The noble girl is beautiful. - Chapter 55

Ji Zhuo’s comment lingered in Shen Yourong’s mind all day.

In the evening, when they returned to the Duke’s residence, Ji Zhuo was detained by matters ahead. Shen Yourong entered her room, where the maidservants brought hot water. Du Juan helped her remove her bracelets and rings, assisted her in washing her hands, and changed her clothes.

She leaned against the pillow and reclined on the bed. A young maid began massaging her legs with a beauty stick. Hua Mei brought tea, and Shen Yourong sipped it, finally feeling some relief from the day’s fatigue.

“Bai Yan,” Shen Yourong looked at her hands and suddenly asked, “Are there any balsam flowers in the Duke’s residence?”

Bai Yan thought for a moment. “At this time of year, even if there are, they might not be in good condition. If the princess consort wants them, I’ll have someone search outside.”

Shen Yourong nodded. “There’s no need to rush. Just have them delivered in the morning or evening.”

Bai Yan agreed and immediately went outside to call for a servant.

A young servant hurried over, and Bai Yan said, “I have a task for you. Go outside and find some good balsam flowers, with a thousand layers and good colors.”

The young servant promised to do so, and Bai Yan added, “Don’t be lazy. Hurry up and get it done. There will be a reward for you.”

The servant agreed, saying, “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to find them.”

The next morning, after Ji Zhuo had breakfast with Shen Yourong, he went out.

Shen Yourong rested on the bed, as her legs were still sore from walking all day yesterday. Hua Mei brought tea and said, “There are beautiful flowers outside. Who brought them?”

Shen Yourong, intrigued, got up and went outside with the others to see. Several pots of balsam flowers were placed on the corridor, their delicate red petals overlapping beautifully against the green leaves.

Shen Yourong smiled. “They look so beautiful. They’d make a lovely bonsai, but they’re not as suitable for dyeing nails.”

Bai Yan came over and, seeing everyone gathered, said with a smile, “I was just about to report to the princess consort that we have found the balsam flowers.”

“Good job,” Shen Yourong said. “Tell Du Juan to collect the reward.”

Bai Yan laughed and said, “In that case, I’ll thank the princess consort on behalf of the servant boys.”

Hua Mei quickly prepared alum, while Du Juan drew water for Shen Yourong to wash her hands. Bai Yue sorted through the balsam petals, which were wrapped in white gauze and mixed with alum to make a paste.

The maids chatted happily as they applied the nail dye to Shen Yourong’s fingers. Hua Mei talked about the gold powder and flower designs she had seen before, and Bai Yan and Bai Yue listened with curiosity and eagerness to try.

By the time night fell, Ji Zhuo returned, stepping into the courtyard. The house was brightly lit, and Shen Yourong’s silhouette was visible through the windows. He stood in the courtyard for a moment, his previous irritation gone.

He entered the room where the maidservants were gathered around Shen Yourong. Shen Yourong, dressed in a water-green robe with a jade-colored shawl embroidered with golden flowers, smiled warmly at him.

He walked into the room, and the maidservants curtsied and left. Shen Yourong got up from the bed and personally handed a cup of sweet white porcelain tea to him. The porcelain was pristine, with a hint of red on her fingertips.

He reached out but did not take the tea cup. Instead, he grasped Shen Yourong’s hand and gently squeezed it.

Her palm itched. “You should take it quickly; it might fall.”

He took the cup from her hand and set it on a small table, then pulled her closer. He examined her hands closely. “Did you do this today?”

She nodded. “I wrapped them in sesame leaves all day. Not just my nails, but my fingers are red too.”

He looked up at her under the lamp and said, “It’s beautiful.”

She smiled and asked, “Have you eaten?”

“I had something outside,” he said. But he was not thinking about food. He took Shen Yourong’s hand and said, “You must be tired today. You should wash up and rest early.”

She didn’t doubt him. “Go wash up behind the screen; there’s hot water ready.”

She stepped aside, inviting him to wash. But he grabbed her hand and said, “Will you join me?”

“What are you talking about…” Shen Yourong didn’t finish her sentence before he pulled her in.

As the night deepened, Shen Yourong sat at her vanity, brushing her hair while wearing a jade-colored silk gown. Ji Zhuo lounged against the headboard, his long hair cascading behind him, looking relaxed and almost picturesque.

He watched her with a smile. Shen Yourong’s cheeks flushed slightly, but she avoided looking at him.

The maidservants entered to clean up the mess on the floor. Shen Yourong noticed the carpet and asked, “Can it be saved?”

The maidservants replied, “It’s soaked with water. Even if we use it, it needs to be cleaned first.”

The room was adorned with a red carpet embroidered with lotus branches and sea wave patterns. The intricate embroidery was beautiful, but the water had made it a mess.

Shen Yourong felt a little regretful.

Ji Zhuo chuckled and said, “It’s just a carpet. It’s not that important.”

She ignored him and said, “It’s newly laid.”

He stood up, positioned himself behind her, and twirled a strand of her hair. “If you beg me, I’ll get you a better one.”

She swatted his hand away and turned her head, not speaking.

He continued to tease her, his voice carrying a playful tone, “Will you beg me?”

“No,” she replied, using his own words against him. “It’s just a carpet.”

He laughed. “It’s not just any carpet. It’s the one newly laid by my princess consort. It’s quite precious.”

Shen Yourong huffed and walked over to the window.
Ji Zhuo draped a cloak over his shoulders and went outside, instructing, “Have some snacks brought over.”

Bai Yue took the task and Ji Zhuo turned to Bai Yan, saying, “Go find Changming and ask him to get a lotus branch pattern red carpet.”

Bai Yan complied. Ji Zhuo adjusted his cloak and asked, “Who brought the balsam flowers for the princess consort?”

“It was Yuan Sheng from the garden,” Bai Yan replied, pulling out a packet of flower seeds. “These are also from him. He said they are good seeds, and they’ll be just as beautiful next year.”

Ji Zhuo nodded. “Well done. Set aside a spot in the garden for balsam flowers and make sure Yuan Sheng takes good care of them.”

Bai Yan quickly said, “I’ll thank him on behalf of the prince.”

Ji Zhuo acknowledged with a slight nod and returned to the inner chamber. Bai Yue brought some porridge and snacks. Ji Zhuo and Shen Yourong sat across from each other, eating and chatting quietly.

With the onset of winter, the capital city was covered in snow, with flakes as large as goose feathers. After a single night, the world was transformed into a silver landscape. On the day of the winter solstice, a family banquet was held at the palace, inviting all royal relatives, and Shen Yourong was naturally expected to attend.

Hua Mei rubbed her hands together as she entered the room, saying, “The snow outside is so heavy, everything is blanketed in white, and we have to go to the palace.”

Shen Yourong finished dressing, and Du Juan brought a hand warmer made of gold wire. “It’s not just our family going out; is the carriage ready?”

The gatekeeper replied, “It’s ready.”

So, Du Juan and the other maidservants held umbrellas and helped Shen Yourong into the sedan chair.

The sedan chair was warm inside, with snacks, hot tea, and a blazing brazier already prepared. Shen Yourong looked out from the chair, lifting the curtain. There were few pedestrians, and the heavy snow made the road almost invisible.

Upon arriving at the palace, she first went to see the Empress and then the Consort Shen. Just as she arrived at the Consort Shen’s palace, a palace maid came in to say that the banquet at Dowager Empress Shu’s place was ready, and both Consort Shen and the Regent’s wife were invited.

Shen Yourong was a bit surprised. “At Dowager Empress Shu’s palace?”

Shen Qingyan adjusted her hairpin and said, “In the palace, isn’t Dowager Empress Shu the highest authority? Since she arranged the family banquet, it’s natural for it to be held there.”

Shen Qingyan approached Shen Yourong and added, “By the way, today is also Consort Hui’s birthday. Have you prepared a gift?”

“Consort Hui’s birthday?” Shen Yourong asked. “I remember it being in the summer.”

Shen Qingyan laughed and said, “Being a noble, Consort Hui naturally chooses an auspicious date.”

Shen Yourong chuckled and said, “Since today is Consort Hui’s birthday, the Dowager Empress must have chosen this day to hold the family banquet to honor her.”

Shen Qingyan nodded.

“No wonder,” Shen Yourong said. “The Empress didn’t seem very happy when I came from her palace.”

Shen Qingyan replied, “Consort Hui is pregnant with the heir and is somewhat frivolous, which makes the Empress dislike her.”

As they prepared to leave, Shen Qingyan asked, “You still haven’t said whether you prepared a gift for Consort Hui.”

“I anticipated meeting some younger relatives today, so I brought some gold, silver, and jade ornaments. I’ll distribute them as needed.”

Shen Qingyan nodded, “That’s fine.”

At Dowager Empress Shu’s palace, many guests had already arrived. Dowager Empress Shu was seated with Consort Hui, and the Empress, with a pale expression, was beside them. The guests, including royal relatives, princesses, and the wives of princes, were gathered and chatting animatedly.

As soon as Shen Yourong entered, everyone quickly stood to greet her, smiling, “Is this the new wife of Prince Duan? Nice to meet you, aunt.”

Shen Yourong returned their greetings with a smile and presented the prepared gifts.

Among the younger generation, some were eager to please the Regent, some were close to Shen Yourong due to their similar ages, and some were already familiar with her. For a moment, Shen Yourong’s presence outshone even Dowager Empress Shu and Consort Hui.

“Everyone, please don’t stand,” Dowager Empress Shu said indifferently. “Take your seats.”

The guests sat down again. The Grand Princess smiled at Dowager Empress Shu and said, “I’ve always said your niece is remarkable. Among the royal family, Ji Zhuo is the most outstanding, and they are well matched.”

Dowager Empress Shu smiled faintly and said, “Prince Duan’s wife is indeed good, but her marriage to him doesn’t concern me.”

Dowager Shu had originally liked Shen Yourong, but that was based on the idea of her becoming her daughter-in-law and her son becoming the emperor. Now, however, Shen Yourong had become her sister-in-law, and Prince Duan was overshadowing the emperor. Otherwise, the emperor wouldn’t have delayed appointing her as Empress Dowager, holding a grudge against her.