The child was about five or six years old, with a round, chubby little dark face, thick bushy eyebrows, and a pair of phoenix eyes. He looked sturdy and robust, dressed in a bright, auspicious cloud-patterned robe, wearing a longevity lock and a talisman around his neck, and tiger-head shoes on his feet. His head was completely shaved except for a peach-shaped tuft of hair in the center. Bursting in excitedly, he paused in his tracks upon seeing Xianglan, his face flushing crimson with embarrassment before he turned and tried to run away.
Shuran, however, laughed and caught the child by the arm, bending down to ask, "Where are you off to, De Ge'er?"
The child struggled and protested, "Let go, let go! I didn’t know there was someone else in this room."
Just then, the nanny entered the room and, upon seeing Xianglan, recognized her as a woman of some standing. She hurriedly apologized, "Our young master was too abrupt. Please forgive him, Madam."
Xianglan quickly replied, "It’s no trouble at all," and glanced at Shuran.
Shuran smiled and explained, "This is the youngest son of Marquis Yongchang, everyone calls him De Ge'er." Then, turning to the nanny, she added, "This is the new concubine from our Master’s household."
The nanny had long heard that Lin Jinlou had a beloved concubine who stood out from the others, and she realized this must be her. She promptly paid her respects again and pulled De Ge'er over to make him bow.
Xianglan stepped forward, patted his little head, and had him sit on the edge of the bed. She then instructed Shuran to prepare a cup of fruit syrup and sent for some pastries and cakes. At first, De Ge'er was a bit reserved, but after eating two pine nut candies that Xianglan offered him, he grew more lively and reached for the cakes on the table. Xianglan quickly stopped him, wiped his hands with a towel, and playfully asked him his name and age.
De Ge'er replied, "My name is Yuan Chengde, and I’m six years old." He stole a glance at Xianglan and added, "My father said my name comes from the Book of Han: 'Instruct and comfort the accomplished army, the military officials receive virtue.' My father said the year I was born, he was fighting beyond the frontier. My mother said 'military officials receive virtue' means that if a military officer receives grace, he can avoid further battles, so they gave me this name. And indeed, my father returned safely." He then offered the cake in front of him to Xianglan, saying, "Sister, you have some too," and also offered some to Shuran. Noticing that Xianglan’s cup was empty, he straightened up and stretched his chubby little arm to pour her more tea.
Xianglan couldn’t help but laugh. Seeing De Ge'er’s innocent, earnest, and sensible nature, she grew fond of him, and the grievances she had been holding in her heart earlier dissipated. She took out a handkerchief to wipe the crumbs from the corner of his mouth and said with a smile, "You eat, we have more."
De Ge'er squirmed a little but ultimately let Xianglan wipe his mouth, mumbling as he turned his head, "I’m a man now, I can wipe my own mouth." He stole another glance at Xianglan and said, "I’m going to find my father now, I’ll come back later." Stuffing two pieces of cake into his mouth, he hopped off the bed and bounded away.
Xianglan smiled and remarked, "What an honest and sincere child." Recalling how De Ge'er had explained the origin of his name, she sighed and said, "Master Yuan and his late wife must have truly loved each other."Shuran was clearing the melon seeds and pastries from the heated brick bed tray when she smiled and said, "The one De Ge'er calls 'Mother' isn't Master Yuan's legal wife, but his concubine. I heard she originally came from an official family of great prominence. After her entire family was convicted, her parents, brothers, and sisters all perished. Because of her beauty, she was given to the Yuan family and served Master Yuan's aunt. Though registered as a servant, she was dressed in finery and eating delicacies, never suffering greatly. Beautiful and gentle, she was accomplished in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Later, Master Yuan took a liking to her at first sight and repeatedly sought to make her his second wife. His original wife grew jealous and prevented the marriage. Eventually, Master Yuan somehow managed to take De Ge'er's birth mother as his concubine, keeping her outside the main household. For years she bore no children, but a year after giving birth to De Ge'er, the woman passed away. Ah, such misfortune."
Xianglan sighed sadly, "Only this child is to be pitied."
Shuran replied, "Master Yuan dotes on this child immensely. Perhaps because he lost his birth mother at such a young age, he receives extra affection. The Master personally teaches him writing, archery, and horsemanship, often taking him along even when going out for social engagements."
Xianglan said, "De Ge'er is indeed endearing—so sensible at such a tender age." Unconsciously, she recalled his phoenix eyes set in that small, round, dark face, so strikingly similar to her younger sister Shen Jialian's. In her previous life, she and Jialian looked very much alike with similar temperaments, differing only in their eyes—she had almond-shaped eyes like their mother, while Jialian had phoenix eyes like their father. Now this child possessed the same eyes, making him feel familiar and dear to her.
Xianglan gazed out the window. When the Shen family fell into misfortune, Jialian was only ten and was sent to the Imperial Entertainment Bureau with their mother. Both took their own lives that very night. Xianglan received the news just as her exile began, unable to even hold a memorial. Looking at De Ge'er's eyes just now, she felt as if Jialian had come back to life. Her sister had been just as well-behaved and sensible, following her everywhere, imitating her hairstyles, hair ornaments, speech, and mannerisms, even taking her calligraphy practice sheets to copy—like a little shadow. Looking back now, those bygone days seemed like a hazy dream, all returning to her heart with the wind and rain.
Noticing Xianglan sitting lost in thought, Shuran dared not disturb her. She quietly replaced the teacup and withdrew, leaving the room in silence.
After a moment, faint voices sounded outside, followed by the creak of the door opening. Soon, Shuran returned with a bowl of medicine, placing it beside Xianglan. "Madam, it's time for your medicine."
Xianglan frowned at the medicinal smell and didn't move.
Shuran immediately understood Xianglan was being stubborn again and secretly clicked her tongue. Today, the Master had carried her directly back to his study—his face scratched with blood marks, her cheek swollen—clearly they had fought again. Shuran genuinely admired this woman before her: outwardly delicate, yet possessing such inner resilience and spirit. The Master, an Overlord-like figure, was only restrained by the Old Master. Who else, including Taitai, would dare oppose him? Yet Xianglan repeatedly challenged him. Given today's circumstances and her current resentment, she would certainly refuse the medicine. Smiling, Shuran persuaded, "Freshly brewed—better drink it while hot. It's just a small bowl, gone in one gulp. It'll taste even bitterer when cold."Xianglan said indifferently, "You may go. I'll drink it later." Earlier, she had to take the medicine out of fear of Lin Jinlou's authority. But now that she had already clashed with him, and he was bound to find ways to torment her, she might as well not drink it.
Just as Shuran was feeling troubled, someone suddenly said, "You may go."
Hearing the voice, both of them were startled. Turning their heads, they saw Lin Jinlou had entered unnoticed. Shuran breathed a sigh of relief, thinking to herself that it was best not to linger in a place of trouble. Without even serving tea, she slipped away as if her feet were greased.
Xianglan ignored him and continued to gaze out the window. She felt Lin Jinlou sit down beside her, leaning his head closer to follow her line of sight. He said, "Oh, let me see, what are you looking at so intently? Could there be some exotic spectacle outside?"
Xianglan shifted inward, but Lin Jinlou leaned in again and laughed, "Tsk, hurry up and take the medicine. If you don't, and I have to do it myself, I'll have to pour it down your throat."
Xianglan glanced at Lin Jinlou in disbelief. The man was grinning at her, revealing a set of gleaming white teeth. Unwilling to endure his nagging, she picked up the bowl and gulped down the medicine in one go. Unexpectedly, the concoction was extremely bitter. Combined with her lingering headache from the previous day's intoxication, it churned her stomach. Her face paled as she forced herself to swallow the medicine, her insides heaving violently. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she coughed repeatedly.
Lin Jinlou hurriedly patted her back, clicking his tongue and saying, "I say, aren't you foolish? If it's so unpleasant, why drink it? Don't you know you could just spit it out? Do you find this kind of suffering comfortable or something?"
Xianglan pushed his hand away, caught her breath, and poured herself half a cup of warm water to drink. Lin Jinlou continued, "Did you see De Ge'er earlier? That little one said there was a fairy-like sister in the room who fed him something—"
After taking a few sips of water, Xianglan couldn't help but retort, "What? Just this noon at the Lu family, you seemed intent on destroying me, and now you're acting as if nothing happened."
"Hey, hey, I say, enough already. The matter is over, and you're still picking a fight, aren't you?"
Xianglan was too tired to bother with him. She shifted further into the bed, lying with her back to Lin Jinlou, and reached to pull up the covers. Lin Jinlou grabbed the quilt, preventing her from covering herself. After tugging at it a few times without success, she gave up entirely, curling into a ball and closing her eyes.
Lin Jinlou chuckled, poking her shoulder and saying, "Alright, that's enough. How old are you, throwing a tantrum like a child?" He then tugged at her arm, adding, "Let me see if your hand is any better. It's time to change the dressing."
Xianglan couldn't fathom how this man could be so thick-skinned. She opened her eyes and looked at him with a faint, mocking smile. "What is the Master doing here? Aren't you busy with all the matters outside? Even if you want to see me suffer and cry every day, I'm tired for now and afraid I won't be able to shed any tears."
Lin Jinlou tapped the tip of her nose and said, "You ungrateful little wretch. I'm trying to be good to you, and you still manage to find ill intentions. Earlier, I spoke in anger, and you remembered every single word, didn't you? Tsk, I've misjudged you."
Though Xianglan felt a reckless urge to defy him, she didn't dare provoke the Overlord further. She pressed her lips tightly together, turned her face away, and closed her eyes again.Lin Jinlou stood with his arms crossed, not uttering a word as he scrutinized Xianglan from head to toe, stroking his chin while observing her. He thought to himself, "Little Xianglan truly is exquisite—every feature perfectly proportioned. No wonder even a child like De Ge'er could recognize her beauty, praising her as a 'celestial sister.' Though she's as stubborn as a mule, her character is genuinely commendable." He knew that the women in his Inner Chambers, along with those outside he was involved with, were all cunning as foxes, each scheming to gain something from him—be it status or silver—and would resort to any ruthless means against one another. Only Xianglan, he noted coolly, was clear-minded in all matters yet remarkably refrained from scheming. Even when wronged, she would at most retort openly and sharply, never resorting to underhanded tricks. Her foolishly earnest sense of gratitude, in particular, stirred a pang of tenderness in him. He was no fool—this woman gave him no favorable treatment, yet he clung to her stubbornly, simply because being with Xianglan brought him a sense of peace.
Apologies for the delayed update due to recent neck discomfort. Gratitude to all who tipped and cast pink votes will be expressed in the next chapter!
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