Tailoring Clothes

No matter what storms arose in Dingjing City or how undercurrents surged, the surface always appeared peaceful. The annual Chrysanthemum Banquet was approaching.

Since Guangwen Hall's examination coincided closely with the banquet, they decided to combine them.

Unlike previous years, the verify became a grand event in public, a feast for noble families.

Early in the morning, Madam Ye sent her senior maid, Xi'er, to the West Courtyard. She said tailors were coming to make clothes for the Chrysanthemum Banquet and asked Ye Lily to pick fabrics.

Ye Lily nodded in agreement.

In past verify events, Ye Lily wore whatever she liked because she was always at the bottom. Dressing too conspicuously would only invite ridicule. But now, with the verify combined with the banquet, not making new clothes would be unacceptable.

At the Chrysanthemum Banquet, ministers and their wives gathered, mostly to look for potential brides.

Families with daughters dressed them up beautifully, hoping to catch eyes. Though Madam Ye disliked the first house, appearances mattered. Besides, Madam Ye cared only about her interests .

If she could trade Ye Lily for a beneficial marriage, she wouldn't hesitate.

Bailu seemed happy. As they walked toward Rongjing Hall, she said, "I can't believe the Chrysanthemum Banquet is here so soon. Don't you love it, Miss? You'll get to admire flowers again."

Ye Lily liked the banquet, but not for the flowers. At such gatherings, she was often isolated. Partly due to Ye Amy and Ye Cindy's scheming, partly because of her clumsy nature.

She dressed poorly, unaware of mockery.

She liked the banquet because of Xu Hao.

At last year's banquet, Xu Hao was present. That day, she was mocked and isolated. Everyone admired the brightest flowers. She wandered to a corner and spotted a white chrysanthemum.

White chrysanthemums were usually for funerals, so they weren't popular. This one looked pitiful, its petals fallen, perhaps from rain or wind. It stood alone, unnoticed.

Feeling sympathy, Ye Lily thought she and the flower were alike—lonely and ignored. Just as she sighed, she saw a finely dressed man approaching the flower.

He picked up the flower branch and gently touched the petals. Someone nearby asked, "Ninth Brother, why admire such a sad-looking flower?"

The finely dressed man smiled, "I pity its fragile loneliness ."

That sentence, "I pity its fragile loneliness," made Ye Lily develop affection for him. When he turned around, she was captivated by his handsome appearance.

Later, she learned from the ladies that he was the ninth prince, Ding Wang, Xu Hao.

Perhaps falling for someone as a youth needs no reason. Xu Hao's words were about the flower, but she felt them deeply. She thought, such a gentle person would surely cherish her like the lonely flower.

Unfortunately, she was wrong. Xu Hao pitied delicate flowers, the world, and Lady Mei, but never her. To him, everything she did was just a wife's duty. Their respectful marriage was just a performance he endured with disgust.

He didn't cherish the flower either. It was just a casual remark she took to heart.

"Miss?" Lost in thought, she hadn't realized they'd reached Rongjing Hall. Bailu reminded her. Ye Lily followed Xi'er inside.

Ye Yuanbai wasn't there today. Madam Ye wore a pale green embroidered robe. At her age, wearing such bright colors made her look ghostly. But she didn't notice.

Ye Amy and Ye Cindy stood beside their mothers. The second house had two concubine-born daughters, but Ren Wanyun was too domineering.

Such banquets never allowed concubine-born daughters to steal the spotlight.

The third house, apart from Chen Ruoqiu, had only one low-ranking concubine. Forget concubine-born sons and daughters.

Thus, only the legitimate daughters received invitations to the flower banquet.

Ye Lily greeted Madam Ye. Ren Wanyun smiled at her, "Little Five is here. Come pick fabrics. Liniang will measure you soon."

Ye Cindy giggled, "My sister and I have already chosen. We were waiting for you."

It was Xi'er's fault for being late, but it seemed like Ye Lily's. She ignored their teasing and walked to the fabrics spread on the soft couch.

Liniang was a thirty-something woman. Every year, the Ye family bought new clothes from her shop. She had learned embroidery from palace ladies-in-waiting and made beautiful clothes.

Five or six bolts of fabric lay before them. A begonia-colored one and a smoky pink one had been set aside—already chosen by Ye Cindy and Ye Amy.

The memories of her past life were vivid. At that banquet, Ye Cindy wore a begonia-colored dress, appearing warm and generous, highlighting her beauty. Ye Amy wore a bright pink dress with white pear blossoms, looking soft and pure.

Ye Lily wore light yellow, with gold accessories given by Madam Ye, looking like a joke without realizing it.

That light yellow fabric was picked under her aunt and sister's encouragement.

Ye Amy smiled, "Fifth Sister has fair skin. Why not choose the light yellow? It'll look lively and cute, very suitable."

Ye Cindy nodded, "Exactly. Looking at the remaining fabrics, light yellow suits Fifth Sister best."

Chen Ruoqiu smiled silently. Ren Wanyun's eyes showed a hint of sarcasm.

Ye Lily didn't know how to pick clothes.

Her mother was rarely home. Without a mother, a child naturally lacked advantages. The others in the Ye family all had hidden motives. No one sincerely taught her how to coordinate.

Over time, Ye Lily just followed Ye Cindy and Ye Amy. Whatever they said, she chose.

For example, the light yellow fabric suited her skin tone but made her look childish and cheap. Combined with those gold accessories, she looked like a landlord's daughter.

Gu Yu and the others wanted her to get rid of those accessories, but she stubbornly refused, rushing to embarrass herself.

How laughable.