The beautiful woman was Madam Wei, the daughter of Madam Qin’s second aunt. They had been close since childhood. Madam Wei had married into the Xian Duke’s manor as the second wife of the heir, Zheng Baichuan. Despite their twenty-year age difference, they had a harmonious marriage. It took four or five years after marriage before she bore a daughter named Jingxian, and she never conceived again. Thus, Zheng Jingxian became Madam Wei’s precious pearl.

Madam Qin smiled at Madam Wei, “It’s been a while since we’ve met. If your husband hadn’t decided to return to pay respects at the ancestral home, we sisters wouldn’t have had this chance to gather.”

Madam Wei’s face showed concern as she lowered her voice, “My lord’s health has been declining these past two years, yet he insisted on coming back. Our Xian’er still isn’t married, and I worry that if the old duke passes, it will affect her prospects… What’s most frustrating is this girl’s pickiness. Her father indulges her, and since she’s unwilling, he just lets her have her way.”

Madam Qin laughed, “Which parents don’t spoil their children? I feel the same about Qi’er. I fear she’ll suffer if she marries too high, be wronged if she marries too low, and if we find a match of equal status, I worry the young man might be worthless.” She took a cup of wine and glanced toward the table where the young ladies sat.

Zheng Jingxian was seated with Lin Dongqi, Lin Dongying, and others, laughing about something. She was tall with slightly broad shoulders, a round face, and spirited features. Though her features were refined, they seemed almost too bold, yet this made her stand out among the other girls.

Madam Qin looked back at Madam Wei and smiled, “With Xian’er’s looks and character, what is there to worry about?”

Madam Wei sighed, “You don’t understand. I’ve spoiled her since childhood, giving her a stubborn, assertive personality. Besides, she’s merely not ugly, she can’t compare to your Qi’er.”

Children are always the finest in their parents’ eyes. Madam Qin looked at the bold Zheng Jingxian and the gentle Lin Dongqi, agreeing with Madam Wei’s assessment, but still modestly replied, “Nonsense, I think Xian’er is a first-rate young lady. She and Qi’er each have their own merits.”

Seeing Madam Qin and Madam Wei in animated conversation, Xiang Lan didn’t dare interrupt and quietly retreated to the corridor. There she saw Qing Lan seated at a table with Ying Ge and Hua Mei.

Qing Lan’s face was slightly flushed from wine as she took small bites of the dishes. Hua Mei sat on her left, constantly flattering her: “I always said Sister had the capability, and now it’s proven true. The banquet is wonderful, and even the dishes are made with flowers – both novel and delicious. Only someone like Sister could think of such an idea.”

Qing Lan was pleased, her face beaming with smiles: “Don’t praise me too much, Sister. These novelties are what others have grown tired of – I hope you don’t mind them.” Though she winced internally at the thirty-two taels spent on these tables, seeing everyone’s praise, especially Madam Qin’s eyes filled with approval for the first time, made her feel the expense was worthwhile.

Hua Mei laughed, “Oh my, if anyone finds fault with such food, perhaps only the Queen Mother of Heaven’s Peach Banquet would satisfy them. Isn’t that right, Ying Ge?” Her light and playful manner made Qing Lan increasingly fond of her, and she joined in Hua Mei’s laughter.

Ying Ge sat to Hua Mei’s left, looking uncomfortable and remaining silent. She merely nodded slightly, lowering her head to hide the jealousy in her eyes. Look at that Wang Qing Lan, dressed so delicately and richly, her face glowing with contentment. Clearly, she was living extremely well – not only did the Madam favor her, but the Master frequently visited her quarters, and now she was hosting a poetry society among noble ladies! Even the First Madam hadn’t received such honor! The Madam and Master’s indulgence was all because of the child in her belly! If… if her son hadn’t been lost due to that little wretch Chun Yan’s scheming, she would have been the one surrounded by such splendor today!

Ying Ge’s heart grew bitter, and she secretly shed tears. Hua Mei glanced at her, a cold smile playing at her lips, then turned back to Qing Lan with an enthusiastic expression, saying, “Earlier, all the ladies were praising Sister’s capability. Even the Madam said ‘Lan is a reliable person’ – you know the Madam rarely praises anyone. When it comes time for poetry composition, Sister must excel to live up to the Madam’s high expectations.”

Qing Lan had originally planned to avoid composing poetry, fearing embarrassment, but Hua Mei’s flattery made her feel elated. As she wavered between participating or not, a voice said, “Since the Madam praised you so highly, you must make quite an impression later.”

Before the words finished, Zhao Yuechan sat down on Qing Lan’s right, her powder-white face carrying an air of authority, her lips curved in a smile, her bright eyes full of charm. Upon her arrival, Qing Lan’s previous delight vanished completely. She immediately became timid, hurriedly standing up, unable to respond coherently. Though Zhao Yuechan had been irritated by Qing Lan’s moment in the spotlight, seeing her so fearful gave her some satisfaction. She said coolly, “Sit down and pour me some wine.”

Qing Lan hastily picked up the wine pot and poured Zhao Yuechan a cup.

Seeing Qing Lan’s submissive, trembling manner, Hua Mei curled her lip in contempt. Huh, she had thought Qing Lan had grown some backbone to contend with Zhao Yuechan, but she was still spineless after all.

Just then, Ying Ge suddenly spoke up: “Today Sister Qing Lan is truly glorious. The poetry society is so elegantly arranged, and she carries the Master’s child – there couldn’t be anything more perfect in heaven or earth. I’m quite envious.” She emphasized “the Master’s child” heavily.

Sure enough, Zhao Yuechan’s expression darkened. She looked Qing Lan up and down and nodded, “Indeed, you are blessed. From the day you arrived, the Madam said you would be good for bearing children, certain to continue the Lin family line.”

Qing Lan smiled nervously, “I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare…”

Zhao Yuechan said, “If you don’t dare, who would? Now, all of us, high and low, are counting on your belly.” Her light laughter carried a thoroughly fierce intensity.

Qing Lan kept her head down, not daring to speak.

She secretly glanced at Zhao Yuechan, having lost her appetite. When she first arrived at the Lin family’s Jiangnan ancestral home and paid respects to Zhao Yuechan with tea, she saw a bloodied young maid being dragged out by two old women, leaving a long trail of blood. Terrified, she had nearly fainted, but Zhao Yuechan had casually mentioned that the maid had stolen her jewelry and received just a small punishment. As she spoke, she gave Qing Lan an ambiguous smile, her eyes sharp as knives. This show of force had thoroughly intimidated her.

Later, after becoming pregnant, she no longer had to observe formalities before the First Madam. Being naturally optimistic, she gradually forgot about the incident, though a shadow of fear remained regarding Zhao Yuechan. But when Zhao Yuechan recently came to the east wing and immediately threw tea in Xiang Lan’s face, she had witnessed it clearly and trembled inside. She remembered then that this First Madam was truly a demon!

Zhao Yuechan simply ate with her chopsticks while Qing Lan, Hua Mei, and Ying Ge didn’t dare touch theirs, sitting in tense silence. Fortunately, Zhao Yuechan left after just a few bites. As a daughter-in-law, she only had an honorary seat at the main tables and wouldn’t sit there, which was why she came to the corridor table for some food before returning to help arrange things – Qing Lan had already made quite an impression, so she needed to perform well now to save some face.

As soon as Zhao Yuechan left, Qing Lan immediately came alive, resuming her animated conversation with Hua Mei.

Xiang Lan stood at a distance, secretly shaking her head. This Concubine Lan was like a mouse before a cat when facing the First Madam, appearing both pitiful and amusing.