Jiang Xiyun was indeed a person of extraordinary depth, far from ordinary. She lowered her head to smooth the folds of her skirt, as if trying to wipe away the restlessness and panic in her heart. When she looked up again, her face was calm and serene, and she sneered repeatedly, "Since that's the case, whatever I say is useless. You've already decided it was us, haven't you?"
Xianglan sat down on the sandalwood carved lotus-patterned Xiangfei couch nearby, her face growing increasingly pale. Cold sweat nearly soaked through her undergarments, yet she smiled faintly and said, "As expected, Fifth Miss Jiang refuses to admit it."
The room fell into silence for a moment until a few coughs were heard. Grandmother Jiang took out a handkerchief from her sleeve to wipe her mouth and said, "Xi girl, come, help me. Let's go home. There's no lack of excuses for a false charge, so why waste words with her?" As she spoke, Grandmother Jiang trembled as she stood up with her cane, and Jiang Xiyun hurried forward to support her. Grandmother Jiang lifted her chin slightly, her expression elegant and dignified. She glanced faintly at Xianglan before turning to Jiang Xiyun and saying, "A mere concubine dares to question you? Have you lost your mind, talking so much with her?"
Jiang Xiyun, appearing docile, lowered her head and said, "Grandmother's lesson is right." As she helped Grandmother Jiang walk out, Xianglan raised her voice and said, "Since the Jiang Family refuses to admit it, it doesn't matter much. As the saying goes, 'courtesy before force.' I was merely informing Fifth Miss Jiang earlier. In the future, I will repay the Jiang Family's actions today with something good, and I hope Grandmother Jiang and Fifth Miss Jiang will graciously accept it."
Grandmother Jiang paused in her steps, and Jiang Xiyun also turned back, her face tinged with alarm. Then Grandmother Jiang coughed and walked out without looking back. Xianglan lowered her head slightly, gently fiddling with a doucai entwined branch begonia cup on the small table, and said, "If Grandmother Jiang steps out of this room, within an hour, rumors will spread throughout the capital's noble families and among the common folk that the Jiang Sisters are eager to marry into the Lin Family and have resorted to poisoning to ensure the Lin Family's concubine remains childless. As the saying goes, 'bad news travels fast.' If such news spreads far and wide, distorted through retelling, what will it eventually become?"
The Jiang grandmother and granddaughter were shocked and turned around together. They saw Xianglan lift her head, her face pale and sickly, yet she smiled faintly and said, "I have no other talents, only a bit of skill in painting. If I were to depict the whole story in a series of paintings and compile them into a booklet, it might become a curious tale to be passed down. Who knows, perhaps some storyteller or opera performer might adapt it into a play, or some Censor or official might submit a memorial to the Emperor about it, adding to the after-dinner gossip." Her tone carried a hint of admiration. "Let's call it 'The Jealousy of Miss Jiang: Poisoning Out of Spite; The Suffering of the Lin Family Concubine: Injustice Endured.' Grandmother Jiang, Fifth Miss Jiang, how do you like this title?"
The Jiang grandmother and granddaughter felt their hearts tremble. Grandmother Jiang strode forward a few steps with her cane, pointed at Xianglan, and said sharply, "You—you—how dare you! If you dare do this, even the Lin Family won't spare you!"Xianglan's face abruptly darkened: "How dare I not? And why should I not dare? My heart is already filled with boundless hatred! I have long grown weary of living cautiously, tiptoeing around with restrained hands and feet! Your Jiang Family is so vicious, actually administering such a drug to destroy the hopes of my remaining years, the very foundation of my existence! Driven to such a state, what joy is left in living for me? Now it is either the fish dies or the net breaks—let us perish together, even if it means mutual destruction! Even if the Lin Family expels me or uses a rope to strangle me, I would not hesitate!"
Jiang Xiyun felt anxious and panicked. Rumors were sharper than swords and fiercer than tigers; if this matter were to spread, she feared that even if she and Jiang Danyu did not hang themselves with a rope, they would have to spend the rest of their lives guarding green lamps and ancient Buddhas. Cold sweat dripped from her as she stared at Xianglan's face. If it were an ordinary concubine acting so fiercely, she might have dismissed it with contempt, but Chen Xianglan was the highly reputable Lan Xiang Ju Shi (The Recluse of Orchid Fragrance). Moreover, Lin Jinlou had just gifted her paintings to high officials and nobles a few days prior, and the cultured talents had shown her respect. Now, those coming to seek her paintings nearly wore out the doorstep—Jiang Xiyun widened her eyes and saw Xianglan's icy smile as she slowly nodded and said, "I am merely a concubine, a life of little worth, yet I can take with me the reputations of two young ladies from an official family and the prestige of the entire Jiang clan. Upon reflection, this transaction is indeed quite cost-effective."
These words struck like a heavy hammer, exhausting Grandmother Jiang both mentally and physically. Her face showed despair, and she swayed, nearly collapsing to the ground. Jiang Xiyun hurriedly helped her into a chair, then looked up angrily at Xianglan and said, "What exactly do you want!"
Xianglan stood up, looked at Jiang Xiyun, and said, "I do not wish for much. Right now, I give you two paths: either we perish together, the Jiang Family's reputation is ruined overnight, and Jiang Fifth Young Lady finds no place to stand in this world; or..." As she spoke, she lifted the doucai tangled branch begonia bowl from the table and presented it to Jiang Xiyun, "...you drink this bowl of soup."
Jiang Xiyun looked down and saw a round porcelain soup bowl containing an amber-colored liquid. Sniffing it, she detected a medicinal scent. Jiang Xiyun immediately understood and said in a trembling voice, "This is—this is—"
Xianglan sneered, "Correct. This is precisely the 'child-ending soup' you bestowed upon me. Fortunately, a few pills remained undissolved, and I personally brewed a bowl for Jiang Fifth Young Lady to taste."
Jiang Xiyun's face, once as beautiful as a begonia flower, instantly turned as pale as paper. Her eyes widened wide, and for the first time, she revealed a look of terror and horror.
Grandmother Jiang glared hatefully at Xianglan, wanting to raise her cane and strike, but her arm fell weakly. Gnashing her teeth, she said, "You, you! How vicious you are!"
Xianglan said indifferently, "It is merely repaying others in their own coin. If I am to spend my remaining years in lonely suffering, why should Jiang Fifth Young Lady enjoy wealth and honor, surrounded by children and grandchildren, basking in familial happiness?" She handed the medicine forward, her expression unperturbed, and said, "Jiang Young Lady, choose for yourself."Jiang Xiyun broke out in a cold sweat, her throat parched and her pulse seemingly vanished as she stared at the bowl of medicine as if it were a ferocious beast. She wanted neither choice—one was her reputation, the other her lifelong support! Dazedly, she lifted her head and gazed at Xianglan’s delicate, fair face. Suddenly, a surge of resentment overflowed from her chest, her eyes unknowingly turning crimson as she sneered loudly, "I choose? Why me? Hah! This marriage wasn’t my wish, and the medicine was clearly administered by someone else—what does it have to do with me? I was merely an onlooker! Why should this debt fall on me? Everyone in this world must accept their fate, but it’s you who refuses to yield, forcing your way to the forefront. Which family could tolerate such an esteemed concubine? Holding the title of a concubine, basking in favor, yet wielding the authority of the Main House—I fear even the future official wife would have to defer to your whims! In the short time I’ve stayed here, for the Lin Family’s banquets, the maids and servants all say, ‘Seek the new concubine’s approval first’; when fresh silks and satins arrive from the shops, the stewards outside declare, ‘Reserve the finest for the new concubine to pick.’ I dislike needlework, yet I toiled by lamplight to make knee pads, pricking my fingers until they were covered in wounds, only for my elder cousin to toss them aside and wear the unfinished pair you were making when he went out! All I know is that the marriage between the Lin and Jiang families is settled, awaiting only the final step. The Lin servants have been attentive to me, but the moment you appear, they treat you with the same reverence as Taitai, vying to flatter you, their enthusiasm multiplied tenfold, a hundredfold! You! Tell me! Who! Could! Tolerate! You?!"
Jiang Xiyun’s eyes seemed to spit fire, her entire body trembling as another layer of cold sweat broke out. Whether from anger or fear, she couldn’t tell, her fingers digging deep into her palms. A bellyful of words clogged her throat, nearly making her scream aloud. Her eyes wide, tears already streaming down, she cried, "I didn’t want it to be like this either, but I’ve long been filled with hatred. In front of others, I still have to pretend to be cute and obedient, swallowing every grievance with feigned ignorance, acting as if I’m happy!"
Xianglan, however, showed no anger. Instead, her expression remained calm and indifferent, her eyes seeming to hold both pity and coldness as she stared at Jiang Xiyun and asked quietly, "Finished?"
"No!" Jiang Xiyun wiped her tears away and sneered, "Chen Xianglan, you are a true fool. Since you’re a concubine, you should act like one—using your looks to please the gentlemen, being submissive to the mistress. Even if you’re as beautiful as a Celestial Maiden, even if you’re skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, even if you’re the most talented woman in the world, so what? You rose from a servant—that’s your status. No matter how virtuous the mistress is, as long as she isn’t dead, as the saying goes, ‘better the priest perish than the parishioner’—who has time to pity you? If you overshadow your master, you deserve to die!"
Xianglan took a step forward and scoffed, "Your little grievances, in my eyes, are nothing but trash. There are countless pitiable people in this world, many suffering a thousand times worse than you, yet I’ve never seen anyone resort to such cruelty. And because of your petty thoughts—that I’m a fool, that I’ve overstepped, that I deserve to die—you think you can dispose of me? Administer medicine to make me barren?"
"I didn’t administer the medicine. I didn’t harm you.""But you cannot escape responsibility either!" Xianglan stared defiantly at Jiang Xiyun. "'Better the priest perish than the parishioner'? Such words actually came from the 'innately kind-hearted' Fifth Miss Jiang. I originally thought you were merely pragmatic and slick—'speaking only three-tenths of the truth to anyone, never revealing your whole heart'—at most lacking sincerity. Now I realize you don't deserve those four characters 'innately kind-hearted' at all. For your own benefit, you stirred up trouble behind the scenes, went with the flow to condone your sister's drugging scheme, then afterward played innocent and pitiful while taking credit. Your conduct is even more disgusting than Fourth Miss Jiang's. Kind-hearted? Pah! You orchestrated such a sinister, vicious plot without the slightest remorse, self-righteously finding numerous excuses to trample on others' blood and tears, all for your own selfish gain! Yet you still consider yourself innocent, thinking sparing my life makes you benevolent and pure. So after harming people today, you can still stamp 'innately kind-hearted' and 'noble and open-hearted' on your forehead tomorrow!"
With each sentence, Xianglan stepped forward aggressively. Jiang Xiyun, hearing these words through tear-blurred eyes, grew flustered and retreated repeatedly.
Then Grandmother Jiang's hoarse, sharp voice cut through: "What—has my granddaughter—done wrong?" Xianglan turned to see the old woman trembling uncontrollably, slumped in her chair. "If she didn't use thunderous means, would she later allow you to climb over her head and domineer? How could she command respect in the future!"
Xianglan's gaze swept toward Grandmother Jiang: "There are countless ways to establish authority through discipline, yet she chose the most vicious."She sneered, walking up to the old woman, looking down from above as she leaned slightly forward, speaking slowly: "Years ago, there was an official in the Ministry of Personnel whose subordinates were rebellious and well-connected." Instead of using upright methods to exercise authority, this official pretended friendship while secretly scheming to indulge their misconduct until it provoked superior's fury. Those subordinates were demoted, dismissed, their families ruined—one died on exile two months later. The official feigned grief over failed discipline, received minor punishment, and emerged unscathed, continuing to enjoy reputation as 'scholar of renown' and 'benevolent gentleman.' Such tactics are identical to Fifth Miss Jiang's. Later, Grand Secretary Shen Gong learned the truth, sighed and said: 'Talented but virtueless, this man is insincere, not worth befriending.' Thus the official remained unpromoted for five years until Shen Gong passed away, when he finally employed various means to rapidly advance... This man was your eldest son, Jiang Xuefan."
Grandmother Jiang stared at Xianglan in shock.
Xianglan straightened up: "As the saying goes, 'Where the wind passes, the grass bends—those above set the example followed below.' So your eldest son's ways, your granddaughter's ways—all were taught by you, Grandmother Jiang. Everyone says you're stern-faced but soft-hearted, devoted to Buddha, always priding yourself on upright conduct, highly reputed among noble families. You eloquently discuss other young ladies' character, yet when it comes to your own, you desperately want your granddaughter to be ruthless and calculating, never suffering losses even at conscience's expense—selfish and self-serving, trampling others' blood and tears for personal comfort. Is this the Jiang Family's upbringing?" Looking at the wrinkled, despondent old woman, Xianglan suddenly felt pity and sorrow. She reached out and touched the exquisitely carved arhat bodhi seed prayer beads pinned to Grandmother Jiang's lapel, saying: "Pitiful, pitiful. You've believed in Buddha for decades, yet understand nothing of compassion."After saying these words, Xianglan straightened up and locked eyes with Jiang Xiyun. Suddenly, Xianglan raised the bowl of medicine and drank it all in one gulp. Jiang Xiyun stared in stunned disbelief, only to see Xianglan wipe the corner of her mouth with her sleeve, fix her gaze upon her, and sigh softly, "This is merely a tonic for nourishing yin and boosting energy. I disdain engaging in such sinister and malicious acts. But look, a single bowl of fake medicine has forced out so many truthful words."
Jiang Xiyun was immediately stunned, her eyes becoming dazed and bewildered.
Xianglan’s entire body was drenched in sweat. Using all her strength, she said, "I have said all I need to say. Please ask Taitai and Master to come out." After speaking, she could no longer utter a word and could no longer conceal her weakened state. Her body tilted, and she leaned against the Xiangfei couch.
Lin Jinlou rushed out from the small compartment behind the bedroom, pulled Xianglan into his arms, and carried her horizontally to the bed. Seeing Xianglan drenched in sweat and her complexion worsening, he anxiously cried out, "Quickly summon the imperial physician! Bring the imperial physician here!"
The Jiang Family grandmother and granddaughter were greatly startled. They then saw Qin Shi emerge from the compartment alongside another young man—it was none other than Jiang Shangxian!
Qin Shi’s eyes were red, as if she had been crying, but her expression was cold as ice. She said, "Earlier, Xianglan sent a maid to fetch me, saying that Master was questioning outside but ultimately couldn’t continue. She wanted to speak privately with Concubine Dowager and Miss Xi, and asked Lou Ge'er and me to listen secretly from the compartment. Later, your family’s Eldest Son insisted on barging in, so we simply had a servant boy bring him as a witness. I never expected to hear such things."
Jiang Shangxian’s face flushed and paled alternately. Earlier, in the compartment, he had been bound hand and foot by a servant boy and gagged, unable to make a sound. He looked up at his grandmother and sister, his gaze flickering with complex emotions, before finally lowering his head again.
Xianglan called out from the bed, "Taitai! Taitai!"
Qin Shi approached and asked, "What is it?"
Lin Jinlou also grasped Xianglan’s hand and asked, "Where are you feeling unwell?"
But Xianglan did not look at Lin Jinlou. Instead, she gazed at Qin Shi and said, "Taitai, Taitai, I say this with complete sincerity. Today, I invited everyone to witness me tearing apart all pretense with Miss Jiang Fifth, making us sworn enemies, all because I am merely a lowly concubine. The Lin and Jiang families have already engaged an official matchmaker, and the marriage is inevitable. If Taitai remembers any past kindness from me and wishes to prevent me from having even a tiny place to stand in the future, I beg you to let me go—"
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