Chapter 19

Little did anyone know, Xia Qingqing was an expert in standing at attention—she had been a star during military drills!

Back in training, she could stand still for hours, so a bit of discomfort like this was nothing to her.

The room fell silent for a while.

Yan Meili had already drunk two cups of tea but still hadn’t seen Xia Qingqing move an inch.

“Oh no! I can’t hold it in any longer!”

Yan Meili, trying to keep her composure, finally barked, “Go to the side room and pick your clothes already! Why are you just standing here? Silly girl!”

“Yes, Mother!”

Xia Qingqing turned and left.

As soon as she stepped out, Yan Meili immediately stood up and hurried toward the restroom.

In the side room, Xia Qingqing saw Xia Shuixian holding up dresses one by one from the table, examining them briefly before tossing them onto a chair.

The manager of the boutique, Jin Xiufang, quickly stepped forward to introduce the items.

“Fourth Miss, these dresses are all carefully crafted by Jin Xiufang. Madam mentioned you’d be attending a banquet tonight, so these are all suitable options. You’re stunningly beautiful and have a graceful figure—”

“Hmph! A concubine’s daughter is still just a concubine’s daughter. No custom-made dresses, only off-the-rack. How pitiful.”

Xia Shuixian wore a displeased expression.

When she saw Xia Qingqing enter, she deliberately slowed down, holding up the dresses as if she were scrutinizing them carefully.

“This dress is so beautiful—I love it!”

“That one is lovely too—I adore it!”

“I like all the dresses here. I want them all!”

She hogged all the dresses.

Xia Qingqing walked up to the manager of Jin Xiufang and softly said, “Madam, since Fourth Miss likes them all, why not send them to her room? But Mother did say earlier that we each get to pick only one dress. Fourth Miss has the means; she can pay for the extras herself.”

The manager was momentarily taken aback, sizing up the young girl in front of her. Xia Qingqing’s eyes gleamed with mischief, and her calm tone left the Fourth Miss speechless, glaring at her in frustration.

So this was the notorious, unloved Sixth Miss?

What a clever girl—calm in the face of challenges and logical in her words—more impressive than the other two legitimate daughters.

“Xia Qingqing, what do you mean by that? Are you trying to provoke me?”

Xia Shuixian crossed her arms and snapped.

“Just what I said, Fourth Sister. If you like them, buy them all.”

Xia Qingqing shrugged with an innocent expression.

You can act? So can I!

“Hmph! Don’t get cocky! If it weren’t for me attending the palace banquet, would you even have such a good opportunity? Don’t think Father’s favor means you can overshadow me.

Mark my words, I’ll shine brightly tonight! Unlike you—flat-chested and plain-faced—you’re only fit for these off-the-rack dresses!”

Xia Shuixian, full of disdain, swept all the dresses off the table onto the floor before storming out in anger.

The boutique manager, distressed, rushed to pick up the fallen dresses.

Xia Qingqing squatted down to help.

“Tap, tap.”

The manager patted the dust off the dresses, and Xia Qingqing mimicked her movements.

“Sixth Miss, don’t you mind?” the manager asked curiously.

“Not at all! I’ve been living in the woodshed, wearing hand-me-downs so torn they barely cover me. Being able to wear something like this is a blessing!”

Xia Qingqing spoke truthfully.

Traditional gowns like these were hand-sewn. Even though they weren’t custom-made, their authenticity as hanfu offered a unique charm.

“Sixth Miss, I’ll help you pick the most suitable dress. If it’s too loose, I can tailor it for you on the spot. Jin Xiufang’s dresses are made with exquisite materials, and the embroidery is done with care by skilled artisans.”

Although the manager didn’t say anything negative about the Fourth Miss, she was clearly displeased. Seeing Xia Qingqing’s thoughtful words and helpful demeanor put her at ease.

“Thank you, Madam. I was worried about finding a suitable dress, but with your guidance, it saves me a lot of trouble!”

Xia Qingqing smiled as she held the manager’s arm, looking like a playful, innocent girl.

The manager was both delighted and flattered. She meticulously helped Xia Qingqing choose a dress.

Finally, they settled on a light green “Mist of Flowers” dress paired with a moonlit embroidered silk robe. The manager even restyled Xia Qingqing’s hair, revealing her forehead, and placed an ornate hairpin from her own collection into her bun.

“Sixth Miss, you look stunning! If you had a bit more flesh, you’d outshine many noble ladies I’ve seen!”

The manager brought Xia Qingqing to a full-length mirror to admire herself.

Xia Qingqing stood before the mirror, turning left and right.

She could hardly believe the elegant maiden in the reflection was herself. My goodness! Xiao Suo said I was pretty, but I didn’t believe him!

This Xia Qingqing truly was a budding beauty. The hardships she’d endured had dimmed her spirit, but ever since the modern Xia Qingqing had arrived, she exuded a newfound vitality and self-assurance that lit her up.

“Thank you, Madam! I’ll choose this outfit.”

With a smile, Xia Qingqing finalized her choice.

“Great! I’ll take your measurements and make a few outfits per Madam’s request.”

The manager happily measured her with great care.

After trying on the dress, Xia Qingqing returned to her small courtyard.

Meanwhile, Xia Shuixian, back in her own quarters, flung herself onto her bed and cried bitterly.

“Shuixian, why are you crying? Were the dresses unsatisfactory?”

Aunt Bao sat by the bedside, gently inquiring.

“Hmph! Others get custom dresses, but I have to pick from ready-made ones. Tonight at the banquet, I’ll have to rely on my talents to impress the princes!”

Xia Shuixian wiped her tears and sat up.

“Didn’t Sixth Miss Xia Qingqing also choose a ready-made dress?”

Aunt Bao tried to comfort her.

“Her? Hmph! She’s used to being poor. Wearing ready-made clothes is already a luxury for her. If it weren’t for me fighting for the chance to attend the banquet, how could a concubine’s daughter even dream of participating? Just wait and see her embarrass herself tonight!”

Xia Shuixian raised her chin proudly, walking to the dressing table to tidy her hair.

“But Shuixian, you don’t have a new dress for tonight, do you?”

“Auntie, don’t you know how to sew? Help me alter one of the dresses Mother made for me. It has to make me look delicate and charming! Tonight’s success depends on it!”

Xia Shuixian stared resolutely at her reflection in the bronze mirror.

Her goal was to captivate the bold and rugged Yan Wang. She knew she didn’t stand a chance with the Jin Wang, but Yan Wang, with his admiration for strength and sympathy for the weak, might allow her to aim for the position of a secondary consort.