Chapter 83: Chapter 59 Zhao Feiyan_2
Three days later, at the Fan Family Mansion in Shengjing.
The mynah bird hanging outside the side room began chattering in its cage early in the morning.
In the arbor of the small courtyard sat a woman dressed in a pale blue-green gauze gown, with elegant brows and beautiful eyes, captivating in beauty. She was the wife of the Minister of the Imperial Treasury, Old Master Dong, known as Lady Dong.
The young servant at her side presented her with tea and spoke in a low voice, "My lady, please wait a moment, our mistress will be here shortly."
Lady Dong nodded.
The patriarch of the Fan Family, Fan Zhenglian, was the current Examiner Official of the Trial Court, in the prime of his years. He had risen through the ranks extremely quickly within a few years, and consequently, his wife’s status had also risen with the tide. Lady Dong was here today to deliver an invitation to Lady Fan.
About the duration of half an incense stick, from a distance, several maids clad in reds and greens escorted a young matron who approached softly.
This young matron wore a peach-red pleated dress with a pipa pattern and her hair was swept up like dark clouds. Her eyebrows delicate as new moons, she donned ruby pendants which glimmered with golden threads. Her skin was translucent and supple, her beauty radiant like peach blossoms, akin to a freshly peeled lychee that’s strikingly luscious. Wiping sweat with a pale green handkerchief adorned with a fruit design, she smiled at Lady Dong, "Sister, you’ve been waiting a while, haven’t you?"
This was the wife of the Judicial Commissioner, Mrs. Zhao.
Lady Dong observed Mrs. Zhao closely.
Mrs. Zhao was very beautiful with brows like crescent moons and cheeks like spring peaches. She also had a charming name, Fei Yan, coincidentally sharing it with the historically recorded, fragrant beauty who brought disaster upon her country.
She knew well of her superb beauty, always carrying a hint of pride when looking at others. Normally, she disliked being overshadowed by others at social gatherings. Even today, not intended for any significant social event, she dressed so lavishly.
Lady Dong smiled, "Not at all, I just sat down myself." She then instructed her maid to present the invitation, "The invitation for the Summer Festival in a while, I’ve brought it personally for you."
Mrs. Zhao showed a hint of embarrassment on her face, "Thank you for making the trip, Sister. I should have come to the mansion yesterday afternoon, but my husband was swamped with official duties, and I had to wait at home until the lamps were lit before I could leave."
Internally, Lady Dong couldn’t help but roll her eyes.
Before her marriage, Zhao Feiyan came from a modest background as the daughter of a seventh-rank official. Her marriage to Fan Zhenglian had been a suitable match, but who knew her husband would have such fortune in his career? In just a few years, he had become the Judicial Commissioner. And it seemed he would continue to climb higher.
As her husband’s career flourished and her own family was not prominent, she had to be even more cautious and meticulous.
Zhao Feiyan adorned herself with extraordinary beauty every day and instilled the virtues of women into her very marrow. She would wait for Fan Zhenglian to finish his work and have meals with him. When Fan Zhenglian worked on official duties, Zhao Feiyan would be there to add a touch of fragrance to his side...
In Mrs. Zhao’s eyes, these actions were considered sweet, but to Lady Dong, they seemed foolish.
What’s the use?
Lady Dong patted Mrs. Zhao’s hand and said with a sigh, "Lord Fan is fortunate to have such a virtuous wife as you."
Mrs. Zhao gave a modest smile.
"However, didn’t you mention earlier that Lord Fan was supposed to be on leave this month? Why is he still so busy?"
Mrs. Zhao spat in annoyance, "It’s just some trivial matters. I really don’t know what the others at the Trial Court are there for; it seems nothing works without him."
Her words were reproachful, but her tone betrayed a hint of pride.
Fan Zhenglian had become the famed "Fan Qingtian" of Shengjing, praised for his competence and integrity in handling affairs. Everyone said that without Lord Fan, the Trial Court couldn’t survive a single day.
On hearing this, a trace of mockery flickered in Lady Dong’s eyes.
Everyone knew Fan Zhenglian was fond of beauty yet careful of his reputation. Although he did not keep concubines openly, he could not be considered faultless either. Surely Mrs. Zhao was aware of these rumors too, having to cover for her husband and deceive herself.
Zhao Feiyan bore the beauty that once led to a nation’s downfall, yet she carried herself with extreme virtue and decorum. One could only wonder how the enchantress from the history books would feel, seeing a later person who shared her name reduced to such a humble state.
As Lady Dong was pondering this, Mrs. Zhao in front of her picked up the hem of Lady Dong’s gauze gown to examine it, praising, "Sister, your dress is truly lovely."
Mrs. Zhao loved beauty the most, always dressing in the latest Shengjing fashion before anyone else. Understanding this, Lady Dong responded with a smile, "It’s a fabric my son presented me last month. I thought it would be perfect for making some summer clothes. If you like it, I can have some sent over to you later."
Mrs. Zhao caressed the sleeve of Lady Dong’s dress for a long time, seemingly reluctant, but eventually shook her head, "Perhaps not."
It wasn’t that Mrs. Zhao was too shy to accept the gift, rather the fabric would not look as good on her as it did on Lady Dong.