Page 1166

Although she always knew Lin Yuan didn’t like colors like pink or red, Sister Chang still offered her own opinion, saying that Lin Yuan, with her delicate features, would look best in pink. But of course, this was ultimately up to Lin Yuan herself.

Lin Yuan had many dresses to choose from, gifts from both Princess Anle and Tian Hui. However, she found the dresses from Princess Anle too elaborate and didn’t want to wear them.

While she was mulling it over, Dong Qing arrived.

It had been a long time since Lin Yuan had seen Dong Qing, and his old habit acted up again.

As soon as he saw her, he started to chatter nonstop.

Lin Yuan simply ignored his prattle, distilling his speech into one point—that Xia Zheng had sent her a dress from Red Smoke Pavilion, hoping she would wear it to the banquet.

The dresses from Red Smoke Pavilion were not just a one-time provision. Lin Yuan looked at the dress that Dong Qing had placed on the table and was very satisfied. Indeed, Xia Zheng knew her tastes best.

"Although the banquet is in the afternoon, once you’re there, there will be a lot of people. It’s certain that you won’t get to eat much at dinner, so it’s best to eat more at lunch to avoid getting hungry in the afternoon."

At lunch, Sister Chang unusually did not strictly enforce their etiquette, allowing them to eat their fill.

Despite the absence of Sister Chang’s strict supervision, Lin Yuan and the others behaved with unprecedented elegance during the meal. Could this be the effect of subtle influences?

Lady Liu also had her usual exhortations, which reassured her enough to let them finally leave the house.

Before they could leave, Butler Zhou had already entered to report that the second young lady from Tian Mansion had arrived.

Upon hearing it was Tian Xuan, Lin Yuan couldn’t help but smile—she hadn’t expected that this young girl would actually come with them to the Yao Mansion.

Lin Wei and Xiao Linshuang had also heard of her name and together they walked outside.

Tian Xuan was waiting at the door. Today, she was exceptionally striking, dressed brightly in a bold red dress. Although it didn’t quite align with what was expected from Tian Mansion’s usual strict upbringing, it matched her vibrant personality perfectly.

"Sister Yuan, you’re finally here!" Tian Xuan was peering toward the Yao Mansion and hurriedly turned around when she heard the sound. Seeing Lin Yuan, she was momentarily dumbstruck.

So beautiful!

Today, Lin Yuan wore a light gold gown, with a design so exquisitely tailored it fitted her perfectly. Her waistband embroidered with peonies in the same color beautifully outlined her slim waist, making her seem fragile and evoking a touching sense of delicacy.

What was even more dazzling were the gentle cloud patterns embroidered with gold thread around the hem of her gown. She would never have such high regard simply for winning the first place in the riddle contest. Lin Yuan guessed that these gold threads must have been provided by Xia Zheng.

Tian Xuan’s eyes sparkled as she circled Lin Yuan over and over, unable to tear her eyes away from the dress, "This dress is from the Red Smoke Pavilion!

The peonies here are the handiwork of Embroiderer Ru, and these cloud patterns and the embroidery here are from Embroiderer Qiao.

Only she could embroider the cloud patterns so softly and seamlessly.

Tsk, tsk, really remarkable. To embroider like this with gold thread shows the sublime skill of the embroider! "

Being looked over, touched, and commented on like this by Tian Xuan made Lin Yuan feel like a mannequin in a clothing store, showing a helpless expression.

The words of praise she was saying seemed to go completely over her head.

However, Lin Wei’s eyes lit up, unable to contain herself, she asked, "Miss, how did you recognize at a glance that the embroidery is from their hands? Amazing!"

Praised thus by Lin Wei, Tian Xuan withdrew her gaze and raised her brows proudly, saying, "Of course, in order to get into the Red Smoke Pavilion, I spent a long time studying the embroidery of everyone there, naturally, I can tell their craftsmanship!"

After finishing, Tian Xian looked at Lin Wei, quickly walked up to her, took the handkerchief in her hand, and exclaimed, "Are you Lin Wei? Did you embroider this handkerchief? Let me see if it is good?"

Although she verbally asked if it was acceptable, Tian Xuan had already taken the handkerchief in her hand and began examining it closely.

Lin Wei smiled awkwardly, but being of a good nature, she did not say anything.

"Wow, your craftsmanship, your craftsmanship is really good! It’s even better than mine! Better than those of the young ladies in the capital!"

Born into a prominent family obsessed with embroidery and intent on joining the Red Smoke Pavilion to learn embroidery, Tian Xuan was well-known in the capital for this reason. Hence, whenever they met, she always liked to study everyone’s handkerchiefs, looking for useful techniques to learn.

It could be said that in the capital, there was not a single young lady whose handkerchief she hadn’t seen, even the normally reticent Yan Ruchun had lent hers for Tian Xuan to examine.

If she said Lin Wei’s craftsmanship was good, it definitely was good. However, Lin Wei just smiled and didn’t take it seriously, considering it a polite remark.

While they were talking, several carriages had once again stopped in front of the Yao Mansion across the street, and without exception, everyone who came down from the carriages would look over in their direction for quite some time.

Lin Wei’s group was situated right inside the gateway, partly obscured by the walls and not very visible. Not knowing whose daughter it was, someone scoffed and deliberately said aloud, "What are you hiding for, as if people really want to look at you!"

Due to the distance, they couldn’t hear the exact words clearly, but the tone suggested some discontent.

Lin Yuan coldly hummed, not paying her any mind.

Although the two residences were opposite each other, Lin Yuan did not trouble herself to walk over; the carriage had already stopped at the entrance. They all boarded the carriage, and Tian Xuan suddenly lifted the curtain, gently calling out, "Sister Yuan, Sister Yuan?"

The curtain of the opposite carriage opened, revealing Lin Yuan’s elegant countenance.

Tian Xuan looked around earnestly and advised, "I don’t know if Sister had left the house, but these past few days, everyone has been abuzz with how the Second Young Master Xia was bewitched by a country girl, leaving Miss Su heartbroken.

Sister Yuan, my sister asked me to remind you to be careful today. "

Lin Yuan was slightly taken aback, somewhat thankful that Tian Hui was reminding her to be cautious rather than trying to prevent her from leaving. Although such rumors were unruly, the more she avoided them, the more furiously they spread; it was better to face them head-on.

At this time, the Yao Mansion was bustling with activity, as quite a few young ladies had arrived.

As the host, Yao Hanai naturally had to uphold the hospitality of the hostess. Despite her cool and haughty nature, she was very attentive to her interactions with many young ladies of the capital, making her one of the most popular figures there.

Not to mention Su Qiuyu and Cheng Yuexiu, even Yan Ruchun had come.