Cold-faced Empress

Having been given a second chance at life, Fu Siying would never fail to appreciate kindness.

She smiled and thanked Luo Qiansu for her gentle advice, saying, "Thank you for reminding me, I will definitely pay attention."

Luo Qiansu was overjoyed that Fu Siying believed her so easily.

At this moment, the Third Madam led several young ladies to talk to someone else. Fu Fangrui, quick-witted, mocked, "Is Fu Siying's family so poor that they can't even afford to eat? How come she just throws a piece of hemp cloth over herself and even dares to wear it into the palace? What a joke."

Those around them fell silent in stunned silence upon hearing Fu Fangrui's mocking remark. Their expressions grew even more peculiar upon realizing it was a young lady from the Fu family.

It's one thing for someone like Hu Lingjing, who has a long-standing feud with Fu Siying, to make sarcastic remarks, but how come even members of the Fu family don't know how to be tactful?

Wei Lanling was just trying to curry favor with her family, and when she heard Fu Fangrui speak, she immediately chimed in. But she was smarter and spoke more subtly: "Cousin Siying probably just likes this style of clothing."

Fu Fangrui scoffed, "Ha, what kind of taste is that? It's laughable."

Just then, Fu Fangwei noticed that the gazes of the people around her were very strange. Before she could advise Fu Fangrui and Wei Lanling to say less, she heard someone say in a complicated and strange tone, "Miss Fu is calm and dignified. She is naturally beautiful and does not need any adornment."

Before the family could react, a chorus of agreement suddenly arose.

"That's right, I really love Miss Fu's clothes and style, but unfortunately I'm not pretty enough to learn from her."

"I can learn the form but not the spirit, but even if I can only resemble Miss Fu by a fraction, it will be enough to make me happy."

While no one was paying attention, Fu Siying had already walked nearby. Seeing the embarrassed expressions on the faces of her family members, she immediately smiled.

Wei Lanling observed the expressions on everyone's faces as they praised Fu Siying with astonishment and confusion, and was shocked to find that none of them were faking it!

What makes Fu Siying so special? What makes her so special that she receives such high praise from all the noble ladies of the capital?

Fu Fangwei and Fu Fangrui were even more surprised and confused.

At this moment, someone pointed at Fu Fangwei, who was dressed up rather extravagantly for the first time, and said, "Fu Fangwei, don't you usually dress in plain clothes? Why are you dressed so formally today? Is it... because you're afraid of being outshone by all these sisters?"

"What a hypocrite, he's still just an ordinary person."

A string of giggles from the girls rang out. Fu Fangwei, who was usually so aloof as if she were untouched by worldly affairs, would she not dress up beautifully to attract attention on Qixi Festival when she entered the palace?

Caught off guard by the sudden repercussions, Fu Fangwei frowned slightly. Before, aside from Fu Siying, who had ever dared to publicly stab her like this?

Fu Fangwei said unhappily, "It is natural to dress up for the first time when attending a banquet in the palace. I don't know why Fu Siying is dressed so simply, but I certainly wouldn't dare to do anything disrespectful to the noble lady of the palace."

At this moment, some sharp-eyed people spotted Fu Siying standing behind her family members. Seeing that Fu Siying only smiled and remained silent, the others took the opportunity to cheer her on.

"Are you saying that Fu Siying's attire is disrespectful to the Empress Dowager?"

"I didn't say that!" Fu Fangwei was annoyed by being provoked repeatedly. "I just think we should treat this carefully."

"Did you know that the Empress Dowager greatly admired Miss Fu's simplicity and elegance, and even bestowed upon her a jade bracelet?"

The family members' expressions all changed. Fu Fangrui couldn't help but exclaim, "What? The Empress Dowager bestowed a jade bracelet upon Fu Siying? How is that possible!"