Love at First Sight Chapter 14 Three Women, One Stage

Tian the Lady and Li the Lady sat upright in the front hall, both waiting for Wen Yueqing to come down. They had interacted before, but hardly exchanged more than a few words. After all, their natures were different and they could never quite see eye to eye.

After waiting for nearly half an hour, Li the Lady grew restless. “Tian, my dear, see? Didn’t I say so? Even the maids don’t bother to show us any respect.”

“Don’t fret, sister. Perhaps Miss Wen isn’t feeling well,” Tian the Lady paused. “If you don’t wish to wait, maybe we should leave and come another day.”

“No, I’m not leaving. I’ll wait here today. I don’t believe she’ll stay upstairs all day,” Li the Lady shifted her shoulders and sat up even straighter.

“She should be down soon,” Tian the Lady thought to herself, secretly pleased. She wondered if there had been some dispute between these two before—why was Li the Lady so set against her? It seemed she had even more reason to befriend Wen Yueqing.

“You’ve waited long, ladies.”

A clear, sweet voice rang out, and both women turned to see the young woman descending the stairs. Today, Wen Yueqing had dressed with particular care.

Tong’er had arranged her hair in a Yaotai bun, adorned with a slanting silver hairpin inlaid with pearls and filigree, and a chrysanthemum-patterned silver hair ornament that swayed with her every step. Finding it a bit plain, she had added a pale yellow silk ribbon, tying a three-dimensional bow at the base of the bun, making the whole look even more striking.

This was the best jewelry she owned—for a mere maid, after all. She’d chosen these from the jewelry storehouse on the day they distributed the monthly silver. Though only silver, the craftsmanship was exquisite, as befitted the household of a prince; every piece was made in the palace workshops. Her taste had always been impeccable, and in her previous life, she had been the designated ambassador for every major luxury brand.

Wen Yueqing wore a dress of smoky gauze scattered with floral patterns and a pale top embroidered with chrysanthemums, echoing the motif of her hair ornament. Though the fabric was only ordinary satin, she managed to wear it with the grace of haute couture. Her expression was calm as she descended the stairs, her bearing that of a true heiress.

Tian the Lady knew Wen Yueqing was the illegitimate daughter of an official family—certainly not a commoner. Seeing her in person, she couldn’t help but admire: “Such a marvelous woman, one could never tire of looking.”

Li the Lady snorted. She had always disapproved of Wen Yueqing’s airs—just a maid, yet behaving like a young mistress, clearly trying to entice the prince.

“Miss Wen, you’re finally down. Tell me, is this how you usually serve His Highness? Do you even know what time it is now?”

Wen Yueqing glanced at her and gave a perfunctory smile. “Yes, my waking hours are rather unpredictable. Honestly, I don’t think it’s ideal either,” she said, her red lips parting. “But yesterday, His Highness said I could have today off. In fact, he said I could rest whenever I wished.”

“Don’t think His Highness favors you so much. No matter what, you’re still just a maid,” Li the Lady replied, unable to accept how indulgent the prince was toward her.

“Yes, I am a maid. And you, a dignified Lady, have truly lowered yourself to come here,” Wen Yueqing answered evenly. “I think it would be best if you didn’t come again—this place really doesn’t suit you.”

Li the Lady’s face flushed scarlet with indignation, knowing she’d lost the exchange yet again.

Tian the Lady quickly stepped in to smooth things over. “Now, now, what’s this talk about suitability? We’re all in the same household and of similar age—there’s no harm in being companions and chatting from time to time.”

She pulled Li the Lady down to sit beside her and addressed Wen Yueqing, “I invited Sister Li to come with me today. She’s just straightforward in her speech. Once you get to know her, you’ll understand.”

“And you must be Tian the Lady. Forgive my rudeness at our first meeting,” Wen Yueqing replied with a faint smile. This woman was not simple; if they wanted to keep up appearances, she would play along.

“Yes, that’s me. I heard you were frightened last night, so I brought you some bird’s nest to calm your nerves,” Tian the Lady said, passing over the carefully wrapped gift.

“So that’s it! Tian came to show off her treasures. I doubt Miss Wen will care for it,” Li the Lady muttered, still holding a grudge.

Wen Yueqing ignored her entirely, pretending not to hear. Tian the Lady’s goodwill was obvious, but Wen Yueqing had no intention of making herself the center of attention. Suddenly, an idea occurred to her—why not let these two fight among themselves?

“Thank you for such a fine gift,” Wen Yueqing said, feigning delight.

“There’s no need to be so polite. By the way, how old are you, Miss Wen?” Tian the Lady relaxed, seeing her gift accepted—she had worried the maid might not appreciate it.

“I’m fifteen.”

“Oh, I’m sixteen, so I can call you ‘little sister.’ And Sister Li here is seventeen. See? We’re all about the same age,” Tian the Lady tried to lighten the mood.

“No need. Please, don’t call me sister—I couldn’t bear it,” Li the Lady cut in, unwilling to play along. She actually looked down on Tian the Lady, thinking her self-effacing manner disgraceful.

“Well, since you’re in such high spirits, Tian, and I’ve nothing better to do, why don’t I share some of His Highness’s preferences with you both?”

At the prospect of learning more about the prince, both women were delighted. They had spent less time with him than Wen Yueqing, after all.

“Oh, that would be wonderful! Please, enlighten us,” Tian the Lady said eagerly.

Li the Lady, though silent, leaned in, determined not to miss a word.

“Let me think. Our prince enjoys meatballs, especially beef ones,” Wen Yueqing said, recalling Prince Zun You’s habits.

“He likes to paint, particularly portraits—and most of all, beauties.”

“Is that so? The prince likes portraits?” Tian the Lady was pleased; she could paint, and would now practice portraiture diligently. “Anything else?”

“He also enjoys music and songs, especially those that are gentle and tender.”

Hearing this, Li the Lady was secretly delighted. She wasn’t skilled at painting, but she could sing. She would learn more beautiful songs to serenade the prince.

Seeing their happy faces, Wen Yueqing knew she’d made the right choice. By feeding them a few hints, she could send them off to study and compete for favor, leaving her in peace and out of the spotlight—a carefree existence. The only one to pity was Prince Zun You, who had unwittingly become a tool in their schemes.

Wen Yueqing went on, “He also enjoys moon-viewing. If you can compose a few poems for him, all the better—he loves to recite poetry.”

“How refined His Highness is,” Tian the Lady said, cheeks flushing with shyness. To view the moon and recite poetry with the prince would be bliss indeed.

“And also...” Wen Yueqing was about to continue, when suddenly a maid could be heard outside announcing, “Greetings to His Highness!”

The three women quickly rose and hurried outside to greet him, all wondering in their hearts, “Why has His Highness come here?”