Li Wanming and Chuntao stared in disbelief.
Goodness gracious!
So this was how a top - tier maid in a wealthy household behaved!
Before they could finish their exclamations, two rough maidservants carried a pot of hot water to the door. A young maid waiting in the yard took the pot, walked into the room, and poured a basin of hot water.
Qinglan tested the water temperature, dipped a cotton handkerchief in it, wrung it dry, and then began to wash Li Wanming's face.
It took a full three basins of water to wash off the gaudy makeup on Li Wanming's face.
"Your Highness the Princess has such delicate skin. You don't really need such thick perfume paste. Just a little bit under your eyes for a touch of concealment will do," Qinglan said.
With a gentle tap of her fingertips, she patted Li Wanming's face and then spread a tiny bit of perfume paste evenly with her fingertips.
Somehow, rouge, lipstick, and eyebrow pencils seemed to come to life in her hands. With a few deft movements of caressing and applying, she outlined a face as bright as the morning glow.
"That's all set," Qinglan said after a careful look. "Gentle, elegant, and yet dignified. It's neither too garish nor too plain, maintaining the demeanor of a princess."
Li Wanming stood up and placed her hand on Qinglan's arm. "Let's go. Let's go to the Hall of Reverence."
Qinglan gave an understanding smile, bowed her head, and replied, "Yes."
The Hall of Reverence, despite the word "hall" in its name, was actually a three - courtyard complex. It was not only the residence of the Prince and Princess of Ning but also the core of the entire princely mansion.
When Li Wanming entered the mansion yesterday, she had been veiled the whole time and hadn't gotten a single glimpse of what the legendary Prince of Ning's mansion looked like. Now, as she looked around, only two words came to mind: vast and solemn.
It didn't seem like the residence of a noble prince but rather the yard of a general who had been on the battlefield for years.
However, considering that the Xiao family had been in charge of the military for generations and the Prince of Ning had indeed served in the army for many years, it all made sense.
On the brick screen wall, there were faint patterns of fierce beasts. In the morning light, one could make out nine different - looking Ya Zi. They were looking down and growling softly, as if they were about to leap out of the wall at any moment.
The tall parasol trees in the yard stood upright with lush branches and leaves, casting mottled shadows under the stone steps in front of the main hall, giving an air of coldness.
Through the carved lattice windows in the shape of Chinese characters, one could faintly see rows of ebony weapon racks neatly arranged between the columns of the west wing. On them, cross - blades and long spears were lying, their cold glints menacing. Just one look seemed to make one hear the clanging sound of metal hitting metal.
Wow...
Li Wanming couldn't help but sigh inwardly: This was definitely the dream courtyard of her second sister!
After Wanmo returned home, she had complained to her sisters countless times about how rigid and gaudy the He family mansion was. It was just like the rumored breeding ground for playboys.
Elaborately carved beams and columns, a life of luxury and dissipation.
Even in the yard, there were only fragrant peonies planted, and the smell was stronger than that of the rouge shops in the capital. Every time she passed by the yard, she had to cover her nose and run quickly, afraid of being nauseated.
"Hey, if I had a yard, I'd pull out all the flowers! Put a row of weapon racks on the west side and level the east side to make a training ground! Dancing with swords and sticks every day would be so much fun!" Wanmo had said.
Wanxin had covered her mouth in surprise after hearing this. "Not even a single flower or plant? Wouldn't it be so bare?"
Wanmo had thought for a while and replied, "Then plant parasol trees. They have thick trunks and big leaves. There will be shade in summer!"
...
Li Wanming leaned on Qinglan's arm and walked with great dignity. The jade ornaments on her headdress swayed gently without making a single sound.
The main room of the Hall of Reverence was as simple and spacious as the yard. There were no jade antiques, pearl curtains, or anything of the sort. Only a long rosewood desk carved with dragons spanned the middle under the plaque, and six official - style chairs were lined up like soldiers in formation.
A figure in plain clothes was already standing outside the carved door. Before Li Wanming could approach, she greeted her with a warm smile.
"I've been looking forward to this for so long. Finally, I've seen my niece - in - law!"
"Your mother - in - law has accompanied your father - in - law to the villa for recuperation, and Jingnan... Don't be afraid, my dear. It's the same with me chatting with you. In the future, if there's anything you lack or if any maid or servant doesn't serve you well, just tell me."
She was wearing a half - new lotus - colored satin dress. The collar was embroidered with patterns of ruyi clouds in silver threads as thin as hair, looking like the sparkling stream under the moon.
Her slender eyebrows were dyed with the color of distant mountains, and her lips were as pale as new cherries. Although there were no pearls or jade on her, she exuded an air of elegance and erudition.
What a graceful and charming noblewoman.
If one didn't know her true nature, one would really be deceived by this appearance like a beautiful woman in a Chinese ink painting.
No wonder Nanny Song had described her as fair - skinned and full of scholarly air when talking about her.
No wonder the Princess Chengping had said that she was deep - minded and told Li Wanming to be careful when dealing with her.
No wonder Xiao Jingnan had repeatedly told her to be extremely careful and never let this woman get hold of any evidence against her before he left.
...
Not only them, but even Li Wanming herself couldn't believe that this gentle and weak beauty was the one who had thrown her into jail on the twenty - ninth day of the twelfth lunar month!
Deep - minded... She was more than just deep - minded. With such a face, there wasn't a trace of cruelty or vulgarity.
They said that a biting dog doesn't bark. This Lady Kang was probably the fiercest dog, capable of biting off someone's throat silently.
However, the kind and enthusiastic words she had just said were really treating Li Wanming like a fool.
- If there's anything you lack or if any maid or servant doesn't serve you well, just tell me?
Lady Kang probably forgot that Li Wanming was now the legitimate Princess of the heir apparent.
Since the Princess was no longer in charge, the power to manage the mansion should be handed over to her, the newly - married daughter - in - law. It was definitely not up to a concubine - born second - wife to interfere.
Li Wanming sneered inwardly, but her face became even more gentle and obedient.
"Auntie, you're too kind. I'm young and new here. In the future, if there's anything I don't understand, I'll have to ask you for advice."
There was a hidden meaning in her words.
Ask for advice?
Advice on what?
Of course, it was about how to manage the affairs of the princely mansion!
Li Wanming subtly threw the barb back, hiding her sharpness in the shadows while making it seem flawless on the surface.
Sure enough, Lady Kang was taken aback for a moment but quickly regained her composure.
She held Li Wanming's arm even more affectionately and said with a gentle smile, "You're really the one Jingnan fell in love with at first sight. You're so sensible. I like you so much... We're really kindred spirits."
Li Wanming rolled her eyes inwardly. Kindred spirits? More like we both wish we could chop each other's heads off and use them as balls!
However, thanks to the heartfelt advice from the Princess Chengping, even if she was extremely disdainful in her heart, she wouldn't show the slightest bit of it on her face.
"I feel the same way. As soon as I saw Auntie, I felt so close, as if you were my own elder," Li Wanming said in a soft voice, her smile as sweet as honey.