Chapter 3: The Meaning of Beauty
On an autumn afternoon, the sky was clear, the sunlight warm, and the scenery refreshingly crisp. The fragrant scent of osmanthus filled the air, making the atmosphere indescribably beautiful.
After lunch, Lian Zheng, who was rarely home, returned to his study to rest. Meanwhile, Lu Qiaoqiao worked on her needlework in her room. Yu Luoying and Su Caiyun, accompanied by their maids, strolled in the courtyard with young Lian Heng and his nursemaid, enjoying a leisurely post-meal walk.
When women gather, what do they love to talk about most?
— Husbands, children, and beauty.
In the Lian household, there was only one husband and one child among the mistresses, leaving little room for comparison. As a result, their conversation naturally turned to beauty tips, a topic that even their maids were keenly interested in.
"Big Sister, my face has developed so many dry lines recently. What could be causing this?" Su Caiyun lamented as she walked, gently touching her face in distress.
"It's probably because the weather is drier now. You must take care of your skin. Otherwise, if real wrinkles form, it'll be terrible!" Yu Luoying replied with a smile.
Madam Luo, a senior maid, suggested, "Second Mistress, you should eat more pears. Autumn air is dry, and pears help to moisten the throat and replenish fluids. They're excellent!"
"Exactly," Yu Luoying nodded. "Pears are great for hydrating and soothing the throat, reducing coughs, clearing heat, and nourishing the skin. I think we've run out. Madam Luo, remind Steward Lian to buy some more later." She paused, then added, "Oh, I just remembered two soup recipes that are perfect for autumn skincare."
"What soups?" Su Caiyun and Lian Heng chimed in simultaneously.
"They're from the wife of Magistrate Han at the county office," Yu Luoying began. "One is winter melon chicken soup. You put winter melon in a pot with chicken broth, boil it briefly, then add chicken meat, shiitake mushrooms, and other ingredients before cooking a bit longer. The other is shredded chicken soup. You slice chicken breast into thin strips, mix them with egg white, lightly blanch them in boiling water, and place them in a soup bowl. Then, add ham strips, mushroom strips, and clear broth into a pot, season with salt and pepper, bring to a boil, and pour it over the chicken strips. Both are simple to make. Let's have the kitchen prepare them tonight."
"Thank you, Sister!" Su Caiyun's round eyes curved into crescent moons with delight.
"Food therapy is the best remedy! But I also know a great method to make Mother and Second Mother look younger and more radiant!" Lian Heng turned to her mother's maid, Xiaoshan, and teased, "Xiaoshan, your skin is even drier. Let's try it on you first!"
"What method, Miss?" Xiaoshan asked curiously.
"Face masks!" Lian Heng announced with deliberate slowness, waiting for the expected chorus of women exclaiming, "Face masks?"
"Yes! Try a honey and egg face mask. It's simple. Just mix one raw egg, a teaspoon of honey, and some flour into a paste. Apply it to your face before bed, and wash it off with warm water in the morning. Your skin will be soft and supple! A honey and apple juice mask is also great for reducing wrinkles and improving elasticity. But remember, always wash your face thoroughly and relax before applying the mask for the best results."
Madam Luo chimed in, "Oh, and there's an even simpler method! Last year, the young lady casually mentioned it, and I tried it—it worked wonders! Just slice a cucumber into thin pieces, place them on your face, leave them on for the time it takes to burn an incense stick, then wash off. Your skin will feel so smooth!"
"Where do you come up with these ideas, little one?" Yu Luoying affectionately patted Lian Heng's face with her delicate hand.
Lian Heng grinned mischievously. "In my dreams! I learn them in my dreams!"
"Why don't I dream of such fun things?" Xiaofeng, Su Caiyun's maid, sighed enviously.
"She's just making it up!" Yu Luoying laughed heartily.
A soft breeze carried the sweet fragrance of osmanthus, making it even more intoxicating.
"Mother, the osmanthus in the back garden has bloomed. It smells wonderful! Let's go take a look!" Lian Heng suggested, taking a deep breath of the fragrant air.
The Lian family estate was vast, with three main courtyards. The first courtyard housed the Jiren Pavilion, with reception rooms and Lian Zheng's grand study, Cangdong Pavilion. The second courtyard contained the Yingze Pavilion, where Yu Luoying and Su Caiyun resided on opposite ends of the second floor. The third courtyard consisted of two smaller buildings—one for Lu Qiaoqiao, connected to the Yingze Pavilion, and the other, a standalone building, was Lian Heng's personal quarters. Behind these was a private garden, filled with seasonal flowers, a grove of osmanthus trees, and a small rock garden with a pond in the center.
Walking through the courtyards, the women strolled leisurely to the back garden.
Among the golden osmanthus blossoms and vibrant autumn leaves, the intoxicating fragrance became even richer, sweet and refreshing.
Lian Heng, leading the group, suddenly regretted her suggestion.
"Mother, let's go back!" she whispered urgently, turning to leave.
Yu Luoying raised a graceful brow, glancing into the garden.
Behind the osmanthus trees, near the rock garden, stood Lian Zheng. Beside him was the graceful Lu Qiaoqiao, smiling sweetly.
Yu Luoying's expression darkened as she signaled the others to leave. Su Caiyun, already pale, turned and walked away silently, clearly having witnessed the intimate scene.
In the dappled sunlight, Lu Qiaoqiao tied a gold-green sash around Lian Zheng's waist, her voice soft and coquettish. "Master, I made this for you. Do you like it? I shouldn't have spoken so carelessly earlier and upset Second Sister. She was only being considerate of Ah Heng's nap… You know I'm straightforward, but I'll be more careful in the future."
Lian Zheng held her hand, pulling her into his embrace. "Qiaoqiao, I understand you completely. Don't burden yourself too much!"
Resting her head on his chest, she replied gently, "Master, as long as I have your understanding, everything is worth it."
Heartbroken, Yu Luoying turned and left in haste.
"Mother, men are like this. You should know by now. Staying beautiful and happy is what matters most," Lian Heng consoled her softly, tugging at her sleeve.
Forcing a smile, Yu Luoying murmured, "Beautiful? What's the point of beauty? After all these years of taking care of myself, does he still care?"
"Mother, beauty is for yourself! Women must treat themselves well first!" Lian Heng looked at her mother with sympathy. This wisdom was something she had only recently come to understand—a truth she had awakened to.
"Ah Heng, you always speak like a little grown-up. It's fine. I'm used to it," Yu Luoying replied with a faint smile, patting her daughter's shoulder.
Yes, used to it. She had long since grown accustomed to sharing her husband's heart with other women. But why did it still hurt?
Because she had foolishly believed that in his heart, she still mattered most. Holding back her sorrow, she headed for the side hall.
But Yu Luoying wasn't the only one suffering.
In the side hall, Su Caiyun sat dazedly with an embroidery hoop in hand, unaware that a silver needle had pierced her finger. A bead of blood slowly emerged.
Watching the two women, Lian Heng felt an indescribable sorrow.
All their heartbreak—was it because of men?
Was there any man in this world who remained faithful?
That night, Lian Zheng finished dinner and smiled at the charming Lu Qiaoqiao.
He paid no mind to Yu Luoying's forced composure or the quiet melancholy in Su Caiyun's gaze.
At the dinner table, the atmosphere felt tense. Lian Heng had left early, observing the interactions from afar.
Despite having lived with her father for years, Lian Heng couldn't help but marvel at Lu Qiaoqiao's ability to keep his attention with her alternating warmth and distance, her carefully calculated charms.
"Mother," Lian Heng thought silently, "perhaps we all have much to learn from her."