In the room, Nuanyue and the others gathered around Xianglan to chat. Seeing her low spirits and knowing she had been reprimanded by the young masters and ladies of the Lin Family that morning, likely feeling stifled and uncomfortable, they tactfully took their leave. Tinglan lingered, turning back after reaching the door. She approached Xianglan with an ingratiating smile and said, "I heard from Chun Ling that your skirt is missing a peach-pink tassel. I found some free time to make a few—you can tie them to your clothes or waist. There are also some smaller ones that can be used as fan pendants if you add jade or beads. See if you like them." As she spoke, she took out a small cloth bag and poured its contents onto the bed.
Xianglan looked and saw several exquisitely crafted tassels in peach pink, pine-flower green, delicate green, and bright red—each a different color, all vividly made.
Xianglan glanced up and noticed Tinglan’s overly eager expression, understanding her intentions. She thought to herself, "Back when Zhao Yuechan locked me up to sell me off, Tinglan brought me food. I begged her to send a message to Song Ke, but she refused out of fear. Now that I’ve returned to the Lin Family, she’s afraid I’ll hold a grudge. In truth, I’ll always be grateful she risked bringing me food that time. We’re all just trying to survive in this world—who doesn’t face hardships? There’s no need for her to act like this." She looked up again and saw the dark circles under Tinglan’s eyes, barely concealed by makeup, realizing she must have stayed up late making these tassels. Feeling reluctant to accept them but knowing refusal would only make Tinglan worry more, she mustered a cheerful smile and said, "These are all wonderful. It’s too kind of you to think of me for such a small matter—it makes me feel uneasy." Pointing to a pine-flower green one, she added, "This one is particularly lovely. I’ll attach it to my sachet later."
Seeing Xianglan’s genuine-looking smile and warmth, Tinglan breathed a sigh of relief and said, "If you’re putting it on a sachet, I’ll make a few more fringe tassels to hang from it—that’ll look even nicer."
Noticing no one else was around, Xianglan lowered her voice and said, "Sister, you needn’t go to such trouble. When I first entered the household, you took care of and guided me often. Later, when Zhao Yuechan tried to sell me, you even risked bringing me food—I haven’t forgotten any of it." She squeezed Tinglan’s hand as she spoke.
Tinglan immediately understood, feeling both ashamed and warmed. She said, "Dear Xianglan, you’re so kind-hearted. Hearing you say that leaves me at a loss for words…"
Before she could finish, a dignified maid in a crimson-edged vest entered carrying an octagonal gift box, smiling as she announced, "The Second Young Lady sent me to deliver something to Miss Xianglan."Xianglan recognized her as Ta Sha, the head maid by Lin Dongqi's side, and quickly stood up to express her thanks. Ta Sha opened the gift box, revealing two jars of fresh tea, a plate of seasonal fruits, and a small dish of pastries—all common items, but prized for their freshness. Xianglan understood that the value lay not in the items' worth but in Lin Dongqi's intention to show her respect and repay a past favor. Xianglan smiled wryly, thinking to herself, "Back when I had no one to rely on in the Lin Family, I only hoped for someone to be my support and make life easier. Yet, those who offered help in times of need were few, while those who bullied and oppressed me were many. Now that I have no desire to stay here, they come one after another to show me respect—but what use is it?" Still, she felt grateful to Lin Dongqi. Worried about having nothing to return as a gift, she suddenly remembered two boxes of imperial powder in her drawer. She took them out and handed them to Ta Sha, saying, "Since you're here, please take these back for Second Young Miss to use, and convey my heartfelt thanks to her."
At the sight, Ta Sha laughed and said, "Oh, this is the jade hairpin powder from Yangzhou, a tribute to the imperial palace—it's truly hard to come by! Our young miss had a box before, but once it was used up, we couldn't find another. I never thought today's visit would be so fortunate as to come across such a rarity." After thanking Xianglan, Chun Ling gave her a handful of coins before she left.
For a while, nothing happened.
Meanwhile, Lin Jinlou had declared that from then on, he would reside daily at Knowing Spring Pavilion, throwing everyone into a frenzy. First, they moved his clothes and bedding from the study back to the room, then replaced the curtains, chair covers, table skirts, and beddings with brighter-colored ones. Lianxin and Nuanyue's people brought several sets of curtains and bedsheets for Xianglan to inspect.
Xianglan took a look and saw that they were either made of Brocade Silk, woven brocade, or two-toned gold thread—all expensive materials. She asked, "Why are you showing these to me?"
Lianxin smiled and replied, "Master said the room looks too dreary and wants to switch to more vibrant ones. He asked you to decide."
Xianglan was taken aback. Earlier that day, when Lin Jinlou questioned her about Song Ke, she couldn't resist retorting sharply. She had expected him to slap her again, but instead, he left in a huff. Now, he was having her choose curtain colors. What a joke—she wasn't the one in charge of Knowing Spring Pavilion. For her to make such decisions would be overstepping. She looked up and saw Lianxin's eager, ingratiating smile, sighed, and decided not to dwell on what Lin Jinlou was scheming. She randomly pointed to a gardenia-colored brocade with persimmon calyx patterns and gold thread, saying, "This one."
Lianxin immediately ordered someone to hang it up.
Nuanyue chimed in, "This is a great choice—light and refreshing, clean to the eye, with the gold thread shimmering as if it's moving."
Rushuang laughed and said, "Indeed, and it has a good meaning too. Since ancient times, persimmon calyx patterns have been used in wedding items, symbolizing solidity, stability, and prosperity of descendants." As she spoke, she glanced at Xianglan. Knowing Xianglan had a gentle temperament, they weren't afraid of teasing her and all giggled.
Upon hearing such words, Xianglan's face flushed, and she lowered her head, her heart troubled. Yes, what if she accidentally became pregnant with Lin Jinlou's child? Wouldn't that make it even harder to escape? Currently, the position of Lin Jinlou's wife was vacant, and the Lin Family had strict rules—they probably wouldn't allow a concubine to bear the first son, right? But it was hard to say. Lin Jinlou was the eldest grandson and still had no children. Lin Old Madam and Qin Shi were eager to fill his chambers with women precisely to help him produce heirs soon. The day before yesterday, she and Lin Jinlou had been intimate, yet no elderly maid had come to bring her contraceptive soup...Xianglan was at a loss, and Lianxin, thinking she was thin-skinned and annoyed by the teasing, quickly led the other maids out.
But as soon as Lianxin and the others left, Hua Mei arrived, standing at the door and asking Xiao Juan to announce her. Xianglan thought to herself, "Hua Mei is clever-tongued and vicious at heart. Back then, with just a few glib words, she tricked Concubine Lan into doing countless foolish things. In the end, not only did she escape unscathed, but she also climbed a step higher by stepping over Qing Lan's bones, becoming a concubine. Even Zhao Yuechan couldn't do anything about her—such is her cunning. I've never liked her character; it's best to stay as far away from such people as possible." She then said to Chun Ling, "It's been a strange day today. This room has been like a revolving lantern—do they think this place is a marketplace? Tell her I'm tired and have already gone to bed."
Chun Ling hesitated and said, "That might not be appropriate... Hua Mei is, after all, a concubine and holds some status. You know her tricks and schemes. If we openly snub her like this, she might hold a grudge, and it's also somewhat improper."
Xianglan sneered, "If she's unhappy, she can go complain to Lin Jinlou. If Lin Jinlou finds me displeasing, he can just kick me out. The young masters and misses are like ancestors who must be served—is Hua Mei an ancestor too? Besides, she's no good person. When we meet, she’s all honeyed words but a dagger in her heart, calling me affectionately while secretly wishing me dead. I don’t have the patience to pretend and play nice with her."
Chun Ling chuckled and said, "You speak so frankly. If Concubine Lan had half your clarity, she wouldn’t have died so muddled." After saying this, she sighed, shook her head, and went out to turn Hua Mei away.
Xianglan leaned against the large pillow, feeling agitated. Lost in random thoughts, she didn’t realize it was already time to light the lamps.
Suddenly, there was a commotion in the courtyard. Moments later, Lin Jinlou pushed the door open and walked in. It was rare for Lin Jinlou to return home on time, and this startled everyone in Knowing Spring Pavilion. They hurriedly crowded around him, attending to him—wiping his face, changing his clothes, and serving tea.
After changing into casual clothes, Lin Jinlou walked to the eastern side room and saw Xianglan still leaning by the window. He coughed lightly, but Xianglan didn’t turn around.
Lin Jinlou sneered, sat down on one side of the Luohan bed, reached out his long arm, pinched Xianglan’s small chin, and turned her face toward him. "Tell me, what fascinating spectacle is out there that’s so captivating?"
Xianglan kept her mouth tightly shut and said nothing, her long eyelashes lowered.
Chun Ling hurried over to serve Lin Jinlou tea, saying softly, "Master, this is a cooling tea to reduce internal heat."
Lin Jinlou thought to himself, I do need to cool down, or this stubborn mule will piss me off sooner or later. She’s like a stinky, hard stone in a latrine—even now, she still doesn’t understand her place. Defying me, huh? Fine, let’s see who’s more stubborn. He released her chin and ordered, "Serve the meal."
The small kitchen had long been prepared. Upon Lin Jinlou’s command, the maids filed in carrying trays, and the heated brick bed table was soon laden with dishes: a dry-steamed and sun-dried chicken, deep-fried roasted bones, crystal braised pork knuckle, and a steamed shad fish, along with minced pork and garlic flower rolls, sesame oil cold-tossed shredded smoked meat, and more. Rushuang brought a small silver wine jug, two pale pink sunflower-patterned wine cups, and two pairs of ivory chopsticks, placing them on the table.Lin Jinlou ate with a leisurely demeanor, picking up his chopsticks to begin his meal. Xianglan stole a glance at him. He was dressed in a soft blue silk robe with ink-splattered loose trousers, his hair tied up simply with a gold filigree hairpin. Sitting cross-legged on the bed, he leaned against two pillows. In this casual attire, illuminated by the candlelight, he appeared even more tall and robust. Xianglan’s thoughts drifted back to that night two days prior, her heart fluttering with unease, her palms growing clammy with sweat.
Lin Jinlou was clearly ravenous, devouring the pork knuckle and polishing off a plate of spare ribs. Xianglan sat quietly with her head bowed, while Chun Ling anxiously signaled for her to pour wine for Lin Jinlou. Seeing Xianglan remain motionless, Chun Ling had no choice but to step forward herself and refill Lin Jinlou’s cup.
After Lin Jinlou had eaten for a while, the maids cleared the empty plates and brought out some light, fresh seasonal vegetables. Lin Jinlou dismissed the attendants and studied Xianglan for a moment before speaking. "Eat something. You haven’t had a proper meal since the day before yesterday, nibbling on greens like a rabbit. Today, your chin looks a bit sharper." As he spoke, he picked up a piece of chicken breast with his chopsticks and placed it in the small gold-rimmed dish in front of her.
Xianglan thought to herself, So Lin Jinlou could also speak a few gentle words. Just as she was marveling inwardly, she heard Lin Jinlou continue in a calm tone, "Eat some meat. If you keep this up, you’ll grow thin all over, and your chest will shrink."
Thank you to Mu Xing and Wuweizi2007 for the Peace Talismans, and to Wuweizi for the review votes, as well as to everyone for the pink votes^_^
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