"Oh my dear young mistress, isn't it too late for you to say such things now?... Alright now, don't cry, don't cry. Those seven or eight people from the Lin Family have nothing to do with you. Someone in your elder brother's courtyard has contracted pox - what does that have to do with your place? Besides, Han Fang is your household slave - her very life is in your hands. If she sacrifices herself for her master's affairs, that's her good fortune. And didn't you generously reward her family members too..."
Lin Dongling remained silent, still weeping.
"Good sister, don't blame me for being cruel. I'm doing this for you, for our future together... I promise you, after this matter is settled, I'll listen to everything you say from now on... Don't cry anymore. Do you really want to abandon me and marry that half-old man?" He continued comforting her with gentle words for a long while before lowering his voice, "Tomorrow night, stay alert..." His voice gradually dropped to a whisper as he leaned close to Lin Dongling's ear, becoming inaudible to others.
Lin Dongxiu craned her neck trying to eavesdrop when she heard the maid Shutong calling from outside: "Fourth Young Miss!" Clearly coming to look for someone. Afraid of being discovered by Lin Dongling, Lin Dongxiu hastily gathered her skirts and rushed out of the main hall.
When Shutong saw Lin Dongxiu running out of the Trinity Hall in a panic, she was immediately startled. Before she could inquire further, Lin Dongxiu grabbed her and pulled her toward the guest hall, not stopping until they entered the inner room where she collapsed into a chair, panting uncontrollably. Shutong moved closer and saw Lin Dongxiu's pale face, with a dense layer of sweat on her forehead despite it being winter. She exclaimed in alarm, "What's happened to you, Young Miss?" and took out a handkerchief to wipe her brow.
Lin Dongxiu's mind was in complete disarray. She pushed away Shutong's hand, feeling an uncontrollable chill in her heart. Seeing Lin Dongxiu trembling slightly all over, Shutong grew increasingly anxious. Originally, Lin Dongxiu had favored Han Zhi, and Shutong had worked hard to curry favor before slowly rising in status. During this Buddhist Mass outing, which maid hadn't hoped to be chosen? Yet Lin Dongxiu had bypassed Han Zhi and directly selected Shutong to accompany her, making Shutong feel she was about to advance. But if anything happened to Lin Dongxiu, she would be the first to bear the consequences. Shutong repeatedly asked, "Young Miss, are you unwell? The family brought physicians along. I'll go fetch one immediately!"
Lin Dongxiu grabbed Shutong's arm tightly. Though she was somewhat clever, she was ultimately a girl raised in the inner chambers, still young, and having just overheard such a secret, she had completely lost her composure. She thought to herself: "Shutong is the most clever and utterly loyal to me. I should tell her so we can discuss this and come up with a plan." So she quietly recounted what had happened in the Trinity Hall.
Shutong's face instantly turned deathly pale. She thought to herself: "That little hussy Lin Dongling must have eaten a leopard's heart to be so bold! Consorting with a rogue to harm family members - she's worse than the lowest whore!"
Lin Dongxiu hesitated, "What should we do about this? Should we quickly inform Taitai? But Taitai tolerates no wrongdoing, and the Knowing Spring Pavilion has seen the most deaths. If she finds out, she definitely won't let it go easily. This matter also concerns Third Sister's reputation... If I report this, I'll surely make enemies with the second branch, offending people for no reason. Besides, my marriage hasn't been settled yet, and the second branch will contribute to my trousseau in the future..."
Shutong had already composed herself. She rolled her eyes and leaned closer, saying, "This female servant has something to say, but I'm afraid you might slap my mouth for saying it. Yet if I don't speak..."
"Go ahead."
"I'm truly saying this for your own good, Young Miss.""I understand, speak your mind. You sly thing, when have you ever bothered with empty formalities with me? Though Han Zhi is capable, she's ultimately not as clever as you. Do you know why I brought you along?"
"Then this servant will speak frankly... In my opinion, young lady should bury this matter deep in your heart and pretend you never heard of it! The person is already dead, and the household has generously compensated with silver. Even if it's known that Third Young Lady was responsible, the family would still cover it up. If the Second Branch learns you exposed this matter, they would surely resent you. Why bring such trouble upon yourself!"
"I've been thinking the same... But that man mentioned tomorrow night. If Third Sister truly engages in disgraceful elopement, my reputation would also suffer, making future marriage prospects difficult."
"Pah! That man must be planning to elope with Third Young Lady! Her departure would actually benefit you, young lady. Don't you see? Marquis Yongchang is about to send matchmakers any day now - it's practically an settled match between both families. If she runs away, wouldn't that work to your advantage?"
Lin Dongxiu froze, slowly sitting up as she thoughtfully said: "It's not that simple."
"Young lady is only inferior to Third Young Lady in birth status, but surpasses her in every other aspect. Though Marquis Yongchang holds high position and power, he is after all a widower and somewhat advanced in years - how could he afford to be picky about you? If Third Young Lady elopes, our respectable family would certainly protect its reputation and never let this scandal spread. But the Old Master is eager to secure this marriage alliance, and you're the only marriageable young lady left in the household. Moreover, Marquis Yongchang is close friends with the Master - he would surely be pleased to marry his good friend's sister." As Shutong spoke, Lin Dongxiu sat up straighter, her expression growing serious.
Shutong said cheerfully: "There's a saying 'better to destroy ten temples than break one marriage'. Since Third Young Lady and that actor are in love, why should we play the villain and separate them? Rather, we should help the lovebirds fulfill their wish, adding another happy union to this world. Meanwhile, young lady would achieve her desire to marry a magnificent noble husband. Isn't this a perfect solution benefiting both sides? In my opinion, this could even become an opera that would be remembered through the ages."
Lin Dongxiu burst out laughing, pointing at Shutong: "Your glib tongue certainly knows how to persuade." Then she composed herself, frowning as she said: "Let me think about this matter."
Shutong knew Lin Dongxiu had taken her words to heart and said no more. Thinking about how Lin Dongxiu might eventually marry the Marquis, and how her own ambitions would finally have room to flourish, she felt a secret thrill and quietly withdrew to the side.
Enough of digressions.
Soon the Buddhist Mass concluded. Qin Shi and Wang Shi went to attend to Lin Old Madam, while Xianglan and Hongjian stood in the outer room. They exchanged glances and both smiled. Hongjian stepped forward and whispered: "Tired? Go rest, I'll stay here. Xue Zhan and Shanhu are inside - they're enough to serve."
Xianglan said: "I'm not tired at all. I'll check the guest hall - if the vegetarian meal is ready, I'll bring it over." As she turned to leave, she saw Zidai approaching carrying two small boxes, heading straight for Lin Old Madam's room. Lifting the curtain, Zidai said cheerfully: "These are pastries the temple abbot offered for the Old Madam and Taitais to sample. They're all cream-fried dough pastries - not sure how they taste, but they look exquisite and delicate. Old Madam must try some..." With this, she entered the room.
Xianglan and Hongjian looked at each other.
After a pause, Hongjian said: "Mama Han was supposed to come, but her old ailment flared up, so she sent Zidai in her place."Xianglan nodded in sudden understanding, then pursed her lips into a smile and said, "Sometimes when I look at her, I feel exhausted on her behalf." Bending over backward to act humble, currying favor left and right, enduring scoldings and insults while maintaining a smiling face, desperately clinging to Qin Shi's coattails—Xianglan asked herself, she simply couldn't stoop that low.
Hongjian also laughed and said, "You're not her. She might not feel tired at all—perhaps she even finds it quite enjoyable."
"That might be true." Xianglan nodded with a smile. "You are not a fish, so how can you know the fish's happiness?" She fastened her cloak and lifted the curtain to leave.
Thank you to Guānhuā and Xiaoxiao66 for the Peace Talismans, and thank you all for the pink votes. There will be another chapter later.
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