Chapter Fifty-Two: Proposing Marriage

Returning to the concubine's room, Mu Lian felt as if she had been transported to another world. Taking the human skin mask from the box beneath her dressing case, Mu Lian gently blew on it, flicked it, and rubbed it for a moment until the edges were smoother and shinier before putting it on. Then, letting her hair down and composed herself, she saw in the mirror the still somewhat timid concubine's daughter.

Before long, there was a loud knocking at the door, indicating that the person was in a hurry. After applying the last layer of yellow powder to her slender fingertips, Mu Lian leisurely got up and went to open the door.

"Aunt Qiu..." The person who came was none other than Aunt Qiu, the capable old woman who served Madam Mu.

Granny Qiu scanned Mu Lian up and down, concealing the jealousy and disdain in her eyes, and forced a smile: "Congratulations to the Third Miss. Another matchmaker has arrived. Madam requests your presence."

Another matchmaker has arrived? Whose family is it this time? Mu Lian was a little curious, nodded, and was about to follow them out, but was stopped by Granny Qiu, who handed her a tray from the maid behind her: "Madam wants you to change into a different dress."

Mu Lian took a closer look and saw that it was a very beautiful dress, which, according to Meng Yuan, was the most fashionable dress in Kyoto at the moment. Since returning to Kyoto, Meng Yuan had embarked on a shopping spree. She hadn't missed a single one of the city's famous cosmetics shops and clothing stores.

"This is from your second sister, your elder sister. She specially sent it back to help you, the third young lady, save face." Granny Qiu lovingly stroked the skirt, clearly treasuring the gift from the second young lady. The second young lady of the Mu family married the youngest son of the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices two years ago, a high-profile marriage that allowed Madam Mu to truly hold her head high in the capital.

Mu Lian didn't say anything, just took the tray and closed the door. The door almost closed, brushing against Granny Qiu's face, which startled Granny Qiu, who quickly took a few steps back, clutching her chest and sighing repeatedly. She was both shocked and annoyed, but ultimately didn't lash out.

After changing into a brocade pleated skirt with butterfly patterns and then putting on a matching fur-collared overcoat, Mu Lian glanced at her reflection in the bronze mirror. She did look more energetic than before. After tucking the yellow powder she had applied into her waistband, Mu Lian followed Granny Qiu away slowly.

In the front hall, separated by a screen, Mu Lian heard a familiar voice.

"Mr. Mu, there's no need to be so modest. With the Mu family's upbringing and traditions, I'm sure Miss Mu is no less than exceptional..." Gently blowing away the steam rising from the teacup, Ye Yuqing's smiling eyes were shrouded in mist, making her appear even more refined and extraordinary.

Master Mu secretly wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, wondering if this Scholar Ye had some strange quirk. He was clearly a promising young man favored by the Emperor, and the dream lover of all the women in the capital, so why did he come to his house to propose marriage? And why did he take a fancy to that plain-looking, dull, and timid concubine's daughter? Not only would the noble ladies of the capital be shocked, but even Master Mu himself couldn't believe it.

“But my family’s third daughter is truly…” Before Master Mu could say anything more, Madam Mu, standing behind the screen, waved her hand, interrupting him. Then a servant came from behind the screen and whispered a few words in Master Mu’s ear.

Master Mu paused for a moment, thought for a moment, and then nodded. He turned to Ye Yiqing and cupped his hands, saying, "I suppose Lord Ye has not met my third daughter. How about we invite my daughter to meet you later?"

"Very good." A hint of a smile appeared in Ye Yiqing's eyes. He was rather curious how the dignified and decisive Chief Judge Mu of the Judicial Office could disguise himself as that timid and cowardly concubine's daughter.

Before long, the tinkling of jade pendants came from behind the screen. Ye Yiqing looked up and saw a woman wearing a pleated skirt with butterfly and flower patterns, but shrugging her body as she slowly approached. Her hunched back and submissive appearance were quite lifelike, clearly the image of an unfavored concubine's daughter.

"I've met Father, I've met you, I've met you, sir..." Her voice trembled and stuttered, seemingly due to nervousness at meeting strangers.

Even her voice has changed? Ye Yiqing was stunned for a moment, then a little unsure. Turning to Master Mu at the head of the table, she said, "Thank you, Minister Mu, for not avoiding suspicion by inviting the Third Miss out. I had only seen her from afar before, never in person. Now that I see her, she is somewhat different from what I saw before..."

Different? That's right, they must be different. Master Mu's tense and conflicted heart suddenly relaxed: "Then the one Lord Ye met must be my fourth daughter, who just turned fifteen this year..."

No wonder Madam Mu was so generous today, sending dresses and makeup powder; so this was what she was waiting for. Mu Lian chuckled inwardly, guessing that she knew the concubine's daughter's appearance was inadequate, so she feigned generosity to use this as a stepping stone to bring out her own legitimate fourth daughter.

While Master Mu was still praising his fourth daughter, Ye Yiqing stared intently at the young concubine's daughter. Mu Lian, with her head down, was somewhat curious: could this exceptionally talented Ye Tanhua recognize her or not?

Thinking this, Mu Lian glanced up at the man opposite her, only to find her gaze meeting his. The next second, a smile bloomed in his eyes, and he spoke confidently, "I apologize, Minister Mu, but I am looking for the Third Miss Mu, not the Fourth Miss..."

What? Master Mu could hardly believe his ears. He had already seen the real person, how could this Scholar Ye still say such things? Master Mu looked at Ye Yuqing, then at Mu Lian, and was so shocked that he was speechless.

What?! How could it be the Third Miss? Madam Mu, behind the screen, could hardly believe her ears. Her own second daughter's marriage to a wealthy and powerful family had brought Madam Mu considerable pride for a long time. But ultimately, it was only a fourth-rank family; in the capital, teeming with powerful and influential people, it wasn't something to boast about. However, if she could marry into the Ye family, she could truly rise to the top. Not to mention, Ye Tanhua was handsome, charming, and exceptionally talented—the man countless noble ladies in the capital dreamed of marrying. If he were to end up with that useless illegitimate daughter, she would be utterly disgusted.

The elegantly seated man leisurely sipped his fine tea, his slender fingers tracing the rim of the teacup. He nodded with a gentle smile, his eyes filled with unwavering certainty. He couldn't be wrong, how could he be wrong? This was someone he had been thinking about for so long; naturally, a single glance was enough to confirm it! So, what did it matter if she wore a human skin mask and was dressed in such a disheveled manner? How could he, the esteemed Scholar Ye, fail to see through that disguise? That would be a waste of his reputation.

"This won't scare her away?" Mu Lian was also a little surprised. When Madam Mu brought her makeup powder earlier, Mu Lian not only didn't improve her appearance, but instead applied an even thicker layer of yellow powder. Now, although she was wearing new clothes, new clothes still needed new makeup, but her face was dark and yellow, and the bright clothes made her look even uglier.

Could it be that Ye Tanhua recognized me too?