Chapter 657: Chapter 656: Two Reflections
Luo Fu was startled. She quickly recalled that while most of what she said earlier was not true, some of it indeed was.
Moreover, she only made slight alterations, slight omissions, slight exaggerations, so how did Miss Zhao know there was something wrong with what she said?
Wei Shanshan was also puzzled, but she wisely did not speak, only casting glances at Zhao Keyan and then at Luo Fu.
Luo Fu forced a smile and said, "Sister Yan, how could I deceive you? Everything I said is the truth. If you don’t believe me, you can ask Xu Man later!"
Zhao Keyan replied calmly, "What does your matter have to do with me? Why should I bother to verify it!"
Luo Fu chuckled awkwardly, saying, "Sister Yan is right. Such a trivial matter isn’t worth your attention. Besides, unrelated matters shouldn’t sully Sister Yan’s ears!"
Speaking softly and trying hard to appear innocent, whether she managed to bring comfort or Zhao Keyan truly disdained the issue, Zhao Keyan did not pursue the matter of deceit. Instead, she turned to Wei Shanshan and smiled, "Shanshan, you look really lovely today! This dress is beautiful too."
Wei Shanshan gave a wide smile and said, "Really, I too think this dress is beautiful."
Zhao Keyan said, "This doesn’t seem like Jinfu Hall’s style, could it be from Fengyi Pavilion? But this fabric doesn’t seem like theirs either. It seems neither place has such material."
The most famous clothing shops in the Capital City were Jinfu Hall and Fengyi Pavilion. Some noble young ladies even invited tailors from these places to make clothes at home, though they still used their styles.
Each had its own strengths and characteristics.
Luo Fu blinked. Zhao Keyan was renowned in the Capital City as a beauty and a talented woman, born noble, with a reserved demeanor and a hint of pride. She usually didn’t speak much, but at this moment, she appeared much more approachable than usual.
With a faint hint of amusement in her eyes, Wei Shanshan shook her head, "It’s not from those two shops. Yesterday, while out shopping, I came across a new store. The clothes there are all very beautiful, with charming colors and designs, and exquisitely made. The fabric inside is particularly unique; I’ve never seen anything like it before. So I bought this piece."
Luo Fu couldn’t help but ask, "A new store? Why would Sister Wei buy from a new store? New shops aren’t always reliable, who knows if they’re selling inferior goods as the real deal?"
Wei Shanshan looked at her, frowning, "Are you implying that I bought an inferior item and am now proudly displaying it?"
Their fathers held similar official ranks, so Luo Fu spoke rather bluntly.
After Wei Shanshan’s retort, Luo Fu laughed dryly and said, "Of course, I didn’t mean that, I just worry Sister Wei might be deceived!"
"Thank you for your concern!" Wei Shanshan suppressed the urge to roll her eyes, though she felt quite displeased. Putting on a unique and gorgeous new dress, she originally felt happy and somewhat eager to show off. But after Luo Fu’s comment, her mood was greatly dampened.
Zhao Keyan smiled slightly, "What is the name of that new store? This dress indeed has distinctive features; I’ll drop by when I have time."
Listening to Zhao Keyan, Wei Shanshan felt a bit calmer and replied, "The new store is called Jinyun Huashang. Although it’s a new shop, its backing is significant. It’s said to be under the Yunhua Trading Company’s brand. Moreover, each piece in their store is unique, so there’s no worry of wearing the same clothes as someone else."
Upon hearing Wei Shanshan mention Yunhua Trading Company, Luo Fu said nothing further. Suggesting that Yunhua Trading Company sold inferior products?
Everyone knew that since Yunhua Trading Company emerged in the Capital City, it prevailed with high quality.
This was also the reason Yunhua Trading Company quickly and firmly established itself in the Capital City.
Zhao Keyan pondered slightly, realizing Jinyun Huashang indeed had something special about it. This material, even with movement, shimmered brilliantly. It resembled the treasured golden cloud brocade from Fengyi Pavilion—visually extraordinary. The outfit seemed tailor-fitted, without a crease, and the embroidery and tailoring were exceptional.
If there truly was such a high-quality, stylish, excellently crafted, and elegantly high-end clothing shop, perhaps it’s time for a change.
Luo Fu, failing to please Zhao Keyan, inwardly reminded herself of Jinyun Huashang. She also planned to visit later to see if their clothing was indeed as good as claimed!
In the grand hall, a peculiar scene quickly unfolded.
Most of the young noblewomen gathered in the northwest corner, chatting and laughing, with crisp laughter occasionally ringing out.
Yet this side remained rather empty.
Zhao Keyan maintained her noble posture, and Wei Shanshan earnestly endeavored to befriend her, sitting together.
Luo Fu, having previously clashed with Xia Wenjin, felt too ashamed to approach even if she wanted to.
However, this situation did not last long as the Seventeenth Princess arrived.
The entrance of a Royal Princess was a grand affair.
It was Xia Wenjin’s first time seeing the Seventeenth Princess. At sixteen, she was charming and lovely with endearing looks, her eyes like two black grapes. Scanning around with a smile, she merrily said, "Everyone’s here, so let’s start admiring the flowers!"
Though the path was lined with blossoms, it wasn’t the main flower-viewing spot. A crowd moved, descending to the second floor, heading eastward from Yanxia Pavilion to Linfeng Water Pavilion, turning a corner, and there lay a sea of flowers. A vibrant mix of purple, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet—every color imaginable. Not only onshore, but the water was also adorned with blooming flowers, drifting like festival lanterns on the waves.
It’s said the Emperor cherished the Seventeenth Princess, thus arranging for some flowers from the Imperial Garden to be brought over, resulting in this grandiose floral appreciation event.
Many were invited; from each hall, people emerged, totaling to more than hundreds.
It seemed as if 90% of the Capital City’s noble young ladies and gentlemen were gathered here.
The young gentlemen from Bamboo Pine Hall and ladies from Lan Mei Ju admired the flowers separately. Amid the delicately crafted pavilions and elegant towers, the guests donned splendid attire, appearing like a scattering of blossoms themselves.
Xia Wenjin stood beside a flowering tree, gazing up at the branches and leaves. The leaves were oval, translucent like crystal, adorned with small white flowers, exceptionally beautiful and delicate.
Xia Wenjin recognized this tree. The collected flowers could be brewed into tea, known to clear the mind and brighten the eyes. However, at present, no one was aware of this. It would be discovered three years later by a pretentious scholar sipping tea under such a tree. The wind blew, causing flowers to fall into his teacup, filling the air with fragrance.
He took a sip, finding the taste exquisite. The tea gained a sky-high price, and this flower tree, called Silver Bud, vanished from the wild forever.
A refined voice recited:
"Flowers on the branch, with a person below,
A face radiant as flowers reflecting each other.
Dimples hint affection, with eyes subtly striking,
The most captivating youthful beauty!"
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