In the main chamber of the second household, golden incense burners slowly exhaled the fragrance of storax. A jade gall bottle adorned the long table by the window, holding a spray of thousand-petaled spring blossoms, while a square rosewood birdcage hung from the window frame, its resident oriole fluttering and chirping incessantly.
"...Had I not accidentally overheard that maid Xianglan from Gauze Snow Dock speaking with Suju, I wouldn't have known Cao Lihuan had the audacity to secretly send letters to Xiu Hong. If this got out, it would become quite the scandal." Song Ke stood by the coiled-dragon cloud-patterned luohan bed as he handed the letter to Wang Shi, the second household's Taitai.
Wang Shi, in her early forties, was plump and well-maintained, with arched crescent eyebrows and almond-shaped eyes, though her mouth was slightly too large. She wore a silver-threaded BeiZi over a slate-blue skirt, her hair styled in an eight-treasure bun adorned with two silver hairpins—still possessing considerable charm. Her expression darkened as she tore open the letter and began reading.
Song Ke remained silent. Noticing Shanhu, Wang Shi's maid, bringing in a cup of hot tea, he quickly took it and dismissed the maid with a wave, personally placing the tea on the kang table beside Wang Shi.
After reading the letter, Wang Shi's expression softened slightly: "There's nothing much written here—just some daily greetings, asking Xiu Hong for advice on poetry, and two poems at the end. Though I'm not well-versed in poetry, you take a look and tell me what these poems mean."
Song Ke glanced at them and said, "The poems are harmless, but precisely because they're harmless, they're clever."
Wang Shi had just picked up her teacup but set it down immediately upon hearing this. "What do you mean?"
Song Ke tapped the letter, choosing his words carefully: "Cao Lihuan is three years older than Xiu Hong, so they're of comparable age. As Cao's marriage approaches, it's already improper for her to write privately to her cousin. Yet if this letter were exposed, its contents could still be explained away. That's what's most concerning—this time, she's asking for advice on poems about willows and spring, seeking Xiu Hong's guidance. If he replies, what's to stop her from writing love poems next? Or even indecent verses after that? Xiu Hong is preparing for the autumn examinations—we can't risk his focus being disrupted by such back-and-forth."
Wang Shi dabbed her lips with a palace-gauze handkerchief and laughed. "How could it come to that? You're overthinking this, child. Be careful, or you'll turn into an old man before your time."
Song Ke hurriedly replied, "Even if my concerns are unfounded, let me speak boldly before you, Aunt. You're well aware of Cao Lihuan's recent behavior in the household. Suppose she uses this letter as proof to spread rumors that Xiu Hong is interested in her and frequently corresponds with her? Once word gets out, it becomes a scandal, and outsiders won't care whether it's true. Worse yet, if exaggerated versions reach Cao Lihuan's fiancé's family and they make a fuss or even call off the engagement, she might seize the opportunity to pin the blame on Xiu Hong. That maid Xianglan mentioned hearing gossip in the household about Xiu Hong and Cao Lihuan. When I inquired further, it chilled me to the bone. This matter—"
With each word Song Ke spoke, Wang Shi's expression grew darker. Suddenly, she snapped, "Enough!" She stood up abruptly, snatched the letter, and declared, "I'm going to see Sister-in-law right now!" She rushed out in a flurry.
Song Ke quickly caught up to her and whispered, "This matter shouldn't be made public."Wang Shi was taken aback before she finally understood. She turned to Song Ke and said, "Come with me. You'll need to repeat to Taitai exactly what you told me about Xianglan."
Song Ke had no choice. His aunt was kind-hearted but stubborn and straightforward, which had often landed her in trouble. Fortunately, she was broad-minded. If he didn’t make the stakes clear to her, she might simply laugh off the matter of the letter.
The two of them then headed to the main house of the eldest branch. Qin Shi was busy checking accounts with an abacus when they arrived. She immediately ordered tea to be brewed and had fresh pastries and fruits served. Wang Shi, however, had no patience for tea. She grabbed Qin Shi’s hand and said urgently, "My dear sister-in-law, I have something to discuss with you." After dismissing the servants, she had Song Ke repeat his account and presented the letter, leaning slightly toward Qin Shi. "Sister-in-law, what do you think...?"
Qin Shi skimmed the letter, a cold smile playing on her lips. "That little hussy has nothing but vulgar thoughts. No wonder she’s been so quiet these past few days—she’s set her sights on Ting Ge'er. Sister-in-law, this letter might seem harmless to you, but if it gets out and falls into the wrong hands, who knows what rumors might spread! She must have taken a fancy to the Lin family’s wealth and Ting Ge'er’s character, thinking she can latch onto him. Pah! She’s delusional!"
Hearing Qin Shi’s words echo Song Ke’s exactly, Wang Shi gasped. In her eyes, Qin Shi was the cleverest person she’d ever met. She quickly exclaimed, "Sister-in-law, your words match Ke’er’s perfectly! What should we do then? Should we... should we just drive that little hussy out immediately?"
Qin Shi shook her head. "Kicking her out now would make the Lin family seem uncharitable and give people grounds for criticism. Besides, what reason would we give for expelling her? She’s about to be married—we can’t ruin her reputation. We should leave her some dignity. She hasn’t pushed us to the brink, so we needn’t be ruthless."
Hearing this, Song Ke couldn’t help but glance at Qin Shi in admiration, thinking to himself, "They say Qin Shi is a heroine among women. Just these words alone show her wisdom and foresight."
Qin Shi’s expression then turned stern. "But we can’t let this slide either. Otherwise, she’ll think the Lin family is a soft target she can manipulate at will. I’ve already given her a few harsh lessons, but they clearly didn’t take. She’s thick-skinned, I’ll give her that."
Wang Shi was eager for Qin Shi to take action and nodded fervently. "Sister-in-law, please come up with a plan quickly. How dare she be so brazen as to target our Ting Ge'er! If something really happens, how will I face my husband, let alone the elders? Ting Ge'er is my only son. If that ogress manages to cling to him, his life will be ruined..."
Qin Shi patted Wang Shi’s hand reassuringly and pondered for a moment before asking Song Ke, "Did that little maid from Gauze Snow Dock say anything else?"
Song Ke replied, "Nothing more. She only said she’s a servant of the Lin family and her loyalty lies with them."
Qin Shi nodded and whispered to Wang Shi, "Later, send a trusted maid to quietly seek out that girl, Xianglan. Offer her some rewards and have her keep an eye on Cao Lihuan. If there’s any suspicious activity, she must report it immediately."
Wang Shi nodded repeatedly.
Qin Shi added, "Leave the rest to me. From today onward, have Ting Ge'er move to a room farther from the garden."Wang Shi quickly responded, "I was just thinking the same—having Ting Ge'er move in with Ke'er for now. The two can study together and look out for each other."
Qin Shi smiled faintly, lifting her teacup. Her gaze flickered toward Song Ke as she took a sip before speaking leisurely, "Ke'er is a diligent boy. Ting Ge'er studying with him can't go wrong. But the autumn examinations are approaching—Ke'er must guide his cousin more, keeping him from wandering the gardens and focusing on his studies instead." She paused, then added, "Though Tanchai and Ling Jie'er are your true sisters, you must treat Dongqi, Qi Jie'er, and Xiu Jie'er as your own as well. When you rise in the world someday, you must look after them properly."
Song Ke's expression shifted briefly before he smiled again. "Naturally. I've always regarded all my sisters as family. Besides, Aunt has gone to the trouble of hiring a renowned scholar to tutor us. Xiu Hong and I will certainly devote ourselves to study and stay indoors."
The two were exchanging veiled words, subtly revealing their stances in just a few sentences. Unaware, Wang Shi beamed at Song Ke. "Thank heavens you're so clever. Protecting Ting Ge'er is protecting me—I owe you my gratitude."
"Aunt, speaking of 'gratitude' makes us strangers." Song Ke rose with a graceful bow, his demeanor elegant, his dark jade-like eyes and refined smile leaving even Qin and Wang momentarily entranced.
Wang Shi thought to herself, Ke'er is bright, kind, and ambitious. If not for his modest family background, I'd betroth Ling Jie'er to him.
Qin Shi, however, mused, Qi Jie'er is the apple of my eye, and Song Ke might be worthy of her—but he's too shrewd and ambitious. Qi Jie'er could never outmaneuver him. Such a mismatch would never do. And Song Ke would surely disdain Xiu Jie'er for being born of a concubine. What a pity—with his looks and talent, he'll go far, but he'll never be a son-in-law of the Lin family.
After Wang Shi and Song Ke left, Qin Shi reclined against her embroidered sunflower-and-banana-leaf pillow and suddenly said, "They're gone. Come out."
The inner room's curtain lifted, and Lin Dongqi stepped out, her eyes slightly reddened, head bowed in silence. Qin Shi patted the seat beside her, and Dongqi sat down without a word. Qin Shi sipped her tea, letting the silence stretch before finally asking, "You heard everything just now?"
Lin Dongqi kept her head lowered, refusing to speak.
Qin Shi sighed. "I know why you've been so attentive to Song Tanchai. A mother knows her daughter best. If you wanted nothing, you wouldn't lower yourself daily to please her. Generous as you are, you'd never have given her the gold-and-jeweled hairpin Grandmother gifted you. When you heard Song Ke's belt was missing a carnelian bead, you dismantled the gem from your half-winged butterfly hairpin—one of my dowry pieces you treasured so much you rarely wore it—just to let Tanchai pass it to her brother."
Lin Dongqi felt her secret girlish affections laid bare, shame and humiliation washing over her. With a choked sob, she cried, "Mother!" as tears spilled down her cheeks.
Qin Shi grasped her hand. "Child, let go of this wish, won't you?"
Tears streaming, Lin Dongqi suddenly whispered hoarsely, "Am I unworthy of him? Or does Mother look down on his family's fallen state...?"Qin Shi interrupted, "I've never dared to look down on him. That boy Song Ke has an ambitious and competitive spirit—he'll undoubtedly go far in the future. But his mind is too deep. Why do you think he frequents our Lin family so often and sent his sister here? Clearly, Ling Jie'er is his closest relative, yet Song Tanchai lives with you. Don't tell me you forced her to stay—Song Tanchai has a mind of her own. If she weren't willing, you couldn't have kept her." Qin Shi sighed. "Qi'er, though Song Ke is handsome and talented, he's hardly the best choice. What I dislike most is his inscrutable nature—it's impossible to discern his true character... He is clever, though. Today, with just a few hints from me, he understood completely."
Lin Dongqi's eyes brimmed with tears, her mind deaf to Qin Shi's words. Since her first awakening of love, she had encountered Song Ke and secretly compared him to others, finding none of the young men she'd met his equal. She admired his grace and talent, and when Lin Jinting mentioned how Song Ke had shouldered his family's business after his father's death—managing shops and lands with expertise—and devoted his spare time to diligent study, her admiration only grew. Qin Shi's words now felt like a bucket of icy water drenching her to the bone. Yet, the thought of severing her affections pained her deeply. Lost in thought, fresh tears rolled down her cheeks.
Seeing that Lin Dongqi remained unresponsive despite her lengthy speech, Qin Shi's expression darkened. She said sharply, "Lin Dongqi! Let me make this clear today—this matter with Song Ke ends here. From now on, you will stay properly in your chambers and not entertain such shameless thoughts! I've already inquired about several suitable matches for you and Xiu Jie'er. In a few days, I'll invite the ladies from these families over. If any seem promising, we'll arrange a betrothal once Old Madam Zeng's mourning period ends! Do you understand?"
Lin Dongqi had always feared her mother. Though her heart swelled with unwilling grief, she could only nod tearfully. Returning to her room, she clutched her pillow and wept through the night.
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