A Hundred of Beautiful Lives - Chapter 009

Zhu Xianyue lifted her eyes and took a quick look at Ji Yang. She had not expected that this Princess Anle was not a mere fool but instead possessed a discerning eye. Zhu Xianyue naturally knew her shortcomings in calligraphy, which was why she had devoted herself to practising.

Off to the side, the eldest young lady, after hearing the words, could not help but gently pull Ji Yang’s sleeve, implying that if Ji Yang did not understand, she should keep silent. One must know that the reputation of the Zhù family’s talented lady was not something everyone praises without reason—she truly has genuine talent.

Being pulled like this by the eldest young lady, Ji Yang felt her face flush slightly red, somewhat embarrassed. She did not think she had said anything wrong. Even her handwriting might not necessarily be better than Zhu Xianyue’s, but her discerning eye was praised even by her mentor in the palace.

Ji Yang felt embarrassed only because she thought that, in the end, she should not let Lady Zhu lose face. Talented women sometimes could be a little petty, unable to tolerate anyone saying even half a word against their talent.

Zhu Xianyue noticed the eldest young lady’s action and was slightly stunned. It was evident that Shen Wei was reminding Anle of her best interests. But these two, according to Zhu Xianyue, knew they had just met and Anle, as a princess, held high status. For them to become so close in just half a day caused Zhu Xianyue to regard Anle even more highly.

However, Ji Yang and the eldest young lady had underestimated Zhu Xianyue’s forbearance. 

She smiled and said, “My father has also said the same, so now I still have to write three large-character calligraphy daily.”

Once Zhu Xianyue said this, Ji Yang and the eldest young lady’s hearts were relieved, knowing that she was magnanimous, getting closer to her.

Anle was naturally sociable, and she immediately picked up the conversation and said, “Fifth sister-in-law, is it okay for me to learn xiǎo kǎi from you?” Ji Yang feared that Zhu Xianyue would dislike her as a dull student and hurriedly said, “When I was in the palace, I also practised my writing.”

“If the princess is interested, I would have a companion too.” Zhu Xianyue said.

Ji Yang eagerly nodded. The eldest young lady over there had always been a gentle and quiet person, and though she had long wanted to get closer to her fifth sister-in-law, this talented woman, yet, since both were reserved, they rarely spoke much. Today, Shen Wei accompanied Ji Yang, and seeing how comfortably she spoke, she also took the opportunity through Xing’er and said, “Fifth Aunt, may I come to your place and read books too?”

In the Wei Dynasty, books were a very precious thing. If not for the scholarly family that stretched over several generations, even the rich and powerful families might not be able to have a few books in their collection. The eldest young lady loved books, and when she saw Zhu Xianyue’s box full of books, she could not take her eyes off them.

Ji Yang, however, was not interested in those complicated scriptures and history. She could quietly practice a few pieces of calligraphy that had already impressed her tutor in the palace.

Zhu Xianyue naturally agreed to the eldest young lady’s request. The three chatted back and forth, though mostly Jī Yāng spoke. Time flowed quietly like water until it was time for the evening meal.

The eldest young lady and Zhu Xianyue needed to go to Jiǔ Rú Courtyard to accompany Madam Xue to have dinner. Upon hearing they were leaving, Ji Yang stood up and said, “I will also accompany Ā Gū to have dinner.” Shen Du had already informed them that he would not return for dinner at Chóng Guāng Táng that evening.

Zhu Xianyue and the eldest young lady looked at Ji Yang in surprise. 

Traditionally, a princess expressing filial piety would not be concerned with morning and evening visits; going would only cause trouble, as the mother-in-law would have to bow to her, and ‘only if one king does not meet another king,’ is the real way to get along.

Originally, Ji Yang had thought the same before coming, but now, since she had resolved to live well with Shen Du, she could not keep acting like a princess. Though she is a princess now, her future children will be part of the Shen family and fully integrated into it. After a generation or two, no one will care that her grandchildren carry royal bl00d—they will be recognised solely as members of the Shen family.

After all, Ji Yang was different from her Imperial Mother, Su Jiang. Su Jiang lived her life under the firm belief that as long as she was doing well, others were not worth placing in her heart. But Ji Yang had a slightly broader heart—she wanted others to be well, herself, and everyone to be well.

Therefore, Ji Yang went to Jiǔ Rú Courtyard, although it would cause some trouble. Knowing that genuine relationships grow through spending time together, no one becomes close without meeting, and she did not want to be locked away in the Gongzhu Fu all day alone.

Upon arriving at Jiǔ Rú Courtyard, Madam Xue noticed Ji Yang’s arrival and furrowed her brows slightly but quickly suppressed it. Seeing Ji Yang, she was about to bow.

Ji Yang quickly stepped forward and held Lady Xue mid-air, “Ā Gū, no need to be polite.’ This time, however, Ji Yang chose not to argue with Madam Xue anymore about whether bowing would be appropriate in the future. She realised the Shěn family was somewhat old-fashioned, and it was easier to support Madam Xue each time than to debate etiquette.

When seated at the table, Madam Xue wanted to offer the seat to Ji Yang, but Ji Yang hurriedly smiled and said, “Ā Gū has just bowed to me. Now, it is time for the new wife to serve Ā Gū.” 

After saying that, Ji Yang began arranging dishes for Madam Xue. The two of them were so courteous a few times that Madam Xue had no choice but to take her seat and let Ji Yang sit down on the futon below her.

Madame Pei was also present at this time. Everyone sat in their proper order. Madam Xue usually did not have daughters-in-law serve her; eating together was just for the lively atmosphere.

At Jiǔ Rú Courtyard, the dishes rested on low tables, with everyone kneeling around the table. On the table was a basket of flatbread, soup noodles, a dish of mutton, and a wild vegetable pancake, common foods in northern households. 

Ji Yang had not expected Madame Xuē’s dinner to be so simple; even Yù Suì’er and the others in the palace ate far better.

Empress Su favoured exquisite southern cuisine, perfectly illustrating the saying, ‘One never tires of food being fine, nor meat being finely sliced’, Naturally, Ji Yang’s meals had never been lacking.

Madam Xue noticed Ji Yang’s startled expression and knew that Princess Anle was not used to such simple food. She thought to herself,

This way is also good; after tonight, perhaps Princess Anle will just no longer come to offer flattery.

In the silence, the nearby maid began to serve millet porridge to Madam Xue.

Millet was not as soft and smooth as rice, so it was a bit hard to eat, and Ji Yang had never eaten it since birth. However, when she saw Madam Xue, Madam Pei and Madam Zhu all lower their heads and begin eating, she could only follow suit.

The Shen family’s flatbread was spicy and fragrant; mixed with minced mutton, it was delicious. It was rare for a noble princess, Ji Yang to have such a calm and adaptable temperament. Eating the flatbread, she quickly finished a bowl of millet porridge and then straightened, waiting for the maid to bring more.

However, that maid lacked proper tact, so Ji Yang quietly had to order, “Serve me another bowl.”

As soon as the words fell, Madam Xue, Zhu Xianyue and the others lifted their heads and looked at Ji Yang with slight astonishment.

Ji Yang could not help but blush and looked at Shen Wei questioningly. Does the Shen family have a rule against asking for more food?

Upon noticing that she had startled Ji Yang, Madam Xue said, “The princess has quite an appetite.”

Ji Yang breathed a sigh of relief; it turned out that they were shocked by the amount of food she had eaten. She glanced at the table. Madame Xue, Madame Pei and Madame Zhu had only eaten half a bowl of rice before setting it aside, unlike her, who had eaten flatbread and even a small bowl of soup noodles and was now asking for more rice.

On the other side, the eldest young lady’s look of surprise had yet to fade. Her gaze could not help but linger on Ji Yang’s flat belly and slender waist, probably wondering how such a flat stomach could hold so much food while she restrained her eating and still had a layer of fat on her belly.

After the meal, Madame Xue habitually headed out for a walk in the garden to aid digestion and did not like anyone following her. So Madame Pei and Madame Zhu also returned to their Courtyards, and Ji Yang had to take her leave and return to the Běi Yuàn.

As Madame Xue strolled in the garden with her attendant Lián’ǎo, she could not help but sigh, “I did not expect Princess Anle to have such a temperament.”

Madame Xue was also somewhat surprised. Not only did Anle’s appearance exceed her expectations, but even her character was unexpectedly unique.

“She really has a good appetite. No wonder her complexion is so rosy and energetic,” Lián’ǎo added.

Thinking of Ji Yang’s hearty appetite, even Lady Xue, unable to hold back her laughter, “Yes. That is how you build a strong body. She may look delicate, but she is stronger than anyone inside. If only the eldest young lady could learn from her, that’d be good. A girl should be robust.”

At this time, even catching a chill from the wind could be fatal. Maintaining one’s health was the actual foundation.

“But after just a day or two, it is hard to see someone’s true character,” Madame Xuē added, her smile fading. 

No one truly believed that someone like Su Jiang could have such a good daughter. Of course, like her mother-in-law, Madame Qi, Madame Xue felt that it would actually be more reassuring if Ji Yang had just turned out to be a ‘bad shoot from a bad bamboo,’ as it would be less troublesome.

Meanwhile, Ji Yang returned to the Gongzhu Fu. She strolled in the small garden to aid digestion, and when the moon rose over the willow branches, she returned to the quiet room in the east wing to meditate. 

She practised the breathing technique that Empress Su had taught her since childhood. A stream of warmth slowly rose from her lower abdomen, spreading to her limbs. After completing a full circuit through the entire body, she felt like she had bathed in a spring breeze.

Then, Ji Yang made her way to the open space that Yù Suì’er had found for her during the daytime and began to practice dancing. 

In these times, the daughters of a respectable family must learn the Six Arts: poetry, calligraphy, etiquette, music, archery, and chariot-driving. Luoyang even had an exceptional academy for women that taught young ladies. 

Although Ji Yang had not entered such an academy, Empress Su had, for her sake, invited every great master of the six arts under the sun.

As for the dance, it was considered one of the refined talents of a young lady, not to entertain others but to delight oneself. At banquets, hosts and guests were obliged to dance to the music. If one dances too poorly, they are likely to be criticised.

In the South, the famous Wen Ji of the great families, a single dance amazed all under heaven and deeply won the respect of all the people in the world. Therefore, in this era, as long as you have talent, you will always be able to shine with brilliance.

However, Ji Yang practised dance to maintain her body. She has a greedy nature and likes all kinds of dance. Lately, she became obsessed with Hú Xuǎn Wǔ and could twirl dozens of times without stopping—a truly breathtaking sight.

After dancing for half an hour, Ji Yang stopped, and with Yù Suì’er and Lù Zhū’er attending her, she went to the cleansing room to wash and bathe. When she came out, seeing that Shen Du still had not returned, Ji Yang inevitably sat cross-legged on the couch again, resuming her breathing practice. Only when she heard movement did she lower her legs.

Shen Du walked in and saw Ji Yang standing by the couch waiting for him, “It is so late—why are you not asleep yet?”

In truth, both knew very well that Ji Yang was waiting for him. Though they were newlyweds and had shared such intimate closeness the night before, they were still somewhat unfamiliar and thus had such polite, almost perfunctory questions.

According to common sense, Ji Yang should have just casually come up with an excuse to brush it off—like saying she ate too much at night and was afraid of indigestion, so she did not sleep, or that she was feeling melancholic in autumn and sentimental in spring, and thus could not sleep because she missed home. As for the real reason, everyone understood it deep in their hearts, and that was good enough.

However, what came out of Ji Yang’s mouth was, “I was waiting for you, Fùmǎ ah~~”

[T/N: If you’re already familiar or prefer not to know, feel free to skip to the next chapter.

Meaning– Hú Xuǎn Wǔ (Whirling Dance of the Western Regions)].