Chapter 16 – Love of Beauty (2)
In the beginning, there was no one in the capital who could compare to the beauty of the late w.a.n.g Fei of the Qin dynasty, Ye Zhen.
Being twins, both Ye Zhen and Lu Yaoyao were true beauties. However, over the years, Lu Yaoyao has never cared for her own appearance and had dark and rough skin. For so long, she had been careless, her appearance coudn’t be compared with the spoiled w.a.n.g Fei.
Moreover, Ye Zhen had always been fond of beauty itself. Even at a ripe age, she had meticulously paid great attention in enhancing and maintaining her appearance. Her mother’s vanity table was her most favorite.
Now, she found it a pity to look at her sister’s spoiled beauty.
But she will bring it back!
Beauty is a weapon for women. She knew this well, so she won’t let herself be ugly any longer.
Fourth miss Lu heard Ye Zhen boasting that she was a great beauty and finally could not help but to ridicule her. She turned to see Ye Zhen’s eyes that seemed to be talking and her fine and beautiful features, though dark, was still prominent. And suddenly, she could not say any more.
If…Third sister will be fairer and a little plump, would she s.n.a.t.c.h all the attention towards her?
“A few days ago, I arranged some gowns for your sisters, and I will have the dressmaker make one for you. You will all be beautifully dressed on that day.” Old Madam Lu said excitedly.
Ye Zhen smiled in return. How can one not be excited about having new gowns?
It was not until an old friend came to s.n.a.t.c.h the Old Madam’s attention that the three ladies bid their goodbyes and retired from the room. When Ye Zhen was about to proceed to Pei s.h.i.+’s courtyard, a cold voice made her halt in her steps.
“Third sister, stay.” It was Fourth miss Lu, standing behind Ye Zhen who stood tall and proud. It was as clear as water that she despised Ye Zhen, but the latter couldn’t care more. She came here with a mission, an envious missus wasn’t one of her concerns!
She wanted to go to Pei s.h.i.+ but it seemed like her plan would have to be delayed. Despite the ice-cold treatment towards her, Ye Zhen asked her in the sweetest voice she could muster.
“What do you want from me, Fourth sister?”
Fourth miss Lu was half a fist taller than Ye Zhen and she looked at her coldly with a condescending att.i.tude. “Third Sister, when you first came to the capital, you were ignorant of the rules here. In fact, you still are.” She released a soft chuckle, mocking Ye Zhen at her position. “It looks like we need to talk more.”
Talk? By the way she approached her, it sounds more like a confrontation. It’s not like raising a point at all, a warning.
“Please, Fourth Sister. I don’t have time for this.”
“Yes, you have.” Fourth miss raised her voice a little and stepped closer to Ye Zhen, refusing to let her slip through her fingers. “Third sister never heard of the reputation of the women’s college. Not anyone who have the desire to enter succeeds. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with dreaming, sister, but make sure you know your limits. And know the people who’ll carry the shame of your reckless actions.”
“Tell me sister, what exactly do you imply by that?” She still wore the smile on her face, not giving the fourth miss the satisfaction of seeing her affected by her words.
“You should consider the difficulty of the eldest brother. The eldest brother had a hard time getting into the ministry of war. Could a.s.sistant minister be able to casually ignore the rules of the college and send you in? Then not only will the Lu family become a joke in the capital, but also the reputation of the eldest brother will be dragged down!”
Ye Zhen was irked at the mention of Lu Lingzhi and his so called ‘achievements.’ Of course, he worked hard for his position, killing hundreds and tricking people was a lot of work! He was now standing on numerous people’s blood! Even her had died in his hands.
“If that what Fourth sister is worried about, I can a.s.sure her that I won’t embarra.s.s my eldest brother.” Aside from envy, Fourth Miss Lu didn’t believe she could make it. Whether Ye Zhen pa.s.ses or fails, it would never be a piece of good news to the fourth miss. Her pa.s.sing the exam would s.n.a.t.c.h all the attention of the Lu family and failing would mean embarra.s.sment to the whole Lu family.
That’s why Fourth miss Lu thought that it was much better if Ye Zhen not try at all.
Fourth Miss Lu’s face sank. “So, you still want to go to college?”
“Why won’t I? The fourth sister is also in the women’s college, isn’t she? ” Ye Zhen looked worried for a fleeting moment. Failure means losing the chance to avenge herself.
“You…” Second sister said, her voice shaking. “Can you pa.s.s the entrance examination? How much do you know about Six Arts? Even if you use grandma and eldest brother as leverage, you can never survive the college and become a medical doctor. Just who do you think you are, huh, wild girl? Your ignorance will forsake the family!”
Raging Fourth Miss Lu had her temper to the brim and was about to attack Ye Zhen when Second Miss Lu stepped in and held her back.
If the Lu family was involved in her burial, why would she not dare not bring trouble to them?
Ye Zhen said lightly, “Fourth Sister, you worry too much.”