The next morning, Lin Jinlou went to practice martial arts before dawn. As soon as he left, Xianglan eagerly washed up, dressed, and began packing to return home. She opened her trunk, took out the embroidered shoes she had made for Xue Shi, wrapped them up, selected a few of her usual paintings to bring along, and packed two or three sets of spare clothes. Meanwhile, Chunling had personally prepared a chest filled with Xianglan’s everyday essentials—clothes, jewelry, writing tools, and a mirror case, all packed to the brim—and directed the young maids to pack bedding and quilts.
Xianglan stared in astonishment and quickly stopped her, saying, "I’m only going home for a couple of days. Why go to such lengths? My family has bedding, and there are hair-combing tools at home too."
Chunling smiled and replied, "It’s always been done this way. Bringing our own things puts us at ease." She glanced at Xianglan, who was wearing a blue satin jacket and a moon-white skirt, and frowned. "There are so many brightly colored clothes in the chest. Why did you pick this one? Dressing so shabbily would embarrass the Eldest Master. You might even upset him."
Xianglan looked down at herself and said, "I was in a hurry to go home this morning, so I just grabbed a couple of items from the chest."
Chunling then personally selected a set for her: an apricot-yellow satin jacket embroidered with magnolia branches and a vibrant green cotton-silk skirt woven with gold threads. Xianglan had no choice but to change into it. Xiao Juan picked out a few gold hairpins and a pearl-adorned Kingfisher Feather Inlay, then re-styled Xianglan’s hair before they were done.
In the midst of the hurried preparations, Lin Jinlou returned. Seeing Xianglan’s attire, he gave a slight nod and ordered breakfast to be served. He ate with Xianglan but noticed she seemed distracted, having only finished a bowl of porridge. After wiping his mouth with a napkin, he called Shu Ran in and asked, "How are the preparations for Xianglan’s return home coming along?"
Shu Ran hurriedly replied, "Everything is as you instructed, Eldest Master. When she leaves, we’ll assign a matron to ride in the rear carriage with the old nanny and young maids. Miss Xianglan will ride in the front carriage with Chunling, and there will be six experienced attendants accompanying the carriage."
Lin Jinlou said, "Very well. I’ll assign two Personal Soldiers to go along as well." Shu Ran acknowledged the order and left. Lin Jinlou then instructed Chunling, "Go to the kitchen and get a large box of pastries to take along. Can’t you see your young lady barely ate anything this morning? You didn’t even notice that."
Seeing that Lin Jinlou was in a good mood, Chunling seized the opportunity to flatter him, saying, "Thanks to your reminder, Eldest Master. It shows how much you care for the young lady, even thinking of a box of pastries. The young lady often tells me how well you treat her." As she spoke, she gently nudged Xianglan from behind.
Xianglan had intended to say "thank you" to Lin Jinlou, but when she looked up and saw him smiling at her, the words caught in her throat.
Lin Jinlou took Xianglan’s hand, patted it in his palm, and said with a half-smile, "Oh? So you actually remember my kindness?"
Xianglan’s cheeks flushed slightly. Reflecting that she owed this chance to return home to this tyrant’s mercy and that he had indeed shown her kindness, she nodded gently and said, "I’ve always remembered."
The golden morning light streamed through the carved vermilion window, casting a radiant glow on Xianglan. Sitting there obediently with her head slightly bowed, her delicate face and fair complexion exuded an indescribable tranquility and grace. He was momentarily captivated before snapping out of it. He pinched her cheek and said in a low voice, "Who knows if you, little ingrate, are telling the truth? If only you’d stop being so stubborn and scowling at me all the time, I’d believe you remember my kindness... Fine, go home for a few days, and I’ll bring you back later."Xianglan draped a lotus-root-colored cloak embroidered with plum blossom branches and went out with Chunling and the others.
On the way back to the Chen Family, at the entrance of the alley, they spotted a young servant craning his neck from afar. As soon as he saw the carriage arrive, he turned and hurried inside to report. The carriage stopped in front of the Chen Family’s gate, and the six attendants accompanying it immediately rushed forward, facing outward. They held up a large black cloth, spreading it out to tightly enclose the area in front of the gate. Meanwhile, the matrons, married women, and young maids from the following carriage quickly alighted and gathered around. Jixiang lifted the curtain and set down the mounting stool. Chunling stepped down first and stood below, assisting Xianglan as she descended.
The commotion had long drawn the neighbors out to watch, but they couldn’t see past the black cloth. Even so, the two carriages alone were impressively grand. Adding to the spectacle, two soldiers in martial attire, wearing waist swords and looking imposing, stood on either side of the Chen Family’s gate. The onlookers were astounded and began murmuring among themselves: “The Chen Family usually seems so ordinary—who could be visiting today with such a grand display? With a bit of drumming to clear the way, it’d rival the county magistrate’s procession!”
“You don’t know, do you? I heard Old Chen’s daughter became a concubine to a high official. It might well be her returning.”
“That’s right, I’ve heard about this before. There was even a Scholar Xia who lost his official rank because he took a fancy to their daughter…”
“Tsk, tsk, you wouldn’t believe it—the Chen Family was once considered heirless, but with such a daughter, they’re set to rise high!”
Regardless of the gossip, as soon as Xianglan stepped out of the carriage, she saw Chen Wanquan and Xue Shi waiting eagerly at the door. At the sight of them, Xianglan’s eyes welled up. She hurried forward to support Xue Shi, calling out, “Mother,” as tears streamed down her cheeks.
The Chen couple’s eyes reddened as well. Chen Wanquan, initially stunned by the grandeur of Xianglan’s homecoming, snapped back to reality upon seeing his daughter and hastily wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.
Chunling quickly advised, “Miss, if you wish to catch up with your family, it’s better to go inside. The wind at the door is strong—be careful not to catch a chill.”
Xianglan nodded repeatedly and, holding Xue Shi’s arm, walked inside. Only after the family of three had entered the main hall did Chunling order the attendants to take down the black cloth and bring in several chests of belongings.
Inside the main hall, Xue Shi looked Xianglan over from head to toe. Though her daughter was still slender and dressed in dazzling attire, her once bright and lively demeanor had faded, replaced by a reserved and somewhat wooden expression—clearly, life had not been easy or carefree for her. Xue Shi’s heart sank, her expression turning serious. She had questions but held back, mindful of the others present.
Chen Wanquan, however, beamed with pride and laughed heartily. “Daughter, I can tell at a glance that you’re doing well in the Lin Family! Just look at what you’re wearing—I’ll bet even the imperial consorts don’t dress finer than this! And the grandeur of your return today—my goodness, escorted by soldiers, with six attendants plus personal maids, matrons, married women, and young maids! By the heavens, even the county magistrate’s wife might not have such dignity when she goes out!” He couldn’t help laughing again, swelling with pride and feeling his stature had grown by two measures. Shaking his head contentedly, he added, “Excellent, excellent! Who would have thought I’d become the father-in-law of Master Lin? Let’s see who dares to mess with me from now on!”Xianglan was so enraged by these words that she stood frozen for a moment, then said, "Father, stop trying to glorify yourself. How can you even bring yourself to say 'Master Lin's father-in-law'?"
Chen Wanquan widened his small eyes and retorted, "What's wrong with what I said? Now that you're with Master Lin, am I not his father-in-law? Daughter, you need to rein in that stubborn temper of yours! Serve Master Lin well—not only did he save your father's life, but all the wealth and status you now enjoy were given by him! This is a golden rice bowl, and you must hold onto it tightly."
Xianglan sneered, "I swore I would never be anyone's concubine, and now I've ended up like this, trampled upon by others. Yet you see it as an honor and keep glorifying yourself. What do you think I am in the Lin household? I'm nothing but a lowly person, a plaything like a cat or a dog. Master Lin has countless concubines in his inner quarters and lovers outside. He's only indulging me now because I'm new and fresh. If you're so enamored with this glamour, you'd better enjoy it while it lasts. Once your daughter grows old and loses her charm, not only will you lose the honor of being 'Master Lin's father-in-law,' but you might even be worse off than a servant!" With that, she stood up and walked out without looking back. Reaching the eastern wing, she slammed the door shut with a loud "bang."
Inside the room, Xue Shi stamped her feet in frustration and pointed at Chen Wanquan, saying, "You, you! Our daughter rarely comes home, and you have to say such irrelevant things, poking at her sore spots. Have you lost your mind?"
Xianglan's words had already left Chen Wanquan somewhat embarrassed, and upon hearing Xue Shi's reproach, he grew even more furious. He jumped up and shouted, "What did I say that was wrong? Now that she has grown wings, she thinks she can defy her father just because she's become a lady!" He grumbled and cursed under his breath, wanting to yell but afraid the servants outside might hear, so he forced himself to hold back, though he continued muttering quietly.
Xue Shi shot him a hateful glare and hurried out after Xianglan.
Chunling was tidying up with a young maid in the eastern wing when she saw Xianglan enter, her face filled with anger. Startled, Chunling asked no questions as Xianglan ordered, "Leave now." Chunling had no choice but to lead the others out and close the door, moving to the adjacent room.
Xianglan sat on the bed and immediately burst into tears, covering her face as she wept. In the Lin household, she felt she was merely living for the sake of survival. Each day, she opened her eyes and let the maids dress her in bright clothes and expensive jewelry, adorning her like a flower to please Lin Jinlou. Only when he was happy could she have a good life. Her days consisted of painting, reading, and then sitting by the window in a daze. Sometimes, she could hear Luanr singing while holding a pipa. Recently, the most frequent song was: "In the morning, I rejoice in the spring flowers' beauty; by evening, I grieve as they wither in the dust. I do not mourn the flowers' early fall, but lament that I, like them, am fleeting..." Luanr's voice was exquisite, the melody sorrowful and poignant. Xianglan would often hug her knees and listen entranced. She listened for as long as Luanr sang. She felt no jealousy toward the women in Lin Jinlou's inner quarters, only pity—they were all pitiful souls like her. The only difference was that they exerted all their efforts to compete for favor, while she had no such desire.Sometimes she wished she could live more freely, thinking that dwelling on those heavy, suffocating troubles was nothing but self-inflicted torment—after all, any way was a way to get through this life. But Lin Jinlou was no good man, and she was born with an unbending nature that refused to compromise. This time upon returning home, she had intended to quietly hint to her parents, hoping the family could gather and devise a plan to leave the Lin household. Yet, to her dismay, Chen Wanquan wore an expression of smug pride. Xianglan’s heart sank instantly, and all the grievances she had accumulated over time surged up at once—her tears could no longer be held back.
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