The beautiful woman was Wei Shi, daughter of Qin Shi's second aunt. The two had been close since childhood. Later, Wei Shi married into Duke Xian's household as the second wife of the heir, Zheng Baichuan, despite their twenty-year age difference. Still, their marriage was harmonious. It wasn't until four or five years after their wedding that she gave birth to a daughter named Jingxian, after which she bore no more children. This Zheng Jingxian became the apple of Wei Shi's eye.
Qin Shi smiled at Wei Shi and said, "It's been quite some time since we last met. If not for your husband's wish to return to his roots and pay respects at the ancestral home, we sisters wouldn't have this chance to reunite."
A trace of worry crossed Wei Shi's face as she lowered her voice, "My husband's health has been declining these past two years, yet he insists on returning. Our Jingxian still hasn't found a husband, and I fear that if the old duke passes, she'll be left stranded... That girl is so vexing—too picky by half. Her father dotes on her, and if she's unwilling, he indulges her whims."
Qin Shi laughed, "What parent doesn't spoil their child? I feel the same about Qi Jie'er—afraid she'll suffer if married too high, feel wronged if married too low, and if matched equally, worried the groom might prove unworthy." After sipping her wine, she glanced toward the table where the young ladies sat.
At that moment, Zheng Jingxian was seated with Lin Dongqi, Lin Dongling, and others, chatting and laughing about something. Tall with broad shoulders and a square-round face, she carried herself with striking vitality. Though her features were delicate, they leaned toward a bold handsomeness that made her stand out among the girls.
Qin Shi turned back to Wei Shi with a smile, "With Jingxian's looks and character, what is there to worry about?"
Wei Shi sighed, "You don't understand. I spoiled her since childhood, and she's grown stubborn as a mule. Besides, she's merely passable in looks—nothing compared to your Qi Jie'er."
Every parent thinks their child the best. Qin Shi observed the spirited Zheng Jingxian, then the gentle Lin Dongqi, and though she privately agreed with Wei Shi, she demurred, "Nonsense. Jingxian is a first-rate young lady—she and Qi Jie'er each have their own merits."
Not daring to interrupt Qin Shi and Wei Shi's lively conversation, Xianglan quietly retreated to the corridor. There, she saw Qing Lan sitting at a table with Ying Ge and Hua Mei.
Qing Lan's cheeks were slightly flushed from wine as she picked at a dish of appetizers, taking small, delicate bites. Hua Mei, seated to her left, showered her with praise, "I always said you were talented, and now I see it's true. This banquet is splendid—even the pickles are made from flowers! So novel and delicious. Only someone like you could think of such an idea."
Pleased, Qing Lan broke into a smile, "Oh, don't flatter me. There's nothing novel about it—just something outsiders have grown tired of. I hope you don't find it lacking." The thought of the thirty-two taels spent on these tables pained her, but seeing everyone's praise—especially Qin Shi's approving gaze, a first—made the expense feel worthwhile.
Hua Mei giggled, "Oh my, if anyone complains about such delicacies, they must only be satisfied with the Queen Mother's peach banquet! Isn't that right, Ying Ge?" Her light, playful banter endeared her further to Qing Lan, who joined in her laughter.Ying Ge and Hua Mei stood to the left, their expressions uneasy and silent, giving only slight nods while lowering their eyes to hide the envy within—just look at Wang Qinglan, dressed in delicate, luxurious pink, her cheeks glowing with health, clearly living in utmost comfort. Not only did Taitai favor her, but even the Master visited her quarters frequently. And now, she was even entrusted with hosting a Poetry Club gathering among the nobility! Such honor had never been granted even to the first lady of the household! That Taitai and the Master could indulge her so—wasn’t it all because of the child in her belly? If, if only her own son hadn’t been lost due to that wretched Chunyan’s schemes, today’s glory and admiration should have been hers!
Ying Ge’s heart ached with bitterness, and at the thought of her sorrow, she secretly shed a few tears. Hua Mei glanced at Ying Ge, a cold smirk playing at her lips, then turned to Qing Lan with an ingratiating smile, saying, “Just now, all the noble ladies praised Sister’s competence. Even Taitai said, ‘Lan girl is a reliable one.’ You know Taitai rarely praises anyone. Later, during the poetry session, Sister must take the lead to live up to Taitai’s high expectations.”
Qing Lan had initially hesitated to compose poetry, fearing she might embarrass herself, but Hua Mei’s flattery made her head swell with pride. Just as she wavered between participating or not, a voice chimed in, “Since Taitai praised you so, you must surely astonish everyone later.”
Before the words faded, Zhao Yuechan took a seat to Qing Lan’s right, her fair face stern yet smiling, her captivating eyes brimming with charm. At her arrival, Qing Lan’s earlier confidence vanished instantly, leaving her fidgeting nervously. She scrambled to her feet, stammering meekly without daring to respond. Zhao Yuechan, already resentful of Qing Lan’s spotlight today, felt some of her malice dissipate upon seeing Qing Lan’s fear. She said coolly, “Sit down. Pour me some wine.”
Qing Lan hurriedly picked up the wine jug and poured a cup for Zhao Yuechan.
Hua Mei curled her lip at Qing Lan’s submissive, trembling demeanor. Tch, she had thought Qing Lan might finally grow a spine and stand up to Zhao Yuechan, but it seemed mud couldn’t be propped up—she was still spineless after all.
Then, Ying Ge suddenly spoke up, “Sister Qing Lan is truly basking in glory today. The Poetry Club is so splendidly arranged, and with the Master’s child in her belly—such perfection is unmatched in heaven or earth. Even I can’t help but envy it.” She emphasized “the Master’s child” pointedly.
Zhao Yuechan’s expression darkened at once. She scrutinized Qing Lan from head to toe before nodding. “Indeed, you are blessed. From the day you entered this household, Taitai said you were fertile, destined to expand the Lin family tree.”
Qing Lan forced a smile. “I dare not claim such praise…”
Zhao Yuechan replied, “If you dare not, then who would? Nowadays, all of us, high and low, are counting on your belly.” Her light laughter carried a sharp, cutting edge.
Qing Lan kept her head bowed, not daring to utter another word.She stole a glance at Zhao Yuechan and suddenly lost her appetite. When she first arrived at the Lin family's ancestral home in Jiangnan and served tea to Zhao Yuechan, she had seen a little maid beaten bloody being dragged out by two old women, leaving a long trail of blood on the ground. The sight had frightened her half to death, yet Zhao Yuechan had dismissed it lightly, saying the maid had stolen her jewelry and she had merely given her a small punishment. As she spoke, she looked at her with a faint smile, her eyes sharp as blades. This act of killing a chicken to scare the monkeys had thoroughly intimidated her.
Later, because she was with child, she was exempt from standing on ceremony before the principal wife. As time passed, being broad-minded by nature, she gradually forgot the incident, though she retained a shadow of fear toward Zhao Yuechan. But the last time Zhao Yuechan came to the eastern wing, she had flung a cup of tea directly into Xianglan's face—she had seen it clearly and shuddered inwardly. Only then did she remember again that this principal wife was truly a demon incarnate!
Zhao Yuechan simply picked up her chopsticks and helped herself to the dishes, while Qing Lan, Hua Mei, Ying Ge, and the others dared not move their chopsticks, sitting in hushed silence. Fortunately, Zhao Yuechan took only a few bites before rising to leave. As a daughter-in-law, she had only a symbolic seat at the banquet and did not dare to sit properly, so she had gone to the table in the corridor to eat a few dishes to fill her stomach before returning to make arrangements—Qing Lan had already suffered a great loss of face, and now she needed to make a show of herself to regain some dignity.
Once Zhao Yuechan left, Qing Lan immediately came to life again, chatting and laughing merrily with Hua Mei.
Xianglan stood at a distance, shaking her head slightly to herself. When Concubine Lan encountered the principal wife, it was like a mouse meeting a cat—both pitiable and laughable to behold.
Thank you to Junxi812 for the zongzi, and thank you to Huashan Lvshui Zhou for the long review—you're so talented, haha ^_^
I've been extremely busy lately and didn’t want to write filler content, so the chapter is a bit lean—please forgive me.
OpenNovel