On the rosewood table, the jade incense duck emitted curling wisps of sinking smoke. The ivory armrest with mother-of-pearl inlay bamboo rattan Xiangfei couch was spread with an autumn fragrance colored gold coin python thick mattress. Beside the couch, on the begonia lacquer small table, sat a silver gilded phoenix eight treasures box containing various preserved fruits, along with a frozen stone banana leaf cup. Chun Ling walked over quietly, carrying a blue and white pomegranate porcelain pot, and refilled it with amber-colored fragrant tea.
Xianglan, draped in a mulberry-dyed cotton gauze jacket, sat on the couch making shoes, stitching the soles thickly. After adding the tea, Chun Ling softly discussed with Lianxin, Shuran, and others about changing the winter bedding, curtains, and chair covers. Eventually, they selected several options and presented them to Xianglan for her choice.
Xianglan was momentarily dazed, not realizing how quickly late autumn had arrived. It had been seven or eight days since she returned home, and Lin Jinlou had treated her with extreme coldness, his face dark as storm clouds, not uttering a word. The entire Knowing Spring Pavilion was as silent as a cicada in cold weather; Lianxin, Chun Ling, and the others served with bated breath, fearful of displeasing Lin Jinlou. Yet, Lin Jinlou still shared the main house bed with her. Every night, she would curl into a ball, shrinking into the corner. When Lin Jinlou fell deeply asleep, he would turn over and embrace her, startling her awake each time, but she couldn't escape the confinement of his arms. She endured silently, taking a long while to fall asleep again. Yesterday brought the joyful news that Lin Jinlou had indeed been promoted to the third-rank deputy commander. The entire residence was filled with jubilation, and visitors came in an endless stream. He returned drunk that night but rose before dawn to practice martial arts. Before leaving, he mentioned he wouldn't be back for dinner. Hearing this from within the bed curtains, Xianglan couldn't help but breathe a huge sigh of relief.
Meanwhile, Lianxin was still waiting for her to choose the colors. Xianglan pointed to a Sufang-colored one, and Shuran promptly arranged for it to be changed.
Xiao Juan glanced at the work in Xianglan's hands and laughed, "Such thick soles won't look good when worn." Noticing the basket piled with coarse, thick fabric scraps—though dense, all in navy and indigo colors—she added, "Why use these for the shoe uppers? The cabinet is full of silk and satin, and there's plenty left from the recent new clothes tailoring. Use that to line the shoes; it'll look better." She made to fetch some.
Xianglan quickly stopped her, saying, "It's getting cold; thicker ones are warmer. Silk and satin are too thin." Hearing a burst of noise and laughter from the courtyard, she asked, "What's happening outside? It's so lively."
Xiao Juan went out to inquire and returned moments later, saying, "A female immortal has arrived from the nearby Water Mirror Temple. Everyone calls her Daoist Gu Cui. The First Madam is charitable and donates incense oil money to her temple every year, so she visits the residence. A few days ago, when Yuan Ge'er fell ill, the First Madam lit a sea lantern at the temple. Upon hearing the news, Daoist Gu Cui came to pay her respects. She just left Taitai's room and is heading here. Would you like to see her, miss?"
Xianglan frowned. She had some hearsay about this Daoist Gu Cui. It was said that in her youth, she was quite flirtatious, possessing some charm and knowing how to carry herself. Along with two other young Taoist nuns from the same temple, she engaged in the flesh trade, but very discreetly, with only familiar patrons staying overnight. On the surface, however, she maintained a dignified and virtuous appearance, going around soliciting alms and performing rituals for money. As she aged, she began buying young, pretty girls, claiming to take them as disciples but actually forcing them into prostitution. She was quite famous among the dandies and profligates, nicknamed "Flower Girl," though others were unaware of this.Xianglan's master, Dingyi Shitai, knew the inside story and had warned Xianglan to stay away from that person, so when Xiao Juan mentioned it, she immediately remembered and said, "I won't see her. Just say I'm not feeling well."
Nuanyue, who was spreading thick cushions on the chairs, quickly responded, "Why won't you see her, Miss? This Daoist Gu Cui is quite famous. When Third Master caught a chill, she performed a ritual and he recovered immediately!"
Xianglan said, "I'm not sick. Why should I see her? I won't."
Nuanyue insisted, "Whether you're sick or not, it's good to see her. She can read faces and cast divinations, guiding people toward benefits and away from harm. She's extremely accurate!"
Xianglan glanced at Nuanyue and said, "I said I won't see her."
As Nuanyue was about to persuade her further, Xianglan stared directly at her and said, "I said—I won't—see—her—"
Nuanyue was somewhat stunned, opening her mouth only to close it again. When Xianglan had returned home this time, she had been helped into the room, with shocking purple-black finger marks on her neck. Lin Jinlou had worn a dark expression, and anyone could guess that Chen Xianglan had provoked some trouble that angered Lin Jinlou. Many people secretly gloated, speculating that Xianglan would immediately fall out of favor, and Nuanyue had been hoping for this day and night. Yet, to everyone's surprise, Lin Jinlou still kept her by his side, with her food, clothing, and allowances unchanged. Yesterday, when he was promoted and distributed celebratory money to the women in his household, even Hua Mei received only twenty taels of silver, but he actually gave Xianglan fifty taels—her status remained unshaken.
Moreover, since her return, Xianglan seemed different in some ways. Previously, she spent her days painting, reading, or daydreaming, indecisive about everything and letting others make decisions for her, as if she wouldn't feel pain even if poked with a needle. They had nicknamed her "the wooden beauty" behind her back. But this time, she seemed to have gained a spark of life, even faintly exuding the authority of a mistress, as if Lin Jinlou's choking had jolted her awake.
Xianglan tidied up her work, put it away in the cabinet, and turned to leave. Nuanyue had always been ingratiating herself with her, intentionally or not, but there was something insincere about it that made Xianglan uncomfortable. She had quietly asked Tinglan and learned that Nuanyue had previously been favored by Lin Jinlou. From this, Xianglan understood that Nuanyue's flattery was likely aimed at gaining more face in front of Lin Jinlou. This was something Xianglan would have gladly welcomed—she had even assigned Nuanyue to serve tea and water in her room, giving her plenty of opportunities.
After returning home this time, Nuanyue had been quite smug for a couple of days, humming tunes when Lin Jinlou wasn't around, until he rewarded Xianglan with fifty taels of silver for his promotion, at which point Nuanyue fell silent. Observing such character with a cold eye, Xianglan resolved to keep her distance from now on.
Xianglan left the bedroom and went to the back to pick osmanthus flowers when she heard voices under the rear corridor. Tiptoeing to hide behind the house and peeking out, she saw Ying Ge speaking to Tinglan: "...They're not even supplying the medicine properly. I didn't take it last night and couldn't sleep well."
Tinglan said, "I'll tell them later to ensure your regular medicine is supplied daily without interruption. Don't worry."
Ying Ge furrowed her delicate brows, her face clouded with worry, and said, "It's not just that... I... I don't even have fabric for making clothes or shoes now. Winter is coming, and all I have in my trunk is that old padded jacket. The shoes I'm wearing now are made from scraps of silk—they're utterly shabby..."
"Didn't Master reward you with silver?"
"My father has consumption. I sent all the silver home for his treatment."
"Then... didn't the manor provide winter clothes last year?""Oh, this is truly embarrassing to mention... You know my elder brother had his mind damaged by a fever when he was ten. Though he grew into a tall, strong man, he's never been able to marry. Last year, we finally found someone willing to marry him, but my sister-in-law insisted I beg the Master to give her younger brother a respectable position in his shop. You know what my standing is before the Master, and her brother isn't exactly ambitious either... So my sister-in-law threw daily tantrums at home. During the New Year last year, I gritted my teeth and gave her my newly made winter clothes and a set of jewelry just to have some peace for a few days." Ying Ge's eyes reddened as she spoke, unable to hold back her sobs.
Tinglan let out a long sigh. "You've had it too hard. But I'm not in charge of the clothing materials. I do know there's an old piece of coarse wool fabric in the storeroom, not much left, but enough to make a jacket. There's also a bolt of silk that's discolored, just sitting there unused. I'll cut some for you—you can at least make a pair of shoes with it."
Ying Ge quickly nodded.
Tinglan said, "You mustn't speak of this to anyone. If word gets out, I'll be in trouble too! Go back now, and I'll quietly bring it to you later."
Ying Ge hurriedly replied, "I won't, I won't, not even if beaten to death." She left with endless gratitude.
Turning back, Tinglan was startled to find Xianglan standing at the corner. Clutching her chest, she said, "Why are you here? You scared me to death."
Xianglan smiled. "I was watching you do a good deed in secret."
Tinglan sighed again. "Well, Ying Ge and I are both household slaves, distantly related through family ties. Since we entered the mansion together, we've been closer than others. It's heartbreaking, really. Ying Ge was never in good health, and after losing her child, she's become even sicklier. The Master knows she's frail and doesn't visit her anymore. Her father was once a steward but caught consumption. Now the family only has a simple-minded son and a ten-year-old boy left—it's practically ruined. Those below are all quick to sense the wind and shift with the tide, flattering the high and trampling the low. Ying Ge's life is hard; she can't even get proper medicine in the mansion and still worries about her family... I'm just doing what little I can to help."
These words struck a chord with Xianglan. After lowering her head in thought, she said to Tinglan, "Come with me."
They went to the bedroom, which happened to be empty. Xianglan opened a chest, took out twenty taels of scattered silver, and found a new lined jacket. Handing them to Tinglan, she said, "Dear sister, please give these to Ying Ge for me. I'm not familiar with her, and it might be awkward if I give them to her directly."
Tinglan was taken aback. "You... what are you doing this for?"
Xianglan explained, "My father nearly died in prison once, so I understand her anxiety. It's rare to find such a filial daughter—I must help however I can, even if it's just a small effort. I trust your character, so I'll trouble you to deliver these for me. Or perhaps don't tell her they're from me, to avoid her overthinking it."
Tinglan was stunned for a moment before saying, "Good Xianglan, I don't even know what to say. I'll thank you properly on Ying Ge's behalf first." She then made a deep curtsy, took the items, and left without another word.Now, that Daoist Gu Cui first sat for a while in Ying Ge's room before coming out, then turned and went into Luan'er's room. The two greeted each other, and Luan'er ordered Cun Xin to bring hot tea, also grabbing some fresh fruits for Daoist Gu Cui to taste. As Daoist Gu Cui savored the candied fruit in her mouth, she noticed Luan'er's disheveled hair and unpowdered face, which appeared sallow and bore a weary, diminished look. She couldn't help exclaiming in surprise, "Oh dear! Last time I saw you, young lady, your complexion was as radiant as spring flowers and autumn moonlight. I thought you were a rare beauty under heaven, unmatched in the world. How is it that in just over a month, you've grown so thin and pale!"
Thank you to qian20051978 for the sachet, damima for the two Peace Talismans, and also to Yueyue Ai Yueyue, Lingling Qingqing, Weiwei Piaoguo, Jian, and Meigui for the long reviews. You are all so talented! ^_^
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