Li Jin Qing: The one behind it all

Chapter 2

Jin qing woke up early to get ready for the visit to the court.

Her maids had chosen her outfit the night before, choosing something that would suit their miss' quiet reputation and satisfy the court dress code for upper-class ladies at the same time. 

The outer robe they had chosen had the color as blue as the sky, highlighted by the simple jewelry shining like clear pools of water that made soft twinkling noises when Jin qing moved around. Beautiful silver embroidery looked like clouds that dotted the fabric as intricate laces peeked through from the folds, giving the entire outfit the desired light and delicate look. 

Ye bing added the final touches to her makeup and stepped back, admiring how beautiful their miss looked.

"Do you like it?" Bai yan asked, excited as Jin qing stared at herself in the mirror.

"You've really outdone yourselves this time" Jin qing smiled, spinning in a circle to admire the embroidery.

"Too bad you can't wear anything nicer" Ye bing mourned. "There were so many bolts of silk for us to choose from- but because you cant catch any attention, we couldn't use it."

Jin qing gently held onto her maid's hands to comfort them. They weren't the only ones who admired the pretty silks she could have worn. "One day, perhaps I will."

"And when will that be?"

"When the time comes." Jin qing answered, and looked up at the door. "Someone's coming."

Sure enough, the youngest daughter of the second wife came skipping in. Wearing a peony pink dress with stitched-on flowers and butterflies, Xi yan hadn't been yet burdened by the heavy robes a young lady should wear as she was only a teen. Even though everyone thought little of her because of how childish she is,  Jin qing knew she was smarter than she looked-- after all, everyone had their own hidden talents. 

"Second sister, second sister! Did you hear?" She called out, swinging her hands around. 

Jin qing stood up. "Xi yan, don't swing your hands around like that."

Xi yan completely ignored her. "Father's taking us to the palace! I thought you didn't hear about it when he told us two days ago when he found a solution to the fires. We're going to the palace to present it to the emperor!"

Jin qing smiled, even though she knows of this already.

"Isn't this great!" Xi yan laughed, clapping her hands gleefully. "I hope the highness Fu Chen notices me. His favorite flowers are lilies, so I had it stitched on my dress--" 

Jin qing began zoning out as soon as Xi yan started to chatter, paying enough attention only to walk through the halls. 

Oh, why does she keep on talking! Jin qing thought. Cant, she just be quiet for two seconds?

Who could have known the sight of Huan le walking into view would be such a relief for her? But at least that meant Xi yan would be a little quieter. 

Huan le was looking flawless as usual, wearing robes with the colors of the rising sun. Jewelry that looked like blooming flowers complimented the colors of the dress and somehow highlighted her eyes so it looked like pools of honey. Even Jin qing had to admit that she looked as if goddess from the fairy-tales had descended down to the mortal realm. 

Compared to her, Jin qing looked like nothing. She was just something in the background to enhance the beauty of whatever was in front of her-- almost like the blue sky behind the shining sun.

Xue Hua was right behind her, looking down at her feet. Clearly, she was told to dress plainly as well lest she steals the eldest sister's spotlight, but she still looked amazing in her own jade-colored robes.