Xianglan sat down beside De Ge'er and asked, "Why are you suddenly asking this?"
De Ge'er swung his little legs, glanced toward the door, then quickly looked down and said, "It's nothing—"
Noticing De Ge'er's glance, Xianglan followed his gaze. Lin Jinlou, hiding behind the curtain, muttered, "Tsk, this silly boy has already given himself away. He doesn't have any of Old Yuan's cunning and slyness." He cleared his throat, lifted the curtain, and entered. Everyone stood up to greet him, but Lin Jinlou waved his hand with a smile and said, "Please, sit." Though his presence made everyone somewhat uneasy, Lin Jinlou acted as if he hadn't noticed and sat in the official's armchair behind the desk. "Sisters, stay for a meal before you leave. What were you all talking about just now?"
De Ge'er said, "I asked Aunt Lan what use there is in learning music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and songs."
Lin Jinlou turned to Xianglan and said, "Oh, then why don't you explain it to him?"
Xianglan glanced at Lin Jinlou and hesitated for a moment. But when she looked down and saw De Ge'er's eyes, so strikingly similar to her late sister's, her heart softened with waves of sorrow. She thought to herself, "My sister passed away early, and this child is the only remaining bloodline of our family. Who knows how long he'll be able to stay in the Lin Family? As long as I can see him, I will cherish him and teach him well." After a moment of contemplation, she smiled and said, "To regard poetry, songs, music, chess, calligraphy, and painting as things that can't fill your stomach or quench your thirst is a rather shallow and utilitarian way of thinking. A beautiful melody can relieve fatigue and sorrow, or move one to tears. A fine painting can clear the mind of distractions, purify the heart, and gradually elevate one's spirit. Music, chess, calligraphy, and painting are the culmination of the wisdom of sages throughout history. Learning them is not for showing off one's talents or gaining prestige, but for cultivating one's temperament, refining one's character, and nurturing virtue. For example, playing chess can temper one's patience and self-restraint. Song Pan Shenxiu compared the principles of chess to the teachings of Confucius and Mencius, saying, 'The way of chess lies in tranquility and silence, yet decision-making is crucial. Benevolence enables one to preserve, righteousness enables one to uphold, propriety enables one to adapt, wisdom enables one to integrate, and trustworthiness enables one to overcome.' This means that playing chess can cultivate the virtues of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness. As for calligraphy, Emperor Taizong of Tang wrote in 'On the Secrets of the Brush,' 'When preparing to write, one must shut out distractions, focus the mind, and harmonize the spirit. Only then can one achieve mastery.' This means letting go of all attachments, forgetting honor and disgrace, and concentrating fully. By immersing oneself in such elegance, one's mind and perspective broaden, bringing lifelong benefits."
De Ge'er widened his big, round eyes and asked, "What is 'perspective'?"
Xianglan smiled again and said, "'Perspective' is something very subtle. Let me tell you a story. According to the Buddhist scriptures, the same river appears as pus and blood to beings in hell, as a dry riverbed to hungry ghosts, as shimmering water to humans, and as beautiful golden water and lapis lazuli to celestial beings. The same thing is perceived differently depending on their perspective. Similarly, when it comes to poetry, songs, music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, some people see them as useless because they can't fill their stomachs or quench their thirst, while others recognize their elegance and infinite beauty. Music, chess, calligraphy, and painting all contain a Zen-like quality that directly touches the heart, making one's nature open and serene, steady and subtle. With eyes that can see beauty, life becomes more vibrant. If one only focuses on whether something can fill the stomach or quench thirst, then one's pursuits in life would be rather dull."Lin Dongxiu laughed and said, "You're truly remarkable. Even when discussing the four arts of the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, you quote classics and even cite Buddhist scriptures. If you were a man, you'd probably come home with the top scholar title after stepping out."
Xianglan smiled faintly with pursed lips. De Ge'er nodded his little head, though it was unclear whether he understood or not. Lin Jinlou, however, let out a soft chuckle and cast his eyes toward Jiang Xiyun. As she looked up, their gazes met. Seeing the playful glint in his eyes, Jiang Xiyun was momentarily taken aback. Being extremely clever, she immediately realized that Lin Jinlou must have overheard her earlier conversation in the courtyard.
Her heart was filled with mixed emotions. No matter how critical she was, she understood that marriage was a matter of parental decree and matchmaker's words. Her father placed great importance on the alliance with the Lin Family, her grandmother had praised Lin Jinlou highly, and Qin Shi held her in special regard. The marriage was almost certain, needing only the final confirmation. Lin Jinlou held a high position and was full of vigor and vitality. She had initially wondered why the prestigious Lin Family would choose her until she saw Xianglan. Then it dawned on her that this marriage was indeed her climbing high. Without Chen Xianglan, how could it have been her turn? Xianglan possessed both beauty and talent, which made Jiang Xiyun somewhat uncomfortable, though she didn't regard her as a rival. Lin Jinlou had a flirtatious nature—after all, which official's son wasn't fickle? Only family background, future prospects, and heirs were the foundations of life. No matter how favored a concubine was, affection would fade over time. With the support of propriety, her mother-in-law's backing, plus her own beauty, wit, and tactics, she wasn't afraid that Chen Xianglan wouldn't fall. Moreover, Chen Xianglan had that aloof, detached temperament—the kind of woman Jiang Xiyun had always looked down upon.
But Lin Jinlou was someone she couldn't figure out. She was beautiful, sweet-tongued, and clever—countless Princes and young masters had fallen for her charms. Some came from prominent families, others had both character and looks, and still others were brilliantly talented. She had handled them all with ease. Only Lin Jinlou made her inexplicably afraid when he sat there quietly.
Lin Jinlou suddenly spoke, "Fifth cousin, what do you think of this matter?"
Jiang Xiyun was startled but then smiled sweetly, "Why ask me, elder cousin? Sister Xianglan speaks with such eloquence. I can't match that. With such pearls beside me, if elder cousin tries to bully me with this, I won't accept it."
Jiang Danyu curled her lips and was about to speak when Jiang Xiyun said, "Although Sister Xianglan makes a valid point, it's not that simple."
Xianglan looked up and saw Jiang Xiyun sitting on an embroidered stool, holding a cup of tea, her face wearing a gentle smile as she said, "What's the use of being cultivated? Aren't there plenty of impoverished scholars in this world who are well-versed in the classics and skilled in the four arts? When one can't even fill their stomach or struggles in officialdom and livelihood, yet still indulges in romanticizing the moon and writing poetry—isn't that putting the cart before the horse? 'The noble man remains steadfast in poverty'—how pedantic and rigid."Xianglan said, "The destitution of impoverished scholars is a matter of their life circumstances—what does it have to do with their mastery of poetry, calligraphy, painting, or music? On the contrary, many literati, when left with no other means, rely on selling their writings and artworks to make a living and support their families." Not wishing to engage in further argument with Jiang Xiyun, she lowered her head and gently patted De Ge'er's head, adding, "When Su Dongpo was demoted to Huangzhou and passed by Pingshan Hall by the river, he saw 'the misty rain over the Jiangnan region, where solitary wild geese vanished into the vastness' and sighed, 'With a single breath of noble spirit, one can ride the swift wind for a thousand miles.' A person who has fallen from the clouds into the mud, exiled from the bustling capital to a remote place, yet still has the heart to gaze at the sky and observe the rain—such a person retains that noble spirit within. Nowadays, people's eyes are fixed on the ground, preoccupied with practical gains and losses, entangled in interpersonal conflicts and schemes, and consumed by cunning tactics. Few can still gaze at the misty rain or sit and watch the sunset, living life from the heart. We are so caught up in worldly gains and losses, always weighing whether something benefits us before acting, which is why poetry, calligraphy, painting, and music seem useless. Most people's hearts are clouded with dust, filled with burdens and desires."
These words struck the listeners differently: some felt as if a great bell had tolled, its echoes lingering; others felt as if a stone had been thrown into a lake, stirring ripples; while a few remained unmoved, their faces etched with mockery.
Silence fell over the room.
Lin Jinlou watched Xianglan as she bent down to fasten the loose button on De Ge'er's jacket. A stray lock of hair brushed her cheek, adding a touch of gentleness to her demeanor.
Aunt Xia raised the tea bowl to her lips, blew away the steam, and took a slow sip.
Tan Luhua stood up and said, "I'm leaving." She went to bid farewell to Lin Jinlou, but Xianglan earnestly urged her to stay, saying, "Second Mistress, please wait a moment. I still have something to discuss with you."
Following Tan Luhua's departure, Jiang Xiyun also rose to take her leave. Jiang Danyun, however, was reluctant to go. Ever since Lin Jinlou had entered the room, she had seized every opportunity to speak with him, but he had not even glanced her way. Now that Jiang Xiyun had spoken up, she could not linger any longer. Remembering from the mirror that her profile was her most flattering angle, she deliberately turned that side toward Lin Jinlou, a delicate smile gracing her lips.
Xianglan and Tan Luhua moved to the adjacent room, where Xianglan pointed to a selection of embroidery patterns and two or three pieces of clothing laid out on the bed. "These garments are all brand new. If you don't mind, Second Mistress, please choose one to take."
Tan Luhua, who had long admired Xianglan's extensive wardrobe, broke into a smile but demurred, "I'm afraid that wouldn't be appropriate—"
Xianglan laughed lightly. "What's inappropriate about it? These were tailored too loosely for me anyway—they might not fit well. Someone of your stature would wear them far better."
Lin Dongxiu, who had followed the two into the room, watched as Xianglan offered clothing to Tan Luhua and repeatedly signaled her disapproval with her eyes. Xianglan responded with a slight shake of her head.
Tan Luhua, however, was delighted. She selected a garment and picked out two of Xianglan's embroidery patterns, thanking her profusely before leaving. The moment she was gone, Lin Dongxiu chided Xianglan, "They say you're foolish, and you truly prove them right! That Madam Tan just humiliated you in front of everyone, and yet you give her gifts? Have you lost your mind?"Xianglan said, "I'm forming good karma with her, so we can coexist peacefully in the future." Seeing that Lin Dongxiu still wore an indignant expression, she pulled her to sit down and said slowly, "Fourth Young Lady, you've always been clever and quick-witted, a daughter of a noble family. Your conduct should be different from ordinary people." After praising Lin Dongxiu twice and noticing her expression soften slightly, Xianglan continued, "Since you come from an established family like the Lin Family, you should know how difficult it is to get along with sisters-in-law, sisters, mothers-in-law, and aunts, not to mention managing hundreds of people above and below when you take charge of household affairs in the future. If you confront everyone who displeases you head-on, refusing to suffer even a single word of loss, always speaking harshly—if today you scold me, tomorrow you harm me—how can there be peace in daily life? Not to mention getting along with mothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, even the maids and old women under your command would not submit."
Lin Dongxiu asked, "Then what should I do?"
Xianglan replied, "First, form good karma. Speak kindly whenever possible, even to maids and old women. When you have some extra means, be generous and often bestow favors upon others. When people are pleased, they will become affectionate toward you."
Lin Dongxiu said, "What if they are the kind of ungrateful wretches who can't be tamed?"
Xianglan laughed and said, "Though ungrateful wretches exist, they are very few. Later, you can distinguish the good from the bad and keep your distance from them. Second, be willing to suffer losses. As the saying goes, 'Suffering a loss is a blessing.' If others take advantage of you or offend you, magnanimity is the best approach. It's better to ignore verbal disputes."
Just as they were speaking, they heard Lin Jinlou calling Lin Dongxiu's name outside, so Lin Dongxiu went out.
(Xiao He's Weibo: Search for 'He Yanshan')
Thank you to yalleo for the He's Jade Disc, 05111039283 for two Peach Blossom Fans, Rongyu8163 for three Peace Talismans, Shenxian Xiaoyouzi for two Peace Talismans, and tangxiao818, Ailan2014, Fanqieniu, kmtk11011101 for the Peace Talismans. Also, thank you all for the pink votes^_^
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