In the thirteenth century, the center of world trade lay in the East, during the Song dynasty.
Miss Raucourt's costume had been shipped from Suzhou. Unlike the silk produced by Lyon's Jacquard looms, it had been embroidered entirely by hand. Even up close, the birds on the garment looked vividly alive, every feather clearly visible, and their colors kept changing with the light.
Georgiana was a woman too, and now she understood how Josephine had felt when she saw Grassini at the ball.
Fortunately, all those years of practicing a fake smile finally came in handy. At least she did not openly scowl at Academician Bonaparte, who was "enthusiastically" conversing with Miss Raucourt in Italian.
Her black attire naturally could not compare to Miss Raucourt's dazzling riot of colors, while the uniform of the academician from France was exceptionally splendid. It made Miss Raucourt and Academician Bonaparte look instead like the master and mistress of the house.
Georgiana had "thought" that an actress capable of playing opposite Talma would understand certain things. Apparently, that was not the case. Perhaps that was why Talma, like "Caesar," was not easily replaced, while the women around him changed endlessly.
She wanted someone "devoted." Severus, who had always liked Lily and never changed his heart, had attracted her, but he was too stubborn. He had not changed his heart.
The second "devoted" man was only said to be faithful. In truth, he was fickle, and someone had even given him the nickname Chameleon. Many men and women surrounded him, all available for him to choose from.
"Here."
At that moment, that Mr. China Expert handed her a box.
She remembered Gongsun Yi's story. No matter how much he loved fish, she could not casually accept fish from others.
"No, I..."
But the gentleman opened