The beautiful woman was Wei Shi, the daughter of Qin Shi's second aunt. The two had been close since childhood. Later, Wei Shi married into the Duke Xian's residence. Although she was the second wife of the heir, Zheng Baichuan, with an age gap of twenty years between them, they were still considered a harmonious couple. It was only after four or five years of marriage that she gave birth to a daughter, named Jingxian. After that, Wei Shi had no more children, and this Zheng Jingxian became the apple of her eye.
Qin Shi smiled at Wei Shi and said, "It's been a while since we last met. If not for your husband's desire to return to his roots and pay respects at the ancestral home, we sisters wouldn't have had this chance to gather."
A trace of worry crossed Wei Shi's face as she lowered her voice and said, "My husband's health has been deteriorating over the past two years, yet he insists on coming back to see the old place. Our Xian'er still hasn't found a husband, and I'm afraid that if the old master passes away, it will delay her prospects... The most frustrating thing is that girl is so picky—she won't marry above or below her station. Her father dotes on her, and since she herself is unwilling, he just lets her have her way."
Qin Shi smiled and said, "Which parent doesn't spoil their child? I feel the same way about my Qi'er—afraid that marrying above her station will lead to mistreatment, marrying below will bring hardship, and marrying an equal might mean the young man is unambitious." She took a sip of wine and glanced toward the table where the young ladies were seated.
At that moment, Zheng Jingxian was sitting at the same table as Lin Dongqi, Lin Dongling, and others, chatting and laughing about something. She was tall, with slightly broad shoulders, a square-round face, and a spirited demeanor. Though her features were handsome, they were a bit too bold and striking for a girl, yet in a crowd of young ladies, she stood out vividly.
Qin Shi withdrew her gaze and said to Wei Shi with a smile, "With Xian'er's looks and character, what is there to worry about?"
Wei Shi sighed and said, "You don't know—I spoiled her since she was little, and she developed a stubborn, headstrong nature. Besides, she's only passably good-looking and can't compare to your Qi'er."
Every parent thinks their child is the best. Qin Shi glanced at the bold Zheng Jingxian, then at the gentle and graceful Lin Dongqi, and felt that Wei Shi was speaking the truth. Still, she modestly replied, "Nonsense, I think Xian'er is a first-rate young lady. She and Qi'er each have their own merits."
Seeing that Qin Shi and Wei Shi were deeply engrossed in their conversation, Xianglan did not dare to interrupt and quietly returned to the corridor. There, she saw Qinglan sitting at a table with Yingge and Huamei.
Qinglan's face was slightly flushed, clearly from having drunk some wine. She picked up a bite of side dish with her chopsticks and ate it in small, delicate mouthfuls. Huamei, sitting to her left, kept flattering her, saying, "I always said you were a capable one, and now I see it's true. The banquet is so well-prepared, and the dishes are even made with pickled flowers—so novel and delicious. Only someone like you could come up with such an idea."
Qinglan felt pleased, and a smile spread across her face. "Don't praise me, little sister. What novelty? These are just things people outside have grown tired of. I hope you don't find them unappealing." Thinking about how these few tables had cost thirty-two taels of silver, she couldn't help but feel a pang of regret. But seeing how everyone praised the feast, especially Qin Shi, who for the first time looked at her with approval in her eyes, she felt the money was well spent.
Huamei laughed and said, "Oh my, if anyone finds fault with such delicacies, I suppose only the Queen Mother's Peach Banquet would satisfy them. Yingge, don't you think so?" Her speech was light, lively, and witty, and with just a few words, she had greatly increased Qinglan's fondness for her. Qinglan laughed along with Huamei.Yingge and Huamei stood to the left, their expressions uneasy and silent. They gave a slight nod, lowering their heads to conceal the envy in their eyes—just look at that Wang Qinglan, dressed in delicate, luxurious attire, her cheeks glowing with health, clearly living in utmost comfort. Not only did Madam favor her, but even the Eldest Master frequented her chambers every few days. And now, she was even allowed to host a poetry gathering among the nobility and high officials! This was an honor even Da Nǎinai had never received! The reason Madam and the Eldest Master indulged her so was all because of the child in her womb! If, if only her own son hadn’t been lost due to that wretched Chunyan’s schemes, today’s splendor and the crowd’s admiration should have been hers!
Yingge’s heart ached with bitterness, and at the thought of her sorrow, she secretly shed a few tears. Huamei glanced at Yingge, a cold smirk playing on her lips, then turned to Qinglan with an ingratiating smile and said, “Just now, all the ladies were praising how capable you are, sister. Even Madam said, ‘Lan is a reliable one.’ You must know, Madam rarely praises anyone so readily. Later, when it’s time to compose poetry, you must take the top spot to live up to Madam’s high expectations.”
Qinglan had initially been reluctant to compose poetry, fearing she might embarrass herself, but hearing Huamei’s flattery made her somewhat giddy with pride. As she hesitated over whether to participate, a voice interjected, “Since Madam has praised you so highly, you must surely astonish everyone later.”
Before the words faded, Zhao Yuechan took a seat to Qinglan’s right, her fair face stern yet smiling, her sparkling eyes captivating and full of charm. The moment she arrived, Qinglan’s earlier confidence vanished entirely. She immediately grew timid and flustered, rising hastily and murmuring submissively, not daring to respond. Zhao Yuechan, who had been fuming over Qinglan’s prominence today, felt some of her resentment ease upon seeing Qinglan so intimidated. She said indifferently, “Sit down. Pour me some wine.”
Qinglan hurriedly picked up the wine pot and poured a cup for Zhao Yuechan.
Seeing Qinglan’s meek and trembling demeanor, Huamei curled her lip in disdain. Hah, she had thought Qinglan might finally show some backbone and challenge Zhao Yuechan, but it turned out she was still spineless, like mud that just won’t stick to the wall.
Just then, Yingge suddenly spoke up, “Sister Qinglan is truly in the spotlight today. The poetry gathering is so elegant and well-arranged, and with the Eldest Master’s child in your womb, there’s nothing more perfect in heaven or earth. I can’t help but feel envious.” She emphasized the words “Eldest Master’s child” heavily.
Zhao Yuechan’s expression darkened immediately. She scrutinized Qinglan from head to toe and nodded, “Indeed, you are blessed. Ever since you entered the household, Madam said you were fertile and would surely bear many children for the Lin family.”
Qinglan forced a smile and replied, “I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare…”
Zhao Yuechan retorted, “If you wouldn’t dare, then who would? Nowadays, all of us, high and low, are pinning our hopes on your womb, sister.” She let out a light laugh, but her tone carried a sharp, intimidating edge.
Qinglan bowed her head, not daring to utter another word.She stole a glance at Zhao Yuechan and found she had lost her appetite. The first time she came to the Lin family's ancestral home in Jiangnan, when she entered to serve tea to Zhao Yuechan, she saw a young maid beaten bloody being dragged out the door by two matrons, leaving a long trail of blood on the ground. Half her soul was frightened out of her, yet Zhao Yuechan casually remarked that the maid had stolen her jewelry and she had only given her a slight punishment. As she spoke, she looked at her with a faint, ambiguous smile, her eyes sharp as blades. This act of killing the chicken to scare the monkey thoroughly intimidated her.
Later, because she was pregnant, she no longer had to stand on ceremony in the main wife's presence. As time passed, being broad-minded by nature, she gradually forgot this incident, though she retained a shadow of fear toward Zhao Yuechan. But last time when Zhao Yuechan came to the eastern wing and flung a cup of tea directly into Xianglan's face, she saw it clearly and trembled inwardly. Only then did she remember again—this main wife was truly a fearsome demon!
Zhao Yuechan simply picked up her chopsticks and helped herself to the dishes. Qinglan, Huamei, Yingge, and the others dared not move their chopsticks, sitting quietly without a sound. Fortunately, Zhao Yuechan ate only a few bites before rising to leave. As a daughter-in-law, she was only given a symbolic seat at the banquet and did not dare to sit, so she had come to the corridor table to eat some dishes to fill her stomach before going back inside to manage affairs—Qinglan had already suffered a great loss of face, and now she needed to put on a good show to regain some dignity.
As soon as Zhao Yuechan left, Qinglan immediately came to life again, chatting and laughing merrily with Huamei.
Xianglan stood far off, shaking her head to herself. When Lan Yiniang encountered Da Nainai, it was like a mouse meeting a cat—both pitiable and laughable to behold.
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