Chapter 110: Deep Yearning, The Phoenix Blossom Glass Lamp

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That was the orchid-grass seal hanging around her neck. It was said to have originally belonged to her, which meant it must be connected to her birth!

“Mother, do you still have that Phoenix Splendor Glass Cup? Why not use it as the congratulatory gift for the Marquis of Fengyang’s residence, the maternal family of Di Yan?” Madam Di suddenly smiled.

Qin Wanru’s heart gave a start. Her limpid eyes lowered slowly, concealing the chill within them. Madam Di had actually set her sights on the Phoenix Splendor Glass Cup as well.

“That item won’t do.” The Old Madam shook her head, her expression indifferent.

“Why not? As it happens, Wanru and Yuru can use this opportunity to meet some people too. Now that the girls are growing up, they ought to go out occasionally and let others see the two young ladies of our family. We can’t keep them shut indoors forever. Otherwise, when the time comes...” Madam Di’s smile faltered slightly. “That would be difficult to explain. Yuru is not a concern, but as for Wanru...”

Her face was full of smiles, and the look she cast at Qin Wanru was warm and kindly. After studying Qin Wanru’s attire, she smiled and said to Nanny Zhou, who stood behind her, “Wanru is no longer a little girl. It is time for her to dress up when she goes out. Nanny Zhou, go to my dressing table and bring me the plum-blossom hairpin. Give it to Second Miss.”

“Yes, Madam!” Nanny Zhou replied cheerfully before hurrying away.

Qin Wanru bit her lip. “Thank you, Madam, but I’m still young!”

“A young girl is simply shy. Very well, very well, I won’t say anything more!” Madam Di laughed, though she did not stop Nanny Zhou. She turned to the Old Madam and asked with a smile, “Mother, isn’t that reasonable? Wanru is so beautiful; we must choose carefully for her. We cannot let anyone delay our Wanru’s future!”

Every word she spoke seemed to be from Qin Wanru’s perspective, and she was even discussing the marriage of a young woman. With so many people present, Qin Wanru could only lower her head and put on a bashful expression.

But in the place no one could see, her eyes were icy cold.

They had only just arrived in the capital, yet Madam Di could not wait to show herself. She clearly knew that the Qin residence still could not do without the Count of Yongkang’s household. She also knew that Mother had little standing among the noblewomen of the capital and would need Madam Di to uphold the family’s dignity whenever she went out.

In her previous life, it was Madam Di who had ruined her marriage prospects time and again.

Because of the reputation that had reached the capital from Jiangzhou, the entire city had mocked her. Naturally, no good marriage remained for her. Thus, under the guise of concern, Madam Di had helped her choose one disgraceful match after another, pushing her ever deeper into the mud.

The first time, Madam Di had betrothed her to a wastrel who appeared splendid on the surface. Later, that wastrel had secretly carried on with her cousin, and the two had even conceived a child. After Qin Wanru was repudiated, she became the object of endless ridicule, and her reputation grew even worse. At first, Qin Wanru herself had believed it was merely bad luck. Only later, from Qin Yuru, did she learn that Madam Di had acted deliberately because the man was the maternal nephew of the Duke of Xingguo. Madam Di had simply intended to use him to curry favor with the Duke’s household.

The second time, Madam Di claimed that she had learned from the previous mistake and would choose someone who treated Qin Wanru well. Family background, she said, did not matter; kindness was all that counted. She therefore set her sights on a scholar who had recently passed the provincial examination. Unfortunately, the scholar already had a wife, yet still wished to marry Qin Wanru in order to advance his own career.

When his wife came to the capital after hearing that he had abandoned her and their child to marry again, she leaped from a high tower and died. The marriage naturally came to nothing, but rumors that Qin Wanru had driven the scholar’s wife to her death fell upon Qin Wanru once more.

In truth, the scholar was a distant nephew of the Duchess of Xingguo, and Madam Di had merely wanted to please the Duchess.

The third time, Madam Di chose a widower in his thirties. She claimed that an older man would know how to cherish her and would not mind her reputation. He had also secretly given Madam Di a substantial sum of money. In the end, however, the younger son of the Left Chancellor needed a bride to bring him good fortune. Since the match had been arranged by the Duchess of Xingguo, Madam Di took the initiative to break off Qin Wanru’s engagement. Qin Wanru was then hurriedly married into the Left Chancellor’s residence under the pretext of bringing good fortune to the sick man.

Repudiated, then repudiated again, and then once more—those were the “good marriages” Madam Di had found for her in her previous life!

In her previous life, Madam Di had at least been her mother in name. In this life, however, she was merely “Madam.” The corner of Qin Wanru’s lips curved soundlessly into a smile as blood-chilling as it was faint.

Madam Di had failed with one scheme, so she had immediately devised another. She intended to plot against her again.

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She wondered whether the Duchess of Xingguo, who had worked hand in hand with Madam Di in her previous life, would also be attending this banquet.

But regardless, Qin Wanru had not made adequate preparations this time and had no intention of going.

“You intend to take Wanru and Yuru with you?” The Old Madam raised her eyes and, after a moment of silence, asked the question.

“Of course. We ought to pay a visit to the residence. I have been away from the capital for so many years. Even if I still have a few childhood friends, so much time has passed that our affection has faded considerably. If I need to ask them for help, it would be awkward to open my mouth.” Madam Di smiled, her expression growing increasingly radiant, with a hint of smugness beneath it.

The capital was her territory. So what if Shui Ruolan managed the household affairs? Once they stepped outside, who would still pay any attention to her?

“Wanru, would you like to go out and have some fun?” The Old Madam turned to Qin Wanru and asked softly.

Qin Wanru had only just entered the capital. It would be best for Madam Di to introduce her into the circle of noble young ladies. Compared with Madam Di, Shui Ruolan was indeed at a disadvantage—but the Old Madam did not trust Madam Di.

“I shall do as Grandmother wishes.” Qin Wanru raised her head, her limpid eyes curving slightly upward. She looked utterly innocent and gentle. She neither rushed to seize the opportunity nor openly refused, displaying only a calm indifference.

Madam Di was so eager that she clearly had some scheme in mind. Qin Wanru, however, would not be the one to object. After all, there was already someone in the residence perfectly suited to disrupting her plans.

She would eventually enter the circle of noble ladies in the capital, but she did not wish to go out with Madam Di. Shui Ruolan was not entirely without opportunity either.

Qi Rongzhi bit her lip, a cold glint flashing through her eyes. She wanted to go, but had no excuse. She was unwilling to accept this.

“Mother, then it is settled. I will take Yuru and Wanru with me. Give me the Phoenix Splendor Glass Cup as the gift!” Madam Di said brightly.

“The Phoenix Splendor Glass Cup?” The Old Madam frowned. “Would that really be suitable as a gift?”

“Mother, why not? The Phoenix Splendor Glass Cup is not even a unique treasure; it is merely rare. Giving it away would be very impressive. It would let everyone see that our Qin family did not come from Jiangzhou as a bunch of country bumpkins. The gift would be distinctive and dignified.”

Madam Di continued persuading her with a radiant smile.

The Old Madam fell silent and did not speak for a long while.

“Mother, for Yuru’s and Wanru’s sake—for the sake of their dignity—why not part with the Phoenix Splendor Glass Cup?” Madam Di’s smile deepened.

Qin Wanru discreetly glanced at Madam Di. It was obvious that Madam Di desperately wanted the Phoenix Splendor Glass Cup. Did she truly believe it was precious, or did she have another motive?

“It was already given to the Quiet Heart Nunnery.” The Old Madam raised her head.

“What?” Madam Di was stunned. Her eyes widened abruptly, and she asked anxiously, “Mother, this... when did that happen?”

“A long time ago.” The Old Madam glanced at Qin Wanru before answering blandly.

“But, Mother, the Phoenix Splendor Glass Cup is an extremely important object. How could you simply give it away?” Madam Di had clearly never expected the Old Madam to part with it. The reproachful words burst from her lips, and only after she had finished did she realize that she had gone too far. By then, it was too late to take them back.

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Qin Huaiyong struck his chopsticks hard against the table and said coldly in displeasure, “The Phoenix Splendor Glass Cup belongs to Mother. Whether she wishes to keep it or give it away, why should she need your permission?”

“Mother, that isn’t what I meant... It is simply that the cup is truly important!” Madam Di’s face was extremely unpleasant, and she could barely maintain her smile. The importance of the Phoenix Splendor Glass Cup lay in more than its intrinsic value. Ever since Nanny Zhou had reminded her of it that day, she had been trying to scheme for the cup, but had lacked an excuse.

She had finally used the pretext of a gift to bring it up, never expecting that it was no longer in the Old Madam’s possession.

“Even if it is important, it does not belong to you. What use is there in coveting it? Find another gift yourself. If it is not enough, go to Ruolan and draw some silver. There are plenty of things in the capital. Surely you can find a suitable gift!” the Old Madam snorted coldly.

“Yes, Mother!” Though Madam Di was tormented with frustration, she did not dare mention the matter again. She could only lower her head, twisting the handkerchief in her hand until it was nearly torn to pieces.

“Second Miss, this is the hairpin Madam wishes to give you. Look at the quality—it is the finest piece in Madam’s dowry. From now on, it belongs to you!” Nanny Zhou entered at precisely that moment. Seeing the somber atmosphere in the room, she smoothly walked over to Qin Wanru and cheerfully held out the hairpin.

“Thank you, Madam!” Qin Wanru had Qingyue accept it for her, then rose and respectfully bowed to Madam Di.

She had already finished eating some time ago and now took the opportunity to bid everyone farewell.

“Sister Yuru, I’ll leave with you. I’ve finished as well.” Qi Rongzhi also rose. As she spoke to Qin Wanru, she bowed to everyone and left, putting on the appearance of being extremely close to Qin Wanru.

She even seemed more intimate with her than Qin Yuru, Qin Wanru’s own elder sister.

“You have had a long journey. Go back and rest early,” the Old Madam said with a nod, narrowing her eyes slightly.

There were certain things that could not easily be discussed in front of Qin Wanru, and Qi Rongzhi was, after all, only a guest.

The two girls left one after the other. By then, darkness had fallen, and the lamps along the outer paths had already been lit.

“Sister Wanru, wait for me!” Qi Rongzhi quickened her steps and caught up with Qin Wanru.

“Miss Qi, the two of us are not actually that close, are we? So please call me Second Miss Qin.” Qin Wanru stopped and suddenly raised her head. Looking at Qi Rongzhi’s ingratiating smile, she spoke without the slightest courtesy. “You have bullied me all this time. I have no desire to keep calling you Sister Qi.”

“You... Qin Wanru, how can you speak like that?” Qi Rongzhi’s lips trembled with anger. “We grew up together, after all. I have called you Sister Wanru since we were children. Could it be that after coming to the capital, you look down on me?”

By the time she finished speaking, her eyes had reddened, and she looked so aggrieved that she seemed on the verge of tears.

Qin Wanru watched Qi Rongzhi’s performance in silence. The corner of her lips lifted slightly.

“Miss Qi, I nearly died by your hand several times. The last time, you were once again up to no good and tried to ruin my face. Do you really think I am foolish enough to continue pretending that we love one another like sisters? Miss Qi, I do not care what you are plotting. Remember this: do not try to scheme against me.”