Lin Jinlou glanced at Xianglan and said, "Once we're done with the busyness tomorrow and the day after, I'll take you out for some fun. The peach blossoms at Twenty-Four Bridges are all in bloom. It's too crowded during the day, so we'll go in the evening to admire the moon under the moonlight."
Xianglan immediately looked up at his words. She had long wanted to explore the surroundings, but previously, she had been hiding and evading capture. After entering the monastery, it was inconvenient to go out alone, and as time passed, she missed many scenic spots.
Seeing Xianglan's bright, wide eyes fixed intently on him, Lin Jinlou felt immensely pleased with himself, thinking inwardly that he hadn't misjudged her this time. Why hadn't he realized it earlier? Xianglan, being someone who could write poetry and paint, naturally had the temperament of a literati or artist, fond of wandering among mountains and waters. Her disposition was different from those women confined to inner chambers who only knew how to dress up and serve others. No wonder she had been listless back in the Lin residence—she had been too tightly restrained. Yet, he kept his lips taut and said, "You're just being difficult. If you wanted to go out and have fun, you could've just told me. Instead, you're like a mute gourd, never saying a word when you see me, always keeping your head down all day, almost turning into a little old woman. I'll be busy for a couple more days, then we'll return to Jinling. You must be missing your parents, right? Once we're back, I'll let you stay at home for a few days or have your parents come stay with us for a while."
Xianglan was taken aback. These days, what she missed most was her parents, and she couldn't help but curl the corners of her lips into a slight smile. Then she remembered when Lin Jinlou found her and brought her back. During the carriage ride, she had been thinking that she had crawled out of a wolf's den only to fall into a tiger's lair. Given Lin Jinlou's temperament, who knew how he might torment and punish her? The last time she angered him, he nearly strangled her. This time, she could only hope that, out of gratitude for her saving his mother and sister, he would go easy on her. She never expected Lin Jinlou to let the matter drop so lightly... Had his nature truly changed? She hesitated for a moment, about to say "thank you" to him, when she heard him say, "They don't know about you running away yet, so don't bring it up."
"...Oh."
"Don't just say 'oh.' If you dare try something like that again, just see what happens."
Xianglan lowered her head and stared at the pastries in front of her without another word, thinking to herself that she had just started to feel Lin Jinlou had softened, but his very next sentence was a threat. This was indeed his true nature.
Lin Jinlou furrowed his brows, feeling a twinge of regret. Things had been going so well just moments ago. This woman was as timid as a mouse and couldn't handle being frightened—how could he have forgotten that again? And she, too—why couldn't she learn to be more pleasing? Other women would have long since come over to coquettishly say, "Master, I won't dare do it again." Then what reason would he have to stay angry?
As the atmosphere grew tense, Lin Jinlou snorted, reached out, took the pastry Xianglan had been poking at, and ate it in a few bites with some soup.
After the meal, the maids cleared the dishes and brought clear tea for rinsing their mouths and towels for washing their hands. A short while later, they served hot tea again and laid out some fruits. Xianglan wanted to continue reading her book, but Lin Jinlou, thinking she hadn't fully recovered yet, ordered her to take a nap. Lin Jinlou's words were always like military orders—Xianglan could only obey, not resist. So she obediently lay down on the inner side of the bed, tightly wrapped in a brocade quilt. He himself sat barefoot on the outer side of the bed, flipping through the invitations and gift lists placed on a silver tray.Xianglan secretly narrowed her eyes into slits and stole a few glances at Lin Jinlou. She saw him slightly furrowing his thick brows, his face full of impatience as he sorted the invitations into several piles. For the first time, Xianglan noticed that Lin Jinlou was handsome—his long brows extended toward his temples, his eyes sharp as lightning, his nose bridge high and straight, exuding a vigorous and domineering aura, standing tall like a pine tree. However, his temper was too explosive, and he was ruthless and unscrupulous, quick to raise his hand in violence at the slightest disagreement. Though Xianglan felt grateful to him, she also resented and feared him, always trying to avoid him whenever she caught sight of his shadow, never paying attention to his appearance. Lost in her wandering thoughts, she eventually drifted off to sleep without realizing it.
Lin Jinlou finished sorting the invitations and ordered Ling Qing to take them to Jixiang. He stretched lazily and, turning his head, noticed Xianglan was already fast asleep, her cheeks flushed. He muttered under his breath, "Heartless woman." Remembering that the gatekeeper had informed him upon his return that Yuan Shaoren had visited and left a box, claiming it contained items once used by the lady of the house, he ordered the box to be brought in. Opening it, he found three or four coarse cloth garments, a thicker robe, and a crude small wooden box. Inside the box were a mirror, a wooden comb, half a bottle of hair oil, and a jar of facial cream.
Lin Jinlou rummaged through the items briefly before disdainfully setting them aside. The rest consisted of scriptures, manuscripts, sketches, and several already mounted paintings. Unrolling them one by one, he saw landscapes, figures, flowers, and birds—each subject rendered with either grandeur, freehand elegance, meticulous detail, or subtle grace, all uniquely refined and indescribably elegant.
Lin Jinlou was immediately astonished and couldn't help exclaiming, "Excellent paintings!" He turned back in surprise to look at the woman on the bed, never having imagined that Xianglan possessed such talent. The most renowned talented woman of the time was Jiang Feiyun, daughter of Jiang Xuecheng, a Grand Academician of the Wenyuan Pavilion in the capital, who was proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, with a particular skill in fine brushwork. A painting of plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum she had gifted to a friend from her boudoir had once circulated, causing a stir among noble sons and princes. Lin Jinlou had joined the crowd to see it—it was well-executed, but compared to Xianglan's work, it fell short by miles. Moreover, Xianglan excelled in poetry and literature, could play chess and the zither, and though these qualities were not apparent when she was a maid, after he took her into his chambers, he increasingly noticed her refinement in food and clothing, her mastery of the etiquette and upbringing of a noble lady, and her elegant demeanor. She carried herself more like a young lady from a wealthy family than even Zhao Yuechan and her ilk—hardly the bearing of a servant's child, but rather that of a girl raised delicately in an official's family, certainly not one nurtured in the austere environment of a monastery.
Lost in thought, Lin Jinlou stared at Xianglan's sleeping face for a long while before carefully placing the paintings back into the box.
When Xianglan woke up, it was already afternoon. Outside, it was quiet, with the faint sound of maids chatting. Feeling languid from sleep, she sat up and lifted the bed curtain to look out. She saw Ling Qing and Ling Su busily unpacking and packing items. One said, "Bring two more thick garments—it still gets cold at night." The other replied, "We should also pack bedding, in case the lady wishes to rest on the couch outside. Are the pastries and tea packed? How many boxes of fruits should we bring?" Noticing Xianglan was awake, they hurried over and asked, "Madam is awake? Would you like some tea?"
Xianglan's voice was slightly hoarse as she asked, "What's all this busyness about?"
Ling Qing smiled and said, "The Eldest Master ordered us to pack. He said he's taking you out for a stroll, and we'll be leaving soon."Xianglan was taken aback once more. Hadn't Lin Jinlou said they would go "in a couple of days when he finished his work"? Still, the prospect of an outing lifted her spirits. She had just finished half a bowl of tea when Ling Su brought over clothes for her to change into, then selected hair ornaments to style her hair and slipped four or five bracelets onto her wrists. As they were finishing up, Lin Jinlou strode in. Xianglan hurriedly stood up. He saw her wearing a grand red robe with wide sleeves embroidered in five colors, a green gauze skirt patterned with golden branches and leaves, a mandarin duck girdle at her waist, golden bracelets weighing down her sleeves, and a headdress piled high with pearls and jade—all accentuating her fair, peach-blossom complexion, making her appear even more enchanting. Lin Jinlou narrowed his eyes and looked her up and down. Xianglan felt somewhat uneasy, but then she saw him nod and say, "Oh, this looks quite good on you." With that, he elegantly strode off toward the main hall.
Before Xianglan could collect her thoughts, Ling Qing said triumphantly, "Did you hear that, Madam? The Eldest Master said it looks nice. I told you—with your snow-white complexion, such dazzling, vibrant colors suit you perfectly." Only then did Xianglan take a proper look at herself and startle. Preoccupied with the upcoming outing, she had absentmindedly let the maids dress her up, never expecting they would put her in such gaudy clothes and adorn her with so many hairpins and rings. In her previous life at the Shen residence, she had actually loved dressing in such bright and beautiful attire. Later, after marrying Xiao Hang as a bride, she grew even fonder of wearing grand red... But after that, she never wore such clothes again. Since becoming Lin Jinlou's concubine, she had tailored several red outfits, yet she always avoided these formal wedding colors—whether because she felt unworthy or out of some stubborn defiance, she didn't know. Now, clad in this grand red dress, it felt like a lifetime ago, jolting her spirit.
Once ready, Xianglan went to the main hall. Lin Jinlou was sitting on an Arhat Bed to the side, reading letters. On the kang table beside him sat a bowl of goji berry and pork rib soup, a bowl of tonic soup, and delicate buns and pastries arranged on pale pink plates, along with two or three side dishes like chicken feet and wings. Outside, the rain had long stopped, and sunlight streamed through the half-open carved window, casting his figure in an especially tall and imposing light. In just a short while, he too had changed into outdoor attire—a lotus-blue cloak with interlocking patterns and embroidered cranes, a blue floral python-patterned brocade robe underneath, fastened with an eight-treasures belt, and his hair tied up in a white jade crown. Xianglan thought to herself, all dressed up like this, he actually looked presentable. Anyone who didn't know his true nature might mistake him for a dashing and heroic figure.
Hearing the noise, Lin Jinlou glanced up at Xianglan and gestured with his chin to the other side of the kang table. "Sit."
Xianglan sat down. Ling Qing brought over a bowl of soup, removed the lid, and said, "Have some tonic soup to whet your appetite. Would Madam like a vegetarian bun?"
Xianglan wasn't sure which meal this was supposed to be at this hour.
Lin Jinlou said, "Serve her the same as me." Ling Qing acknowledged and withdrew.Lin Jinlou glanced at the letter in his hand and let out a cold laugh before tossing it aside. "That bastard Lu Shaotang still thinks he can outsmart me. Sending people to plead on his behalf, does he really think I don’t dare touch him? He rounded up a few impoverished scholars to write flowery nonsense, thinking I’d be intimidated? This time, I’ll finish him off. Let him try to have the Imperial Censor impeach me if he dares." He rubbed his temples. Earlier, with no one else to vent his anger on, he had secretly ordered the elimination of Lu Shaotang’s most capable subordinates, leaving Lu Shaotang isolated and helpless, trapped in a living hell. If not for his preoccupation with finding the troublesome Chen Xianglan over the past three months, he would have dealt with Lu Shaotang long ago—how could he have allowed the scoundrel to linger until now? But he couldn’t bring that up now. He had finally retrieved the woman before him and couldn’t afford to mess things up again. Xianglan was still as skittish as a frightened rabbit, and he didn’t want to see her trembling with fear.
With that thought, Lin Jinlou picked up a steamed bun and placed it on the plate in front of Xianglan, smiling as he said, "I’ve been busy just now and realized I’m hungry again, so let’s have another meal. You should eat something too. After we finish, we’ll go out for a stroll. There’s a garden behind this residence, built along Baoyang Lake. It’s usually locked, but we can go enjoy the scenery. There’s a pavilion atop a rockery in the garden where you can overlook the Twenty-Four Bridges."
Xianglan observed how his face had been dark and his smile chilling just moments before, yet now he was beaming like flowers in midsummer. His moods were truly unpredictable, and she dared not provoke him. Having eaten little at noon, she was hungry now, so she obediently ate what was offered.
Watching Xianglan sip soup and chew her food, Lin Jinlou felt satisfied, thinking this meal was harmonious and pleasant. After they finished, they rinsed their mouths with tea and headed out. He ordered a bamboo sedan chair to carry Xianglan into the garden.
Xianglan had been ill for several days and had barely stepped outside. She never expected such a hidden paradise behind the courtyard. Passing through the crescent moon gate, she saw thousands of bamboos shading the path, with flowering trees and rockeries creating an enchanting and captivating scene.
Unable to resist, Xianglan stepped down from the sedan chair and walked along the pebble-paved path. Lin Jinlou remarked, "This garden is a bit small, but it’s quite exquisite. After all, it’s our own home—feel free to explore. In a few days, I’ll take you to even better ones." As he spoke, he also admired the surroundings.
This residence was the first property he had acquired in Yangzhou. Later, Chu Dapeng and a few others discreetly used some of the year-end dividends from the salt merchants’ guild to purchase the land behind it. They demolished the existing structures and built this garden along the lake as a token of gratitude. Though the garden wasn’t large, its layout was unique, featuring rare flowers, exotic plants, and peculiar rocks, all with distinctive charm. Lin Jinlou had accepted it with a smile.
Not far ahead, they indeed saw a hill with an octagonal pavilion at its summit. The two ascended the bluestone steps. The pavilion had already been cleaned by servants, adorned with brocade carpets and embroidered curtains. From the mouths of the golden and jade animal incense burners on the rosewood table, wisps of smoke curled slowly. Maids and elderly servants hurriedly served tea and arranged fruits upon their arrival.
Xianglan pushed open the vermilion window, intricately carved with fresh floral patterns, and saw the shimmering surface of the lake beyond the wall. Not far away, a rainbow-like bridge arched over the water, elegant as a jade ribbon and serene as a rainbow resting on the waves. The sight lifted her spirits, filling her with sudden clarity and joy.Faint strains of string and wind music drifted in, accompanied by a woman's melodious singing. Lin Jinlou frowned slightly and stood up to push open the vermilion window on the other side. Xianglan couldn't resist peering out as well. It turned out that Lin Jinting, having nothing better to do, had gathered Liu Xiaochuan and others for drinks and amusement at a pavilion named "Spring Terrace Bright Moon" in the garden. Since the rain had stopped in the afternoon and the weather had cleared, they had set up a table outdoors where they could also admire the plum, peach, and apricot blossoms. They had also invited several famous courtesans to play music and sing for entertainment. Some held pipas in their arms, some plucked zithers, while others moved among the seats toasting guests. Each was adorned with either heavy or light makeup, exuding their own unique charm. One woman, dressed in a peach-red embroidered jacket and blue satin skirt, held red clappers and was singing in a lilting voice. Another wore a golden sleeveless jacket over an emerald green dress, her phoenix hairpins half undone, her face radiant with powder and rouge. She was speaking with animated expressions, eventually drawing laughter from the men present, who all raised their cups to drink. The woman also drank a cup, her cheeks flushing with a tipsy glow. One man, carried away by the moment, pulled her in for a kiss. The woman appeared shy yet coyly resistant, provoking cheers from the young masters.
Having lived two lifetimes, this was Xianglan's first time witnessing such a scene. Her eyes widened, and her jaw dropped as she stammered, "Is... is this what they call 'flower banquets'?" To kiss so openly before everyone's eyes left her speechless with shock.
Lin Jinlou raised an eyebrow, finding Xianglan's astonished expression amusing. He thought to himself, "This is nothing. After three rounds of drinks and several courses, when they truly let loose, they might play drinking games with licentious verses or have the courtesans disrobe and strike provocative poses for entertainment. If little Xianglan saw that, her eyes would surely pop out."
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