During this period, Lin Jinlou had been overwhelmed with troubles. His mother and sister had nearly been kidnapped, and his beloved concubine had gone missing. He felt he had lost face both publicly and privately, sometimes busy settling scores and venting his fury, other times searching everywhere for Xianglan, to the point where he couldn’t even attend to military affairs.
Wang Shi and Lin Changmin from the second branch also came to plead for leniency. Unable to bear the disturbance, Lin Jinlou simply took up lodging outside. Fortunately, Lin Zhaoxiang held firm at home, and the second branch gradually quieted down.
Over the past few months, he had received invitations to dine and enjoy music, but he had no heart for such pleasures and declined them all. On the rare occasions when he couldn’t refuse, he would only drink a couple of cups and hastily go through the motions. Everyone in Jinling knew that Lin Jinlou had been in low spirits lately and didn’t dare approach him too closely. Unconsciously, he had remained abstinent for quite some time.
Now that he had found Xianglan, his heart finally settled. At this moment, the little minx lay softly beneath him. Lin Jinlou looked down and saw her cheeks flushed like fire, outshining peach blossoms, so bashful she could hardly speak coherently. She kept pushing him away, stammering anxiously, “The window is still open, and the maids are downstairs…”
“With us lying here, no one can see from outside. Besides, who would be so tactless as to come up now? I’d deal with anyone who dares.” Ignoring Xianglan’s struggles, he deftly stripped off her clothes. Beneath the crimson gauze robe, a jade-colored silk shirt was revealed, and a faded red undergarment was tied around her delicate neck with a thin string, hugging her full, rounded breasts. Burying his face in them, he inhaled a subtle, intoxicating fragrance. Lin Jinlou reached in and grasped a handful, startling Xianglan. She heard him murmur in her ear, “Your body has grown even more alluring, perfectly stoking the fire in my heart. I’ve been itching for you these past couple of days, but seeing you unwell, I restrained myself and didn’t take you. Today, I’ll indulge to my heart’s content.” As he spoke, he removed her skirt, revealing snow-white sheer trousers.
Hearing such lewd words, Xianglan blushed crimson. She knew Lin Jinlou was a man of his word; if he was in the mood, she had no choice but to submit obediently to avoid suffering. She turned her face away and closed her eyes. Lin Jinlou swiftly stripped her completely naked, revealing her jade-like body laid out before him. His throat tightened slightly, and one hand wandered downward.
Xianglan’s eyes flew open in alarm, and she grabbed Lin Jinlou’s hand. Panting, he kissed her temples and then her lips. Xianglan couldn’t resist at all, melting into the couch. Lin Jinlou was already sweating as he held her by the waist and entered her.
The sensation was utterly intoxicating. Lin Jinlou groaned, nearly losing control. Pressing Xianglan into the soft couch, he lifted her pale, slender legs, his muscles tensing as he thrust deeply with rough breaths.
Lin Jinlou’s member was thick, and Xianglan bit her lip, her long eyebrows slightly furrowed. Outside, the sounds of flirtatious laughter grew even more unrestrained. A woman was singing lewd tunes to the pipa: “Willow waist, jade thighs, delicate blossoms fair, the dashing lord lightly lifts them over his shoulder…” Accompanied by a crowd’s rowdy laughter.
Lin Jinlou nibbled her earlobe and mumbled, “Hear that? That song is just like us… Do you think they’re singing it on purpose because they saw us?”
Xianglan was horrified. The laughter and music outside were so clear, as if right before their eyes. She already felt as though they were performing this act under public scrutiny, overwhelmed with shame. Hearing Lin Jinlou’s teasing words, she panicked even more and began to struggle.Lin Jinlou took a deep breath, his strong, broad chest pressing down on her to keep her still. Her dark hair cascaded across the bed, contrasting with her snow-white body in an indescribably alluring way. He gritted his teeth and thrust vigorously. Xianglan melted into a limp puddle, her body yielding completely. Lin Jinlou panted and laughed, his expression brimming with triumph. Blushing with shame and irritation, Xianglan could only turn her face away, burying it in the blankets.
After satisfying his desires once, Lin Jinlou lifted Xianglan again, intending to hold her in his arms for another round. But he noticed her cheeks flushed crimson, her lips still tightly bitten, and tears welling in her eyes. Lin Jinlou paused, then understood and chuckled, "No one outside can see us. Listen—it's quiet now. It must be getting dark; the banquet has probably ended."
Xianglan sobbed softly, feeling too ashamed to face anyone, and began pounding Lin Jinlou’s chest in frustration. He laughed heartily, caught her fists with one hand, and entered her again. Xianglan gasped, afraid of losing her balance, and instinctively wrapped her arms around Lin Jinlou’s neck. He grew even more fierce, veins bulging on his forehead. Unable to suppress herself, Xianglan let out soft moans and, through her tears, bit a half-moon-shaped mark into his shoulder.
By the time the storm of passion subsided, it was already past lamp-lighting hour.
Ling Su fanned the stove outside, where a copper kettle warmed half a pot of boiling water.
Ling Qing emerged from the embroidery loft and said, "Let me take over. You should rest."
Ling Su whispered, "Is it over? Did the Eldest Master give any orders?"
Ling Qing blushed, slightly embarrassed. "It sounds like things have quieted down, but the Eldest Master hasn’t called for us. It wouldn’t be proper to go up uninvited..." Earlier, when the Arhat Bed upstairs shook, the wooden floorboards had creaked loudly. Ling Qing and Ling Su had felt it inappropriate to remain inside the embroidery loft, so they had stepped outside to wait by the door, passing the time with idle chatter.
Suddenly, they heard Lin Jinlou cough from inside the loft. Ling Qing hurried back and, mustering her courage, called out from the foot of the stairs, "Does the Eldest Master require anything?"
After a moment, Lin Jinlou replied, "Bring up some hot tea."
Ling Qing quickly fetched the warmed water from the stove, brewed a fresh pot of tea, and carefully carried it upstairs. She dared not let her eyes wander, placing the tea on the small table beside the Arhat Bed. With a quick glance, she noticed the loft remained unlit, except for a slightly opened window facing the lake. A cool breeze drifted in, dispersing the lingering scent of intimacy. Lin Jinlou sat on the bed wearing loose silk trousers and an open robe, his muscular chest exposed. Xianglan lay beside him, seemingly fast asleep.
Though tired, Lin Jinlou felt an indescribable contentment. He hummed a tune as he drank his tea, then ordered hot water to be brought up. After washing himself, he changed the water and gently cleansed Xianglan. Once finished, he felt hungry and called for food to be served.
Xianglan had long since fallen into a deep slumber. Occasionally, Lin Jinlou shook her awake and offered her a bowl of broth. She drowsily took a few sips before sinking back into sleep.
Lin Jinlou had initially planned to spend the night in the embroidery loft, but his tall frame felt cramped on the Arhat Bed, and the evening breeze grew chilly. The octagonal loft, being wooden, offered little warmth. Seeing Xianglan still sleeping soundly, he wrapped her in blankets and carried her back to his quarters.
Enough of digressions.Lin Jinlou stayed in Yangzhou for another day before ordering his servants to pack their belongings in preparation for returning to Jinling. Lin Jinting, having enjoyed several days of unrestricted freedom in the bustling city of Yangzhou, was already so captivated by its pleasures that he had forgotten all thoughts of home. Upon hearing that Lin Jinlou intended to depart, he grew quite reluctant and urged them to stay a couple more days.
Lin Jinlou responded with a cold laugh, "Shall I leave you here, then? So that Grandfather may specially write a letter urging your return?"
Hearing this, Lin Jinting immediately slumped his shoulders and returned to pack his luggage with a crestfallen expression.
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