It happened that two more maidservants who did rough work in the Hall of Knowing Spring fell ill. They had originally shared a room with Zhicao. Then, one after another, three or four more people fell sick. For a time, everyone was in fear for their own safety, and the Hall of Knowing Spring was shrouded in gloom and despair. Yet Lin Jinlou remained calm and composed, as if he did not take the matter to heart at all. Instead, he ordered people to pack their belongings and sent the Old Master, Old Madam, Qin Shi, Wang Shi, along with the young masters and young ladies, to live at the estate. All affairs of the Lin household were handled by him personally. He strictly forbade anyone from going out or moving about freely; only young servants and matrons who had already had smallpox were allowed to go out on errands. With him in command, the entire Lin household settled into quietude.
However, Lin Jinlou kept Xianglan behind. After their nightly intimacy, drenched in sweat, he pinched her cheek and said with a grin, "I kept you here. Are you afraid? I thought to myself, even if we die, we’ll go hand in hand to the underworld together. Since I treasure you so much, aren’t you happy?"
Xianglan had been tormented by Lin Jinlou for half the night and was already too exhausted to keep her eyes open. Hearing this, she felt no joy at all. She thought to herself that she was already aggrieved at being imprisoned by this tyrant Lin, and now he wouldn’t even let her go in death? But she had learned to be clever and no longer provoked Lin Jinlou. She simply opened her bright, sparkling eyes and gazed at him.
Lin Jinlou had intended to tease her, but seeing Xianglan silently staring at him with wide eyes, he found it somewhat dull and said, "I’ve experienced smallpox outbreaks before. If those infected are dealt with early, it shouldn’t escalate. Besides, those who entered the household as servants from a young age were all inoculated with smallpox. Only those with weak constitutions like Yingge couldn’t withstand it. The Hall of Knowing Spring has long been quarantined—no one from outside can enter, and no one inside can leave. In ten days or half a month, if no one develops a fever, this disaster will pass." Having said this, he lifted the bed curtain and called for tea.
There was a sound from outside, and surprisingly, it was Zidai who entered carrying a copper kettle. She carefully refilled the teacup and brought it to the bedside.
Lin Jinlou sat up, the sheet slipping down to his lower abdomen, revealing his sturdy, bare torso. He lifted the curtain, took the tea, and drank it in one go. Zidai saw his tall, well-built frame, broad shoulders and back, and the bulging muscles on his arm as he held the teacup. A drop of sweat rolled down his neck. She was instantly dumbstruck, her limbs went weak, her face flushed bright red, her heart raced, and her entire body grew hot and flustered.
Since only a dim lamp was lit in the room, Lin Jinlou knew a maid had entered but assumed it was Lianxin or Chunling, so he paid no mind and did not look closely. After finishing one cup, he ordered another. Zidai snapped out of her daze and hurriedly poured another cup. Lin Jinlou took the tea and shook Xianglan, saying, "Get up and have a sip."
Xianglan was so tired she could not even lift a finger. Lin Jinlou, aroused, had plenty of tricks and techniques. At first, Xianglan was too shy to comply, but later she was too exhausted to care about shame, merely closing her eyes in a daze.
Lin Jinlou shook her a few times and, seeing Xianglan pretending to be dead, said, "Hurry up and take a sip. Do you want me to feed you mouth to mouth?"
Remembering that a maid was still in the room, Xianglan quickly opened her eyes, propped herself up, and reluctantly took a sip before lying back down. Lin Jinlou chuckled softly, drank the remaining tea himself, then reached his arm out from behind the curtain and handed the empty cup out.
Zidai hurriedly took it and stood outside for a long while. She could hear Lin Jinlou speaking softly inside the curtain, with Xianglan occasionally responding as if half-asleep. Only then did she blow out the candle and quietly retreat.As soon as she stepped out the door, she saw Xue Ning standing there, glaring at her with knitted brows. Because Lin Jinlou disliked Zidai, despite being a first-class maid, she wasn't even allowed to enter the bedroom. Only Lianxin, Tinglan, Xue Ning, and Chunling were permitted to keep watch at night. That night, it happened to be Xue Ning's turn for duty. In the latter half of the night, she felt a sharp twist in her stomach and went to the outhouse. Coincidentally, Zidai, thirsty in the middle of the night, went to the tea room to fetch water and happened to hear Lin Jinlou calling for someone. She immediately entered the room.
Xue Ning vaguely saw Zidai carrying a pot into the room and grew frantic with worry. Afraid of angering Lin Jinlou, she anxiously waited by the door. When Zidai emerged, Xue Ning suppressed her anger and said, "You're quite diligent, sister. Next time, there's no need for you to trouble yourself."
Zidai, however, smiled warmly and whispered, "Little sister, I didn't know where you'd run off to earlier. I only went in because I heard the Eldest Master calling for someone. You don't need to thank me." With that, she pushed Xue Ning's arm aside and walked away gracefully.
Xue Ning gritted her teeth in fury.
For a while, nothing happened.
A few days later, Zhicao's body was carried out of the Hall of Knowing Spring. Two more people had died in the Lin residence, but no further cases of smallpox appeared. Xianglan recited sutras and prayed morning and evening, and she found a servant who had already survived smallpox to deliver food and drink to Yingge and the others. Outside the second gate, there happened to be a young servant, nicknamed Little Piggy due to his plump figure. Having survived smallpox, his face was left pockmarked, and to avoid displeasing the masters, he was only assigned menial tasks. With this situation arising, he was given duties and waited under the corridor. Hearing that Xianglan needed someone to run an errand, he eagerly stepped forward and took on the task. Upon returning, he reported, "When Sister Yingge heard that you had sent her something, she wept. She specifically asked me to stand outside by the window and told me that you have a kind heart. In all her years in the residence, you are the only one she truly trusts. She said she has twenty taels of private savings and some jewelry, all kept in a small box under her bed. After she passes, the Lin family will give some silver to her family. She begged you to take the silver and jewelry and find a way to deliver them personally to her younger brother. She fears that someone dishonest might steal her belongings or that the money might fall into her sister-in-law's hands, leaving her father without funds for treatment and her brother without food."
Xianglan felt a pang of sorrow. She had noticed Yingge's deliberate efforts to curry favor with her in the past, which made her uncomfortable. But they were both pitiable souls—Yingge had her hardships, and Xianglan had hers. If they could get along, why make things difficult for each other? Though their relationship was neither particularly close nor deeply intimate, they had gotten along well. Hearing Yingge's words, as if preparing for her death, Xianglan couldn't help but sigh a few more times. Through the curtain, she said to Little Piggy, "Go back and tell her I agree to this." She then instructed Chunling to give him a red envelope as a reward.
That night, well past the third watch, Lin Jinlou was still working by lamplight. Xianglan lay on the bed, half-asleep, when suddenly, the cloud-shaped board at the second gate sounded. An old woman reported at the door, "Miss Yingge has passed away."
Xianglan was startled and immediately sat up. Lin Jinlou rose and left. Shortly after, Shu Ran returned and said, "Because she died of smallpox, the body couldn't be kept and was hastily taken away to be cremated. Her ashes will be kept for the funeral. The Eldest Master, remembering her service, honored her by elevating her to the status of a Concubine. The coffin had been prepared earlier, and everything necessary is in place."
Xianglan then relayed Yingge's entrusted words and added, "Dear sister, I cannot go over there. I must trouble you to keep this in mind for me."This was the first time Xianglan had asked Shu Ran for a favor, and Shu Ran immediately patted her chest in assurance, praising Xianglan for her compassionate heart. Before long, she returned with a pouch of silver and some jewelry, adding, "Yingge’s family has arrived and is kneeling before the Eldest Master to express their gratitude."
Xianglan asked, "Who came from her family?"
Shu Ran replied, "Her elder brother and sister-in-law, along with her younger brother. The boy is ten years old and serves under the Second Master. His name is Zhao’er."
Xianglan added forty taels of silver to the pouch and summoned Zhao’er. She said to him, "Your sister and I were old acquaintances. Before her passing, she entrusted me to give her savings to you. This pouch contains her belongings. Keep it safe, and if you ever face difficulties in the future, come to me."
Zhao’er, who bore a strong resemblance to Yingge, had cried until his eyes were red. He knelt and kowtowed to Xianglan, saying, "Bodhisattva Grandma, Zhao’er kowtows to you. I will forever remember your great kindness." Wiping his tears, he left, and for now, no more need be said of him.
After Zhao’er departed, Xianglan lay on the bed fully clothed, drifting in and out of sleep. Suddenly, she saw Yingge enter and say to her, "Younger Sister Xianglan, I am leaving now. You have shown loyalty and fulfilled your promise to me. In the future, my family will surely repay your kindness."
Xianglan jolted awake and opened her eyes, only to see Lin Jinlou walking in from outside. There was no trace of Yingge.
More than ten days later, no one in the Lin household showed signs of fever or pox. As the New Year approached, Lin Zhaoxiang ordered his sons, daughters-in-law, and others to move back to the Lin residence. The first thing Qin Shi did upon her return was to arrange for the entire family to visit Qixia Temple to perform rituals for peace and safety.
"We’ve been living in constant fear. This time, seven or eight people died in the household, and who knows how the rumors are spreading outside. I had already made a vow at the temple, and now that it has been fulfilled, we must hold a grand ceremony to bring closure. Even the Old Madam will attend this time," Qin Shi said. "Sister Ling has been complaining to me, saying the last temple visit was boring and she couldn’t even watch any operas. This time, there’s a tall pavilion at Qixia Temple where we can set up a stage for a performance."
Wang Shi remarked, "What does a child like her know? Lives are at stake, and all she cares about is having fun and watching the excitement."
Qin Shi teased, "She’s almost of marriageable age and has grown into a young lady. Sister Ling has become much more dignified and refined lately, even speaking less. It seems she’s ready to be married."
Lin Dongling’s face flushed bright red, and everyone laughed. She, however, turned her head away quietly and let out a soft hum of displeasure.
Qin Shi then sent Qiangwei to the Hall of Knowing Spring to inform Xianglan that she would be taken along. Qiangwei said with a smile, "Madam also said she wants you to ride in the same carriage as her!"
Chunling quickly asked, "Is Zidai going?"
Qiangwei replied, "Madam didn’t mention her, but Han Mama pleaded on her behalf, and Madam agreed to take her along."
After Qiangwei left, Chunling clapped her hands and laughed. "See? Distance tests a horse’s strength, and time reveals a person’s heart. Madam has finally seen what kind of fox spirit Zidai is. Now that she’s specifically inviting you, it means she intends to elevate your status."
Xianglan shook her head inwardly. She paid little mind to Qin Shi’s tactics for managing people, but after being cooped up in the residence for so long, the chance to go out and relax was certainly welcome.On the day of the journey to Qixia Temple, the Lin residence bustled with carriages and horses. Xianglan rode in the same carriage as Qin Shi. The journey passed in silence, with Xianglan occasionally handing Qin Shi a cup of tea or adding plum-scented incense cakes to her hand warmer before quietly resuming her seat in the corner. Qin Shi, however, seemed much more amiable, occasionally asking Xianglan a question or two, unlike her usual cold and distant demeanor. Xianglan found this puzzling, unaware that Qin Shi had developed a favorable impression of her after learning about her kind assistance to Yingge. In truth, even Qin Shi herself had to admit that during Xianglan’s stay in her courtyard, though the girl had not been particularly likable and had kept quietly to herself, her every gesture and movement reflected the grace of a well-bred young lady—perhaps even surpassing that of Qin Shi’s own daughter. Moreover, Xianglan was accomplished in literature and painting, with a gentle and obedient disposition, making her a rare find. Yet, perhaps it was because the girl was too outstanding and conspicuous, or because her son had forcibly brought her into the household as a concubine, Qin Shi felt an underlying unease.
Lin Jinlou escorted the party on horseback. Upon arriving at Qixia Temple, the abbot, accompanied by a group of monks, came out to greet them. Lin Jinting hurriedly led the stewards, managers, and clansmen to handle the formalities.
As for how Qin Shi and her companions performed their Buddhist rites and worship, that shall be set aside for now. Lin Jinlou made a round of the temple and ordered the Household Guards brought from the residence to secure the premises. He then went to Xianglan and instructed, "Take good care of Madam. I shall return first and fetch you all back to the residence in three days," and so on. Xianglan responded half-heartedly. After a few more words, Lin Jinlou departed.
Chunling watched Xianglan, hesitating before speaking haltingly, "Miss, you should be more attentive to the Eldest Master... Right now, you don’t even have a formal status, and the Eldest Master has always been a philanderer..."
Xianglan smiled faintly. Ever since the smallpox outbreak had subsided in the Lin residence, Lin Jinlou had resumed his routine of leaving early and returning late, sometimes even staying out overnight. Whispers circulated that he had taken a new lover outside—a certain Yun Zhui from the Yihong Court, who was said to be exceptionally talented and beautiful, with a splendid singing voice. Xianglan had long heard these rumors from the servants, though Chunling and the others assumed she was unaware.
Shu Ran, being astute, once remarked to her lightheartedly, "Miss, you are a fortunate one. I can see that the Eldest Master truly cares for you. Don’t listen to the idle gossip outside. Before, he used to stay out constantly, but now he only goes out occasionally for social engagements and returns home right after his official duties. You’re the only one left in the courtyard these days. Recently, a garrison commander presented him with a girl as beautiful as a fairy, but he didn’t keep her and sent her away immediately." Xianglan merely smiled at this.
Lin Jinlou’s philandering was nothing new. She was but a plaything in his household, too preoccupied with her own future to spare any energy for pointless jealousy. If Lin Jinlou were to take a new lover and cast her aside, she would heave a sigh of relief.Seeing that Xianglan remained silent, Chunling had no choice but to relent. Soon after, Qin Shi decided to attend a Buddhist ceremony, and Xianglan accompanied her. After participating in the chanting for a while, Lin Dongling complained of a headache and went back to rest. Lin Dongxiu waited a short while before quietly slipping away, thinking to herself, "They say the fortune sticks at Qixia Temple are the most accurate. I'll go draw one." She then made her way to the Hall of the Three Saints in the east. The hall was empty and silent. As Lin Dongxiu stepped inside alone and was about to reach for the fortune stick tube on the altar, she faintly heard the voices of a man and a woman from behind the Buddha statue. Tiptoeing quietly, she hid behind a pillar and peered out. To her astonishment, she saw Lin Dongling speaking with a tall, sturdy actor whose face was painted in a dramatic floral pattern.
Lin Dongling said, "...Du Lang, my right eyelid has been twitching for the past two days, and my heart is restless... Can this... really succeed?"
The actor replied, "Of course it can. Would I lie to you? I've made all the preparations. Just stay alert tomorrow night when you go to sleep. The other day at Sweet Dew Temple, you didn't stay overnight, so we couldn't act then."
"...I'm still afraid... With seven or eight people in the household already dead, I can't help but wonder if they'll come to haunt me, especially Hanfang. After all, she served me for so long..."
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