Chapter 45: 045 Outstanding People
Translator: 549690339
As the soft piano music played, the young girl, holding the arm of the old lady, slowly walked down the stairs from the second floor.
The girl stood tall with a straight back, a calm and indifferent expression, and a graceful and dignified bearing. She neither rushed nor lagged, like a queen inspecting her territory, while all those looking up to her from the floor below were her subjects.
“Can this really be the girl from the countryside? Impossible! Look at that aura!
I bet even Zhu Xiangxiang can’t compare!”
“What kind of rumor is that about her being rude and uncultured? If that’s the case, no lady in Jiangzhou is worth living. ”
“What luck has the Zhu family? How can one daughter be better than the previous one?”
“Not to mention, she’s much better looking than anyone in the Zhu family. Those eyes and nose, so delicate, like they were meticulously crafted. She must have picked out the best features from her parents.”
“In my opinion, the noses of all the Zhus combined are not as good as hers!
This isn’t inheritance, it’s a genetic mutation…”
Listening to the murmurs around her, Lin Qing’s face showed a hint of pride, as if she had finally been vindicated.
This was the first time she felt that this daughter, whom she had never liked, actually brought honor to her, and it must be because of the inheritance from her bloodline.
But the more she listened, the more uncomfortable she felt. Why did they say she didn’t resemble the Zhu family members? Was it really so hard to admit that others were outstanding?
Lin Qing simply dismissed their comments as jealous slander.
Stopping at the middle of the staircase, the two paused; Granny Zhu, with Ming Jing’s hand in hers, smiled and said, “Welcome, everyone, to tonight’s reception. This is my granddaughter, Ming Jing, who will greet you.”
Granny Zhu encouraged Ming Jing with her gaze.
All eyes were on Ming Jing simultaneously. For most sixteen-year-old girls, it would be difficult to bear so much scrutiny and attention without becoming nervous or flustered.
However, Ming Jing looked calmly at the people below, her gaze as cool as winter snow and as nurturing as spring rain. Her tenderness grazed everyone’s hearts silently.
“Hello, everyone, I’m Ming Jing.” Her ethereal voice, dream-like and unreal, added to an utterly surreal sensation.
“I’m delighted to have you all here at my reception. Please pardon any shortcomings in the days to come.”
Humble yet confident, poised and gracious.
Granny Zhu led Ming Jing down the stairs, introducing her to the elders one by one. Ming Jing acted like a pleasant and obedient granddaughter, giving an initial impression of superiority when she first stood on the stairs, but now, standing beside Granny Zhu with appropriate humility and few words, she easily won everyone’s heart.
“Granny Zhu, you are indeed blessed to have such a lovely and beautiful granddaughter; I’m green with envy!” Madam Ye remarked with admiration.
Granny Zhu laughed heartily, looking very spirited. Turning to Ye Lan, she said, “She still has a lot to learn compared to Miss Ye.”
Yet her eyes were full of pride.
Madam Ye then said to Ye Lan, “As Ming Jing has just returned, she is not familiar with many things. You, as her older cousin, should take good care of her. ”
Ye Lan smiled and took Ming Jing’s hand, “Sister Ming Jing, may I call you that?”
Ming Jing, who chose not to place herself above everyone else, amiably replied, “Of course.”
“At Madam Jiang’s tea party last time, I was stunned by your radiant beauty the moment I laid my eyes on you. Regrettably, I didn’t have the chance to chat with you more. I’m glad that we have the opportunity tonight.” Seeing how easily Ming Jing grew closer to Ye Lan, Granny Zhu nodded in satisfaction.
Only by successfully joining the circle of high-class ladies could Ming Jing’s future path become smoother.
Next, Ye Lan took Ming Jing to meet Gao Jia, Zhao Qin, and Li Jiaojiao, who all belonged to the same circle and didn’t object to Ming Jing’s integration. In no time, they seemed to be getting along swimmingly, at least on the surface.
“Miss Zhu, I truly feel sorry for you.” Swirling her glass of red wine, Li Jiaojiao sighed regretfully.
Ming Jing glanced at the bustling scene, lightly smiling, “Wealth and nobility are granted by heaven, and everyone’s fate is different.”
“You are so worthy of being a nun, always brimming with wisdom.” sneered Li Jiaojiao. However, she was not afraid of Ming Jing. It’s simply because she still found Ming Jing useful, for now.
Unfazed, Ming Jing continued to smile gently, like an unassuming and unimposing presence. Li Jiaojiao scoffed, irritated, “Don’t think you can just refuse a toast and avoid punishment!”
Zhao Qin patted her on the shoulder, “What’s the hurry? Ming Jing offers wise words; it’s the enlightenment of a master.”
“Ming Jing, don’t mind her; she’s just being a spoiled girl.”
Ming Jing smiled faintly, “No worries, Miss Li is very adorable.”
Adorable? Li Jiaojiao felt it was a grave insult to describe her as such.
Even so, looking at Ming Jing’s unaffected expression, Li Jiaojiao couldn’t muster any strategies or machinations against her, bafflingly so.
“Where’s Zhu Xiangxiang? Is she too embarrassed to show her face?” Li Jiaojiao didn’t stop mocking Zhu Xiangxiang.
Gao Jia, seeing a young man across from them, nudged Ye Lan, “Who is that flashy-looking guy in the tight shirt next to Jiang Jinchen? I’ve never seen him before.”
The brightly patterned shirt, short white pants and tacky perm made him the loudest presence in the crowd, standing out obnoxiously.
His lively gaze held its own, sandwiched between the two stunning young men, Charles Gao and Jiang Jinchen.
Ye Lan shook her head, “I’ve never seen him before.”
“Isn’t your brother nearby? Why not call him over and ask?” Gao Jia pursed her lips, “No, thanks. I can’t handle that guy.”
“He’s looking this way, is he looking at you?” Gao Jia tossed her hair and displayed her most charming smile.
“The beauties of Jiangzhou are truly stunning, each having their unique charm, especially tonight’s protagonist. At last, I understand the meaning of the poem, ‘A fair lady in the north, so unique and unparalleled.”‘
Jiang Jinchen glanced at him, “You can recite poetry?”
“Who do you think you are belittling? I can even recite ‘Unlocking the heavy door, a moonlit jewel, with a dew-soaked red peony…”‘
Jiang Jinchen’s face darkened, and he quickly covered his mouth, sneering,
“Such a young age and you’re already devoting yourself to mischief.”
Bai Ziyan chuckled slyly, his eyes twinkling, ‘Would you have known the meaning of that poem if you hadn’t read it? Don’t pretend to be so virtuous at such a young age; Brother understands you.”
“Get lost,” Jiang Jinchen turned away, unwilling to look at him.
His ears, however, turned a subtle shade of red..
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