In recent days, Cao Lihuan and Huier had been whispering and scheming about something unknown. They would shut themselves in their room for entire days, and whenever Cao Lihuan went to stroll in the garden, she would typically spend the whole day there before returning. With Huairui sneaking out to play all day long and no one constantly watching and scolding her, Xianglan felt much more at ease.
One noon, Xianglan went to the tea room to have lunch with Liu Pozi. After the meal, Liu Pozi glanced around to ensure no one was nearby and quietly asked Xianglan, "Have you heard the recent rumors in the mansion?"
What rumors? Xianglan swallowed a sip of tea, thought for a moment, and said, "Lately, I’ve only heard that Second Madam is trying to arrange a marriage for Third Master Ting. Since they’re still in the mourning period for Old Madam Zeng, they’ve only secretly considered a few families in private... Also, Concubine Lan, the Eldest Master’s concubine, has been diagnosed as two months pregnant..."
Xianglan counted these incidents on her fingers, but Liu Pozi shook her head at each one. Leaning in mysteriously, she said, "I heard that Third Master Ting and Miss Huan have taken a liking to each other!"
"Ah? That... that can’t be possible!" Xianglan was greatly shocked. "How could Third Master Ting fancy Miss Huan? She’s no beauty, her family background isn’t worth mentioning, and not to mention she’s three years older than him!"
Liu Pozi slapped her thigh. "Exactly! Just now, an old sister asked me about this, and it gave me quite a fright. But rumors are already spreading in the mansion. Some say they saw the two strolling together in the garden, reciting poetry; others claim Miss Huan gave Third Master a scented sachet, and both of them blushed, gazing at each other affectionately; there’s even talk of Third Master shedding tears over fallen flowers because he thought of Miss Huan’s impending marriage... The stories are getting wilder, almost to the point of someone claiming to have seen Third Master kissing the young lady."
Xianglan grew more alarmed with each detail, but she couldn’t help chuckling at the last sentence. "Why trouble yourself over this, Mama? It’s their masters’ business, after all, and has nothing to do with us."
Liu Pozi replied, "How can it not matter? If the rumors turn out to be true, or if Miss Huan seizes the chance to cling to Third Master and really becomes a master of the Lin family, what then?"
Playing with her skirt ties, Xianglan said indifferently, "That’s exactly what Miss Huan is scheming for. She’s quite ambitious, but she might end up losing more than she gains."
Liu Pozi sighed deeply. "Who can say for sure? If she really manages to attach herself to Third Master, it’s not impossible for her to secure a position as a high-ranking concubine in the Lin family, given her status."
Xianglan said, "Do you think the Madams are pushovers? If she enters the household, it’ll be easier to deal with her. They could simply claim she’s unwell and send her to a manor to ‘recuperate’ for decades. No matter how cunning or vicious she is, what trouble could she cause then?"
Liu Pozi blinked, then looked at Xianglan and smiled. "Oh, my dear, I always thought you were a timid kitten, but hearing you say such things really surprises this old woman."
Xianglan smiled without responding. She had witnessed methods ten times more ruthless than this. Truth be told, while Cao Lihuan’s tricks weren’t sophisticated, they were highly effective. She was willing to risk everything, even ruining her own reputation, out of greed for the Lin family’s wealth.
As they were speaking, they heard Huier calling from outside, "Xianglan! Xianglan!"
Liu Pozi cursed under her breath, "Can’t even let us rest right after lunch!"Xianglan sighed, set down the cup, and stood up to leave. Huier shot her a sidelong glance and said, "Miss Huan is looking for you inside."
Xianglan went into the room, where Cao Lihuan handed her an envelope with a pleasant expression. "Take this to Third Master Ting at Woyun Courtyard."
Xianglan's heart sank, then she inwardly sneered. Cao Lihuan is quite clever—entrusting me with this clandestine exchange. If rumors ever get investigated, I'll be the first suspect. I'd never be able to clear my name even if I jumped into the Yellow River. She hesitated to take it. "Miss, what is this...?"
Cao Lihuan grew impatient but suppressed her irritation, maintaining a smile. "It's just some poetry drafts. Third Master knows about it. Just deliver it to him personally—make sure it goes directly into his hands. Be quick." For the first time ever, she gave Xianglan a handful of coins.
Leaving the room, Xianglan seethed with resentment. I already detest Cao Lihuan, and now she's trying to embroil me in this scheme. But I refuse to tolerate her underhanded tactics—I won't let her succeed!
Lost in thought, she exited the garden and glanced back to see Huairui following at a distance. She smirked coldly. Beyond the garden gate lay Lin Jinting's Woyun Courtyard. Entering the courtyard, she spotted a young maid watering flowers and approached her. "I'm Xianglan from Luoxue Courtyard. Miss Huan sent me to deliver something. Is Third Master available?"
The maid glanced at her. "Third Master is inside speaking with Eldest Master Song."
This was exactly what Xianglan wanted to hear. "Then I shouldn't disturb him. Is there any senior sister attending Third Master? Miss Huan said this is important and must be handed to someone reliable."
The maid studied her another moment before going inside. Soon the door curtain lifted, revealing a girl of fifteen or sixteen with peach-blossom cheeks and almond eyes. Though not exceptionally beautiful, she carried herself with grace—a fair, oval face arched with delicate brows, slightly high cheekbones. She wore a plain white embroidered jacket, a moon-white skirt, a silk-wrapped pearl hairpin, and white jade ginkgo earrings, dressed more like a young lady than a servant.
Xianglan immediately grew alert. Such attire means she's no ordinary first-rank maid—she must be Third Master's intimate servant. The maid introduced, "This is Sister Suju. You can speak with her."
Xianglan smiled warmly. "Greetings, Sister Suju. I'm Xianglan, a family-raised servant who recently joined the household. I currently serve at Luoxue Courtyard. Miss Huan asked me to deliver this to Third Master." She handed over the envelope.
Suju took the envelope and scrutinized Xianglan from head to toe. "Noted. I'll pass it to Third Master later."Seeing the young maid beside her had taken the water pot to water flowers elsewhere, Xianglan said to Suju: "Miss Huan sent me to deliver something, and it's a letter like this. I feel it's inappropriate. Miss Huan specifically instructed me to hand this letter to Third Master personally, which makes it even more improper... But we servants have no choice. Now that Third Master is older, I've also heard some rumors about Miss Huan and Third Master. Please consider this carefully, Sister Suju." With these words, Xianglan first clarified that she was a family-raised servant of the Lin family, having no connection whatsoever with the Cao family, while subtly hinting that this approach was improper. Anyone clever enough would understand her meaning - whether to advise their master or report to Second Madam, they should take precautions and clear Xianglan's involvement in this matter.
Suju was taken aback, never expecting Xianglan to say such things, and hesitated: "You... what do you mean?"
Xianglan's heart sank, thinking to herself: Could it be that Suju only has a pretty appearance? She had spoken so plainly and clearly, yet Suju still didn't understand? Feeling somewhat frustrated, Xianglan smiled slightly and said: "Sister Suju, although I serve Miss Huan, I am after all a maid of the Lin family. My loyalty remains with the Lin family."
Suju looked blank, still appearing confused. Just as Xianglan was about to say more, she saw Song Ke emerge from the room, his face showing surprise: "What brings you here?"
Xianglan curtseyed and said: "Greetings, Eldest Master Song. This humble maid has come to deliver something."
As soon as Song Ke opened his mouth, he noticed Suju standing nearby and said to her: "Xiuhong said he wants to eat milk pudding cake. You may go inside now." Suju, who had been feeling uncomfortable since Song Ke appeared, quickly entered the room upon hearing this. Song Ke smiled at Xianglan and said: "Haven't seen you for several days. What have you been doing lately?"
Seeing Song Ke's familiar attitude, as if they had been acquainted for a long time, Xianglan felt somewhat troubled. If he had been flirtatious or arrogant, she could have maintained a distant and cold demeanor. But Song Ke was always modest and polite, often wearing a warm smile that made it hard to dislike him. She sighed and said: "Nothing much, just doing needlework every day."
Today Song Ke wore a dark green satin straight gown embroidered with floral patterns, with an eight-treasure belt around his waist. His hair was tied up with just a bat-and-cloud hairpin, making him appear even more elegant and handsome. Smiling at Xianglan, he said: "Your needlework is excellent. When you have time, make me a case for the Four Treasures of the Study."
Xianglan forced a smile and said: "Eldest Master Song has so many maids around you. Surely one of them can make one quickly and well."
Song Ke said with a smile: "Their skills aren't as good as yours. Look at this pouch you mended - I carry it every day, and even my mother couldn't tell it had been repaired." As he spoke, he pointed to the pouch at his waist for Xianglan to see.
Xianglan could only respond perfunctorily: "Then I'll make one when I have time."" Thinking to leave, she suddenly had an idea and said to Song Ke: "Eldest Master Song, today Miss Huan sent me to deliver a letter to Third Master. Miss Huan said it contains some poems and repeatedly instructed me to hand it to Third Master personally."
Song Ke's expression changed slightly, but then he smiled again, nodded, and said calmly: "And then?""I find this matter inappropriate, but as a mere maid, I have no authority to decide. I just gave the letter to Sister Suju. At noon today, I overheard some rumors about Third Master and Miss Huan—the implications are obvious without further elaboration." Xianglan took a deep breath. "I even told Sister Suju earlier that, after all, I'm a maid of the Lin family, so my loyalty lies with the Lins. That's why I'm speaking out of turn..."
Song Ke maintained a faint smile and interrupted her: "I understand. I'll have Xiuhong take the letter to Second Madam later. You won't be implicated in this."
Xianglan finally breathed a sigh of relief. Speaking with clever people was so effortless. She nodded and said, "Thank you, Eldest Master Song. I'll take my leave now."
Song Ke said, "Make me a stationery set as thanks." His voice was very low, carried by the wind into Xianglan's ears. She pretended not to hear, stepped over the threshold, and left.
Returning to Luoxue Courtyard, Cao Lihuan immediately called Xianglan over and asked, "Did you deliver the item to Third Master in person?"
Xianglan nodded.
Cao Lihuan's face lit up with joy, and she pressed eagerly, "What did Third Master say? Did he ask you to relay any message to me?"
Xianglan was quite disapproving, thinking to herself, "This cousin is truly throwing all shame to the wind just to stay with the Lin family. Alas, it's a pity she doesn't understand that 'what is destined to be yours will come, what isn't cannot be forced.' All her scheming will ultimately backfire on her." Out loud, she fabricated a response: "Third Master just took the envelope and dismissed me without saying anything."
Cao Lihuan said sharply, "How could he say nothing! What exactly did you tell him at the time?"
Xianglan put on an honest and obedient expression: "I told Third Master that the envelope contained the poetry manuscripts you entrusted to him, and that he would understand everything once he saw its contents."
Cao Lihuan glared coldly, her eyebrows raised: "And then Third Master said nothing?"
Xianglan hummed in affirmation.
Cao Lihuan's face instantly darkened. She flicked her handkerchief and stormed into the bedroom. Huier hurriedly followed behind her. Xianglan silently exhaled in relief, sat on the soft couch, and poured half a bowl of tea to drink. But for some reason, she suddenly thought of Song Ke, recalling how his warm smile and gentle words somewhat resembled her previous husband, Xiao Hang. A wave of melancholy washed over her, and she stared blankly at the teacup for a while. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a dark blue fabric draped over the headrests. She thought, "This brocade material would be perfect for making a stationery set for the Four Treasures of the Study. Embroidering a few clusters of bamboo on it would make it even more exquisite." Then she immediately muttered "peh, peh" to herself, thinking how could she possibly do needlework again for that scheming master. She tossed the fabric aside, sat down in front of the embroidery frame, and gazed at the colorful mandarin ducks on the bright red pillowcase with a long sigh. Gathering her spirits, she began embroidering stitch by stitch.
OpenNovel