Chapter 11

"Young Master Xue, Madam Xue, what a coincidence, running into you here." Zhao Wenyue spotted Xue Mingtang and immediately forgot all about her mother.

"Lord Xue, Madam Xue, what a coincidence to run into you here." When Zhao Wenyue saw Xue Mingtang, she immediately forgot all about her mother.

Madam Xue smiled faintly at Zhao Wenyue. "Miss Zhao, did you come with your sisters? Why are you dressed so plainly for a day out?"

Madam Xue smiled faintly at Zhao Wenyue. "Miss Zhao, did you come with your sisters? Why are you dressed so plainly for an outing?"

The "sisters" she mentioned naturally referred to Achan, standing beside her.

The "sisters" she meant was naturally A Chan, standing nearby.

Zhao Wenyue looked at Achan with venom in her eyes. At the same time, she began to resent her mother, blaming her for caring only about Ji Chan and refusing to make any plans for her own daughter. She had made Zhao Wenyue lose face in front of Xue Mingtang's older sister.

At those words, Zhao Wenyue looked at A Chan as if her eyes were poisoned. At the same time, she resented her mother for caring only for Ji Chan and refusing to make the slightest effort on her own daughter's behalf, leaving her to lose face in front of Xue Mingtang's sister.

Achan finally understood how Ji Chan had ended up in this situation. Madam Xue's every word was meant to sow discord, and she did it so subtly. She had probably dealt with Ji Chan the same way back then.

A Chan finally understood how Ji Chan had ended up in this predicament. Madam Xue sowed discord the moment she opened her mouth, all while remaining so composed. She must have treated Ji Chan the same way back then.

First, she had chipped away at the Marquis of Jinyang's affection for Ji Chan, little by little, driven her out of the household, then made her disappear.

First, she had chipped away at the Marquis of Jinyang's affection for Ji Chan bit by bit, driven her from the household, and then made her disappear.

Achan had understood long ago that the human heart was unfathomable.

A Chan had learned long ago that the human heart was unfathomable.

Zhao Wenyue's failure to see Madam Xue's true colors didn't mean that Young Madam Lin couldn't.

Just because Zhao Wenyue couldn't see Madam Xue's true colors didn't mean Lady Xiao Lin couldn't.

She gave a cold snort. "I can't compare to Madam Xue. The Marquis of Jinyang isn't here, yet you're dressed up like a peacock. I wonder which of your children's fathers you've come to meet?"

She snorted. "I could never compare to Madam Xue. The Marquis of Jinyang isn't here, yet you're dressed up like a blooming branch. Who knows which one of your children's fathers you've come to meet?"

Achan burst out laughing. When she noticed people looking over, she lifted her sleeve to cover her mouth, but made no attempt to hide her glee.

A Chan burst out laughing. When she noticed people looking over, she raised her sleeve to hide her mouth, though she made no effort to conceal her delight.

Even Madam Xue, who was usually so good at keeping her temper, went pale with anger at Young Madam Lin's words.

Even Madam Xue, who was usually so good at keeping her temper, turned pale with anger at Lady Xiao Lin's words.

Madam Xue's son and daughter glared at Young Madam Lin and Ji Chan. They seemed ready to say something, but Madam Xue raised a hand to stop them.

Madam Xue's son and daughter glared at Lady Xiao Lin and Ji Chan. They looked as if they wanted to say something, but she stopped them with a raised hand.

Madam Xue glanced at Young Madam Lin's belly and said coldly, "Madam Zhao would do well to watch her tongue for the sake of her unborn child."

Madam Xue glanced at Lady Xiao Lin's belly and said coldly, "Madam Zhao, you should watch your tongue for the sake of your unborn child."

"I've done nothing to be ashamed of, so I have no need to watch my tongue. I imagine Madam Xue spends every day at home praying to the gods and Buddha?"

"I've done nothing shameful, so I have no need to build up virtue. I imagine Madam Xue spends every day at home praying to the gods and Buddhas?"

With that, Young Madam Lin glared at her daughter. "Wenyue, Achan, hurry up and keep up."

After saying that, Lady Xiao Lin glared at her daughter. "Wenyue, A Chan, hurry up and catch up."

"Mother!" Zhao Wenyue was caught between two sides. But when she saw people from other families nearby pointing and gossiping, her cheeks burned. She hurried after her mother, heading up the mountain.

"Mother~" Zhao Wenyue was torn. But when she saw people from other families nearby pointing and watching the spectacle, her face burned with embarrassment. She hurried after her mother, heading up the mountain.

Achan didn't feel embarrassed at all. When Young Madam Lin used that sharp tongue of hers against someone she disliked, it was downright refreshing.

A Chan didn't think there was anything embarrassing about it. When Lady Xiao Lin aimed that sharp tongue of hers at someone she disliked, it was a real delight.

Madam Xue watched as Achan and the others continued on, but made no move to follow. She merely stared coldly at Achan's graceful figure.

Madam Xue watched A Chan and the others continue on, but had no intention of following. She merely stared coldly at A Chan's graceful figure as she walked away.

She had noticed earlier that quite a few young gentlemen nearby had their eyes on Ji Chan.

She had already noticed that many of the young gentlemen nearby had their eyes on Ji Chan.

How had she never noticed at the marquis's residence that Ji Chan was so popular? And Young Madam Lin—she had barely associated with Lin while Lin was alive, yet after her death, she had taken such an interest in Lin's daughter.

Why hadn't she noticed when Ji Chan was at the marquis's residence that she attracted so much attention? And then there was Lady Xiao Lin. She'd barely had any dealings with Lady Lin while she was alive, yet after her death, she had taken such an interest in her daughter.

"Mother, they were simply too much. When we get home, we have to tell Father," Xue Ying said tenderly, seeing Madam Xue fall silent.

"Mother, they went too far. We have to tell Father when we get home." Xue Ying looked at Madam Xue's silence and spoke with concern.

"All right, don't tell your father about such a small matter." Her husband already felt uneasy about driving Ji Chan away; of course she wouldn't let anyone bring Ji Chan up around him.

"Enough. Don't tell your father about such a trivial matter." Her husband already felt uneasy about driving Ji Chan away. Of course she wouldn't let anyone bring Ji Chan up in front of him.

After her mother rebuked her, Xue Ying turned and tugged at Xue Mingtang's sleeve. "Uncle, then you help my mother teach them a lesson."

After her mother scolded her, Xue Ying turned and tugged at Xue Mingtang's sleeve. "Uncle, then you can teach them a lesson for my mother."

Xue Zhao spoke up to stop her. "All right, Yingying. Don't bother your uncle."

Xue Zhao spoke up to stop her. "Enough, Yingying. Don't bother Uncle."

Xue Mingtang patted Xue Ying's head. "All right. Uncle will help our Yingying teach them a lesson."

Xue Mingtang patted Xue Ying's head. "All right. Uncle will teach them a lesson for our Yingying."

"Mingtang." Madam Xue looked at her younger brother. Hadn't he said there might be someone from the Bright Mirror Bureau backing Ji Chan? How could he still dare to make a move?

"Mingtang." Madam Xue looked at her younger brother. Hadn't he said that Ji Chan might have someone from the Mingjing Division backing her? How could he still dare to act?

"Don't worry, Elder Sister. I've made arrangements."

"Don't worry, Older Sister. I've made arrangements."

Before long, Achan and the others arrived at the Flower Goddess Temple. It was a small temple, with many young women lined up to offer incense.

Soon, A Chan and the others arrived at the Flower Goddess Temple. It was a small temple, with many young women lining up to offer incense.

Vendors outside the temple were selling plum blossoms, at two coins per branch. When people offered incense, they would toss a branch toward a pair of jade vases before the Flower Goddess's statue. Whoever landed one in a vase would receive the goddess's protection for the year.

There were also stalls selling plum blossom branches outside the temple. Each branch cost two copper coins. When people offered incense, they were supposed to toss the branch into one of the pair of jade vases before the Flower Goddess. Whoever made it in would receive her blessing for the year.

Young Madam Lin was a little tired after walking up, so she sat down to rest on a stone stool nearby. She sent Mama Sun to buy a flower branch each for her daughter and niece, so the two of them could line up and offer incense to the Flower Goddess.

Lady Xiao Lin was a little tired from the walk up, so she sat on a stone stool to rest. She sent Mama Sun to buy two branches for her daughter and niece, then told the two of them to line up and offer incense to the Flower Goddess.

Achan took her flower branch and joined the back of the line. Zhao Wenyue, however, threw hers straight onto the ground and stamped on it.

A Chan took her branch and joined the back of the line. Zhao Wenyue, however, tossed hers on the ground and stamped on it.

Mother and daughter started arguing again over what had just happened with the Xue family.

The mother and daughter started arguing again over what had just happened with the Xue family.

Zhao Wenyue accused Young Madam Lin of being rude to the Xue family, while Young Madam Lin called Zhao Wenyue stupid. In the end, Zhao Wenyue stormed off, swinging her sleeves in anger.

Zhao Wenyue accused Lady Xiao Lin of being so rude to the Xue family, while Lady Xiao Lin called Zhao Wenyue stupid. In the end, Zhao Wenyue stormed off, angrily flinging her sleeves.

Mama Sun hurriedly sent a maid after her, while staying behind to comfort Young Madam Lin.

Mama Sun hurriedly sent a maid after her, while she stayed behind to comfort Lady Xiao Lin.

Achan slowly entered the Flower Goddess Temple with the crowd. She offered incense first, then tossed her flower branch. Unfortunately, she didn't have enough strength in her arm. The branch hit the rim of a vase and fell short.

A Chan followed the crowd slowly into the Flower Goddess Temple. She offered incense first, then tossed her branch. Unfortunately, she wasn't strong enough. The branch struck the rim of the vase and didn't go in.

The girl behind Achan let out a regretful "Ah!"

The girl in line behind A Chan let out a regretful cry.

When Achan came out, she was surprised to find that Zhao Wenyue still hadn't returned.

When A Chan came out, she was surprised to find that Zhao Wenyue still hadn't returned.

She walked over to Mama Sun and asked in a low voice, "Mama Sun, hasn't Wenyue come back yet?"

She walked over to Mama Sun and asked quietly, "Mama Sun, hasn't Wenyue come back yet?"

Mama Sun replied, "One of Second Miss's maids just came back. She said Miss is choosing a jade hairpin at a stall on the other side. I suppose she means to apologize to Madam."

Mama Sun replied, "One of Second Young Lady's maids just came back. She said Wenyue was choosing a jade hairpin at a stall on the other side. I suppose she means to apologize to Madam."

They were just talking about Zhao Wenyue when she returned.

As the two of them were talking about Zhao Wenyue, she returned.

Whether she was in a good mood because she had bought something or had simply come around, Zhao Wenyue wore a smile now, a white jade hairpin clutched in her hand.

Whether buying something had put her in a good mood or she'd simply come around, Zhao Wenyue was smiling now, a white jade hairpin in her hand.

To Achan's surprise, the jade hairpin was made of quite good-quality jade.

To A Chan's surprise, the hairpin was made of rather fine jade.

Achan found it hard to believe such good jade could be bought in a place like this. She wondered if Zhao Wenyue had been swindled.

A Chan doubted that anyone could buy good jade in a place like this. Had Zhao Wenyue been swindled?

Young Madam Lin seemed to share her concern. When she asked, she learned that the stall owner had only charged Zhao Wenyue five taels of silver.

Lady Xiao Lin seemed to have the same concern. When she asked, she learned the stall owner had only charged Zhao Wenyue five taels of silver.

Young Madam Lin kept asking questions, and Zhao Wenyue grew impatient. "Oh, Mother, stop asking. The owner said we were fated to meet, so he was willing to sell me the hairpin. Let me put it in your hair."

Seeing Lady Xiao Lin continue to question her, Zhao Wenyue grew impatient. "Oh, Mother, stop asking. The owner said we were fated to meet, so he agreed to sell me the hairpin. Let me put it on you."

The jade hairpin was carved with flowing cloud patterns. It didn't really match Young Madam Lin's ornate gold hairpin set with gemstones, but she kept touching the jade hairpin, clearly delighted with her daughter's gift.

The jade hairpin was carved with flowing cloud patterns. It didn't really match Lady Xiao Lin's elaborate gold hairpin set with gemstones, but Lady Xiao Lin kept touching it, clearly fond of her daughter's gift.

Perhaps she felt that her daughter had grown considerate enough to buy her a present and coax her; whatever it was, she was happy.

Perhaps she was happy simply because her daughter had finally grown thoughtful enough to buy her a gift. Whatever it was, she liked it.

With Zhao Wenyue in a better mood, a smile returned to Young Madam Lin's face. She went out of her way to pick a flower branch for her daughter to offer incense to the Flower Goddess, and this time Zhao Wenyue finally obeyed.

Once Zhao Wenyue was in a better mood, Lady Xiao Lin started smiling too. She picked out a branch especially for her daughter and sent her to offer incense to the Flower Goddess. This time, Zhao Wenyue finally obeyed.

Seeing Achan gazing longingly from the side, Young Madam Lin beckoned her over. When she came close, Young Madam Lin pressed two silver ingots into her hand. "Don't just stand around here. Go explore and see if there's anything you like. Buy it and bring it back."

Seeing A Chan watching eagerly from the side, Lady Xiao Lin beckoned her over. When she came closer, she pressed two silver ingots into A Chan's hand. "Don't stand around here. Go have a look at the stalls nearby, and if you see anything you like, buy it."

Young Madam Lin had brought Achan along today mainly to let her be seen. If anyone took an interest, they could make inquiries later.

She had brought A Chan along today mainly to let her be seen. Anyone who took an interest would naturally find someone to make inquiries later.

Achan took the silver from Young Madam Lin and obediently went on her way.

A Chan took Lady Xiao Lin's silver and obediently went off.

She was rather curious about the jade hairpin Zhao Wenyue had bought. She followed the maid's directions, but there was no one selling jade hairpins there.

She was quite interested in the jade hairpin Zhao Wenyue had bought, so she went to the place the maid had described. But there was no one selling jade hairpins there.

Confused, she asked the owner of a nearby silk-flower stall.

Puzzled, she asked the vendor selling silk flowers nearby.

"Shopkeeper, where's the person who was selling jade hairpins here earlier?"

"Sir, where's the person who was selling jade hairpins here just now?"

The shopkeeper replied without looking up, "Oh, him? He's packed up already. He was only here for a little while."

Without even looking up, the vendor replied, "Oh, him? He's packed up already. He was only here for a little while."

"Did the hairpins at his stall sell well?"

"Did the jade hairpins sell well?"

"Not really. He only sold one. The old man muttered on and on to the young lady who bought it. I don't know what he said, but he had her grinning from ear to ear. She handed over five taels just like that. I'd say she was probably swindled."

"Not really. He only sold one. That old man spent ages whispering to the girl who bought it. I don't know what he said, but he had her grinning from ear to ear, and she handed over five taels of silver just like that. I'd say she was probably swindled."

Achan mulled it over. The whole thing seemed fishy. Had the man been targeting Zhao Wenyue?

A Chan fell into thought. Something about the whole thing felt strange. Why did it seem as if that man had been after Zhao Wenyue?

When she asked where the stall owner had gone, the shopkeeper didn't know either, so she had to let it go.

When she asked where the vendor had gone, the man didn't know, so she had to let it go.

She wandered past the various stalls. When she saw someone selling flower cakes, she bought some too. On the way back, she spotted someone selling sugar-roasted chestnuts and bought a bag of those as well.

She wandered past the various stalls again. When she spotted someone selling Hundred Flower Cake, she bought some too. On the way back, she saw someone selling roasted chestnuts and bought a bag of those as well.

Unfortunately, on her way back to find Young Madam Lin, she ran into Madam Xue again.

Unfortunately, on her way back to find Lady Xiao Lin, she ran into Madam Xue again.

This time, Madam Xue had only brought a maid with her; no one else was following along.

This time, Madam Xue had only a maid with her. No one else was around.

As the saying went, enemies were bound to cross paths. When the two of them saw each other, neither made way.

As the saying went, enemies were bound to meet. The two saw each other, and neither made way.

Madam Xue's maid stepped forward and said rudely, "Miss, you're blocking the Marchioness's way. Move aside!"

Instead, Madam Xue's maid stepped forward and said rudely, "You're blocking our Marquis's wife. Move aside."

The Marchioness. If Ji Chan heard that title, she would surely be heartbroken. Achan couldn't help thinking that Madam Xue really understood Ji Chan, and knew exactly where to twist the knife.

Marquis's wife. If Ji Chan heard that title, she would surely be heartbroken. A Chan couldn't help thinking that Madam Xue really did understand Ji Chan—she knew just where to twist the knife.

Too bad that soft-hearted young woman was already dead.

Too bad that softhearted girl of hers was already dead.

"What a coincidence. I have something to say to the Marchioness."

"What a coincidence. I have something to say to the Marquis's wife."

Madam Xue looked at Achan, who stood before her with neither arrogance nor deference, a smile still on her lips. Her eyes narrowed slightly.

Madam Xue looked at A Chan, who stood before her neither servile nor overbearing, her smile still on her lips, and narrowed her eyes.

She looked around, saw that no one was beneath the nearby tree, and walked over first. Achan followed.

She glanced around. Seeing no one beneath the nearby tree, she walked over first, and A Chan followed.

"What is it? Say it."

"Say what you came to say."

"My mother's dowry is still at the marquis's residence. When you have time, I hope you'll have someone deliver it to me." Achan got straight to the point and demanded Lin's dowry from Madam Xue.

"My mother's dowry is still at the marquis's residence. I hope you'll have someone bring it to me when you have a moment." A Chan got straight to the point and demanded Lady Lin's dowry from Madam Xue.

Madam Xue gave a derisive laugh. "Who do you think you are to make demands of me? Your mother committed adultery. She was struck from the marquis's household long ago, and her dowry belongs to the marquis's household now."

Madam Xue sneered. "Who do you think you are to make demands of me? Your mother committed adultery. She was struck from the marquis's household long ago, and her dowry belongs to the marquis's residence."

"Is that so? Then I'll have to go beat the drum at the Denunciation Gate. Let me think—what should I accuse him of? The Marquis of Jinyang disregarded the law and tried to pass off an illegitimate child as his legitimate heir to inherit the marquisate." Achan laughed, then leaned close to Madam Xue's ear and whispered, "Your son won't just fail to become heir to the marquisate; he may not even be able to leave the house again. And your daughter—do you think she'll die of shame?"

"Is that so? Then I'll have no choice but to beat the Dengwen Drum. Let me think—what should I accuse him of? How about disregarding the law and trying to pass off a bastard as his legitimate heir, to inherit the marquis's estate?" A Chan laughed as she leaned close to Madam Xue's ear and whispered, "Your son won't just fail to become the marquis's heir. He probably won't even be able to leave his house in the future. And your daughter—do you think she'll kill herself from shame?"

Achan knew that in Great Xia, noble titles could pass from an elder brother to a younger brother, from a legitimate son to a secondary son, and even to a collateral blood relative. But an illegitimate child was not eligible.

A Chan knew that in Great Xia, a title could pass from an elder brother to a younger brother, from a legitimate son to a son by a concubine, and even to a collateral relative. But a bastard born of adultery was not eligible.

"You wouldn't dare!" Madam Xue roared.

"How dare you!" Madam Xue exploded.

"Of course I would." Achan's words pricked at Madam Xue like needles. "If you make life hard for me, I'll make sure nobody has an easy time of it. You say my mother committed adultery, but you can't find the adulterer. I say you and the Marquis of Jinyang have been carrying on, and your two children are proof."

"Of course I dare." A Chan's words stabbed into Madam Xue's heart like needles. "If you make life hard for me, then I'll make sure nobody gets to live in peace. You say my mother committed adultery, but you can't find her lover. If I say you slept with the Marquis of Jinyang, your son and daughter are proof enough."

Madam Xue dug her nails into her palm, finally regaining her composure.

Madam Xue dug her nails into her palm and finally regained her composure.

She gave a cold snort. "You're deluding yourself. Do you think anyone will believe you? Even if they do, they won't dare speak up for you."

She snorted. "You're so full of yourself. Do you think anyone will believe you? Even if they do, they won't dare speak up for you."

Achan blinked, her thick eyelashes fluttering like a fan. Her next words nearly made the Bright Mirror Bureau guard hiding in the tree fall out.

A Chan blinked, her thick eyelashes fluttering like a fan. What she said nearly startled the Mingjing Division Guard hiding in the tree into falling out.

She said, "Other people might not dare help me, but Lord Bai couldn't bear to leave me unaided."

She said, "Others might not dare help me, but Lord Bai couldn't bear to leave me without his help."

Madam Xue's expression changed. She remembered what her younger brother had told her earlier. Somehow, Ji Chan had gotten involved with the Bright Mirror Bureau. He had said the person was Feng Yang, a thousand-household officer of the Bright Mirror Bureau, but Ji Chan had named Bai Xiuming, the Commissioner of the Imperial Guard?

Madam Xue's expression changed as she recalled what her younger brother had told her. Somehow, Ji Chan had gotten involved with the Mingjing Division. He had mentioned Feng Yang, a Thousand Household Commander of the Mingjing Division, but now Ji Chan was talking about Bai Xiuming, the Pacification Commissioner?

And her words were positively suggestive.

And her words were full of intimacy.

"Ji Chan, don't go making wild accusations about someone you can't afford to offend just for the sake of that dowry."

"Ji Chan, don't go dragging someone you can't afford to offend into this over that little bit of dowry."

"I'm nothing compared to the Marchioness. Lord Bai and I can at most be said to have been intimate. Unlike you, Marchioness—you even bore the Marquis two children."

"I'm nothing compared to the Marquis's wife. Lord Bai and I have, at most, had a little skin-to-skin contact. Unlike the Marquis's wife, who's even borne the marquis two children."

Achan thought that a human woman could call it intimacy just because a man had touched her once. She had been lashed by that man until her skin split and flesh gaped open. That counted as touching too, so why couldn't she call it intimacy?

A Chan thought, If a human woman merely being touched by a man counts as skin-to-skin contact, then that man struck me with a whip until my skin split and my flesh tore. That counts as touching too. Why shouldn't I call it skin-to-skin contact?

He wouldn't let her use Feng Yang, so she would use his reputation instead. Madam Xue wouldn't dare ask him anyway. Too bad she hadn't found out his name; then the story might have sounded more convincing.

He wouldn't let her use Feng Yang, so she'd use his reputation instead. Madam Xue wouldn't dare ask him about it anyway. It was a shame she hadn't found out his name, or she could have made it sound even more convincing.

As Achan's words grew more and more outrageous, the Bright Mirror Bureau guard hiding above couldn't help wiping the sweat from his brow.

Seeing A Chan's words grow more and more outrageous, the Mingjing Division Guard hiding above couldn't help wiping the sweat from his brow.

After watching her for the past few days, he had thought Miss Ji was gentle by nature. He hadn't expected her to be so brazen—and to take the most unconventional path possible.

After watching her for several days, he'd thought Miss Ji was gentle by nature. He hadn't expected her to be so wild—and to take such a crooked path.

By regulation, he had to record everything Ji Chan said and did each day, then submit the report.

According to regulations, he had to record everything Ji Chan said and did each day and submit it.

He didn't even dare imagine how frightening the Commissioner's expression would be when the report reached him today.

He didn't even dare imagine how terrifying the Pacification Commissioner's expression would be when today's report reached him.