Baroness Hunter felt that Wei Wei was making excuses. She couldn't believe that such a young girl could serve as a tutor for a noble lady.
However, after Felix confirmed this, she could only watch helplessly as the two girls left hand in hand, secretly grumbling that Wei Wei must have used her looks to deceive the young count, leading him to make such an unwise decision.
She imagined that the young lady taught by someone like this would likely be all show and no substance.
She could already envision the scene two years later when the count's daughter would make a fool of herself upon entering society.
Wei Wei, however, paid no attention to what Baroness Hunter was thinking. She and Dolores left the dining room, not heading to their usual classroom but instead going to Wei Wei's room to avoid any excuses for those people (especially young Hunter) to approach them again.
Once Dolores was out of the dining room and sure that no one could hear her, she let out a heavy sigh and muttered, "I hate Baron Hunter's son."
"I don't like him either," Wei Wei nodded in agreement. "That young Mr. Hunter is too ambitious. He's targeting you. If you don't want to be bothered by him, stay away from him in the future."
Noticing the insincere expression on young Hunter's face when he looked at Dolores, Wei Wei almost cursed him as a pervert. He didn't even consider Dolores's age before starting to scheme. If this were in modern times, he'd be sent straight to jail!
Hearing Wei Wei share her thoughts, Dolores was pleased, but then she became a bit worried: "Will Brother Felix make me marry him?"
Wei Wei assured her, "No, he also dislikes the Hunter family. Besides, you're still young. There's no need to think about such things now."
Even though the current law allowed girls to marry at fourteen, and Dolores was already twelve—an age suitable for engagement—Wei Wei firmly opposed the idea of her student getting engaged so early. The other party wasn't a suitable choice, and Felix wouldn't be foolish enough to make such an unwise decision.
With her future sister-in-law's reassurance, Dolores immediately felt at ease.
To avoid the Hunter family, Wei Wei not only changed the classroom and extended class hours but also replaced Dolores's less favorite math lessons with embroidery classes, allowing her to continue making doll clothes while Wei Wei studied Western herbalism.
Halfway through, Dolores suddenly stopped and turned to Wei Wei: "Sister Wei Wei, do you think these clothes could be made into adult sizes?"
She had made many doll clothes this month, progressing from taking several days to complete one piece, often having to undo and redo stitches, to now being able to finish a piece in a day, even learning pattern-making quite well.
Wei Wei, engrossed in her book, casually replied, "Of course, just adjust for an adult's size."
The little girl, upon hearing this, gazed at the beautiful little dress on her doll with a look of longing.
In the afternoon, other guests began arriving at the castle. Dolores didn't go to greet them. As the higher-status and younger hostess, she only needed to appear at the evening ball unless Felix called for her. Wei Wei, being a guest herself, didn't need to attend either.
This left Felix in a tough spot, as he realized that not only the Hunter family but also several other barons were scheming. They had brought along their sisters, daughters, or other unmarried female relatives—some of noble status, others of striking appearance—all eyeing Felix like he was a pot of honey.
Wei Wei knew this because Penny had volunteered to gather information. Since Wei Wei had accepted and worn the earrings Felix gave her, everyone in the castle believed their engagement was imminent. Thus, they were more than willing to share some information with the two maids.
Especially after comparing Baroness Hunter's attitude toward the servants, they were even more eager for the unpretentious and gentle Wei Wei to become their future countess.
While Wei Wei could understand the nobles' actions, she admitted that hearing these reports made her somewhat unhappy.
Two hours before the ball, Dolores left Wei Wei's room to prepare for the event, and Wei Wei also began her preparations.
Qin laid out the custom-made dress on the bed while watching Wei Wei comb her hair: "Miss Wei Wei, will you be wearing makeup today?"
"You know I don't like makeup," Wei Wei, sitting in front of the mirror teaching Penny how to style her hair, glanced at the makeup box on the table. "But today might be an exception."
After her hair was done, Wei Wei applied a simple peach blossom makeup herself without the maids' help.
She used kohl for her eyebrows and eyeliner—a famous cosmetic in ancient China, a specialty of Persia. Persian merchants sold it worldwide, and it was even found in the distant East. Naturally, it was also available in Europe, closer to Persia. The kohl Wei Wei used was given to her by Felix through the butler; it originally belonged to his late sister-in-law. Although using a deceased person's belongings might be considered unlucky, foreign merchants rarely visited Sardinson County, making it impossible for her to buy her own at the moment.
She also inherited various cosmetics from her late sister-in-law, but unless Wei Wei wanted to be poisoned, she wouldn't touch those lead-based products.
For eyeshadow and lip color, she used homemade rouge, following an ancient Chinese recipe she found in the encyclopedia library. After much research, she gathered the materials to make a box. Adjusting the intensity, it worked well as blush, lipstick, or eyeshadow, and was guaranteed to be all-natural and harmless.
Ideally, a light layer of foundation would perfect the look, but Wei Wei hadn't found suitable materials to make a safe foundation yet, so she skipped this step. Fortunately, her skin was naturally good, and even without foundation, the peach blossom makeup still looked beautiful.
With makeup, Wei Wei exuded a charming allure, like the peach blossom she painted on her forehead. However, without close inspection, her makeup was hardly noticeable, completely different from the popular style among noblewomen of the time. If they hadn't seen her applying it, Qin and Penny would have thought she always looked this way.
This makeup perfectly complemented her custom-made rose-pink dress.
"My lady, you look stunning."
Under the maids' continuous praise, Wei Wei felt like a fairy descending to earth.
Or, in European terms, an angel descending.
Originally, Wei Wei had paired her dress with a nice set of jewelry chosen from her collection, but today she decided against it, opting instead for the pearl earrings Felix had given her.
Just as she finished getting ready, there was a knock at the door.
Penny went to open it, revealing Felix, also dressed in formal attire, ready to escort her.
"Wei Wei—" The count, who had intended to ask if she was ready, was left speechless upon seeing the young woman who turned to look at him.
Though he said nothing, no one missed the look of amazement on his face.
Penny and Qin exchanged glances, chuckling as they stepped aside.
In the castle hall, the guests had already gathered. All five barons had brought their families, increasing the number of attendees several times over. This led to insufficient seating in the dining room as originally planned. Upon discovering this, Butler Barton immediately reported to Felix, who changed the pre-ball dinner to a buffet style.
Before the host of the ball appeared, men and women separated to discuss topics of interest, but without exception, they all chose to chat near the long tables laden with food. Each person held a plate piled high with delicious dishes, and even while talking, they couldn't resist using their forks to eat.
Although eating before the host arrived was somewhat impolite, since it wasn't a formal dining setting, there were fewer concerns.
Moreover, the food at Sardinson Castle was incredibly delicious. After just one taste, no one could resist its charm.
"The count must have hired a new chef. This food is delicious. I've never tasted such a good steak before—it's not smelly at all, but so fragrant that I want to eat more."
"Yes, such delicacies are probably only enjoyed by the great nobles in the capital. I bet the new chef was brought from there."
"How wonderful it would be to eat like this every day."
The younger generation, brought by their elders, also enjoyed the food but were more interested in discussing the noble ladies present.
Like the girls, they had come with their parents to consider their future marriages.
However, not everyone had their sights set on Dolores.
Many of these barons' sons were close in age to Felix. Compared to the young countess, other noble ladies, though of lesser status, were closer in age and more aligned with their aesthetic preferences, making them more desirable targets.
The noble ladies shared similar thoughts. Their primary target was Felix, but if that didn't work out, they would settle for another suitable match. After all, they were all descendants of barons, with matching statuses.
For the young men and women, this ball was more like a matchmaking event.
Compared to the men eating heartily, the noblewomen were more reserved. Though they ate just as quickly, their manners were better, and their conversations weren't focused on the food.
At this moment, Baroness Hunter, while enjoying the even more delicious food compared to lunch, whispered to the other baronesses about Wei Wei's presence.
"She claims to be a noble from the Silk Country. How could a noble lady from such a distant place end up here?"
The others nodded in agreement: "Yes, the Silk Country is on another continent. Who would allow a woman on a ship?"
One baroness harshly commented: "I suspect she's not a proper woman."
Another followed up: "What do you mean?"
"Baroness Hunter mentioned she's quite beautiful. Perhaps she's some kind of dancer or slave. You know, only women of that status would be allowed on a ship." As commodities.
The others nodded, though they hadn't met Wei Wei, it didn't stop them from slandering her, especially after hearing of the count's fondness for her.
Baroness Hunter was pleased with this outcome. She omitted the noble aura she sensed from Wei Wei and her exceptional beauty, happily watching others belittle the foreign girl who outshone her daughter.
Meanwhile, her daughter was also being questioned by other noble girls about Wei Wei.
Thanks to Baroness Hunter's spreading of rumors, all the guests knew that the newly appointed young count seemed to favor a foreign girl. This wasn't good news for the ladies hoping to win the count's affection.
Unlike the noblewomen's focus on Wei Wei's identity, the girls were more interested in her appearance and what made her special.
Miss Hunter, recalling the girl she saw in the afternoon—who, despite wearing no makeup and a dress not in fashion (lacking large sleeves), outshone her meticulously dressed self—couldn't bring herself to speak well of her out of jealousy. As for what made her special, she had no idea, having only seen her once.
So, when asked, she reluctantly said, "She has a very exotic and unique charm."
The other girls automatically interpreted this as her not being particularly beautiful, just possessing an exotic allure that captivated the count.
Combined with the noblewomen's conversations, in their imaginations, Wei Wei had become a decent-looking, possibly voluptuous foreign dancer.
No matter how unconventional a noble might be, marrying a foreign dancer would make other nobles ashamed to associate with them.
Several girls chosen by their families for their beauty scoffed, believing such a person unworthy of being their rival. Compared to her, the other noble girls of similar status posed a greater threat.
Thus, after (self-assuredly) determining that Wei Wei wouldn't affect their goal of becoming the countess, the ball turned into a battlefield of rivalries among the noble ladies, with no one giving further thought to the unseen foreign guest.
Until—
"Count Felix Williams, Miss Dolores, and Miss Wei Wei have arrived!"
At the servant's announcement, all eyes turned to the entrance.
Upon seeing the older of the two girls escorted by Felix, everyone's expressions were a mix of awe and shock.
Instead of the expected moderately attractive but voluptuous dancer, there stood a noble, elegant, and stunningly beautiful young woman.
At the sight of her, all the girls' hearts sank with an unwilling but undeniable realization.
They had lost.
The sky outside hadn't completely darkened, and the castle hall, illuminated by hundreds of candles, appeared even more splendid. The noble and elegant young woman was carefully escorted into the banquet hall by the young count. Under the candlelight, not only did the pearls on her ears sparkle, but her flawless face also shone.
Yes, she might not look entirely local, but no one could deny that she surpassed them in both grace and beauty.
Observing her confident and noble demeanor, and her perfectly poised smile—how could a dancer possess such qualities?
If such a girl wasn't noble, then what were they, who were overshadowed by her? Peasant girls toiling in pigsties?
As Felix, holding Dolores and Wei Wei, passed through the crowd, the curtsying girls couldn't help but glance up at her.
Upon closer inspection, an even more unbelievable fact was discovered.
This foreign girl wasn't just beautiful from afar; up close, she was perfection.
"Oh God, her skin is so flawless. I can't even see her pores," exclaimed a baron's daughter, not particularly fixated on the count but looking for a suitable fiancé at the ball, her voice filled with envy.
Her words made the other girls and even the noblewomen touch their faces.
It was well-known that European women, especially those of fair complexion, often had problematic skin—large pores and spots were common issues, something even modern skincare couldn't entirely prevent.
To appear fair and smooth, noblewomen would apply lead powder, unaware of its toxicity. Over time, their skin worsened, and by old age, they dared not look at themselves without makeup.
Several baronesses were in such a state, now even afraid to remove their makeup before bed.
In contrast, young noble ladies, before marriage, rarely used lead powder, as they were usually still young, perhaps with some freckles but generally smooth skin.
But looking at the foreign lady's face, like a dewy rose at dawn, without a single freckle or visible pore, was truly enviable.
The baron's daughter who had spoken earlier, staring at Wei Wei and thinking of her freckles, voiced everyone's thoughts: "I want to know how she takes care of her skin."
Another baron's daughter nearby focused on something else: "She smells so good, like flowers. Is it perfume?"
"Her hairstyle and dress are different from ours. Are they the latest fashion in the capital?"
These noble ladies, who had come with a mission, upon seeing Wei Wei, suddenly forgot their purpose. Compared to the handsome count, they were now more interested in Wei Wei.
Why was her skin so flawless? Why did she smell so good? Even her hairstyle and dress became topics of fascination.
Some admired her, others envied her, but without exception, none could remain calm in the presence of this foreign girl.
After all, these so-called eligible young ladies were at most sixteen, the youngest not much older than Dolores. Compared to them, Felix could almost be their father. While some might fancy the count for his status and looks, disregarding the age difference, such infatuation couldn't outweigh their youthful pursuit of beauty.
Moreover, admiring the count didn't conflict with their desire to be beautiful.
If I could be like her... so beautiful, so noble... forget a border count, even the great nobles of the capital would fall for me!
Several noble ladies, confident in their beauty and believing they were only lost in styling and skincare, ambitiously eyed Wei Wei, already thinking of ways to extract her beauty secrets.
In contrast, the men's reactions were more straightforward.
Their gazes at Wei Wei were covetous, sticky, and bold, some even nauseating. But upon realizing this exotic beauty was escorted by Felix, those disgusting looks had to be hidden.
Wei Wei, sensitive to others' stares, didn't miss this. She subtly noted those who made her uncomfortable, maintaining a graceful and polite smile, turning to watch Felix's speech.
At the center of the crowd, Felix finished his prepared opening remarks and announced the start of the ball.
Music began again from the corner, a familiar tune to Wei Wei, as it had been the accompaniment for most of her dance lessons.
The guests naturally made more space, waiting for the count to open the dance.
Just as they assumed Felix would dance the first dance with his sister, Dolores obediently stepped aside, leaving the space to her brother and teacher.
Although many had anticipated this, seeing the count's opening dance with Wei Wei still left several guests visibly displeased.
In noble circles, it was an unwritten rule that an unmarried man and woman dancing the first dance together signified mutual affection. If this dance was also the host's opening dance, it was tantamount to announcing to everyone that they were about to become a celebrated couple.
If Felix suddenly declared today as their engagement, no one would be surprised, as this was precisely the fact the count wished to proclaim to all.
Several baronesses, who had just been viciously slandering Wei Wei's identity, looked very uncomfortable. Four of them couldn't help but glare at Baroness Hunter, as it was her insinuations that led them to make such disparaging remarks.
Now, with Wei Wei almost certainly the next countess, if she learned of their earlier conversation, it would surely earn their hatred, and by extension, lower the count's regard for their families.
Baroness Hunter also felt uneasy. While others' comments about Wei Wei were mere private gossip, harmless if undiscovered, she had directly confronted Wei Wei at the dining table. If at that time Wei Wei was merely a foreigner favored by the count but without any backing, now she was a noble lady with the entire Williams family behind her.
Observing the adoration in the count's eyes as they danced, as the family heir without parental interference, he could marry the woman he loved, even if she were a commoner. And Wei Wei, at least, was a noble.
She was almost certainly the future countess.
And Baroness Hunter might have already offended her.
Realizing this, Baroness Hunter felt a chill, her sweat causing the lead powder on her face to streak slightly.