The next day, Xianglan went early to pay her respects to Qin Shi. First, she presented a scented sachet she had made herself, saying, "As the weather grows warmer and mosquitoes become more numerous, I made this in my spare time. It contains several medicinal herbs and dried flowers that soothe the nerves and repel mosquitoes. You can tie it to the corner of your bedding or place it beside your pillow to ensure a restful night's sleep."
Qin Shi took it and saw it was a gourd-shaped sachet embroidered with gold-threaded lotus flowers on a sandalwood-colored background, larger than usual, exquisitely patterned and finely stitched, filled to the brim. As she held it, a delicate fragrance immediately wafted to her nose. Before Qin Shi could offer a word of praise, Xianglan also handed over the household account books and tallies, saying, "I am young, inexperienced, and rather foolish. These past few days, I’ve only managed with the help of Shu Ran and the others. Now that you’ve returned, Madam, I dare not show off my meager skills before an expert."
Qin Shi was taken aback and studied Xianglan closely. The girl’s face wore a gentle, modest smile, without a trace of displeasure. Qin Shi’s gaze grew complex—Chen Xianglan was truly clever. She had only hinted at her displeasure yesterday, and Xianglan had understood immediately. Qin Shi had always believed that a concubine should be beautiful but simple and honest; those too clever often caused trouble. Yet, looking at Xianglan’s face, soft as peonies after rain, she felt a pang of pity. This girl lived with such clarity—was it a blessing or a curse? Still, a weight lifted from Qin Shi’s heart, and she smiled. "It’s all Lou Ge'er’s fault for burdening you with these troubles. If he ever bullies you in the future, just tell me."
Xianglan merely smiled faintly, lowering her head slightly. inwardly, she scoffed. Taking charge of the Lin family’s household affairs had been overstepping her bounds. She could tell from Qin Shi’s expression yesterday that she was unhappy. Lin Jinlou would remarry eventually, and no one would want a concubine wielding real power in the household—what noblewoman from a prestigious family would marry into such a situation? Even though she had once saved Qin Shi, and Qin Shi was genuinely grateful, such great favors fade with time, and debts of gratitude eventually settle. Xianglan understood Qin Shi’s thoughts perfectly, which was why she had promptly handed over these troublesome matters early in the morning. These were never things she desired; why cling to them and attract attention? She looked up and saw Qin Shi’s face beaming with maternal kindness as she ordered Lulan to bring a plate of vividly red cherries for Xianglan to enjoy.
As the two chatted idly, a maid announced, "The Second Young Madam has arrived." Tan Luhua entered the room, and Xianglan stood up. After Tan Luhua paid her respects, Qin Shi invited her to sit. Tan Luhua deliberately pulled her chair an inch forward, positioning herself slightly ahead of Xianglan, and inquired after Qin Shi’s well-being. Then, she drew a scented sachet from her sleeve and presented it, saying, "My needlework is crude, but it comes from the heart."
Lulan, who was waiting nearby, thought, "What a coincidence—Xianglan gave a scented sachet, and now Tan Luhua is offering one too." She craned her neck to look and saw it was a ingot-shaped sachet in a dark blue hue, embroidered with butterflies playing among yellow peonies, though it lacked the refinement and elegance of Xianglan’s. Lulan mused to herself, "This sachet would be acceptable as a gift to an elder, but since Xianglan gave one first, it makes Tan Luhua’s seem shabby by comparison—not to mention Madam’s generous rewards yesterday."
Tan Luhua smiled and said, "It’s filled with premium musk, borneol, and clove—the rarest of ingredients. I initially packed in so many herbs that the sachet couldn’t even close properly, so I had to remove some."Lulan secretly curled her lip, thinking to herself that such a shrunken scented sachet would probably lose its fragrance in just half a month, yet Tan Luhua still had the nerve to boast that the medicinal herbs were "so plentiful at first that the opening couldn’t even be closed."
Qin Shi smiled and said, "It’s thoughtful of you to remember." She then handed the scented sachet to Lulan. Tan Luhua was about to praise the sachet further when she noticed Qin Shi smoothing her skirt and speaking up: "In the next few days, Old Madam’s younger sister will be staying at the residence for a couple of days. You are all to address her as ‘Yi Lao Taitai.’ Her eldest son, Ren Dongge, is a Grand Secretary and has now been appointed by imperial decree to serve as a Provincial Administration Vice Commissioner in Zhejiang. The entire family is relocating. However, Yi Lao Taitai is getting on in years, and with the hot weather, there are concerns about her health during the journey. So, she will temporarily stay in the capital until the residence in Jiangsu and Zhejiang is fully prepared before setting out. Their house in the capital has already been sold. Considering we are all family, I’ve invited them to stay with us for a while. Yi Lao Taitai has her youngest granddaughter staying by her side to attend to her. She is around the same age as you all. In the future, when you play and interact together, be sure to take good care of her."
Xianglan and Tan Luhua both acknowledged the instruction.
After saying a few more words, Qin Shi dismissed them. Tan Luhua left before Xianglan and did not bother with any polite farewells, simply striding off on her own. Xianglan hurried after her and called out, "The account books and tally have now been handed over to Madam. In the future, Second Young Mistress should request any medicinal herbs from Madam."
Tan Luhua paused mid-step, glanced back at Xianglan with a slightly surprised look, then nodded with an indifferent expression, held her head high, and walked away. Shu Ran was waiting outside for Xianglan and approached her, asking, "What’s gotten into her to make her so pleased with herself? She barely even acknowledges people." Watching Tan Luhua’s retreating figure—dressed in a peach-red narrow-sleeved jacket and a silver-red skirt embroidered with gold, accentuating her slender waist, fanning herself while leaning on her maid, swaying as she walked—Shu Ran waved her handkerchief disdainfully and said coldly, "A few days ago, Yin Yiniang complained to me, saying this Second Young Mistress demands the finest food and drink every day, ordering whatever is most expensive. She insists on the best clothes and jewelry too. Even though the household has already had clothes made for her, she spends large sums of her own money to buy more, always dressing in a seductive and delicate manner. She splurges extravagantly on herself but acts as if spending a single coin on someone else is like tearing out her heart and liver. Every time she gives tips to the maids, it’s only one or two coins, which is downright laughable. Yin Yiniang wanted to make a pair of shoes and asked for some good silk, but Second Young Mistress casually gave her a pile of scrap fabric and claimed it was all high-quality material, then boasted about it in front of Second Master. Yin Yiniang wanted to bring this up with Second Master but was afraid it would upset him and harm his health, so she had no choice but to swallow her anger. Even though Yin Yiniang’s tongue isn’t the most restrained, she has known her place over the years and has always been devoted to Second Master. For Second Young Mistress to act this way is truly disrespectful."
Xianglan frowned slightly and thought to herself, "Even if Tan Luhua is at fault, Yin Yiniang isn’t entirely blameless either. Both of them are difficult characters, and with neither willing to yield, it’s no wonder they’re constantly at odds. Shu Ran has always been treated as half a mistress in the Lin residence, and even Madam shows her some respect. Yet every time Tan Luhua sees her, she puts on airs and acts pretentious—no wonder Shu Ran is annoyed." Aloud, she asked, "Why would Yin Yiniang suddenly gossip to you about this?"Shu Ran said, "She came to me asking for fabric to make shoes. I remembered there was half a bolt of old material in the storeroom that had gone moldy and was partly ruined. I thought about just giving it to her, and even consulted Madam about it. At the time, Madam was busy managing the wedding banquet and said to give it all to her. Concubine Yin was extremely grateful and vented these complaints to me. I’ve heard she’s also been spreading plenty of sarcastic remarks about Second Madam behind her back—some are tolerable, but others are downright unbearable." Seeing no one around, she lowered her voice and said, "She called Second Madam a loose woman who’s worn out Second Master’s health."
Xianglan was startled. Seeing her wide-eyed expression, Shu Ran covered her mouth and let out a soft chuckle.
Xianglan slowly shook her head. Shu Ran asked, "Madam, why are you shaking your head?"
These days, Xianglan and Shu Ran had grown quite familiar, their bond stronger than before. Xianglan no longer held back certain thoughts from her and said, "Second Madam is being unwise. Even if Concubine Yin is only a secondary mistress, she is still Second Master’s birth mother. She bore a son and a daughter, contributed to the Lin family, and has been rooted here for so many years. No matter how poorly she’s treated, she has her own social skills and connections. Second Madam is newly married, and her own family isn’t particularly influential. Why rush to assert authority and offend Concubine Yin? Now that Concubine Yin is spreading rumors about her outside, if Madam is willing to intervene, that’s one thing. But if Madam doesn’t bother, Second Madam will carry such a reputation and find it hard to hold her head up in the future."
Shu Ran had initially thought Xianglan only knew how to hold a brush, write, draw, and calculate—though understanding human relationships, she wasn’t deeply versed in them, hence her usual quiet demeanor. But after spending more time together, she realized this wasn’t the case. The girl was sharp-minded about everything, though she rarely showed it. Hearing Xianglan’s words, she nodded and said, "Second Madam is still young and lacks patience." Then she asked Xianglan, "What did Madam instruct earlier in the room?"
Xianglan said, "She said Old Madam’s relatives from her maiden family will be staying with us for a few days."
Shu Ran was taken aback. "Jiang Jia? Who’s coming?"
Xianglan said, "Yi Lao Taitai and her youngest granddaughter."
Shu Ran was surprised again and looked at Xianglan with a complex expression. "The Jiang family ancestors were once illustrious, but Yi Lao Taitai’s husband died early, and most of the family wealth was seized by relatives. It was only through our Old Madam’s support that they managed to preserve their ancestral property. Yi Lao Taitai has had a hard time—widowed and struggling, raising two sons and a daughter. Her daughter died before turning twelve, and her younger son is mediocre. Fortunately, the eldest son studied diligently and became a respectable court official. Now, with The Emperor’s favor, their family fortunes are reviving."
As they spoke, they returned to the Hall of Flourishing Spring. Entering the room, they saw Lin Jinlou sitting on the daybed in a thin silk robe, holding a small clay teapot. At the sight of him, Shu Ran quickly withdrew. Xianglan sat down at the dressing table and removed a few pieces of her jewelry. Lin Jinlou sidled up behind her, playing with the earring dangling from her ear, and asked, "What did Madam say?"
Xianglan dodged slightly, frowning. "Stop fooling around."
Lin Jinlou grinned. "Oh, looking at that expression, did something upset you? Did Madam give you a hard time?"
Xianglan still avoided looking at him, lowering her head as she took off the bracelet from her wrist. "No, everything’s fine."
Lin Jinlou clicked his tongue. "Tsk, you can’t hide what’s on your mind. Still trying to fool me?"Xianglan blankly slipped the bracelet back onto her wrist, staring at it while murmuring to herself, "No, truly not..." Suddenly, she felt a warmth on her hand—Lin Jinlou had grasped it, lifted her chin, and studied her for a moment before saying, "Don't feel upset about handing the account books and Tally over to Madam. I hadn't thought about it before, but after you mentioned it last night, I realized you were right. If you're worried about having nothing to do, from now on, you can manage all my accounts. How about that?"
Xianglan didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "It's not about that. I'm willing to give them to Madam... It was never my place to manage them anyway. Why hold onto something that brings trouble without gratitude?"
Just as Lin Jinlou was about to ask more, Jixiang's voice rang out from the second gate: "Eldest Master, a guest has arrived and requests to see you!"
Lin Jinlou released her hand, changed his clothes, and went to meet the guest. Xianglan sat before the mirror for a long while. She was a perceptive person and had understood early on, when Qin Shi mentioned it, that the granddaughter of Jiang Jia coming to stay was Qin Shi's way of keeping an eye on her, intending to arrange a marriage for Lin Jinlou. Now, she stood on the edge of a cliff. Gazing at her exquisite face in the mirror, she slowly clenched her hand into a fist.
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