On Yao ngxian’s head was a gold-filigree jeweled peony hairpin, and a gold-inlaid ruby half-wing butterfly hairpin was inserted in her bun, making the young girl appear lively.
Mrs. Dai couldn’t help but nod, feeling that she was dressed festively and not in a shabby manner! She wondered where all these ssy rumors in the Capital ca from.
Yao ngxian imdiately bowed her head shyly, "The Heir’s wife has praised too much; the Heir’s wife is the true beauty. Just now when I saw you for the first ti, I was completely stunned."
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Dai was montarily taken aback, then her face blossod with a smile, "Oh my! Such a sweet talker, it’s no wonder Madam Yao hasn’t co to the mansion lately; it turns out she has soone so eloquent at ho, how could she think of my clumsy words?"
Mrs. Ke glanced at the lowered head of Yao ngxian, her eyes deep, then smiled and said, "Forget anyone else, you’ll never forget , right? How can my daughters compare to your clever words?"
Yao nglian and Yao ngdie quickly stepped forward to join the fun, lest Yao ngxian steal the lilight.
After all, Yao ngxian is the legitimate daughter of the first branch of Duke Zhen’s Mansion. It’s her first ti here, so both sentintally and rationally, Mrs. Dai should give her more attention.
Unexpectedly, Yao ngxian seed not to be the timid and shy girl rumored outside. However, that’s their family matter, and she was just a bystander.
She took off the Mutton Fat Jade bracelet from her wrist and pulled Yao ngxian’s hand to put it on her directly.
"This is for you to wear and have fun." Mrs. Dai smiled and then let go of Yao ngxian’s hand.
Seeing this, Yao ngxian hurriedly declined, "This? It’s too precious."
Having said that, she glanced at Mrs. Ke. As a first eting gift, Yao ngxian shouldn’t refuse. However, the appearances must be kept, or else she would be considered superficial.
The handkerchief Yao ngdie was holding was almost torn apart; after all, the identity of a legitimate daughter of the first branch couldn’t be underestimated.
Her father was from the second branch and only a Minister of the Ministry of Justice with a Standard Fifth Rank, incomparable to the first branch.
Yao nglian’s eyes flashed; the first eting gift given to her by the Heir’s wife wasn’t as valuable as this—just a red gold coral bead bracelet, quite a bit inferior to Yao ngxian’s Mutton Fat Jade.
"Just take it! The Heir’s wife’s dowry is plentiful! It would be nice to empty out her dowry."
After chatting and laughing for a while, they headed to the main courtyard.
"Commandery Princess! Madam and the young ladies have almost all arrived, and His Highness requests you co out quickly to give your greetings." Da Ya urged Princess Rong Jia.
Princess Rong Jia touched her hair, "Why the rush? The flower appreciation banquet is still early! Going early ans chatting with those ladies, which is quite boring!"
Mrs. Ding, upon entering the room, heard the princess’s words and hurriedly advised, "Oh, my dear princess, today is His Highness’s flower-viewing feast. The princess shouldn’t be late and risk making His Highness unhappy."
Princess Rong Jia smiled faintly, did not reply, but stood up and walked a few steps.
She wore a light purple branch blossom jacket and a subtly patterned fine silk pleated skirt, the light purple color highlighting her elegant and beautiful appearance.
On her head were red gemstone string rice pearl flower decorations, with a jade leaf golden cicada hairpin in her jet-black bun, purple jade芙蓉 earrings hanging from her ears, and a golden flower bracelet making her wrist look even more delicate.
Mrs. Ding scanned Princess Rong Jia from top to bottom, nodding in satisfaction.
"The princess is naturally beautiful, and today she looks even more dignified and charming, nothing any other young lady can surpass."
Looking at the graceful princess, Mrs. Ding couldn’t help but feel gratified.
"Mom just loves to tease . Speaking of beauty, the aristocratic ladies of the Capital each have their rits. That girl from Duke Zhen’s Mansion looks pretty good and not inferior to ."
The princess paced to the bronze mirror, her lips curving slightly as she gazed at the elegant and beautiful lady in the reflection.
She inherited her mother’s beauty, her appearance was radiant but not gaudy, possessing a dignified charm rather than flamboyance.
Mrs. Ding smirked, "No matter how good they look, it can’t match the princess’s noble status. Besides, the princess’s beauty resembles His Highness’s so much. Back then, who didn’t praise His Highness’s beauty?"
"Mom, it’s like the pot calling the kettle black. If others hear this, they’ll think we are arrogant."
Mrs. Ding had more to say, but Princess Rong Jia interrupted her, "Let’s go! Or else we’ll really keep Mother waiting."
If all the guests arrived and she was still absent, she’d be lacking in manners, causing the aristocratic won to gossip behind her back.
Mrs. Ding walked behind the princess, thinking the princess was a bit peculiar today, seemingly paying extra attention to her attire.
However, she didn’t ponder too much, attributing it to the princess becoming a lady and being particularly mindful of her appearance, as notable ladies were attending.
"Jinyu! You’re early today!" Zhu Pang winked at Gu Chengyu, his expression rather lewd.
Gu Chengyu rolled his eyes at him, "These two are from the Hanlin Academy, Bian Yunyi and Tong Qiutang, Brother Zheng, do you know them? They are also scholars like you."
"Mr. Zhu greets Mr. Bian and Mr. Tong." Zhu Pang casually with Gu Chengyu, but observed etiquette in front of others.
"Mr. Zhu, no need for formalities!"
Bian Yunyi and Tong Qiutang already knew Zhu Pang, but previously, they focused solely on studying the Holy Books, so they didn’t associate with soone like Zhu Pang.
"Mr. Bian, Mr. Tong!" Zheng Lun also stepped forward to greet the two.
"Mr. Zheng!"
"I didn’t expect there to be four of us from the Hanlin Academy gathered today; what a coincidence." Zheng Lun led them to an empty spot to sit.
Although many young officials were present, there were hardly any above the Sixth Rank.
The Dayan Dynasty had a family favor system, allowing local officials above the third rank, military officers of Second Rank and above, and civil officials above Fourth Rank to provide a single favor for a family mber, either by sending a younger mber to the Imperial College or finding a governnt position. However, this favor could only be given to one son.
This led to conflicts among family mbers for this privilege in aristocratic families.
Given their different statuses, those people naturally didn’t want to socialize with these few, as they were all just commoners here.
"The one who escorted earlier was the Fourth Young Master Qin, I wonder who he is?" Gu Chengyu asked the group.
Everyone knew that Gu Chengyu wasn’t originally from the Capital. Even as an official, he only knew court officials. Since the Fourth Young Master Qin was still studying, it was natural for Gu Chengyu not to recognize all the young sons of Capital’s aristocratic families.
"Ahem! Fourth Young Master Qin is a son from the second branch of Duke Qin Mansion, nad Qin Ke," replied Bian Yunyi, who was the second legitimate son of Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, Bian Shengrong.
Bian Shengrong was originally a Minister of the Ministry of Rites, and after Wan Xue Nian’s death, he was promoted to Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, considered a step up.
Gu Chengyu grasped the implication; the second branch of Duke Qin Mansion was legitimate, but unfortunately, the Second Master Qin didn’t have a legitimate son, only two daughters from the main wife.
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