While they were talking, Lin Jinting walked in from outside. Seeing the room full of sisters, he froze for a moment and immediately tried to retreat. Lin Dongling laughed and said, "Since you're already here, why run away? There's hot tea here—have a cup before you go."
Lin Jinting stepped back outside with a smile and said, "I just came by to return Second Sister's book. Yi Fei is waiting for me outside the courtyard, so I won't stay long."
Lin Dongqi, Lin Dongling, and Lin Dongxiu's eyes instantly lit up. Lin Dongling immediately asked eagerly, "Brother Song is here? Why not invite him in quickly?"
Lin Dongqi nodded repeatedly and said, "We're all close relatives, there's nothing to be shy about. How can you come to my place without having a good cup of tea?" She ordered the maid to invite him in at once and personally picked up a pot of tea to carry outside. The young ladies, catching wind of this, all hurried out after her.
Lin Dongxiu was squeezed to the back and muttered coldly under her breath, "Just now she was putting on airs as the legitimate daughter, not showing any particular enthusiasm. But the moment she hears that Brother Song is here, she runs faster than a rabbit. Tsk, tsk! Shameless."
Xianglan, standing by the door, overheard every word. She lowered her head to her chest, pretending not to have heard. When she looked up, she saw Qi and Ling crowding around an elegant and handsome young man, their faces slightly flushed.
Lin Dongqi personally poured a cup of tea and offered it to him, saying, "Brother Song, it's rare for you to visit me. How can you leave in such a hurry without coming in?"
Song Ke accepted the tea with a smile. Lin Dongxiu said softly, "Brother Song, now that you're older, you've grown distant from us. When we were children, we used to swing together in the courtyard and solve nine-linked rings puzzles. You only come to Second Sister's place now and never visit me."
Hearing this, Lin Dongling frowned, stepped forward to push Lin Dongxiu aside, and tugged at Song Ke's sleeve. "Brother Song, you and my brother are such good friends, and you're my own cousin. Even though I didn't grow up with you in the capital when I was little, you shouldn't favor one over the other."
Before she finished speaking, Lin Dongxiu slapped her hand away from Song Ke's sleeve and chided with a half-smile, "Third Sister, Brother Song is your cousin, not your real brother. It's not proper for you to be pulling and tugging at him like that."
Xianglan sighed inwardly, "Just a moment ago, Lin Dongxiu and Lin Dongling were ganging up against Cao Lihuan. But as soon as this 'Brother Song' appears, they're at each other's throats. Hah, they say beautiful women bring trouble, but it seems handsome men are just as troublesome."
Seeing Song Ke arrive, Lin Dongxiu secretly regretted not wearing something brighter today. Though she had an air of elegance, compared to Lin Dongling, she was far less vibrant and striking. Lin Dongling, looking at Lin Dongxiu, regretted having chosen convenience over appearance—she hadn't applied any rouge or powder, leaving her face plain, and her thick eyebrows hadn't been properly trimmed with a razor, making her look boyish next to Lin Dongxiu. Lin Dongqi, however, was quite satisfied with her simple attire today. The Song family had always upheld frugality as a family precept, and times were not as prosperous as before. Her modest outfit was just right.
Song Ke smiled and said, "Today, I came with Xiuhong. It's natural for brothers and sisters to see less of each other as we grow older. I'm truly flattered by all your concern for me."As soon as these words were spoken, a chorus of chattering voices immediately filled the air. Song Ke took a sip of tea and said, "Today the estate sent over several baskets of early peaches. Though not as sweet as honey peaches, they're still quite juicy. I've brought two baskets for the household so the sisters can enjoy something fresh."
Lin Dongxiu waved her hand dismissively, "No, no, Second Sister can't eat peaches. Even touching them makes her break out in rashes."
Lin Dongqi shot her a reproachful look, "Must you always be so talkative?"
Lin Dongling, however, said cheerfully, "Second Sister has no luck with such delicacies, but I absolutely adore peaches. Make sure to send several plates to my room later."
After some more casual conversation, Song Ke said, "I have other matters to attend to and won't disturb further. Since my younger sister is staying here, I must trouble you all to look after her."
Lin Dongqi immediately responded, "Brother Song, speaking like that makes us feel distant..."
Lin Dongling quickly chimed in, "Exactly, exactly! I treat Zanchai as my own blood sister. In fact, I was just thinking - I have a box of exquisite Imperial Flowers that I'll give to her to wear."
Lin Dongxiu stepped forward and wrapped an arm around Song Zanchai's shoulder, speaking with great affection, "Indeed. I was just saying Sister Zanchai should stay in the mansion for a few more days and room with me so we sisters can have more time to chat."
Xianglan suddenly understood: "So this Song Zanchai is that 'Brother Song's' sister, no wonder the Lin family young ladies are all trying so hard to please her. I wonder what background this 'Brother Song' comes from - he appears exceptionally talented and distinguished in manner, seeming like an outstanding figure among men, though his clothing lacks the appearance of great wealth." Her gaze fell on Song Ke's waist. "Take his gold-woven belt for example - where the agate fell off, instead of replacing it with matching agate or precious stones like rubies or red jade, it's been patched with an inexpensive red jiang stone. Though his clothes are clean, they show signs of being sixty to seventy percent worn. His family must have been wealthy once, but has since declined."
While lost in these thoughts, she unexpectedly met Song Ke's gaze as it swept over. Their eyes locked, Song Ke looked startled, then narrowed his eyes, while Xianglan, alarmed, immediately lowered her head.
Lin Jinting said with a laugh, "Look at this, as soon as Brother Yifei arrives he becomes the favorite. Nobody cares about poor me - none of the sisters pay me any attention."
Lin Dongling rolled her eyes at him, "You're always hanging around us, impossible to avoid. Brother Song rarely visits - how could you possibly compare to his importance?"
Everyone laughed. Seizing the opportunity, Song Ke exchanged a few more pleasantries before pulling Lin Jinting away, with the crowd following to see them off. After watching the lively scene for some time, Xianglan turned to find Cao Lihuan standing beside her, her face flushed, eyes shining, breathing somewhat rapid as she stared intently in the direction Song Ke and Lin Jinting had gone. Just then Huier returned, and Xianglan called out softly without changing expression, "Miss Huan, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now."
Only then did Cao Lihuan snap out of her reverie, telling Xianglan, "Go to the back and find Ta Sha. Second Miss gave me a pot of flowers that you can bring back."
Upon hearing this, Xianglan turned toward the rear quarters. Lin Dongqi had given Cao Lihuan a pot of white magnolia flowers, their fragrance refreshing and soothing, the petals crystalline and translucent like piled snow and carved jade.Xianglan took a deep breath of the fragrant air and, hugging the flowerpot, walked out in a daze. She recalled her previous life, where her name contained the character "Lan" and she adored the noble purity and fragrance of orchids. Her rooms were filled with all varieties—ink orchids, cymbidiums, spring orchids, sword orchids, winter orchids, with petals shaped like plum blossoms, lotus blooms, narcissus, or butterflies. They adorned doors, beams, windows, and tables in the hall, surrounding her with a myriad of blossoms. Every spring when the magnolias bloomed, she would pick one and tuck it into her hair, letting the rich fragrance permeate her locks. She and her maids would also gather fallen orchid petals to make incense cakes and sachets for scenting clothes—these were the carefree days of her maidenhood in her past life.
Exiting Huifeng Studio, Xianglan turned onto a pebble-paved path and walked a short distance before slipping behind a rockery. Seeing no one around, she set the flowerpot on a nearby stone table, secretly plucked a magnolia blossom, tucked it into her hair, and leaned over the lake to admire her reflection.
The lake was emerald and calm, mirroring a peach-blossom face. The girl in the water was in the bloom of youth, with a magnolia tucked beside her temple—it was hard to tell whether the girl outshone the flower or the flower enhanced her delicate beauty. Xianglan knew this body was alluring, but since arriving at the Lin residence, she had never bothered to dress up properly. Her hair was hastily tied with a blue or white ribbon, and her clothes were mostly old, limited to stone blue and indigo hues. Only after Old Madam Zeng’s passing, when the household adopted mourning attire, did she wear white. Yet she still loved beauty. Seizing the moment alone, she pulled a peachwood comb from her sleeve, let down her dark tresses, and hummed a disjointed tune from The Romance of the Western Chamber: "Snowy waves beat against the sky, autumn clouds roll on the horizon... The east wind sways the willow branches, drifting threads tug at peach petals, beaded curtains half-reveal a lotus face... Left with lovesickness piercing to the bone, how could I withstand that one glance she gave when leaving? Don’t say it’s just a young scholar—even a man of iron would be entangled in passion..." After combing her hair, she neatly pinned the magnolia beside her bun, leaned over to admire her reflection from left and right, made a playful face, and couldn’t help but laugh.
Suddenly, the reflection in the water showed a man’s figure silently appearing behind her. Startled, Xianglan whipped around to see Lin Jinlou standing there, his eyes fixed intently on her. Flustered, she quickly stood up, straightened her dress, lowered her head, and took two steps back, murmuring softly, "Eldest Master..."
Lin Jinlou curled his lips into a lazy smile, stepped forward, and asked, "What was that tune you were singing just now? It sounded quite pleasant."
Xianglan kept her head bowed and stammered, "I, I... just heard others singing it casually and picked up the melody." Lin Jinlou was tall and imposing, with an aura that felt oppressive. Xianglan found it hard to breathe and took another small step back.
Lin Jinlou had originally been hosting guests in the waterside pavilion at the front of the garden. The young masters visiting were all sons of influential nobles from the capital, usually on brotherly terms with him. Now that they had come south to enjoy the scenery, he naturally played host. Having long heard of the beauty of the Lin family’s Chang Garden, they had insisted on touring it. Lin Jinlou had welcomed them to the front garden for a feast. Out of respect for his great-grandmother’s mourning period, he avoided musical entertainment, focusing instead on food and drink.After finally seeing off the guests, Lin Jinlou, feeling somewhat tipsy, made his way to the rear garden. Wandering aimlessly, he ended up in this secluded corner. Captivated by the beautiful scenery, he strolled slowly and faintly heard someone humming a tune behind the artificial rockery. Peeking discreetly, he spotted a maid sitting casually on the ground, combing her hair. Though her features were unclear from a distance, he could see she wore a slate-blue jacket over a white skirt, with the hem revealing glimpses of an osmanthus-yellow embroidered shoe. Her figure was slender and graceful, with lustrous black hair cascading down to her waist. Her sweet, mellifluous singing stirred a restless longing in him, making him itch to lift her hair and get a clearer look at her face.
Later, as the girl finished styling her hair, a face as fair as jade emerged. Watching her delight in her own reflection, using the lake as a mirror to adorn herself with flowers and pose charmingly, Lin Jinlou felt as if countless tiny hands were teasing his heart. Unable to restrain himself any longer, he tiptoed quietly toward her.
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