Three days later was Qin Shi's birthday. Since they were still in mourning for Old Madam Zeng, they didn't make grand arrangements—just invited a few close friends and relatives for some modest feasting and merriment. However, Lin Old Madam placed great importance on Qin Shi's celebration, ordering that the banquet be of the highest quality and specifically instructing Qin Shi to rest while others handled the preparations. Wang Shi wasn't skilled at managing household affairs, and Lin Dongqi lacked the inclination, so Lin Jinlou took charge, hiring renowned vegetarian chefs from major restaurants to prepare the dishes, making the event quite lively.
Qin Shi had originally not intended to invite Cao Lihuan, but Cao Lihuan was shrewd and eagerly sent over two sets of needlework as birthday gifts. Lin Old Madam remarked, "After all, she's family. It wouldn't be proper not to invite her—it's just an extra place setting. I'll have a few old maids keep an eye on things inside and out, so you can just ignore her if you don't want to see her." Seeing Lin Old Madam's stance, Qin Shi had no choice but to extend the invitation to Cao Lihuan as well.
Cao Lihuan had been planning her outfit for two days, digging out two rarely worn dresses she had tailored at Xianni Zhai from the bottom of her chest. But when she tried them on in front of the mirror, she found fault with each—either the style was outdated or the colors too flashy for mourning. In the end, she reluctantly settled on the tea-white, fully embroidered BeiZi with floral and bird motifs in satin, instructing Hui'er to carefully do her makeup and accessorizing with sapphire jewelry. Finally, she ordered Xianglan to accompany her.
Xianglan was surprised. Though Hui'er had been beaten and walked with difficulty, such a high-profile occasion should have naturally fallen to Huairui. Now that Cao Lihuan was amiably asking her to come along, Xianglan felt somewhat uneasy. "Your face is too plain—you need some rouge. Go back and change your clothes too," Cao Lihuan said while admiring herself in the mirror, holding a beaded hairpin to her head. Though the celebration for Aunt Qin isn't grand, I heard several official families and prominent stewardesses will be attending. Dress up nicely—even just making a brief appearance to get acquainted will be good for you. It'll benefit you in the long run."
Xianglan smiled faintly. "I’ve never liked wearing makeup, and this outfit is perfectly fine... I do have a slate-blue skirt, but it’s still drying after being washed."
Cao Lihuan frowned, shooting Xianglan a sidelong glance and muttering under her breath, "Ungrateful wretch—you can't polish a turd."
Xianglan heard it clearly but pretended otherwise. Noticing a stain on her jacket from watering flowers that morning, she returned to her room to change. Inside, she found Siqiao standing restlessly by the window, startled when she entered. Xianglan climbed onto the kang and opened the camphorwood chest, rummaging for clothes while saying, "Siqiao, you've seemed distracted these past couple of days. Is something wrong?"
"N-no, nothing at all..." Siqiao waved her hands hastily. "I'm perfectly fine."
Xianglan pulled out a change of clothes, removing her russet outer jacket and replacing it with a frost-colored blouse. "If you're facing any difficulties, just tell me—I’ll help however I can."Siqiao watched Xianglan hesitate to speak, clenching her fists so tightly her nails dug into her palms. Xianglan had always treated her well, helping her in every way and often offering comforting words. She was grateful, yet she couldn't suppress her envy—Xianglan was not only beautiful but also excelled at needlework. Moreover, Xianglan was a maid in the Lin household! Once Cao Lihuan married, Xianglan could retire comfortably and continue living a life of ease in the wealthy Lin family. But what about her? She had been sent here by Taitai with her contract handed over to Cao Lihuan—a mistress with a terrible temper, a petty mind, and a penchant for tormenting others. Even if she wouldn’t starve in the future, it certainly wouldn’t be a good life. She was already suffering now; who knew how much worse it would get?
But why? If she hadn’t been cast out, the maid assigned to Cao Lihuan should have been Xianglan!
Why was she so unlucky?
Why was Xianglan better than her in every way?
If—if the matter with Si Shun'er succeeded, Xianglan would be just as miserable as her—no, even worse!
Somehow, the thought instantly eased Siqiao’s heart. She lowered her head, then raised it again, forcing a smile. "Of course, if anything happens, I’ll definitely tell you."
Xianglan smiled at Siqiao and pushed the door open to leave.
Cao Lihuan took her time dressing up, even applying a layer of scented balm behind her ears before finally stepping out. By the time she arrived at the garden, the banquet had already begun. Cao Lihuan sat at a table with Qi Jie'er, Ling Jie'er, Xiu Jie'er, and Song Tanchai, while Qin Shi and the others gathered around an Eight Immortals table, with Zhao Yuechan standing behind to serve. Xianglan glanced around and noticed that aside from Qin Shi, Wang Shi, and Song Yima (Song Ke’s mother), the other three women at the Eight Immortals table were strangers, but their luxurious attire and glittering jewels clearly marked them as women of high status. She obediently stood by the wall with the other maidservants—they would only get to eat after serving their mistresses.
The banquet was held at the Pruning Autumn Pavilion, facing the emerald lake, red apricot blossoms, and half-pond lotus leaves—a truly picturesque scene. A gentle breeze drifted in through the open carved vermilion windows, refreshing the spirit. Xianglan silently admired the view. During Old Madam Zeng’s mourning period, all string and wind instruments were forbidden, and no theatrical troupes could be invited to perform. The birthday celebration would have been much duller, but choosing such a scenic spot made up for it—later, they could enjoy the view, feed the fish, and play a few rounds of cards for entertainment. She heard the feast had been arranged by Lin Jinlou. Who would have thought that scoundrel, aside from being lustful and heartless, also had some clever ideas?
Just then, someone laughed and said, "The three young ladies of the Lin family are truly each more beautiful than the last. I’ve seen Wan Jie'er before and thought she was a peerless beauty, but now that I’ve met Qi Jie'er, Ling Jie'er, and Xiu Jie'er, I realize there’s always a higher mountain beyond the mountain, a loftier tower beyond the tower."
"Sister Zhou, you flatter them too much," Qin Shi said with a smile. "They’re nowhere near as good as you say. Your Feng Jie'er is the real beauty. You should have brought her along so the girls could enjoy each other’s company."
Zhou Shi chuckled. "If she came, she’d only cause mischief. Not like your Qi Jie'er—graceful and refined, the very image of you. I won’t take no for an answer. Last time, Wan Jie'er was older and not fated for us, but this time, Qi Jie'er must be matched with our family. You’ve met my eldest son—his character and temperament are outstanding in every way.""Sister Zhou is certainly singing her own praises. Does she think only her family has sons? Our Hong Ge'er is just as fine in character and looks as Qi Jie'er," Duan Shi said with a warm smile, her eyes lingering approvingly on Lin Dongqi's graceful and elegant demeanor.
Qin Shi's smile widened even further.
Zhou Shi chuckled, "Not just Qi Jie'er, but Ling Jie'er, Xiu Jie'er, and Chai Jie'er too—each one more beautiful than the last. Your household is truly a nest of beauties."
The others chimed in agreement, and soon Wang Shi and Song Yima were also beaming. Everyone was praised—except Cao Lihuan, as if she didn't exist at all. Cao Lihuan's face darkened instantly.
Though their voices weren't loud, the conversation carried clearly to the neighboring table. Lin Dongqi's cheeks flushed slightly, but she forced herself to appear composed. Lin Dongling, eyes crinkled with amusement, nudged her sister and whispered playfully, "Second Sister, Auntie is trying to arrange a marriage for you."
Lin Dongqi spat in mock indignation, "What nonsense are you spouting?"
"How is it nonsense? One is from the Office of Transmission, the other from the Marquis of Loyalty and Valor—both prestigious families well-matched to ours, and both have taken a liking to you." As long as Lin Dongqi didn't compete with her for Song Ke, Lin Dongling was happy, her temperament even softening as she teased, "And there's the Taitai from the Surveillance Commission who hasn't spoken yet—I can tell she's interested too."
Lin Dongxiu's words came out sour and half-hearted, "With Mother making plans, of course Sister will have a bright future." She thought of their eldest sister, Lin Dongwan—beautiful and ambitious, yet held back by her status as a concubine-born daughter, unable to marry high or low until she was eighteen. Though she eventually wed into an aristocratic family, the reality was far from the glamour it seemed. The family had produced few accomplished descendants, with the highest-ranking official in court not exceeding the fifth rank—a house seemingly in decline. Lin Dongwan's husband, too, was far from promising. Each time she returned home, her eyes carried traces of hardship, her demeanor increasingly worn. Now, as Lin Dongqi's marriage prospects flourished with so many noble families vying for her, all because she was born from Taitai's womb—what a stark contrast!
Cao Lihuan, overhearing that the ladies at this table were all wealthy or noble, burned with envy and rage. She had come today hoping to shine and secretly network with the elite to climb higher, yet Qin Shi hadn't even introduced her to these ladies—clearly looking down on her! Old grudges and new humiliations simmered; if she didn't retaliate, she wouldn't be worthy of the name Cao.
Work has been hectic these past two days, not sure how long I can keep up daily updates, but I'll try my best!
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