The maids brought over the ink, brush, paper, and inkstone to serve. Ling Su ground the ink while Ling Qing spread the cut Snow Wave Paper on the table, pressing it down with a beast-head paperweight. Seeing Lin Jinlou wave his hand at them, the two maids withdrew. Lin Jinlou pulled Xianglan over and embraced her from behind, placing a brush in her hand. He held her hand and dipped it in ink, then wrote the characters "Xianglan" on the paper. The name originally carried a delicate, fragile, and richly alluring quality, but under his brush, it suddenly became grand and imposing.
Xianglan thought to herself, "The Lin Family truly upholds the tradition of poetry and literature. Though Lin Jinlou is a military man, his calligraphy is exceptionally fine." Just then, she heard Lin Jinlou speak from behind her, "The first time I heard your name, I thought it was vulgar—'Xianglan, foul orchid'—the kind of name given to poor, lowly girls in storybooks and operas."
Xianglan secretly pursed her lips, then heard Lin Jinlou continue, "I initially wanted to change it, but after getting used to it, I thought it was quite nice. Isn't there a line in poetry that goes, 'Jade shatters on Mount Kunlun, the phoenix cries; lotus weeps dew, Xianglan smiles'? This name is auspicious." After saying this, he chuckled softly a few times, "Besides, you smell so fragrant—what else could you be called but 'Xianglan'?" As he spoke, he kissed her cheek, feeling the warmth and softness of jade in his embrace, his heart already swaying with emotion. He then kissed her repeatedly.
Xianglan's face flushed crimson in an instant. Pushing against Lin Jinlou, she said, "Stop fooling around, it's still daytime... Didn't we come here to enjoy the scenery? I'm going to see the Twenty-Four Bridges." With that, she made to leave.
Lin Jinlou looked at her blushing face, a smile playing on his lips as his arms still held her tightly. "I've seen the paintings you've done—they're so well-executed. When the Old Master's birthday comes, you can paint a piece for him. Consider it my birthday gift this year, hmm?"
Xianglan was taken aback and immediately replied, "Wouldn't that be inappropriate? For the Old Master's birthday, it should be the Master who personally writes a calligraphy piece to present."
Lin Jinlou chuckled softly and said, "Silly girl, this is me giving you face. What's inappropriate about it? My grandfather loves literature and art. If you paint well, he might even reward you later. Let me tell you, in this household, the Old Master is like the supreme emperor. If he takes a liking to you, who in the entire family would dare to show you any disrespect?" He thought to himself that since Xianglan had once been lost, if rumors spread upon her return, it would be unfortunate. His grandfather might even inquire about it. If Xianglan gained his grandfather's favor, she could live more smoothly in the Lin Family in the future. Besides, Xianglan was so delightful, he also wanted to show her off to the elders.
Xianglan looked up at Lin Jinlou. He was smiling, his eyes fixed directly on her, his expression gentle, unlike his usual authoritative and imposing demeanor. Previously, even when Lin Jinlou had shown her some kindness, it had been tinged with a certain frivolity, as if teasing her like a cat or a dog. He had never spoken to her with such sincerity before. Xianglan had a soft heart; if others treated her with respect, she found it hard to remain aloof and ignore them. Moreover, she and Lin Jinlou shared a complicated history of grievances and affections. Feeling somewhat uneasy, she twisted her fingers and remained silent for a long moment before finally saying, "Then what should I paint? Pine trees? Cranes? Peaches of longevity?"
Lin Jinlou couldn't resist kissing her cheek again and said, "Paint whatever you like. Once you're done, I'll inscribe it."
Just as they were speaking, the sound of a woman singing and playing instruments came from outside. It turned out that Lin Jinting and the others had returned to the feast to eat and drink, followed by the sounds of guessing games and women's delicate laughter.Xianglan listened to the distant melody, inexplicably reminded of Chunyan from Yicui Pavilion. Having long intended to broach the subject with Lin Jinlou, she carefully measured her words: "Master, when I was abducted by villains to that brothel, it was a girl called Yan'er who untied me. She's my benefactor, really—we ought to properly thank her. I still have some silver... could you send someone to deliver it to her? Women who fall into such circumstances are truly pitiable. What decent family's daughter would willingly choose this life..."
Lin Jinlou watched her nervous demeanor—her evasive eyes refusing to meet his—and recognized the guilt written all over her. He nearly laughed aloud, thinking, This silly girl can't even lie properly . He already knew the "Yan'er" from Yicui Pavilion was Chunyan, whom he'd expelled from his household. Back when Chunyan had drugged Ying Ge, causing her miscarriage, his fury had led him to sell off her entire family. The day he retrieved Xianglan, he'd spotted Chunyan in Yicui Pavilion's courtyard and heard the brothel madam call her "Yan'er"—clear evidence she'd been sold into prostitution by human traffickers. Not that he cared. Now Xianglan deliberately referred to her as "Yan'er" to conceal Chunyan's past identity and help her.
Lin Jinlou gazed into Xianglan's large, luminous eyes and stroked her delicate cheek. "You must recognize her, no? She used to serve in my household—Chunyan. You know what crime she committed, don't you?"
Xianglan's heart leaped, her eyes dropping further. After a long pause, she murmured, "Our families were neighbors once. Though we didn't get along well, we were acquainted. She brought this fate upon herself, yet I still find it regrettable. Besides, she truly helped me that day—even gave me her own shoes to wear. That's why I'm shamelessly begging you now..."
Lin Jinlou pinched her chin, narrowing his eyes. "Oh? You remember her help, but forget my kindness to you?"
In a tiny voice, she said, "I remember..."
He pulled her into his embrace, ruffling her hair. Though Xianglan was clever, she always saw the best in people. Whores have no affection, actors no loyalty . Chunyan had once been devoted to Qian Wenze, determined to marry him. When Du Bin stabbed Qian Wenze to death, she'd mourned briefly. But before her lover's body was cold, she'd hastily attached herself to a Jiangnan cloth merchant, leaving the brothel with Grandeur two days prior to become his Concubine. Only foolish Xianglan would risk angering him to plead for Chunyan, unaware the girl had already secured her escape. Yet this was precisely what made her endearing—her genuine care for others, remembering every kindness shown to her. He knew she didn't wish to stay with the Lin Family, but she'd remained to save his mother and sister, only leaving after repaying her "debt." While rescuing her had cost him little effort, she'd been willing to sacrifice her life in return.
"Silly girl, such a silly girl," Lin Jinlou murmured twice before suddenly kissing her again. His kisses came fast and urgent, his hands slipping into her robes as he whispered against her lips, "Xianglan, I've missed you terribly these days..."Xianglan felt dazed, unable to comprehend how Lin Jinlou had suddenly been stirred by amorous desires when they were just discussing Chunyan's matter. Before she could utter a word, his lips sealed hers, and he swept her up onto the nearby Luohan bed.
The bed had already been spread with thick, soft-scented bedding by Ling Qing and Ling Su. No sooner had Lin Jinlou laid Xianglan down than he pressed over her, one hand unfastening the buttons on her garments while the other shed his cloak and moved to loosen his trouser tie, his mouth showering her with kisses.
He had waited long enough—now he could hold back no longer.
Thanks to Fat Wanghua001 and Moonlight Orchid for the sachets, Moonlight Orchid for three Peace Talismans, and Super Booklover for the Peace Talisman. Also, thank you all for the pink votes^_^
OpenNovel