Meanwhile, Ling Qing and Ling Su were tidying up in the side room. As Ling Su untied the bundle and placed the clothes into the cabinet, she suddenly sighed and said, "I truly never expected the Lin family to be like this."
The two of them had secretly discussed it on the road, thinking the Lin residence would merely be a larger estate than the one in Yangzhou. But upon arriving here, the sight of the two large stone lions crouching outside the three beast-headed main gates alone left them stunned. Seeing the grand and imposing buildings within the compound, the dignified atmosphere, and the servants' refined clothing and daily necessities only deepened their astonishment.
When they entered the Hall of Knowing Spring and saw Xianglan surrounded by seven or eight maids—all sharp-tongued and assertive—they realized they might not easily find a place among them. Fortunately, Xianglan later decided to keep them by her side to manage affairs, which allowed them to breathe a sigh of relief. However, when Chunling brought them to the side room earlier, she had frowned and glared, her face cold enough to form a layer of frost, her demeanor aloof. Recognizing Chunling's status as a respected and important maid favored by Xianglan, and being newcomers themselves, they had no choice but to swallow their pride and respond meekly.
Ling Qing exchanged a glance with her, both sharing the same unspoken unease as they silently continued tidying. The initial excitement they had felt about coming to the Lin family had long since vanished like a wisp of smoke.
Ling Su tugged at Ling Qing’s sleeve and whispered, "Tell me, should we call her 'Da Nǎinai' or follow the others and call her 'Miss'?"
Ling Qing furrowed her brows. Before Xie Yu sent them to the Lin family, he had instructed them to serve a noble lady and to address her promptly as "Da Nǎinai." Initially, seeing Lin Jinlou’s attentiveness and Xianglan’s dignified bearing, they had assumed she was the legitimate wife. But after hearing Liu Xiaochuan and others call her "little sister-in-law," they began to sense something amiss, speculating that Xianglan might be a favored concubine. Now, hearing everyone in the residence refer to her as "Miss," they realized she wasn’t even a concubine. Yet, observing how she was surrounded by attendants and resided in the main quarters, she seemed even more esteemed than the legitimate wife.
The two looked at each other and simultaneously let out a sigh.
Xianglan had been napping in the warm chamber and woke at dusk. Xiao Juan, who was sitting by the heated kang making shoes, noticed her stirring and quickly set down her work, asking, "Miss, you’re awake? Would you like some tea?" She then handed over a cup of warm tea from the small table.
Xianglan took a sip, got up to change her clothes, and noticing only Xiao Juan was present, asked, "Why are there only two of you? Where are the others?"Xiao Juan said, "Madam is so busy managing the weddings of Third Master and Fourth Miss that she simply can't handle everything, so she asked Lianxin and Tinglan to help. Xue Ning said that Ling Qing and Ling Su are new here and unfamiliar with the place, so she's taking them around for a tour. Chunling is in the back, tidying up the young lady's luggage." Xiao Juan opened the mirror case and cosmetic box, holding an ivory comb in her hand as she deftly styled Xianglan's hair, chattering away: "You've just returned, so you probably don't know about all the changes in the mansion. That little minx Zidai was dismissed by Eldest Master, leaving a first-class vacancy in the Hall of Knowing Spring. Not only are the second-class maids in our courtyard eyeing it, but even the maids from Old Madam and Madam's quarters are green with envy, all trying to worm their way in! At the time, Eldest Master was rarely home, and Madam had been ill for a while. After recovering, she threw herself into preparing for Second Master's wedding—how could she possibly have time to manage this? You wouldn't believe it, but Chunling was watching like a black-boned chicken. When rumors spread that Qiangwei from Madam's quarters might be transferred here, Chunling actually quarreled with her. They used to be so close, but they fell out over this."
Xianglan thought to herself, "Chunling has always been ambitious and competitive. Back when we were maids together, she aspired to be a 'deputy young lady.' It's only natural that she'd set her sights on this now. But her temperament is still too impatient, and her tongue is sharp—though such traits are hard to change."
Xiao Juan held a gold hairpin inlaid with pearls against Xianglan's hair, decided it didn't look right, and swapped it for a larger turquoise coral hairpin. She secured the stray strands with delicate smaller pins, all the while continuing her chatter: "Sister Shu Ran also felt it was improper to leave the matter unresolved. She thought Sister Tinglan was kind, reserved, and always diligent, so she recommended her, and Eldest Master agreed. Amitabha! As the saying goes, 'When the snipe and clam grapple, the fisherman profits.' Chunling's face was dark with anger for half a month, and so many people secretly gnashed their teeth and laughed at her. Chunling has been brooding over it ever since—ah, why bother?" She stuck her tongue out at Xianglan's reflection in the mirror and added, "With Tinglan promoted to first-class, I benefited too. Sister Shu Ran promoted me to second-class, so now I'm on the same level as Chunling. If she tries to put on airs and scold me again, I'll just ignore her."
Xianglan couldn't help but laugh. "She's not a bad person—it's just her nature."
Xiao Juan pouted. "Young lady, you're too kind-hearted, and that's why she acts this way. Next time she dares to be disrespectful, you should teach her a lesson." As she spoke, she finished styling the hair. Then she clipped three apricot blossoms from a branch in a nearby vase and tucked them into Xianglan's hair.
Xianglan said, "Setting aside the fact that Chunling once did me a great favor, just think—when I left the mansion and later returned to the Hall of Knowing Spring, as you well know, I had no one to rely on. Aside from you, Chunling, and Tinglan, there was no one who genuinely helped me. You were still young then, and Tinglan is too honest. It was only thanks to Chunling's boldness that she managed everything for me. If she's a bit quick-tempered, it's no great fault. Considering her sincere heart toward me, what couldn't I forgive?"
Xiao Juan opened her mouth to reply but sighed instead. "Ah, if only she knew your intentions."
Just then, Lin Jinlou strode in. "I came back earlier, but you were still asleep. You're up already?" He stepped aside. "See who's here."
Xianglan looked closely, then sprang to her feet in delight. "Father! Mother!"The ones who had arrived were Chen Wanquan and his wife. Seeing Xianglan was like witnessing a dragon descending from the heavens. Xue Shi rushed forward a few steps ahead, pulled Xianglan into her arms, and hugged her tightly while calling her "my darling" repeatedly. Chen Wanquan's eyes reddened; he wanted to step forward but hesitated, standing awkwardly to the side with his hands and feet held back.
Xianglan had not returned home for some time. During the New Year, when Xue Shi tried to visit her daughter at the Lin residence, she was stopped by the servants. Only Qin Shi met with her briefly, bestowed some gifts, and mentioned that Xianglan had accompanied Lin Jinlou to the estate. Seeing everyone speak vaguely, Xue Shi grew increasingly anxious, but there was nothing she could do. The New Year passed without joy. Chen Wanquan went out to inquire and heard whispers that Xianglan had gone missing at the temple. The couple's hair turned white with worry, yet they still clung to a sliver of hope. Now that they saw Xianglan again, their hearts finally settled, and they couldn't help but hold their daughter and shed tears.
With red-rimmed eyes, Xue Shi said, "My dear girl, let me take a good look at you." She held Xianglan's arm and examined her from head to toe, then embraced her again, weeping, "My child, as long as you are safe, it is my greatest blessing."
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