Back in the carriage, Xianglan remained silent, hugging her knees in a daze. Suddenly, she heard Ji Xiang outside the curtain say, "Master, we're home." Only then did she snap back to reality, realizing they had returned to the Lin Family. She stole a glance at Lin Jinlou and saw his face was utterly expressionless, yet paler than before. Once inside, Xianglan first removed her cloak, then helped him change his clothes, ordered a bowl of hot soup, and checked the wound on his chest. After ensuring Lin Jinlou was fully settled, Xianglan went to the Green Gauze Cabinet to change her clothes. When she came out, she saw Lin Jinlou sitting on the bed, throwing small knives one by one, each striking the target hanging on the wall with a fierce thud.
Xianglan frowned, stepped forward, and held out her hand. "Give me all the knives. No more throwing—you'll pull your wound, and it's just started to heal."
Instead, Lin Jinlou reached out and grasped her hand, lifting his head to look at her in silence. Meeting his gaze, Xianglan suddenly found herself at a loss for words. She lowered her head and murmured, "About today—I—thank you—I gave that packet of banknotes to Madam Song in the carriage. Later, I'll repay you the silver—" Before she could finish, Lin Jinlou abruptly said, "Are you keeping such a clear account with me? Are you saying this just to make me feel worse?"
Xianglan froze and looked up. Lin Jinlou squeezed her hand tightly and asked, "What did you say to Song Yifei over there?"
Xianglan almost laughed. She had thought Lin Jinlou had changed, becoming magnanimous and wouldn't ask, but he still did. Yet, as she looked into his eyes, she couldn't bring herself to laugh. After a moment's hesitation, she curved her lips slightly and said, "Nothing, just farewell."
"Just farewell?"
"Yes." Xianglan extended her other hand. "Give me the knives. Be careful not to cut yourself."
But with a clatter, the knife fell to the floor. Lin Jinlou wrapped his arms around Xianglan, pulling her into his embrace, and lowered his head to kiss her deeply and forcefully, his hand already slipping inside her collar. Startled, Xianglan immediately pressed her hand against him, turning her face away. "No, you're injured—"
Lin Jinlou held her even tighter, so tight that the pain from the wound in his chest made him tremble, yet he would rather endure it. His scattered kisses trailed down Xianglan's fair neck. She wanted to struggle but feared bumping his chest wound, anxiously clutching the fabric at his shoulders. "It's already dawn. Soon, the Old Master and Taitai will send people over, and the maids are outside—"
Lin Jinlou breathed heavily, burying his head in the crook of Xianglan's neck. Worried that his posture would strain his chest wound, she gently pushed him and whispered, "Master, the wound on your chest has just started to heal—"He interrupted harshly, "Never mind that injury!" Instead, he pulled her arm around his neck. After a moment, his tone softened again as he said hoarsely, "Hold me for a while, Xianglan. Don't let go." Xianglan was stunned—there was actually a pleading quality in his voice. Lin Jinlou lifted his head, their eyes meeting. Xianglan's heart trembled, her mind went completely blank, utterly at a loss. Just as she was about to speak, Lin Jinlou shook his head, pressing his forehead against hers. With closed eyes, he whispered, "Shh, don't speak—just hold me for a while, just a moment—" He frowned as if bearing unbearable pain. Suddenly, Xianglan felt a pang of heartache mixed with indescribable emotions. She seemed to understand somewhat, yet instinctively wanted to retreat, while tears welled up. After a moment, she raised her arms and slowly held Lin Jinlou tighter.
Lin Jinlou trembled slightly, then embraced her even more tightly. He had never known that simply holding someone could bring such fulfillment to his heart—both sorrowful and joyful, feeling everything was complete. Earlier, he had watched from afar as Xianglan and Song Ke stood quietly facing each other. Xianglan's expression was calm and peaceful, yet unable to conceal the sorrow of parting. Their deep mutual gaze seemed as if only they existed between heaven and earth, while he was merely an outsider, a passerby. He could hardly bear it.
He had originally seen her as just a pretty plaything—like a vase in a room, a bird in a cage, a casually plucked flower, a pastime for leisure. She hated him, he knew, but he didn't care. He had manipulated her at will, bending her waist under his control. Yet he never realized that this seemingly delicate and timid woman possessed such resilience in her bones, with a transcendent breadth of mind that repeatedly caught his attention, making him respect her and genuinely cherish her.
When he was injured and lying in the reed marshes, his life hanging by a thread, what filled his thoughts wasn't loyalty to the sovereign, love for country, filial piety, family ethics, the rise and fall of his clan, or the succession of military power. His mind was completely occupied by the woman shivering in the cold wind beside him. Only by ensuring she was properly cared for could he close his eyes and die in peace. He understood how much she wanted to leave the Lin Family, fearing that once he passed away, she would immediately request to leave. But she was so beautiful, and her parents were so vulnerable—how could she protect herself in this troubled world? So he entrusted Yuan Shaoren to help her in the future.
But he survived.
He had thought it over all last night. In the past, he had made Xianglan suffer according to his whims, so naturally she would hate him. What if he changed from now on? Would she be willing to stay by his side willingly? Lin Jinlou had always been extremely shrewd and formidably brave, yet at this point he dared not and was unwilling to think too deeply. He only knew that holding Xianglan at this moment made everything feel complete.
Two light coughs came from outside. Xue Ning said, "Master, Third Master is here. He says there's something urgent."
Xianglan pushed gently, but Lin Jinlou still held her without moving. Xianglan whispered, "Quick, sit properly. There's urgent business." Then she responded to the outside, "Please invite Third Master in."
Only then did Lin Jinlou reluctantly let go. By then, Lin Jinting had already hurried in with quick steps. Xianglan promptly stood up to pour tea.
Lin Jinlou didn't even lift his eyelids as he said, "What is it?"
Lin Jinting said, "It's about Second Sister-in-law—" Noticing Xianglan serving tea nearby, he stopped speaking and winked at Lin Jinlou. Lin Jinlou said, "Why are you blinking? Got sand in your eye or having a cramp?"Xianglan immediately understood and said, "I'll go out to find a copybook to practice calligraphy."
Lin Jinlou said, "Don't go." To Lin Jinting, he said, "Speak up. There's nothing to hide from her. Regarding family matters, you can tell me separately later, but I'll have to discuss them with her anyway."
Today, since Xianglan had gone to see Song Ke off early in the morning, Lin Jinting viewed her more favorably. He cleared his throat and said, "Second Sister-in-law's condition has improved, but she's developed chronic issues. One ear seems to be deaf, her speech isn't as clear as before, and she often forgets things. Today, the Old Master personally went to ask her what happened that day and how Concubine Yin died. At first, she refused to speak, but the Old Master is no ordinary man—he'd probably already guessed eighty to ninety percent of the truth. After some interrogation tactics, she confessed. Tsk tsk, brother, guess what? It's earth-shattering, tear-jerking news! This Madam Tan is something else—she actually cuckolded Second Brother! She had an affair with Third Master Dai! None of us expected that! Concubine Yin was just unlucky—she happened to catch them in the act and lost her life because of it. Pitiful, truly pitiful." After speaking, he held his breath, waiting to see Lin Jinlou's astonished expression.
Unexpectedly, Lin Jinlou didn't even raise an eyebrow. He merely picked up his tea bowl and took a leisurely sip, saying, "Look at you, getting so worked up over nothing. It's just Madam Tan having an affair—how is that earth-shattering or tear-jerking? You're a full-grown man, yet you're gossiping like an old woman."
Lin Jinting said resentfully, "Fine, you're broad-minded and above it all. I'm leaving." He stood up as he spoke.
"Come back." Lin Jinlou set down the tea bowl and said, "Did you come just to tell me this?"
"No. The Dai Family has been executed to the last member, so this matter is effectively resolved. The Old Master wants us to announce that Madam Tan died suddenly. Later, when Second Brother has recovered, we'll find him a virtuous wife. But he's left Madam Tan's disposal to me, and I have no idea what to do. Should I actually kill her? That's why I came to ask for your advice."
Lin Jinlou fell into thought. In his opinion, Madam Tan deserved to die several times over. He looked up and saw Xianglan watching him with a pleading expression, so he said, "Let me think about it. Come back later." He then sent Lin Jinting away.
Xianglan cleared away the tea set and asked softly, "How does Master plan to handle it?"
Lin Jinlou reached out, took Xianglan's hand, and pulled her closer, saying, "Say what you want to say. Don't hem and haw."
Xianglan said, "I want to plead for Madam Tan—she may have countless faults, but she's not a bad person at heart. It's just that she made a colossal mistake, and once that step was taken, there was no turning back. But heaven values compassion, and she has her pitiable aspects. At least spare her life."
Lin Jinlou let out a sigh: "She bullied you before. Have you forgotten?"
Xianglan, however, smiled and said, "But later, she treated me very well. She even stood up for me when she feared I was being wronged."
Lin Jinlou was speechless for a moment before saying, "Right, that's just like you—always remembering others' kindness and forgetting their faults." He looked into Xianglan's eyes and said, "Can you also forget my faults, forget how much of a scoundrel I was before, so that from now on, we can live well together?"Xianglan was taken aback, unsure how to answer herself. Just as she was at a loss, Lin Jinlou acted as if he had never asked the question, changing the subject by saying, "Alright, I'll spare her life for your sake. Since we've survived such a disaster, we ought to accumulate some good karma." As he spoke, he glanced at Xianglan from the corner of his eye and saw her heave a long sigh of relief.
After lunch, Xianglan draped a cloak over her shoulders and brought Xiao Juan and Hua Shan to visit Madam Tan. Tan Luhua was now settled in a row of annex rooms in the rear courtyard of Kangshou Residence, with an old woman guarding the door. The old woman, upon seeing Xianglan, hurried forward with excessive enthusiasm, smiling obsequiously and saying, "What brings the new concubine here?"
Xianglan smiled and replied, "I came to check on her." As she spoke, Xiao Juan pulled a handful of coins from her sleeve and pressed them into the old woman's hand, saying, "The Master sent the new concubine here. This is for you to buy some wine and ward off the chill."
The old woman immediately beamed with delight and said, "Thank you for your generosity, new concubine." She then opened the door and added, "Please don't stay too long, ma'am. The Old Master has given strict orders."
Xianglan nodded and stepped inside. The room was dimly lit, with a large heated brick bed—once used by servants—facing the entrance. Tan Luhua lay there, attended by her maid Zhen'er, who was carefully feeding her medicine spoon by spoon.
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