Du Bin had long harbored ill intentions, yet he feigned humility and gentleness, coaxing Lin Dongling with endless tenderness. As time passed, Lin Dongling gradually let down her guard and developed deep affection for Du Bin, entrusting him with her whole heart. Now matters had reached their natural conclusion.
Lin Dongxiu, watching from outside, trembled uncontrollably and hastily retreated, turning to flee. She only stopped when she reached a nearby bamboo grove, panting heavily as she slumped against a cluster of bamboo stems.
How could Lin Dongling engage in such filthy, improper conduct with a man? What should be done? If this scandal were exposed, it would ruin her marriage prospects. Her first instinct was to seek out Qin Shi or rush in to drive the man away. Struggling to her feet, she suddenly reconsidered: "Wait, if Lin Dongling has been compromised by that man, her prestigious marriage arrangement will vanish like foam on water. That man appears to be from a humble family—he wouldn't even dare come propose properly..."
As these thoughts crossed Lin Dongxiu's mind, she gradually halted her steps. Suddenly, she spotted two young women crossing the winding bridge in the distance, heading directly toward Gauze Snow Dock. One wore a Xiangfei-pink gown, the other a begonia-red dress, both of similar height. Upon closer look, the one in Xiangfei-pink turned out to be Xianglan, while the other was Tinglan. Earlier, Lianxin had returned to mind the house, so Tinglan had eagerly persuaded Xianglan to stroll in the garden, saying: "The Master has gone to escort the wedding party and isn't in the mansion. All the mistresses are enjoying opera and banquets upfront, the maids are gathered playing games, and the servants have scattered—the garden is perfectly quiet. Since you never leave your room normally, this is the perfect time for a walk. Let's just wander through secluded areas. You don't realize how beautiful the autumn scenery is now—we should go admire the flowers."
After much persuasion, Xianglan felt tempted and changed clothes. Arm in arm with Tinglan, she came to wander through the garden. Unconsciously, they arrived at Gauze Snow Dock. Xianglan recalled serving here when she first entered the mansion, and a complex mix of emotions welled up in her heart. Slowly approaching the entrance, she touched the bronze fish-shaped lock on the door and asked Tinglan: "What happened to Granny Liu who used to be at Gauze Snow Dock? Is she still here?"
Tinglan replied: "Granny Liu was getting old, so her son took her home to retire. This residence was emptied and turned into a flower room, filled with potted plants inside and out. All the flowers in our residence come from here." She glanced at Xianglan's hair and laughed, "On such a festive day, how can we not wear flowers in our hair? Since we've come here, why not cut one to pin by our chignons? It would stand out more than any gold or silver phoenix hairpin."
Xianglan said: "The door is locked—how would we get in? If you want flowers, we should just cut some from the garden."
Tinglan responded: "No need to worry, I have a key." Untying a string of brass keys from her belt, she grinned: "The old woman managing the plants here is my aunt. Afraid she might forget or lose things at her age, she had a spare key made for me, just in case." Winking at Xianglan, she proceeded to unlock the door.
The noise outside startled the lovebirds inside. Lin Dongling shuddered, pushing Du Bin away as she clutched her collar in panic, exclaiming frantically: "What do we do? Someone's coming! What should we do?!"Du Bin grew anxious inwardly, his eyes swiftly scanning the surroundings. He said to Lin Dongling, "When someone comes in later, tell them you're tired and need a quiet place to rest for a while." With that, he stepped onto the armrest of the Luohan bed, leaped upward, hooked his hands onto the beam, and with a twist of his waist, hoisted himself onto the crossbeam, shrinking into the corner.
Lin Dongling frantically straightened her clothes. From outside, she heard Tinglan say, "There's a pot of azaleas in the inner room—still blooming this late in the season, and so vibrant. Come take a look." Lin Dongling grew even more frantic; there was no time to fix her hair now. She immediately lay face down on the pillow, pretending to be asleep.
As Xiang and Ting lifted the curtain and entered the inner room, they were startled to see Lin Dongling lying on the bed with her eyes closed. They exchanged glances, and Tinglan hurried forward to shake her, saying, "Third Miss, Third Miss."
Lin Dongling feigned a drowsy expression, rubbing her eyes as she asked, "What is it?"
Tinglan replied, "Third Miss, the banquet has already started up front. Why are you sleeping here? Just now, when we came over, we saw Shanhu searching all over the garden for you."
Lin Dongling sat up and said, "I came here to admire the flowers, but I got tired and lay down. Before I knew it, I fell asleep." As she spoke, she stood up and hurried out.
Tinglan clasped her hands and murmured a prayer, saying, "My dear young lady, sleeping here without a blanket—if you catch a chill and fall ill, that would be terrible."
Xianglan noticed a half-sleeved jacket embroidered with butterflies and peonies left on the Luohan bed. Picking it up, she asked, "Third Miss, is this your garment?"
Lin Dongling turned and saw it. Guilt-ridden, her face flushed even redder. She snatched it away and scolded, "You little wretch! Who gave you permission to touch my clothes?" She flung the curtain aside and went out, calling from outside, "Tinglan, come help me fix my hair!"
Tinglan squeezed Xianglan's hand and said, "Third Miss has that kind of temper. Don't take it to heart."
Xianglan smiled and nodded.
Tinglan then went out. Xianglan let out a long sigh. Lin Dongling's clothes had been disheveled, and when Xianglan had been close earlier, she had noticed a faint red mark on Lin Dongling's neck—just like the ones Lin Jinlou left on her every time he... Xianglan quickly shook her head, dispelling the embarrassing and irritating thought. She wondered, "Why would Lin Dongling come alone to Gauze Snow Dock for no reason? And why would she take off her half-sleeve and sleep here in disarray?" She immediately recalled how, during the New Year, she had once stumbled upon Lin Dongling with a handsome young man. A shiver ran through her. She looked left and right in the room but found nothing amiss.
Du Bin, still on the beam, held his breath and focused his gaze on Xianglan. He saw that this girl had lustrous black hair, a slender waist, a face like white jade, bright eyes, and gleaming teeth—truly radiant, with an indescribable softness and refinement, her elegance beyond words. Du Bin inwardly praised her, feeling that among all the women he had seen, none could compare. Though Lin Dongling was also a beauty, standing next to this girl, she instantly paled in comparison. He couldn't help but stare.
Xianglan was still hesitating when she heard Lin Dongling shout, "Xianglan, what are you still doing in there? Trying to steal something?"
Xianglan thought to herself, "If Lin Dongling was truly resting here, it's no big deal. But if she really brought a man in secretly, then she's digging her own grave. It's a pity she won't listen to me, and if I tell others, they might not believe me. If she turns around and accuses me of tarnishing her reputation, I'd have no way to defend myself." She sighed, lifted the curtain, and walked out.Du Bin let out a long sigh of relief from the rafters, thinking to himself, "So that girl just now was 'Xianglan'—the one Lin Jinlou has recently taken a fancy to. She truly is a stunning beauty, no wonder even my sister is no match for her. That Lin Jinlou is quite the lucky fellow. I wonder what this enchantress is like in bed? If I could bring her into my chambers for a wild night, it would make this life worth living." As his thoughts wandered, his heart began to flutter, when suddenly he heard a "clang"—someone had shut the main gate, followed by the sound of a lock being fastened.
My condition isn't great today, and the word count is a bit short. I didn't want to stay up late until my heart felt uncomfortable, so that's all for now. Apologies. I'll strive for a full three thousand words in the next chapter. Thanks to Fat Wanghua001 for the sachet, and to Qianruo Qingfeng Guo, Big Bear Fool, Yu21yu21, and Evening Star for the Peace Talismans. Also, thank you all for the pink votes!
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