In recent days, the hottest topic in the capital was the miraculous medical skill of the eldest young lady of the Jing'an Marquis Mansion—bringing the dead back to life.
Because of this, the family's married aunt returned to her maiden home with her daughter, Xi Baochen.
When she asked about it, the Old Madam grew angry.
"It must be fake."
Fourth Miss Zheng Qin immediately retorted, "It's not fake—it's real!"
As the legitimate daughter of the third branch, she had been raised spoiled and willful, bold enough to contradict even the Old Madam.
At the time, all the children of the Zheng family were present.
Their eldest sister had looked almost mad during the rescue—everyone had felt embarrassed, yet none could stop her.
If she had failed, she would have been ridiculed and despised.
But she succeeded—and instantly became a miracle doctor.
Now, whenever people mentioned her, it was with awe and admiration.
Zheng Qin, still young and not fully clear on right and wrong, simply felt proud by association.
"Don't talk nonsense," Third Madam scolded.
The fourth miss huffed and ran off, with Third Miss Zheng Xi chasing after her.
Meanwhile, Xi Baochen, the aunt's daughter, paid her respects at Yutang Courtyard before heading to Huining Garden.
"Cousin!" she called cheerfully as she ran in. "I brought you something nice!"
Zheng Qian had been playing with her cat. When she saw Xi Baochen, a sudden warmth rose in her heart.
Many of these inexplicable emotions came from the original owner of this body—residual feelings that surfaced automatically.
For example, this cousin—clearly, they had once been close.
Xi Baochen was tall like Zheng Qian, with a pointed chin and graceful bearing.
She took out a handkerchief bundle, revealing a gold bracelet with a curling vine pattern. It wasn't very heavy or expensive.
"It's a new design… not costly," Xi Baochen said. "I bought two—this one's for you."
Zheng Qian accepted it and thanked her.
She invited her inside and gave her two pearl hairpins from Zhaiyuxuan in return.
"I'm taking advantage of you—these South Sea pearls are valuable," Xi Baochen laughed.
"Don't be polite," Zheng Qian smiled.
Xi Baochen immediately put them on, clearly delighted.
At home, they had heard Zheng Qian had made quite a bit of money from their grandmother and uncle.
"Tell me what happened," Xi Baochen urged.
When she was younger, Xi Baochen had lived at the Zheng household for two years.
Back then, her father was posted in the south, and her mother followed him with her brothers, worried about his conduct.
Xi Baochen, being frail and unsuited to the damp climate, was left behind with her maternal grandmother.
But the grandmother favored her grandsons and treated her coldly.
At the Zheng household, both she and Zheng Qian had been bullied by Zheng Yutan.
They were both soft targets, often crying together, and grew close.
Every visit since, Xi Baochen would bring Zheng Qian gifts—gold leaves or jewelry—quietly helping her.
She was essentially Zheng Qian's only friend.
After hearing about Zheng Qian's recent feats, she had wanted to visit immediately, but feared facing the displeased grandmother. Only when her mother insisted on returning did she come along.
"…So eldest cousin really can stand again?" Xi Baochen widened her eyes. "My brother told me, but I thought he was joking."
"It's true," Zheng Qian smiled.
Xi Baochen was astonished.
Then she lowered her voice with a grin. "Then she must be furious, right?"
"She" referred to Zheng Yutan.
Zheng Qian smiled knowingly. "Mm."
Xi Baochen beamed. "So satisfying! Too bad I didn't see it myself."
"She beat her wet nurse in anger and made the maids kneel in the rain. They all resent her now," Zheng Qian added.
This gossip came from the servants.
The once-revered Second Miss had been falling from grace repeatedly.
Her flawless reputation had begun to unravel, exposing her true nature—harsh, stingy, even deducting servants' wages.
"How shameless!" Xi Baochen laughed. "Even that little money—how low."
She clearly enjoyed hearing every bit of Zheng Yutan's misfortune.
At that moment, noise erupted outside—firecrackers.
Hongluan went to check and quickly returned.
"Miss, the Wen family's Old Madam has come—with gifts."
Zheng Qian simply nodded.
Xi Baochen said, "After this, the Wen family will definitely treat you well."
Zheng Qian just smiled.
The Wen family would first visit the Old Madam. Without being summoned, Zheng Qian couldn't go directly, so she continued chatting.
Soon after, she was invited to Yutang Courtyard.
All the women of the family were present—even the usually reserved Second Madam.
Remembering the second branch's earlier support, Zheng Qian nodded politely. "Second Aunt."
The Second Madam smiled in return.
When the Wen family's Old Madam saw Zheng Qian, she grasped her hands, eyes brimming with tears.
"Good child—it's all thanks to you."
"Just a small effort," Zheng Qian replied, gently withdrawing her hand while holding her cat.
After some conversation, the Old Madam ordered a meal.
Zheng Yutan sat at the main table, while others were moved to secondary tables.
Xi Baochen was displeased and looked to the Wen Old Madam, hoping she would question it.
But the guest said nothing—as if she hadn't noticed.
Xi Baochen felt discouraged.
Everyone had grown used to Zheng Yutan's elevated status.
After the meal, the Wen Old Madam took her leave. Third Madam and Zheng Qian escorted her to the gate.
When they returned, a servant presented the gift list.
"Oh my, the Wen Old Madam is so thoughtful—she prepared gifts for every lady and miss in the household," the servant said with a smile.
"She only has money," the Old Madam said dismissively.
Yet despite that disdain, they had still arranged a marriage with the Wen family.
The servant began reading aloud:
"A box of gold beads and a strand of tourmaline prayer beads—for the Old Madam…"
Then gifts for the First, Second, and Third Madams.
Each gift was different.
Zheng Qian's share was even more generous—mostly jewelry suitable for young women.
But as the servant continued, expressions began to change.
She hesitated, heart skipping.
The room fell silent.
The Wen family had sent gifts to every female member of the Zheng household—
except the most "esteemed" Second Miss.