Lin Jinlou lazily reclined in his chair, a wine cup held in his hand. After three rounds of drinks and five courses of dishes, the guests at the banquet had grown somewhat unrestrained, indulging in boisterous laughter and chatter. The third son of the Lu family, Lu Jian—Lin Jinlou’s elder sister’s husband—sat nearby, speaking with great enthusiasm. He began with topics of actors and courtesans, then moved on to the latest gossip in the capital and the shifting currents within the court—who had been demoted, who had been promoted, whose daughter had entered the palace, and who had newly gained the emperor’s favor, and so on.
Lin Jinlou listened with only half an ear. This brother-in-law of his had studied for a couple of years but had no real talent, relying solely on the family’s lingering influence. Though he had some of the habits of a spoiled young master, he was timid and weak-willed, amounting to nothing. Only someone like Lin Dongwan could keep him in check—what man would willingly let a woman dominate him? Nowadays, even taking a concubine required Lu Jian to consider Lin Dongwan’s mood. He had to pick a plain, obedient maid from among the servants while she was pregnant, and it was said that even when he went out drinking, he either freeloaded off friends or ran up tabs, with barely a few taels of silver in his pocket.
Lin Jinlou’s eyes swept around and noticed that Song Ke’s seat was empty. He couldn’t help but sneer coldly. Earlier, at the entrance, he had deliberately arranged for Xianglan to meet that brat Song Ke, simply to test their reactions. For a long time, Song Ke had been like a thorn in his heart. Rather than letting that thorn fester, it was better to give it a swift resolution—he wanted to see for himself just how much that Song fellow weighed in little Xianglan’s heart. From the moment Song Ke laid eyes on Xianglan, his gaze had been fixed on her as if he had lost his soul, making Lin Jinlou feel thoroughly uncomfortable. Whether it was Song Ke or Duke Xian standing behind him, the two sides had originally had nothing to do with each other. With the bond of marriage tying them, they merely exchanged courtesies. But if they truly provoked him, forget his parents’ influence—just his own standing would be enough to make Duke Xian think twice. As for the insignificant Song Ke, he was hardly a threat. Xianglan was a home-born servant, belonging to their family since birth. Whether she was freed from her status or not made little difference in Lin Jinlou’s eyes—she was his to begin with. It was just that he had rarely stayed at home before and hadn’t noticed. But now that Xianglan was his beloved concubine, Song Ke could go cool off somewhere else.
He had deliberately raised his cup to toast Song Ke at his table, congratulating him on “a hundred years of harmony and the joy of a precious son”—a pointed remark meant as a warning for Song Ke to behave. He then said to Song Ke with a smile, “In a few days, I’ll pick an auspicious date to elevate Xianglan to the status of Concubine and plan to host a grand banquet to celebrate. I hope you’ll honor us with your presence and share a cup of celebratory wine with me.” Upon hearing this, Song Ke’s hand, holding the wine cup, stilled. After a long pause, he suddenly laughed, drained the cup in one go, and made as if to pat Lin Jinlou’s shoulder but hesitated. In the end, he did pat it and said to Lin Jinlou, “Brother, you truly have good fortune. I must beg your pardon—I need to step out to relieve myself.” With that, he left Lin Jinlou standing there alone and walked out.
Lin Jinlou merely watched Song Ke’s retreating back and snorted coldly.Soon after, someone else came to toast Lin Jinlou. He responded with a smile, exchanging pleasantries and drinking with numerous guests. Just then, Dai Rong slipped in through the door and approached Lin Jinlou, whispering a few words. Lin Jinlou’s expression instantly darkened, but he quickly relaxed his features and put on a smile again. Addressing those around him, he said, “I must beg your pardon for a moment—I’ll make it up with three cups upon my return.” With that, he rose and left the banquet. Once outside, his face turned cold and forbidding. He grabbed Dai Rong by the collar and demanded in a chilly tone, “Is what you said true?”
Dai Rong, seeing Lin Jinlou’s livid face and the fury blazing in his eyes, was so frightened his legs went weak. Clutching Lin Jinlou’s hand, he forced a smile and said, “It’s true, it’s true! I wouldn’t dare lie to General Lin even if I had the courage of a bear or a leopard.” But inwardly, he cursed himself for agreeing to deliver Zhao Yuechan’s message.
Lin Jinlou tightened his grip and sneered, “Good, very good.” With that, he punched Dai Rong squarely in the face. Blood immediately streamed from Dai Rong’s nose, and his vision swam with stars. Stunned, he was about to cry out when Lin Jinlou hauled him up and growled menacingly, “If you dare breathe a word of this to anyone, I’ll cut out your tongue. Don’t test me.”
Dai Rong inwardly lamented his misfortune and nodded repeatedly. As soon as Lin Jinlou released him, Dai Rong’s legs gave way, and he nearly kowtowed. Lin Jinlou kicked him and snapped, “Worthless fool! Get up and lead the way!”
Clutching his nose and cursing his luck, Dai Rong thought of Lin Jinlou’s notorious nicknames—“Tyrant Lin” and “Living Bandit.” Why had he been so foolish as to listen to that wretched Zhao Yuechan’s instigation and let his curiosity get the better of him? Now he had provoked this man’s wrath. He hastily stuffed a handkerchief into his bleeding nose and, with a pained expression, led Lin Jinlou away.
Meanwhile, in the Lu family garden, beside the intricately carved stone wall, Xianglan felt as if a thunderclap had struck her ears upon hearing Song Ke’s words. She stumbled back a step. Though she tried to hold back, tears streamed down her cheeks uncontrollably.
Song Ke’s heart ached with each beat. He took a step forward, his own tears falling freely. His lips trembled as he said, “You… you recognized me long ago, didn’t you? Why didn’t you tell me sooner? If I had known… if only I had known back then, how could I have abandoned you and married into the Zheng family…” Every word felt like a fire burning in his chest, threatening to consume him entirely.
When he had first overheard Junxi’s casual mention of it, he felt as if his insides were being torn apart. He slammed his fist on the table until it bled, then stood up, ready to rush out. Song Zancha, terrified, grabbed his arm and cried, “Brother, where are you going?” He replied dazedly, “To find Xianglan…” Alarmed, Song Zancha glanced around and whispered urgently, “Brother, what nonsense are you saying? If Sister-in-law hears, it’ll be a disaster! We’re far from Jinling—how would you even get there? Besides… Xianglan is already Lin Jinlou’s concubine. What good would going do?” Her words were like a bucket of ice water poured over him, chilling him to the bone. Yes, what was done was done—what use was there now? He sank back into his seat, bewildered. Just then, Zheng Jingxian entered the room, her belly swollen with pregnancy. Startled, she asked, “What’s wrong with him? Is he unwell? Why is he crying all of a sudden?”Oh, so he had shed tears. Song Ke stared fixedly at a pot of orchids on the windowsill as his sister Song Zancha covered for him, saying, "It's nothing. Brother was just thinking of our father's early passing and feeling sad."
Xianglan now stood before him, alive and real—not some phantom from midnight dreams. Tears streaked her face. Why was she crying? Back when she was exiled thousands of miles, she hadn't shed a single tear along the journey, always greeting him with a smiling face. The visage before him merged with the one from his past life, and he couldn't resist reaching out to grasp her arm, as if afraid she might vanish at any moment.
But Xianglan, as if waking from a dream, stepped back twice, pulled out a handkerchief to quickly wipe her face, and steadied her voice as much as possible. "Scholar Song must have mistaken me for someone else. What past life or present life? Scholar Song must have drunk too much and lost his senses." With that, she turned to leave.
Song Ke seemed not to hear, murmuring, "My previous life was wretched and pathetic. In the end, I couldn't even protect you on the journey and died early. Coming back in this life feels like some absurd dream. It's true—I've been driven since childhood. In my past life, my ambitions went unfulfilled before my death; in this one, I must rise above and make something of myself, especially since I still have my mother and a younger sister. I've been shameless, marrying Miss Zheng for the sake of my future. How much helplessness I've felt! I've tasted the bitterness and sweetness of worldly fickleness across two lifetimes. The path was one I chose myself. I gritted my teeth and parted from you because I knew your nature. I loved you so much—I just wanted you to live the free, comfortable life you desired. I'd already wronged you; I only wished for you to be happy every day... But you... how could you have become Lin Jinlou's concubine? That man is licentious and domineering, with five or six lovers in the capital alone. You... how much suffering must you endure..."
Xianglan halted, tears falling like rain. For so long, aside from her mother, everyone thought her association with Lin Jinlou was a stroke of ancestral luck, bringing untold blessings. Yet Song Ke actually understood the sorrow in her heart. She dared not sob aloud, afraid he would notice, and only quietly dabbed her tears with her handkerchief.
Song Ke stepped forward, blocking Xianglan's path, and said to her, "Xianglan, if you were living well, that would be one thing. But the light in your eyes doesn't lie—you're not truly happy with Lin Jinlou. If you trust me, I'll help you break free from him and settle you far away... I have no grand expectations for you. I just want to do something, hoping it will bring you peace. I mean every word from the bottom of my heart..."
Xianglan gazed at Song Ke's handsome, pained face, and for a moment, her heart stirred. If someone could lend her a hand, it would be like a ray of dawn in the darkness—nothing could be better. But then, she immediately recalled Lin Jinlou's cold, ruthless glare and sobered up. Song Ke had never experienced Lin Jinlou's methods, but she understood them all too well. Now, Song Ke had a wife and children, his career was smooth—she couldn't drag him into the mire for her own sake. The Lin family's influence was too strong, and Song Ke was too weak. If he provoked Zheng Jingxian's wrath and stirred up trouble in his household, she would carry the guilt for life. Moreover, having heard Song Ke's confession and moved by his affection for her, she could not bring herself to do something so dishonorable.Xianglan took two more steps back, her expression now calm as she said indifferently, "Academician Song, you are truly drunk. Please return."
Song Ke looked at her eyes swollen like peaches, her reddened nose tip, and her aloof demeanor, immediately realizing she was pretending not to recognize him. His heart ached even more intensely. He lowered his head with difficulty, a few tears already falling into the soil at his feet.
"Academician Song." Upon hearing Xianglan call him, Song Ke immediately looked up. He saw her with downcast eyes, gazing fixedly at a stone not far away, as she spoke quietly: "I am living quite well now. As for life... it passes slowly, almost imperceptibly. I am but an ordinary woman with no grand ambitions—aside from being able to paint a few pictures, I have no particular talents or anything worthy of praise. Unlike you, a great man full of learning and the ability to bring peace and stability to the nation. Our paths merely crossed for a time, and now that fate has run its course, I am not worth your enduring remembrance. I wish you continuous advancement and the fulfillment of your talents in the days to come." Having said this, she respectfully gathered her skirt and performed a graceful curtsy.
Song Ke stood dumbfounded, staring at Xianglan’s tear-reddened eyes and cold expression. A thousand words swelled in his chest, yet not one could escape his lips.
Just then, a voice came from behind: "What a coincidence to meet here."
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