Chun Ling said, “What’s the matter? They’re all nothing but gossiping busybodies, utterly detestable! Did I say anything wrong by pointing out they’re slacking off instead of working?”
“It’s not that you were wrong—”
“That’s exactly why I’m so annoyed—stirring up all this pointless gossip for no reason!”
Chun Ling had always been sharp-tongued and unwilling to yield, and Xianglan felt a headache coming on. She took a deep breath and said, “I was the one who told them to rest today. If there’s any fault to be found, it should fall on me.”
Chun Ling cut in, “I’m not saying you were wrong to let them rest, but was anything I said about them incorrect? Why are they ganging up on me? Or should I just pretend not to see when they make mistakes from now on? Fine, it seems I’ve overstepped!”
Xianglan quietly studied Chun Ling for a moment before replying calmly, “I understand what you mean. But since we all live together, we ought to show some tolerance toward one another. You and Xiao Juan have always been close, and today is her birthday. Even if she were entirely in the wrong, you should have considered that and spoken to her privately instead of confronting her openly.”
Chun Ling sneered, “Friendship is one thing, but that doesn’t mean her mistakes should go unmentioned. It’s not like everyone in this household is her parent, obliged to indulge her!”
Xianglan suppressed her impatience and said, “If even those who live together day in and day out can’t make allowances for one another, wouldn’t this room turn into a battlefield of squabbles? As the saying goes, ‘Gold cannot be pure, and no one is perfect.’ If you’re always fixated on others’ faults, how can we ever live in peace?”
Chun Ling grew even angrier and retorted coldly, “So the new concubine means I’m in the wrong? That this is my fault? That I’m just being picky, is that it?”
Seeing Chun Ling’s aggressive stance, Xianglan knew reasoning with her was futile. She lowered her gaze, cradling a half-finished cup of cold tea in her hands, and said, “I understand your intentions and know you meant well. Let’s drop this matter. You may go.”
Chun Ling was taken aback. In the past, whenever she had disputes with the other maids, Xianglan had always taken her side. She hadn’t expected such a detached response today. Still seething with indignation, she wanted to argue further, but the look on Xianglan’s face made her heart sink. Clever enough to realize the topic was closed, she stood up and left.
Meanwhile, Hua Shan, who had been hiding behind the curio cabinet peeking, scurried over to Xiao Juan as soon as Chun Ling was gone. She recounted everything she had overheard and said, “Chun Ling is so ungrateful! Does she think just because she once saved the lady and earned her favor, and because the lady has a gentle temper, she can act so high and mighty? Not to mention, she might be in cahoots with Taitai—it’s truly irritating.” Then, with some unease, she added, “If she really is Taitai’s spy, wouldn’t you be in trouble for confronting her like this? Besides, the lady said you shouldn’t argue anymore from now on—”Xiao Juan picked up a piece of cloud slice cake and took a bite, saying, "When Xianglan first returned to the mansion, she was disheartened by everything and let Chun Ling handle all matters. Chun Ling could make decisions on behalf of the mistress in everything. The mistress has a gentle temperament—sometimes she would just laugh off a few sarcastic remarks from Chun Ling. Back then, the mistress didn’t have the authority to promote her rank, so she always gave her rewards. All in all, she must have given her at least fifty taels of silver, if not eighty, not to mention all the clothes and jewelry. Whenever the mistress had new clothes made, if Chun Ling fancied a particular fabric, she would ask the mistress for it outright, and the mistress would pay for it out of her own pocket without a second thought. This only fed her temper and appetite, making her increasingly unmanageable. She has a fiery nature and loves to pick fights and argue. If she feels slighted by a single word, she’ll find a way to get even. She never knows when to hold her tongue. Before you arrived, that incident with Yin Liu happened because she couldn’t resist running her mouth, causing trouble for the mistress. Later, she even tried to climb over the mistress’s head. Hah, the mistress originally planned to promote her once we arrived in the capital, but she chose not to walk the right path. In the end, this opportunity fell into my lap."
Hua Shan said, "Actually, Chun Ling just has a sharp tongue—her heart isn’t bad—"
Xiao Juan replied, "It’s precisely that temperament of hers that’s so grating. Back in the Knowing Spring Pavilion, aside from Shuran and Lianxin, whom she didn’t dare order around, who else did she ever show any respect for? Since her return this time, she hasn’t been assigned any important tasks. Whether she’s in the room or not makes no difference. Yet she remains unaware, stubbornly opposing the new concubine as if the mistress couldn’t manage without her. How could the mistress be pleased with that? No matter how great the favor, it can’t withstand such grinding. The new concubine didn’t want to say anything, so I’ll say it—I’m not afraid of offending her." With that, she took a plate of fresh fruit and carried it into the bedroom. After exchanging a few casual words with Xianglan, she said, "You’re too soft-hearted, mistress. Someone like Chun Ling ought to be disciplined harshly so she knows her place."
Xianglan smiled and shook her head, pushing the plate in front of her toward Xiao Juan. "With her temperament, disciplining her would only breed greater resentment and make things worse. Some matters aren’t resolved by harsh words. If it were that simple, things would be easy." She thought sadly to herself, "Xiao Juan and Chun Ling were the first to share hardships with me—our bond is extraordinary. I understand Chun Ling’s desperate desire to advance, but her nature is like burning coal, and she loves to nitpick and argue. Now, though I appear to enjoy Grandeur in the mansion, the reality is difficult. Those I value by my side represent my face to the outside world. If she makes mistakes, my position becomes even more precarious. I might as well give her more rewards and observe her for a while, though I fear she may resent me for it."
Xiao Juan said, "We all understand your concerns, mistress. Chun Ling not only picks fights but also loves to gossip and stir up trouble. If it doesn’t work out, just send her away. It’s not as if you’ll lack for people to serve you. Ling Qing is perceptive and skillful at her work, Ling Su is kind-hearted, and even though Xue Ning is a fence-sitter, she’s more than capable with writing and calculations. Why tolerate Chun Ling’s arrogance?"
Xianglan replied, "After all, she has done me favors, and I remember her kindness in my heart. If I were to disregard past sentiments, it would chill people’s hearts, and that’s not my intention. I know how to handle this matter. In the future, you should keep your distance from her too. If things escalate into a confrontation, no one will save face."
Xiao Juan agreed and later recounted the matter to Hua Shan. By chance, Xiao Fang'er was also present and witnessed the entire exchange. She went back and relayed it to Lin Dongxiu, Mama Han, and Aunt Xia as an amusing story.Mama Han said, "That maid Chun Ling, even back in Taitai's chambers, she always loved to push herself forward. I never thought she'd become even more extreme now."
Lin Dongxiu sneered coldly, "Xianglan used to have some spirit, but in recent years she's grown increasingly soft. If it were me, I'd give her a good beating with the disciplinary rod, whether she's Chun Ling or Qiu Ling, I'd make sure she learns her lesson."
Aunt Xia looked at Lin Dongxiu and shook her head slightly. Returning to her maid Fangfei, she said, "Scolding people at every turn is not the way to manage others. Fourth Miss Lin still needs more tempering. That concubine named Xianglan seems to know how to handle people, though her nature is still too soft. I wonder if she's truly kind-hearted or just pretending."
That afternoon, after Xianglan woke from her nap, she instructed Ling Qing to grind ink and cut paper. She pressed down the crystal beast-head paperweight, propped open the window, and facing the rustling green bamboo outside, painted an ink bamboo scroll in the style of the Plum Blossom Daoist from the previous dynasty. In the blank space, she inscribed the date and wrote, "For summer pastime, created in Chun Tang Hall." She reached out her hand to Ling Qing, who immediately handed her a small seal carved with orchids after pressing it in cinnabar. Just then, laughter and chatter came from outside. Xianglan set the seal aside and looked out the window to see Jiang Danyu and Lin Dongxiu walking in arm-in-arm, with Jiang Xiyun slowly following behind.
Xianglan frowned slightly. While washing her hands, she said to Ling Qing, "Have them quickly brew tea and set out fruits. The young ladies are here." Just as she dried her hands with a towel, they heard Chun Ling outside saying, "Fourth Miss and the two cousin young ladies have arrived."
Xianglan emerged from the side room to find the three already there. Lin Dongxiu entered first, laughing, "The three of us were wandering around and somehow ended up here. In this summer heat, you must offer us some tea."
Xianglan hurriedly offered them tea and seats, smiling, "Not just one bowl, I can spare several. We also have cooling herbal tea here. Would you young ladies like some?"
As the three took their seats, Lin Dongxiu asked, "Is Eldest Brother not home?"
Xianglan replied, "He's busy all day long. He left after breakfast, saying His Majesty sent him to supervise military training in the outskirts of the capital."
While these two conversed, Dan and Xi silently observed their surroundings. Jiang Danyu looked around the room and noticed that Chun Tang Hall was considerably larger than other rooms in the Lin residence—spacious and bright with partitioned doors, bamboo-patterned skirt panels, and all windows being transom windows. The main hall was furnished entirely with Padauk wood tables, chairs, and stands, covered with five-colored eight-treasures patterned chair covers and cushions. For summer, the cushions were topped with a layer of fine phoenix-tail matting. In the center stood a long altar table, above which hung a plaque reading "Illustrious Virtue," but instead of calligraphy or paintings beneath, there hung a very large powerful bow and a quiver of arrows. On the altar table were displayed swords, long knives, and other weapons, revealing the master's martial inclinations. Curtains connected the main hall to side rooms on both left and right, while the northern end served as the bedchamber, veiled by dense bead curtains and separated by a screen, hiding the interior view.
Jiang Danyu was secretly astonished. The furnishings in Lin Jinlou's room were even more impressive than her family's ancestral home. She recalled overhearing two old women from the Lin family gossiping last night, saying that the Lin residence in the capital was merely the official residence where Lin Changzheng had stayed when he served in the capital, far inferior to their old mansion in Jinling. Taking all this in, Jiang Danyu's heart grew even more fervent.Jiang Xiyun fixed her gaze solely on Xianglan, observing how her hair was coiled into a bun with three jade hairpins. She wore a cherry-red jacket over a scalloped yellow skirt, appearing even more charming and delicate than the last time they met. Her face remained free of makeup, with long eyebrows and beautiful eyes, snow-white skin and red lips, exuding an ethereal grace like a luminous pearl or fine jade. After scrutinizing her thoroughly, Jiang Xiyun quietly withdrew her gaze and said with a smile, "What were you doing just now, Sister Xianglan? Did we disturb you?"
Hearing her address as "sister," Xianglan thought to herself how sweet and pleasant Jiang Xiyun’s words were, and simply replied with a smile, "I was just idling away. Your visit is perfectly timed."
At that moment, Chun Ling came out to serve tea and, overhearing the conversation, chimed in, "The new concubine was just painting earlier."
Jiang Danyun then asked, "What kind of painting? Could we take a look?"
Xianglan was about to decline when Lin Dongxiu stood up and said, "Xianglan is skilled in painting. Let’s go see what she was just working on." With that, she led everyone to the study in the eastern chamber.
(Xiao He’s Weibo: Search "He Yanshan" on Sina Weibo.)
Thank you to Yuexia Wutong Qingying, bubu8915, Baoxin Mengmeng, Huihui—Sister, and Shenxian Xiaoyouzi for the sachets; to Ailan2014 for three Peace Talismans; to 05111039283, Rongyu8163, damima, and kmtk11011101 for two Peace Talismans each; and to emilyjee, Menqian Maimai de Laonainai, and sbjxsyl for the Peace Talismans. Also, thank you to everyone for the pink votes. Much appreciated! ^_^
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