Several long tables were set up in the spacious greenhouse, and the nobles invited to the party were seated in their designated places, enjoying a luxurious feast.
Dishes made from rare ingredients from the imperial city pleased their palates, and the music played by the orchestra was beautiful.
At the table where Duke Jacob Bronthe and his wife were seated, highranking nobles of the capital were gathered.
Among them was Duchess Juliana Robenta, whom Rachel was most concerned about. This was because Juliana was not only the emperor’s cousin but also one of the most powerful figures in the capital’s social circles.
After the feast ended, and the women gathered together, and the men gathered together for tea time, Juliana opened her mouth.
“Speaking of which, I don’t see the second young lady of this house.”
“Ah, that child is sick….”
“She will be here soon, Duchess.”
Helena interrupted Rachel’s words.
Rachel was startled and looked at Helena, but Helena ignored Rachel’s gaze.
“Helena, what do you mean? Ariana said she couldn’t attend the party because she wasn’t feeling well today.”
“Did I?”
Then, a clear voice rang out from the greenhouse door.
Everyone’s eyes turned in that direction.
The nobles attending the party took in a strange sight they had never seen before.
Flowing pale skyblue hair, pearllike white and delicate skin, a small face, beautiful features as if crafted by a god, and a dignified, polite, and graceful girl.
Despite her overwhelmingly beautiful appearance that made it hard to look away, the girl was wearing a worn and thin dress that even a maid of a noble house wouldn’t wear.
Yet the dignity emanating from her made it feel as magnificent as the dresses worn by the royal family.
“Ari… Ariana.”
Rachel almost let out a shriek but barely managed to stifle her voice.
Ariana gave Rachel a refreshing smile like a spring breeze.
“I’m sorry for being late, Mother. Nobody told me the time for the party.”
Rachel narrowed her eyes, but Ariana neither bowed her head nor ran away from the spot.
Victoria was just as baffled.
She had definitely sent dresses and jewelry through the maids, so why did Ariana appear in such a disheveled manner?
Despite the humiliating attire compared to the other nobles present, Victoria was chilled by Ariana’s demeanor, which was not humble at all.
‘No.’
Something was wrong.
‘I have to send her back.’
She had expected Ariana to appear in a childish dress that did not suit her age.
She anticipated the noble ladies and young ladies to laugh and ridicule Ariana, whose hair would be tightly braided in pigtails.
Then Ariana, not knowing what to do, would cling to Victoria, striving not to leave her side, showing how mature and graceful Victoria was compared to her.
But Ariana, receiving everyone’s attention, not only didn’t fluster but also held a faint smile. Her upright waist and slightly raised chin were dignified and full of grace.
Then, Helena, without any consideration, suddenly stood up and approached Ariana.
“Ariana, you just got here?”
“Miss Helena.”
Everyone held their breath in shock at Ariana calling her sister with such respect, as if she were a maid.
But Helena, who had always been addressed that way, didn’t even know what was wrong and gently put her arm around Ariana’s arm.
“Come here. We were just having tea.”
Rachel narrowed her eyes at Helena and Ariana, but Helena didn’t see it, and Ariana pretended not to notice.
Helena sat Ariana next to her and spoke to the ladies.
“This is my sister Ariana. Pretty, isn’t she?”
Helena’s question was laced with mockery. After all, she thought there could be no beauty in Ariana, dressed as a maidservant.
Yet, the ladies present at the scene thought Ariana appeared noble, far beyond comparison with Helena, despite her appearance.
Sensing the atmosphere, Rachel suppressed her anger and asked in a tender voice.
“Ariana, didn’t you say you were feeling very ill today? You even dismissed all the maids who were sent to dress you, so why did you wear such clothes? Where did those clothes come from?”
The Ariana that Rachel knew should have stumbled over such a question, unable to answer properly. She should have bowed her head and shrunk her shoulders.
But Ariana defied Rachel’s expectations.
“I’m hungry because I didn’t eat properly, but I’m not sick, Mother. Thank you for your concern. And this is the only set of clothes I have. I hesitated because it’s an informal dress, but Miss Helena’s maids scolded me, insisting that I must attend the party, so I had no choice.”
Saying so, Ariana gently raised her hand and brushed her hair back.
As Ariana raised her arm, her already short sleeve moved up, revealing her arm.
It was so thin that the bones were visible, and her arm was bruised all over, either pinched or hit.
The people sitting at this table were the most distinguished ladies from the capital. They could guess from Ariana’s answer and the arm hidden under her sleeve what treatment she received in this mansion.
After Being Cheated On, She Picked Up a Treasure (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: The husband I married on a whim had been secretly in love with me for a long time.
On the day when Jun Shao finally obtained the imperial decree for her marriage, Lan Qu, the person she had admired for six years, defied the decree and ran away.
Her gentleness and devotion, her promise of a lifetime together, were all disregarded by him. Instead, he dreamed of entering the palace to serve the Emperor’s sister as a sixth-rank attendant.
News of this incident spread throughout the capital, and the alleys in front of and behind the Lan mansion were crowded with people who came to watch the commotion.
Jun Shao should have been embarrassed and angry.
But someone stepped in to protect her dignity.
The figure was in a miserable state, yet still possessed an undeniable elegance and handsomeness.
The young lord struggled to climb the wall of the Lan mansion and shouted to her, “If he won’t marry you, I will!”
So, Jun Shao took advantage of the situation and married the person.
She thought the young lord did it to save the Lan family from the crime of defying the imperial decree, but never imagined that from beginning to end, what he coveted was her.
*
After the wedding, Jun Shao felt like she was living in a dream.
Her Wife-master was as beautiful as a fairy in a painting, skilled in the six arts, well-versed in poetry and literature, capable of being gentle and attentive, and also grand and dignified. Most importantly, she was the only one in his heart and eyes.
Jun Shao didn’t know how Lan Shiwu, as a illegitimate son without a father and blessed with beauty, had managed to preserve his purity, recklessly escape, and use his last ounce of strength to ruin his own reputation, all because of his love for her, just to stand before her.
She could only see him gazing at her with eyes full of love, and when she bestowed a name upon him, his eyes shone like stars.
“You have come to me like a weary bird perching on a branch. I shall call you A Qi.”
