Transmigration: A Farm Girl’s Brocade
Chapter 553 - 285: Going to the Banquet_1

Chapter 553: Chapter 285: Going to the Banquet_1

A family discussion unfolded around the notice, as this would be their first official appearance in the circle of nobility—they deliberated on who should go and in what manner they should present themselves.

Qian Sangui was too ill to leave his bed and was definitely unable to attend. As for the men, Qian Manjiang would go. Regarding the women, Pan Yue could not go, as there would be many people, and not everyone bore goodwill towards her. Qian Yixiu was obliged to attend, but as an unmarried young lady, it was inconceivable for her to go alone; she required an older female relative to accompany her, so Lady Wu had to join as well.

Upon hearing this, Lady Wu waved her hands in protest, "Mother is afraid, Mother dares not go. I heard those noble ladies are both beautiful and appear young, and they are eloquent, too. Mother going might embarrass you all."

Qian Manjiang chuckled and said, "Clothes make the man just as saddles make the horse. With the proper attire, Mother won’t look much inferior to them. Just speak less, and let Madam Dan remind you, and all will be well. At the Cining Palace a few days ago, the Elder Taifeng Princess and Yueyue just met, and she took great pity on Yueyue; she won’t give you a hard time."

To Qian Yixiu, he added, "As for Xiuer, you’re extremely clever, and there’s no need for further reminders from Father. Just remember that this appearance represents both you and your younger siblings. Don’t wander off, don’t stir trouble, and don’t let others bully you."

They further discussed that their attire should be decent and proper, avoiding both excess opulence and seeming too destitute. Especially concerning Qian Yixiu, whose beauty was remarkable, she absolutely must not dress too lavishly. Some of the noble daughters were quite spiteful, and if they felt surpassed, they would not hesitate to resort to harmful tactics. After all, their local footing was not yet well established, nor did they have friends to rely on.

The Qian family was not lacking in fine fabrics or exquisite jewelry—it could be said that they were the kind whose wealth was hidden deep within, even richer than some of the outerly glamourous aristocratic families. They had been graced with plenty of Makeup flower satin, jacquard silk, and cloud-patterned fabrics by the Empress Dowager, and Prince Consort Pan had given them many fine items. Added to that was the variety of gemstone jewelry that Yixiu had purchased from foreign traders. Pan Yue, with her skilled hands, had helped Madam Song and Sister-in-law Huang craft two outfits for Yixiu that were believed to be among the most beautiful in the circle of noble daughters.

Manjiang’s idea was that those two outfits should not be worn, nor should they wear those rare and fine pieces of jewelry.

Back in Xiangxue Courtyard, Sister Gong didn’t stop reminding Qian Yixiu about how she should carry herself with poise. In truth, if their young lady herself took care, her deportment would be second to none compared to any aristocratic daughter. But that hinged on her attentiveness, for the moment she neglected it, her forthright demeanor would show.

The next day, Prince Consort Pan visited. He mentioned that Pan Yang’s wife, Lady Fu, would also be at the event, and when the time came, Yixiu could just stay with Lady Fu. He would be there as well, and if any issue arose, someone could send a message to the front courtyard. He added, "My granddaughter is beautiful and happens to be a student of both Yu Xiu and me, truly possessing both talent and beauty. What’s there to fear?"

He was rather satisfied with Yixiu’s progress. After two months of instruction in painting, he felt she had made rapid improvements, far exceeding his expectations. Her depictions of people, while lacking in artistic conception, had a unique charm to them. Although not surpassing many, she already stood out among young ladies. This included noble daughters from aristocratic families who had been studying painting since childhood. While their foundational skills or expression might be superior to Xiuer’s, none could match Xiuer’s innovative ideas.

He credited her achievements to her spiritual aura, calligraphy background, and his own proficient guidance.

He now held Yixiu in even higher regard, finding her more similar to himself than his son or his two grandsons.

However, he did not wish for her to follow in his footsteps and become a famed scholar or anything of that sort. Not only did she lack that slight bit of innate talent, but her mind was also too cluttered with miscellaneous thoughts, preventing her from focusing solely on scholarship. Moreover, how necessary was it for a girl to be that learned?

The second day was the beginning of the twelfth lunar month. Rising early in the morning, they discovered the outside world blanketed by a flurry of large snowflakes. Pink Pearl and White Pearl entered with breakfast, commenting, "Today is colder than usual, Miss must wear more layers."

After breakfast, Yixiu was surrounded by Sister Gong, Blue Bead, and Purple Bead, who commenced adorning her for the banquet. The noble ladies attending the event favored bright reds and vivid colors, particularly in snowy weather, as vibrant attire would make them stand out even more radiantly.

Then she would dress in a more understated elegance. Following Father Jiang’s advice to not appear too luxurious, it didn’t need to be expensive, but it had to be distinctive. Her likeness to Pan Yue made her best suited for understated elegance.

The clothes and jewelry were all prepared yesterday. She was wearing a goose-yellow brocade long jacket with a white fur-trimmed collar, embroidered with several leaves of green bamboo, and below, a skirt with clouds of rosy dawn and pink mist embroidered with plum blossoms in a hundred pleats. Her hair was done in an inclined updo, adorned with a phoenix hairpin made of green jade. The makeup was applied by Yixiu herself, deliberately light and natural.

In the mirror, the young beauty was elegant and lively, with a taste and backbone unlike ordinary people. Where was the rustic air that people rumored about the country folks on her?

Before leaving the house, Blue Bead added a water-pink cloak embroidered with green plum calyxes for her to wear. She would be accompanied by Sister Gong and Blue Bead today.

She took a sedan chair to the main courtyard, where Lady Wu and Qian Manjiang were already waiting for her. Lady Wu was dressed in a mixed-color jacquard silk embroidered coat and a camel-colored soft satin horse-face skirt, wearing a hairpin with a phoenix clutching a pearl and draped in a vinous cloak. Once dressed up, she looked much more distinguished; it would have been better if she could stand a bit straighter.

Father Jiang was wearing a lake-blue jacquard brocade robe, tied with a light purple wide belt, and accessorized with jade pendants and a purse, his head crowned by a hair coronet that made him look quite dashing. He usually wore armor and rarely dressed up like this.

Yixiu jokingly said, "Father looks really handsome today; mother must have praised you a lot."

Qian Manjiang blushed a bit, scolding, "You girl, you’re grown up now and still talk nonsense with father." Indeed, this morning, Yueyue had been praising him non-stop from the moment he put on his clothes till he left the house.

The group took a sedan chair to the front yard and switched to a carriage to go to the Eldest Taifeng Princess Mansion.

Even after they had all boarded the carriage, Sister Gong was still quietly reminding Yixiu, "The Eldest Princess is kind-hearted and her house has a simple staff; miss only needs to avoid the small tyrant, Huang Jinyu, of her residence. That master is spoiled by the Eldest Princess with no proper bearing, and loves to tease pretty young ladies..."

In the Great Qian Kingdom, the segregation of men and women was not too strict. At these kinds of banquets, eating and playing were separated by gender, but the talent competition would usually bring everyone together. Thus, there were always a few good marriages made at these kinds of events. Many families with eligible bachelors and bachelorettes would bring their children to participate.

Especially the Eldest Taifeng Princess, who was known as the "Female matchmaker." She had hosted the plum blossom appreciation banquets for dozens of years and had matched close to a hundred couples.

Before they even arrived at the Eldest Princess Mansion, there were servants on the roadside maintaining order. As soon as the carriage reached the Eldest Princess Mansion, everyone got off, and the coachmen were led to the parking area. Men went straight into the outer courtyard, and women were met by a sedan as soon as they alighted from the carriage, who took them to the inner courtyard.

Despite the large number of attendees, the order was well maintained.

The sedan went directly to the entrance of the Eldest Princess’s courtyard; after Yixiu stepped off, she immediately went to support Lady Wu. The snow was still falling in large flakes from the sky, and Lady Wu’s palms were sweaty, her body slightly trembling.

Yixiu whispered, "Mother, don’t panic; they’re all just people with one nose and two eyes, what’s there to fear?"

PS: Added another update today, thank you for the monthly ticket!