Chapter 25 – Disgrace (1)
Ye Zhen was not ugly, but she had a darker complexion compared to the women in the capital. Still, among the girls of the Lu family, she was the one with the most beautiful facial features.
It was a pity though that aside from her dark skin, she was also thin from her illness making her look fragile and unhealthy. Fortunately, she had a pair of captivating, bright eyes that made her look more lively.
Old Madam Lu smiled with pride at Madam Chen’s words. “Our girl is quite good. Yao Yao has just returned from the border town, but she has already become a student of no other than Mister Shan!”
Madam Chen actually looked down upon the Lu family’s kind. Old Madam Lu, for example, wished everyone knew that her family is of royalty thus, he only wore things of luxury. All day long, she wanted to be thought of as at par with the famous families in the capital, but she didn’t know that everyone else was mocking them secretly in the inside.
But who would have thought that Lu Family would raise a *high-ranking imperial concubine, and Lu Lingzhi also became the most valued courtiers of the new emperor?
*w.a.n.g Fei – High ranking Imperial concubine
At a young age, Lu Lingzhi became the a.s.sistant minister of the Ministry of War, and there were talks circulating that he would become a minister in two years time.
Ye Zhen didn’t expect Old Madam Lu to show her off as her granddaughter so bluntly. Her cheeks were slightly hot from the attention, but she still smiled and held her hand.
On the other hand, Mister Shan spared Ye Zhen a light look, appreciating her calm and somewhat natural reaction.
When they went inside, a line of people greeted them simultaneously as they pa.s.sed. When they made their way towards the garden, the rich fragrance of flowers filled the air and greeted them delightfully.
In the sea of flowers in front of them, there were two or three groups of beautifully dressed guests. And in the open s.p.a.ce, a bamboo shed was set up, and under it was a banquet table filled with various fruits and wine.
Old Madam Lu’s appearance, however, quieted the crowd around them.
Soon, a young woman in bright clothes came up and said, “Old Madam Lu, you are finally here! Madam Wu has been talking about you for a long time, and she also said that if you didn’t come today, she will have to go to your home to fetch you herself!”
“Madam Wu should not play jokes on me, an Old Madam! How dare come I not to the flower appreciation party held by Madam Wu this year?”
Every year, there are different contractors for the Flower Show, all of whom are chosen by the Empress herself.
This year, however, the Palace has no Empress, and the person in charge of the harem is of course, Imperial concubine Lu Wushuang.
Who knows when the w.a.n.g Fei would be appointed as the empress in the future? Ye Zhen understood that this was the reason why no one wanted to offend the Lu family.
In fact, everyone seemed to strive to be on their good side, even the previous friends of the Ye.
Ye Zhen tailed Old Madam Lu, and silently asked to excuse herself from the party, she then went elsewhere, alone.
The ladies under the bamboo shed saw Old Madam Lu and got up one after another to greet her.
Ye Zhen looked at this scene, and her heart ached. When did these aristocratic women in the capital felt the need to bow before her like this? Just because Lu Family has made a contribution to the imperial palace and had Lu Wushuang become the imperial concubine, they seemed to have forgotten the Ye family!
Looking at the Old Madam Lu’s face, Ye Zhen noted that the former couldn’t hide her satisfied smile as she exchanged greetings with everyone, Ye Zhen was sad, for herself, and also for the family she would never be with again.
However, Ye Zhen admits to herself that Lu Family has had more vision than most people. For who would have thought that the unpredictable Prince of Qin dynasty had the ability to rebel and usurp the throne!
Second and Fourth Miss Lu exchanged glances when they saw so many distinguished ladies present. They both saw the excitement in each other’s eyes at the scene unfolding before them.
They took a step forward and squeezed their way through, pus.h.i.+ng Ye Zhen aside in the process.
Seeing her granddaughters, Old Madam Lu said with a proud smile, “These are my granddaughters. Pay your respects ladies, quickly!”
“Greetings to the ladies.” Both of them said with gentle and sweet smiles on their faces, the two of them tried to present their best faces to the public.
Ye Zhen followed in paying her respects, although she stood silently behind them and did not speak a word.
“These are your granddaughters? They are indeed beautiful just like w.a.n.g Fei Lu! As expected of your granddaughters, for where else would they go but high places?” Madam Wu said with a smile.
“They have not reached far, as compared to my dear Lu Wushuang who is already at a high place.” Old Madam Lu replied, for she sensed it was appropriate to appear modest at times.
Old Madam Wu’s eyes fell behind old Madam Lu and settled on Ye Zhen’s face, the former’s eyes widened in surprise before she uttered,
“This girl, it seems, I haven’t seen her before!”