In the main chamber of the Second Household, a golden incense burner slowly emitted the fragrance of storax. On the long table by the window stood a jade gall vase, holding a spray of thousand-petaled wintersweet, while a square rosewood birdcage hung from the window frame, inside which a yellow oriole flapped its wings and chirped incessantly.
"...If I hadn't accidentally overheard that little maid Xianglan from Luoxue Courtyard telling Suju about this, I wouldn't have known that Cao Lihuan had such audacity to secretly send letters to Xiuhong. If this were to spread, wouldn't it become a laughingstock?"Song Ke stood beside the Pan Chi Liu Yun Arhat Bed, handing the letter to Wang Shi, the Madam of the Second Household."
Wang Shi, in her early forties, was plump and well-maintained, with curved crescent eyebrows, almond-shaped eyes, and a slightly large mouth. She wore a plain satin jacket embroidered with silver threads and a stone-blue skirt underneath, her hair styled in an eight-treasure bun adorned with two silver hairpins, still retaining her graceful charm. Her expression was somber as she swiftly opened the letter and read it.
Song Ke remained silent, noticing Wang Shi's maid Shanhu bringing a cup of hot tea. He quickly took it, waved the maid away, and personally placed 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 Ting'er for advice on poetry, and finally two poems. But I'm not well-versed in poetry and couplets—help me take a look, what do these poems mean?"
Song Ke glanced at them and said, "The poems themselves are nothing, but precisely because they're nothing, they appear clever."
Wang Shi had just picked up the teacup but quickly set it down upon hearing this, asking, "What do you mean by that?"
Song Ke flicked the letter and weighed his words carefully: "Cao Lihuan is three years older than Xiuhong, so they're roughly the same age. With Cousin Cao about to marry, it's already improper for her to write privately to her cousin. But if the letter were truly exposed, its contents could barely pass as acceptable. That's what's most troubling—this time she's asking for advice on poems about willows and spring, seeking Xiuhong's guidance. If Xiuhong replies, what if she writes passionate love poems next time? And then erotic verses after that? Xiuhong is preparing for the autumn imperial examinations—I fear his character could be corrupted by such back-and-forth provocations."
Wang Shi wiped her mouth with a palace-gauze handkerchief and laughed, "How could it possibly come to that? You overthink things, child. Be careful not to turn into an old man at such a young age."
Song Ke hurriedly said, "Even if what I said earlier was mere speculation, let me be bold and speak frankly before my aunt: you're well aware of Cousin Cao's recent behavior in the mansion. If she uses this letter as pretext to spread rumors outside that Xiuhong is interested in her and often corresponds with her, it would become a scandal. Outsiders wouldn't care whether it's true or not. If exaggerated versions reach Cao Lihuan's fiancé's family and they cause trouble over it or even call off the engagement, Cao Lihuan might seize the opportunity to latch onto Xiuhong. Such a thing isn't beyond her. That little maid Xianglan mentioned hearing some gossip in the mansion about Xiuhong and Cao Lihuan—I inquired briefly and broke into a cold sweat. This matter..."
With each sentence Song Ke spoke, Wang Shi's face grew darker. Suddenly, she exclaimed, "Enough!" She stood up, snatched the letter, and said, "I'm going to see my elder sister-in-law now!" Rushing out in haste.
Song Ke quickly followed, stepping close to Wang Shi and whispering, "This matter shouldn't be publicized."Wang Shi was taken aback before she finally understood. She said to Song Ke, "Come with me. Repeat to your aunt what you told Xianglan."
Song Ke felt helpless. His aunt was kind-hearted but stubborn and straightforward in nature, which had caused her much trouble. Fortunately, she was broad-minded. If he didn't make her understand the severity of the situation, she might simply dismiss the letter with a laugh.
The two of them went to the main room of the eldest branch. Qin Shi was checking accounts with an abacus and immediately ordered good tea to be brewed and refreshments to be served. Wang Shi, clearly in no mood for tea, grabbed Qin Shi's hand and said, "My dear sister-in-law, I have something to tell you." After dismissing the servants, she had Song Ke repeat the story and presented the letter, leaning slightly toward Qin Shi. "Sister-in-law, what do you think...?"
Qin Shi skimmed the letter and sneered. "That little hussy has a filthy mind. I wondered why she's been so quiet these past couple of days—turns out she's set her sights on Tingge. Sister-in-law, this letter may seem insignificant, but if it gets out and falls into the wrong hands, who knows what stories they'll spin! She must have taken a fancy to the Lin family's wealth and Tingge's character and manners, and decided to 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 had ever met. She quickly said, "Sister-in-law, you said exactly what Ke'er said. So what should we do? Should we... should we drive that little hussy out immediately?"
Qin Shi shook her head. "Driving her out like that would make the Lin family appear unkind and give people something to talk about. Besides, what reason would we have to expel 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 so harsh."
Hearing this, Song Ke glanced sideways, thinking to himself, "They say Qin Shi is an extraordinary woman. Just from these words, one can tell she has breadth of mind and insight."
Then Qin Shi's expression turned serious. "But we can't let this slide either. Otherwise, she'll think the Lin family is a soft target she can manipulate as she pleases. I've given her a few storms before, but it seems they were useless. She really is thick-skinned."
Wang Shi was eager for Qin Shi to take action and nodded repeatedly. "Sister-in-law, please come up with a plan quickly. How dare she be so audacious as to target our Tingge! If something really happens, how will I face my husband, let alone the Old Master and Old Madam? Tingge is my only son. If that ogress latches onto him, his life will be ruined..."
Qin Shi smiled and patted Wang Shi's hand. After thinking for a moment, she asked Song Ke, "Did that maid from Luoxue Courtyard say anything else?"
Song Ke replied, "Nothing else. She only said she's a maid of the Lin family and her loyalty ultimately lies with the Lin family."
Qin Shi nodded and whispered to Wang Shi, "Later, send a trusted maid to quietly find that girl named Xianglan. Give her some rewards and have her keep an eye on Cao Lihuan. If there's any movement, have her report it immediately."
Wang Shi nodded repeatedly.
Qin Shi added, "Don't worry about anything else. From today onward, have Tingge move to a room farther from the garden."Wang Shi promptly said, "I was just thinking the same—having Ting'er move in with Ke'er first. The two studying together would allow them to look out for each other."
Qin Shi smiled, lifted her teacup, cast a glance at Song Ke, took a sip, and said leisurely, "Brother Ke is a diligent and promising boy. With Ting'er studying alongside him, there's certainly no mistake. However, the autumn examinations are approaching soon. Brother Ke, you must help your cousin more, urging him to spend less time wandering the gardens and more time focusing on his studies indoors." After a pause, she added, "Although Tanjie and Lingjie are your proper cousins, you must treat Wanjie, Qijie, and Xiujie as your own sisters as well. When you achieve success in the future, you should take good care of them."
Song Ke's expression shifted slightly, but he quickly smiled again. "Naturally, I've always regarded all my sisters as my own. Besides, Aunt has specially invited a renowned scholar to tutor us. Xiuhong and I will certainly devote ourselves to studying diligently and refrain from going out."
The two were speaking in veiled terms, each revealing their intentions in just a few words. Wang Shi, however, remained oblivious and said cheerfully to Song Ke, "Fortunately, you're a clever child. Protecting Ting'er means protecting me. I must thank you properly."
"Aunt, speaking of 'thanks' makes it seem distant," Song Ke said, rising to bow gracefully. His demeanor was elegant, his eyes like black jade, and his handsome smile left even Qin and Wang momentarily captivated.
Wang Shi thought to herself, "Ke'er is clever, diligent, and kind-hearted. If not for his family's somewhat humble status, I would betroth Ling'er to him."
Qin Shi, on the other hand, mused, "Qijie is the apple of my eye. This Song Ke is indeed a match for her, but he's too shrewd and ambitious. Qijie would never be a match for his cunning—it's a case of 'unequal marriage.' Song Ke would likely look down on Xiujie, being of lesser birth. What a pity, with such talent and looks, he's bound to have a bright future, yet he cannot become a son-in-law of the Lin family."
After Wang Shi and Song Ke had left, Qin Shi leaned against the satin sunflower-and-plantain-leaf headrest and suddenly said, "They're gone. You can come out now."
The inner room curtain was lifted, and Lin Dongqi emerged, her eyes slightly reddened, head bowed in silence. Qin Shi patted the chair beside her, signaling her to sit. Qin Shi remained silent, sipping her tea. After a long while, she finally asked, "Did you hear what was said earlier?"
Lin Dongqi kept her head lowered without uttering a word.
Qin Shi said calmly, "I know why you've been so exceptionally kind to Song Tanzhai. A mother knows her daughter best. If you had no ulterior motives, you wouldn't lower yourself daily to please Song Tanzhai. Even if you're generous, there's no reason to give away the gold-inlaid pearl flower hairpin Old Madam rewarded you. When you heard Song Ke's belt was missing a red agate bead, you dismantled the agate gem from a half-winged butterfly gold hairpin and had Song Tanzhai take it to her brother. That hairpin was one of a pair, part of my dowry. You treasured it so much that I gave it to you, and you usually couldn't bear to wear it. Yet for a man, you were truly willing to part with it."
Lin Dongqi felt as if all her girlish sentiments had been laid bare by her mother, overwhelmed by shame and humiliation. She whimpered, "Mother," tears already streaming down her face.
Qin Shi held Lin Dongqi's hand and said, "Child, let go of this wish, alright?"
Tears streaming down her face, Lin Dongqi suddenly choked out, "In what way am I not good enough for him? Or does Mother look down on his family's current decline..."Qin Shi interrupted, "I've never dared to look down on him. That child Song Ke carries an innate drive to advance and compete—he'll undoubtedly go far in the future. But his mind runs too deep. Why do you think he frequents our Lin family and sent his younger sister here? Clearly, Sister Ling is their closest relative, yet Song Tanchai lives with you. Don't tell me you forced her to stay—Song Tanchai has a mind and will of her own. If she weren't willing, you couldn't have kept her." Qin Shi sighed. "Qi'er, while Song Ke's appearance and talents are good, they're hardly the finest. What I dislike most is his unfathomable nature—I can't discern his true character... But he is clever. Today, with just a few hints from me, he grasped everything completely."
Lin Dongqi's eyes brimmed with tears; she couldn't process Qin Shi's words. Since her first awakening of love, she had encountered Song Ke and secretly compared him to others, feeling none of the young men she'd met could rival him. She admired his elegance and brilliance, and after hearing Lin Jinting say that since his father's death, Song Ke had single-handedly shouldered the family responsibilities—managing shops and estates with mastery, while diligently studying in his spare time—her affection only grew. Qin Shi's words now felt like a bucket of icy water drenching her to the bone. Yet, severing these tender feelings was unbearably painful. In her daze, tears streamed down her cheeks once more.
Seeing that Lin Dongqi remained unresponsive after her long speech, Qin Shi's expression darkened. She said sharply, "Lin Dongqi! Let me make this clear today: the matter of Song Ke ends here. From now on, you will stay properly in your chambers and not foolishly dwell on such shameless thoughts! I've already inquired about several suitable families for you and Sister Xiu. In a few days, I'll invite their female relatives over. If any seem promising, we'll arrange a marriage discussion after Old Madam Zeng's mourning period ends! Do you understand?"
Lin Dongqi had always feared her mother. Though filled with immense grievance and reluctance, she could only nod through her tears. Returning to her room, she clutched her pillow and wept through the night.
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