When Jiang Xuening returned to the Flower Hall, she encountered the You Shi sisters on the way. They seemed to have heard about the incident and were on their way to handle it. It was evident that they had taken offense at Jiang Xuening, an outsider, interfering in their family affairs. One of the sisters had past grievances from the previous Flower Hall, and the other had new grievances arising from the current situation. You Yue glared at her with eyes that seemed to spew fire, while You Shuang's complexion was also unfriendly as she greeted Jiang Xuening with a perfunctory nod.
Jiang Xuening responded in a similar manner. The conflicts with the You sisters were considered knots, but she paid them little mind. Who in the world fears being disliked by an ant?
Back in the Flower Hall, news of You Fangyin's "incident" had spread like wildfire. Due to the lack of specific details, rumors were even more outrageous than the actual events. Some claimed it was a servant girl who threw herself into the water due to the humiliation of the master's family. Others suggested she was a serious girl, and overwhelmed by her aunt's recent marriage arrangement, she did something foolish. Of course, the most widely circulated story was Jiang Xuening's earlier words, insinuating that the girl was a concubine's daughter from Youfu and had been mistreated by evil servants, making her "fall into the water" not as simple as it seemed.
Given Yan Lin's prior interaction with Jiang Xuening, many ladies in the aristocratic families were initially critical of her. They had expected a rendezvous between Yan Lin and Jiang Xuening, but the unexpected twist in the narrative led them to believe that Yan Lin's actions hinted at a secret affair rather than an official courtship. The situation became quite dramatic.
However, the news of You Fangyin's supposed drowning was quickly debunked. The You sisters returned and stated that a concubine's daughter from the mansion had accidentally fallen into the water. Thankfully, quick action from the women in the household saved her, and a doctor had been summoned to ensure her well-being.
Although the ladies put on expressions of relief, underneath, many had heard Jiang Xuening's account and were skeptical. Quarrels in noble families were not uncommon, and the ladies, accustomed to the monotonous life of aristocracy, couldn't resist the temptation of gossip. Given that the master's family was currently absent, some took advantage of the opportunity to approach Jiang Xuening and inquire about the details.
Jiang Xuening shared what she had witnessed without exaggeration or embellishment.
No extra details were added, and no lengthy explanations were provided.
After a while, the You sisters returned, claiming that the concubine's daughter who fell into the water was now fine. There were expressions of relief all around, but Jiang Xuening's words had left their mark. While they didn't openly dispute the You sisters' version of events, the ladies from the aristocratic families couldn't fully buy into the narrative, and a certain level of skepticism lingered beneath the surface. Nonetheless, propriety dictated that they maintain a facade of politeness towards the masters of the house.
As the banquet approached its conclusion, Jiang Xuening found the proceedings to be rather dull. The activities, including chrysanthemum appreciation, and the creation of poems and paintings, failed to capture her interest. Were it not for Yan Lin's invitation to the sky tower in the afternoon and the lantern festival later in the evening, she might have left the gathering after the incident with You Fangyin.
For the last half hour, she observed the aristocratic ladies meticulously drawing autumn chrysanthemums on rice paper. The final part of the banquet would involve selecting a winner, and it would conclude soon.
Unexpectedly, as the elegant event neared its end, a voice echoed through the hall, announcing the arrival of Princess Leyang. The atmosphere in the room shifted as everyone hurriedly saluted, welcoming the eldest princess. Jiang Xuening, dressed in women's clothing, forced herself to relax, saluting along with the others while keeping her head low.
Princess Leyang, Shen Zhiyi, born of the late emperor's favorite concubine, had a voice akin to fairy music. However, her appearance drew a mix of strangeness and pity from the onlookers. Delicate and fair-skinned, she possessed facial features inherited from her imperial concubine mother. Yet, a scar marred her face, located half an inch below her left eye. Despite its slight color and size, the scar was prominent on her otherwise flawless face, a blemish that contrasted with her beauty.
The Eldest Princess had been scarred during the invasion of the capital by King Pingnan twenty years ago. As a newborn baby, she was taken hostage by rebels who threatened to harm her unless the other royal families revealed themselves. Eventually rescued by Qin Wang's forces, Shen Zhiyi survived, but the scar remained, a permanent reminder of the traumatic event.
Jiang Xuening knew that the scar on Princess Leyang's face symbolized the shame inflicted by King Pingnan's rebellious party upon the Dagan dynasty. The scar was a visible testimony to the bloodshed that soaked the palace during those dark days. Despite the passage of two decades, the scar served as a reminder for all those who had experienced the rebellion within the court and the palace.
Shen Zhiyi, the Eldest Princess, was deeply cherished by the current emperor, who regarded her with affection and love. Her beauty and voice contrasted starkly with the disfigurement on her face, making her a poignant figure in the imperial court.
Shen Zhiyi, despite her disfigurement, enjoyed a special status. Her brother, Shen Jie, the current emperor, loved her dearly. He fulfilled her every request as long as it did not jeopardize the survival of the country. Shen Zhiyi, having grown up in the court, was accustomed to the various gazes directed at her scar. Some looked at her with pity, others with disdain, and occasionally, she could discern the inner voices of palace maids who thought less of her due to the scar.
As she grew older, Shen Zhiyi's emotions evolved from anger to hatred and, eventually, to sadness. Despite her high status, she couldn't ignore the impact of her disfigurement on her own sense of self-worth. Every woman, she believed, cared about her appearance, and she was no exception.
When Princess Leyang entered the room, all eyes turned towards her, and she noticed everyone's gaze except for one person in the corner—Jiang Xuening, who kept her head down. Shen Zhiyi, despite being used to such attention, felt a thorn in her heart at that moment. She commanded everyone to continue with their activities, allowing the banquet to proceed as planned.
Jiang Xuening, relieved that her actions had gone unnoticed, tried to resume her inconspicuous position. However, Shen Zhiyi approached her directly, recognizing her as Jiang Xuening and instructing her to look up.
Jiang Xuening, frustrated by the attention, complied with Shen Zhiyi's request. To her surprise, Shen Zhiyi expressed amazement and then envy at her appearance, even mentioning Yan Lin's affection for her. Shen Zhiyi revealed that she had come specifically to meet Jiang Xuening, driven by curiosity about the woman who had captured Yan Lin's heart.
Feeling a sense of doom, Jiang Xuening lamented her fate. Shen Zhiyi's visit seemed linked to Yan Lin, making it inevitable for her to encounter the princess even if she wished to avoid it. Aware of Shen Zhiyi's future fate—marriage to the Tatars, followed by tragedy upon their invasion—Jiang Xuening couldn't help but foresee the tragic outcome for the Eldest Princess Leyang.
Jiang Xuening, influenced by her past experiences, had a complex relationship with Shen Zhiyi. In their previous life, she had drawn a scar on Shen Zhiyi's face with cherry powder, creating a beautiful image. Reflecting on that choice, she often questioned whether she would make the same decision again. However, when faced with the opportunity to do it once more, she found herself unable to resist.
To her surprise, Shen Zhiyi, despite her initial disgust, was taken aback by the sincerity and seriousness of Jiang Xuening's actions. When Jiang Xuening explained her perspective on scars, asserting that they were the dynasty's glory, Shen Zhiyi was left stunned. No one had addressed her scars so directly before, and the words struck a chord with her.
Jiang Xuening, considering her potential interactions with Shen Zhiyi in this life, saw an opportunity to curry favor with the princess. If she could win Shen Zhiyi's favor, it might provide a layer of protection against any malicious intentions from others.
However, as Jiang Xuening met Shen Zhiyi's gaze, she felt an inexplicable discomfort. Shen Zhiyi's look seemed to stir a sense of déjà vu, and an unsettling idea crossed Jiang Xuening's mind. What if Shen Zhiyi's interest in her wasn't because she disguised herself as a man but because of her feminine appearance while dressed as a man? This revelation struck her with a sense of dread, and she feared the potential consequences.
As the atmosphere became tense, Jiang Xuening realized that her actions might have unintended consequences, and she nervously awaited Shen Zhiyi's response, fearing that her secret might be exposed.