Yuan readily agreed.
However, before the two could even go to the tailor shop to have their clothes made the next day, the First Madam came over with her maid and told them, "There's a charity ball in the West City in a couple of days. You know the Master's status, so the women in our family definitely have to attend this ball."
"You can have a tailor make your ball gown at home or buy it from a department store, it's up to you."
“These days, young girls all dance, and there are many dances in the West City. Can Yan’er dance?” the First Madam asked. “If not, she can learn to dance in the next couple of days.”
"The women in the family usually learn some popular dance steps before the ball. Would you like to learn some?"
Bai Yan can dance, but the original owner had never been exposed to it before, and she was indeed quite curious about the dances of this era. It would be nice to have one available. "Then I'll trouble you, Madam, to ask for a teacher for me."
"What's so troublesome about this?" the First Madam said gently. "From now on, you and I will be mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. Yan'er, to be honest, I like you very much!"
"I think we'll get along well in the future."
Bai Yan simply smiled lightly. The First Madam asked her a couple more questions about her past with Madam Yuan in Fancheng before leaving.
After the First Madam left, Madam Yuan said, "The First Madam is quite attentive to us, very warm and welcoming."
Bai Yan said, "Before, Zhong Rentao doted on Ayu, and she was in charge. Now that we've been sent away, the First Madam is in charge. Do you think she's grateful to us?"
Madam Yuan sighed, "She was a pitiful person. She was clearly a wife, but she was overshadowed by the concubine who came later."
Bai Yan said, "So like father, like son. Zhong Rentao doesn't respect his wife, and Zhong Yunsheng doesn't respect me, his fiancée, either. The upper beam is crooked, so the lower beam is crooked too."
"Bah!" Madam Yuan frowned. "What engaged couple? This is just wishful thinking on the part of the Zhong family!"
After leaving Bai Yan and Yuan Shi, the First Madam went to Zhong Rentao's place.
"I've told them everything," the First Madam said, then added with some concern, "Master, should we do something about Yun Sheng? There are so many reporters at the party; it might not look good if he's with Mu Jinzhi."
Zhong Rentao sneered: "Never mind."
This marriage is no longer necessary; the mother and daughter were already well-behaved and didn't cost much to raise.
If they want to put pressure on him, then he'll just burn them like firewood to give the Zhong family a boost!
...
The Zhong family had a regular tailor, but Bai Yan and Yuan Shi had only been in Xicheng for a short time and wanted to do some shopping, so they were taken by the Zhong family's butler to a nearby shopping mall to buy suitable dresses for the ball.
"Mrs. Yuan, you can go to Liu's," the butler said. "The old tailor there is very skilled, and his Western-style dresses are top-notch. Many of the socialites in our West District have their gowns made there."
"Then let's go take a look at that shop," said Madam Yuan. "If their craftsmanship is really good, we can make a few more pieces so we can wear them regularly."
"Yunsheng, what do you think of this dress?" A sweet female voice came from inside the shop: "This is the kind of dress that's popular in England now. It makes your waist look slimmer and the skirt looks even better when it twirls around."
"I'm glad you like it." Zhong Yunsheng said with a smile, "No matter what you wear, you are the most beautiful in my eyes."
Mu Jinzhi smiled sweetly: "You have such a sweet tongue, I'll reward you."
As she spoke, she stood on tiptoe and kissed Zhong Yunsheng's cheek.
"Young Master!"
Hearing a familiar voice calling his name, Zhong Yunsheng turned around.
But then he saw two unfamiliar women accompanying his steward, dressed in old-fashioned short jackets and horse-face skirts. One of them was very young, with a face as beautiful as a lotus flower...
Zhong Yunsheng quickly identified the two women. He disliked his fiancée from the inner quarters, but he never expected her to be so beautiful, completely different from what he had imagined.
Madam Yuan was also sizing him up. Was this slick-haired, powdered young master Zhong Yunsheng?
He couldn't help but feel disgusted. Xiao Xu was no better than him. He was glad he hadn't come to the West City to seek refuge with the Zhong family.
Coming to his senses, Zhong Yunsheng frowned and asked unhappily, "Why are you here?"
Mu Jinzhi also sensed something and stood behind Zhong Yunsheng, observing the mother and daughter in front of him.
She had always imagined that the woman from the inner quarters of Fancheng would be timid and cowering with her head down, but upon seeing Bai Yan, she bit her lip.
She is quite a beauty.
Fortunately, she was just a beauty; apart from her face, she was far superior to her in every other way.
"I am Bai Yan, and this is my mother," Bai Yan said. "My mother and I will be attending the charity gala in Xicheng in a few days, so we are here to choose suitable dresses."
Zhong Yunsheng's face darkened upon hearing this, as he felt his family was forcing him to publicly appear with his fiancée.
The slight goodwill I had towards her because of her appearance vanished instantly: "Heh... she's really something, already attending a charity gala as the young mistress of the Zhong family after only arriving in Xicheng."
"It feels good to rise to the top in one step, doesn't it?" Zhong Yunsheng curled one side of his lips and said maliciously, "If you like being the young mistress of the Zhong family, then be it. If you want to go to the party, then go. But I won't be attending with you."
"My evening companion is Jinzhi, and she is not only my evening companion, but also the only person I love."
"Even if I'm forced to marry you, don't ever think that I'll ever acknowledge you."
Bai Yan: ...You're crazy.
Mu Jinzhi sighed softly and tugged at Zhong Yunsheng's sleeve: "Yunsheng, don't say that. In this marriage, you and Miss Bai are both victims."
"Don't hurt her like this."
Zhong Yunsheng looked at Mu Jinzhi, his brows furrowing slightly: "Jinzhi..."
“Miss Bai, you may hate me, you may even despise me, and feel that I stole your husband. But in fact, Yun Sheng and I fell in love before you did. Love is free and innocent.”
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