Duan’er hesitated, “It’s really hard to say.” Although she had learned a few words from the head maid Yun Jin, she couldn’t find the right words to describe Ji Cheng.
“What flower does Miss Ji resemble? A lotus?” Juan’er persisted.
“Yes and no,” Duan’er replied. “Miss Ji has the purity of a lotus, but there’s also a touch of allure.”
“What allure?” Juan’er didn’t understand. “Miss Ji doesn’t seem like a frivolous person.”
“Oh, I didn’t mean she’s frivolous. I just mean she’s… well, I can’t quite put it into words. I just feel that Miss Ji is someone you can’t help but want to look at again,” Duan’er explained.
“Exactly, exactly,” Juan’er agreed, as if finding a kindred spirit. “I kept sneaking glances at her just now.”
In the end, the two maids couldn’t agree on a flower that could encapsulate Ji Cheng’s beauty. She seemed more vibrant than any flower, beyond comparison.
Meanwhile, Ji Cheng sat in the side hall, casually observing the surroundings. She finished the almond milk, which was indeed as delicious as the young maid had promised—sweet and smooth. She also tasted the hibiscus cake, which was fragrant and delicately made.
The craftsmanship of these treats was exquisite, unlike her own family’s, which focused more on taste than presentation. After all, it was all meant to be eaten.
Finally, Ji Cheng picked up her teacup and glanced around. The young maid, Juan’er, promptly brought over a lacquered basin. Ji Cheng thanked her, rinsed her mouth with tea, and spat into the basin. She then took a small mint candy from her pouch and placed it in her mouth.
Just as she finished, Chun Chan entered. “Miss Ji, the Old Madam has asked for you. Please come with me.”
When Ji Cheng entered the main hall of Ruiying Hall, it was already half-filled with people, either sitting or standing. In the center sat an elderly lady on a short couch, wearing a dark red robe embroidered with the Eight Immortals celebrating longevity. Her hair was streaked with silver, but she looked vigorous. The Old Madam had a kind and gentle face.
Beside her sat another elderly lady, dressed in a robe with a pattern of abundant harvests, a style that had recently become popular in the South. This was likely the Old Madam’s cousin from Suzhou, who was almost entirely silver-haired.
Ji Lan was seated in the third chair to the left of the Old Madam. In front of her was a round-faced lady in her forties, fair and plump, exuding an air of wealth and comfort. She wore a purple robe with a pattern of bats, peaches, and coins, known as the “Three Abundances.” On her hand was a jade ring, and Ji Cheng could tell at a glance that the jade was of rare quality, unlike the one Ji Lan wore yesterday.
Ji Cheng thought this must be Madam Huang, the second wife from the Marquis’s family, whom Ji Lan had mentioned. During Ji Cheng’s last visit to the Shen family, Madam Huang had been ill, so they hadn’t met.
To the right of the Old Madam sat a row of younger women, including Shen Cui. The first on the right was a petite but stunningly beautiful woman, so captivating that one couldn’t look away. Her eyebrows were like spring mountains, her eyes like autumn water, her skin like creamy jade, and her waist slender. She was as beautiful as the legendary Zhuang Jiang from the “Book of Songs.”
Of course, Ji Cheng only glanced at these people briefly, not having much time to observe them closely.
“Is this your niece, the one called Cheng?” the Old Madam asked Ji Lan with a smile. “Come closer, dear, let me have a look. My old eyes aren’t what they used to be.”
Ji Cheng stepped forward, allowing the Old Madam to take her hand, and stood beside her. “Ah Cheng greets the Old Ancestor,” she said.
“Good, good,” the Old Madam said, gently patting Ji Cheng’s hand, her eyes crinkling with a smile. In her youth, the Old Madam had been strict with her three sons, but in her old age, she doted on her grandchildren, especially the girls, whether they were her own or not.
“Just now, the Old Ancestor was saying she couldn’t remember things well anymore, but I think your memory is better than ours, Ah Cheng. It was three years ago when you last visited, and you only met her once. It’s impressive you remember her name,” Ji Lan said with a smile.
The Old Madam laughed, “I may not remember much, but this girl left an impression. I thought then that she would grow up to be quite something, and now she has. Look at how graceful she is. If not for her height, she’d look more like a Southern girl than we do. I asked you why she hadn’t visited again, and you said she returned to Jin. I was quite disappointed.”
“Indeed. This time, Ah Cheng is here to celebrate your birthday, so I’ve arranged for her to stay longer. You can enjoy her company as long as you like. Everyone knows you love pretty young girls,” Ji Lan said with a laugh.
“Yes, yes, the Old Madam wishes she could gather all the beautiful girls in the capital to live here,” Madam Huang chimed in, making everyone laugh.
“Ah, decades of being mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, you know me well,” the Old Madam laughed. “Seeing them reminds me of my youth when I was as fresh as a flower.”
Everyone laughed along.
A maid had already placed a cushion before the Old Madam. Ji Cheng took a few steps forward, lifted her skirt slightly, and knelt. “Ji Cheng wishes the Old Ancestor a long life, happiness as vast as the East Sea, and longevity like the Southern Mountains.”
“Good, good,” the Old Madam said, taking a red envelope from the maid Yun Jin and handing it to Ji Cheng.
Ji Cheng thanked her, and the Old Madam asked her a few questions before sending her to greet the southern guest, Madam Su.
Madam Su gave Ji Cheng a box of twelve glass hairpins as a meeting gift and took her hand, saying to the Old Madam, “She’s truly lovely, even outshining our Jun’er.” Madam Su’s words were sincere; so far, only Ji Cheng’s beauty could rival Su Jun’s, but Su Jun was not as tall, making her less striking overall.
“I think both are equally lovely,” the Old Madam said with a smile.
Ji Cheng then greeted Madam Huang.
“Since you’ll be staying with us, we’ll have plenty of time to talk. Go and get to know your sisters; it’ll be good for you to be close. You young ones don’t need to stay here; go to the back rooms,” the Old Madam said.
Ji Cheng agreed, and Su Jun, along with several Shen family girls, stood up and headed to the back rooms.
Among the unmarried Shen girls, the eldest was Third Miss Shen Yuan, the legitimate daughter of the Earl of Zhongyi, who was sixteen and already engaged, set to marry next year.
As the eldest, Shen Yuan naturally took on the responsibility of looking after her sisters, arranging seats, and introducing Ji Cheng to Su Jun and the family.
“This is Sister Su Jun, whom you’ve met. She’s the granddaughter of our great-aunt. You seem to be the same age, though I’m not sure who’s older,” Shen Yuan said to Ji Cheng.
Ji Cheng shared her birth date, and it turned out Su Jun was just one day older, making her Sister Jun and Ji Cheng Sister Cheng.
Fourth Miss Shen Qian was also fifteen, a few months younger than Su Jun and Ji Cheng. She was the daughter of Princess Anhe and was titled a County Princess at birth.
The sixth and seventh Shen girls had both passed away.
Eighth Miss Shen Zhi was too young, only eight, and wasn’t in Ruiying Hall. After paying her respects in the morning, she had been taken back to her courtyard by her nurse.
After the introductions, an awkward silence fell.
Su Jun smiled brightly, “Sister Yuan, I’ve often heard my grandmother speak of your family’s girls’ school in Suzhou, saying the teachers are the most learned in our Great Qin. Now that I’ve met you all, I see it’s true. You’re all so cultured and elegant, truly living up to the reputation.”
Su Jun’s compliment hit the mark. The Shen family was known for their beauty, so they were used to compliments on their looks. They appreciated when others recognized their inner qualities and education.
The Shen family had indeed invested much in educating their daughters, earning them a stellar reputation in the capital. Suitors lined up for their daughters, even for the second illegitimate daughter.
Shen Yuan smiled, “Sister Jun, you’re too kind. Our teachers are indeed knowledgeable and virtuous, but even they wouldn’t claim to be the most learned in Great Qin. I heard from our great-aunt that you plan to stay in the capital for a while. If you’re interested, you could join us at school.”
“I’d love that,” Su Jun said, her smile dazzling, her teeth white and bright, making it hard to look away.
Fourth Miss Shen Qian chimed in, “That would be wonderful. Recently, it’s just been the three of us at school. Eighth Sister is too young to join us. It would be much more fun with you, Sister Jun.”
Shen Yuan teased, “All you think about is fun. Before Sister He got married, you always asked her to help with your homework. Now that Sister Jun is here, are you planning the same?”
“No, no, definitely not,” Shen Qian said, waving her hands. “I wouldn’t dare. Last time, Second Brother found out and scolded me terribly. The elders kept lecturing me until my ears were sore. I won’t do it again.”
“Second Brother scolds you? I heard he used to ask Big Brother to help with his homework,” Shen Cui said.
“Exactly, he can do it, but we can’t. He only gets away with it because Mother doesn’t know. Just wait, I’ll tell on him next time,” Shen Qian said indignantly.
“You dare tell on Second Brother?” Shen Yuan laughed, clearly not believing her.
Shen Qian deflated, “I’m just saying.”
Su Jun laughed, “Getting help with homework isn’t a big deal. Sometimes the teachers assign so much that you have to stay up late to finish, which is bad for your eyes and health. I’ve had times when I couldn’t finish.”
“Did you go to school in the south, Sister?” Shen Qian asked excitedly. “Oh, silly me, of course, your family would have teachers for the girls. The Old Ancestor often talked about her school days. What do you do when you can’t finish your homework, Sister Jun?”
“I just tell the teacher the truth. She doesn’t punish me as long as she knows I’ve tried,” Su Jun said.
Shen Qian stuck out her tongue playfully, “I wouldn’t dare. I’m not brave enough. If I don’t finish, the teacher makes me do it before coming back. I couldn’t face that.”
With Su Jun’s engaging conversation, Shen Yuan, Shen Qian, and she had endless things to talk about, laughing and chatting animatedly. Shen Cui occasionally tried to join in, but after a few words, the three would continue their lively discussion.
Shen Cui was displeased. She already disliked Su Jun’s flamboyance and now felt snubbed, thinking Su Jun only flattered Shen Yuan and Shen Qian. They were all Shen family girls, but was it because her father was unsuccessful and her mother came from a merchant family?
In truth, Shen Cui was overthinking. Even if Su Jun had any bias, she wouldn’t show it so openly. Besides, if she looked down on Shen Cui, Shen Yuan, and Shen Qian wouldn’t be pleased and might think less of her.
Shen Cui’s insecurity made her overly sensitive. She only spoke to Shen Yuan and Shen Qian, waiting for Su Jun to approach her.
But Su Jun, being from a noble family, wouldn’t humble herself to someone cold to her, leading to this misunderstanding.
Shen Cui felt snubbed by Su Jun and looked at Ji Cheng, who hadn’t spoken much but seemed to listen intently, smiling and nodding, seemingly unaware of being ignored.
Shen Cui wondered if Ji Cheng was a fool and felt a sense of camaraderie, thinking they were in the same boat. “Sister Cheng, I heard from Mother that you’ll be staying with us and attending school with me?”
To Shen Cui, Ji Cheng seemed like a companion brought just for her.
“Yes, I didn’t expect to have the chance to study with Teacher Lian again,” Ji Cheng replied.
“How do you know Teacher Lian?” Shen Cui asked in surprise. “Did Mother tell you? Wait, what do you mean by ‘again’?”