“…She exudes a fox-like allure,” Madam Jiao remarked, giving Xiang Lan a sidelong glance as her thick eyebrows furrowed. “Such seemingly delicate women are the most contemptible, poisonous, and hateful. They always play the pitiful victim before men, with their tears and grievances, expertly brewing love potions. Once a man’s resolve weakens, he forgets all about his wife and children.” She continued, “I initially thought she had some dignity, but she’s nothing more than a bed-warming servant girl.” Recently, Third Master Dai Rong had taken up with a servant girl who nearly bore him a child. Madam Jiao had dealt with it harshly, earning herself the nickname “Lioness of the East” in the process, and the matter still rankled her.
“Yet men fall for it every time,” another woman remarked with a sardonic smile, glancing toward Xiang Lan. “They’re all worthless, elevating servants above their wives. They deserve to be struck by lightning.”
Zhao Yuechan hid her smirk behind her fan, internally sneering. Earlier, when Madam Jiao had first spotted Xiang Lan by the lake, she had praised her beauty and inquired about her background. Zhao Yuechan had seized the opportunity: “I know her background quite well. She’s of servant birth and has used her looks to seduce numerous men. I’ve heard she’s had affairs with several of them. Such an immoral woman should have been driven out, but that Lin family master… well, you know his reputation. When this little harlot was sold to a brothel, somehow that muddle-headed master of the Lin family, who would take anything dirty or tainted, got entangled with her. Even his wife’s beatings and scolding couldn’t make him let go. When I tried to advise them, I only earned their contempt…” She dabbed at her eyes with her handkerchief.
The women present were all close associates of the Dai family and knew that Zhao Yuechan had divorced from the Lin family before remarrying. Seeing her beauty, measured behavior, and clever, pleasing way of speaking, they were quite fond of her. Moreover, given Lin Jinlou’s reputation as the “Tyrant” and his known philandering ways, they readily believed Zhao Yuechan’s twisted version of events. Looking at Xiang Lan now, they were filled with disgust and couldn’t stop criticizing her.
While they gossiped enthusiastically, they didn’t notice that Xiao Juan, along with Yue’er (Zheng Jingxian’s maid) and several other servant girls in the nearby pavilion could hear everything. Xiao Juan’s face flushed red with anger, and after cursing under her breath, she jumped up and ran out. Yue’er thought to herself: “Earlier, Master Lin told our mistress to look after Xiang Lan. Now with these rumors spreading, Xiang Lan’s reputation will suffer, and Master Lin will lose face. I should report this to our mistress.” She headed to the main hall where Zheng Jingxian was conversing with several elderly noble ladies. Approaching her, Yue’er whispered the situation in her ear.
Zheng Jingxian started, looking at Yue’er: “Really?” Yue’er nodded. Zheng Jingxian frowned briefly, started to rise but then sat back down, smoothing her expression. “I understand. You may go.” Yue’er withdrew.
Zheng Jingxian held her teacup, stirring the leaves with the lid. If it were anyone else, she would have been willing to intervene. She knew exactly what kind of person Zhao Yuechan was and deeply despised her character. Moreover, Lin Jinlou’s prospects were excellent now – even her father had said they should show him more respect. The man was resourceful, extremely astute, and skilled at networking. He maintained a facade of loyalty to the emperor and patriotism, even spending his own money to maintain private troops for imperial campaigns. He neither sought credit nor showed arrogance, was remarkably mature for his age, and had caught the attention of both the emperor and the senior ministers. Who knew how high his position might rise in the future? Handling this matter would earn her another favor with Lin Jinlou. However, Chen Xiang Lan… she found her irritating.
Before her marriage to Song Ke, she had visited the Song family and personally witnessed how tenderly Song Ke treated Xiang Lan. Even someone as good-natured as Song Ke had quarreled with the Lin family’s young ladies over Xiang Lan, showing how much he cherished her. What disturbed her most was how Song Ke looked at Xiang Lan with such deep affection – to this day, he had never looked at her that way. When she had insisted on marrying Song Ke, she had been gritting her teeth, expecting Chen Xiang Lan to enter the household as a concubine. While she pretended not to care, she had been prepared to fight Chen Xiang Lan with all her might. How could a woman of mere beauty and low birth compete with her noble background as the proper, officially married wife? Moreover, her family could pave a path of success for Song Ke. Rather than believing she could control everything, she had faith in her family’s influence and Song Ke’s choice – after all, he had chosen her in the end. She had felt quite relieved when she heard Chen Xiang Lan had requested to leave. She had thought the matter was finished, never expecting to encounter Chen Xiang Lan again in such circumstances. Thinking of Song Ke’s earlier distracted state, Zheng Jingxian felt a pain in her chest. Thus, when Yue’er told her about Zhao Yuechan slandering Xiang Lan, she felt a secret satisfaction and excitement. She firmly decided not to intervene.
When Xiao Juan related the matter to Xiang Lan, she merely nodded woodenly and said, “I understand.”
Xiao Juan, still fuming, had expected Xiang Lan to share her indignation. Surprised by such a mild response, she burst out, “That’s it? Are we just going to let that despicable Zhao Yuechan get away with this?”
Xiang Lan, who had been lost in her sorrows, couldn’t help but smile slightly at Xiao Juan’s words. “Weren’t you terrified of her before? You used to hide at the mere sight of her shadow. How is it you’re now calling her names?”
Xiao Juan snorted, “Back then she was the Lin family’s First Madam, holding my life in her hands, and she was so vicious – of course, I was afraid! But now she’s been kicked out of the Lin family, why should I fear her anymore?” She grinned at Xiang Lan, “Besides, don’t we have you and Master backing us now? She’s been saying awful things about Master too – he’d be furious if he heard!”
Xiang Lan laughed, crumbling her remaining pastry into smaller pieces before tossing them into the lake. She wiped her hands with her handkerchief as Xiao Juan quickly asked, “Do you want some mung bean powder to clean your hands?”
Xiang Lan shook her head and stood up, straightening her clothes. “You’re right. She’s no longer the Lin family’s First Madam. Why should we fear her at all!” She started walking toward Zhao Yuechan’s group.
Xiao Juan’s eyes widened in surprise as she hurried after her, saying, “Madam, wait! Let me call for help!”
Xiang Lan stopped, asking curiously, “Help? What help?”
Xiao Juan explained, “Aren’t you going to confront Zhao Yuechan? That vicious woman might try to fight you, and you’re… well, you might not be able to handle her. Let me tell First Miss and borrow some maids to back you up. At least then you won’t be at a disadvantage.”
Xiang Lan poked Xiao Juan’s forehead, “You do love stirring up trouble! Stop hanging around with Guiyan so much – those boys are too mischievous, and you’re picking up their bad habits. You’ll end up corrupting Huashan.” She paused before adding, “Who said I was going to confront her?” With that, she continued walking, Xiao Juan hurrying after her.
The noble ladies were surprised to see Xiang Lan approaching them, their faces showing first astonishment, then contempt as they exchanged glances and subtle nudges. Xiang Lan came forward, gave a graceful curtsey, and smiled at Zhao Yuechan, “Sister Zhao, I trust you’ve been well? It’s been almost two years since we last met. My heart is filled with joy at encountering an old acquaintance today. I’d love to catch up with you.”
Everyone looked at Zhao Yuechan, seeing how Xiang Lan was being so friendly.
Zhao Yuechan fanned herself, sneering, “I have nothing to say to you.”
Xiang Lan continued smiling, “Before I came to the capital, Madam specifically instructed me to convey something to Sister Zhao if I saw you. Might we speak privately?”
Zhao Yuechan thought to herself, “I wonder what trick this little hussy is planning. With so many people around, she wouldn’t dare try anything.” She followed Xiang Lan to a secluded spot behind the building near a rockery. “What do you have to say? Speak.”
Xiang Lan maintained her smile, “I see you’re doing quite well for yourself.”
Zhao Yuechan sneered, “Not particularly well, just getting by as the proper wife of a fifth-rank official. But look at you – from a little nobody hiding in some corner, you’ve certainly managed to climb high.”
Xiang Lan smiled, “Are you jealous, Sister? Master rarely carouses or drinks outside anymore, and he’s dismissed all his concubines. He has me sleep in the main chamber now and even insists on bringing me along to social events like this. Though I’m unworthy, I do have some status now.”
These words struck Zhao Yuechan like a physical blow, leaving her pale-faced as she struggled to contain her anger. She looked Xiang Lan up and down, clicking her tongue, “You certainly look the part in that outfit. Too bad you’ll never be the proper mistress. When Lin Jinlou tires of you, we’ll see what becomes of you.”
Xiang Lan laughed, “No need to concern yourself with that. Come to think of it, you were married to Master for years, yet he never truly looked at you. What a pity – with your beauty, and Master being such a romantic man, yet he let you live as a widow. These past years must have been difficult?”
Zhao Yuechan glared furiously at Xiang Lan, pointing at her, “You… what did you say!”
Xiang Lan put her finger to her lips with a soft “shh” and smiled, “Keep your voice down. We wouldn’t want to draw attention and embarrass you. Master told me this himself – said your body was too dirty, that he’d rather embrace a sow than touch you.”
Tears welled in Zhao Yuechan’s eyes as her face reddened with rage. Through gritted teeth, she spat, “You slut, you think you’re clean? Weren’t you the one I sold to a brothel…”
Xiang Lan sneered, “Fortunately, I met a benefactor. Heaven was watching, and I avoided such a fate.” Her expression softened into a smile again, “Since Master didn’t appreciate such beauty as yourself, I imagine you must have been quite lonely. No wonder you frequently visited Ganlu Temple. Was it truly for worship, or to meet someone…”
Zhao Yuechan’s face changed dramatically as if struck by lightning. Her first thought was that Lin Jinlou had told Xiang Lan about her affairs! But then she realized this couldn’t be – someone as proud as Lin Jinlou would never tell others about being cuckolded.
Trembling with rage, Zhao Yuechan spat, “You worthless slut, spouting nonsense! What is Ganlu Temple? I’ve never been there!”
Xiang Lan stepped closer, smiling, “As luck would have it, I happened to visit once, and by chance saw you in a monk’s quarters… How unfortunate that Master brought soldiers to catch you in the act – quite a spectacle. I was so frightened I didn’t dare make a sound hiding beneath the window. I suppose that’s why Master divorced you?”
Watching Zhao Yuechan’s face grow increasingly pale, Xiang Lan’s smile faded. She took another step forward, nearly nose-to-nose with Zhao Yuechan, and said softly, “Someone just told me you’ve been spreading quite unspeakable rumors about me. Perhaps you should think about how to clear my reputation. If any gossip spreads, it will all come back to you. If you persist in treating me this way, I might let slip about the Ganlu Temple incident, and Lady Lan’s tragic death… tsk tsk, that wouldn’t be good. We are acquaintances after all. If these rumors quietly disappear, then the Ganlu Temple matter stays buried in my stomach. I’ve kept it there all this time with no intention of speaking of it. Don’t you agree?”
Zhao Yuechan stared at her, chest heaving violently.
Xiang Lan observed her expression, then looked down and adjusted Zhao Yuechan’s collar, smoothing out the wrinkles in her clothes while saying softly, “Seeing how well you’re doing now as the wife of a fifth-rank official, from such a prestigious family, set to enjoy wealth and status for life – wouldn’t it be utterly foolish to do things that harm others without benefiting yourself? You should cherish your current situation.” With that, she left.
Zhao Yuechan stood rooted to the spot, her eyes red with fury. She braced herself against the rockery, so angry she felt faint. She couldn’t help letting out a scream of rage, but the loud cymbals from inside the building drowned it out, only startling away a sparrow that had been foraging nearby.
Xiao Juan, who had been keeping watch nearby, worried that Xiang Lan might be harmed, breathed a huge sigh of relief when she saw her emerge from the conversation. She hurried to catch up, asking, “Madam, is everything settled?”
Xiang Lan looked tired as she replied, “Yes, she won’t spread rumors anymore.”
Xiao Juan blinked her round eyes in amazement, “Madam, you’re incredible! Even a shrew-like Zhao Yuechan will obey you? What… what did you say to her?”
Xiang Lan shook her head. As the saying goes, “Those with nothing to lose fear nothing.” She had nothing left to lose now, but why should Zhao Yuechan, who had climbed from mud to clouds, risk her good fortune by making trouble?
Xiang Lan was typically peaceful, only engaging in confrontation when necessary. Had Zhao Yuechan not provoked her, she would have avoided her entirely. However, this exchange of barbs with Zhao Yuechan had allowed her to vent some anger, leaving her feeling somewhat relieved.
Just then, they saw Lin Dongwan standing on the steps, looking around. Upon spotting Xiang Lan, she hurried over with a bright smile.