The maids brought over the writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone to serve. Ling Su ground the ink while Ling Qing spread the cut snow-wave paper on the table, weighing it down with a beast-shaped paperweight. Seeing Lin Jinlou wave them away, the two maids withdrew together. Lin Jinlou pulled Xianglan over, embracing her from behind, and placed a brush in her hand. Holding her hand, he dipped it in ink and wrote the characters "Xianglan" on the paper. The name originally carried a delicate, fragile, and richly alluring charm, but under his brush, it suddenly became grand and imposing.
Xianglan thought to herself, "The Lin family is, after all, one of scholarly heritage. Though Lin Jinlou is a military man, his calligraphy is truly excellent." Just then, Lin Jinlou spoke from behind her, "The first time I heard your name, I thought it was vulgar—'Xianglan, foul orchid'—the kind of name given to poor, lowly girls in storybooks and operas."
Xianglan secretly curled her lip, then heard Lin Jinlou continue, "I thought about changing it, but after getting used to it, I realized it's quite fitting. Doesn't the poem say, 'Jade shatters on Mount Kunlun, the phoenix calls; lotus weeps dew, Xianglan laughs'? It's a cheerful name." He chuckled softly, "Besides, with how fragrant you are, what else could you be called but 'Xianglan'?" As he spoke, he kissed her cheek, feeling the warmth and softness of jade in his arms, his heart already swaying. He kissed her again and again.
Xianglan's face flushed crimson instantly. Pushing against Lin Jinlou, she said, "Stop fooling around, it's still daytime... Didn't we come to enjoy the scenery? I want to see the Twenty-Four Bridges." She made to leave.
Lin Jinlou looked at her blushing face, a smile playing on his lips, his arms still holding her tightly. "I've seen the paintings you made—they're quite good. For the Old Master's birthday, you should paint one for him. Consider it my birthday gift this year, hmm?"
Xianglan was taken aback and immediately replied, "Would that be appropriate? For the Old Master's birthday, it should be the Eldest Master who personally writes a calligraphy piece to present."
Lin Jinlou chuckled softly, "Silly girl, this is me giving you face. What's inappropriate about it? My grandfather appreciates literary arts. If you paint well, he might even reward you. Let me tell you, in this household, the Old Master is like the supreme emperor. If he takes a liking to you, who in the entire family would dare to show you disrespect?" He thought to himself that since Xianglan had once been lost, if rumors spread upon her return, it wouldn't be good. His grandfather might even inquire about it. If Xianglan gained the Old Master's favor, she could live more smoothly in the Lin household in the future. Besides, Xianglan was so pleasing—he wanted to show her off to the elders.
Xianglan looked up at Lin Jinlou. He was smiling, his eyes fixed on her, his expression gentle, unlike his usual stern and imposing demeanor. Before, even when Lin Jinlou showed her some kindness, it was always tinged with frivolity, treating her like a plaything, a cat or a dog. He had never spoken to her so earnestly. Xianglan had a soft heart; if others treated her with respect, she found it hard to remain aloof. Besides, her relationship with Lin Jinlou was already tangled in unclear grievances and affections. Feeling somewhat uneasy, she twisted her fingers and remained silent for a long moment before asking, "Then what should I paint? Pine trees? Cranes? Peaches of longevity?"
Lin Jinlou couldn't resist kissing her cheek again. "Paint whatever you like. Once you're done, I'll inscribe it."
Just then, the sound of a woman singing and playing instruments came from outside—Lin Jinting and the others had returned to the feast to eat and drink. Soon, the sounds of drinking games and women's delicate laughter followed.Xianglan listened to the distant melody, somehow reminded of Chunyan from the Brocade Pavilion. Having long intended to broach the subject with Lin Jinlou, she chose her words carefully: "Eldest Master, when I was abducted to that brothel, it was a girl called Yan'er who untied me. She's my benefactor, really—we ought to properly thank her. I still have some silver saved... could you send someone to deliver it? Women trapped in those quarters are truly pitiable. No decent girl would choose such a life..."
Lin Jinlou watched her cautious demeanor—the evasive eyes, the refusal to meet his gaze—all betraying her unease. He nearly laughed aloud. Silly girl, he thought, can't even lie properly. He already knew this "Yan'er" was none other than Chunyan, whom he'd expelled from the household. When Chunyan had drugged Yingge causing her miscarriage, his fury led him to sell off her entire family. The day he retrieved Xianglan, he'd spotted Chunyan in the brothel courtyard and heard the madam call her "Yan'er"—clear evidence the traffickers had sold her into prostitution, though he'd dismissed it from his mind. Now Xianglan deliberately used "Miss Yan'er," clearly attempting to conceal Chunyan's past identity to help her.
Lin Jinlou gazed into Xianglan's large, luminous eyes and stroked her pale cheek. "You recognize her, don't you? She used to serve in my household—Chunyan. Surely you know what crime she committed?"
Xianglan's heart jumped. She avoided his eyes even more stubbornly, lowering her lashes before finally murmuring, "Our families were neighbors once. Though we never got along well... we were acquainted. She brought this fate upon herself, yet I still find it regrettable. Besides, she truly helped me that day—even gave me her own shoes to wear. That's why I'm shamelessly begging you now..."
Lin Jinlou pinched her chin, narrowing his eyes. "Oh? You remember her help, but forget my kindness to you?"
Xianglan whispered, "I remember..."
He pulled her into his embrace, ruffling her hair. Though clever, she always assumed the best in people. Whores have no loyalty, actors no integrity. Chunyan had been devoted to Qian Wenze, determined to marry him. When Du Bin stabbed Qian to death, she'd mourned briefly—yet before her lover's body was cold, she'd hastily attached herself to a Jiangnan textile merchant. Just two days prior, she'd left the brothel in grandeur to become his concubine. Only foolish Xianglan would risk angering him to plead for someone who'd already secured an escape route. Yet this was precisely what made her precious—her genuine care for others, her steadfast memory of the slightest kindness. He knew she loathed staying with the Lins, yet she'd remained to save his mother and sister, refusing to leave until she'd repaid her "debt." His rescue of her had been trivial effort, but she'd been willing to stake her life in return.
"Silly girl, such a silly girl," Lin Jinlou murmured twice before suddenly kissing her again—swift, urgent kisses, his hands already slipping inside her robes as he mumbled against her lips, "Xianglan... I've missed you terribly these days..."Xianglan felt dizzy and confused, unable to comprehend how Lin Jinlou had suddenly been stirred by amorous desires when they were just discussing Chunyan. Before she could utter a word, his lips sealed hers, and he swept her up, carrying her to the nearby Arhat Bed.
The bed had long been prepared by Ling Qing and Ling Su with thick, soft, and fragrant bedding. No sooner had Lin Jinlou laid Xianglan down than he pressed himself upon her, one hand working at the buttons of her robe while the other shed his cloak and then moved to unfasten his trousers. His lips continued to shower her with kisses.
He had waited far too long and could endure no more.
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