"...She reeks of seduction from head to toe. Tsk, these fragile-looking women are actually the most vile, venomous and detestable creatures. They always play the pitiful card with men—tears and grievances—who knows how much bewitching charm they pour out. Once men's resolve softens, they cast aside their wives and children without a second thought." Jiao Shi narrowed her eyes at Xianglan, her thick brows nearly standing on end. "I originally thought she had some dignity, but it turns out she's just a maid who climbed into the master's bed." Third Master Dai Rong had recently stolen a maid, nearly resulting in an illegitimate child. Jiao Shi had ruthlessly dealt with the situation, earning herself the nickname "the Shrew of Hedong," and her resentment was still fresh.
"Yet men fall for this very act. They're all spineless, elevating lowborn seeds above their own wives—they deserve to be struck by lightning." Another woman spoke with a mocking smile, casting a few glances toward Xianglan.
Zhao Yuechan covered her mouth with a fan, inwardly sneering. Earlier, when Jiao Shi saw Xianglan sitting by the lake, she had praised her beauty and inquired about her background. Zhao Yuechan had said, "I know exactly where she comes from—born from servant stock. Relying on her looks, she's seduced quite a few men. I've heard several have been involved with her. Such a promiscuous and worthless creature should have been driven out long ago, but the Eldest Master of the Lin family... well, you all know his nickname, 'the Tyrant'... it's hard to say out loud. That little whore was sold to a brothel, who knows what filth she endured. That foolish master of the Lin family accepts all sorts of trash—he's been completely weakened by that little seductress. Even though the Madam beat and scolded him, he refused to let go. When I tried to advise him, I only earned displeasure and was treated like an eyesore..." As she spoke, she even dabbed the corner of her eye with a handkerchief.
The women with them were all close acquaintances of the Dai family. They knew Zhao Yuechan had previously divorced the Lin family and remarried. Seeing that Zhao Yuechan was beautiful, measured in her actions, and clever in speech, they felt particularly close to her. Moreover, Lin Jinlou had the nickname "the Tyrant" and was known for his philandering, so they fully believed Zhao Yuechan's twisted account. Looking at Xianglan now, they felt nothing but disgust and couldn't stop gossiping.
While they were chattering animatedly, they didn't notice Xiao Juan, Zheng Jingxian's maid Yue'er, and several other maids chatting and laughing in the side room. They overheard every word Zhao Yuechan and the others said. Xiao Juan's face flushed crimson with anger. She gritted her teeth, cursed under her breath, then sprang to her feet and rushed out. Yue'er thought to herself, "Earlier, Eldest Master Lin told our mistress to take good care of Xianglan. Now that these rumors are spreading, Xianglan's reputation will suffer, and she'll inevitably face ridicule. Eldest Master Lin will also lose face. I must report this to my mistress." With this in mind, she went to the main hall, where Zheng Jingxian was speaking with several older noblewomen. She approached, leaned close to Zheng Jingxian's ear, and quietly relayed what had happened.
Zheng Jingxian was taken aback and looked at Yue'er. "Is it true?" Yue'er nodded. Zheng Jingxian frowned slightly in thought, then stood up only to sit back down. Smoothing her expression, she said calmly, "I understand. You may go." Yue'er then withdrew.Zheng Jingxian held a teacup, stirring the leaves with the lid. Had it been anyone else, she might have intervened—she knew exactly what sort of person Zhao Yuechan was and held her in utter contempt. Moreover, Lin Jinlou’s future looked exceedingly bright; even her own father had advised showing him greater respect. The man was shrewd and adaptable, a master of diplomacy who played his cards close to his chest. Presenting himself as loyal to the throne and compassionate toward the people, he had even funded a private militia to fight for the court—without seeking credit or flaunting his contributions. Rare was such maturity in one so young, and he had earned the favor of both the Emperor and the senior ministers. Who could predict how high he might rise? By handling this matter, she would be forging another favorable connection with Lin Jinlou. It was just that Chen Xianglan… left a bad taste in her mouth.
Long before her marriage to Song Ke, during a visit to the Song residence, she had witnessed firsthand how tenderly he treated Xianglan. A man of such gentle temperament had actually confronted the two Lin sisters over Xianglan—proof of his deep affection. What grated on her most was the look of profound tenderness in Song Ke’s eyes when he gazed at Xianglan—a look he had never, to this day, bestowed upon her. Back when she had insisted on marrying Song Ke, she had braced herself for Xianglan’s eventual entry as a concubine. Outwardly feigning indifference, she had privately marshaled all her resources to contend with Chen Xianglan. How could a woman of mere beauty and lowly origins rival a properly wedded wife of noble birth, especially one whose family could pave a glittering path for Song Ke’s career? Rather than confidence in her own control, she had 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 secret sigh of relief. She had assumed the matter was closed, never expecting to encounter Chen Xianglan again in such a setting. The memory of Song Ke’s distraught expression earlier made her chest tighten with pain, so when Yue’er reported how Zhao Yuechan had slandered Xianglan, Zheng Jingxian felt a faint thrill of satisfaction and excitement. She resolved firmly not to intervene.
Meanwhile, Xiao Juan had relayed the incident to Xianglan, who nodded woodenly and said, "I see."
Xiao Juan, fuming, had expected Xianglan to share her indignation. Instead, Xianglan merely uttered those words before falling silent. "Is that all?" Xiao Juan spluttered. "Are we just... letting that vile Zhao Yuechan off scot-free?"
Xianglan, nursing her own sorrows, couldn’t help curling her lips slightly at Xiao Juan’s outburst. "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 Da Nǎinai of the Lin family, holding my life in her hands, and she was so vicious—of course I was scared. But now she’s been kicked out of the Lin household! Why should I fear her anymore?" She grinned at Xianglan. "Besides, I’ve got you and Eldest Master backing me now, right? She’s spoken plenty of ill about Eldest Master—he’d be furious if he heard."
Xianglan laughed softly, 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 hurriedly asked, "Shall I fetch some mung bean flour to cleanse your hands?"
Xianglan shook her head, stood up, and straightened her robes. "You’re right," she said. "She’s no longer Da Nǎinai of the Lin family. Why should we fear her anymore?" With that, she strode toward Zhao Yuechan.Xiao Juan's eyes widened as she hurried to catch up, saying, "Madam, slow down! Wait for me to fetch some people."
Xianglan stopped and asked curiously, "Fetch people? What people?"
Xiao Juan explained, "Aren't you going to confront Zhao Yuechan? That vicious woman might try to scratch and claw at you. Someone like you probably isn't her match. I'll go tell the Eldest Master's sister and borrow a few maids to bolster our presence. If things go wrong, at least you won't suffer."
Xianglan poked Xiao Juan's forehead and said, "You really love stirring up trouble. Stop fooling around with Gui Yuan from now on. Those boys are mischievous, and you're picking up their naughty habits. Soon you'll lead Hua Shan astray too." She paused, then added, "Who said I was going to confront her?" With that, she strode off, and Xiao Juan quickly followed.
The noblewomen were surprised to see Xianglan approaching them, their expressions soon turning to scorn. They nudged and pushed one another, exchanging meaningful glances. When Xianglan drew near, she curtsied gracefully and smiled at Zhao Yuechan, saying, "Sister Zhao, I hope you've been well? It's been nearly two years since we last met. Seeing an old friend today fills me with joy. I'd love to catch up with you."
Everyone turned to look at Zhao Yuechan, observing Xianglan's warm demeanor.
Zhao Yuechan fanned herself coldly and sneered, "I have nothing to say to you."
Xianglan maintained her gentle smile and said, "Before I came to the capital, Madam specifically asked me to relay a message if I saw you, Sister Zhao. Could we speak in private?"
Zhao Yuechan thought to herself, "I wonder what tricks this little hussy is up to. With so many eyes watching, she wouldn't dare try anything." Having reasoned this, she followed Xianglan. The two walked to a secluded spot behind the house, near the rockery. Zhao Yuechan said coldly, "Well? Speak."
Xianglan still wore a smile as she said, "Seeing you today, it seems you're doing quite well."
Zhao Yuechan retorted with a sneer, "Well enough, I suppose. Just scraping by as the legitimate wife of a fifth-rank official. But you—you've really risen in the world. Once a shivering little mouse from some backwater, now you've managed to climb your way into high society."
Xianglan replied with a smile, "Sister, are you saying all this out of jealousy? The Eldest Master has been drinking and carousing less lately. He's even dismissed all his concubines and has me staying in the main residence. Now he 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 almost makes you look the part. Pity you'll never be a legitimate mistress. Once Lin Jinlou grows tired of you, we'll see what becomes of you then."
Xianglan smiled and said, "No need to trouble yourself over that. Speaking of which, you were married to the Eldest Master for years, yet he never once looked at you properly. It's a shame—someone as beautiful as you, and even a man as fond of women as he could bear to leave you in a living widowhood. These past few years must have been difficult, haven't they?"
Zhao Yuechan glared fiercely at Xianglan, pointing a finger and exclaiming, "You! What did you say!"Xianglan placed her index finger to her lips, softly "shushing" before smiling and saying, "Keep your voice down. Don’t draw in outsiders—it’ll only shame you, sister. This is what Eldest Master told me: your body is too filthy. He’d rather embrace a sow than lay a finger on you."
Zhao Yuechan’s eyes welled with tears, her face flushing crimson with rage. Gnashing her teeth, she hissed, "You vile creature! And you’re so clean? Weren’t you the one I sold to a brothel—"
Xianglan gave a cold laugh. "Fate smiled on me, and Heaven had eyes—I never ended up in such a wretched place." Her expression softened, and she smiled again. "Eldest Master doesn’t know how to cherish a beauty like you. No wonder you must be so lonely in your boudoir, sister. It’s little surprise you often visit Sweet Dew Temple. Are you truly there to worship the Buddha, or to seek out someone else…"
At this, Zhao Yuechan’s face changed drastically, 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 the idea—a man as proud as Lin Jinlou would never reveal to outsiders that he had been cuckolded.
Trembling, Zhao Yuechan glared with fire in her eyes. "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 go there once and saw you in a monk’s quarters… It’s a pity Eldest Master had to lead soldiers himself to catch you in the act. The commotion was so great I hid beneath the windowsill, not daring to make a sound. I suppose it was after that day that Eldest Master divorced you, wasn’t it?"
Watching Zhao Yuechan’s face grow paler, Xianglan suppressed her smile and took another step forward until they were nearly nose to nose. She said calmly, "Just now, someone told me you’ve been spreading unspeakable rumors about me outside. You’d better go back and think of a way to clear my name. If even a whisper of those rumors circulates, I’ll hold you responsible. Since you’ve treated me this way, perhaps I’ll let slip about Sweet Dew Temple—and about how Concubine Lan died so tragically… Tsk, tsk, how unpleasant. After all, we’ve known each other for so long. If those rumors quietly disappear, the matter of Sweet Dew Temple 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 titled lady, from such an esteemed family, destined to enjoy wealth and honor for life—wouldn’t it be utterly foolish to do something that harms others without benefiting yourself? You should cherish the life you have now." With that, she turned and left.
Zhao Yuechan stood rooted to the spot, her eyes burning crimson with fury. Bracing herself against the rockery, she felt dizzy with rage, nearly losing her balance. Unable to contain her hatred, she let out a sharp cry, but it was drowned out by the loud clashing of cymbals from inside, startling only a sparrow foraging nearby into fluttering away.
Xiao Juan, who had been waiting nearby, worried that Xianglan might come to harm, breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Xianglan emerge after speaking with Zhao Yuechan. She hurried over and asked, "Madam, is the matter settled?"Xianglan looked somewhat weary as she said, "It's settled. I suppose she won't spout nonsense anymore."
Xiao Juan blinked her round eyes and asked curiously, "Madam is truly remarkable. How did you make that ogress Zhao Yuechan obey so obediently? What... what did you say to her?"
Xianglan shook her head. As the saying goes, "The barefooted fear not the shod." Now she was ready to risk everything, but why would Zhao Yuechan, who had climbed from the mud back to the clouds, cause trouble with her and ruin her own splendid life for nothing?
Xianglan had always been even-tempered. Even when she argued with others, it was always out of necessity. If Zhao Yuechan hadn't provoked her, she would have surely taken a detour and couldn't be bothered to engage. Yet this confrontation with Zhao Yuechan had allowed her to vent her pent-up frustration, and she suddenly felt much more relieved inside.
Just then, she saw Lin Dongwan standing on the steps, looking around. When he spotted Xianglan, he hurried over with a beaming smile.
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