Wu Mama took a sip of tea first and smiled, saying, "Though you've grown thinner, I see your complexion is still good, and that dress you're wearing is lovely. At your age, you ought to wear bright colors. I've brought you some snacks. Though Knowing Spring Pavilion isn't lacking in such things, it's the thought that counts. You can have them as treats when you're idle."
Xianglan replied, "Mama, you're always thinking of me. I don't know how to thank you."
Wu Mama moved closer to Xianglan, took her hand, and said with a smile, "I came here for another good reason... I'm here to congratulate you."
Xianglan was taken aback and immediately blushed, withdrawing her hand.
Wu Mama continued, "Good child, since you've entered Knowing Spring Pavilion and are now the Master's person, you must pay respects to the Old Mistress and Taitai, so they can formally acknowledge you. Before, Taitai for some reason always thought there was something wrong with you and was unwilling to see you. I was anxious watching this, but who knew she suddenly relented these past few days and said she wants you to go pay your respects. Tsk, this is truly wonderful news. I've watched the Master grow up since he was young. Though his temper isn't the best, he's always been responsible. I've kept an eye on all the girls in the mansion, wanting to find someone reliable for him, but they were either not pretty enough, had bad temperaments, or were simply foolish—never quite perfect. Until you came along. I've been watching you—not just your looks and disposition, but also how you receive guests, conduct yourself, and carry out tasks—there's nothing about you that isn't proper. You're just so pleasing to the eye, a hundred times better than those seductive troublemakers! And it just so happens the Master loves you too. It's truly the best of both worlds. You're not like those maids like Luan'er. Once you pay respects to Taitai, you'll surely become a concubine. They'll prepare a banquet and bring you in with grandeur, so all those nasty women who usually gossip behind people's backs can see properly!"
Xianglan lowered her head and after a long while said, "I appreciate your kindness, Mama, but could I beg Taitai to let me leave?"
Wu Mama was startled and said, "Oh, my child, how can you say such a thing? You don't want to be with the Master? That would really make you a foolish girl. This... is to become a proper mistress."
Xianglan said, "What does being a mistress matter? It still means being looked down upon. Concubine Lan serves as a warning—didn't she die just like that? How I came here... Mama probably doesn't know clearly... I wasn't willing either."
Wu Mama persuaded, "Good girl, are you frightened by that wretched Zhao Yuechan? Just set your mind at ease. When the Master remarries, he'll definitely choose someone with a good temperament who can tolerate others."
Xianglan sneered and said, "You all think the Master choosing me is giving me face, but I haven't had the chance to properly evaluate him either!" To Wu Mama, she said, "Mama, I know you mean well by me, and I'll remember this kindness for a long time. But this face that Taitai is granting me—I don't care to have it. I don't owe Taitai anything. If I stand up straight, who is really any taller than whom? It's just that she has power, but I, Chen Xianglan, have no intention of currying favor with her."
Wu Mama was dumbfounded and hurriedly covered Xianglan's mouth, saying, "Such reckless words must not be spoken carelessly outside!"
Xianglan whispered, "I know, Mama. It's because you're not an outsider that I speak my mind. No matter how good the Lin Family is, in my eyes it's like a cage. I just want to leave..."
Wu Mama was secretly astonished, thinking to herself, "I shouldn't have brought this up with her. Later, I'll go tell the Master about Taitai wanting Xianglan to pay respects." So she changed the subject to other matters, which we'll leave aside for now.Lin Jinlou changed his clothes to pay respects to his elders. After leaving Lin Zhaoxiang’s room, he endured a lengthy session of Lin Old Madam and Qin Shi fussing over his well-being and didn’t return until nearly noon. Lianxin reported, “Master’s friends have arrived and have been received in the Flower Hall in the front courtyard. Third Master has already gone to entertain them.”
Lin Jinlou changed his attire once more and headed to the front. The Flower Hall was bustling with activity: an Eight Immortals Table was laden with an assortment of tea, snacks, and dishes, while a few young performers sang and played stringed instruments. Seated around the table were Xie Yu, son of the Vice Minister of War; Liu Xiaochuan, grandson of the Brave General; and Chu Dapeng, son of the Minister of Justice. Lin Jinting was chatting animatedly with them.
As soon as Liu Xiaochuan spotted Lin Jinlou entering, he slapped the table and whistled, exclaiming, “Look, His Majesty’s favorite has arrived! Quick, line up and welcome him!”
Everyone turned and rose, cupping their hands in salute. After the greetings, Lin Jinlou took a seat, and a servant boy promptly poured him wine. Chu Dapeng grinned and said, “I heard you’ve distinguished yourself again, brother. It seems a promotion to the third rank after the Mid-Autumn Festival is all but certain.”
Lin Jinlou shook his head with a laugh. “What third rank? That’s nothing but a shadow of a rumor. I gave that bastard Sun Lifan a beating, and now a few impoverished scholars are trying to make an issue of it. If I’m not demoted, I’ll count myself lucky.”
Xie Yu raised his wine cup and remarked, “Even if you are demoted, you’ll be promoted again in a couple of months. Everyone knows you’re His Majesty’s favorite. Sun Lifan is nothing—I heard he only got ahead because he has a daughter as beautiful as a Celestial Maiden, whom he offered to the Second Prince as a concubine.”
Liu Xiaochuan chimed in, “Fighting the Japanese pirates is a cushy job. How about taking me along next time?”
Xie Yu chuckled mockingly. “You? You’ve barely set foot on a battlefield. You’d probably wet your pants in fear. Just go back to the capital after Mid-Autumn and resume your post as a Dragon Guard.”
Liu Xiaochuan bristled. “What’s wrong with me? I just haven’t had the chance! Fighting pirates earns you fame and fortune, and you even get Eastern Ocean girls to wait on you. How delightful is that?”
Chu Dapeng clinked cups with Lin Jinlou and said, “Brother, you excel in battle, know how to profit from maritime trade, and even make a fortune from salt. You’re young, yet your rank surpasses those old-timers. I’m genuinely envious. Meanwhile, I’m still buried in books—my father insists I must become a Successful Candidate in the Imperial Examinations to honor our ancestors. After this winter, I’m to go to the capital and study under his watchful eye.”
Lin Jinlou laughed. “The court has always been dominated by civil officials, who value literary achievements over military ones. Besides, you’ve had a reputation as a romantic talent since childhood—you should at least earn the title of Recommended Man. And with two shops under your management, surely you’re not short on silver?”
Chu Dapeng waved his hand, dismissing the performers and servant boys, then said, “That’s actually why I’m here. We were hoping to benefit from your influence and make a little silver on the side. A few of us have pooled our funds and would like to ask you to help us find a way into the Salt Transport Commissioner's Office—perhaps connect us with a Chief Merchant so we can invest our silver as shares. By year’s end, we’d surely see some returns, wouldn’t we?”
Lin Jinlou smiled, crossed his legs, and said, “The court doesn’t permit this sort of thing…”Chu Dapeng personally poured wine for Lin Jinlou and said with a laugh, "Brother, we've been growing up together since we were kids running around bare-bottomed. Even if I'm no good with fists and kicks, I've played the role of the cunning strategist more than once. With such camaraderie, why still put on a show with us? The court forbids it? The court also forbids its officials from engaging in business, yet how many of them have major ventures in their hands? Things that are clearly prohibited are rampant behind the scenes. Besides, we abide by the court's laws—I have a younger half-brother handling this, so it has nothing to do with us. Just keep an eye out for us, brother, that's all we ask."
Lin Jinlou pondered for a moment, and Xie Yu chimed in, "Naturally, there will be benefits for you, brother. Thirty percent of the annual profits will go to you. Is this worth doing?"
Lin Jinlou pointed at them and laughed, "Well, well, I see it now. You lot, pretending to throw a welcome feast for me, but you're actually here to scheme against me."
Seeing Lin Jinlou's expression, the three knew he had agreed and couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, their faces lighting up with joy. Xie Yu laughed, "This isn't scheming—it's asking for your guidance, brother. Today, we specially invited the young performers from the Sunset Class to sing some exclusive new tunes." He rang a bell to summon the young performers, and the singing resumed. Raising his cup, he said, "Let me toast you first, brother," and downed his drink in one go.
The group drank and ate heartily, toasting back and forth. After several rounds of drinks and dishes, Chu Dapeng forgot his manners and leaned in, saying, "Earlier, I heard from Xiao San'er that you've taken a new concubine, brother. The last time you took one was in the capital. With such happy news, why not host a feast to celebrate?"
Liu Xiaochuan, his face flushed red, exclaimed, "What? Brother has taken another? Why not bring out our new sister-in-law for us to see? Hehe, let's see if she's pretty or not."
Lin Jinlou raised his cup with a smile but remained silent.
Lin Jinting, already quite drunk, smirked and said, "Of course she's very pretty. Do any of you know Song Yifei?"
Chu Dapeng squinted and said, "I know him, I know him. We've even shared drinks before. He's at the Hanlin Academy now, right? And married the daughter of Duke Xian. My old man told me to get closer to him."
Lin Jinting said, "The new one in my elder brother's household came from the Song family."
Lin Jinlou raised an eyebrow slightly; though his face still wore a smile, his eyes gradually turned cold. Xie Yu, skilled at reading expressions, quickly coughed and said, "Xiao San'er, come, let me toast you."
Lin Jinting, now dizzy and muddled from drinking, grew even more unrestrained in his speech. "She's quite good-looking, but her cunning and methods are also remarkably sharp..."
Xie Yu glanced at Lin Jinlou's expression and kicked Lin Jinting hard under the table, saying, "You've had too much alcohol! Go lie down and sleep it off!"
Lin Jinting jolted in pain and said, "Why did you kick me?" Turning his head, he caught sight of Lin Jinlou's expression and realized he had spoken out of turn. Cold sweat broke out on his forehead, and he quickly stood up, saying, "I've had too much to drink. I need to go lie down in the back."
Lin Jinlou called out, "What's the hurry? Sit down and have a couple more cups before you go."Lin Jinting dared not disobey and sat back down. The thought of Xianglan weighed heavily on his mind. Previously, she had vowed not to become Song Ke’s concubine, yet now she was eagerly clinging to his elder brother. Yesterday, he received a letter from Song Ke, who asked him to look after Xianglan’s family. The request left a sour taste in his mouth, especially since Xianglan was now his elder brother’s concubine. Had it been anyone else, he could have vented his frustration for Yifei. But how was he to reply to this letter? Even he found the situation distasteful.
Liu Xiaochuan, already half-drunk, chimed in, “Is she really that good-looking? What kind of beauty is she? You must let us have a look.” Chu Dapeng and Xie Yu echoed his words in agreement.
Thank you, Damima, for the two Peace Talismans, and also to Qingfeng and Mu Xing for your Peace Talismans. My gratitude as well to everyone for the pink votes. If I missed thanking anyone, please forgive me! ^_^
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