Du Bin thought to himself that this was no place to linger and it would be best to leave early. After waiting a moment longer and hearing no sound from outside, he leaped out through the window, dodged and hid, scaled the high wall, and escaped through the small side gate.
Lin Dongxiu stood far away on the hillside, watching as Lin Dongling emerged from the house with Xianglan and the others. She couldn’t tell whether her heart felt relieved or bitterly disappointed. Clutching her handkerchief tightly, she slowly made her way back. Though this incident seemed like a minor disturbance, it would later become the root of all that followed—but that is a story for another time.
After Lin Dongqi’s grand wedding, Lin Changzheng set off for Shanxi with Concubine Bao. Lin Jinlou dispatched his personal soldiers to escort them along the way, while Qin Shi remained at home to manage affairs. Lin Dongqi’s wedding had been a lavish affair, leaving the entire Lin household exhausted from the effort. Qin Shi directed the maids and servants to tidy up and put everything in order, a task that was only completed on the day of Lin Dongqi’s return visit. After this busy period, Qin Shi fell mildly ill. Old Madam Lin, concerned for her daughter-in-law, asked Wang Shi to take over management for a few days. Lin Jinting then assigned Wang Shi to handle external affairs, while Lin Dongxiu volunteered to assist.
Lin Jinlou, occupied with military duties and social engagements, spent his days at home immersed in official business or consulting with his retainers and advisors. If it grew too late, he would stay overnight in his study. Xianglan, however, breathed a sigh of relief. As someone with little to do and ample leisure in the household, Lin Jinlou’s absence suited her perfectly. She spent her days diligently practicing her painting skills, quietly making her own plans.
One afternoon, Lin Jinlou returned home and had just stepped into his study when he saw Shu Ran coming out with two books in hand. He asked, "What books are those? Where are you taking them?"
Shu Ran smiled and replied, "Miss Xianglan asked me to find a couple of books to help pass the time. If Second Miss hadn’t married, she could have borrowed from her, but that’s no longer possible. I borrowed some poetry from Fourth Miss, but she said she’d already read them and they weren’t new to her. She wanted some biographies or anecdotes, so I had to fetch a couple from your study."
Lin Jinlou glanced at the books—two volumes of strange tales—and pondered for a moment before saying, "Tidy up the things on the desk later. I’ll be working in my room today."
Shu Ran promptly agreed.
Xianglan hid behind the curio cabinet, stealing glances at the desk in the main hall. Lin Jinlou sat behind it, intently flipping through several sheets of paper, occasionally picking up a brush to jot down a few words.
Lianxin approached with a gilded lacquer tray carrying a pale pink Ding kiln teacup filled with steaming hot tea intended for Lin Jinlou. Noticing Xianglan hiding behind the cabinet, she walked over and whispered, "What are you doing standing here?"
Xianglan’s cheeks flushed slightly, and she was about to speak when Nuanyue came over and took the tray from Lianxin’s hands. "If you two are going to chat, I’ll deliver the tea. Eldest Master has called for tea four or five times already. If we don’t bring it soon, he’s bound to get angry." With that, she turned and entered the room, all smiles as she presented the tea to Lin Jinlou’s desk. Without even looking up, Lin Jinlou merely waved his hand to dismiss her. Disappointed, Nuanyue clutched the tray and withdrew.
Lianxin sneered inwardly but pretended not to notice. Xianglan hesitated for a while before finally returning to her room.
By dinnertime, Lianxin glanced toward the desk and saw that Lin Jinlou was still writing and sketching. Not daring to disturb him too much, she waited a little longer before trimming a silver candlestick to brighten the lamp. Approaching him, she said, "Eldest Master, it’s already dark. It’s time for dinner."
Lin Jinlou, without raising his head, replied, "I’ll eat later."Lianxin had no choice but to withdraw.
Lin Jinlou busied himself for a while longer, finishing his official duties. When he looked up, he realized it was already pitch black outside. Feeling hungry, he stood up and stretched, shaking his neck and shoulders. Lianxin, who had been waiting for a long time, hurried over. Lin Jinlou glanced at her and said, "Serve the meal." He thought to himself that Lianxin was not as clever or capable as Shu Ran, but she was rare in her honesty and dutifulness. Moreover, as someone from Old Madam’s quarters, she always followed the rules and served others properly.
Lost in thought, he returned to the bedroom and saw several steaming dishes already arranged on the kang table of the Arhat Bed. The small kitchen had been careful not to let the food go cold, keeping it warm all along. Earlier, Qin Shi had sent a young maid to inquire and, upon hearing that Lin Jinlou had not yet eaten, felt sorry for him and sent over two additional dishes. The table was now laden with an abundant spread of delicacies, fruits, and dishes. While having extra food was nothing unusual, what surprised him was that Xianglan was actually sitting on the mustard-yellow gold-coin python Seat Cushion on one side of the Arhat Bed. When she saw him enter, she immediately stood up, glanced at him, and quickly lowered her head.
Lin Jinlou couldn’t help but feel astonished, thinking to himself, "Has this little ingrate been waiting for me to eat?" Without saying a word, he sat down on the other side and pointed at Xianglan, saying, "You sit too."
Xianglan sat down somewhat uneasily.
Soon, the maids began serving the dishes and poured warm wine into golden chrysanthemum cups. Lin Jinlou picked up his chopsticks, and Xianglan followed suit, picking up two leaves of green vegetables and putting them in her mouth. She stole a glance at Lin Jinlou, wondering how to broach the subject. Lin Jinlou had seemed in a bad mood these past few days. Two days ago, during lunch, he had initially ordered the meal to be served in the main room. But upon receiving news that the Marquis of Yongxin had beaten him to the credit for his earlier efforts in suppressing the Japanese pirates, he flew into a rage, threw the bowl in his hand, and stormed off in a huff, frightening the maids into kneeling in a panic. For the past few days, he had been scowling, and everyone had been avoiding him, not daring to approach for fear of provoking his anger. The matter weighing on Xianglan’s mind had been on the tip of her tongue for a while, but she had not yet found the courage to speak up.
Lin Jinlou ate quickly but still maintained the elegant demeanor of a nobleman’s son. Only after he had eaten his fill did he slow down. Xianglan hesitated for a long time before finally picking up a blue-and-white sunflower-patterned bowl, ladling a bowl of soup from the small clay pot, and pushing it toward Lin Jinlou.
Lost in thought as he ate, Lin Jinlou didn’t notice.
Xianglan said softly, "This... this is old duck soup with adenophora root and polygonatum. It’s especially nourishing for the stomach in this season..." Her voice grew fainter as she trailed off.
Hearing her voice, Lin Jinlou looked up. He glanced at the steaming bowl of soup, then at Xianglan with her head bowed, and couldn’t hide his surprise. Putting down his chopsticks, he wiped his hands with a damp towel and remarked, "This is quite a surprise. You actually know how to serve others. This afternoon, when you saw me return, didn’t you scurry off to your room like a little mouse?"
Xianglan kept her head lowered and, after a long pause, whispered, "I have something to ask of Eldest Master..."
Lin Jinlou snorted coldly, thinking to himself, "I knew this ingrate wouldn’t come to flatter me for no reason." He narrowed his eyes slightly and asked, "What is it?"
Xianglan clutched the letter tightly in her hand, staring at the multicolored silk tassel tied at her waist, and said, "In two days, it will be my mother’s birthday. I..."Lin Jinlou said, "Oh, so it's your mother's birthday. You could've just told Shu Ran. There are still some gold and silver jewelry from last time I returned—pick two pieces your mother would like. Later, go withdraw forty taels of silver from the accounts. There are also a few bolts of cloth for the season; take them. I'll have someone write a note for the tailor from Xianni Studio to make two new outfits for your mother."
Xianglan said, "I just miss my mother..."
Lin Jinlou replied, "Fine, tomorrow I'll have someone bring your parents into the estate so you can reunite." As he spoke, he tapped the wine cup in front of him and said, "Pour me a drink." The white porcelain wine vessel was empty, so Xianglan went to the small stove on the floor to fetch a fresh pot, then stepped forward to pour wine for Lin Jinlou. He reached for her small hand, pulling her close and embracing her as she sat on his lap.
Xianglan slightly raised her head and saw Lin Jinlou staring intently at her, which made her nervous. She lowered her head further, twisting her skirt ties and said, "I actually want to go home for a couple of days..." She stole a glance at Lin Jinlou and, seeing a lazy smile on his face, quickly buried her head again. "They're not used to staying in the estate and feel uneasy. Others might gossip if they see them, so... My mother also sent a message saying the dog at home had a litter of puppies, and I'd like to go back to see them..."
Lin Jinlou noticed her flushed cheeks and gentle demeanor, softening his heart. Lowering his voice, he said, "So you're homesick. Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
Xianglan thought to herself, "With your cruel, tyrannical, and unpredictable temper, who'd dare approach you? I've been avoiding you as much as possible."
Seeing her silence, Lin Jinlou didn't press further. Suddenly raising his voice, he called, "Shu Ran! Where's Shu Ran?"
Nuanyue, who was standing guard outside, darted in immediately with a bright smile. "Sister Shu Ran has already gone home." Noticing Xianglan sitting in Lin Jinlou's lap, her expression subtly shifted with discomfort.
Lin Jinlou waved impatiently. "Step aside. I didn't call for you—get Jixiang in here."
Nuanyue had no choice but to withdraw. Jixiang had been in the room under the corridor playing cards with a few young servants for fun. Hearing Lin Jinlou summon him, he hastily discarded his cards, crossed through the moon gate, entered the room, kept his head bowed without letting his eyes wander, and stood hunched, ready for orders.
Lin Jinlou instructed, "Xianglan's mother is celebrating her birthday. Tomorrow, prepare a carriage to take her home for a couple of days. Bring along an elderly maid, two young maids, and have Chunling accompany them as well."
Jixiang assented repeatedly, and Lin Jinlou waved him away.
Xianglan murmured uncertainly, not knowing what to say. Having lived two lifetimes, she had never been one with a sweet, ingratiating tongue to win favor, let alone skilled at handling someone as volatile and ruthless as Lin Jinlou.
Seeing Xianglan's slightly flushed face and flustered appearance, yet with a hint of excitement in her eyes, Lin Jinlou pinched her cheek and laughed. "I've granted your wish. Shouldn't you share a drink with me?" He picked up his own wine cup, brought it to Xianglan's lips, raised an eyebrow, and said with a smile, "You've got quite the airs—originally, you should be toasting me. Now that I'm offering the cup to you, won't you take a sip?"
Xianglan took the cup and drank a mouthful.Lin Jinlou laughed and said, "One sip isn't enough." He then drank the remaining wine, pinched Xianglan's chin, and leaned down to kiss her. The wine flowed from his mouth into hers. Xianglan was startled and initially wanted to struggle, but then remembered she still needed to plead for him to release her to go home, so she forced herself to endure it. She clenched her fists and pressed them against Lin Jinlou's chest. Lin Jinlou, kissing and sucking, became aroused and held Xianglan even tighter, his hand slipping inside her clothes.
Just then, there was a loud "clatter"—someone had knocked something over. Startled, Xianglan desperately dodged and pushed Lin Jinlou away, only to see Nuanyue standing at the doorway, a plate of pastries she had been holding now spilled on the floor.
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