Mamа Сhеn still wоrе a look оf rеsentment аs she spоkе: "Whо dоеsn’t knоw she’s feigning illnеss? And she even puts on аirs bеcаuse оf it. Whаt а trulу shamеlеss wrеtсh! Аfter аll, our young lаdу is the lеgitimate daughtеr of this housеhold."
Hаn Yаn mеrеlу smilеd uрon heаring this: "Whаt abоut Хing’еr’s mattеr?"
Xing’еr wаs not born intо thе housеhold; her pаrents worked оn аn еstatе, making a living by sеwing аnd mеnding. Mаdаm Zhоu hаd оrdеred sеrvаnts to thrоw Xing’еr’s body intо a mаss buriаl grоund. Hаn Yаn hаd sоmeone find а coffin to bury her, thоugh without a tombstоne. She аlso sеnt а pоuch of silver to her parents, claiming it was from Xing’er.
Mama Chen looked at her young mistress: "You are too soft-hearted, miss. After all, she was just a maid. If the master finds out..."
"Mother," Han Yan said seriously, looking at her, "I’m not doing it for her, but for Concubine Wan." And this was something she owed Concubine Wan.
If she hadn’t stirred up trouble in front of Concubine Mei, Concubine Mei wouldn’t have thought of poisoning, Madam Zhou wouldn’t have seized the opportunity, and Xing’er wouldn’t have died an innocent death. Han Yan felt a pang of sorrow in her heart. In this life, to protect those she cared for, had she really taken an innocent life?
Mama Chen sighed, thought for a moment, and said: "Concubine Wan is also a poor soul, all because of that Madam Zhou." Then she grew indignant: "She’s just a concubine, yet she claims illness and refuses to see our young lady. Such a cold attitude is truly detestable!"
Han Yan replied indifferently: "Don’t worry. Even if she wants to be cold, I’m afraid she’ll soon come knocking to curry favor."
Mama Chen was taken aback, looking at Han Yan with some confusion. But Han Yan simply picked up a book and began reading on her own.
At this moment, Concubine Wan was secluded in the Buddhist hall, and Concubine Mei was under house arrest. With the palace Night Banquet in three days, wouldn’t only Madam Zhou be able to attend?
Although Xing’er’s death was an accident, it ultimately served Madam Zhou’s purpose—Concubine Mei could no longer compete for favor. With ambitions like Madam Zhou’s, how could she miss the chance to shine at the Night Banquet?
And she, Zhuang Hanyan, the legitimate daughter of the Zhuang household, had naturally seen more of the world than Zhuangshan. For the sake of the Night Banquet, Madam Zhou would surely come to curry favor, hoping to glean some information about the palace from her. The connections within the circles of noble ladies, the topics they were passionate about, how to behave with grace and propriety—they would naturally be eager to know.
But how would they know that she would certainly agree to comply?
Madam Zhou, in this life, not only would she fail to shine, but she would likely make a complete fool of herself.
Three days later, early in the morning, Han Yan was roused from her bed by Mama Chen just as the sky began to lighten.
Seeing that it was still early outside, Han Yan nestled into the warm bedding, mumbling: "Let me sleep a little longer. It’s still early for morning greetings..."
Mama Chen urged anxiously: "My dear young lady, have you forgotten that today is the day of the palace banquet? You must prepare yourself properly."
Hearing the words "palace banquet," Han Yan became slightly more alert. However, she rubbed her eyes and burrowed back under the covers, muttering: "There’s nothing much to prepare."
But Mama Chen wouldn’t relent: "Don’t say that, miss. The palace banquet is of great importance. All the noble ladies and young misses in the capital will be there. You must leave a good impression."
These palace connections were indeed something she lacked. Thinking of this, Han Yan realized she couldn’t afford to be careless. Though reluctant, she slowly dragged herself out of bed.Ji Lan and Shu Hong had long since prepared the warming stove, awaiting her arrival. Seeing her approach, they attended to her washing before handing her a hand warmer. Han Yan sat drowsily before the dressing mirror, while Ji Lan fretted behind her.
"What hairstyle would the young mistress prefer?"
Han Yan replied, "Just as usual."
Ji Lan grew anxious. "That won't do. The palace banquet is no trivial matter, young mistress. How about a feixian bun?"
Han Yan was both amused and exasperated. "I'm not going to sing or dance. Why bother with such elaborate styling? This palace banquet celebrates the great victory in the northwest. If I draw too much attention, it might invite displeasure."
"But young mistress," Ji Lan protested, "Madam Zhou and the others have been busy since yesterday. I heard they went to Ruyi Pavilion to order complete sets of headwear and clothing. Won't you be overshadowed by them?"
Han Yan smiled. "The more meticulously they dress, the more ordinary and proper we should appear. Aren't they trying to prove their status in the Zhuang residence? If people see that the concubines and illegitimate daughters of the Zhuang family are more splendidly adorned than the legitimate daughter, someone clever will surely take notice and reprimand them."
Ji Lan was taken aback, then pursed her lips into a smile. "The young mistress is truly wise. This servant was foolish."
Shu Hong, who had been silent nearby, suddenly spoke up. "For noble young ladies, this palace banquet is quite ordinary. Only those who have never seen the world would make such a fuss. How provincial!"
Han Yan hadn't expected the usually quiet Shu Hong to say such a thing. After a moment of surprise, she laughed. "You grow bolder by the day. She is, after all, a mistress of the household. If others heard, you'd surely face trouble!"
Shu Hong lowered her head, stirring the charcoal in the warming stove. "This servant's only mistress is you."
Han Yan smiled wordlessly.
In the end, Han Yan instructed Ji Lan to style her hair into two round buns. She was still small in stature, and her features had developed later than other girls her age. This hairstyle made her look even more like a delicate, jade-carved doll—innocent and charming, yet unexpectedly harmonious. Han Yan felt that the palace was not an easy place to navigate. Dressing this way would make others see her as a young girl, diverting attention from her and thus avoiding much trouble. Moreover, if Madam Zhou dared to cause difficulties for her at the banquet, this attire would help win the sympathy of others.
Though Ji Lan followed her instructions, she still felt somewhat dissatisfied. She ingeniously added a circle of small braids around the edges of the buns, making them appear even more delicate and exquisite. Although Han Yan disliked heavy hair ornaments, she understood that one must not breach etiquette at a palace banquet. She allowed Ji Lan to select a pair of turquoise butterfly-wing hairpins from the jewelry box, which were pinned on either side of the buns, brightening her complexion further.
With her hair done, the issue of clothing arose. Han Yan didn't want to draw attention, yet she couldn't afford to be disrespectful. In the end, she chose a honey-colored cotton jacket, a rose-purple double-layered gold and silver squirrel-lined vest, and an autumn-fragrance-colored silk cotton skirt. The colors were bright and lively without appearing frivolous. Paired with a dazzling gold necklace adorned with colorful tassels and gemstones, she looked utterly delightful and charming.
As Ji Lan fussed over her face, Han Yan lost track of time until she heard Shu Hong's cheerful voice: "Young mistress, it's done."
Only then did Han Yan open her eyes and gaze at her reflection in the mirror.The little girl in the mirror had skin as white as snow, with her jet-black, soft long hair styled into two round buns. Beneath her neat bangs were a pair of dark, almond-shaped eyes, and the tip of her nose bore a faint red flush from the cold. Truly, her lips were red and her teeth white, making her look delicate and adorable.
Just then, Mama Chen pushed the door open and walked in. Seeing Han Yan dressed like this, a flicker of admiration flashed in her eyes, followed by a beaming smile. "Our young lady is quite a beauty. Though her attire is simple, her features are exquisite—the more one looks, the more one grows fond of her." Her tone was filled with irrepressible delight, yet she offered not a single criticism of Han Yan's clothing.
OpenNovel