Chapter 55: Second Younger Sister

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Later that day, when the sun was in the west, it was time for the daughters of the Jiang fu to leave for the Lantern Festival.

The rest of the Jiang fu would also go with them, but they would not board the Ling Long Boat; they would admire the entire capital's lanterns from the restaurant on the shore.

The coachman was at the entrance early. Jiang Nancy took the lead and got into the carriage, calling out to Jiang Lisa and the others to follow her. Jiang Yeri and Jiang Tzuyu were in the same carriage as Jiang Lisa and Jiang Nancy. Several of the Jiang fu's bodyguards also accompanied them to the banks of Yongding River, where the Ling Long Boat had been moored earlier on.

Although it was said that the Ling Long Boat was spontaneously organised by the capital's noble ladies, the truth was that the yearly expenses were borne by the palace. Not by the Empress, however, but by the currently favoured and untouchable[1]Shu Fei Niang Niang[2], the birth mother of the Eighth Prince. Shu Fei received the Emperor's unstinting favour and regard, and her status in the palace was such that even the Empress feared crossing her to some degree. Her own family was rich and arrogant, and she magnanimously covered the expenses of the Ling Long Boat as well as the Qing Song Boat during the annual Lantern Festival, for the silver ingots concerned were but a pittance. She said she was merely seeking excitement, though it was impossible to discern if she had a deeper intent.

[1] Zhi shou ke re ( 炙手可热 ) - lit. burn your hand, feel the heat; fig. a mighty figure no one dares to approach.

[2] Shu fei niang niang ( 淑妃娘娘 ) - the 'Decent Consort', possibly the highest ranking Imperial Concubine (status depends on which dynasty the story is set in). More info .

The carriage moved slowly along the capital's roads. As Jiang Yeri and Jiang Tzuyu were shu daughters, this was the first time they were participating in the Lantern Festival. Jiang Tzuyu timidly looked down without speaking. Jiang Yeri's expression betrayed her impatience; if she were not so apprehensive about how Jiang Lisa and Jiang Nancy would react, she would have already pulled aside the curtains and stuck her head out for a look.

Jiang Lisa had closed her eyes to compose herself when she suddenly heard Jiang Nancy asking, "What talent will Da Jiejie present?"

Just as expected. Jiang Lisa laughed grimly to herself, but her voice took on a tone of astonishment as she looked up and said, "I have nothing to display. Why would Second Younger Sister ask this question?"

"Da Jiejie does not need to be so humble." Pretending to be angry, Jiang Nancy said, "Is it possible that you are still shy when we are all sisters from the same family? Perhaps Da Jiejie is not aware, every year, on the Ling Long Boat during the Lantern Festival, the daughters from each family will all put on a display their talents to determine who the best is, and the person who wins will be awarded the most beautiful lantern on the boat."

Jiang Lisa lowered her head and muttered, almost to herself, "That really sounds interesting, but I truly won't be able to participate."

"How is this possible?" Jiang Nancy said, "When Da Niang (Jiang lis's mother) was around, whether it was the zither, chess, calligraphy or painting[3], she was proficient in all of the four arts. Thus, I cannot believe that you were not taught anything about them at all." Her tone was innocent, for all the world like a frank and sincere young lady, so that no one could possibly take offence to her words. When Zhao Mei first came to the Jiang fu, everyone recognised that she was a well-respected daughter born into a military family, but who was willing to be trained in the four arts for the sake of Jiang Quan. Yet, she did not receive his favour. Moreover, her level of achievement in those genteel skills, she did force herself to learn for Jiang Quan's sake seemed puerile, like that of a little girl who has just learned how to write, in comparison with those of the foremost talent in the capital. Jiang Quan greatly preferred Xia Yan and had her accompany him whenever the occasion allowed it, so her grace increasingly contrasted with her crudeness. At least, this was how it was perceived in the eyes of the general population.

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