Three days later was Madam Qin’s birthday. Since they were still in mourning for Old Madam Zeng, it wasn’t a grand celebration – just a few tables of close friends and relatives gathering for a modest feast. However, Old Madam Lin regarded Madam Qin’s birthday celebration as very important, instructing that the finest dishes be served, and specifically ordering Madam Qin to rest while others handled the arrangements. Since Madam Wang wasn’t skilled at managing household affairs and Lin Dong Qi wasn’t in the right frame of mind, Lin Jin Lou took charge, inviting renowned vegetarian chefs from various restaurants to prepare the dishes, making it quite a lively affair.

Madam Qin hadn’t intended to invite Cao Li Huan, but Cao Li Huan was shrewd, eagerly sending two types of needlework as birthday gifts. Old Madam Lin then said, “Since she’s family, it wouldn’t be appropriate not to invite her. It’s just one more place setting, and I’ll have the elderly servants keep an eye on things. You can just ignore her presence and keep your peace.” Seeing Old Madam Lin put it this way, Madam Qin had no choice but to invite Cao Li Huan.

Cao Li Huan had been planning her outfit for two days, digging out two dresses from the bottom of her trunk that she’d made at Xian Ni Zhai but barely worn. Now, trying them on in front of the mirror, she found one style too dated and the other too bright to wear during mourning. Finally, she reluctantly put on her tea-white long waistcoat of silk brocade embroidered with colorful gold birds and flowers, ordering Hui Er to carefully do her makeup and wear sapphire accessories. Lastly, she ordered Xiang Lan to accompany her.

Xiang Lan was surprised. Though Hui Er was limping from her beating, such public appearances usually fell to Huai Rui. Now Cao Li Huan was pleasantly asking her to come along, which felt rather unusual. “Your face is too plain – you need some rouge. Go change your clothes too,” Cao Li Huan said to Xiang Lan while admiring herself in the mirror and trying a pearl flower in her hair. “Though Aunt’s birthday isn’t a grand affair, I hear several officials’ wives are coming, along with some prominent household managers. You should dress up properly – even just getting your face known could benefit you in the future.”

Xiang Lan smiled slightly: “I’ve never liked wearing rouge and powder, and this outfit is quite fine… I had a stone-blue skirt, but it’s still drying after washing.”

Cao Li Huan was displeased and glanced sideways at Xiang Lan, muttering, “Ungrateful thing, like trying to prop up mud on a wall.”

Xiang Lan heard but pretended not to. Noticing a stain on her jacket from watering flowers that morning, she returned to her room to change clothes. Entering, she saw Si Qiao standing restlessly by the window, startled by her entrance. Xiang Lan climbed onto the kang bed and opened the camphorwood chest, searching for clothes while saying, “Si Qiao, you’ve seemed distracted these past few days. Has something happened?”

“No, no, nothing’s wrong…” Si Qiao hurriedly waved her hands. “I’m fine.”

Xiang Lan found her clothes and removed her outer ochre jacket, changing into a frost-colored short coat, saying, “If you’re facing any difficulties, just tell me if I can help.”

Si Qiao looked at Xiang Lan with words caught in her throat, clenching her fists until her nails dug into her palms. Xiang Lan had been very kind to her, helping with everything and often offering comforting words, which she appreciated. Yet she couldn’t help but envy Xiang Lan’s beauty and needlework skills, and Xiang Lan was a Lin family maid! After Cao Li Huan married, she could return to live comfortably in the wealthy Lin household.

But what about herself? She had been given to Cao Li Huan by contract – a mistress with a bad temper and petty mind who loved torturing people and putting on airs despite having little money. Though she wouldn’t starve, life wouldn’t be good. She was already suffering, and future days would only be harder to endure.

But why? If she hadn’t been sent away, Xiang Lan should have been the one given to Cao Li Huan!

Why was she so unlucky?

Why was Xiang Lan better than her in every way?

If… if Si Shun’s plan succeeded, Xiang Lan would be just as unfortunate as her – no, even worse!

Somehow, this thought immediately made Si Qiao feel better. She lowered her head, then raised it again, forcing a smile and saying, “Of course, if anything’s wrong, I’ll tell you.”

Xiang Lan smiled at Si Qiao and walked out.

Cao Li Huan spent quite a while longer preening, dabbing another layer of perfumed cream behind her ears before finally leaving. When they reached the garden, the feast had already begun. Cao Li Huan sat at a table with Qi, Ling, Xiu, and Song Tan Chai, while Madam Qin and others gathered around an eight-immortals table, with Zhao Yue Chan standing behind to serve. Xiang Lan glanced around, noting that besides Madam Qin, Madam Wang, and Young Master Song’s mother Madam Song, the other three women at the eight-immortals table were unfamiliar, but their rich clothing and jewels indicated noble backgrounds. She quietly stood against the wall with the other young ladies’ maids – they would only eat after serving their mistresses.

The banquet was held in Jian Qiu Xie pavilion, facing an emerald lake with red apricot blossoms and half a pond of lotus leaves, creating a uniquely enchanting scene. A gentle breeze wafted through the carved vermillion windows, refreshing everyone’s spirits. Xiang Lan silently appreciated that while all music and opera performances were forbidden during Old Madam Zeng’s mourning period, making birthday celebrations necessarily quieter, choosing such a scenic location meant they could still enjoy viewing the scenery, feeding fish, and playing cards – quite entertaining. She heard Lin Jin Lou had arranged this and thought that despite his lecherous and heartless nature, he did show some cleverness.

At this moment, someone was heard saying: “Your Lin family’s three young ladies are all exceptionally beautiful, each feature more striking than the last. I thought Young Lady Wan was a supreme beauty, but now seeing Young Ladies Qi, Ling, and Xiu, I realize there are indeed ‘mountains beyond mountains, towers beyond towers.'”

“Sister Zhou, you flatter us. They’re not as wonderful as you say,” Madam Qin smiled. “Your daughter Feng is the true beauty – you should have brought her to join the young ladies’ gathering.”

Madam Zhou laughed, “She’d only cause trouble here, unlike your Young Lady Qi who’s so graceful and elegant, just like another you. I don’t care – last time Young Lady Wan was too old for us, but this time Young Lady Qi must be meant for our family. You’ve seen my eldest son – his character and temperament are outstanding.”

“Sister Zhou, are you bragging? Is your family the only one with sons? Our Hong’s character and appearance are well matched with Young Lady Qi too.” Madam Duan smiled warmly, increasingly fond of Lin Dong Qi’s beautiful and refined manner.

Madam Qin laughed even more heartily.

Madam Zhou continued, “Not just Young Lady Qi – Young Ladies Ling, Xiu, and Chai are all exceptionally beautiful. Your family is truly a nest of beauties.”

The others all agreed, making both Madam Wang and Madam Song beam with pleasure. Everyone had been praised except Cao Li Huan as if she didn’t exist. Her face immediately darkened.

Though they spoke softly, their words carried to the next table. Lin Dong Qi blushed slightly but forced a composed expression. Lin Dong Ling’s eyes crinkled with laughter as she nudged Lin Dong Qi with her elbow, whispering, “Second Sister, First Aunt is trying to arrange your marriage!”

Lin Dong Qi spat, “What nonsense are you talking about?”

“How is it nonsense? One family from the Court of State Ceremonial, one from the Marquis of Loyalty and Valor – both are noble houses equal to ours, and both favor you.” As long as Lin Dong Qi wasn’t competing with her for Song Ke, Lin Dong Ling was happy, her temperament becoming much more agreeable as she teased, “The Provincial Surveillance Commissioner’s wife hasn’t spoken up yet, but she seems interested too.”

Lin Dong Xiu’s teeth ached with sourness as she said coolly, “Sister has Mother planning for her, naturally ensuring a good future.” She thought of her eldest sister Lin Dong Wan, beautiful and with high standards, yet due to her status as a concubine’s daughter, neither high enough nor low enough, only marrying at eighteen. Though it was also to a prestigious family, it wasn’t as glorious as it appeared – that family hadn’t produced many capable descendants, with anyone in the court above fifth rank, seemingly in decline. Lin Dong Wan’s husband didn’t seem capable or ambitious either. Every time she visited home, there seemed to be frost in her eyes, her person increasingly haggard. Now Lin Dong Qi’s marriage prospects included such noble houses competing for her, simply because she was born of the primary wife – such a vast difference!

Hearing that the ladies at that table were all either wealthy or noble, Cao Li Huan’s eyes reddened with another surge of anger. She had come hoping to make an impression and possibly form connections with the powerful, but Madam Qin hadn’t even introduced her to the ladies, clearly looking down on her! With both old and new grievances, she would not be herself if she didn’t take revenge.