Zhu Qingyu’s words of persuasion were not for the first time, yet each time Zhang Ruohua would nod eagerly, resolute and unyielding.
Zhang Ruohua now managed the household affairs, overseeing everyone’s daily needs and clothing. She took care to dress beautifully herself and could not bear to see others around her looking dull and drab. If her sister-in-law did not wear the new clothes, it meant they were poorly made, so they could always be remade. The household was not short of money; a few pieces of fabric were nothing. She would ensure her sister-in-law wore what she liked.
Finally, now that her sister-in-law’s gray, drab cloth garments had been replaced, Zhang Ruohua felt a sense of refreshment.
She could not understand why her sister-in-law, so beautiful, spent her days in ugly cloth clothing, wearing a plain wooden hairpin with no decoration. Such poor taste wasted her natural beauty. Yet she hesitated to speak, fearing it would upset her sister-in-law.
Zhang Ruohua circled around her beautifully dressed sister-in-law, eyes wide with admiration:
“The Song brocade looks plain, but once worn, it’s so bright and elegant. Sister-in-law, you look stunning. When Second Brother returns in a few days, wear this to greet him—he will surely like it. I’ve also bought some new rouge and powders, just arrived from the foreign merchants. Some colors suit you perfectly; I’ve sent them to you, so remember to use them.”
Not only did Zhang Ruohua find her stunning, but when Zhang Shen returned to Yangzhou and saw Zhu Qingyu waiting to greet him at the dock, he froze in place, forgetting even to step off the boat, staring at her for a long while without a word.
Zhu Qingyu felt slightly uncomfortable under his gaze and adjusted the heavy gold hairpin at her ear:
“Why are you staring? Is it strange? Before leaving, Third Sister helped me dress. I cannot refuse her kindness, yet the hair accessories are so heavy that I dared not lower my head along the way, fearing I might lose one.”
Zhang Shen disembarked, his face full of uncontrollable admiration, holding her hand and smiling broadly:
“How could it be strange? You came dressed to see me, like a celestial being descending to earth. I am quite overwhelmed.”
Perhaps because Zhang Ruohua had been ill for years, suddenly freed, she moved with exuberance, favoring ornate, layered, and flamboyant directions.
The heavy jewels pressed painfully against her scalp, especially the solid gold hairpin embedded with gems and pearls at her ear. Whether from weight or hastiness in wearing it, Zhu Qingyu constantly felt it slipping and had to adjust it.
Seeing this, Zhang Shen stopped, helped remove the hairpin, repositioned it carefully, and said:
“Is the hairstyle not done properly? I’ll find two skilled maids to help you with it next time.”
Zhang Shen was not skilled in arranging hair and ornaments, so it took time. Passersby at the dock frequently glanced at them, some even colliding and arguing over who was not watching where they were going.
Zhu Qingyu felt even more uncomfortable:
“Let’s fix it in the carriage; everyone is watching us.”
Zhang Shen ignored the quarrels, carefully adjusting the gold hairpin on his wife:
“They’re not looking at us, but at you. Besides, I rarely get to see you like this; it’s hard to let others admire you.”
…
In the second-floor private room of the Qin Yun Pavilion, Gu Zhao watched the entire scene from the window, unable to look away even as the affectionate couple boarded the carriage.
Previously, whenever he saw her, she appeared unadorned. He had thought her naturally plain, not fond of dressing up, unaware that she dressed beautifully only for her husband. Surrounded by pearls and jewels, her beauty was heightened, captivating and breathtaking.
“Sir, may I offer you a cup?”
A soft feminine voice spoke in his ear, drawing Gu Zhao’s attention back.
The imperial envoy had been attacked in Yangzhou. The appointed investigator was the emperor’s cousin, and the injured party was the emperor’s brother-in-law. Local officials were naturally anxious, fearing they might incur the emperor’s wrath. Now, a banquet had been arranged to apologize to the envoy.
During the banquet, the governor’s adopted daughter, Liu Yiyi, accompanied the guests.
Offering a toast, Liu Yiyi said:
“I, Yiyi, first offer this cup. Please, sir, honor me with a taste.”
The governor, Liu, also encouraged the toast:
“This is the daughter’s red wine I prepared for Yiyi. Boldly, I invite you to taste, sir.”
Using a bride’s ceremonial wine and a girl’s name as the accompaniment, it was unclear whether the comment referred to the wine or the girl herself.
At twenty, Liu Yiyi was exceptionally beautiful, graceful, and refined, yet with added charm and coquettishness beyond the usual.
Gu Zhao glanced at her calmly, without a word or sip.
Unsure of Gu Zhao’s attitude, Liu Yiyi looked at Liu and, seeing him nod, moved closer, raising her cup again:
“Yiyi drinks first in respect. Please, sir, taste.”
Full cup consumed, the beauty, unaccustomed to alcohol, blushed deeply, her eyes lingering, hesitant to speak.
Gu Zhao glanced at her again. During the trial of the Yan family, he had heard of local talents in Yangzhou. From many young girls, the finest had been selected and cultivated over ten years, finally brought before him. Every movement and smile displayed both innocence and charm—a rare beauty indeed.
Yet despite her beauty, something was lacking.
Otherwise, why was he unmoved, utterly without stir?
What was missing?
Unbidden, memories of another scene filled his mind—a steady hand in the clinic stained with blood, eyes full of restrained anger in the cramped dispensary, and a smile at the clinic door that appeared deferential but was really just seeing off trouble.
Taken individually, none of these should relate to beauty, yet Gu Zhao found himself thinking of them without reason.
This senseless preoccupation frustrated him.
The envoy remained silent for some time. The flirtatious atmosphere cooled, and Liu Yiyi struggled to maintain her smile.
Under the expectant gazes of the banquet, Gu Zhao finally picked up the cup, sniffed it lightly, then set it down:
“Ordinary. Remove it.”
Whether he referred to the wine or the person, no one could tell.