Early the next morning.
Ming Shu allowed Tang Li to do her makeup, while Yuan Rong lavished praise from the side.
“With such beauty, how could any man not be moved upon seeing you?”
Tang Li carefully applied lip color for Ming Shu: “The young lady doesn’t care about such things. She says a woman’s appearance is to please herself.”
“That makes sense, that makes sense.” Yuan Rong nodded in agreement.
Ming Shu’s eyes shimmered slightly, her brows and gaze carrying a breathtaking beauty, every smile and frown as radiant as jade.
Yuan Rong watched as Tang Li’s skillful hands fully revealed Ming Shu’s beauty.
Ming Shu stood up, her hands folded in front of her, her steps light and graceful as if she had stepped out of a painting.
Tang Li quickly took the cloak from the rack and fastened it for Ming Shu.
When they reached the front courtyard, even Yan Wei couldn’t help but take an extra glance at Ming Shu’s appearance.
Then he raised his voice: “Let’s go.”
Only two carriages were prepared, the one behind clearly inferior to the one in front.
Ming Shu naturally headed toward the latter but was stopped by Yan Wei: “Get in here.”
Ming Shu paused, doubting her own hearing.
Then she heard Yan Wei say: “The carriage behind is for your maids.”
Ming Shu had no choice but to suppress her discomfort and board the carriage, sitting close to the door.
Yan Wei glanced at Ming Shu but said nothing.
When the carriage passed over a small puddle, Ming Shu was caught off guard and nearly thrown out.
Only then did Yan Wei frown and say: “Move in closer.”
Ming Shu twisted her fingers, not wanting to make a fool of herself, and slowly shifted inward.
The journey passed in silence until they arrived at the Gu residence.
The Gu family was already waiting.
Gu Yingzhen sat beside Madam Gu and asked: “Mother, when will the Yan family arrive?”
Madam Gu smiled and gave her a playful scolding.
“You little monkey, sit properly now.” Her tone was gentle, without any reprimand.
The old Madam Gu beckoned: “Your mother may not like it, but your grandmother does. Come over here.”
Gu Yingzhen stuck out her tongue at Madam Gu with a smile and was about to get up when a servant from outside reported: “Old Madam, Madam, General Yan and the young lady have arrived and are on their way here.”
At this, even Gu Yingzhen sat back properly.
Yan Wei walked ahead, with Ming Shu following behind him, head lowered.
“Old Madam, Aunt.”
The old Madam Gu nodded repeatedly, her eyes filled with affection: “Please sit.”
When she saw Ming Shu behind Yan Wei, a flicker of admiration passed through her eyes, and she said calmly: “This must be the young lady. She truly has a lovely appearance.”
Ming Shu curtsied: “Thank you for your praise, Old Madam.”
Madam Gu said: “Everyone, please sit. Let’s talk while seated.”
Gu Yingzhen’s eyes remained fixed on Ming Shu without blinking.
Until Madam Gu called out: “A-Zhen?”
Only then did Gu Yingzhen seem to snap back to reality: “Mother? What is it?”
Madam Gu shook her head with a smile, pointing at her forehead from a distance: “You silly child, this is your brother Yan Wei and sister Ming Shu.”
Having grown up in a noble family since childhood, she knew how to read the situation.
Gu Yingzhen stood up to greet them: “Brother Yan Wei, Sister Ming Shu.”
Yan Wei nodded in acknowledgment.
Ming Shu stood up and replied: “Sister Gu, greetings.”
Gu Yingzhen’s heart melted at being called “sister.”
“Sister Ming Shu is so beautiful. It’s a pity my parents didn’t make me this pretty.”
Ming Shu was momentarily speechless, unsure how to respond.
It was Madam Gu who seemed both amused and exasperated as she pointed at Gu Yingzhen: “Clearly, it was your own choice to look like this. Your mother had no say in the matter.”
“Then I don’t care. If Mother had made me beautiful, why would I envy others’ looks?”
Ming Shu grew even more anxious upon hearing this, fearing she might have made a poor impression on her first visit.
So she spoke up: “It’s my personal maid who is skilled—she can make five parts of beauty appear as nine.”
The implication was that she wasn’t naturally this beautiful; it was only because of her makeup.
Gu Yingzhen’s eyes lit up: “Then I’ll come find you to play when I have time.”
Madam Gu shot her a sharp glance.
“Don’t go disturb your Ming Shu sister, lest you lead her astray.”
Gu Yingzhen turned to Grandmother Gu to whine: “Grandmother, look at Mother.”
As she spoke, she pouted, embodying the image of a charming young girl.
Grandmother Gu, however, smiled and addressed Yan Wei.
“In this household, she is the most lively, always mischievous. I wonder which young master will be able to tolerate her in the future.”
Yan Wei replied: “You jest, Grandmother. I think a woman like this is just perfect.”
Grandmother Gu clearly didn’t take his words to heart—she knew her own family’s sons well.
Back and forth they went, all in harmony.
After chatting for a while, Lord Gu also returned from court.
After exchanging a few words with Yan Wei, he took him to the study.
Seeing this, Grandmother Gu said to Gu Yingzhen: “Take your Ming Shu sister for a walk in the garden as well.”
Madam Gu chimed in: “Exactly. Ah Zhen, take good care of her.”
Gu Yingzhen was overjoyed to hear this and held Ming Shu’s hand tightly.
As they walked toward the door, she didn’t forget to say: “We’ll be back soon.”
In the blink of an eye, they disappeared through the doorway, and from afar, Gu Yingzhen’s bell-like laughter could still be heard.
Madam Gu could only shake her head with a smile: “Ah Zhen really ought to rein in her temperament.”
“A girl of this age should have such vitality. Who says women must be dignified? The daughters of the Gu family need not compromise themselves.”
Hearing this, Madam Gu sighed inwardly.
If she were to become the matriarch of a clan, such a temperament would hardly command respect.
Unaware of her mother and grandmother’s thoughts, Gu Yingzhen led Ming Shu all the way to the Lotus Pavilion.
“Ming Shu sister, let’s sit here for a while.”
Ming Shu looked around. The Lotus Pavilion was built over a lotus pond, open on all sides, with lush green lotus leaves complementing the koi fish in the water.
“Alright.”
Gu Yingzhen was very curious about Tang Li, whom Ming Shu had mentioned, and looked toward the two maids following Ming Shu.
Ming Shu signaled Tang Li to step forward.
Tang Li curtsied: “Greetings, Miss Gu. This humble maid is Tang Li.”
Gu Yingzhen covered her mouth and laughed: “Then tell me, is your lady so beautiful because of your makeup?”
As a young lady from a noble family, how could she not understand the anxiety in Ming Shu’s words?
Tang Li cautiously glanced at Ming Shu.
Ming Shu gently shook her head, and Tang Li knew how to respond.
But the exchange of glances between mistress and maid was caught by Gu Yingzhen: “Ah! Ming Shu sister, are you trying to fool me?”
Ming Shu rose to apologize: “Sister Gu, I…”
Gu Yingzhen’s laughter spilled from her eyes.
“Ming Shu sister, I’m just joking. How could I blame you for such a small matter?”
Ming Shu’s heart settled.
Gu Yingzhen placed a hand on Ming Shu’s shoulder: “Sit,” then turned to Tang Li: “When you have the chance, you must teach my maid Chu Cui.”