Lin Jinlou gently stroked her hair, thinking she had suffered an injustice today and witnessed Luanr's suicide attempt, so it was natural for her to feel frightened and panicked. He decided to find her some fine calligraphy and paintings later, along with new clothes and jewelry. Just as he was about to speak, he noticed Chunling timidly entering with a teapot to pour tea, so he fell silent. After drinking tea and rinsing his mouth, he lay down with Xianglan to sleep, and for now, no more was said.
Chunling retreated from the room and glanced discreetly at the Arhat Bed outside where the night watch was supposed to sleep. Nuanyue should have been on duty tonight, but instead, she saw Lianxin sitting there. Chunling approached and refilled the teacup by Lianxin's hand. Lianxin thanked her, pursed her lips, and whispered, "How are things inside?"
Chunling also lowered her voice, "They've quieted down and are asleep now. I was the one who drew the bed curtains."
Lianxin finally breathed a sigh of relief and murmured, "Amitabha, may those two Buddhas sleep well tonight."
The two exchanged glances, both sticking out their tongues and making a helpless grimace before Chunling tiptoed away. She refilled the pot with cold water and placed it on the small stove in the outer tea room. The flame in the stove was faint but could burn all night, ensuring the masters inside had hot water available whenever needed. Chunling let out a sigh, then fetched half a pot of hot water from another stove, poured it into a copper basin, and carried it back to her room to wash up.
She and Xiao Juan served Xianglan, so they shared a small side room. Pushing the door open, she saw Xiao Juan wrapped in a blanket, holding a plate of pastries and stuffing them into her mouth.
Seeing her eat so heartily, Chunling rolled her eyes and said, "You have the biggest heart in the whole courtyard—how can you still eat at a time like this?"
Xiao Juan rolled her eyes back, chewing as she spoke, "Who says I have a big heart? When Madam gave that look earlier, my liver trembled, and I nearly lost half my life from fright. Now I'm having a few pastries to calm my nerves." She handed the plate to Chunling and said, "Have a couple—they're sweet."
Chunling pushed it away, saying, "I can't eat." After removing her remaining makeup, she turned to look at Xiao Juan and the pastries on her plate. "You..." She pursed her lips and added, "Never mind."
Xiao Juan scoffed and said, "Chunling, I know what you want to ask—whether I really went with Xianglan to the backyard to see the chrysanthemums that day. Whether I did or not, from now on, it's the truth."
Chunling, who was letting down her hair and combing it, turned around and sneered, "You know perfectly well where you were that day. I wonder who it was who didn't tend to the stove or water the flowers early in the morning but ran off to the garden to fool around."
Xiao Juan set the plate down and retorted coldly, "What? These days you've been rushing over early and late to serve her, and now you're jealous because Xianglan gave me pastries and not you?" She jumped out of bed and said, "I may not be as diligent as you, or as sharp-eyed, or as good at serving, flattering, and pleasing others, but the elders always say that offering help in times of need is rarer than adding flowers to brocade. That's the truth. Xianglan and I entered the household together, and she often looked after me back then—even did my needlework for me and saved me treats and fun things. Now that she's risen in status, she even recommended my second brother to be an apprentice at her father's pawnshop. She treats me well, so naturally, I'll be loyal to her in return. That's how hearts are exchanged." With that, she went to wash her face on her own.
Chunling's face stiffened. She set down the peachwood comb carved with peonies and walked over to Xiao Juan. "What do you mean by that? Are you saying I'm not sincere?"Xiao Juan leisurely washed the soap off her face and wiped it with a towel, saying, "You're sincere too, of course, but not as sincere as I am. You're single-mindedly trying to climb the social ladder, putting effort outside the Hall of Knowing Spring. You've been making quite a fuss around Madam, haven't you? Going over there every few days. No wonder, since you originally came from Madam's quarters, your heart naturally remains with your former mistress."
Chunling's face flushed red then pale. She wanted to retaliate but couldn't find the words.
Xiao Juan rinsed her mouth and spat into the spittoon, saying, "If you don't want people to know, don't do it. Chunling, you're not a bad person, and you've treated me fairly well. I'm just giving you a warning. Trying to ride two horses at once is the easiest way to fall into the river. Just because we didn't say anything before doesn't mean we were blind. But everyone has their own ambitions - if you think following Madam will bring you prospects, that's your choice. I've decided to follow Xianglan. She has a good nature and treats people genuinely. Just for that alone, none of the masters in this household or those acting half like masters can compare."
Chunling's face turned crimson. "What do you take me for? It was Madam who summoned me to answer questions - how could I possibly force my way over? I've never spoken a single negative word about Xianglan. I'm not a fool - if I said anything improper, the Eldest Master wouldn't let me off."
Xiao Juan covered the remaining pastries with a gauze lid, took off her clothes, and lay down on the kang, spreading out in a starfish shape as she gazed at the ceiling. "Sometimes I really can't understand what goes through your minds - currying favor with this one, flattering that one, thinking three times before saying a single word. Isn't it exhausting?"
Chunling glared at her. "You think everyone can be like you, doing everything single-mindedly without thinking about the future? Even the sages wrote: 'He who gives no thought to difficulties in the future is sure to be beset by worries much closer at hand.'"
Xiao Juan sneered, "Oh my, dear sister, you really think you're somebody, don't you? People like us - what difference can we make even if we break our heads trying? In the end, who's really that much better than whom?"
Chunling also climbed onto the kang and placed the candle on the windowsill. "But for people like us, if we don't strive, we'll only be trampled deeper into the mud. Tell me, what future path do you want to pursue?"
Xiao Juan shifted aside and said, "I don't have ambitions as grand as yours, sister. I know my own limitations. As the saying goes, 'The greater the power, the greater the trouble.' Those who appear impressive and successful might be crying under their blankets in private! I'm content with a plain, simple, and happy life."
Chunling blew out the lamp with one breath. "You're still young and don't understand how difficult life can be."
The room fell silent for a moment. Just as Chunling was about to fall asleep, she suddenly heard Xiao Juan say, "I know everyone has their own destiny. As long as one has a clear conscience, that's enough."
These words jolted Chunling awake. When she turned to look, Xiao Juan was already breathing steadily in deep sleep.
Chunling tossed and turned for half the night before finally drifting into fitful sleep. Of this, no more need be said.
Also unable to sleep was Qin Shi. Because of the commotion that lasted until midnight and the near-fatal incident, Qin Shi returned home still somewhat unsettled. She took a calming pill and brought out Buddhist scriptures to chant.
Since Qin Shi wasn't sleeping, the maids and matrons didn't dare rest either. When Qin Shi finished one round of chanting, Han Mama approached and said, "Madam, it's late. You should rest now. You need to wake up early tomorrow."Qin Shi set down the Buddhist scriptures and sighed, "I can't sleep—my mind is in turmoil." After a pause, she continued, "Why is Lou Ge'er such a constant worry? First, he married that fox spirit of a wife, and they started quarreling right after the wedding. Then he wanted to take Furong as a concubine, but just as it was settled, Furong passed away. Yingge lost her child, and when Qinglan finally got pregnant, she and the baby both died. I’d just managed to drive Zhao Yuechan away, thinking we could have a few peaceful days, and now this happens."
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