Xianglan quickly turned around and saw Lin Jinlou emerging from the dense shade of trees and floral shadows. His expression was haughty, and though a smile hung on his face, his eyes were piercingly cold.
Xianglan froze, feeling as if all the blood in her body had turned to ice. Just then, footsteps sounded from the other side as Zheng Jingxian hurried over, her face dark and livid with anger. She glared fiercely at Xianglan, panting heavily from her haste, a thin layer of sweat glistening on the tip of her nose. She strode directly to Song Ke’s side and raised her voice, "What are you doing here?" When Song Ke remained silent, she raised her voice even higher, saying, "I have a headache, all thanks to those shameless fox spirits." With an extremely disdainful glance at Xianglan, she said to Song Ke, "Let's go home."
Song Ke looked at Zheng Jingxian but stood firmly in place without uttering a word. Fearing that Lin Jinlou might trouble Xianglan, he cupped his hands and said, "Xianglan and I merely happened to meet by chance. It was my mistake to intrude into the garden. Brother Lin, please do not blame her. I apologize on her behalf."
Lin Jinlou raised an eyebrow slightly, then broke into a radiant smile. He walked straight to Xianglan and took her hand.
Xianglan trembled all over.
Lin Jinlou lowered his head, gently squeezing Xianglan’s small hand in his palm. He lifted his gaze to her face and suddenly flashed a grin, his expression unexpectedly tender and affectionate. "Your hand is so cold, hmm? Have you been standing in the wind for too long? Did you take your medicine? I was just thinking of checking on you, but here you are, out and about."
Xianglan was taken aback and looked up at Lin Jinlou’s face. She noticed a faint blue vein pulsing on his forehead and knew that beneath his gentle and elegant facade, he was seething with rage. Her heart sank. Well aware of Lin Jinlou’s temperament, she feared that if he lost his temper, the situation would spiral out of control. So she obediently lowered her head and said in a trembling voice, "It is a bit cold. I should have worn an extra layer." As she spoke, she clasped Lin Jinlou’s hand in return and whispered softly, "Eldest Master, warm my hands for me."
Lin Jinlou was momentarily stunned. Even in private, Xianglan had never been this affectionate with him. He chuckled, gently pulling her into his embrace, and said with intimate warmth, "So well-behaved. I’ll reward you properly later."
Xianglan smiled faintly, tilting her face slightly as if adjusting a Pearl Flower hairpin by her temple, discreetly wiping away a tear from the corner of her eye. Lin Jinlou noticed but maintained his loving smile. He leaned in and whispered through gritted teeth, "If you dare shed another tear, just see what happens."
Xianglan closed her eyes briefly, her face brimming with a radiant smile. She said to Lin Jinlou, "I had too much to drink at the banquet earlier, and now I’m feeling dizzy. I’d like to go back."
Lin Jinlou’s eyes flickered toward Song Ke, whose face had turned pale, and a sense of satisfaction stirred within him. Holding Xianglan close, he said, "In that case, let’s head back." He turned to leave.
Suddenly, Zheng Jingxian sneered in a shrill voice, "Shameless!"
Lin Jinlou halted, turned around, and fixed his gaze on Zheng Jingxian. "Who are you insulting?"
Zheng Jingxian straightened her back under Lin Jinlou’s domineering stare, pointed her chin toward Xianglan, and said arrogantly, "I’m talking about her. What are you going to do about it?"
Lin Jinlou let out a soft laugh, released Xianglan, and stepped forward. Shaking his head, he said with a smile, "Well, well, cousin. It’s been a while since I last saw you, and you’ve grown quite bold, daring to insult someone from my household."
Seeing the situation escalate, Song Ke stepped in front of Zheng Jingxian and said, "She’s had too much to drink and has offended Miss Xianglan. I apologize on her behalf."Song Ke's actions only fanned the flames of Zheng Jingxian's anger. Who was she? The beloved legitimate daughter of Duke Xian, showered with affection since childhood, even frequently receiving rewards from the imperial dowagers in the palace. Which madam or young lady in the capital wouldn't give her due respect, praising her as "a heroine among women"? Who dared show her displeasure, and when had she ever endured such petty grievances? Chen Xianglan was merely a lowly servant girl, yet she dared seduce her husband in broad daylight, and her husband actually shielded that vixen! How could she swallow this insult? Everyone said the Lin family was powerful, that the ground in Jinling would tremble with Lin Jinlou's mere stomp, but she refused to believe in such superstition.
Zheng Jingxian pushed Song Ke aside and stepped forward, raising her chin high with a mocking smile. "Anyone with eyes can see it's your concubine who's promiscuous and lacks virtue, randomly seducing men. Cousin, you haven't made much progress over the years. It was one thing to consort with those rouge powders and prostitutes before, but now you've brought such trash into your home—she's not even as good as those loose women outside! Aren't you afraid of tarnishing your family's reputation?"
Xianglan's eyes widened. Zheng Jingxian's words were both rapid and merciless—this was the first time she'd heard anyone dare provoke Lin Jinlou so boldly.
Song Ke looked stern, frowning as he scolded, "What nonsense are you spouting!"
Lin Jinlou had already nodded to Song Ke with a faint smile. "Yifei, your judgment really isn't up to par. How could you choose such a wife, chattering about 'rouge powders' and 'loose women'? For someone from a noble family, this is quite novel to hear."
Song Ke glanced at Xianglan, who stood silently with her head bowed, then gritted his teeth and bowed deeply to Lin Jinlou. "My wife spoke out of turn. I apologize on her behalf."
Zheng Jingxian, fuming, was about to speak when Song Ke suddenly turned his head and snapped sharply, "Haven't you done enough!"
Zheng Jingxian was startled. Song Ke had always been gentle and had never been so harsh with her. Seeing his livid face, she had no choice but to swallow her anger, though her eyes welled with tears. Just as they were about to fall, she turned her face away, unwilling to let anyone see.
Lin Jinlou stared coldly at Zheng Jingxian. "Watch your tongue. Don't think just because you're from Duke Xian's household everyone has to respect you. If you're disrespectful to me again, I'll personally help you rinse your mouth."
Song Ke had already regained his elegant composure. He walked to Lin Jinlou's side, patted his shoulder, and said with a smile, "Enough, Brother Lin. My wife was momentarily confused and spoke foolishly. I apologize on her behalf and will host a banquet at my residence to make amends." With that, he didn't spare another glance for Xianglan, simply pulling Zheng Jingxian away.
Once they rounded a rockery, Song Ke slowed his pace and released her hand. Zheng Jingxian asked angrily, "What were you doing just now? Alone in the garden with that little slut, defending her at every turn, acting so subservient—where was your backbone? Fine, you're so capable, but in the end, you only know how to scold me..." Overwhelmed by bitterness, a stream of tears rolled down her cheeks.
Song Ke replied indifferently, "You were quite impressive today. Where did you get the news to come storming in to catch us in the act? Did you see even a hint of impropriety? Count on your fingers—how many times is this that you've embarrassed me in public?"Zheng Jingxian's face stiffened with anger upon hearing this, rendered utterly speechless. Then Song Ke continued, "I've told you before—as my wife, I naturally respect you with the utmost courtesy. But if you overstep my wishes again, need I remind you of the consequences? Or has your memory failed you?" With a cold glance at Zheng Jingxian, he pressed his lips together and strode away.
Tears welled in Zheng Jingxian's eyes. She had adored Song Ke since childhood, and when he fell into hardship, she cast aside all dignity to marry him and help restore his standing. After their wedding, he indeed treated her with formal respect, yet it never felt enough. She was neither skilled in household management nor exceptional in needlework—her sole value lay in aiding Song Ke's career. Driven by his ambition, she tirelessly coaxed and pleaded with her father to secure opportunities for him. She exhausted herself for Song Ke's sake, even conspiring with her father to pave a path for Song Zanchai to enter the palace as a candidate. Once Song Zanchai gained the Emperor's favor, Song Ke could advance further. After repeated persuasions, Song Zanchai agreed. But when Song Ke discovered this, he erupted in fury, firmly forbidding his sister's entry. Yet through some scheme of her father's, Song Zanchai's virtues reached the inner court, and the Emperor personally summoned her to become a noble consort. Pleased with her, the Emperor bestowed favor upon Song Ke, appointing him to compile texts and assist in the cabinet.
Overjoyed, Zheng Jingxian never anticipated Song Ke would grow increasingly distant—offering only perfunctory respect, often lodging in his study at night, and merely acting the devoted husband in public. Her heart swelled with bitterness, but she refused to show it, maintaining a rigid composure. Now, unable to bear it any longer, she covered her face with a handkerchief and wept bitterly. Let us leave her for now.
After Song Ke departed, Zhao Yuechan grew restless. She had deliberately sent Dai Rong and Qiongzhi to summon Lin Jinlou and Zheng Jingxian, hoping to stir chaos and spread scandal to vent her resentment. Hiding behind a stone wall, she had vaguely overheard fragments of Song Ke and Xianglan's conversation, but Zheng Jingxian's subsequent argument with him rang clear. She expected a storm, yet it dissipated into calm.
Then she heard Lin Jinlou snap at Xianglan in a hardened tone, "Why are you still dawdling? Get back now—no returning to the banquet. I'll settle with you later at Emerald Pavilion." Suppressing his anger, he dismissed Xianglan with a few sharp words but trailed her at a distance until she entered Emerald Pavilion. Muttering curses, he grumbled, "Troublesome wretch, always stirring up nonsense for me."
Watching this, Zhao Yuechan's jealousy flared. She emerged from behind the wall, wearing a bewitching smile and fluttering her coquettish eyes, a fan covering her mouth. "I heard such a commotion out here—oh my, why did the grand play conclude before it even began?"
Her gaze locked on Lin Jinlou. This man, so young yet wielding wealth and power, had grown even more dashing. He was once her husband! A tumult of emotions—hatred, envy, regret—surged within her, agitating her to the point of wanting to tear him apart. With a mocking smirk, she added, "Tsk, tsk, what a pity General Lin arrived too late to witness the romantic tryst in the garden—the tender scene between scholar and beauty was far more captivating than any stage performance."Lin Jinlou caught sight of Zhao Yuechan and immediately understood the situation, recalling Dai Rong’s earlier message. He let out a scornful laugh at her words, deliberately ignoring her as he walked slowly past. Suddenly, he halted behind her, staring down at her pale neck and murmuring in a low voice, "Rein in your ambitions. Go back and think carefully about how to serve that old man properly. Xianglan belongs to me in this life and the next. Even if she were the Monkey King, she could never escape my Five Finger Mountain. But that old man may not live much longer—be careful, or when he kicks the bucket, you might not even have a place to stand."
He watched Zhao Yuechan’s face turn ashen, a mocking smile spreading across his own, before striding boldly away.
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