Junxi and Yuexi peeked through the curtain gap, exchanging a glance as they thought to themselves, "Who would've guessed? Xianglan, always so quiet and smiling, turns out to be quite formidable."
Fang Si wanted to storm off but couldn't suppress her anger. She sneered coldly, "Since we're laying cards on the table, I won't hold back either. Don't think I don't know what you're scheming."
Xianglan raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What scheme is that? Do enlighten me, sister."
Fang Si scoffed, "Aren't you just angling for Master's favor? Otherwise, why would you keep throwing yourself at him?"
Xianglan smiled faintly. "Sister, don't assume everyone shares your ambitions." She slowly brushed strokes on paper, outlining an Auspicious cloud, then blew on it casually. "There's really no need for you to resent me, Fang Si. If Master fancied you, not even the Moon Goddess descending could stop him from taking you in. But if he doesn't, forcing the matter won't help."
The words struck Fang Si's sore spot. Whether from shame or anger, she stamped her foot, flung the curtain aside, and left.
Xianglan exhaled slowly.
In her past life, she had always been the mistress, mingling daily with nobility and ladies, learning poise, grace, and magnanimity toward subordinates. After her family's downfall, she'd learned sharpness and fierceness. Entering the Lin household, rootless and without backing, she had endured patiently day after day. But now in the Song household, Song Ke was her support. She naturally treated the household with respect, never provoking anyone, but if pushed too far, she had her own ways of responding.
For a while, all was quiet.
That evening, Song Ke returned, first paying respects to Song Yima before coming back for dinner. Hearing Xianglan had specially prepared two dishes for him, his heart warmed with delight. He tugged her sleeve, saying, "Go change into outdoor clothes."
Puzzled, Xianglan changed into a sandalwood-colored BeiZi. Song Ke then whisked her away, exiting through the back gate, winding through several alleys until they reached the bustling, brightly lit streets.
Xianglan asked in surprise, "Why is the street so lively tonight?"
Song Ke smiled. "It's the Ghost Festival. People come out to float lanterns by the river—naturally, it's lively. You've been cooped up in the house recovering these days. It's good to see the night scenery." As he spoke, he gazed at Xianglan, his handsome eyes brimming with affection, her reflection shimmering in his dark pupils.
Xianglan's cheeks flushed, and she lowered her head slightly—only to see Song Ke reach out with his right hand and clasp her left. She had wanted to stroll the streets, but being led like this by Song Ke seemed improper. Yet letting go to wander alone was the last thing she wanted. Song Ke's hand was warm and strong, utterly unlike the frail, withered hand of his past life when he'd clung to his last breath. For some reason, Xianglan's eyes grew slightly moist.
The two stood quietly side by side in the alley's shadows, wrapped in tranquil beauty while beyond the lane, the dazzling, clamorous world of lights and splendor carried on.
Just then, a commotion erupted from the alley behind them, followed by a loud slam as someone stormed out, shouting, "I see it now! Every one of you wishes me dead—plotting ways to make Ren divorce me so he can remarry! Fine, no need for you to lift a finger. I'll leave on my own! Just have that bastard Ren write me a letter of divorce!"Xianglan turned her head in surprise and saw, under the moonlight, that the person shouting was none other than Cao Lihuan! She quickly pulled Song Ke into the neighboring alley and peeked out to watch.
Cao Lihuan, still with her hands on her hips, yelled, "You damned lowlifes! The whole family, high and low, has been living off my dowry. I’ve slaved day and night, worked myself to the bone, even lost my child from exhaustion, and instead of pitying me, you blame me for bringing it on myself! You’ve bullied me to this point—fine, let’s all go our separate ways! I’ll dash my head against this door and die, then let the King of Hell judge who’s right!" With that, she made as if to charge at the door.
Just then, a man rushed out from the courtyard and grabbed hold of Cao Lihuan, pleading urgently, "In front of all these people, I beg you, stop making a scene!"
Cao Lihuan strained her neck, struggling. "I will make a scene! Let the neighbors and passersby see what kind of people the Ren family really are! You useless coward, letting your wife suffer like this—starting today, I won’t live with a spineless wretch like you anymore!" She fought desperately to break free and ram into the wall.
At that moment, a shrill female voice rang out from the courtyard. "Brother, brother, don’t hold her back—let her die! Look what she’s done to Mother! She’s been inciting the maids and servants, refusing to wash Mother’s clothes or cook for her, scheming to get her hands on Mother’s private savings, even secretly withholding my dowry. Let her splatter her blood three feet high today—see if she’s got the guts!"
Cao Lihuan’s eyes burned with fury. "You bitch! I won’t let you off even as a ghost!" she shrieked before charging into the house. Immediately, sounds of scuffling and attempts to mediate erupted.
Xianglan was engrossed in the spectacle when suddenly someone leaned close to her ear and whispered, "I forgot—after Cao Lihuan married into the Ren family, she lived here. Tonight, we’ve run into an old acquaintance."
Xianglan gasped. "The Ren family actually married her?" As she turned her head, her lips brushed against Song Ke’s cheek. She froze, her face instantly burning.
Song Ke, however, felt a little giddy. Seeing Xianglan’s embarrassment, he coughed lightly and pretended nothing had happened. "Originally, the Ren family refused to marry her. Cao Lihuan had ruined her reputation—there were rumors of improper conduct with a servant boy. Any respectable family would’ve canceled the engagement. But Cao Lihuan had her ways. When the Ren family sent someone to break it off, she quietly rented a place nearby and lured the Ren boy over. One thing led to another, and... well, she ended up pregnant."
He glanced at Xianglan and saw that she had already forgotten her shyness, her wide eyes fixed on him in astonishment, as if urging him to continue. He chuckled and went on, "Cao Lihuan showed up at their doorstep with a belly, so the Ren family had no choice but to swallow their anger and go through with the wedding. At first, the family tried to treat her well, but before long, she started complaining that the Ren household was too poor—today demanding chicken, tomorrow fish, one day silk, the next jewelry, constantly stirring up trouble. The Ren family wasn’t wealthy to begin with, and soon they couldn’t keep up. The Ren boy is a weakling, caught between both sides. Cao Lihuan knows how to manipulate him, wrapping him around her finger as if he’d never seen a woman before—he can’t bear to be apart from her for a moment, obeying her every whim. His mother was so furious she fell ill and took to her bed. Only his sister is a match for Cao Lihuan—they’re like fire against fire. But recently, I heard Cao Lihuan took a fall and lost the baby. Who’d have thought the family would still be fighting like this?"Xianglan gasped, "Good heavens! I knew she was thick-skinned and bold enough to throw away all decency, but I never imagined she had such capabilities."
Song Ke said, "Nowadays, mentioning 'Madam Cao' in these parts is like ringing a bell—everyone knows her. Her reputation for fierceness is so notorious that no one dares provoke her. Later, Cao Lihuan tried visiting the Lin residence several times, but the gatekeepers always drove her away. By chance, Xiu Hong happened to witness one such occasion and sent someone to investigate the details. When he returned, he recounted it all as a joke for my amusement."
Xianglan listened in stunned silence, repeatedly marveling at Cao Lihuan. Most women, if their chastity were called into question, would either take their own lives, become nuns, or move far away. Yet this Miss Cao displayed remarkable resilience, repeatedly taking dangerous gambles—not only securing marriage into the Ren family but also stirring up such turmoil that neither fowl nor hound knew peace.
Xianglan shook her head. "The Ren family must have had nightmares before this union. Earlier, I noticed the young master Ren was quite handsome—what a pity."
Song Ke sneered, "Just a spineless fool with no vision or insight. I heard he washes clothes and cooks for Cao Lihuan personally at home, relying on her for every decision. No backbone whatsoever—a waste of his male birth."
Playing with the end of her braid, Xianglan mused, "The mother-in-law lacks authority too. If it were me, I'd start with two slaps to teach her manners. If she dared retaliate, I'd take the whole story to the magistrate, laying bare all the facts to seek justice. Even if divorce proved impossible, a few strokes of the bamboo would make her remember her place."
Song Ke clicked his tongue, laughing. "My, my! I never pegged you for this temperament. I thought you were the gentle, delicate type."
Xianglan shot him a sidelong glance, her smile ambiguous. "My nature is gentle indeed, but I fear if I remain too gentle, I might overturn your family's vinegar vat and die from the acidity."
Hearing the implication in her words, Song Ke pressed, "What do you mean?"
Xianglan smiled faintly. "It's nothing much. Just... regarding Fang Si—will you keep her or let her go? Give a clear answer. Otherwise, she glares at me daily like some Black-eyed Chicken, and I suffer unjust accusations for no reason."
Song Ke was perceptive; these few words from Xianglan made everything clear. Frowning, he said, "She's Guo Mama's daughter—utterly loyal and quite favored by my mother. I've always treated her with respect, but there's nothing more..." Meeting Xianglan's gaze, he added, "Don't worry. I understand this matter well."
His intense stare made Xianglan's ears burn. She averted her eyes, murmuring, "As long as you understand."
Song Ke chuckled and took Xianglan's hand again, giving it a squeeze. "Today's meant for relaxation. Let's go release a Lotus lantern to dispel ill fortune and pray for divine blessings."
He led Xianglan to the street where they bought two lanterns. Borrowing a brush, Song Ke carefully wrote characters on the lotus petals. Xianglan watched his face illuminated by candlelight—his refined brows and handsome features glowing brilliantly, impossible to look away from.
Staring blankly, Xianglan felt her heart soften uncontrollably.
Having finished writing, Song Ke noticed Xianglan still gazing at him dazedly and teased, "Why stare at me? Quickly write your wish on the lantern." He then walked to the riverbank and carefully set the lotus lantern afloat.
To his surprise, Xianglan knelt and gently placed her blank lantern into the water as well.
Puzzled, Song Ke asked, "Why didn't you write anything?"Xianglan crouched by the riverside, her fair hands stirring the green water as she sent the lantern drifting further away. With a soft laugh, she said, "This was always meant to release ill fortune. I'm content just to see it carried away. As the saying goes, 'What's meant to be will come, what isn't meant to be can't be forced.' Some things can't be obtained by mere wishing." She smiled at Song Ke as she spoke.
That smile was utterly captivating—her delicate features illuminated by the flickering candlelight on the water, like a radiant pearl or flawless jade.
Still seeking pink votes
OpenNovel