Shu Ran gritted her teeth in fury, grabbed Luanr and slapped her twice, cursing, "You ungrateful little wretch who's determined to court death! Who do you think you are? You're only slightly more respectable than the junior maids—do you fancy yourself a mistress or something?"
Cunxin hurried over to intervene, saying, "Sister, don't be angry. Let's talk this out calmly."
Luanr threw herself onto the golden-threaded python-patterned cushion, weeping. Shu Ran looked weary and sighed, "I've told you long ago to stop provoking Xianglan, but you refused to listen. This humiliation is entirely your own doing—who can you blame? If you truly anger the Eldest Master and he drives you out, what then?"
Luanr scrambled up, wiping her tears, and said, "I don't believe it. Though the Eldest Master has a temper, he truly cares for me. If he's angry with me, it's only because that seductress is scheming against me behind my back."
Shu Ran felt a surge of anger choking her throat. Trembling, she pointed at Luanr and stammered, "You... you... you... really... really make me furious!"
Cunxin quickly stepped forward to soothe Shu Ran, whispering, "Sister Shu Ran, the young lady hasn't come to her senses yet. Please teach her slowly."
Shu Ran frowned and said, "What do you mean, 'teach her slowly'? How old is she already! Before, we could say she was 'foolish and willful,' but if she keeps acting on impulse like this, she'll surely suffer a great loss sooner or later! Xianglan is relatively tolerant and only retorted a few times. If she encounters someone who refuses to let things go and eggs the Eldest Master on to drive her out, I wouldn't even have the face to beg him to take her back!" She glared fiercely and pointed at Luanr, "Think carefully—isn't that the truth?"
Hearing Shu Ran's grave words, Luanr was startled. After pondering for a moment, she grabbed Shu Ran's hand and said, "The Eldest Master wouldn't treat me like that. You've said it yourself—he's only fond of Xianglan because she's novel. I play and sing well, and the Eldest Master holds me in high regard. I..."
Shu Ran irritably shook off Luanr's hand and said sternly, "Think carefully—what else do you have to recommend you besides playing and singing? Are you more beautiful than Xianglan, more eloquent than Huamei, or more honest and perceptive than Yingge? From now on, behave properly and don't put on airs or throw tantrums over trivial matters."
Hearing this, Luanr felt even more wronged. She cried and wailed, "What's wrong with me? Am I some ugly monster, deaf or mute? In what way am I inferior to others? Get out, get out! When I rise to greatness in the future, don't come begging to me!"
Shu Ran raised her hand and slapped Luanr twice harshly, her expression severe. "It's all your parents' fault—they spoiled you since childhood, saying you were the reincarnation of some noble lady, destined for high honors and pearl-decked crowns in this life, indulging you without limits. Not long after you entered the mansion, while you were in the Old Madam's quarters, I befriended Xuezhan and spent silver to smooth your path, so no one troubled you. During festivals, I even arranged for you to sing longevity songs before the Old Madam to earn rewards. The Old Madam took a liking to your musical talents and assigned you to the Eldest Master's quarters. I thought your minor flaws didn't matter and that you'd grow more sensible with age, but instead, you've gotten worse. It's my negligence for not disciplining you earlier. Had I known you'd turn out like this, I would never have let you become the Eldest Master's intimate servant!"
Luanr felt both ashamed and humiliated. As she still held some awe for Shu Ran, she collapsed onto the bed, weeping weakly.Cunxin was about to persuade further when Shu Ran raised her hand to stop her. With a stern face, she said, "Look at your appearance—disheveled hair, acting like a madwoman. You don't resemble a respectable young lady at all, but rather a lowly servant girl. You even dare to meddle in the Eldest Master's affairs? Take a good look at your own status! You've truly brought shame upon me. If you continue like this, I'll beg the Eldest Master to marry you off to some fellow. Don't wait until you cause an even greater disaster that can't be controlled, and then try to wash your hands of it!"
Luanr naturally knew how favored Shu Ran was in Lin Jinlou's eyes. Her face turned pale with fright, and though she wanted to plead with Shu Ran, her pride wouldn't allow it. Tears streamed down her face like rolling melons. Shu Ran shot Cunxin a meaningful glance, and understanding her intention, Cunxin said, "I'll go fetch some hot water for the young lady to wash her face," before leaving the room.
Shu Ran untied the light green handkerchief from her waist and wiped Luanr's face with it. She said calmly, "Stop your crying. I have something to say to you..." Seeing Luanr sit up while still sniffling, she continued, "If we weren't relatives, I wouldn't be telling you this. I entered the household at eight years old—there's no injustice or silent suffering I haven't endured, and I've witnessed countless schemes. Later, I served the Eldest Master. You know his temper—he's not an easy person to deal with. I stumbled and fumbled my way to where I am today, working hard to earn this little bit of respect. Now I want to tell you a few words."
Luanr's sobbing softened slightly. While using the handkerchief to wipe her eyes, she pricked up her ears to listen.
Shu Ran said, "You're just a Bedchamber maid, a home-born servant. If you regard yourself as more important than your masters, you're courting death. But though you're a servant now, who knows what might happen later? Surely you don't want to remain a Bedchamber maid for the rest of your life?"
Luanr immediately widened her eyes and said, "Of course not! What kind of life would that be!"
Shu Ran nodded and said, "That's right. The Eldest Master will eventually remarry and bring in a new mistress. In the future, he'll certainly have multiple wives and concubines. As long as you watch your words and actions, learn from Huamei, speak sweetly, and please the Eldest Master, then bear him a child or two and become a Concubine, with children by your side, even if you're not the principal wife, you can stand shoulder to shoulder with her."
Luanr hesitated and said, "Fortune-tellers all say I'll never want for food or clothing, that I'll have servants at my beck and call, and that I'll become a titled lady in the future. If I don't become the principal wife, how could I become a titled lady?"
Shu Ran's anger flared up, and she scolded, "A toad lusting after swan flesh! Pah! Becoming the principal wife—how dare you say such a thing! Aren't you afraid everyone will spit in your face and mock your shamelessness? What status does the Eldest Master hold? He's the eldest grandson of the Lin family, a dignified fourth-rank general, and after the Mid-Autumn Festival, he'll be promoted to third-rank deputy. With such power and appearance, he could even marry the emperor's daughter! Why would he want someone of servant origin? You're out of your mind! If you continue with these delusions, I'll immediately report to the Eldest Master and Madam and have you driven out, to avoid further disgrace!"
Tears welled up in Luanr's eyes as she said, "We're both of servant origin. Why must you humiliate me like this?"
Shu Ran sneered, "Though we share the same origins, I have shame, unlike you who knows no decency! If your words spread, people would laugh their heads off!"
Luanr, who valued face above all, had never suffered such scolding and humiliation before. Covering her face, she collapsed onto the kang and began crying loudly again, kicking her legs and saying, "Go away! Get out!"Shu Ran stood up and said, "Of course I'm leaving, you shameless little wench. If you keep being this delusional and fail to recognize your own status, I'll report your words to the Eldest Master myself! That way, it won't be spread through others' mouths and drag me down into disgrace and ridicule. Dreaming of becoming the rightful mistress? Take a good look at yourself—from head to toe, do you have the dignified bearing of a principal wife? What karmic retribution from a past life brought a calamity like you into the Hall of Knowing Spring!"
Upon hearing this, Luanr cried even more bitterly, as if the world had turned dark.
Shu Ran took several deep breaths to calm herself before pushing the door open and stepping out. She saw Cunxin waiting outside, who approached and said, "Sister, don't be angry. Miss Luanr is still young, and with Xianglan arriving so abruptly—and the Eldest Master being the type to discard the old for the new—she just lost her temper in a fit of jealousy."
Shu Ran wiped her tears and replied, "My dear, if only she had half your cleverness."
Hearing faint sobs still coming from the room, Cunxin asked, "What about the young lady...?"
Shu Ran frowned and said, "Let her cry! If only she could cry herself into clarity! That fool will surely cause endless trouble in the future." She shook her head and added, "Ambition isn't a bad thing, but delusions are another matter. To speak bluntly, even as a concubine, once the Eldest Master's novelty with Luanr wears off, he might not even glance her way, let alone consider her for anything else. You're young and haven't seen the few women who served the Eldest Master before Zhao Shi drove them all away. Each was superior to Luanr in looks and temperament. Never mind the past—even Xianglan, whom the Eldest Master longs for, is exquisitely beautiful. Compared to her, Luanr is like a wildflower next to a peony. With all her fussing, isn't Luanr just inviting humiliation? She means no harm, but she lacks wit. I fear that as she ages and loses her looks, it will be even harder for her to find a place in this household. She'd be better off using her youth and beauty to win more favor and bear a child or two, so she has something to rely on in her later years."
Cunxin wholeheartedly agreed, pursing her lips into a smile. "Sister, you're so astute at assessing situations—no wonder the Eldest Master values you so highly."
Shu Ran sighed. "I learned this through hard lessons. You see how the Eldest Master has a terrible temper, but he's undeniably capable and takes responsibility. In earlier years, if I said I never had feelings for him, I'd be lying. But watching him cycle through women without any constancy, with countless lovers outside, my heart grew cold. Luanr covets wealth and status, but she must have the skill and the fate for it!" She smoothed her hair and said to Cunxin, "Fetch your young lady's dressing case. I need to redo my hair and freshen up."
Cunxin said, "Sister, your hair is still fine. Why bother?"
Shu Ran sighed. "I have to go to the main room to apologize to Xianglan on behalf of that little wench." She advised Cunxin, "Don't underestimate her—the Eldest Master treats her unusually well. She doesn't seem like one to stir up trouble, but if Luanr offends her in the future, you'll need to step in and smooth things over."
Thereupon, Shu Ran washed her face, fixed her hair, and made herself presentable before returning to the main room. Xianglan was leaning on the windowsill, staring blankly at the flowers in the courtyard. Shu Ran found a seat, but before she could speak, she heard Xiao Juan outside say, "The Eldest Master is back."Xianglan didn't even turn her head, thinking to herself, why has this Living Yama returned again? Wasn't he always outside before, never staying home? Lin Jinlou entered without glancing at Xianglan, his face stern as he said, "I need to change clothes."
Just then, Xiao Juan called from outside, "Third Master, Second Miss, Third Miss, and Fourth Miss are here!"
Before her words faded, Lin Dongling had already stepped in, covering her mouth with a laugh. "Everyone says Big Brother has a new beauty in his room, so we've all come to join the excitement."
Lin Dongxiu added, "We've come all this way eagerly—Big Brother must treat us to a meal."
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