Lin Jinlou returned to Chun Tang Hall, where Xianglan had long finished washing and dressing. Several dishes and hot soup were laid out on the heated brick bed table, clearly freshly prepared. Without washing up, Lin Jinlou invited Xianglan to dine with him. Xianglan said, "Master, wipe your face and change your clothes before eating."
Lin Jinlou replied, "By the time I change, the food will be cold. Let's eat first." He picked up a piece of chestnut cake and placed it in the small dish before Xianglan.
Xianglan picked up her chopsticks and glanced at him. Lin Jinlou smiled faintly and said, "What? Aren't you going to serve me some food?"
Xianglan was taken aback, lowered her head, hesitated for a moment, then finally picked up some silver-thread fine vegetables and placed them in Lin Jinlou's dish. His expression darkened slightly.
The two fell silent, eating quietly.
After the meal, Lin Jinlou went to the writing desk and began unrolling the paintings Xianglan had stored in the painting tubes one by one. Xianglan couldn't help asking, "What are you doing?"
As he unrolled the paintings, Lin Jinlou said, "Didn't I ask you to show me a couple of your best paintings when I was bedridden and unable to move? Which ones are they?"
Xianglan said, "Let me find them." She pulled out two tubes and handed them over. "These are the ones."
Lin Jinlou unrolled them and saw that one depicted Guanyin holding a pure vase, her eyes lowered in dignified composure, her heavenly robes flowing as if stirred by wind across the paper—a true embodiment of spirit through form, exquisitely detailed. The other was "Snowy Night by the River," with distant gentle hills and nearby towering peaks arranged in harmonious layers, vast reeds along the riverbank, withered trees and rocky peaks all blanketed in white snow—the very scene of their past hardship.
Lin Jinlou frowned and said, "Why paint these? I thought you'd paint flowers, birds, fish, or insects as usual."
Xianglan smiled without responding. Lin Jinlou naturally didn't know how devoutly she had painted Guanyin stroke by stroke, praying for his safety and well-being, nor how she had faced life and death in that snowy night and gained sudden enlightenment.
Lin Jinlou examined the paintings from all angles and finally said, "Well, though they're not quite fitting, they're truly excellent." He rolled them up, tucked them under his arm, and headed out.
Xianglan hurried after him and asked, "Where are you going, Master?"
Lin Jinlou turned back, looking at her with a half-smile. "Where? Off to battle for you, you ungrateful thing, even serving me food so grudgingly." He pinched the tip of her nose and said through gritted teeth, "Who do you think I'm running around for? I must be asking for trouble!" Turning away, he strode out, thrusting the two painting tubes into Shuran's hands as he went. "Call Ji Xiang and Shuangxi, come with me to the Old Master's courtyard."
In the northwest corner of the Lin residence in the capital stood Youshi Hall, Lin Zhaoxiang's quiet retreat. It comprised about a dozen rooms with a front hall and rear quarters, accessible from the street. Lin Zhaoxiang lived in seclusion most days, so this courtyard was more serene than usual, with servants moving about slowly and quietly, the only sound being birdsong.Lin Jinlou unconsciously softened his footsteps as he entered the courtyard. Thinking of Lin Zhaoxiang's sharp gaze and cunning mind, he felt a twinge of apprehension, silently grumbling that the old man, despite his advanced age, remained so shrewd. People said the elderly became spirits with age, and his grandfather had been a crafty fox even in his youth, hiding ten thousand schemes in his heart. Now, having lived so long, he was practically immortal, feigning ignorance while harboring sharp wit all day. Lin Jinlou alone could never see through him; every misstep was pointed out by his grandfather, filling him with profound awe.
Looking up, he spotted Geng Tonggui, Lin Zhaoxiang's trusted aide, emerging with a birdcage in hand. Lin Jinlou hurried over, his face breaking into an ingratiating smile. "Uncle Geng, out walking the bird for Grandfather so early?"
Geng Tonggui's face crinkled into a chrysanthemum-like smile as he regarded Lin Jinlou. "The young master is here? How rare. Could it be you've stirred up some trouble you can't handle? Give this old servant a hint so I can send for the old mistress later." Having watched Lin Jinlou grow up, Geng Tonggui shared an unusual bond with him and, being highly regarded by Lin Zhaoxiang, spoke without restraint.
"Nothing of the sort," Lin Jinlou replied. "I was just thinking that since I've fully recovered, it's time I resumed my morning and evening duties."
"Well now," Geng Tonggui chuckled. "How remarkable, truly remarkable. Go on in then. The Old Master is alone, admiring flowers in his room."
"What about Grandmother?"
"The Taitai and Second Mistress are selecting silk patterns for this year, and the old mistress went to join the excitement."
"—And Yuan Ge'er?"
"Third Master took Fourth Master out." Geng Tonggui smiled again. "It's quiet today. You and your grandfather can have a good chat. The Old Master has been mentioning you every day lately."
"Oh? What has he been saying about me?"
"Heh heh, as a servant, I shouldn't gossip. You'll find out soon enough."
"Wait, Uncle Geng, Uncle Geng—" Ignoring Lin Jinlou's calls, Geng Tonggui cheerfully carried the birdcage out through the second gate. That old rascal, after all these years under his grandfather's influence, had developed the same sly fox temperament.
Lin Jinlou's heart pounded with anxiety. Behind him, Shuangxi cautiously offered a scroll case. "Master, this—"
Impatient, Lin Jinlou snatched it. "Give it here, now scram." He strode inward but suddenly spotted a small figure darting behind the grape trellis. With his quick reflexes, Lin Jinlou lunged and caught the person, barking, "Where do you think you're going? No greeting for your elder brother? Getting bold, aren't you?"
Lin Jinyuan hung limply in Lin Jinlou's grip, his fair face wearing a cheeky, impish grin. "Heh heh, Brother, I just didn't see you! Third Brother said I could go out with him."
"What good could you learn from him? Come with me to see the Old Master."
At this, Lin Jinyuan struggled. "No! You go if you want! I stayed up half the night memorizing the Four Books before Grandfather agreed to let me out today. If I go in now, I'll have to recite again. It's so annoying!"
"Tsk, tsk, stop squirming!" Seeing Lin Jinlou's stern expression, Lin Jinyuan immediately froze, his little mouth pouting.
Lin Jinlou then softened his expression, whispering to Lin Jinyuan, "Come here, little fourth. I know you've been eyeing that bow in my study."
Lin Jinyuan's eyes instantly lit up.
"That bow is too big for you—you're still too small to draw it. But I've already spoken to the craftsman. He's making a smaller one just for you. It'll be ready in three or four days, complete with arrows fletched with peacock and pheasant feathers.""That would be wonderful, I—"
"But you have to be obedient, or else your brother will give it to Old Yuan's De Ge'er instead."
Lin Jinyuan widened his round eyes and immediately raised his hand in assurance. "No, big brother! I'll be obedient! If you tell me to go east, I won't go west! If you tell me to beat a dog, I won't chase a chicken!"
"Mmm, good Little Fourth, my obedient younger brother. In a moment, your big brother needs to go in and discuss some matters with Grandfather. If Grandfather gets angry later, you must come in to rescue me, understand?"
Lin Jinyuan scratched his head. "Ah? Grandfather is angry—"
Lin Jinlou glared. "Tch, what's this? A real man shouldn't hesitate. Do you still want that bow or not? As the saying goes, wealth is found in dangers, and how can you catch tiger cubs without entering the tiger's den?"
Just as they were speaking, they heard a cough from inside the room. Lin Zhaoxiang asked, "Who's out there?"
Both of them were startled. Lin Jinyuan jumped up, broke free from Lin Jinlou, and fled. Lin Jinlou pointed at Lin Jinyuan's retreating back and whispered, "That little rascal runs faster than a rabbit. Remember, come in later to rescue me, otherwise no bow for you, and I'll give you a taste of bamboo paddle on your hide instead." Seeing that Lin Little Fourth had disappeared without a trace, Lin Jinlou had no choice but to carry the painting tube into the room.
Lin Zhaoxiang was trimming plants in the main hall. He glanced up at Lin Jinlou, then lowered his head again as if he hadn't seen him.
Lin Jinlou quickly stepped forward, his face breaking into an ingratiating smile. "Grandfather, your unfilial grandson has come." As he spoke, he knelt and bowed in greeting. Just as he was about to rise, he heard Lin Zhaoxiang say, "Stay kneeling. Don't get up."
Lin Jinlou looked up to gauge Lin Zhaoxiang's expression, then remained kneeling stiffly upright.
Lin Zhaoxiang paid him no mind, leisurely trimming a potted plant. Lin Jinlou inwardly lamented his misfortune, not daring to move a muscle. When he saw Lin Zhaoxiang turn around, he quickly put on his smile again. Lin Zhaoxiang snorted, set the scissors aside, and a maid presented him with a white hand towel. After wiping his hands, Lin Zhaoxiang sat down in an armchair, picked up a tea bowl and took a sip of hot tea before finally looking at Lin Jinlou. "Well, you certainly know how to keep your composure. I thought you were treating me as if I were already dead."
Lin Jinlou smiled apologetically. "If Grandfather says such things, there's no place for me to stand here."
"Enough with your grinning and simpering! You know perfectly well how much trouble you've stirred up outside! Good-for-nothing! Don't think that just because you've gotten yourself a high official position now you can do as you please and bring shame to our ancestors! I'll be the first to not let you off!" Lin Zhaoxiang raised his cane as if to strike, but then remembered that his eldest grandson had just recovered from serious injuries. As he hesitated whether to lower the cane, someone called out, "Grandfather, how should this passage from Mencius be interpreted?" Turning to look, he saw Lin Jinyuan peeking in through the doorway holding a book.
Lin Zhaoxiang said irritably, "You little monkey, do you want to join your big brother in getting beaten?"
Lin Jinyuan stuck out his tongue and his small head disappeared back outside.
This interruption made Lin Zhaoxiang lower his cane. Lin Jinlou's heart began to race. Logically, Lin Zhaoxiang shouldn't be this angry with him over the Su Meiru matter. That affair had already settled down, Su Meiru had entered the household to await childbirth, and she was a well-behaved woman anyway. In prominent families, who didn't have some unsavory business? Though this matter wasn't honorable, ultimately it was his second uncle who had lost the most face. Grandfather shouldn't be taking it out on him.
As he was lost in these thoughts, he heard Lin Zhaoxiang roar angrily again, "You've grown quite capable, haven't you? Thinking I can't control you anymore?"
"No, no! Grandfather, please calm your anger. Too much rage harms the liver."Lin Zhaoxiang said, "I'm asking you, what's this about you and those lads from the Chu and Liu families investing in salt merchants?"
Hearing this, the stone in Lin Jinlou's heart finally settled, knowing where the old man's real concern lay.
"That's a legitimate business, operated by members of the Chu family. We merely invested some shares, offering occasional assistance in canal transport—all within legal bounds."
"Don't engage in any shady dealings or harbor thoughts of smuggling salt. Your father values his official reputation highly, and I too must preserve my dignity!"
"Absolutely not, I wouldn't dare bring shame upon our ancestors. Grandfather, I also command a military unit. The meager military pay from the court is barely enough to make a splash in water—so many brothers depend on me for their livelihood. We must engage in some ventures; we can't just live on air."
"Stop pretending to be poor. You're involved in maritime trade too—don't think you can hide it from me."
"Those are all dealings with private vessels. I wouldn't dare meddle with the court's shipments."
"Stay away from those dubious characters from the martial world. I've been too lenient with you before. If I find out you're still fooling around recklessly outside or mingling with disreputable women, I will truly discipline you."
Lin Jinlou cursed inwardly but verbally agreed repeatedly. Then he heard Lin Zhaoxiang say, "Stand up."
Lin Jinlou silently thanked the heavens and had just risen to his feet when his grandfather added, "Now, tell me about this 'Legend of Lanxiang Jushi'—what's the story behind it?"
Second update.
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