Unparalleled Beauty

Chapter C046 pt1

On both sides of the wide bluestone path, flowers and trees grew luxuriantly, their verdant shadows swaying.

Along the roadside, a stone-based palace lantern stood every five meters.

At this time, these stone lanterns were all lit, dispelling the twilight after dusk. Further ahead, countless towers and pavilions were hidden amongst the scenery, along with a vast expanse of lake and water, reflecting the various lights, as if one had arrived in the Penglai* fairyland.

TN: legendary mythical land https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Penglai

Mei Chang and Mei E had long since fallen silent, Mei Xishuang following closely beside Mei E.

After passing another patch of flowers and trees, the view suddenly opened up, revealing a waterside pavilion built over the water. It was brightly lit, and many noble young ladies had already arrived. From afar, the fragrance of their clothes and the gleam of their hair ornaments, along with their laughter, created a scene akin to a celestial realm.

The maids escorted them to this point and no further. Mei Chang and Mei E were somewhat hesitant, but in the end, Wushuang took the lead and walked inside.

Their entrance did not attract attention. The noble young ladies continued to talk in small groups, or leaned against the railings, watching the lotus lanterns on the water's surface.

None of them knew anyone here, so after entering, Wushuang and the others found a corner to sit down.

A maid came to serve them tea, along with a few plates of pastries, but there were not many, each plate holding only five or six pieces, and each piece only a small mouthful.

Mei Xishuang originally wanted to eat, but seeing that no one else was eating, she did not dare to either.

Wushuang asked, "Did you all have a meal before coming?"

Mei Chang and Mei E had eaten, but Mei Xishuang had not.

"I forgot to remind you that you should eat before coming. There probably won't be any dinner here. You should eat some pastries to tide you over, so you won't be hungry later."

Wushuang pushed the plate of pastries towards Mei Xishuang, who then took it and ate the pastries in small bites.

Mei Chang looked around and whispered to Wushuang, "What do you think they are all doing here? Could it be that the Qixi banquet is here?"

"Who knows? It's my first time here too."

Mei E lightly patted Mei Chang's shoulder with her round fan, and then gestured for Wushuang to look over there.

Wushuang followed her gaze and noticed that behind them, across the water about ten meters away, there was another waterside pavilion, facing theirs. However, that pavilion was filled with young men.

Mei Xishuang nearly choked on a piece of pastry. She quickly lowered her head and took a sip of tea. When she looked up, she noticed that a noble young lady seemed to be looking at her, and her small face flushed crimson.

Mei Chang still acted as if nothing had happened, but her other hand was gripping Wushuang's hand so tightly that she almost bruised it. As for Mei E, she was not much better than Mei Chang, extremely nervous.

"What are you so nervous about?"

Wushuang, on the other hand, had a sense of calm and composure.

Indeed, she was not seeking a husband, so naturally there was nothing to be nervous about. She could not help but sigh inwardly at Princess Changhe's ingenious design, which both distinguished between men and women and allowed a glimpse of the scene on the opposite side.

And viewing beauties under the moonlight and viewing beauties under the lamplight had the same effect. Tonight, there was both moonlight and lamplight.

No wonder the noble young ladies were all so reserved. Their sitting and standing postures were more graceful and elegant than usual. When Wushuang had entered earlier, she had felt a strange sensation, and now she understood the meaning.

She wondered if Ji Yang had arrived.

She thought to herself, using her fan to cover her face, her large eyes darting around to look over there.

He probably had not arrived. He was tall and handsome, standing out like a crane among chickens. She would have seen him at a glance. Seeing that he was not there, Wushuang lost interest and turned away.

A soft snort was faintly heard, as if someone was sneering at something.

Wushuang turned around and realized that some people were looking at her. However, Mei Xishuang, who was beside her, thought that she had just embarrassed herself and that everyone was looking at her. Her face flushed even more, and she lowered her head.

Mei Wushuang could not help but furrow her brow. Following the soft scoff, she looked over and saw a noble lady with a tear mole beneath her eye, a mocking smile playing on her lips.

Seeing her look over, the other not only did not avoid her gaze, but the mockery on her face deepened.

What was there about her to mock? Only then did Wushuang realize that the other was laughing at her.

"Do I know you?"

The scene fell silent for a moment; likely, no one had expected Wushuang to ask so directly.

That noble lady with phoenix eyes was also not ambiguous, "Naturally, we do not know each other." She thought Wushuang's next sentence would surely be, 'If you don't know me, why are you laughing?' Who knew Wushuang would only respond with an 'oh'.

This single 'oh' immediately gave the other a sense of being suspended in mid-air, unable to go up or down, a feeling of stifled frustration.

"Though we do not know each other, you have indeed opened my eyes."

These words were far too provocative. If Wushuang had not thought and thought again that she did not know the other, she would have truly thought this person knew her and held a great grudge.

"You have also opened my eyes quite a bit. You probably do not know how to write the characters for 'impolite'. Just now, when I asked if we knew each other, it was not to mock you, but because I truly thought you knew me. So, it turns out we do not."

Wushuang's words were still soft and gentle, and even her pace was not fast, but the mocking tone was truly no less than the other's, even directly pointing out the other's impolite behavior.

It was indeed impolite. Even if others had done something inappropriate, a true noble lady would not embarrass someone in public.

"You…"

At this moment, Mei Chang stood up, "What, do you want to quarrel? If you want to quarrel, come quarrel with me. Don't bully my younger sister for having a soft temper."

This was called a soft temper?

Could a soft temper make someone so angry with just a few words?

No one else spoke. Only a girl came out and pulled that phoenix-eyed noble lady away. The scene returned to its previous nonchalance, and Wushuang also nonchalantly withdrew her gaze.

Mei E said, "Third Eldest Sister, I didn't expect you to be so good at arguing."

Wushuang also did not expect it. This was her first time arguing with someone. She even felt that Mei Chang had influenced her.

Sure enough, Mei Chang said, "What is this called arguing? I haven't even opened my mouth yet, and she ran away."

Wushuang could not help but laugh. Mei E and Mei Xishuang also laughed.

At this moment, a tall girl walked over, generously saying, "Third Miss Mei." She looked about fifteen or sixteen years old, wearing a light purple shirt, and was very delicate and pretty.

"And you are?"

"My surname is Lu. I am from the Marquis Zhongwu's family. I am the seventh child at home. We met at Marquis Xuanping's mansion, but we did not speak at the time."

Wushuang was a little embarrassed. She had no impression of the other at all.

Who knew the other would laugh generously, "Unlike Third Miss, who is the center of attention, it is normal that Third Miss Mei does not recognize me."

"Center of attention?"

Lu Ruyu blinked, suddenly lowering her voice, "Don't look at them pretending to be nonchalant. In reality, when you came in, they were all secretly looking at you."

Wushuang was surprised. Was she so famous? She thought that many people should not know her.

"His Majesty has bestowed a marriage upon you and Prince Wei. This matter has caused much discussion in the capital. Don't think that you usually do not appear in public. In reality, there are quite a few people who know you."

These words caused Wushuang to blush slightly. Seeing that the other was still standing, she quickly invited her to sit down.

"That one just now was Song Miaolan, the second legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Yichun. Pay her no mind; she is habitually sharp-tongued."

Wushuang said, "I thought I had some past grievance with her, but I truly do not know her."

Hearing this, Lu Ruyu hesitated for a moment, "You indeed do not know each other, but if you speak of grievances, according to Song Miaolan's thinking, there is indeed a bit of one."

These words caused Wushuang to be surprised.

"Actually, many in the capital know of this matter. You do not often go out, so naturally you are unaware."

In truth, it should be said that with the Changyang Marquis's mansion's previous standing in the capital, there were some things they could not have known. However, Lu Ruyu's words were spoken with restraint.

"Back then, her elder sister was betrothed to His Highness Prince Wei. The imperial decree for the marriage had already been issued. Who knew that her elder sister would die of illness before the grand wedding? Although it was like this, because the imperial decree had been issued, she was considered to have held the title of Princess Consort Wei. Later, Prince Wei never married. When she grew a bit older, the Song family of Marquis Yichun wanted her to replace her elder sister… to become this Princess Consort Wei."

In other words, she was a half-way interceptor?

That was not right either. She had a marriage agreement with Prince Wei ten years ago. At that time, Prince Wei was still a youth who had just reached adulthood. Song Miaolan's age did not match either. Seeing Lu Ruyu speak so hesitantly, it must be that during these years of her betrothal to Prince Wei, she had not been taken seriously. The Song family of Marquis Yichun had always wanted Song Miaolan to replace her elder sister to fulfill the uncompleted marriage agreement.

Could it really be done like this?

Thinking again of Prince Wei's status, it was no wonder the Song family was so persistent.

But what was the matter with Prince Wei's reputation? Since even Lu Ruyu knew that the Song family girl had died of illness, why was it rumored that Prince Wei had killed his wife? She knew that in her previous life, she had been frightened by this reputation.

"So that's how it is."

Lu Ruyu said, "So, it is enough for you to know. She just feels that you have snatched her position as Princess Consort Wei."

"What snatching? My Third Miss was betrothed to His Highness Prince Wei ten years ago. How old was she then?" Mei Chang interjected.

Lu Ruyu only smiled and did not speak, which seemed to confirm Wushuang's thoughts.

Wushuang smiled, "I must thank Miss Lu for resolving my confusion."

Lu Ruyu waved her hand in a carefree manner, "What is there to thank? I just cannot stand her attitude." It seemed that she also had conflicts with Song Miaolan, which was why she came to show goodwill to Wushuang.

At this moment, a commotion arose at the entrance. It was Commandery Princess Minghui who had arrived.

It seemed that many people knew Commandery Princess Minghui, and they all went forward to exchange greetings with her. Besides Commandery Princess Minghui, Zhao Lanzhi, Chen Yueyi, and Mei Wuxia were also standing beside her.

The four women were equally beautiful, each with their own unique charm. Standing together, they were like a painting. And Mei Wuxia was not at all timid. She wore a lotus-root-colored cross-collared summer shirt and a moon-white pleated skirt. The waistline of her summer shirt was tailored perfectly, making her waist appear even more slender. Among the crowd of rich and noble flowers, she was like a lotus flower that had emerged from the mud without being stained.

Mei Chang curled her lips. Wushuang gently shook her head at her. The liveliness over there had gathered everyone's attention, and for a time, the surroundings seemed much more deserted.

And this attention quickly shifted towards Wushuang. It was Commandery Princess Minghui who was walking towards this side.

"Third Miss Mei, it has been a long time."

Wushuang stood up and slightly lowered her head, "Your Highness."

There were many people watching the show around them, because many knew that Commandery Princess Minghui had feelings for Prince Wei, but in the end, she was betrothed to the shizi of Marquis Wuxiang.

This Third Miss Mei had been betrothed to Prince Wei. No one knew if Commandery Princess Minghui would cause trouble for her.

Contrary to expectations, Commandery Princess Minghui only exchanged a few pleasantries with Wushuang and then left. This caused many people who were waiting to watch a show to be somewhat disappointed.

After a while, maids appeared among the seats, replacing everyone's tea and pastries with fresh ones. At this time, Wushuang heard someone whispering, 'The winding stream party is about to begin.'

Wushuang was still somewhat puzzled. Following the gazes of the crowd, she saw a willow-leaf boat between the two waterside pavilions. A man and a woman stood on the boat, their attire indicating they were female officials and subordinates of the Princess's mansion.

The so-called "floating goblet and winding stream" was a small game played jointly by the two waterside pavilions, a modified version of the traditional winding stream party. A small boat, about three chi* long and less than two chi wide, was placed between the two pavilions. A lotus lantern was placed at the bow of the boat. One side would pose a question, and the other side would answer.

TN: ancient length measurement… usually about 30cm

To answer, the people on the opposite side had to first use a rope to pull the small boat over to see the question hidden inside the lotus lantern. The man and woman on the boat were the hosts and supervisors.

Soon, it began. The man from the opposite pavilion displayed courteous manners, allowing the women's side to pose the first question.

In an instant, the faces of all the noble young ladies in the waterside pavilion flushed crimson. They looked at each other, and then looked away.

Seemingly shy and bashful, many of them actually had a glint of eagerness in their eyes. Clearly, if they wanted to gain a reputation for talent, this was the best opportunity.

Wushuang and the others, being rather inexperienced, also looked at each other, and then looked away.

Wushuang, needless to say, was not proficient in poetry or prose. In her previous life, her circumstances in the Duke's mansion were bleak, and in her loneliness, she had learned the qin and could play a few tunes. Mei Chang was even less skilled. Although the Marquis Changyang's mansion had hired female teachers to teach the young ladies to read and write, they mainly taught Mei Wuxia. Mei Chang and Wushuang had only learned a little along with her.

Among the four of them, perhaps Mei E was a bit better, because Wushuang knew that Mei E liked to read, and most of her monthly allowance was spent on buying books.

While they were still feeling ashamed of their own inadequacies, someone had already stepped forward to pose a question.

It was Mei Wuxia.