At these words, the garden instantly fell silent.
The young ladies who had previously looked down on Zhi Wan now regarded her with newfound caution.
Hailing from aristocratic families, they naturally understood the significance of Lady Wei publicly backing Zhi Wan.
'She truly holds Zhi Wan in high regard.'
Whether they were pleased about it or not, at that moment, everyone set aside their disdain for Zhi Wan.
After all, they had to consider the power and influence of the Duke Dingguo Mansion.
A few of the more quick-witted young ladies immediately vied to take Zhi Wan's arm.
"Miss Zhi Wan, let's go look at the flowers together."
"You're more familiar with the Duke Dingguo Mansion than we are, Miss Zhi Wan. Why don't you show us around?"
Zhi Wan wasn't accustomed to such intimacy with strangers, but not wanting to disappoint her aunt's efforts to elevate her status, she offered a polite smile to the young ladies who had gathered around her. "Alright."
Lady Wei was very pleased. "Wan'er," she instructed, "you're a hostess here, so you must entertain the guests well."
Her expression was perfectly amiable, a stark contrast to the woman who had just been chiding the young ladies. Her words, however, only made the crowd more guarded.
'Duchess Dingguo has no daughters of her own. She's clearly treating Zhi Wan like her own flesh and blood.'
'After today, no one will dare to look down on Zhi Wan, the orphan, again. And won't those who want to curry favor with the Duke Dingguo Mansion start putting her on a pedestal?'
'Zhi Wan won't have to worry about her marriage prospects anymore.'
Zhi Wan understood her aunt's intentions and felt a surge of gratitude. "Aunt," she said to Lady Wei, "I'll take them for a stroll, then."
"Go on." Lady Wei waved her hand with a doting smile.
Not far away, Lu Xin watched this scene unfold, so angry that she crushed the flower in her hand.
'That bitch, Zhi Wan! What gives her the right?'
'And that "dear" aunt of mine, always favoring outsiders. By elevating Zhi Wan like this, she makes me, a proper young lady of this house, seem worse than an orphan.'
Lu Xin seethed with jealousy and hatred.
Zhi Wan was unaware of the venomous eyes fixed on her from afar. Surrounded by a flock of young ladies, she admired flowers, composed poems, and passed the time in cheerful conversation and laughter.
The midday banquet was arranged in the water pavilion. A screen down the middle separated the men's and women's tables, allowing everyone to eat and drink while also admiring the view and composing poetry—killing two birds with one stone, so to speak.
Zhi Wan and the young ladies, weary from their walk, had just taken their seats when a voice suddenly spoke up beside her. "Is anyone sitting here?"
Zhi Wan turned her head to find that, at some point, a round-faced girl had sat down next to her.
"You are..." Zhi Wan said, looking at her in surprise. 'I don't think she was among the young ladies admiring the flowers with us just now.'
"My name is Ouyang Zhenzhu," the round-faced girl said, introducing herself frankly as she rested her cheek on her hand.
Zhi Wan nodded. "Ah, so you're Miss Ouyang."
Ouyang Zhenzhu looked at her with a beaming smile. "Oh, I've heard all about you, but I never had a chance to meet you. I'm so glad I finally did today."
Zhi Wan was surprised. "You've heard of me?"
"My brother, Ouyang Lei, is the Junior Minister of the Ministry of Justice. He works with your cousin. I've heard him mention you before," Ouyang Zhenzhu said.
"I see," Zhi Wan nodded.
'Ouyang Lei... I have seen him a few times,' she recalled.
As she nibbled on some food, Ouyang Zhenzhu asked, "So, what do you usually do for fun?"
'What do I usually do for fun?'
Zhi Wan blinked and answered demurely, "I usually spend my time reading, painting, and admiring flowers."
"Even your pastimes are so elegant, Wan'er." Ouyang Zhenzhu suddenly felt a little inadequate by comparison.
'No wonder Mother is always scolding me for not knowing how to do this or that, saying I'm not the least bit ladylike.'
'Compared to her, I really am a good-for-nothing.'
"So what about your cousin? What does he usually do?" Ouyang Zhenzhu pressed, seizing the opportunity.
Zhi Wan paused, a vague understanding dawning on her as to why the other girl was being so friendly.
'Another one of my cousin's admirers.'
"I'm not very close with my cousin, so I'm not sure what he does in his spare time," Zhi Wan replied truthfully.
"No way! You live under the same roof and you're not close?" Ouyang Zhenzhu clearly didn't believe her. She nudged Zhi Wan's arm with her elbow and gave her a conspiratorial look. "I'm not like the others. You can tell me."
Zhi Wan looked at her with a sincere expression. "It's true. I actually haven't seen my cousin in half a year."
Disappointment was written all over Ouyang Zhenzhu's face.
Zhi Wan looked at her and couldn't help but say, "Instead of asking me about my cousin, you'd get information much faster by asking your own brother. Isn't he the Junior Minister of the Ministry of Justice? He works with my cousin every day, so he ought to know him far better than I do."
At the mention of her brother, Ouyang Zhenzhu pouted. "My brother... he's less helpful than a stranger." She said this through gritted teeth.
Zhi Wan: "..."
Seeing the two whispering and chatting happily together, a flicker of malice crossed Lu Xin's eyes. She deliberately chose to sit down at their table.
When Zhi Wan saw her, a cold glint flashed in her eyes.
'I was just thinking about teaching Lu Xin a lesson, and here she comes, delivering herself right to my doorstep.'
"Zhi Wan, Mr. Wang said you're the one who pushed him into the water!" Lu Xin suddenly announced, staring at her with hatred.
At this, the other young ladies at the table turned to stare at Zhi Wan in astonishment.
Wang Zeren's fall into the water had caused quite a stir. Everyone had gathered to watch earlier, many of them laughing at his expense, but no one had any idea how he had ended up in the water.
Now, hearing what Lu Xin said, doubts began to creep into the minds of the other young ladies.
'Could it be true? Did Zhi Wan really push Wang Zeren into the water?'
'But why would she do that?'
Ouyang Zhenzhu also looked at Zhi Wan curiously. "Did you really push that Wang Zeren fellow in?"
Zhi Wan glanced at the malicious expression on Lu Xin's face. Not the least bit flustered, she feigned surprise. "Mr. Wang? Who is that?"
Before Lu Xin could respond, she looked at her with timid eyes, shrinking her shoulders. "I know you've never liked me. You think I'm just freeloading here at the Duke Mansion, so you can't stand the sight of me and torment me at every turn. I can endure all of that. But for you to fabricate something like this just to slander me... it's just... it's too much! Y-you... can you bring this... Mr. Wang, or whoever, to confront me face-to-face?"
Upon hearing this, the young ladies' hearts immediately went out to her. They had no idea her situation in the Duke Dingguo Mansion was so difficult.
'Even though Duchess Dingguo dotes on her, she can't possibly watch over her all the time. And with the staff being experts at feigning compliance while acting otherwise, a timid little orphan like Zhi Wan is bound to be at a disadvantage.'
'It seems Lu Xin must bully Zhi Wan often. Just look how terrified she's made the poor girl!'
'And now she's trying to sling mud at her in public. It's truly outrageous.'
In an instant, the young ladies were filled with righteous indignation and began to defend Zhi Wan.
"Lu Xin, don't you go too far," Ouyang Zhenzhu was the first to chastise her.
"Exactly! What are your intentions, slandering Zhi Wan with baseless claims like that?"
"You should have some decency. It's one thing to bully her in private, but to brazenly frame her in front of everyone is another."
"Lu Xin, you're truly vicious!"
Lu Xin's eyes widened in fury as she watched Zhi Wan play the victim to win everyone's sympathy. Now, hearing the other girls all clamoring to condemn her, she gritted her teeth in hatred.
She pointed a finger at Zhi Wan, sputtering with rage. "Don't be fooled by her act! She's nothing like this in private. She's incredibly cunning!"
"So, what you're saying is that you can't win against Zhi Wan in private, and you're so resentful about it that you decided to slander her in public? Lu Xin, you're shameless!" Ouyang Zhenzhu said with a look of utter disdain.
Lu Xin was so angry she lost all composure, roaring, "She's the one who pushed Mr. Wang into the pond! I'm not slandering her!"
"Lu Xin, who did you say pushed Mr. Wang?" Lady Wei had heard the commotion and walked over, her gaze heavy with warning as she stared at her.