Jin Yan looked at her daughter, her lips pursed with heartache. Thinking of the hardships her daughter had endured over the years, she couldn't sleep at night. Every few nights, she would wake up from nightmares, nightmares where her daughter left her.
Upon waking and realizing it was just a dream, she would breathe a sigh of relief and fall back asleep, only to find herself unable to do so. Each time after a dream, her chest would ache fiercely.
Why did her precious daughter have to suffer such a fate?
What was hateful was that she, as a mother, didn't even know her own daughter had been swapped.
She smiled affectionately, "What grievances are there? Among these noble ladies, isn't this how they are every time they meet? Mother doesn't like these social engagements either, but there's no other way. Your father needs connections, and business has to continue. Although money isn't everything, having a lot of it allows us to enjoy the life we want."
Jin Yan felt a multitude of helplessness, then smiled and said, "Speaking of Madam Ye, she always has a few words for me every time we meet, subtly and openly mocking me. Only then does she feel at ease. Perhaps it's because I'm happier than her, and your father dotes on me alone, never indulging in promiscuity outside.
"As for Madam Ye and Chairman Ye, they came together through an arranged marriage. Madam Ye has given birth to two daughters and one son. However, Chairman Ye also has a mistress outside, with whom he has a son and a daughter.
"Her eldest daughter has mediocre talent, and her youngest son is also unremarkable. Only this youngest daughter is her pride and joy, having been admitted to a renowned university abroad, where she has been studying for the past few years. It's true that Madam Ye's health is not good, and her dislike for attending social events stems from not wanting others to gossip behind her back. I haven't seen her in almost a year."
"In any case, these aristocratic families each have their own sorrows and difficulties. Everyone knows about them, yet they enjoy gossiping about each other. Isn't it contradictory?
Jin Yan sighed and continued, "Just like the ancient struggle for succession among the nine princes, there are many families where parents can stand by and watch their own flesh and blood slaughter each other. The former Li family, and now the Ye family, are like this."
"But when the tree falls, the monkeys scatter. The Li family is long gone. Now, the Lu family and the Ye family, the Rong family are dominant. As for the next family to ascend to the ranks of the four great families, who knows?"
Jiang Nuan listened silently, without speaking.
She knew the cruelty of it all. Some people, in just a few decades, lost their lives in these struggles, their entire legacies vanishing, and many were even reviled for generations.
Jin Yan looked at her silent daughter with concern, "Nuan Nuan, your heart is too pure, and your thoughts are too simple. If you don't fight or contend, you'll easily be taken advantage of among these people. You heard just now, that Madam Ye, even in front of you, said you came from a small place. Behind your back, who knows what else she'll say to demean you? In the future, when you encounter such people, there's no need to yield. The more you yield, the more they will push their advantage."
Jiang Nuan narrowed her phoenix-like eyes and smiled leisurely, "Mom, I understand. I won't let myself be bullied."
Is her heart clean?
Jiang Nuan gave a self-deprecating smile. Everyone has selfish desires!
She has them too!
"Good! My daughter is the most amazing." Jin Yan took her hand and led her upstairs.
Jin Yan knew K, the pinnacle of the fashion design world, a handsome young man.
He was tall, standing at 1.8 meters, with devilishly handsome features that leaned towards feminine beauty, fair skin, and a temperament that was both cool and carried a rare hint of allure. Especially when wearing a pink shirt, it made him appear even more captivating.
The moment he saw Jiang Nuan, he felt that his designs, when worn by Jiang Nuan, could not be described by a single word like "beautiful."
"Madam Lu, is this your daughter? She's truly beautiful?"
Jin Yan looked at her with pride, her tone full of self-satisfaction, "K, look how beautiful I am, wouldn't my daughter be beautiful too? This is my daughter, Nuan Nuan. There's a banquet tomorrow evening. Can I have the dress before tomorrow?"
Her daughter was going to a high-class banquet, and she needed to wear the most exquisite clothing. With her daughter's natural beauty, she would instantly outshine everyone.
"Yes, yes."
K looked at Jiang Nuan with a smile, his clear eyes filled with deep amusement, a look of astonishment on his face. "Miss Lu, hello, I am K. I've heard about you and have always wanted to meet you."
Jiang Nuan extended her hand and shook his.
"A pleasure meeting you, Mr. K."
Jiang Nuan looked at the gowns in his studio. Each gown was a unique existence, luxurious, beautiful, with exceptional tailoring and distinctive styles.
Jiang Nuan's eyes immediately fell on a black off-the-shoulder gown.
Actually, she preferred long gowns, as they offered more freedom when worn, and she wouldn't have to worry about accidental exposure when squatting.
Jiang Nuan pointed at the black gown and said, "Can I try on that gown?"
K smiled and shook his head, wagging his index finger in front of her. "It's beautiful, but it's not suitable for you."
Jiang Nuan: "..." She looks beautiful, so why isn't it suitable for her?
Jiang Nuan couldn't help but ask, "What's unsuitable about it? Is my figure not suitable?"
She had the figure of an international supermodel. That black gown was simple, elegant, and yet luxurious. Among the many gowns, she had immediately taken a liking to it; it was the style she preferred.
K pointed at a red gown not far away.
Jiang Nuan: "..." I refuse.
K smiled, "Although tomorrow evening is not your spotlight, with your face and the noble attire you wear, you could easily steal the show. My designs are very particular about figures. That bright red gown, when worn by you, would be as if tailor-made for you."
After speaking, K walked towards the red gown. He quickly took it down and handed it to Jiang Nuan.
"Go and put it on," K indicated the location of the fitting room.
Jiang Nuan hesitated for a moment, took it, and directly carried it to the fitting room.
K looked at Jin Yan and smiled, "Madam Lu, she will be stunning."
Jin Yan smiled proudly, her mind already picturing the scene of her daughter emerging in the dress.
"Indeed, my daughter is your mannequin. Tomorrow evening's banquet will surely make you famous."
"Heh heh..." K couldn't help but laugh. "Madam Lu, thank you, but my reputation is already quite established."
K's laughter was hearty, making people feel as if they were bathed in spring breeze, with a sense of beautiful blossoming in a sea of flowers.
As they were talking, Jiang Nuan slowly emerged from the fitting room.
The gorgeously tailored bright red gown, when worn by her, was both majestic and beautiful, instantly astonishing K.
K's deep smile was filled with amazement. "Didn't I say it? This bright red attire, only those who can carry it off look stunningly beautiful; those who can't look tacky and vulgar."
And Jiang Nuan, with her somewhat cool but spirited demeanor, though not gently captivating, was precisely able to carry off the unique charm of this red dress.
Jiang Nuan looked at him and said, "Then there's no need to wait. This one it is."
"No! No!" K still shook his head. "This bright red suits you, but the style makes you look a bit dated. I will create a new gown for you, the most suitable gown for you."
Jiang Nuan didn't understand fashion. Growing up, striving to make a living, she had no time to study these matters of attire.
However, after marrying Mu Jiu Chen, she began to pay more attention to her clothing and details.
As Jiang Nuan was thinking, she saw a familiar figure walk in through the doorway.