Li Miaozhi felt vindicated. Seeing Madam Wang leave and no one else to fear in the room, she fanned herself with a handkerchief and sneered, “Concubine Su was quite fierce earlier, crying and making a scene until she made the Madam faint. Now that she’s vented her anger, why does she need others to speak for her?”

Su Meiruo wiped her tears while turning her head away, looking pitiful as she said, “What do you mean by those words, Third Madam? I’ve been degraded to such an extent, I’m just trying to get through my days… I know I’m someone people despise, and it’s fitting that Third Madam makes me lose face like this…”

Li Miaozhi’s anger surged to her throat. She gave a forced laugh and said, “One’s dignity is self-given. It doesn’t depend on others’ gossiping tongues. Right and wrong – we all know in our hearts!”

Upon hearing this, Su Meiruo covered her face and burst into loud sobs, beating her chest and stamping her feet as she cried, “Fine, fine! You’re just a worthless person. You might as well die!” With that, she ran toward the south wall intending to bash her head against it, causing the maids and servants to rush forward and stop her.

Li Miaozhi pointed at Su Meiruo and shouted, “Let her go! I don’t believe she dares to die!”

The room immediately fell into chaos. Su Meiruo wept miserably, screaming about “not wanting to live anymore” and “death would be cleaner.” Soon she began crying out, “My poor child, let’s go together!” Meanwhile, Li Miaozhi shrieked in anger, “Let her die, nobody stop her!” The situation became even more chaotic than before.

Xiang Lan remained relatively calm and unruffled, only slightly furrowing her brow. Li Miaozhi was young after all, with an explosive temper and little patience. From earlier when Li Miaozhi and Lin Dongqi came to speak with her, she could tell this person was the type to settle every score. Having suffered several losses at Su Meiruo’s hands earlier, combined with old grievances, she could no longer contain herself.

Jiang Xiyun, however, was a clever person. When Ruizhu told her that Xiang Lan had come on Lin Zhaoxiang’s behalf, her heart sank. Seeing the chaos unfold, her mind worked through numerous calculations, and she quickly settled on a plan. In an instant, she adopted a terrified expression, clutching her sleeves while trembling and crying. She stumbled forward to grab Su Meiruo’s sleeve, gently shaking it while sobbing and saying, “Concubine Su, Concubine Su, all the wrongs are my fault. If you’re still angry, you can punish me instead, but please take care of yourself!”

Su Meiruo’s heart sank as she thought, “This vixen is truly difficult to deal with.” Before she could respond, Li Miaozhi had already exploded with anger. She pulled Jiang Xiyun away, saying, “Why demean yourself? There’s nothing to apologize for to her. If she wants to die, let her!”

Jiang Xiyun gently wiped away her tears and choked out, “Dear sister, please say something to persuade Concubine Su. If anything happens to her, I wouldn’t be able to live with the guilt even if I died!”

Li Miaozhi’s face showed exasperation at her weakness. Stamping her foot, she sighed, “You’ve always been this honest since childhood, that’s why you’ve suffered so much!”

This almost made Xiang Lan laugh, though she also shook her head secretly. She stepped forward to Li Miaozhi and said, “Third Madam, the bracelet has been found. This isn’t a major issue, please don’t be angry. Today is Old Madam’s special day, and by all reasoning, we should minimize any problems. The Old Master has sent me to handle this matter, so please, Third Madam, sit down and have some tea first.”

Li Miaozhi, who had been caught up in her anger, became significantly clearer-headed upon hearing these words. However, being someone who would return ten harsh words for everyone received, she remained indignant and wanted to speak further. Xiang Lan stepped forward and subtly gestured toward the window, saying, “Third Madam, please go sit down for now.” Li Miaozhi caught a glimpse of a figure by the window from the corner of her eye, suddenly understanding. Her face changed slightly, and her demeanor became more subdued as her maid led her to sit aside.

Xiang Lan then went to Su Meiruo’s side and said softly, “There, there, stop crying. How can you handle it if you make yourself ill? As your pregnancy progresses, taking care of yourself and the young master in your belly should be your priority.”

Upon hearing Xiang Lan’s gentle words, Su Meiruo felt as if she’d found a kindred spirit and buried her head in Xiang Lan’s shoulder, crying uncontrollably.

Xiang Lan stroked Su Meiruo’s hair and whispered in her ear, “Concubine Su, you’re a clever person. You should know the saying ‘Fine wine is best enjoyed slightly tipsy, beautiful flowers are most appreciated half-bloomed.’ Know when enough is enough. Today you’ve shown your authority, expressed your grievances, and gained the upper hand. Better to quit while you’re ahead – stay too long at the fair, and you’ll lose your advantage.”

Su Meiruo’s body trembled, and her crying gradually subsided.

Xiang Lan said softly, “If this escalates, both sides will suffer. Jiang Xiyun is still a young lady from a prestigious family. Truly breaking ties with her would be like destroying a thousand enemies while losing eight hundred of your own – what’s the point? She’s Old Madam’s relative, and today is Old Madam’s birthday. You should know your limits.”

Su Meiruo’s crying became even quieter, with only her shoulders occasionally shuddering. Xiang Lan helped her to a chair and ordered, “Quickly bring some calming tea for Concubine Su!”

Xiang Lan straightened up and turned to see Jiang Xiyun still looking wronged and crying continuously. She walked over, turned her back to the others, faced Jiang Xiyun, and said quietly, “Fifth Miss Jiang, let’s be frank. We both know what this is about. Not speaking of it openly is saving face for both sides.” At these words, Jiang Xiyun suddenly looked up at her.

Xiang Lan continued calmly, “The Lin family is magnanimous. Letting you come here was to restore your reputation. For this alone, you should be grateful and know contentment. No matter how low you might think of Concubine Su, she is now part of the Lin family. As they say, ‘If not for the monk’s sake, then for the Buddha’s sake.’ Even if she provokes you with a few words, let alone anything else unpleasant, you should endure it. Don’t forget why you’re here today.”

Jiang Xiyun’s clear round eyes stared at Xiang Lan as she secretly gritted her teeth. She had seen earlier when Xiang Lan had signaled to Li Miaozhi and had glimpsed the shadowy figures by the window, most likely Lin Zhaoxiang. Knowing she was caught between a rock and a hard place and couldn’t back down now, she put on a distressed face and said softly, “I know you’re angry with me… but I truly am wronged this time…” as tears rolled down again.

Xiang Lan stared at her for a moment before suddenly asking, “Miss Xiyun, I’ve always wanted to ask you something. Is Fifth Miss Jiang’s love of acting coy truly from her natural disposition, or does it serve another purpose?”

This question stunned Jiang Xiyun.

Xiang Lan looked at her with a mix of disdain and pity in her eyes: “Acting coy and sweet with those closest to you, seeking comfort and affection – that’s natural and endearing. But if it’s used as a skill, as a technique to gain unearned benefits and advantages, then it becomes shameful. How much of your behavior is genuine – you know best in your heart. Do you know? Whenever I see you putting on an act around those you can benefit from, I pity you. Using something beautiful from your nature as a transaction is the most tragic thing in the world, just as you’re acting now.”

Jiang Xiyun felt as if she’d been struck. She glared at Xiang Lan with reddened eyes, her gaze growing fierce even as tears streamed down. Her lips trembling, she said, “What do you know, you don’t understand anything… you don’t know anything… you think I want to…”

Xiang Lan calmly replied, “Whether you want to or not, it’s the path you’ve chosen. You needn’t look at me like that. You’re clever – everyone in this room combined is no match for you. You should understand what I meant earlier. That being the case, dry your tears properly. If this escalates, you won’t come out clean either.”

Jiang Xiyun’s soft, plump hands clutched her handkerchief tightly as she bit her lip, but she stopped crying.

The room fell silent, with only Su Meiruo’s occasional sniffling.

Xiang Lan let out a long breath, feeling relieved that Li Miaozhi, Su Meiruo, and Jiang Xiyun were all intelligent people who understood hints and weren’t unreasonable, saving her considerable effort.

Outside the room, Lin Zhaoxiang nodded slightly. Earlier when the room had been in chaos, Xiang Lan had entered despite her awkward position, neither invoking the elders’ authority to pressure others, nor putting on airs, nor speaking harshly. He couldn’t hear clearly as Xiang Lan spoke in such soft tones, but he saw how she spoke gently and pleasantly, and though none of the women present were easy to deal with, she had resolved the situation with just a few words.

Lin Dongqi stood beside Lin Zhaoxiang, supporting him. Seeing Lin Zhaoxiang nod and then shake his head, she quietly asked, “Grandfather?”

Lin Zhaoxiang glanced at Lin Dongqi and suddenly sighed, “Qi’er, remember this: more fearsome than those who control situations through loud voices and intimidating presence are those who can make people quietly listen with soft words. No wonder she even subdued that tyrant Luo.”

Before he finished speaking, Madam Qin hurried over supporting Hong Jian and Shu Ran. Seeing Lin Zhaoxiang standing by the side room, she quickly approached and said, “Old Master, why have you come here?”

This voice startled those inside the side room. Lin Zhaoxiang coughed once and slowly entered, supported by Lin Dongqi. Ruizhu had already lifted the curtain, and Lin Zhaoxiang stepped inside, with Madam Qin and others following closely behind.

Lin Zhaoxiang sat down, his gaze cold as he surveyed everyone present.

Su Meiruo, having understood somewhat, immediately fell to her knees. Weeping softly, she said, “Old Master… please make a judgment… Insulting me alone means nothing, but now it’s the entire Lin family’s face that has been disgraced…” Before she could finish, her words caught in her throat, almost unable to breathe, looking utterly pitiful.

Seeing Su Meiruo crying like a rain-soaked flower, Jiang Xiyun quickly knelt on the other side, her face full of distress and wronging, yet forcing back tears as she said, “There was a misunderstanding in my words with Concubine Su, causing her anger. If this harms her health, I would be greatly at fault… All wrongs are mine alone… But I truly feel wronged – it was just a casual joke, perhaps one misspoken word, why did Concubine Su take it so personally? When I mentioned Official Jia’s matter, it’s something everyone in the capital knows. If others mention it again tomorrow and Concubine Su takes it to heart again, then, then…” Jiang Xiyun couldn’t continue, choking up and turning away to cry into her hands.

Li Miaozhi couldn’t help but step forward and say, “Indeed, Old Master, this was just casual talk, mere jesting.” She glanced at Su Meiruo, “It’s just that some people might harbor guilt, hearing one thing and taking it personally.”

Lin Dongxiu burst out laughing, muttering to herself, “Real jest or false jest? Do they take everyone for fools, unable to tell the difference? Only someone truly foolish would deliberately pick up insulting words and apply them to themselves.”

Lin Dongqi quickly nudged Lin Dongxiu, who rolled her eyes and unwillingly fell silent.

Su Meiruo didn’t say a word, just shook her head, crying even more pitifully.

Jiang Xiyun wasn’t idle either, crawling on her knees to Lin Zhaoxiang’s front, clutching his robe hem as tears fell like raindrops. She spoke miserably, “Old Master, every word I speak comes from my heart. I was merely telling an amusing tale and had a momentary argument with Concubine Su. Afterward, I would have apologized and let it be, fearing it would spread and cause unhappiness at Old Master and Old Madam’s birthday celebration. Who knew Concubine Su would mention this to Second Aunt, causing her to faint from anger? My heart is full of guilt, which is why I’ve been constantly apologizing to Concubine Su…” Her face showed deep grief as she wept miserably, turning to look at Su Meiruo with a plaintive expression, “Concubine Su, Concubine Su, I apologize to you once more. If you’re not satisfied, scold me again, hit me, kick me – whatever makes you happy.”