There would be more tomorrow.
Sun Mansion, West Wing Courtyard.
Xing Xiuyan sat sideways before a dressing table inlaid with a Quicksilver mirror. She first pinned up her full head of black hair with a Plain hairpin, then hesitated for a long while as she looked over the bottles and jars on the table. In the end, she left the rouge and powder untouched, merely using a little tea oil to smooth down the hair at her temples.
Once she had finished this simple preparation, she made to rise from the round stool.
"Madam!"
The personal maid attending her grew somewhat anxious at the sight and blurted out, "Never mind last night—Concubine Ruan is one of a kind, and no one in our household can surpass her. But today, you should at least make an effort to compete..."
Xing Xiuyan seemed not to hear a word. She rose and walked out on her own.
Having received such a cold response, the maid pouted and stamped her foot, but could only follow after her in frustration.
The mistress and servant left the outer room and turned directly down the corridor toward Xiang Ling's room at the eastern end.
Ever since Xing Xiuyan had married into Sun Mansion, the two had lived together in the West Wing Courtyard, inseparable day in and day out. Today was naturally no exception.
Yet when Xing Xiuyan entered the inner room, she found Xiang Ling wearing only a light undershirt, staring in distress at a table full of rouge, powder, hair ornaments, and jewelry.
Xing Xiuyan had been married into the Sun family for more than half a year. Xiang Ling had always seen her as easygoing and generous, unconcerned with trifles. This sight of her frowning and thinking so hard was truly rare, and Xiang