Xianglan returned to Luoxue Courtyard and stood at the main gate peering inside. The hall was quiet, with faint murmuring voices drifting from the bedroom. Liu Pozi stood beneath a cluster of banana trees waving at her. Xianglan ran over, and Liu Pozi gestured toward the room with her chin, saying, "She was just chasing and beating the dog earlier. Then Miss Qi from the main household sent a young maid over with an invitation—it seems Miss Qi is hosting a tea party tomorrow and has invited this ogress from Luoxue Courtyard. After that little maid left, the ogress calmed down and started rummaging through her clothes chest to pick out an outfit."
Xianglan nodded. Cao Lihuan loved being the center of attention and would never miss such an opportunity to socialize with the young ladies of the Lin family. Just then, Huier called Xianglan's name from the window, summoning her to alter the clothes Cao Lihuan would wear tomorrow. Xianglan collected herself and went back to make the alterations for Cao Lihuan, which we'll set aside for now.
The next day, Cao Lihuan rose early, preoccupied with her attire and accessories, determined to outshine all the other young ladies. After breakfast, she busied herself with grooming from head to toe. Xianglan secretly rejoiced—on such occasions, Cao Lihuan would inevitably take Huier along. Once mistress and maid departed, Huairui wouldn't stay cooped up in her room either, surely slipping out to visit her close friends. Some days earlier, Xianglan had asked Liu Pozi to purchase paper, brushes, ink, and rouge for her. With Luoxue Courtyard empty, she could finally take them out and paint.
Sure enough, Cao Lihuan emerged freshly powdered, clutching a small fan and swaying off with Huier. Not long after, Huairui vanished as well. Xianglan spread out her paper and brushes, calming her mind and closing her eyes to meditate for a long while before gathering her focus and painting a peach blossom branch. Just as she was about to add birds and butterflies beside the blossoms, a young maid with unbound hair entered and said, "Miss Huan asks you to fetch that box of piled gauze flowers from her dressing table drawer and bring it over."
Xianglan had no choice but to hurriedly put away her brushes and ink on the table. She went to the dressing table, pulled open the drawer, and saw a black lacquered box painted with gold phoenixes. Opening it, she found five hair ornaments inside. Though products of a common workshop, they were exquisitely crafted from fine silk gauze.
With Luoxue Courtyard temporarily empty, Xianglan called Liu Pozi from the tea room to watch the gate. Tucking the box of flowers into her sleeve, she followed the young maid. Lin Dongqi resided in Huifeng Studio, an area planted with peach, apricot, pomegranate, pear, and osmanthus trees, offering scenic views in all seasons. Not far ahead lay a pond, its banks adorned with jagged rockeries that connected to the stones onshore, creating a uniquely charming landscape.
This was Xianglan's first time visiting this part of the garden, and she couldn't help but marvel silently. Suddenly, the maid led her to the entrance of a cave in the rockery. Passing through it, her view opened up: covered corridors flanked both sides, leading straight down to Huifeng Studio's three main rooms and four side chambers. With their madder-red windows and green tiles, set among lush, elegant trees, the scene was extraordinarily refined.
Xianglan inwardly exclaimed in admiration. Following the maid to the doorway, a servant girl in a brown embroidered vest lifted the curtain and announced, "Miss Huan, the items have arrived."Xianglan kept her head slightly lowered, not daring to let her eyes wander, and only heard the sounds of conversation and laughter coming from the guest reception room. Cao Lihuan was holding forth: "...Last time I went to Xianni Zhai, I spent fifty taels of silver on a cloak and a jacket. Even at that price, the shopkeeper said it was only because I'm a regular customer that he gave me a discount. I've spent over two hundred taels at Xianni Zhai in total..."
Hearing Cao Lihuan boasting again, Xianglan curled her lips slightly and walked in with a demure and submissive demeanor. Six young ladies were seated in the room. Cao Lihuan was drinking tea at the square table and, upon seeing Xianglan enter, her face darkened. "Why are you here? Where's Huairui?"
Xianglan replied, "Huairui wasn't in the room, so I came instead. I asked Mother Liu to keep an eye on the door before leaving." As she spoke, she handed over the box of flowers.
Cao Lihuan, recalling that she had just sent Huier to Zhao Yuechan's place to deliver something and now had no capable attendant by her side, said to Xianglan, "Wait a moment before you leave." She took the box, opened it, and picked out one flower, gesturing with it as she smiled. "This is what I was just talking about—my brother specially had someone bring it back from the capital. It's an Imperial Flower procured by the Imperial Household Department. My brother had someone save a whole box for me, all in the latest styles. Here, each of you pick one to wear." With that, she handed the box of Imperial Flowers to Lin Dongqi. Though Lin Dongqi was neither the eldest nor the youngest, as Qin Shi's only legitimate daughter, Cao Lihuan deliberately flattered and curried favor by letting her choose first.
Lin Dongqi appeared to be about fourteen or fifteen years old, with delicate and elegant features. Her phoenix eyes slanted slightly upward, and she had a slender waist and narrow shoulders. Her demeanor and bearing mirrored Qin Shi's exactly, exuding a sharp and capable air. She was dressed properly in a white satin jacket and a silk damask skirt, with no jewelry in her hair except for a silver hairpin. On her wrists, she wore a pair of silver bracelets engraved with motifs of fortune, prosperity, and longevity, setting off her snow-white wrists. Holding a cup of tea, she smiled graciously at Cao Lihuan and said, "Since these are such fine flowers, sister, you should keep them for yourself. I already have some."
Cao Lihuan smiled warmly and ingratiatingly. "Why so polite, sister? There are four flowers in the box, so it's just right for each of you to pick one. What do you think of this one in my hand? The stamens are made of pearls the size of rice grains."
Just as Lin Dongqi was about to decline again, a soft, delicate voice chimed in from the side: "This is a gesture of goodwill. Among all the sisters here, young and old, she specifically let you, Second Sister, choose first. You really shouldn't waste such kindness." Xianglan, who had retreated to a corner after presenting the box, followed the voice and saw a girl of about thirteen sitting by the kang table. She had an oval face, slender eyebrows and eyes, and a small cherry-like mouth. Though she looked somewhat sickly, her delicate frailty was pitiable and charming, and her posture was exceptionally graceful. She wore plain silver hair accessories and was dressed in a white quilted jacket with peony motifs and subtle patterns, paired with a white cotton-silk skirt—even more eye-catching than Lin Dongqi's attire.
Xianglan thought to herself, "Tinglan mentioned that the eldest daughter of the main branch, Lin Dongwan, has already married, and there's a third daughter named Lin Dongxiu from a concubine. This must be her. She's truly a beauty, but her words are rather sharp—publicly embarrassing Cao Lihuan like that."
Upon hearing this, Cao Lihuan's expression indeed shifted. She wanted to retort but restrained herself due to the other's status, pretending not to have heard and instead beckoning to the other girls. "Come, Sister Ling, you pick one too."Xianglan followed her gaze and saw a girl sitting on the other side of the kang table, cracking melon seeds with a disdainful expression. She appeared to be around the same age as Lin Dongqi, with thick eyebrows, large eyes, a delicate nose, and rosy lips—handsome and striking in appearance. Her hair was tied in a single bun at the top, while the rest was braided into a single plait adorned with scattered pearls. She wore a white satin jacket and skirt embroidered with exquisite white flowers, and around her neck was a silver necklace with a smooth, warm white jade pendant. This was the legitimate daughter of the second branch, the third young lady of the Lin family, Lin Dongling.
Another girl sat to Lin Dongqi’s left, looking about thirteen years old. She had an oval face, snow-white skin, delicate willow-leaf eyebrows, and gentle, reserved eyes. She wore a slightly worn long jacket with cloud-and-wild-goose patterns and a wide lavender collar, paired with a dark green skirt. On her head were two or three gold accessories, not overly extravagant but clearly befitting a wealthy family. Xianglan, unsure of which family’s young lady she was and struck by her beauty, couldn’t help but glance at her a few more times. In fact, this girl was Song Ke’s younger sister, Song Tanzhai, who was visiting the Lin residence.
Cao Lihuan urged the young ladies to pick flowers from the box. Lin Dongling, who had a grudge against Cao Lihuan, ignored her completely. Song Tanzhai, being introverted and not particularly fond of socializing, was also meticulous in her thoughts. She glanced into the box and thought to herself, "There are only four flowers in the box—one for each of the Lin sisters, and Miss Huan will likely keep one for herself. There’s certainly none for me, so why should I rush to pick one and take someone else’s flower to wear? It would be rather pointless." So she smiled faintly and remained still.
After calling out several times with no response, Cao Lihuan’s expression grew strained. She said, "These flowers are truly of the finest quality. I’ve heard it takes a skilled craftsman a full day to make just one. Only the ladies in the palace can afford to wear them—they’re impossible to buy outside. This box of flowers cost my brother a full twenty taels of silver…"
"If the ladies in the palace wore these flowers, it would disgrace the imperial family. Dear cousin, you should just put them away," Lin Dongling said mockingly, spitting out a melon seed shell. "Which flower in the palace would dare to bear a merchant’s mark? I clearly saw the characters 'Ming Ji' stamped on the back of your flowers. Flowers from some unknown workshop, and your brother paid twenty taels for them? Tsk, it’s clear he was cheated."
Lin Dongxiu smiled faintly, revealing a pair of dimples at the corners of her lips, but she lightly covered her mouth with a handkerchief and said, "Exactly. Among the well-known jewelry shops in the capital—Yong Ji, Wanbao Lou, Yuan Fufang—I’ve never heard of one called 'Ming Ji.' Besides, we already have plenty of flowers. Last time, two boxes were bestowed from the palace, and each of us sisters received five. At New Year’s, Mother even specifically sent some to Third Sister—I wonder if you received them?"
Lin Dongling replied cheerfully, "Of course I did, along with clothes and jewelry. Aunt is so thoughtful—she never forgets me when it comes to good things. As soon as you open the box, you can tell the flowers are from the palace, exquisitely made. No matter how fine the craftsmanship of outside merchants, it can’t compare to the elegance of the imperial family."With every word these two spoke, Cao Lihuan's face darkened further. Ambitious by nature, she was always desperate to climb the social ladder and ingratiate herself with the upper echelons of nobility. Not only could she not bear to be looked down upon, but she also had to strive to be first in everything. At this tea gathering, she naturally wanted to flaunt herself as a young lady of taste and experience, but to her dismay, no one was buying it. She had kindly brought out her treasured flowers to curry favor, only to end up covered in ridicule. Lin Dongling had already had a grudge against her, but now Lin Dongxiu joined in taunting her, publicly humiliating her!
Cao Lihuan had a fiery temper, and her face flushed crimson with rage, ready to explode at any moment. Lin Dongqi said with a smile, "These flowers are quite lovely, but we're currently in mourning for our great-grandmother. Red and purple colors cannot be worn. We appreciate your kindness, Sister Huan. Besides, you're about to be married soon—you should keep these pretty flowers for yourself to wear."
Seeing that Lin Dongqi was trying to give Cao Lihuan a way out, Lin Dongxiu snorted but turned to speak with Song Tanzhai, her tone gentle and amiable: "Sister Tanzhai, if we're talking about novel and beautiful Imperial Flowers, I have a few branches. They can't be worn during our great-grandmother's mourning period, and they'll just gather dust sitting around. I'll have someone send them to you later. There's one in pale lotus root color that would perfectly complement the dress you're wearing today."
Song Tanzhai replied with a smile, "I really shouldn't decline Sister Wan's kind offer, but I don't particularly care for wearing flowers or powder. You should keep them for yourself."
Lin Dongxiu said affectionately, "Why stand on ceremony with me? Even if you don't like wearing them, keep them anyway. There will be a time when you can wear them."
Lin Dongling immediately chimed in, "I have some flowers too—Piled Gauze, silk, and satin ones. The stamens are inlaid with agate and crystal, absolutely beautiful. They were made by the most famous craftsman in Jinling. Sister Tanzhai, you should take them to wear. I'll have Dianxi bring them to you later."
This exchange further stoked Cao Lihuan's anger. She fumed inwardly: "I'm the legitimate cousin of the Lin family! What does Song Tanzhai amount to? She's just the daughter of the second madam's sister, from a poor, ruined family. Look at her shabby clothes—the fabric might be good, but who knows how long she's been wearing them? Lin Dongwan and Lin Dongling are despicable, clearly propping up that little frozen mouse from the Song family just to spite me!" Burning with rage, her words turned sharp and sarcastic: "Sister Tanzhai, you're so fortunate to have two sisters competing to give you flowers. Why refuse? Unlike someone like me who's unwelcome, rushing to give gifts only to have them rejected. Getting something for free and still refusing it—people will think you're a fool."
Lin Dongling shot back immediately, "We give because we want to. What's it to you? You'd better keep a close eye on your flowers and your belongings. Don't go crying thief again and slap me. I'm delicate, not like some wild, unruly person who hits others. I can't withstand fists and kicks."
Lin Dongxiu feigned surprise, covering her mouth with a handkerchief: "Sister Ling was hit? How could someone as precious as you, whom even Second Aunt wouldn't dream of laying a finger on, endure being struck by someone else?"
Lin Dongling sneered, "Ever since she came to our house, there have been so many fights and scenes. She even dares to disregard Old Madam's dignity..."
"Fourth Sister," Lin Dongqi suddenly interjected, nodding toward the floor, "the pearl from your braid has fallen."
Lin Dongling looked down and saw a perfectly round pearl lying on the ground. She touched her braid and said indifferently, "I'll have the maids pick it up later."Lin Dongqi's chief maid, Ta Sha, perceptively picked up the pearl and personally returned it to Lin Dongling's pouch. Lin Dongqi chided, "Fourth Sister, you still haven't cured your habit of being careless and forgetful."
Lin Dongling smiled and said, "It's just a pearl after all. If it's lost, it's lost—no big deal."
Lin Dongxiu remarked, "Pah, only you would say that. Losing such a large pearl without a care."
"I'll take these pearls off my hair later and have a pearl hairpin made for each of us sisters," Lin Dongling said cheerfully while sipping tea, glancing at Song Zanchai. "Sister Zanchai will get one too.""
The implication was that Cao Lihuan was excluded. Xianglan shook her head inwardly, thinking this cousin was truly thick-skinned. The Lin sisters clearly disliked her, yet she insisted on staying. She also reflected on how this fake noble lady differed from the real ones. Cao Lihuan had once boasted about the flowers on her hand—"even the stamens are made of rice-sized pearls." She had been so proud of mere rice-sized pearls, while Lin Dongling didn't even care about losing a fingernail-sized pearl and was ready to gift pearl hairpins to her sisters. The contrast was stark, and now this cousin probably couldn't take it anymore.
Sure enough, Cao Lihuan flew into a rage, springing to her feet and glaring wide-eyed as she shouted, "You... you're going too far! What do you mean by repeatedly provoking me like this?"
Lin Dongqi quickly stood up, went over to Cao Lihuan, and held her arm, smiling placatingly. "What's wrong, Sister Huan? Don't be angry, please don't be. They were just teasing you—don't take it to heart."
Lin Dongling said in a mocking tone, "Oh my, what's this? Are you going to hit someone again?"
Just then, someone outside was heard saying, "You all seem lively. Who's going to hit someone?"
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