After Xiao Mochen left, Yan Qingqing went back to her room and changed into a very formal outfit.
This is a purple, double-breasted long robe made of Shu brocade, a gift from the emperor. Paired with a matching gold-inlaid jade belt, it is both dignified and elegant, and perfectly accentuates Yan Qingqing's figure.
Then she put on the same style of magnolia flower hairpin.
This outfit is very similar to Yan Qingqing's official attire, but it looks more natural and elegant.
Yan Qingqing applied some more luxurious cream to her face, making it appear even whiter.
Ruyi and Ruxue were stunned. Their lady was so beautiful and had such an imposing presence.
Yan Qingqing rarely pays attention to her clothes and appearance, but she always manages to amaze everyone on the rare occasions she does.
Yan Qingqing sighed helplessly when she saw the two girls staring at her.
They say clothes make the man, and a saddle makes the horse. The capital is not like Chengyang County.
This is a place teeming with wealthy and powerful officials. If she fails in this battle today, she won't be able to make a living in the capital. She'll probably have to slink back to Chengyang County in disgrace.
Although Yan Qingqing may not necessarily like the capital city that much, leaving with her head held high and leaving in disgrace is a completely different matter.
Just as A-Da had finished harnessing the carriage and was about to set off in a grand manner, he saw Mu Xi, dressed in women's clothing, walking over.
Mu Xi looked really good in women's clothing, and his walking posture and demeanor showed no signs of being a man.
Seeing Yan Qingqing staring intently at her, Mu Xi called out somewhat shyly, "Madam."
Yan Qingqing always felt a little awkward when she heard this form of address.
She could accept Mu Xi calling her "Madam" when he was dressed as a man, but when Mu Xi changed back into women's clothing and became her future daughter-in-law, calling her "Madam" just didn't feel right.
If Yan Qingqing were to directly ask Mu Xi to call her "mother," she feared it would damage her reputation since Mu Xi was not yet married into the family. If she were to call her "aunt," it would be awkward for everyone to keep changing the address.
In the end, I decided against it. "Madam" it is. Anyway, I can't call her that for too long.
Yan Qingqing held Mu Xi's hand and said with a smile, "You should wear this from now on, it looks really good."
Looking across the entire capital, there are few who can compare to our Mu Xi.
Mu Xi felt sweet inside when she heard Yan Qingqing's praise, after all, it was a very happy thing to gain her mother-in-law's approval.
Mu Xi looked at Yan Qingqing and asked, "Madam, are you going out?"
Yan Qingqing nodded and then recounted how Steward Wu had specifically told her that Li Xinniang was not doing well.
Mu Xi's face turned frosty after hearing this. She had thought Li Xinniang was confused back then, but at that time she was just the lady's guard and had no right to speak. Now it was different.
She was Li Xiang'an's betrothed after a long courtship, but she was not officially married into the family. She was the Li family's legitimate daughter-in-law, so she had a say in the matter.
Most importantly, she had to protect the lady's safety.
Seeing Mu Xi's expression, Yan Qingqing smiled and said, "Come with me."
Mu Xi nodded in agreement.
Yan Qingqing brought eight guards with her on this trip, along with Mu Xi and A Da, making it a large and impressive group.
Many people saw Lady Mingzhao go out and followed along out of curiosity to watch the spectacle.
This was Yan Qingqing's first time going out since arriving in the capital. A'da drove the carriage straight to the Wu family's house.
Those with inside information, seeing Yan Qingqing enter the Wu family home, couldn't help but whisper among themselves, "We heard that the young mistress of the Wu family is the eldest daughter of Madam Mingzhao. Madam Mingzhao must be here to see her daughter."
[Isn't it usually the daughters who visit their mothers? Lady Mingzhao has been in the capital for quite some time now, why hasn't the young mistress of the Wu family gone to visit her?]
【You don't know this, but I heard that the young mistress of the Wu family is not favored by Madam Wu. Madam Wu makes her observe all the rules every day. The young mistress is a gentle and quiet person, how could she dare disobey her mother-in-law?】
Is Mrs. Wu out of her mind? What is she complaining about with such a good daughter-in-law?
"You didn't know this, did you? I heard that the girl Madam Wu initially took a liking to was her own sister's daughter, and her sister was the concubine of the governor of Xishan Prefecture..."
After a round of discussion among the onlookers, everyone understood the cause and effect and felt that Lady Mingzhao should have come to support her daughter.
Yan Qingqing was indeed there to support Li Xinniang, but how far she could go depended on Li Xinniang's attitude.
After they arrived at the Wu family's residence, a servant quickly went to inform Master Wu and Madam Wu.
Yan Qingqing was a second-rank imperial consort bestowed by the emperor, while the Wu family, no matter how powerful, was merely a merchant family.
Upon hearing that Yan Qingqing had come to the door, Master Wu quickly released the concubine he was holding in his arms.
Madam Wu was originally thinking about how to persuade Li Xinniang to agree, but that little slut has been very stubborn lately and just won't budge.
When Madam Wu suddenly heard that Madam Mingzhao had come to her door, she was also startled. She subconsciously felt that Yan Qingqing had come to settle scores with her.
Although she appeared tough on the surface, she was actually quite flustered inside.
Madam Wu put aside her ulterior motives and hurriedly came out.
Yan Qingqing did not get off the carriage. Her daughter had been bullied, so she was determined to assert her authority.
Madam Wu and Mr. Wu met at the door. The two now disliked each other. Mr. Wu disliked Madam Wu for being old and unattractive and for being too fussy.
Madam Wu, on the other hand, disliked that Master Wu had two wives on each side, one concubine on each side, and another concubine on the other, showing her no respect whatsoever.
However, in front of outsiders, the two often pretend to be a loving couple.
When Mr. and Mrs. Wu saw that Yan Qingqing didn't get off the carriage, they were somewhat displeased, especially Mrs. Wu, who thought to herself that her daughter was already married into the Wu family, yet Yan Qingqing was still acting so arrogant. Weren't they afraid she would mistreat Li Xinniang?
Finally, the two reluctantly bowed to the carriage and said, "Greetings, Lady Mingzhao."
Ah Da then lifted the carriage curtain, and Yan Qingqing slowly stepped out of the carriage.
Her purple attire made Yan Qingqing appear even more dignified and noble.
Yan Qingqing was greeted with praise as soon as she appeared.
[Tsk tsk, is Lady Mingzhao so young? Wasn't she supposed to be a widow from the countryside?]
This is even more imposing than the noblewomen of Beijing!
Yes, and Lady Mingzhao is so beautiful. She doesn't look like someone who's given birth to so many children.
【You don't understand. Lady Mingzhao started her business in skincare; how could she not take good care of her own skin?】
These products must be really expensive; I don't know if I can afford them.
Yan Qingqing's appearance undoubtedly gave her family's products another boost in advertising.
Yan Qingqing looked at the two of them with a smile that didn't reach her eyes and said, "Mr. Wu and Madam Wu, please get up. I can't accept such a generous gift from you two."
Madam Wu stood up and said, "Madam Mingzhao, what brings you to our humble home today?"
Madam Wu appeared respectful, but her words were sarcastic and unsettling, which was obvious to everyone around her.
Yan Qingqing's face also darkened instantly, and she said, "Naturally, I've come to see my unfilial daughter."
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