In recent days, Cao Lihuan and Hui'er had been whispering and scheming about something, shutting themselves in their room for entire days at a time. Cao Lihuan would often wander the gardens, usually not returning until evening. With Huairui constantly sneaking out to play and no one constantly watching or scolding her, Xianglan felt much more at ease.
One noon, Xianglan went to the tea room to have lunch with Granny Liu. After the meal, Granny Liu glanced around to ensure no one was nearby, then leaned in and asked quietly, "Have you heard the latest rumors in the mansion?"
"What rumors?" Xianglan took a sip of tea and thought for a moment. "Lately, I’ve only heard that Second Taitai is trying to arrange a marriage for Third Master Ting. But since it’s still within the mourning period for Old Madam Zeng, they’re only privately considering a few families... Also, Concubine Lan, the Master’s concubine, was diagnosed as two months pregnant..."
Xianglan counted off a few things on her fingers, but Granny Liu shook her head at each one. With a mysterious air, she whispered, "I heard that Third Master Ting and Miss Huan have taken a fancy to each other!"
"What? That—that can’t be!" Xianglan was shocked. "How could Third Master Ting possibly fancy Miss Huan? She’s no beauty, her family background isn’t anything to boast of, and she’s even three years older than him!"
Granny Liu slapped her thigh. "Exactly! An old sister just asked me about it, and I broke out in a cold sweat too. But now the rumor’s spreading in the mansion—some say they’ve seen the two strolling together in the gardens, reciting poetry about ‘wet’ and ‘dry.’ Others claim Miss Huan gave Third Master a pouch, and they were both blushing, gazing at each other tenderly. There’s even talk of Third Master wiping tears at falling flowers because he was thinking of Miss Huan’s impending marriage... The stories grow wilder by the day. At this rate, someone will soon claim they saw Third Master kissing Cousin!"
Xianglan grew more alarmed with each word, but she couldn’t help laughing at the last line. "Why trouble yourself over this, Mama? It’s their masters’ business, nothing to do with us."
Granny Liu said, "How is it nothing? If the rumors turn out to be true, or if Miss Huan seizes the chance to latch onto Third Master and actually becomes a mistress of the Lin family, what then?"
Xianglan fiddled with her sash, indifferent. "Mama, you’ve just described Cousin’s wishful thinking. She’s bold, isn’t she? Not afraid of losing more than she gains."
Granny Liu sighed heavily. "Who can say for sure? If she really clings to Third Master, given her status, it’s not impossible for her to demand a noble concubine’s position in the Lin family."
Xianglan said, "Do you think the Taitais are pushovers? Once she’s in the door, they’ll have an easier time handling her. They could just claim she’s unwell and send her to a manor to ‘recuperate’—for decades. No matter how cunning or ruthless she is, what tricks could she possibly pull then?"
Granny Liu blinked, then looked at Xianglan and chuckled. "Oh, my dear, I always thought you were a meek little kitten. To hear you say such things—this old woman is truly surprised!"
Xianglan smiled without replying. She had witnessed methods ten times more ruthless than this. But truth be told, though Cao Lihuan’s tricks weren’t sophisticated, they were effective. She was willing to gamble everything—even her own reputation—just to covet the Lin family’s wealth.
As they spoke, Hui'er’s voice suddenly called from outside, "Xianglan! Xianglan!"
Granny Liu cursed under her breath. "Can’t even let us rest after lunch!"Xianglan sighed, set down her cup, and stood up to walk outside. Hui'er shot her a sidelong glance and said, "Miss Huan is looking for you inside."
Xianglan then went into the room, where Cao Lihuan handed her an envelope, smiling amiably as she said, "Take this to the Lying Cloud Courtyard and give it to Third Master Ting."
Xianglan's heart skipped a beat, followed by a cold inner sneer. She thought to herself that Cao Lihuan was playing a clever game—entrusting her with such a clandestine exchange would inevitably implicate her if rumors were ever investigated. She would never be able to clear her name even if she jumped into the Yellow River. Hesitating, she refrained from taking the envelope and asked, "Miss, what is this...?"
Cao Lihuan grew visibly impatient, barely suppressing the urge to scold her. Forcing a smile, she said, "It's just some poetry drafts inside. Third Master knows about this. Just take it to him—make sure to hand it to him personally. Go quickly and come back soon." Then, surprisingly, she pressed a handful of coins into Xianglan's hand.
As Xianglan left the room, she seethed inwardly. "I already detested Cao Lihuan, and now she's scheming against me with this. And the worst part is, I can't stand her petty tricks. Now that it's in my hands, I won't let her have her way!"
Lost in thought, she walked out of the garden and glanced back, noticing Huairui following her at a distance. A cold smile curled her lips. Just beyond the garden gate lay the Lying Cloud Courtyard, where Lin Jinting resided. Stepping inside, she saw a young maid watering flowers in the courtyard and approached her. "I'm Xianglan from Gauze Snow Dock. Miss Huan sent me to deliver something. Is Third Master in?"
The maid gave her a sidelong glance. "Third Master is inside speaking with Master Song."
Hearing this, Xianglan saw her opportunity and quickly said, "Then I won't disturb him. Is there a senior sister among Third Master's attendants available? Miss Huan said this is important and must be handed to someone reliable."
The maid studied her again before turning to enter the house. Moments later, the door curtain lifted, and out stepped a girl of fifteen or sixteen with peach-blossom cheeks and almond-shaped eyes—pretty, though not stunningly so, yet dignified in bearing. Her fair, oval face was framed by arched brows and slightly high cheekbones. She wore an embroidered white jacket, a pale blue skirt, and a hairpin with coiled threads and dangling pearls, her ears adorned with white jade ginkgo earrings. Her attire was already that of a respectable young lady.
Xianglan's instincts sharpened. Such attire suggested she was no ordinary first-rank maid—she must be one of Third Master's "inner chamber attendants." The maid introduced, "This is Sister Suju. You may speak with her."
Xianglan smiled warmly. "Greetings, Sister Suju. I'm a household slave named Xianglan, newly entered into service and currently assigned to Gauze Snow Dock. Miss Huan asked me to deliver this to Third Master." With that, she handed over the envelope.
Suju pinched the envelope and scrutinized Xianglan from head to toe before saying, "Understood. I'll pass it to Third Master later."Xianglan noticed the little maid carrying a water pot had gone to water flowers elsewhere, so she said to Suju, "Cousin sent me to deliver something, and it's a letter like this. I feel it's inappropriate. Miss Huan even insisted I hand it to Third Master personally, which makes it even more improper... But as servants, we have no choice. Now that Third Master is older, I've also heard some rumors about Miss Huan and him. I hope Sister Suju will consider this carefully."
With these words, Xianglan first clarified that she was a household slave of the Lin family, having no connection to the Cao family, while subtly hinting at the impropriety of this arrangement. Anyone with a bit of sense would understand her meaning—whether to warn their master or report to Taitai, it would at least allow for some precaution and clear Xianglan of any involvement.
Suju was taken aback, never expecting Xianglan to say such things, and hesitated, "You... what do you mean?"
Xianglan's heart sank. Could it be that Suju was all looks and no wit? She had spoken so plainly, yet Suju still didn’t grasp it? Frustrated, she forced a slight smile and said, "Sister Suju, though I serve Miss Huan, I am ultimately a maid of the Lin family. My loyalty lies with the Lins."
Suju remained blank, still looking confused. Just as Xianglan was about to explain further, she saw Song Ke emerge from the room, his face lighting up with surprise. "What brings you here?"
Xianglan curtsied. "Greetings, Master Song. This humble maid has come to deliver something."
Song Ke had barely opened his mouth when he noticed Suju standing nearby and said to her, "Xiu Hong mentioned wanting some milk pudding. You may go inside." Suju, already uneasy at Song Ke's appearance, quickly retreated into the house.
Song Ke smiled at Xianglan. "I haven’t seen you in days. What have you been up to?"
Xianglan found his familiar manner somewhat vexing, as if they had known each other for ages. If he had been flirtatious or arrogant, she could have easily responded with cold detachment. But Song Ke was always courteous, his face often wearing a warm smile, making it hard to dislike him. She sighed. "Nothing much, just needlework every day."
Today, Song Ke wore a dark green satin robe embroidered with floral patterns, a jeweled belt around his waist, and his hair tied up with a bat-and-cloud hairpin, enhancing his refined and dashing appearance. He grinned at Xianglan. "You’re skilled with your hands. When you have time, make me a case for the Four Treasures of the Study."
Xianglan forced a smile. "Master Song has so many maids around him—I’m sure one of them can make it quickly and well."
Song Ke chuckled. "None of them are as good as you. Look at this pouch you mended—I carry it every day, and even Mother couldn’t tell it had been repaired." He pointed to the pouch at his waist.
Xianglan could only reply vaguely, "I’ll see when I have time." She was about to leave when a thought struck her, and she turned back to Song Ke. "Master Song, today Miss Huan sent me to deliver a letter to Third Master. She said it contained some poems and repeatedly instructed me to hand it to him personally."
Song Ke’s expression flickered briefly before he smiled again and nodded calmly. "And then?""I feel this matter is improper, but as a mere maid, I have no authority to decide. I've already given the letter to Sister Suju. At noon today, I heard more rumors about Third Master and Miss Huan—the implications speak for themselves." Xianglan took a deep breath. "I just told Sister Suju that since I'm ultimately a servant of the Lin family, my loyalty lies with them. That's why I'm speaking out of turn..."
Song Ke maintained a faint smile and interrupted, "I understand. Later, I'll have Xiu Hong take the letter to Second Taitai. This won't implicate you."
Xianglan finally relaxed. Speaking with someone intelligent was so effortless. She nodded and said, "Thank you, Master Song. I'll take my leave now."
Song Ke said in a low voice that carried on the wind, "Make me a stationery case as thanks." Xianglan pretended not to hear and stepped over the threshold to leave.
Upon returning to Gauze Snow Dock, Cao Lihuan summoned Xianglan and asked, "Did you deliver it to Third Master personally?"
Xianglan nodded.
Cao Lihuan's face lit up with joy, and she pressed eagerly, "What did Third Master say? Did he send any message for me?"
Xianglan thought disdainfully, "Cousin is truly throwing all dignity to the wind just to stay with the Lin family. Pity she doesn't understand that 'what's meant to be will come naturally, what's not meant to be can't be forced.' All her scheming will only backfire on herself." Aloud, she fabricated, "Third Master just took the envelope and dismissed me without a word."
Cao Lihuan snapped, "Impossible that he said nothing! What exactly did you tell him?"
Xianglan put on an innocent expression. "I told Third Master the envelope contained the poetry drafts you sent him and that he'd understand everything once he saw the contents."
Cao Lihuan frowned coldly. "And then he said nothing?"
Xianglan hummed in affirmation.
Cao Lihuan's face darkened instantly. She flung her handkerchief aside and stormed into her bedroom, with Hui'er hastily following. Xianglan exhaled silently, sat on the daybed, and poured herself half a bowl of tea. For some reason, her thoughts drifted to Song Ke—his warm smile and gentle tone reminded her faintly of her past life's husband, Xiao Hang. A wave of melancholy washed over her as she stared blankly at the teacup. Noticing a dark blue fabric draped over the pillow, she mused, "This brocade would make a fine stationery case for the Four Treasures of the Study, especially embroidered with bamboo clusters." Then she scoffed inwardly, "Why would I ever sew for that scheming man again?" Tossing the fabric aside, she moved to the embroidery frame. Gazing at the colorful mandarin ducks on the crimson pillowcase, she sighed deeply, gathered her resolve, and began stitching diligently.
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