Wu Ваоzhang had nоt ехреcted that Zhоu Shаojin, whom shе remembеrеd аs gеntlе, mеek, and rеticent, would turn hostile so аbruрtly whеn prоvоkеd, bеcоming аggrеssivе in thе blink of аn eye. Неr faсe palеd, and she rеtreatеd sеvеrаl stерs, fоrcing a smilе аs she sаid, "Sесond Мiss Zhou, уоu jest. Why bоthеr cоnfronting Miss Pаn? It would only mаkе us sеem рetty..."
Thе strоng fеar thе ruthlеss.
Sееing а fliсker оf dеterminаtion in Zhоu Shaojin's еxрrеssiоn, Wu Bаоzhаng gеnuinely worriеd that the young girl, ignorаnt of worldly аffairs and hеedlеss оf cоnsequences, might escalate the matter to Pan Qing—she had overheard every word exchanged between Pan Qing and Pan Zhuo. Pan Qing appeared gentle and sincere on the surface, but her mind was full of twists and turns; she was no easy opponent. Before Wu Baozhang could devise a way to exploit the situation, she had already alarmed Zhou Shaojin by speaking plainly. She had no desire to face enemies on both fronts and drag Pan Qing into the fray.
Quickly forming a plan, she said, "Second Miss, perhaps my eyes deceived me, and I was mistaken. It was my fault. Please be magnanimous and do not hold it against me." Still uneasy, she stepped forward to take Zhou Shaojin's hand, speaking earnestly, "During the Dragon Boat Festival, would you come to our home to admire the flowers? Someone gifted our family two pots of night-blooming cereus, and my father rewarded me with one. I keep it in my room, and the gardener says it will bloom around the festival. Just the other day, I was thinking of inviting a few close friends for a flower-viewing gathering, and what luck—I happened to meet you, Second Miss. Since arriving in Jinling, I haven't made many like-minded friends. You must come to admire the flowers and lend your support!" Wu Baozhang lowered her banners and drums, adopting a conciliatory stance.
Thinking she could provoke me and walk away so easily? Not a chance.
Recalling events from her past life, Zhou Shaojin felt a surge of anger.
While Wu Baozhang performed her act, Zhou Shaojin's mind raced. When Wu Baozhang reached out, she allowed her hand to be taken and replied indifferently, "Going out requires the approval of my grandmother and eldest aunt. We can discuss it then."
She did not pursue the topic further.
Wu Baozhang breathed a sigh of relief, thinking smugly that Zhou Shaojin was, after all, young and fond of flattery. By lowering her own posture, she had smoothed things over. Still, she wondered about Zhou Shaojin's true temperament. Was she the type to hold grudges? To be safe, she would need to flatter her further, ensuring she wouldn't dwell on the matter.
With a smile, she linked arms with Zhou Shaojin and said, "Then I'll send you an invitation, sister?"
"Very well," Zhou Shaojin replied, walking with Wu Baozhang toward Siyi Tower. "But I'm not sure if our family will host a lantern festival then. If you plan to send an invitation, have it delivered a few days in advance."
Still so preoccupied with fun!
Wu Baozhang pouted inwardly, now completely at ease. She laughed and said, "The Cheng family is planning a lantern festival for the Dragon Boat Festival? What an expense that must be!" Suddenly realizing her slip, she glanced at Zhou Shaojin, who appeared to be looking around, seemingly oblivious to her remark. Relieved, she then heard Zhou Shaojin call out loudly, "Cousin Qing!"
Her heart tightened before she could think further, as Pan Qing approached.
"What is it?" Pan Qing asked Zhou Shaojin.Her smile was gentle, her demeanor poised, and she still appeared refined and elegant. Yet in Zhou Shaojin's eyes, she had become an actress wearing a mask.
"Eldest Miss Wu said she saw me alone with Cousin Xu," Shaojin spoke, gradually revealing an unmistakably mocking smile. "She also said that Cousin Qing saw me alone with Cousin Xu as well. So I wanted to confront Cousin Qing directly and ask clearly: since I was never alone with Cousin Xu, how could Cousin Qing claim to have seen us together? Isn't this just spreading rumors?"
As she spoke, her expression shifted to one full of grievance, though inwardly she thought: You, Wu Baozhang, think this matter can be swept under the rug just like that? Nothing in this world comes that easily!
Pan Qing was greatly startled, a flash of cold light flickering in her eyes as her gaze toward Wu Baozhang instantly sharpened like a blade: "Eldest Miss Wu, what exactly is going on here? When did I ever see Second Cousin Zhou with Cousin Xu? You're also a young lady from an official family, someone who reads and writes—you must take responsibility for your words! I stayed by my grandmother's side the whole time. The only time I stepped out was to deliver a message to my brother on my mother's orders. All the elders present here can vouch for me. Your careless words could ruin the relationship between us cousins. How could you, as a guest in someone else's home, stir up trouble between sisters? Is this perhaps a family tradition of the Wu family?"
This speech not only questioned Wu Baozhang's character but also cast doubt on the Wu family's upbringing. Most importantly, she delivered these words openly and directly, standing tall and righteous, her voice neither too loud nor too soft, yet perfectly audible to everyone in the hall.
Bringing Pan Qing into the fray to confront Wu Baozhang was absolutely the right move!
Zhou Shaojin quietly took a step back, ceding the main battlefield to Wu Baozhang and Pan Qing.
Wu Baozhang never dreamed that Zhou Shaojin would be so two-faced—speaking so nicely to her face one moment, then turning ruthless and betraying her the next. Shocked and appalled, she cursed Zhou Shaojin vehemently in her heart, yet had no choice but to respond. Forcing a smile, she said: "Miss Pan, this is entirely a misunderstanding on Second Miss Zhou's part. While listening to Troupe Master Ma perform 'Night Flight' at Peony Terrace, I suddenly felt dizzy and went out for a walk. Entranced by the beautiful scenery of Peony Terrace, I unconsciously wandered into a corridor..."
Since you leave me no room, don't blame me for showing no mercy.
She decided to threaten Pan Qing.
But she forgot—this was the Cheng family's territory.
Before she could finish speaking, Madam Jiang, having received a maid's report, entered with a face as dark as water and sternly asked Pan Qing: "Qing girl, what is Eldest Miss Wu talking about? Your mother only asked you to pass a message to your brother—how did you end up involving Second Miss Zhou and Young Master Xu?"
Though it sounded like a reprimand, it was actually providing testimony for Pan Qing.
Wu Baozhang inwardly groaned in dismay.
She hadn't expected the elders of the Cheng family's third branch to arrive so quickly, nor had she anticipated that they would so openly show favoritism.
Wu Baozhang found herself trapped between a rock and a hard place—if she argued, her words carried little weight compared to the elders of the Cheng family's third branch; who would the others believe? If she didn't argue—she would be admitting to Pan Qing's accusations, and then she would certainly be labeled with two heavy charges: "fond of gossip-mongering" and "the Wu family's daughter lacks proper upbringing."How could a stepmother, who was solely focused on securing a good marriage for her own daughter, ever let her off lightly?
Even if her brother spoke up on her behalf, her father would likely fly into a rage.
Just thinking about it sent a chill through her entire body. She quickly lowered her head and began to sob softly.
In the hall, some frowned, others whispered, and a few tried to console her: "Miss Wu, please stop crying! Today is the birthday of the Cheng family's matriarch..."
But Wu Baozhang only cried harder.
She wanted everyone to see how the Third Branch's Madam was bullying her!
Madam Jiang was furious, a flicker of disgust flashing in her eyes, yet she had no choice but to step forward with a smile, placing an arm around Wu Baozhang's shoulders. She spoke gently, "Child, why can't you just speak properly? Did Qing'er bully you? Tell me, and I'll teach her a lesson for you..."
Pan Qing was stunned.
She hadn't expected Wu Baozhang to react so swiftly, and a pang of regret immediately stirred within her.
After parting ways with Pan Zhuo, Pan Qing still felt uneasy about her brother. She had already reached the Peony Terrace but turned back. From a distance, she saw her brother follow Cheng Xu into a small path, while Wu Baozhang stood chatting and laughing with Cheng Xu's attendants and maids.
Pan Qing remembered clearly: when she left, Wu Baozhang had been sitting obediently behind Madam Wu, but by the time she returned, Wu Baozhang had appeared exactly where she and her brother had been talking.
She had initially been uncertain, but when Zhou Shaojin called her over to confront Wu Baozhang, she realized that not only had Wu Baozhang overheard her conversation with her brother, but Zhou Shaojin might also have heard what she had said.
Regardless, Zhou Shaojin was on her side.
She had to deal with Wu Baozhang first before settling matters with Zhou Shaojin.
So without a second thought, she immediately sided with Zhou Shaojin.
But now it seemed that decision might have been a mistake—Zhou Shaojin was timid and indecisive. While Pan Qing had never needed Zhou Shaojin's help, she also disliked having someone around who couldn't assist and might even inadvertently hold her back. Wu Baozhang, however, was different—cunning, skillful, and quick-witted. Such a person might not become a friend, but it was best not to make her an enemy either.
Pan Qing began to consider letting Wu Baozhang off the hook.
She glanced at Zhou Shaojin, stepped forward to pull Madam Jiang aside, and was about to speak when Zhou Shaojin, who had been standing silently nearby, suddenly stepped forward. She casually pointed to a maid and said, "Go fetch a handkerchief for Eldest Miss Wu to dry her tears." Then, turning to Wu Baozhang with a gentle tone, she continued, "Having lived in the Cheng family for so many years, I know the elders here are reasonable. If you have any grievances, just tell them, and they will surely stand up for you. Crying like this might lead others to misunderstand that Aunt Jiang is bullying you. Is Eldest Miss Wu trying to emulate a censor who would rather die than yield?"
She delivered the last line with a smile, her tone even carrying a hint of teasing, yet it concealed a sharp edge. It subtly implied that Wu Baozhang was overly competitive, prone to tears and tantrums at the slightest disagreement, insisting on having her way—lacking the gentleness and forbearance expected of a young lady from a respectable family.
She had pushed Wu Baozhang to the edge of a cliff!
Pan Qing's eyes lit up, and she quietly retreated a few steps, immediately abandoning any thought of helping Wu Baozhang out of this predicament.
Seeing this, Zhou Shaojin couldn't help but feel a chill of disdain.
Pan Qing truly was not someone worth associating with.However, since she was the one who started this matter, could she simply withdraw as she pleased?
She called out to Pan Qing, "Cousin Qing, come and persuade Eldest Miss Wu as well!"
Everyone's gaze fell upon Pan Qing—she was the one who had made Wu Baozhang cry!
Pan Qing felt her hair stand on end.
Was this still the Zhou Shaojin she knew?
A single arrow hitting two targets!
No, not just two targets.
She herself belonged to the third branch, dragged into this mess. Cheng Xu was from the eldest branch, while Zhou Shaojin was from the fourth branch. Today’s gathering was hosted by the second branch… Except for the fifth branch, the entire Cheng family stood opposed to Wu Baozhang… though the fifth branch had always been insignificant and could be disregarded…
Pan Qing suddenly felt a pang of sympathy for Wu Baozhang.
Today’s affair would certainly not end peacefully.
And even if Wu Baozhang managed to escape unscathed today, if she hoped to establish herself in Jinling City or find a good marriage here, she would have to rely on divine intervention!
She walked over slowly, but the lightheartedness she had felt earlier when facing Zhou Shaojin was now entirely gone.
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A frustrating Monday, endless tasks…
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