The layered white chiffon dress seemed to reveal a light blue hue under the sunlight, adorned with a ribbon of tiny flowers towards the skirt’s edge. These flowers were not embroidered, but real lace flowers attached to the dress—a highlight of this attire.
Paired with Ah Lian as a finale, it was entirely worthy.
As expected, the moment Ah Lian made her appearance, all eyes were drawn to her. The men in the audience paid a lot of attention to her appearance, waiting patiently even until the last moment for her. However, the noble ladies in attendance didn’t consider her noteworthy, at least not before her appearance.
The ladies were primarily focused on the closure of the fashion show while instructing their servants to note down their shopping lists.
But who would have expected such a character to appear?
"This... skirt..." A young girl’s eyes sparkled, nearly shouting out loud. Fortunately, her gentility prevented her from speaking out, but her shining eyes betrayed her thoughts. As soon as she regained her senses, she excitedly turned to her mother, "Mother! Mother! The skirt is beautiful, we must buy it!"
The ladies present, beholding such a stunning skirt, understandably had their hearts set, all whispering among themselves. Some couldn’t wait and had already instructed their servants to place orders before Madam Chen could even name the price.
Seeing the excitement among the audience, Madam Chen’s smile deepened, as she carried on, "The finale of our show today is Lian Yue, the chiffon dress showcased by our very own, Ah Lian. This outfit is only available in one piece."
The words "only one piece" echoed into everyone’s ears, causing an inevitable stirring.
"Only one piece?" someone couldn’t withhold their excitement and called out.
Smiling, Madam Chen nodded, "Yes, we have ample stock for all the other clothing and jewelry at Winding Pavilion. However, this piece is unique. If any of you ladies truly desire it, you will have to bid for it."
Xin He had made it clear that they would only produce one of these dresses. As some things are more valuable when scarce, this dazzling dress was clearly unsuitable for everyday wear, reserving its splendor for special occasions.
Such a dress, hence, was not meant to be commonplace and should stand out uniquely. To elevate its value, we have decided to open bidding for it.
Winding Pavilion also needed a spectacular dress to create a stir: a signature piece. This chiffon dress was precisely that piece, prepared by Xin He.
Madam Chen announced, "We’ve priced this dress at fifty taels. Whoever is interested can bid. The highest bidder will own the dress!"
The moment Madam Chen finished her sentence, someone shouted, "Sixty taels!"
The caller was a little maid, clearly bidding on behalf of her master.
Immediately, more bids followed, "Eighty taels!"
"One hundred taels!"
"Two hundred taels!"
When this bid for two hundred taels was placed, there was a moment of silence. Everyone wanted to maintain their dignity and raised the bid by at least a hundred taels. Else, it would seem disrespectful.
Xin He was especially curious about the person who made the two hundred taels bid.
This person seemed to be seated in the first row. Every seat at this fashion show was meticulously arranged according to the status of the household. Those seated in the first row were typically from prominent families.
"Three hundred taels!" Determined, someone gritted their teeth and made the bid.
"Six hundred taels!" The person who previously bid two hundred taels directly doubled it again.
A wave of whispers swept across the room. This was only a dress, and certainly not woven from silk with gold threads and pearls. How could it possibly be of such value?
Madam Chen’s eyes lit up. She paused a moment before asking, "Does anyone else want to bid?"
Finally, she nodded at the servant, who struck a gong. Madam Chen then said, smiling, "Congratulations, Madam!"
Xin He could already hear people discussing around her.
"Who is she? She’s so extravagant. She doesn’t seem familiar. Whose wife is she?" 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂
"You don’t know, then. This is the Song Family from Prefecture City!"
This statement caused a minor commotion, "It’s the Song family? I completely overlooked it. The Song family is quite impressive, with the eldest daughter having been selected to enter the Imperial Palace and now being titled Consort Shu. Patriarch Song is currently commanding the horse-mounted troops, controlling an army of hundred thousand. Their son has also been sent to the Imperial Palace to serve as the crown prince’s study companion. They are truly extraordinary."
"I knew it. Nowadays, in the high society of Yu State, no family is more prominent than the Song’s. Everyone wants to associate themselves with them, but could never have imagined that the Song family would participate in this event." The tone of this statement was indeed quite honored.
However, there was one who snickered quietly, lowering their voice, "Oh, please. Who doesn’t know that the Song family’s main branch is the favored one now, and they moved to the capital five years ago when Patriarch Song was transferred? The only ones living in the original Song family house in Yu State are the second and third branches. Do they really think they share the same status?"
"Hey, whatever you say, they’re still family. The main branch of the Song family is prosperous, and it’s only natural for the second and third branches to enjoy some benefits. Look at the way they spend money, they’re clearly wealthy!"
Quite a few people echoed this sentiment.
Most of the people present, of course, wanted to suck up to them.
Blinking, Xin He was taken by surprise by the news. Since she and Marquis Mu Houchu came to Yu State and concealed their identities, they never mingle with the upper class in Yu State. Naturally, they had no idea that such a prominent family existed in Yu State.
Marquis Mu Houchu mentioned the Song family before. He had strategically stirred up confusion in the Emperor’s court, leading to the downfall of Old Man Chen, which unintentionally involved the Shen family as well. Consequently, both the Chen and Shen family fell from power.
During the initial secret power struggle between the Chen, Shen, and Mu families, none of them benefitted.
At least on the surface, the Chen and Shen families were destroyed, and Marquis Mu was banished from the capital. The court’s power structure was reshuffled with the rise of the Duan family and a few other prominent families. The Emperor’s favor towards Duan Lan was a clear indication of this.
Following the Duan family’s rise was the Song family, the daughter of which entered the Imperial Palace and was bestowed the title of Consort Shu.
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