On the purple sandalwood table, a jade incense burner in the shape of a mandarin duck emitted delicate wisps of sinking smoke. The Xiangfei daybed, with its ivory armrests inlaid with mother-of-pearl bamboo and rattan motifs, was spread with a thick mattress embroidered with golden serpent patterns in autumnal fragrance hues. Beside the daybed, a small crabapple-blossom-red lacquered stand held a silver-gilt eight-treasure box decorated with phoenixes and flowers, containing assorted candied fruits, alongside a soapstone leaf-shaped cup. Chunling approached softly, carrying a blue-and-white pomegranate-patterned porcelain pot, and refilled it with amber-colored scented tea.
Xianglan, draped in a mulberry-dyed cotton-silk jacket, sat on the daybed making shoes, stitching the soles thickly. After Chunling added the tea, she quietly discussed with Lianxin and Shu Ran the replacement of winter bedding, curtains, and chair cushions, finally selecting several options to present to Xianglan for her choice.
Xianglan was momentarily dazed, surprised that late autumn had arrived so swiftly. It had been seven or eight days since her return home, and Lin Jinlou had treated her with extreme coldness, his face dark as storm clouds, not uttering a single word. The entire Hall of Knowing Spring was hushed in apprehension, with Lianxin and Chunling serving in bated breath, fearful of displeasing Lin Jinlou. Yet, he still shared the main bedroom with her, sleeping on the same bed. Each night, she curled into a ball, shrinking into the corner. When Lin Jinlou fell deeply asleep, he would turn and embrace her, startling her awake each time, yet she could not escape the confinement of his arms. She endured silently, often taking a long while to fall asleep again. Yesterday brought joyous news: Lin Jinlou had indeed been promoted to the rank of Vice Commander of the Imperial Guard, a third-grade position. The entire household was jubilant, with visitors streaming in continuously. He returned drunk that evening, yet rose before dawn to practice martial arts. Before leaving, he mentioned he wouldn’t be back for dinner, and Xianglan, lying within the bed curtains, heard this and breathed a great sigh of relief.
Meanwhile, Lianxin waited for her to choose the colors. Xianglan pointed to a deep reddish-purple shade, and Shu Ran promptly arranged for it to be replaced.
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—sturdy but in shades of navy and indigo—she added, “Why use these for the uppers? The cabinet is full of satins, and there are plenty left from the recent clothing tailoring. Using those would make the shoes prettier.” She made to fetch some.
Xianglan quickly stopped her, saying, “It’s getting cold; thicker shoes are warmer. Satins are too thin.” Hearing a burst of laughter and chatter in the courtyard, she asked, “What’s happening outside? It’s so lively.”
Xiao Juan went out to inquire and returned moments later to report, “A female immortal has arrived from the nearby Water Mirror Temple. She’s called Taoist Cui. First Madam, being charitable, donates incense oil money to her temple every year, so she visits the estate. A few days ago, when Yuan Ge'er fell ill, First Madam lit a large sea lamp at the temple. Taoist Cui, upon hearing the news, came to pay her respects. She just left Madam’s room and is heading here. Would you like to see her, miss?”
Xianglan frowned. She had some hearsay about this Taoist Cui: reputedly a rather flirtatious figure in her youth, with a touch of charm and a knack for affectation. She and two other young Taoist nuns from the same temple engaged in the flesh trade, albeit very discreetly, with only familiar patrons staying overnight. On the surface, however, she maintained a dignified and virtuous appearance, soliciting alms and performing rituals for money. As she aged, she began buying young, comely girls under the guise of taking disciples, but in truth, she forced them into prostitution. She was quite notorious among the wealthy dandies, earning the nickname “Flower Maiden,” though others remained unaware.Xianglan's master, Dingyi Shitai, knew about the shady dealings involved and had warned Xianglan to stay away from that person. Thus, when Xiao Juan brought it up, she immediately recalled the matter and said, "I won't see her. Just say I'm not feeling well."
Nuanyue, who was spreading a thick cushion over a chair, quickly interjected, "Why won't you see her, Miss? This Taoist Cui is quite famous. When the Third Master caught a chill, she performed a ritual and he recovered right away!"
Xianglan replied, "I'm not sick, so 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 divine fortunes, helping people seek advantages and avoid 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 straight at her and said, "I said—no—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 trouble and incurred Lin Jinlou's wrath. Behind her back, many gloated, speculating that Xianglan would immediately fall out of favor, and Nuanyue had also been hoping for this day and night. Yet, to everyone's surprise, Lin Jinlou still kept her by his side, with no change in her food, clothing, or daily necessities. Yesterday, after he was promoted, he rewarded his intimate servants with celebratory money. Even Huamei received only twenty taels, but he actually gave Xianglan fifty taels, solidifying her status as unshaken.
Moreover, since her return, Xianglan seemed somewhat different from before. Originally, she spent her days painting, reading, and daydreaming, indecisive in all matters, letting others make decisions for her, as if she wouldn't even feel it if someone poked her with a needle. Behind her back, they called her the "Wooden Beauty." But this time, she seemed to have gained a spark of life, faintly exuding the aura of a mistress, as if Lin Jinlou's choking had jolted her awake.
Xianglan tidied up her handiwork, stored it in a cabinet, and turned to walk out. Nuanyue had been deliberately or unintentionally currying favor with her, always with a hint of insincerity, which made Xianglan uncomfortable. She quietly inquired with Tinglan and learned that Nuanyue had previously been taken by Lin Jinlou. Realizing that Nuanyue's flattery was likely to gain more face in front of Lin Jinlou, Xianglan was more than willing to oblige. She assigned Nuanyue to serve tea and water in her room, attending to her needs, and gave her plenty of opportunities.
After Xianglan returned home this time, Nuanyue had been quite smug for a couple of days. When Lin Jinlou wasn't around, she even hummed tunes while walking. It wasn't until Lin Jinlou rewarded Xianglan with fifty taels for his promotion that Nuanyue finally quieted down. Observing such character with a cold eye, Xianglan resolved to keep her distance in the future.
Xianglan left the bedroom and went to the back to pick osmanthus flowers. As she reached the rear corridor, she heard voices. Tiptoeing to hide behind the house and peeking out, she saw Yingge speaking to Tinglan: "...They're not supplying the medicine properly. Last night, I didn't take it and couldn't sleep soundly."
Tinglan said, "I'll tell them later to ensure your regular medicine is supplied daily without interruption. Don't worry."
Yingge furrowed her delicate brows, her face clouded with worry, and said, "It's not just that... I... I don't even have fabric to make clothes or shoes now. Winter is approaching, and all I have in my trunk is that old padded jacket. The shoes I'm wearing now are made from scraps of silk, patched together—they're utterly shabby..."
"Didn't the Eldest Master reward you with silver?"
"My father has consumption. I sent all the silver home for his treatment."
"Then... didn't the household have winter clothes tailored for you last year?""Ah, this is truly hard to speak of... You know how my eldest brother's brain was damaged by fever when he was ten. Though he grew tall and strong, he could never find a wife. Last year, we finally found someone willing to marry him, but my sister-in-law insisted I beg the Eldest Master to give her younger brother a respectable position in his shop. You know what my standing is before the Eldest Master, and her brother isn't exactly ambitious either... So my sister-in-law threw tantrums and cried daily 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. Only then did she quiet down for a few days." Yingge'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 fabric for clothes. I do know there's an old piece of heavy woolen fabric in the storeroom, not much left, but enough to make a jacket. There's also a bolt of silk that's discolored, so it's just sitting there unused. I'll give you some—at least you can make a pair of shoes with it."
Yingge quickly nodded.
Tinglan said, "You mustn't breathe a word of this. If it gets out, I'll be in trouble too! Go back first, and I'll quietly bring it to you later."
Yingge hurriedly replied, "I won't tell, not even if beaten to death." Overwhelmed with gratitude, she left.
Tinglan turned to go back but 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 secretly watching you do a good deed."
Tinglan sighed again. "Ah, Yingge and I are both family-raised servants, distantly related by marriage. Since we entered the mansion together, we've been closer than others. It's truly heartbreaking—Yingge was already in poor health, and after losing her child, she became even sicklier. The Eldest Master knows her constitution is weak and no longer visits her. Her father was once a steward but contracted consumption. Now the family only has a simple-minded son and a ten-year-old boy—it's practically ruined. Those beneath them are all quick to sense the wind and shift, flattering the high and trampling the low. Yingge's life is hard; she can't even get enough medicine in the mansion, yet she still worries about her family... I'm just doing what little I can."
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 Yingge 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 Yingge's 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 Yingge's behalf first." She then made a deep curtsy, took the items, and left without another word.Now, Taoist Cui first sat for a while in Yingge’s room before coming out, then turned and went into Luanr’s room. The two exchanged greetings, and Luanr ordered Cunxin to bring hot tea, then offered fresh fruits for Taoist Cui to taste. As Taoist Cui savored the candied fruit, she noticed Luanr’s hair was disheveled, her face devoid of makeup, sallow and marked by a haggard, worn appearance. She could not help exclaiming in surprise, “Oh dear! The last time I saw you, young lady, your complexion was as radiant as spring blossoms and autumn moonlight. I thought you were a rare beauty, unmatched in all the world. How is it that in just over a month, you’ve grown so thin and pale?”
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