Unparalleled Beauty

Chapter C002

With a sharp 'snap', the young lady instinctively straightened her spine, her head lowered and her chest tucked in.

Standing before her was a middle-aged woman, holding a bamboo strip, her face stern.

She wore a deep blue dress, her hair pulled back into a sleek, oiled bun. Her thin frame and straight spine, along with the vertical lines etched between her brows and the tight, downturned corners of her lips, spoke of a strict and unforgiving nature.

"Third Miss, you were daydreaming."

The young lady jolted awake, her eyes widening in surprise and bewilderment as she recognized the woman's face.

"Did Third Miss not sleep well last night?"

After a moment, the young lady's eyes held a complex mix of emotions as she replied, "I did not sleep well. It was too hot, and there was no ice in my room, so..."

The teacher pondered for a moment before saying, "As the saying goes, 'The daughter of a household...'"

The young lady's eyes grew even more complex. After a brief pause, she replied, "'The daughter of a household must be frugal and diligent. Diligence brings prosperity, while laziness leads to ruin. Frugality brings wealth, while extravagance brings poverty. All women must be mindful of this, and not be complacent.'"

These words were taken from the "Household Chapter" of the "Female Analects," emphasizing the importance of a woman's diligence and frugality in managing a household, warning against laziness and indulgence.

The teacher's meaning was clear: she was reminding the young lady to be thrifty and avoid complaining about the lack of ice in her room. Instead, she should find inner peace and contentment, even without external comforts.

"Master Qin, I understand."

The young lady knew she had to say this, otherwise, Master Qin wouldn't let her off so easily.

Seeing her respectful and humble acceptance of the lesson, Master Qin, with her long, narrow face, prominent cheekbones, and stern expression, finally nodded in satisfaction and returned to her seat.

"Since Third Miss is feeling unwell today, you may leave early. Recite a passage from the 'Humility Chapter' of the 'Female Precepts,' and then you may go."

The young lady lowered her eyes and gave a wry smile, beginning to recite the passage that was etched into her memory, a chapter she could never forget, even after countless years.

"Humility, First Principle. In ancient times, when a girl was born, she was laid on the floor for three days, played with tiles, and offerings were made. Laying her on the floor signified her humility, her status as an inferior. Playing with tiles signified her duty to labor…"

***

A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, and the sky was a clear, azure blue.

In the study beneath the shade of a sprawling tree, the young lady's soft, faint recitation echoed.

In a proper school or academy, such a recitation would have been met with reprimands from the teacher, who would have criticized the lack of clarity and confidence in her voice. But the teacher seated at the head of the room wore a faint smile of satisfaction, clearly pleased with the young lady's performance.

The recitation lasted for about a quarter of an hour, but when it ended, the teacher did not dismiss the young lady. Instead, she continued to train her in posture, requiring her to walk while reciting.

"All women must first learn to conduct themselves properly. The way to conduct oneself is to strive for purity and virtue. Purity brings cleanliness, virtue brings honor. Do not turn your head while walking, do not speak with your lips parted, do not move your knees while sitting, do not sway your skirt while standing, do not laugh loudly, do not raise your voice in anger…"

This was from the "Conduct Chapter" of the "Female Analects," outlining the proper behavior and conduct for women. Mei Wushuang had recited these words countless times, they were once ingrained in her very being, and she dared not forget them. Even though years had passed, she could still recite them flawlessly.

The teacher, even more satisfied, allowed the young lady to stop after she finished reciting the chapter. She approached the young lady, scrutinizing her from head to toe, her gaze lingering on her chest.

Mei Wushuang followed her gaze, her heart sinking. As expected, Master Qin furrowed her brow, glancing at her chest again, a look of disgust flashing in her eyes.

"Did you forget to bind your chest?"

A fragment of memory flashed through Wushuang's mind. She lowered her eyes, feigning timidity, and said, "It was hot yesterday, and the maid forgot to wash the binding cloth. I saw that it was damp with sweat, so I didn't use it today..."

"Such commonly used items, Third Miss should have more on hand, lest you find yourself without them when you need them. If a woman wishes to be dignified and proper, she must not be foolish. A bulky figure is foolish, and the swaying of breasts and hips while walking is a grave offense, a mark of low-born and vulgar women. You are a noble daughter of the Marquis's household, remember this and never commit such a transgression…"

Master Qin spoke at length, then shook her head and looked at Wushuang. "Enough for today. You may go back."

Wushuang curtsied to her teacher and left the study.

As she stepped out of the study's door, the maid Jianjia greeted her.

Gazing upon this face etched in her memory, Wushuang felt a surge of shock and complexity. Yet, she remained silent, walking alongside Jianjia back to their familiar dwelling.

The weather was sweltering, and Wushuang, having just practiced standing and walking, was already drenched in sweat. Her first act upon returning was to wipe herself down and change clothes.

The little maid brought water, and Jianjia, taking a towel, dipped it into the basin. Mei Wushuang stood before the dressing table, her gaze fixed on her reflection, lost in thought.

The girl in the mirror was about fifteen or sixteen years old, yet her attire was remarkably mature and conservative.

She wore an olive-green, double-breasted summer jacket and an indigo pleated skirt. Ordinarily, girls of her age favored vibrant hues, but she, on the contrary, was clad in somber colors. Her dress, neither cinched at the waist nor fitted to her figure, hung loosely around her like a sack.

Her hair, seemingly oiled, was tightly pulled back into a bun at the nape of her neck, with thick bangs covering her forehead. The bangs, heavy and long, not only concealed her forehead and eyebrows but also blurred her features beneath them.

Her somber and conservative attire, coupled with her fair skin and slender frame, might have led one to mistake her for a young widow.

"Did Master Qin punish you just now?"

The red mark had now swollen, starkly contrasting against Mei Wushuang's fair and delicate skin, making it appear particularly frightening.

Jianjia's brow furrowed, her expression tinged with worry, but she said nothing. Instead, she turned and retrieved a small porcelain bottle from the cabinet, applying ointment to Wushuang's injury.

The ease with which she found the bottle and applied the ointment indicated that this was a task she performed often, suggesting that Wushuang's punishments from Master Qin were not a rare occurrence.

"This ointment was specially prepared by Old Madam. It will reduce the swelling by tomorrow," Jianjia sighed. "Master Qin is strict, but she has your best interests at heart. Miss shouldn't harbor resentment."

This last statement was indeed unnecessary, but Jianjia, noticing the unusual silence of Third Miss and her prolonged contemplation before the mirror, felt compelled to offer a word of comfort.

After speaking, she stole a glance at the girl, only to find Wushuang lost in thought, her mind wandering.

Mei Wushuang felt as though she had died, for how else could she have coughed up so much blood, and how else could Linglong have been so terrified?

Linglong was the palace maid assigned to her by Ji Yang. Wushuang could tell that she was no ordinary maid, and she had never seen Linglong, who was usually calm and collected, display such an expression. Therefore, she must have died.

But how did she die? And why, after death, did she find herself back here? These questions plagued Wushuang's mind, leaving her utterly bewildered.

Moreover, what year was this?

She could only deduce, based on the presence of Master Qin and Jianjia, that this was a time before her marriage, when she was still residing in the Marquis Changyang's mansion.

***

Just as Wushuang had finished changing and was about to dismiss Jianjia, allowing herself some solitude, a maid with an almond-shaped face entered.

Her willow-like brows and phoenix-like eyes, along with a small black mole on her left lip, gave her a charming appearance. Upon entering, she exclaimed, "Miss, guess what I've found out?"

Wushuang, momentarily dazed, instinctively asked, "What?"

"It's said that His Highness Prince Wei had two previous Princess Consorts, but both of them died mysteriously shortly after entering the mansion."

The maid seemed hesitant, as if filled with fear, and spoke slowly.

"Some say that His Highness killed them. He had a violent temper in his youth and is said to have killed many palace servants. He was sent to the border because of this incident. Out of fear of the royal authority, the families of the two Princess Consorts dared not speak out. That's why His Highness has remained unmarried until now, not only because he's been constantly engaged in warfare but also because no one in the capital dares to marry their daughter to him."

Mei Wushuang was taken aback once more.

Jianjia, beside her, turned pale and exclaimed, "Then according to what Bailu said, our Miss is in for a terrible fate..."

As she spoke, Jianjia seemed to realize her slip of the tongue and stopped abruptly. Bailu, too, hesitated and cast a worried glance at Wushuang. Though she said nothing, her hesitant gaze spoke volumes.

Mei Wushuang, gathering her scattered thoughts, was about to speak when a young maid entered and announced, "Miss, Eldest Miss has arrived."

Just then, a young woman walked in.

It was the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Changyang, and also Mei Wushuang's elder sister, Mei Wuxia.

She was seventeen years old, with a slender frame, wearing a light blue summer jacket embroidered with bamboo leaves, and a moon-white pleated skirt. Her entire attire was in muted colors, only a jade-green silk sash around her waist adding a touch of vibrancy.

Her skin was fair, her brows long and her eyes fine, she was exceptionally delicate in appearance. Though her beauty could not be considered top-tier, her elegant demeanor was captivating, like a lotus emerging from the mud, pure and unblemished, yet not alluring.

"Wushuang," noticing the awkward atmosphere, Mei Wuxia looked at the three of them in surprise, "What's going on here?"

Wushuang was still trying to figure out how to answer her, when Bailu, ever quick with her tongue, said, "Eldest Miss, Third Miss was curious about the matter of His Highness Prince Wei, so this servant went to inquire and tell Miss, but Miss seems to have been rather frightened."

Having spoken, she seemed to realize she had misspoken, and quickly glanced at Wushuang.

Mei Wuxia frowned, seemingly ignoring Bailu's gesture. She looked at Wushuang with a complex expression, sighed softly, and said, "Alright, you all may leave now."

The maidservants all left, leaving only the two sisters in the room.

Mei Wuxia sighed, sat down beside Wushuang, and took her hand, "Wushuang, are you afraid?"

Wushuang stared at her blankly, her eyes unfocused, as if seeing through her, yet seeing nothing at all.

"Eldest Sister…"

Mei Wuxia, however, thought she was frightened, and after a moment of contemplation, she advised, "You don't need to listen to those rumors outside. Most of the gossip in the streets is just hearsay. His Highness Prince Wei's reputation outside is indeed not very good, but..."

By now, Wushuang knew she had returned to a time when Ji Yang was about to return to the capital, and her betrothal to him was being brought up.

She had always had a betrothal, but few dared to take it seriously.

As far as Wushuang knew, her father had served as a guerrilla general under Prince Wei, who was then the third prince. During a battle, the third prince, who was leading troops outside the capital, was ambushed. Her father led his troops to rescue him at the risk of their lives, and eventually, the besieged prince was saved, but her father died in battle.

Upon learning of her father's death, her mother committed suicide. At the age of five, Wushuang became an orphan and was sent back to the Marquis of Changyang's mansion in the capital. At that time, the third prince had sent a message, saying that he had promised her father to take care of her, so when she came of age, he would marry her.

However, this promise seemed absurd, considering the significant age difference between them. Moreover, the words were not spoken by the third prince himself, and the palace had not made any official statement, so the Marquis of Changyang's family did not take it seriously.

But the fact remained, and the Mei family had to keep it in mind. When they invited Master Qin to teach Wushuang, it was under this pretext.

Years passed, and everyone thought the matter was settled. But at the end of last year, Prince Wei sent a message to the Marquis of Changyang's mansion, saying that he would return to the capital next spring and summer.

The implication was clear: he was coming to fulfill his promise.

Author's Note:

The male protagonist is thirteen years older than the female protagonist, but he is not too old. The female protagonist has just reached marriageable age.