Upon entering Lin Changzheng’s courtyard, they saw maids such as Hongjian, Lu Lan, Cuimo, Baoyan, and Yubi standing beneath the eaves. When they noticed the two arriving, they smiled and said, “Taitai was just mentioning you, and here you are.” Hongjian whispered, “The master and Taitai are discussing matters inside.” She winked as she lifted the curtain herself. Lin Jinlou understood and nodded slightly. Lu Lan, standing nearby, pursed her lips and chuckled, “What’s this secret code?” Hongjian replied with a smile, “Nothing much. Just remember to serve tea later.”
Lin Jinlou and Xianglan entered through the door. Lin Changzheng and Qin Shi were both in the inner room, with Concubine Bao holding up the curtain. Lin Jinlou led Xianglan inside. Xianglan glanced around and saw that the room’s furnishings had been replaced. The bedding, chair covers, brocade cushions, and backrests were all made of high-quality ink-blue satin, slightly worn but elegant. On the heated brick bed stood a small painted lacquer table inlaid with mother-of-pearl, holding a pale official kiln soup bowl and a celadon-glazed pot with a ram’s head handle. A black lacquer Shouchun tray with rounded corners and a cinched waist contained several delicate pastries, all meant to clear heat and promote salivation. On either side of the Luohan bed were lacquered square tables, each bearing a pair of Song dynasty white-glazed vases filled with freshly cut orchids and golden lotuses. Hanging on the wall were the characters “Zhong He Wei Yu” (Harmony and Cultivation), written in a lean, rigid, and imposing style with powerful brushstrokes. Below them stood a crabapple-shaped table scattered with a few books. Instead of incense, several small clay jars were placed along the base of the wall, filled with fresh fruits that both served as snacks and perfumed the room with a natural fruity fragrance. The room had clearly been rearranged according to Lin Changzheng’s preferences—devoid of overt luxury, it might appear ordinary to the untrained eye, but connoisseurs could discern the value of its curios and furnishings.
Lin Changzheng and Qin Shi sat facing each other on the heated brick bed, with no one else present. Qin Shi wore her hair in an elaborate bun adorned with a gold-wire hairpin and a pair of smooth white jade earrings. She was dressed in a honey-colored Brocade Silk jacket and a light yellow Ling cotton skirt, holding a teacup as she leaned slightly forward, speaking to Lin Changzheng. Lin Changzheng, in a gray satin robe without a belt, looked pensive and turned his gaze toward them as they entered. Xianglan observed his rectangular face, pale complexion, long eyebrows, narrow eyes, a lion-like nose, and a broad mouth. His sharp gaze was tempered by an air of scholarly elegance and calm composure. Though he seemed to smile faintly, there was an inexplicable intimidation about him. After a glance at Lin Jinlou, his eyes fixed on Xianglan.
Xianglan felt slightly flustered and lowered her head slightly to steady herself. Then Lin Changzheng spoke, “What are you doing here?”
Lin Jinlou smiled and said, “I’ve come to pay my respects to Father and Mother.”
Lin Changzheng sneered, “I couldn’t even summon you when we had guests at home. Do you still acknowledge me as your father?”
Qin Shi, sensing the tension, quickly interjected, “Lou’er has been busy these days—sometimes with tasks from the emperor, other times with duties from the Ministry of War. If he had stayed home to entertain guests, how would he manage his official responsibilities? Now that he’s someone of standing, he can’t be confined at home like a child, forced to meet anyone we say.” She changed the subject, beckoning to Xianglan, “Good child, come here.” As Xianglan approached, Qin Shi pulled her closer and said to Lin Changzheng, “This is Xianglan, the one I told you about.”
Lin Changzheng looked Xianglan up and down, smiling faintly, “I heard about how you saved Lou’er. Such loyalty is truly commendable.”
Lin Jinlou, uncomfortable with the wording, frowned before the words had fully left his father’s mouth and said, “How can that be called loyalty? It’s affection.”Lin Changzheng appeared not to have heard, still looking at Xianglan with a smile. "I heard your entire family were originally servants of the estate? You were born a household slave?"
Lin Jinlou found this increasingly inappropriate, his brows about to furrow. Qin Shi's heart immediately leaped to her throat, hurriedly signaling him with her eyes. Xianglan's face paled, her nails digging deeply into her palms. When she looked at Lin Changzheng again, she saw his expression remained amiable, yet his eyes were inscrutable. She composed herself and replied calmly with a faint smile, "Indeed, my entire family were originally servants of the Lin Family."
Qin Shi gave a light cough and said with a smile, "That's all ancient history now, they've long been freed from servitude, haven't they?" Smiling at Xianglan, she tried to change the subject. "I heard the Old Madam specially rewarded you with a set of jewelry a few days ago, quite precious indeed. Not everyone receives such honor—"
Lin Changzheng picked up his tea bowl and took a sip, suddenly cutting off Qin Shi. Looking meaningfully at Lin Jinlou, he said, "No wonder. Though not frivolous, she's ultimately inadequate. It's only natural she can't compare to the grace and nobility of proper official's daughters."
Lin Jinlou instantly grew angry but restrained himself. "What are you implying? How is she inferior to others? Her appearance, character, conduct, and knowledge—everything about her is excellent from head to toe. Name any young lady from any family, bring them out for comparison—"
Upon hearing this, Lin Changzheng's face immediately darkened. Qin Shi, seeing the situation turning sour, quickly tried to smooth things over, but then Xianglan spoke: "The Master is correct." The three of them were taken aback and turned to look at her. Xianglan smiled generously and said, "It's difficult to be graceful and noble when one is inferior, Master."
Lin Changzheng set down his tea bowl and examined Xianglan carefully. She appeared serene and composed, neither humble nor arrogant, though her pale complexion betrayed some fragility. Yet her back remained straight. She was clearly intelligent and had understood the underlying meaning in his words. Feeling somewhat reluctant to embarrass her at their first meeting, but then hardening his heart at the thought of her wolfish ambition as a lowly person, he said, "You know your place, very good. You have rendered service. Serve properly in the future, respect the Main House mistress, and the Lin Family will not treat you unfairly. If you encounter difficulties, feel free to speak up. But if you stir up trouble—" Here he glanced at Xianglan meaningfully. "The consequences need no elaboration from me, I presume?"
Xianglan felt she could barely breathe, forcing out a response: "Yes—" Lin Jinlou, expressionless, grabbed Xianglan's arm and pushed her outward, saying, "You, leave."
Xianglan was startled and struggled slightly. Lin Jinlou, still stern-faced, said, "When I tell you to leave, you leave." With that, he took hold of Xianglan and escorted her out of the room. Seeing a group of maids chatting and laughing softly under the corridor eaves, he pointed at Hongjian and Lu Lan and said, "You two, escort her back properly and quickly."
Hongjian and Lu Lan were startled, seeing Lin Jinlou's unusual expression, and quickly gathered around. Xianglan couldn't help but tug at Lin Jinlou's sleeve. "Master—" She wanted to tell him not to argue with Lin Changzheng, but with the maids present, the words were difficult to utter. She only said, "Today's matter was expected. I've known it all along."Lin Jinlou, however, grew impatient. Forcing a faint smile, he patted her hand and said, "This matter doesn’t concern you. Go back first." Then, turning to Hongjian and Lu Lan, he instructed, "Quickly escort her back. Do not allow her to return. Stay with her there, and only return after I’ve come back."
The two, being sharp-witted, sensed something was amiss and promptly agreed. Lin Jinlou turned and entered the room, lifting the curtain to find Qin Shi whispering something to Lin Changzheng. Upon seeing Lin Jinlou enter, they immediately fell silent and pretended nothing was wrong. Qin Shi smiled and said, "Your father specifically mentioned wanting to reward Xianglan." As she spoke, she took out a lacquered square box adorned with cranes and deer.
Lin Jinlou, his heart burning with impatience, didn’t even glance at it. He took the box and tossed it aside. Qin Shi grew anxious, repeatedly shooting him meaningful glances. Lin Changzheng remained composed, calmly refilling his tea, taking one sip, then another, before finally lifting his eyes to Lin Jinlou and asking, "What exactly do you intend to do?"
Lin Jinlou, suppressing his frustration, replied indifferently, "Father should already know what I intend. There’s no need to ask when you already know the answer."
Lin Changzheng nodded. "You had your mother convey your intentions to me, and today you deliberately brought her here. Step by step, you’ve played your moves quite well."
Lin Jinlou felt as though a heavy weight were pressing on his heart, forcing him to restrain his anger. Since his grandfather refused to make the decision regarding Xianglan, he had no choice but to patiently navigate his father’s approval. Otherwise, Xianglan would face a difficult future, and any trouble within the family would attract unwanted attention. Softening his tone, he said, "Father, I am no longer young, and I’ve long needed a suitable person by my side. I’ve made up my mind—it’s Xianglan—"
"Isn’t she already by your side? Who has ever stopped you? If you value her, you can host a banquet or arrange a grand ceremony as you wish. Bring her in with all due grandeur. Even if she hasn’t borne any children, you can elevate her to the status of a concubine. Who would dare say a word against it?"
"Father, not as a concubine—"
"Not as a concubine? Then what? What else do you want to do?!"
"—"
"Speak! What else do you want to do?!" Lin Changzheng slammed the table with a loud crack. "You unfilial son! Do you intend to turn the entire Lin Family upside down?!"
"Oh, come now, let’s not argue. There’s nothing that can’t be discussed calmly. Have some tea, Master. The weather is dry, and you must take care of your health. Don’t strain your voice from shouting." Qin Shi stood up, personally refilling Lin Changzheng’s tea, then went to Lin Jinlou’s side. Anxious, she shot him meaningful glances while pulling her eldest son’s arm and whispering, "Speak properly with your father. You mustn’t lose your temper."
Lin Jinlou’s heart pounded like thunder, his blood surging to his head. He clenched his fists, released them, then clenched them again, veins bulging. "I want her to be with me in life and buried with me in death. I want to give her the status of a wife. She is worthy of it and deserves it."
Lin Changzheng, enraged, let out a cold laugh. "Deserves it? How dare you say that! How dare you! Lin! Jin! Lou! I am ashamed for you! You have disgraced the ancestors of the Lin Family! Matters of marriage have always been decided by parental authority and matchmakers. You... you... how dare you marry a lowly servant! Never mind how the Lin Family will face society if this spreads—just search your conscience and ask yourself: Have you betrayed the painstaking efforts and nurturing your family has poured into you?" Growing angrier, he raised his hand and with a crash, overturned a colorful lacquered side table inlaid with mother-of-pearl. Bowls shattered, and soup splattered everywhere, leaving a mess. Pointing at Lin Jinlou, his hand trembling slightly, he roared, "You unfilial son, blinded by a woman! Unfilial son!"Lin Jinlou felt as if a thunderbolt had struck him overhead. For the first time in his life, his hands and feet turned icy cold. Gritting his teeth, he said, "She hasn’t been a servant for a long time. She never even resembled one. She—"
Lin Changzheng was so enraged that his mouth twisted and his eyes slanted, glaring fiercely at Lin Jinlou. "Even if she were a Celestial Maiden, she’s still a servant seed! Don’t think I don’t know—the rift between the Lin and Jiang families today is all because of her. With her around, how could your household ever find peace? What respectable young lady would be willing to marry into this family? She’s not just a servant seed—she’s a troublemaker! Relying on a bit of charm and the ability to paint a few shabby pictures, she’s bewitched you into forgetting all about propriety, righteousness, integrity, filial piety, fraternal duty, loyalty, and trust. You’ve really grown more capable with age, haven’t you?! I’ve turned a blind eye out of consideration for her past kindness to our family, but who would have thought she’d push her luck even further! Mark my words today: if you want to marry her, it’ll be over my dead body!"
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