"Zhou Yao, this is my friend, so watch your attitude when you speak, otherwise get lost," Qin Chuqin said angrily to Zhou Yao.
Seeing her sister-in-law directly rebuking her in front of an outsider without giving her any face, she said angrily: "What are you arrogant about? If it weren't for my mother insisting I come to the banquet, do you think I'd be willing to sit with you? Hmph."
Seeing the two sisters-in-law fighting because of her, Gong Xiaohua felt she could no longer sit there either.
"Madam Zhou, I think I'll take my leave first." She said, preparing to stand up.
Qin Chuqin quickly pressed her back into her original seat, and said, "Miss Gong, don't mind her. She's not the one in charge here, so just sit tight."
After speaking, she turned her head and looked at Zhou Yao with cold eyes, the warning implicit.
Gong Xiaohua could only nod her head and sit down again.
Seeing her sister-in-law's icy gaze, Zhou Yao shivered all over.
In the Zhou family, everyone knew that when Madam Qin revealed this kind of expression, it meant she was very angry.
When she got angry, no matter who it was, they were bound to have bad luck.
Therefore, the family members tried their best to avoid her.
Of course, she herself also lived alone in a remote courtyard in the Zhou residence, rarely going out.
It was all because Zhou Yao had only recently returned from her maternal grandparents' home.
Not having been in contact with her sister-in-law for a long time, she had temporarily forgotten about her infamous temper.
Looking at the two people opposite her, Zhou Yao cowered in a corner, trying her best to minimize her presence in front of her sister-in-law.
Seeing the other party settle down, Qin Chuqin began chatting idly with Gong Xiaohua.
"Miss Gong, what do you like to do at home on ordinary days?"
"Nothing much. Apart from training, I occasionally read some books."
"Oh? You like reading too? What kind of books do you read?"
"All kinds, very miscellaneous."
"All kinds? I think you can't even recognize many words fully, so don't bluff and end up tying your own tongue." Zhou Yao couldn't resist piping up from her corner.
What she got in return was another icy stare from Qin Chuqin.
Seeing Zhou Yao picking fights for no reason, anyone would feel irritated.
Looking at the thick lead powder caked on the other party’s face, and the uneven bumps on her face that were vaguely visible, called acne in later generations.
Wearing such thick powder must be because she cared a lot about other people’s eyes. Gong Xiaohua went straight for her sore spot.
"What a coincidence. I happened to have read some medical books. No matter how thick the powder you put on, Miss Zhou, it can’t conceal the many red bumps on your face, can it? Some have even festered, right?"
"Tsk, tsk, I advise miss to not rub on such thick powder in the future for her own good. Otherwise if your face rots in the future, it would be a pity for such a pretty face.”
When Zhou Yao heard this, she was furious.
After she had come of age, many red bumps had suddenly erupted on her face. She had sought diagnosis from countless physicians, yet not one could cure it.
The last time she went to her maternal grandparents’ home outside the capital, she heard that there was a famous doctor there, thinking that this time she would finally be cured, but who knew, after treating for a few months, the effect was minimal. She was so angry that she smashed up the doctor's medicine shop.
Her face was her taboo, no one was allowed to talk about it.
With just a few words, Gong Xiaohua had jabbed at her sore point. Zhou Yao didn’t even care if Qin Chuqin would get angry. She yelled loudly at Gong Xiaohua:
"Who's face is going to rot? Say it again if you dare, see if I don't rip your mouth apart!"
"I said your face is going to rot."
"Vile woman, I'm going to beat you to death..." Zhou Yao was extremely angry. She was just about to pounce at the other party.
But she had just stood up when she heard the other party say again: "But you know, it just so happens that I can cure your acne."
Zhou Yao stopped her motion to attack the other party, and snorted disdainfully. "You can cure it? With just those miscellaneous books you read?”
"Miss Gong, this is not something to joke about casually.”
"Since I said I can cure it, then I'm a hundred percent certain I can cure it. But I won't treat you, Zhou miss."
"You--"
Just then, voices of the guard soldiers came from outside the carriage.
"This is a restricted area of the royal palace. Please disembark for routine inspection."
"Who cares if you can treat it or not, hmph!" Zhou Yao was the first to get out of the carriage. Before getting off, she didn't forget to glare sideways at Gong Xiaohua.
Gong Xiaohua smiled faintly without saying anything. She could determine that this girl's acne condition was probably not minor.
If she kept plastering such thick powder on her face every day, large areas of outbreaks would surely start erupting within a week, and begin festering.
"Miss Gong, shall we get off?"
"Alright, after you, Madam Zhou."
The two handed their invitations to the guards. Waiting eunuchs led them towards the banquet venue.
"Miss Gong, were you just bluffing Zhou Yao earlier about being able to cure her skin?"
"No, I was telling the truth."
"You know medicine?"
"A little."
Just a little? Zhou Yao’s face had been seen by countless physicians, yet there was no effect. And now she said she could cure it. That was not something "just a little" knowledge could accomplish.
"Which famous doctor did you learn medicine from?"
"Oh, from books."
Qin Chuqin was stunned. She stared at Gong Xiaohua and said: "Books? Learned it from books?"
"Mm-hmm."
Qin Chuqin was shocked. How could someone possibly self-learn medicine to this level, and it even seemed her skills exceeded most folk doctors?
She really could not believe it. She could only think the young lady was still somewhat arrogant and impulsive.
She set aside her doubts for the time being and did not pursue the issue.
The princess’ coming-of-age ceremony was arranged at Zhaoyang Palace.
Gong Xiaohua and Qin Chuqin were at the outer gate of Zhaoyang Palace. Zhou Yao had run off somewhere long ago.
The two handed their gifts to the eunuchs specifically in charge of receiving gifts, then headed towards Zhaoyang Palace themselves.
It was the height of summer. The courtyard outside the hall was filled with the bleak fragrance of luxuriant grass and flowers. Everything the eye could see were deep greens, bright yellows and light pinks of precious plants.
Around the great hall, ancient trees towered to the skies. The verdant foliage, red walls and yellow tiles were dazzlingly splendid.
Dotted among the buildings were vigorous bamboo and fantastically shaped rocks. Those weird rocks were heaped together, abrupt and steep, with an awe-inspiring air.
With such beautiful scenery, it made one carefree and blissful, intoxicated by it all.
Many people had already gathered in the courtyard outside Zhaoyang Palace, most of whom were seniors from various households who brought their juniors along.
Most of the young people were either strolling around appreciating the scenery in groups, or gathered together playing fun games, very lively.
Especially at a pavilion near the artificial hill, hoots and hollers could be heard.
Glancing over, the leader was a handsome young man in brocade robes. Surrounding him was a bunch of dandies and a group of young women giggling coyly at being teased.
Zhou Yao, who had separated from them long ago, was also gathered there.
Seeing Gong Xiaohua look towards the pavilion, Qin Chuqin thought she also wanted to join in the fun. She introduced to Gong Xiaohua: "The gentleman sitting right in the middle is His Majesty’s sixth son, that is, the Sixth Prince, called He Lianyu. The ones around him are sons of aristocratic families."
So that was the Sixth Prince Qin Chuyuan had warned her to be wary of? No wonder, one look and you could tell he was a flirtatious playboy.
"Does Miss Gong want to go over and see the excitement too?"
"No, I don't."
Qin Chuqin saw acquaintances waving at her from afar.
"Miss Gong, I'm going over there to say hello to some friends."
"Go ahead Madam Zhou. I'll go take a look around elsewhere."
"Alright. Do take care of your safety.”
Gong Xiaohua saw the occasional peering glances at her in the courtyard. She wanted to find a quiet place to wait for a while, but some people were unwilling to let her off.
