Xianglan dared not look at Lin Jinlou's expression, keeping her eyes downcast as she said, "I beg Eldest Master for mercy... I..." At this point, her voice suddenly choked, and a string of glistening tears rolled down from the corners of her eyes. When Shu Ran had told her by the sickbed about Chaolu witnessing Jiang Danyun poisoning her, she knew she had finally gotten this opportunity. She had asked Xiao Juan to invite Lin Jinlou and Qin Shi to listen secretly in the next room, determined to stake everything on this one attempt. Firstly, to vent the grievances in her heart and seek justice for herself; secondly, since she had already openly clashed with the future Da Nǎinai of the Lin family, she could reasonably request to leave the estate. She had already thought it through thoroughly—now that she had some savings and her family was better off than before, if she could leave the estate, she would sell all the farmland and properties, move the entire family to another province, adopt a son to continue the family line, and she would carefully raise him. Whether she married later or not, it would be better than being trapped in the deep mansion, constantly scheming and vying for favor, slowly turning herself into a resentful, bitter woman—Jialian was a cautionary example. Life outside might not be as she hoped, but staying would truly mean her heart turning to ashes.
Qin Shi was stunned. She looked down at Xianglan, then up at Lin Jinlou, only to see her eldest son's face dark and stormy. She quickly patted Xianglan's hand and forced a smile, saying, "Silly child, you're confused. Lie down and rest with your eyes closed."
Xianglan struggled to sit up, shaking her head. "I beg Madam and Eldest Master for mercy. Anyway, I'll never marry—I just want some peace... Since I can no longer gain the favor of the future Da Nǎinai, and my health is like this, I'm afraid I'll struggle to conceive in the future. Staying in the estate would mean waiting for death, with no place for me hereafter. I've made up my mind, and today I'm staking everything to say these words, begging for Madam and Eldest Master's compassion... If you doubt my sincerity, may heaven strike me dead, and may I never find peace in any lifetime!" As she spoke, she struggled to get up and kowtow.
Hearing this, Qin Shi felt her hands and feet turn cold. She hurriedly stopped Xianglan, saying, "Lie down first, lie down. Focus on recovering first; we can discuss other matters later."
Lin Jinlou clenched his fists. He fully understood Xianglan's intentions, and it nearly made him furious with humiliation. Looking at her sweaty, haggard face, he suppressed his anger and said, "Silence! This matter is not for you to decide!"
Qin Shi whispered, "The official matchmaker hasn't been invited yet, so the Lin and Jiang families aren't formally engaged."
Xianglan was shocked, as if struck on the head, feeling dizzy. Then she heard Lin Jinlou say, "Brother Yuan came to Duke Zhenguo's residence to find me, but we hadn't yet broached the subject of marriage. This saves us the trouble. You stay here properly. The one who should leave isn't you."
Xianglan collapsed onto the bed, her eyes blank. A wave of despair and sorrow surged from the depths of her heart. She turned her face away and closed her eyes.
Lin Jinlou's fury pounded in his temples. He turned and saw Jiang Xiyun standing dumbfounded nearby, tears still on her face. Lin Jinlou's face took on a faint greenish hue, his rage burning through him. His gaze grew increasingly fierce as he stepped forward, grabbed Jiang Xiyun by the neck, and lifted her up, gritting his teeth as he said, "Good, good, good! So it was you!"
This was the first time the Jiang family had witnessed Lin Jinlou's thunderous wrath. He radiated a sinister, violent aura that was truly terrifying. Jiang Xiyun was already unable to breathe, her legs kicking wildly, her face turning purple and swollen.Mother Jiang was greatly alarmed. She rushed forward to grab Lin Jinlou's arm, crying, "Let go of my granddaughter!" Jiang Shangxian stepped up and seized Lin Jinlou's hand, saying, "What are you doing? Release her at once!" Lin Jinlou shook them off and shoved Jiang Xiyun aside, causing both Jiang siblings to stumble backward and knock over a crabapple-shaped side table. The teacups and tea set on it crashed to the floor, shattering into pieces.
Jiang Xiyun trembled all over in terror, her hair disheveled and ornaments scattered. Kingfisher Feather Inlays and Pearl Flowers lay strewn across the floor as she coughed incessantly, tears and mucus streaking her face like a frightened little rabbit. She buried herself in Mother Jiang's embrace, sobbing and coughing uncontrollably.
Jiang Shangxian's face flushed crimson with rage as he pointed at Lin Jinlou and shouted, "Lin Jinlou, how dare you!"
Lin Jinlou replied with a sinister tone, "This is nothing." He then pointed at Xianglan and added, "If anything happens to her, your sister will pay with her life. Then you'll know what true daring means."
Mother Jiang swayed, her face turning purplish as if she couldn't catch her breath. She seemed to want to cough but couldn't. The Jiang siblings panicked, pinching her philtrum and patting her back vigorously. After a while, Mother Jiang let out a long sigh, hawked up a mouthful of phlegm, and then closed her eyes, slumping over unconscious.
Qin Shi also pulled Lin Jinlou aside and whispered, "No matter how grave the Jiang family's faults may be, continuing like this could cost someone their life. Though we're clearly in the right, this might turn against us. We should send them for treatment first and discuss the rest later." She urgently signaled for someone to escort the Jiang grandmother and granddaughter away.
Lin Jinlou's face remained dark as he looked down at Xianglan. Seeing her drenched in sweat, her face sallow and weak, her usually pink lips pale as paper, he felt both hatred and fury, wishing he could tear out the throats of the Jiang family. He was further enraged by Xianglan's stubbornness in still wanting to leave, adding fuel to his anger.
The maids—Hua Shan, Xiao Juan, Ling Qing, and Xue Ning—hurried over to attend to Xianglan. Some brought water, others wiped her sweat, fanned her, or loosened her hair. When Hua Shan untied her skirt, she gasped in shock upon seeing spots of blood staining her trousers.
Qin Shi sighed deeply, lamenting, "What a tragedy!"
Lin Jinlou cursed under his breath and stormed out, yelling, "Where is everyone? Have you all dropped dead? Why hasn't Doctor Zhang been summoned?" As he cursed, he saw Jixiang supporting Zhang Shiyou as they hurried over, panting and sweating profusely, with Gui Yuan following behind carrying the medicine chest. After checking Xianglan's pulse, the doctor diagnosed her with extreme exhaustion and prescribed rest to replenish her energy and blood, strengthen her foundation, and nurture her vitality. He wrote a new prescription for medicine to be decocted and administered, and produced a medicated plaster to be applied to her lower abdomen. Once the medicine was ready, Hua Shan personally brought it and helped Xianglan drink it. After a while, the bleeding gradually stopped.
Xianglan felt weary and drowsy, hovering between sleep and wakefulness. Her body ached, her head throbbed, and her limbs felt weak. The slightest movement made her groan involuntarily. In her half-conscious state, she overheard Qin Shi speaking softly with Lin Jinlou. While Qin Shi's voice was barely audible, Lin Jinlou's words rang clear: "Critically ill? Does the Jiang family think they can lightly brush this off with a sympathy ploy? What a joke! They believe that by targeting a mere concubine and relying on their status as in-laws and respectable figures, they can sweep this matter under the rug? They're dreaming... Jiang Xiyun is willing to kneel and apologize? Even if her father came kneeling, it would be useless!"Xianglan jolted awake from her dream and opened her eyes to find Lin Jinlou sitting stern-faced on the edge of the bed. Qin Shi sat on an embroidered stool, her expression filled with worry.
Xianglan coughed twice and tried to sit up, but a sharp pain in her lower body made it impossible. She gasped and collapsed back with a soft "Aiyo!" Lin Jinlou, still irritated, glared and said, "Hey, what are you trying to get up for? Hurting, aren’t you? Serves you right!" Then, lowering his voice though his face remained frosty, he asked, "Where else are you uncomfortable? Should we call the imperial physician again?" Qin Shi also stepped forward to check on her.
Xianglan replied, "I’m feeling much better now; there’s no need to trouble everyone. Just now, I overheard a few words of Madam and Eldest Master’s conversation..." She glanced at Lin Jinlou.
Lin Jinlou sneered, "Does Jiang Jia think having Jiang Xiyun kneel for a while will smooth things over? They’re certainly playing their cards well." He then beckoned the maids to attend to her. Hua Shan entered and propped Xianglan up with a dark olive-colored bolster, while Shu Ran brought over a bowl of strong red date soup and fed her a few sips.
Qin Shi sighed and sat down on the edge of the bed, saying, "I originally thought Fifth Miss Jiang was an honest girl—who could have imagined this... But before, everyone inside and out praised her as a rare, kind-hearted, and likable child. Truly..." She shook her head as she spoke. She disliked Jiang Jia’s cunning tactics yet felt relieved that the official matchmaker hadn’t been summoned. If Duke Zhenguo had been involved, they would have had to accept the marriage reluctantly—especially since The Emperor still favored Jiang Jia, and breaking off relations between the Lin and Jiang families would have been unwise. Now, she had to consider both sides’ dignity, fearing lingering resentment and worried her eldest son might stir up trouble. Her heart was heavy with anxiety, but hearing Xianglan’s tone leaning toward reconciliation, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief and felt a growing fondness and pity for Xianglan.
Xianglan let out a soft sigh, her heart both heavy and hollow. Jiang Xiyun... was also a pitiable soul—so beautiful, clever, and a young lady of noble birth. No matter how well-behaved she appeared, deep down, she harbored pride and arrogance. It wasn’t that Qin Shi had misjudged her; in ordinary circumstances, Jiang Xiyun would likely have shown generosity and tolerance. But the situation had forced her into a corner. Most people reveal their noble character only in favorable conditions; those who uphold righteousness in dire straits, even at personal cost, are as rare as phoenix feathers... Yet, her methods were too ruthless, lacking integrity and remorse, which was chilling.
Xianglan shook her head and pushed the red date soup away. She had thought she could use this situation to leave, but now that hope seemed likely to be dashed. With matters having come to this, she could only plan carefully for the future. Qin Shi coaxed her to take a few more sips of the soup, and she reluctantly finished the bowl, after which Lin Jinlou immediately ordered another to be brought.
Qin Shi sat on the edge of the bed, holding Xianglan’s hand, and asked, "You’ve suffered this time; rest well from now on." Then, turning to Lin Jinlou, she said, "Xianglan isn’t well. You need to rein in that ‘dog-turning-face’ temper of yours and must not bully her again."
Lin Jinlou’s face fell, and he snorted in response.
Qin Shi then asked Xianglan, "What are your thoughts on this?"
Xianglan replied, "Thank you, Madam, for your kindness and consideration." After a pause, she added, "This matter... let it be."
Lin Jinlou raised an eyebrow slightly and said, "Let it be?""Otherwise, what then? Have her kneel before me, then have the Eldest Master vent my anger for me? The Jiang family would be furious, turning against the Lin family, relatives becoming enemies, leading to endless conflicts in the future. All this fighting and quarreling would be just to vent this suffocating resentment—what’s the point?" Xianglan raised her head and looked calmly at Lin Jinlou. "Today, I sought the truth and cleared my name, so I won’t die wronged. Half the burden in my heart is lifted. Truthfully, I’m both angry and resentful, but what’s swallowed can’t be spat out. Why torment myself day after day with endless hatred over this? Let it pass quickly." After a pause, she added, "If Miss Jiang Fifth comes to apologize, there’s no need for her to kneel. Her apology is only right and proper, but kneeling would be humiliating. However, I’m not that magnanimous—I never wish to see her again in this lifetime. When she apologizes, have her do it from behind a screen." As she spoke, she lifted her head and met Lin Jinlou’s gaze, his eyes like two deep pools, fixed intently on her.
Xianglan’s heart skipped a beat, and she quickly lowered her head. Her words had struck a chord with Qin Shi, who inwardly praised Xianglan for her understanding and magnanimity, feeling even more compassion for her. Qin Shi patted Xianglan’s hand and said, "It’s a relief that you have such breadth of mind. I will stand by you in all matters. The Jiang family has committed such a disgraceful act—they can’t expect to get off lightly." She personally picked up the soup bowl and fed Xianglan.
Just then, Shu Ran announced that Jiang Shangxian had arrived. Lin Jinlou stood up to leave, and Qin Shi, still uneasy, followed him out. Once the two had left, Xiao Juan, Ling Qing, and Xue Ning came in to attend to Xianglan. Hua Shan, noticing that Xianglan seemed to be asleep, tucked in the quilt corners, drew the bed curtains, and whispered, "So this matter will end with the Jiang family apologizing and settling it quietly?"
Ling Qing dropped two plum-blossom incense cakes into the cloisonné lady vase, covered it, and sighed softly. "The Concubine is perfect in every way, except she’s too soft-hearted."
Xue Ning said, "Things have already reached this point. The Concubine shouldn’t take the lead anymore; she should follow Madam and the Eldest Master’s wishes."
Xiao Juan agreed, "That’s true, but it still doesn’t sit right in my heart."
Xianglan opened her eyes and stared at the canopy. How could she feel at ease? But after all these trials and hardships, she was no longer the sharp, fierce girl who indulged in self-pity and tantrums. She didn’t want to play the victim to provoke Lin Jinlou’s temper, inciting him to wield his power against the Jiang family, nor did she wish to stir up trouble or throw a fit. After all, she was only a concubine. Even if the Jiang sisters had done something shameful, they were still daughters of an official family. Qin Shi and the other masters of the Lin family still didn’t want to antagonize the Jiang family. Right now, she had the upper hand thanks to Qin Shi and Lin Jinlou’s pity and their willingness to seek justice for her. But if she didn’t know when to stop, if she persisted relentlessly and exhausted others’ compassion, it would backfire. If she couldn’t leave the Lin family soon and ended up arousing everyone’s disgust, her situation would become even more hopeless. Besides, she no longer wanted to dwell on this wretched matter. Day after day, resentment gnawed at her heart, and every mention of it filled her with fury and gritted teeth—it was nothing but self-torment.
She wanted to cleanse her heart.
So, let it be.
She lifted the bed curtain and called Xiao Juan over, asking, "Where’s Chunling?"
Xiao Juan replied, "She’s still locked in the side room."
Xianglan said, "Bring her here."
Xiao Juan had no choice but to go. Before long, two matrons dragged Chunling in. Her face was as pale as gold leaf, her hair disheveled and unkempt, and the blood from her buttocks had soaked through her clothes. She could only kowtow while lying on the ground, a truly pitiful sight.As soon as Chunling saw Xianglan, she wept and pleaded, "Spare my life, Concubine! Please remember how I once saved you in the past and grant me mercy this once..." She choked up and could no longer speak.
Xianglan ordered someone to lay Chunling on a daybed and gave her a bowl of tea to drink. She then instructed Xue Ning to tidy Chunling’s hair, and suddenly said, "We’ve known each other for so long—how did it come to this?"
Chunling bit her lip and remained silent, her eyes filled with what seemed like resentment and indignation.
Xianglan let out a long sigh and said, "Enough." She ordered someone to bring over a chest and said to Chunling, "Inside are all your belongings from the estate, all properly packed. There’s also your deed of servitude, and I’ll give you some loose silver as well. I’m letting you go. I heard you have an elder brother working at a manor on the outskirts of the capital. Have him come tomorrow morning to take you away."
Chunling was stunned, and then tears streamed down her face. She had thought she would either lose her life or be sold off, so this outcome was beyond her expectations. She pressed her forehead against the daybed, knocking it repeatedly, and sobbed, "Thank you for your mercy, Concubine! Thank you for your mercy..."
Xianglan said, "Take care of yourself from now on."
Two elderly women carried Chunling out. Just as they were about to leave the Hall of Flourishing Spring, Xiao Juan couldn’t help but say, "Chunling, did you know? Back when the Concubine wanted you to prepare Ling Su’s medicine, all of us knew you were close to Miss Xi, and we advised her against it. But the Concubine said that by entrusting you with the task of preparing the medicine, you would naturally understand her heart—she still trusted and valued you... Yet in the end, you let her down."
Chunling lay face down on the daybed without uttering a word.
Xiao Juan pushed the courtyard gate open and said, "Forget it. What’s done is done. There’s no use talking about it now. Go."
The gate creaked as the elderly women carried Chunling out, disappearing beyond the second gate. As Xiao Juan closed the gate, she noticed damp spots on the ground, as if from tears.
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