Two more days passed, and Lin Jinlou had shown significant improvement in his health. He had no choice but to make a trip to the military camp. Originally, he intended to make a brief appearance and return, but unexpectedly, after the rebellion, personnel in the army had undergone several changes. Aside from the emperor's appointments, there were also reserve candidates, and officials of all ranks inevitably seized the opportunity to act. Lin Jinlou had no choice but to socialize and pave the way for the military officers under his patronage. Back and forth, he ended up delayed for seven or eight days.
This time, however, he was eager to return home, his heart racing like an arrow. Over the days, he repeatedly sent people home with letters and even ordered Xianglan to write to him. Yet Xianglan was sparing with her words, always limiting her letters to a single page. Lin Jinlou grew increasingly restless. During the day, he could distract himself with busyness, but at night, especially during gatherings with distinguished guests, the sounds of string and wind instruments in his ears, and the clinking of glasses in toasts—scenes he had once mastered with ease—now became unbearable. Bored and disinterested, he refrained from drinking, merely fiddling with his wine cup and staring blankly at the painting hanging on the wall.
The few officials who had come along were all seasoned veterans of the bureaucratic world. Seeing Lin Jinlou's expression, they exchanged glances, thinking they had failed to properly entertain this esteemed figure. A certain Adjutant Wei was the first to raise his cup, beaming with enthusiasm as he said, "We have long heard of General Lin's formidable reputation, especially his capacity for drink. Before you arrived, the ladies here mentioned you several times. It seems that beauties have always admired heroes. Come now, take turns toasting General Lin. Whether he enjoys himself tonight depends entirely on you."
Such occasions inevitably involved the company of charming women. Seated among them were four famous courtesans, all renowned names in the capital. Upon hearing this, they giggled delicately and raised their jade-like hands with wine cups, ready to offer toasts. Seeing this display, Lin Jinlou smiled at Adjutant Wei and said, "This won't do. Taking turns to toast me—are you planning for me to walk in upright and be carried out horizontally?"
Adjutant Wei stroked his beard and laughed heartily. "General Lin, we've long heard that last year you single-handedly drank the 'Three Tigers of Shanxi' under the table. How could these delicate, flower-like young ladies be a match for you? Quick, Qingyi, pour General Lin a full cup."
The young woman seated beside Lin Jinlou had already filled his cup to the brim. She presented it to him with both hands, smiling gently as she said, "General Lin, please."
Lin Jinlou narrowed his eyes to look at her. She appeared to be around sixteen or seventeen years old, wearing a pearl hairpin with three phoenixes, her hair styled to reveal four temples, and three green floral ornaments adorning her forehead, accentuating her powdered face and glossy hair. Her features were exquisite—eyebrows like spring mountains, eyes rippling like autumn water, a fair complexion, and a slender waist. She was dressed in a rouge-colored wide-sleeved silk robe and a skirt embroidered with golden branches and leaves. On closer inspection, she bore a striking resemblance to Xianglan, revealing the considerable effort these people had made to discern his preferences.
Qingyi blushed faintly and lowered her head slightly without speaking.
Someone nearby, already understanding the situation, chimed in playfully, "General Lin has been recuperating at home recently and has seldom indulged in romantic pursuits. Qingyi is from another province but is now well-known in the capital. She excels in the four arts of the lute, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and is especially skilled in singing and playing instruments."
Adjutant Wei quickly added, "Qingyi, take good care of him today. Didn't you just say you admired General Lin? If he doesn't show you favor, it'll tarnish your reputation."
Qingyi raised her wine cup, her smile sweet yet subtle, and said, "General Lin, I've always heard you are one who cherishes and appreciates beauty. I hope you'll honor us by drinking this cup and show us some kindness."Lin Jinlou narrowed his eyes with a smile, pushing aside the wine cup with his index finger. "I was repeatedly warned before leaving home not to drink while my injury hasn't fully healed. It's not that I don't appreciate your kindness, but that favored one in my quarters would weep half the night if she saw me return drunk. Just after the first month of the year, it wouldn't please the elders either."
The company was somewhat taken aback, while Qingyi looked uncomfortable. Lieutenant Wei quickly interjected, "It's no matter—if you get drunk tonight, you can simply rest here—"
Ignoring him, Lin Jinlou directly picked up his tea bowl. "I've already toasted everyone three rounds earlier. For this round, I'll substitute tea for wine."
Lin Bawang had always been one whose word was law. Though some present wanted to joke and persuade him to switch to wine, one look at his face silenced them, and they obediently raised their cups for this round.
Setting down the tea bowl, Lin Jinlou excused himself from the banquet and walked straight to the corridor. Tilting his head back to gaze at the starry sky, he let out a heavy sigh. When Qingyi had offered him wine earlier, he had thought of Xianglan. Xianglan never smiled so seductively, nor would she flirt with meaningful glances. She rarely drank alcohol at all, her laughter blooming like pear blossoms. Before his departure, she had reminded him, "You're not fully recovered yet—drink less." The memory made him unconsciously happy, recalling Xianglan's delicate features and her words, especially how she had stayed by his bedside during his illness, often smiling for him. The thoughts became unbearable, and he reentered the room announcing, "Gentlemen, my apologies, but a message from home says there's an urgent matter requiring my immediate return."
Lieutenant Wei, thinking Lin Jinlou was dissatisfied, quickly stood up saying, "No, no, have we been inadequate hosts?"
Lin Jinlou smiled. "There truly is an urgent matter at the residence. Returning late might displease the elders. I'll host you all another day." With that, he departed in haste.
By the time he returned to the Lin residence, it was the third watch of the night. All courtyards were already locked, and Xianglan had long since retired. Lin Jinlou forbade anyone from disturbing her, hastily washed up outside, changed clothes, and lifted the bed curtains to find Xianglan sleeping peacefully with the quilt pulled up, her dark hair spread across half the pillow. He slipped under the covers, drawing her into his embrace. Xianglan stirred awake, murmuring drowsily, "Who is it?"
Lin Jinlou whispered in her ear, "It's me."
Rubbing her eyes, Xianglan struggled to sit up. "Master? Why have you returned?"
Still holding her close, Lin Jinlou smiled. "After all these days apart, have you missed me?" He planted a firm kiss on her cheek. "I've missed you."
"—Is your wound healed? Does it still itch?"
Lin Jinlou captured Xianglan's hand and pressed it against his chest, chuckling softly. "I itch—scratch it for me." Then he kissed her again.
In the middle of the night, Xiao Juan threw on her clothes and tiptoed to the bedroom door where Ling Su and Hua Shan were keeping watch. Ling Su was straining to listen inside, while Hua Shan kept nodding off. Xiao Juan nudged Ling Su, whispering, "What are you listening for? Go heat water for later." Only then did Ling Su leave with a giggle. Xiao Juan sat down, heaving a long sigh and muttering to herself, "Amituofo, let's hope our Xianglan has truly passed through calamities and misfortunes, entering a life blessed with countless fortunes."For a time, all was peaceful. The next morning, while Xianglan was still asleep, Lin Jinlou rose, changed his clothes, and went to the garden to practice martial arts. After completing a set of Eight Trigrams Fist, he was drenched in sweat. As he wiped his face with a towel, he saw four or five maids escorting a heavily pregnant woman walking gracefully in the distance. The woman wore a silver-threaded bun adorned with a jade hairpin, her makeup was heavy, and she was dressed in luxurious brocade—it was Su Meiru. This was their first encounter in the Lin Family. Lin Jinlou straightened his posture, while Su Meiru paused momentarily in surprise before stopping gracefully. With a warm smile, she gave a slight curtsy to Lin Jinlou and then, as if nothing had happened, leaned on her maidservant and walked away in another direction.
Lin Jinlou raised an eyebrow. Shuran, standing nearby with her eyes cast down, was well aware of his romantic entanglements. She couldn't help but feel a twinge of admiration for Su Meiru's composure just now. Seeing Lin Jinlou beckon her, Shuran hurried over. He asked, "How has it been these days, having you keep an eye on that woman?"
Shuran replied, "She has been quietly focusing on her pregnancy, never coming to Chun Tang Hall or provoking our mistress. Whenever she sees her, she avoids her from afar. Lately, the eldest young lady has been visiting the mansion frequently to mourn Concubine Yin, and she has had some interactions with Concubine Su, though they don't seem particularly close. She is a shrewd woman. It was said she once regretted following Second Master, but later, perhaps having thought it through, she changed her ways and went to great lengths to please him. Second Master, being the man he is, has been completely won over by her. She often incites him to resent Second Mistress, leaving Second Mistress with no way to vent her grievances but to cry to Taitai from time to time. However, since it's a matter within Second Master's household, Taitai lacks the authority to intervene directly."
Lin Jinlou, ever astute, understood immediately and sneered, "That little minx—I always knew she had grand ambitions, which is why I kept my distance. Now her appetite only grows larger, but she's too impatient. I'm afraid she has the ambition but not the fate to achieve it." He then instructed Shuran, "Let her stir up trouble as she pleases, but make sure no unsavory rumors reach Xianglan's ears." Shuran promptly agreed.
Meanwhile, Su Meiru walked away from Lin Jinlou with a face full of spring-like warmth, but as soon as she turned past a rockery, her expression darkened instantly. Tears welled up in her eyes, her hands trembled slightly, and she clenched her handkerchief so tightly that the veins on the back of her hands bulged. Seeing Lin Jinlou just now had felt as if her internal organs were being wrenched up her throat—a mix of sorrow, joy, pain, and bitterness. This was the man she had once adored so deeply that she had traveled thousands of miles to Jinling to seek him out, yet he had treated her with such coldness! And yet, her heart still yearned for him. Merely hearing his name now was enough to startle her, and upon seeing him, she had wanted to cry, kick, and bite him in accusation, then throw herself into his arms and beg for his pity.
Just then, her maidservant asked worriedly, "Mistress, what's wrong? You're trembling like this—are you ill?"Su Meiru took a sharp breath, raised both hands to smooth her hair, and blinked back the tears in her eyes. Indeed, having come this far, she was like a pawn crossing the river—only moving forward, never retreating. Though Lin Jinlou had countless merits, they were now nothing but withered flowers of the past. This painful fall over him had taught her one truth: men were all unreliable. In the end, she could only rely on herself. Status and silver were her only hope, the very foundation for a life of wealth and honor! She gently placed her hand on her belly and stroked it softly. Her anchor and future now lay right here. With this, the Lin Family could not drive her away. As long as she kept Lin Changmin firmly in her grasp, the day would surely come when she rose to prominence!
She slowly exhaled that breath, then rested her hand again on the arm of the little maid. Gazing straight ahead, she said, "It's nothing. I'm perfectly fine. Let's go."
First Update
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