The meaning behind Wen Chan's appearance here today was something everyone understood implicitly, but now Princess Yun'an's single word "surprisingly" highlighted it, making the atmosphere somewhat tense.
However, Wen Chan was not one to be trifled with. She quickly calmed herself down and replied, "It is even more surprising that Princess Yun'an could come. After all, there have been many things going on in the manor lately, and I was worried that the princess would not have time to appreciate these red plum blossoms and green buds."
These words clearly brought up the matter of the second young master of the Prince Jing's mansion being imprisoned again. Wei Shuwan understood what was going on, and she was happy to see two high-level people clash with each other.
Yun An's face paled several shades, but she didn't back down: "How can red plum blossoms and green calyxes compare to my sister's beauty that surpasses even the flowers? I vaguely remember the year my sister came of age, she went to the temple to offer incense and happened to be seen by a group of scholars on their way to take the imperial examinations. They drew a portrait of my sister and circulated it around, and my sister thus gained the title of 'the most beautiful woman in Shengjing' for no reason!"
At this point, Yun An couldn't help but laugh out loud: "I just don't know why I haven't heard anyone mention it in the last two years."
She feigned confusion, then looked at Wei Shuwan with an exaggerated expression, as if suddenly realizing something: "Oh my, isn't this the moment when Lady Wei came to the capital? So it turns out that the 'most beautiful woman in Jiangzuo' has surpassed the 'most beautiful woman in Shengjing'!"
Wei Shuwan, who was inexplicably called out, suddenly felt a jolt in her heart. She had been careless; she should have realized that after all the twists and turns, the spearhead would eventually be aimed at her...
Seeing Wen Chan's embarrassed expression, Wei Shuwan was about to say something to ease the awkwardness when Princess Yun'an, as if she wasn't finished, added another sentence:
"Speaking of which, you two are quite in sync. Look, you're both wearing the same white dress today."
"How are they the same?!"
This time, Wen Chan was completely unrestrained, her tone revealing obvious disgust. She glanced at Wei Shuwan for a moment, then lifted her skirt and walked out from under the flowers:
"What I'm wearing is snow-white satin, a tribute from Jiangbei. It was bestowed upon the Imperial Concubine by His Majesty, and then given to me by the Imperial Concubine! Under the tree, it looks like snow-white fabric, but when you step into the sunlight, it will transform into a myriad of colors, like a rainbow!"
Wen Chan, eager to show off, twirled twice in the sun, a gesture that indeed aroused the envy of the noble ladies:
"Wow, this is the Snow Gloss Satin? I've only heard people talk about it before, this is the first time I've seen it with my own eyes!"
"It truly is dazzling and colorful."
"So beautiful, the Imperial Concubine really dotes on Miss Wen."
...
These words pleased Wen Chan greatly, and her previous gloom vanished. She thought that she had not only outshone Wei Shuwan, but also outmaneuvered Princess Yun'an. However, Princess Yun'an was still unwilling to give up:
Yun An frowned as she looked at the hem of the skirt, as if deep in thought: "It's beautiful, but the fabric looks familiar. I feel like I've seen it on someone before..."
These words made Wen Chan's heart tighten. She quickly scanned the crowd, near and far. Although the fabric was extremely precious, it was not something exclusively for the royal family. But after carefully examining everyone's clothes, her heart settled back down. She said arrogantly, "Your Highness must be joking. Why don't I see anyone here wearing snow-white satin?"
Yun An smiled faintly and remained silent, only turning her head to look at a "maid" walking over not far away. The noble ladies also curiously followed her gaze.
As soon as Wei Shuyao returned to the plum garden, she saw a group of people staring at her intently. Her heart jumped into her throat, and her legs felt like lead, making it impossible for her to walk. She quickly looked to Wei Shuwan for help.
At this moment, Wei Shuwan did not understand what Princess Yun'an meant. Then she saw Princess Yun'an walk towards Wei Shuyao and ask with a smile, "What are you hiding in your sleeve?"
Wei Shuyao was startled and quickly hid her bulging sleeves behind her back, but it was too late.
Seeing Yun An's eyes narrow, revealing an unmistakable threat, Wei Shuyao finally dared not offend her any further and meekly took out the item from her sleeve.
In front of everyone, she slowly unwrapped her foot-binding cloth.
Everyone was stunned. The long white silk ribbon, under the dazzling sunlight, overflowed with seven colors, and it was exactly the same as the dress Wen Chan was wearing!
Wei Shuwan put her hand to her forehead, practically rolling her eyes in anger. Last time, her grandmother had asked her to set aside a few bolts of fabric to make some clothes for Wei Shuyao, so she instructed the servants in the treasury to let Wei Shuyao choose a few bolts.
On the one hand, Wei Shuyao seemed to lack discernment, yet she picked out this priceless piece of snow-white satin. On the other hand, she seemed to know its value, yet she used it as foot binding cloth!
This awkward situation was something Wen Chan had never encountered before in her life. One moment she was arrogant and haughty, and the next moment her face turned red from her ears to her neck as if she had a fever, not knowing how to deal with it.
The noble ladies had different expressions; some looked at the sky, some looked at the ground, their eyes wandering around, but none dared to look at Wen Chan's face.
Only Princess Yun'an, the instigator, was secretly amused and admired her own keen eyesight. When she bumped into Wei Shuyao earlier, she looked back through the car window at Wei Shuyao's disheveled appearance and happened to see Wei Shuyao rubbing her feet. The dazzling, snow-white satin under the sunlight left a deep impression on her.
Wen Chan's gaze swept over everyone with a mixture of shame and anger. Although she saw the mocking look on Princess Yun'an's face, she couldn't really do anything to her since she was a princess. But Wei Shuwan was different.
Wen Chan felt that Wei Shuwan must have used some underhanded means to find out that she would be wearing snow-white satin today, and deliberately had her maid cause this scene. Otherwise, how could there be such a coincidence?
She silently wrote this note on Wei Shuwan's head and was about to leave. However, in her haste, she tripped and fell flat on her face!
The maids from the Wen family rushed over to help her up. Wen Chan blushed and looked down, only to find that the person who had tripped her was the foot-binding cloth in the hand of the Wei family maid! Her eyes immediately turned towards Wei Shuyao.
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