The sudden cold snap of the night came and went like a ghost, leaving behind a brilliantly sunny day.
Sunlight spilled over the pristine snow, creating a blinding white glare that stung the eyes.
The crabapple tree in the courtyard was laden with snow, its tender pink buds peeking shyly through the frost—a delicate yet tenacious beauty.
Wei Rao stood by the window, draped in a cloak, her fair hand shielding her brow as she gazed at the snowy scene with a smile that crinkled the corners of her phoenix eyes.
With such glorious sunshine, the snow on the ground would melt completely within two or three days. Not only would it not delay the spring planting, but it would also enrich the soil with moisture, making it easier to plow. In such circumstances, the common folk would likely be overjoyed, dancing with delight. Even if ill-intentioned individuals tried to spread rumors that her grandmother’s longevity had brought divine punishment, it would only backfire, making the people grateful to her grandmother instead.
Although her grandmother had long ceased to care about her reputation, it was still better to avoid such baseless slander whenever possible.
“Miss, come and freshen up now. We’re heading out of the city today—there will be plenty of time to admire the snow.”
Bitao and Liuya entered one after the other, carrying a basin of water and a teapot, respectively.
Wei Rao smiled, removed the now-unnecessary cloak, and sat down at the dressing table.
Today was her grandmother’s birthday, and Wei Rao had instructed Bitao to spare no effort in transforming her into a celestial maiden from the Jade Pool. Her grandmother’s temperament was such that she cared little for fame, no matter how tarnished, but she insisted on maintaining an elegant and beautiful appearance at all times. Even the maids around her were trained to carry themselves with grace, and her expectations for her granddaughters were even higher.
“A woman, regardless of her looks, must take care to adorn herself well. This isn’t for the sake of men or outsiders, but out of self-respect and the desire to feel comfortable. Think about it—a woman who lives comfortably will be in good spirits, and good spirits will bring a radiant complexion. A radiant complexion is the truest form of beauty. Otherwise, even if she were to use the most expensive cosmetics in the world, they couldn’t hide the weariness and hardship in her 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, and the rich have theirs. What matters is the state of mind. Any woman who truly loves beauty won’t allow herself to live in misery. Of course, there are those born into dire circumstances, but if they cherish beauty, they will find a way to lift themselves out of the mire and live with dignity. And when a person is clean and dignified, how can they not be beautiful?”
This was the philosophy of Wei Rao’s grandmother, Shou An Jun.
Not only did her grandmother uphold this principle herself, but she also instilled it in Wei Rao and the other younger generations.
Wei Rao wholeheartedly agreed.
She was naturally beautiful and took great care to preserve her looks. When she was young, her paternal grandmother had advised her to keep her distance and visit her maternal grandmother less often, but Wei Rao had never heeded the advice. She adored her grandmother and loved spending time at the imperial estate gifted to her, fishing and riding horses. Such joy was something no reputation or cosmetics could ever replace.
Of course, besides a cheerful heart, makeup was also important.
Wei Rao’s two personal maids, Bitao and Liuya, had been personally trained by her grandmother in the art of serving others. From the smallest details like matching socks and collar buttons to the broader aspects of health, hair, and skincare, the two maids had mastered their grandmother’s teachings so thoroughly that they could easily serve as instructors in the imperial palace.
Such meticulous grooming took time. Even though Bitao and Liuya were seasoned experts, Wei Rao still had to sit through a full half-hour of preparation.The Western-style dressing mirror, inlaid with various gemstones, reflected a face as radiant as peach and plum blossoms. Her delicate, flawless cheeks bore only a layer of moisturizing facial balm, with the artistry of her makeup focused mainly on her eyebrows and lips. Wei Rao’s eyebrows, resembling those of her long-deceased father, were thick and dark, lending her a somewhat spirited air. Now trimmed into two crescent shapes with slightly upturned ends, they accentuated her captivating phoenix eyes even more.
As for Wei Rao’s lips, she saw nothing amiss with them, but her grandmother remarked that they were growing increasingly bewitching—like those of a temptress, seemingly luring others to kiss them. Already blessed with striking beauty, such lips only made her appear less like a virtuous woman. Had she been married, a touch of allure might have been permissible, but as an unmarried maiden, it was better to exercise restraint.
Thus, whenever Wei Rao went out or received guests, Liuya would redraw her lips to appear more demure.
“Truthfully, I prefer the young lady’s natural lip shape,” Liuya remarked with a hint of regret.
Wei Rao smiled, content with her current appearance. During her last visit to her grandmother, she had dirtied her shoes while frolicking in the fields to pick flowers, earning a scolding. This time, she was determined not to step out of the carriage even if the Supreme Lord Lao descended to offer her an elixir. She would make a graceful, elegant appearance before her grandmother.
“Let’s go.”
Liuya stayed behind to pack, while Wei Rao headed to the front courtyard with Bitao to join her grandmother for breakfast.
Wei Rao timed her arrival perfectly—Old Mrs. Wei had just finished her morning ablutions. Dressed in an eggplant-purple beizi, her hair gray and white, she appeared older than Wei Rao’s maternal grandmother, despite being four years younger.
Though the two elderly women held different views, their affection for Wei Rao was equally profound. Wei Rao adored her free-spirited maternal grandmother and deeply respected her diligent, well-managed paternal grandmother.
“Grandmother, don’t I look beautiful?” Wei Rao fluttered into the inner room like a butterfly, twirling in her skirt like a young girl before Old Mrs. Wei.
Though somewhat lacking in decorum, elders like Old Mrs. Wei delighted in such playful antics from their grandchildren.
“Beautiful, absolutely beautiful—the most beautiful in the entire capital,” Old Mrs. Wei replied with a laugh, her loving gaze sweeping over her granddaughter from head to toe.
Her granddaughter was truly stunning.
When her second son had died tragically years ago, Old Mrs. Wei had been heartbroken. Her daughter-in-law, Little Zhou, had mourned for a time as well. Despite her alluring appearance, Little Zhou had dutifully observed the three-year mourning period for her husband and cared for their young daughter impeccably. Old Mrs. Wei had been deeply comforted—until, after the three years ended, Little Zhou knelt before her and calmly requested to leave the household.
At that time, Old Mrs. Wei could not help but feel disappointed.
As a mother-in-law, she believed she had treated Little Zhou well, and her late son had cherished Little Zhou like a precious jewel. Big Zhou’s divorce and remarriage had been understandable—her husband had developed a drunken, abusive habit. But what grievance had Little Zhou suffered? Why could she not remain a widow for her beloved husband?
Even if she cared little for her deceased husband, how could she not consider her daughter? Wei Rao already had a grandmother of questionable reputation, and her aunt’s marriage to a wealthy merchant was hardly honorable. If her own mother were to return to her natal home and remarry, what would people say about Wei Rao?
Old Mrs. Wei had reasoned with Little Zhou in every way possible, but Little Zhou remained steadfast in her request to leave—preferably taking her daughter with her.Old Mrs. Wei told her to dream on! Wei Rao was the only flesh and blood her son had left in this world, and Little Zhou could forget about taking her away even in her dreams.
In the period right after Little Zhou left, Old Mrs. Wei had also felt some resentment toward Wei Rao. But the moment she saw Wei Rao’s lovely face, like a little fairy maiden descended from heaven, her anger simply melted away. Fearing the servants wouldn’t take good care of Wei Rao, Old Mrs. Wei brought her into her own courtyard and raised her there for four years.
“It just snowed, and it’s cold out. Why aren’t you wearing more?” Calling her little granddaughter to her side, Old Mrs. Wei pinched the girl’s sleeve and frowned.
Wei Rao truly didn’t feel cold. “The sun is so bright, and I’ll be staying in the carriage. I won’t get cold.”
Old Mrs. Wei had no way to deal with the little girl. Grandmother and granddaughter walked hand in hand to have their meal.
After breakfast, Old Mrs. Wei signaled for her little granddaughter not to rush off and exchanged a glance with Nanny Song, who had served her for decades.
Nanny Song went into the inner chamber and returned a moment later, holding a two-foot-long sandalwood box.
Old Mrs. Wei looked at Wei Rao and said, “Inside is a string of prayer beads. Years ago, when Master Jingkong traveled to the capital, I was fortunate enough to have him bless them. Today is Shou An Jun’s sixtieth birthday. Your grandmother doesn’t have anything particularly valuable to offer, so take this string of prayer beads to her on my behalf.”
She and Shou An Jun didn’t get along, but they weren’t on hostile terms either. How many people live to see sixty? A gift should be given when it’s due.
Master Jingkong was a highly respected monk of their dynasty, and Old Mrs. Wei was a devout Buddhist. To her, this string of prayer beads was truly a cherished possession.
Wei Rao quickly said, “Grandmother, you should keep it for yourself. Grandmother Shou An Jun will be happy enough with your kind thoughts.”
Old Mrs. Wei motioned for Bitao to take the box and said, “This is a matter between us elders. You just need to deliver it; no need to worry about the rest.”
Wei Rao thought to herself, You mean well with this gift, but Grandmother Shou An Jun doesn’t believe in gods or Buddhas. Even if she receives prayer beads blessed by a master, she won’t value them—it’ll be a waste of something precious.
But her grandmother’s intentions were good, and Wei Rao couldn’t bear to speak the truth and upset her.
“Actually, Grandmother Shou An Jun wanted to invite you to the estate for the banquet, but she was afraid the journey would be too hard on you and didn’t send an invitation.” Wei Rao hugged her grandmother’s arm and smiled, speaking kindly on her maternal grandmother’s behalf.
Old Mrs. Wei curled her lip and glared 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 sees you, her own flesh and blood.”
Wei Rao smiled apologetically. “Grandmother Shou An Jun is afraid people will look down on her. If they receive an invitation but don’t come, she’ll lose even more face.”
Just as Old Mrs. Wei was about to speak, a young maid announced from outside that Lady Guo Shi and Third Miss had arrived to pay their respects to the Old Madame.
Guo Shi was Old Mrs. Wei’s eldest daughter-in-law, the current Cheng’an Marquis’s wife, and also Wei Rao’s eldest aunt.
Grandmother and granddaughter exchanged a look. Wei Rao pouted openly—she didn’t get along with Guo Shi and her daughter.
“Alright, alright, go and get ready to go out. I’ll chat with them.” Old Mrs. Wei also didn’t want to hear Guo Shi’s barbed remarks in front of her little granddaughter.
Wei Rao knew then that her grandmother favored her the most.
Leaning in to hug her grandmother’s shoulders, she planted a kiss on the old lady’s cheek, deliberately leaving a faint lip print. Smiling, Wei Rao walked out.
“Aunt, greetings. Third Sister, greetings.”
Stepping outside and seeing Guo Shi and Wei Chan walking in, Wei Rao politely paid her respects.Wei Chan first noticed the emerald earrings dangling beside Wei Rao's ears, their vibrant green resembling the color of tender leaves encased in ice.
Guo Shi's eyes were drawn to the luxurious and expensive silk adorning Wei Rao's figure—undoubtedly a gift from her aunt, Big Zhou.
Wei Rao's father, Master Wei the Second, had died while investigating corrupt officials, earning the Cheng'an Marquis estate a sterling reputation among the common folk. Yet, the Wei family's financial circumstances were far from affluent. From Old Mrs. Wei down, the entire household lived frugally—all except Wei Rao. Relying on her aunt married to a wealthy merchant and her grandmother who frequently received rewards from Emperor Yuanjia, she flaunted gold and silver daily, standing out like a sore thumb.
"The snowy roads are treacherous, yet Rao Rao still insists on venturing out to visit Shou An Jun—such remarkable filial piety," Guo Shi deliberately raised her voice, aiming her barbed words at Old Mrs. Wei inside! The old lady was truly muddle-headed, lavishing affection on an ingrate like Wei Rao. What was the use of doting on her? She could never match Shou An Jun's wealth and riches.
"Aunt flatters me. I merely fulfill basic filial duties. Since the snow makes travel difficult, I shall depart early. I'll bring you some wild game from the mountains to taste upon my return."
Wei Rao paid no mind, smiling as she took her leave.
Guo Shi's long face fell further, despising most of all Wei Rao's shameless demeanor.
Wei Chan tilted her head, watching Wei Rao's slender, graceful figure recede like a phoenix soaring into the snowy expanse, her heart torn between envy and admiration.
She too wished to play outside the city—she had long grown weary of their shabby little marquis estate!
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