Chapter 71.1 - The Spring Scenery in the Ancestral Hall (Part I) (1/2)

The pitter patter of the drizzle went on for a whole night.

As dawn broke, the official residence was shrouded amidst a misty rain. The black clouds hung heavily in the low altitude, as if they were about to destroy the entire city. The twigs and branches in the courtyard had become greener after going through the scourge of the night’s rainfall and it was evident that they had become verdant, glistening and replete with moisture.

There was a chill in the spring air and the maidservant that had gotten up early could not help but shiver as she pushed open the windows with a smile, “Miss, it is almost time.”

The person nestled in the blanket only shot out an arm. Looking at that pure, white and perfect arm, it was tender and adorable. As one’s gaze swept upwards from that arm, one could precisely see an incomparably clear and attractive complexion. However, when she tossed over and revealed her other side profile, there was a long scar that was quite ugly and fierce as if a large centipede had crawled onto it.

The look on the maidservant’s face was faintly startled while Jiang Su Su had already begun speaking by questioning, “Dawn has arrived this quickly?” She laughed lightly as half of that ugly countenance immediately revealed a strange smile, “I really can’t wait to see this good show.”

Hu Die had found a pure-white blouse with detailed, golden embroidered water caltrops on its V-neck collar and tiny, hidden patterns on its blouse. The long skirt that almost touched the floor hada light yellow embroidery of a rounded design filled with scattered flower blossoms. Draped over her body, the coat had a discreet lotus pattern that was embroidered on the damask silk. With such quiet and light coloring, it contrasted with her looks, making her look exceptionally lucid and elegant; all of this set her apart except for that blemished face. A streak of hatred flashed through Jiang Su Su’s eye as Qing Ting handed over the white muslin veil to her. Jiang Su Su put on the veil over her head properly and only after this, did she act to push the door, “Let us go.”

The Marquis Xia fu was one-fold bigger than the Jiang fu and it’s garden had been renovated in an extremely refined manner too. In all aspects, the Xia fu thoroughly exhibited the owner’s noble position. The ancestral hall was in the last room at the very end of the garden’s hallways. From it’s exterior, it looked rather tastefully and thoughtfully planned out. If one was in the garden, they would immediately be able to see it at a glance. In the early spring, there were still some decomposing remnants of the flourishing plum flowers left on the plum tree’s branches. Although the weather had been constantly overcast and rainy; with such an appearance, on the contrary, it still had a special charm to it.

A few figures appeared in the garden, they were headed by a person dressed in fluttering white clothes whose figure was long and slender. To the side of that person was someone whose body build was slightly plump, an amiable smile graced their face. Also, around these few people, there were still two more figures, one was in black brocade clothes and the other was in a magnificently brocaded garment. Amidst the foggy mist, one could not see their appearances clearly at all.

Presently Jiang Su Su was walking with Hu Die in the direction of the hall; during this journey, she had to pass by the garden. By chance, she met with a group of people that were walking towards her from the opposite direction. She saw Xia Cheng and from afar, greeted him, “Maternal Grandfather.”

Xia Cheng’s complexion stiffened as the male in the brocaded clothes beside him immediately spoke up, “So as it turns out, it’s Second Jiang Miss.”

Jiang Su Su was startled, as by now those people had come closer and she could clearly see their appearances. She could not help but feel great alarm in her heart because among the three remaining people she had yet to greet, there was one person that she did not recognise. As for the other two, they were Xuan Li and Xiao Shao.

At the edge of his lips, Xuan Li had a cultured, refined smiling comportment as he looked at her with a smile. Showered with a glance from that pair of gentle eyes, Jiang Su Su’s face, which had been covered by the veil, could not help but flush slightly. However, as she met the gaze of Xiao Shao’s clear and cold eyes, she could not help but feel the violent palpitations of her thumping heart.

Xia Cheng had initially wanted to reprimand Jiang Su Su, yet, after seeing the look on Xuan Li’s face, that very thought ceased. Recalling those words in Xia Yan’s letter, his furrowed brows immediately unfolded as he smiled, “Su’er, aren’t you going to greet His Highness the Crown Prince, His Highness the Eighth Prince and Wangye.”

At first, Jiang Su Su had many suspicions about the identity of the male in brocade clothes. After hearing what Xia Cheng said, she could not help but be alarmed; she did not expect that the other party could actually be the crown prince. Lifting her head, she took a look at the male in the centre as she sized him up. She saw that the man had a youthful appearance of about 20 years old or so while also inheriting the good appearances that were a part of the Heavenly family’s (the royal family’s) lineage. Therefore, he could also be considered as handsome. Only, in comparison to Xiao Shao and Xuan Li’s presence, he had fallen short by much more than the tiniest bit. In the eyes of the beholder, one could faintly see the fickleness and impatience that he tried to hide. Inwardly, Jiang Su Su could not help but be somewhat disappointed. As she thought of some of the matters in the Imperial Court that Jiang Quan had occasionally told her about, that colour of disappointment in her heart had gradually faded too. She then stepped forward and gave a curtsey, “Jiang family’s Su niang greets His Highness, Crown Prince, Your Highness, Eighth Prince and Wangye.”

The Crown Prince laughed out loud, “Bengong has heard about Second Jiang Miss’ national grace and divine fragrance; truly an outstanding beauty. Why have you concealed your face, could it be that you are afraid of being eaten up by bengong?”

Hearing this, Jiang Su Su jumped in fright as Xia Cheng chuckled, “Your Highness, a few days ago, Su’er was injured by a kitten that had scratched her face and it left a scar. In fear of it catching wind[1], she has covered it with a veil. We would like to ask Your Highness to show leniency.”

[1] Jiàn fēng (见风) – A concept founded in traditional chinese medicine, wind is said to often carries environmental factors into the body, and wind causes disturbances, literally moving the pain from joint to joint. The characteristics of wind invading the body are sudden symptoms, pain that moves from one place to another and, in some cases, paralysis. Here, they are afraid of her injury becoming worse and scabbing over because of the wind.

The Crown Prince frowned, “If it’s thus, then it’s rather a pity. Who knows which family’s kitten would act in such a reckless manner and scratch Second Jiang Miss’ face.”

“Many thanks to Your Highness’ concern,” Jiang Su Su spoke softly, “that kitten has already been caught and put to death.”

“Then that is good. Bengong has always had tender, protective feelings for the fairer sex, and to know that Second Jiang Miss’ face was damaged by a kitten like this, one would also feel distressed.”

Jiang Su Su lowered her head and seemed to have been bashfully taken aback, her face was flushed red by this absurd speech. While she was talking to the Crown Prince, Xuan Li had been constantly smiling as he looked at her. That smile was like a fresh spring breeze but upon a closer look, one would notice that it had yet to reach the depths of his eyes.

“That’s right, Maternal Grandfather.” Jiang Su Su seemed to have suddenly thought of something as she continued, “Da Jiejie has been kneeling and praying for blessings in the ancestral hall since yesterday evening, I am not sure how she is doing right now? If the maidservants had forgotten to call her out of the hall, then it would be extremely serious. Now that it is still raining, the ancestral hall must be doubly gloomy and cold. To have kneeled for an entire evening, I’m afraid would be harmful for her body. It would be best that we go to see her now.”

With her deeply concerned expression and words that in all aspects, seemed to be thinking in consideration of Jiang Ruan, she truly seemed like a generally good and kindhearted younger sister. Xia Cheng was startled and afterwards, something came to his mind. After hesitating for a moment, he then remarked, “There are guests present, it would be good enough to instruct some maidservants to do so.”

“Maternal Grandfather, Da Jiejie is my elder sister, naturally I would feel distressed for her.” Jiang Su Su earnestly replied, “Even if you told me to leave in such a way now, I would still be concerned. Moreover, these esteemed Highnesses are all benevolent people and naturally, will not mind these matters. Moreover, once His Highnesses sees Da Jiejie’s sincerity whilst kneeling for a whole night in the ancestral hall to ask for blessings for the Xia family, would Da Jiejie not be the pride of our Xia fu?”

Xia Cheng wanted to decline once more, yet the Crown Prince seemed to be in high spirits as he commented, “Your eldest sister is the Eldest Jiang Miss? That person who had danced astonishingly on Ling Long Boat?”

“That is her.” Jiang Su Su’s voice seemed normal but the corner of her lips had stiffened under her veil.

“Then how opportune as bengong had wanted to take a closer look at her. Hearing you mention that she had kneeled in the ancestral hall for a night, this girl’s sincere filial piety is indeed something rare. Bengong wishes to take a look as well.” He spun around to look at Xuan Li and Xiao Shao, “Eighth Younger Brother, Ah Shao, you won’t disagree to this, right?” After saying this, he then laughed heartily as he looked at Xia Cheng, remarking, “Old Marquis Xia, please lead the way then.”