Everyone bustled around Lin Jinlou in a flurry of activity. Xianglan climbed down from the carriage and, seeing no place for her to intervene, followed behind the others toward the house. She was so exhausted she could barely lift her legs, gritting her teeth as she dragged herself inside. Xiao Juan was craning her neck to look toward the doorway when she suddenly caught sight of Xianglan. Startled, she hurried over, supporting her with both hands and exclaiming in alarm, "Oh, my lady! What... what happened to you?" Hua Shan rushed over at the sound and, together with Xiao Juan, helped Xianglan into the room, one on each side. Lin Jinlou was carried into the bedroom for treatment. Xianglan wanted to follow, but Shu Ran stopped her, saying, "Concubine, the imperial physician is examining him. The maids are inside, and even Madam is waiting outside. Perhaps you should rest in the warm chamber first."
Still uneasy, Xianglan allowed Shu Ran to personally escort her to the warm chamber. Xiao Juan unfolded a six-panel screen decorated with bamboo, plum blossoms, and double happiness symbols, placing it in front of the chamber. She then lowered the scallion-green flower-patterned soft curtain hanging from the bronze hooks outside the frame before rushing out to summon young maids to fetch water and towels. The warm chamber was small, with a large kang by the window. The kang was covered with a crimson felt blanket, a rouge-colored mattress embroidered with golden coin patterns, and stone-blue woven gold headrests. To the left stood a small crabapple-red lacquered table holding teacups and spittoons. A celadon vase housed two clusters of narcissus, blooming vigorously and filling the air with fragrance.
Xianglan was covered in mud and grime, her face dust-stained, her body cold and stiff. Hua Shan stepped forward to untie her cloak and helped her remove her fox-fur coat, tossing it carelessly to the floor. Xiao Juan entered carrying a bowl of hot soup, saying, "This ginger soup has been simmering on the stove. Drink some to warm up." Xianglan took it, cradling the bowl as she took a sip. She let out a long sigh and immediately urged, "Go check on the Eldest Master. How is his injury?"
Xiao Juan went out and returned moments later, reporting, "The imperial physician is still examining him. No one is allowed in. I just asked Hongjian—she said they need to stitch the wound on his shoulder. The medicine is already being prepared in the small kitchen." She couldn't resist lowering her voice to ask, "My lady, what... what exactly happened?"
Xianglan replied softly, "It's a long story. How was the capital last night?"
Xiao Juan said, "It was chaos—shouting and killing outside, the sky lit up with flames. It went on all night. With the Eldest Master away and the Second Master unreliable, what could Madam, a woman, do? Fortunately, the Eldest Master left Mr. Qi and some household guards behind for protection. We were on edge all night but managed to get through unscathed. I heard a few petty thieves tried to take advantage of the chaos to loot but were caught and are still locked up."
Hua Shan whispered, "Amid the turmoil, Gui Yuan came in this morning and said the morning market didn't open. Soldiers are arresting people all over the capital. The road to the palace is covered in blood and has been sealed off by troops. Everyone is whispering that the Second Prince has rebelled." As she spoke, she deftly removed Xianglan's outer garments, leaving only her underclothes. Ling Qing brought clean clothes, while Ling Su entered with a basin of hot water, saying, "With the Eldest Master being treated inside, the room is too chaotic for a bath. Please freshen up with a wash for now."The room was as warm as spring. Xianglan sat wearily on the kang, feeling drowsy and weak all over, yet trembling slightly. The bowl in her hand was taken away by someone, and her soaked boots were removed. When her icy feet were soaked in water, she shuddered, feeling as if thousands of needles were pricking them. Xiao Juan loosened her hair, carefully combed it straight, and tied it into a bun. Ling Qing brought a hot foreign towel to wipe her face and applied ointment to the swollen, painful areas. Hua Shan fed her two spoonfuls of hot soup. She was too exhausted, her eyes closed as she swayed unsteadily. Ling Su brought some delicate pastries and a bowl of porridge. Xianglan, both tired and hungry, trembled as she held the chopsticks, barely able to grip them. She ate a few pastries without tasting them, then asked for a strong cup of tea and gulped it down, forcing herself to stay alert.
Not long after, Qin Shi entered and asked Xianglan in detail about what had happened. Xianglan gave a rough account. Just then, Lin Jinlou’s loud, agonized cries came from the bedroom. Startled, Qin Shi and Xianglan stood up and hurried toward the bedroom, flustering the physicians, who bowed their heads and averted their eyes. Qin Shi and Xianglan rushed to the bedside and saw Lin Jinlou with his chest bare, blood gushing from the wound. Silver needles were inserted into his body, his face was as pale as gold leaf, and he was delirious, panting incessantly. One of the physicians bowed deeply and said, "Madam, please don’t worry. We were just treating General Lin’s chest wound and had to cut away the rotten flesh. He has been given datura soup and acupuncture, but the injury is too severe, and it woke him from the pain." As he spoke, he wiped his sweat. Lin Jinlou was incredibly strong, and earlier, three or five people couldn’t hold him down.
Tears welled up in Qin Shi’s eyes, and Xianglan’s heart tightened into a knot, but there was nothing else they could do. The two had no choice but to withdraw from the bedroom. Just then, Gui Yuan ran in from outside and knelt at the doorway, saying, "Madam, the Old Master and Old Madam have arrived!" Upon hearing this, Qin Shi quickly put on her outer garments and hurried out, supported by Hongjian and Lulan, followed by a crowd of maids and matrons, rushing away.
Not long after, a commotion arose in the courtyard. Xianglan pushed the window open a crack and saw Lin Zhaoxiang leaning on a cane, supported by Lin Jinting, with several servants bustling around them as they approached. Qin Shi followed at the rear. Once they entered the room, Lin Zhaoxiang pushed Lin Jinting aside and went straight into the bedroom. Xianglan overheard Qin Shi standing at the doorway scolding, "You little monkey, you’re a married man now, yet you still can’t keep your mouth shut! Didn’t I send word for you to keep it from the Old Master? In this freezing weather, after his long journey, if something happens to him because of this news, it’ll be entirely on your head!"
Lin Jinting rubbed the back of his head, his face full of worry, and said, "Dear Aunt, my heart is in my throat. If anything happens to Grandfather... why don’t you just give me a knife so I can end it all..."
Qin Shi slapped him on the head and scolded, "What nonsense are you spouting at the end of the year? Afraid the household isn’t lively enough? With three lying sick in bed and one still in the mourning hall, if you keep talking about death, I’ll sew your mouth shut!"Lin Jinting wore a mournful expression, nodding and agreeing meekly. Qin Shi was ten times more formidable than his own mother, and he had always feared her. But he was even more afraid of Old Master Lin. He couldn't help shrinking his neck and said, "Aunt, you can't blame this entirely on me. What kind of person is our Old Master? He previously served as the Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, discerning the smallest details with sharp insight and piercing vision. Even if Elder Brother dared to poke a hole in the sky, he wouldn't dare to challenge the Old Master... Really, don't glare at me like that. If the Old Master so much as glanced at me, my legs would turn to jelly. How could I dare deceive him? When he questioned me, my heart nearly leaped out of my chest. I originally intended to reveal things bit by bit, but before I knew it, I confessed everything. But I kept it tightly sealed from Old Madam—not a whisper leaked out. Aunt, even if I haven't contributed merit, I've at least put in hard work. The journey here hasn't been peaceful either. Last night, we were fortunate to stay at an official post station, so I could finally get a proper night's sleep. If we hadn't sent word to the Commander of the Nine Gates today, we wouldn't even have been able to enter the city." He craned his neck to peer into the bedroom and asked, "Is Elder Brother alright? The messenger boy said he was injured. What happened to Second Brother and Second Sister-in-law?"
Qin Shi sighed, her face clouded with worry, and shook her head. She said to Lin Jinting, "Don't ask about everything. There's nothing you can do to help here. Go attend to Old Madam. Later, withdraw five hundred taels of silver from the accounts, donate some incense money at the temple, and light large sea lamps for the family ancestors, as well as for your Elder Brother and Second Brother, to ward off bad luck." Lin Jinting repeatedly agreed, glanced at Lin Jinlou in the room, and then withdrew.
At that moment, the imperial physicians filed out of the room. Qin Shi quickly stepped aside to avoid them, while Lin Zhaoxiang exchanged pleasantries with them, expressing his gratitude with utmost courtesy. He ordered the maids to fetch generous red envelopes and had someone escort the physicians to the resting room to write prescriptions, also inviting them to stay for tea and snacks, though these details need not be elaborated upon.
Xianglan could no longer contain herself. As soon as the physicians left, she followed Qin Shi into the bedroom. She saw that Lin Jinlou had fallen into a deep sleep. The maids were carrying out basins full of bloody water, and the room was filled with the scent of medicine, as it had just been administered.
Lin Zhaoxiang entered, his expression grave, and said, "The imperial physicians said the wound on his shoulder is manageable and will heal with rest. It's only the chest injury that is severe. They've excised the rotten flesh and will change the dressing every two hours. If he can survive these two days, he will recover."
Xianglan didn't dare ask what would happen if he didn't survive. She stood by the bed, lowering her head, and saw that the hair on Lin Jinlou's forehead was matted with cold sweat. A stubble of dark beard had grown on his jaw, and his lips were dry, cracked, and pale, making him appear even more haggard and worn. She had never imagined that such a vibrant and energetic man could become so frail and powerless.
Qin Shi wiped her tears with a handkerchief, forced herself to rally her spirits, and said softly to Lin Zhaoxiang, "Father, this girl is Xianglan. Lou Ge'er holds her in high regard. She has been by his side throughout this ordeal—a sincere and devoted person." With that, she tugged at Xianglan's sleeve, signaling with her eyes, and said, "This is the Old Master. Hurry and pay your respects."In their previous lives, the Lin and Shen families were close. When Xianglan was young, Lin Zhaoxiang had held her in his arms, personally taught her calligraphy, and tested her on her studies. Now, years had passed in the blink of an eye. Lin Zhaoxiang’s temples were frosted with white, and he had aged somewhat, yet his figure remained lean and upright, his spirit vigorous, and his demeanor contemplative and reserved. Lin Jinlou’s imposing aura, which commanded respect without anger, resembled his to a striking degree. Xianglan thought to herself, No wonder everyone says Lin Jinlou was cast from the same mold as Lin Zhaoxiang. I used to think the two were not alike—Lord Lin was refined and scholarly—but now, seeing them together, I realize how remarkably similar they are.
Just then, Lin Zhaoxiang’s sharp, piercing gaze fell upon her, and Xianglan’s heart fluttered with panic. But she quickly steadied herself, knelt on the ground, and kowtowed. Lin Zhaoxiang studied Xianglan once more, then turned to Qin Shi and said calmly, “I know of her—a talented girl, skilled in writing and painting. But I had never met her before. I hadn’t expected such talent to be hidden in our household. Now that I see her, she seems honest and dependable.”
Qin Shi forced a smile and said, “Indeed, not only is she fair of face, but her character is also excellent.”
Lin Zhaoxiang nodded, glanced toward the bed, and said to Qin Shi, “Instruct the servants to take good care of him. If there’s any news, day or night, notify me immediately. Old Madam is unwell, so don’t mention this matter to her. Just say Lou Ge’er has gone to the outskirts of the capital for military training.”
Qin Shi repeatedly agreed. Lin Zhaoxiang turned to leave but paused to glance at Xianglan once more, adding, “I’ll go check on Xuan Ge’er.” Though Qin Shi desperately wished to stay and care for her own son, the Old Master had spoken, so she had no choice but to follow him out.
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