They soon arrived at Lin Changzheng’s courtyard, where maidservants including Hongjian, Lulan, Cuimo, Baoyan, and Yubi were all standing beneath the corridor eaves. Upon seeing the two of them, they smiled and said, "Madam was just mentioning you, and here you are." Hongjian whispered, "The Master and Madam are discussing matters inside," winking as she personally lifted the curtain. Lin Jinlou understood and gave a slight nod. Lulan, standing to the side, pursed her lips and smiled, "What riddle is this?" Hongjian chuckled, "Nothing much, just remember to serve tea later."
Lin Jinlou and Xianglan entered through the door. Lin Changzheng and Qin Shi were both in the inner room, with Bao Yiniang lifting the curtain. Lin Jinlou led Xianglan inside. Xianglan glanced around and saw that the room's furnishings had been replaced. All the bedding, chair cushions, brocade cushions, and backrests were made of high-quality ink wash painting blue satin, though they appeared slightly worn. On the kang stood a small multicolored lacquer mother-of-pearl inlaid table, holding a pale white official kiln soup bowl and a celadon-glazed ram-head handled pot. A black lacquer Shouchun rounded-corner waist-tied tray held several delicate pastries, all items to reduce internal heat and promote salivation. On either side of the Arhat Bed were lacquered floral square tables, each bearing a pair of Song dynasty white-glazed vases with freshly cut orchids and marigolds. Hanging on the wall were the four characters "Zhong He Wei Yu" (Harmony and Cultivation), written in a lean, rigid, square style—bold and unrestrained, with powerful brushstrokes. Below it stood a crabapple-shaped table scattered with a few books. The room was not scented with incense; instead, several small pottery jars were placed along the base of the wall, filled with fresh fruits that could be eaten and also perfumed the room with a fresh, fruity fragrance. Clearly, the room had been rearranged according to Lin Changzheng’s preferences. It did not appear lavish or opulent; those unaware might think it ordinary, but connoisseurs could discern the value of the furnishings and curios.
Lin Changzheng and Qin Shi sat facing each other on the kang, with no one else present. Qin Shi’s hair was styled in an eight-treasure bun, sleek and glossy, adorned with a gold filigree hairpin and a pair of warm, lustrous white jade earrings. She wore a honey-colored kesi tapestry jacket over a light yellow silk cotton skirt, holding a teacup as she leaned slightly forward, speaking with Lin Changzheng. Lin Changzheng, dressed in a gray satin robe without a belt, looked pensive. When he noticed the two of them, he glanced over. Xianglan saw that he had a rectangular face, pale complexion, long eyebrows, narrow eyes, a lion-like nose, and a wide mouth. His gaze was sharp, yet he carried an air of scholarly elegance, calm and composed. Though he seemed to smile at the corners of his mouth, it inexplicably inspired fear. He glanced at Lin Jinlou before fixing his eyes on Xianglan.
Xianglan felt slightly flustered and instinctively lowered her head slightly, steadying herself. Then Lin Changzheng spoke, "What are you doing here?"
Lin Jinlou smiled and said, "I’ve come to pay my respects to Father and Mother."
Lin Changzheng sneered, "I couldn’t even get you to attend to guests at home. Do you still acknowledge me as your father?"
Qin Shi, sensing the tension, quickly interjected, "Lou’er has been busy these past few days—sometimes with imperial duties, sometimes with Ministry of War affairs. Forcing him to stay home to entertain guests would only hinder important matters. Besides, he’s now someone of standing—how can we treat him like a child, making him see whomever we wish?" She then changed the subject, beckoning to Xianglan, "Good child, come here." As Xianglan approached, she pulled her closer and said to Lin Changzheng, "This is Xianglan, the one I told you about."
Lin Changzheng looked Xianglan up and down, a faint smile appearing on his face. "I heard about how you saved Lou’er. Such loyalty is truly rare."
Lin Jinlou found the remark awkward and frowned before the words even finished. "How can this be called loyalty? It’s affection."Lin Changzheng seemed not to hear, still looking at Xianglan with a smile. "I heard your entire family were originally servants of the household? You were born as a family-raised servant?"
Lin Jinlou found this increasingly inappropriate, his eyebrows nearly shooting upward. Qin Shi's heart immediately leapt to her throat, and she quickly signaled him with her eyes. Xianglan's face turned pale, her nails digging deep into her palms. When she looked at Lin Changzheng again, she saw he still wore a kindly expression, but his eyes were unreadable. She composed herself and replied calmly, "That's correct. My family were originally servants of the Lin household."
Qin Shi gave a light cough and said with a smile, "That's all in the past now. They've long been removed from the servant registry, haven't they?" She smiled at Xianglan, attempting to change the subject. "I heard Old Madam specially rewarded you with a set of jewelry a few days ago. Quite precious—not just anyone receives such honor..."
Lin Changzheng picked up his teacup and took a sip, suddenly cutting off Qin Shi. He looked meaningfully at Lin Jinlou and said, "No wonder. Though not frivolous, she's ultimately inadequate. It's only natural she can't compare to the elegance and nobility of proper official's daughters."
Lin Jinlou instantly grew angry but restrained himself. "What kind of judgment is this? How is she inferior to others? Her appearance, character, conduct, knowledge—everything from head to toe is excellent. Name any young lady from any family, bring them out for comparison..."
Hearing this, Lin Changzheng's face immediately darkened. Qin Shi, seeing the situation turning bad, hurried to smooth things over, but then Xianglan spoke: "The Master is correct." The three of them froze, all turning to look at her. Xianglan smiled graciously and said, "It's difficult to be elegant and noble when one is inferior, Master."
Lin Changzheng set down his teacup and examined Xianglan carefully. She appeared serene and composed, neither humble nor arrogant, yet couldn't conceal her pale complexion, which added a touch of fragility. Still, her back remained straight. She was clearly intelligent and had understood the underlying meaning in his words. Feeling somewhat reluctant to embarrass her at their first meeting, but hardening his heart at the thought of her humble origins harboring such ambition, he said, "You know your place—excellent. You have rendered service. Serve properly in the future, respect the principal wife, and the Lin family will not treat you poorly. Speak up if you encounter difficulties. But if you stir up trouble..." Here he glanced at Xianglan meaningfully. "The consequences need no warning from me, I presume?"
Xianglan felt she could barely breathe, forcing out a reply: "Yes..." Lin Jinlou, expressionless, grabbed Xianglan's arm and pushed her outward, saying, "You go out."
Xianglan was taken aback and struggled slightly. Lin Jinlou, still grim-faced, said, "When I tell you to go out, just go out." With that, he took hold of Xianglan and escorted her out of the room. Seeing the maids chatting and laughing softly under the eaves, he pointed at Hongjian and Lulan. "You two, escort her back properly. Be quick about it."
Hongjian and Lulan, startled by Lin Jinlou's unusually severe expression, quickly gathered around. Xianglan couldn't help but tug at Lin Jinlou's sleeve. "Eldest Master..." She wanted to tell him not to argue with Lin Changzheng, but with the maids present, the words were hard to utter. She only said, "Today's matter was expected. I've long been aware of it."Lin Jinlou was growing impatient. Forcing a faint smile, he patted her hand and said, "This doesn't concern you. Go back first." Then, turning to Hongjian and Lulan, he added, "Quickly escort her back. Make sure she doesn't return. Stay with her there, and don't come back until I return."
The two maids, being sharp-witted, sensed something was amiss and promptly agreed. Lin Jinlou turned and entered the room, lifting the curtain. Inside, he saw Qin Shi whispering something to Lin Changzheng. They fell silent upon his entry, pretending nothing was wrong. Qin Shi smiled and said, "Your father specifically mentioned wanting to reward Xianglan with something." As she spoke, she took out a lacquered square box adorned with cranes and deer.
Lin Jinlou, his heart burning with impatience, barely glanced at it before snatching the box and tossing it aside. Qin Shi grew anxious, shooting him repeated warning glances. Lin Changzheng remained calm, leisurely refilling his tea, taking one sip, then another, before finally lifting his eyes to Lin Jinlou and asking, "What exactly do you want?"
Lin Jinlou, suppressing his frustration, replied coolly, "Father should know very well what I want. Why ask when you already know?"
Lin Changzheng nodded. "You had your mother hint at your intentions, and today you deliberately brought her here. You've played your moves quite skillfully, step by step."
Lin Jinlou felt as though a heavy weight were pressing on his heart, forcing him to restrain his anger. Since his grandfather had refused to intervene on Xianglan's behalf, he had no choice but to patiently navigate his father's objections. Otherwise, Xianglan would face a difficult future, and any turmoil within the family would attract unwanted attention. Softening his tone, he said, "Father, I'm no longer young, and I've long needed a reliable companion by my side. I've made up my mind—it's Xianglan..."
"Isn't she already by your side? Who has ever stopped you? If you value her, you can host a banquet or arrange a grand celebration as you wish. Have her brought in with all the pomp and ceremony. Even if she hasn't borne any children, we can elevate her to the status of a concubine. Who would dare say a word against it?"
"Father, not as a concubine..."
"Not as a concubine? Then what? What else do you intend to do?!"
"..."
"Speak! What else do you intend to do?!" Lin Changzheng slammed the table with a sharp crack. "You disgrace! Are you trying to turn the entire Lin family upside down?!"
"Oh, come now, let's talk calmly. Have some tea, Master. The weather is dry, and you must take care of your health. Don't strain your voice from shouting." Qin Shi stood up, personally refilling Lin Changzheng's tea. Then she went to Lin Jinlou's side, her heart filled with anxiety. While shooting him meaningful glances, she tugged at her eldest son's arm and whispered, "Speak properly with your father. You mustn't lose your temper."
Lin Jinlou's heart pounded like thunder, his blood rushing to his head. His fists clenched and unclenched, veins bulging prominently. "I want her by my side in life and buried with me in the same grave in death. I want to give her the status of a wife. She is worthy of it and deserves it."
Lin Changzheng, enraged, let out a cold laugh. "Deserves it? You dare say that! How dare you say that! Lin! Jin! Lou! I am ashamed for you! You have disgraced the ancestors of the Lin family! Matters of marriage have always been decided by parental authority and matchmakers. How dare you marry a lowly servant! Never mind how it would look if word got out and how the entire Lin family would be shamed—just search your conscience and ask yourself: Are you worthy of the painstaking efforts and resources our family has poured into raising and nurturing you?" His anger mounted as he spoke. With a sweep of his hand, he overturned the colorfully lacquered mother-of-pearl side table. Bowls shattered, tea splattered, and the scene became a mess. Pointing a trembling finger at Lin Jinlou, he roared, "You unfilial son, blinded by a woman! Unfilial son!"Lin Jinlou felt as if a thunderbolt had struck him head-on. For the first time in his life, his hands and feet turned icy cold. Gritting his teeth, he said, "She hasn't been a servant for a long time—no, she never even resembled one. She..."
Lin Changzheng was so enraged that his face contorted. He glared fiercely at Lin Jinlou and snapped, "Even if she were a celestial beauty, she's still of servant stock! Don't think I don't know—the rift between the Lin and Jiang families today is all because of her. With her around, how could your household ever know peace? What respectable young lady would be willing to marry into this family? She's not just of lowly origins; she's a troublemaker! Relying on her mediocre looks and a few shabby paintings, she's bewitched you into abandoning all sense of propriety, righteousness, integrity, filial piety, and loyalty. You've truly outdone yourself! Hah! I've turned a blind eye out of consideration for her past favors to our family, but who would have thought she'd push her luck? Mark my words today: if you want to marry her, it'll be over my dead body!"
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