Spring brings life, summer growth, autumn harvest, and winter storage – all things in the world hurriedly pass through a year.
Ming Shu had passed twenty, at the prime of her jade-like years. Her three-year mourning period had ended, and with the change from mourning clothes to regular attire, she shed her sorrows.
“How fast, three years have passed in the blink of an eye. I’m getting old…” the person in the mirror murmured.
The young lady, fresh from her bath, wore only plain silk undergarments and sat at her vanity with her long hair loose, scrutinizing her reflection in the mirror.
Her chin seemed a bit sharper, her cheeks perhaps less full than three years ago, though her nose remained as straight as ever, and her eyes hadn’t changed much. But her eyes cornered… she leaned closer to the mirror, searching for non-existent fine lines.
These years of rushing about, bearing heavy responsibilities and numerous troubles, she always felt she must be developing wrinkles.
Fortunately, both her eye corners and forehead remained smooth, her skin like peeled lychee, fresh and dewy.
She satisfactorily touched her face – her efforts at skincare these three years hadn’t been wasted.
The little maid serving her burst into giggles: “Young Lady, what are you saying? There’s no girl prettier than you in all of Jiangning County. Everyone who sees you secretly asks about your age…”
“Oh? What do they say?” Ming Shu grew interested.
“They ask if you’ve just come of age if you’re betrothed yet. I tell them our Young Lady is eighteen this year and already engaged, just waiting for the mourning period to end before marriage. The person who asked became so disappointed, saying ‘Such a fairy-like beauty, who knows which scoundrel will get to spoil her’…”
This was Qing Chan, Ming Shu’s new personal maid acquired during these three years.
Ming Shu was amused. Even knowing Qing Chan’s flattery was exaggerated, she still felt pleased.
“You silver-tongued thing, talking nonsense,” she said while applying rouge to her lips.
“I’m not talking nonsense! If you don’t believe me, go ask outside – who doesn’t praise Young Lady as beautiful as a celestial maiden? Young Lady, why did you suddenly bring this up today?” Qing Chan asked while helping Ming Shu arrange her hair. She had never heard her mistress speak such uncertain words before.
The Young Lady of the Jian family was a notable figure in Jiangning, blessed with both beauty and capability. In just three short years, she had expanded the Jian family business to the capital, and their gold work had become all the rage throughout Bianjing.
For such a person, who would care about her age?
Ming Shu wasn’t usually concerned either, but unfortunately, she had recently received a letter from Wen An mentioning two major events in Bianjing.
One was the settling of the heir apparent – the Third Prince officially entered the Eastern Palace, and her other close friend Yin Shu Jun became the Crown Princess accordingly.
The other concerned that “scoundrel” Qing Chan mentioned who would “spoil the fairy” – he had reported for duty in the capital, and due to his outstanding achievements, was promoted three ranks at once to the fifth grade. Just as he had anticipated, his return to the capital marked the beginning of his career’s great advancement.
At twenty-four, he could no longer be called a youth.
A year and a half ago, Ming Shu had seen him once in Zhang Yang. He had grown taller, more robust, his sharp edges concealed, his demeanor more reserved – no longer carrying that youthful, aggressive pride.
After more than a year, the hardships of life in Zhang Yang must have polished him to be even more excellent.
As soon as he returned to the capital, he attracted several romantic entanglements.
The youngest daughter of Minister What’s-his-name fell for him at first sight, the niece of Noble Consort So-and-so secretly tossed her perfumed handkerchief… She didn’t need to see it personally to imagine the scenes.
Although Wen An’s letter also mentioned that he had refused the Emperor’s arranged marriage, declined the Minister’s invitation, and showed no smile to any young lady, Ming Shu still felt displeased.
But with this displeasure, she naturally couldn’t tell Qing Chan.
Being jealous didn’t fit her usual image.
“Young Lady! Magistrate Lu has arrived!” came a sudden announcement from outside.
Qing Chan immediately exclaimed: “The future son-in-law is here so early?”
Ming Shu hadn’t even finished her makeup and hair.
“What’s there to panic about? Go get my clothes,” Ming Shu lightly scolded, sitting steadily before the mirror.
Qing Chan responded and hurried to get clothes from the rack, only then did Ming Shu cover her heart – it was beating rather fast.
This scoundrel, what was he doing coming so early?
Lu Chang came personally to present the betrothal gifts, with the procession following him from the capital to Jiangning.
The Three Letters and Six Etiquettes were all perfectly observed.
Though Bianjing and Jiangning were far apart, she was the Jian family’s daughter and naturally had to marry the Jian household. Even if complicated, he had to do it beautifully, leaving no room for criticism of the Jian family’s daughter.
The Jian family’s gates opened, and a young lady in red walked out.
Her radiant and charming face, bold and enchanting smile – she was even more beautiful than when he last saw her, leaving Lu Chang momentarily dazed.
“Magistrate Lu? Magistrate Lu?”
The matchmaker at his side called twice before bringing Lu Chang’s soul back. Across from him, Ming Shu was already silently laughing at him.
Those bright eyes still spoke volumes, full of mischief – “Struck dumb, Magistrate Lu?”
He had indeed been dazzled by her beauty, having not seen such a radiant Ming Shu for so long.
“I, Lu Chang, the poor scholar from Jiangning, have returned from Bianjing with betrothal gifts, especially to seek the hand of the Jian family’s eldest daughter, Jian Ming Shu. This humble one will devote the rest of his life to cherishing, valuing, respecting, and loving her, never ceasing until death.”
Ming Shu watched the young man in red robes bowing to her outside the gate and slowly stepped back.
“Won’t you come in?” she asked with a smile.
Ten days later, the Jian family married off their daughter.
The long wedding procession set out, traveling from Jiangning to Bianjing.
In May, the grand celebration.