প্রথম খণ্ড, চতুর্দশ অধ্যায়: তোমার মা কি তুমিও নিকৃষ্ট নারী?

周清良 tightly clenched the hand hidden in his sleeve, his heart full of resentment. These scions of noble families looked down most on those like him, born into humble origins. If one day he ascended to a high position, he vowed to exact revenge for today’s humiliation.

Helpless, Zhou Qingliang bought a flower from a florist and hurried to the Apricot Garden. At the garden’s gate, he was stopped by Princess Chang’s maid, who said, “Detective Zhou, these flowers are from our Princess Chang’s Lin Garden. They are very beautiful. We hope Detective Zhou achieves great success.”

Zhou Qingliang’s gaze flickered between the two flowers. He had spent quite a bit on his flower, but its quality was only mediocre. Compared to the other flower, the difference was like clouds and mud.

Princess Chang’s Lin Garden was famous throughout the capital for its beauty. A classmate had earlier advised him to get flowers from there, but his pride initially resisted. Now, after some hesitation, he wavered.

Just as he was unsure, a splendid figure stepped out of a carriage. “Huan Zhen, I find this flower beautiful. Are you really going to refuse even this flower from me?” Xie Yuzhu slowly descended from the carriage, supported by attendants, and approached him.

Zhou Qingliang cupped his hands in salute, and only then did he clearly see the woman before him. She wore an ornate bird-shaped hairpin, dressed in brocade, her skin like snow, as if a celestial descended to earth.

Though he had entered the Prince’s mansion earlier, he had never seen the princess’s true visage. Even when capturing a suitor, he only glanced briefly before averting his eyes.

Now, upon closer look, he felt the princess was unlike other noble families in the capital who despised his humble birth.

For some reason, he suddenly recalled his grandmother’s words: “Take Jiang Ciwan, and lure the princess.”

Although Ciwan had been his childhood playmate, here in the dazzling capital, he realized talent alone was not enough. Without power to protect him, when could he ever rise to high position?

The ancient talented man Yuan Zhen was suppressed by noble families in youth, but finally befriended eunuchs, rising swiftly. But Zhou Qingliang was not Yuan Zhen, and would never consort with eunuchs, tarnishing his reputation.

Nian Nian was good, but of illegitimate birth; a merchant’s daughter could hardly enter refined circles. He cared for her; even if she were a concubine, he would cherish her.

Suppressing some guilt, Zhou Qingliang took the flower, thanked Xie Yuzhu, and left. The thought of taking Jiang Ciwan as concubine grew in his mind, but his conscience restrained him from committing such a heartless act.

“Princess, aren’t you being too kind to him?” Xie Yuzhu smiled gently, “It’s only words. If I can help Huan Zhen, that’s enough. If I can solve all his troubles and help him rise smoothly, Jiang Ciwan cannot do that.”

Since seeing him two years ago in Jinling, she had fallen for him at first sight. Now that he had passed the examination, she prepared early to capture him as a husband.

He was smart, naturally knowing how a humble illegitimate daughter could be his match?

In the Apricot Garden, Jiang Ciwan followed several young ladies of the Jiang family to the garden where the new scholars gathered, watching from across the lake.

“Did you know? Just now the Emperor praised the top scholar!” “Though this top scholar is capable, his fiancée’s status is too low.” Several young ladies walked by, their gossip caught by the Jiang family ladies.

Jiang Yan had just learned that Jiang Ciwan’s fiancé was the new top scholar. Whether good or bad, how could they be the ones to gossip?

Shen Shuyao held her back: “Yan sister, fame brings rumors; the slander never ends.”

Hearing this, Jiang Yan suppressed her displeasure and looked at Jiang Ciwan, who calmly stared across.

“Second sister, how is your fiancé to you?” Jiang Ciwan smiled faintly: “He… is good.”

Her smile radiated happiness. Only she knew that Zhou Qingliang had secretly planned to take her as concubine and cling to the princess.

Now she only felt disgust and hatred for him. Since so, she did not mind using him to get what she wanted.

Just now, others thought she was staring at the top scholar across; only she knew she was looking at Song Peiwen.

The Emperor had returned to the palace; scholars and sons of noble families in the Apricot Garden chatted and discussed.

Song Peiwen leaned against the corridor, looking across the lake, and saw the delicate figure of the Jiang family’s second young lady.

He had forgotten that today’s top scholar’s fiancée would surely come.

Just now he learned that Zhou Qingliang’s champion flower was linked to Princess Chang.

She was timid and innocent; encountering such a sycophantic fiancé, she would surely be deceived.

For some reason, a strange sympathy for her arose in his heart.

Inside, several sons of noble families glanced over, sneering, “Isn’t that Detective Zhou’s fiancée?” “Truly a beauty, even more lovely than the flower queen at the Late Fragrance Pavilion yesterday.” “Look at her figure, so slender, ha ha ha!”

Their talk reached Song Peiwen’s ears, and he angrily glanced at Zhou Qingliang beside him.

How could you sit still while others insult your wife so?

Coward!

As the gossip spread, Xie Yuzhu overheard them speaking of Jiang Ciwan. Her gaze involuntarily shifted to Zhou Qingliang, who remained silent. She secretly rejoiced.

He must now know that having such a fiancée was his disgrace.

Zhou Qingliang stayed a while, initially angry at their disrespect towards Nian Nian.

Later, seeing the princess approach, shining so brilliantly, he thought if only his fiancée were the princess, how dared they gossip?

For a moment, he felt Jiang Ciwan was like the fox spirit they said she was. Knowing many eyes watched and spoke ill of her, why did she not hide, but come to this top scholar banquet?

“A wretch,” someone mocked loudly, “such a woman deserves to be a concubine; truly proves the saying that women are vile!”

Just as the Minister of Revenue Zhao Kui said this, a stone flew and struck his forehead, blood spurting.

“Who dares hit me?” he roared.

“It’s your ancestor!” Jiang Yan angrily tried to attack him but was stopped by Shen Shuyao and Jiang Ciwan.

Shen Shuyao soothed her: “Don’t be impulsive, Yan sister, you can’t beat him.”

Jiang Ciwan glanced at a dark figure, smiled lightly, and said, “Yan sister, if you trust me, why not leave it to me?”

Jiang Yan hesitated, “You… can you do it?”

“He insulted me just now too.”

Shen Shuyao’s eyes shone: “Second Miss Jiang, I believe in you.”

She saved her; if she said she could, then she could.

“Father gave me life, mother raised me. They nurtured and cared for me.”

Jiang Ciwan coldly smiled at Zhao Kui: “You say women are vile, but your mother is a woman. Do you mean your mother who gave birth and raised you is vile?”

“I mean—”

Before he finished, Jiang Ciwan interrupted: “You are a scholar, well-read, calling yourself a gentleman, yet you spew filthy insults at women. Are you a gentleman or a beast?”

“You say women are vile, yet the princess seated inside is a woman, the honorable Princess Ronghua touring the Apricot Garden is a woman, the Empress herself is a woman.”

“So, is the honorable Empress vile in your eyes or not?”

“You lowly illegitimate girl dare talk back to me?”

Zhao Kui angrily approached, raising his hand to slap her face.

Shen Shuyao quickly blocked in front of Jiang Ciwan. Before contact, Shen Zhongyuan grabbed his hand: “Dare touch my sister without asking me first?”

Shen Shuyao held Jiang Ciwan’s hand, signaling her not to fear.

Jiang Ciwan immediately pretended to be frightened, hiding behind her.

Song Peiwen was deeply moved by her timid yet strong demeanor.

Before Zhao Kui could react, he was kicked to the ground.

Song Peiwen did not hesitate to kick him again, then casually walked before Jiang Ciwan, shielding her from the crowd’s view.