Lin Jinlou held Xianglan's hand and kissed her palm. "You're too soft-hearted. To put it nicely, you're broad-minded; to put it bluntly, you're too easily taken advantage of. How many people are just waiting to exploit your kindness?"
Xianglan chuckled softly. "If I were to constantly calculate whether I'm being shortchanged, that calculating mindset would only bring endless troubles. Heaven's calculations are far clearer than ours. Those who scheme too meticulously often find their blessings diminished. It's better to live freely." As she spoke, she yawned, her eyes gradually closing, when suddenly Lin Jinlou said, "That Xia Yun fellow forming a grudge against you was actually his good fortune."
Xianglan couldn't help laughing. "What kind of logic is that? How can holding a grudge be considered good fortune?"
Lin Jinlou explained, "When one lets go and broadens their heart, they realize the boundless expanse of heaven and earth. Most people understand this principle, but few can truly practice it with such ease. That Xia Yun is fortunate to have formed a grudge with someone so broad-minded."
Xianglan sat up, widening her eyes in surprise at Lin Jinlou, then pretended to peer out the window. "I must take a careful look tomorrow—is the sun going to rise from the west?"
Lin Jinlou laughed. "Well now, you dare mock me?" With that, he pinned Xianglan down and tickled her.
Xianglan squirmed left and right, extremely ticklish. She giggled a few times but then worried the maids might hear. Biting her lip with her pearly teeth, she tried to suppress it but couldn't help laughing again, finally pleading, "Mercy, mercy! I surrender."
Only then did Lin Jinlou stop, looking down at her from above. "Do you dare do that again?"
Xianglan's face was flushed from laughter as she brushed away the stray strands of hair from her face. "I'm just surprised. Master has always been one to seize what he wants immediately upon setting his eyes on it. When did you learn about letting go and relinquishing?"
Lin Jinlou snorted. "Your husband naturally understands when to hold on and when to let go." But then he leaned down, pressing his forehead against hers, his warm breath fanning her face. After a long moment, he murmured, "Except when it comes to you."
Xianglan had intended to tease him further, but upon hearing these words, her eyes instantly grew warm. Quietly, she wrapped her arms around Lin Jinlou's neck, just as his lips met hers.
Unexpectedly, in the middle of the night, an urgent eight-hundred-li dispatch brought confidential news. Lin Jinlou immediately departed for the Military Command Office, sending word that he wouldn't return home for several days. When Xianglan woke the next morning, she felt heavy and lethargic, her entire body aching as if catching a cold. Listless, she read for a while, exchanged some casual banter with Xiao Juan and others, then extinguished the lamp early to rest. The following morning, Xianglan felt her condition had worsened. Coincidentally, a closely connected relative of the Lin family was celebrating the birth of a son to their eldest grandson. Lin Jinlou sent a verbal message asking Xianglan to visit on his behalf. Forcing herself to muster some energy, Xianglan changed clothes, ordered gifts prepared, and went to offer congratulations.
The host's household was filled with joyous atmosphere, with a continuous stream of visitors coming to offer congratulations. Numerous female relatives from various branches had gathered. When the hosts saw Xianglan arrive, they naturally attended to her with great enthusiasm, specially inviting her from the main hall to a side room for tea. The side room was filled with respectable ladies who, aware of Xianglan's background, treated her with courtesy despite their curiosity. Xianglan responded with faint smiles and intended to leave after sitting for a while, but the host Taitai insisted, earnestly persuading her to stay. Xianglan had no choice but to remain a while longer. Wu Mama and Xiao Juan, knowing she wasn't feeling well, specially came in to attend to her. Just then, someone announced that Fifth Mistress Lin had arrived. Xianglan's heart leapt as she saw a beautiful girl of about seventeen or eighteen supporting an elderly woman with graying hair, slowly entering the room.This was Xianglan's first time meeting Mistress Ding. She saw a woman of short stature with a plump figure, narrow eyes, and a long nose, yet she carried an imposing presence. As an elder, Xianglan stood up to pay her respects, but Mistress Ding pretended not to see her, greeting only the older female relatives without so much as a glance in Xianglan's direction. The women vied to offer her a seat. Xianglan then turned her attention to the young lady accompanying her, who was of medium height with a slender figure, almond-shaped eyes, peach-blossom cheeks, and an elegant, radiant beauty. Xianglan nodded and smiled at her, intending to greet her, but the young lady ignored her entirely, helping Mistress Ding to her seat instead.
Xianglan couldn't help but exchange a look with Wu Mama, who felt embarrassed and awkward, gently patting Xianglan's arm and whispering, "Let's just go."
Xianglan replied softly, "No, let's wait a little longer."
Though Mistress Ding refused to look at her directly, she had already glanced her way several times. She had put on a grand display precisely to wait for Xianglan to approach and speak to her, intending to assert her authority. With someone else stepping in to smooth things over, she could then become acquainted with Xianglan while still maintaining the upper hand. Unexpectedly, Xianglan, by nature indifferent and currently feeling unwell, had little desire to talk. Moreover, she was well aware that Mistress Ding disliked her and saw no point in pressing her affections where they were unwelcome. She simply sat quietly with her head bowed and eyebrows lowered. This only added to Mistress Ding's displeasure, who then focused on conversing with her old friends. The young lady who had accompanied Mistress Ding, her grandniece named Suyuan, scrutinized Xianglan several times before pursing her lips and remaining silent.
There was a reason for this. Ding Suyuan had been raised as a refined young lady from a prestigious family, excelling in household management, needlework, music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. She was capable and efficient, greatly favored by Lin Old Madam, who never ceased to praise her. Back when Lin Jinlou divorced Zhao Yuechan, Lin Old Madam had originally intended for Ding Suyuan to become her eldest grandson's wife and had even summoned her to discuss the matter. Mistress Ding was delighted, but Ding Suyuan was unwilling. Lin Jinlou was over a decade older than her, known for his romantic and promiscuous nature—not to mention the numerous concubines in his inner chambers, he also had many lovers in brothels outside. Ding Suyuan, conscious of her own beauty and renowned virtue in her social circle, with her father reinstated as an official, had no shortage of suitors, including many talented young scholars and sons of prominent families. She saw no difficulty in finding an ideal husband and eventually chose a young master from a family comparable to the Lins. However, shortly after the engagement, she learned that although the young man had some talent, he was entirely subservient to his mother. Though the family was wealthy, he received only five taels of silver per month and had to account for every extra coin he spent to his mother. Ding Suyuan regretted her decision, repeatedly crying and demanding to break off the engagement. As she looked around, she found no one who could compare to Lin Jinlou—handsome, with illustrious military achievements, substantial income, and minimal interference from elders. Having been promoted to a high official for saving the crown prince, he was practically a regional overlord. Even if he was somewhat promiscuous, what powerful man wasn't fickle? She couldn't help but regret missing out on a gold mountain and wanted to return. But the entire Lin Family had moved to the capital, making it impossible to meet, and with Lin Jinlou intending to marry Xianglan, Ding Suyuan's regret deepened. She pestered her grandaunt, still hoping to marry into the Lin Family.
Infuriated, Mistress Ding scolded her, "Back then, they were eager to have you, but you refused. Now you want to shamelessly go back? There's no such thing in this world!"
Ding Suyuan wept, "Who could have foreseen this back then? Grandaunt, you must help me."Ding Suyan's parents were naturally very fond of Lin Jinlou. Knowing that Mistress Ding held considerable prestige within the Lin clan and was on good terms with Lin Old Madam, they sent her many valuable gifts. Mistress Ding then wrote letters to both Lin Old Madam and Lin Changzheng, describing Xianglan's vicious behavior while subtly praising Ding Suyan's virtues. Seeing from Lin Changzheng's reply that he seemed extremely angry with Xianglan, she thought the matter was settled. Never did she expect that Lin Jinlou would ultimately marry Xianglan. Enraged, Mistress Ding dared not write to Lin Changzheng again. Knowing Lin Old Madam had a soft temperament, she wrote a letter venting her resentment, saying "a lowly woman of base character, with ingrained vulgarity that can hardly be reformed in her lifetime," and so on. But the letter sank like a stone into the sea, with no further response.
Ding Suyan developed a knot of resentment in her heart. Today, seeing Xianglan with her radiant beauty, eyes like clear pools of water, and an aura of elegance—surrounded by maids and a crowd fawning over her—while she herself had broken off her engagement and was growing older, unable to find a suitable match like Lin Jinlou, she felt increasingly uncomfortable. A surge of anger welled up inside her as she thought: "Relying on looks to please others, she merely picked up what I originally didn't want. Since childhood, I was taught by eight experienced matrons, managed grand banquets at home, excelled in household management and needlework—always coming out on top. The Lin Family isn't afraid of becoming a laughingstock. What virtue or ability does she have to sit in such a position? Besides that face and being able to paint a few pictures, what else is outstanding about her? I've heard she might even be barren—"
Just as she reached this point, the host family brought out the child for everyone to see. The crowd gathered around, exclaiming in admiration. Mistress Ding played with the child and said to the host family's old madam, "Your granddaughter-in-law is truly blessed. It hasn't been long since the wedding, and she's already given birth to a son."
As if possessed, Ding Suyan remarked, "Indeed, adding sons to the family is the foundation of prosperity. I just fear those who cannot continue the family line—wouldn't that be cheating others out of having descendants?" Ding Suyan knew she shouldn't poke at someone's sore spot like this, but seeing Xianglan's imposing manner made her uncomfortable, and she couldn't resist making these sour comments. After speaking, she felt somewhat ashamed and uneasy, yet also an indescribable satisfaction. She lifted her head and glanced at Xianglan intentionally or not.
How could Xianglan not understand? Her face turned pale. The issue of heirs was a hidden worry in her heart. Even though Lin Jinlou didn't mind, she still longed for a child to cherish. She well knew that if she remained childless in the next year or two, the Lin Family elders would likely pressure Lin Jinlou to take a concubine. Even if he refused for her sake, her life in the Lin Family might not be easy. Moreover, Lin Jinlou truly did want children—anyone could see how he doted on De Ge'er and Yuan Ge'er back then.Mistress Ding naturally understood clearly and felt her grandniece's words were inappropriate, but she was currently angry with Xianglan and held deep prejudices. Pretending not to hear, she merely laughed and said, "Since we're here today, I might as well say a few more words. Among the three forms of unfilial conduct, having no heir is the gravest. Being unable to bear children violates one of the 'Seven Grounds for Divorce.' For young couples deeply in love, childlessness isn't necessarily a sin, but what I fear is that over time—tsk tsk—real resentment will grow over this. In my opinion, if one's own womb shows no sign of life for two or three years, she should personally arrange for her husband to take a Concubine, especially if she's truly barren—otherwise, she's being unvirtuous. But let's be honest, few first wives can endure this. I've heard about the youngest son of the Lin family living in the suburbs—originally, the couple was as close as can be. Later, because they had no children, the husband brought home a Concubine. Naturally, with a new favorite, he forgot the old love, and their home was never peaceful again. In the end, the once-good couple turned against each other, causing an uproar. Their youngest son actually divorced his wife and elevated the Concubine who bore him a son to the formal wife position."
Every word these two spoke felt like a knife stabbing into Xianglan's heart. Especially today, when she was already feeling unwell, it became even more unbearable. Yet these insinuating remarks made it impossible for her to voice her own grievances. Fearing she couldn't suppress her anger and might argue openly with Mistress Ding, but unable to endure sitting there any longer, Xianglan abruptly stood up and hurried outside.
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