Handsome Fairness

The invitation wasn't intended for Handsome Fairness Chen, and there had been no prior interaction between them. Suddenly, Chen appeared out of nowhere, surprising Beauty Liang. Instinctively, she turned to look at Lady Li, who also appeared taken aback.

Everyone in the room rose to greet Chen, who had already arrived at the door with her arm held by a palace maid when stepping inside.

"I'm sorry for coming uninvited. I hope you don't mind, sisters." The voice was high-pitched and sweet, with a hint of coquettishness. With her carefree charm, she immediately seized the spotlight and commanded attention, making everyone in the room take notice.

The only person who knew her in person was Lady Li. The others had never met her before.

“Jiejie, you flatter us with your visit. Your presence enhances the beauty of these flowers," said Beauty Liang, trying her best to be a gracious host.

"Oh, stop it. We are all sisters. There is no need to talk about respect or disrespect." Chen stood by the door, blocking half of the light from outside.

Xie Ning had never seen Handsome Fairness Chen before, but the moment she caught sight of her, one word popped up in her mind -

Dazzling!

Chen was dressed in a palace costume of blue silk embroidered with rosy flowers, the two colours mingling together in a way that made one feel dizzy. Her hair was pinned high, adorned with a red and gold layered flower hairpin, and on each side, she wore a pair of phoenix-shaped hair ornaments with pearl pendants. The tassels hanging from the mouths of the phoenixes were at least one foot long and swayed unsteadily as she walked, making Xie Ning worry about her delicate neck under the weight of the heavy hair and jewellery.

Her makeup was also striking: her eyebrows were drawn thin as peach branches, sharp at the ends like unsheathed blades; her lips were painted pure red, beautiful but giving a sense of sharpness and aggression.

Beauty Liang felt a sense of unease. As the host, she had to be attentive and courteous. She couldn't afford to be negligent.

"Please have a seat, Handsome Fairness Jiejie," said Liang, who was puzzled by Chen’s sudden appearance. She had not invited her, but that was because she knew the gap between their status was too great, and Chen, as a Handsome Fairness, was way out of her league. Would Chen, on the other hand, believe that Liang was being deliberately negligent and undervaluing her?

"Is this the flower we are admiring today?" Handsome Fairness Chen circled around the low table, her dress trailing behind her, requiring the maids to squat down and lift her skirt every time she turned a corner. Such extravagance was rare, even though Lady Li of Bright Countenance had also arrived late, she had not been waited upon like this.

Beauty Liang was unsure of Handsome Fairness Chen's intentions and carefully replied, "Although these flowers are not very valuable, it is rare to see them bloom so vibrantly at this time of year. That's why I invited my sisters to appreciate them together. We are delighted that Handsome Fairness can join us today. It was not in vain for these flowers to bloom this season."

Chen glanced at her and let out a crisp laugh. "You're quite articulate. No wonder the emperor granted you the title of Beauty." She lifted her head and scanned the faces of the few people present. "Which one of you is Lady Xie of Talents?"

Qinghe's heart skipped a beat, and everyone's gaze instinctively fell on Xie Ning.

Chen smiled and asked, "Is it you?"

Xie Ning could only reply, "Yes."

Chen slowly approached and stopped in front of her.

"I've heard about you for a long time, but it's my first time seeing you in person. You're really quite beautiful," Chen said with a smirk.

What could Xie Ning say? It was clear that this was a backhanded compliment, not a genuine praise.

"Handsome Fairness Jiejie is too kind with her praise, I'm not worthy of it,"

"Why not? I think you are very worthy, maybe too much," Chen had only a few years' seniority over them, but when she spoke, she had an air of superiority that made people uncomfortable.

"Before I arrived, you all had already enjoyed these flowers, right? Which one does Lady of Talents prefer?" Chen's words made it clear that she wasn't here to appreciate the flowers.

Xie Ning remained calm and pointed to the flower in front of her. "I think this white one is elegant and unique," she said.

"Oh," Chen glanced at it and shook her head. "It's not that great, at best it possesses the kind of beauty that is delicate and refined, like a girl from an ordinary family."

Qinghe found the comment quite jarring. Was she talking about the flower or the person?

But Chen was a Handsome Fairness, several levels higher than Lady of Talents. Besides, if they were to take her insults seriously, there would be no end to the argument over who was right or wrong.

Handsome Fairness Chen took a step forward, looking at the tea flower closest to the right, the one with dual-colored petals.

"This one is somewhat interesting; I wonder how the gardener managed to cultivate it." She reached out and plucked the best-blossomed flower, putting it close to her nose to smell. Then she turned and beckoned Xie Ning over with a light and easy gesture, as if calling a pet.

“Come here.”

No one else spoke.

Lady Liu of Talents and the others had no qualifications to speak, while Lady Li of Bright Countenance stood there watching, as if she were an uninvolved bystander, without any intention of speaking up.

Xie Ning took a step forward with great aplomb.

Handsome Fairness Chen looked at her, her lips slightly curved upward, and she lifted her hand to place the flower in Xie Ning's hair.

"A famous flower should be paired with a woman of equal beauty," she said, turning to ask, "Do you think it looks good?"

Before anyone could answer, Chen shook her head. "Not suitable. They say people are more charming than flowers, but this looks like the flower is pressing down on the person."

She reached out and casually plucked the flower from Xie Ning's hair, carelessly throwing it to the ground and crushing it underfoot. "It's better not to wear it at all, so as not to ruin the flower."

This disdainful and arrogant behaviour left Lady Liu and the others stunned. It wasn't the flower she was stepping on, but Lady Xie's dignity.

Lady Li of Bright Countenance made it clear she wanted to stay out of it, while Beauty Liang was both embarrassed and anxious.

These were her guests and this incident occurred under her watch. Though Xie Ning couldn't handle Chen, she could hold a grudge against her.

But if she spoke out now, no matter what she said, she would offend one side. Standing with Chen meant offending Xie Ning, but standing with Xie Ning? What weight did Xie Ning have in front of Chen? Liang didn't want to offend Chen either.

All eyes were on Xie Ning.

Xie Ning seemed not to have caught the implication of Chen's words. She bent down to pick up the trampled flower and said,

"Handsome Fairness Jiejie is right. If a person can't match up to the beauty of the flower, they can only resort to ruin the flower instead,"

Her tone was even, and her attitude was neither subservient nor overbearing.

Xie Ning was slender, while Chen was shorter, even with the high hair bun on her head. To the bystanders, Chen was clearly domineering and arrogant, but in terms of aura, she seemed to be suppressed by Xie.

Chen was taken aback by her response and raised her voice to question her: "Who do you say ruined the flower?"

Xie Ning placed the trampled flower in her hand: "Sisters all saw it. Who ruined the flower needs not be said."