The maid guarding the door lifted the curtain, and Xuezhan, Old Madam Lin’s chief maid, entered with a smile. "Old Madam said that since the Eldest Master has been toiling outside, and Shu Ran is due to be married off after the New Year, she sent two maids over. Both were trained in Old Madam’s quarters."
Lin Jinlou smiled. "I must properly thank Old Madam later for remembering such a minor matter."
Xuezhan thought to herself, "The main branch still has no heir—how can this be considered a minor matter?" She glanced at Zhao Yuechan, whose face was dark and sullen, then paused before saying, "They’re waiting outside. Shall I have them come in to kowtow to their masters?"
Lin Jinlou nodded. Xuezhan lifted the door curtain, and two maids around fourteen or fifteen years old entered. They were of similar height—one had flawless skin and a delicate, slender frame, with fine eyebrows and narrow eyes; the other was slightly plumper, with bright eyes and pearly teeth, graceful and elegant. Both carried an air of utmost dignity. As soon as they entered, they knelt down.
Xuezhan pointed and said, "This one is Keren, and this one is Lianxin. Coincidentally, Keren is Shu Ran’s cousin. It seems like fate that she’s now here to serve the Eldest Master."
Lin Jinlou’s gaze swept over the two. He had seen plenty of beauties, and while these two were lovely, they possessed the typical demeanor of high-ranking servant girls—not stunning enough to take his breath away, but pleasant to the eye. He said, "Since they’re a gift from Old Madam, they shouldn’t be treated like the others. Assign them first-class allowances, and later, arrange a separate room for them in the west wing."
Lianxin, sharp and perceptive, quickly kowtowed and said, "Kowtowing to the Eldest Master and Da Nǎinai." Following her lead, Keren had no choice but to kowtow as well, though her expression showed reluctance.
Lin Jinlou said, "From now on, you’ll serve in the Hall of Knowing Spring." His eyes lingered on the two maids, and he suddenly thought of Xianglan. "Where is Xianglan, who used to be in the east wing?"
Zhao Yuechan’s heart raced, but she feigned nonchalance. "That little hussy stole hairpins and jewelry from my room, so I sold her off."
Lin Jinlou had been about to take a sip of tea but paused, his hand freezing mid-air. His eyes turned sharp as he glared at Zhao Yuechan. "Sold her? Where to?"
Zhao Yuechan replied, "The matron took her away. How would I know where she ended up?"
Lin Jinlou let out a cold laugh and slammed the teacup down with a clatter. "How impressive of you! You treat my words as nothing but wind past your ears—you’re getting bolder by the day!"
The atmosphere in the room shifted abruptly. Xuezhan immediately shrank back, thinking, "Everyone in the mansion knows the Eldest Master took a liking to Xianglan from the east wing and intended to promote her. Now Da Nǎinai has gone and sold her off. With the Eldest Master’s temper, who knows what he might do? I’d better leave early to avoid getting tangled in their marital disputes." She forced a smile and said, "I’ve brought the girls. Old Madam is waiting for me to return, so I’ll take my leave now." With that, she hurried away.
Huamei said warmly, "Let me see Sister Xuezhan out," and followed her out.
Keren and Lianxin remained kneeling, not daring to move. Yingshuang thought it would be improper if Lin Jinlou publicly humiliated Zhao Yuechan in front of the new maids, so she quickly stepped forward and said, "You two, come with me." The two maids timidly glanced at their master and mistress, then rose and followed Yingshuang out.Zhao Yuechan was seething with frustration. Huamei had run off without permission, returned only to be elevated to a concubine, and now Old Madam Lin had hastily shoved two pretty maids into their household. Had anyone else dared undermine her authority before the servants, she would have unleashed her temper long ago. But facing Lin Jinlou, she didn’t dare confront him directly. Instead, she sneered, “Oh, what’s the matter with selling a maid? Did I strike a nerve? I’m the one in charge of the Hall of Knowing Spring—can’t I discipline a thieving little brat? When Qinglan died, I didn’t hear a peep from you. You didn’t even light incense for her when you returned. Clearly, she wasted her loyalty on you. And she was carrying your child when she died…”
Before she could finish, a sharp gust of wind whistled past her ear—smack—a blow landed on her face, sending her stumbling against the kang table. The teacups and fruit dishes clattered onto the kang and floor. Zhao Yuechan barely noticed, her vision swimming with stars, ears ringing, half her face numb with pain.
It took her a while to recover. Clutching her cheek, she stared at Lin Jinlou in disbelief. “You… you hit me?” Her voice choked, tears streaming down.
Lin Jinlou’s expression was icy as he glared at her without a word.
Zhao Yuechan wailed, “How impressive! You’re away for half a year, and the first thing you do upon returning is beat your wife!” She longed to claw at him but didn’t dare. Instead, she swept the remaining dishes and bowls from the table, shattering them on the floor.
Lin Jinlou strode forward, grabbed her collar, and hissed with cold fury, “You vile woman! You know exactly how Qinglan and that child died! I’m sparing you for the Zhao family’s sake—don’t push your luck.”
Seeing the murderous rage in his eyes, Zhao Yuechan shrank back in fear, her sobs quieting to whimpers. “What would I know? She fell and lost the child herself. What does that have to do with me? My life is nothing but misery…” She broke into muffled weeping.
Lin Jinlou sneered, released her, and let her collapse onto the kang. Without a backward glance, he strode out.
Meanwhile, Huamei had escorted Xuezhan out and lingered in the courtyard after seeing her off. She stood for a long time, gazing absently at an old plum tree. Xique brought out a green satin cloak lined with fur and draped it gently over her shoulders. “Concubine, don’t stand in the wind—you’ll catch a chill.”
Concubine. Yes, she had finally risen from “a maid gifted by a superior” to Concubine. Leaning on Xique’s arm, Huamei slowly made her way back to the eastern wing. A brazier warmed the room with cozy heat. Huamei reclined on the bed as Xique briskly fetched a bronze hand warmer, added two lotus-patterned charcoal cakes, secured the lid, and tucked it into her hands. “The charcoal ration for our household hasn’t been issued yet. I got this from the tea-room matron—please make do for now, Concubine.”
Huamei slowly turned her head, surveying the room. After Qinglan’s death, it had stood empty, unchanged: the canopy bed with apricot curtains embroidered with flowers, birds, and insects, the sandalwood dressing table in the corner, the chaise lounge at the foot of the bed, now covered for winter with a vibrant, embroidered python-patterned spread. Curios dotted the shelves, and even the Lotus Pond in Summer painting still hung on the wall, untouched.Everything remained exactly as it had been during Concubine Lan's lifetime. Because it was cleaned daily, not a speck of dust could be found, as if someone still lived here every day.
When she had first come to this room and seen its luxurious and exquisite furnishings, she had envied it more than once. Back then, Qinglan would be reclining on the bed just like this, with a small crabapple-wood side table beside her holding a large lotus-leaf crystal plate filled with seasonal fruits and several kinds of candied preserves, along with two types of warm tea blended with fruit syrups. Wu Mama and Chunling bustled around her attentively, while outside, Xianglan and Yindie were making clothes for her! Qinglan, all smiles, would urge her to try this and taste that.
Though she smiled brightly on the surface, her heart was bitter! The small room she occupied in the west wing was only the size of a secondary chamber in the east wing, furnished with just two or three pieces of furniture. The few decorative trinkets she had were begged for when Lin Jinlou was in a good mood. Though her food and clothing were adequate, she never had access to such premium fresh fruits and pastries. Qinglan was surrounded by maids and matrons attending to her, while she had only Xique by her side.
At the time, she thought, why should a foolish and dull woman like Wang Qinglan enjoy such fortune! She was far smarter, more beautiful, and more understanding than Wang Qinglan. One day, she would move into the east wing!
After the fire at her home, she knew that even if she returned to the Lin family, she would not be treated well. So she took a gamble, bringing the few pages of account books that had not been reduced to ashes, and had her brother escort her to Lin Jinlou. Lin Jinlou was naturally shocked to see her. She knelt, weeping profusely, and recounted how Wang Qinglan had been murdered—along with her unborn child—after picking up Zhao Yuechan's account books. She also tearfully described how her own home had been burned to the ground as she tried to preserve the ledger, begging Lin Jinlou for mercy.
Upon hearing this, Lin Jinlou was indeed enraged, his eyes blazing with fury. He cursed "that vile woman" several times and kept her by his side to serve him daily.
She secretly rejoiced, thinking she had found an opportunity. If she could conceive a child through this, she would be able to hold her head high in the Lin family. But before long, Lin Jinlou found someone new and forgot about her. Still, he treated her somewhat better than before, bestowing upon her many silks and jewels presented by his subordinates.
When she returned to the Lin family, she assumed Lin Jinlou would deal with Zhao Yuechan and did not hold back. To her surprise, he punished both sides equally, leaving her with little dignity.
Huamei let out a long sigh.
Now that she had truly moved into the east wing, she felt a void in her heart.
Xique, seeing Huamei staring blankly in a daze, feared she was unwell and called out softly, "Concubine, Concubine?"
After several calls, Huamei finally snapped out of it. Xique asked, "Are you feeling unwell, madam?"
Huamei shook her head and suddenly asked, "Is the east wing a good place?"
Xique nodded and said, "Of course it’s excellent. Why do you ask, Concubine?"
Huamei closed her eyes and said, "It’s nothing. I also think it’s excellent." Now that she had moved in, she would not end up like that foolish woman Wang Qinglan, burying herself here for nothing. She would enjoy wealth and honor in the Lin family for a lifetime!
Meanwhile, as Lin Jinlou stepped out of the room, he saw Shu Ran waiting at the door and asked, "Find a quiet place to set up an incense table. I wish to make an offering to Concubine Lan."Shu Ran led him to a secluded small room in the rear courtyard. The room was desolate, with Qinglan and the child's memorial tablets enshrined in the center. Shu Ran said, "The Master and Madam instructed that the tablets be enshrined at home. Since the Eldest Master has not yet paid respects, a separate room was prepared." As she spoke, she lit incense and handed it to Lin Jinlou.
Lin Jinlou bowed three times, inserted the incense into the burner, then took some paper money, crouched down, and began burning it.
Shu Ran gently closed the door and stood guard outside.
Watching the flickering flames in the basin, Lin Jinlou thought of Qinglan and the child who died before birth, his heart aching. He considered himself a man of charm, having sampled all kinds of rouge, with countless women more beautiful than Qinglan. But Qinglan had been taken as a concubine on Qin Shi's personal decision, making her different from others. Qinglan was honest and gentle, utterly obedient, so he had shown her more favor. Though he couldn't claim deep affection for her, they had shared tenderness, and her passing naturally saddened him. Yet what pained him most was the child, so unjustly lost.
He had long wanted to divorce that vile woman Zhao Yuechan, but with the volatile political climate and the Lin family facing suppression, he had to endure for now. The Zhao family was currently influential, and rash action would only invite disaster. Moreover, he had greater plans to pursue. For now, he could only suppress his fury and coldly watch Zhao Yuechan enjoy her temporary triumph.
"Vile woman!" Lin Jinlou cursed under his breath.
He lifted his head to gaze at Qinglan and the child's memorial tablets. The firelight reddened his cheeks and the stubble on his chin as he murmured, "Wait just a little longer. Before this year ends, I will avenge you."
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