Early summer sunlight filtered through the vermilion lacquered door rings of the Duke of Ying's Estate, casting diamond-shaped patterns of light and shadow upon the moon-white carriage curtains of Jiang Wan. As Wanqing lifted the curtain, the three characters "Shujing Garden" on the gilded plaque gleamed brilliantly in the sunlight. The Eighteen Scholars camellias planted on either side were in full bloom, each blossom glistening with morning dew and carrying an air of elegance far surpassing ordinary camellias.
"My lady, the steward of the Duke of Ying's Estate said that this is the early cherry blossom path specially reserved for you by Eldest Miss Su," Wanqing said in a soft voice, her fingertips lightly brushing the green bamboo curtains of the carriage window. "I heard that Eldest Miss Su ordinarily wouldn't even give the Crown Princess the time of day, yet she is uniquely disposed toward you..."
Jiang Wan gave a light chuckle, adjusting the mutton-fat jade hairpin in her temples. "The Duke of Ying's Estate holds the coming-of-age ceremony registries for half the noble daughters in the Capital. If Su Mingyue is willing to invite me, she merely wants to see what skills the 'di daughter who made Jiang Rou stumble' truly possesses." She gazed at the weeping begonias outside the carriage window. "Besides, her peony banquet will hardly have me as its sole guest."
Chapter 47