Lin Jinlou returned to Chun Tang Hall as the lanterns were being lit. Jiang Shangxian had just spoken with him for a long while, appearing sincere as he bowed in apology and even offered a large sum of silver as compensation. Lin Jinlou sneered inwardly; Jiang Shangxian was indeed a character who carried himself with dignity, but it was a pity he had been born into the wrong family.
He walked around the screen into the bedroom, where only Xue Ning and Ling Qing were keeping watch. The two hurriedly stood up. Lin Jinlou lifted the bed curtain and saw Xianglan still fast asleep. He asked, "How is your mistress?"
Xue Ning replied, "Imperial Physician Zhang instructed that she take medicine every two hours. She just had a dose and drank a few sips of jujube tea before falling asleep again."
Lin Jinlou nodded, hung the bed curtain on the small silver hook, and sat down. Ling Qing offered him tea before withdrawing with Xue Ning. The flickering candlelight from the gilded orchid lamp cast a warm glow on Xianglan's face. She still leaned against the brocade pillow in the color of mist and sunset, her dark hair spread out, making her face appear even smaller—like a piece of white jade, delicate and beautiful. Nestled under the embroidered quilt, she resembled a flower battered by a storm, fragile and weary.
Lin Jinlou gazed at her for a long time, his anxious and irritable heart gradually calming. Who would have thought such a delicate girl could be so generous and resolute, with insight and breadth of mind far beyond ordinary women? He had always found it strange that a servant couple like Chen Shi could raise such a daughter—like an orchid blooming in ruins and mud, enduring countless storms yet growing with tenacity, evoking his deep respect. Now he finally understood why Xianglan wanted to leave, but even with a knife to his throat, he could not grant that wish!
He couldn't resist reaching out to touch Xianglan's cheek, brushing aside the stray hairs at her temple. Startled awake, Xianglan blinked drowsily and, upon seeing Lin Jinlou, widened her eyes in surprise. Given his unpredictable temper, she feared he would be furious after she had openly expressed her desire to leave. To her surprise, Lin Jinlou spoke gently, "Awake? Are you hungry? There's red date porridge simmering in the small kitchen. How about a bowl? Imperial Physician Zhang said you need to replenish your energy."
Xianglan thought she was dreaming and stared blankly at Lin Jinlou for a moment. Noticing the slight smile on his face, he added, "You should eat something to settle your stomach before taking medicine." He then fetched a pillow to prop her up and brought a bowl of red date tea to feed her.
Bewildered, Xianglan wondered if the man had lost his mind from anger. She watched as Lin Jinlou set down the tea bowl, called Ling Qing inside, and ordered a bowl of porridge. He fed her spoonful by spoonful, his eyes fixed on her all the while.
Feeling uncomfortable, Xianglan reached out and said, "Let me eat by myself. It's not like my hands are injured."
Lin Jinlou replied, "No, you should rest properly. Let me take care of you for once." He raised an eyebrow and grinned, "Aren't you moved by how well I'm treating you? Aren't you happy?"
Xianglan found his behavior childish and tedious. Feeling unwell and too weary to humor him, she couldn't resist retorting, "To act so humble—you can't possibly be the Lin Family's Master."
"Oh? Then who am I?"
"A ghost in painted skin, a male fox spirit disguised as a human."
Lin Jinlou burst out laughing, "Fine, calling me a painted-skin ghost and a fox spirit—you'll be the death of me yet."
Xianglan smiled faintly and said, "No need to be angry, Master. Who knows how many people outside are cursing me as a fox spirit? I've already avenged you."After these words were spoken, Lin Jinlou could no longer smile. Xianglan remained pale, weak, and haggard, and the room was filled with the scent of medicine. The anger in his heart flared up again. He set the bowl aside on a small table, took Xianglan’s small hand in his, and squeezed it tightly. After a long while, he finally spoke: "Jiang Xiyun is coming to apologize to you and will also compensate you with five thousand taels of silver."
"Five thousand taels? I never thought I’d be worth so much—"
Hearing this, Lin Jinlou felt a pang of discomfort. He pressed his index finger to Xianglan’s lips and, after a long pause, said, "You’ve suffered an injustice in this matter, and I will naturally stand up for you. If you can bear children in the future, then so be it. Otherwise—hmph. Good deeds stay hidden, but scandals travel far. Those who are clever will see through the truth. With this reputation, the Jiang Family will find it even harder to regain their standing in the future. The Lin Family will absolutely not lend a hand again. If Jiang Shangxian proves capable, the Jiang Family might still have some hope."
Xianglan lowered her eyelashes and remained silent.
Lin Jinlou studied her for a long moment before suddenly asking, "How do you know so much about the Shen Family’s affairs? You weren’t even born when the Shen Family met with disaster, were you?"
Xianglan raised her eyes to look at Lin Jinlou and said, "I had a dream. In my past life, I was the eldest daughter of the Shen Family and was even betrothed to you. But the marriage never took place, and I ended up marrying someone else. Later, the Shen Family became embroiled in a calamity, and I met a tragic end."
Lin Jinlou stared at her wide-eyed, his expression inscrutable. The two gazed at each other for a long time, and the room grew so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.
Xianglan forced a faint smile and said, "I was just teasing you, Master. How could such a thing be possible? My master, Dingyi Shitai, was once the daughter of an official and had ties with the Shen Family. I heard it from her."
Lin Jinlou suddenly leaned down and kissed Xianglan on the lips. Startled, she looked up at him. Lin Jinlou grinned and said, "Perhaps that really was your past life. It seems you were destined to be with me all along. If you followed someone else, you’d meet a bad end."
Xianglan forced another smile and lowered her head. Seeing her troubled expression, Lin Jinlou frowned unconsciously and squeezed her hand again, more firmly this time.
Early the next morning, Jiang Xiyun came in person to apologize. The memory of Xianglan’s questioning from the previous day still echoed in her ears, making it a scene she was unwilling to revisit. Standing outside the screen, she performed three formal bows of apology, then hurried away with her maid, as if fleeing from a ghost. Ling Qing sneered, "The Jiang Family got off far too lightly."
Xue Ning whispered, "The Jiang Family’s carriage is waiting outside. They’re leaving immediately! Their luggage was packed overnight. The old lady of the Jiang Family is likely on her last legs—she coughed all night. And as for the Fourth Miss Jiang, she’s been feverish since returning yesterday, deliriously babbling nonsense."
Ling Qing sighed and said, "This truly proves the saying, 'Do not harbor deceit in your heart, for heaven watches from above.' They thought they could gain advantage through scheming, but in truth, the heavens see everything."Without further digression, let us return to Xianglan recuperating in the mansion. Lin Dongqi sent gifts every few days, while Tan Luhua and Lin Dongxiu visited occasionally. Both vaguely guessed the underlying reason, but whenever they questioned Xianglan, she would only smile and evade, saying when pressed, "Taitai and the Master forbade me from speaking," using this as an excuse. However, Tan Luhua overheard maids mentioning that Xianglan had drunk a potion made from the "Sterility Pill," which shocked her. She realized it was the very packet she had lost, picked up by the Jiang Sisters. She felt relieved that she had already sold Qian Luo and Caiping far away. After several anxious days with no rumors surfacing, she gradually set her mind at ease, and this matter was set aside for now.
A month passed in the blink of an eye. One day, while Aunt Xia was instructing Lin Dongxiu, Xue Ning entered carrying a Foreign Lacquer tray with seven or eight exquisite snow-white boxes. She said with a smile, "These are newly arrived cosmetics in various styles. The new concubine said since the young lady is to be a bride soon, she should pick two boxes first."Lin Dongxiu opened each box to examine them: some contained purple powder made from rice flour, others butterfly-attracting powder from fine millet, jade maiden peach blossom powder blended with musk and motherwort, pearl powder crafted from jasmine seeds, or jade hairpin powder from jade hairpin flowers, among others." The powder blocks were shaped into circles, squares, octagons, or sunflower petals, embossed with plum, orchid, or lotus patterns, wrapped in silk, and exuding a fragrant aroma.
Delighted, Lin Dongxiu said, "So exquisitely made—truly unparalleled! Please thank your new concubine for me." She selected two boxes, and Xue Ning took her leave to visit Tan Luhua.
Aunt Xia remarked, "Courtesy demands reciprocity. Since the new concubine gifted you two boxes of powder, you shouldn’t accept them without returning the gesture."
Lin Dongxiu agreed, "That’s only right." She retrieved two exceptionally fine sachets and instructed Qiang Wei to deliver them.
Aunt Xia smiled faintly and nodded in approval.
Soon after, Lin Dongxiu overheard Qiang Wei chatting outside the window with Tan Luhua’s maid, Cai Feng: "Earlier, when I went to Chun Tang Hall to deliver something, I saw a box of jewelry the Master just had made for the new concubine. My, it was so dazzling I could hardly keep my eyes open! I bet even her vinegar bottle is made of agate."
Cai Feng, still resentful over being scolded by Tan Luhua for losing the medicine and having her potential promotion to Lin Jinxuan’s concubine shelved, couldn’t help voicing her bitterness: "Don’t blame me for speaking bluntly, but Chen Xianglan comes from servant seed yet acts like a young lady. The Master holds high status and power—he wouldn’t glance at ordinary folks. For him to elevate her as a concubine is like ‘a fool topping the imperial exams’—their ancestors would be overjoyed. But she puts on airs and acts all aloof. What does she want? To become the official wife? She’s dreaming!"
Qiang Wei laughed, "Don’t say that—who knows what fate might bring her in the future?"
Cai Feng sneered, "No matter what happens, she’s still born to a servant. She picked the wrong womb from the start. A snake wanting to be a dragon must first know its place—even if it climbs onto the stage, it’s still just a dish!"
Before she finished, a teacup flew out the window and shattered on the ground with a "crack," startling them both. Lin Dongxiu scolded from inside, "Who’s gossiping out there?"
Cai Feng dared not reply, stuck out her tongue, and slipped away quietly.Lin Dongxiu sneered, "How dare servants gossip about their masters like this? Second Sister-in-law should really put a stop to it." Because Xianglan treated Lin Dongxiu with genuine sincerity, the two had gradually grown closer, and even Lin Jinlou began treating Lin Dongxiu more kindly, adding substantially to her dowry. Today, upon hearing someone speak ill of Xianglan, Lin Dongxiu felt compelled to defend her.
Aunt Xia thought to herself, "'You can't wrap fire in paper'—as soon as Xianglan fell ill, the Jiang Family hastily moved away, not even mentioning the previously discussed marriage. I can roughly guess the unsavory details. Tsk, tsk, it's truly pitiful for Chen Xianglan. Observing her these days, she's like a precious pearl covered in dust, her fate beyond her control. But there's no perfect circle that can't be broken—servants have narrow perspectives; how would they know Xianglan might not rise to prominence someday and truly become a legitimate mistress? It's a shame I'm too insignificant to speak up, otherwise I'd certainly help her." No more need be said.
Another month passed, and a messenger from the Jiang Family brought news of Grandmother Jiang's critical illness and subsequent death. At that time, the Lin Family was adorned with lanterns and colored banners, with drums and music filling the air—Lin Dongxiu was getting married.
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