Everyone said it was Yinliu who misspoke and angered Xianglan, and even kneeling and kowtowing at night was useless. Xianglan complained to Madam, resulting in Yinliu being sold off. Xianglan's reputation for arrogance suddenly became prominent, with maids and servants whispering and gossiping about her. Rumors about Xianglan resurfaced: "Her reputation was already poor before; as a maid, she seduced the masters. Even after leaving the estate, she caused trouble—heard she had an affair with a scholar. Pitiful Eldest Master, blinded by that temptress, picked up someone else's castoff." "She's even more pompous than the former Da Nǎinai, ordering everyone around. It's just a case of a petty person gaining power, acting all high and mighty." Wu Mama strictly disciplined them twice before things settled slightly, but Qin Shi remained aloof, paying no attention. Zidai wept bitterly over Yinliu's fate and even gave her personal silver and clothing as a farewell gift. Everyone praised Zidai for her kindness and integrity, noting how Yinliu had formed such a deep bond with her in such a short time.
"Let this be a lesson. From now on, rein in your tempers. A noble person knows when to be angry, but quarreling with petty people only ends up hurting yourself. Some things are like this—it's not about venting or feeling better after letting off steam. If you can't endure a moment of anger, you'll invite even greater trouble." Xianglan leaned against the headboard, holding a cup of warm tea. Behind the misty steam, her jade-like face remained calm and unreadable.
Chunling stood with her hands at her sides, her face flushed with shame, and whispered, "I understand... I'll remember this from now on... It was my fault for causing trouble for you, miss."
"Zidai set a trap for us to fall into. That woman's heart has long been blackened." Xiao Juan fumed, viciously crumpling the discarded papers from Xianglan's painting as if to vent her anger.
Chunling said softly, "Zidai and I entered the estate together. I stayed with her for two years. Though she liked to put on airs, she wasn't so scheming. This must have been masterminded by someone else—definitely Han Mama."
Tinglan, who was weaving knots, set down her work and frowned slightly. "By rights, I should be urging peace, but Zidai has been acting outrageously lately. It's also because you're too gentle, miss. Hasn't she been undermining you in front of Madam too? I heard from Lianxin and Xue Ning that Zidai has been overstepping, acting so presumptuous she doesn't know her place." Tinglan was usually a peacemaker, but firstly, she was close to Xianglan; secondly, Zidai and Yinliu had offended her before; and thirdly, seeing the Hall of Knowing Spring in such disarray, she felt genuinely worried and couldn't help speaking up.
"It's all because Madam is backing that petty person, making you bear the blame for nothing!" Xiao Juan threw the crumpled painting into the brazier and stabbed at it wildly with the fire tongs.
The others fell silent, sighing heavily.
Tinglan hesitated and said, "Do you think... Madam knows how badly she's behaving? Lianxin also said this can't go on. You're suffering all this unjust criticism for nothing, miss. You should speak to Madam about this, or else the rules in the Hall of Knowing Spring will be completely overturned. The young maids we worked so hard to train are now losing their proper conduct..."
Xianglan said, "Zidai represents Madam's face. Complaining to Madam would only undermine her dignity. Besides, Zidai hasn't done anything too outrageous—just trivial matters. Madam doesn't care to bother with them."
Xiao Juan said irritably, "You're just too easy to bully, miss. She's calculated that you won't dare do anything to her, so she's gone this far. Now she's ruined your reputation."Xianglan's face darkened as she set the tea bowl down on the side table, speaking sternly: "Let this be clear—from today onward, no more conflicts with Zidai. If you see her, walk the other way. Understood?"
Xiao Juan fell silent, looking abashed.
Xianglan slowly exhaled and gazed out the window. Withered leaves drifted down through the cold, misty air, while only the chrysanthemums on the flower trellis remained vibrant, swaying gracefully in the wind. Zidai had Qin Shi as her backer, not to mention her own aunt Han Mama. Xianglan was merely a lowly woman who had caught Lin Jinlou's fleeting fancy with her looks. Lin Jinlou would never quarrel with his own mother over some woman. That was why Zidai dared to meddle boldly in the Hall of Knowing Spring, repeatedly bullying Xianglan without ever taking her seriously.
She glanced at the dejected Chunling, then at Xiao Juan with her puffed-up cheeks. She knew they both meant well, and their resentment was natural—when bullied, one's instinct is to immediately fight back to "vent the anger in one's heart." But what comes after the momentary satisfaction? Qin Shi turned a blind eye while Zidai reveled in her glory, bouncing around arrogantly. Xianglan had been quietly observing, waiting for the day Zidai would provoke collective outrage and face discipline. Yet Chunling's outburst had inadvertently saved Zidai—on the surface, it appeared Yinliu had offended Xianglan, fallen ill after kneeling in the draft, and been sold off. The label of "arrogant and domineering favorite" was now stamped on Xianglan's forehead, while Zidai's failure to discipline her subordinate became irrelevant. With Yinliu expelled, Zidai had a scapegoat for her previous messes, bolstered her reputation for "benevolence," and simultaneously tarnished Xianglan's name—a truly cunning threefold scheme.
Xianglan had no desire to stir up trouble. She wasn't afraid of Zidai, but what was the point in fighting with such people like Black-boned chickens? Lin Jinlou's interest in her was temporary—who knew how long it would last? What good would offending Qin Shi do her?
A few days prior, Wu Mama had sent a young maid over with a pot of honeysuckle. Xiao Juan had remarked, "This flower isn't much to look at. Why would Wu Mama bother sending this?"
Xianglan understood: Wu Mama was advising her to endure. And endure she must. Living in this world was never about following one's whims. Hadn't she once knelt and kowtowed to Young Master Xia? What were these present humiliations in comparison?
She stood up silently, walked to the desk, picked up a brush, and wrote a large character for "endurance" on paper. After taking a deep breath and staring at it for a long moment, she crumpled the paper and threw it into the brazier.
Seeing Xianglan's stern expression, Xiao Juan didn't dare make a sound, quietly using fire tongs to stir the ashes in the basin.
Enough digression.
Late that night, Lin Jinlou returned home under the stars and moonlight. Entering the bedroom, he found Xianglan still asleep in bed. It was Tinglan's turn to keep night watch; she hurriedly threw on clothes and stumbled in. Lin Jinlou waved her away, removed his own garments, and lay down, reaching out to touch Xianglan.
She had woken the moment he entered. Slapping his hand away, she said, "You reek of dust. Stay away from me."
Lin Jinlou chuckled. "Ungrateful little thing. I rode day and night without rest to see you, and this is the thanks I get?" His hands grew even bolder as he spoke.Lin Jinlou had a notorious reputation as a libertine; when in high spirits, he was always full of sweet nothings, and anyone who took him seriously would be a fool. Besides, he was not the type to be sentimental. His urgent return must have been due to official business. Naturally, Xianglan did not believe his words and merely shrank further into the bed, saying, "Stop fooling around, it's already midnight." But how could she escape him? When Lin Jinlou was aroused, he cared not whether it was day or night. In a few swift moves, he stripped Xianglan bare, turned her over, and pressed himself upon her.
Outside, Tinglan pricked up her ears and immediately understood what was happening. She hurried out to wake the rough maid on night duty in the outer room, ordering her to quickly heat water. The Hall of Knowing Spring instantly became a hive of activity.
Amber, the young maid serving in the outer room, had been trained personally by Lianxin. Upon seeing Lin Jinlou return, she quietly reported it to Lianxin, who smiled and said, "You little monkey, off you go. I’ll remember your kindness." She also gave her a piece of pastry to eat. Noticing that Zidai was still asleep, Lianxin dressed quietly, tied up her hair, and went to the front to manage affairs.
By the time daylight broke, Lin Jinlou had already bathed and was sitting radiantly by the kang table. On the table were set a pot of thick purple rice and red date congee, two steaming bowls of Nine-Silk Soup floating with shredded ham, whitebait, wood ear mushrooms, dried tofu, and more, alongside crab dumplings, assorted deep-fried pastries, chestnut flour cakes, and refreshing side dishes like stir-fried bean sprouts with oil and salt, and chicken marrow bamboo shoots.
A moment later, Xiao Juan helped Xianglan in to sit down. She wore a snow-blue gown with a bluish-green hidden plum blossom satin and a trimmed collar. Dark circles shadowed her eyes, and her cheeks bore a delicate, fragile look. When Lin Jinlou glanced at her appearance, Xianglan lowered her head. Suddenly, Lin Jinlou chuckled, picked up his chopsticks, and said, "Eat up."
Having been kept up late into the night, Xianglan was weary and lethargic, her body still languid. She merely picked up a dumpling and ate it in small, delicate bites.
Seeing that Lin Jinlou had finished a bowl of soup, Lianxin stepped forward respectfully and asked, "Would you like another bowl?" When Lin Jinlou nodded, she took the bowl and prepared to withdraw. But as she turned, she found Zidai standing right in front of her, who snatched the bowl and said with a smile, "Such a small task, I’ll handle it." She then went to refill the bowl with soup, brought it to Lin Jinlou’s side, and eagerly added, "The kitchen has freshly made radish shred pancakes. Would Eldest Master care for a plate?"
Lin Jinlou found the voice unfamiliar and looked up to see a plump, delicate maid wearing an ingratiating smile. Her dark, almond-shaped eyes held a subtle, affectionate gaze, and she was dressed quite elegantly.
Lin Jinlou glanced at Xianglan and asked hesitantly, "This is…"
"After Shu Ran left, Madam feared Eldest Master would lack attendants, so she assigned me here to serve," Zidai replied with a soft smile. "This humble maid is Zidai, wishing Eldest Master peace and prosperity." After speaking, she knelt and kowtowed to Lin Jinlou.
The room fell into silence. Ordinarily, at such a moment, Lianxin or another senior maid should have stepped in to say something like, "Zidai is clever and diligent, having done much since her arrival. It shows Madam’s care for Eldest Master," and so on. But Lianxin stood to the side with her head bowed, feigning ignorance and uttering not a word, while the other maids also remained silent with lowered heads.
In his good mood, Lin Jinlou smiled and said, "From Madam’s quarters? How come I’ve never seen you before?"
Zidai pursed her lips into a smile before replying, "I’ve always served in the back. Besides, Eldest Master is occupied with important matters; even if you had seen me, you might have forgotten." After speaking, she shuffled forward on her knees, her bosom trembling slightly with the movement.Lianxin cut off their conversation, saying, "Besides Zidai, Old Madam has also assigned another maid named Xue Ning, a measured and disciplined person, to fill the second-class vacancy." After speaking, she instructed Xue Ning to kowtow to Lin Jinlou.
Lin Jinlou glanced over and saw Xue Ning with her head bowed, so he nodded and acknowledged with a sound.
Zidai was a petite beauty, exuding an air of deep affection, her chest heaving with a pair of trembling breasts that held a certain allure. Accustomed to romantic dalliances, Lin Jinlou felt inclined to tease her with a few words, but out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Xianglan. Recalling her pure and chaste demeanor and her disdain for his flirtatious ways, and considering his vast experience—though Zidai was attractive, she was merely a novelty to him, not outstanding—he saw no reason to offend Xianglan over a maid. Thus, he dismissed them both.
Zidai, having finally seized an opportunity only to have Lianxin interrupt, secretly resented it. She glanced up at Lin Jinlou, then looked at Xianglan, who was sitting nearby, sipping porridge from a bowl in small, delicate mouthfuls, and felt a pang of bitterness. Everyone said Xianglan was favored. Previously, when Lin Jinlou had not returned home, Zidai had only noticed Xianglan’s fine clothing and residence in the main quarters but hadn’t thought much of it—after all, the respectable maids in the Hall of Knowing Spring all dressed in silks and satins, adorned with gold and silver, so it was only natural that someone like Xianglan, who had some status, would outshine others. Moreover, in front of Qin Shi, Zidai had the upper hand, pushing Xianglan aside as if she were nothing. Back at the Hall of Knowing Spring, Xianglan mostly stayed in her room, yielding in all matters, so Zidai had increasingly disregarded her, believing herself unrivaled as Qin Shi’s appointee.
But today, with Lin Jinlou’s return, Zidai sensed a difference. She had overslept in the morning, and no one had woken her. Only when she emerged did she learn that Lin Jinlou had already returned home. Flustered, she hurried back to change her clothes before coming out. Under the corridor, she saw three chests on the ground, with two young servants standing there chatting. One said, "You fool, be careful! Steward Xiang said this chest is for Miss Xianglan—it’s full of delicate and precious items. If you break anything, your worthless life wouldn’t even cover a corner of the loss. I heard there are two paintings inside, each worth three thousand taels... Are they made of gold or what?"
"What’s a painting? On the way back, Eldest Master sent a cart of goods to Xianglan’s family, saying he’d help prepare their New Year’s provisions. It’s not about the silver but the face Eldest Master is giving them. Tsk, tsk."
Zidai stood stunned. When she entered the room, she saw Lin Jinlou actually allowing Xianglan to share a table with him for meals! Even Lianxin, a senior maid, stood by serving, clearly treating Xianglan as a mistress.
Noticing Zidai’s unwilling expression and her lingering gaze fixed on Lin Jinlou, Xianglan thought to herself, "Lin Jinlou is filial; he wouldn’t disregard someone Qin Shi had elevated. If he takes Zidai, he’ll naturally be captivated for a few days—the perfect timing for me to leave this place..."
Lin Jinlou ate two delicate pastries and looked up to see Xianglan idly stirring her porridge with a spoon, her mind clearly elsewhere. Frowning, he picked up a tender bamboo shoot with his chopsticks and placed it on the celadon plate before her, saying, "This bamboo shoot is braised in chicken broth. It’s refreshing with porridge." When Xianglan looked up at him, he raised an eyebrow and suddenly smiled elegantly, adding, "Eat more. You’re too thin—you might not withstand it otherwise."Xianglan's face flushed instantly, lowering her head as if startled.
Soon the meal concluded. The maids brought tea and water for rinsing mouths and washing hands. Lin Jinlou, still reclining on the bed, noticed Xianglan rising to leave and asked, "Where are you going?"
Xianglan replied, "To Madam's room to learn etiquette."
Lin Jinlou was taken aback. "After all this time, you still haven't finished learning?"
Before Xianglan could respond, Chunling entered and said pointedly, "Miss, hurry up. Zidai has been ready and waiting at the door for a while."
Xianglan glanced at Lin Jinlou and, as if compelled by some unseen force, added, "Zidai is the first-rank maid promoted by Madam. Madam intends to teach her personally and has instructed me to learn from her."
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