That morning after breakfast, Tan Luhua had attended to Lin Jinxuan while he took his medicine, then instructed the maids to open the windows and air out the medicinal smell. Lin Jinxuan, dressed in casual home clothes, reclined against the headboard reading when Cai Ming entered and announced, "Two newly tailored garments for this season have arrived. Second Mistress should come try them on."
Tan Luhua hurried out of the room. Passing through the side chamber, she glimpsed two figures seated inside and immediately halted, retreating two steps to peer stealthily. There sat Concubine Yin and Qian Luo conversing on the heated brick bed in the side chamber.
Feeling guilty as a thief fearing exposure, Tan Luhua quickly slipped outside and stood in the courtyard, pressing her ear against the window. She heard Qian Luo saying, "...I saw it clearly when I passed the storeroom earlier—over a dozen maids and matrons crowded around that new concubine. With just one glance from her, they all scurried about obsequiously. Good heavens, such grandeur! Forgive my bluntness, but with her status, how does she deserve this? Even someone of your standing, Concubine, who has borne the eldest young lady and Second Master, never carried on so shamelessly."
Concubine Yin replied, "My child, mind your words—don't let that overlord in the household hear you. That one is not to be provoked."
Qian Luo sneered, "I only acknowledge Second Master. Who cares about anyone else?"
These words resonated deeply with Concubine Yin. Patting Qian Luo's hand, she said, "I know you're a good one. Since that person married into the family, scarcely any maids in this entire compound pay me any mind. Only you still visit my room occasionally."
Qian Luo simply smiled before pausing to add, "Don't fret too much, Concubine... Truthfully, I'd thought when Second Mistress married in, you might finally enjoy some better days. They say she was renowned in her maiden household for both talent and beauty—surely skilled at managing affairs. Had she taken charge of the capital residence, wouldn't our lives be more comfortable now? Who could have predicted Chen Xianglan would appear out of nowhere? A former maid without a single child to her name, yet she's seized control of the household, while a proper mistress like her becomes mere decoration. It's downright laughable."
This speech struck another chord with Concubine Yin. Slapping her thigh, she exclaimed, "Ah! Remarkable! No wonder we two are kindred spirits. Exactly! The one in the main room is just a paper figurine—good only for propping up and displaying. Utterly useless in every regard. See how thoroughly Chen Xianglan has subdued her—she can't intervene in matters great or small, only indulges in fine food and drink, adorns herself in gold and silver, keeps adding new gowns despite already having dozens, spends silver like flowing water, and always dolled up like some seductress. Speaks to people without the slightest courtesy—always leaves me breathless with frustration. Has she forgotten who bore Jinxuan? And to think she comes from a noble family—such petty vulgarity! Not half as sensible as you."
Qian Luo had precisely baited Concubine Yin into this outburst. Pressing her lips in a faint smile, she demurred, "Oh, Concubine, you really shouldn't say such things. I could never compare to Second Mistress..."As the saying goes, "Words are like tigers blocking the road." In this world, there are few truly tolerant and cultivated individuals, while those who nitpick and haggle over every detail abound. They particularly cannot bear idle grievances, and upon hearing even a slight criticism, immediately fly into a rage. After listening to these words, Tan Luhua felt fury rising from her heart, thinking to herself: "That little wretch Qian Luo is stirring up trouble again. Before, when she loved running to the Concubine's room, I couldn't be bothered to deal with her, but now she's truly making up stories about me. Fine, fine, fine! Just wait and see what kind of life you'll have from now on! People shouldn't be so opportunistic. What kind of good deeds are these? If you're truly dissatisfied, go confront Lin Bawang directly. Bullying the honest and picking on the weak—let's see if I'll allow it!" After thinking it through, she first resolved to assert her authority in front of Xianglan, then return to deal with those two. So she straightened her dress, beckoned Cai Feng over, and headed toward Xianglan's place.
Xianglan was busy because Qin Shi was coming. The courtyard where she had previously lived was being cleaned and decorated again, and Lin Dongxiu was to be settled in what was formerly Lin Jinting's bridal chamber. On Lin Jinlou's orders, Xianglan reopened the storeroom and, according to Qin Shi's preferences, selected several curios to rearrange the space. When Lin Changzheng returned to Jinling, he had already taken all the valuable items with him, so what remained in the storeroom was nothing remarkable. Fortunately, Qin Shi was not one who loved luxury and extravagance. Xianglan picked a few simple yet elegant pieces and considered borrowing a few items from Chun Tang Hall.
Just as Xianglan stood at the storeroom entrance, having selected a pair of vases, she saw a child waving a willow branch, hopping and skipping toward her. Upon seeing Xianglan, the child paused in surprise. Xianglan recognized him as Yuan Shaoren's youngest son and beckoned with a smile, saying, "De Ge'er, come here quickly."
De Ge'er pursed his lips, looking a bit shy. Xianglan walked over, took his hand, and led him to a stone bench under the dense shade. Seeing him covered in mud like a little monkey, she guessed he must have been up to some mischief earlier. Looking into his eyes, which were exactly like Shen Jialian's, Xianglan felt both tender and sorrowful. She ordered a maid to bring some fruit, patted his little head, and asked, "Who did you come with?"
De Ge'er swung his little legs and said, "My dad. He went to talk with Uncle Lin." Then he reached for the pastries on the plate. Xianglan quickly stopped him, had a maid fetch a basin of water, and personally wrung out a cloth to wipe his face and hands. She made him drink a bowl of light tea first before allowing him to eat the pastries, all the while asking him about what books he had read and what martial arts he practiced daily.
Just then, Tan Luhua arrived. Seeing the anger and irritation on her face, Xianglan knew she came with ill intentions. She quickly stood up and said with a smile, "Second Mistress is here. Please help me choose what decorations to use when Taitai arrives." As she spoke, she signaled Xiao Juan with her eyes and said, "Go brew a good cup of tea for Second Mistress."
Tan Luhua, who had been full of grievances, felt her anger subside slightly upon hearing Xianglan's words. Putting on airs, she sneered and said, "I wouldn't dare. This is something Eldest Brother ordered you to do. Even though I am the proper mistress, I shouldn't presume to take on such a responsibility."Everyone knew that by mentioning "the real mistress," Tan Luhua was here to pick a fight. Xianglan pretended not to have heard, maintaining a smile as she said, "Second Mistress, your clothes, jewelry, and even the incense you use are all the latest fashion from the capital. With such discerning taste, you certainly can't go wrong. Early this morning, the Master insisted I handle this matter, but how could I possibly have the eye for it? I had long intended to send someone to invite you over to lend your expertise, but the Second Master scolded me, saying, 'Don’t you know your brother hasn’t been feeling well these past couple of days? Your sister-in-law has been attending to him at night and is too busy during the day to spare a moment. Even when she has a bit of free time, she needs to rest. How could she possibly come over? Selecting a few decorative items is a trivial matter—why make such a fuss over it?' Since the Master said so, I didn’t dare disturb you. Sister-in-law, you haven’t yet experienced the Master’s temperament—he’s always been one to stand by his word. If things are done properly, all is well, but if there’s even the slightest detail that doesn’t meet his expectations, he’ll lose his temper. I’ve been worried that my selections might not suit the Master’s taste and that I’d have no one to consult with. Thankfully, you’ve come, Second Mistress."
Upon hearing this, Tan Luhua’s initial burst of anger, which she had intended to vent on Xianglan, dissipated completely. She thought to herself, "So you want me to help you choose, and if Lin Jinlou is unhappy later, you’ll shift the blame onto me? Dream on." Aloud, she said, "Since it’s the elder brother who asked you to handle it, I shouldn’t interfere too much. I came here to ask for a teacup. Yesterday, a clumsy little maid broke one, and now a perfectly good set is incomplete."
Xianglan smiled and said, "We have plenty of teacups." She led Tan Luhua to the storeroom, where Tan Luhua took a small Zisha teacup and then took her leave.
Xiao Juan approached and said, "What was she doing here out of the blue? When she arrived earlier, her face was ashen, clearly looking for trouble, and her words were full of barbs. Pah! Mistress, why are you afraid of her?"
Xianglan replied, "A year ago, I would have retorted in such situations. But now, thinking back, it seems rather pointless to engage in such petty squabbles. A few soothing words to make her happy are enough. We’ve always lived our lives without interfering with each other—why make enemies everywhere?"
Meanwhile, Yuan Shaoren stood outside the arched gate, witnessing the entire scene. He had originally come looking for De Ge’er but paused when he saw the child sitting with Xianglan. He watched as Xianglan meticulously wiped De Ge’er’s face and head, brushed off his clothes, and offered him food. Her expression was full of affection, as though De Ge’er were her own child, and he felt a sudden pang in his heart.
Upon returning home, Yuan Shaoren found a handkerchief in De Ge’er’s sleeve. In the upper right corner was embroidered a cluster of orchids, and in the lower left, a lotus flower. Yuan Shaoren was astonished and immediately called De Ge’er over, asking, "Where did this handkerchief come from?"
De Ge’er replied, "The fairy-like sister used it to wipe my face and hands today."
Yuan Shaoren sat silently for a long time, holding the handkerchief, lost in thought. Truly, nothing in this world exists without its counterpart. In the past, Jialian had also owned several handkerchiefs like this, with identical patterns and colors. He had once asked her, "In this world, people either pair peonies with magnolias to symbolize 'wealth and honor fill the hall,' or lotuses with osmanthus to signify 'continuous birth of noble sons.' What does it mean when you embroider orchids and lotuses together like this?"
Shen Jialian had explained, "When we were children and made needlework for our parents, my elder sister would always embroider a cluster of orchids, and I would add a lotus flower below. Nowadays, when I make handkerchiefs and can’t decide on a pattern, I just embroider this."Yuan Shaoren held the handkerchief, letting out a long sigh as he thought to himself, "Lianniang, has a fragment of your spirit attached itself to Chen Xianglan? Otherwise, why would her character and demeanor resemble yours so closely? Although De Ge'er is an endearing child, such a motherly expression isn't something everyone possesses. And now, even this handkerchief is identical—could such a coincidence truly exist in this world?" He then recalled how Xianglan had calmly soothed Madam Tan's anger with just a few words at the storeroom entrance and shook his head silently. "Jialian was fond of jesting, lively and talkative—quite different from Xianglan's temperament. Had she encountered today's incident, she would have retaliated against Madam Tan without such patience. If only she had possessed even a fraction of Xianglan's tact and less of her own temper, things might have been different..."
The sky suddenly darkened, and a gusty wind rose, as if rain was imminent.
De Ge'er rushed forward, clinging to Yuan Shaoren's arm, calling out, "Father, Father?"
Yuan Shaoren finally snapped out of his reverie with a murmured "Hmm," stroking De Ge'er's round, dusky little face. He gazed into the child's eyes for a long moment before silently pulling his son into a tight embrace.
(Xiao He has a Weibo account; you can search for "He Yanshan." Please check the pinned post for group joining methods.)
Apologies, everyone, for the delayed update of this chapter. It was truly because... it was difficult to write. These setup chapters are actually the hardest. I drafted several approaches but wasn't satisfied with any, scrapped thousands of words, cut out many rambling dialogues, and agonized over it for quite a while. Let's go with this version for now—the next chapter will be much better.
Thank you to kmtk11011101 for four sachets, kmtk11011101 for seven Peace Talismans, Rongyu8163 and Jiaxin Yining for Peace Talismans, and also thank you all for the pink votes.
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