“This… this…” Steward Kang stammered for a long while, his face growing more bitter.
This was how it had always been—first letting Jun Qingnian choose, then bringing the leftovers to Second Miss. After all, Madam Lou managed the household accounts, and Second Miss had never objected before. But today, why was Second Miss suddenly making things difficult?
“Second Miss, these were all chosen by Madam Lou…” As he spoke, Steward Kang suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. Startled, he slapped himself hard across the face. “This servant deserves death! It was Madam Lou, as you know, who manages the household. These clothes were purchased under her orders. It has always been… like this… naturally… naturally…”
Naturally what? The meaning was obvious.
Jun Ning let out a cold laugh. In the past, she had cared for her father’s dignity and the household’s reputation, thinking that as the legitimate daughter, she ought to be magnanimous. But now she realized her tolerance had only emboldened these people to take advantage of her.
“Steward Kang, you have served my father since youth. Yet now, in your old age, have you forgotten the principle of rank and respect?”
Her light words drained the color from his face.
Jun Ning rose and walked toward him. Everyone thought Steward Kang would suffer a slap like Jun Qingnian had. But instead, Jun Ning passed him by. She approached the trays, lifted the garments, and flipped through them. The maids all held their breath.
Second Miss had never been so forceful before. Today, she seemed frightening.
“Yu Zhu, I’ll reward you.”
With a swift motion, the lake‑green gown landed in Yu Zhu’s hands. She caught it in a fluster, eyes wide with disbelief.
*Hiss!*
Everyone gasped. Did Second Miss know the value of that garment? A new release from Nuanhan Pavilion—something most women could only dream of owning. And she had casually gifted it to a maid?
“Second Miss, this may… not be proper.”
“Oh? Steward Kang knows what is proper?” Jun Ning’s tone dripped with mockery.
“…” Steward Kang was struck dumb, unable to reply.
Steward Kang had been wrong from the start. Now that Jun Ning had rewarded the garments to her maid, he could not utter a word of protest and could only watch helplessly.
Jun Ning sifted through the clothes, finally selecting one that pleased her eye.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief—until she reappeared after changing. Then they all gasped again, even Yu Zhu was stunned.
Was this truly the Second Miss they knew?
The reaction was understandable. Jun Ning usually wore plain garments. Even when attending banquets outside the residence, she dressed with restraint and dignity, never ostentatious. But today was entirely different.
Scarlet robes are dazzling, but not everyone can carry them with ease. Some wear them and look vulgar; others are overshadowed by the garment itself.
Jun Ning, however, resembled the late Madam Tao. Her brows arched delicately, her bright eyes carried a trace of coolness, her lips were tinted red, and her features held a natural air of heroism. Already a beauty of rare caliber, the red dress only heightened her brilliance and vitality.
Though only seventeen or eighteen, she possessed such grace that in two more years she would surely rival Madam Tao, famed as the most stunning woman in the capital.
When the carriage stopped at the gate, Jun Ning arrived to find Madam Lou, Jun Qingnian, and several concubine-born sons and daughters already waiting, their faces showing impatience.
The moment Jun Ning appeared, Jun Qingnian was ready to complain—but upon seeing her attire, she fell silent.
They shared the same father, yet why did Jun Ning always outshine her? It was bad enough that Jun Ning’s status was higher, but why, why did she even surpass her in beauty?
Jun Ning ignored Jun Qingnian’s fiery glare and calmly took her rightful place—conveniently, just ahead of Jun Qingnian.
As they waited for Earl Pingkang, everyone couldn’t help but glance at the two young ladies, whose rivalry was well known.
It was fine when the two weren’t standing together. But now, side by side—Jun Ning in her red dress, radiant and unmatched—while Jun Qingnian, by unfortunate coincidence, wore a gown of similar color to Yu Zhu’s. Standing left and right, Jun Qingnian looked more like a maid beside her.
As Jun Ning stood calmly, a harsh whisper reached her ear.
Jun Qingnian ground her teeth and demanded: “Jun Ning, did you do this on purpose?”
Jun Ning: “…”
Raised in the countryside estate and spoiled by Madam Lou, Jun Qingnian had grown into such a foolish girl, speaking without restraint.
“Jun Ning, what do you mean? I’m talking to you!”
“Qingnian, be quiet.” Madam Lou turned back to scold her daughter, signaling her not to shout.
Jun Qingnian stomped her foot angrily. “Mother…”
“Master, you’ve finally come out. I’ve been waiting for you so long.” Madam Lou swayed her hips as she approached the Earl, taking his arm with a coquettish smile.
Jun Ning shivered with goosebumps. Only her father would fall for such behavior. If her mother were still alive, she would never have acted so shamelessly.
“Father.” Jun Ning bowed respectfully. The Earl lifted his gaze, and when he saw her in that red dress, his eyes narrowed.
She looked so much like her mother—truly alike. Though her mother had been somewhat strict, she was beautiful, pleasing to behold.
Thinking of the deceased, a rare softness flickered in the Earl’s calculating eyes. “Mm. Let’s get in the carriage.”
The journey passed in silence.
When the carriage stopped at the palace gates, the place was bustling. Families had brought their daughters, all eager for the banquet.
As the Earl Pingkang houshold’s carriage arrived, heads turned to look.
Everyone in the capital knew that Prince Jing, Xiao Yunjie, was close to Jun Ning. Any young lady hoping to marry him would first need to outshine her.
Yu Zhu lifted the curtain. After stepping down, she extended her hand.
A pair of delicate hands rested on the maid’s, and the next moment, a woman in red appeared, descending gracefully from the carriage. Her brows arched like moth wings, her bearing elegant and poised.
Several young men were so captivated that they forgot to respond to their fathers’ words. A few young ladies, upon seeing Jun Ning, shook their heads in secret. No wonder Prince Jing favored her—such a beauty was pleasing to the eye even for them.
Seeing everyone’s gaze fixed on Jun Ning, Jun Qingnian, robbed of attention, angrily dug her nails into the arm of the Third Miss beside her.
Jun Rongpei endured the piercing pain, wanting to pull away but not daring to. As the daughter of a concubine with no favor, if she resisted Jun Qingnian, she would surely suffer punishment once they returned.
“Jun Ning, I’ll endure you for today. But once this day is over, let’s see how long you can keep acting so arrogant!”