At the end of February, the young gentlemen of the Shen family all returned from the Royal Academy.
The Duke and the elderly lady were delighted and ordered the household to prepare a family banquet.
When Liu Suisui received the notice, she was just waking from her afternoon nap. Chun Yao brought clothes over, but she was too lazy to move.
Her face, like a delicate crabapple blossom, was fair with a rosy glow. She opened her lips to yawn, her eyes watery, making anyone who saw her feel a pang of affection.
Chun Yao gently coaxed her: "Young lady, please rise quickly. I heard that the Shen gentlemen have all returned, and tonight's family banquet will surely be lively."
Liu Suisui sat up, her long hair like fine black silk cascading down her slender waist.
Her collar slightly open, glimpses of fair softness were visible. Even though Chun Yao saw it daily, it still made her blush.
Though the young lady had not yet undergone her hair-pinning ceremony, her body had developed exceptionally well.
Compared to those immature young ladies who had not yet come of age, her own young lady, since starting menstruation, had taken on a womanly form—curvy and shapely, her figure growing increasingly graceful with age.
With just a little adornment, this appearance could captivate many gentlemen.
But Liu Suisui glanced at the crabapple-colored long beizi in Chun Yao's hands: "Change it, this one is too flashy."
Chun Yao paused her movements.
"Isn't the young lady fond of vibrant colors?" she continued, "Besides, didn't the young lady come to the capital precisely to find a suitable gentleman? The gentlemen of the Duke's residence are all noble-born and handsome. The young lady is already beautiful; with a bit more adornment…"
"Chun Yao!" Liu Suisui softly interrupted her, "Do not speak such words again in the future."
"Young lady…"
"We must both have self-awareness. Though I intend to marry into a higher status, I absolutely do not wish to marry into the Duke's residence. The Shen gentlemen are of noble status, beyond my reach."
"Why should the young lady belittle herself when she is so beautiful?"
Liu Suisui got up and left the bed.
She sat at the dressing table, looking at herself in the mirror.
Skin like creamy jade, face like flowers and moon.
She was born in Jiangnan, raised in Jiangnan, embodying the charm of Jiangnan, unmatched by women in the capital.
If marriage relied solely on beauty, then every woman in the brothels could secure a good future.
Her father had passed away, her mother remarried. Though the Liu family was wealthy, it was not her support.
The Shen family of Zhenguo Gongfu had accompanied the founding emperor to establish the empire, earning great merit. Throughout the Great Li Dynasty, the Shen family maintained its honor among the great clans, flourishing and prosperous.
The wives the Shen gentlemen would marry naturally needed to be of equal status, with comparable family heritage.
For instance, when her aunt married into the Shen family, it was due to her great-grandfather's connections.
Her great-grandfather Liu Yuan was the former emperor's tutor and a close friend of the late old Duke. Later, when her great-grandfather resigned and returned to Sucheng to retire, the old Duke often visited. Somehow, the marriage between her aunt and the Shen family's second master was arranged.
Without this, given the Liu family's declining influence later, how could her aunt marry into the Shen family in the capital and become the wife of the second branch of Zhenguo Gongfu?
Now, not only had her great-grandfather long passed away, but her grandfather had also died several years ago.
The Liu family was dominated by her step-grandmother, leaving no place for her anymore.
Seeing her young lady's despondent expression, Chun Yao swiftly changed to a light green beizi.
The light green long beizi was paired with a lotus-colored long skirt, the subdued attire masking some of her vibrant allure.
After washing up and combing her hair into a neat bun, she adorned her dark, crow-black hair with only a pair of white jade plum blossom hairpins, leaving the rest tied with a red ribbon and hanging down behind her, reaching her waist and hips.
As she walked gently, her long hair swayed with her waist, exuding an indescribable charm that captivated all.
Yet Chun Yao still felt her young lady's attire was too plain. Despite Liu Suisui's objections, she replaced her earrings with a pair of crimson red ones.
Once dressed, Liu Suisui took Chun Yao to Ziwei Pavilion.
In Madam Liu's room, Liu Suisui also met her cousin Shen Shuyuan.
Five years ago, Shen Shuyuan had returned to Sucheng once with Madam Liu, but Liu Suisui was only nine at that time, and Shen Shuyuan just thirteen—both still children.
Now, five years later, Shen Shuyuan was eighteen. Three years ago, he had earned the title of xiucai (first degree scholar), and this autumn imperial examinations he would once again take the test.
He was tall and slender, with a noble demeanor and handsome features.
Standing beside his uncle Shen Gongwen, he was even taller by a few inches.
As Liu Suisui entered, Madam Liu beckoned her: "Suisui, come quickly and greet your cousin."
Turning to Shen Shuyuan beside her, she said: "While you were away, she kept asking about you, wondering when you'd return from the academy."
Shen Shuyuan lifted his gaze, watching the young lady approaching from the doorway.
His impression of Liu Suisui remained from five years ago—she was fair-skinned and clean, with a round little face, wearing two flower-bud hairstyles, a very endearing appearance.
Now, seeing the young lady walking toward him, he felt momentarily dazed.
Liu Suisui's appearance had changed so much. He remembered her as plump in childhood, but grown up, she had slimmed down considerably.
Not only had she slimmed down, but her looks were stunning.
Her waist was slender, her figure soft, her face only the size of a palm, her features fully developed, delicate like a flower. Though dressed plainly, she couldn't hide the unique gentle and enchanting charm of a Jiangnan woman.
He stared for a moment, captivated.
Only when Liu Suisui reached him and bowed in greeting: "Suisui greets cousin," did he snap back to reality.
Her voice was soft and sweet.
Shen Shuyuan regained his composure, his ears flushing red.
He hurriedly replied: "Cousin, please rise. Between us, there's no need for such formalities."
Liu Suisui stood up and moved beside Madam Liu.
Shen Shuyuan dared not look at her again, merely sitting down nearby.
Second Master Shen Gongwen spoke up: "Why haven't I seen Ling'er? Where has she gone off playing again?"
Just as Madam Liu was about to speak, the door curtain opened, and a lively figure rushed in, calling out 'brother' as she threw herself into Shen Shuyuan's arms.
Seeing this, Madam Liu couldn't help but scold: "How old are you now? Seeing your brother and still jumping into his arms. Luckily there are no outsiders here, otherwise they'd surely laugh at you."
"Hmph!" Shen Yuling lifted her head from Shen Shuyuan's embrace and made a face at her mother. "Laugh if they want. I haven't seen brother for a month, I miss him."
"Missing him doesn't mean forgetting propriety."
Shen Gongwen disapproved. "Look at Suisui, then look at yourself. You're only a few months apart in age, but she seems much more composed than you."
Hearing herself compared to Liu Suisui again, Shen Yuling immediately grew unhappy.
"Always comparing me to her, Father is so annoying."
She didn't forget to glare at Liu Suisui.
Liu Suisui returned an innocent look, making Shen Yuling even more angry, her lips pursed so tightly they could hang a oil jug.
Shen Shuyuan, who was holding her, watched their silent exchange and chuckled, reaching out to ruffle his sister's hair. Then he turned to Liu Suisui, giving her a gentle smile.
The smile carried reassurance, and Liu Suisui lightly curved her lips, returning it with a smile of her own.
Madam Liu and Second Master Shen were in conversation when Nong Yu lifted the curtain and entered. "Second Master, Madam, the time has come. We should head to Baiwei Hall now."
The two immediately stopped talking.
Madam Liu stood up, allowing Nong Yu to adjust the hem of her skirt as she spoke to Liu Suisui beside her. "Today is a family banquet. You can sit beside me, eat and drink freely, no need to be too reserved."
"Yes."
Everyone left Ziwei Yuan together.
Shen Gongwen and Madam Liu walked at the front, Shen Yuling held her brother Shen Shuyuan's hand in the middle, while Liu Suisui trailed a step behind.
Baiwei Hall was located not far from Huichun Tang, serving as a large dining hall for the Shen family's family banquets, spacious enough to accommodate the entire household.
As the group approached Baiwei Hall, they encountered the third branch of the family.
This was Liu Suisui's first time meeting Madam Meng of the third branch.
She stepped forward to greet her, and Madam Meng quickly helped her up, unable to hide her admiration.
"Indeed, the waters of Jiangnan nurture beauty. Your skin looks as if it could be pinched to draw out water."