Chapter 19: You Have a Good Relationship with Zhixu

Li Xueya had drunk too much.

Zhao Baitong had already sent her back to her place past ten o’clock. It was too late to return to the villa in East City, so she called Aunt Jiang to let her know that she wouldn’t be coming home tonight and that there was no need to wait for her.

After taking a shower, she sat on the sofa at Li Xueya’s home, hugging her knees and pondering over the invitation to the Fang family banquet she had received that afternoon, hesitating on whether to attend.

Going would be painful, but not going would mean losing face with the Fang family. With the wedding of Fang Zhixu and Meng Tang only two months away, she would have to witness their marriage as a bridesmaid. It was impossible not to feel some pain.

She would also have to calmly navigate the intricate formalities of a grand alliance marriage under everyone’s watchful eyes. Every lady in the wealthy circle was more cunning than the last; being caught with any flaw would be a disaster, a blow so severe it would leave one unable to hold their head high.

She had known from childhood that she was alone, with no one to back her up.

If it weren’t for Fang Zhixu intervening on Meng Tang’s behalf regarding Jing Pei’s matter, she would have long been a sitting duck.

In the end, his intervention was for Meng Tang, not for her.

Outside the window, countless lights shimmered like stars, their sparkling glow reflecting in her watery eyes. Her lonely figure appeared fragile and delicate against the tranquil night. Her shattered thoughts resolved that attending this banquet might be a good rehearsal—after all, it was an inevitable encounter she would have to face sooner or later.

The Fang family’s old residence was a blend of East and West, with a grand European-style entrance adorned with magnificent white magnolia pillars. The deeper one went, the more it resembled a Suzhou garden, with lush greenery thriving even in winter.

At the center stood a red-brick Western-style mansion, decorated outside with atmospheric balloons, while its interior boasted elegant Chinese design.

"Zhao Baitong?"

Just as Zhao Baitong entered the mansion, she heard someone call her. Turning around, she saw Madam Fang, Fang Zhixu’s mother.

Seeing Madam Fang made her even more nervous, and she timidly greeted, “Madam Fang.”

Madam Fang was dignified, her glossy coiled hair not a single strand out of place, her face nearly free of wrinkles. "You’ve come early, just in time. I’ve prepared gifts for our relatives and friends. Please help me distribute them."

In the world of powerful aristocrats, even the distribution of gifts was an art. The various boxes contained gifts of different values, reflecting the recipient’s status and their closeness to the Fang family.

Having been raised in this environment, Madam Fang skillfully managed her family’s reputation and connections for her husband and son, moving effortlessly within high society.

“This one goes to Madam Zhang, this one to Mrs. Li…”

Zhao Baitong, having had some contact with the upper class through the Fang family, was somewhat familiar with their unspoken rules.

Those addressed as "Madam" wielded great power; those called "Mrs." had substantial wealth.

She carefully arranged the gifts as Madam Fang instructed.

---

“Have you been in touch with your brother Zhixu recently?”

Madam Fang’s sudden question made Zhao Baitong’s hands pause. “N-no, not much.”

Madam Fang said, “Among the five children sponsored by the Fang family, only you were personally chosen by Zhixu. I can tell you two have a good relationship, always calling him ‘brother’ this and that.”

Zhao Baitong felt nervous and ashamed. Having learned to read between the lines from a young age, she understood Madam Fang’s implication. “I was immature and tactless when I was young. Now that I’m grown, Madam Fang, ‘brother Zhixu’ is just a respectful title. It means nothing more.”

Madam Fang didn’t press further. “I’m not asking you to sever ties with Zhixu. You are an orphan sponsored by the Fang family, and that connection will never change. Zhixu is about to marry Meng Tang soon, so the Fang family will have one more person looking out for you.”

Madam Fang glanced at the antique clock, “Baitong, please check upstairs. When Meng Tang is ready, have her come down.”

Before Zhao Baitong could refuse, Madam Fang moved ahead to greet the new guests, putting on a completely different demeanor.

Zhao Baitong braced herself and went upstairs, reaching the door of the lounge. Just as she was about to knock, a woman’s voice came from inside.

“You need to eat well to have the strength to lose weight. How long has it been since you had a proper meal? This banquet will be your first time attending as Fang Zhixu’s fiancée. Everyone here is familiar with each other, and you’ll be busy socializing. Don’t expect to eat anything for at least two hours.”

Zhao Baitong figured the words were trivial and knocked gently.

“Come in.”

Meng Tang’s eyes widened when she saw Zhao Baitong.

“Sister-in-law, Madam Fang said to send you down when you’re ready,” Zhao Baitong said.

Meng Tang smiled slyly. “You still remember I’m your sister-in-law? Are you used to living in the East City villa? I introduced my brother to you. If you don’t like him, just set him on fire. Zhao Baitong, do you think everything will just end like this? Do you know I haven’t had a good night’s sleep in days?”

Zhao Baitong bit her lip silently. She knew many important guests had arrived at the Fang family tonight; now was not the time to cause a scene for outsiders to watch.

Seeing her dodge, Meng Tang pressed on relentlessly. “Are you mute? You just know how to pretend, playing deaf and dumb to gain men’s sympathy and protection. What else do you know besides playing the victim?”

Meng Tang’s tone hinted at aggression.

Jiang Qing, who was peeling eggs for Meng Tang nearby, worried that her outburst might be overheard downstairs and cause trouble, quickly grabbed her sleeve.

Zhao Baitong didn’t want to provoke her, so she turned to leave. Meng Tang shook off Jiang Qing’s hand, took two quick steps, and grabbed Zhao Baitong’s wrist.

“Don’t run. I’m asking you, murderer!”

The accusation unsettled Zhao Baitong, her eyes reddening. “Who are you calling a murderer?”

“There are only three people in this room. I’m not talking about myself, so are you referring to me?” Meng Tang lifted her chin arrogantly. She was already tall, and her ten-centimeter heels made her even more imposing.

---

A soft target, when squeezed repeatedly, would snap. Especially since she was alone.

“Fine, I’ll say it!” Zhao Baitong struggled against the painful grip on her wrist. “If you hadn’t messaged Master Jing, why would he have gone to find me that night? If you hadn’t incited him to force me, how would we have knocked over the candlestick and started the fire during our struggle? If anyone is the murderer, it’s not me—it’s you, Miss Meng.”

Meng Tang’s legs went weak, and she wished she could cover her mouth. A sharp glint flashed in her eyes as she tightened her grip even more. “...Did Zhixu tell you that?”

Zhao Baitong’s eyes were already darkly rimmed; now they stood out starkly in black and white. “Who told me is not important. What matters is that it’s the truth.”

There were two knocks at the door. Madam Fang entered.

“The guests downstairs are almost all here. Baitong, why are you taking so long to get Meng Tang?”

When Madam Fang entered, the atmosphere among the three was icy and silent. Meng Tang suddenly released Zhao Baitong’s wrist.

Madam Fang looked suspicious. “What’s going on here? I just heard you two arguing at the door.”

Jiang Qing laughed awkwardly to defuse the tension. “No, Aunt Fang. We’re not close, so how could we be fighting?”

Madam Fang glanced around. “I thought I heard the word ‘murderer.’ Maybe it’s just my old ears playing tricks.”

Meng Tang’s face went pale. She grabbed the egg Jiang Qing had just peeled, separated the yolk, and shoved the egg white into her mouth. “Aunt Fang, I was a bit hypoglycemic earlier. I asked Jiang Qing to peel an egg so I could recover.”

Though elegantly dressed, her eating appeared disheveled and awkward.

Madam Fang saw her pale complexion and touched her forehead with concern. “If you have low blood sugar, you should eat the yolk too. Egg whites alone won’t raise your sugar much.”

Meng Tang had never liked egg yolk since childhood and usually struggled to swallow it, especially now.

Jiang Qing, who had been Meng Tang’s companion since childhood and knew her well, had an idea. She held the yolk out to Zhao Baitong. “Here, give her the yolk. I finally peeled it, so don’t let it go to waste.”

Just moments before, they had been at odds.

Now, unwanted food was being offered to her.

Zhao Baitong glanced at Jiang Qing but didn’t touch the yolks.