As they spoke, the two of them sat at their dressing tables, removing their makeup side by side. Xianyue had always been naturally deft with her makeup and clothing. As she spoke, the maids helped her remove her hairpins and ornaments. She spoke as if she had never left the capital and had lived in the Lou family mansion for over a decade. When she was done, her dark, cloud-like hair fell loosely and neatly down her back, a true delight to the eyes.

Lingshuang was amused by her.

"How do you know so much?"

"I have a source."

Xianyue looked at herself in the mirror, her hand rubbing against her temple to see if the small mole at the corner of her eye had grown. She acted like a spoiled young wife, and smugly said, "The mountain people have their own tricks."

Lingshuang responded by pinching her cheek: "Stop it. It's tender enough, I can even pinch it to make water."

"Hey, don't do that, or you'll get red again. Tomorrow's the Little Cold Plum Blossom Festival, so that's business."

Xianyue then carefully applied the orchid cream from the jar all over her face in the mirror. There was still some left on her hands. Seeing Lingshuang lying in bed reading, she wanted to put some on her too. Lingshuang dodged and said, "I'll beat you up if you try again."

"You're ungrateful," Xianyue teased her. "Are you going to the Cheng family to celebrate their birthday in a few days?

If you don't dress up now, it won't be too late to cram when you meet Zhuzhongjun."

Seriously, Uncle Cheng got a promotion before the New Year, and happens to be in the same yamen as Uncle Feng. I heard that the sisters Yuzhu and Bizhu are targeting your Cheng Jun, too. You'd better keep an eye on him.

"He's not a dog that'll just follow whoever he catches. Why should I keep an eye on him?" Ling Shuang said calmly, "Stop it. I need to finish this book tonight. Go to bed early. I have a banquet tomorrow."

"You should go to bed early too. Don't let your eyes get sore. When you see Zhu Zhongjun..."

Seeing her restless and incessant teasing, Ling Shuang simply put down her book and began to tickle her. Lou Xianyue, though unstoppable with her sharp tongue, was in reality quite weak, her physique even inferior to that slow Qingyun. It was because Second Lady Lou was still trapped in the old house when she was born, and she'd suffered from the misfortunes that had plagued her. She was born weak, and then she'd been traveling with her parents while still in swaddling clothes, leaving her vulnerable and prone to illness. Whenever she started tickling, she'd beg for mercy within three strokes.

Ling Shuang didn't let her go until she begged for mercy. Xianyue, though talkative, was exhausted after a long day's work. She lay down and quickly fell asleep. Ling Shuang sent the maid to bed, and after finishing half a book, she went back to bed.

Who knew that soon after she fell asleep, Qingyun came over, apparently checking on herself and Xianyue before getting up for the night.

Sure enough, Qingyun tucked their blankets in, then took out a small purse and placed it beside Xianyue's pillow. It smelled sour, probably the medicinal plums they ate in winter.

Xianyue was frail and prone to coughing in the spring. Judging from the way the Third House behaved today, it was only a matter of time before Xianyue's reputation as a sickly woman spread throughout the capital, lest she get in the way of her daughter's future.

Qingyun must have remembered this, so she found the medicinal plums and asked her to carry them with her, so she wouldn't appear embarrassed at the banquets these days.

After reading Xianyue's notes, she collected Lingshuang's book, sighed with a smile, and placed something underneath it.

Lingshuang was half asleep and didn't bother to care. The next day, she woke up and touched the book, only to find it was a piece of icy jade, round and unremarkable. Just as she was wondering, Xianyue recognized it at a glance.

"How foolish." She pressed the jade against Ling Shuang's eyes. "Use this to apply to your eyes. Even if they're swollen like peaches, it'll reduce the swelling. Haven't you heard what mother said? Some wives in difficult circumstances can't be seen crying, or the elders will find out and scold them, saying, 'Why are you crying in broad daylight? Are you cursing me?' So they have to wash their faces with ice-cold well water to reduce the swelling.

Hurry up and apply it. If mother finds out you're staying up late reading, she'll scold you again."

Ling Shuang didn't bother to care, tossing the jade aside and hurriedly getting ready. Aunt Huang Si, who came from Second Madam Lou, was already there, urging her to get ready.

Aunt Huang Si was Second Madam Lou's maidservant, who had grown up with her when they were little girls in her family. The Lou sisters all respected her and called her Fourth Aunt. When Ling Shuang was a mischievous child, she called her Huang Si Niang and even gave her a nickname, Hua Manqie, which was both infuriating and amusing.

"Young ladies, don't delay. Today is the Minor Cold Plum Blossom Feast. Let's have breakfast first. Madam has hired a hairdresser. You can do your hair there afterward. Your clothes and jewelry are all there. Take everything you need with you. Don't leave anything behind. This is the old lady's place, and we can't take care of it.

Handkerchiefs, jade pendants, hairpins, and other things. Xiaoman, take your young lady's things. Taoran, don't comb her hair, just tidy it up."

She was very efficient and decisive, urging the maids to take their belongings. It was too late last night, and the luggage and belongings were still together, unpacked, in the Wutong Courtyard where Second Madam Lou and Second Master Lou lived. Fourth Aunt Huang herded the three young ladies out of the warm room like ducks. After watching the maids take their belongings, she took out a lock and locked the door.

Xianyue, whose hair was uncombed and loose, winked at Lingshuang at this.

Ling Shuang knew what she mean tister Huang must have listened to her mother, knowing that the Lou Mansion was crowded with people and that someone might be intent on harming them, hence her strict precautions.

Qingyun had risen early and had already washed and dressed. She wanted to pay her respects to the old lady in the main house, saying, "Sister Huang, I'll be right back."

"No!" Sister Huang grabbed her arm and said, "The old lady hasn't gotten up yet. Besides, she said last night that tonight's Plum Blossom Banquet is a big deal. So many ladies are waiting to meet you. You have to get there before noon. I've heard some ladies go at noon. It's a shame to keep dragging your feet."

She held Qingyun by one hand and pushed Xianyue, herding them to the Wutong Courtyard.

Thankfully, they were close, just across the courtyard. They were both in the old lady's courtyard, within the three gates. Not only could the servants, but even the lower-ranking maids couldn't get there.

Wutong Courtyard and Third Lady Lou's East Courtyard were connected, separated by a wall. From the second floor of the East Courtyard, one could just see this courtyard.

Ling Shuang saw a half-open window on the second floor of the East Courtyard, and a figure flashed by behind it. It looked like Yuzhu from the Third House. She knew the two sisters had also risen early to prepare for the Plum Blossom Banquet, though they were acting a bit furtively and didn't come out to greet her.

It's no wonder they didn't want to get close. Qingyun aside, Xianyue's charming and elegant demeanor made her look like she was born to make a name for herself in the capital.

In the morning, without a trace of makeup, her face bare, she was still as beautiful as a little silk doll.

She loved to act coquettishly, always needing someone to lean on. Her hair, which she had kept since she was a child, was spread out to her ankles, shimmering like satin in the sun, covering her entire back, with a large amount of hair still left.

Ling Shuang then took a handful and played with it. Xian Yue laughed and scolded her. The three sisters playedfully entered the Wutong Courtyard. As expected, there was a grand ceremony. Breakfast was served, and it was plentiful. No need to put on a show in front of the old lady today. The third wife's true colors were revealed. The breakfast served was on a wooden plate, with a few small dishes and two small bowls of porridge. The soup was watery, like chickens.

Mrs. Lou had already thrown it on the table in the corner. The breakfast on the table was ordered from outside with her own money. It was okay to order food from outside when you were new, with guests for the first three days. But if you stayed longer, it would be unacceptable. You would be scolded immediately.

When my mother was trapped in this house, she had no money to spend and suffered a lot of injustice.

In Jiangnan, people always say there's so much delicious food in Beijing. And sure enough, the dim sum is exquisite and beautiful, as is the porridge. The chicken soup, served in a porcelain jar, is clear and fresh just by looking at its color. Bird's nest and white fungus are a girl's standard treat. There's also shrimp noodles and some crispy side dishes. As soon as Ling Shuang saw them, she sat down at the table and prepared to eat.

"What are you doing?" Second Madam Lou urged her immediately. "Don't rush to eat yet. Go comb your hair and try on clothes first. You can eat when you're done and have time. If you don't have time, just have a couple of bites and get ready and get in the sedan chair. The Cui Mansion is in the south of the city, quite far away. Even the sedan chair ride takes half an hour.

We're new here, and today's our first day. What if we're late? What if we're going to get talked about?"

"Let them comb their hair first, and I'll eat first." Ling Shuang poured herself a bowl of porridge.

"No need to wait for anyone today! I've already hired four hairdressers. Don't dawdle here! Go quickly."

Second Madam Lou pulled her up and pushed her to get her hair done. Xianyue stood there while the two hairdressers combed her hair through and then applied osmanthus oil. Overhearing their conversation, she took the opportunity to laugh at Lingshuang: "Lingshuang, don't worry. She has Zhuzhongjun."