Chapter 79: The Ladies Have Arrived (2) (2/2)
Now that she had tasted the snacks that the Dingyuan Estate served to their guests, Chu Lian finally understood why Cook Zhou’s pastries had seemed so delicious to everyone.
……
Just across the lotus pond, a handsome man dressed in a navy brocade robe stood in the corridor of Qingfeng Court with a fan in one hand. His long, narrow eyes were fixed upon a particular spot in Mei Court.
In a corner of one of corridors in Mei Court, a young madam was lying on a sofa. Reaching out with her slender fingers, she picked up a small cake and took a bite. Her face quickly contorted into a frown. She put the cake back down on the table, and even stuck out her tongue in disgust.
As he continued staring at Chu Lian, Xiao Bojian’s eyes darkened until they were as black as ink. He couldn’t help but think in his heart: ‘Lian’er is still the same as before; she only likes sweet things. The snacks here in Marquis Dingyuan’s estate are a little sour, so it’s no wonder she doesn’t like them!’
“Senior Xiao! What are you looking at out there?”
When Xiao Bojian turned around, he saw Heir Zheng walking towards him, dressed in a round-collared brocade robe.
“Heir Zheng.”
Heir Zheng followed Xiao Bojian’s line of sight. After a moment, he spoke up. “That seems to be where all the noble madams are. My mother is there too. Why, Senior Xiao, is there someone you recognise over there?”
Xiao Bojian hid the emotions swirling in his eyes and calmly said, “I’m just taking a look. Let’s go in!”
Heir Zheng was about to head inside when a young lady who had been facing away suddenly turned, revealing her face. He was shocked by her beauty, and his eyes lit up.
“Senior Xiao, Senior Xiao, don’t go yet. Look over there!”
Xiao Bojian turned back and looked in the direction that Heir Zheng was pointing. He happened to spot Chu Lian, who was now gazing across the pond, and the expression on his slightly feminine face turned stormy.
In her infinite boredom, Chu Lian was currently tearing up the small cake she hadn’t been able to continue eating and throwing the pieces into the lotus pond to feed the koi.
“Hey, isn’t that House Jing’an’s Third Young Madam, Miss Chu?” A voice suddenly interrupted out of the blue.
Chu Lian turned, a little surprised. She could hear the swell of discussion from some people not far away.
“Heavens, why are Feudal Princess Anmin, Imperial Princess Leyao, and Royal Princess Duanjia all here?”
TL Note: A horde of princesses has appeared!!! Prepare for a long note here!
Their ranking goes from highest to lowest.
1. Imperial Princess = daughter of the emperor
2. Royal Princess = niece or sister of the emperor
3. Feudal Princess = daughter of a prince whose title was bestowed by the emperor, not related to the imperial family
Of course, the princesses outrank the noble madams!