Juxianting is a six-courtyard building built against the mountain. In front of the gate is a sea of flowers, while a stream flows through the courtyard. The water is crystal clear, and fish that are not afraid of people swim around in the water.
Each courtyard was planted with different flowers and plants. The first courtyard was full of mimosa trees, which were in full bloom during the season. The trees were covered with small, umbrella-like velvet blossoms. In the courtyard, groups of young ladies were chatting. They were probably from lower-ranking noble families. When Zhao Shu entered, they all stood up and curtsied to greet her.
Zhao Shu didn't recognize these young ladies, so she could only nod and smile in return. She then followed the palace maid into the second courtyard, which was filled with jade lotus flowers. The jade lotus flowers had a strong fragrance, but Zhao Shu preferred the light fragrance of the mimosa. The slightly fleshy double-petaled corollas resembled saucers scattered on the branches, making them extremely endearing.
“Sister A-Jun is here. We were just talking about her with Mother and the other women. They were worried she might be lost, so they asked Fourth Sister-in-law to go look for her. And here she is, just as we came out.” Sun Si greeted her from inside, her face beaming with smiles, appearing to be a close and harmonious sister-in-law.
One shouldn't hit a smiling face, so Zhao Shu smiled gently and said, "Jingxin Garden is too big. Didn't I almost get lost? Luckily, a few maids found me, otherwise I wouldn't know where I was and would have thought I was in paradise."
"Look at what you're saying, little sister. If you like it, you can come over here again sometime. Jingxin Garden may not have much else, but you can look at plenty of flowers." After saying that, she took Zhao Shu's hand affectionately and left the second floor together.
The path led uphill through courtyards, with strangely shaped rocks and old trees with branches reaching out. After about 15 minutes, we finally arrived at the gathering place of the young ladies from first-class families, where two large characters stood on the plaque: "Gathering of Talents!"
Juxianlou is a courtyard nestled on a small hillside. There are not many people inside, and no flowering trees, only a few green bamboos swaying in the wind. Zhao Shu glanced around and found that she didn't recognize any of the young ladies inside.
A woman of about fifteen or sixteen years old, with a beautiful and dignified appearance, wearing a blue and white brocade dress with magnolia patterns, walked up to Zhao Shu first. "You must be Princess Jun? Just as the rumors say, you are extremely beautiful."
Zhao Shu didn't recognize the girl. Sun Si chuckled and said, "Miss Qiu, look, you've made our Ah Jun blush." He then indirectly introduced the girl's family background and said, "Ah Jun, come here, let your sister-in-law introduce you. This is Qiu Tong from the Qiu family, this is Yang Mengxian from the Yang family, Sun Ying, Wei Yunshu from the Wei family, and Yan Ruyu from Jiangnan."
Upon hearing these people's names, Zhao Shu's first reaction was, "Wow, this is a huge game. I hope the flag bearer doesn't die from exhaustion and get played to death by me."
"Greetings, Princess." The young ladies bowed with great poise and grace, showing no dislike or contempt for Zhao Shu's ancestors being peasants.
Zhao Shu curtsied in return. Qiu Tong walked to Zhao Shu's side and affectionately took her hand. "A-Jun, may I call you that?"
She was the daughter of the Qiutang family, but she didn't resemble Qiutang at all. Her eyes were bright and sparkling, gentle and clear.
"I want to call her A-Jun too! I want to call her A-Jun too!" The younger Yan Ruyu quickly came over and took Zhao Shu's other arm, her little mouth pouting, looking very cute and playful.
Qiu Tong teased, "You should call her Sister A-Jun. You're so disrespectful."
Yan Ruyu's eyes widened. "Sister? Why does A-Jun look younger than me? Am I just too old?"
"If you grow old, how can an old woman like me live?" Consort Hao emerged from behind the screen, her voice as melodious as a nightingale's song. Though only in her early twenties and already married, she possessed a mature charm that young girls could never match.
She glanced at Zhao Shu and asked, "Does the princess know what place this is?"
"This place is not for ordinary people. Even Liuli can only go down two floors." She walked calmly to Zhao Shu's side, looked Zhao Shu up and down, smiled with an ambiguous meaning, and then, holding Hua Mei's hand, left the courtyard.
"Ah Jun, Fourth Sister-in-law has other matters to attend to, so I won't keep you company any longer. Fifth Sister, please take good care of Ah Jun for Fourth Sister." After kneeling to see Consort Hao off, Sun Si apologized to Zhao Shu.
Sun Ying smiled and curtsied to Zhao Shuyao, "I understand, Fourth Sister." Her voice was so sweet that one couldn't help but want to listen to it a few more times.
Sun Si smiled apologetically at Zhao Shu, then stepped behind the screen and disappeared.
However, just like a grand play that has been rehearsed, the curtain slowly rises, and Zhao Shu is already on the stage.
"People are divided into different classes. I wonder which class you, Princess, consider yourself to be?" The speaker was the old lady Sun, who had just come up. Behind her was a group of people, including her daughters-in-law and granddaughters, as well as the ladies of various households in the capital who were in charge of household affairs. They surrounded her like stars around the moon and escorted her to Zhao Shu.
Even setting aside her aggressive words, her melodious voice alone inexplicably creates a sense of psychological pressure.
Zhao Shu looked directly at her. Old Madam Sun was already old and frail, with wrinkled skin and white hair. She was leaning on a dragon-headed cane and slowly entered the courtyard with the help of her daughter-in-law and granddaughter. Sun Yun followed behind her, her face cold, as if she had just been wronged. Zhao Shu met her gaze, and she shook her head slightly, reminding Zhao Shu not to confront her grandmother, as it would not do any good.
However, Zhao Shu sneered inwardly. If taking a step back could open up a vast expanse, where would there be any strife in this world? "In the past, when Guan Zhong's family declined, he worked as a lowly merchant to make a living. When he was assisting in government, he established the 'Women's Quarters' system. May I ask, old lady, what class of people did Guan Zhong belong to?"
Madam Sun was taken aback, then someone sneered, "Does the princess perhaps consider herself Guan Zhong?"
The blatant contempt was palpable. Zhao Shu looked over and saw it was Zhang, the eldest daughter-in-law of the Yang family. Yang Mengxian had already walked up to her, supporting her arm and trying to keep her distance from Zhao Shu.
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