Morning dew dripped from the tiles of the Marquis's Mansion, splashing into tiny droplets against the stone steps. Jiang Wan leaned against the veranda, a book in hand, though her gaze strayed from time to time toward the group of noble young ladies laughing as they walked by in the distance. Ever since she had made a name for herself at the poetry gathering, many had taken the initiative to befriend her, yet half of these young ladies still maintained a detached, aloof attitude.
"Miss, a card has been delivered from the Duke of Zhen’s Mansion," Qiaoyun said, trotting over with a gold-traced invitation. "They say they are inviting you to watch a play tomorrow."
Jiang Wan took the invitation and traced the gilded patterns with her fingers. Suddenly, she noticed a few lines of small text in the corner: "Princess Jianing is also invited to attend." Her fingertips paused. She recalled the rumors circulating among the noble circles: this princess, personally titled by the Emperor and emboldened by her mother's favor, ran rampant in the Capital. It was not uncommon to hear of her forcibly seizing shops reserved by others or tearing up the poems of noble ladies in public.
Chapter 57