In recent days, while amusing himself with Chu Dapeng and others, Lin Jinting had repeatedly overheard prominent young masters in Yangzhou discussing Lin Jinlou. Some envied his high rank and power at such a young age, others stood in awe of his reputation. Some spoke of his military prowess, others complained of his exacting and difficult nature, while many eagerly gossiped about his romantic affairs.
Originally, when guests came to socialize with the Lin family, Lin Jinting assumed they did so out of respect for his grandfather and Lin Changzheng. But this time, he witnessed firsthand Lin Jinlou's imposing presence outside—the fathers of those aristocratic young masters came in waves to visit the Lin residence in Yangzhou, bearing various gifts, exchanging pleasantries and courtesies, exerting every effort to flatter. Civil and military officials throughout Yangzhou caught wind and moved to curry favor and befriend this influential young general.
Today, as Lin Jinlou set off, all key officials in Yangzhou personally saw him off. Sedan chairs and fine horses formed a grand procession that completely blocked the street.
Lin Jinting stared dumbfounded at the scene, suddenly recalling the day his grandfather had ordered him to move to the ancestral house for studies. On his first day there, his grandfather lay in a rocking chair and asked him, "Regarding Eldest Sister Ling's matter, do you resent your eldest brother?"
Resent him? Naturally, he bore a grudge. His mother wept day and night, while his father cursed Lin Jinlou vehemently in his room. Lin Dongling had been forcibly stuffed into a carriage and taken away, her face swollen and bruised, weeping until she was drenched in tears. That very night, a mourning tent was erected before the gate, and from then on, the Lin family no longer had a "Lin Dongling" among its young ladies.
He stammered, unsure how to respond.
His grandfather shook his head and said to him, "Remember this: though you two are not from the same branch, Lou'er values loyalty and righteousness. As the saying goes, 'an elder brother is like a father.' Regard him as your own eldest brother and treat him with closeness and respect in the future... Whether you can rely on your own father remains uncertain, but your future prospects entirely depend on your uncle and eldest brother. Think carefully about how you should conduct yourself from now on. If you can understand this, then my decision to confine you here for studies will not have been in vain."
He naturally understood his grandfather's implication—that he should draw closer to Lin Jinlou—but he still felt uneasy about it. Later, when Lin Jinlou decisively prepared to leave for Yangzhou, Lin Jinting, stifled by his grandfather's restrictions, seized the opportunity. He left a note and secretly followed Lin Jinlou all the way from home to escape. Over these days, his resentment toward Lin Jinlou gradually faded, and they resumed joking and laughing as before.
Yet today, witnessing such a spectacle, he finally grasped his grandfather's intent. This elder brother of his was no longer the young master who had taken him out horseback riding and gambling over a decade ago; he had become a figure capable of commanding winds and clouds.
Lin Jinting felt an indescribable emotion, staring blankly as Lin Jinlou smiled and exchanged pleasantries with the officials, then mounted his horse, repeatedly cupping his hands in farewell, his demeanor radiant and spirited.
The crowd did not stop until they had escorted him beyond the city gates, with a troop of soldiers following to provide protection.
Xianglan sat inside the carriage, slightly lifting the curtain to peer out at the lush greenery in the suburbs.
But Lin Jinlou urged his horse forward and said to her, "What are you looking at? Go back and rest. I'll call you when we arrive." With that, he reached out and tucked the curtain tightly shut.
Jixiang, driving the carriage, curled her lip. Their master was only doing this because guards were nearby, afraid that Xianglan might be seen by others. But couldn't the master see? Who among them would have the audacity to let their eyes wander toward Xianglan?
Xianglan had no choice but to withdraw and lean back against the soft cushion.
Ling Su, noticing this, took out two small red-lacquered boxes and offered Xianglan some pastries.Xianglan said, "I just had two pieces of cake this morning, so I'm not hungry. With how busy it was this morning, when did anyone have time to make snacks?"
Ling Su smiled and said, "The Eldest Master had the chefs from Ermei Pavilion prepare them early this morning and sent them over. If you're feeling bored, Madam, you can have a couple to nibble on and pass the time." As she spoke, she lifted the lid. One box contained two varieties: small pastries shaped like peonies and little fried dough twists made with butter. The other box held four delicate pastries: Sweet Dew Cakes, Snowflake Crisps, Horseshoe Rolls, and Amber Cakes.
Seeing how exquisitely they were made, Xianglan picked one up to eat and then urged Ling Qing and Ling Su to have some as well. At first, the two declined, but after Xianglan repeatedly insisted, they each selected a piece of cake. They then chatted idly with Xianglan to pass the time.
Ling Qing and Ling Su had been terribly afraid that Lin Jinlou would leave them in Yangzhou, like the maids from the Lin residence there who spent years without ever seeing their master, languishing in a garden. If the master forgot about them, their lives would be wasted. Only when they were taken along on the journey did their hearts settle, and from then on, they served with even greater dedication. No more needs to be said of that.
Meanwhile, back at the Lin residence in Jinling, the young servant He Tao walked into the side room, took a quilt for himself, and went to pick up the teapot on the table. But when he tried to pour, no water came out. He lifted the lid and saw that the pot was already empty, with only a few dried-up tea leaves left. He sneered at the kang and said, "You're just asking for trouble! Lazing around, doing nothing all day, lying on the bed like a corpse—you don't even remember to refill the tea after drinking it. Wait till the matron gives you a beating!"
Gui Yuan lay on the kang, pulling a pillow towel over his head and pretending not to hear. These days, Gui Yuan was having a hard time. Originally, he had served in the study. Lin Jinlou, thinking him clever, had assigned him to Xianglan. Though young, Gui Yuan was shrewd. He had reasoned that the most trusted attendants by the Eldest Master's side were Jixiang and Shuangxi brothers, and it was difficult for anyone else to stand out. Besides, there were too many capable people around the Eldest Master, all vying for his attention and hoping for his favor, often scheming behind each other's backs. It was only thanks to Jixiang and Shu Ran keeping things in check that order was maintained. As someone bought midway without any backing, Gui Yuan hadn't had an easy time. Moreover, Lin Jinlou had a terrible temper and was extremely picky and hard to please. Back when Gui Yuan worked in the study, he had always been on edge. When he was reassigned to Xianglan, others laughed at him, thinking he had been demoted from a respectable position to serving a newly favored Bedchamber Attendant. But secretly, Gui Yuan was delighted.
Xianglan was gentle and tolerant, gave generous tips to the servants, and rarely made demands—sometimes she wouldn't call on him for ten days or a half-month. His days were leisurely, and it was well-known that Lin Jinlou doted exclusively on Xianglan. It was only a matter of time before she was promoted to Concubine. Gui Yuan thought that if he served her loyally now, and later Xianglan bore a son or daughter, Lin Jinlou might be so pleased that he would grant him a shop or farmland. Then he could ask to become a steward and have a future of his own.
He had been ambitiously planning all this, but who could have known that Miss Xianglan would suddenly disappear! The Lin family only said that Miss Xianglan was unwell and had been sent to a manor to recuperate for a few days before returning, but privately, people whispered that Xianglan had gone missing at a temple and that she was likely in grave danger.
Gui Yuan beat his chest in despair, wanting to cry but having no tears left. His old position in the study had long been taken by someone else, and now he drifted about without any real duties. The other servants often mistreated him, and his days truly seemed hopeless.
He Tao was still cursing, and Gui Yuan turned over.At that moment, the door crashed open with a bang, and Shuangxi rushed into the room, frowning as she said, "Why are you still lying down? Gui Yuan, your young lady has returned—hurry to the entrance to kowtow and greet her!"
Gui Yuan shot up from the kang, eyes wide with surprise. "What young lady?… Xianglan?"
Shuangxi, already heading out, replied, "Yes, exactly. Get moving quickly."
Meanwhile, Xianglan was escorted into the Hall of Knowing Spring by a crowd of matrons and maids. No sooner had she settled than Xiao Juan rushed over, grasping her hand with tear-filled eyes. "Dear young lady, where have you been all these days? I've been worried sick."
Chunling added, "You should have at least sent word to spare us from wild guesses."
Xianglan, following Lin Jinlou's instructions, explained, "I wasn't feeling well recently and feared spreading illness at home, so I stayed at the estate for a while. After recovering, the Eldest Master had business in Yangzhou and took me along. I'm sorry to have troubled you all unnecessarily."
Tinglan smiled. "No trouble at all—it's only natural. Why so polite?"
Simultaneously, Chunling chimed in, "We're just glad you remember our care."
As they spoke, Shu Ran lifted the curtain and entered, smiling. "Look how lively it is here." Turning to Xianglan, she said, "The Eldest Master mentioned he has urgent military affairs and rushed off. He asked you to settle in and rest, and he'll see you when he returns tonight." To the others, she added, "Whatever you have to say, first attend to the young lady's washing and refreshments."
At Shu Ran's direction, the crowd dispersed—some offering tea, others bringing hot water or clothes. Ling Qing and Ling Su, unable to help, stood aside.
Chunling asked, "Young lady, who are these two?"
Xianglan glanced at her, initially intending to have her take them to settle in and train them later. But she hesitated before speaking. Things were different now—escaping the Lin family again wouldn't be easy. Though capable, Chunling was a family-raised servant with a fiery temper prone to arguments, not always reliable. Ling Qing and Ling Su were clever, and their deeds were in her possession; it might be better to keep them close and cultivate loyal allies. She told Chunling, "These two were sent by Master Xie—both excellent. One will manage stationery, the other meals. I recall there's a side room—arrange them there for now." To Ling Qing and Ling Su, she said, "You've had a long journey; rest first and return to serve this evening."
Chunling froze, her expression instantly darkening, before leading them away.
Shu Ran approached quietly and whispered, "Young lady, you should go kowtow to Madam later. While you were away, she worried constantly, sent gifts to your family several times, had Hongjian secretly ask me if you'd returned, and even lit a grand peace lamp for you at the temple."
Xianglan was stunned, never expecting Qin Shi to be so thoughtful. Feeling a twinge of gratitude, she nodded. "I understand. Thank you for the reminder, sister."After a while, Xianglan finished her tea, washed her face and hands, changed her clothes, and re-styled her hair. She retrieved the gift she had prepared earlier for Qin Shi from her trunk and went to Zhuoshou Garden to see Qin Shi. Qin Shi had already heard of Xianglan’s return and hurriedly invited her in. Rising to greet her, Qin Shi took Xianglan’s hand and looked her over from head to toe before letting out a long sigh, as if a weight had been lifted from her heart. "Amitabha," she said, "it’s good that you’re back." She led Xianglan to sit on the daybed, and Hongjian poured tea before dismissing the other maids. The three of them gathered together, and Qin Shi asked Xianglan where she had been all this time, how she had fared, and how Lin Jinlou had found her, among other things.
Xianglan replied, "I had been hiding in a nearby nunnery. I thought that since I had been missing for a night, my reputation was already tarnished, and I was too ashamed to return. I had planned to stay at the temple indefinitely, but then the Eldest Master somehow got word of my whereabouts and brought me back."
Qin Shi’s eyes reddened. "Silly child, who would look down on you? Hearing you say such things breaks my heart." Her voice choked with emotion, and Xianglan and Hongjian quickly comforted her. Qin Shi dabbed the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief and said, "Enough of that. What matters is that you’re back now." She chatted with Xianglan for a while longer, bestowed several gifts upon her, and ordered an elderly servant to carry them as she escorted Xianglan back to the Hall of Knowing Spring.
Exhausted from the journey and the day’s events, Xianglan was utterly weary. After returning, she changed her clothes and went to the warm chamber, where she lay down on the heated kang to bask in the sunlight. Though her body was tired, her mind was restless, and she couldn’t sleep. Hearing movement nearby, she opened her eyes to see Chunling sitting on the edge of the kang. Xianglan half-rose, intending to tell Chunling to distribute the gifts she had brought back for them, but Chunling frowned, her tone sharp as she said, "Miss, don’t hide it from me. You’ve been gone all this time—where exactly have you been?"
Xianglan was taken aback. Just then, Xiao Juan entered with tea and a plate of pastries. Hearing this, she frowned and said, "Chunling, how dare you question Miss like that? Does she need to report her whereabouts to you?"
Chunling raised her eyebrows. "I’m just concerned about Miss." She turned back to Xianglan. "Where have you been?"
Xianglan said nothing, only smiled faintly. She reached for the tea in Xiao Juan’s hand, took a sip, and said, "In the trunk, there’s a blue satin bundle with official powder, rouge, and hair oil I brought back from Yangzhou. There’s a portion for each of you—go and divide them." With that, she lay back down and closed her eyes.
Chunling wanted to press further, but Xiao Juan tugged at her sleeve. "Miss is tired. Let her rest." She pulled Chunling out of the room.
Standing outside the partitioned area, Chunling said discontentedly, "Why did you pull me out? Can’t I even ask about this? Something’s not right here. She was supposed to have gone to the temple, so how did she end up at the estate?"
Xiao Juan sneered. "If Miss intends to tell us, she will. If she doesn’t, there must be a reason she can’t. Is this something we should be prying into? We’re just servants. Miss has a history with us and treats us kindly, not like hired help but like sisters. But we must remember that Miss belongs to the Eldest Master’s household. I’ve heard she’s about to be elevated to Concubine—she’s a proper mistress now. No matter how close we are, we shouldn’t speak to her as if scolding a junior. We should still show respect."As an experienced second-class maid, Chunling had always been the one to reprimand Xiao Juan. Being unexpectedly talked back to by Xiao Juan, she immediately lost face and sneered, "Oh, how impressive! I was merely showing concern by asking a couple of questions, and you come back with all this chatter. There are plenty of masters in this mansion, yet none have ever put on such airs as to be unapproachable." With that, she flung the door curtain aside and stormed out in a huff.
Just then, Tinglan and Xue Ning entered, chatting and laughing, only to bump into Chunling as she rushed out fuming. They paused in surprise and asked Xiao Juan, "What happened here?"
Xiao Juan snorted and said, "It's all because the young lady brought back two new maids and didn't assign them under her charge. Now she's putting on a show of displeasure for our mistress." Then she muttered under her breath, "What concern? She just wanted to pry and gossip for her own amusement."
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