In recent days, Lin Jinting had been going out with Chu Dapeng and others for amusement. He had repeatedly heard prominent young masters in Yangzhou discussing Lin Jinlou—some admiring his rapid rise to power at a young age, some in awe of his reputation, some praising his military prowess, some complaining about his picky and demanding nature, and others delightedly sharing tales of his romantic escapades.
Originally, when guests came to socialize with the Lin Family, Lin Jinting assumed it was out of respect for his grandfather and Lin Changzheng. But this time, he witnessed firsthand the grand reception Lin Jinlou received outside. The fathers of those aristocratic young masters came in waves to visit the Lin residence in Yangzhou, bringing various gifts, exchanging pleasantries and courtesies, all vying to show utmost attentiveness. Civil and military officials throughout Yangzhou caught wind and came to flatter and befriend this influential young general.
Today, as Lin Jinlou set off, key officials in Yangzhou personally saw him off. Sedan chairs and fine horses formed a grand procession, completely blocking an entire street.
Lin Jinting stared dumbfounded at the scene, suddenly recalling the day his grandfather ordered him to move to the ancestral house for studies. On his first day there, his grandfather lay in a rocking chair and asked, "Regarding Ling Jie'er's matter, do you resent your eldest brother?"
Resent him? Naturally, he held grievances. His mother wept day and night, and his father cursed Lin Jinlou vehemently in his room. Lin Dongling had been forcibly stuffed into a carriage, her face swollen and bruised, crying until she was drenched in tears. That very night, a mourning tent was erected at the gate, and from then on, there was no longer a "Lin Dongling" among the Lin Family's young ladies.
He stammered, unsure how to respond.
His grandfather shook his head and said to him, "Remember this: although you two are not from the same branch of the family, Lou'er values loyalty and righteousness. As the saying goes, 'an elder brother is like a father.' You should regard him as your own eldest brother and treat him with closeness and respect in the future... Whether you can rely on your own father remains uncertain, but your future prospects entirely depend on your uncle and eldest brother. Think carefully about how you should conduct yourself from now on. If you can understand this, it won't be in vain that I specifically brought you here to study."
He naturally understood his grandfather's implication was for him to grow closer to Lin Jinlou, but he still felt uncomfortable about it. Later, when Lin Jinlou decisively prepared to go to Yangzhou, Lin Jinting, stifled by his grandfather's strict supervision, seized the opportunity upon hearing the news. He quickly left a note and followed Lin Jinlou all the way from home to escape. Over these days, his resentment toward Lin Jinlou gradually faded, and they resumed joking and laughing as before.
But today, witnessing such a grand display, he finally grasped his grandfather's intention. His elder brother was no longer the young master who took him out horseback riding and gambling over a decade ago; he had become a figure capable of turning clouds and rain, a man of significant influence.
Lin Jinting didn't know what emotion stirred in his heart as he blankly watched Lin Jinlou smilingly exchange pleasantries with the officials, then mount his horse, repeatedly cupping his hands in farewell, radiating vigor and confidence.
The crowd only stopped after escorting him out of the city, with another troop of soldiers following to provide protection.
Xianglan sat inside the carriage, slightly lifting the curtain to see the lush green grasses and trees in the suburbs.
Lin Jinlou, however, urged his horse forward and said to her, "What are you looking at? Go back and rest. I'll call you when we arrive." As he spoke, he reached out and tucked the curtain tightly shut.
Ji Xiang, driving the carriage, curled his lip. Their Master was just worried that with guards nearby, Xianglan might be seen by others. But the Master didn't realize—who among them would have the audacity to even glance at Xianglan?
Xianglan had no choice but to withdraw and lean back against the soft cushion.
Ling Su, seeing this, took out two small red-lacquered boxes and offered Xianglan some pastries.Xianglan said, "I just had two pieces of cake this morning, so I'm not hungry. With how busy the morning has been, when did anyone have time to prepare snacks?"
Ling Su smiled and replied, "Master had the chefs from Ermei House prepare these early this morning and sent them over. If you're feeling bored, Madam, you can have a couple to nibble on." She lifted the lid, revealing two varieties in one box: small pastries shaped like peonies and small fried dough cakes made with cream. Another box contained four delicate pastries: sweet dew cakes, snowflake crisps, horse hoof rolls, and amber cakes.
Seeing how exquisitely they were made, Xianglan picked one up to eat and offered some to Ling Qing and Ling Su. The two initially declined, but after Xianglan repeatedly insisted, they each selected a piece of cake and stayed to chat with her to pass the time.
Ling Qing and Ling Su had been terribly afraid that Lin Jinlou would leave them in Yangzhou, like the maids from the Lin residence there who remained stuck guarding a garden year after year, rarely seeing their masters. If the master forgot about them, their lives would essentially be over. Only when they were brought along on the journey did their hearts finally settle, and they became even more diligent in their service, no longer dwelling on such worries.
Meanwhile, back at the Lin Family residence in Jinling, the servant boy Hetao entered the annex room. He fetched a quilt on his own and went to pick up the teapot on the table, but no water came out when he tried to pour. Lifting the lid, he saw that the pot was already empty, with only a few dried tea leaves left. He sneered toward the heated brick bed, "You're just asking for trouble! Lazing around, doing nothing all day, lying in bed like a corpse—you don't even remember to refill the tea after drinking it. Just wait until the matron gives you a beating!"
Guiyuan lay on the heated brick bed, pulling a pillow towel over his head and pretending not to hear. These days, Guiyuan was having a hard time. Originally, he had served in the study, and Lin Jinlou, noticing his cleverness, had assigned him to Xianglan. Though young, Guiyuan was full of schemes. He had reasoned that the most trusted men around the master were Ji Xiang and Shuangxi, making it difficult for others to stand out. Moreover, with so many capable people vying for the master's attention and countless others scheming behind the scenes—all kept in check only by Ji Xiang and Shuran—he, having been bought midway and without any backing, hadn't had an easy time. Besides, Lin Jinlou had a terrible temper and was extremely picky and hard to please. Back when Guiyuan worked in the study, he had always been on edge. When he was reassigned to Xianglan, others mocked him, thinking he had been demoted from a respectable position to serve a newly favored Bedchamber Attendant. But Guiyuan was secretly pleased.
Xianglan was gentle and generous, giving generous tips to the servants and rarely causing any trouble. She seldom called on him even once in ten days or a fortnight, leaving him with plenty of leisure. Moreover, it was widely known that Lin Jinlou doted exclusively on Xianglan, and it was only a matter of time before she was promoted to a new concubine. Guiyuan thought that if he served her loyally now, and later Xianglan bore a child, Lin Jinlou might be so pleased that he would grant him a shop or a manor. He could then request to become a steward and secure a future for himself.
He had been ambitiously planning all this when, to his shock, Xianglan suddenly disappeared! The Lin Family claimed that Xianglan was unwell and had been sent to a manor to recuperate for a few days before returning, but whispers below suggested that Xianglan had gone missing at a temple and was likely in grave danger.
Guiyuan beat his chest in despair, wanting to cry but having no tears left. His old position in the study had long been filled by someone else, and now he drifted about without a solid assignment. The other servant boys often bullied him, leaving him with little hope for the future.
Hetao was still cursing, and Guiyuan turned over.Just then, the door was kicked open with a loud bang. Shuangxi rushed into the room, frowning as she said, "Why are you still lying down? Guiyuan, your young lady has returned. Hurry to the entrance to kowtow!"
Guiyuan sprang up from the heated brick bed, her eyes wide. "What do you mean, our young lady?… Xianglan?"
Shuangxi walked out as she replied, "Yes, exactly. Be quick about it."
Meanwhile, Xianglan was escorted into Knowing Spring Pavilion by a crowd of old women and maids. As soon as she sat down, Xiao Juan came forward, took Xianglan’s hand, and said with tears in her eyes, "Dear young lady, where have you been all these days? I’ve been worried to death."
Chun Ling added, "You should have at least sent us a message, so we wouldn’t have to guess wildly."
Xianglan, following what Lin Jinlou had taught her, replied, "I wasn’t feeling well recently and was afraid of spreading illness at home, so I stayed at the manor for a while. After I recovered, the Master had to go to Yangzhou on business and took me along. I’m sorry to have troubled you all for nothing."
Tinglan smiled and said, "What trouble? It’s only right. Why so polite, young lady?"
At the same time, Chun Ling chimed in, laughing, "It’s enough that you remember our kindness."
Just then, Shuran lifted the curtain and entered, smiling as she said, "Look how lively it is here." Turning to Xianglan, she said, "The Master mentioned he has urgent military matters to attend to and asked you to settle in and rest. He’ll return in the evening." To the others, she added, "Whatever you have to say, first attend to the young lady’s washing and refreshments before anything else."
At Shuran’s words, the crowd dispersed—some offering tea, some bringing hot water, others holding clothes. Ling Qing and Ling Su, unable to help, stood to the side.
Chun Ling then asked, "Young lady, who are these two…"
Xianglan glanced at Chun Ling. She had originally intended to have her take the two away and settle them, and later instruct her to train them further. But before the words left her mouth, she hesitated. Things were different now—escaping the Lin Family again wouldn’t be so easy. As capable as Chun Ling was, she was a household slave of the Lin Family, and her temper was as fiery as charcoal; she often quarreled with others and wasn’t always easy to manage. Ling Qing and Ling Su were both clever, and their contracts of servitude were still in Xianglan’s hands. It would be better to keep them close herself, so she could have more loyal allies in the future. So she said to Chun Ling, "These two were sent by Young Master Xie. They’re both excellent. One will manage writing materials, the other food. I recall there’s a small side room—settle them there for now." Then, to Ling Qing and Ling Su, she added, "You’ve had a long journey. Go rest now and return to serve in the evening."
Chun Ling was taken aback, her expression immediately darkening, and she led the two away.
Shuran approached and whispered, "Young lady, you should go kowtow to Taitai later. While you were away, Taitai kept thinking of you, sent gifts to your home several times, and often had Hongjian quietly ask me if you’d returned. She even specially lit a sea lantern for your safety at the temple."
Xianglan was stunned, not expecting Qin Shi to be so thoughtful. Her impression of her improved, and she nodded, saying, "I understand. Thank you for the reminder, sister."After a while, Xianglan drank tea, washed her face and hands, changed her clothes, and re-styled her hair. She took out the gifts she had prepared for Qin Shi from her trunk and went to Clumsy Guard Garden to see her. Qin Shi had already heard of Xianglan's return and hurriedly invited her inside, rising to greet her. She took Xianglan's hands and looked her over from head to toe before finally letting out a long sigh, as if a weight had been lifted from her heart, saying, "Amitabha, it's good that you're back." She pulled Xianglan to sit on the heated brick bed, while Hongjian poured tea and dismissed the other maids. The three of them gathered together, asking Xianglan where she had been all this time, how she had fared, and how Lin Jinlou had found her, among other things.
Xianglan replied, "I had been hiding in a nearby nunnery. I thought that since I had been missing for a night, my reputation was already tarnished, and I felt too ashamed to return. I had intended to stay at the temple indefinitely, but who knew the Master would somehow get wind of it and bring me back."
Qin Shi's eyes reddened as she said, "You foolish child, who would ever look down on you... Hearing you say such things breaks my heart." She choked up, and Xianglan and Hongjian quickly comforted her. Qin Shi wiped the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief and said, "Enough, it's good that you're back now." She chatted with Xianglan for a while longer, bestowed many gifts upon her, and ordered an old woman to carry them as she escorted Xianglan back to Knowing Spring Pavilion.
Exhausted from the journey and the day's events, Xianglan was utterly fatigued. After returning, she changed her clothes and went to the warm pavilion to bask in the sunlight, reclining on the heated brick bed. Though her body was weary, she could not sleep, her mind in turmoil. Hearing movement nearby, she opened her eyes to see Chun Ling sitting on the edge of the bed. Xianglan half-rose, about to tell Chun Ling to take the gifts she had brought back for them to distribute, when Chun Ling, frowning and sitting on the edge of the bed, asked sharply, "Miss, don't hide it from me. Where have you been all this time you've been away?"
Xianglan was taken aback. Xiao Juan, who had just entered carrying tea and a plate of snacks, frowned at this and said, "Chun Ling, how dare you question the miss? Does she need to report to you about her whereabouts?"
Chun Ling raised her eyebrows and retorted, "I'm just concerned about the miss." She turned back to Xianglan and asked, "Where exactly have you been?"
Xianglan said nothing, only smiling faintly as she reached for the tea in Xiao Juan's hand. After taking a sip, she said, "In the trunk, there's a blue satin bundle containing Court Powder, Rouge, and Hair Oil I brought back from Yangzhou. There's one set for each of you—take them and divide them among yourselves." With that, she lay back down and closed her eyes.
Chun Ling still wanted to press further, but Xiao Juan tugged at her sleeve and said, "The miss is tired. Let her rest." She pulled Chun Ling out of the room.
Standing outside the partitioned room, Chun Ling said unhappily, "Why did you pull me out? Can't I even ask about this? Something about this is strange—she clearly disappeared from the temple, so how did it become that she went to the Manor?"
Xiao Juan sneered, "If the miss intends to tell us, she will. If she doesn't want to, there must be a reason she can't say. Is this something we should be prying into? We're just servants. The miss has a history with us, treats us kindly, doesn't regard us as mere servants but more like sisters. But we must remember that she is, after all, the Master's woman. I've heard she's about to be elevated to a new concubine—a proper mistress. No matter how close we are, we shouldn't speak to her as if scolding a junior. We still need to show respect."Chun Ling, being quite senior and holding the second-rank position, had always been the one to scold Xiao Juan. Suddenly being talked back to by Xiao Juan, she couldn’t hide her displeasure and sneered, "Oh, how impressive! I was merely asking out of concern, and you come back with all this. There are plenty of masters in this household, but none so high and mighty that they can’t be questioned." With that, she stormed out in a huff, letting the door curtain fall shut behind her.
Just then, Tinglan and Xue Ning entered, chatting and laughing, only to run into Chun Ling stomping out in a fury. They paused in surprise and asked Xiao Juan, "What’s going on?"
Xiao Juan snorted and said, "It’s all because the young lady brought back two new maids and didn’t put them under her charge. Now she’s trying to give the young lady attitude." Then, muttering to herself, she added, "What concern? She just wanted to pry and gossip."
Thank you to Moonlight Orchid for the He's Jade Disc, erica308 for the sachet, damima for two Peace Talismans, and Huihui—Sister, Lovely Pomelo, Jane and Rose, and Lonely Waiting for the Peace Talismans. Also, thank you to everyone for the pink votes ^_^
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