Xianglan gave a start and quickly alighted from the carriage. She took some coins from her sachet to pay the fare and sent the coachman away. The courtyard gate was only loosely closed. Pushing it open and walking past the screen wall, she saw two neatly dressed servant boys standing at the entrance of the main house—a pair of twins with regular features but an air of sharp-wittedness. Xianglan’s heart sank at once: these two were none other than Ji Xiang and Shuangxi.
As soon as they saw Xianglan, their faces broke into broad smiles, and they hurried over to greet her. "You’ve returned just in time, miss," one said eagerly. "Our Master has only just arrived and is inside speaking with your parents."
The other added, "You’re truly blessed, miss. The moment our Master learned of your whereabouts, he came straight over. He’s brought all sorts of things—food, drink, clothing, and accessories—for your family to use during the New Year."
Xianglan stared in horror.
Shuangxi said with a laugh, "The Master has been thinking of you all along. The first thing he did upon returning home was to ask after you. When he found out you’d been sold by the Mistress, he flew into a rage and sent us out to search everywhere. Fortunately, heaven rewards the diligent, and we finally discovered where you’d gone. The Master also knows you suffered wrongs and were beaten by the Mistress. That’s why he’s come in person…"
As Shuangxi chattered on, Xianglan’s face grew paler and paler. Ji Xiang, noticing this clearly, gave Shuangxi a tug and said to Xianglan with a smile, "Hurry inside, miss. Standing out here in the biting wind, if you catch a chill, it’ll be our fault."
Xianglan’s face was wooden; she couldn’t even force a fake smile. Fear and shock churned within her, a bitter taste rising in her throat, but she forcibly suppressed it. Lin Jinlou had found her after all. She had already suffered so terribly at the hands of his legal wife—beaten beyond recognition, nearly plunged into a den of wolves to ruin her life forever. After finally seeing a ray of hope and enjoying a few peaceful days, what did he want by seeking her out now?
Judging by Ji Xiang and Shuangxi’s eager manner and the implications in their words, she understood all too well, and her heart sank like a stone. Even though she was now a maid in the Song household, Lin Jinlou had the temperament of a bandit, and Song Ke was far away in the capital. If Lin Jinlou truly resorted to underhanded methods, how could she possibly cope?
Shuangxi was about to say more, but Ji Xiang tugged his sleeve again, shooting him a meaningful glance. The two fell silent. Like a wandering spirit, Xianglan slowly moved to the doorway, took a deep breath, and pushed the door open. A wave of warm air rushed out to meet her, yet to Xianglan, it felt more cutting than the icy wind outside.
Once Xianglan had entered the house, Shuangxi frowned, tucking his hands into his sleeves. "Brother, do you think that girl has lost her mind from joy?"
Ji Xiang shot him a disdainful look. "What kind of eyes do you have? Can’t you see she’s terrified? Xianglan is afraid of our Master. From the looks of it, she doesn’t seem too pleased about his visit."
Shuangxi said, "Is she afraid of the Mistress? But the Mistress has been dealt with by the Master and is too ill to leave her heated brick bed. If Xianglan returns, there’s nothing to fear anymore."
Ji Xiang lowered his voice. "It’s not that simple. She was bought by Master Song. Look at her clothing and appearance… tsk, tsk, she doesn’t look like an ordinary servant at all. Perhaps the two of them have long since…"
Shuangxi stuck out his tongue. "No wonder that day when I told the Master that Xianglan had been bought by the Song family, he had a dark expression for half the day. If the Master lets it go, or if that Song fellow knows what’s good for him, then fine. Otherwise, things could get lively."
The brothers exchanged a glance, shook their heads, tucked their sleeves, and stood silently by the door.It is said that when Xianglan pushed the door open and entered the room, she saw Lin Jinlou sitting in the main seat of the hall, still wearing his dark blue cloak. His hat had already been removed, and upon seeing her enter, he narrowed his eyes slightly. His handsome face then broke into a smile, making his features come alive with brilliance.
Xianglan dared not look at him and quickly lowered her head.
Chen Wanquan sat sideways on the chair to the right, not daring to sit fully. Only a small part of his rear touched the seat as he straightened his back and leaned forward. His face was twisted with an awkward smile, unsure of how to properly ingratiate himself. Xue Shi cautiously presented a tray of fruits and pastries, her expression equally filled with trepidation.
Xianglan thought to herself, "My parents are already in such a state—if I don’t stand firm, what will become of us? I refuse to believe he would dare to forcibly seize a commoner’s daughter. If he tries to force me, I’ll risk everything and fight back." Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself slightly and gracefully performed a curtsy, saying, "I wish Master Lin eternal Golden Peace."
Lin Jinlou’s smile widened even further. "Look at this—you’ve only just left the Lin Family, and already you’ve grown distant. You used to say, 'I wish the Master peace,' but now you’ve added 'Lin Family.' I wonder who you’re calling 'Master' now?"
Chen Wanquan bowed and scraped, forcing an ingratiating laugh. "I just told the Master that Xianglan was bought by the Song Family and is now serving in their household."
Lin Jinlou nodded as if hearing this for the first time and murmured, "Oh, so it’s the Song Family…" He tapped his fingers on the table and casually asked, "Is there any tea?"
Xue Shi hurriedly replied, "Yes, yes! The water has just boiled. I’ll brew a pot right away. It’s just that we don’t have anything particularly fine—please make do, Master." She swiftly brewed a cup of tea and discreetly nudged Xianglan, whispering, "Hurry and take it over."
Xianglan picked up the tray, walked over with her head lowered, and placed the tea bowl on the table. As Lin Jinlou reached for the tea, whether intentionally or not, his fingers brushed against the back of Xianglan’s hand. She recoiled as if stung by a hornet, quickly pulling her hand back.
Lin Jinlou frowned briefly, but his expression immediately relaxed again. He asked casually, "Old Chen, what are you doing for a living now?"
Chen Wanquan bent his knees, his rear lifting slightly off the chair, and replied respectfully, "I’m currently working as a shopkeeper at a pawnshop, just enough to support the family. This year, I acquired a few valuable items and made a small fortune, which allowed us to buy this courtyard."
Lin Jinlou nodded and proceeded to ask Chen Wanquan about his daily life in detail. Occasionally, he also inquired about Xianglan—how much her monthly allowance was, what kind of work she did, and so on. Though Chen Wanquan was usually loose-tongued, he was so terrified of Lin Jinlou that he dared not boast recklessly and answered reasonably. Xianglan remained on edge, standing beside Chen Wanquan with her head lowered.
Then Lin Jinlou said, "I went off to battle to suppress bandits, and when I returned, I found out you’d been beaten by the First Mistress and sold off. I sent people everywhere to inquire but couldn’t find any news. Later, I heard the Song Family had bought you. Your parents have also been freed from their status and bought property. I was just passing by today on business and decided to drop in."
The Chen family once again fell into a state of nervous apprehension.
Lin Jinlou stood up and said, "Alright, it’s New Year’s Eve—I won’t stay long. I’m off." With that, he rose and walked out.The three members of the Chen family hurried out to see him off. After giving Ji Xiang a few instructions, Lin Jinlou mounted his horse, and Shuangxi promptly took hold of the reins. Xianglan stood at the courtyard gate, watching Lin Jinlou ride away, and only then did she let out a sigh of relief. Just as she was about to close the gate, Ji Xiang unexpectedly ran back and whispered, "The Master said for you to come with me to the back of the house. He has something to ask you."
Xianglan's heart instantly tightened again. Seeing Ji Xiang standing motionless at the gate, she had no choice but to step out, close the gate behind her, and follow Ji Xiang to the rear of the courtyard. After turning a corner, she indeed saw Lin Jinlou leaning against the wall, with Shuangxi holding the horse some distance away, his back turned to them. Ji Xiang whispered, "Miss, the Master is right there. Go quickly." With that, he too turned his back.
Xianglan had no alternative. She lowered her head and shuffled forward, but after a few steps, she stopped and stood rigidly in place. Suddenly, she heard the rustle of footsteps, and Xianglan shuddered inwardly. A pair of black court boots appeared before her eyes. Lin Jinlou's voice came from above her head, "Don't just keep your head down. Lift it up and let me have a good look at you. Earlier in the house, I was too busy talking to get a proper glimpse of your face." As he spoke, he reached out, pinched Xianglan's delicate chin, and raised her face.
Xianglan's eyelashes fluttered. She looked up and saw Lin Jinlou gazing at her with a half-smile. After not seeing him for some time, he hadn't changed much, except his eyes had grown even sharper and colder, exuding an air of absolute dominance. Xianglan quickly lowered her gaze, struggled slightly, turned her face away, and brushed his hand aside. In a strained voice, she said, "Master Lin, I must return home. This is hardly appropriate."
Lin Jinlou released her chin, and Xianglan immediately buried her head again. She heard him sneer, "Inappropriate? How so? My little Xianglan, have you forgotten what I said before I left—that when I returned, I would properly elevate your status? If you've truly forgotten, it doesn't matter. Tomorrow, I'll go to the Song family and demand you. Do you think that brat Song Yifei would dare refuse me?"
Xianglan's face turned pale. She lifted her head and said, "I am truly unworthy of your favor, Master. Moreover, I have already left the Lin Family. I will always remember your kindness to me, but... I simply do not wish to be a concubine."
Lin Jinlou still wore a smiling expression. "Oh? You don't wish to be a concubine? You'd rather be that Song family brat's concubine?"
"No, that's not it."
Lin Jinlou's face darkened, and he let out a cold laugh. "Well, well, you've grown quite bold since leaving the Lin Family. What has that Song brat promised you? Could it be he's offered to make you his lawful wife?"
Xianglan quickly shook her head. "No, he—"
"No?" Lin Jinlou sneered. "Do you take me for a fool? The clothes you're wearing, the jewelry in your hair, the property your family has acquired—none of it is ordinary. That Song Ke treats you quite well indeed. He's been itching to take you for himself all along. Given the Song family's current situation, this is quite the extravagance on his part. No wonder you're so devoted to him."
Xianglan simply pressed her lips tightly together and remained silent.
Lin Jinlou, however, pinched Xianglan's cheek playfully and said, "I must say, after not seeing you for over half a year, your little face has grown even prettier. No wonder you've got Song Ke so bewitched. Even I find it hard to let you go. Go back and pack your things at the Song family's. I'll send someone to fetch you."
Xianglan abruptly raised her head and looked at Lin Jinlou. "I'm afraid I cannot comply."Lin Jinlou was displeased and raised his eyebrows: "What, still not agreeing? Could it be that following Song Ke is more respectable than following me?" After a moment's thought, he suddenly seemed to have an epiphany and said, "You don't need to fear Madam Zhao. From now on, she's out of here."
Xianglan shook her head and knelt on the ground, saying, "Master, I beg you. I'm just a worthless person like a blade of grass, only wishing to live a peaceful and ordinary life. Master, you have plenty of stunning beauties around you, so why bother with someone as lowly as me?"
Lin Jinlou bent down, looked at Xianglan's face, and sneered, "I feel like it."
Xianglan said calmly, "Then I have no choice but to die." With that, she suddenly pulled the sandalwood hairpin from her hair and stabbed it toward her throat.
Thank you Hua Xiyuexi for the sachet, and thank you Yueguang Lanlan, Hua Xiyuexi, wqpaqm, and yu21yu21 for the Peace Talismans~~
Also, thank you Hua Xiyuexi for the long review. Hehe, it was very well-organized!
By the way, in the "exposed" segment, Lin Jinlou's personal soldier Hu Lai was played by Yan Sansheng. Forgot to mention that, hehe~ He'll continue to appear later
Additionally, there are no more highlights this week. I'll add them for everyone uniformly on Monday.
Still asking for pink votes^_^
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