Metamorphosis of an Ugly Girl – Part One

After everyone was seated, Qingqing and Yafu were finally allowed to sit down. The three tutors, although benevolent in appearance, were quite haughty in their interactions with Qingqing and Yafu. The Crown Prince gave a slight shake of his head to the two, smiling to reassure them to sit down comfortably. Just as the tutors were about to start the lesson, a sweet voice was heard outside, “I’m terribly sorry, I’m late again.” A young woman about Qingqing’s age entered, followed by a timid maid who placed her books down and then left. The woman was dressed in a light blue floral brocade, with a red fox fur scarf. Her hair was adorned with an eight-treasure jade hairpin, and a purple rose at her left temple made her skin look like fine jade. She had dimples that appeared and disappeared, and a natural blush on her cheeks that was far more enchanting than any rouge. Even Qingqing, a girl herself, couldn’t help but be enchanted by her charm. Her tardiness seemed to be a regular occurrence, yet the tutors showed no signs of reproach, instead, they smiled and told her to sit, indicating she might be a princess. Seeing two unfamiliar faces, she approached gracefully and bowed, “You must be the daughters of Right Minister Lin.” Qingqing and Yafu returned the bow, and Yafu, holding her hand, asked, “And who might this lady be?” The woman replied, “My father is Chen Fusheng.” Yafu immediately recognized her, “Ah, you must be Miss Chen Yuzhen, daughter of the Left Chancellor.” Indeed, she was the renowned beauty Chen Yuzhen of the capital, as clear as jade and as precious as pearls. If Yafu was like a vibrant peony, then Chen Yuzhen was like a noble peony, too elegant for any maid to outshine. They exchanged pleasantries as if they were long-time friends, making Qingqing chuckle inwardly. Despite her sweet smile, Yafu was secretly envious. A beautiful woman can least tolerate another woman more beautiful than herself, even if she was just a girl, not yet a woman. After they sat down, Yuzhen nodded to Qingqing. The Grand Preceptor then spoke, “I heard that both of you are prized students of the world’s first scholar, Mr. Liu?”