Lin Jinlou stretched out his arm, drew Xianglan into his embrace, closed his eyes, and fell asleep.
The next day, Lin Jinlou rose before dawn as usual to practice martial arts. Xianglan slept a while longer before getting up. The maids had already prepared everything needed for her bath.
Hua Shan first handed Xianglan a cup of warm tea. After drinking it, Xianglan went behind the screen to bathe.
Once she finished bathing, Ling Qing presented a lotus-root-colored jacket embroidered with plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemums, along with a dark green cotton-silk skirt. "Does Madam find these two pieces suitable?" she asked.
Noticing the clothes were smooth and unwrinkled, unlike garments long stored in chests, Xianglan knew Ling Qing had sprayed them with liquor and ironed them. She nodded and changed into the outfit. Xue Ning then offered green salt for teeth cleaning, while Ling Su held the spittoon. After washing up, Ling Qing brought out the yellow jade beauty cream for the face. Xianglan used a small jade hairpin stick to scoop some and applied it evenly.
Meanwhile, Hua Shan had already brought a large octagonal lacquered box inlaid with mother-of-pearl peonies. Inside were matching sets of pouches, jade pendants, and waist ornaments. Ling Qing selected three and fastened them to Xianglan’s waist. Xue Ning then presented a square box of the same design, filled with various bracelets, and invited Xianglan to choose. Xianglan picked a pair of jade ones. Xue Ning smiled and said, "It’s fashionable nowadays to wear three bracelets on one wrist—one jade, one gold, with a coral or tortoiseshell one in between." She then took two more pairs and slipped them onto Xianglan’s wrists.
Just then, Xiao Juan entered rubbing her eyes. Seeing Xianglan already freshened up, she stepped forward, picked up a boxwood comb, and said cheerfully, "The journey was too exhausting—I overslept this morning. Let me do your hair, Madam." Xiao Juan was known for her swift and skillful hairdressing, often devising new styles. She instructed Hua Shan to bring the large round box of hairpins and ornaments, selected pieces to style Xianglan’s hair, and finally clipped a peony from the large porcelain vase nearby to adorn the bun.
Hua Shan watched intently, stuck out her tongue, and whispered to Xue Ning beside her, "Madam is so beautiful. With these jewels and flowers, she looks even lovelier than Guanyin portrayed at the temple fairs."
"Madam has said that all the young ladies in the manor combined don’t compare to her in looks," Xue Ning replied, closing the jewelry boxes and locking them with copper locks. "In my opinion, it’s not just those in the manor—we’ve hosted many young ladies, and none surpass her. Some may have pretty features, but they lack her grace..." She sighed, swallowing the rest of her thought—"pity about her background."
Hua Shan pouted. "Madam is gentle, but the Eldest Master is rather intimidating. He makes it hard to breathe freely."
Xianglan overheard this and, considering Hua Shan was only ten and still childish, beckoned her over. She gave her a handful of fruits, comforted her, patted her head, and asked how she had slept and if she was settling in.
Hua Shan answered each question, adding that Xue Ning had given her two slightly worn but still new clothes. She was chattering animatedly when Lin Jinlou strode in, his robe open, carrying a sword. He called out thirstily for tea. Hua Shan froze, wide-eyed, stammered, "Madam, I—I’ll go to the kitchen for the dishes," then ducked her head and bolted out faster than a rabbit.
Lin Jinlou paused, startled by the little maid darting past him.
Fearing his anger, Xianglan quickly stood and said, "I asked her to check on the kitchen."Lin Jinlou snorted as he sat down and said, "Indeed, a maid resembles her master. All of you from the Chen Family are like mice—timid as rats, acting as if you’ve seen a ghost whenever you lay eyes on me." With that, he took the tea and gulped it down in one go. "After the meal, we’ll go together to my second brother’s place. By rights, they should be the ones coming here, but my second brother’s health is frail, so we’ll head over there instead." After speaking, he went behind the screen to wash up and change his clothes.
After the meal, Xianglan followed Lin Jinlou to the courtyard where Lin Jinxuan lived. The courtyard was vast, lush with flowers and trees, and various roses climbed all over the wall. At the entrance, two cats lay lazily basking in the sun.
Xianglan praised, "This place truly embodies the beauty of spring."
Shu Ran, hearing this, smiled and said, "Originally, the Second Master didn’t live here; he resided in the side chamber of the main house. Later, when he was about to marry, two courtyards were merged and renovated, and he moved here."
As they spoke, the two followed Lin Jinlou into the courtyard, where they saw two maids dressed in bright red and green already standing there. Upon seeing Lin Jinlou, they hurriedly lifted the curtain and said, "The Second Master has been talking about you for a long time, Eldest Master. You’ve finally arrived."
Everyone entered and saw a slender man sitting in the main hall. He had delicate and refined features, fair skin, and an elegant, scholarly demeanor, bearing a sixty percent resemblance to Lin Changzheng. However, his cheeks carried a sickly pallor, as if he suffered from a chronic ailment. Upon their entry, he quickly stood up and bowed, saying, "Elder Brother, you’ve come."
Beside him stood a tall young woman and a middle-aged lady over forty. Seeing him rise, they immediately reached out to support him.
Lin Jinlou also hurried forward and made a gesture to assist him, saying, "There’s no need for such formality between brothers. Please, sit down."
Once seated, the tall young woman stepped forward first to offer tea to Lin Jinlou. This was none other than Madam Tan, Lin Jinxuan’s newlywed wife. Xianglan observed that she had a fair complexion, a face as round as a silver platter, and eyes like apricots. A few faint pockmarks dotted her face, adding a touch of charm. She wore a gold-threaded bun adorned with a gold phoenix hairpin holding a pearl, a gold necklace around her neck, a bright red "Hundred Sons" robe, and a red Scattered Flowers Skirt. Her waist was as slender as a willow, her bosom full, and her back narrow. Dressed like this, she resembled a radiant lantern, exuding an air of grace and elegance.
Lin Jinlou accepted the tea, and Shu Ran immediately handed Madam Tan a thick red envelope. Holding the tea, Lin Jinlou took a sip and said, "Before I came, the Old Master specifically instructed me to tell you that since the elders are all in Jinling, he fears you might feel neglected."
Madam Tan hurriedly replied, "I am deeply moved by the ancestors’ concern. It is truly an honor." She then instructed the maids to lay out a kneeling cushion and kowtowed once in the direction of Jinling.
Lin Jinlou felt that Madam Tan was sensible and well-mannered, so he nodded in approval and gave her a faint smile.
Madam Tan’s heart fluttered uncontrollably, her face instantly flushing red as she lowered her head and stepped aside.
Lin Jinlou paid no attention to this and, pointing to Xianglan, said to Lin Jinxuan, "This is your new sister-in-law." He then introduced everyone to Xianglan one by one: "This is my second brother, this is his wife, and this is my father’s concubine, Yin Yiniang." Xianglan greeted each of them in turn.
Yin Yiniang had an oval face, and it was evident that she had been quite beautiful in her youth. She was of average height but appeared somewhat older than Qin Shi. A flattering smile hung on her face as she listened to Lin Jinlou introduce Xianglan. Exchanging a glance with Lin Jinxuan, she enthusiastically praised, "So exquisite, like a blooming flower! Such grace and beauty—you won’t find a single young lady in the entire capital who can compare!"Lin Jinxuan, however, was preoccupied with a different thought. Though his elder brother was widely known for his romantic escapades and had a discerning eye, the women he kept in his chambers were merely beautiful maidservants. The only exception was Qinglan, who had been elevated to the status of concubine at the insistence of the legal wife. During her time in the capital, Qinglan had lived in great splendor, respected by all as if she were the legitimate Da Nǎinai. Yet even under those circumstances, his elder brother had never formally introduced her with such solemnity or asked him to address her as "little sister-in-law." This clearly indicated that this woman was both highly favored and extraordinary. Upon closer inspection, she indeed possessed striking beauty and refined manners. Not daring to slight her, he promptly offered a respectful bow.
Xianglan sidestepped, declining the gesture.
Yin Yiniang, seeing Lin Jinlou merely sitting there with a smile, felt a surge of irritation. She thought to herself, "Where did this Little Fox Spirit come from? She’s not the legitimate Da Nǎinai, yet she has my son, a young master of noble birth, lowering himself to bow to her!" But she dared not offend Lin Jinlou, so she remained silent and standing.
After a moment, Lin Jinlou inquired about Lin Jinxuan’s health, the medicines he had been taking, and whether he had resumed his studies recently.
Lin Jinxuan replied, "I fell mildly ill during the transition from winter to spring, but I’ve largely recovered now. We summoned a physician from the Imperial Medical Bureau, who prescribed a new formula focused on gentle nourishment. I’ve improved significantly these days, and my old ailments haven’t recurred, though I still suffer from night sweats. As for studies, I’ve only just picked them up again recently... I still intend to sit for the imperial examinations next autumn."
Lin Jinlou said, "Your health is the priority; studies can wait. Later, we can secure an official position for you through donation. If you wish to enter the Hanlin Academy, our family has the connections."
Lin Jinxuan then asked after the elders in the family, and Lin Jinlou provided updates. After some casual conversation, noticing Lin Jinxuan appeared weary, Lin Jinlou rose to take his leave.
On the way back, Xianglan reflected that Lin Jinxuan was indeed frail, so thin he was little more than skin and bones. His new wife, Madam Tan, however, was a beauty—the illegitimate daughter of a fourth-rank civil official. Xianglan privately surmised that, given Madam Tan’s background and looks, she would never have settled for a sickly illegitimate son like Lin Jinxuan. Thinking this, she voiced her thoughts to Shu Ran.
Lin Jinlou paused mid-step, turned his head, and sneered, "Though Tan Siye holds a fourth-rank position, he’s stationed in a remote backwater and has offended his superiors, with no hope of future promotion. Otherwise, why would he eagerly offer up his daughter? At the latest, by next year, my father will recommend him for a post in Shandong. Though it’s neither a promotion nor a demotion, it’s a prosperous region. Originally, he wanted to marry off his legitimate daughter, but Grandfather found it unseemly. This Madam Tan is the most accomplished among the Tan family’s daughters—her appearance and temperament are the finest, and I’ve heard she excels at needlework, board games, and even plays the moon lute skillfully. My father personally evaluated her and selected her."
Xianglan was taken aback and said, "But what if she’s unwilling..."
"Nonsense! How could she be unwilling? She agreed eagerly."
Xianglan thought to herself, "I’m afraid she was happy to agree at the time, but after marrying and discovering Lin Jinxuan’s frail condition, it’s too late for regrets."
By then, they had reached the courtyard where they resided. Lin Jinlou pinched Xianglan’s cheek and said, "Go back and rest. Once I’ve finished my duties, I’ll take you out for some leisure." He paused, then coughed lightly and added, "Second Brother is simple-hearted, but his concubine is meddlesome. You may interact with his people if you wish, but if you prefer not to, there’s no need to see them."
Xianglan lowered her head and murmured, "Mm."Lin Jinlou was inwardly fuming, thinking to himself, "What kind of heart does this woman have? I’ve even considered this for her, and all she gives me is an 'Mm'? Any other woman would have been gazing at me with tender affection by now." His expression immediately darkened, and with a grim face, he said, "Then I’ll take my leave."
Shu Ran, who saw the situation clearly, stood to the side pretending to be oblivious. She wanted to give Xianglan a hint but didn’t dare.
Seeing that Lin Jinlou still hadn’t left, Xianglan made small talk and asked softly, "Will Eldest Master be back for lunch?" It was a question, but because she spoke so softly, Lin Jinlou interpreted it as Xianglan inviting him to return for the midday meal. His expression immediately improved, and he replied, "Mm, I’ll be back." Only then did he leisurely turn and leave.
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