matter how much she doted on her, it couldn’t compare to Shou’an Jun’s wealth and riches.

“Eldest Aunt flatters me. I’m just ordinarily filial. Since the snowy roads are inconvenient, I’ll leave early and bring back some mountain game for you to taste later.”

Wei Rao didn’t take it to heart and left with a smile.

Guo Shi drooped her long face, most hating Wei Rao’s shameless appearance.

Wei Chan tilted her head, watching Wei Rao’s slender and graceful retreating figure like a phoenix bird flying into the snowy landscape—both jealous and envious.

She also wanted to go play outside the city. She had long grown tired of this small, shabby earl’s mansion!