“What did you smear on the silk flower?”

Upon leaving the palace gates and boarding the carriage, Wei Chan immediately dropped her gentle, dignified act. She glared at Wei Rao, demanding answers. Fortunately, she still knew propriety and kept her voice low to prevent those outside the carriage from hearing.

Wei Rao directly threw the begonia silk flower in her hand over to her.

Wei Chan grabbed the silk flower and sniffed it repeatedly under her nose like a pig rooting for food, yet detected no fragrance whatsoever.

She looked suspiciously at Wei Rao: “Nothing was applied, so why did that butterfly land on it?”

Wei Rao laughed lightly: “Go ask the butterfly—how would I know?”

“Enough.” Old Madam Wei, sitting in the middle, finally spoke, looking sternly at Wei Chan. “Last year, you were stung by a bee on your neck—did you apply perfume to your neck? It was just an accident. It’s foolish enough that you suspect your sister, but to keep questioning after smelling the silk flower—is Raorao so despicable in your eyes?”

Wei Chan turned her face away, saying unconvincingly, “Why are you scolding me, Grandmother? You heard what was said at the banquet—outsiders were all talking like that. What’s wrong with me asking? It’s all her fault for wearing that broken silk flower. If she had properly followed the rules and worn proper jewelry, she wouldn’t have caused trouble and made us all lose face along with her.”

Old Madam Wei sneered: “Think it’s embarrassing? Next time there are banquets, I’ll only take Raorao and absolutely won’t force you.”

Wei Chan panicked, pouting: “Grandmother, you’re being far too partial!”

Old Madam Wei couldn’t be bothered with her and closed her eyes, leaning back against the cushion.

Wei Chan turned to glare at Wei Rao.

Wei Rao pulled pitifully at the old lady’s sleeve: “Grandmother, Third Sister is still glaring at me.”

Old Madam Wei’s eyes snapped open, but Wei Chan had already angrily turned to sit sideways. Looking at Wei Rao, she mischievously smiled.

Old Madam Wei sighed and gently patted her younger granddaughter’s hand.

Wei Rao rested her forehead against her grandmother’s shoulder, gazing out the carriage window. Earl Cheng’an Mansion’s status among today’s group of noble officials was at the bottom tier—they had to wait for everyone else’s carriages to leave before departing. The silk curtains were embroidered with birds and flowers, several mountain birds perched scattered among the flowering branches, carefree and untroubled.

Wei Rao smiled bitterly in silence.

Previously, she hadn’t cared about such gossip, but now that she wanted to marry into a noble family, these rumors would make her path into high society even more treacherous. And there was Qi Zhongkai—what a satisfactory candidate for a husband he was, with proper appearance, youth, capability, and ardent feelings for her. Even his family was simple in numbers. Unfortunately, the most crucial person, Qi Zhongkai’s mother, Madam Marquis Pingxi, disliked her—disliked her so much she couldn’t even be bothered with basic courtesy.

Wei Rao hadn’t become so desperate to marry that she would press her warm face against a cold bottom.

Marrying into nobility was to make the Empress Dowager wary and stop sending assassins to trouble her, but Wei Rao wasn’t afraid of those assassins. She simply felt that if she married into a noble family, both Grandmother and Maternal Grandmother would be very happy and reassured.

If it didn’t work out, Wei Rao simply wouldn’t marry. The Empress Dowager had aged to such a state—perhaps in another year or two, she’d pass away. Wei Rao was young—surely she could outlast the Empress Dowager? Her aunt’s remarriage had found good fortune; even if Wei Rao waited until her twenties, a first marriage wouldn’t be too difficult. Even if it were difficult, she wasn’t afraid. At worst, she wouldn’t marry at all—she had maids to serve her and estates to manage, and could still live a full and flavorful life.

“Old Madam, it’s our turn.”

The coachman reminded them from outside.

Wei Rao responded for her grandmother. The coachman cracked his whip, and Earl Cheng’an Mansion’s carriage slowly began moving.

Marquis Pingxi Mansion.

The forty-something Marquis Pingxi entered his private chambers and removed his official robes, revealing that his undergarments were soaked with sweat under the arms and across the back.

The Marquis simply removed his undergarments as well, taking the damp cloth his wife handed him and vigorously wiping his back.

“What exactly happened with Miaomiao?”

The Marquis looked at his wife questioningly. There had been too many people present, all female guests, making it inconvenient for him as a man to inquire too closely.

The Marchioness sighed: “Greed. She took a large cherry—tribute fruit is certainly sweeter than what we buy at home. She ate too hastily and accidentally choked. It took considerable effort to cough it out, which gave me quite a fright.”

The Marquis said seriously, “We must properly teach her manners later. At five years old, developing a habit of greediness isn’t good. And keep a closer eye on little Ming—have the wet nurse watch him carefully so no more accidents happen.”

Little Ming was the younger son of Qi Bowei and Madam Deng, just two years old this year.

The Marchioness nodded: “I’ll give instructions shortly.”

The Marquis continued wiping his sweat. He was a straightforward military man who rarely interfered with the upbringing of his grandchildren. In a few years, when his grandson was older, he could personally teach the boy martial arts.

The Marchioness sat on the bedside, watching her burly husband, her brow furrowing due to Old Madam Wei’s words. She disliked Wei Rao and didn’t want to owe her a favor, so she had offered a thank-you gift. Old Madam Wei’s response was excellent, spouting something about the Wei family tradition of helping others without expecting reward. Those words made it seem as if the Qi family’s tradition was to expect rewards for favors.

A fallen family giving itself airs.

In another courtyard of Marquis Pingxi Mansion, heir Qi Bowei and Madam Deng sat side by side watching over their daughter Qi Miaomiao’s bed.

Qi Miaomiao was already asleep. Having suffered such a fright at noon, her complexion still looked poor.

The more Madam Deng thought about it, the more frightened she became. Her eyes reddened again, and remembering the danger, she couldn’t help saying to her husband: “Today we were fortunate that Fourth Miss Wei acted promptly, or I truly dare not imagine what would have happened to Miaomiao.”

Qi Bowei asked curiously: “Fourth Miss Wei?”

Madam Deng: “Yes, I was very flustered at the time. I tried the methods others suggested—giving water, holding her upside down—nothing worked. It was Fourth Miss Wei who ran over, held Miaomiao around the stomach, and kept pushing upward until finally the cherry came out.”

Qi Bowei recalled the palace banquet, but could only remember his wife and daughter. Half ashamed and half reproachful, he said: “Why didn’t you tell me then? I should have thanked her personally. This matter has made my father and me lose proper etiquette.”

Madam Deng had been entirely focused on her daughter and truly hadn’t thought of it. She moved closer to her husband’s ear and quietly told him what happened afterward.

Qi Bowei’s tiger eyes nearly bulged round!

If their daughter’s savior had been a peasant woman or even a maid or palace woman, Mother giving a bracelet as thanks would have been quite proper. But that was Fourth Miss from Earl Cheng’an Mansion—a daughter of a distinguished family! Even if Mother had only sincerely expressed verbal thanks, it would have been more appropriate than giving vulgar objects as a reward! Giving a bracelet—what difference was there from slapping her face in public?

“How could Mother be so confused?” Qi Bowei’s face darkened.

Madam Deng then mentioned Wei Rao’s silk flower attracting the butterfly. On this point, she stood on the same side as her mother-in-law: “Fourth Miss Wei is frivolous and improper. No wonder Mother dislikes her. Though our family was somewhat rude, associating with such a maiden would damage our Marquis Mansion’s reputation.”

Qi Bowei disagreed, criticizing Madam Deng: “Regardless of her character, she is Miaomiao’s lifesaver. I’m going to call at their home to thank them properly.”

Madam Deng anxiously grabbed her husband, who had already stood up: “If you’re going, go ahead, but first tell Father and Mother, and remember—just say Miaomiao told you about this. Don’t mention me at all. I’m afraid Mother will be displeased.”

Qi Bowei understood and went to the main courtyard.

The Marquis and Marchioness were just preparing for a nap when they heard their eldest son had come. The couple got up again to dress and meet their son outside.

Qi Bowei came straight to the point—he wanted to go to Earl Cheng’an Mansion to express thanks.

The Marquis blamed the Marchioness beside him: “Such an important matter—how could you not mention it to me at all?”

Knowing her husband’s character of always repaying favors, and with her eldest son covering for her by not mentioning the bracelet incident, Madam Marquis Pingxi smiled awkwardly: “I was so focused on worrying about Miaomiao that I forgot to tell you both. But I already expressed thanks afterward, so there’s no need for Bowei to make another trip.”

After speaking, she gave her eldest son a meaningful look.

Qi Bowei lowered his eyes: “I am Miaomiao’s father. I should thank her personally.”

The Marquis said: “Exactly so. Don’t go empty-handed—bring a gift for Lady Earl Cheng’an.”

This kind of formal gift-giving visit was completely different from casually giving a bracelet at a banquet.

Qi Bowei took his leave and prepared to go.

Since he was sincere, Old Madam Wei and Wei Rao politely entertained him.

Official families have no secrets—events occurring in one’s courtyard could spread outside, let alone spectacles that happened in full public view.

Within a few days, news of what happened among the female guests at the palace banquet spread throughout the various mansions.

Because Shou’an Jun and the elder and younger Madam Zhou had always had poor reputations, Wei Rao, as Fourth Miss from Earl Cheng’an Mansion, who was close to the Zhou mother and daughter, also had a bad reputation. Under such circumstances, the female relatives of various mansions filled their commentary about her with negative subjective speculation. Some said Wei Rao deliberately tampered with her silk flower to attract the elite of the six armies, using seductive tricks to lure butterflies. Others mocked Wei Rao for eagerly rushing to save Qi Miaomiao to curry favor with Madam Marquis Pingxi, only to end up being slapped in the face with a bracelet by the Marchioness.

Combined with Wei Rao’s wagering on Qi Zhongkai and then trying to curry favor with the Qi family, her delusion of clinging to Qi Zhongkai had become an established conclusion.

Only later did Madam Marquis Pingxi hear of Wei Rao’s ambitions—that rescuing her granddaughter was actually to marry her second son. She was furious and immediately summoned Qi Zhongkai to warn him sternly, telling him to stay far away from that little vixen Wei Rao and never give her a chance to seduce him.

Qi Zhongkai was completely bewildered.

As an Imperial Guard on daily palace duty, working from early morning to late evening, he knew nothing of the chaotic rumors among women. He was still in the dark about Wei Rao saving Qi Miaomiao and his elder brother’s visit to express thanks. Today, his mother suddenly warned him that Wei Rao intended to seduce him—Qi Zhongkai felt like he was dreaming!

“Fourth Miss wants to seduce me?” Even if it were a dream, thinking of such a possibility made Qi Zhongkai float with joy, his mouth beginning to curve upward.

Seeing this, Madam Marquis Pingxi knew trouble was brewing. Her gaze sharp, she asked: “What? Have you met her?”

Qi Zhongkai suddenly realized his mother seemed to dislike Wei Rao.

Qi Zhongkai temporarily set aside those fantasies that made him giddy, frowning as he questioned back: “Mother, who told you Fourth Miss wants to seduce me? This concerns Fourth Miss’s reputation—you mustn’t speak carelessly.”

Madam Marquis Pingxi said angrily: “It’s spread all over! Let me ask you—on dragon boat race day, did she wager on your Imperial Guards to win?”

Qi Zhongkai: “So what if she did? Can’t I win? Others didn’t think well of me, but Fourth Miss looked favorably upon me. Are you unhappy about that?”

Madam Marquis Pingxi’s expression was extremely ugly: “She wagered on you because she wants to marry you, but she should look in the mirror first. Is our Marquis Pingxi Mansion somewhere a vixen like her can enter?”

Hearing his mother call Wei Rao—Fourth Miss, who brought him joy whenever he saw her—a vixen, Qi Zhongkai became so angry his breathing grew heavy. He would have cursed back at anyone else, but this person was his mother.

“I can’t talk sense into you—all this grasping at shadows!” Qi Zhongkai rubbed his heated forehead and, ignoring his mother’s pestering, strode away.

Leaving the main courtyard, Qi Zhongkai thought for a moment and went to his elder brother and sister-in-law’s courtyard.

There were some things he had to ask his sister-in-law about.

Madam Deng told her brother-in-law everything she knew. Only then did Qi Zhongkai learn that Fourth Miss had saved his niece, yet her good intentions met with no good reward. His mother and the gossipmongers outside, rather than praising her beauty and kindness, actually thought the worst of Fourth Miss. Deliberately seducing? If Fourth Miss truly wanted to seduce him, she would have cast flirtatious glances at him back at Yunwu Mountain!

“It’s not at all what you people think!” His temper flaring, Qi Zhongkai grew agitated with his sister-in-law.

Madam Deng glanced at her husband, who remained silent throughout, asking her brother-in-law uneasily: “Then what is it? Her reputation was already poor, and with these three incidents connected—the wager, the butterfly, rushing to save Miaomiao—who wouldn’t think in that direction?”

Qi Zhongkai felt even more stifled and asked his brother: “Elder Brother, you tell me!”

Qi Bowei: “I don’t know about the first two incidents. Regarding saving Miaomiao, I owe Fourth Miss a debt of gratitude.” After speaking, Qi Bowei solemnly warned his wife: “I can’t control other people’s mouths, but you must control yours strictly. Don’t you dare criticize Fourth Miss by even half a sentence.”

Madam Deng repeatedly agreed. She was also grateful to Wei Rao in her heart.

Qi Zhongkai, troubled and agitated, rode out of the mansion to find Lu Zhuo at Duke Ying Mansion for drinks.

Lu Zhuo didn’t enjoy drinking. He had a servant bring a jar of fine wine for Qi Zhongkai while he sat across, drinking tea.

Qi Zhongkai asked him to judge: “You’ve met Fourth Miss—tell me, is she the kind of person who schemes deliberately?”

Lu Zhuo said fairly, “She does have intentions of marrying into nobility. The silk flower and rescue were probably just coincidences, and she has no interest in you whatsoever.”

The palace banquet area was full of female relatives—if Wei Rao deliberately attracted butterflies, who was she showing it to?

If Wei Rao intended to marry Qi Zhongkai, with her beauty and cunning, she would have long since charmed Qi Zhongkai into refusing anyone but her.

Since she hadn’t tried to seduce Qi Zhongkai, saving Qi Miaomiao had nothing to do with currying favor with Madam Marquis Pingxi.

After listening, Qi Zhongkai gulped wine and glared at Lu Zhuo.

This fellow—it was fine to believe Fourth Miss was kind and innocent, but why was he so certain Fourth Miss had no interest in him?

Fourth Miss had risked great danger to rush and save Miaomiao—perhaps it was precisely because she worried he would be sad that she kindly intervened.

Qi Zhongkai had already decided he would find an opportunity to ask Fourth Miss personally.

Lu Zhuo had never interacted with maidens from other families—what the hell did he understand!