Xianglan stood frozen in place. She shook Zhao Yuechan, only to see her head loll limply. When she checked for breath, there was none—her soul had truly departed to the netherworld.
In Xianglan’s heart, this woman could be considered utterly wicked, yet witnessing her die right before her eyes left Xianglan feeling desolate and bewildered. She slumped down and sat blankly for a while. After a long moment, she picked up the bellyband and held it before her eyes.
Naturally, Zhao Yuechan’s belongings were extravagantly luxurious. The bellyband had a white satin lining and a bright red satin exterior, embroidered with a pattern symbolizing “a hall full of gold and jade”—colorful treasure vases and designs of spring green paired with peach pink, all exceptionally vivid. Xianglan examined the bellyband from top to bottom but found nothing unusual. Then, as she idly squeezed it, she noticed something different about the lower corner. Pinching it, she felt as though something was concealed within the layers. She took a knife, cut open the bellyband, and pulled it apart. A small oilcloth packet tumbled out. Unwrapping it, she found several sheets of letter paper inside. The handwriting was wild and chaotic, clearly jotted down in haste. It read:
“Shocked to learn of this secret! My trusted aide’s investigation confirms my suspicions. Lin Jinlou conspired with the former Crown Prince, even dispatching guards to assist his westward escape. Such a heinous crime warrants execution of the entire family and extermination of nine clans! Moreover, he frequents brothels, indulges in women, humiliates my granddaughter Yuechan, divorces his lawful wife, and disregards the alliance between our families—utterly detestable! Yet, Chan also has her faults. Despite Lou’s wickedness, he has three commendable deeds: First, he is brave and skilled in battle, repeatedly defeating enemies, fighting resolutely for the nation and its altars against rebels. Even The Emperor praises him. Second, he purchased over a thousand mu of charitable farmland with his own funds, allowing the poor to cultivate it without charge or taking a single grain. During famines and disasters, he opens granaries to aid the needy, providing widespread relief that moves the common people to tears of gratitude. Third, as a commander on campaigns, he remains utterly disciplined, never killing indiscriminately. When suppressing bandits and quelling rebellions in the south, he forbade city massacres, capturing only able-bodied men while releasing the elderly, weak, women, and children. The people even welcomed his troops with food and drink, spreading The Emperor’s benevolent reputation far and wide. These three acts represent great righteousness. Troubled and indecisive, I sigh deeply. Though he aided the former Crown Prince, there are no signs of rebellion, and he may have acted out of loyalty to the late emperor. Despite my personal hatred and anger toward him, I cannot harm a loyal and virtuous man! This matter ends here.”
The following pages detailed whom Lin Jinlou had sent to escort the former Crown Prince, the route taken, the inns where they stayed, and their destination, and so on.
It turned out that after Zhao Jin’s death, Zhao Yuechan went to mourn. Amid the chaos and panic in the Zhao household, she colluded with Zhao Gang to bribe a servant into stealing her grandfather’s collection of books, antiques, and paintings to sell. By chance, they stole a locked black lacquer box, thinking they had found a treasure. When they pried it open, they discovered it contained only Zhao Jin’s miscellaneous notes and reflections, nothing special. Zhao Yuechan immediately lost interest. Unexpectedly, Zhao Gang stumbled upon these letters. Both were overjoyed, as if finding a priceless treasure, and began to scheme. Upon returning to the Dai family, Zhao Yuechan hinted at the matter in conversation. Dai Qing immediately seized upon the idea. However, before their plan could unfold, Zhao Yuechan learned that Dai Qing intended to harm her. That night, she fled in panic, eventually encountering Xianglan and the others.Lin Jinlou quietly opened his eyes. In truth, he had awakened when Xianglan brought Zhao Yuechan to his side earlier, but had merely pretended to sleep. He tilted his head slightly and saw Xianglan standing with her back to him, holding several sheets of paper in her hands. With his exceptional eyesight, he could clearly read the contents of the letter, finally understanding why the spy captured at the estate had claimed to be sent by the Dai family. Like lightning, numerous thoughts flashed through his mind, causing his body to turn cold and break out in sweat. His heart felt as though it were being tightly clenched, hurting more than the wound on his chest, leaving him breathless and nearly suffocated. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead, and a myriad of emotions surged within him, leaving him momentarily bewildered, like a condemned prisoner awaiting execution at the market square at high noon—an unbearable agony. With great effort, he shifted his gaze to Xianglan, only to see her standing motionless, her back as still as a meditating old monk.
Time seemed to freeze. Waves of turmoil crashed in Lin Jinlou’s heart, each thought leaving him utterly powerless. If such a damning piece of evidence fell into Xianglan’s hands, what if she used it to leave him? After all, she had always longed to escape the Lin family. Through this great calamity, she had already shown him immense kindness. This delicate, tearful, and occasionally timid woman had repeatedly done things that astonished him, making him feel small and humble, evoking in him both shame and admiration—a sensation he had never experienced in his entire life. If she wished to leave, how could he have the face to threaten or intimidate her again?
Suddenly, Xianglan buried her head in her knees, her shoulders trembling as she struggled to suppress her sobs. After a moment, she lifted her arm to wipe her face. Lin Jinlou watched her intently, his hands trembling imperceptibly. Then, he heard two soft tearing sounds—Xianglan had torn the letter in half, then shredded it into even smaller pieces. She stood up, walked to the edge of the lake, and tossed the fragments into the ice hole Zhao Yuechan had made when she fell into the water. Silently, she watched as the ink on the paper blurred into indistinct smudges in the icy water, eventually fading from sight. Only after the last scrap of paper sank into the river did Xianglan turn and walk back.
Seeing Xianglan return empty-handed, Lin Jinlou felt a wave of relief, but it was immediately followed by a heavier blow, as if something inside him had shattered with a crash. His throat tightened, his eyes stung, and he quietly turned his face away. A tear rolled down from the corner of his eye, landing on the thick fur garment beneath him and leaving a round, damp stain.
Xianglan dragged Zhao Yuechan’s body aside and gazed at her face for a long time before saying, “Your grand gift—I’ve just torn it up. Let’s pretend it never existed… I hold no hatred or disgust for you now. If I live, I will come to bury you properly. Farewell.” With these words, she covered Zhao Yuechan’s head and face with her wet cloak.
This malicious and selfish woman had spoken kindly in her final moments. Xianglan stood beside Zhao Yuechan’s corpse, clasped her hands together, and recited a passage of scripture. Suddenly, she heard a cough and knew that Lin Jinlou had awakened. She quickly turned and leaned over him, asking, “Eldest Master, how are you feeling?” She reached for his hands, only to find them icy cold.Lin Jinlou coughed twice more and lifted his eyelids. He saw Xianglan with disheveled hair, her face still badly swollen. Having cried earlier, the wind had now turned her skin red and purple, her eyes swollen like walnuts. He stared blankly for a moment, gazing at Xianglan as if he couldn't get enough. Just then, another wave of pain seized him, causing his body to convulse. Gritting his teeth to suppress a groan, he forced out the words with difficulty: "In the Jinling study, on the left side of the curio shelf, there's a huanghuali wooden box... The key to unlock it is inside the blue-and-white urn next to the desk... That box contains over a dozen land deeds..."
Xianglan stared blankly and said, "Eldest Master, what are you talking about?"
Lin Jinlou trembled violently all over. Earlier, with his eyes closed, he had felt his consciousness flickering in and out, his entire being like a small boat tossed in towering waves, rising and falling repeatedly. He had thought he was already dead, but upon opening his eyes, he found himself still alive. Fearful that he might fall asleep and never wake again, he shook his head with great effort and said, "Listen to me... Those land deeds are for... for you..."
Tears uncontrollably rolled down Xianglan's cheeks. Clutching Lin Jinlou's hand, she choked out, "I won't listen. Who wants your shabby houses and worthless land..."
Lin Jinlou managed a faint, helpless smile. "Indeed... whatever I give you, regardless of its value, you never want it..."
Xianglan wiped her tears and said, "I just want you to be alright."
Lin Jinlou suddenly fell silent. He stared at Xianglan's lowered face for a long time, unable to decipher her expression. Her deep, pool-like eyes shimmered with an inscrutable light—both tender and profound, sorrowful yet precious, like brilliant stars. He couldn't comprehend the depth within them; no one had ever looked at him that way before.
Feeling at a loss, he was about to speak when Xianglan suddenly pressed a finger to his lips and whispered, "Shh, I hear hoofbeats." With that, she stood up, gently parted the reeds, and looked around. She saw a troop of soldiers galloping down from the mountain in the distance. At their forefront rode a man on a tall horse, cloaked in a majestic black sable fur coat—who else could it be but Yuan Shaoren?
Overjoyed, Xianglan immediately turned to Lin Jinlou and said, "It's Marquis Yongchang!" She then lifted her skirts and rushed out, calling, "Marquis! Marquis! Come quickly and save General Lin!" In her haste, she stumbled and fell to the ground, but ignoring the pain, she scrambled up and continued running toward Yuan Shaoren.
The soldiers were startled by someone suddenly emerging from the reeds shouting, and they raised their weapons. Yuan Shaoren reined in his horse and only recognized Xianglan as she drew closer. He quickly dismounted and, upon seeing her face, exclaimed in shock, "Miss Xianglan, what happened to you...?" He then urgently asked, "Where is Yingyang?"
Xianglan led the group into the reed bed. When Yuan Shaoren saw Lin Jinlou's condition, his brows furrowed deeply, his worry evident. Fortunately, there was a village nearby, so he promptly ordered someone to fetch a donkey cart. As they lifted Lin Jinlou onto the cart, Lin Jinlou sent Xianglan away and weakly gestured for Yuan Shaoren to come closer. "Lao Yuan, you and I are sworn brothers in life and death. I trust your character completely," Lin Jinlou said hoarsely, his voice trembling from cold and spasms, his breath coming in ragged gasps. "If anything happens to me—I mean if... if she wishes to leave the Lin family, let her go... Take good care of her..."
"What nonsense are you spouting!"Lin Jinlou stared at Yuan Shaoren, his eyelids gradually drooping shut before he forced them open again. After observing Lin Jinlou for a moment, Yuan Shaoren understood that his injuries were critical and feared the worst. If that happened, Xianglan would lose her protector and likely face dire circumstances. Yuan Shaoren said softly, "Rest assured."
Only after hearing these words did Lin Jinlou close his eyes and sink into darkness.
Yuan Shaoren brought Lin Jinlou to a wealthy household in the village. A physician soon arrived to examine him but repeatedly waved his hands in refusal, saying, "This man's injuries are extremely severe. As a mere barefoot doctor, I dare not treat this general." He only prescribed a potent tonic formula. With no other options, the group forced ginseng soup down Lin Jinlou's throat and fed him some rice broth. Yuan Shaoren told Xianglan, "We're very close to the capital now, but there are still roaming bandits who haven't been captured. I'm deeply uneasy leaving you here. Moreover, we can't find proper physicians here, and rare medicines are scarce. We should return to the capital instead."
With no alternative left, Xianglan had to agree. Fortunately, the capital was indeed nearby. Within the time it takes to drink two cups of tea, they reached the city gates where the Lin family's servants, having received word, were already waiting. They ceremoniously welcomed them home, where three imperial physicians stood ready. When the group carried Lin Jinlou down from the carriage, Qin Shi burst into tears at the sight of her eldest son in such a state and urgently directed them to carry him inside.
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