(Revised Chapter) After the first lunar month passed, the emperor personally dispatched the chief eunuch to the Lin Family residence to inquire about Lin Jinlou's health, bestowing numerous gifts. He also summoned Lin Changzheng back to the capital, seemingly intending to confer upon him the title of Grand Secretary. The crown prince frequently summoned imperial physicians to inquire about Lin Jinlou's condition. Although Lin Jinlou recovered day by day, the physicians dared not be negligent, fearing any mishap. They made repeated visits to the Lin Family, prescribing various remedies to nourish his health. The Lin Family's Grandeur was at its peak, with a continuous stream of visitors paying their respects.
Everyone knew Lin Jinlou had a difficult temperament, but hearing that his beloved Concubine was gentle and accommodating, many inner court ladies came to cozy up to Xianglan. These were Imperial Ladies of the fourth or fifth rank, old enough to be Xianglan's mother or grandmother, yet they amiably addressed her as sister. Xianglan recalled the cold, disdainful faces surrounding her when she was a Female Servant, compared to the flattering smiles she now received. The fickleness of human relationships truly made one sigh.
With Lin Changzheng returning to the capital, Qin Shi urgently tasked Lin Jinting with renovating the residences and replanting flowers. Worried about the constant friction between her husband and eldest son, she specially visited Lin Jinlou to admonish him to "restrain his temper and avoid angering his father." Lin Jinlou listened half-heartedly. While he held some awe for his father, his greatest fear was his grandfather Lin Zhaoxiang. During his convalescence, Lin Jinting had anxiously relayed that their grandfather was furious with him over the Su Meiru affair. Though the matter was later dropped, whenever Lin Zhaoxiang visited to check on him, he remained stern-faced and unfriendly. Lin Jinlou couldn't help feeling apprehensive, knowing this scolding was inevitable.
Unexpectedly, before Lin Changzheng arrived, Lin Changmin appeared with his family. Lin Changmin had his own calculations. Recently, a band of river bandits, taking advantage of Lin Jinlou's absence in the capital, had bribed Su Meiru to facilitate an introduction to Lin Changmin. Exploiting his status as Lin Jinlou's second uncle and an official, Lin Changmin profited greatly—whether by smuggling goods or turning a blind eye to the bandits' murder and arson. Now, with Lin Jinlou recovered and soon returning to Jinling, making future canal operations difficult, Lin Changmin grew troubled. Su Meiru suggested, "The Lin Family's influence now shines like the midday sun. Why not go to the capital and secure a promotion to canal patrol commander? Wouldn't that legitimize your future endeavors?" Lin Changmin agreed wholeheartedly, smiling at Su Meiru, "My darling, you truly are my strategist." Thus, he set off for the capital.
Qin Shi stood with Xianglan at the Hanging Flower Gate to welcome them. From the lead carriage emerged an exquisitely beautiful woman, her cloud-like hair adorned with jade, face radiant like spring, graceful and poised. Xianglan was taken aback. Then, from the following carriage, Wang Shi was assisted out, her face pale and haggard, so thin her chin appeared sharp, eyes swollen like Hetau nuts as if she had been crying. Supporting Wang Shi was a young woman around seventeen or eighteen, her hair styled in a gold-wired Eight Treasures chignon, adorned with a gold-inlaid emerald plum hairpin and numerous floral ornaments. She wore a yellow-tea colored brocade cloak, slightly plump with a full-moon face, sparkling dark eyes, and a naturally smiling mouth. Her sweet appearance carried a subtle authority; though not a supreme beauty, she was exceptionally pleasing. This was Lin Jinting's newly wedded wife, née Li, named Miaozhi.Qin Shi hurried forward and grasped Wang Shi's hands, exclaiming in surprise, "My dear sister, how have you become like this in just a few months? Have you developed some illness?"
Upon hearing this, Wang Shi's eyes welled up again as she took out a handkerchief to wipe them. Li Miaozhi quickly stepped forward to pay respects, smiling as she said, "Thank you for your concern, Aunt. My mother-in-law is just weary from the journey and will recover after some rest." She added with a laugh, "Yuan Ge'er has come too. He's asleep now in the carriage at the back. Later, I'll have the wet nurse bring him to your room."
Seeing Li Miaozhi's meaningful glance, Qin Shi immediately understood and refrained from further questions, simply taking Wang Shi's hand to lead her inside. Xianglan thought to herself, "Third Master Lin's new wife truly has sharp perception—she really lives up to the 'Miao' (meaning 'marvelous') in her name." She tilted her head slightly and happened to catch the gaze of the beautiful woman outside the second gate, who was looking their way. The woman scrutinized Xianglan from head to toe, staring intently. Xianglan mused inwardly, "The maids and old women were gossiping about Second Master taking a new concubine—it must be her. She's truly beautiful."
Qin Shi first invited Wang Shi and the others to sit in her own courtyard. After exchanging a few pleasantries about the weather, she introduced Xianglan and Li Miaozhi to each other. Li Miaozhi stepped forward, took Xianglan's hand, and looked her over with a smile, saying to Qin Shi, "I only saw her once on my wedding day and regretted not getting to know her better. Now her reputation precedes her—who hasn't heard of Miss Xianglan, a stunning beauty and renowned talented lady? I was too rushed that day to take a good look at her, and when others praised her, I thought it was exaggerated gossip. But seeing her today, I understand what 'seeing is believing' means—if anything, the rumors didn't do her justice."
Xianglan was impressed. In just a few words, Li Miaozhi had warmed up to her, offering effusive praise without making it feel uncomfortable. She demurred, "Third Mistress flatters me—"
Li Miaozhi laughed, "I'm not exaggerating. With such dignified bearing, you're more poised than a nobleman's daughter—clearly an immortal maiden descended to earth."
Unaccustomed to such familiarity upon first meeting, Xianglan could only reply, "My humble appearance is unworthy of such praise. It's all thanks to Taitai's guidance."
Li Miaozhi promptly turned to Qin Shi with a smile, "Aunt really knows how to cultivate people. You must teach me someday too."
This exchange made Qin Shi laugh heartily. She patted Li Miaozhi's hand repeatedly, chuckling, "You mischievous girl, I'm afraid you'd feel restrained under my care." She then said to Xianglan, "Good child, I've saved some fine fabrics for Miao Yatou. Accompany her to take a look." Understanding that Qin Shi intended to send them away, Xianglan led Li Miaozhi out.
In the resting room, the heated brick bed was indeed piled with seven or eight bolts of various silks and fine cloth. Li Miaozhi dismissed the maid, then flopped onto the bed, rubbing her waist and legs as she complained, "This journey nearly killed me—my bones are about to fall apart, and I had to put on airs earlier too." Noticing Xianglan watching her, she winked and grinned.
Xianglan couldn't help smiling. Li Miaozhi was straightforward and boisterous—even when putting on pretenses, she didn't come across as disagreeable. Xianglan personally poured a cup of tea and brought it over. Li Miaozhi exclaimed "Aiyo!" and quickly stood up, waving her hands, "No, no, no, how could I let Sister Xianglan serve me tea?" She accepted the tea bowl but set it on the table, then clasped her hands in a salute and said, "All along the journey, at every tavern and tea house, I've heard about you—you're truly a heroine among women."Xianglan asked in surprise, "Heard about what?"
Li Miaozhi exclaimed with astonishment, "You don't know? There's currently a popular story called 'The Legend of Lanxiang Jushi' circulating outside, consisting of eighteen acts. Both storytellers and opera troupes are performing it. It covers everything from when you saved the Second Young Mistress at the Lin Family, suffered jealousy and was sold off, sacrificed yourself to save your father, showed righteousness while guarding your master during a night at the mountain temple, all the way to rescuing the Eldest Cousin in the dense forest—every episode is depicted in the plays and books."
Xianglan was momentarily stunned.
Li Miaozhi laughed and said, "I'll have someone search for a complete set and bring it for you to see tomorrow. The lyrics are so elegant, like 'Evening breezes carry fragrance, stars fill the vast sky, yet how vexing that the fair one remains unseen'—it doesn't seem like something composed by common folks. I heard you're skilled at painting; when you have time, could you gift me a couple of your works?"
Xianglan agreed verbally, but her thoughts had already drifted to "The Legend of Lanxiang Jushi."
Meanwhile, over at Qin Shi's place, Wang Shi began weeping before she could even speak. After crying for a while, she finally sobbed, "Ever since the Old Master went to the capital, my husband has become increasingly unrestrained. He's keeping that little hussy in his study, pampering her with fine food and drink, and even making the whole household address her as 'Mistress.' I've endured all that. But rumors started spreading unpleasant gossip, and when I kindly advised him a few times, he actually hit me in return. That little hussy doesn't even show me basic respect—she walks past me with her head held high, which made me so angry I fell ill. Then she instigated others to claim I was pretending to be sick on purpose—and she's been incessantly urging my husband to divorce me—"
Qin Shi angrily said, "How dare she! How outrageous! Are you just letting her manipulate and bully you like this?"
Wang Shi cried, "My husband only listens to her. In his eyes, I'm even lower than the servants. Whether I cry or smile, it's always wrong. If I say one thing that displeases him, he hits and scolds me. I've even thought about ending it all to be free."
Qin Shi, frustrated by her lack of assertiveness, said, "Oh, you... when will you ever change this temperament of yours? You compromise where you should stand firm, and stubbornly persist where you shouldn't. You're the rightful wife—you mustn't think like this. You need to fight for your dignity. The Old Master and Old Mistress will support you—how can they allow that little hussy to be so insolent? Talking about life and death so easily—don't forget you still have Ting Ge'er. He's a filial child, and you should enjoy a long and blessed life because of him."
Wang Shi wiped her tears and said, "If it weren't for Ting Ge'er, I would have ended my life long ago." After a pause, she added, "There's one more thing I need to confide in you, sister, and I'll need your help."
Qin Shi asked, "What is it?"
Wang Shi whispered, "I brought Ling Jie'er with me."
Qin Shi was startled: "Why did you bring her? What if someone sees her? We've already told everyone she died—we even held a funeral!"
Tears streamed down Wang Shi's face again: "She's the daughter I raised through hardship—how can I let her live on the Manor for the rest of her life, eventually marrying some farmer? Even if she made mistakes, sister-in-law, you're a mother too—you know children are a mother's heartache. How could I bear it? Before coming here, I visited her at the Manor. Her eyes were full of tears, and she pitifully tugged at my sleeve, begging me repeatedly to return quickly and not forget about her. I—I—it breaks my heart—"
Qin Shi patted Wang Shi's shoulder and sighed, "Don't cry anymore. Since she's already here, where have you settled her now?"Wang Shi said, "I had her wear a veil and claimed she was a young lady from a family we've long been acquainted with, who is practicing Buddhism with her hair uncut at our ancestral temple. The reason I brought her this time is that I originally have several relatives in the capital, among whom there are promising young men. I dare not hope for great wealth and honor like Miss Xiu's, but only wish for her to marry into a good family. Even if they are poor, I will provide a house and land—it's just a matter of a few thousand taels of silver. Peace and safety are blessings in themselves. Moreover, if she marries in the capital, no one will know her background, and she can live more freely. I also beg you, sister-in-law, to help me look for suitable candidates and assist us in making the arrangements."
Though Qin Shi already felt extreme disgust toward Lin Dongling, seeing Wang Shi's haggard face, all the words on the tip of her tongue turned into a long sigh, and she gently nodded in agreement.
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