Xianglan stepped into the courtyard, where the breeze dispersed some of her inner vexation. Xiao Juan followed, her face flushed with anger: "That old hag makes my blood boil! Spouting nonsense as if everyone else were fools who couldn't see through her. I must vent this fury later!"
Wu Mama approached Xianglan, drawing a copper-wire-inlaid vial from her pouch. Unscrewing the cap, she said, "If you feel heavy-headed, Madam, dab some mint balm on your temples and take a whiff—it'll clear your mind." She sighed. "Given the Eldest Master's standing, Fifth Madam is nothing significant. Yet she holds sway among the clan's womenfolk and, as an elder, an open quarrel would only tarnish your reputation. You're at a disadvantage being newly married and inexperienced—that's why she dares bully you. In a couple of years, when you're firmly established, she wouldn't dare even with a hundred extra guts."
Xianglan understood it wasn't just her new status but also her humble origins that Wu Mama implicitly urged her to endure. Her long brows furrowed slightly. "I grasp your meaning, Mama. A few words don't bother me—I've swallowed worse humiliations before. But now it's different. I represent the Lin family's dignity, the Eldest Master's face. Today, Fifth Madam's remarks were testing my temper. All the respectable clan members are in the side rooms, pretending not to hear or see, yet their ears are perked higher than anyone's. If I yield today, it'll spread instantly. I don't fear personal shame, but I worry that if I later manage household affairs, insolent servants may emerge, or worse, someone might send concubines to our home tomorrow."
Wu Mama pondered and sighed. "That's true, but there's no solution now... It's not worth sacrificing your reputation for that old crone, especially with gossip already circulating about you."
Xianglan's heart warmed at these words. Through all her ups and downs, these few around her had remained sincerely devoted—a blessing she cherished deeply. She reached out and squeezed Xiao Juan's hand, smiling. "I wouldn't scold you even at home, let alone in public. Your plan is clever, but openly humiliating Fifth Madam would deepen her resentment beyond repair."
Xiao Juan argued, "If conflict arises, someone's dignity will be lost regardless."
Xianglan replied, "No matter how angry, we must preserve others' public dignity. Leave room for reconciliation—soft words allow hard actions to be reconsidered later. The true danger lies in burning all bridges and leaving handles for retaliation." After a moment's thought, she turned to Wu Mama. "This task requires your veteran skills." She whispered instructions, making Wu Mama sigh inwardly though her expression showed reluctance. "Though I have old ties with Fifth Madam, I can't guarantee success..."
Xianglan smiled. "I understand. Whether you succeed or not, I'll remember your kindness."
Reassured, Wu Mama went to fulfill her task.In the room, the host had already taken the child away. Everyone present knew that Xianglan had left earlier because she was upset by Madam Ding's remarks. The ladies and madams exchanged knowing glances, pretending as if nothing had happened, and casually chatted over tea in small groups. When Xianglan reentered the room, she sat down quietly by herself. Xiao Juan fetched a teapot to refill her cup, and Xianglan held the tea bowl with a calm, detached expression.
Ding Suyan nudged Madam Ding, tilting her head toward Xianglan, and whispered, "Aunt, after all, she is the wife of the Lin family's eldest grandson..."
Madam Ding remained unruffled, patting Ding Suyan's hand and signaling her to lean closer. She murmured, "She's just a low-born servant with no one to back her. If she complains to Lou Ge'er about this, it’ll only make her seem troublesome. Besides, we didn’t say anything that could be held against us. Look at her—timid and narrow-minded. Even if she’s holding back tears of frustration, she has to endure it silently. If she causes a scene and clashes with us, what will others think of her? They’ll likely criticize her at every turn. See? Earlier, we managed to drive her away without a fuss."
Hearing this, Ding Suyan felt reassured and whispered back, "Exactly. When you entered the room earlier, everyone rushed to greet you—only she put on airs. She deserved to be put in her place, or she’ll grow even more arrogant and disregard her elders in the future."
Madam Ding tapped Ding Suyan’s nose playfully and said, "You clever thing, that’s precisely it."
Just as they finished speaking, Wu Mama entered and approached Madam Ding to converse. Wu Mama was a respected elder, not only Lin Jinlou’s wet nurse but also trusted by Qin Shi and held in high regard by Old Madam Lin. Previously, when Madam Ding had sought favors for her maternal family, she had visited the Lin residence to bribe Wu Mama for assistance, so the two had an existing rapport and greeted each other warmly. After exchanging a few pleasantries, Wu Mama tugged at Madam Ding’s sleeve and said, "Fifth Madam, this old servant has a few private words for you. May we step aside?" She gestured toward the door with her eyes.
Fifth Madam agreed and stood up to follow Wu Mama outside. They stopped under the corridor, where Wu Mama smiled and said, "Fifth Madam, today I’ll speak out of turn. Please forgive my bluntness if I overstep."
Being shrewd, Madam Ding had already sensed something and replied with a smile, "Go on."
Wu Mama said, "I’ve watched our madam since she first entered the mansion as a maid. I don’t know if you’ve seen the play The Story of Hermit Lanxiang, but to speak truthfully today, about eighty or ninety percent of that story is real. Otherwise, how could someone of her background become the wife of the Lin family’s eldest grandson? Not only did all the elders consent, but she was even summoned by the Empress Dowager. On her wedding day, the Eldest Master dispatched a hundred armored guards to escort her into the household. Such grandeur—aside from an emperor’s daughter marrying, who else could match it? Not to mention, since her arrival, our master’s eyes have been glued to her, and he can’t tear himself away."
Madam Ding raised her eyebrows and sneered faintly, "What exactly are you trying to say? What does any of this have to do with me?"Wu Mama said meaningfully, "This old servant wouldn't dare, nor do I have any other intentions. Fifth Madam, regardless of her background or whatever unspeakable matters she had before, she is now the Da Nǎinai of the Lin family after all. If she feels displeased and goes back to complain to the Eldest Master... You know as well as I do that our Eldest Master is most protective of his own. Would we still interact in the future? Our grandmother has a gentle temperament and likely won't whisper complaints in his ear, but if she truly ends up ignoring you from now on, wouldn't that make everyone uncomfortable?"
Upon hearing that a complaint might be made to Lin Jinlou, Madam Ding already felt somewhat intimidated, though she didn't show it on her face. Instead, she grew even more indignant and sneered, "What does she want to accuse me of? What did I just say? I was merely sharing what I've heard—can that be considered a crime? Did I mention her by name? This is truly blaming heaven and earth, falsely accusing and punishing without cause. Ah, I understand now—this is using a minor issue to vent anger, resenting me for not going to the Lin residence back then! You needn't say anymore. If she's angry with me, she can take it to her Old Madam and mother-in-law to judge. As a junior, she actually dares to disregard her elders!" With that, she turned to leave.
Wu Mama stepped forward and reached out to stop her, the smile on her face fading slightly but still present. "Fifth Madam, everyone in this room is perceptive; let's not speak in anger. Speaking of elders and juniors, Fifth Madam, strictly speaking, our Da Nǎinai holds a first-rank imperial title. According to etiquette, it should be you who bows to our grandmother first—state law comes before family law, doesn't it? But saying that would create distance between us. What you said in the room earlier, even if unintentional, was hurtful to the listener, wasn't it?"She paused and continued, "Back when our grandmother was a maid, she endured much bullying and oppression, with only a few people by her side who truly cared for her." Now that grandma has risen to prominence, those people have all gained prestige and benefited. Those who thought grandma was young and easy to bully back then—who knows where they are now, regretting it! There may be some gossip outside now, but who can say that grandma won't bear children in the future? There's an old saying that might not fit perfectly here, but it conveys the meaning—'Do not bully the youth for being poor.'"
Madam Ding's eyelids twitched, and she said, "I didn't benefit from her favor back then, and I won't have any reason to seek her help in the future."
Wu Mama replied, "When people interact, it's all about mutual respect. You've always been a wise person whom this old servant admires, capable of understanding this. Since I've come, I'm offering a ladder and a step—whether to descend or not is naturally your wise decision." After saying this, she curtseyed and said, "This old servant will take my leave now."
Xianglan, upon seeing Wu Mama enter, inquired with a look in her eyes. Wu Mama approached and said in a low voice, "I spoke indirectly at first, but she remained stubborn and unwilling to yield. Later, I had to speak plainly. She's someone with a thin skin and holds herself high; she didn't say any conciliatory words just now."
Xianglan nodded.After a moment, Madam Ding entered and sat down again to drink tea while chatting with those around her. Xianglan was in no hurry either, slowly finishing her cup of tea. When she lifted her head, her gaze met Madam Ding’s. The two locked eyes, and Xianglan was the first to offer a slight smile and a nod of respect. Unexpectedly, Madam Ding’s expression softened, and she smiled back at her. A short while later, the two were sitting together and talking. After just a few words, they had grown remarkably close. Madam Ding took Xianglan’s hand and said, “How could someone as lovely as a fresh flower end up married to that tyrant? If he ever mistreats you in the future, just come and tell me. None of us will let him get away with it.” Xianglan smiled faintly and replied, “Alright, I’ll remember that. When I get back, I’ll tell him I’ve found myself a reliable ally. If he dares treat me poorly, I’ll come to you in tears.” Everyone in the room couldn’t help but laugh, teasing them while exchanging meaningful glances, inwardly astonished. Just moments ago, one had been speaking with veiled sarcasm, and the other had stormed out in anger—how had they become so close in the blink of an eye?
Only Ding Suyan was displeased, her expression betraying her feelings. Madam Ding noticed and discreetly nudged her, after which Ding Suyan composed herself somewhat.
Xianglan understood the situation clearly. Earlier, she had sent Wu Mama to act as a mediator, to smooth things over between them. Some of the words spoken had been instructed by Xianglan herself—expressing her dissatisfaction to make the other party reflect, yet without burning bridges. Ultimately, it was better to make a friend than an enemy, but how to move forward depended on Madam Ding’s response. Madam Ding’s earlier words were a sign of yielding, an apology for her earlier sharpness. It showed that she was shrewd and knew when to adapt—maintaining her dignity in front of her subordinates, yet flexible enough to bend when needed. Despite her dislike for Xianglan, she could pretend to be affectionate and caring. No wonder a widow like her had managed to secure a place within the clan.
Though Madam Ding wore a smile, her heart was unsettled. She knew that Xianglan’s position as the legitimate wife wasn’t solely due to her looks. But after this encounter, she realized that Xianglan was soft on the surface yet firm underneath—not an easy person to deal with. An ordinary person would either endure the situation or let it escalate into a conflict. Xianglan, however, had preserved Madam Ding’s dignity in public while sending an old servant to privately admonish her and lay out the stakes. Some of the words spoken were clearly beyond Wu Mama’s capacity—they must have been directed by Xianglan herself. Afterward, she took the initiative to extend goodwill, acting as if nothing had happened and engaging in lighthearted conversation. No wonder Chen Xianglan was so adept at navigating social situations—she had first entangled with the young master of the Song family and then climbed to the high branch that was Lin Jinlou. Since her arrival in the household, Lin Jinlou’s beautiful concubines had vanished one by one, and now she alone enjoyed his favor. Such patience and skill!
After half a day of mental exertion, Xianglan was already exhausted. Xiao Juan, noticing Xianglan’s pale complexion, frowned with concern and said, “Should we go home? Let’s find a physician to examine you. Why bother staying here listening to that woman’s sweet-talking and gossip?”
Xianglan nodded in agreement. But when she stood up, she felt dizzy. Xiao Juan quickly supported her. A quick-witted young maid had already informed the hostess, and the lady of the house immediately came over. She personally offered her daughter’s bedroom and arranged for Xianglan to rest there, adding, “It so happens the physician is here to check on my daughter-in-law’s pulse. Let’s have him take a look at you too, just to be safe.” With that, she went out to summon the physician.
A short while later, the physician arrived. He frowned, stroking his beard as he examined her, then his expression relaxed. He stood up, clasped his hands, and said with a smile, “Congratulations! You are with child!”
Xianglan, lying behind the bed curtains, sat up abruptly and exclaimed in disbelief, “What?”Wu Mama stepped forward and asked, "Really? Truly? Is it really a pregnancy pulse?"
The physician smiled and said, "The pulse feels smooth and rounded like a pearl—there's no mistake. It's indeed a pregnancy pulse, likely nearly two months along."
Xianglan froze for a moment, then was overcome with joy, though she nearly choked up with emotion. Suppressing her feelings, she said, "Quick, give him a reward!"
Wu Mama had already pulled out a thick red envelope and handed it over. The physician pinched it and immediately beamed, showering them with New Year's blessings before adding, "I'll write a prescription for stabilizing the pregnancy later. Brew it and take it afterward."
As soon as the physician left, Wu Mama lifted the curtain and saw Xianglan sitting on the bed, wiping away tears. Wu Mama felt both relieved and heartache, unable to hold back her own tears. Just then, Xianglan said, "When we return, have another physician examine me. If it's true, don't tell Eldest Master yet. I... I want to tell him myself..."
Xiao Juan happened to enter the room and overheard this, her eyes also reddening. Clenching her teeth, she said, "Now let's see what those gossiping women will chatter about! I'm going out right now to slap them in the face with this news!"
As soon as the news of Xianglan's pregnancy spread, people immediately came in to offer congratulations. But Xianglan didn't wish to stay a moment longer and set off for home at once. Before departing, she bid farewell to everyone. Though Madam Ding wore a smile, her expression was complex. Had she not smoothed things over with Xianglan earlier, things might have turned truly embarrassing. Yet, in her heart, she couldn't help feeling shocked, annoyed, jealous, and resentful that her own grandniece was so useless—this wealth and honor should have been firmly in their grasp! She glanced at her stunned grandniece, shook her head, and slumped wearily into her chair.
OpenNovel