The door creaked open as Xue Shi entered and saw Xianglan sitting on the bed wiping away tears. She walked over and sat beside Xianglan, saying, "You know how your father is—why bother getting angry over him?"
Xianglan dabbed the corners of her eyes and replied, "I rarely come home, hoping for a pleasant family chat without any troubles. I just couldn’t hold back my temper earlier."
Xue Shi sighed again and, after a pause, asked Xianglan, "How does Master Lin treat you... is he good to you?"
Xianglan was also silent for a long moment before answering, "What does 'good' even mean? Wearing gold and silver, eating well and drinking fine—is that what counts as good? I could just muddle through life with my eyes closed, but I’m not resigned to it. Two years ago, when I entered the mansion as a maid, I endured humiliation, frequent beatings, and scoldings—there wasn’t a dirty or exhausting chore I didn’t do. I was almost assaulted and brutally beaten, only escaping by risking my life. Last year, at the Song family, I met a noble patron, and our whole household was freed from servitude. We had a few good days, and I thought I’d found a reliable partner for life, expecting stability from then on. But in the end, it was all for nothing—like drawing water with a bamboo basket. This year, after twists and turns, I’ve ended up back at the Lin Family. Though I’m not a servant, I’m hardly any different—just a thing currying favor with the gentlemen, tail between my legs. If he’s pleased, he rewards me with food, clothes, or trinkets; if not, he slaps me or curses me out. I can’t complain, or I’d be 'ungrateful for my blessings.' Now that I’m still in his favor and living with some dignity, those like Chunyan who were driven out, Ying Ge who’s out of favor, Luan'er who lost his affection, and Hua Mei who’s desperately trying to flatter and please—who knows how they envy me..." As Xianglan spoke, tears streamed from her eyes.
Xue Shi couldn’t help but cry too, holding Xianglan’s hand and saying, "My child, don’t say anymore..."
Xianglan stared fixedly at Xue Shi and said, "I’ve thought about it—a woman’s life is just like this. Besides, the Lin Family is wealthy and powerful. Maybe I should go with the flow, please him, and while he’s still fond of me, bear a child or two. Even if I lose his favor later, I could find some peace. But I’m not resigned to it, Mother, I truly am not. I gritted my teeth through so much hardship—not for a life like this!"
Xue Shi hugged Xianglan and said, "What can you do even if you’re not resigned? Blame your useless parents!"
Xianglan leaned against Xue Shi’s chest, weeping, but soon wiped her eyes and sat up. "I refuse to believe it. I’ve survived harder times before—surely I can find a way to leave the Lin Family now."
Xue Shi was startled and asked, "What do you plan to do?"
Xianglan didn’t answer but took out a brocade pouch made of gold-threaded satin from her luggage. She opened it and shook it over the bed, scattering a dozen gold and silver accessories—rings, hairpins, bracelets, all of plain design. Xianglan explained, "Although there’s silver in the room, Chun Ling manages it, and everything’s accounted for. Only these few pieces of jewelry are ordinary enough that I secretly kept them without registering them. Mother, take them quietly, have someone melt them down into ingots, and hide them where Father won’t know."
Xue Shi gasped in shock, "This... this... is this possible? What if the Lin Family finds out later?"Xianglan said, "These were originally my belongings, so there's nothing improper about me taking them out. I just don't want Lin Jinlou to know I've been saving money privately. Whatever the future holds, having more silver on hand is never wrong." She then took out several paintings she had done recently from the chest and handed them to Xue Shi, asking her to have Chen Wanquan sell them. "From the silver obtained," she said, "keep half for yourself, and say it's for my needs. In the Lin Family, one must always manage relationships up and down; if my hands are tight, I might be ridiculed. Save that silver for me, and when there's enough, melt it into ingots and hide them somewhere. I have my own plans."
"Lan girl, what are you..."
"Just do as I say, Mother. This afternoon, please invite a physician and say you're not feeling well."
Xue Shi wanted to ask more, but fearing she might touch on Xianglan's sore spots, she held her tongue. She merely chatted idly with her, though inwardly she was deeply worried.
Soon it was noon. Xianglan had intended to invite Ji Xiang, the accompanying attendants, and two guards to stay for a meal, but Chun Ling had already generously rewarded them with Red Envelopes and sent them away, along with the old woman and maidservant who had returned with them, leaving only Chun Ling and a young maidservant named Fanhua. Xue Shi hadn't expected so many people and hurriedly busied herself with tidying the rooms.
Chun Ling stepped forward, her face beaming with smiles. "With all of us here, how can we let Taitai trouble herself? Just leave the tasks to us. The young lady rarely returns home; Taitai should spend more time talking with her." She then praised Xue Shi, saying, "The young lady is as beautiful as a fresh flower—we originally thought she was a fairy reborn. But now that we've seen Taitai, we've found the root. The young lady's features and appearance are exactly like Taitai's, as if carved from the same mold!"
This immediately made Xue Shi grin from ear to ear. "Our Lan girl is much prettier than I am. When she was little, she didn't stand out, but the older she gets, the more beautiful she becomes..."
Chun Ling responded with smiles and exchanged a meaningful glance with Xianglan. Xianglan silently admired Chun Ling's perceptiveness and escorted Xue Shi into the house.
Chun Ling looked around at the courtyard full of flowers and trees, the newly painted pink walls and green tiles, and the windows carved with fresh patterns, letting out a long sigh. She knew that Xianglan's family had originally been servants, and not well-regarded ones at that. Even though Lin Jinlou had later sent servants and silver, she had assumed they wouldn't shake off the pettiness of a humble household. To her surprise, the Chen family lived in such a residence—not overly large, but exquisitely designed, with antiques, curios, calligraphy, paintings, and all necessities in place. Their daily provisions and lifestyle were actually respectable for a middle-class family. Though Chen Wanquan was narrow-minded, having served as a shop manager for a time, and Xue Shi had worked in the Lin Family's household, neither was particularly imposing, but they could still hold their own.
Chun Ling immediately set aside her condescension, thinking to herself, "I heard that after Xianglan's family gained their freedom, they bought this house themselves, so it's clear they didn't rely on Master's favor. It seems the Chen family truly has some savings. Xianglan has both looks and character—she could marry into a wealthy landowner's family as the mistress. If Master had a gentle, caring nature, it might be one thing, but he's known for his flirtatious reputation and domineering ways. No wonder Xianglan is reluctant to enter the Lin Family." After pondering this, she rallied herself and directed the old women and maidservants to clean and organize the rooms.Originally, Lin Jinlou had left the Chen family with one old woman, Granny Liu, and a servant boy named Huacai. Seeing Xianglan return with such grandeur, they both felt hopeful. Granny Liu said to Huacai, "Don't look at Old Chen as a stingy, narrow-minded man with little insight—he actually married a virtuous and kind-hearted wife and fathered a daughter with great prospects. The Chen household is peaceful with few troubles. If we serve them well, it's even better than being in the main mansion." The two of them, one following Chun Ling's orders and the other running errands and buying things, became increasingly diligent.
In the main hall, a table of food had already been set. The family of three sat around the dining table. Chen Wanquan, after all, doted on his daughter. Although he felt his earlier words weren't wrong, he didn't want to upset Xianglan either. So he put on a smiling face, serving her dishes and pouring wine, even bringing out the fabrics and jewelry he had bought for her during this time to show her, trying to please his daughter.
Xianglan sighed inwardly. After all, they were father and daughter, and the earlier displeasure quickly dissipated. Seeing that Chen Wanquan's waist and legs had mostly recovered—though he still needed a cane to walk, he was largely fine—she couldn't help but feel relieved.
After the family finished their meal, Chen Wanquan, feeling happy, drank a few extra cups and went back to his room to sleep. The maids cleared away the leftovers, and Xianglan called Huacai over, handing him a handful of coins, saying, "My mother hasn't been feeling well these past couple of days. Go and invite Doctor Chu from Yongren Hall over." Huacai agreed and left.
Before long, Doctor Chu arrived. Granny Liu led him to the side room, and all the maids withdrew. Xianglan and Xue Shi sat on the bed, the bed curtains drawn. Xue Shi extended her hand first, and Granny Liu covered it with a handkerchief. Doctor Chu examined her pulse and said, "Taitai has weak qi and blood, but no serious illness. Just take two doses of medicine to replenish qi and blood, and she'll be fine."
Xianglan said, "My mother has had no sons so far and wishes to have another child. Do you think it's possible, Doctor?"
Doctor Chu replied, "Taitai has a cold constitution and suffers from exhaustion and deficiency. She likely experiences stiffness and pain in her lower back, probably due to health issues from earlier childbirth. It won't be easy for her to conceive again—she needs gradual nourishment and strong tonics. I'll prescribe two doses of medicine for now. After taking them for a while, we can reassess."
Xue Shi had been seeking medical advice recently, and the doctors had all given similar answers. Though disappointed, she had grown accustomed to it. She withdrew her hand and sighed to Xianglan, "Children are a matter of fate. Let it be. I've given up hope. As long as you're well, that's all that matters."
Xianglan squeezed Xue Shi's hand and instructed Granny Liu to serve tea to Doctor Chu and then wait outside. She then extended her own hand, covered with a handkerchief, for Doctor Chu to examine.
After checking both her left and right pulses, Doctor Chu stroked his beard and said, "This Taitai has deficient heart qi, which generates internal fire. She suffers from shortness of breath, palpitations, blood deficiency, and qi stagnation, leading to irregular menstruation. Additionally, due to excessive liver fire affecting the spleen and stomach, she has poor appetite and heavy, sluggish limbs. From her pulse, I can tell she is an intelligent and strong-willed person, but she overthinks too much. Recently, she has likely faced some distressing matters. Combined with her cold constitution and kidney deficiency, if she doesn't carefully nourish herself, she may also find it difficult to conceive."
Xianglan was taken aback and quickly asked, "Difficult to conceive? Does that mean she won't be able to bear children?"Doctor Chu said, "Since you're still young, it's not difficult to restore your health. You just need to take pills made from ginseng, angelica, astragalus, atractylodes, and poria to promote blood circulation and calm the mind. Although Taitai's body is weak, fortunately, it's not a case of being too deficient to tolerate tonics. With this kind of care, you'll be fine in a year or so." After speaking, he went out and sat outside, picking up a brush to begin writing the prescription.
Xianglan, sitting inside the bed curtain, breathed a sigh of relief and thought to herself, "Doctor Chu from Yongren Hall is famous for treating gynecological issues and regulating qi and blood. Moreover, he is upright and has strong medical ethics. If he said I couldn't conceive easily, it would indeed be difficult to get pregnant. This is actually very good; otherwise, there isn't even a place in the mansion to brew contraceptive medicine. If I really had a child, it would be truly hard to escape. What seemed like a bad thing has now turned out to be a good one."
Soon, Doctor Chu finished writing the prescription. Xianglan called Granny Liu in, gave her a thick Red Envelope as a reward, and then escorted Doctor Chu out.
Thank you to 05111039283 for the sachet, and to Qianruo Qingfeng Guo, jojo8129, and yu21yu21 for the Peace Talismans. Also, thank you to everyone for the pink votes ^_^ Sorry, I originally planned to update this morning, but I couldn't get online. In this chapter, the little maid Fanhua is played by Jinruo Fanhua, and the servant boy Huacai is played by Yu Xi Rui Mao~
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