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Chapter 21: Ding Duke Manor

Regardless of what the Sun family’s purpose was, Luo Old Madam still intended to go. Not only for Jing Wan’s matter, but also because, to the noble madams of the capital, her status wasn’t considered low, yet she has never appeared before. Now that she’s entered the capital, she ought to give out a signal. The interactions between the madams of the inner manor was also very important. That way, even if she didn’t like banquets that much, she couldn’t just shut the doors and not go out either. The range of people involved this time was very wide. It was a good opportunity to become acquainted with the others. Perhaps she might even encounter some former childhood close friends.

Luo Old Madam called her eldest daughter-in-law over and asked some related matters in detail. After finding out that only Luo Jing Ying alone got an invitation card, she didn’t make any remarks either. Just, when Luo Jing Ying reported to Luo Old Madam that she will be going to the Ding Duke Manor, Luo Old Madam nodded her head, “Eldest one’s (wife), go prepare. Wan Wan go back and change clothes. Fifth girl also.”

Luo Jing Ying’s expression slightly changed. Although she’d thought about letting Luo Jing Wan make a fool of herself at the Ding Duke Manor, but after going through her mother’s harsh lecture yesterday, her knees were still faintly sore right now, she knew that she shouldn’t be this impatient. It wasn’t very wise to make a move and deal with Luo Jing Wan right now. Very quickly, she calmed herself, “Third big sister and fifth little sister is also coming along? That’s really great.”

Luo Old Madam dully looked to her, neither happy nor angry, and said, “Still not going back to change clothes?”

“Is there something inappropriate about this granddaughter’s outfit?” Luo Jing Ying lightly pursed her lips and somewhat nervously asked.

Luo Old Madam retracted her gaze and swept a glance at her mother, Liu-shi. Then she lowered her head to take a sip of tea and didn’t open her mouth again.

Yet because of this glance, Liu-shi felt like she was almost struck by lightening. She swept a gaze over her own daughter. At first, she didn’t notice anything out of place either, but when she glanced next to Luo Jing Ying at Jing Wan, she finally understood what the problem was. Calming her nerves, she walked over to Luo Jing Ying’s side and pulled over her hand, “Going out as a guest, naturally you can’t dress casually like at home. —–Mother, it’s also this daughter-in-law’s fault, spoiling this girl like this and have to keep an eye on her for everything. Because of my carelessness, she doesn’t even know how to dress properly. This daughter-in-law will take her back right away and properly dress her up. Certainly will let you be satisfied.”

Luo Old Madam indifferently nodded her head.

The mother and daughter pair left first, and the others also followed after.

Luo Jing Ying was being pulled along by Liu-shi. Towards changing her clothes, she was very much unwilling, but she held it in and didn’t say anything. When she’d gone out in the past, she’d always dressed like this, going for the simple, elegant, and otherworldly style as much as possible. In addition, she also had quite a bit of fame and was pursued by quite a few young masters. These were all because of her skills. She’d spent a very long time getting this appearance done today.

Returning to Luo Jing Ying’s little courtyard, Liu-shi had the servant girl bring out all her clothes and accessories. Seeing how majority of the clothes were all very plain, she couldn’t help frowning. However, there was still some that were more vibrantly colored, so she didn’t immediately start to worry. “Change.”

Luo Jing Ying very much opposed. She didn’t like the clothes her mother picked.

“If you don’t want to go to the Ding Duke Manor, you can not change.”

“Mother, why? What have I done to make that…….grandmother unhappy again?” Luo Jing Ying strongly suppressed her anger and grievance.

“Always dressing so plainly and not wearing any accessories, do you want people to think that the Luo family is neglecting you?” Liu-shi calmly spoke, “Before, your grandmother wasn’t here, and your eldest aunt managed the household, so even if outsiders thought something, they wouldn’t say it out loud either. After all, we’re people of two different branches. But right now, you’re grandmother is here, and if you’re still the same, then it can’t be avoided that some people will say your grandmother is treating the shu son harshly.”

“But isn’t that even….” Better.

“Ying’er, you know, your grandmother is a benevolent person who loves her grandchildren dearly. She wishes for her own descendants to all be well.”

Luo Jing Ying moved her lips, seemingly understanding something. Even if the one managing the household was eldest aunt, but in actuality, this family’s matriarch was still grandmother. If grandmother’s reputation was ruined, what good would it do for them, as the grandchildren? Not to mention grandmother didn’t really treat their third branch harshly. But even if she really did treat them harshly, they all better keep it hidden, and not noisily let everyone all know.

Luo Jing Ying closed her eyes, concealing all the emotions in her eyes. She let the servant girls change her clothes and restyled her hair.

Liu-shi watched from the side. She wanted for her daughter to go out beautifully and not gaudily. Moreover, it can’t just suddenly cover up that usual elegance either. With Liu-shi being born into a impoverish count family, wanting to stand out more in these aspects wasn’t possible. But her staying these ten or so years in the Luo family wasn’t for nothing. When she’d married, she’d no less been secretly mocked at due to her clothes. No one specially gave her pointers or taught her. She’d only watched how the other people dressed, and little by little developed an elegant taste herself. No matter what, she can’t let her daughter suffer what she’d once suffered.

Liu-shi personally picked a hairpin for her and inserted it. Then the accessories too. “En, Ying’er is also very pretty dressed like this.”

Luo Jing Ying looked at herself in the mirror, then at the servant girls’ expression. Seems it really wasn’t bad. “Thanks mothers.”

Liu-shi nodded, “Let’s go.”

Luo Jing Ying had wasted quite a bit of time. When they returned to the main courtyard, it seems she was the only one missing.

The mother and daughter pair hurriedly asked for forgiveness.

Luo Old Madam didn’t say much and the party set out.

Only then did Luo Jing Ying realize that her grandmother and eldest aunt were also coming along. Before, they didn’t say a word about it, did they deliberately want to make her lose face?

Even though she tried really hard to restrain herself, Luo Jing Ying’s gaze still landed on Jing Wan from time to time. Compared to how she dressed when she went out yesterday, the things on her head and body, not one was the same. Although it wasn’t that every single one was considerably expensive, but even the worst one on Jing Wan was comparable to the best one on her. Clearly they were both of the surname Luo, and clearly their grandfather was the same person, yet why was there still such a big difference? How can one stay calm?

Luo Jing Ying forced herself to turn her eyes away. If she can’t see, she won’t feel vexed.

Ding Duke Manor. They were the current true head of the honorable aristocrats. They were currently also the only ones with the Duke title. The space taken up by the entire manor was even bigger than quite a few junwangs’^[1] residences. Not to mention, the things bestowed by the Emperor inside were probably too numerous to count.

Because there were a lot of people today, Jing Wan and the others waited in the carriage for no less than an hour before it was finally their turn to enter the manor.

Unknown as to whether it was intentional or unintentional, the elders’ and youngsters’ invitation cards were separate.

When Luo Jing Ying, who’d originally felt wronged, learned that Jing Wan didn’t get sent an invitation card like grandmother, she unconsciously straightened her back even more. Inside, she had a difficult to conceal smugness. When Jing Wan unintentionally looked over, she lightly waved the invitation card in her hand, like she was flaunting. Carrying a smile, she handed over the invitation card. The mama accepting the invitation cards smiled very amicably, making Luo Jing Ying mistakenly assume that she was being exceptionally well-regarded by her, and her smile became increasingly haughty.

Jing Wan followed by Luo Old Madam’s side, smiling without speaking. Luo Jing Ying had all her attention focused on her, but if Luo Jing Ying had paid attention to the others for once, then her mood probably wouldn’t have been that good. Regardless whether it was the people in front them, or the people behind, these noble daughters, nine out of ten, all had invitations in their hands. Moreover, the material and decorative designs used by invitation cards were all different. Thus one can deduce that Sun Yi Jia had also widely sent out invitations this time. Furthermore, it was even divided into classes. Invitation cards that were actually hand written by Sun Yi Jia, probably weren’t that many. Something that was originally valuable, in fact…..wasn’t worth a cent.

Sitting on to the small sedan that carried an extremely rhythmic light sway, she entered into the depths of the Ding Duke Manor.

Jing Wan stretched her hand out and touched the material used inside the small sedan. Have to say, as expected of the Sun family. This yunlou^[2] soft silk, how many people, if they could obtain a bolt, would hide it like it was a treasure. In the dowry, if there was even just one bolt, then when showing off the dowry, one can earn some face. Yet, the Sun family used large cuts of it as decoration for this kind of sedan that was only used to move around within the manor. Should it be said that they were too imposing and rich, or that their roots were very deep?

Jing Wan didn’t have an opinion. She also lived a life of luxury and had even once wandered the streets in destitute. Towards materialistic possessions, she actually didn’t have too many demands.

Rather, this Ding Duke Manor has a ‘mother of the world’ Empress, and an although not number one in abilities among the princes, yet wasn’t considered bad either Kang Qinwang. Though his Majesty favors Noble Consort Su, his heart still hasn’t gone off the edge yet. Kang Qinwang was the di born and the first born. As long as he doesn’t commit any big mistake, the possibility of him becoming the heir apparent was over seventy percent. This family could be said to be ‘fresh flowers wrapped in brocade’^[3], their glory limitless. But to display it so ostentatiously like this, without the least bit of restraint, would it really not become ‘adding oil to the blazing fire’?

The one that came to welcome Luo Old Madam was the Ding Duke’s eldest daughter-in-law. She looked to be only a little over twenty, with a dignified bearing. She coincidentally smiled and formally greeted to Luo Old Madam first. Afterwards, she endlessly spouted some affectionate words, yet she wouldn’t let the other feel awkward from being too enthusiastic during the first meeting. Jing Wan thought to herself that if it was her, even if another ten or more years were to pass by, she still wouldn’t be able to do it. At most, she would be neither intimate nor distant. This was also the attitude many people held towards someone they’re meeting for the first time. And this one was merely just older than her by about 10 or so years. Thinking about it, she still counted as a peer.

Towards Jing Wan and the others, she also impartially praised them one by one once over.

Jing Wan generously accepted it. Luo Jing Ying’s face was somewhat red, yet she didn’t make any mistakes either. This was probably Luo Jing You’s first time facing this kind of situation, so she was somewhat nervous. However, because she was used to being expressionless, she just looked a bit stiff.

[1] Junwang – Wang of the second rank; one rank below a qinwang. Although there’s really only 2 ranks of a wang most of the times.

[2] Yunlou – The name of the silk; I actually couldn’t find if this is a real type of silk or not. It’s name loosely translates to ‘net made of clouds’.

[3] This idiom means, when something already good gets paired with something also good, becoming even better. The original full verse of this idiom is actually a pair, together with the second line about the fire. I just found it clever on the author’s part, because both lines originally have the same meaning but here it sounds contrasting.