Early the next morning, when the sky was still dimly lit, Xianglan rose early. After washing her hands and face, she styled her hair into a Round Crown Bun, adorning it with a small Golden Phoenix Hairpin and two or three additional hairpins. From the wardrobe, she retrieved a jacket made of jade-colored, red, and blue-dyed velvet satin in three shades, pairing it with a light red skirt. On each wrist, she wore a jade bracelet—festive yet not overly extravagant.
Xue Shi pushed the door open and called her for breakfast. Seeing her attire, she smiled and said, "Oh, why are you wearing that? I prepared several outfits for you during the New Year—some in Brocade Silk, some in Singed Wool—all more expensive than what you have on."
Xianglan replied with a smile, "I’m going to kowtow to Taitai and the young lady to pay New Year’s respects soon. Dressing like this is more appropriate."
Xue Shi quickly nodded in agreement. "Quite right, you should go kowtow. I’ll have your father hire a carriage in a moment."
Xianglan ate a piece of cake, drank a bowl of soup, and draped herself in Xue Shi’s brown cloak before heading out.
Song Yima and Song Tanchai were still staying at the residence of the Second Branch Madam in the Lin Family’s South Courtyard. Xianglan had the carriage stop at a secluded side gate of the South Courtyard. Pulling a handful of coins from her sachet, she handed them to the coachman and said, "Please wait here for a while; you’ll take me back later." With that, she went to knock on the door.
The old woman guarding the door cracked it open and asked, "Who is it?"
Xianglan quickly put on a smile and said, "I’m a maid from the Song residence, here to see Taitai and the young lady. Could you trouble Mama to pass a message inside?" Noticing the old woman’s impatient expression, she hurriedly slipped her another handful of coins. Seeing Xianglan’s decent attire and generous gesture, the old woman’s expression softened. "What’s your name?" she asked.
Xianglan promptly replied, "Just tell our Taitai and the young lady that Xianglan has come to kowtow to her masters."
The old woman then let Xianglan inside and went off on her own. After a short while, she returned and said, "Follow me," leading Xianglan in.
Xianglan walked quickly with her head lowered. After passing through the Hanging Flower Gate, another maid took over guiding her, leading her to a courtyard named "Floating Emerald." The maid said, "Madam Song and the young lady live in this courtyard. They’ve just finished their meal."
Xianglan repeatedly thanked her and entered the courtyard, heading straight for the main room. Standing at the doorway with her hands at her sides, she called out, "Taitai, Xianglan has come to kowtow and wish you a Happy New Year."
Song Yima was sitting by the window on the heated brick bed, wearing a Peacock Blue Four-Ruyi Pattern Embroidered Long Vest and holding a Purple Copper Octagonal Hand Warmer. Juanhua stood nearby attending to her.
Song Yima was still saying, "Later, read Eldest Son’s letter to me again. Ah, spending the New Year alone in the capital, it must be so lonely..." Hearing Xianglan’s voice, she stopped speaking, her expression turning uncomfortable.
Juanhua knew Song Yima’s misgivings—she had often complained that Xianglan was no good, too beautiful like a goblin, and that as soon as she arrived at the Song residence, she had caused a death, warning that she might harm Eldest Son in the future. Seeing Song Yima’s darkened expression, Juanhua quickly advised, "Taitai, she’s come to kowtow to her masters during the New Year—it shows her respect. If not for her sake, then for Master’s, please let her in to kowtow out of regard for him."
Remembering Song Ke’s instructions before he left to treat Xianglan well, Song Yima reluctantly softened her expression and said stiffly, "Let her in then."
Juanhua personally welcomed Xianglan inside, laid a kneeling cushion on the floor, and Xianglan knelt down, saying, "May Taitai enjoy Golden Peace and boundless happiness."
Song Yima said indifferently, "You’re thoughtful." With a glance at Juanhua, Juanhua immediately took out a red envelope and handed it over.Xianglan accepted it and sat on the small stool at Song Yima's feet, beaming as she said, "It's only right and proper for me to kowtow to Taitai." She inquired solicitously after Song Yima's well-being and reported on the household affairs during the New Year. Noting Song Yima's indifferent response, she paused briefly before smiling again. "A few days ago, the Master sent someone with specialties from the capital. In his letter, he specifically instructed me to set aside the fine cloth and pastries from the capital for Taitai. He said Taitai is sensitive to heat, and this fine cloth is soft and cool, perfect for making undergarments in summer. He also mentioned Taitai's fondness for sweets, saying the white skin pastries from the capital are so delightful one never tires of them. Now that you're in Jinling, you might miss them, so he bought several packages to send back. Both Yuexi and I were moved by the Master's filial piety—his first thought for every piece of cloth and every pastry is always Taitai."
As she spoke, Xianglan watched carefully and indeed saw a smile gradually appear on Song Yima's face. Juanhua thought to herself, "Xianglan is clever with words—just a few sentences have brightened Taitai's expression." She chimed in, "Exactly. The Master studies diligently in the capital, all for the sake of ensuring Taitai's security in her later years."
Song Yima nodded slowly. "True, true. The Eldest Son has been a filial child since he was little."
Xianglan took the opportunity to add many more remarks about how Song Ke missed Song Yima, even inventing some details. Her voice was naturally melodious and pleasing, and she knew just how to strike the right chords, successfully delighting Song Yima, who grew animated and praised Song Ke from head to toe. Finally, she said, "Since ancient times, filial piety has always been the foremost virtue. The Eldest Son was raised on the teachings of sages, so he understands it thoroughly and spares no effort in showing me respect. That year when his father passed away, I lay ill in bed for three full months. How young was the Eldest Son then? Yet he knew to attend to me by my sickbed without even undressing, and he grew two sizes thinner from worry. They say 'a long illness tests a son's filial piety,' but our Eldest Son is genuinely devoted. For this virtue alone, he ought to pass the Imperial Examination and return as an advanced scholar."
Xianglan and Juanhua repeatedly agreed.
Seeing the timing was right, Xianglan said, "Taitai, having a son like the Master to care for you is a blessing accumulated from your previous life. And the Master, having a mother who dotes on him so, is his good fortune too..." She then knelt down again. "I must confess my shame. Today I came firstly to kowtow and wish Taitai a Happy New Year, and secondly to beg a favor of Taitai. My parents have only me, their daughter, to rely on. Seeing them grow older day by day, I truly cannot rest easy. I've come specially to ask for Taitai's grace—to permit me to redeem myself."
Song Yima and Juanhua were stunned, never expecting Xianglan to say such a thing. Song Ke's affection for Xianglan was obvious to all, and Song Yima had assumed Xianglan would cling desperately to the Song family, waiting for Song Ke's favor. Suspicious, she asked, "You want to redeem yourself?"
Xianglan kowtowed and said, "I beg Taitai's grace to allow this female servant to return and serve her parents for a few more years."Song Yima secretly rejoiced, thinking: "How wonderful! Once she redeems herself, she won't be by Eldest Son's side anymore. Besides, if Eldest Son passes the Imperial Examination, he'll either remain in the capital or be assigned an official post elsewhere—how could he possibly see her again? I'll find a stunning beauty with an Auspicious Appearance for Bearing Sons and Prosperity to place in Eldest Son's chamber, and select a well-bred lady from a High-ranking Family. How could Eldest Son still linger over this low-born Little seductress? Moreover, she's the one asking to redeem herself—it's not me forcing her!" Her face blossomed into a smile as she personally helped Xianglan up from the floor, saying affectionately, "My child, it's truly commendable that you have such filial devotion. How could I refuse? After all, you've served in this household and proven your loyalty. The Song family has always been generous—you needn't pay the silver for your redemption."
Seeing Song Yima so delighted, Xianglan felt somewhat unsettled inside. Maintaining her smile, she said, "The silver must be paid. When Master saved me and provided food and clothing, such great kindness could never be repaid even with my life." She took out a fifty-tael banknote and a pouch containing twenty taels of loose silver from her sleeve, offering them forward. "It's not much, but it represents my sincere gratitude."
Juanhua quietly tugged her sleeve, whispering, "Taitai already said the Song family grants you this favor—you don't need to pay the redemption silver."
Xianglan insisted on presenting the silver, her eyes clear and bright like autumn waters.
Song Yima was taken aback again. Though she disliked Xianglan, she silently admired her thoughtfulness. Pushing the silver back toward Xianglan, she said, "Consider this silver my gift to you. Use it for your dowry later."
Xianglan didn't refuse further. She kowtowed again, saying, "Thank you for your grace, Taitai."
Now viewing Xianglan more favorably, Song Yima urgently sent someone with Song Tanchai to fetch Xianglan's deed of sale, seemingly afraid Xianglan might change her mind. She hastily dispatched stewards to handle the Manumission Record. Meanwhile, Qin Shi sent someone to invite Song Yima and Song Tanchai to watch opera, leaving Xianglan alone in the room, sitting idly. The Manumission Document arrived by the hour of Wei (1-3 PM). Due to the New Year celebrations, the Government Office was closed except for a Minor Official on duty. They had to bribe someone with silver to get everything properly settled.
Xianglan clutched the Manumission Document tightly, examining it repeatedly before hurrying home. The previous Night, she had deliberated until midnight and finally decided to ask Song Yima to Redeem Herself. Firstly, Lin Jinlou's threats still echoed in her ears—if he approached Song Yima to demand her, Song Yima would surely agree. Secondly, if Song Ke passed the Imperial Examination, girls from High-ranking Families would surely seek marriage alliances with him. If Song Ke changed his heart, with her deed of sale still held by the Song family, she would lose her autonomy. Thirdly, what she yearned for most was this freedom, and she felt immensely joyful, suddenly thinking yesterday's humiliation by Lin Jinlou meant nothing. Previously, she hadn't dared to ask because she feared Song Yima, bound by Song Ke's instructions, might refuse, and if word reached Song Ke later, it could cause trouble. Also, lingering affection for Song Ke made her wish to remain his maid a while longer, to stay by his side.Xianglan fastened her cloak and left the courtyard. Though she was in the second household's compound, she still feared encountering acquaintances, so she pulled up her hood and hurried along the covered corridor with her head bowed. By now, lunch had concluded in the front courtyard, where the gentlemen had gathered to enjoy opera, gambling, pitch-pot games, and card games—the lively clamor faintly audible in the distance. Xianglan thought to herself, "It was fine when I came to pay respects this morning—those gentlemen had been drinking late last night and certainly wouldn't have risen so early. But it's already noon now. I wonder if that Eldest Master Lou has gone out for New Year visits. Running into him would be disastrous. Better to take a secluded path—though longer, it's safer." So she detoured onto a quiet, narrow path. Aside from a few servants on duty, the maids, servant boys, and old women had either gathered to amuse themselves or gone out visiting relatives for New Year's tea, making the place even more tranquil.
Xianglan walked briskly for a short stretch and rounded a cluster of pine and cypress trees when she suddenly spotted figures moving beside the rockery ahead—a man and a woman embracing.
Startled, Xianglan halted immediately, darting behind an old pine tree to hide. Peeking out, she saw the girl turn her head abruptly as the man removed her hood, revealing a face as fair as white jade—before he leaned in to kiss her.
Xianglan gasped, covering her mouth—the girl was none other than Lin Dongling!
Thank you to Junxi812 for the Qixi Talisman, Huaxiyuexi for the Qixi Talisman, daxiang8911 for the Peace Talisman, Yinzi for the Peace Talisman, damima, Junxi812, yu21yu21, and Huaxiyuexi for the little yellow chicks. Happy Qixi Festival, everyone! Also, continuing to ask for pink votes ^_^
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