Early the next morning, Xianglan attended to Lin Jinlou as he rose to practice martial arts, then returned to bed for a short nap. It was only when Ling Qing called from outside the curtain that she finally got up. After washing, Xiao Juan brought over the dressing case for Xianglan to do her hair. It was already late spring, and the mornings still carried a chill. Finding her spring gown too thin, Xianglan draped a sleeveless jacket embroidered with plum, orchid, and chrysanthemum motifs over it.
Xiao Juan came over and stroked the fabric a couple of times, exclaiming enviously, "This material is so smooth! Clothes made from high-grade silk are truly different. Paired with this embroidery pattern, it's absolutely perfect."
Seeing no one else around, Xianglan lowered her voice and said, "There's a bit of this fabric left. If you use it sparingly, you could make a sleeveless jacket. If you like this pattern, I'll draw one for you later."
Xiao Juan exclaimed joyfully, "Really?" She shook Xianglan's arm, saying, "Dear mistress, dear sister, you're the one who cares for me most... I don't want the pattern on your clothes—if I embroider it, it would be too eye-catching when worn. If you have time, just give me a simpler one, like a peach blossom branch or a landscape. It would be easier to embroider and wouldn't waste the fabric."
Xianglan agreed repeatedly. Seeing Xiao Juan's delighted expression, she couldn't help but smile and say, "Your birthday is this month. Pick a day when the Eldest Master is away, and the few of us can close the doors, order a table of good dishes, and have a proper celebration."
Before she could finish her sentence, Lin Jinlou walked in wiping sweat from his brow, half an hour earlier than usual. He sat down directly beside Xianglan, pinched her chin, and stared at her face, asking, "What were you talking about just now? You looked so happy." Noticing Xianglan's cheeks flushing pink, he lowered his voice and said, "I remember when you were a maid, you'd wear an orchid in your hair, gaze at your reflection in the lake, and sing and laugh. You should smile more often." With that, he leaned in to kiss her.
Xianglan blushed with embarrassment, dodging and pushing Lin Jinlou away, saying, "Eldest Master, go wash up first. You're covered in sweat."
Seeing the teasing, amorous look in Lin Jinlou's eyes, Xiao Juan deftly served tea and slipped away.
Xianglan couldn't evade him and ended up being held and kissed by Lin Jinlou before he released her and said, "Don't eat anything yet, and don't drink tea. A doctor will be here soon to check your pulse."
Xianglan asked in surprise, "A doctor? I'm not sick. Why is a doctor coming?"
Lin Jinlou replied, "You haven't been able to conceive. I've found a highly skilled imperial physician to examine you."
This statement shocked Xianglan to her core. She hurriedly said, "I... I'm not sick, I..."
Seeing her pale face, Lin Jinlou assumed she was afraid he would resent her for being unable to bear children. He said dismissively, "What are you afraid of? Of course, you're not sick. Having a doctor examine you and help you recuperate is a good thing." He then called the maids to prepare washing supplies and said to Xue Ning, "Keep an eye on her. Don't let your mistress eat or drink anything." With that, he went behind the screen to bathe.
Xianglan sat outside, restless and uneasy, clutching her handkerchief so tightly it was nearly damp with sweat.
Just after his bath, someone outside announced, "Doctor Zhang has arrived." Lin Jinlou quickly changed his clothes and invited him into the hall. After exchanging pleasantries, he said, "I've invited you here today to examine the health of a member of my household."
Zhang Shiyou asked, "What ailment does she suffer from? Has she seen a doctor before? Were any prescriptions left?"
Lin Jinlou replied, "It's my beloved concubine. She's in good health, but she hasn't been able to conceive for a long time, which is causing concern."This statement gave Zhang Shiyou a clear understanding. Among high officials and noble families, there were many who sought fertility treatments, but most were the legitimate wives who discreetly requested consultations. This was the first time he had been asked to examine a concubine. Zhang Shiyou was inwardly astonished but showed no trace of it on his face. Upon entering the chamber, he saw three or four maidservants dressed in vibrant silks and satins, all more elegant than ordinary young ladies. Among them was a beautiful woman seated on the bed, whose appearance was exceptionally striking. Zhang Shiyou calculated inwardly: in his thirty years of serving aristocratic and noble households, the number of women he had seen who could match such beauty could be counted on one hand. He suddenly understood why Lin Jinlou had specifically requested a medical examination for her. He then turned to Lin Jinlou and asked, "Is this the lady of the household?"
Lin Jinlou replied, "Indeed. I must trouble you, venerable sir, to examine her pulse."
The maidservants brought over large headrests. Xianglan had no choice but to roll up her sleeve and expose her wrist. Zhang Shiyou first pressed on her right pulse, carefully diagnosing for a while, then requested her left pulse and inquired about her daily diet and other matters before rising and saying, "Let us go outside to sit."
When they reached the main hall, an elderly servant served tea. Zhang Shiyou took a few sips, and Lin Jinlou asked, "Venerable sir, what do you think of her condition…"
Zhang Shiyou said, "Based on the lady’s pulse, her left pulse is deep and sluggish, her right pulse lacks vitality, her heart energy is weak, and she suffers from blood deficiency and qi stagnation…"
Lin Jinlou grew impatient listening to Zhang Shiyou recite medical texts and interrupted, "Please speak plainly, venerable sir. Will her condition affect her ability to bear children?"
Zhang Shiyou smiled and said, "It will not hinder her. However, she must be carefully nursed back to health. I will prescribe a formula—take several doses and focus on recuperation. Since your household lacks no funds, use only the finest herbs. There should also be some moderation in marital relations; for the first two months after taking the medicine, it should not be too frequent. Fortunately, the lady is still young. With quick recovery in three months or slower recovery in half a year, she will be fully restored, and there will be no hindrance to childbearing."
Lin Jinlou smiled and said, "That is good. There is no issue with using any expensive medicine." He knew that Zhang Shiyou was accustomed to such conditions and had seen many difficult cases. If he said there was no hindrance, then it was truly no hindrance. A smile unconsciously appeared on his face.
Zhang Shiyou added, "However, this concubine worries excessively, which may harm her liver. I will prescribe another formula to soothe the liver, and she must take good care of herself daily." With that, he picked up a brush and swiftly wrote two prescriptions, then gave Lin Jinlou further instructions.
Lin Jinlou, feeling relieved, took out a thick red envelope and said, "This is but a small token of my gratitude. I may have to trouble you again in the future."
Zhang Shiyou reached out to take it and felt its substantial weight. He accepted it graciously and said with a smile, "General Lin, you are too kind."
Just then, Shu Ran entered to refill the tea. She signaled to Lin Jinlou with her eyes, and he understood, excusing himself to step outside. Shu Ran whispered, "Eldest Master, Concubine Yin has come. She said the Second Master has been listless since this morning. Hearing that you had invited a physician, she wishes to ask the physician to examine him."
Lin Jinlou relayed this to Zhang Shiyou and instructed an elderly servant to escort the physician. After reviewing the prescriptions and confirming they contained nourishing and restorative ingredients, he called Shu Ran over and handed her the prescriptions, saying, "There is a medicinal herb shop owned by our family in the capital. Use these prescriptions to procure ten doses of the finest herbs. If our shop lacks high-quality ingredients, purchase them from outside." He paused before adding, "Have Xu Fu handle this matter personally. When he returns, have the medicine decocted and given to Xianglan. Make sure to watch her take it yourself."
Shu Ran said, "When I entered to refill the tea earlier, I overheard a few of the physician’s words. There are some things I am unsure whether I should mention."Lin Jinlou said, "Speak."
Shu Ran said, "Although Xianglan has a gentle and pleasant disposition, often smiling when she meets people, she is actually extremely strong-willed inside. She is meticulous and perceptive, and such a thoughtful nature has understandably caused stagnation in her liver. In my opinion, Eldest Master, why not take her out to relax? It would be good to enjoy the scenery or share some laughter. There are also many families in the capital on good terms with us. Let the mistress visit them, make a few close friends, and talk more—that should help. Although we are on good terms with the mistress, we are, after all, servants and maids, and there are always areas where we fall short. Moreover, the mistress’s thoughts differ from others’, and sometimes we cannot fully understand her feelings. I noticed yesterday that the eldest and second young mistresses got along well with her, but they cannot always come to the household."
Lin Jinlou nodded and said, "I understand. You may go now. Take good care of your mistress, and I will remember your contribution."
This was exactly the response Shu Ran had hoped for. Beaming with a smile, she took the prescription and left.
Lin Jinlou returned to the room and saw Xianglan sitting there, visibly unsettled. He went over and embraced her, saying, "Set your heart at ease. The doctor said this isn’t an illness. Rest for a few days, and you’ll surely give birth to a healthy boy."
Xianglan forced a slight smile, but her heart was filled with overwhelming anxiety. As it was, she was merely enduring her days—how could she possibly bear to have a child now?
Seeing her dazed expression, Lin Jinlou patted her small hand and said, "In a couple of days, Old Master Lu is celebrating his birthday. He sent an invitation, and as relatives by marriage, we ought to pay a visit. You should come along, mingle with others, watch some opera, and relax a little." Initially, he had considered sending gifts for Old Master Lu’s birthday, but before Lin Dongwan left, she had earnestly invited him. Hearing that Lin Dongwan was not faring well in her marital home, and considering they were family, Lin Jinlou decided to attend the celebration in person to show support for his elder sister. After hearing Shu Ran’s advice, he resolved to bring Xianglan along as well. With Lin Dongwan at the Lu residence, Xianglan would not be at a disadvantage.
Xianglan’s mind was in turmoil, and she distractedly agreed to whatever Lin Jinlou said. Suddenly, an elderly maid came to report that Doctor Zhang had finished examining Lin Jinxuan and was taking his leave. Lin Jinlou had no choice but to see him off. He turned to Xianglan and said, "Since Second Brother is ill again, we might as well not have known, but now that we do, go to the storeroom and see if there’s anything suitable to send over. Visit him on my behalf. I have matters to attend to later and won’t be able to go myself."
Xianglan had no choice but to agree. She asked Shu Ran for the storeroom key and opened it to find only large decorative items, some bolts of cloth and fabric, and remnants of medicinal herbs. Shu Ran explained, "Since we don’t reside in the capital often, there aren’t many supplies here. Some of the medicinal herbs were moved to the family’s pharmacy to prevent spoilage or cross-contamination of their properties."
Xianglan sorted through the bolts of cloth and said to Shu Ran, "The plain cloth is still fine, but these silks and satins may lose their luster and mildew if stored for too long."
Shu Ran replied, "The high-quality fabrics were taken back to Jinling. What’s left in the storeroom are the remnants. Although they may not compare to Suzhou and Hangzhou silks, these are known as 'capital silks' and still hold some reputation. Mistress, feel free to pick whichever you think is suitable."Xianglan, recalling her last unpleasant encounter with Madam Tan and knowing her fondness for fine attire, decided to mend their relationship by selecting a pomegranate-red bolt of cloth. Upon returning, she instructed the small kitchen to prepare a bowl of bird's nest soup. Shu Ran placed it in a food container and accompanied Xianglan to Lin Jinxuan's residence, Kangfu Hall.
As they entered the courtyard, they saw a maid in a crab-shell blue sleeveless jacket crouching under the eaves, tending to a small clay stove as she brewed medicine, a round fan in her hand. Xianglan glanced at her but paid no further attention, stepping toward the house when Madam Tan's voice came through the window: "Where's the medicine? Why isn't it ready yet? Have you gone off gallivanting and not heard Second Master coughing?"
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