Qin Shi let out a long sigh and stood up, saying, “It’s late now, and this matter is settled. You should rest early.”
Lin Jinlou also rose to his feet and said, “I’ve been unfilial, troubling Mother with my worries.”
Qin Shi shook her head and replied, “Enough of that. Why be so formal between mother and son? If there were someone in charge in your household, all these troublemakers wouldn’t dare to stir up trouble.” She glanced at Xianglan, who was standing far off to the side, and said to Lin Jinlou, “Starting tomorrow, have her come to my room every morning.”
Lin Jinlou immediately furrowed his thick brows and said, “What for? The matter’s already cleared up—it has nothing to do with her. She’s dull and foolish, doesn’t like to socialize, and her words can make one’s heart, liver, and lungs ache with anger. If she goes and offends you, it might even make you ill.”
Qin Shi shot Lin Jinlou a glare and said, “Am I a wolf? Would I eat her? Is she the one you hold so dear in your heart that you must shield her like this?”
Lin Jinlou coughed and said, “No, no, no, I’m just puzzled, that’s all.”
Qin Shi said impatiently, “I only want her to learn some manners by my side for a few days. Is that too much to ask?”
Lin Jinlou then smiled and said, “Of course not. It’s her good fortune.” He beckoned to Xianglan and said, “Come quickly and thank Madam for her grace. Her willingness to personally teach you is an honor.”
Xianglan had no desire for such an “honor.” Every moment spent with Qin Shi left her feeling mentally exhausted and ill at ease. So she merely stood by the screen and made a slight bow.
Lin Jinlou glanced at Qin Shi and saw that she didn’t seem to mind, waving her hand dismissively as she said, “Enough, enough. I’m tired after all this commotion.” With that, she leaned on Wu Mama and Han Mama and walked out, with Lin Jinlou personally escorting her.
For a moment, the room fell silent. Lianxin, Tinglan, and Chunling slowly tidied up the room. The sudden dismissal of two respectable maids from the Hall of Knowing Spring left everyone uneasy, and they remained quiet. The lower-ranking maids and the night-watch matrons also stayed silent.
Xianglan felt sore and exhausted all over. She sat on the chaise lounge, staring blankly without a word.
Chunling approached cautiously and said, “You must be tired, miss. Why not go inside and rest? There’s still some food in the kitchen. Would you like a late-night snack?”
Xianglan shook her head. The night had been chaotic, and with someone still lying unconscious in the room, her thoughts were tangled and she had no appetite. After a moment’s thought, she said, “If there are any pastries, bring some for Xiao Juan.” Then she leaned back on the russet-colored headrest and closed her eyes slightly.
Chunling fetched a blanket and gently covered her with it. After helping Lianxin and the others refold the clothes that had been tossed about in the cabinets, she quietly withdrew.
Meanwhile, Lin Jinlou personally carried a lantern to escort Qin Shi back, then made a round of inspections. He saw that the night-watch matrons were all at their posts and the household guards outside were vigilant, before finally returning.
As he entered the courtyard and approached the main room, he saw two wooden benches still placed by the door. Nuanyue lay face down on them, motionless as if she had fainted, with traces of blood seeping through her clothes.
The matron in charge of the punishment wrung her hands and said, “Eldest Master, look… if we keep beating her, it’ll surely cost her life…”Lin Jinlou glanced sideways and saw Rushuang and Huamei kneeling under a banana tree not far away. Rushuang wore only a light green undergarment, her pale arms and legs exposed. Her lips were blue from the cold, and she trembled violently. Unable to kneel properly due to her beating, she slumped on the ground. Though a maidservant, she had never suffered hardship—living better than most young ladies in the Lin household—and her delicate constitution made the ordeal unbearable, pushing her to the brink of fainting. Huamei’s face was swollen beyond recognition, clearly from the fifty slaps she had received. The autumn night wind pierced to the bone, yet Huamei wore only a lined jacket, shivering pitifully as she knelt.
Lin Jinlou deliberately made Huamei watch the matrons administer the flogging. He raised an eyebrow slightly and strode forward. A matron hastily lifted a lantern so he could see clearly: Nuanyue’s face was as pale as gold leaf, and she had fainted. Since Lin Jinlou had ordered her to be "beaten harshly," she now breathed faintly, her life hanging by a thread.
The matron glanced at Lin Jinlou’s expression and thought to herself, "This girl had a nightmare—offending Madam and the Eldest Master. If it were a minor matter, a bribe might have lightened the punishment. But she’s entangled in something serious. Tsk, tsk. Nuanyue was once fair and tidy, with delicate features, and she carried herself arrogantly, never deigning to glance at others. Now she’s like a phoenix fallen into water, worse than a chicken. Even if she survives, her legs will likely be crippled." She then glanced at Rushuang and thought, "Jixiang passed by earlier and saw her beaten here, naked and disgraced. Fortunately, it’s nighttime. If this had happened in broad daylight, dragged beyond the second gate for a public beating, who knows how many men would have stared? Rushuang might as well dash her head and die cleanly."
Then Lin Jinlou said, "Take Nuanyue and Rushuang away. Tomorrow morning, have them sold."
The matron repeatedly assented and hurriedly dragged them off.
Huamei kept her head lowered, trembling uncontrollably. Suddenly, a pair of black satin court boots appeared before her. In the flickering candlelight, she could faintly discern the cranes embroidered in a subtle pattern, and above them, the cloud-stitched hem of a robe fluttering in the wind.
Huamei bowed her head even lower, shaking like a leaf, wishing she could faint on the spot. Then Lin Jinlou’s calm voice came from above her: "Huamei, do you know why I’m punishing you like this today?"
Suppressing her pain, Huamei mumbled, "The Eldest Master is merciful..."
Lin Jinlou scoffed. "Don’t think you hold such favor in my eyes. Your brother once took a knife for me. For that alone, I’m sparing your life today and leaving you some dignity."
Huamei clenched her teeth, her body going limp as she collapsed to the ground, her voice quivering. "This servant dares not again..."
Lin Jinlou gazed at the large red lanterns swaying in the wind at the main entrance and said slowly, "Huamei, you know exactly what you’ve done. Did you really think you could fool me like a simpleton? Your tricks might have temporarily deceived Madam, but did you think they’d work on me?" He paused, then looked down at Huamei, who was trembling violently, and added, "Now you have two choices: either pack your things and leave immediately. From then on, whether you marry or not, you’ll have no ties to the Lin family..."Huamei trembled violently, knocking her head against the ground with frantic "thump-thump" sounds as she wept uncontrollably: "Eldest Master! Eldest Master! Eldest Master, I was wrong! I truly know my mistake now! I'll never dare again... I won't even step outside my door from now on, I..."
Lin Jinlou said indifferently: "Either wait until early spring next year when the Lin family's ancestral temple is renovated, then you can go chant scriptures there. After all, you've served me once and are an intelligent person - you know which path is best." Having spoken, he flicked his sleeve and left.
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