Chapter Twelve: Dressing Up

  A new week has begun, seeking everyone's recommendation votes ~ O (∩ _ ∩) O ~

  Guan Tong was a painter of the Five Dynasties period. The painting's mounting has slightly yellowed, obviously having been done for many years already.

  Then, what dynasty will it be at this time?

  Is it the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period of constant war? Or is it the Northern Song which unified the whole country?

  Ye Qinglan thought for a moment and came to a conclusion. Although she had only been here for a short time and hadn't left the house, not knowing what the world outside was like, the people around her were all calm and peaceful. On the way back to Beijing, what she saw was even more a scene of peace. It's absolutely impossible that it's the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period with continuous war fires.

  It should be around the early Northern Song Dynasty.

  Thinking of this, Ye Qinglan felt slightly relieved in her heart.

  Although the Northern Song Dynasty had several incompetent emperors, it was still relatively prosperous in its early stages. The capital city of Bianjing, also known as Kaifeng later on, was a renowned ancient capital that had been the seat of ten dynasties. The economy was thriving, and culture, science, technology, and politics were all advanced. Although not as great as the Tang Dynasty at its peak, it was still one of the more stable and prosperous dynasties in ancient times.

  It's fortunate to be able to live in such an era, and it's not a waste of time to have crossed over.

  In the blank space of Ye Qinglan's wandering thoughts, the crowd's pleasantries temporarily came to an end. Ye Chengli led his wives and children to bid farewell and returned to He Fengyuan.

  The maidservants were busy collecting and arranging the luggage in the house, each one busily engaged.

  Ye Qinglan was also not idle, wandering alone in He Fengyuan.

  This courtyard is by no means small. The main house alone has five rooms, plus several side houses and guest houses, and more than a dozen servant houses, which should be enough to live in.

  Ke Ye Qingfu's complaining voice came out clearly from the house: "This palm-sized place, where can it accommodate so many people? I don't want to live in such a crowded place. Mother, go and tell grandma that I want to live in a separate courtyard..."

  It's no wonder Ye Qingfu would say that.

  Although the Ye Mansion in Zhengzhou is far inferior to the old mansion in Beijing, there are only a few masters and each person has their own separate residence. Returning to Beijing, but having so many people squeezed into one courtyard, it's really not used to.

  Xue pressed down on her temper and coaxed, "Fu'er, don't make a fuss. We'll stay here for at most ten days to half a month, then we have to go back to Zhengzhou. Endure it a bit and it will pass."

  The Chang and Fang families live together in two houses with a large population. It is naturally impossible for everyone to have their own separate residence.

  Ye Qingfu has always been arrogant and self-willed, how could she listen to these words? She continued to make a fuss: "I don't want to go back to that ghost place Zhengzhou. I want to stay in the capital! Sixth sister can live alone in the huge Ringui Pavilion, why can't I even have a separate courtyard?"

  It's really not Ye Qinglan wanting to eavesdrop. It's just that Ye Qingfu's voice is too loud, and it can be heard from so far away.

  Ye Qinglan didn't have a good impression of Ye Qingfu, and was too lazy to listen more. Just as she was about to turn around and leave, she heard Ye Chengli's angry voice: "Nonsense! Get back in the house right now, you're not allowed out until dinner time!"

  The tone was cold and hard, obviously having moved liver fire.

  Ye Qingfu was extremely wronged and ran out crying.

  Ye Qinglan barely dodged in time, almost getting knocked flat by Ye Qingfu. Ye Qingfu was also startled and after seeing clearly that it was Ye Qinglan, suddenly became furious and glared at Ye Qinglan with reddened eyes before turning to leave.

  Ye Qinglan's face was innocent.

  She didn't deliberately hide here to watch the excitement, did she?!

  She was disturbed by this incident and didn't have the mood to wander around, so she simply returned to her room.

  Rui Xue and Gui Yuan each held a rag, wiping everything clean. Zhou Mama was also busy, sorting out the trunks, and when she saw Ye Qinglan return, she hurriedly smiled and welcomed her: "Miss is back just in time. The family banquet is about to start soon, it's just right to take this opportunity to change into new clothes. And let Rui Xue style your hair nicely."

  Ye Qinglan smiled: "It's just a family dinner, no need to go to so much trouble!"

  "Ah, this isn't troublesome at all," said Aunt Zhou with a smile. "The young lady hasn't returned in years and it's her first formal appearance, so we must make sure everything is perfect."

  Rui Xue also smiled and echoed: "What Auntie Zhou said is right, it's time to dress up properly."

  There were several young ladies in the mansion who had not yet married.

  The sixth Miss Ye Qingning of the main house is elegant, cold and proud, with a beauty that stands out. The eighth Miss Ye Qingrou of the second house was born delicate and slender. Ye Qingfu ranks ninth in line, although not particularly outstanding, she is also a little beauty.

  Ye Qinglan, although born out of wedlock, was the tenth young mistress of the Changyuan Bo's estate. Although she fell short in many ways compared to her sisters, her looks were on par with theirs and stood out from the crowd. With just a bit of dressing up, she would surely dazzle everyone around her.

  Zhou Mama and Rui Xue were full of expectation and excitement, Ye Qinglan didn't want to disappoint them either, so she smiled and nodded.

  Mother Zhou happily went to pick out a dress.

  Ye Qinglan glanced at the peach-red long skirt and really didn't dare to compliment Zhou Mama's taste.

  She didn't say anything, and from the neatly stacked clothes, she picked out a light yellow narrow-sleeved short shirt to change into, paired with a moon-white embroidered dark patterned jacket, and wore a long skirt of a deep blue-green color. At her waist was tied a green silk sachet. On her white and delicate wrists were worn a pair of green jade bangles.

  Rui Xue thought for a moment, then helped Ye Qinglan style her hair into a simple and refreshing bun. She didn't use any shiny gold pins or jade hairpins, but instead chose a warm and smooth jade pin from the jewelry box to secure her hair in place. Two strands of hair were left loose, hanging down behind her ears to her chest.

  Standing in front of the mirror, her whole person is elegant and refined, like a delicate orchid waiting to bloom.

  Ye Qinglan smiled slightly at the beautiful girl in the mirror, her bright eyes shining with a hint of mischief.

  A young girl is good. Her eyes are black and bright, her skin is smooth as jade, she doesn't need to apply lipstick or powder, nor does she need beautiful jewelry to adorn herself.

  Zhou Mama's eyes lit up and she repeatedly said "good". Guī Yuán was even more amazed, his eyes wide with wonder.

  Miss is really beautiful! Not one bit inferior to Sixth Miss!

  Hongyu's voice sounded at the door: "Third Miss, Master and Mistress asked you to go over now." The tone was slightly more respectful than before.

  Ye Qinglan turned around.

  Hong Yu suddenly felt a bright light in front of her eyes and was stunned into speechlessness.

  Ye Qinglan didn't even give her a glance, and led Rui Xue to walk past her. As the saying goes, "first impressions are most lasting", the first impression one gives others is actually very important.

  The first time they met, Hongyu's arrogance left her with a very bad impression. So no matter how Hongyu was later, she had no good feelings towards this maid.

  Ye Chengli and Xue's family were also well-prepared. This was a family banquet, and Xue Yushu didn't have the qualifications to join in, so he sat listlessly on one side.

  Ye Yuanshou changed into a moon-white brocade robe, making him look even more handsome. His warm and smiling eyes suddenly lit up when he saw Ye Qinglan, flashing with a hint of surprise.

  Others might not have noticed, but Ye Qinglan would never misrecognize the fleeting abnormality of Ye Yuanshou, and her heart sank slightly.

  If things go on like this, it will be discovered sooner or later. If the rumors really spread, how can she stand up for herself?