Five days later, Lin Jinlou indeed sent a carriage to the Chen Family to fetch Xianglan into the mansion. Though Xianglan was unwilling in every possible way, she had no choice but to pack her belongings and follow along. Before her departure, Xue Shi, with tears in her eyes, tugged at Xianglan’s sleeve and said, "Why don’t I go and beg Eldest Master Lin? No matter how much silver he wants, we’ll give it even if it means losing everything we have, just to plead for your release..."
Jixiang, 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 Eldest 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 a way to endure these days. In a couple of days, I’ll come home to visit Father and Mother."
Jixiang gave a meaningful glance, and Liu Pozi, who had been 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 a life of fortune—something many people long for but cannot obtain. If you keep crying like this, Madam, you’ll only upset her." This Liu Pozi had originally served in the Hall of Knowing Spring and held some prestige. When Lin Jinlou assigned her to the Chen Family to serve those of servant origins, she was quite displeased. But now, seeing Jixiang personally come to fetch Xianglan, she couldn’t help but marvel inwardly, thinking, "My nephew holds great prestige and favor in the Eldest Master’s eyes—everyone calls him ‘Head Steward.’ For the Eldest Master to send him to fetch Xianglan shows how highly he regards this girl. Who knows if she might have a great future ahead!" Her attitude grew increasingly enthusiastic and warm.
Jixiang also offered a few words of comfort beside them. Only then did Xianglan wipe away her tears, bid farewell, and follow Jixiang and the others back to the Lin mansion.
When they arrived at the side gate of the Lin mansion, Shu Ran was already waiting there with two older women. Upon seeing Xianglan, she beamed with a smile and greeted her warmly, stepping forward to take the bundle from Xianglan’s hands. She then affectionately helped Xianglan into a small sedan chair, which carried her all the way to the Hall of Knowing Spring.
After Xianglan stepped out of the sedan chair, Shu Ran led her straight to the main room. The courtyard was eerily quiet, with not even a maid or older woman watering plants or sweeping in sight. Xianglan kept her head lowered as she walked directly into the room, unaware that in the side rooms on either side, Huamei, Yingge, and others were staring wide-eyed at her through the carved lattice windows.
Once inside the room, Shu Ran handed the bundle to a maid stationed at the door and guided Xianglan to sit down, saying with a smile, "The Eldest Master has given orders that from now on, you are to reside in the eastern side room. Everything you might need has long been prepared. I wonder what you usually like to eat, drink, or use, and if there’s anything you avoid? With no Da Nǎinai in the mansion at present, arrangements may not be thorough. Although I am married now, I’ve returned to manage affairs in the Hall of Knowing Spring. Now that you’re here, I can finally take it easy."
Xianglan, feeling deeply despondent, forced herself to perk up upon hearing Shu Ran’s words. She looked up and indeed noticed that Shu Ran now wore her hair in a married woman’s style. Shu Ran continued, "The Eldest Master has instructed me to assign two maids to serve you. They are both familiar faces from your past. If you’re not satisfied with them, you may replace them as you wish." With that, she ordered two maids to be brought in—they turned out to be Xiao Juan and Chunling.
Xiao Juan appeared overjoyed, her eyes reddening at the sight of Xianglan. Chunling remained calm and composed. Both paid their respects to Xianglan, who quickly stood up, stepped forward, and took their hands. A tightness gripped her throat, rendering her unable to utter a single word.Shu Ran smiled and said, "I'll go check if your belongings have been arranged properly. The side chamber has been cleaned, so you can go rest there. If you need anything, just let me know." With that, she withdrew.
Immediately, Xiao Juan tugged at Xianglan's sleeve, exclaiming, "Oh heavens, oh earth! Just yesterday I was thinking of you, and now you're back! This is wonderful!"
Chunling, noticing Xianglan's faintly troubled expression, pulled Xiao Juan aside and asked Xianglan, "How... how did you end up returning?"
Xianglan sighed and said, "It's a long story." Then she bowed deeply to Chunling and added, "I haven't yet thanked you for saving my life."
Chunling stepped aside, reaching out to support Xianglan, and said with a smile, "I don't deserve such a formal gesture from you now."
Xianglan gave a bitter laugh, shook her head, and gazed at the green leaves on the branches outside the window, murmuring, "What does deserving matter? I was a servant before, and now I'm just a plaything."
Chunling heard this clearly and quickly pulled Xianglan's arm, glancing around before whispering, "Don't say such things! If someone with ill intentions overhears, who knows what rumors they'll spread! Although that ogress is gone, the Hall of Knowing Spring isn't exactly a peaceful place either." She then led Xianglan to the eastern side chamber, adding, "The Eldest 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, quietly breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing that Lin Jinlou was not there.
The eastern side chamber adjoined the bedroom, separated only by a curio shelf. By the window stood a bed, spread with a crimson satin mattress embroidered with golden coin patterns and pythons, backed by a green satin cushion featuring ink wash painting of colorful rippling water patterns and mandarin duck embroidery, along with an autumn-scented brocade headrest. It was draped with soft lilac silk curtains. Beside it stood a small foreign-lacquered table in crabapple blossom design, holding a cloisonné vase inlaid with purple gold, filled with a bunch of night-blooming jasmine. Next to the table was a blackwood cabinet, and on the other side were two chairs and a small square stand bearing tea bowls and other items.
Xianglan simply sat on the bed, lost in thought.
Seeing that no one else was around, Chunling sat down beside her and, after a moment's thought, said, "I don't know how you ended up back in the mansion, but since the Eldest Master assigned me to serve you, it shows he intends to elevate you. Now that you're here, don't dwell on pointless thoughts—it'll only make things harder for yourself. The Hall of Knowing Spring is much quieter than before. Huamei has been promoted to concubine and lives in the eastern wing. Yingge stays shut in her room all day, never coming out, and claims to be ill. There's also Luanr, whom Old Madam gave to the Eldest Master. When the Eldest Master went to the capital, she insisted on following to serve him. She's Shu Ran's cousin, and because of that connection, the Eldest Master favored her and made her his bedchamber attendant."
Xiao Juan interjected, "She's quite formidable. She can play a few tunes on the pipa, and the Eldest Master always likes having her attend him during meals at home, occasionally asking her to play a piece or two. She's even more favored than Huamei! Her original name was Keren, but she seized a moment when the Eldest Master was in high spirits to request changing her name to Luanr, saying it was what she was called before entering the mansion. Goodness, 'Luan'—as in the mythical luan bird! Isn't that much nobler than a little bird like Huamei? And the Eldest Master actually agreed. Huamei and Yingge both looked very displeased."Chunling said, "But a few days ago, for some reason, she dropped the jade pendant from the Eldest Master's waist and cracked it, which displeased him. He scolded her a couple of times, but who would have thought she dared to talk back? The Eldest Master ignored her, but since then, he has been colder toward her and hasn't allowed her to serve him recently. Instead, Huamei made two sets of clothes for the Eldest Master, putting on a virtuous act, and managed to have him stay overnight in the eastern wing."
Xianglan found these power plays for favor tedious, but knowing Chunling and Xiao Juan meant well, she forced herself to perk up and said, "Let them do as they please. As long as they don't provoke me, I'll steer clear of them. I only entered service here because the Eldest Master saved my father, so I'm repaying his kindness. As for anything else, I don't want to think too much about it."
Chunling and Xiao Juan exchanged glances. Xiao Juan was about to say more, but Chunling tugged at her sleeve and changed the subject: "Besides the two of us, 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 said to Xiao Juan, "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 in a flash.
Chunling then busied herself tidying up the luggage Xianglan had brought and introduced the maids to her. Seeing that Xianglan seemed indifferent to everything, she took it upon herself to make decisions on her behalf. Xianglan was inwardly mourning her own fate—even 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 change anything. Since things have come to this, I have no choice but to endure and bide my time until I can find a way to leave this place."
Xianglan shook off her despondency and looked up, only to see that Chunling had already stored all the clothes from her bundle into a chest, locked the two or three 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, showcasing the demeanor of a senior maid, even more adept than before.
It turned out that after Qinglan's death, Chunling had been idling in the Hall of Knowing Spring. 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 residence, losing all her former prestige. Yesterday, Shu Ran suddenly summoned her and Xiao Juan, informing them that starting the next day, they would serve Xianglan. Chunling was surprised and felt somewhat awkward, but she also saw it as an opportunity. To be fair, Xianglan had a gentle and uncontentious nature, making her easy to get along with. Although they had had some conflicts in the past, Chunling had saved her at a critical moment, and because of this debt of gratitude, they could be considered allies. Chunling then resolved to serve Xianglan as she would a concubine like Qinglan, hoping to regain her dignity and live up to her own capabilities, which was why she was so diligent.
Before long, Xiao Juan returned with the food. Chunling set the dishes on the kang table and noted silently that Xianglan only ate some light fare. Xiao Juan, being simple-minded, was just happy that Xianglan was someone she got along with and felt that she would no longer be mistreated in the future. In her delight, she ate an extra bowl of rice. After the meal, Xiao Juan chattered away, first about how despicable Zhao Yuechan was, then about Lin Jinlou's concubines, and finally about Lin Dongqi's upcoming marriage in a couple of days.
Xianglan listened half-heartedly.Chunling entered quietly with a set of casual clothes in hand, smiling as she said, "The Eldest Master won't be back until evening. That outfit looks rather uncomfortable—why not change into something else?"
Xianglan turned her head and saw Chunling holding a soft silk gauze garment patterned with chrysanthemums, gold bamboo leaves, and branches. After a glance, Xianglan remarked, "This isn't my clothing."
Chunling replied with a smile, "It was prepared earlier and stored in the trunks. The Eldest Master had two chests of brand-new seasonal clothes delivered."
Noticing how sheer the fabric was—so thin that the color of her undergarments would show through—Xianglan let out a cold laugh. "How could anyone wear such a thing? Does he take me for some sort of Rouge powder plaything?" She proceeded to fetch her own clothes to change into.
Chunling looked awkward, thinking to herself, "This material is of the finest quality—several young ladies in the mansion have been longing for a bolt to make intimate wear. It's both beautiful and lightweight. Though it may be a bit revealing for casual wear, what does it matter when you're staying indoors and not receiving guests?" She refrained from saying more and simply helped Xianglan change.
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