Five days later, Lin Jinlou indeed sent a carriage to the Chen family to fetch Xianglan into the mansion. Despite Xianglan's extreme reluctance, she had no choice but to pack her belongings and follow along. Before her departure, Xue Shi, tears in her eyes, tugged at Xianglan's sleeve and said, "Perhaps I should go beg Master Lin. No matter how much silver he demands, we'll give everything we have, just to plead for your return..."
Ji Xiang, who had come to fetch Xianglan, was startled upon hearing this and hurriedly advised, "Aunt Xue, you must never mention such words again. Is the Lin Family short of silver? What the Master values is the person."
Xue Shi's tears continued to fall uncontrollably. Xianglan forced a smile and comforted her, "This isn't a life-or-death parting, why cry so bitterly? There will always be days to endure and overcome. In a couple of days, I'll come home to visit Father and Mother."
Ji Xiang gave a meaningful glance, and Granny Liu, sent by the Lin Family, immediately stepped forward to support Xue Shi's arm, smiling as she said, "The young lady is going to the mansion to enjoy good fortune—something many people long for but cannot obtain. If you keep crying like this, Madam, you'll only upset her." This Granny Liu had originally served at Knowing Spring Pavilion and held some status. Though initially displeased at being assigned to the Chen family to serve those of servant origins, seeing Ji Xiang personally fetch Xianglan made her inwardly gasp in surprise. She thought, "My nephew holds great prestige and favor before the Master—everyone calls him 'Head Steward.' For the Master to send him to fetch Xianglan shows how highly he regards this girl. Who knows what great fortune might await her in the future!" Her attitude grew increasingly warm and attentive.
Ji Xiang also offered a few words of comfort nearby. Only then did Xianglan wipe her tears, bid farewell, and follow Ji Xiang and the others back to the Lin Family.
At the side gate of the Lin mansion, Shuran was already waiting with two old women. Upon seeing Xianglan, she beamed with a smile, greeted her warmly, stepped forward to take the bundle from her hands, and affectionately helped her into a small sedan chair, which carried her all the way to Knowing Spring Pavilion.
After Xianglan alighted from the sedan chair, Shuran led her straight to the main room. The courtyard was eerily quiet, with not even a maid or old woman watering plants or sweeping in sight. Xianglan walked into the room with her head lowered, unaware that in the side rooms on both sides, Hua Mei, Ying Ge, and others were staring wide-eyed through the carved lattice windows, watching her intently.
Once inside, Shuran handed the bundle to the maid guarding the door and guided Xianglan to sit down, saying with a smile, "The Master has instructed that from now on, you are to reside in the eastern chamber. Everything you might need has long been prepared. We're not sure what you usually like to eat, drink, or use, or if you have any aversions? Currently, the mansion lacks a mistress, so arrangements might be inadequate. Although I'm married now, I've returned to manage affairs at Knowing Spring Pavilion. With your arrival, I might finally get some leisure."
Xianglan was feeling despondent, but upon hearing Shuran's words, she forced herself to perk up. Looking up, she indeed noticed Shuran wore her hair in a married woman's style. Shuran continued, "The Master has asked me to assign two maids for your service—both are old acquaintances of yours. If you're not satisfied with them, you may replace them directly." With that, she ordered two maids to be brought in—they turned out to be Xiao Juan and Chun Ling.
Xiao Juan appeared overjoyed, her eyes reddening at the sight of Xianglan. Chun Ling remained calm. Both paid their respects to Xianglan. Xianglan quickly stood up, stepped forward to take their hands, and felt a tightness in her throat, unable to utter a single word.Shuran smiled and said, "I'll go check if your belongings have been properly arranged. The side room has been cleaned—you can rest there for now. If you need anything, just let me know." With that, she withdrew.
Immediately, Xiao Juan tugged at Xianglan's sleeve, exclaiming with delight, "Heavens! Just yesterday I was thinking of you, and now you’re back! This is wonderful!"
Chun Ling, noticing Xianglan’s subdued expression, gently pulled Xiao Juan aside and asked Xianglan, "How... how did you end up returning?"
Xianglan sighed. "It’s a long story." Then she bowed deeply to Chun Ling, adding, "I haven’t yet thanked you for saving my life."
Chun Ling stepped aside, reaching out to support Xianglan, and said with a laugh, "Such a gesture is beyond me now."
Xianglan gave a bitter smile and shook her head. Gazing out the window at the leafy branches, she murmured, "Beyond you or not, I was once a servant, and now I’m just a plaything."
Chun Ling heard her clearly and quickly tugged at Xianglan’s sleeve, glancing around before whispering, "Hush! If the wrong person overhears, who knows what rumors might spread! Though that ogress is gone, the Knowing Spring Pavilion is no peaceful place either." She then led Xianglan to the eastern side room, continuing, "The Master has gone to the military camp and has some social engagements outside. He won’t be back until evening."
Xianglan, who had been tense, breathed a quiet sigh of relief upon hearing that Lin Jinlou was absent.
The eastern side room adjoined the bedroom, separated only by a curio cabinet. By the window stood a bed spread with a crimson quilt embroidered with golden pythons, backed by a green satin bolster patterned with ink-splashed waves and mandarin ducks, and accompanied by an autumn-spice-colored brocade pillow. A soft lilac silk curtain hung around it. Beside it was a foreign lacquer side table in the shape of a crabapple blossom, holding a cloisonné vase adorned with purple and gold, filled with a bunch of night-blooming jasmine. Next to the table stood a blackwood cabinet, while on the other side were two chairs and a small square table bearing a tea bowl and other items.
Xianglan sat on the bed, lost in thought.
Seeing no one else around, Chun Ling sat down beside her and said after a moment’s reflection, "I don’t know how you ended up back in the mansion, but since the Master has assigned me to attend to you, it’s clear he intends to elevate you. Now that you’re here, don’t dwell on things—it’ll only make you miserable. The Knowing Spring Pavilion is much quieter than before. Hua Mei has been promoted to Concubine and lives in the east wing. Ying Ge stays shut in her room all day, claiming illness. There’s also Luan'er, whom the old Taitai gave to the Master. When he went to the capital, she insisted on accompanying him to serve. She’s Shuran’s cousin, and because of that connection, the Master favored her and made her his Bedchamber Attendant."
Xiao Juan chimed in, "She’s quite formidable—plays a few tunes on the pipa. Whenever the Master dines at home, he likes having her nearby to perform a piece or two. She’s even more favored than Hua Mei! Her original name was Kerren, but she seized a moment when the Master was in high spirits to request changing it to Luan'er, saying it was her name before entering the mansion. Goodness—‘Luan’ and ‘Phoenix’! Isn’t that far grander than a little bird like Hua Mei? And the Master agreed! Hua Mei and Ying Ge didn’t look pleased about it at all."Chun Ling said, "But a few days ago, for some reason, she dropped the Master’s waist jade pendant and cracked it, which displeased him. He scolded her a couple of times, but who would have thought she dared to talk back? The Master ignored her, but since then, he has been distant toward her and hasn’t allowed her to serve him recently. Instead, Hua Mei made two sets of clothes for the Master, putting on a virtuous act, and he ended up staying overnight in the eastern wing."
Xianglan found these power struggles tiresome, but knowing Chun Ling and Xiao Juan meant well, she roused herself and said, "Let them do as they please. As long as they don’t bother me, I’ll stay out of their way. I only entered service here because the Master saved my father—it’s my way of repaying his kindness. As for anything else, I don’t want to think about it."
Chun Ling and Xiao Juan exchanged glances. Xiao Juan was about to say more, but Chun Ling tugged at her sleeve and changed the subject, saying, "Besides us two, there are two other maids who specialize in needlework, along with nine young maids responsible for cleaning and running errands, and four elderly matrons." She then turned to Xiao Juan and said, "It’s almost noon—I wonder what the kitchen is preparing for the meal."
Xiao Juan jumped up, grinning, and said, "I’ll take a young maid to fetch the food." With that, she dashed off.
Chun Ling then busied herself organizing Xianglan’s luggage and introduced the maids to her. Seeing that Xianglan seemed indifferent to everything, Chun Ling took charge on her own. Xianglan was inwardly mourning her fate. Though the Lin Family mansion glittered with wealth, to her, it felt like a gilded cage. Moreover, Lin Jinlou was domineering and lustful, with a crowd of wives and concubines constantly scheming against one another. She sat in a daze for a long while before taking a deep breath and thinking to herself, "No matter how disheartened I am, it won’t help. Things have come to this, so I’ll just have to endure and look for an opportunity to leave this place slowly."
Xianglan shook off her despondency and looked up to see that Chun Ling had already stored all the clothes from her bundle into a chest, locked a few pieces of jewelry in a small drawer of the ebony cabinet, and was directing the young maids to fetch water and water the flowers. Everything was arranged in an orderly manner, displaying the demeanor of a head maid, even more experienced than before.
It turned out that after Qing Lan’s death, Chun Ling had been idle in the Knowing Spring Pavilion. She had wanted to return to Qin Shi’s service but hadn’t found an opportunity, so she had to take on odd jobs in the Main House, losing all her former prestige. Yesterday, Shuran had suddenly summoned her and Xiao Juan, informing them that from the next day onward, they would serve Xianglan. Chun Ling was surprised and felt somewhat awkward, but she also saw it as an opportunity. To be fair, Xianglan had an easygoing and uncontentious nature, making her pleasant to be around. Although they had had some conflicts in the past, Chun Ling had saved her at a critical moment, and because of this favor, Xianglan could be considered one of her own. Chun Ling resolved then to serve Xianglan as she would a concubine like Qing Lan, hoping to regain her dignity and live up to her own talents, so she applied herself diligently.
Before long, Xiao Juan returned with the food. Chun Ling set the meal on the heated brick bed table and noticed that Xianglan only ate some light dishes, silently taking note of it. Xiao Juan, being simple-minded, felt that Xianglan was her friend and would no longer suffer any grievances. In her delight, she ate an extra bowl of rice. After the meal, Xiao Juan chattered away, first about how detestable Zhao Yuechan was, then about Lin Jinlou’s concubines, and finally about Lin Dongqi’s upcoming wedding in a couple of days.
Xianglan listened half-heartedly.Chun Ling tiptoed in carrying a set of casual clothes, smiling as she said, "The Master won't be back until evening. That outfit looks rather uncomfortable—why not change into something else?"
Xianglan turned her head and saw Chun Ling holding a soft gauze silk garment patterned with chrysanthemums, gold bamboo leaves. After examining it, Xianglan remarked, "This isn't my clothing."
Chun Ling chuckled, "It's been prepared in the trunk for some time. The Master had two chests of brand-new seasonal clothes delivered."
Noticing how sheer the fabric was—enough to reveal the color of the waistcoat beneath—Xianglan let out a cold laugh. "How could anyone wear such a thing? Does he take me for some sing-song girl meant for his amusement?" She proceeded to fetch her own clothes to change into.
Chun Ling looked awkward, thinking to herself, "This material is top quality—several young ladies in the manor would love to have a bolt for intimate wear. It's lovely and lightweight. Though it may be a bit revealing for casual wear, what does it matter when staying indoors without receiving guests?" She refrained from saying more and simply helped Xianglan change.
Thank you to Hua Shan Lü Shui Zhou for the Peach Blossom Fan, Du Xiao Ba and bubu8915 for the sachets, 120829173542165, Mu Xing, and Bai Xi for the peace talismans, and also my gratitude to all who cast pink votes for me.
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