It is said that on this day, a small sedan chair was carried through the side gate of the Lin residence in the capital. As soon as the sedan stopped, seven or eight matrons immediately gathered around. The curtain was lifted, and a woman in her thirties stepped out. She had a dignified and elegant appearance, her hair styled into a sleek bun. Though dressed in plain and simple attire, she carried an air of nobility. Accompanying her was a young maid with twin buns in her hair, wearing a light green dress and carrying two bundles in her hands, her expression also quite reserved.
The group led the two to the Hall of Flourishing Spring. Hua Shan was standing at the door and quickly lifted the curtain, calling out, "Concubine, Xia Gugu has arrived." As Xia Gugu entered the room, she saw that the main hall was spacious and splendidly decorated. The table skirts and chair cushions were all made of high-quality kesi tapestry, though they appeared slightly worn. A maid came in to serve tea, and before long, the sound of tinkling jewelry could be heard as a beautiful woman emerged from the inner chamber. She wore a lotus-purple jacket embroidered with butterflies and flowers, paired with a bean-green skirt adorned with floral patterns. In her hair, she had only two or three pearl flowers with kingfisher feather inlays. Upon seeing Xia Gugu, she smiled and greeted her, saying, "You must be exhausted from the journey. Thank you for your hard work." She then politely offered her a seat.
It turned out that Lin Dongxiu's marriage to Yuan Shaoren was considered a step up for her. Qin Shi, fearing that Lin Dongxiu might lack proper etiquette or act inappropriately, leading to ridicule and discord between the Yuan and Lin families, had taken her under her wing for daily guidance. However, this strict supervision inevitably caused friction between them. Qin Shi then wrote to her family, asking her parents and siblings to find an experienced and well-mannered matron. As the Qin family was a prominent noble household in the capital, they soon found a suitable candidate. After the death of Princess Chongning, the daughter of the late emperor, who passed away at a young age following her marriage, several of her trusted palace maids were granted permission to leave the palace. Xia Gugu was one of them. Though still relatively young, she had previously served as a female official in the palace and had attended to Princess Chongning closely in her earlier years. After leaving the palace, she married one of the princess's guards. Since her husband was distantly related to the Qin family, the Qins sent someone to invite her. Her husband was initially reluctant to let her go, but Xia Gugu reasoned, "The princess has passed away, and we no longer have a powerful patron. You're only a minor official at the Nine Gates—though we have enough to eat and wear, our former glory is gone. Lin Jinlou is an extremely capable man, wielding significant influence in the military. If he so much as coughs, the entire Jiangnan region trembles. Now that we have this opportunity to connect with his family, only a fool would refuse. Moreover, his father is a high-ranking provincial official. Even if not for our own sake, we must think of our children. Establishing this goodwill will open doors for our son, whether he pursues studies or a military career, and for our daughter when it comes to marriage. Besides, the Lin family is offering a generous reward, equivalent to two years of your salary." Upon hearing this, her husband immediately changed his mind and even urged her to go.
Xia Gugu had long heard that Lin Jinlou had a beloved concubine in his household, renowned for her stunning beauty and treated differently from others. As soon as Xianglan appeared, Xia Gugu understood who she was and greeted her with a smile. Xianglan said, "Madam emphasized in her letter four or five times that you are an honored guest and that we must take good care of you. Madam and the young lady will not arrive in the capital for a few more days. Your accommodations have already been prepared. Please settle in comfortably, and if you need anything, just let us know."Xia Gugu said, "I am honored by Madam's regard and have troubled the Concubine to take pains." She then went out with the little maid. Shu Ran personally led them to the Double Roost Pavilion and said to Xia Gugu with a smile, "This was originally prepared as the bridal chamber for the Third Master. Since the Third Master has taken his wife back to Jinling, this bridal chamber is now reserved for Fourth Miss, so she may share in the auspicious atmosphere. The masters' intention is for you to also reside here, staying with Fourth Miss day and night, so you may instruct her."
Xia Gugu nodded slightly. Shu Ran led them to the room on the left, where all kinds of utensils were fully equipped. The alcove bed was hung with lilac-colored double-embroidered grape-patterned curtains. After speaking for a while about the situation in the mansion, Shu Ran left two maids for their use and took her leave. Xia Gugu sat down on the edge of the bed, while the little maid Fangfei unpacked the bundle, putting the change of clothes into the wardrobe and arranging the toiletries on the table. She remarked, "This Lin family is quite interesting, letting a concubine manage household affairs. When we came this time, I thought it would be the Second Mistress of the Lin family receiving us."
Xia Gugu said, "This is their family matter. Do not speak out of turn."
Fangfei stuck out her tongue and fell silent. In truth, Xia Gugu thought the same as Fangfei, but she had come this time firstly to instruct Lin Dongxiu, secondly to form connections with the Lin family, and thirdly to earn her silver. Thus, she resolved to turn a deaf ear and blind eye to all matters, big or small, in the Lin residence, and pay them no mind. With the master and servant settled in, we shall set them aside for now.
Now, four or five days later, Qin Shi's carriage arrived. The crowd, bustling around her, escorted her to the Hall of Glory and Longevity. Qin Shi sat upright in the seat of honor, and Hongjian laid out a kneeling cushion. Lin Jinlou and Lin Jinxuan came forward first to pay their respects, followed by Tan Luhua, with Yin Yiniang and Xianglan behind them. Lin Dongxiu then paid her respects to her elder brothers and sisters-in-law one by one.
Xianglan stood at the doorway and saw that the main hall was quiet, with everyone standing respectfully with hands at their sides. Only Qin Shi sat with dignified composure, her imposing presence unmatched even by the madams of ordinary wealthy families.
Qin Shi first inquired after Lin Jinxuan, asking how his health was, what medicines he had been taking recently, whether he slept well at night, and which physician had examined him. Lin Jinxuan answered with utmost respect. Qin Shi then smiled and said, "Good child, you poor thing. I see you have more energy than before, which shows what it means to have taken a wife. Do not stop taking those tonic medicines. Recently, a prescription has been circulating from the palace. I am currently taking that medicine and find it beneficial. One of these days, I will invite a imperial physician to examine you. If it suits you, we can prepare a dose for you to try."
Lin Jinxuan hurriedly said, "I trouble Mother to think of me in all matters. I am truly endlessly grateful."
Qin Shi merely smiled without speaking and turned her gaze to Tan Luhua. Tan Luhua had already performed the formal greeting earlier and was standing to the side. Qin Shi looked her over from head to toe and said with a smile, "What a well-put-together child. When you entered the family, the Master and I were not here, which must have been a slight to you." She signaled to Lulan with her eyes, and Lulan immediately handed a sandalwood box to Tan Luhua. Qin Shi smiled and said, "This is just a small token of regard from us elders."
Tan Luhua hurriedly bowed again to express her thanks, while Qin Shi merely smiled faintly. After a while, the crowd dispersed. Qin Shi kept Lin Jinlou alone in the room to speak with him, instructing Xianglan to wait outside. A short time later, she called Xianglan in. She saw Qin Shi sitting on the bed, holding a pinkish-white small bowl. Lin Jinlou was lounging against the headrests on the Arhat Bed, sitting without proper posture. When he saw Xianglan, he beckoned and said, "Go, attend to Madam."Xianglan then walked over. Qin Shi instructed her to sit on the small stool by the bed and scrutinized her carefully for a moment before saying, "I've heard from Lou Ge'er that you've been handling all sorts of household affairs diligently—not just the wedding banquet for Ting Ge'er, but also the recent matter of Xia Gugu staying in the residence."
Xianglan couldn't discern Qin Shi's mood, but she didn't particularly care either. Still, she rose to her feet, clasping her hands respectfully, and said, "I've overstepped my bounds and failed to manage things properly."
Lin Jinlou interjected, "Madam is praising you. What are you afraid of?" He glanced at Qin Shi and added, "Isn't that right?"
Wu Mama, standing nearby, chuckled and said, "Listen to that. Madam hasn't even said anything, and he's already defending her."
Lin Jinlou smiled without responding.
Qin Shi shot Lin Jinlou a look before turning back to Xianglan. "You've worked hard these days. I'll reward you properly later. I've also brought someone with me—see who it is." She gestured to the side, where Chunling stood, bowing to Xianglan from a distance and murmuring softly, "Concubine."
Xianglan was taken aback. Back then, Chunling, relying on her slight favor, had acted arrogantly and thrown tantrums. Little did she expect that Xianglan, even if she were made of clay, would have some grit—she had genuinely lost her temper and left Chunling behind in Jinling. As Xianglan looked at Chunling, her feelings were particularly complex. She was someone who cherished past affections and truly appreciated the kindness Chunling had once shown her. Yet, this very person had leveraged that gratitude to assert dominance over her, sharp-tongued and fiery-tempered, constantly stirring up trouble and causing her endless vexation.
Qin Shi merely maintained her smile and said, "I know this girl has served you for a long time, so your bond is special. On this trip, I happened to bring her along." She waved her hand dismissively. "I've just returned home and have been busy all morning. I'm tired now and need to rest. You may all leave."
After everyone had dispersed, Qin Shi changed into casual clothes and reclined on the bed, instructing Hongjian to massage her legs with a beauty mallet. Half-closing her eyes, she asked Wu Mama, "What do you make of the current situation?"
Wu Mama thought for a moment, choosing her words carefully. "From the looks of it, the Eldest Master hasn't let go yet. Xianglan is extremely clever and cautious. When Madam mentioned her contributions to household affairs, she neither took credit nor overly humbled herself. Her first words were to acknowledge she had overstepped—showing she's a sharp and discerning person who knows her place."
Qin Shi closed her eyes as if drifting off to sleep. After a long pause, she merely uttered an "Mm," then waved her hand to dismiss Wu Mama. Seeing Qin Shi growing drowsy, Hongjian set aside the beauty mallet, fetched a light blanket, and gently covered her. As Qin Shi turned over, she seemed to mutter to herself, "Knowing her place is good... Only then can she find a foothold in this household in the future..." For a while, all was quiet.
By the afternoon, Qin Shi had met with Xia Gugu, entrusted Lin Dongxiu to her care, and dispatched the gifts she had brought from Jinling. When Xianglan received the rewards and presents from Qin Shi, she wasn't surprised. What astonished her was that Lin Dongxiu had also prepared a gift for her—not something perfunctory like two jars of new tea or a box of hair ornaments, but an embroidered screen depicting magnolias and butterflies, an exquisitely crafted piece. Staring at the screen, Xianglan mused that either Lin Dongxiu, grateful for being saved once, intended to befriend her, or she sought to curry favor with Lin Jinlou through her. After pondering it, she felt she shouldn't assume everyone was so calculating and decided to take it as Lin Dongxiu's gesture of gratitude. In return, she gifted a brand-new gold-woven belt.Tan Luhua had also received gifts from Qin Shi. Earlier in Shouxi Hall, Qin Shi had rewarded her with a sandalwood box. Upon returning and opening it, she found inside a pair of gold hairpins inlaid with jade, adorned with motifs of fortune and prosperity. Later, Lulan delivered a bolt of cloth, two boxes of fine medicine, and a packet of small silver ingots. Overjoyed, Tan Luhua weighed each silver ingot one by one before wrapping them up again, remarking, "This is how a proper Madam should act—generous and dignified. Unlike some, who are utterly disgusting, merely relying on the hollow title of a half-master to act arrogantly in front of the true mistress, pretending to be the mother-in-law. Aren’t they afraid the wind might twist their tongues?" Lulan, who was pouring tea nearby, frowned at these words and quietly tugged at Tan Luhua’s sleeve, discreetly gesturing toward the outer room where Qianluo sat doing needlework. Tan Luhua raised her eyebrows slightly and said, "I meant for her to hear it—I’m not afraid if she does!" With a snort, she stored the silver away and locked it in a cabinet.
Sure enough, Qianluo reported these words to Concubine Yin. Furious, Concubine Yin lay in bed, too upset to eat dinner that evening, though we shall set that aside for now.
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