Lin Jinlou's eyelid twitched as he offered an ingratiating smile. "Speaking of Lanxiang Jushi—" He personally refilled Lin Zhaoxiang's tea, continuing with a chuckle, "Xianglan often tells me how much she admires you, venerable grandfather. She says your calligraphy and painting are truly exceptional, and she eagerly painted two pieces hoping for your evaluation. She begged me to bring them, saying even a word of guidance from you would be the fortune of three lifetimes." As he spoke, he withdrew the scrolls from their case and presented them.
Lin Zhaoxiang squinted at Lin Jinlou and snorted. "Don't try flattering me with sweet talk. I'm not blind—since when could she utter such refined words?" He then smacked the back of Lin Jinlou's head, gritting his teeth. "You lose your head over women! Your lifelong downfall has been this weakness for beauty—repeatedly warned yet never reformed. How many times have you stumbled because of women, you good-for-nothing!" Growing angrier, he struck Lin Jinlou's leg with his cane.
Lin Jinlou felt a stinging pain in his leg. Rubbing the back of his head, he tasted bitterness in his mouth—this humiliation was unbearable for someone accustomed to ordering others about. But then it struck him: he truly was this man's grandson, so there was no real shame in being scolded like one. Treating it as an act of filial devotion to amuse his elder, he smiled and said, "Grandfather, please don't anger yourself—it'll harm your health—" Placing the paintings on a nearby side table, he moved to massage Lin Zhaoxiang's shoulders.
Lin Zhaoxiang, face dark, snorted and pushed Lin Jinlou's hand away. He picked up the paintings, unrolling the "Guanyin Portrait" first for a look before setting it aside to examine the "Snowy Night by the River." Lin Jinlou stole a glance and saw his grandfather's stern expression gradually shift to solemnity. When Lin Zhaoxiang noticed the poem inscribed on the upper right corner, he showed surprise and emotion, then sank into deep thought. Lin Jinlou, having rushed over earlier, hadn't carefully read the verses. Craning his neck to see clearly now, he found Lin Zhaoxiang had already rolled up the painting, placed it aside, and picked up his tea bowl to drink in silence.
Lin Jinlou's heart raced wildly, but he held his breath and dared not make a sound.
After a long pause, Lin Zhaoxiang set down the tea bowl, coughed, and tossed a stack of opera librettos before Lin Jinlou. "The Legend of Lanxiang Jushi has spread through every tavern and tea station outside. Explain yourself—what is this all about?"
"What could your grandson be up to—just some idle scholars, hearing that Lanxiang Jushi is my concubine, turned it into gossip. They've concocted this nonsense over tea and wine—"
"Still trying to outsmart your ancestor?" Lin Zhaoxiang picked up the top volume, flipped to a random page, and pointed at a few lines. "'Though splendid years fade, dreams remain undimmed; clear melodies can't suppress the lingering sorrow,' 'Do not waste spring's boundless delights; the moon, as then, quietly shines on the Xie family courtyard,' 'On the mandarin duck pillow, we speak of longing; you must pity me as I pity myself.' Though these are passionate verses, their elegance is refined and their creativity clever. This isn't something ordinary idlers or impoverished Licentiates could fabricate."Lin Jinlou glanced at his grandfather. Their eyes met, and Lin Jinlou quickly put on a smile, pretending not to understand. Lin Zhaoxiang couldn't help but recall how, as a child, Lin Jinlou would adopt this same feigned ignorance whenever he neglected his studies due to playful distractions. Feeling both exasperated and amused, Lin Zhaoxiang tossed the play script into Lin Jinlou's lap and said sternly, "Enough, enough. Stop pretending. Hongxun has already confessed—you paid him a large sum of silver to commission several talented scholars from the Hanlin Academy, known for their literary elegance and grace, to write this play. Hmph! You're quite the exemplar, aren't you? Having your own brother-in-law do such a thing."
Lin Jinlou had long anticipated that the truth would come out. Hearing this, he swiftly changed his tack and said, "I was just thinking... after the recent deaths in our family, and with Second Uncle—ahem—the Lin Family is now under scrutiny. People smile and flatter us to our faces, but who knows what vile things they say behind our backs? Xianglan here is exceptional in every way, and she even saved my life. Spreading her story would bring honor to the Lin Family and help cover up those unsavory matters, wouldn't it?"
Lin Zhaoxiang lifted his eyelids. "Is that your reason? Still playing clever? Whatever scheme you're brewing, you'd better speak plainly and honestly right now."
Hearing this, Lin Jinlou studied his grandfather's expression and calculated inwardly. He and Lin Zhaoxiang shared the most similar temperaments. Though his grandfather had mellowed with age and the vicissitudes of official life, his edge remained sharp beneath the surface. Lin Jinlou was somewhat wary of him. Putting himself in his grandfather's shoes, he felt it best to tell the truth—but how to phrase it required careful thought. After a long silence, he looked up and met Lin Zhaoxiang's piercing gaze. The words rolled in his throat twice before his expression softened unexpectedly, and he said in a low voice, "Grandfather, I've lived to this age and seen more Rouge than grains of sand in a river, but she alone is different from all others—I truly cherish her. She has entered my heart."
Lin Zhaoxiang stared at him for a moment, then scoffed, "How old are you?"
"—Twenty-nine."
"Hmph, so you do remember you're approaching thirty and are no longer a reckless youth. What do you mean, 'entered my heart'? I thought you were merely ambitious and occasionally hot-tempered, but still capable of being shaped. I never expected you to act like a lovesick adolescent. I'm embarrassed for you!"
Lin Jinlou hung his head in silence.
"Cat got your tongue?"
Lin Jinlou lifted his head, his eyes surprisingly red-rimmed. Lin Zhaoxiang was taken aback as Lin Jinlou murmured, "Grandfather, I mean every word. You say I fight tooth and nail for the family outside, but when I return home, I just want someone like her—someone who brings me peace and contentment. With her by my side, I feel serene and grounded. I even feel... that I don't need to achieve great deeds, bring glory to the clan, rise to the highest ranks, or amass immense wealth. I feel satisfied as I am, as if I've lost some of my ambition and find this... quite fine."
Lin Zhaoxiang never expected his eldest grandson—usually cheeky with him and domineering and ruthless outside—to say such things. This grandson was the one he cherished and valued most, the one he had raised personally. Seeing the young man now, shoulders slumped and looking pitiful, Lin Zhaoxiang knew full well he was being treated to a melodramatic performance. Yet, his heart softened nonetheless. He cleared his throat lightly and said, "She's already part of your household. The entire family respects her, and no one has asked you to send her away."Lin Jinlou said, "Alas, Grandfather, just look at her ability to write and paint, and all those generous deeds she's done with such broad-mindedness—you can tell she's no ordinary woman. Her thoughts aren't like those of common women. She... well, I'm also afraid of wronging her..."
Upon hearing this, Lin Zhaoxiang narrowed his eyes and scrutinized Lin Jinlou's face carefully twice before slowly saying, "What exactly are you thinking?"
Lin Jinlou clenched his fist and was about to speak when they heard Geng Tonggui at the door announce, "Reporting to the Old Master, Second Master has arrived."
Lin Zhaoxiang immediately darkened his expression and said, "Let him in." Then he turned to Lin Jinlou and said, "I have matters to discuss with your second uncle. You may leave for now and return later."
Lin Jinlou had no choice but to agree. As he exited, he encountered Lin Changmin, who had his hair tied up with a longevity-character gold hairpin and wore a silver-lined blue robe with an indigo Gold Brocade Belt at his waist, making his slightly dark, round face appear more spirited than usual. Lin Jinlou promptly bowed slightly and said, "Greetings, Second Uncle."
Lin Changmin was taken aback for a moment, then laughed and said, "So you're here paying respects to the old man?"
Lin Jinlou smiled and nodded.
Lin Changmin waved his hand, "Go on, go on, attend to your business."
"Your nephew takes his leave."
Lin Changmin clicked his tongue, watching Lin Jinlou's retreating figure with a mix of envy and admiration. This nephew he had watched grow up now inspired in him a sense of awe, even a desire to curry favor, which left him feeling quite uncomfortable.
Now, to turn to the other side of the story. Meanwhile, in Xianglan's quarters, Guiyuan had brought over a set of playbooks titled "The Legend of Lanxiang Jushi." Xianglan sat by the window and flipped through them one by one. She found the language elegant and the themes refined, detailing her life from being enslaved since childhood, suffering under cruel masters, saving her father by becoming a concubine, protecting her master at a temple, all the way to that final snowy Night by the river—twelve acts in total. The story mixed truth and falsehood, concealing many facts while embellishing others with added drama. Particularly regarding Lin Jinlou, who in the play transformed from a tyrannical master into a devoted lover, with the two of them portrayed as deeply affectionate lovebirds like mandarin ducks. In the past, Xianglan would have found such distorted plays both laughable and exasperating, but now she simply closed the book quietly, held it to her chest, pushed open the window, and propped it open with a stone lion. The wind whistled into the room, still carrying a crisp chill. Xianglan gazed at the newly blooming peach blossoms in the courtyard, took a deep breath, and felt a tumult of emotions welling up in her heart.
Just then, Lin Jinlou returned. Hearing the noise, Xianglan quickly covered the playbooks with a pea-green half-sleeved garment. However, Lin Jinlou seemed somewhat listless and didn't notice her furtive movement. He came in and sat blankly on the Imperial Concubine Couch.
He understood that all matters, big and small, in the family were ultimately decided by the Old Master. Although in his current position and status, he could potentially act without regard for his grandfather's opinions, and he had even considered taking matters into his own hands, upon second thought, he remembered that his elder was still above him. Besides, Xianglan would continue to live in the Lin Family, and if he didn't show respect to that venerable figure, her life might become difficult and unhappy in the future. Although Xianglan treated him with more warmth than before, there still seemed to be some awkwardness between them, making him feel insecure and apprehensive. Reflecting on his former self as a leader in romantic escapades, he never imagined he would fall into such lovesick folly over a woman.He had once believed that if he were to marry again, it would be to a noble lady from a prestigious family—someone with influential relatives, looks surpassing the ordinary, who would defer to him, embody virtue and kindness, manage the household affairs diligently, honor his parents, raise their children, respect Xianglan without jealousy or pettiness, so they could spend a lifetime in mutual respect, merely going through the motions. But now, after experiencing this life-and-death ordeal, he had come to realize that he would rather bear hardships himself than let Xianglan suffer any longer. As long as the two of them could be together in the future, long-lasting and peaceful, that was all that mattered. The thought alone invigorated him, as if he were about to charge into battle, unafraid even of mountains of blades and seas of fire ahead.
Xianglan stepped forward and handed Lin Jinlou a cup of tea, unable to resist asking, "What's wrong with you?" Only then did Lin Jinlou snap out of his reverie. He turned to look at Xianglan and suddenly broke into a smile. That day, he was dressed in a sumptuous yellow-brown python-patterned satin robe embroidered with blue designs, fastened with a Gold Brocade Belt and a green jade pendant, his hair tied up with a jade hairpin. He appeared dashing and spirited, yet with the languid air typical of a young master from a wealthy family. Reaching out, he pulled her closer and gazed at her with a smile for a long moment before saying, "Don't worry. I'm perfectly fine. With me here, we'll both be just fine."
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