"...She's exuding a fox-like charm all over. Tsk, such a frail-looking woman is actually the meanest, most venomous, and most detestable kind. They always put on a pitiful act for men, with tears and grievances, loving nothing more than pouring bewitching soup. Once the gentlemen's resolve softens, they toss their wives and children to the back of their minds." Madam Jiao glanced sideways at Xianglan, her thick eyebrows nearly standing on end. "I originally thought she had some dignity, but it turns out she's just a maid who climbed into bed." Third Master Dai Rong had recently stolen a maid and nearly fathered a child in secret. Madam Jiao had ruthlessly dealt with the situation, ending up with a sullied reputation and the nickname "Lioness of Hedong." She was currently seething with hatred.
"And yet the gentlemen fall for this very act. Every one of them is a lowly person, elevating servant seeds above their own wives. They all deserve to be struck by lightning." Another woman spoke with a mocking smile, casting a couple of glances toward Xianglan.
Zhao Yuechan covered her mouth with a fan, inwardly sneering repeatedly. Earlier, when Madam Jiao saw Xianglan sitting by the lake, she had praised her beauty and inquired about her background. Zhao Yuechan then said, "I actually know her origins very well. She comes from servant seed stock, relying on her looks to seduce gentlemen. I've heard several have been involved with her. Someone so promiscuous and lacking in virtue should have been driven out long ago, but Eldest Master Lin... well, you all know his nickname, ah... it's hard to say out loud. That little whore was sold to a brothel, who knows what filth she went through. That foolish Master Lin accepts all the dirty and foul without discrimination—completely weakened by that little slut's charms. Even when Taitai beat and scolded him, he refused to let go. When I tried to advise him a few times, I only earned dislike, was treated as if I were some kind of nuisance..." As she spoke, she even dabbed the corner of her eye with a handkerchief.
The women with them were all longstanding friends of the Dai Family. They knew Zhao Yuechan had previously divorced the Lin Family and remarried. But seeing that Zhao Yuechan was beautiful, conducted herself appropriately, and spoke cleverly and pleasingly, they felt quite close to her. Moreover, Lin Jinlou had the nickname "Overlord" and a notorious reputation for being a womanizer, so they fully believed Zhao Yuechan's distorted account. Looking at Xianglan again, they felt full of disgust and couldn't stop discussing it.
While they were chatting animatedly, they didn't notice that Xiao Juan, along with Zheng Jingxian's maid Yue Er and several other maids, were laughing and talking in the side room. They overheard everything Zhao Yuechan and the others said. Xiao Juan instantly flushed red with anger, gritted her teeth and cursed twice, then shot up and ran out. Yue Er thought to herself, "Earlier, Master Lin told our lady to take good care of Xianglan. Now that these rumors are spreading, Xianglan's reputation will suffer, and she's bound to face gossip and mistreatment. It would also reflect poorly on Master Lin. I should report this to my lady." Thinking this, she went to the main hall and saw Zheng Jingxian speaking with several older noblewomen. She approached, leaned close to Zheng Jingxian's ear, and quietly relayed everything.
Zheng Jingxian was taken aback and looked at Yue Er: "Is it true?" Yue Er nodded. Zheng Jingxian frowned slightly in thought, started to rise but then sat back down, smoothed her expression, and said calmly, "I understand. You may go." Yue Er then withdrew.Zheng Jingxian held a tea bowl, stirring the leaves with the lid. Had it been anyone else, she might have been willing to intervene—she knew exactly what kind of person Zhao Yuechan was and held her in utter contempt. Moreover, Lin Jinlou’s future looked exceptionally bright; even her own father had advised showing him more respect. The man was shrewd and adaptable, skilled at navigating social intricacies, all while maintaining a facade of loyalty to the throne and care for the people. He had even spent his own silver to raise a private army to fight for the court, neither seeking credit nor flaunting his contributions. Rare for someone so young to possess such temperament, he had earned the favor of His Majesty and the Grand Secretaries. Who could predict how high his official career might soar? Handling this matter would also be a way to foster goodwill with Lin Jinlou once more. But then there was Chen Xianglan… she couldn’t stomach the thought.
Long before her marriage to Song Ke, while visiting the Song family, she had witnessed firsthand how tenderly Song Ke treated Xianglan. A man of such gentle temperament had actually turned against the two young ladies of the Lin Family for Xianglan’s sake—proof of his deep affection. What galled her even more was the tender, loving gaze Song Ke had directed at Xianglan—a look he had never, to this day, bestowed upon her. Back when she was determined to marry Song Ke, she had braced herself for the inevitability of Chen Xianglan entering the household as a concubine. Outwardly, she feigned indifference, but inwardly she marshaled all her strength to contend with Chen Xianglan. How could a woman of mere beauty and lowly origins possibly rival her—a noble-born, properly wedded Taitai? Especially when her family could pave a glorious career path for Song Ke. It wasn’t so much that she believed she could control everything, but rather that she trusted in her family’s influence and Song Ke’s ultimate choice—after all, he had chosen her in the end. When she later heard that Chen Xianglan had voluntarily left, she had breathed a sigh of relief. She thought the matter was concluded, never expecting to encounter Chen Xianglan again in such a setting. The memory of Song Ke’s distraught expression earlier made her chest ache with pain, which was why, when Yue Er had informed her about Xianglan being slandered by Zhao Yuechan, she felt a faint thrill of satisfaction and excitement. She resolved firmly not to get involved.
Meanwhile, Xiao Juan relayed the incident to Xianglan, who nodded woodenly and said, “I know.”
Xiao Juan, fuming with indignation, had expected Xianglan to share her outrage. To her surprise, Xianglan merely uttered those words before falling silent. “Is that it?” Xiao Juan exclaimed. “Are we just going to let that vile Zhao Yuechan off so easily?”
Xianglan, nursing her own sorrow, couldn’t help but curl the corners of her lips upward at Xiao Juan’s words. “Weren’t you terrified of her before? You used to hide at the mere sight of her shadow. Now you’re calling her by name and cursing her as ‘vile’?”
Xiao Juan snorted. “Before, she was the Lin Family’s elder mistress, and she held my life in her hands. With her being so vicious, of course I was scared. But now she’s been kicked out of the Lin Family—why should I fear her anymore?” She then grinned at Xianglan. “Besides, I have you and Master backing me up, don’t I? She’s spoken plenty of ill about Master. If he heard, he’d be furious.”
Xianglan laughed, crumbling the remaining pastry in her hand into finer bits before tossing them into the lake. She dusted her hands and wiped them with a handkerchief. Xiao Juan quickly asked, “Should I fetch some Ludou flour to clean your hands?”
Xianglan shook her head, stood up, and straightened her clothes. “You’re right. She’s no longer the Lin Family’s elder mistress. Why should we fear her anymore!” With that, she strode toward Zhao Yuechan.Xiao Juan’s eyes widened in surprise as she hurried to catch up, saying, “Mistress, slow down! Wait for me to fetch some people.”
Xianglan stopped and asked curiously, “Fetch people? What people?”
Xiao Juan replied, “Aren’t you going to confront Zhao Yuechan? That vicious woman might resort to violence, and someone like you might not be a match for her. I’ll go inform the eldest young lady and borrow a few maids to bolster our presence. Even if things don’t go well, you won’t be at a disadvantage.”
Xianglan poked Xiao Juan’s forehead lightly and said, “You really enjoy stirring up trouble. From now on, spend less time fooling around with Guiyuan. Those boys are mischievous, and you’ve picked up a lot of their naughtiness. Don’t lead Hua Shan astray later.” She paused and added, “Who said I was going to confront her?” With that, she strode forward, and Xiao Juan quickly followed.
The noblewomen were astonished to see Xianglan approaching them, their expressions shifting from surprise to disdain. They nudged and pushed one another, exchanging meaningful glances. When Xianglan reached them, she curtsied gracefully and said to Zhao Yuechan with a warm smile, “Sister Zhao, I hope you’ve been well? It’s been nearly two years since we last met. Reuniting with an old acquaintance today fills me with joy. I’d love to catch up with you.”
Everyone turned their attention to Zhao Yuechan, observing Xianglan’s friendly demeanor.
Zhao Yuechan fanned herself coldly and sneered, “I have nothing to say to you.”
Xianglan continued smiling gently and said, “Before I came to the capital, Taitai specifically instructed me to convey a message if I ever saw you, Sister Zhao. Could we speak in private?”
Zhao Yuechan thought to herself, “I wonder what tricks this little vixen is up to. With so many eyes watching, she wouldn’t dare try anything.” With that in mind, she followed Xianglan. The two walked to a secluded spot behind the house, near the rockery. Zhao Yuechan said coldly, “Well? Speak.”
Xianglan maintained her smile and said, “Seeing you today, it seems you’re doing quite well.”
Zhao Yuechan retorted with a sneer, “Well enough, I suppose. As the official wife of a fifth-rank official, I’m just scraping by. But you—you’ve really risen in the world. Once a shivering little mouse from some obscure corner, you’ve somehow managed to climb to a high perch.”
Xianglan replied with a smile, “Sister, are you saying this out of jealousy? Master has been spending less time carousing and drinking outside lately. He’s even dismissed all the concubines at home, allowing me to stay in the main house. Now, he even insists on taking me along for social engagements. Though I may be untalented, I do enjoy some measure of respect.”
These words struck a nerve, making Zhao Yuechan’s chest tighten and her face pale. Suppressing her anger, she looked Xianglan up and down and said with a click of her tongue, “That outfit you’re wearing does make you look the part. It’s just a pity you’ll never become the official mistress. Once Lin Jinlou grows tired of you, we’ll see what becomes of you then.”
Xianglan laughed and said, “There’s no need for you to worry about that. Speaking of which, you were married to Master for several years, yet he never even gave you a proper glance. It’s a pity—with your stunning beauty, even a man as fond of women as Master could heartlessly leave you in a living widowhood. These past few years must have been difficult for you, haven’t they?”
Zhao Yuechan glared fiercely at Xianglan, pointing a finger at her and exclaiming, “You! What did you say?”Xianglan placed her index finger to her lips, softly "shushed," and smiled, saying, "Keep your voice down. Don't attract unwanted attention—it'll only embarrass you, sister. This is what the Master told me: your body is too filthy, and he'd rather embrace a sow than touch you."
Zhao Yuechan's eyes welled up with tears, her face flushing red with rage. Gnashing her teeth, she spat, "You vile woman! And you're clean? Weren't you the one I sold to a brothel..."
Xianglan sneered coldly, "Fate smiled upon me, and Heaven opened its eyes—I never ended up in such a wretched place." Her expression softened, and she smiled again, adding, "The Master doesn't appreciate a beauty like you, sister. No wonder you often visit Sweet Dew Temple to offer incense—are you truly praying to Buddha, or seeking someone else..."
At this, Zhao Yuechan's face turned ashen, as if struck by a thunderbolt. Her first thought was that Lin Jinlou had told Xianglan about her affairs! But upon second thought, she dismissed it—how could a man as proud as Lin Jinlou ever admit to being cuckolded?
Trembling with fury, Zhao Yuechan glared, her eyes blazing, "You wretch! Spouting nonsense! What Sweet Dew Temple? I've never been there."
Xianglan took a step forward, smiling faintly, "What a coincidence—I happened to visit once and saw you in a monk's quarters... It must have been quite the scene when the Master led soldiers to catch you in the act. The commotion was so intense I hid beneath the windowsill, not daring to make a sound. I suppose it was after that day the Master divorced you, wasn't it?"
Watching Zhao Yuechan grow paler, Xianglan suppressed her smile and stepped closer until they were nearly nose to nose. She said calmly, "Earlier, someone informed me that you've been spreading unspeakable rumors about me outside. You'd better go back and think about how to clear my name. If even a whisper of gossip circulates, I'll hold you responsible. Since you've treated me this way, perhaps I'll loosen my tongue and share the Sweet Dew Temple incident with others—and how Concubine Lan died tragically... Tsk, tsk, how unfortunate. After all, we've known each other for so long. If the rumors vanish quietly, the Sweet Dew Temple matter will remain buried with me—it's been in my heart all this time, and I never intended to speak of it. Don't you agree?"
Zhao Yuechan stared wide-eyed, her chest heaving violently.
Xianglan observed her expression, then lowered her head to straighten Zhao Yuechan's collar, gently smoothing the wrinkles on her clothes. Softly, she said, "Seeing how well you're doing now—a fifth-rank Imperial Lady, from such an esteemed family, destined to enjoy wealth and honor for life—wouldn't it be utterly foolish to engage in actions that harm others without benefiting yourself? You should cherish your current life." With that, she turned and left.
Zhao Yuechan stood rooted to the spot, her eyes burning crimson with rage. Leaning on the nearby rockery, she felt dizzy and unsteady, overwhelmed by fury. Unable to contain herself, she let out a sharp, hate-filled scream, but it was drowned out by the loud cymbals from inside the house, startling only a foraging sparrow that fluttered away in panic.
Xiao Juan, waiting nearby and worried that Xianglan might be at a disadvantage, saw her emerge after speaking with Zhao Yuechan and breathed a sigh of relief. She hurried to catch up, asking, "Madam, is the matter settled?"Xianglan looked somewhat weary as she said, "It's settled. I doubt she'll spout nonsense anymore."
Xiao Juan blinked her round eyes in surprise, "Madam is truly remarkable. How did you make an ogress like Zhao Yuechan obey so meekly? What... what did you say to her?"
Xianglan shook her head. As the saying goes, "Those with nothing to lose fear nothing." Though she herself was now willing to risk everything, why would Zhao Yuechan—who had climbed from the mud back to the clouds—seek trouble with her and ruin her own splendid life?
Xianglan had always been peaceable by nature. Even when she argued with others, it was always out of necessity. Had Zhao Yuechan not provoked her, she would have simply taken a detour and ignored her. Yet this confrontation with Zhao Yuechan had unexpectedly vented her pent-up frustrations, leaving her feeling unexpectedly relieved.
Just then, she noticed Lin Dongwan standing on the steps, looking around. Spotting Xianglan, he quickly approached with a beaming smile.
Probably no update tomorrow.
Thank you Ling Qing for the Peace Talisman, and thanks to everyone for the pink votes ^_^
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