Jiang Xiyun sat dazedly on the drum stool, her spirits visibly low. Ruoqing said softly, "The old lady has always treasured you like her own eyes—no one would dare lay a finger on you. But this time, I fear even she may be powerless... Ah, if she knew how Master Lin has been carrying on, she'd be so upset it might affect her health—" She sighed, then comforted Jiang Xiyun, "Fortunately, the Master will soon arrive in the capital, and we still have our eldest aunt. When the time comes, we'll naturally have someone to stand up for us. If the Lin Family wishes to proceed with this marriage alliance, they'll have to give us a proper explanation."
Jiang Xiyun's heart felt frozen, utterly exhausted. She let out a soft, derisive laugh, "Stand up for me? How exactly? To what extent? Could they possibly call off the marriage? Though Father avoided disaster this time, he has offended the Crown Prince's Palace. If things go wrong, his official career could be ruined, and it might even implicate Elder Brother. The Lin Family is powerful and enjoys imperial favor. Even at the height of Father's official career, this marriage would have been us climbing above our station, let alone in our current situation. Never mind that Lin Jinlou dotes on a mere Concubine—even if he had seven or eight Concubines, I'd still have to hold my nose and marry into this family. What am I supposed to do? Beg Elder Brother to tell Lin Jinlou, 'Drive out that little Concubine of yours and never let her set foot here again'? Or should I endure it for now, wait until I'm married, and then contend with Chen Xianglan after Lin Jinlou has placed her on a pedestal? The old lady does care for me, but she's powerless in this matter. No matter how much she dotes on her granddaughter, it cannot compare to the family's future prospects. I understand this perfectly." She sighed softly again, as if speaking to herself, "But the thought of having to become a wooden puppet in the future—I simply cannot resign myself to it."
Ruoqing's expression turned sorrowful. Silently, she placed a small blue enamel bowl adorned with a lady's portrait on the table, filled with summer refreshments. Jiang Xiyun was a connoisseur of food, with high standards for culinary pleasures. Being somewhat plump and sensitive to heat, she made it a habit to enjoy a bowl of chilled sweet melon, fruit, lotus root, or almond tofu every summer. But now, her mind was too troubled to care.
Just then, the silver bells hanging on the door curtain chimed as Qiao Hui entered, carrying a gold-inlaid, silver-wrapped food container. She smiled and said, "Taitai has prepared lotus root soup with taro balls, remembering it's a favorite of Miss Xi's, and sent over a small pot for the Concubine Dowager and you two young ladies to enjoy." After setting down the container, Jiang Xiyun forced a smile and made polite conversation, instructing Ruoqing to give Qiao Hui a dozen coins as a reward.
After Qiao Hui left, Ruoqing lifted the lid of the pot and first served a bowl to Grandmother Jiang. Returning to find Jiang Xiyun staring blankly at the pot, she ladled out another bowl and placed it before her, urging gently, "Please try to eat a little, Miss."
Summoning her spirits with effort, Jiang Xiyun picked up the bowl and took a spoonful to her mouth, eating absently. Ruoqing brought over a cup of fragrant tea for rinsing her mouth and hesitantly asked, "Miss, when the Master arrives in a few days, should we mention this or not? We can't just let the Lin Family bully us like this."
Jiang Xiyun set down her bowl, her eyes now clear and composed. She wiped her mouth with a handkerchief and said calmly, "There will be a way."After having sweet soup, Jiang Xiyun skipped dinner that evening. After attending to Grandmother Jiang, she washed up and went to bed early, but tossed and turned restlessly in her brocade curtains, her mind in turmoil. She had witnessed the underhanded tactics of the Inner Chambers before—no matter how seductive or bewitching those charming concubines were, she feared none of them. But this time, heaven had set her against a delicate orchid. If it were an act of feigned foolishness and pitifulness, she wouldn't have any qualms about using whatever means necessary. Yet this Chen Xianglan was genuinely a fragile orchid. She didn't think much of this person initially, assuming Chen Xianglan was like her—outwardly simple but shrewd within. But after hearing Ruoqing relay Chun Ling's account of Xianglan's past, she realized Chen Xianglan was truly naive, honest, and simple-minded, with a stubborn streak of impracticality.
Jiang Xiyun had been exceptionally clever since childhood, sharp and perceptive. Her grandmother often doted on her, holding her close and saying, "Our Xiyun has ten thousand tricks up her sleeve, high understanding, and a flexible approach to life. While others are still figuring out the first step, Xiyun has already planned the next three moves. So shrewd and adept at weighing options—ah, she's a little prodigy through and through."
In contrast, Chen Xianglan appeared gentle and harmless, always yielding and enduring, willingly letting others take advantage, only to be bullied in return. Despite her striking beauty and considerable talent in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, she neither fought nor contended, resorting to tears when faced with trouble. If it were Jiang Xiyun living such a life, she would have long been stifled by the indignity.
Beauty, talent, honesty, and lowly origins—to be frank, she had once felt pity and regret for Chen Xianglan. If this person had no conflicts of interest with her, they might even have been friends. But for her own sake, she had no time to pity others.
She slowly exhaled, her hands gradually clenching.
The next day, Jiang Feiyun came to visit Grandmother Jiang again. After hearing from Ruoqing about the previous day's incident, she grew indignant and said to Jiang Xiyun, "Fifth Sister, you're too mild-tempered! Has Lin Jinlou become such an Overlord? Does he think the Jiang Family has no one to stand up to him?"
Jiang Xiyun replied with feigned innocence, "What's the big deal? Cousin doesn't have anyone to attend to him in his rooms now. What's wrong with keeping Xianglan in the Main House?"
Jiang Feiyun tapped Jiang Xiyun on the forehead and said, "You! You're not clever when you should be. They've already insulted us to our faces. Strictly speaking, there's nothing improper about it, but the Lin Family is supposed to form a marriage alliance with us. While you're still staying in the estate, Lin Jinlou openly dotes on a concubine like this—it's a great insult to our family."
Jiang Xiyun fidgeted uncomfortably. "Xianglan hasn't done anything wrong, and she's dear to Cousin's heart. If we make a fuss over this, wouldn't we lose face too?"
Jiang Feiyun said, "What does it matter? I'll stand up for you again. Fetch paper and brush—I'll write to Elder Brother myself and have him come to uphold justice for you."
Jiang Xiyun was pleased in her heart but verbally tried to dissuade her repeatedly. Jiang Feiyun indeed wrote a letter. Before leaving, she took Jiang Xiyun's hand and said, "That Chen Xianglan is beautiful and handles situations well—she's truly a rival. But she's too rigid and foolish, far less clever than you. If Chen Xianglan had your temperament, I'd be worried. With someone like her, what do you have to fear? If I ever have a daughter in the future, I'd be content if she had just half your wit."
Jiang Xiyun merely smiled faintly.In the blink of an eye, seven or eight days passed. Lin Jinlou was away on official business and could not return home. Qin Shi specifically called Jiang Xiyun to her side to comfort her, hinting subtly, "That eldest son of ours is the most troublesome, but he's still reasonable. I just hope that someday a proper girl like you can keep him in line."
Jiang Xiyun twisted the corner of her clothes, playing dumb. "He's my elder cousin—wouldn't it be improper for me to manage him? Elder cousin is meant for great things, so naturally he doesn't bother with minor details."
Qin Shi sighed and said, "You're such a sincere child," then pulled Jiang Xiyun into an embrace.
After leaving Qin Shi's room, Jiang Xiyun saw Xianglan approaching with a maid carrying two books. Their eyes met; Xianglan gathered her skirt and bowed in greeting, while Jiang Xiyun returned the courtesy. They glanced at each other from a distance, then both calmly averted their gazes.
After Jiang Xiyun walked away, Hua Shan remarked, "Miss Xi seems to have come from Taitai's room."
Xianglan nodded. That day, when she woke from her drunken stupor, Xiao Juan and others quietly told her that Taitai had visited, conveying the Jiang Family's intention for her to move out of the Main House—only Lin Jinlou had refused. Though Xianglan and Jiang Xiyun had previously exchanged pleasantries on the surface, after this incident, their encounters became awkward, and it was better to avoid each other.
Xianglan sighed softly. Lin Jinlou had been busy again; two days prior, he had ordered her to pack a chest of belongings, then departed with his men. Before leaving, he instructed her, "Take your medicine on time. There's silver in the cabinet—buy whatever you need. If you're bored or upset, go talk to someone. Don't just stay in your room painting, or you'll strain your eyes. Pay your respects to Taitai as usual, and don't take anything she says to heart. Just wait for me to return."
Xianglan listened with her head bowed, having no interest in dealing with the Lin Family's affairs. Lin Jinlou added, "I'll be back in a couple of days, and then I'll take you out to the countryside." Xianglan stole a glance at him: dressed in his official robes and black gauze cap, he appeared even more heroic and capable. Lin Jinlou touched her cheek and left. When she returned to her room, she saw a pair of knee pads tossed on the bed—the very ones Jiang Xiyun had made. She had originally packed them in the chest for Lin Jinlou to take. Looking around, she realized the knee pads she had made, which had been in her sewing basket, were now missing. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Xiao Juan and the others watching her cautiously. She stared at the knee pads for a long moment, then silently put them away.
Xianglan stood there lost in thought when suddenly she heard someone call her from behind. Turning, she saw Jiang Danyun approaching with her maid. Jiang Danyun smiled at her and said, "So it's you here."
Xianglan nodded and smiled. "Miss Dan." Recently, Jiang Danyun had been visiting Chun Tang Hall occasionally, trying to gossip about Jiang Xiyun with her. Xianglan never fully engaged, always diverting the conversation and offering only good tea and snacks.Jiang Danyun covered her mouth with her fan and laughed, "I saw it earlier—you ran into my younger sister, didn't you? Don’t take it to heart if she ignored you, Sister Xianglan. That’s just her nature. If she stands to gain from you, her words will be so sweet they could charm the bees from their honey. But if she dislikes you, oh my, her tongue becomes as sharp as a knife, leaving you fuming without a way to pin her down. I’ve suffered plenty from her since we were children—right now, she’s taken a dislike to you, and as for why, you’re clever enough to understand without me spelling it out. Be careful of her cunning; she plays dumb while scheming, and she wouldn’t hesitate to drag you through the mud, then act innocent to win favor." She chuckled again and added, "I see you’re a woman of talent, surely unwilling to be overshadowed, especially since you’ve won our elder cousin’s favor. Would you really let her lord it over you?"
Xianglan, recognizing Jiang Danyun’s attempt to stir trouble, had little interest in listening. She replied, "Thank you for your advice, Miss Dan. Taitai has asked me to deliver the copied Buddhist scriptures and is waiting in her room. I’ll chat with you another day." With that, she left with Hua Shan.
Jiang Danyun watched Xianglan’s retreating figure, fury rising in her heart. She thought, "Who does this Xianglan think she is, putting on such a lofty air?" Her mind drifted to the lavish furnishings of Chun Tang Hall and Xianglan’s head-to-toe finery of gold, silver, and silk. She thought of her own impending marriage into a modest farming-and-scholar family, where even as the proper wife she wouldn’t enjoy the grandeur of a new concubine like Xianglan. Then she considered Jiang Xiyun’s future as the Lin Family’s honored lady, likely suppressing her for life. In a few days, her elder brother would fetch her from the Lin Family to prepare for her wedding, and she shed a couple of tears. Recalling a few remarks Jiang Xiyun and Ruoqing had let slip recently, she seethed inwardly, "Don’t think you’ll have peace after I’m gone—before I leave, I’ll turn everything upside down!"
Enough of this digression. The weather grew cooler as the summer heat began to fade. One day, a letter arrived from Lin Jinlou stating he would return home that afternoon. Jiang Shangxian, the eldest son of the Jiang Family, had already sent a visiting card, and Lin Jinlou scheduled the meeting for that afternoon. Additionally, Yuan Shaoren was bringing De Ge’er for a short stay, so the household was ordered to prepare.
By noon, Lin Jinlou had returned, dusty from his journey. He ate a quick meal, bathed, and had just changed clothes when Jiang Shangxian arrived. Lin Jinlou went to the front to receive his guest. Soon after, Yuan Shaoren arrived with De Ge’er and settled them in the outer study, where Guiyuan hurried to serve tea.
Yuan Shaoren asked, "Why are you alone here? Where are Ji Xiang and Shuangxi?"
Guiyuan replied, "Shuangxi has gone out, and Ji Xiang is attending to the Master. The Jiang Family’s eldest son is here."
Yuan Shaoren frowned. Just then, De Ge’er piped up, "I’m going to find Auntie Lan!" He hopped down from his chair and dashed off—but we’ll leave that for now.
Meanwhile, in Xianglan’s quarters, Chun Ling was brewing medicine in the small tea room. This task originally fell to Ling Su, but she had caught a chill and moved to the annex room to avoid spreading illness, so the duty passed to Chun Ling. Initially reluctant, Chun Ling complained to anyone who would listen, "If anything happens to the medicine for the lady, won’t I be blamed?" After a scolding from Shuran, she grudgingly went to prepare the medicine.Although the dog days of summer had just ended, the weather remained stifling. Chun Ling fanned the stove, sweat droplets rolling down her face. She wanted to find a maidservant to take over fanning the fire. Rising to look out the window, she saw all the other maidservants had gone off to play, leaving only Chaolu kicking a shuttlecock in the shade. This Chaolu was Shuran’s personal maid, whom Chun Ling couldn’t easily order around. Just as she was frowning to herself, she heard laughter. Peering out, she saw Jiang Danyu and Jiang Xiyun approaching from a distance, chatting as they walked.
Upon seeing them, Chun Ling hurried out to greet them, smiling. "What brings you two young ladies here?"
Jiang Xiyun replied with a laugh, "Fourth Sister insisted on dragging me along."
Jiang Danyun said, "We came to have a word with Sister Xianglan."
Chun Ling exclaimed, "Oh, what a pity! The young master from the Yuan family has come, and the new concubine just took him for a stroll in the small garden."
Jiang Xiyun immediately said, "In that case, let's head back. My feet are already sore from walking."
Jiang Danyun countered, "What’s the hurry? If your feet are sore, my throat is parched. Since we’re at the tea room, let’s ask for a drink."
Chun Ling quickly urged, "Please, come inside." She led them in, personally rinsed cups, and poured tea for them.
Jiang Danyun asked, "What medicine is brewing on the stove?"
Chun Ling replied, "It’s for the new concubine in the house."
Jiang Xiyun shot Jiang Danyun a discreet glance, took a sip of tea, and said, "The medicinal smell in here is too strong. I’ll step outside for some air." Carrying her tea, she walked out, drawing Chun Ling to stand at the tea room doorway with their backs to the room, engaging in casual conversation.
Jiang Danyun’s heart pounded like thunder. She had been hesitant and conflicted, thinking she might abandon the plan if no opportunity arose. She never expected Jiang Xiyun to stand chatting and laughing with Chun Ling at the door. Knowing that opportunities lost might never return, she trembled as she rose to her feet.Thank you for yalleo's He's Jade Disc; Green Forest Lost Deer, Hua Shan Green Water Ripples, Immortal Little Pomelo, and Rongyu8163's Peach Blossom Fans; Green Forest Lost Deer, Fatwanghua001, flora9999, Bookfriend140721082812073, I Hate Raw Fish (2), rica308's sachets; Rongyu8163 (9), Grimm's Fairy Tales1 (4), Bookfriend140801113712031 (2), Egg Yuan (4), Love Orchid 2014 (11), tangxiao818 (8), Plum Branch Countryside (2), doudou68, Cool Seawater, kmtk11011101 (5), zhaoye1978, Yoga Practicing Fatty, Bookfriend140721082812073 (2), lola1618 (4), Ling Ling Qing Qing (2), Burdened with Arrogance, Junxi812, Bookfriend101112101048336, daxiang8911, Yao Yao, I Hate Raw Fish, Orchid Never Loses Its Fragrance, Xinxin2004, Flower-Loving Cat (2), Tomato Beef, Book Sea Passerby (2), xhlx5, emilyjee (2), Phoenix Tree Listening to Light Rain, damima (2), zhaoye1978, Chen Xiang Yun, Old Lady Buying Vegetables at the Door, Napping Cat, FF Your Highness (3), hch12333's Peace Talismans, and also thank you everyone for the pink votes. Many thanks ^_^
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