"Master Qin, our Miss is dressing herself, please go and wait in the living hall first!" Miss Xing walked to his side, put out her hand and politely asked him to leave.
Qin Musheng reluctant to part, looked once more at Ran Yan, before following Wan Lu to the living hall.
(I think this was a typo, he followed Miss Xing to the living hall, not Wan Lu)
Wan Lu said angrily, "The servants watching the door are too much, how can they let a man walk into the inner courtyard!"
"I'm afraid someone must have incited them, otherwise even if they've eaten the gallbladder of a leopard they still would not dare to neglect their duty." Ran Yan faced the mirror and readjusted her skirt.
"Are you talking about the second wife?" Wan Lu said, surprised.
"I did not say that." Ran Yan turned and headed towards the living hall.
Wan Lu followed her with a puzzled expression, mulling it over in her heart, if it was not the second wife, then who could it be? It couldn't be Master? Or Eighteenth Miss?
In the hall, Qin Musheng sat on a woven mat, occasionally glancing at the doorway.
Miss Xing already knew that he was the Qin family's Fourth Master, Ran Yan's fiancé, thus no matter how she felt, on the surface she still treated him politely, "Master Qin please wait for the time being, Miss is almost done with her makeup."
"Thank you for the trouble," Qin Musheng took the tea brought to him by Miss Xing, and said rather courteously.
Miss Xing secretly scrutinised him, notably handsome, his speech and behaviour were also very up to standard, was quite polite to people, thought in her heart that he did not seem as extreme as the rumours say, men being lecherous was their natural instinct, maybe he was just a little dissolute.
"Master coming here so early in the morning, do you have important matters to discuss with our Miss?" Miss Xing asked.
Qin Musheng could tell that Miss Xing was an old servant highly regarded by Ran Yan, so when he spoke to her, he did not treat her like a normal servant, "Isn't Seventeenth Miss going to a tea party today? I've come especially to take her."
Just as he said that, the bamboo curtains at the door were pulled open, Ran Yan wearing a dress of purple gauze, under the bright sunlight, her skin was so pale it was nearly transparent, the dazzling splendour radiating from her whole body caused one to be unable to look at her closely.
Qin Musheng stared blankly at her approaching, for a moment felt that his eyes were not enough to watch, usually beauties have a part that is the most beautiful, but there did not seem to be a part of Ran Yan's entire body that was not beautiful, the most unforgettable sight was her bearing that radiated out from within, just like serene water with hidden depths, freezing cold but possessing utmost charm.
"Let's go." Ran Yan had heard Qin Musheng's words just now, since he had already came, even if they chased him away, any gossip would have already travelled out, hence she might as well be magnanimous.
Miss Xing lips moved, but did not utter any words, she only got up to send Ran Yan out.
Wan Lu felt that Qin Musheng coming here wasn't not necessarily a bad thing, at the very least they did not have to sit in the estate's wretched carriage, and be mocked by those noble ladies at the banquet later.
Qin Musheng’s carriage was spacious and luxiorious, the interior lined with bamboo woven mats, a basin of ice placed in a corner, once they entered the carriage they could feel a hint of cold air.
“Miss, the weather is too hot, in order to prevent your makeup from melting, why not place this ice basin beside you.” Qin Musheng personally placed the ice basin next to Ran Yan, when he bent his head, he intentionally leaned close to her, he did not expect, there was actually a wisp of delicate fragrance and faint medicinal fragrance lingering around the end of his nose, startling him to a stop for a moment.
“Master, hand over the ice basin to this servant.” Wan Lu sharp-sightedly and deftly took the ice basin from him, then squeezed in between the two of them, separating away Qin Musheng.
Ran Yan’s expression was indifferent, completely acting as if no one existed around her, but in her heart she was calculating, Qin Musheng was clearly showing that he regarded himself as her husband already, is there a need to immediately use medicine to make Qin Musheng be unable to get it up?
Thinking of this, Ran Yan lifted her eyes to glance at Qin Musheng, seeing his smilling face filled with peach blossoms, thus decided after the tea party ended she would return home and prepare the medicine, otherwise looking at his current appearance, who could say when his beastly nature would errupt, extremely dangerous.
Qin Musheng saw Ran Yan looking towards him, his smile became even more bright and handsome, made the decision that he must exert all his effort in order to make Ran Yan fall for him, Qin Musheng was filled with confidence, even girls like Cuimei who were accustomed to romance still sincerely handed over her heart, let alone a little Miss who had never stepped out the door!
Each harbouring their own thoughts, the whole journey actually passed in harmony.
After two quarters of an hour, the carriage smoothly pulled to a stop. Qin Musheng exited the carriage first, reached out his hand to help Ran Yan down, but was beaten to it by Wan Lu.
If the future son-in-law was another person, Wan Lu would look favourably on it and let go, but Wan Lu had a belly full of opinions towards Qin Musheng, even though she did not dare to openly get angry, but she definitely would not make things easy for him. Moreover, regarding this incident, at the most it could only be said that she as a servant had no sense.
The Yin residence was built near the Pingjiang river, there were many residences of influential officials here, the great families’ vermillion doors, the black roof tiles and white walls, multi-storied pavillions, the embroided doors of inner rooms and engraved rafters. The Pingjiang river was clear and crystalline, sparkling under morning sunlight, the bluish-green grass spread across the river dike[1], the willow branches softly drooping, the wind blew at one’s face, carrying fresh air from yesterday’s rain.
Ran Yan took in a deep breath, lifted her head to look at the residence before her, on the big and tall multi-storied door hung a unassuming wooden board, the two words “Yin Residence” was strong and powerful, its hook in silver and written in metal[2], majestic and imposing, it looked overly strong and hard, it did not match well with the scholarly aristocratic Yin clan.
Ran Yan’s ability to appreciate calligraphy was limited, thus did not continue to be confused regarding this, and looked away.
They did not arrive early, there were many carriages arriving in succession at the entrance of the Yin residence.
Even though Qin Musheng’s reputation was not good, but his social relations were not bad, those people who just alighted from the carriage saw him, all of them actively came forward to greet him with faces full of smiles, and whether these people were giving face to Qin Musheng or giving face to his father Qin Shangzuo, it was unknown.
During the exchange of greetings, the gazes of many people were directed towards the Ran Yan who was wearing a veil.
A young nobleman wearing dark green robes seemed to be mutually familiar with Qin Musheng, once he alighted from his carriage, he ran over, a fist lightly hit Qin Musheng’s chest, laughingly he said, “This fellow, you’ve ran to that Miss again to court her, early this morning I passed by your residence and heard from your family servant that you’ve left at dawn…”
Ran Yan was unfamiliar with these people, and did not have interest in mixing with them, thus had Wan Lu show the invitation card to the sevants of Yin residence, and entered the residence first.
That youth in dark green robes saw that Qin Musheng’s gaze constantly drift towards the view of Ran Yan’s back, he also extended his neck, said with a drooling face, “Zeze[3], that figure, is really not bad, this time which family’s Miss have you taken a fancy to?”
Qin Musheng slapped that youth, severely said, “Zhang Fei, don’t you dare think of interfering[4], that is Seventeenth Miss Ran, my future wife. You’re not allowed to have any indecent thoughts!”
Zhange Fei looked strangely at Qin Musheng, “Lately it’s been rumoured in the city that Seventeenth Miss Ran is an absolute beauty, can it be that she really is extremely beautiful? This morning you actually did not go to fetch Sixth Miss Qi, but ran to the outskirts to fetch her?”
“No mater how beautiful, from today onwards she’s mine.” Qin Musheng’s mood was cheerful, who was Sixth Miss Qi, she was a woman who thought as if she was a fairy from the heavens and thus ordered him around, now he no longer cared anymore. Qin Musheng left behind one sentence “Let’s go” and stepped into the residence.
Zhang Fei was increasing certain that Ran Yan’s appearance was extremely beautiful, normally if he discovered any beauties, Qin Musheng would always call up them friends to follow and apprecaiate the view, even when he saw Sixth Miss Qi, everyone still took action together, there definitely was not any attitude of “hiding a mistress in a golden house[5]”.
“Fourth Master, when are you going to introduce us brothers to sister-in-law[6]?
Qin Musheng’s lips slightly hooked up, glanced sideways at him and said, “On the day of my wedding, you naturally will be able to meet.”
Zhang Fei mouth continously replied agreements, but in his heart he was thinking that no matter what today he had to have a glimpse of that beautiful face, she could not constantly wear a veil when participating in a tea party!
After Ran Yan enterd the residence, a servant led her to a lotus style park.
The garden was half-enclosed, built beside a pond, the buildings were not many, there was just a cool air pavilion that extended half over the water, within the garden there were odd stones forming a rock garden, trees forming a canopy over it, everywhere was covered in shade, it was a good summer retreat.
“Miss rest awhile in the cool air pavilion, when the tea party begins, there will be a servant to lead you over.” The manservant walked out of the small alley, and did not continue to walk forward.
There were already many people gathered in cool air pavilion, Ran Yan thanked the manservant, then walked with Wan Lu towards that place.
A pond filled with lush lotus flowers, standing erect and pure, surrounding the exquisite and elegant pavilion loft, the windows on four sides of the pavilion were opened widely, covered with fine bamboo curtains, occasionally the lovely laughter of girls would travel out.
Wan Lu pushed aside the curtains, in the instant Ran Yan entered the pavilion, all the noise stopped, there was only the sandalwood softly drooping.
Ran Yan saw the situation inside clearly, there were about sixteen or seventeen people, eight richly attired girls in the prime of their youth, the rest were all attendants.
After a brief silence, a girl wearing a moon-white light muslin ruqun stood up, asked, “You are…”
Ran Yan took down her veil, looked at those young ladies, a sense of familiarity rising up in her heart, unconsciously said, “Miao-miao.”
“Ah Yan!” There was unconcealed surprise on Yin Miao-miao’s gentle face.
The faces of the rest of the people in the building were also filled with astonishment, and could not help but exclaim in their hearts, that timid and weak invalid, actually became so overwhelmingly graceful! It looks like the rumours from the city were not false. They were simultaneously admiring and jealous.
“Ah Yan, we did not meet for two years, you’ve actually become so devastatingly beautiful[7].” Yin Miao-miao quickly came forward to greet her, held her hand and exclaimed in admiration.
Now that she was near, Ran Yan looked closely at Yin Miao-miao, her moon-white muslin skirt, her dainty body size, her facial features were also rather elegant, on her face there was a gentle and beautiful smile, faintly she could see a trace of excitement[8].
“Don’t make fun of me.” Ran Yan automatically smiled faintly and said to her.
At this moment, the rest of the people also reacted, one after another stood up to exchange greetings, indicating their welcome, but in reality, they were absolutely unhappy about Ran Yan’s arrival, women all wish to be beautiful, especially beautiful women, they were even more intolerant of others being better looking than themselves.
Yin Miao-miao on the contrary seemed to be genuinely happy, pulled Ran Yan to sit together with her.
“Seventeenth Miss started to recovered from her serious illness, furthermore became engaged to Master Qin, it really is worthy of celebration.” A voice like clear spring traveled over, the speed of her words were not rushed or slow, it was pleasing to listen to.
Ran Yan looked towards the voice, saw a girl dressed in white smiling at her, the moon-white silk lantern[9] was like a pure and holy moonlight, made that beautiful face seem a few degrees more distinct and cold, three thousand strands of fine black hair were bound up into a flying immortal bun[10], it was decorated only with a few smooth and round large pearls, her relaxed adornments were completely dissimilar to those grandeur and splendour of those girls.
“Many thanks to Sixth Miss.” Ran Yan recognised that she was Suzhou’s number one beauty Sixth Miss Qi.
Yin Miao-miao looked at Sixth Miss Qi, and then looked at Ran Yan, both of them were cold beauties, but it seemed like Ran Yan’s coldness was not aloof like the moon, but was like the darkness, cold with hidden depths.
“Fourth Master Qin had originally admired Sixth Miss! Seventeenth Miss must carefully watch him.” A round-faced young lady wearing a yellow half-sleeve who was beside Sixth Miss Qi said while laughing softly.
Ran Yan merely swept her gaze across her indifferently, realised that this person was not in her memory, and in her heart she did not like that she had purposely tried to pick a quarrel, thus only indifferently said a single “Ok.”
That young lady seemed like she felt snubbed, her expression looked unpleasant, softly snorted, “Fourth Master Qin, this person actually is not bad, he followed at our beck and call but would never get angry, Seventeenth Miss marrying him should not suffer any grievances, it’s only that he is a very dissolute person, it won’t do if you don’t watch him carefully, don’t let him go to another person’s house to fawn on them, otherwise Seventeenth Miss, you won’t have any face.”
“I wonder how do I address this person.” Ran Yan looked towards Yin Miao-miao.
Yin Miao-miao saw that Ran Yan had some intention to get angry, hurriedly smoothed things over, “Look at me, after seeing you I was so happy that I’ve forgotten everything, this is the Qi family’s Tenth Miss, her name is Yuxiu.”
Following that she extended her hand out towards a young lady wearing an outstanding cherry red half-sleeved outfit, saying, “This is the Yan family’s oldest Miss, her name is Fangfei.”
Yan Fangfei inclined her head towards Ran Yan with an indifferent smile, and then introduced the other noble ladies in the pavillion one by one.
In the meantime, there was a servant who served up tea and cakes to Ran Yan, Ran Yan took up her cup and had a sip.
Qi Yuxiu was extremely angry towards Ran Yan’s indifferent attitude, the conversation topic went round in circles, ultimately never left Fourth Master Qin, and even constantly brought up that Fourth Master Qin was a subject under Sixth Miss Qi’s skirts, and Sixth Miss Qi did not show the slightest intention of stopping her.
“Last month, Fourth Master Qin heard that Sixth Older Sister likes Chinese Snowball flowers[11], specially transported a carriage-full from Yangzhou, he is seriously considerate, but now that he has a marriage engagement with Seventeenth Miss, hopefully that in the future he won’t do these kind of silly things for Sixth Miss again. “ Qi Yuxiu clicked her tongue.
Once she uttered those words, with varied expressions the gaze of the crowd fell collectively on Ran Yan.
This time round she could not ignore it even if she wanted to, Ran Yan looked at Qi Yuxiu, lightly said, “Which man does not like beauty, he can visit the brothels, and even fawn on beauties, in the end he’s just dallying with girls from other families, he’s taking advantage and not suffering a loss, let him do as he pleases, if he wants to fool around, as long as he does not force himself on ordinary women, I am in support of it, after all the Qin family does not lack that money.”
Sixth Miss Qi’s originally proud and aloof expression dropped slightly.
Qi Yuxiu said sternly, “What are you calling fooling around, are you saying that he’s fooling around with my Sixth Sister?”
“As long as women conduct themselves with dignity, how can there be talk of fooling around? Sixth Miss is as beautiful as the moon, a well-bred lady of a big family, I did not mention any names, how can Tenth Miss take it as a directed attack[12], and splash dirty water at your own older sister?” Ran Yan was really angry at this Qi Yuxiu being so unyielding, she was not a person that would suffer in silence. Moreover, they were all noble ladies, why would one want to lower their dignity, and bring humiliation to themselves!
[1]河堤: a long wall or embankment built to prevent flooding
[3]啧啧: to click one’s tongue
[5]金屋藏娇:a golden house to keep one's mistress (idiom); a magnificent house built for a beloved woman. But I think the author used it here to mean that he’s hiding her from everyone else.
[7]倾国倾城: lit. capable of causing the downfall of a city or state (idiom) / fig. (of a woman) devastatingly beautiful
[9]白色月笼纱: not entirely sure it’s correct