The door creaked open as Xue Shi entered. Seeing Xianglan sitting on the bed wiping away tears, she approached and sat beside her, 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 joyful family chat without any troubles. I just couldn’t hold back my temper earlier."
Xue Shi sighed again and, after a moment, asked Xianglan, "How does Master Lin treat you... is he good to you?"
Xianglan was silent for a while before answering, "What does 'good' even mean? Wearing gold and silver, eating well and drinking fine—is that what counts? I could just drift through life with my eyes closed, muddling along, but I can’t accept it. Two years ago, I entered the household as a maid, enduring humiliation, frequent beatings, and scoldings. I did every dirty, exhausting task and nearly suffered assault and severe punishment—I fought tooth and nail to survive. Last year, at the Song family, I met a benefactor, and our whole household was freed from servitude. We had a few good days, and I thought I’d found a dependable partner for life, expecting stability ahead. But in the end, it all came to nothing. This year, after twists and turns, I’ve ended up back with the Lin family. Though I’m not a servant, I’m no different—just a plaything currying favor with the master. If he’s pleased, he tosses me food, clothes, or trinkets; if not, he slaps or scolds me. I can’t complain, or I’d be 'ungrateful for my blessings.' Right now, I’m still in his favor and living with some dignity, but think of Chunyan, who was driven out earlier, Yingge who’s out of favor, Luanr who lost his grace, and Huamei, desperately trying to flatter and please—who knows how they envy me..." As she spoke, tears streamed from her eyes.
Xue Shi also began to weep, holding Xianglan’s hand and saying, "My child, don’t say anymore..."
Xianglan stared steadily at Xue Shi and said, "I’ve thought about it—a woman’s life is often like this. Besides, the Lin family is wealthy and powerful. Maybe I should just go along, please him, and while he’s still fond of me, bear a child or two. Even if I fall out of favor later, I could find some peace. But I’m not willing, Mother, I truly am not. I’ve gritted my teeth through so much hardship—not for a life like this!"
Xue Shi embraced Xianglan and said, "What can you do even if you’re unwilling? Blame your father and me for having no means!"
Xianglan leaned against Xue Shi, weeping quietly. Soon, she wiped her eyes, sat up, and declared, "I refuse to believe it. I’ve survived harder times before—surely I can find a way to leave the Lin family."
Startled, Xue Shi asked, "What do you plan to do?"
Without answering, Xianglan fetched a Brocade Pouch made of gold-threaded brocade from her luggage. She opened it and shook the contents onto the bed, revealing over a dozen gold and silver jewelry pieces—rings, hairpins, bracelets, all of plain design. Xianglan explained, "Although there’s silver in my room, Chunling manages it, and everything is accounted for. Only these few pieces, being ordinary, I secretly kept without registering them. Take them quietly, Mother, have them melted into ingots, and hide them where Father won’t know."
Xue Shi gasped, "This... this... is it possible? What if the Lin family finds out?"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 secretly saving money. Whatever the future holds, having more silver for security 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. "Take half of the proceeds," she said, "and say it's for my needs. In the Lin residence, one must manage relationships up and down, and lacking funds might invite ridicule. Keep that silver for me, and when there's enough, have it melted into ingots and hidden away. I have my own plans."
"Lan girl, you're..."
"Just do as I say, Mother. This afternoon, send for a physician and say you're unwell."
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 concerned.
By noon, Xianglan had intended to invite Jixiang, the accompanying attendant, and the two Personal Soldiers to stay for lunch. Unexpectedly, Chunling had already given them generous red envelopes and sent them off, along with the matrons and maids who had returned, leaving only Chunling and a young maid named Fanhua. Xue Shi, unprepared for so many visitors, hurriedly busied herself with tidying the rooms.
Chunling stepped forward, all smiles, and said, "With us here, how could we let Madam trouble herself? Just leave the work to us. Since the young lady has come back with difficulty, Madam should spend more time talking with her." She then complimented Xue Shi, "Our young lady is as lovely as a fresh flower—we always thought she was a fairy incarnate. But now that we've seen you, Madam, we've found her roots. Her features and looks are exactly like yours, as if carved from the same mold!"
This immediately made Xue Shi beam with delight. "Our Lan girl is much prettier than I am," she said. "When she was little, she didn't stand out, but the older she gets, the more beautiful she becomes..."
Chunling responded cheerfully while signaling to Xianglan with her eyes. Xianglan silently praised Chunling for her perceptiveness and helped Xue Shi into the room.
Chunling looked around at the lush garden, the newly whitewashed walls with green tiles, and the intricately carved windows with fresh designs, and let 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 would still carry the pettiness of a humble household. She hadn't expected the Chen Family to live in such a residence—not overly large, but exquisitely designed, with antiques, curios, calligraphy, and paintings fully furnished, and their daily comforts matching those of a respectable middle-class family. Though Chen Wanquan was somewhat shortsighted, he had served as a shop manager for a time, and Xue Shi had also worked in the Lin mansion. Neither was particularly imposing, but they could just about hold their own.
Chunling immediately set aside her condescension, thinking to herself, "I heard that Xianglan's family bought this house right after being freed from servitude, so it couldn't have been through Eldest Master's favor. It seems the Chen Family truly has some savings. Xianglan, with her looks and character, could easily marry into a well-off landowning family as Da Nǎinai. If Eldest Master had a gentle temperament and knew how to care for others, it might be different, but he's known for his flirtatiousness and domineering ways. No wonder Xianglan is reluctant to enter the Lin family." After pondering this, she rallied herself and directed the matrons and maids to clean and organize the rooms.Originally, Lin Jinlou had left an old woman named Liu Pozi and a servant boy called Huacai at the Chen Family. Seeing Xianglan return with such grand arrangements, they both felt hopeful. Liu Pozi said to Huacai, "Don’t think Old Man Chen is just a stingy, narrow-minded fellow. He actually married a virtuous and kind-hearted wife and fathered a daughter with a promising future. The Chen Family is peaceful and has few troubles. If we serve them diligently, it might even be better than staying in the main residence." The two of them, one following Chunling’s instructions and the other running errands and buying things, became increasingly dedicated.
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. Though he felt his earlier words were not wrong, he did not want to upset Xianglan either. He put on a smiling face, served her dishes, poured her wine, and even brought 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 the table, 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 Dr. Chu from Yongren Hall to come over." Huacai agreed and left.
Not long after, Dr. Chu arrived. Liu Pozi led him to the side room, and the maids withdrew. Xianglan and Xue Shi both sat on the bed, with the bed curtains drawn. Xue Shi extended her hand first, and Liu Pozi covered it with a handkerchief. After examining her, Dr. Chu said, "Madam’s qi and blood are weak, but there’s no serious illness. Just take two doses of medicine to replenish qi and blood, and she’ll be fine."
Xianglan asked, "My mother has yet to have a son and wishes to have another child. Do you think it’s possible?"
Dr. Chu replied, "Madam has a cold constitution and suffers from exhaustion and deficiency. She likely experiences stiffness and pain in her waist and back, possibly 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 consulted other doctors recently, and they 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 Liu Pozi to serve tea to Dr. Chu and then wait outside. She then extended her own hand, covered with a handkerchief, and asked Dr. Chu to examine her pulse.
After checking both her left and right wrists, Dr. Chu stroked his beard and said, "This lady suffers from heart-qi deficiency leading to internal heat, shortness of breath, and palpitations. Her blood is deficient and her qi is stagnant, causing irregular menstruation. Moreover, her liver fire is overpowering her spleen and stomach, resulting in poor appetite and heavy, sluggish limbs. From your pulse, I can tell you are an intelligent and strong-willed person, but you overthink things. Recently, you may have encountered some distressing events. Combined with your cold constitution and kidney deficiency, if you don’t take careful care of yourself, you may also face difficulties in bearing children."
Xianglan was taken aback and quickly pressed, "Difficulties in bearing children? Does that mean I won’t be able to conceive easily?"Dr. Chu said, "At her young age, restoring health shouldn't be difficult. She only needs to take pills made from ginseng, angelica, astragalus, atractylodes, and poria to promote blood circulation and calm the mind. Although Madam's constitution is weak, fortunately she can still benefit from tonics. With this kind of regimen, she'll recover completely in about a year or so." Having said this, he went out and sat outside, picking up his brush to begin writing the prescription.
Xianglan, sitting behind the bed curtain, breathed a sigh of relief and thought to herself: "Dr. Chu from Yongren Hall is famous for treating women's ailments and regulating qi and blood. Moreover, he's upright and highly ethical. If he had said I couldn't conceive easily, it would truly mean difficulty in getting pregnant. This is excellent news indeed. Otherwise, with no place in the mansion even to brew contraceptive decoctions, if I really were to have a child, it would be truly impossible to extricate myself. What seemed like bad fortune has now turned out to be a blessing."
Soon after, Dr. Chu finished writing the prescription. Xianglan summoned Liu Pozi inside, gave her a thick red envelope as a reward, and had her escort Dr. Chu out.
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