To make Zhao Luoyue the most famous beauty in Phoenix City, the Second Lady Zhao had to humble herself and take her daughter to countless banquets hosted by the city's high - society families. She even spent a fortune bribing maids and servants to sing her daughter's praises.
But what did this girl do? She was lured away by just a few words from the second son of the Ning family.
If only Zhao Luoyue had been a bit more obedient, even if she couldn't enter the palace as an imperial concubine, she could definitely have left Phoenix City and achieved great success.
Looking at Zhao Luoyue hugging the candied fruits and giggling.
The Second Lady Zhao sighed.
Forget it. Let the young people do as they please.
She had already broken up a young couple before, ruining a child's happiness. Later, she couldn't help but regret it.
As long as Luoyue was happy, although the Ning family wasn't the best choice, if the young man treated her well, it would be a decent match.
Seeing the Second Lady Zhao sighing again, Zhao Luoyue put away the candied fruits and walked over to hug her mother, coquettishly saying, "Oh, Mother, don't sigh. When I marry into the Ning family, I'll be the mistress. Then the whole Ning family will back you up. You won't have to be overshadowed by the eldest branch anymore."
"How could I have such a stupid daughter? Ning Huaizhi is just the second son. Do you think you can be the mistress after you marry in?"
"Wasn't the Second Young Master of the Ji family also the second son? But Zhao Luoning became the mistress after she married in."
"Can the situations be the same?" The Second Lady Zhao was so angry that her chest ached. "The eldest young master of the Ji family has been missing for years. Everyone has already regarded him as dead, so Zhao Luoning can be the mistress."
"It doesn't matter. Big Brother Ning is still unmarried. I can still be in charge when I marry in. Even if he gets married later, my position in the family will be solid, so I won't be afraid."
The Second Lady Zhao couldn't bear to listen anymore. What nonsense was this? "Do you think being a mistress is like playing house? Is it that easy?"
Zhao Luoyue disdainfully curled her lips. "If even a useless person like Zhao Luoning can do it well, I'm prettier than her. Why can't I?"
The Second Lady Zhao: "..."
Although she usually comforted Zhao Luoyue, saying that she was the most beautiful girl in Phoenix City, there was a lot of exaggeration in it.
In fact, Luoyue was far inferior to Luoning.
Moreover, was being a mistress just about looks?
The Second Lady Zhao knew exactly what her daughter was capable of.
If Zhao Luoyue wasn't just good - looking and had nothing else to offer, she wouldn't have tried so hard to promote her as the number - one beauty.
Glancing at her daughter, whose figure was already starting to go out of shape, the Second Lady Zhao was too lazy to comment.
This girl was so oblivious. Without her beauty, she would have nothing.
After the mother and daughter chatted for a while and had dinner, Zhao Luoyue took a nap on the Second Lady Zhao's bamboo couch, while the Second Lady Zhao was selecting spices to make sachets.
The Second Lady Zhao was always extremely patient when it came to making sachets.
Half - awake, Zhao Luoyue asked drowsily, "Mother, why do you like sachets so much?"
"This is Mother's secret weapon. Back then, it was the sachet I made with my own hands that captivated your father's heart with its fragrance."
"Could a tiny sachet have such an effect?"
"Of course. Men, especially men as wealthy as your father, have seen countless beautiful women. To make him remember you, you have to use some tricks. Fragrance is Mother's trick. Compared to beauty and talent, fragrance is more memorable. A man may quickly forget what a woman he spent a night with looks like, but he'll always remember the fragrance of a woman he brushed past."
The Second Lady Zhao tapped Zhao Luoyue's nose and said affectionately, "Your birthday is coming soon. Mother will make you a sachet that will drive men crazy."
Zhao Luoyue blushed shyly for once: "Mother~"
Just as the mother and daughter were chatting amiably, the hasty voice of a maid came from outside the door, shattering the peaceful atmosphere in the room.
"Master, slow down."
Wasn't Master Zhao at a banquet? Why did he come back so soon?
Although she was puzzled, the Second Lady Zhao put down her work, tidied her clothes, and got up to greet him. Seeing her mother stand up, Zhao Luoyue pouted and lazily got up from the bamboo couch.
The door of the Second Lady Zhao's room was kicked open forcefully.
With a "bang", the door fell to the ground.
Behind the door stood a furious Master Zhao.
The last time Master Zhao was this angry was when he found out that Zhao Luoning had lost her virginity.
The Second Lady Zhao shivered in fear and forced a smile.
"Master... What's wrong with you?"
"What's wrong? You still ask me what's wrong? Look at the good daughter you've raised!" Master Zhao pointed at Zhao Luoyue and roared. "How could I have such a useless daughter!"
"Master, what's going on? Sit down and talk slowly. If Luoyue has really done something wrong, I, as her mother, won't let it go unpunished!"
As she stepped forward to support Master Zhao, the Second Lady Zhao discreetly grabbed a purple sachet on the table and stuffed it into her long sleeve.
The Second Lady Zhao helped Master Zhao sit down on the soft couch. Seeing Zhao Luoyue standing there, stunned, she scolded, "Luoyue, what are you standing there for? Kneel down and apologize to your father! Look how angry you've made him."
Zhao Luoyue opened her mouth, wanting to retort. But seeing Master Zhao's angry, vein - bulging face, she swallowed back the words and obediently knelt down.
Zhao Luoyue's good attitude of admitting her mistake and the Second Lady Zhao's gentle persuasion finally made Master Zhao calm down a bit.
"I was humiliated by a young man today, all because of you!" Master Zhao pointed at Zhao Luoyue, who was kneeling on the ground, filled with disappointment.
"Master, calm down. What exactly happened to make you so angry? Weren't you at the Second Young Master Ji's banquet? Why are you so angry?"
"Yes, I was at the banquet. It was a feast with a hidden agenda! I was even lectured by my own son - in - law, all because of this useless girl who publicly insulted her elder sister."
Hearing this, the Second Lady Zhao understood.
So Master Zhao was so angry because of this!
On the Qixi Festival, Zhao Luoyue was almost forcefully brought back by the Ji family. After she came back, Luoyue cried and begged her father to stand up for her.
The Second Lady Zhao knew very well that no matter how much Luoyue was favored, she was just a concubine - born daughter. A concubine - born daughter publicly defying a legitimate daughter was a disgrace to the Zhao family's reputation.
So she had managed to persuade Zhao Luoyue to calm down that day.
She had thought that as long as Luoyue didn't cause trouble, Master Zhao wouldn't find out.
But she didn't expect the Second Young Master Ji to be such a snitch.
The Second Young Master Ji's unexpected move caught the Second Lady Zhao off guard.
She had never thought that when she begged Master Zhao to attend the banquet, it would turn out to be a trap set against her.
This was like lifting a rock only to drop it on her own feet!
She couldn't just sit back and wait. She had to turn the situation around quickly!