Chapter 52 Ice Soul Brew "Miss Zhao probably doesn't need to worry so much..."
The best vantage point, naturally, was the imperial throne. The Emperor and Empress sat beneath a bright yellow canopy, exuding an air of supreme dignity. On either side were princes, princesses, and favored nobles. Meng Lingyao's gaze swept calmly across the throne, and not far below the Emperor and Empress, she spotted a familiar figure—it was Lin Yunshu.
Her attire today was the epitome of luxury: a palace gown embroidered with gold and silver, a gold hairpin in her hair, pearl earrings, and a priceless necklace studded with countless jade and jewels. Even from her seating arrangement, it was clear she was currently the emperor's favorite.
Just as Xie Chengyu said that day, she was already a Noble Lady, and the Emperor himself bestowed upon her the title "Wen," so she could be respectfully addressed as "Noble Lady Wen."
Meng Lingyao glanced at it quickly. Her makeup was carefully designed, with the contours of her eyebrows and eyes deliberately emphasized, and her lip color was much darker than usual. She looked mature and alluring, which was quite incongruous with her age.
She withdrew her gaze, thinking to herself, "This appearance doesn't seem like that of the Empress's daughter at all."
“She looks so awkward…” came Zhao Ruxuan’s low voice from beside her. She half-covered her lips with a round fan, her eyes filled with a subtle complexity.
Meng Lingyao remained silent, continuing to gaze at the river. After a long while, she slowly turned her head, her gaze calmly landing on Zhao Ruxuan's face, and asked indifferently, "Miss Zhao, are you speaking to me?"
Zhao Ruxuan was taken aback, then glared at her angrily, "Who else could it be but you? We're the closest ones sitting here!"
Meng Lingyao smiled faintly and said slowly, "I just never expected that one day I would hear Miss Zhao speak to me so calmly."
Zhao Ruxuan bit her lower lip, wanting to lash out but struggling to suppress it. In the end, she only let out a hum and turned her head away uncomfortably. After a moment, she seemed to have made up her mind and lowered her voice, saying, "It's all because of my second brother..."
She paused, her voice becoming even softer, "My second brother... he has already expressed his feelings for you to my mother, and my mother has agreed. She will soon send a matchmaker to propose marriage. My mother takes this matter very seriously and even summoned me for a questioning."
Meng Lingyao raised an eyebrow, showing no surprise whatsoever.
Zhao Ruxuan continued, "I originally had many grievances against you. But considering my brother's feelings, I still said many good things to Mother."
She was naturally picky and reluctantly said a few words. She looked at Meng Lingyao's profile, her nose twitching slightly. If Meng Lingyao could tell her what kind of rouge, face powder, and perfume she used, she might say a few more nice things next time.
Her gaze unconsciously drifted to Lin Yunshu on the high platform, her voice carrying a complex emotion, "Moreover, Lin Yunshu, she..."
Zhao Ruxuan stared intently at the gorgeously dressed figure, her heart filled with mixed emotions. She never imagined her longtime friend would choose such a path. Now that Lin Yunshu was deeply favored by the Emperor, wouldn't she become her elder when she married the Third Prince? Yet they were clearly of similar age, and they used to laugh and argue together in their private quarters…
Compared to Lin Yunshu, Zhao Ruxuan suddenly didn't find Meng Lingyao so annoying anymore. Although this person sometimes got too close to some men, causing controversy, she hadn't actually done anything truly outrageous. If she could marry her second brother, she could reluctantly accept her as her second sister-in-law.
However, from now on, he can no longer speak so harshly and repeatedly belittle her as before!
After hearing her heartfelt explanation, Meng Lingyao couldn't help but chuckle. She said softly, "Miss Zhao probably doesn't need to worry so much..."
Before the words were even finished, a deafening sound of gongs and drums suddenly erupted from the river. The first dragon boat crossed the finish line—it was the Second Prince's team! Colorful flags fluttered, drums and music resounded, and cheers surged like a tidal wave, almost bursting one's eardrums.
Zhao Ruxuan's face instantly turned ugly; the Third Prince's side had lost! Under the cover of the noise, she muttered several words under her breath.
"Despicable! They must have bribed the referee!" she gritted her teeth. "Or maybe the Second Prince's ship tampered with it!"
As the drumming subsided and the scene quieted down, Zhao Ruxuan came to her senses and asked, "What did you just say? I didn't hear you clearly."
Meng Lingyao smiled but did not repeat herself.
Seeing this, Zhao Ruxuan didn't bother to ask any further questions. She touched her temple, lifted her skirt, and ran towards the men's section. The sash at her waist jingled, clearly indicating that she was in a hurry to comfort the defeated Third Prince.
The outcome was decided, and the banquet began. Delicacies were laid out on the table, and the sounds of music filled the air.
A noblewoman glanced at the seats above, sighed, and said, "The Princess is always here these days, but now that His Highness is in the southwest border region, he must be having a hard time."
“That’s right,” another chimed in. “Everyone says that the southwest is hot and humid, full of snakes and insects, and the sun is extremely strong. Even the best skin can’t withstand the scorching heat, and both men and women tend to have darker skin.”
The conversation casually turned to the women. The lady who spoke up glanced around and looked at Meng Lingyao beside her. "Speaking of complexion, I see that Miss Meng looks radiant today, her skin is truly like jade. Even in this sweltering heat, her makeup is not greasy at all. What new and clever formula did she use?" Her voice was clear and bright, attracting the attention of the ladies.
Meng Lingyao smiled gently, her eyelashes drooping slightly. "Madam is too kind. It's just ordinary cosmetics and a little perfume, just for a refreshing and invigorating effect. It's nothing to mention."
“Miss Meng, that’s not quite true,” Miss Xu from the Jingzhao Yin’s residence shook her finger. “I just smelled the fragrance on Miss Xie, and it’s very similar to yours. It’s clear that you’ve obtained something good and don’t want to share it with us.”
Upon hearing this, Xie Chengyu smiled and glanced at Meng Lingyao, saying, "Lingyao, stop hiding it. The ladies and young women here have already heard that your Juxianglou restaurant business is failing and you've been reselling a lot of fragrant dew."
With her singing, recitation, acting, and acrobatics, she made the story of Juxianglou's business change hilarious. Several people at the table had previously bought the perfumes without knowing the reason behind it, and they all laughed after hearing her story.
Meng Lingyao's hand hung down under the table, and she clenched it tightly, her face instantly turning red. She glared at Xie Chengyu, not too hard, and said, "You're the one who knows best how to expose my shortcomings. Now everyone knows I'm not good at managing household affairs..."
She was always a composed and elegant lady in public, so it was rare to see her looking so slightly embarrassed. For some reason that was difficult to explain, everyone present felt a sense of kinship with her.
Miss Xu was the first to respond, "When will Lingyao's shop reopen? Don't forget to let me know, I'd like to join in the fun too."
The remaining ladies and young women also said they would go to show their support.
Meng Lingyao smiled and agreed to each one, "I will definitely send the invitations to your residences at that time."
"Things from the common people can never be considered high art." A clear voice suddenly fell from above.
Lin Yunshu had already left her seat below the Emperor and Empress at some point, and gracefully approached. Her voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for everyone around to hear, "The art of perfumed lotion is about depth and refinement. The Imperial Pharmacy recently acquired 'ambergris essence' as tribute from Persia. Its fragrance is rich and lingers for days; a single drop is equivalent to a whole bottle of ordinary perfumed lotion. Miss Meng's work is such a... thoughtful creation."
She covered her mouth and chuckled, "It's fine to fool those who don't know anything, but the ladies here are all very knowledgeable and will surely know the difference as soon as they hear it."
The atmosphere at the table instantly froze. The ladies and young women exchanged glances, unsure how to respond. Lin Yunshu's current status was special, and she couldn't be easily offended, but being spoken to like that for no reason would displease anyone. They felt that this newly promoted Consort Wen, who had previously appeared gentle and virtuous, had revealed her true colors once she gained power.
Meng Lingyao remained composed, slowly rising to bow. "What you say is quite right. Persian 'ambergris essence' is a rare treasure, far superior to ordinary perfumes." She paused, then respectfully continued, "However, I am foolish and have only heard that the use of fragrance depends on its suitability. Just as medicine emphasizes the 'principal, assistant, adjuvant, and guide' principle, perfumes also need to be used 'according to the time, place, and person.' Ambergris essence is mild and robust, making it perfect for warmth in the depths of winter or for grand ceremonies. However, now that it is the Dragon Boat Festival, the summer heat is gradually increasing, and people's hearts are easily agitated. If such a strong and heavy fragrance is used, it might add fuel to the fire. The perfume I use is merely an ordinary item, not comparable to the treasures in the palace, but it is suitable for calming the mind in summer, and it does have some small use."
"You—" Lin Yunshu's face turned cold, "You're all talk and no action."
"Well, Chengyu, so you're just using this as an excuse to curry favor." Consort Jing, supported by her maid, walked slowly over and subtly joined the conversation.
She lightly tapped Xie Chengyu with her fingertip, then turned to the crowd and said, "A few days ago, I was suffering from the summer heat. The imperial physician said that the incense in the palace was too strong and that I should use something light and slightly cooling to nourish my heart and spleen. This girl brought some 'Bamboo Dew' and it was indeed light and elegant. I thought it was her clever idea, but it turns out it was Miss Meng's."
Consort Jing, despite her young age and noble birth, was deeply trusted by the Empress. Upon hearing her words, Lin Yunshu's face immediately darkened.
"It is my honor to be favored by Your Majesty." Meng Lingyao curtsied gracefully.
Xie Chengyu said with a grin, "It's clear that I always have Your Highness on my mind, and I rush to send her anything good I get."
“The Empress and Miss Xie truly have a deep affection for each other,” one lady remarked, immediately drawing many others to echo her sentiments.
Seeing that the situation was completely out of her control, Lin Yunshu was even more furious and, not wanting to stay any longer, angrily turned and left.
Meng Lingyao glanced at her, then looked away and continued answering a lady's question, "Pearl powder is indeed lustrous, but in the summer, with so much sweat, it's very easy for it to become patchy..."
Halfway through the banquet, a palace maid stopped in front of Meng Lingyao's table with a white jade wine pot in a voice that was neither too loud nor too soft, "Miss Meng, Consort Wen was inappropriate in his words just now, and specially ordered me to present this pot of 'Ice Soul Brew' as an apology. I hope Miss Meng will accept it with a smile."
The jade pot was exquisite, with water droplets condensing on its surface, emanating a subtle chill. Looking at the pot of wine, Meng Lingyao felt a sudden alarm bell ringing in her heart.
"Why hasn't Miss accepted it yet? Is it because she doesn't want to accept the esteemed guest's apology?"
Meng Lingyao pursed her lips and was about to reach out when another hand reached out even faster and steadily took the pot of wine.
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