Jiang Xiyun sat dazedly on the drum stool, looking utterly dispirited. Ruoqing said softly, "Old Madam 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 behaving, she'd be so furious it might harm her health..." She sighed, then comforted Jiang Xiyun, "Fortunately, the Eldest Master will soon arrive in the capital. We still have our eldest aunt—when the time comes, someone will surely stand up for us. If the Lin family wishes to proceed with this marriage, they must give us an explanation."
Jiang Xiyun felt as if her heart had turned to ice, utterly exhausted. Upon hearing this, she let out a soft, derisive laugh. "Stand up for me? How? To what extent? Could they possibly call off the engagement? Although Father narrowly avoided disaster this time, he has offended the Eastern Palace. If things go badly, his official career could be ruined, and it might even implicate Eldest Brother. The Lin family is powerful and enjoys imperial favor. Even at the height of Father's official career, this marriage would have been an ambitious match for us, 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 would still have to hold my nose and marry into this family. What am I supposed to do? Beg Eldest Brother to tell Lin Jinlou, 'Drive that little concubine out and never let her set foot here again'? Or should I endure it, wait until I'm married, and then compete with Chen Xianglan while Lin Jinlou treats her like a goddess? Old Madam does care for me, but she is powerless. No matter how much she dotes on her granddaughter, it cannot outweigh the family's future prospects. I understand this perfectly." She sighed softly again, as if speaking to herself, "But the thought of having to live like a wooden puppet in the future—I simply cannot resign myself to it."
Ruoqing's face fell with concern. Silently, she placed a small blue enamel bowl with ladies, filled with summer refreshments, on the table. Jiang Xiyun was a connoisseur of food, with particularly high standards for culinary pleasures. Being somewhat plump and sensitive to heat, she made it a habit to have a bowl of chilled sweet melon, lotus root, and almond tofu every summer. But now, her mind was too troubled to pay it any attention.
Just then, the silver bells hanging on the door curtain chimed as Qiaohui entered, carrying a food box with engraved gold and silver trim. She smiled and said, "Madam has prepared some lotus root and taro ball soup. Remembering that Miss Xi is fond of it, she sent over a small pot for Yi Lao Taitai and the two young ladies to enjoy." After setting down the food box, Jiang Xiyun forced a smile and exchanged pleasantries, instructing Ruoqing to give Qiaohui a dozen or so coins as a reward.
After Qiaohui left, Ruoqing lifted the lid of the pot and first served a bowl to Jiang Mu. When she returned, she saw Jiang Xiyun staring blankly at the pot, so she ladled out another bowl and placed it in front of Jiang Xiyun, saying gently, "Please have some, Miss."
Jiang Xiyun mustered her spirits, picked up the bowl, and took a spoonful to her mouth. She ate absentmindedly while Ruoqing brought over a cup of fragrant tea for her to rinse her mouth. Hesitantly, Ruoqing added, "Miss, when the Eldest Master arrives in a few days, should we bring this up or not? We cannot simply let the Lin family trample all over us."
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 the sweet soup, Jiang Xiyun skipped dinner that evening. After attending to Jiang Mu, 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 within the inner chambers before—no matter how bewitching those charming concubines were, she feared none of them. But this time, heaven had set her against a delicate orchid. If it were someone pretending to be foolish and pitiful, she would have no qualms about using any means necessary. Yet 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 recount what Chunling had said about Xianglan’s past, she realized Chen Xianglan was truly naive, honest, and simple-minded, with a touch of pedantic stubbornness.
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. She’s highly perceptive, flexible in handling people and situations. While others are still figuring out the first step, Xiyun has already planned the next three moves. She’s sharp and knows how to weigh her 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 for anything, resorting to tears whenever trouble arose. If Jiang Xiyun were in her place, such a life would have suffocated her long ago.
Beauty, talent, honesty, and lowly origins—truth be told, Jiang Xiyun had once felt pity and regret for Chen Xianglan. Had this person not been entangled with her interests, 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 Jiang Mu. After hearing from Ruoqing about the previous day’s incident, she fumed and said to Jiang Xiyun, “Fifth Sister, you’re too soft-hearted! Is Lin Jinlou acting like a tyrant? Does he think the Jiang family has no one to stand up to him?”
Jiang Xiyun replied innocently, “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 chamber?”
Jiang Feiyun poked Jiang Xiyun’s forehead and said, “You! You’re not clever when you should be. They’ve 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 here, Lin Jinlou openly dotes on a concubine like this—it’s a slap in the face to our family.”
Jiang Xiyun squirmed 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. Bring me paper and brush—I’ll write to Elder Brother myself and have him come to uphold justice for you.”
Jiang Xiyun was secretly pleased but continued to dissuade her verbally. Jiang Feiyun indeed wrote a letter. Before leaving, she took Jiang Xiyun’s hand and said, “That Chen Xianglan is beautiful and knows how to handle situations—she’s truly a rival. But she’s too foolish and rigid, nowhere near as clever as 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 were half as capable as you, Fifth Sister.”
Jiang Xiyun merely smiled faintly.Before one knew it, seven or eight days had 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 is still reasonable. I just hope that in the future, a thoughtful girl like you can keep him in check."
Jiang Xiyun twisted the corner of her clothes, feigning ignorance. "He is my elder cousin. Wouldn't it be improper for me to manage him? Elder cousin is someone destined for great things, so naturally, he pays no heed to minor details."
Qin Shi sighed and said, "You are such a sincere child." She 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, and Jiang Xiyun returned the courtesy. The two gazed at each other from a distance, then calmly averted their eyes without a word.
After Jiang Xiyun had passed by, Hua Shan remarked, "It seems Miss Xi came from Madam's room."
Xianglan nodded. That day, when she woke up from her drunken state, Xiao Juan and others quietly informed her that Madam had visited and conveyed the Jiang family's intention for her to move out of the main residence. However, Lin Jinlou had refused. Xianglan and Jiang Xiyun had previously exchanged pleasantries on the surface, but after this incident, their encounters became awkward, and it was better to avoid each other.
Xianglan sighed softly. Lin Jinlou had become busy again. Two days earlier, he had asked her to pack a chest of belongings, assembled his men, and departed. 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 troubled, go talk to someone. Don't just stay in your room painting, or you'll strain your eyes. As for Madam, pay your respects as usual. Don't take anything she says to heart. Just wait for me to return."
Xianglan listened with her head bowed. She had no interest in dealing with the Lin family's affairs. Lin Jinlou added, "I'll be back in a couple of days. I'll take you to the countryside for a stroll." Xianglan stole a glance at Lin Jinlou. Dressed in his official robe and wearing a black gauze hat, he appeared even more heroic, steady, and capable. Lin Jinlou gently touched her cheek and left. When she returned to her room, she noticed a pair of kneepads tossed on the bed—the very pair Jiang Xiyun had made. She had originally packed them in the chest for Lin Jinlou to take with him. Looking around, she realized the kneepads she had made, which had been in the sewing basket, were now missing. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Xiao Juan and the others cautiously watching her. She stared at the kneepads for a long while, then silently put them away.
Xianglan stood there lost in thought when suddenly she heard someone calling her from behind. Turning around, she saw Jiang Danyun approaching with her maid. Jiang Danyun smiled and said, "So it's you here."
Xianglan nodded and smiled. "Miss Dan." Recently, Jiang Danyun had been visiting the Hall of Flourishing Spring from time to time, hoping to gossip about Jiang Xiyun. However, Xianglan was reluctant to engage, often diverting the conversation and serving her fine tea and snacks instead.Jiang Danyun covered her mouth with her fan as she laughed. "I saw it earlier—you ran into my younger sister, didn't you? Don’t take it to heart, Sister Xianglan, if she ignored you. That’s just her nature. If she stands to gain from you, her words will be sweeter than honey, charming you as if you’d eaten beeswax. But if she dislikes you, oh dear, her words cut like knives, infuriating you yet leaving you no grounds to confront her. I’ve suffered countless losses because of her since childhood... Right now, my sister has taken a dislike to you. As for why, you’re a clever person—no need for me to spell it out. Be careful of her cunning; she plays the fool while scheming, and she might harm you, trampling you into the mud, then act innocent and continue winning favor." She chuckled again. "I see you’re a woman of remarkable talent, surely unwilling to be subservient. Besides, with Eldest Master’s favor, how can you bear to let her triumph 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. Madam 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.
Watching Xianglan’s retreating figure, Jiang Danyun seethed with anger, thinking, "Who does this Xianglan think she is, putting on such a pretentious act of purity?" Her mind drifted to the lavish furnishings of the Hall of Flourishing Spring and Xianglan’s head-to-toe finery of gold, silver, and silk. She thought of her own impending marriage to a scholarly farming family, where even as the legitimate wife, she’d never enjoy the splendor of a Concubine like Xianglan. Then she envisioned Jiang Xiyun becoming the future Da Nǎinai of the Lin family, likely suppressing her for life. The thought of her elder brother arriving in a few days to take her home for wedding preparations brought two tears to her eyes. Recalling a few remarks Jiang Xiyun and her maid Ruoqing had let slip recently, she fumed inwardly, "Don’t think you’ll have peace in the days to come! Before I leave, I’ll turn everything upside down for you!"
But enough digression. The weather grew cooler as the summer heat began to fade. One day, a letter arrived from Lin Jinlou announcing his return that very afternoon. Jiang Shangxian, the Eldest Master of Jiang Jia, 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 returned, travel-worn and weary. He ate a hasty meal, bathed, and had just changed clothes when Jiang Shangxian arrived. Lin Jinlou went to the front reception room to meet him. Soon after, Yuan Shaoren arrived with De Ge’er, who was settled in the outer study. Gui Yuan hurriedly served tea.
Yuan Shaoren asked, "Why are you alone here? Where are Jixiang and Shuangxi?"
Gui Yuan replied, "Shuangxi went out, and Jixiang is attending to Eldest Master. The Eldest Master of Jiang Jia is here."
Yuan Shaoren frowned. Just then, De Ge’er exclaimed, "I’m going to find Auntie Lan!" He hopped down from his chair and dashed off—but that’s a story for later.
Meanwhile, in Xianglan’s quarters, Chunling was brewing medicine in the small tea kitchen. This task originally fell to Ling Su, but as Ling Su had caught a chill and moved to a side room to avoid spreading illness, the duty was passed to Chunling. Initially reluctant, Chunling complained to anyone who would listen, "If anything goes wrong with the medicine, won’t I be blamed?" It wasn’t until Shu Ran reprimanded her that she grudgingly set to work.Although the dog days of summer had just ended, the weather remained stifling. As Chunling fanned the stove, beads of sweat rolled down her face. She wanted to find a young maid to take over the fanning, so she stood up and looked out the window. She saw that all the other young maids had gone off to play, leaving only Chaolu kicking a shuttlecock in the shade. Chaolu was Shu Ran’s personal maid, so Chunling couldn’t order her around. Just as she was frowning to herself, she heard laughter. Peering out, she saw Jiang Danyun and Jiang Xiyun approaching from a distance, chatting as they walked.
Chunling 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 added, "We came to have a chat with Sister Xianglan."
Chunling exclaimed, "Oh, what a pity! The young master from the Yuan family has come, and the 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 have a drink of water."
Chunling quickly responded, "Please, come inside." She ushered them in, rinsed cups and bowls herself, and poured tea for them.
Jiang Danyun asked, "What medicine is brewing on the stove?"
Chunling replied, "It’s for the Concubine in the main 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 and engaged Chunling in conversation at the tea room doorway, standing with her back to the room and chatting idly.
Jiang Danyun’s heart pounded like thunder. She had been hesitant and conflicted, thinking she might abandon her plan if no opportunity arose. She never expected Jiang Xiyun to distract Chunling with conversation at the door. Knowing that such a chance might not come again, she trembled as she stood up.
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