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After Ruan san niang departed, Ruan Xi pretended not to see her maidservants exchanging pointed looks as she sighed emotionally with a smile.
“How could Mother ask san jie to borrow that jewellery set from me, her reputation would be terrible if that were to spread.
“Su Yu, Su Zhu, don’t you think so?”
She could roughly guess what her legitimate mother Zhang shi was conspiring. Wasn’t she trying to disgust her, and put her and Ruan san niang on the path of confrontation?
Ruan Xi refused to fall for the scheme.
Presently, the anger in Su Yu’s heart had yet to dissipate. When she heard her Young Lady’s utterance, she pursed her lips. “Who knows what Furen is thinking, she even tried to poison and harm the Young Lady in secret back when.”
In Su Yu’s heart, not only was the Furen malicious, but she was also vicious and merciless.
Su Zhu was of the same opinion. “Exactly, nubi feels like the Third Young Lady has no reason to lie.”
“Young Lady, should we divulge and spread this matter?” Su Zhu looked eager to give it a try.
Ruan Xi laughed softly in response, her gaze chilly. “Spread it, why shouldn’t we spread it? If I don’t make a single move, Mother will assume that I’m a soft bread roll.”
Who told Zhang shi to be ignorant towards Ruan san niang’s original disposition of being a pig teammate? If she did not pit her back, she would be wasting the chance that had been sent her way.
Even if Zhang shi learned of her involvement, she could only swallow that mouthful of anger, since Zhang shi did not want to have the reputation of having a narrow stomach.
“Young Lady can set her mind at ease, nubi will handle this appropriately.” Su Zhu and Su Yu answered in unison. The pair was extremely happy; after enduring for so long, their Young Lady finally acted.
Ruan Xi observed the high fighting spirits that the pair possessed, her lips curling up before she stood up to go back to her room for an afternoon nap.
She trusted that Su Yu and Su Zhu would not disappoint her.
After a private discussion between Su Yu and Su Zhu, they finally informed Mama Yang of their plan. Once they received Mama Yang’s affirmation, the pair executed their plan.
When they saw the most loose-mouthed Qian pozi within the residence walk past, the pair echoed each other as they deliberately complained about the fact that the Furen had allowed the Third Young Lady to borrow jewellery.
橆歐 (pinyin: po zi) – older woman-servant.
Qian pozi’s eyes lit up upon hearing their complaint.
That would explain why she saw the Third Young Lady holding an additional jewellery case as she was walking out from Limpid Heart Garden; it turns out the Furen asked the Third Young Lady to go over to the Fourth Young Lady’s place to borrow the jewellery.
Qian pozi’s pupils shifted. She heard that the Third Young Lady would be attending Wen lao-furen’s longevity banquet tomorrow, which meant that the Third Young Lady borrowing the jewellery was most likely to be true.
Privately, Qian pozi gossiped excitably with the other older woman-servants at once and said older woman-servants proceeded to gossip with the other servants.
Once the news was propagated, the various yiniang in the residence learnt of it too. One after another, they pushed the wave and added to the billows in secret. In just a short afternoon, the rumours reached all ends of the Earl Residence.
Zhang shi became aware of this bad news very quickly, and she became angry and frustrated. Before she could do anything, Lao Taitai dispatched someone to call her over for a harsh lecture, admonishing her to the point where her head and face was filthy with grime, unable to vocalise her bitterness.
At the very end, she even stated that Ruan san niang was not allowed to attend Wen lao-furen’s longevity feast.
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Zhang shi hated that counterfeit for her loud actions and that damnable yatou si niang to death. It was such a small matter and yet it was blown out of proportion. When she eventually squashed the rumours, she called Ruan san niang over to pelt her with admonishments.
ćŠˆć€Žç›–è„ž (pinyin: pi tou gai lian) – lit. splitting the head and covering the face.
Ruan san niang’s expression was filled with grievances. “It’s not like I’m lying, it’s clearly Mother who told me to go and borrow it, I remember it vividly.”
Zhang shi looked up in anger. A counterfeit was a counterfeit; stupid like a pig, and she had pitted her too.
“Couldn’t you just say that you wanted to borrow it, it’s not as though si niang could make it difficult for you?”
“There are altercations between me and si mei, if I didn’t bring out Mother, si mei would never have lent me the jewellery.”
Ruan san niang became more aggrieved because her Mother was not on her side. While she had implicated her mother’s reputation, she did not do it on purpose.
Si mei was being too petty, she even had to announce such a small thing.
Zhang shi nearly stopped breathing and vomited blood when she saw the counterfeit being aggrieved.
She felt like if she continued talking to the counterfeit, she would still be the angry person, so Zhang shi promptly waved her hand and gestured for Ruan san niang to go back.
Once Ruan san niang left, Zhang shi violently smashed the items in the room with a gloomy complexion.
In a short while, the room was in an utter mess.
Mama Sun and Mama Gao did not dare to make a sound. When Zhang shi’s anger eventually dispersed, Mama Sun called the servants in to clean up the room. By the time the room was restored into proper order, Mama Gao brewed a pot of light tea for Zhang shi and gave a cautious suggestion: “Furen, if yĂ”u don’t wish to see the counterfeit Third Young Lady, why don’t yĂ”u marry her out earlier?”
Mama Sun: “

”
Mama Gao, this idiot, what kind of rotten idea was she giving?
Zhang shi laughed out of anger. “Mama Gao, have you gone senile in your old age? Allow that counterfeit to marry off earlier? Don’t even think about it, I would never give her a single marriage dowry, she doesn’t deserve it.”
Mama Gao’s complexion went white.
“But, but the counterfeit Third Young Lady has a marriage contract with Qi er gongzi, she will have to marry over sooner or later.”
Mama Sun glanced at Mama Sun, speechless. She did not pity her in the slightest; she clearly knew that the Furen hated that counterfeit Ruan san niang to death, and yet she was spouting such words, she clearly deserved a scolding.
“Mama Sun, you’re really going further back the longer you live. So what if she has a marriage contract, it’s not like it can’t be broken off, I definitely won’t let that counterfeit live well!”
Zhang shi’s eyes were teeming with hate.
Mama Gao finally realised what she had just said, and she had no tears even though she wanted to cry.
At this moment, Ruan san niang did know that once she was exposed, her marriage with Qi Yue An would be broken off in the end no matter what.
She was still under the assumption that the right to decide her marriage with Qi Yue An was in her own hands.



Upon waking up, Ruan Xi learned from Su Yu and Su Zhu that the rumours in the residence had led to Zhang shi being called to the Tranquil Longevity Hall by Lao Taitai.
As Ruan Xi looked at Su Yu’s and Su Zhu’s gleeful appearance, she asked in surprise, “How did it spread so quickly?”
Su Yu and Su Zhu giggled, swiftly telling her how they deliberately exposed this matter by complaining in front of the loose-lipped Qian pozi.
Ruan Xi smiled slightly, giving them a word of praise. “Well done!” Then she gave both of them a generous reward of silver.
Qian pozi was an older servant in the residence. Although she was loose-lipped, her daughter was Lao Taitai’s trusted maidservant. Occasionally, Zhang shi would borrow Qian pozi’s mouth when she was fighting with the yiniang in the residence.
She did not expect that Su Yu and Su Zhu would also make use of Qian pozi.
Su Zhu and Su Yu were happy after receiving the reward silver, but they did not monopolise the contribution entirely and they called Mama Yang over.
It was only then that Ruan Xi became aware that it was Mama Yang’s idea to make use of Qian pozi, and she sighed in her heart.
It was no wonder that noble daughters would be paired with one or two capable Mamas.
With a Mama that had ample experience guiding them, doing anything would be much easier.
She thought about how she had guarded against Mama Yang in all aspects until she had learned about Mama Yang’s real family background, before she had started giving Mama Yang some of her trust.
Similarly, Ruan Xi gave Mama Yang a generous amount of reward silver as well.
“Young Lady, nubi also overheard a piece of news, though she does not know the veracity of it.” Su Yu was hesitant, but she decided to vocalise it in the end.
If it was real, her Young Lady would probably be very happy.
“What’s the news?” Ruan Xi asked as she raised an eyebrow.
“There has been hearsay that Lao Taitai disallowed the Third Young Lady from attending Wen lao-furen’s longevity feast.”
Surprise spread across Ruan Xi’s visage.
“But nubi thinks it is unlikely. If it was real, the Third Young Lady should be coming over to return the jewellery.”
“That is hard to say.” Ruan Xi’s intuition told her that Ruan san niang would definitely appear tomorrow morning.
Su Yu and Su Zhu heaved a sigh simultaneously.
That’s true, the Third Young Lady was the legitimate young lady of the Earl Residence after all, why wouldn’t the Furen bring her to the Junzhu Residence?
Ruan Xi peered at them in amusement.
Because she was going to greet Wen lao-furen tomorrow, Ruan Xi continued to preserve and nurture her own spirit by reading books, admiring paintings, flowers, and the scenery. All in all, she was in a relaxed and pleasurable mood.
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In contrast, Earl Chengyi’s mood was the absolute worst.
While the rumours about Zhang shi allowing her daughter to borrow jewellery from a concubine-born daughter had been suppressed, a young male servant had reported this matter to him upon his return, and Earl Chengyi’s face had darkened instantaneously.
“Zhang shi has become increasingly outrageous these days.”
He went to the Main Courtyard with a sunken expression. It was unknown what he had said, but he had left expressionlessly before he turned towards Limpid Heart Garden.
When Ruan Xi saw her Earl Father coming over, she was not surprised in her heart at all. She believed that her Earl Father was not coming here to specifically criticise her for blowing a small matter out of proportion.
But Ruan Xi was not stupid to the point of blatantly admitting that she had incited the rumour spreading.
Earl Chengyi was a person who placed profit first. Hence, he did not feel like si niang was wrong. Every person was bound to have a slight temper, and while the jewellery that his mother sent si niang was not as precious as Wen furen’s gift, it still wasn’t a reason for Zhang shi, a dignified legitimate mother, to lower herself and tell san niang to go up to her door to borrow the jewellery set.
The Earl Residence’s position was placed there; so what if the complementing accessories were a grade higher?
If si niang remained silent like a soft bread, Earl Chengyi would have felt disappointed instead.
Now seeing that si niang was extremely stable and capable, and how could not he perceive if she was genuine or fake, Earl Chengyi felt very satisfied with si niang’s performance.
“No, Father has no intention of criticising you. On the contrary, Father is very happy.”
Si niang was going to marry into the Wen Family in the future, her personality could not be soft, or else even her servants would dare to step on her head then.
This was quite good.
Earl Chengyi stroked his short beard, admiration apparent on his face.
Ruan Xi: “

”
She was starting to realise that she could not keep pace with her Earl Father’s train of thought.
“Si niang, Zhang shi is your Mother still. Regardless of whether you were responsible for the dissemination of those rumours, you should never admit to it, you can only say that your maidservants couldn’t stand it and they complained about it, which was then overheard and propagated.” Earl Chengyi told her as he adjusted his expression.
Ruan Xi blinked, full of confusion. She said: “Father, the matter was indeed as what yĂ”u have said. However, I’ve already punished those maidservants for speaking indiscriminately before yĂ”u arrived by taking away their monthly allowance for three months.”
Who knew if her Earl Father was trying to inveigle her or not?
After all, when the original owner tried to borrow some jewellery from Ruan san niang in the past – and common jewellery at that too – she was rejected without the slightest scruples. Now that Ruan san niang was using Zhang shi to suppress her to borrow the most valuable jewellery set that Lao Taitai gave her, her two maidservants being overtly angry and complaining for their master could not be more normal.
Earl Chengyi laughed out loud.
Even he could not tell if si niang was being real or fake; whether the matter was similar to what si niang had said or if si niang had quietly incited it, he was more inclined towards the latter.
Under Mama Lin’s guidance, si niang was becoming increasingly remarkable. In contrast, san niang was becoming more rebellious, and stupid.
The scales in Earl Chengyi’s heart were nearly falling towards Ruan Xi’s side.
“Si niang, you will be greeting Wen lao-furen tomorrow, how are your preparations for the longevity feast?”
Zhang shi and Lao Taitai were originally responsible for this matter, but it involved Wen lao-furen, and Earl Chengyi could not help but be somewhat worried.
Wen lao-furen was a Junzhu from the imperial family, she would undoubtedly receive countless precious stones and antique calligraphy. As for the gifts celebrating her longevity from the younger generation, Wen lao-furen laid more importance on their sincerity.
Ruan Xi was helpless, her Earl Father had already asked about this numerous times, and her celebratory gift had been appropriately prepared two days ago.
“Father, only my hand at calligraphy is comparatively remarkable, hence I have burned incense and prayed while transcribing a copy of the Avatamsaka Sutra for Wen lao-furen.”
“The gift conforms with the norms, cannot be considered as remarkable, and wins in terms of safety and reliability, but you’re only fourteen, hence it’s enough if your heartfelt intentions are in the right place.” Earl Chengyi smiled and nodded.
Ruan Xi chuckled in her heart. What she wanted was precisely safety, not stand out during Wen lao-furen’s longevity feast.
The young men of suitable ages in the Wen Family were mostly married or engaged. During Wen lao-furen’s longevity feast this time around, the fiancĂ©es of the Wen menfolk were definitely going to use an all-out effort to measure their strengths and compete socially.
As the fiancĂ©e of Rites Minister Wen’s legitimate eldest son, and with an identity and family status that was a grade lower, it was inevitable that she would be treated as a stepping stone. For the sake of avoiding challenges and stirring trouble, playing safe was the best plan.
The infighting between women was very cruel and very realistic.
She would not be voicing those thoughts to her Earl Father
When Earl Chengyi eventually left, Ruan Xi called for Su Yu, Su Zhu, and Mama Yang to discuss this matter.



During the early morn of the next day, the first glimmers of dawn peeked through.
Ruan Xi wore a brand-new dark red luoqun, complementing it with gold jewellery with gem embeds that Wen furen sent, while stringing a decent quality jade pendant at her waist. When she moved, her accompanying accessories tinkled, pleasant sounding to the ear, elegant-looking while fully accentuating the vivacious and bright beauty that a young lady in her prime possessed.
Image of the red luoqun
“Young Lady has shed her mortal body and exchanged her bones under Mama Lin’s guidance, none of her gestures lack grace. Nubi is going to forget how the Young Lady used to look soon.” Su Yu said with a sigh as she looked at her meticulously made-up Young Lady.
Ruan Xi smiled faintly. “Enough. Let’s head to the Main Courtyard with due haste, we should not keep Father and Mother waiting long.”
After saying that, Ruan Xi turned around and stepped out of her room door to go to the Main Courtyard, with Su Yu, Su Zhu, Mama Lin, and Mama Yang following behind her.
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Inside the large hall of the Main Courtyard, everyone was gathered together.
Earl Chengyi and Zhang shi were already dressed anew and sitting at the frontmost seats drinking tea early on.
Ruan Yu Wen was also standing at the side.
Upon seeing the splendidly dressed Ruan Xi enter, Earl Chengyi revealed an approving smile, while Zhang shi’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“Alright, everyone is here. Let’s set off.”
Earl Chengyi promptly put down his teacup and stood up. Zhang shi desired to speak but stopped herself, and she could not resist eyeing the large doors.
Ruan Xi felt slightly strange. It appears that the news Su Yu overhead was true, Lao Taitai had disallowed Ruan san niang from attend Wen lao-furen’s longevity feast.
However, there was a vague premonition at the bottom of Ruan Xi’s heart. Ruan san niang would definitely appear.
As their group went out of the Main Courtyard’s large doors, Ruan Yu Wen smiled and walked beside Ruan Xi to talk to her.
When they reached the official residence’s gates, Ruan Xi’s premonition came true. Ruan san niang was wearing gorgeous clothes, complemented by that exquisite set of jewellery, and was standing beside a horse carriage in a slender and elegant fashion.
“Father, Mother, you finally came out, I’ve been waiting for all of you for a long time.”
Ruan san niang greeted them in a cheerful and light-hearted tone.
Earl Chengyi’s complexion sank, whereas Zhang shi released an inaudible exhale. When she thought about the counterfeit’s threat of not restraining her mouth, Zhang shi absolutely loathed the fact that she had told her about the infertility medicine back then, and she quickly settled the arrangements before the Earl could erupt.
Earl Chengyi scowled at Zhang shi with a dark and sunken expression for a brief moment, before he flicked his sleeves and stepped on the horse carriage.
Ruan Yu Wen looked at his Mother in worry, going over to comfort her with a few lines while the burgeoning hate for his counterfeit younger sister churned in his heart. Zhang shi smiled and patted her son’s shoulder.
“Don’t worry, your father’s anger will be appeased very soon.”
After saying that, Zhang shi stepped onto the horse carriage with Mama Sun’s support. Ruan Yu Wen spoke to his two younger sisters briefly before he flipped onto his steed at the side.
Ruan Xi, who was still standing there, raised her eyebrows. Zhang shi and Ruan san niang were truly intriguing. When she saw the jewellery on Ruan san niang’s person, an unfathomable smile pulling at her lips.
Truth to be told, the gold jewellery with gem embeds that she was wearing, and the set of jewellery given by Lao Taitai were rather similar, it was just that one was high-end and stylish, skilfully wrested with divine craft, and the inlaid precious stones were large, pure, and limpid. In contrast, the other jewellery set could be considered as rather precious, but it seemed forcibly shaped into a lower-quality product.
With such a strong contrast, anyone wearing the latter set would appear awkward.
Honestly speaking, that was also one of the reasons why she was willing to lend it to Ruan san niang.
When Ruan san niang’s gaze landed on Ruan Xi’s person, she realised this cruel truth as well.
Her pretty face darkened in an instant, and she was so angry her entire body was trembling.
Ruan Xi shot her clear and bright smile. Before Ruan san niang could even think about rushing over, she turned around efficiently and stepped into her horse carriage.
Su Yu and Su Zhu were exceedingly pacified.
Whereas Ruan san niang was stewing with a stomach full of anger.
The horse carriages travelled for the bigger part of a double-hour before it finally reached the Junzhu Residence.
The horse carriages that could be seen this time around was several times greater than the time she came here to attend the flower banquet. The standards were different, the signs on the horse carriages were extremely eye-catching, and it nearly occupied the entire residential district.
There were more than ten stewards responsible for welcoming and fetching the guests.
Although the Earl Chengyi Residence had a sign, its status and standing within the capital was only considered below average among the influential officials, and its power and nobility was not apparent.
The steward who came forward to greet them arranged a spot for them to stop at before he instructed someone to bring them into the residence.
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The Junzhu Residence was bustling with activity, and guests flowed in like clouds.
The male guests entered the main hall through the main entrance, while the womenfolk entered through the side doors.
Zhang shi brought Ruan san niang and Ruan Xi towards the main hall under the lead of the steward and Mama.
Ruan san niang looked rather calm, if you ignored the excitement at the bottom of her eyes.
Upon reaching the spacious, glittering, and jubilant main hall, the male guests were seated on the left, while all the womenfolk were seated on the right.
In the centre position was the seat for the elderly whose birthday was being celebrated. Since it was not the auspicious time yet, Wen lao-furen had yet to appear.
Not long after Ruan Xi’s group appeared, it attracted most of the gazes in the room.
Wen Ting Zhou was greeting the guests at male guest section, and once he noticed that Ruan Xi had arrived, the corners of his lips curled up involuntarily.
Perhaps their hearts were linked as one, because when Ruan Xi settled in her seat and raised her head, she met the smiling eyes of the distant Wen Ting Zhou.