At a quarter past seven, in front of the carved bronze mirror in Qinghe Courtyard, Wanqing held a gilded candlestick, its light making the pearl hairpins at Jiang Wan’s temples shimmer brilliantly. Jiang Wan was dressed in a moon-white cloud brocade gown, draped with a matching cicada-wing gauze robe. Around her waist, she wore the jade belt with an intertwined branch pattern—a recent gift from her father. She looked just like a lotus in the moonlight: elegant, refined, and noble.
"Miss, this dress is truly beautiful," Wanqing couldn't help but exclaim. "This is the first time I've seen you wear such a modest color."
Jiang Wan chuckled at her reflection. "Modest? Once we are at the banquet, you will see what 'modest' really means." She lightly stroked the hidden pattern on her cuffs—vines of lotus embroidered in silver thread, appearing and disappearing in the candlelight. "Go fetch the coral bracelet my father gave me, and then help me put on my finger guards."
Wanqing responded and soon returned with a red-lacquered wooden box. Jiang Wan slipped the coral bracelet onto her wrist and carefully checked the pearls on her finger guards to ensure they were secure—these guards concealed items she had prepared specifically for this evening, which might prove useful at a critical moment.
At a quarter past nine, the main hall of the Dingbei Marquis Manor was brightly lit as guests arrived one after another. When Jiang Wan walked into the hall accompanied by her father, Shen Mingyuan, she immediately drew everyone’s attention. She had always worn flamboyant, luxurious clothing in the past, her heart set solely on the Crown Prince, but today, her modest and dignified appearance took everyone by surprise.
"Is this the legitimate daughter of the Dingbei Marquis Manor?" "I heard she recently helped the Marquis resolve difficulties with his West City estates; she is truly a rare and virtuous woman." These whispers reached her ears, but Jiang Wan maintained a composed smile.
The Crown Prince sat in the seat of honor. His gaze lingered on Jiang Wan for a moment, a subtle smile playing at the corners of his lips. "The Dingbei Marquis Manor is truly blessed with talent. The legitimate daughter is so virtuous, and the secondary daughter is equally outstanding."
The hall fell silent at these words. Jiang Wan sneered inwardly, knowing the Crown Prince was paving the way for Jiang Rou. Indeed, Madame Li soon entered from a side door, supporting Jiang Rou. Jiang Rou was dressed in a bright red, gold-woven gown, wearing an ornate gold headdress with pearls and precious stones. She was dazzling and vibrant, creating a sharp contrast with Jiang Wan.
"Greetings to the Crown Prince, greetings to the Marquis," Jiang Rou said, curtsying with a hint of grievance in her voice. "I have been feeling unwell, and normally I should not have attended this banquet, but hearing that Your Highness was here in person, I felt I had to come and pay my respects."
The Crown Prince smiled and nodded. "I hear you are skilled in poetry. Why not show us a sample today so I may judge for myself?"
Jiang Rou’s face lit up. Just as she was about to speak, Jiang Wan interjected, "My sister has been busy copying *Lessons for Women* recently, and I fear she has little heart for poetry. Perhaps I should play a piece on the zither, *High Mountains and Flowing Water*, for the Crown Prince instead, to express my humble regards."
Shen Mingyuan looked at Jiang Wan with approval. "Very well. Your zither skills have always been excellent; go ahead and play."
Jiang Rou’s expression darkened, but she dared not object. Wanqing had already brought the zither. Jiang Wan walked over, plucked the strings a few times, and produced a clear, melodious tone. She took a deep breath and began to play. When the song ended, the hall erupted in applause.
"Excellent!" the Crown Prince exclaimed. "The legitimate daughter of the Dingbei Marquis Manor is truly talented. My eyes have been opened today."
Jiang Wan curtsied. "Thank you for your praise, Your Highness. I am merely a novice."
Seeing this, Madame Li hurriedly spoke up, "Your Highness is too kind. While Rou'er lacks talent, she is capable of composing a few small verses. Perhaps she could also offer a performance?"
The Crown Prince nodded. "Very well, let us hear the Second Miss’s poem."
Jiang Rou looked at Jiang Wan triumphantly and recited, "A spring banquet, a cup of green wine, a song sung once..." She intentionally recited the last line with extra allure, casting glances at the Crown Prince from time to time.
Applause rang out in the hall again. The Crown Prince smiled and said, "The Second Miss is indeed gifted. This poem carries a touch of the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty."
Jiang Rou blushed, ready to offer some humble response, when Jiang Wan remarked, "Sister’s poem is good, but it has some improprieties."
Everyone was stunned, and Jiang Rou’s face changed dramatically. "Sister, what do you mean by that?"
Jiang Wan gave a faint smile. "'A cup of green wine, a song sung once'—though the lines are beautiful, they carry an implication of extravagance. At a time when the country is peaceful and the people are secure, the Crown Prince advocates for frugality. I fear sister’s poem is out of place."
The hall fell deathly silent. The Crown Prince’s expression turned sour. He cleared his throat and said, "Miss Jiang is quite right. I do indeed advocate for frugality. Second Miss, you should be more mindful when composing poetry in the future."
Jiang Rou stiffened, unable to utter a word. Madame Li quickly stepped in to smooth things over, "It was Rou'er’s lack of consideration. I ask for the Crown Prince’s forgiveness."
The Crown Prince waved his hand, signaling the matter was closed. Jiang Wan sneered inwardly, knowing this was a warning to the mother and daughter. In her past life, Jiang Rou had used such poetry to wrap the Crown Prince around her finger; now, she had merely exposed her ahead of time.
As the banquet continued and the wine flowed, Jiang Wan suddenly felt dizzy. She was shocked, immediately realizing there was something wrong with the wine. She cast an unnoticeable glance at Wanqing, who had already understood the situation and quietly swapped Jiang Wan’s cup with water.
"Why aren't you drinking, sister?" Jiang Rou asked deliberately. "Do you disdain the wine I offered?"
Jiang Wan gave a calm smile. "It is not disdain, but I am feeling unwell today and it is inconvenient for me to drink."
Madame Li grew anxious. She had clearly ordered someone to drug Jiang Wan's wine; why was she still alert? Was the dose not enough?
Just then, a commotion broke out outside. A servant rushed in and shouted, "Marquis, it’s bad! The West City estate has suddenly caught fire, and the flames are huge!"
Shen Mingyuan’s expression shifted, and he rose immediately. "Quick, prepare the horses! I must go see!" He turned to Jiang Wan. "You host the guests; I shall return shortly."
Jiang Wan nodded, but she knew the fire was suspicious—likely a scheme by Madame Li and her daughter. She signaled for Wanqing to follow her father to ensure his safety, while she remained to handle the guests.
The Crown Prince observed this and said, "Since the Marquis has business to attend to, I shall take my leave as well." He stood up, walked over to Jiang Wan, and whispered, "Miss Jiang’s performance today has truly impressed me. When you have time, I would like to speak with you at length."
Jiang Wan felt nothing but disgust, though she kept a smile on her face. "Your Highness is too kind to me. I am merely doing my duty."
The Crown Prince gave her a long look before turning to leave. The other guests followed suit. Only after seeing off the last of them did Jiang Wan return to Qinghe Courtyard.
"Miss, are you alright?" Wanqing asked anxiously. "I had people check—there was no fire at the West City estate at all. Someone spread the news intentionally."
Jiang Wan sneered. "I knew it was their trick. It’s a pity they didn't count on me being prepared."
Wanqing nodded. "It is fortunate that you asked me to check beforehand, otherwise they might have succeeded."
Jiang Wan sat in a chair, rubbing her temples. "They failed this time, but next time they will surely use even more ruthless methods. Remember, from now on, be more vigilant in everything."
Wanqing responded and left. Jiang Wan gazed at the bright moon outside the window, her mind racing. Today’s banquet was only the beginning. She knew that Madame Li and Jiang Rou would not give up easily, and the days ahead would only be more difficult.
But she was not afraid. She was no longer the Jiang Wan of her past life, waiting to be slaughtered. In this life, she would plan every step carefully, and make those who had hurt her pay the price they deserved.