Chapter 40

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Jiang Li laughed, "How did Da Jiejie come to choose a completely different colour from Second Older Sister[1]; with the two of you sitting together right now, it certainly is bright and interesting."

[1] Er Jiejie ( 二姐姐 ) - Second Sister

Jiang Su Su was startled for a moment, then giggled along, "Da Jiejie, dressed in red, would definitely be prettier than Su niang and even more festive." Although she knew that Jiang Ruan had chosen the vermillion satin, she had not foreseen that Ruyi Lou would produce such an intricately gorgeous set of clothes from that fabric. However, this made her feel somewhat relieved. A young lady would inevitably be unable to stand up against such a gorgeous and complicated red dress. Even if Jiang Ruan had a bright and resplendent appearance, when she wore these clothes, she would only be drowned out by the their impetus. Not only that, she would appear rather top-heavy and quite gaudy.

Jiang Li, too, was thinking along the same lines as Jiang Su Su and the gaze she directed towards Jiang Ruan was somewhat filled with schadenfreude. Yet, at the tip of her lips, these words came out, "Shopkeeper Liu is certainly very biased to have created such a gorgeous decorative design for Da Jiejie's clothes. We certainly would not be able to compare with it. With such a style of clothes, only Da Jiejie would have the courage to wear them."

"Since I am Jiang fu's eldest daughter, then it would also be good to dress in a more proper manner." Jiang Ruan chuckled lightly, "The clothes that you have chosen are extremely complementary as well; each and every one of the young ladies of the Jiang fu is outstanding."

Jiang Dan glanced at Jiang Ruan and whispered, "Da Jiejie's clothes are truly attractive, I have never seen anyone dressing in this manner before in the fu."

The Old Jiang Madame who sat on the seat slightly narrowed her eyes and stared at Jiang Ruan meaningfully before she spoke, "The clothes are not bad, however, there is still something lacking. It appears that the eldest girl does not have a cape. Du Juan, retrieve that crimson crane* overcoat later from my chest and have it sent to the Ruan Ju."

* Crane motif - In Chinese culture, the crane is venerated as the prince of all feathered creatures and thus has a legendary status. Embodying longevity and peace, it is the second most favored bird symbol after the phoenix.

At that time, the crimson crane overcoat was part of the Old Jiang Madame's dowry and naturally, was precious beyond compare. However, Jiang Su Su had always liked peaceful white colours. Thus, she had never requested it before, but this did not mean she disliked it. Now, seeing the Old Jiang Madame have her own dowry items gifted to Jiang Ruan, in her mind, she was astonished.

Jiang Li had long since seen red and sourly added, "Zumu certainly dotes on Da Jiejie, to have just returned and already such great things have been given to you."

The Old Jiang Madame shot her a glance and remarked with an indistinguishable tone of neither joy nor anger, "You have all been raised in the Jiang fu, has anything you have used or worn been lacking? The eldest girl has only just returned home, and she has gone through much hardship in the manor over the past few years. Look, she doesn't even have any presentable accessories on hand."

Jiang Su Su thought for a moment and then spoke, "Zumu is right. Da Jiejie, I have quite a number of ornaments. Why don't you come over to my courtyard for a visit and choose some accessories. Only, my accessories are too plain, so I am not sure if you would like them."

Jiang Li was unable to be as generous as Jiang Su Su. Since she could not bring herself to do so, she simply turned her head aside and pretended not to have heard the offer. Jiang Dan merely lowered her head and her hands grabbed onto the corner of the hem of her own clothes tightly. She did not have as many accessories as her two older sisters; at most, she would only have those that were bestowed by the madame during the new year. However, from what she had already amassed, if it was urgently required someday, she would be able to pawn them off.

"How can I take Meimei's things?" Jiang Ruan replied, "It will be alright, Mother will definitely have some prepared for me."

The Old Jiang Madame's gaze glinted as she waved her hand, "Never mind, you have all received your clothes. Since you are going to Assistant Minister Shen's residence tomorrow, you will have to dress yourselves respectably. My Jiang fu's daughters are all well-bred young ladies of a prestigious family. Second girl, your jiejie has just returned to the capital and will be extremely unfamiliar with many people in the capital. Tomorrow, you will have to take care of her. When you are outside the fu, all of you will be the representatives and the face of the Jiang fu. At that time, you will have to mutually assist each other."

Jiang Su Su nodded, "What zumu has instructed, Su niang understands."

Jiang Ruan, too, nodded in assent.

After speaking for a while, the Old Jiang Madame then wanted to meditate thus the young ladies respectively took their own completed sets of clothes and returned to their courtyards. Though, in the end, Jiang Ruan did not go to Jiang Su Su's courtyard to choose some accessories. However, she heard that Jiang Li had gone and borrowed some necklaces and hairpins. Jiang Su Su was not stingy towards Jiang Li regarding the accessories and precious stones; perhaps it was because Jiang Quan never allowed her to lack for anything.

As expected that evening, Cai Que, the maidservant at the Old Madame's side, sent the crimson crane overcoat over. Apart from that, she had also brought over a small box of accessories and stated that it was given to her by the Old Madame. In addition, she also made an attempt to exhort Jiang Ruan to adorn herself respectably the next day. Jiang Ruan did not decline either. She simply smiled in assent, then chose a silver hairpin of relatively common quality from the small box and gave it to Cai Que for having troubled her to make this trip. At first, Cai Que was unwilling to accept it, but eventually she conceded and accepted it with a smile.

Once Cai Que left, Lian Qiao then spoke, "Now that the Old Madame is treating Miss this well, the hard times in Miss' life can be considered over and the good times are just beginning."

"This crimson crane overcoat is certainly precious and to have just given it to Miss like this, it is clear that in the Old Madame's heart, she still loves our young lady dearly." Bai Zhi was delighted too and as she folded the crane overcoat, she examined the woollen cloth at the same time.

Lu Zhu shook her head, "From what I see, that is unlikely. Miss has just returned to the fu, and the Old Madame is right away having Miss dress respectably to attend the party at the Assistant Minister Shen's residence. Those going to the party tomorrow are certainly the noble young ladies of the capital, and our Miss has not returned to the capital in five years. With this first appearance, the objective is certainly to let everyone know that the Jiang fu's eldest miss is a proper beauty of a prestigious family. I surmise that the Old Madame has such intentions."

Jiang Ruan lit up the lamp wick, "Lu Zhu is right. There is not much advantage to the name of the Jiang fu's eldest miss other than influence. Keep that box safe, I'm afraid it will not be that relaxing tomorrow."

* * *

In the Gui Lan Yuan, Zhang mama got up to pour a cup of red date and lotus seed tea for the Old Madame. Old Jiang Madame received the tea but did not drink and merely looked thoughtfully at the bobbing red date inside the teacup, "Zhang mama, what do you think about the eldest girl?"

Zhang mama laughed, "Eldest Miss was born beautiful and upon seeing her now, her speech and manners are extremely elegant too. Only, furen passed away long ago and her life has been filled with such hardship since."

"She is a smart one," the Old Jiang Madame frowned, "The time she came to see me after returning to the fu, you did not get a chance to see, but the manner of this girl was equivalent to the high-ranked nobility that comes from the palace. When I knew her before, she was timid and docile, but now her temperament has changed. It is unlike her own mother's as well. Only, during these past few years, she has always been in the rural manor. Those things that Xia Yan has done, you are equally aware of it. How could there possibly be good tidings for the eldest girl; furthermore, to not be brought up as a waste is already not bad. How did she manage to transform from her simple and naive self of the past to this noble persona?"

"Perhaps she takes after you," Cai Que, who had been listening at a side, answered with a smile, "After all, she is your descendant. In those years, Old Madame was indeed one of the very best well-bred young ladies in the capital. Anyone who heard your name would say that your mannerisms, capabilities and appearance were all pre-eminently outstanding. Looking upon Eldest Miss now, she is clear and straightforward too. Perhaps she was innately so, thus, even if she was brought up in the rural manor, she could also have the manner of one raised in the palace."

"Look at your sweet-talking," the Old Jiang Madame scolded with a smile, "I do not know what benefits that girl has promised you to actually speak in her favour like this."

"I am not fawning over Eldest Miss, I am fawning over Old Madame," Cai Que remarked.

Zhang mama laughed along, "Old Madame certainly does not need to worry that much. It is a good thing that Eldest Miss understands mores. From what I can see, Eldest Miss will be one of the very best among the young ladies of the prestigious families in the capital. To have such a person come out of the Jiang fu, it is certainly something to feel proud and elated about."

The Old Jiang Madame nodded, "I only hope that she will be able to do well tomorrow."

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Translated by : Iris

Edited by : Anks & Ely