After two days of rain, the sky cleared up.
Sunlight streamed through the carved doors and windows into the room, falling on the floor.
Beautiful patterns formed on the ground.
The sunlight was like a magical brush, recreating the designs bit by bit.
Jiang Mianmian yawned and stretched lazily.
In the morning, Grandma had dressed her up.
Because today, Mom was taking her out.
In just these two days, there had been many rumors circulating in the Provincial Capital.
They said that the young daughter of Magistrate Jiang had a strange fate, and it would be best for her to become a nun. If she stayed at home, she would surely bring misfortune to her family.
Aunt Yin dressed up the little mistress, making her look like a small princess.
She was certain no one would look better than her.
A red cape, pearl hair ornaments - the hair accessory was a small band with two rows of pearls arranged on top.
Jiang Mianmian had provided the idea.
Grandma had it made for her.
Grandma said that little girls should be treasured like pearls, given the best things. Through constant exposure, they would naturally develop an air of nobility.
What was nobility? It was confidence.
Jiang Mianmian, wearing a beautiful little robe, adorned with pearl hair accessories, with a face very much like her father's, and wearing pretty embroidered shoes, was going out with Mom to attend a gathering.
Jiang Mianmian felt that Grandma had dressed her up very formally.
But then she thought about how she was now someone of status.
Much higher than a working-class family in modern times.
Attending this banquet was almost like the child of a high-ranking official attending a party hosted by the governor's wife. Thinking of it this way, she realized how high the level was.
She had inexplicably climbed up the social ladder.
The whole family was adapting to their new identities.
Today, Elder Sister was feeling unwell due to a slight cold and didn't join them.
Jiang Mianmian remembered that before marriage, Elder Sister had been as strong as an ox. Even chickens that drank her soup broth could be poisoned to death, yet she remained hale and hearty. Strangely, after marriage, she had become frail.
Today, Brother-in-law also didn't go out, staying behind to take care of Elder Sister.
Jiang Mianmian, along with Pangya, went out with Mom and Grandma.
However, it was only in the carriage that Jiang Mianmian learned from Mom's conversation with Grandma.
Elder Sister had started her menstrual period.
She was suddenly alarmed.
There were no sanitary pads...
Although it would be many years before she needed them herself, she knew that when women menstruate, if not kept clean, it could easily lead to illness.
In ancient times, young ladies of noble families rarely left their homes, partly because frail women would be menstruating for half a month. If hygiene wasn't properly maintained, it was easy to develop gynecological diseases, which were also not easy to discuss openly.
When watching historical dramas, she always felt that noble women seemed as fragile as tofu, miscarrying at the slightest bump.
While working farm women aged quickly, partly due to the prevalence of gynecological diseases and lack of conditions to maintain hygiene.
Thinking about this, Jiang Mianmian felt that sanitary pads were necessary.
She decided to start working on it as soon as they returned home from the banquet.
The carriage swayed, and the journey wasn't too long, but they had to wait in line for a long time.
If you didn't want to squeeze into the world of fame and fortune, you wouldn't, but if you did, you would clearly feel the class distinctions.
Even the positions of carriages were ranked.
Those of higher rank were like VIPs, allowed to enter first.
Those of lower rank had to wait in line outside.
No wonder there had been mysterious rumors circulating in the Provincial Capital these past two days, saying that the youngest daughter of the Jiang family was originally from the Buddhist world and should return to it.
How could the mortal world contain such beauty?
It made people's hearts itch, wanting to hold her in their arms and cuddle her like a soft, fluffy kitten.
As Mrs. Jiang approached, the other ladies didn't know how to start a conversation.
In fact, they had all received invitations from the Jiang family, but because they looked down on them, none had attended, which was equivalent to a collective snub.
At this moment, a woman also wearing a red dress stepped forward.
While both wore red, Mrs. Jiang was dignified and composed, while this woman was seductive and revealing, as if eager to display every part of her body.
This was the favored concubine of Lord Yu, Zheng'er.
Lord Yu was a prominent figure in the Provincial Capital's officialdom, often arresting people at will, like a mad dog.
Zheng'er's status had risen with his, and she brazenly attended the prefectural magistrate's wife's banquet.
She even brought Lord Yu's three daughters.
However, those three daughters stood serving like maids.
The ladies didn't want to socialize with her, but they had to force themselves to do so.
Zheng'er was very vindictive. Once, when a lady offended her, she went back and whispered in Lord Yu's ear. The next day, Lord Yu found an excuse to torment that lady's husband until the lady came to apologize.
It was said that Zheng'er was as close as sisters with Xiao Fengxian.
Although the ladies disliked Zheng'er, they didn't want to cause trouble for their husbands.
On the surface, they still had to flatter Zheng'er.
Zheng'er looked arrogant and domineering, but she was actually clever. She wouldn't go after the prefectural magistrate's wife.
The people she tormented were all those whom Lord Yu could influence.
From afar, she saw Mrs. Jiang also wearing red.
Zheng'er smiled meaningfully.
This Mrs. Jiang, rumored to be of peasant origin, was unexpectedly grand and beautiful.
It was the kind of look she hated, proper and bright.
It made her uncomfortable.
However, she walked out openly and blocked Mrs. Jiang's path.
She smiled and said, "Sister Qin, come sit over here."
Qin Luoxia saw the newcomer and, recalling the ladies Aunt Yin had introduced to her, felt confident.
She asked, "Which lady are you?"
The onlookers watched with interest.
Both were wives of pardoned rebels, so it was fitting they should sit together.
"My husband's surname is Yu," Zheng'er said coyly, leaning against a pillar.
Jiang Mianmian looked at her with curiosity. She truly stood out.
Just like the type of person Grandma described as unconventional in every way. Leaning against the doorframe certainly gave off an air of worldliness.
She made a mental note to be mindful of her posture in the future.
Stand tall, chest out, eyes straight ahead.
Jiang Mianmian made a small correction to her own stance.
Qin Luoxia noticed three girls of varying ages standing beside her, serving tea and water like maids.
The three girls were blushing, looking awkward and unsure whether to bow or what to do, heads lowered as they fidgeted with their clothes.
Qin Luoxia raised her hand and slapped Zheng'er's provocative smiling face.
One slap sent her tumbling to the ground.
Several pots of chrysanthemums were crushed in the process.
"The last person who impersonated my family member is already dead. How dare you pretend to be Mrs. Yu when I just met her the day before yesterday?"