Xianglan said, "Then let Master sleep a little longer." The entire courtyard revolved around Lin Jinlou. Since he was still asleep, the meal from the small kitchen would be prepared later, and the guards who served him with archery and martial practice had already dispersed early. Xianglan first ate two pieces of pastry. While she was drinking soup, Lin Jinlou woke up. As soon as he got out of bed, he rubbed his head and complained of a headache. After wiping his face with a hot towel and downing a bowl of sobering soup, he bathed behind the screen and called for Ji Xiang and Shuangxi to come in and give him a massage. After his bath, Lin Jinlou only ate a piece of noodle snack and took a couple of sips of soup, having no appetite. Feeling uncomfortable all over, he practiced a set of fist techniques in the courtyard until he broke into a sweat, finally feeling better.
When he entered the room and saw Xianglan writing with a brush, he casually sat down in a chair, bare-chested, wiping the sweat from his body with a hot towel as he asked, "What are you writing so early in the morning?"
"A letter home. My parents said that once we reach the capital, I should send a letter to report that I’m safe. Before I left, my mother caught a chill and started coughing. I don’t know if she’s better now—it’s been weighing on my mind."
"Oh, don’t worry about that. Before we left, I left a card with Mr. Qi, asking him to invite Divine Doctor Luo from Ji’an Hall to treat your mother. He’s one of the top physicians in Jinling and has always been in charge of checking the health of our family."
"I know... Thank you, Master..."
Lin Jinlou watched as Xianglan set down her brush, looking somewhat shy, and couldn’t help chuckling softly. "Why so polite with me? It’d be better if you didn’t annoy me or act so stubborn."
Xianglan secretly rolled her eyes but said nothing, lowering her head to continue writing the letter.
Xiao Juan brought in hot tea, and after taking a sip, Lin Jinlou asked again, "Have you taken your medicine?"
"...Yes."
"Imperial Physician Zhang said you mustn’t stop that medicine." Lin Jinlou raised his voice and asked Shuran, "Make sure your mistress takes her medicine without interruption."
Shuran, who was outside organizing trunks, hurried in and replied, "Yes, Master. We watch over her every day, and we’ve bought the best herbs. Ling Su personally tends to the stove to brew the medicine."
Lin Jinlou nodded and fell silent again, staring intently at Xianglan’s profile. He set down the tea bowl and said, "Get ready later and come out with me."
"What for?"
"Old Master Lu is celebrating his milestone birthday, and the Lu family is hosting a grand celebration. Even though this generation of the Lu family hasn’t produced anyone remarkable, as long as the old master is alive, they’re far from 'the tree falling and the monkeys scattering.' He’s my father’s colleague and my elder sister’s in-law. Since they’ve sent an invitation, we ought to go and pay our respects."
Xianglan frowned at this. Given her awkward status, she really didn’t want to join in the excitement. "...Do I have to go? I don’t know anyone there, so it won’t be any fun. Besides, it’ll be all the Taitais and madams from various households—I won’t fit in... And besides, I haven’t been feeling well these past couple of days..."
"You’ll get to know them once you meet. You’re going today, no excuses."
"..."
"That’s final. Shuran, make sure your mistress is dressed properly tonight. If she looks shabby, it’ll reflect poorly on me."
Xianglan silently clenched her brush. The half-written letter suddenly felt impossible to continue. She just stared blankly at the stationery, letting out a long sigh after a while.In the Kangfu Residence, Lin Jinxuan had been sunbathing in the courtyard and reading half a volume of books when he grew tired. Madam Tan attended to him until he fell asleep, and having nothing else to do, she took her maid Zhen'er to chat with Xianglan. As she stepped through the side gate into the yard, she saw Lin Jinlou emerging from the house. Madam Tan quickly hid behind the gate but couldn't resist peeking out. She saw him wearing a straight robe with a silver-gray base and peacock-blue cloud patterns, a belt adorned with the Eight Treasures and symbols of fortune, prosperity, and longevity around his waist, court boots on his feet, and his hair tied up with a golden gauze crown. His broad shoulders and back made him appear exceptionally dashing and spirited. He paused at the second gate, where a young gentleman was waiting. Upon seeing Lin Jinlou, the young man hurried forward with clasped fists and a warm, ingratiating smile.
Lin Jinlou merely smiled faintly, carrying himself with ease and elegance as he greeted the other warmly, as if he were naturally superior and deserved to be flattered and catered to.
Zhen'er peeked for a moment and exclaimed in surprise, "Oh my! Is Master wearing a golden gauze crown? I heard that officials below the third rank aren't allowed to wear golden crowns. It's impressive that Master has achieved such a rank at such a young age. Even if he never gets promoted again in his lifetime, he's already lived a full life." Noticing Madam Tan clutching her handkerchief and staring intently, she added quietly, "I see that Second Master is frail. For those taking the imperial exams, just the three days of the examination can drain half their life. Why not ask Master to help him purchase an official position and secure a lucrative post? Then we'd have something to rely on in the future?"
Madam Tan was already feeling conflicted as she watched Lin Jinlou, and Zhen'er's suggestion reminded her of her sickly husband, stirring up irritation. She scolded, "Enough of that nonsense, or I'll slap your mouth! Who told you to gossip about such things?"
Zhen'er knew Madam Tan had a quick temper, but it was "loud thunder with little rain," so she wasn't afraid and even wore a cheeky grin.
Just then, Xianglan emerged from the house, supported by Xiao Juan. Her hair was adorned with pearls and jewels, the most striking being a pair of double butterfly hairpins inlaid with gold, kingfisher feathers, and jewels. The butterfly wings were as thin as cicada wings and trembled lightly in her bun, drawing everyone's gaze. Around her neck, she wore a gold ruyi necklace, and on each wrist, three pairs of bracelets. She was dressed in a spring gown of apricot yellow, fully embroidered with magnolia blossoms, and a lotus-root-colored patterned skirt that accentuated her slender waist, so delicate it seemed it could be held with one hand. From a distance, she looked as if she had stepped out of a painting. Surrounded by maids and servants, she got into a sedan chair as soon as she passed through the Hanging Flower Gate.
Seeing this, Madam Tan said to Zhen'er, "Go and ask where Master and the new concubine are going."
Zhen'er went and returned shortly, saying, "The father-in-law of the Eldest Mistress is celebrating his birthday. Master is taking the new concubine to offer congratulations."
Madam Tan was stunned. She stood for a long time, staring at the withered roses in the corner of the wall, and finally sighed wistfully, "Oh, so they're going to a birthday celebration..." She was aware of Old Master Lu Guiyi's birthday celebration, but when Lin Dongwan had mentioned it earlier, there hadn't been a strong invitation. Thinking that Lin Jinxuan was unwell and she herself was newly married and shouldn't show herself in public, she had decided not to join in the excitement. Yet, seeing Lin Jinlou take Xianglan along, she couldn't quite describe the feeling in her heart.
After all, Lin Jinxuan and Lin Dongwan were full siblings born of the same mother. If only Lin Jinxuan were more capable, she too could dress in grand attire and go with grandeur—
Noticing Madam Tan staring blankly at the withered roses on the wall, Zhen'er called out, "Second Mistress, Second Mistress? Don't stand in the shade; let's go back."
Only then did Madam Tan gather her sleeves and, leaning on Zhen'er, slowly make her way back.Xianglan rode in a sedan chair to the Lu family. The sedan was spacious, and Xiao Juan accompanied her inside, occasionally adjusting her clothes and jewelry. With Chun Ling no longer around and Xianglan placing trust in Xiao Juan, the maids in the household had subtly begun to look to Xiao Juan as their leader. However, Xiao Juan was lazy by nature; aside from styling Xianglan’s hair daily, she neglected all other duties. Fortunately, Xue Ning avoided stirring up trouble, Ling Qing and Ling Su were newcomers, and Hua Shan was still young, so Xiao Juan faced little criticism.
Xianglan closed her eyes and leaned against the soft cushion, but the sedan suddenly halted, and the sound of bustling activity came from ahead, prompting her to open her eyes. Xiao Juan immediately offered, "I’ll go see," and made to step out. Xianglan tugged her sleeve and said, "Don’t be so hasty like a monkey. It’s improper for you to be seen like this. Let Guiyuan check what’s happening."
Just as Xiao Juan was about to lift the curtain to call someone, Guiyuan arrived, bowing respectfully as he reported, "The Dai Family’s carriage is blocking the alley ahead. We’ll have to wait for them to pass."
Xianglan lifted a corner of the curtain and looked out. Sure enough, several carriages were jammed ahead, led by a young man on horseback, about sixteen or seventeen years old. Dressed in luxurious brocade, he had rosy lips, teeth like pearls, and eyes as dark as lacquer. His demeanor was frivolous—from head to toe, an air of charm flowed downward, and from toe to head, it drifted upward—truly a dashing young gentleman.
Following Xianglan’s gaze, Guiyuan promptly said, "Madam, the one you’re looking at is Third Young Master Dai Rong of the Dai Family. He has a formidable wife."
Xianglan chuckled at Guiyuan’s mysterious tone and asked, "How do you know that?"
Guiyuan perked up and replied, "Everyone in the capital knows that Third Madam Dai scratched the face of Third Master Dai’s concubine." Guiyuan rarely had the chance to appear before Xianglan; when she sent him on errands, it was usually through the maids. Now that she was questioning him, he racked his brains to say more but regretted not paying closer attention when Shuangxi and a few servant boys had discussed the matter. After a long pause, he finally added, "Third Young Master Dai once sent an invitation to Master for a drink, but Master ignored him."
Xianglan nodded and lowered the curtain, thinking to herself that the Dai Family was merely a third-tier official clan, so it was no surprise Lin Jinlou looked down on them. Seeing that Dai Rong was such a flirtatious type who eagerly sent invitations to Lin Jinlou, it was clear that "birds of a feather flock together." Then, recalling the scent of cosmetics on Lin Jinlou from the previous night, Xianglan let out a soft humph.
After waiting a while longer, Xianglan finally entered the Lu family. As she stepped out of the sedan, she noticed a carriage parked nearby. Maidservants lifted the curtain, and two maids jumped down first, carefully assisting a young woman as she descended. She was somewhat tall and sturdy, with an oval face, thick eyebrows, large eyes that held a mix of springlike allure and authority, and a wide mouth that nonetheless appeared quite charming. This was none other than Third Madam Dai, Madam Jiao.
Madam Jiao noticed a woman of exceptional beauty and refined demeanor watching her. Judging by her attire, she assumed Xianglan was a lady from some princely or noble household and promptly nodded and smiled at her.
Xianglan also smiled and nodded in return.Madam Jiao turned around again and, together with the two maids, assisted a noble lady out. This lady wore a Five Phoenixes Facing the Sun Hairpin on her head, a gleaming Coiled Dragon Gold Necklace with a jade lock around her neck, and a crimson BeiZi embroidered with peonies in silver thread, paired with a light pink pleated skirt subtly woven with gold patterns depicting "Double Happiness Arrives." Her opulent attire and striking appearance captivated all eyes; the moment she stepped out of the carriage, the surrounding women paled in comparison. Madam Jiao respectfully called out, "Taitai."
The lady gently fanned herself with a white satin round fan embroidered with peacocks and pine trees, a slight smile playing on her lips. As her beautiful eyes swept around, they suddenly fell upon Xianglan, causing her hand to pause mid-fan and her smile to freeze.
Xianglan widened her bright eyes—this lady was none other than Zhao Yuechan!
Acknowledgments for rewards will be given collectively in the next chapter.
Matters regarding the Dai Family were explained in Chapter 235 ^_^
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