Chapter 65
Framing

In a daze, Jiang Jing followed the Lan family girls into the greenhouse, where Bai Ruizhu quickly stood up to greet them.

The two Lan girls all smiled, but Jiang Jing couldn’t bring herself to smile.

Bai Ruizhu’s name suited her well. Compared to the delicate and fragile girls of the capital, she appeared more plump and radiant, exuding a sense of wealth and grace. When she smiled, her round almond-shaped eyes curved gently, giving her a very kind and gentle appearance.

“Nice to meet you all. Here is a small gift for you… I embroidered it myself.”

Taking out a sachet from her pocket, Bai Ruizhu handed each of them a sachet embroidered with a Ruyi bat pattern.

Jiang Jing accepted it absentmindedly, feeling a bit bitter. The small sachet was exquisitely made, a skill she did not possess.

“Thank you, Miss Bai.”

“Just call me Ruizhu.”

The seventh young lady of the Lan family laughed, “We should still call her Miss Bai for now, to be polite.”

Bai Ruizhu blushed, looking very shy and endearing.

Jiang Jing felt a bitter taste in her mouth. Thinking of Madam Chen’s impatient and unrefined demeanor, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret and sadness.

The three girls chatted happily while Jiang Jing lowered her head, lost in thought.

“These are the twelve national treasures raised by Ninth Uncle. They are his most prized possessions. If it weren’t for today’s special guests, we wouldn’t be allowed in this Fragrant Pavilion.”

Bai Ruizhu bit her lip, too shy to speak. She was gentle and quiet, not good with words. When teased, she could only blush and smile foolishly, unable to retort. Seeing this, the Lan family’s seventh and fourth young ladies liked their future aunt even more, laughing and holding hands.

Standing behind the three girls, Jiang Jing said softly, “These twelve national treasures are wonderful. I wonder what is written on that pot?”

“People often express their aspirations through objects. I wonder if there is something written on it as well?”

Her words piqued the curiosity of the three girls, especially Bai Ruizhu, who had never met Lan Yunhe.

At this age, girls naturally have a bit of youthful curiosity, especially about their future husbands. Hearing Jiang Jing’s words, Bai Ruizhu couldn’t help but squat down to carefully examine the porcelain pot holding the twelve national treasures.

The two Lan girls also leaned in, getting closer and closer. Jiang Jing bit her lip and secretly flicked a small red spider from an unopened begonia onto Bai Ruizhu’s neck.

“Ah!”

Feeling something crawling on her neck, Bai Ruizhu was startled and jumped up, accidentally knocking over the pot of twelve national treasures and scattering petals everywhere.

“Oh no…”

The seventh young lady of the Lan family widened her eyes and then panicked, “This… this is Ninth Uncle’s favorite pot. He usually takes great care of it. What should we do?”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to.”

Having caused such a disaster, Bai Ruizhu’s eyes filled with tears, but she didn’t dare to cry.

“Don’t panic. I’ll… I’ll find Ninth Uncle. He won’t blame us.”

Bai Ruizhu, with red eyes, said, “It was my clumsiness. Please, Fourth Young Lady, apologize to Young Master Lan for me. My family will compensate for the twelve national treasures.”

The fourth young lady of the Lan family gently comforted her, and after calling a maid to find Lan Yunhe, the four girls anxiously waited by the glass window.

Jiang Jing glanced at Bai Ruizhu, feeling secretly guilty as she saw her on the verge of tears and in a state of panic. She didn’t mean to harm anyone, but a woman’s marriage is a matter of life and death. If she really went to the Chen family, living under someone as crude and cunning as Madam Chen, she would likely perish within a few years with no future left.

Jiang Jing’s eyes reddened, and she took Bai Ruizhu’s hand.

Bai Ruizhu, sniffling, patted her hand. “Don’t worry, it’s my fault alone. I won’t let this affect your reputation. It’s all my own recklessness and has nothing to do with the other young ladies.”

Hearing this, Jiang Jing’s eyes filled with tears.

Although she felt sorry for her, she needed the marriage with the Lan family more than Bai Ruizhu did.

Now, Jiang Jing only hoped that the marriage between the Bai and Lan families would fall through and that Madam Lan would consider her instead. If she could successfully marry into the Lan family, she would pray for Bai Ruizhu’s well-being every day for the rest of her life.

When Lan Yunhe’s personal maid arrived with some items, she saw the four girls looking miserable. She carefully examined Bai Ruizhu’s face and only looked away when she got closer.

“I’m sorry, it was my clumsiness that damaged Young Master Lan’s twelve national treasures. I wrapped them in a handkerchief, but I don’t know if they can be saved.”

Bai Ruizhu quickly said, “Whether they can be saved or not, my family will compensate for them. Do you know where these twelve national treasures can be purchased? Please let me know, and I’ll find someone to get them as soon as I return home…”

The maid smiled and said, “These twelve national treasures were brought back by Ninth Master from Guanfeng Cliff six years ago. He said they grew on the cliff edge and were very difficult to pick. There is no second plant like it in the world.”

“Then… what should we do?” Bai Ruizhu’s round face turned red, and tears welled up in her eyes but didn’t fall. She could only apologize repeatedly.

The maid laughed, “Ninth Master said that his fate with the twelve national treasures has ended. It’s not Miss Bai’s fault.”

“Ninth Master also prepared gifts for the young ladies, so don’t let this incident spoil your mood. Don’t worry about it.”

The maid handed four carved sandalwood boxes to the girls. The boxes for Fourth Miss Lan, Seventh Miss Lan, and Jiang Jing were the same size and design, but Bai Ruizhu’s box was much larger.

Jiang Jing’s face turned pale, and her lips trembled, “This… this isn’t right.”

“An elder’s gift cannot be refused. Just accept it; it’s proper etiquette.”

Thinking Jiang Jing was hesitant to accept a gift from a man, the maid explained softly and comforted Bai Ruizhu before leaving.

“Don’t worry, don’t worry. Since Ninth Uncle said he won’t blame us, he won’t. Let’s see what he gave us. He has the best things in the entire mansion.”

Seventh Miss Lan quickly opened her box and found a small sheepskin rattle with a jade handle inlaid with colorful gems.

“We’re both so grown up, and Ninth Uncle still gives us these children’s toys.”

Jiang Jing also opened her box and found the same item as the Lan girls.

Seventh Miss Lan urged Bai Ruizhu to open hers. Blushing, Bai Ruizhu opened her box and found a red gold necklace inlaid with agate. Although it was also meant for children, it was clearly very valuable.

Until Jiang Jing returned to Song Wan’s side, she couldn’t stop thinking about Ninth Master’s words, “His fate with the twelve national treasures has ended, and it’s not Miss Bai’s fault,” and the dazzling red gold necklace in the wooden box.

On the Marquis Mansion’s carriage, Jiang Jing was still in a daze.

Seeing her pale face and blue cheeks, Song Wan asked calmly, “What did you do?”

Jiang Jing trembled and pressed her lips tightly, saying nothing.

Turning to look out the window, Song Wan said softly, “Fortune and misfortune are unpredictable, and people bring them upon themselves.”

“If you cause trouble, you should bear the consequences. Framing others is not the behavior of a gentleman, and you shouldn’t do it either.”