Xianglan stood frozen in place. She shook Zhao Yuechan, only to find her head lolling limply. When she checked for breath, there was none—the woman had truly departed to the netherworld.
In Xianglan’s heart, this person could be considered utterly wicked, yet witnessing her die right before her eyes left Xianglan feeling desolate and bewildered. She slumped down and sat in a daze for a long while before finally picking up the waistcoat to examine it.
Zhao Yuechan’s belongings were naturally extravagant. The waistcoat had a white satin lining and a bright red satin exterior, embroidered with a pattern symbolizing “gold and jade filling the hall”—colorful precious vases and designs in fresh green paired with peach pink, all strikingly vivid. Xianglan inspected the waistcoat from top to bottom but found nothing unusual. Then, as her hand absently tightened around it, she noticed something different about the lower corner. Pinching it, she sensed something hidden within the lining. She took a knife, cut the waistcoat open, and pulled it apart. A small oilcloth bundle tumbled out. Unwrapping it, she discovered several sheets of stationery inside. The handwriting was wild and hurried, clearly jotted down in haste. It read:
“Shocked to learn a secret! My trusted aide’s investigation confirms my suspicions. Lin Jinlou conspired with the former crown prince to meet and dispatched guards to assist his westward journey. Such treasonous crimes warrant execution of the entire family and extermination of nine clans! Moreover, he frequents pleasure quarters, indulges in women, humiliates my granddaughter Yuechan, divorces his wedded wife, and disregards the alliance between our families—utterly detestable! Yet, Chan also has her faults. Though Lou is wicked, he has three commendable deeds: First, he is brave and skilled in battle, repeatedly defeating enemies, fighting resolutely for the nation against rebels, earning His Majesty’s praise. Second, he purchased over a thousand mu of charity farmland with his own funds, allowing the poor to cultivate it rent-free, taking no grain or payment, and opening granaries during famines to provide relief, earning the people’s tearful gratitude. Third, as a commander on campaigns, he forbade looting and indiscriminate killing; during southern expeditions to suppress bandits and quell unrest, he prohibited city massacres, capturing only able-bodied men while releasing the elderly, weak, women, and children. The people even welcomed his troops with food and drink, spreading His Majesty’s benevolent reputation. These three acts represent great righteousness. Troubled and indecisive, I sigh deeply. His aid to the former crown prince shows no signs of rebellion and may reflect loyalty to the late emperor. Though I resent and loathe him for personal reasons, I cannot harm a loyal subject! This matter ends here.”
The following pages detailed whom Lin Jinlou had sent to escort the former crown prince, the route taken, inns stayed in, and the destination.
It turned out that after Zhao Jin’s death, Zhao Yuechan had returned for the funeral. Amid the chaos and panic in the Zhao household, she colluded with Zhao Gang to bribe a servant boy into stealing her grandfather’s books, antiques, and calligraphy to sell. They accidentally stole a locked black lacquer box, thinking it contained treasures. Prying it open, they found only Zhao Jin’s personal jottings and reflections—nothing special—and Zhao Yuechan lost interest. Unexpectedly, Zhao Gang stumbled upon these letters. Both immediately treated them as priceless, plotting how to use them. When Zhao Yuechan returned to the Dai Family, she hinted at the matter in conversation. Dai Qing quickly seized on the idea. But before anything could come of it, Zhao Yuechan learned that Dai Qing intended to harm her. That night, she fled in panic, eventually encountering Xianglan and the others.Lin Jinlou quietly opened his eyes. In truth, he had woken when Xianglan dragged Zhao Yuechan to his side earlier, but had merely pretended to be asleep. He tilted his head slightly and saw Xianglan standing with her back to him, holding several sheets of paper in her hands. With his exceptional eyesight, he could clearly read the contents of the letter, finally understanding why the spy captured at the Manor had claimed to be sent by the Dai Family. In that instant, numerous thoughts flashed through his mind like lightning, causing his entire body to grow cold and break out in sweat. His heart felt as though it were being tightly clenched, hurting even more than the wound on his chest, making it difficult to breathe and nearly suffocating him. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead, and a myriad of emotions surged within him, leaving him momentarily bewildered, like a condemned prisoner awaiting execution at the marketplace, the torment unbearable. With great effort, he shifted his gaze to Xianglan, only to see her back remaining motionless, as still as a meditating old monk.
Time seemed to freeze. Waves of turmoil crashed in Lin Jinlou’s heart, each thought leaving him utterly powerless. If such a critical item had fallen into Xianglan’s hands, what if she used it to leave him? After all, she had always been determined to leave the Lin Family. Having gone through such a calamity, she had already shown him immense kindness. This delicate, tearful, and occasionally timid woman had repeatedly done things that astonished him, making him feel small and humble, evoking in him both shame and admiration—a sensation he had never experienced in his entire life. If she decided to leave, how could he have the face to threaten or intimidate her again?
Xianglan suddenly buried her head in her knees, her shoulders trembling as she struggled to hold back her sobs. A moment later, she lifted her arm to wipe her face. Lin Jinlou watched her intently, his hands trembling imperceptibly. Then, he heard two soft tearing sounds—Xianglan had ripped the letter in half, then tore it into even smaller pieces. She stood up, walked to the lakeside, and threw the shredded paper into the hole in the ice where Zhao Yuechan had fallen into the water earlier. Silently, she watched as the ink on the paper blurred and dissolved in the icy water, eventually fading from sight. Only after the last scrap of paper sank into the river did Xianglan turn and walk back.
Seeing Xianglan return empty-handed, Lin Jinlou felt a wave of relief, but it was immediately followed by a heavier blow to his heart, as if he had heard something shatter inside him. His throat tightened, his eyes stung, and he quietly turned his face away. A tear rolled down from the corner of his eye, landing on the thick fur garment beneath him and leaving a round, damp stain.
Xianglan dragged Zhao Yuechan’s body aside and gazed at her face for a long time before saying, "Your grand gift—I just tore it up. Let’s pretend it never happened. I no longer hold any hatred or disgust for you. If I live, I will surely come to bury you. Go in peace." With these words, she covered Zhao Yuechan’s head and face with her wet cloak.
This malicious and selfish woman had spoken kindly in her final moments. Xianglan stood beside Zhao Yuechan’s corpse, clasped her hands together, and recited a passage of scripture. Suddenly, she heard a cough and knew that Lin Jinlou had awakened. She quickly turned and leaned over him, asking, "Master, how are you feeling?" She reached for his hands and found them ice-cold.Lin Jinlou coughed twice more, lifting his eyelids to see Xianglan with disheveled hair and a face still swollen high. Having cried earlier, the wind had now turned her complexion red and purple, her eyes swollen like Hetau. He stared blankly for a moment, gazing at Xianglan as if he couldn't get enough. Just then, a wave of pain struck, causing him to convulse. Gritting his teeth to suppress a groan, he struggled to say, "In the Jinling study, on the left-hand antique shelf, there's a huanghuali wooden box. The key to unlock it is inside the blue-and-white urn beside the desk—that box contains over a dozen land deeds—"
Xianglan murmured dazedly, "Master, what are you saying?"
Lin Jinlou trembled violently all over. Earlier, with his eyes closed, he had felt his consciousness flickering in and out, his whole body like a small boat tossed in massive waves, rising and sinking repeatedly. He had thought himself dead several times over, but upon opening his eyes, he found himself still alive. Fearful that he might fall asleep never to wake again, he shook his head with difficulty and said, "Listen to me... those land deeds are for... for you..."
Tears involuntarily rolled down Xianglan's cheeks. Clutching Lin Jinlou's hand, she choked out, "I won't listen. Who cares about your broken houses and land..."
Lin Jinlou managed a faint, helpless smile. "Indeed, whatever this lord gives you, regardless of value, you never care for..."
Xianglan wiped her tears and said, "I just want you to be well."
Lin Jinlou suddenly fell silent. He stared at Xianglan's lowered face for a long time, unable to decipher her expression. Her deep, pool-like eyes shimmered with an inscrutable light—both tender and profound, sorrowful yet precious, like brilliant stars. He couldn't comprehend their meaning; no one had ever looked at him like this before.
Flustered and about to speak, he was interrupted as Xianglan suddenly pressed a finger to his lips. "Shh, there's the sound of hoofbeats." With that, she stood up, gently parting the reeds to look around. She saw a troop of soldiers galloping down from the distant mountains. At their head rode a man on a tall horse, cloaked in a majestic black sable fur coat—who else could it be but Yuan Shaoren?
Overjoyed, Xianglan immediately bent down and said to Lin Jinlou, "It's Marquis Yongchang!" She then lifted her skirts and dashed out, calling, "Marquis! Marquis! Come quickly and save General Lin!" In her haste, she stumbled and fell to the ground, but ignoring the pain, she scrambled up and continued running toward Yuan Shaoren.
The soldiers, startled by someone shouting and emerging from the reeds, raised their weapons. Yuan Shaoren reined in his horse, only recognizing Xianglan as she drew closer. He swiftly dismounted and, upon seeing her face, exclaimed in shock, "Miss Xianglan, what happened to you—" then urgently asked, "Where's Eagle Soar?"
Xianglan led the group into the reeds. When Yuan Shaoren saw Lin Jinlou's condition, his brows furrowed deeply, worry evident on his face. Fortunately, there was a village nearby, so he quickly ordered someone to fetch a donkey cart. After Lin Jinlou was lifted onto the cart, he sent Xianglan away and weakly waved, summoning Yuan Shaoren to his side. "Old Yuan, you and I are life-and-death friends. I trust your character," Lin Jinlou said hoarsely, his voice trembling from cold and spasms, his breath hissing. "If by any chance—I mean if—she wishes to leave the Lin Family, let her go—take good care of her—"
"What nonsense are you spouting!"Lin Jinlou stared at Yuan Shaoren, his eyelids gradually drooping shut before he forced them open again. After observing Lin Jinlou for a moment, Yuan Shaoren understood that his injuries were critical and feared the worst. If that happened, Xianglan would lose her protector and likely face dire circumstances. Yuan Shaoren said softly, "Rest assured."
Hearing these words, Lin Jinlou finally closed his eyes and sank into darkness.
Yuan Shaoren brought Lin Jinlou to a wealthy household in the village, where a physician soon arrived to examine him. The doctor repeatedly waved his hands and said, "This man's injuries are extremely severe. As a mere barefoot doctor, I dare not treat this general." He only prescribed a strong tonic formula. With no other options, the group forced ginseng soup and rice broth down Lin Jinlou's throat. Yuan Shaoren told Xianglan, "We're very close to the capital now, but there are still roaming bandits at large. I'm deeply concerned about leaving you here. Moreover, we can't find proper physicians here, and rare medicinal ingredients are scarce. We should return to the capital instead."
With no alternatives left, Xianglan had to agree. Fortunately, they were indeed very near the capital. Within the time it takes to drink two cups of tea, they reached the city gates where the Lin Family servants, having received word, were already waiting. They warmly welcomed the party back to the residence, where three imperial physicians stood ready. When everyone carried Lin Jinlou down from the carriage, Qin Shi burst into tears at the sight of her eldest son in such condition and urgently directed them to carry him inside.
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