"It really does make her look darker!" the Capital City officials' wives agreed.
"Your Ladyship, your complexion is on the darker side. Bright yellow doesn't suit you."
"Fifth Miss truly has fiery eyes that see right through everything!"
As soon as Jian Ruonan sat back down, a Capital City official's wife brought over tea and refreshments. "Fifth Miss, take a break and have some water. Don't wear yourself out."
The Marquise stood behind Jian Ruonan and massaged her shoulders. "Fifth Miss, I've learned massage techniques. How does this feel?"
"Good, very good!"
Jian Ruonan's break also gave the wives on the Heir Apparent's Consort's side a chance to catch their breath.
The Southwest Officials' Wives moved their chairs back, rearranging their battle formation to cluster tightly around the Heir Apparent's Consort.
Wearing the yellow riding jacket that darkened her complexion, the Heir Apparent's Consort rubbed the nail guard on her little finger, her eyes shadowed.
At first, she had thought Jian Ruonan was stupid, too blunt to adapt her words to the situation. Someone like that would die without even knowing what had killed her.
Who would have thought she understood everything and was merely playing dumb!
"Fifth Miss, I felt an instant connection with you. Since we have this rare opportunity today, let's have a nice chat about family matters." The Heir Apparent's Consort glanced at the Imperial Sword strapped to Jian Ruonan's back.
That thing can't be used to execute me, but it can execute the other wives. I'd better coax her into putting it away first!
A wife behind the Heir Apparent's Consort said, "Exactly. Let's talk, chat about our families, and get to know each other."
"My ancestors were from the Capital City too. Who knows? Go back a few generations, and we might even be