(Revised chapter) After the first lunar month passed, the Emperor personally dispatched the chief eunuch to the Lin residence to inquire about Lin Jinlou's health, bestowing numerous gifts. Additionally, Lin Changzheng was summoned back to the capital, seemingly with the intention of conferring upon him the title of Grand Secretary. The Crown Prince frequently summoned imperial physicians to inquire about Lin Jinlou's condition. Although Lin Jinlou's health improved day by day, the physicians dared not be negligent, fearing any mishaps. They made repeated visits to the Lin family, constantly adjusting prescriptions to nourish Lin Jinlou's body. The Lin family's prestige was at its peak, and visitors came in an endless stream.
Everyone knew Lin Jinlou had a difficult temperament, but hearing that his highly favored concubine was gentle and tolerant, many inner court ladies came to cozy up to Xianglan. These were ladies with fourth or fifth-rank titles, old enough to be Xianglan's mother or grandmother, yet they spoke to her as if she were their sister, all warmth and cordiality. Xianglan recalled the days when she was a maid, surrounded by cold, disdainful faces, and now she was met with nothing but flattering smiles. The fickleness of human relationships truly made one sigh.
With Lin Changzheng about to return to the capital, Qin Shi urgently tasked Lin Jinting with renovating the residences and replanting flowers and plants. Worried that her husband and eldest son were always at odds, she specially went to Lin Jinlou's quarters to admonish him to "restrain his temper and avoid angering his father." Lin Jinlou listened half-heartedly. While he held some awe for his father, what he truly feared was his grandfather, Lin Zhaoxiang. Earlier, during his convalescence, Lin Jinting had eagerly relayed that their grandfather was still angry with him over the Su Meiru incident. Though the matter was no longer mentioned, whenever Lin Zhaoxiang visited to check on him, he maintained a stern expression without a hint of warmth. Lin Jinlou couldn't help but feel uneasy, knowing he couldn't avoid this scolding.
Unexpectedly, before Lin Changzheng arrived, Lin Changmin arrived with his family. Lin Changmin had his own calculations. Recently, a group of river bandits, taking advantage of Lin Jinlou's absence in the capital, had bribed Su Meiru to facilitate an introduction to Lin Changmin. Relying on his status as Lin Jinlou's second uncle and an official, Lin Changmin had profited handsomely—whether by smuggling goods or turning a blind eye to the bandits' murder and arson. Now, with Lin Jinlou recovering and soon returning to Jinling, making it harder to meddle in canal transport, Lin Changmin grew frustrated. Su Meiru suggested, "The Lin family's influence is now at its zenith. Why not go to the capital and scheme for a promotion to Canal Patrol Commander? Wouldn't that legitimize your future actions?" Lin Changmin found this highly reasonable and said to Su Meiru with a laugh, "My dear, you truly are my strategist." Thus, he set off for the capital.
Qin Shi stood with Xianglan at the inner gate to welcome them. From the first carriage emerged an exceptionally beautiful woman, her hair adorned with jade, her face radiant like spring, moving with graceful elegance. Xianglan was taken aback. Then, from the following carriage, Wang Shi was assisted out, her face pale and haggard, so thin that her chin appeared sharp, her eyes swollen like walnuts, as if she had just been crying. Supporting Wang Shi was a young woman around seventeen or eighteen, her hair styled in a gold-wired eight-treasure bun, adorned with a gold-inlaid emerald plum hairpin and numerous floral ornaments. She wore a yellow-tea-colored brocade cloak, her figure slightly plump, with a full-moon face, bright black eyes, and a naturally smiling mouth. Her appearance was sweet, with a subtle charm. Though not an extreme beauty, she was exceptionally pleasing. This was Lin Jinting's newly wedded wife, née Li, named Miaozhi.Qin Shi hurried forward and grasped Wang Shi's hands, exclaiming in alarm, "My dear sister, it's only been a few months—how have you become like this? Have you fallen ill?"
Upon hearing this, Wang Shi's eyes welled up again as she pulled out a handkerchief to wipe them. Li Miaozhi quickly stepped forward to pay her respects, smiling as she said, "Thank you for your concern, Aunt. My mother-in-law is just weary from the journey; she'll be fine after some rest." She added with a laugh, "Yuan Ge'er has come too. He's asleep now in the carriage at the back. Later, I'll have the nursemaid bring him to your room."
Seeing the meaningful glance Li Miaozhi gave her, Qin Shi immediately understood and refrained from further questions, simply taking Wang Shi's hand and leading her inside. Xianglan thought to herself, "The wife that Third Master Lin recently married is truly sharp-eyed and perceptive—she truly lives up to the 'marvelous' in her name."" She tilted her head slightly and happened to catch the gaze of the beautiful woman outside the second gate, who was turning to look in their direction. Their eyes met, and the woman scrutinized Xianglan from head to toe, staring intently. Xianglan thought, "The maids and old nannies were gossiping about Second Master taking a new concubine—it must be her. She really is stunningly beautiful."
Qin Shi first invited Wang Shi and the others to sit in her own courtyard. After exchanging a few pleasantries, she introduced Xianglan to Li Miaozhi. Li Miaozhi stepped forward, took Xianglan's hand, and looked her over with a smile. Turning to Qin Shi, she said, "I only saw her once on my wedding day and regretted not having the chance to get to know her better. Now, her reputation precedes her—who hasn't heard of Miss Xianglan, renowned for her beauty and talent? That day, I was in such a rush I didn't get a good look at her. When others praised her, I thought it was exaggerated gossip. But seeing her today, I understand what 'seeing is believing' truly means. If anything, the rumors didn't do her justice."
Xianglan was impressed. In just a few words, Li Miaozhi had warmed up to her, flattering her lavishly yet without making it feel uncomfortable. She modestly replied, "You flatter me too much, Third Madam..."
Li Miaozhi laughed and said, "I'm not exaggerating at all. With such grace and dignity, you outshine even the daughters of dukes and marquises—you're like a fairy descended to earth."
Unaccustomed to such familiarity upon first meeting, Xianglan could only say, "My humble appearance is hardly worthy of such praise. It's all thanks to Madam's guidance."
Li Miaozhi promptly turned to Qin Shi with a smile and said, "Aunt, you truly know how to nurture people. One of these days, you must teach me your ways."
This remark made Qin Shi laugh. She patted Li Miaozhi's hand repeatedly and said, "You mischievous girl, I'm afraid you'd feel restrained if you stayed with me." Then, turning to Xianglan, she said, "Good child, I've saved a few bolts of fine fabric for Miaozhi. Accompany her to take a look." Understanding that Qin Shi intended to send them away, Xianglan led Li Miaozhi out.
In the resting chamber, seven or eight rolls of silk and fine cloth in various colors were indeed piled on the kang. After dismissing her maid, Li Miaozhi slumped onto the kang, rubbing her waist and legs as she complained, "That journey nearly killed me—my bones feel like they're falling apart. And just now, I had to put on airs." Noticing Xianglan watching her, she winked and grinned.
Xianglan couldn't help but smile. Li Miaozhi was straightforward and candid, laughing and speaking freely—even when she put on a act, it wasn't off-putting. Xianglan poured a cup of tea and handed it to her. Li Miaozhi exclaimed, "Oh no, no, no! How could I let Sister Xianglan serve me tea?" She took the teacup, set it on the table, and clasped her hands in a gesture of respect, saying, "All along the way, at inns and tea houses, I've heard about you—you're truly a heroine among women."Xianglan asked curiously, "Heard what?"
Li Miaozhi said in surprise, "You don't know? There's a popular performance called 'The Story of Hermit Lanxiang' circulating outside now - eighteen acts in total. Both storytellers and opera troupes are performing it. Everything from when you saved Second Young Mistress at the Lin family, suffered jealousy and was sold off, sacrificed yourself to save your father, showed loyalty while staying overnight at the mountain temple, all the way to when you rescued Eldest Cousin in the dense forest - it's all recorded line by line in the plays and stories."
Xianglan was momentarily stunned.
Li Miaozhi laughed, "Tomorrow I'll send someone to find a complete set for you to see. The lyrics like 'Evening breeze carries fragrance, stars fill the autumn sky, yet the fair one remains unseen' are so elegant, they don't seem like they were written by common folks... I heard you're quite skilled at painting. When you have time tomorrow, could you gift me a couple of your works?"
Xianglan agreed verbally, but her thoughts had already wandered to "The Story of Hermit Lanxiang."
Meanwhile, in Qin Shi's quarters, Wang Shi began weeping before she could even speak. After crying for a while, she finally sobbed, "Since Old Master went to the capital, my husband has become increasingly unrestrained. He's keeping that little slut in his study, providing her with fine food and drink, and making the whole household call her 'Mistress.' I've endured all this. But rumors started spreading, and when I kindly advised him a few words, he actually beat me... That little slut doesn't even pay me proper respects when she sees me, just walks past with her nose in the air. It made me so angry I fell ill, and then she instigated people to say I was pretending to be sick on purpose... She's been constantly urging my husband to divorce me..."
Qin Shi said angrily, "How dare she! Are you just letting her manipulate and bully you like this?"
Wang Shi cried, "My husband only listens to her. In his eyes, I'm worse than the servants. Whether I cry or laugh, it's always wrong. If I say one word that displeases him, he beats and scolds me. I've even thought about ending it all to be free."
Qin Shi said angrily, frustrated by her lack of assertiveness, "You, you! When will you ever change this temperament of yours? You compromise where you should stand firm, and stubbornly insist where you should let go. You're the legitimate wife - you can't think like this. You need to fight for your dignity. Besides, Old Master and Old Madam will support you - how can they allow that little slut to be so arrogant? Don't talk about life and death so easily. Remember you still have Tingge - he's a filial child, and you should enjoy his care for many years to come."
Wang Shi wiped her tears, "If not for Tingge, I would have ended my life long ago." After a pause, she added, "There's one more thing I need to confide in you, sister, and ask for your help."
Qin Shi asked, "What is it?"
Wang Shi whispered, "I've brought Lingjie with me."
Qin Shi was startled, "Why did you bring her? What if someone sees her? We've already told everyone she died - we even held the funeral!"
Tears streamed down Wang Shi's face again, "She's the daughter I raised through hardship. How can I let her stay at the manor forever and end up married to some farmer? Even if she made mistakes, sister-in-law, you're a mother too - you know children are a mother's heartache. How could I bear it? Before coming here, I went to see her at the manor. Her eyes were full of tears, and she pitifully tugged at my sleeve, repeatedly begging me to return quickly and not forget about her. I... I... it breaks my heart..."
Qin Shi patted Wang Shi's shoulder and sighed, "Stop crying. Since you've already brought her, where is she staying now?"Wang Shi said, "I had her wear a veil, claiming she was a young lady from a family we've long been acquainted with, who has taken vows while keeping her hair at the family temple. The reason I brought her this time is that our family originally had several relatives in the capital, among whom there are promising young men. I dare not hope for great wealth and honor like that of Sister Xiu; I only wish for her to marry into a good family. Even if they are poor, I can provide a house and land—it would only cost a few thousand taels of silver. Peace and safety are blessings in themselves. Moreover, if she marries in the capital, no one will know her, and she can live more freely. I also beg you, sister-in-law, to help me look for a suitable match and assist us in making the arrangements."
In her heart, Qin Shi was utterly disgusted with Lin Dongling, but seeing Wang Shi's haggard face, all the words on the tip of her tongue turned into a long sigh, and she nodded gently.
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