84 Eye Candy (1/2)
In a blink of an eye, two days passed by like a breeze.
Li Xueyue felt like she was deliberately putting herself into the lion's den. The Bai's Family carriage was right in front of the Li Family's carriage on their journey to the Ning Manor.
People who came for the celebration of Ning Huabing's birthday were gathered outside the expansive front garden of the Ning Manor. They marveled at the ivory and green carriage that had just arrived. They gossiped about the beautiful Bai Tianai, the glamorous Viscountess Mu Yihua [1], and the adorable little Bai Yihao who clung to his mother's leg. They seemed like the perfect family, all smiles and grins.
”Goodness, Viscountess Mu, your hanfu is such a beautiful shade of green!'
”Wow, Tianai, turn your head and let me see that earring.”
”Aw, look at Yihao. He can walk now!”
”The Viscount produces such good-looking children.”
”What an adorable little boy Yihao is!”
The edge of Bai Tianai's lips twitched in irritation. The journey from Hechen to the Capital took forever. Moreover, she had struggled all morning to find the best clothes for this banquet. Despite all of her efforts, she was outshined by a little toddler who didn't put any effort into his clothes.
She sneered on the inside. Bai Yihao was already two years old. Of course he could walk by now! It wasn't like he was two weeks or two months old. What's there to be proud about? Sure, he's cute as a doll right now, but these people should've seen the tantrum he threw in the carriage.
”Tianai!” Her group of friends instantly swarmed her. They squealed at the sight of her dressed perfectly in the colors of the night.
Bai Tianai smirked to herself, happy that she was surrounded by familiar people. The only problem was, where's Han Jieru?
Ning Huabing finally decided to show up and make her presence known. She didn't like the fact that this was her birthday celebration, but Bai Tianai was unabashedly forcing all of the attention on her. She strutted to her friend and smiled.
”Oh, Xiao Hua!” Bai Tianai giggled, ”You look so beautiful today.”
Bai Tianai's friends exchanged glances with each other. Bai Tianai rarely gave out compliments.
”Thank you.” Ning Huabing awkwardly smiled, realizing the stares from her friends. They obviously didn't believe a word that came out of Bai Tianai's mouth.
Bai Tianai's navy blue hanfu with embroidery of tiny stars climbing up the dress, clearly outshone the birthday girl's outfit. She walked with confidence like she was supposed to be the center of today's attention.
”Well?” Bai Tianai blinked, expecting the same compliment in return.
”You look great,” Ning Huabing strained out, forced to look away when Bai Tianai's smile lessened. It seemed she was expecting a better compliment.
”Thanks,” Bai Tianai deadpanned, sighing to herself. ”Wait, is this the hanfu you had the tailor make from the silk gifted to you by the Emperor?”
Ning Huabing perked up, ”Yeah—”
”Oh.” Disappointment momentarily flashed in Bai Tianai's eyes before she hurriedly said, ”Sorry. I should've noticed it in advance! But don't you think ruby would complete your look perfectly?”
Ning Huabing glanced down at her hanfu that was an innocent shade of white with embroidered canaries on the perfect places of her clothes. She had worn a long red sleeve to match the eyes of the soaring birds. Her ribbons were also a bright crimson color. The only thing lacking was ruby accessories that she didn't prepare.
”P-perhaps.” Ning Huabing sighed, tucking her baby hairs behind her ears. Had she embarrassed Bai Tianai by standing beside her?
”You're doing that again.” Bai Tianai frowned in disapproval. ”You'll mess up your bun if you keep on touching your hair.”
”Right,” Ning Huabing curtly said. ”It was a force of habit, I'm sorry.”
”I know.” Bai Tianai softly sighed, casting her group of friends a knowing glance. ”You know I didn't mean to scold you right? It's just… I worry about you. We don't want to ward off any prospective suitors that might come forward.”
Bai Tianai adjusted Ning Huabing's already perfect collar. ”I just want you to look pretty, that's all.”
”I know,” Ning Huabing muttered.
”Great!” Bai Tianai exclaimed. ”So you'll change your clothes right?”
Ning Huabing opened and closed her mouth. She didn't want to change. She thought she looked fine as she was. As a matter of fact, she was getting a lot of approving nods from the guests with every step she took.
”No…?”
”What? Why? You don't believe my advice?” Bai Tianai frowned again.
She turned to her friends, waiting for their verbal or non-verbal support. ”She needs to change, right girls?”