Hua Mei and Luan'er were standing under the corridor waiting for Xianglan's reply. While Hua Mei was chatting warmly with Tinglan at the doorway, Luan'er grew rather impatient. Waving her handkerchief, she sneered at Hua Mei, "This newly arrived girl certainly puts on grand airs, making us wait here anxiously. I might tolerate it, but you're a Concubine—how can you endure her stepping all over you like this?"
Hua Mei remained dressed in extremely gaudy attire, wearing a peony eight-group purple silk jacket, a satin red skirt, with just a glimpse of water-green embroidered shoes showing. She wore a gold hairpin, jade hairpin ornament, and two-bead rings on her head, her face heavily powdered and rouged. Covering her mouth with a fan, she tittered, "She's someone Master had his eye on long ago, not some newcomer. You should watch your words, sister. Didn't you see she moved directly into the Main House? I'm just like a 'late autumn cattail fan'—no one cares for me anymore. Now I must keep my distance even more. Why provoke her unnecessarily?"
This only fueled Luan'er's anger further. Already jealous of Xianglan and resentful that Lin Jinlou had taken a new concubine so soon after elevating her status, she had been stewing in frustration all night with no outlet. She burst out angrily, "I never took you for a coward, yet now you've lost your nerve before that little Concubine! She's new—she should be paying respects to you. We come to her, and she puts on airs instead! Pah! Does she really think she's the mistress of the Main House?"
Hua Mei merely fanned herself, a faint smile playing on her lips, but said nothing. Tinglan had long fallen silent.
Feeling increasingly emboldened, Luan'er strode toward the door, declaring, "I refuse to believe this! Let me confront that little Concubine once—then she'll learn her place!"
Before she finished speaking, Chun Ling emerged blocking the doorway, sneering, "My, who's so fiery this early in the morning, daring to barge inside? It seems someone has forgotten the rules Master established years ago: without the owner's permission, no Concubine or Female Servant may set foot half a step into the Main House. Didn't someone get scolded by Master over this just yesterday? Have they no memory?"
Luan'er flushed crimson, pointing at Chun Ling, "You insolent servant! Who do you think you're talking to?"
Chun Ling planted her hands on her hips and retorted scornfully, "Who am I talking to? I'm talking to a servant seed—aren't you one? You've only just been promoted to 'girl' status, not even a new concubine yet, no better than the rest of us, and already you act like a proper mistress, disregarding all rules! Calling others 'servant'—you ought to be ashamed!"
Chun Ling had always been sharp-tongued. Luan'er clenched her fists, wanting to argue back, but upon reflection, realized Chun Ling's words were entirely justified. Being not particularly articulate herself, she stood speechless, her face turning purple with rage.
Tinglan hurriedly tugged at Luan'er's sleeve, saying, "Enough, enough, it's nothing serious. Let's all go to my room for some tea."
Luan'er violently shook off Tinglan's arm. When Tinglan tried pulling her again several times, Luan'er threw her off once more, pointing at Chun Ling and sneering, "Fine, you servant! This isn't over between us!"
Chun Ling sneered back, "Even if you report this to Sister Shuran, I'm not afraid! Or go complain to Master—see if I care!"
Naturally, Hua Mei watched the conflict from a safe distance, fanning herself, her eyes shifting between them, the corners of her mouth slightly upturned, without uttering a single word.Chun Ling said to Hua Mei, "Our young lady appreciates the Concubine's kindness, but she's truly unwell today. She just took some medicine and has gone to sleep. Let's wait until she feels better."
Hua Mei smiled warmly and said, "Ah, how thoughtless of me! That's just as well. We sisters can gather another day." With that, she swayed gracefully away.
Chun Ling shot Luan'er a glance, snorted, and turned back into the room.
Xiao Juan approached and said, "Isn't it unwise to offend Luan'er like this?"
Chun Ling replied, "What's there to fear? Xianglan has just returned. If we remain silent now, they'll all think we're easy to bully. You know exactly what these people are like." She then peeked into the inner room and saw Xianglan still gazing at the orchid, letting out a deep sigh.
Meanwhile, Luan'er, humiliated by Chun Ling's treatment, was fuming. She immediately went to Shuran to complain. Shuran tapped Luan'er on the forehead and said, "You! You! Give me less trouble! Last night already brought enough displeasure, and the Master hasn't gotten over it yet. With a new arrival, how can you stir up more trouble?"
Instead of getting sympathy, Luan'er received a scolding. Muttering under her breath, she left in displeasure.
Hua Mei, however, was more calculating. After returning and thinking for a while, she quietly sent the young servant from the corridor to deliver a message to Lin Jinlou. She proposed using her silver to host a banquet for Xianglan "to express sisterly affection" and requested Lin Jinlou return early that evening to join them for drinks. Lin Jinlou was naturally pleased and returned from the military camp even before lantern-lighting time.
As he entered the courtyard, Hua Mei came forward to greet him, wearing a troubled expression. "I must apologize, Master. Xianglan isn't feeling well, so tonight's banquet might not happen. It's all my fault for not considering carefully enough." She glanced at Lin Jinlou's expression and continued, "I had only good intentions, thinking that with a new sister joining us to serve you together, eating and sleeping side by side, we'd become closer than family. I planned to use my silver for a feast, inviting Ying Ge and Luan'er to enjoy ourselves in the room, so I sent word to you. But when we went to invite Xianglan, she never showed herself and didn't even let me and Luan'er into her room. She must truly be unwell. Luan'er, being straightforward, even exchanged some sharp words with Chun Ling... Ah, it's all my fault..."
Lin Jinlou raised an eyebrow and asked, "Is the banquet prepared?"
Hua Mei paused, then said, "The small kitchen has already prepared your favorite dishes..."
Lin Jinlou nodded and said, "Excellent. Send someone to ask what Xianglan likes to eat and add a few more dishes. The silver will come from my account." With that, he glanced at Xi Que beside Hua Mei, who hurried off to comply.Lin Jinlou turned and entered the eastern wing. Hua Mei quickly followed behind to attend to him, serving tea and arranging fruits, then preparing hot water for him to wash his face. She chattered incessantly: "Sister Luan'er is still young and too hot-tempered. Today she got angry after waiting just a little while under the corridor and barged into the room. Chun Ling came out and said, 'She just got promoted to a lady, not even a new concubine yet, no better than us, but already acts like a proper mistress, disregarding all rules, calling us "slaves" one after another.' I also think she puts on more airs than the previous mistress, and she said I'm too weak, that I shouldn't indulge Xianglan's arrogance like that. Ah, when I saw her arguing with Chun Ling, I didn't dare intervene too much..."
In Hua Mei's heart, Luan'er was her primary rival. Although Xianglan was always on Lin Jinlou's mind, she had no backing in the mansion and was meek by nature. Lin Jinlou was the type to lose interest after a couple of days of novelty, so no matter what, Xianglan wasn't a threat. But Luan'er was different. She was personally given by the old madam, which made her status superior—even Hua Mei had to yield to her. Moreover, Luan'er's cousin Shuran was Lin Jinlou's most trusted person, the head steward of Knowing Spring Pavilion. Although Luan'er had a bad temper, she was pretty and skilled in playing and singing. Lin Jinlou often called her to perform when drinking, which made Hua Mei particularly jealous. Especially since Luan'er always had to dominate everything—she even changed her name as soon as she arrived, placing herself above everyone else. If such a person wasn't dealt with and was allowed to become a new concubine, where would that leave Hua Mei?
Lin Jinlou waved his hand and said, "Come here, I have something to tell you."
Hua Mei giggled and scurried to the base of the window, cooing, "Oh, with that dark face of yours, it's quite frightening. I don't dare go over."
Lin Jinlou's expression remained calm, his thick eyebrows slightly raised. "Come here."
Hua Mei, being perceptive, saw that Lin Jinlou wasn't in the mood for banter and immediately composed herself, walking properly to stand before him. Lin Jinlou said, "Hua Mei, you're the cleverest in the room. But don't be too clever and take me for a fool, or you'll end up causing trouble for yourself."
Hua Mei's heart skipped a beat. She looked up and saw Lin Jinlou's half-smile, his eyes cold as lightning, making her shiver involuntarily. She forced a smile and said, "What are you talking about, Master? I don't understand."
Lin Jinlou glanced at her indifferently, then picked up his tea bowl to drink, saying nothing more.
Hua Mei's heart pounded with anxiety, and she couldn't help but serve him even more attentively. Before long, a maid brought in four small green dishes with delicate silver-thread vegetables, along with candied fruits and fine pastries. Ying Ge and Luan'er arrived, both dressed elaborately and swaying gracefully.
Lin Jinlou sat on the heated brick bed, with Hua Mei on his right. Luan'er immediately took the seat on his left, while Ying Ge sat to the right below.
Lin Jinlou asked, "Why hasn't Xianglan come yet?"
Xi Que entered the room and said, "Miss Xianglan says she's not feeling well and can't come."
Luan'er sneered, "What airs! She just decides not to come?"
Lin Jinlou's face darkened, and he stood up abruptly, heading straight for the main house. He found Xianglan lying on the bed in the side room, covered with a brocade quilt, her eyes tightly closed.
Lin Jinlou yanked the quilt off and pointed at her, saying, "Pushing your luck, are you? Do I have to invite you personally?"Xianglan lay motionless. Chun Ling hurried forward and said, "Master, the young lady truly isn't feeling well..." Her voice then dropped to a mosquito-like whisper, "She just had medicine applied..."
Lin Jinlou was taken aback, immediately understanding the reason. He rubbed his nose and sat on the edge of the bed. After a long pause, he said calmly, "No matter how unwell you are, you still need to eat. A feast has been set up in the east chamber, with stir-fried dishes you like."
Xianglan remained still, thinking: How hateful this bandit tyrant is! She had already been violated by him—couldn't she even hide away for some peace? His revelries with his concubines were none of her concern. She'd rather starve all night than share a meal with him.
Lin Jinlou let out a scornful laugh. Chun Ling and Xiao Juan exchanged glances. Just as Chun Ling was about to speak, Lin Jinlou said, "Both of you, withdraw." With no alternative, the two reluctantly left.
Lin Jinlou leaned down, close to Xianglan's ear, and said, "Your stubbornness is useless. Think of your parents. Don't imagine that just because you're freed from servitude, I can't control you anymore. You know full well what my temper is like."
Xianglan kept her eyes shut, but tears streamed down her long eyelashes.
Suddenly, she felt herself being lifted. Startled, she opened her eyes to find Lin Jinlou holding her horizontally in his arms. He smiled at her and said, "I'm carrying you over—this is an immense honor I'm bestowing upon you. Wipe those tears away; don't spoil the mood with all this crying.Thank you to 080602195532612 for the sachet, yu21yu21 for two Peace Talismans, Sukiishi, 58o13, 可愛莫, and sudaez for the Peace Talismans, and also thank you all for the pink votes! Work has been very busy lately, and I'm someone with a frail constitution who tires easily. Moreover, we've reached a crucial part of the novel where I need to consolidate and refine the outline, so the pace has slowed down. Please forgive me!
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