After finishing her words, Madam Wen took a sip of tea, feeling somewhat puzzled in her heart.

Gu Jin Chao had invited her to view flowers, yet for some reason had brought her to the western side room for tea and engaged her in conversation. Her time was limited… Just as she was considering whether to say something, she saw a tall maid enter, lifting the curtain.

“Young Miss, the few camellia plants that you asked Yu Zhu to move to the flower room have been relocated. The ones in the flower hall haven’t been moved yet.”

Jin Chao glanced at Qing Pu, understanding immediately.

She had instructed Yu Zhu to continue watching outside Madam Li’s chamber, and if Gu Lan went there, to come to inform her immediately.

Gu Lan’s personality had always been about elevating some while stepping on others. Just as she elevated herself, she would mercilessly push Jin Chao down into the dirt. Jin Chao didn’t know how she would appease Madam Li, but she very much wanted to listen in and also bring Madam Wen along to hear.

“Since the flowers have already been moved, why don’t I invite Madam Wen to take a look at the greenhouse,” Jin Chao smiled, inviting Madam Wen to the greenhouse.

Madam Wen finally relaxed and then asked Gu Jin Rong: “…I wonder if the Young Master would also like to go see?”

Although Gu Jin Rong still couldn’t bring himself to be nice to this Gu Jin Chao, standing stiffly to one side, he wouldn’t ruin Jin Chao’s occasion, so he said: “I didn’t know that Elder Sister has been growing camellias. I might as well go and broaden my horizons.”

Jin Chao led them to the greenhouse. The camellias there had already withered, but other flowers were blooming beautifully. Many Cymbidium and Cymbidium faberi were in full bloom. The pearl jasmine she cultivated had flowers covering the branches, with petals layered one upon another like embroidered balls.

Madam Wen was surprised: “Not to mention anything else, this pearl jasmine is blooming wonderfully.”

Jin Chao smiled and said to Madam Wen: “It prefers warm and humid conditions, not easy to grow in Yan Jing. I originally had three pots, but even with meticulous care, only this one remains. Otherwise, I could have given one to you. But speaking of blooming beautifully, the white magnolia tree behind your and Madam Li’s residence is truly magnificent. Its fragrance is delicate and elegant, detectable from quite a distance.”

Madam Wen said: “I am indeed very fond of the white magnolia’s fragrance… but it’s strange, I haven’t seen this white magnolia tree.”

Jin Chao smiled and said: “It’s right behind the chambers. Perhaps you haven’t gone to look back there. Why don’t I take you to see it!”

Madam Wen truly liked the white magnolia, a flower rarely seen, and wanted to go with Jin Chao to take a look.

Jin Chao turned to Gu Jin Rong and said: “If Jin Rong isn’t busy, why not come see the white magnolia as well.”

Gu Jin Rong’s lips tightened slightly. He had only just seen his second sister briefly and still had many things he wanted to say to her.

Seeing his hesitation, Jin Chao smiled gently: “If you don’t want to, that’s fine…”

“I don’t mind taking a look,” Gu Jin Rong said, seeing her smile and perhaps recalling how she had once faced him with tears streaming down her face in disappointment. His words had changed.

Jin Chao was accompanied by her maid, and Madam Wen by her attendant. Gu Jin Rong, however, walked alone in front of them.

“Many Xiang Fei bamboo are planted behind the chambers. Mother loved bamboo’s nobility, and thought it would be nice to have high mountains as companions, so she had craftsmen pile up Tai Hu stones to create an artificial mountain about ten feet high, and directed spring water to flow down from above, creating the sound of high mountain flowing water,” Jin Chao explained to Madam Wen about that area with rockery. “Later, Father personally wrote the characters ‘Jiu Yi’ on it and had craftsmen carve them, complementing the Xiang Fei bamboo.”

Legend had it that Emperor Shun’s two consorts, E Huang and Nü Ying, traveled a thousand miles in search of Emperor Shun. When they reached Mount Jiu Yi and learned that Emperor Shun had passed away, the two consorts embraced the bamboo and wept bitterly. Their tears turned to blood and fell on the bamboo, creating spots, thus it was also named “Tear Bamboo,” or “Xiang Fei Bamboo.”

Madam Wen greatly admired this Tai Hu stone rockery: “…It’s piled up wonderfully!”

Following the rockery, a stone path led to the Xiang Fei bamboo grove. Past the bamboo grove were the chambers, with a small path leading to the flower hall beside the chambers. The flower hall was partially blocked by a wall with lattice windows, through which one could see the banana plants or weeping willows planted nearby, creating an exceptionally beautiful scene.

Madam Wen looked around but couldn’t see the white magnolia tree and asked Jin Chao: “Could it have been moved elsewhere…”

Jin Chao thought for a moment, then suddenly realized: “I forgot, the white magnolia tree is behind the flower hall, right next to the lattice window!”

The group turned past a cluster of Xiang Fei bamboo and arrived behind the flower hall, where they indeed saw a white magnolia tree.

But as it wasn’t the flowering season, pale green buds nestled among the leaves.

Madam Wen couldn’t help feeling disappointed: “It hasn’t bloomed yet…”

Gu Jin Rong, however, said in a low voice: “It seems someone is talking inside!”

Madam Wen gave him a surprised look. She concentrated and listened carefully, and indeed heard clear voices coming through the wall.

“…Great Aunt, don’t take offense. Isn’t Madam Wen just that kind of person? She loves excitement and ostentation, always preferring more wealth. You needn’t mind her fawning behavior in front of Ji Wu’s wife. To be honest with you, when she spoke about me at that time, I was also very displeased…”

Hearing these words, Madam Wen’s lips tightened. She gestured for Jin Chao to move aside, and personally parted the leaves of the white magnolia to peer through the lattice window. She saw Gu Lan and Madam Li sitting across from each other. Gu Lan had her back to her, but she could see Madam Li’s facial expressions.

“I know Great Aunt’s goodness in my heart. Besides, who in Yan Jing doesn’t praise my two cousins for being virtuous, beautiful, and intelligent? I’ve always favored you. Great Uncle’s official rank is after all higher than Second Uncle’s. If you could officiate my hairpin ceremony, I would feel more honored. But Madam Wen approached my mother first, saying she wanted to officiate my hairpin ceremony, to spare you from competing with her… my mother had no choice!”

Madam Li’s face revealed a mocking smile: “She always likes to compete… who else has such a penchant for showing off!”

Madam Wen listened in confusion, feeling a lump in her throat that made her extremely uncomfortable. What was Gu Lan saying?

When she finally realized this, this discomfort turned into anger.

You, Gu Lan! Was it me who insisted on finding your mother to say I wanted to officiate your hairpin ceremony? Wasn’t it you and your mother who complained to me about how difficult things were for you, and how you were bullied by the eldest Miss Gu? I felt sympathetic and agreed to help with your hairpin ceremony! And even said I’d find you a good marriage! And now look at you, playing one way to my face and another behind my back, even conspiring with that villain Song Miao Ying to speak ill of me!

Jin Chao thought to herself, it was indeed as expected. Gu Lan was trying to drive a wedge between Madam Wen and Madam Li.

She said softly to Madam Wen: “What is Sister Lan saying? How can she seem to be slandering you… Perhaps I should go out and confront her! This is too outrageous…”

Gu Jin Rong, hearing what Gu Lan said, was also surprised, but not knowing the facts of the matter, he couldn’t judge right from wrong. But seeing Madam Wen’s teeth-grinding expression, he knew that what Gu Lan was saying probably wasn’t good… he felt both shocked and confused.

Madam Wen, having navigated the inner chambers for over a decade, immediately pressed down Jin Chao’s hand and said coldly: “Don’t rush, I want to hear what else she has to say about me…”

“Madam Wen also spoke to Mother about you. I’m embarrassed to repeat what she said… It was mainly about Great Uncle, saying that Great Uncle already had a concubine and son in Shaanxi and that he simply didn’t want to come back to see you…” When Gu Lan said this, Madam Li’s expression changed.

“Did she say that?” Madam Li was so angry her voice trembled. People are like this—they fear others speaking of their pain the most. If someone truly does so, they react like a cat whose tail has been stepped on, ready to jump and go wild.

Gu Lan’s voice was incredibly gentle and calm: “Mother even advised her not to believe rumors, saying that you and Great Uncle have always treated each other with respect. She told Madam Wen not to overthink, but you know Madam Wen’s personality—she loves gossiping with the women inside, likes to stir up trouble, takes things upon herself, and can’t help but spread them everywhere…”

Madam Li gritted her teeth: “I know, she’s capable of doing this!” Madam Wen’s love for excitement and discussing others’ family affairs was well-known. Although others didn’t mind, she had always disliked this behavior of Madam Wen’s. She couldn’t help cursing: “…Gossipmonger!”

Gu Lan quickly held her hand and said: “Please don’t be angry. Mother has talked her out of it with kind words. It’s not worth getting angry at her!”

…

Outside the lattice window, Madam Wen stared at Gu Lan, so angry that the veins at her temples kept throbbing!

What a scheming, trouble-making viper of a woman.

Yesterday she had pretended to be weak and pitiful in front of her, but today she showed a different face, spreading malicious gossip behind others’ backs!

She had thought Gu Lan was too naive and had even defended her in front of Gu Jin Chao! She had believed that she was bullied by others and had promised to help her find a good marriage. She had been completely blind!

Though extremely angry, Madam Wen restrained herself and didn’t make a sound, listening to what was happening inside.

Gu Lan comforted Madam Li well, and she finally calmed down.

Madam Li took a sip of tea and said: “…I won’t bother with her, knowing what kind of person she is. If I concern myself too much with this, it only hurts me. But niece… there’s one thing I really can’t understand. Your… your father, why did he choose Gu Jin Chao as your sponsor? Her virtue, her character, in what way is she qualified to be your sponsor?”

Speaking of this, Gu Lan couldn’t help but sigh: “Aunt, do you think this was my choice? Father insisted on her. Of course, I know Gu Jin Chao’s character is poor. Look, she’s been of age for nearly a year, yet which respectable family dares to come to propose marriage? She has become the laughingstock of the Gu family. Even if she is beautiful, so what… The things she’s done, which one doesn’t chill the heart?”

Madam Li couldn’t help but ask: “I’ve only heard rumors, but what exactly has she done…”

Gu Lan said helplessly: “I don’t even like to speak of her deeds. Her bullying me daily is one thing, I don’t mind these… For a small mistake, she beat her maid until she went mad and drove her out of the mansion. Then she forced her father to take a concubine. My brother didn’t want to study in Qi Fang Hutong because he wanted to take care of our gravely ill mother, but she couldn’t stand my brother being at home and drove him away from his mother’s sickbed…”