Early morning, Kangshou Residence.
"...That garment is already stained, the new concubine has given it to her maid. If Second Mistress still wants it, she can send a maid over to fetch it. Here are two bolts of cloth - Master said the weather is gradually warming up, so Second Master should have two outfits tailored." After speaking, Shuran instructed Ling Qing and Ling Su to put down the fabric, then added, "I have duties to attend to and must return now. I'll pay my respects to Second Master another day." Having said this, she prepared to leave.
Lin Jinxuan had been keeping his head lowered, his face flushed crimson as if about to drip blood. Hearing this, he hurriedly stood up and said, "Please stay and have some tea before leaving."
Shuran smiled and declined, "No, I truly have no time today. Second Master should rest as well." With these words, she lifted the curtain and left.
Lin Jinxuan sat back in his chair and let out a long sigh. Just then, Concubine Yin entered the room. Seeing the two bolts of cloth on the table, she quickly went over to feel them, exclaiming happily, "Where did these come from? Such fine silk can't be bought outside. This fabric is enough to make you a straight robe, and with the leftover, I can make a sleeveless jacket."
Suddenly, there came a "crash" from inside the room - someone had knocked over a teacup. Shortly after, Madam Tan emerged from the inner chamber. She first glanced at the cloth on the table, then shot Concubine Yin a look before saying coldly, "So it's Concubine Yin who has come." With that, she lifted her chin and walked out.
Lin Jinxuan wanted to stop her, but though he opened his mouth, no words came out. Concubine Yin, however, stood with her eyebrows raised in anger, "How dare she! Who does she think she's giving that cold face to? She hasn't even been married into this household for long, yet she dares to show such disrespect! Xuan'er, are you going to discipline her or not?"
Lin Jinxuan smiled bitterly. Who else would she be showing such attitude to if not his concubine? Yesterday, his wife had asked him if she could have a jacket like the one his elder brother's beloved concubine wore. He had agreed immediately, thinking it was just a piece of clothing that wouldn't cost much. But when he summoned Xue Ning, who was in charge of Xianglan's clothing, he learned that the fabric was Bright Cloud Brocade woven in Jiangnan, which was rare in the capital. Moreover, the embroidery pattern was designed by Xianglan herself and stitched by a famous Xiang Embroidery artisan, completely different from Jing Embroidery needlework. That single garment actually cost ten taels of silver.
Lin Jinxuan found himself in a difficult position. With his frail health, he focused solely on recuperating and studying. His monthly allowance had previously been managed by his concubine, leaving him no say in financial matters. Even after marriage, the silver hadn't been handed over to him. His concubine merely told him that the wedding preparations and purchases had consumed the funds. Being naturally careless about such matters and knowing the family wouldn't short him on food and necessities, he hadn't paid much attention. After marriage, his allowance was managed by Madam Tan, amounting to only four taels per month. Only when his wife mentioned wanting new clothes did he suddenly realize that not only did he not have ten taels of silver - he probably couldn't even produce five.
Yet he didn't want to disappoint his wife. His spouse was a proper official's daughter - beautiful, charming, and talented. During their married life, she had been extremely tender and affectionate toward him. They were in the honeymoon phase of marital bliss, where she would either accompany him in his studies or play chess with him. Her conversation and demeanor were far superior to those of the maids who had previously served him. Lin Jinxuan was utterly infatuated. Yet he also felt inadequate due to his frail health compared to his brothers, and worried about his future prospects of becoming an official, securing titles for his wife and descendants. These feelings of inferiority depressed him, making him feel he had wronged Madam Tan, and he became increasingly determined to make her happy. But now he couldn't even afford to get her a piece of clothing - what was he to do?When Lin Jinxuan stammered that he had no spare silver, Madam Tan pressed him urgently. Upon learning that Concubine Yin had previously managed his funds, she let out a cold laugh. After some thought, she instructed Lin Jinxuan on what to say and sent him to ask Lin Jinlou for money. Though reluctant, Lin Jinxuan went. Unexpectedly, Lin Jinlou didn’t give him a jacket but instead handed him two bolts of cloth.
Lin Jinxuan coughed twice and pulled open the bedside drawer. One drawer contained copper coins reserved for tipping servants, while a brocade pouch held scattered bits of silver. Another drawer stored his daily hairpins, longevity locks, jade pendants, and fan tassels. Picking up a gold hairpin engraved with the character for longevity, he wondered if he should send a servant boy to pawn it to fund Madam Tan’s new garment.
Meanwhile, Madam Tan walked out to the small central garden of the old residence and sat on the covered corridor. Fanning herself with a handkerchief, she burned with humiliation and resentment. As the legitimate wife, she felt utterly degraded—even needing to humble herself before a concubine just to wear a decent, eye-catching dress. Xianglan’s act of gifting such clothing to a maid was a slap in her face! Had she married Lin Jinlou instead, she would never have endured such indignity.
At the thought of Lin Jinlou, Madam Tan’s cheeks flushed. She reflected on her reputation as a celebrated beauty in her maiden days, with numerous suitors vying for her hand. Even her father’s disciples found excuses to visit frequently, hoping for a glimpse of her. With such charms, how could a man like Lin Jinlou—renowned for his romantic pursuits—remain entirely indifferent to her? Lin Jinlou, tall and handsome, wielded immense power—exactly the kind of man she deserved to entrust her life to. Yet now, he was but a stranger, and her secret longings could only feed her solitary melancholy.
Feeling listless, Madam Tan glanced around the cramped garden—a mere patch of land centered on an ornamental rock with sparse plantings, offering little scenery. After stewing in frustration, she rose to leave when boisterous laughter and banter erupted nearby, as if men were joking rowdily.
One voice said, "Pipe down, you two. Don’t disturb the ladies in the Inner Chambers, or Eagle Soar will have our heads." The speaker was Chu Dapeng.
Liu Xiaochuan retorted brashly, "Who do we think we are? We’re here fixing his house and garden—he shouldn’t nitpick. If it weren’t for sprucing things up for Xiao San’er’s wedding, I wouldn’t have bothered coming."
Xie Yu sneered, "Stop talking big. Go complain to Eagle Soar yourself and see if he doesn’t kick you."
Liu Xiaochuan scowled. "I was cozy in my love nest last night, and you two dragged me out of bed this morning. I’m already pissed—don’t push me."
Xie Yu shot back, "Without Boss Lin, would you even have silver to waste in brothels? Enough whining. Old Chu and I volunteered to renovate the old house and plant more flowers for Xiao San’er’s wedding. Stay on that man’s good side, and there’ll be plenty of silver to splash. I brought you along to share the favor—don’t be ungrateful."Liu Xiaochuan pointed at Xie Yu and said, "Bah! Xie the Second, I always said you were a spineless wretch. Since we were kids, you've been trailing behind that bandit Lin, treating his farts like thunderclaps and his shit like ambergris. That Lin keeps a big black dog that barks all day in the front yard, but I say why bother with a dog? He might as well leash you up instead."
Xie Yu retorted angrily, "You little brat, looking for trouble from your grandpa, are you? Need a couple of slaps to feel satisfied?"
"Enough, enough, enough! You two start bickering like barking dogs the moment you meet—can't you ever get tired of it?" Chu Dapeng waved his hand, pulled a blueprint from his boot, and unfolded it. Pointing, he said, "This house next to the garden is the new bridal chamber. The roof tiles need to be replaced with uniform new ones, and the window paper should be swapped for Crimson Gauze. The tables, chairs, and stands inside are already there and don’t need changing—they’re all well-matched. As for decorations, we’ll need curtains, drapes, Embroidered Python Pile, Tapestry Silk Ink Splatter, and bamboo blinds with Gold Thread Crimson Vine. For the wedding, we’ll also need Chair Covers, Table Skirts, Bed Skirts, Tablecloths..." As he spoke, he moved forward and suddenly caught sight of a woman peeking out from the Covered corridor behind.
Chu Dapeng froze. Liu Xiaochuan, still behind him, mocked, "Listen to him—he’s turning into an old nanny." He then bumped into Chu Dapeng’s back and grumbled, "Why’d you stop?" Peering ahead, he smacked his lips and said, "Wow, Old Xie, come look—a fairy sister!"
Madam Tan had initially intended to avoid them, but hearing the three banter so amusingly, she guessed they were young masters from influential families friendly with Lin Jinlou. She quietly hid behind a pillar to watch, but now that she’d been spotted, her face flushed, and she lowered her head to leave.
Xie Yu said, "What fairy sister? We’ve probably startled someone’s family. Stop staring."
Liu Xiaochuan remarked, "Isn’t that Xianglan? I saw her once before, but I’d had too much to drink and only vaguely remember her being quite pretty. By the next day, I’d forgotten."
Chu Dapeng glanced at Madam Tan’s retreating figure and said, "That’s not her. Lin Bawang’s beloved isn’t that tall, and her features are more delicate."
Madam Tan had been about to leave, but hearing this, her pride was stung. She abruptly halted, took a deep breath, turned around, and walked toward the three men. Approaching them, she composed herself gracefully, curtsied slightly, and said with a polite smile, "Gentlemen, I am the wife of the Lin Family’s second son. It is both an honor and an embarrassment to meet you here today. If I have been discourteous in any way, I beg your forgiveness."
The three men were taken aback, exchanging glances. Chu Dapeng cleared his throat, cupped his hands in salute, and said, "It was we who were rude. Please forgive us, sister-in-law."
At this, Liu Xiaochuan and Xie Yu quickly echoed him and also bowed to Madam Tan.
Madam Tan smiled and said, "You’ve come so early to attend to our family affairs—I am truly grateful. In a moment, I’ll have the maid bring some tea and fruit as a small token of appreciation. I shall take my leave now." With another curtsy, her eyes swept over the three men. She thought the one standing at the front, Chu Dapeng, was the most handsome—with rosy lips, fair teeth, and an elegant bearing, he was the picture of a dashing man. She glanced at him once more, and their eyes met. Seeing the amorous depth in Chu Dapeng’s gaze, her face reddened, and she turned away gracefully.Liu Xiaochuan commented with a critical tone, "Unbelievable, truly unbelievable. That sickly Lin Lao'er actually married such a lovely wife. Tsk, what a pity, what a shame." He nudged Xie Yu with his shoulder and said, "Don't you think so?"
Xie Yu nodded and replied, "You're right, she truly has a different kind of charm. I heard Lin Lao'er married Tan Luhua, a daughter of the Tan family who was quite renowned among the young ladies in the capital. Now that I've seen her, I understand why she stands out."
Madam Tan deliberately slowed her pace, listening to their discussion as she walked, and her mood suddenly brightened, a smile gracing her lips. After all, she was a noble lady—how could she be compared to someone like Xianglan, a mere servant seed who had climbed to prominence by latching onto a powerful branch?
Just then, Chu Dapeng noticed something left behind where Madam Tan had been standing. He stepped forward to take a look and found a diamond-shaped sachet embroidered with vibrant red flowers, its subtle fragrance wafting pleasantly.
Thank you to qian20051978 for three Peace Talismans, to daxiang8911 for a Peace Talisman, and to everyone for the pink votes^_^
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