As soon as the words left her mouth, both of them froze. Xianglan noticed the flicker of astonishment on Lin Jinlou's face and felt a pang of regret. Though Zidai had schemed against her reputation, and it wasn't true that she didn't mind, she hadn't intended to complain to Lin Jinlou. Yet somehow, she had blurted it out just now, with a subtle tone of tattling, as if she were jealous or resentful—which wasn't her intention at all. Feeling disheartened, she turned away, pretending to fetch her cloak, when Lin Jinlou's voice came from behind her, "Come here."
Xianglan pretended not to hear.
"Playing dumb, are you? I'm talking to you—come here."
Xianglan lowered her head, slowly turned around, and shuffled over, her eyes fixed on the tips of her shoes.
Lin Jinlou had sat up and waved a hand at Chunling, who understood and promptly withdrew.
As Xianglan edged to the bedside, Lin Jinlou took her small hand and made her sit on the edge of the bed. "What's going on? What's this about 'learning from her' or 'learning from you'? Tell me about it."
Xianglan kept her head down, her other hand twisting the silk tassel on her skirt. Only after Lin Jinlou pressed her again did she say, "It's nothing. Madam favors Zidai. She's Han Mama's niece, grew up in the mansion since childhood, so naturally she excels in everything. Of course, I should learn from her."
Lin Jinlou played with Xianglan's fingers lazily. "Favors? How so?"
Xianglan remained silent for a long moment before slowly replying, "Madam worries about the Eldest Master, feeling that your quarters are too quiet."
Lin Jinlou paused his movements, raised an eyebrow, and studied Xianglan from left to right. She glanced up at him, saw his thoughtful expression, and quickly lowered her head again. Lin Jinlou was unpredictable in his moods, and she couldn't tell whether he was pleased or displeased at the moment.
Suddenly, Lin Jinlou said, "Alright, you may go."
Xianglan hurriedly stood up, took her cloak, and left.
Lin Jinlou took a sip of tea and called out, "Where are the servants?" Lianxin quickly entered, but Lin Jinlou said, "Not you. Call the round-faced girl who serves Xianglan." Lianxin acknowledged and went out to summon her.
Xiao Juan was tidying the trunks when she heard Lin Jinlou calling for her. Her face instantly turned pale with fear, but she didn't dare refuse. She shuffled into the room step by step, not even daring to lift her head, and stammered, "Eldest Master."
Lin Jinlou tapped his fingers on the kang table. "I remember you as the most loyal to Xianglan. Tell me, what's been happening in the mansion while I was away? Has Xianglan been wronged?"
Xiao Juan felt as if she couldn't even breathe properly in Lin Jinlou's presence. Her knees went weak, and she knelt down, stammering, "The young lady, she... she..." Torn between fear of Madam and the Eldest Master, she hesitated about revealing everything. But under Lin Jinlou's intense gaze, his mere seated presence exuding overwhelming authority, she grew too afraid to conceal anything. She recounted in detail how Zidai had come to the Hall of Knowing Spring to meddle in affairs, how she had marginalized Xianglan, and how she had schemed to tarnish Xianglan's reputation. Finally, she kowtowed with her head to the floor and said, "...The young lady said Zidai represents Madam's face, so she endured everything and refused to speak of it. If you don't believe me, Eldest Master, you can ask Chunling or Lianxin. If I've spoken a single false word, may a festering sore grow in my throat."
Lin Jinlou remained silent for a long while. Xiao Juan broke out in a cold sweat from fear until she heard him say, "I understand. You may go."
Xiao Juan felt as if she had been granted a pardon. She scrambled to her feet and scurried out like the wind.Lin Jinlou's face instantly darkened. He knew Xianglan's temperament all too well—soft-hearted, stubborn, with a touch of impoverished pride and a foolish streak. She was too inept to scheme against others, and even when suffering from others' plots, she wouldn't utter a word of complaint, as if speaking up to him would cost her life. Sometimes he wondered how her servant-born parents raised a daughter reeking of pedantic bookishness, like those stiff-necked civil officials at court who'd rather die than bend—utterly incorrigible. Had she not been pushed to the brink today, he probably wouldn't have heard even that hint of "complaint." Yet her very reticence made her seem all the more pitiable, stirring an involuntary tenderness in him.
"Silly girl," Lin Jinlou stood up, muttering to himself, "Why can't you just tell me? Do you think I can't stand up for you?" He let out a deep sigh. He understood Madam's intentions—if Zidai were honest and proper, taking her in wouldn't be an issue. After all, his mother's dignity was involved, and the Hall of Knowing Spring could easily support another person. But Zidai's actions had left a bad taste in his mouth. Oh, Xianglan knows you represent Madam's face and yields at every turn; but don't you know Xianglan represents my face? Trampling her to death and ruining her reputation—does that bring glory to me?
Rubbing his temples, Lin Jinlou reflected on his burdens: his father was in Shanxi, the Old Master was advanced in years, and his second uncle was all talk no substance—the household relied entirely on him. After managing external affairs and domestic duties, he still had to deal with unnecessary turmoil at home. Annoyed, he swept the curtain aside and strode out.
Meanwhile, Xianglan was in the side room of Qin Shi's quarters, transcribing the Four Books in delicate calligraphy onto fine white paper. Lulan trimmed the sheets with a small knife and pasted them onto decorative tags.
"Tsk—" Xianglan's hand paused as she inhaled sharply, her shoulders slumping.
Hearing the noise, Lulan peeked over and said, "Oh, another mistake? That's your third one today." She took the paper from Xianglan and, seeing no one else around, teased in a low voice, "Why are you so distracted? Missing your man? He's already back, you know."
"Pah! You're the one missing a man!" Xianglan's cheeks flushed slightly as she spat the words.
Knowing she was easily embarrassed, Lulan chuckled, "Alright, alright. You've been at it for hours—take a break. I'll bring you some good tea." With that, she climbed off the kang.
Xianglan set down her brush. She was indeed distracted, preoccupied with her earlier conversation with Lin Jinlou. She truly hadn't wanted to complain to him—she had plans to leave the estate and preferred to avoid trouble. Besides, if Lin Jinlou took Zidai in, it might actually benefit her. Yet, inexplicably, she had harbored some expectation that he would uphold justice for her. When he asked a few questions but didn't press further, sending her to Qin Shi instead, she felt relieved yet faintly disappointed.
Lost in thought, she was interrupted by Lulan returning with a pot of floral fruit tea and a small plate of exquisite pastries. Setting them on the table, Lulan smiled, "The tea was brewed fresh this morning, but Madam found it too sweet and had us make Old Man's Eyebrow instead. The pastries were taken down from the Buddha's altar last night—let's have a couple and soak up some divine blessings."Xianglan smiled and complied, taking the white porcelain tea bowls from the small table by the kang and pouring a bowl for herself and Lulan each. Since she had come to serve in Madam's quarters, the maids and elderly servants had treated her quite well—perhaps Lin Jinlou's silver had played a role. As Hongjian was Qin Shi's most trusted attendant, she maintained a certain distance from Xianglan but still treated her with courtesy, offering what small conveniences she could. Lulan, however, was extremely warm and affectionate toward her, never minding others' opinions.
Just then, hurried footsteps thudded outside, and the curtain was lifted to reveal a fluffy little head peeking in. Lin Jinyuan shouted, "Where's Mother? Isn't she in this room?"
Lulan quickly raised a finger to her lips, shushing him several times, and said, "Madam is in the back hall reciting Buddhist scriptures. Please keep your voice down, Fourth Master."
Lin Jinyuan gave an "oh" and sauntered in. He bore a striking resemblance to Qin Shi, with rosy lips, pearly teeth, and sparkling eyes, his cheeks as tender as peach blossoms in March. He had originally been plump, but after his sixth birthday, he shot up like willow branches after a spring rain, growing noticeably taller than his peers and slimming down so much that, at a glance, one might mistake him for a pretty girl.
Lin Jinyuan kicked off his shoes and scrambled onto the kang, grabbing a piece of pastry to pop into his mouth as he glanced at the kang table. "What are you writing?" he asked.
Lulan smiled. "For your studies."
At the word "studies," Lin Jinyuan deflated, collapsing into Xianglan's arms. "Studying all day is so boring!"
Xianglan couldn't help but chuckle. Lin Jinyuan disliked studying, preferring to run wild in the garden, play dice, and cricket fights. Qin Shi had thus ordered passages from the Four Books to be copied onto paper slips, fashioned into decorative tags for Lin Jinyuan to use during dice games. "Lou Ge'er learned the Four Books the same way," Qin Shi had said. "When he was five and couldn't sit still, the Old Master had the Four Books made into slips. They'd roll dice to compare points, then draw a slip—whoever drew one had to recite the passage aloud and explain its meaning, just like a drinking game, complete with singing and dancing. In less than half a year, he'd mastered most of it. It's a pity those old slips are lost, or we wouldn't have to make new ones."
Xianglan also thought this method was excellent. She couldn't resist stroking Lin Jinyuan's little cheek and said softly, "What's wrong with studying? It helps you understand principles and grow into a capable person."
Leaning against Xianglan, Lin Jinyuan gestured with his hands. "I don't want to study. I want to be like my eldest brother and become a general someday."
Before he could finish, a commotion erupted outside, and the door curtain was swept aside as Lin Jinlou entered. Seeing Xianglan holding Lin Jinyuan, he paused in surprise, but Lin Jinyuan was overjoyed, leaping up with outstretched arms. "Eldest Brother, quick, toss me up and spin me around!"
Lin Jinlou laughed. "Good lad, let me see if you've gotten heavier." He lifted Lin Jinyuan high, tossing him into the air several times, eliciting peals of giggles from the boy. The nursemaid and maids nearby were terrified, exclaiming in unison, "Eldest Master, be careful, be careful..."
After a few more tosses, Lin Jinlou held Lin Jinyuan in his arms and sat on the edge of the kang. Turning to Xianglan, he said, "Madam is inside chanting scriptures. Why aren't you attending to her instead of being out here?" Without waiting for her reply, he tickled Lin Jinyuan, who dissolved into helpless laughter, squirming and shouting, "I surrender! I surrender!"Lulan, being perceptive, quietly slipped off the bed to brew tea. Just as she lifted the curtain, she bumped heads with Zidai. She thought to herself, "This little minx arrived at such a convenient moment. She was just serving during the scripture recitation in Madam's room, and now she's rushed over so quickly upon hearing Eldest Master's arrival."
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