The door was slammed open with a “bang,” and Chen Fang appeared before Jiang Ruan, closely followed by an exasperated Lian Qiao. Both had disheveled clothing, having apparently just engaged in some physical struggle.

Jiang Ruan didn’t even glance at Chen Fang, her gaze still resting on the book before her. Bai Zhi carefully cooled her hot tea beside her, and Lian Qiao, having entered the room, said nothing and properly walked before Jiang Ruan to bow her head.

This left Chen Fang completely ignored, with no one paying her any attention. Chen Fang became anxious. She had originally wanted to remain composed and wait for Jiang Ruan to inquire first, but Jiang Ruan stubbornly had no intention of looking up at her. Chen Fang’s heart began to pound, and this attitude left her feeling uncertain. The atmosphere was unusually heavy.

After all, she was just a teenage girl who wasn’t accustomed to suppressing her emotions. Chen Fang held back and held back, but finally said angrily: “Miss, this servant has something to ask.”

Jiang Ruan didn’t even lift an eyelid, saying lazily: “Ask away.”

Chen Fang was stunned again. Jiang Ruan’s attitude made her feel irritated. Thinking of her reason for coming today, her anger surged even more: “Miss, a few days ago, did you not go to see that pot of Moonlight Beauty flowers?”

“Yes,” Jiang Ruan, hearing this, thought for a moment before saying: “That night I suddenly felt somewhat unwell, so I didn’t go to appreciate the flowers.”

“How could Miss do this?” Chen Fang’s anger intensified: “It was clearly agreed upon with this servant. If you weren’t going, you should have at least sent someone to tell this servant.”

“Ah?” Jiang Ruan looked at her with slight surprise: “No one told you? Lian Qiao, that night didn’t I instruct you to tell Fang’er that I wasn’t going? Don’t tell me you were so busy playing that you forgot what I asked you to do.”

Lian Qiao curtsied: “Miss’s instructions – this servant would never dare forget them no matter what. That night this servant went to the pear orchard, intending to tell her when Fang’er arrived. Who knew that no matter how long I waited, Fang’er just wouldn’t come. This servant thought Fang’er already knew about this matter and that’s why she didn’t come, so after the third watch I returned.”

Jiang Ruan smiled with slight apologetic: “So it was a misunderstanding. Fang’er, now you’ve heard clearly – this matter has nothing to do with me.”

Chen Fang was so angry that the powder on her face kept falling off. No matter how she calculated, she hadn’t expected Jiang Ruan to have such a lukewarm attitude, as if she had punched soft cotton with all her strength – having force but nowhere to apply it, only adding a belly full of anger.

“However, Fang’er,” Jiang Ruan slightly frowned: “It’s been so long since our appointment, yet you’re only now asking me about that night’s events. Could it be that you never went to the pear orchard at all, yet assumed I had gone?”

Chen Fang was startled, a flash of nervousness crossing her face: “No, no, it’s just… it’s just that this servant only learned today that Miss never went. That night, that night this servant had business and couldn’t keep the appointment…” Chen Fang became somewhat incoherent, realizing that no matter what she said, her words were full of holes.

Jiang Ruan spoke with understanding: “If that’s the case, let’s consider it all a misunderstanding.”

Chen Fang bit her lip. Though filled with unwillingness, she couldn’t find any reasonable ground to stand on. She only blamed herself for coming too hastily today without thinking through her strategy thoroughly. Just as she was worrying, she heard Jiang Ruan’s indifferent voice: “Seeing you rush over in such haste, I thought something had happened. It’s good that nothing’s wrong.”

Chen Fang’s heart immediately tightened. She looked at Jiang Ruan with some unease, meeting Jiang Ruan’s smiling gaze directly. Her eyes were extremely gentle, like spring flowing water, charmingly enveloping one completely. But looking carefully, one could feel that those clear eyes contained waves of murderous intent, and the upturned corners held nothing but eerie sharpness.

Chen Fang couldn’t help but step back two paces. When she looked at Jiang Ruan again, everything was gone. A thread of uncertainty suddenly arose in her heart, and an absurd thought appeared in her mind: could it be that this seemingly weak and easily bullied young lady actually knew everything? Did she do this on purpose? Was she the one who benefited?

Chen Fang clenched her fists and shook her head vigorously. Impossible! Jiang Ruan had lived at the estate for five years – she knew exactly what kind of person she was. Moreover, a ten-year-old little girl having such schemes – no one would believe it if told. This time was just a coincidence that ruined her plans.

Chen Fang forced a smile: “It’s all this servant’s fault for disturbing Miss. Please blame this servant.”

“You had good intentions.” Jiang Ruan took a sip of tea: “How could I bear to punish you? Speaking of which, it’s my misfortune. I imagine that night when the Moonlight Beauty bloomed, it must have been beautiful and enchanting.”

Chen Fang almost vomited blood upon hearing this, saying with forced effort: “Naturally it was. If Miss has no other instructions, this servant will go out to work first – there are still some matters at the estate.”

“You’ve worked hard,” Jiang Ruan said indifferently: “Go attend to your business. The estate can’t function without you, from top to bottom.”

These words were meaningful. Chen Fang’s heart jumped again, as if something terrifying was following behind her. She quickly left in haste.

After Chen Fang left, Lian Qiao closed the door and spat: “Look at that lawless appearance – where does she look like a servant? That questioning tone just now – who was she addressing? She doesn’t know her place! We really should teach her a lesson someday!”

“Why wait for someday?” Jiang Ruan closed her book: “She’ll receive her lesson very soon.”

“Miss…” Bai Zhi’s eyes lit up: “Could it be that night…”

Jiang Ruan nodded: “If I didn’t keep the appointment, naturally someone else did. It seems little sister Chen didn’t just invite a wolf, but a wolf that only loves gold. Chun Ying is more capable than I imagined – she’s saved me a lot of trouble.”

Lian Qiao smiled: “That girl is suspicious by nature. I only acted a tiny bit in front of her, and she couldn’t wait to take the bait! But I see she has ill intentions herself – she and Chen Zhao are a willing striker and willing victim.”

“You handled this beautifully.” Jiang Ruan praised: “I wonder how many more days Chen Zhao can endure. Chun Ying, don’t disappoint me.”

Like flowers blooming on two branches, each tells its own story. While Jiang Ruan and her servants turned the tables here, the main characters of the drama were elsewhere, sweet as honey.

This year, autumn-fragrance colored flowing smoke satin was fashionable on the streets. The satin was incomparably smooth and would reflect faint brilliance under sunlight. Wealthy families’ wives and young ladies loved this fabric most – new skirts made from it were extremely elegant and beautiful when worn. On the table in the room now lay two bolts of flowing smoke satin. Before the bronze mirror sat a purple-clothed woman. This woman could be considered beautiful, carefully examining a string of South Sea pearl necklace around her neck. The pearls were of excellent quality, each large and round, emanating a faint pink luster that made the skin on her neck appear even more fair.

After a long while, Chun Ying finally removed the necklace from her neck. Such things couldn’t be worn outside, or if others saw a mere maid using such fine goods, suspecting their improper origins would cause trouble. She rose and walked to the bedside, reaching under the bed to pull out a small box. Opening it with a small bronze key revealed a box full of pearls, jade, and cloisonné. Chun Ying placed the pearl necklace in her hands inside, looking with satisfaction at the brilliance in the box before her.

Such a full box of jewelry, all of excellent quality – she, a mere servant, could never have accumulated so much. Chun Ying smiled slightly. That fool Chen Zhao was quite obedient, dutifully delivering jewelry.

A few days ago, when she heard news of Jiang Ruan’s planned moonlight flower appreciation with someone, she went to the pear orchard that night to investigate. Who would have thought that instead of seeing Jiang Ruan there, she was grabbed from behind as soon as she arrived? She was initially terrified, but the person whispered in her ear: “Miss, don’t cry out. If people see you with Zhao, you’ll be bound to Zhao for life.” She was stunned, and the person continued: “Zhao’s heart yearns for Miss extremely – that’s why he’s being so forward. Miss, Zhao will treat you well.”

Chun Ying finally understood – this person was actually Chen Zhao, who had mistaken her for Jiang Ruan. She hadn’t expected Jiang Ruan and Chen Zhao to have a private affair. Before she could react, Chen Zhao had begun tearing at her clothes. Chun Ying originally wanted to scream, but just as she was about to cry out, she stopped. Although Chen Zhao was just the son of an estate manager and didn’t amount to much, she knew very clearly how much private wealth Nanny Lan had accumulated over the years. Chen Zhao’s lifestyle was no inferior to that of ordinary wealthy families. Though she was now a head maid at this estate, her monthly wages and tips were far from enough. If she had Chen Zhao as a big tree to rely on…

Chun Ying thought through the pros and cons in a very short time and immediately stopped struggling, submitting to Chen Zhao. Chun Ying didn’t care about her bodily virtue – if her body could sell for a good price, what harm was there in selling it? Whether she married or became a concubine in the future, she might never again encounter such a generous client as Chen Zhao. How could she not seize the opportunity?

When Chen Zhao came to his senses and discovered it was Chun Ying beside him, he was shocked and dismayed. Chun Ying only coldly told him that if he didn’t use silver to seal her mouth, she would immediately report to the authorities and let everyone know the fact that Chen Zhao had violated her.

Chen Zhao never expected that the beauty was still a beauty, but a venomous one. Chun Ying was different from Jiang Ruan. Jiang Ruan, being an official family’s young lady, would suffer devastating damage if her reputation was ruined. The Jiang family wouldn’t spread the scandal everywhere but would secretly give Jiang Ruan to Chen Zhao. But Chun Ying had nothing to worry about and was extremely cunning and shameless – filing a lawsuit wasn’t impossible. If this matter really came to light, Chen Zhao would lose his skin if not his life. He had no other choice but to comply with Chun Ying’s wishes.

But having finally climbed onto a big tree, how could Chun Ying’s appetite be so easily satisfied? Time after time, Chen Zhao’s purse had become shy, yet Chun Ying continued pressing step by step. Thus, Chen Zhao secretly sold off the first piece of land.

How could one piece of land be enough? Chun Ying believed she was worth far more than that. Everything had a price, and Chun Ying believed she was above that price. Chen Zhao, however, felt Chun Ying was asking for the moon. Their disputes grew increasingly severe, no longer showing any trace of that night’s passionate entanglement under the moonlit beauty.

Chun Ying had just closed the box when she heard the door bang open with a clang, and Chen Zhao strode in with an agitated expression.