Lin Zhaoxiang entered unhurriedly, holding a carved huanghuali cane adorned with a hundred bats presenting longevity in one hand, while leading Lin Jinyuan with the other. Lin Jinyuan’s hair was tied into two small buns, and he wore a sleeveless round-collared robe of bright red embroidered with golden lotus motifs and floral medallions. His face was plump and fair, his large, jet-black eyes darting about with exceptional cleverness. He had always been particularly fond of Xianglan, and he secretly winked and made a funny face at her. Xianglan couldn’t help but laugh and subtly blinked back at him.
The crowd rose in a flurry to bow and offer greetings. Lin Zhaoxiang went straight to Old Madam Lin’s side and sat down. Only after he was seated did Old Madam Lin take her seat. Lin Zhaoxiang addressed the gathering, “I heard it was lively over here, so I came to join in the fun. Please, carry on with your enjoyment and don’t feel restrained on my account.”
Everyone gradually resumed their seats. In that moment, Lin Dongwan stepped forward and eagerly asked, “Grandfather, may you enjoy boundless fortune and good health! How are you feeling? I heard you were unwell a few days ago and have been terribly worried, praying day and night for your well-being and longevity. Seeing you in such good spirits today, I trust you’re recovering well, and my heart is finally at ease. I must go to Guanyin Temple tomorrow to fulfill my vow.”
Lin Zhaoxiang lifted his eyelids and glanced at her, replying indifferently, “Eldest girl, you’ve managed to say everything there is to say for everyone in this room.”
Lin Dongwan’s face flushed crimson instantly, and she retreated somewhat awkwardly.
Qin Shi quickly stepped in to smooth things over, presenting a playbill with a smile. “Since our venerable elder has come, why not choose an opera? We’ve invited the renowned Qingyun Troupe from the capital today—their movements and singing are both excellent.”
Lin Zhaoxiang took the playbill and selected two operas. A young maid promptly rushed out to relay the choices, and before long, the sound of singing drifted in from outside. Lin Zhaoxiang took a sip of tea from his cup and noticed an exceptionally lovely young girl sitting on the small stool at Old Madam Lin’s feet. Though he knew perfectly well who she was, he still asked, “And this is…?”
Old Madam Lin laughed, “Look at me, I forgot to tell you.” She took Jiang Xiyun’s hand and said, “This is Xiyun.”
Jiang Xiyun promptly gathered her skirts and curtsied.
Lin Zhaoxiang looked her over from head to toe, nodding with a faint smile. “I can still see traces of the child you were.” He gestured with his hand, “You were only this tall back then, often coming to our house with your grandfather. Your mouth was as sweet as could be. And now, in the blink of an eye, you’ve grown into a young lady.” He thought for a moment and added with a chuckle, “You used to say our Lin family’s cooks were excellent, especially at preparing fish. Every time that dish was served, you’d eat with such relish, your cheeks full. But because ‘fish breeds fire, meat breeds phlegm,’ your nurse wouldn’t let you eat too much. Every time the fish was taken away, you’d look on with tears welling in your eyes.”
Jiang Xiyun shrank behind Old Madam Lin, her face full of childish charm. “That was all when I was little. I’ve long since outgrown my greediness. You do tease so, venerable ancestor…”
Everyone laughed. Qin Shi feigned a couple of laughs, dabbing her mouth with a handkerchief; Xianglan lowered her head without a word; Lin Dongqi kept her eyes fixed on the stage; Lin Dongxiu sneered repeatedly; Su Meiru cracked melon seeds, casually spitting the shells onto the floor.
After a moment, Jiang Xiyun instructed her maid to fetch two types of needlework, which she presented earnestly. “This is some needlework I’ve made to honor you, venerable ancestor. I hope you won’t find the craftsmanship too crude.”Lin Zhaoxiang looked over and saw a pair of shoes along with a cloak, on which was embroidered a swimming fish, so vivid and lifelike it seemed real. Lin Zhaoxiang laughed and said, "You ate quite a few of the Lin family's fish back in the day. Embroidering just one now probably won't make up for it, will you?"
Everyone burst into laughter again upon hearing this.
Jiang Xiyun’s little face flushed red, and she said with grievance, "No matter how many Old Ancestor wants, I’m afraid the debt from my greedy appetite back then is so great that even if I embroidered this cloak full of fish, it still wouldn’t be enough to repay it!"
At these words, Lin Zhaoxiang couldn’t help but laugh. The others quickly joined in the laughter. Lin Zhaoxiang glanced sideways at Xianglan and saw her expression unreadable, neither sad nor happy, her eyes lowered.
Lin Dongxiu secretly exchanged a look with Lin Dongqi and whispered, "Does Grandfather not know what she’s done?"
Lin Dongqi kicked her under the table, motioned toward Lin Zhaoxiang with her chin, and said in a hushed voice, "Keep your voice down. Don’t let anyone hear you."
Lin Dongxiu snorted coldly, "What’s there to be afraid of? I’m more worried Grandfather won’t hear!"
Xianglan sat quietly, her face betraying no emotion, yet her heart was filled with sorrow, grievance, and resentment that threatened to burst forth. The torment made it hard for her to sit still, and the peace she had just found was once again disturbed. She took a few deep breaths, slowly clenching and unclenching her fists. When she looked up, she saw Qin Shi’s concerned eyes fixed on her. Xianglan shook her head slightly.
Qin Shi’s face showed pity as she nodded slowly. She truly felt for the girl now, thinking to herself, "Xianglan saved me, saved Dongxiu, and even saved Lou Ge'er. For any one of those deeds alone, she shouldn’t be humiliated and made to suffer like this today. Have the Old Master and Old Madam lost their senses? With the whole family watching, how is Xianglan supposed to face this? Poor child." She calculated that in a little while, she would send Xianglan to fetch something for her, giving her an excuse to escape the embarrassment.
Just then, Old Madam Lin said, "Since everyone is here, why not bring out the bracelet bestowed by the Crown Prince for everyone to see?"
Qin Shi exclaimed, "Oh, there’s such a treasure? We must take a close look then."
Old Madam Lin said, "After the Hundred Elders Banquet, the Crown Prince personally took this off his wrist and bestowed it upon us. It’s an eighteen-bead agarwood bracelet, with a pigeon’s egg-sized ruby as the central Buddha head bead, and the back cloud and pendant are carved from mutton-fat jade in the shape of an auspicious beast."
Wang Shi chanted a Buddhist phrase and said, "Even without considering that it was a gift from the Crown Prince, this bracelet alone is an extremely precious item!"
Lin Zhaoxiang said, "This was a beloved possession of the Crown Prince. Bestowing it upon the Lin family is a great honor. Since your Old Madam has been unwell lately, I’ve given her the prayer beads to wear, hoping she may share in the Crown Prince’s blessings. In that case, bring it out now."
At these words, Lin Jinyuan’s face instantly turned pale. He slipped down from his chair, quietly went over to Xianglan, and tugged at her clothes. Xianglan followed him out. When they reached a secluded spot, Lin Jinyuan grabbed Xianglan’s sleeve, his plump little face full of panic and urgency, and said, "Sister Xianglan, save me!"
Xianglan quickly asked, "What’s wrong?"
Lin Jinyuan said with a sob in his voice, "That string of beads... I lost it."
Xianglan exclaimed in horror, "What?!"Lin Jinyuan wiped his tears and said, "This morning, I was having breakfast with Old Madam in the inner room of the flower hall. I saw Old Madam wrap the bracelet in a handkerchief and place it under the bedding on the large kang. I took it out to play with, and just then Third Brother came to pay his morning respects and took me out to buy some necessities. I put the prayer beads in my pouch, but after walking around and returning, I touched my waist and realized they were gone... I already spoke with Big Brother, asking him to find me an identical string outside, and planned to tell Old Madam about losing the bracelet in the evening, hoping she could cover for me temporarily. I never expected Old Master would ask about it today. What should I do?" He stamped his feet anxiously, tears streaming down again.
Xianglan also grew anxious and said, "How could you take such an item out to play with casually? Any other bracelet might be forgivable, but this was personally bestowed by the Eastern Palace—it's no trivial matter. Where could we find an exact replacement?"
Lin Jinyuan sobbed, "Then what should I do... I'm scared..."
Xianglan held his small hand and said, "Good boy, come back with me now and explain the truth to Old Master and Old Madam. Accept the blame and punishment—since you made the mistake, you must take responsibility."
Lin Jinyuan shook his head like a Pellet Drum, his face full of terror, and said, "No, no! Grandfather's ruler will beat me to death!"
Xianglan said gently, "Even if Grandfather hits you, it will only be in a moment of anger, and besides, Old Madam is there. Think about it: even if it hurts to be beaten, isn't it better than living in constant fear?"
Lin Jinyuan wept mournfully, refusing adamantly to confess, and pleaded repeatedly, "Good sister, please don't tell anyone, I beg you! I'll never dare do it again!" Xianglan wanted to persuade him further, but seeing Lin Jinyuan's pitiful, panicked expression, she was reminded of her own early days in the Lin household, working under Cao Lihuan, when even a small mistake would leave her in constant dread, unsure what punishment awaited. Her heart softened. Just then, two maids approached, and fearing they might be seen, Xianglan pulled Lin Jinyuan into her embrace and said, "A true man must have courage—owning up to mistakes and accepting punishment is the right way. But since you haven't come to terms with it yet, I won't force you. I promise not to tell anyone. However, this is your mistake, and you should be the one to bear the consequences."
Lin Jinyuan sniffled without a word.
Xianglan sighed, wiped his tears with her handkerchief, and led him back to the flower hall.
Before they even entered, they saw the hall was crowded with people kneeling on the floor. They heard Lin Zhaoxiang's thunderous voice, filled with rage, his complexion altered, as he struck his cane heavily on the ground and said, "...What audacity! To dare covet something bestowed by the Eastern Palace! Whoever took that bracelet, confess now. If I find out through investigation, it will not be easily overlooked! Who entered the inner room today?"
Lin Jinyuan was terrified out of his wits, broke free from Xianglan's hand, stepped back repeatedly, and ran off without looking back.
The crowd held their breath, the silence palpable.
Liubei, the maid attending Old Madam Lin, said, "The inner room is reserved for the young ladies and madams to rest. Since Old Madam had breakfast there, no ordinary person has been allowed inside. Only the Eldest Young Miss, Second Young Miss, Second Madam, and Miss Xi have been in, along with a few maids and matrons who served meals and tea."Qin Shi's heart sank upon hearing this, thinking to herself, "This is bad. They're all children of the family. If this spreads, what will become of their lives and reputations?" She quickly straightened up, crawled forward on her knees a few steps, and said with tears in her eyes, "I beg Old Master and Old Madam to calm your anger. The item bestowed by the Eastern Palace is missing, and I dare not argue whether it was taken by someone in the household or by some dishonest servant. But there are a few points I must ask Old Master to consider: First, perhaps the item was not placed under the beddings, or maybe it was locked away in some box and forgotten. If we wrong someone over this, it would be disheartening. Second, for now, we should search for it discreetly and question people privately. Who would have the face to admit it in front of everyone? Third, if the item is found, all is well. But if it is not, Old Master and Old Madam should ease your minds and take good care of your health."
Wang Shi nodded hastily and said, "Sister-in-law speaks wisely. Old Master and Old Madam, please take care."
Lin Zhaoxiang listened to these words, glanced at Qin Shi, then at Wang Shi, and slowly swallowed a sigh. In a heavy voice, he said, "I will wait in the inner room. Whoever took the bracelet and is willing to confess may come in to see me." With that, he rose and, without allowing anyone to assist him, slowly walked into the inner room.
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