Chapter 60 Yao Family
He led Ji Shu through the hanging flower gate, behind which was the main hall. As soon as they entered the courtyard, the hall was filled with jewels and jade, and all the women in the room turned to look at them.
She knew perfectly well that in the past, these people might not have even given her a second glance, but today was different. As long as she stood there and waited for Jiang to introduce her, these people would naturally fawn over her.
Ji Shu only needed to keep smiling, occasionally respond with a few words, and then calmly sit down.
The ladies had only heard about this Lady Shu from their own husbands; it was said that she was greatly favored by the Marquis of Yan.
Seeing her today, I know that what was said is true. The weather is getting hotter, but this lady's skin and bones are not cool at all, and she doesn't sweat at all. Her skin is as smooth as ice and as white as jade.
A wealthy lady, her head adorned with gold hairpins, smiled and said, "Oh dear, is Madam Shu's dress made of cloud gauze?"
Ji Shu glanced down at her clothes. It was a Xiangfei-colored dress that Chunzhi had casually taken out of the trunk this morning. The hem of the dress was embroidered with blooming peach blossoms, which seemed to come alive as she moved.
Ji Shu nodded nonchalantly; all of this was arranged by Pei Yanzhi.
Standing to the side, Madam Jiang took a look and exclaimed in amazement, "Is this the kind of cloud gauze that costs ten taels of gold per foot? It's already a rare sight to see it today, and it suits my sister even better."
"Absolutely! It looks absolutely divine on Madam Shu!"
Ji Shu hadn't expected her unassuming dress to be so valuable. She frowned slightly, wondering what that person was up to now!
Chunzhi and Lian'er helped Ji Shu sit down and poured tea. Jiang said, "Madam Shu, everyone here is a prominent lady from Kangzhou. They all came here today eagerly to see you!"
Ji Shu didn't actually like having so many people surrounding her, as if she had become a monkey in a zoo, being watched all day long.
She smiled, covering her face with her sleeve, and took several sips of tea.
Another lady said, "That jade hairpin in Madam Shu's hair looks very familiar."
Ji Shu was taken aback, then suddenly remembered that Pei Yanzhi had put it on her head before she left home earlier that day. She hesitated and asked, "This...is there some kind of significance to this?"
In the eyes of these noble ladies, once something important happens in a century-old family, it will spread like wildfire, especially since there are no secrets in the inner quarters of the household.
Jiang looked closely, a complex expression flashing across her eyes. She said, "Madam Shu, you may not know this, but it involves a past event. The jade hairpin you are wearing is a gift from the Emperor. It has always been held by the matriarch of Yanzhou, and later passed down through the generations... I never expected that the Marquis of Yan would give it to you."
A collective gasp immediately filled the air below.
Jiang took Ji Shu's hand, her voice tinged with envy: "The Marquis of Yan has treated you so well, but this thing..."
Ji Shu froze. She hadn't expected that this seemingly ordinary white jade hairpin would have such a background. If she had known earlier, she would never have accepted it.
Jiang Shi observed Ji Shu's expression and realized that Ji Shu was truly unaware of the situation. She couldn't help but feel pity for her. At the moment, Ji Shu was at the height of her fame, and the Marquis of Yan's doting on her was tantamount to putting her on the hot seat.
If he were to remarry and take a principal wife in the future, this Lady Shu would surely be a thorn in his side. With a sigh, she thought, she was just a woman who had been rejected, how could she care about such things?
Composing himself, a smile appeared on his face as he raised his cup and said, "Come, come, today Madam Shu has graced my humble abode with her presence, let us have a drink!"
Madam Qin, the richest woman in Kangzhou who had always been at odds with the Jiang family, suddenly said, "Madam Shu, you probably don't know this since you've just arrived in Kangzhou. Our Madam Jiang has no children, so she is extremely envious of how Marquis Yan treats you."
Upon hearing this, the room fell silent, and all eyes turned back and forth between Madam Jiang and Madam Qin.
Madam Jiang took out a handkerchief to wipe her mouth and said, "I had no idea that Madam Qin was so concerned about the Song family's affairs, that she had to talk about such trivial matters."
Before Qin could speak, several giggles came from the doorway.
A group of maids dressed in light green surrounded a plump noblewoman in a bright red jacquard satin dress, her head full of black hair adorned with countless gold hairpins.
Before even getting close, Yao swayed her hips and exclaimed to Ji Shu from afar, "Oh my, this must be Madam Shu! She's truly a beauty of unparalleled grace!"
Ji Shu didn't know who this person was, but nodded slightly. After the person approached, Lian'er reminded her, "Madam, this is Yao, the concubine of Prefect Song."
Ji Shu suddenly realized, and then she was somewhat incredulous. She knew some of the rules of this era, and she was astonished that a concubine would dare to embarrass the wife in public.
Especially in front of these noble ladies, sure enough, when Ji Shu looked at Madam Jiang, her originally fair face had turned completely red.
Ji Shu lowered her eyes, picked up the teacup on the table and drank. It seemed that a good show was about to begin, but she wondered what Yao's purpose was.
Since I'm already here, I might as well make the best of it. Looking at Wuyang not far away, I felt a little more at ease.
Madam Yao's gaze swept over Madam Jiang and Ji Shu at the table, a hint of melancholy flashing in her eyes, but she ultimately chose to sit on the lower right side.
She raised her voice and said frankly, "Sister, you won't blame me for coming uninvited, will you? Alas, it's true. Last night, the master said that Madam Shu had come to Kangzhou, but I didn't know. It's my fault."
"I usually only know how to take care of my husband's daily life, unlike my sister who is so leisurely. I hope Madam Shu will not be offended."
Ji Shu smiled dismissively, indicating that everything was fine, while Madam Jiang stared intently at Yao Shi below her.
He asked in a cold voice, "Since you enjoy serving him, what are you doing here today?"
Under Madam Jiang's gaze, Madam Yao slowly said, "Since you've gone to such lengths to invite Madam Shu, how could I, as your capable wife, not come? If I didn't come, wouldn't that please some people? Don't you think so, sister?"
“You…” Jiang slammed her hand on the table and stood up.
Seeing that Ji Shu seemed a little impatient, Qin Shi, who had invited Ji Shu here today not to let them quarrel, quickly smoothed things over, saying, "Alright, alright, we can't argue today."
Madam Yao felt a tightness in her chest and felt uncomfortable. She had come here today specifically to make Madam Jiang unhappy, as she had originally intended to host a banquet for Madam Shu.
Unfortunately, her husband stopped her from going, because given her status, it was impossible for Marquis Yan to allow Lady Shu to attend the appointment.
"May I ask where Madam Shu is from?" Madam Qin changed the subject.
"I am from Chongzhou!"
Qin covered her mouth and laughed, "Then you and Marquis Yan met in Chongzhou, that's truly fate."
Madam Yao chimed in sweetly, "Any man who sees a woman like Madam Shu would surely be captivated by her."
Seeing that this woman was always putting on airs, Ji Shu disliked her. She turned to look at Madam Song, who was drinking alone in silence, her face already showing signs of drunkenness.
He immediately thought of speaking up for her and saying a few words.
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