After everything was tidied up, Lin Jinlou returned and ordered the maids to bring water for washing up. After changing his clothes, he called for the meal to be served. The heated brick bed table was soon laden with various dishes. Xianglan ate some noodles and pastries and drank a bowl of porridge, while Lin Jinlou swept through the food on the table like a whirlwind, finally calling for a bowl of soup which he drank slowly and deliberately.
During the meal, both remained silent, lost in their own thoughts. Lin Jinlou glanced up and noticed Xianglan's attire, frowning slightly. His mother was shrewd and formidable—even his father, who had become a high-ranking official, was somewhat henpecked, let alone someone as timid as Xianglan. Her clothing made it obvious; she didn't even dare wear anything bright. Fortunately, she was naturally beautiful, otherwise this outfit, reminiscent of an old madam's style, would have aged her by at least ten years. It was truly unpleasant to look at.
Lin Jinlou set down his bowl and beckoned Chun Ling over, pointing at Xianglan's clothes and saying, "Go find her another outfit. This one is too plain."
Chun Ling, observing Lin Jinlou's expression, quickly agreed and left.
She returned shortly with several sets of clothing for Lin Jinlou to inspect. Among them were a blue-green embroidered Primrose Jacket, a bright red Golden Brocade Vest, a Pomegranate Pink Satin Robe with Gold Embroidery, and other such garments. Lin Jinlou flipped through them and asked Xianglan, "Which one would you like to wear?"
Xianglan, holding a cup of tea, lowered her head slightly and said, "Any of them is fine."
Lin Jinlou then picked out an Autumn Fragrance Colored Short Jacket with Gold Trim. After Xianglan changed into it, she did indeed look more radiant. Lin Jinlou then ordered someone to bring the Red Gold Filigree Necklace. Xianglan quickly protested, "These are only for ladies and young mistresses to wear. If I wear it, it might upset Taitai. Why bother?"
Lin Jinlou pinched Xianglan's cheek playfully and said with a grin, "Silly girl, Taitai doesn't care about such things. She has plenty of fine possessions—a gold necklace isn't even worth her notice. This is for those snobbish servants. As the saying goes, 'Clothes make the man.' Everyone in Taitai's courtyard is shrewd. If you dress shabbily, you'll end up being bullied."
Xianglan was unaccustomed to such teasing, and having been pinched by Lin Jinlou in front of the maids, her face flushed red. Chun Ling and the others, being perceptive, took the gold necklace and quietly withdrew.
Lin Jinlou personally fastened the necklace around Xianglan's neck, fiddling with the tassel on the Azure Jade pendant. "This jade isn't glossy enough," he remarked. "I heard the shop acquired a piece of Mutton Fat Jade, milky white and exquisite. I'll have it brought for you to carve into something. Tell the maids what style you'd like, and they can pass the message to Shuangxi outside under the corridor."
Noticing that Xianglan still had her head lowered, looking unhappy, he asked, "What's wrong? Is there something else?"
Xianglan glanced up at him, surprised to see a smile on Lin Jinlou's sternly handsome face, and quickly lowered her head again, whispering, "About going to Taitai's place... I'd rather not..."
"Why?" Lin Jinlou, seeing her timid demeanor, unconsciously softened his voice. He took her soft, pale hand in his and said gently, "Taitai inviting you is an honor. Before Qing Lan entered the household, she also spent time with Taitai. You've caught Taitai's eye, and she wants to personally mentor you."
"I don't want to go. I feel uncomfortable around Taitai. She doesn't like me, I know... I don't want to cause any trouble in her presence either."Xianglan finished speaking in one breath, and Lin Jinlou remained silent for a long while. With her head lowered, she thought he would inevitably get angry again—his unpredictable temper was truly hard to fathom, and he’d likely scold her for "not knowing what’s good for her."
To her surprise, Lin Jinlou laughed. He pinched her small chin with his fingers, gazed into her Black Agate-like eyes, and said with a smile, "Don’t be afraid. Early this morning, I sent Lianxin out. All the influential elderly maids and the respectable maids in the rooms have been given silver. With them looking after you, even if Taitai is formidable, you won’t suffer any losses. And if it really comes to it, you still have me to back you up."
Xianglan widened her eyes in disbelief. Lin Jinlou seemed quite pleased to see her astonished expression and tilted his head, saying, "After I’ve gone to such lengths thinking about your affairs, shouldn’t you, this ungrateful thing, remember it now? Hurry up and say something nice."
Xianglan was somewhat dazed, unable to grasp why Lin Jinlou had suddenly done all this for her. Having spent some time with him, she had come to understand his temperament to some extent. When he was in a good mood, he might coax her with gentle words, but women to him were merely pastimes after meals—he never bothered too much with them. If he favored one particularly, it was only as a pleasing plaything. He was generous and skilled at reading people, always knowing how to please them in just the right way. But if one misjudged their own standing and mistakenly believed they held any real importance in Master Lin’s eyes, they would only bring humiliation upon themselves. First, Qing Lan had fallen, and later Luan'er and Hua Mei had met their downfalls. Xianglan was especially vigilant. She had always found it challenging to deal with Lin Jinlou, and now she was even more cautious. Yet, he had protected her last night and specially sent someone this morning. Her heart trembled, and she felt an indescribable emotion. This Overlord-like man had forced her to stay in the mansion, and their repeated encounters had made her avoid him like the plague. Yet, he was also her only support in this gilded cage.
Seeing Xianglan’s dazed expression, Lin Jinlou couldn’t help but chuckle with a hint of frivolity. He tapped her chest lightly, leaned close to her ear, and whispered, "Touched, aren’t you? Think about how to thank me tonight." He tightened his arms and kissed her.
Lin Jinlou’s chest was firm and scorching. As his iron-like arms wrapped around her, Xianglan instinctively panicked. She clenched her fists and pressed them against his chest, but before she could evade him, his lips were already on hers.
A few days earlier, Lin Jinlou had wanted to be intimate with her, but Xianglan’s monthly cycle had arrived. Then, with yesterday’s unpleasant incident, the mood had been ruined. Today’s kiss rekindled the fire in Lin Jinlou’s heart. He couldn’t help but suck and nibble, his member hardening as his hand slipped into her clothes.
Startled, Xianglan struggled fiercely.
Just as the two were tussling, someone gently knocked on the doorframe outside. Wu Mama stood at the doorway, hesitating slightly as she said, "Master, Taitai... is asking why Xianglan hasn’t come over yet."
Xianglan nearly jumped in fright. Seizing the moment when Lin Jinlou was caught off guard, she broke free with all her strength, her face flushed crimson. She retreated several steps, leaning against the dressing table as she caught her breath.
Lin Jinlou took a deep breath, straightened his clothes, and walked to the doorway. Lifting the curtain, he said, "I was just giving her some instructions, which delayed her. Thank you for coming to fetch her."
Wu Mama’s face immediately broke into a beaming smile as she said effusively, "‘Thank you’ makes it sound so distant. I’d be more than happy to fetch her anytime."Lin Jinlou nodded slightly and smiled, "I'd forgotten how well you two get along. You've always spoken highly of her."
Wu Mama squinted and chuckled, "She's such a darling child."
Before the words faded, Xianglan emerged from the room. Her clothes and hair were neat, but her face was flushed red, and her lips were slightly swollen. She lowered her head and said, "Let's go."
Wu Mama glanced at her and understood the situation but pretended not to notice.
Lin Jinlou grabbed Xianglan's arm and said, "If you need anything, send someone to find Shuangxi at the front. He's staying in the residence today and knows my usual whereabouts."
Xianglan gave a soft "Mm" in response.
Wu Mama smiled even more broadly, took Xianglan's hand, and said to Lin Jinlou, "Don't worry, Master. I'll take care of her. She won't be mistreated." After exchanging a few more words, she finally led Xianglan away.
When they reached the courtyard, they saw four old women carrying Luan'er out on a bed board. Luan'er was still dazed, wrapped in a quilt with a cloth bandage around her head. Her black hair was disheveled, making her face appear deathly pale, and her lips almost colorless. Shuran stood nearby, her expression stiff and indifferent. Upon seeing Xianglan and Wu Mama, she gave a slight bow before turning her gaze and body away.
The old women carried Luan'er straight out through the Hanging Flower Gate, with Shuran following behind.
Wu Mama sneered, "That foolish Luan'er not only ruined herself but also dragged Shuran down with her. It's a pity Shuran's fine reputation has been destroyed by her. Shuran put so much effort into helping her cousin, but alas, some mud just won't stick to the wall. Fortunately, the Master is benevolent—any other master would have sold off such a treacherous maid long ago."
Xianglan watched Shuran's retreating figure and sighed, "Luan'er had a bad temper, but she wore her heart on her sleeve. She wasn't truly evil, just pitiable. Good and evil are separated by a single thought, and sometimes one wrong step makes it hard to turn back."
Wu Mama had intended to praise Lin Jinlou's "benevolence," but seeing Xianglan didn't pick up on it, she changed the subject: "When we go to see Taitai later, just listen quietly if she has instructions. Taitai has a sharp tongue but a soft heart—she's broad-minded and treats her subordinates kindly unless they truly cross the line. Her summoning you is a sign of favor. Concubine Lan also learned etiquette by Taitai's side back in the day, and her status became quite different afterward... I always said you were destined for good fortune, and it seems I was right."
Xianglan smiled faintly, with a touch of helplessness and bitterness, "What does fate matter? We have no control over it. We just muddle through life as best we can."
Wu Mama was taken aback and said softly, "You mustn't let Taitai hear you say that. She's very protective—in her eyes, the Master can do no wrong. To be frank, even the Master's flirtatious nature displeases the Master's father. When he first heard the Master had a favorite in the pleasure quarters, he was so angry he wanted to use the family discipline. But Taitai immediately stopped him, glaring and saying, 'My son works himself to the bone outside—what's wrong with him having a hobby? It's not like he's bringing her home!' The Master's father was hopping mad but ended up beating the Master behind Taitai's back."
Xianglan was stunned. Lin Changzheng was rigid and proper, a model scholar-official, and Qin Shi was extremely dignified. Xianglan couldn't help but sigh, "I really wonder who he takes after."Wu Mama clapped her hands and laughed, "Everyone says she resembles the Old Master, as if carved from the same mold." She then chattered on, "Master just has too fiery a temper. You should try to coax him more when you have the chance."
As they spoke, the two walked to the courtyard where Qin Shi resided. Wu Mama led Xianglan inside, stopping before the Main House. Wu Mama lifted the curtain and entered first. Qin Shi was in the prayer room, tapping a wooden fish and chanting scriptures. Lifting her eyes and seeing Wu Mama at the doorway, she asked, "Has the person arrived?"
Wu Mama replied respectfully, "Yes, she's waiting outside."
Apologies, I originally intended to update more, but I haven’t finished revising the upcoming plot. These past couple of days have been overwhelmingly busy, with family matters and my health not cooperating. Ah, I’m truly sorry for the late update. I’ll postpone expressing my gratitude for the rewards until the next chapter. My apologies to everyone!
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