Early the next morning, when the sky was still dimly lit, Xianglan rose early. She washed her hands and face, styled her hair into a round bun, and adorned it with a small gold phoenix hairpin along with two or three other hairpins. From the wardrobe, she pulled out a jacket made of jade-colored, red, and blue satin with a mottled velvet pattern and paired it with a light red skirt. On each wrist, she wore a jade bracelet. Though festive, her attire did not appear overly extravagant.
Xue Shi pushed the door open and called her for breakfast. Seeing her dressed up, she smiled and said, "Oh, why are you wearing that? I prepared several outfits for you during the New Year—some are kesi tapestries, others are burnt-wool fabrics, all more expensive than what you have on."
Xianglan replied with a smile, "I’m going to kowtow to Madam and the young lady to pay New Year’s respects soon. Dressing like this is more appropriate."
Xue Shi quickly nodded and said, "Quite right, you should go kowtow. I’ll have your father hire a carriage for you later."
Xianglan ate a piece of cake, drank a bowl of soup, and put on Xue Shi’s brown cloak before heading out.
Song Yima and Song Tanchai were still staying at the residence of the Second Madam of the Lin family’s South Courtyard. Xianglan had the carriage stop at a secluded side gate of the South Courtyard. She pulled out a handful of coins from her purse and handed them to the coachman, saying, "Please wait here for a moment. You’ll take me back later." With that, she went to knock on the door.
The elderly gatekeeper cracked the door 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 Madam and the young lady. Could you please pass the message inside?" Seeing the old woman’s impatient expression, she quickly slipped her another handful of coins. Noticing Xianglan’s decent attire and generous gesture, the gatekeeper’s expression softened. She asked, "What’s your name?"
Xianglan promptly replied, "Just tell our Madam and young lady that Xianglan has come to kowtow to her masters."
The gatekeeper then let Xianglan inside and went off on her own. After a 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 as her guide, leading her to a courtyard named "Floating Emerald." The maid said, "The Song family’s Madam and young lady are staying in this courtyard. They’ve just finished their meal."
Xianglan repeatedly thanked her and headed straight for the main room upon entering the courtyard. Standing at the doorway with her hands respectfully at her sides, she called out, "Madam, Xianglan has come to kowtow and pay New Year’s respects."
Song Yima was sitting on the kang by the window, wearing a peacock-blue long jacket with a round "Four Harmonies" embroidery design, holding a purple bronze octagonal hand warmer. Juanhua stood by her side, attending to her.
Song Yima was still saying, "Later, read Eldest Master’s letter to me again. Ah, spending the New Year alone in the capital must be so lonely for him..." She stopped upon hearing Xianglan’s voice, her expression turning uneasy.
Juanhua knew Song Yima’s concerns—she had often complained that Xianglan was no good, too beautiful like a seductress, and that her arrival at the Song residence had caused a death, possibly endangering Eldest Master in the future. Seeing Song Yima’s darkened expression, Juanhua quickly advised, "Madam, she’s come to kowtow to her master during the New Year—it shows her respect. If not for her sake, then for Eldest Master’s, please let her in to kowtow."
Remembering Song Ke’s instructions before he left to treat Xianglan kindly, Song Yima reluctantly softened her expression and said, "Let her in then."
Juanhua personally welcomed Xianglan inside, laid a kneeling cushion on the floor, and Xianglan knelt down, saying, "May Madam enjoy peace and blessings."
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 to kowtow to Madam." She inquired solicitously after Song Yima's well-being and reported on the household affairs during the New Year period. Noting Song Yima's indifferent response, she paused briefly before smiling again: "A few days ago, Eldest Master sent someone with some specialties from the capital. In his letter, he specifically instructed me to set aside the fine cloth and pastries from Beijing for Madam. He said since Madam suffers from the heat, this soft, cool cloth would be perfect for summer undergarments. He also mentioned Madam's fondness for sweets, saying the white-skinned pastries from the capital never grow tiresome. Now that we're in Jinling, Madam might miss them, so he bought several packages to send back. Both Yuexi and I were moved by Eldest Master's filial devotion—his first thought for every length of cloth and every piece of pastry was always Madam."
As she spoke, Xianglan watched carefully and indeed saw a smile gradually spread across Song Yima's face. Juanhua thought to herself, "Xianglan certainly has a silver tongue—just a few words have brightened Madam's expression." She chimed in: "Exactly. Eldest Master studies diligently in the capital precisely to secure Madam's future in her later years."
Song Yima nodded slowly. "Quite right, quite right. My eldest has been a filial child since he was little."
Xianglan went on to entertain with more stories of how Song Ke missed his mother, even inventing some details. Her voice was naturally melodious and pleasing, and she knew exactly how to flatter, successfully coaxing Song Yima into a cheerful mood. The old lady grew animated and praised Song Ke from head to toe. Finally, she declared: "Since ancient times, filial piety has always come first. My eldest grew up reading the classics of the sages, so he understands this thoroughly and shows me every respect. That year after his father passed away, I lay ill in bed for three full months. How old was he then? Yet he knew to attend at my bedside without even undressing, until he'd grown two sizes thinner. They say 'prolonged illness tests the devotion of a filial son,' but our eldest is genuinely filial. For this virtue alone, he deserves to pass the imperial examination and become a jinshi."
Xianglan and Juanhua murmured their agreement.
Seeing the timing was right, Xianglan said, "Madam is blessed to have such a filial son—it's the merit accumulated from your previous life. And Eldest Master is fortunate to have a mother who dotes on him so..." She knelt again. "I'm ashamed to say this, but today I came not only to kowtow and wish Madam a Happy New Year, but also to beg a favor. My parents have only me, their daughter. Seeing them grow older, I truly can't rest easy. I've come to ask for Madam's grace—to permit me to buy my freedom."
Song Yima and Juanhua were stunned, never expecting such a request from Xianglan. 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 to elevate her status. Suspicious, she asked, "You wish to buy your freedom?"
Xianglan kowtowed. "I beg for Madam's grace to release this servant so I may care for my parents in their remaining years."Aunt Song secretly rejoiced, thinking, "How perfect! Once she redeems herself and leaves, she won't be by Eldest Master's side anymore. And if Eldest Master passes the imperial exams, he'll either remain in the capital or be assigned to an official post elsewhere—how could he ever see her again? I'll find a stunning beauty with the appearance of bearing sons and bringing prosperity to the family to place in Eldest Master's chamber, then select a well-bred young lady from a prominent family. How could Eldest Master still remember such a low-born little enchantress? Besides, she's the one asking to redeem herself—it's not as if I'm forcing her out!" Her face blossomed into a smile, and she even personally helped Xianglan up from the floor, saying affectionately, "My child, it's truly admirable that you have such filial devotion. How could I not agree? After all, you've served in this household and have been loyal. The Song family has always been generous—you needn't pay the redemption fee."
Seeing Aunt Song so delighted, Xianglan felt somewhat unsettled inside. Still wearing a smile, she said, "The silver must be given. When Eldest Master saved me, he provided food and clothing—such great kindness is something I could never repay even if I were crushed to pieces." She took out fifty taels in banknotes and a packet of twenty taels in loose silver from her sleeve, offering them forward. "It's not much, but it's at least a token of my gratitude."
Juanhua quietly tugged at her sleeve, whispering, "Didn't Madam say that the Song family is granting 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.
Aunt Song was taken aback once more. Even though she disliked Xianglan, she inwardly praised her for having principles. She pushed the silver back toward Xianglan and said, "Consider this silver my gift to you. Use it for your dowry later."
Xianglan didn't refuse again. She kowtowed once more and said, "Thank you for your grace, Madam."
Now, Aunt Song found Xianglan increasingly pleasing and urgently sent someone with Song Tanchai to fetch Xianglan's deed of sale, as if afraid Xianglan might change her mind. She hastily dispatched the steward to handle the emancipation procedures. Just then, Qin Shi sent someone to invite Aunt Song and Song Tanchai to watch an opera, so Xianglan remained alone in the room, sitting idly. The certificate of emancipation arrived by the hour of the Goat (1–3 p.m.). Because it was the New Year period, no one was working at the government office except for a minor clerk on duty. They had no choice but to ask someone to use some silver to get the matter properly settled.
Xianglan clutched the emancipation document tightly, reading it over and over, then hurried home. She had pondered until midnight the previous day and finally decided to ask Aunt Song for redemption. Firstly, Lin Jinlou's threats still echoed in her ears—if he came to Aunt Song to demand her, Aunt Song would surely agree. Secondly, if Song Ke passed the spring imperial examinations, there would inevitably be daughters from prominent families seeking marriage alliances with him. If Song Ke changed his heart, and her deed of sale remained in the Song family's hands, she would lose her autonomy. Thirdly, what she yearned for most was this very freedom. She felt incredibly joyful, suddenly thinking that yesterday's humiliation by Lin Jinlou was nothing. Previously, she hadn't dared to ask, partly because she feared Aunt Song wouldn't agree due to Song Ke's instructions, and if word got back to Song Ke, it would be awkward; partly because she was held back by a thread of tenderness for Song Ke, secretly wishing that as his maid, she could stay by his side a little longer.Xianglan fastened her cloak and stepped out of 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 masters had gathered for opera, gambling, arrow-throwing, and mahjong—the distant clamor of their revelry faintly audible. Xianglan thought to herself, "It was fine when I came to pay respects this morning—those gentlemen drank late into the night and certainly wouldn't rise so early. But now it's midday. I wonder if that Eldest Master Lou has gone out for New Year visits. Running into him would be disastrous. Better take a secluded path—though longer, it's safer." She detoured onto a quiet trail. Most maids, servants, and matrons—aside from a few on duty—had either gathered to amuse themselves or left to visit relatives for New Year's tea, making the path increasingly tranquil.
Xianglan quickened her pace 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 woman embracing.
Startled, she halted immediately and ducked behind an ancient pine to peer cautiously. Just then, the girl turned her head, her hood removed by the man to reveal a face as pale and smooth as jade—before he leaned in to kiss her.
Xianglan gasped, covering her mouth in shock—the girl was none other than Lin Dongling!
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