To tell two different stories at once, let’s focus on one branch first.
Shuran had just stepped out of the room and was walking behind the house when someone suddenly called out, “Sister!” Startled, she turned and saw Luan’er standing behind a cluster of banana leaves, clutching a handkerchief, her face stern and sullen.
Shuran approached and asked, “It’s time for lunch. Why are you standing here?”
Luan’er gestured toward the house with her chin and said, “Has that little vixen moved in?”
Shuran’s expression darkened immediately. “Nonsense! What little vixen?”
Luan’er sneered, “Isn’t she just a little vixen? The moment she arrived, she went straight into the Main House—that’s a place reserved for the future mistress. Is she even worthy?”
Shuran replied, “That was Master’s arrangement. She’s to serve closely and stay in the side chamber.” Rubbing her temples, she took Luan’er’s hand and said, “Dear sister, please mind your words. Last time, you angered the Master, and he still won’t pay you any attention. I don’t dare plead your case too strongly. When the Master is in a good mood, everything is wonderful. If you act a little spoiled, he’ll patiently coax you. But if he truly gets angry, not even the heavens can rein him in. Why bring trouble upon yourself? Quickly put away that prideful attitude of yours.”
Luan’er looked uncomfortable. She was well aware of what Shuran said, but in the past, whenever she acted a little willful, Lin Jinlou would coax her with gentle words, making her feel cherished and adored. Once she had tasted that sweetness, she couldn’t let it go. But Lin Jinlou was a fickle man; once the novelty wore off, he no longer paid her any mind. How could she bear it? She couldn’t resist testing him with her moods, hoping to draw his affection again, only to have her plan backfire. Too proud to admit her mistake, Luan’er remained stubbornly at odds with him.
Shuran sighed and patted Luan’er’s hand. “Oh, you… you’re still too young. Listen to me: later, take some soup to the Master and apologize. You won’t lose anything by it. And don’t provoke Xianglan. Hua Mei is a proper Concubine, and even she hasn’t said a word. Why must you be the one to make a fuss?”
Tears welled in Luan’er’s eyes as she said, “I just can’t stand it. It hasn’t even been three months since the Master favored me, and now there’s someone new…”
Shuran scoffed, “What did I tell you back then? I said to choose your path carefully and never regret it, but you wouldn’t listen. You insisted you had thought it through. Who can you blame now?”
Luan’er paled and fell silent.
Shuran sighed again, knowing her cousin was too stubborn to ever admit she was wrong.
From the moment Luan’er was born, her parents had her fortune told. The fortune-teller declared on the spot that this girl was no ordinary child—she was the reincarnation of a mythical luan bird. Even if she didn’t become an imperial consort, she was destined to be a lady of high status, destined for a life of wealth and luxury. Whether the fortune-teller was spouting nonsense was anyone’s guess, but Luan’er’s parents believed it with all their hearts. They pampered their daughter from childhood. Next door to their home lived an opera troupe, and the masters there taught Luan’er a few skills. Over time, she became proficient at playing the pipa and singing melodies. She also learned to read and write, memorizing Tang poems and Song lyrics, and her demeanor and bearing gradually set her apart. As she grew older, she blossomed into a beauty—with delicate eyebrows, slender eyes, an elegant nose, and rosy lips. Her skin was flawless, her frame slender, and her waist supple. Everyone praised her, saying, “Look at that girl—her speech and manners are so refined. They say she’s skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. She’s no ordinary servant’s child; she carries herself like a young lady.”Luan'er, having grown up amidst constant praise from others and repeatedly hearing her parents boast about her extraordinary birth chart and future wealth and nobility, increasingly saw herself as refined and extraordinary, destined to rise above the common folk. Unconsciously, she became arrogant, looking down on ordinary matters. After reading some romantic novels about talented scholars and beautiful ladies, she became convinced that she was a phoenix unfortunately fallen among common servants, waiting only for a young master as handsome as Pan An and as wealthy as Fan Li to recognize her worth, rescue her from hardship, and thereafter live a life so blissful that even immortals would envy them.
The moment Luan'er laid eyes on Lin Jinlou, her heart instantly raced. She felt he was the true hero who could recognize her worth and was determined to play out a grand drama of passionate love with him. Yet, contrary to her expectations, Lin Jinlou showed no such interest, merely treating Luan'er as a maid who could sing tunes for amusement, and soon turned his attention to bringing Xianglan into the household.
Shuran paused and said, "You should go back now. Tomorrow, I'll take you to see the Master. Say a few soft words, and I'll help smooth things over from the side. Let's just put this matter behind us. From now on, speak less, and whatever you do, don't provoke Xianglan at this critical time. Learn a thing or two from Hua Mei."
Luan'er snorted, "Learn from her? Hiding like a turtle all day—I don't see what's so remarkable about her." Her voice, however, had softened considerably. Shuran knew Luan'er had already relented and sighed inwardly once more. She gently advised Luan'er a few more words before the two went their separate ways.
That evening, after the lamps were lit, Lin Jinlou had still not returned. Xianglan felt restless and uneasy, unable to eat properly. She hastily took a few bites before putting down her chopsticks.
Chun Ling brightened the candle and sat with Xiao Juan, trying to cheer Xianglan up with light conversation. Noticing Xianglan's distracted state, she soon had the maidservant bring in water for washing up and removing makeup. After blowing out the lamp, they quietly withdrew.
Xianglan lay on the bed in the eastern side room, feeling as if her heart had been fried in oil—anxious and agitated. She stared blankly at the bed canopy, lost in thought. After what felt like an eternity, as she was drifting into a hazy sleep, she suddenly heard a commotion in the courtyard. Someone slammed the door open, and Shuangxi's voice rang out, "Quick! Bring the Master some sobering soup and a hot towel for his face!"
Startled, Xianglan sat up in bed, her palms sweating. She quietly parted the bed curtains a crack and saw that outside was already brightly lit, with maids and old women bustling about. The sounds of fetching water, urging Lin Jinlou to drink the sobering soup, and his own loud commands soon blended into a chaotic chorus.
Xianglan initially had no intention of going out, but she feared that hiding in bed pretending to be asleep might anger that devil and lead to further troubles, making life even harder. Gritting her teeth, she thought to herself, "Whether I face it or hide from it, the outcome is the same. I can't avoid this forever!" So she got out of bed, put on her shoes, threw on an embroidered cloak with a pattern of butterflies among flowers, and quietly stepped out.
Leaning against the curio cabinet, she saw Lin Jinlou slouched in the master's chair at the head of the hall, surrounded by several maids. Shuangxi had already left. Among them stood a young woman wearing a pomegranate-red silk dress embroidered with gold, who seemed distinct from the others. Xianglan took a quick glance and noted that this girl had delicate eyebrows and eyes. While her features were not striking individually, they came together on her face with a unique charm. Coupled with her slender figure, she stood out among the maids of the Lin Family.Xianglan thought to herself, "This must be Luan'er."
She saw her holding a bowl of soup, clearly very concerned but wearing a cold expression as if Lin Jinlou were an unruly child. Chiding him, she said, "You should drink less at social gatherings outside. Coming back so drunk, what if you fell off your horse?"
Lin Jinlou impatiently furrowed his brows.
Luan'er handed him the soup and said, "This is chicken soup. Have a few sips while it's hot."
Luan'er's maid, Cun Xin, quickly added, "Miss simmered this soup for two hours to bring out the flavor. The meat is so tender it melts in your mouth, and she kept it on a low heat to prevent it from cooling. She added many medicinal herbs to nourish your health... Master, you can see how much effort Miss has put into this."
Luan'er scolded Cun Xin, "Must you talk so much!" Then she eagerly offered the soup bowl again.
Luan'er thought that as long as Lin Jinlou drank the soup, their previous disagreement would be forgotten. Unexpectedly, Lin Jinlou sneered and said, "Who told you to come here? You're becoming more and more unruly. Do you think you can just barge in here whenever you want? Get out!"
The smile on Luan'er's face instantly froze. Lin Jinlou glared at her and said, "I told you to get out. Can't you understand human speech?"
Tears welled up in Luan'er's eyes. Cun Xin, however, was quick-witted. She hastily placed the soup bowl on a small side table and hurriedly pulled Luan'er away.
Lin Jinlou rubbed his temples. He had spent the evening dealing with a group of cunning old foxes—men with white beards who still wanted to meddle in the affairs of canal transport and salt inspection, without even asking if he agreed. The banquet was essentially a battlefield without swords, and though he returned triumphant and ambitious, he felt exhausted and had no patience for the clever, flirtatious women in the mansion trying to outsmart him.
Lin Jinlou drank a cup of hot tea by his side, stood up, and stretched. Turning his head, he noticed a faint figure standing beside the curio cabinet, her long hair cascading down, framing a delicate, snow-white face. Lin Jinlou was momentarily startled but felt his mood lift slightly as he strode over.
Xianglan was startled and instinctively took two steps back, her small hands clutching the hem of her clothes tightly, her body pressed against the wall, trembling timidly.
Lin Jinlou reached out and stroked Xianglan's face, then lifted her chin, gazing into her eyes with a smile. "I almost forgot—I sent someone to fetch you this morning. It's so late and you're still awake. Were you waiting for me?"
Xianglan didn't know how to respond. Her eyes flickered briefly before she lowered her gaze.
The maids and old women, sensing the situation, tactfully withdrew. Xianglan heard the soft "thud" of the door closing and felt her heart tighten. Before she could collect herself, Lin Jinlou had already lowered his head and kissed her cheek, planting two gentle kisses before capturing her lips in a soft, teasing peck.
Xianglan caught the scent of wine, powder, and a fresh, intense masculine aura. Her eyes widened, and she trembled like a leaf clinging to a branch in autumn, too afraid to move. Her hands clenched into tight fists, her nails digging into her palms.
Lin Jinlou found the girl in his arms sweet, soft, and smooth—the sensation was so delightful that he was captivated from the moment he kissed her. He chuckled softly and kissed the base of her ear, whispering, "Don't be afraid." As he spoke, his hand slipped inside her clothes.Xianglan bit her lip and closed her eyes to endure, yet found it even more unbearable with them shut, so she quickly opened them again. Lin Jinlou, feeling she was dressed too heavily, rasped, "Didn't I have two chests of new clothes made for you? Why aren't you wearing them?"
Xianglan widened her eyes.
Lin Jinlou kissed her mouth, then with a forceful lift of his arms, swept her up horizontally and carried her into the bedroom.
Thank you to fat wanghua001 for the sachet, and to everyone for the pink votes ^_^
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