Spring in the Hall of Paintings

The next morning, Fucha wore a high-collared red robe with brown floral patterns, paired with a light green outer coat trimmed with black and decorated with red embroidery. Her pipa-collar was adorned with jade ornaments, and the bat-shaped hairpins on her double buns trembled slightly. Pearl tassels hung from her temples, and she wore a light touch of makeup. She appeared dignified, graceful, and exuded an air of nobility.

Fucha gently adjusted the honey-colored 18-bead bracelet on her wrist and asked, “Has Wei finished getting ready? Or is that girl once again engrossed in her book?”

“Master, the young lady has already gotten up and didn’t dare to delay,” Qi Mama said, but before she could finish, the sound of a curtain being lifted was heard. Fucha turned her head to look, and a red figure, light and graceful like a cloud drifting down from the sky, entered.

Yun Wei wore a pearl-red embroidered cheongsam with a slanted collar, featuring intricate patterns around the neck and cuffs. The hem of the skirt was decorated with embroidered red lotuses in full bloom, which complemented Yun Wei’s delicate features, making her seem even more ethereal. A single beggar’s headpin was worn slantingly, with a fresh-style begonia silk flower, its center adorned with a sparkling gem, alongside a red jade clasp holding the hairpin. The soft glow of the aquamarine earrings almost touched her shoulders, their gentle sound mingling with the pearl tassels.

Qi Mama clicked her tongue twice, rubbed her eyes as if not recognizing her, and praised, “Our young lady really is growing up beautifully. Madam, I’ve seen many families, but I’ve never seen a young lady as beautiful as our young lady.”

Fucha waved her hand to Yun Wei. Her daughter’s appearance was beyond her expectations. She had always thought Yun Wei was quite beautiful, but in this outfit, she looked like a fairy from a painting. Her clear, bright eyes sparkled with light, and Yun Wei seemed like a delicate stream, gently winding its way into others’ hearts, making it impossible to look away.

“Mother, do I look wrong?” Yun Wei stood in front of Fucha, pouting slightly. “I think I look very pretty.”

Fucha’s fingers lightly traced Yun Wei’s baby fat on her chin. If that were gone, and she grew a couple more years, how beautiful would she become? Yun Wei was a candidate for the imperial selection, and with this appearance, no matter how strong the schemes, she wouldn’t be able to remain. If she were to enter the most respected palace in the world, how could Fucha bear to part with her? The phrase “beauty brings misfortune” once again surfaced in Fucha’s mind.

Fucha moved her lips and saw Yun Wei’s innocent, carefree look. She would talk to her in detail once they went to the Fucha residence. Being beautiful wasn’t a fault, but one had to learn to control it—knowing when to hide one’s beauty modestly, like a shy blossom, and when to let it bloom freely, like a peony. It was an art.

“Yesterday, I carefully looked at Fourth Sister; she’s very beautiful, and her complexion is also very good.”

Qi Mama said, “I’ve heard that Fourth Miss has many beauty maintenance methods. Her cosmetics are different from those outside.”

“Oh?” Fucha raised her eyebrows with interest, picking a pearl-embedded bracelet from the jewelry box and putting it on Yun Wei’s delicate wrist. Her skin, as white and smooth as a baby’s, made Fucha very pleased. She said, “Is it better than what I’ve prepared for Yun Wei since she was young?”

Yun Wei glanced at Qi Mama and silently signaled her not to say too much. Since she was young, she had been constantly maintaining her health with medicine and skincare, internally and externally, which was why her skin now resembled snow. If she got hold of a formula, who could guarantee her mother wouldn’t use it on herself? She spoke in a formal tone, but her voice was sweet: “A woman’s beauty is secondary.”

Fucha gave Yun Wei a sidelong glance and nodded to Qi Mama. “You may continue.”

Qi Mama briefly explained Yun Lan’s skincare methods, but not in great detail. One reason was that Yun Lan didn’t want to stand out too much, and another was that the methods were derived from modern skincare techniques that people of the ancient times might not understand.

“I noticed that Third Sister-in-law’s complexion has improved a bit, so it seems the methods are effective.”

Fucha furrowed her brows. It was true that the complexion of the third wife, Lady Guoluo, had recently improved significantly. The wrinkles had become much lighter, and it turned out that Yun Lan had provided her with the formula.

“Third Madam’s affairs have been going smoothly, and she has taken care of the little troublemaker who was causing problems for Third Master. Naturally, her complexion improved. Yun Lan had a part in this…”

Yun Wei perked up her ears, intrigued. She vaguely remembered hearing something about how, recently, her third uncle had been favoring a maid. The maid was well-groomed, gentle and lovely, literate, and quite capable. After receiving his favor for over a month, she became pregnant, and it was planned that she would be made a concubine. However, a few days ago, it was said that the maid had suffered a miscarriage of a male fetus. Miscarriage was the most physically harmful, and the maid had cried bitterly, weakening her body. Rongzhi had lost interest in her after that, and his affection for her had faded.

Qi Mama was stopped from continuing by a look from Fucha. Yun Wei was growing more and more curious, and in a sweet voice, she asked, “Qi Mama, what does Fourth Sister have to do with all this?”

Fucha shook her wrist and sighed. “Lan girl’s methods nearly fooled me too. How could she look like a ten-year-old girl? The ruthlessness of her methods, the innocence on her face—it’s truly unimaginable. She knows when to yield and when to push forward. No wonder she’s so bold, wanting to enter Fourth Prince’s residence.”

“Lan girl did this for Third Madam’s sake.”

Fucha revealed a faint sneer and said coldly, “Such lowly methods—true skill is not like this. Anyone with a sharp eye can see through it. Do you think the old lady is unaware? We won’t speak of that girl for now, but the one in her womb carries the bloodline of the Tong family. This disrupts the family order. Not long ago, the old lady didn’t show Third Sister-in-law any favor. How can she control her husband and indulge her daughter in using such lowly tricks? If it were me, I would be too ashamed to bear it.”

“Mother, is it Fourth Sister?” Yun Wei asked, grabbing Fucha’s hand. “Is it Fourth Sister’s filial piety towards Third Aunt?”

“Yun Wei,” Fucha looked her daughter in the eye, pressing firmly on her shoulder. She spoke seriously, “I will teach you all of this in the future. For now, just remember one thing: the most important thing is where your husband’s heart lies. Use countless threads of affection to tie him to you, making sure he has no thoughts for anyone else. This way, you will remain in a position of strength. And another thing: don’t treat everyone as fools. There is no wall that does not leak.”

“Yes, Mother, I understand,” Yun Wei said, furrowing her delicate brows.

Fucha softened her expression and spoke in a gentler tone, “Although a woman’s appearance comes second, men are always fond of beauty. Yun Wei, you were born with good looks, so don’t neglect your upkeep. Hold tightly to your husband’s heart, and beauty is indispensable.”

“I’ll personally inquire and make sure to get Fourth Miss’s formula…”

“No need for that. If you secretly inquire and find out too much or too little, it might backfire. This matter, I will ask directly in front of the old lady. I’ll ask openly and generously so that Third Sister-in-law won’t hide anything.”

Yun Wei tilted her small face up, looking at her mother with admiration. Fucha smiled, then took Yun Wei’s hand and led her out to a carriage covered with blue floral cloth. She lowered her voice and said, “Yun Wei, remember, even when you’re trying to get information, timing and occasion matter. Your Third Aunt isn’t a bad person. She’s sharp, but she likes to hear flattery, so…”

Yun Wei snuggled up to Fucha inside the carriage and continued, “When asking Third Aunt about the formula, we should say plenty of good things. In front of Grandmother, even if Third Aunt is unwilling, she’ll speak the truth for the sake of the family. She might even give us personal advice. The only thing we need to be careful of is if we make a mistake. If something goes wrong, she won’t look good in front of Grandmother.”

Fucha nodded in approval, slowly closing her eyes. Yun Wei had grown up.