In the afternoon, Lin Jinlou made his way from the Hall of Flourishing Spring to his study in the front courtyard, with Shu Ran following closely behind. She observed her master dressed in a brand-new pine-green python-patterned satin robe, cinched at the waist with a gold-woven cloud belt that accentuated his tall, upright figure. He had regained his usual composure and ease, a stark contrast to his dejected, wilted appearance upon returning that morning. Shu Ran inwardly breathed a sigh of relief, feeling a subtle admiration. The dispute between their Eldest Master and Old Master Lin had started in the morning and had already spread discreetly among the prominent servants. Though everyone knew the old master had flown into a thunderous rage, the exact cause was a matter of varied speculation. Shu Ran dared not make presumptions, resolving only to remain cautious and attentive.
Upon entering the study, they found Jixiang had already prepared tea. Lin Jinlou asked, "Where is Mr. Kang?" Kang Shiyuan was his trusted advisor, serving as his right-hand man.
Jixiang hurriedly replied, "Shuangxi has gone to fetch him; he should be here any moment."
Lin Jinlou nodded and took a seat behind the desk. Earlier, he had been with Xianglan. Though she hadn’t said much, her soft and compliant demeanor in his arms, along with the way she looked at him, had made him feel as if he understood her unspoken thoughts. Yet he feared misinterpreting her, feeling foolish and clumsy, like a lovesick youth—a notion that would surely make his brothers laugh uproariously if it ever got out. Still, he felt content and invigorated, ready to continue his battle of wits with his father. He had long known that his father was rigidly bound by notions of propriety and hierarchy. Lin Jinlou had initially hoped that, out of gratitude for Xianglan having saved their family twice, his father might show leniency. He had counted on his mother to whisper persuasions in his father’s ear and the Old Madam to mediate with a few kind words, allowing his father to see Xianglan’s character and conduct. He had planned to wear him down gradually, but today’s confrontation had escalated beyond control. The old man had clamped down ruthlessly, severing any future prospects. Seated behind the desk, Lin Jinlou sneered repeatedly. Fortunately, he had prepared a backup plan. Since the matter couldn’t be resolved amicably within the family, he would have no choice but to take it to the highest authority. Having been immersed in official circles for years, he had witnessed all manner of sinister, vile, and monstrous schemes and weathered countless storms. His father thought he could subdue him this way but had forgotten his indomitable nature. Trying to bend him to his will? Not a chance!
Jixiang stood to the side, watching as Lin Jinlou’s expression shifted from tender and spring-like to suddenly fierce, cold, and calculating. He grew apprehensive and exchanged a glance with Shu Ran, silently asking, "What’s going on with the Eldest Master?" Shu Ran, standing on the other side with her arms crossed, returned a look that said, "Stay put and keep quiet. Can’t you see the mood has shifted?"
As the two exchanged glances, Shuangxi announced from the doorway, "Eldest Master, Mr. Kang has arrived."
Lin Jinlou said, "Show him in."
Kang Shiyuan entered, bowed, and offered greetings. Lin Jinlou waved a hand, motioning for him to sit while Jixiang served tea. Lin Jinlou stated, "I’ve asked you here today to request that you represent me in handling a matter." He picked up a stack of The Story of Hermit Lanxiang from the desk and pushed it toward Kang Shiyuan. "This afternoon, take lavish gifts and these play scripts to the north city. Xia Gugu, who formerly taught Fourth Miss in our household, resides there. She now serves a noble in the palace but returns home for a few days each month—today is one of those days. Present my card and ask her to take these scripts into the palace for the Empress Dowager to review. If possible, arrange for a troupe to perform the play for Her Majesty based on the scripts. Should this succeed, she will be handsomely rewarded."Kang Shiyuan immediately understood, a chill rising from the soles of his feet. He nearly twisted off his beard in shock and exclaimed, "Master, you mean to... Did Old Master Lin and Lord Lin both... agree?"
Lin Jinlou snorted, "If they'd agreed, would I still be going to all this trouble?" He tapped the table twice with his fingers and said meaningfully, "Ask Xia Gugu to convey a message to the Empress Dowager. Tell her that though we are deeply in love, Xianglan's humble origins invite gossip. We beg Her Majesty to grant us her blessing and make this union possible."
Kang Shiyuan wiped the cold sweat from his forehead with his sleeve. This master of his truly dared to think and act. Then he saw Lin Jinlou turn to Shu Ran and say, "When Xia Gugu stayed with us, you two were quite close. Go with Mr. Kang. It'll be easier for women to speak among themselves. Just follow Mr. Kang's instructions on what to say and do."
Shu Ran was utterly dumbfounded. She hurriedly agreed aloud, but her mind was in turmoil. "Heavens above! Xianglan, a maid by birth, is really about to rise to greatness!" Running through past events in her mind, she felt relieved that she had never once offended Xianglan and had instead accumulated quite a few favors.
After discussing the details with Kang Shiyuan and giving Shu Ran further instructions, Lin Jinlou dismissed them. He then ordered a horse to be prepared and, taking a stack of The Story of Hermit Lanxiang, went to seek an audience with the Crown Prince. For now, this shall not be detailed.
Meanwhile, in the small ancestral temple of the Lin family, Su Meiru lay on the bed with disheveled hair. The door curtain was lifted, and in walked a plump, short woman in her fifties—a servant attending to Su Meiru, called Granny Meng. Carrying a tray, she said, "Concubine, your meal is here." She placed the tray on the bedside table, helped Su Meiru sit up, and first fed her a few sips of warm tea.
Su Meiru glanced sideways and saw four dishes. Though they included chicken, duck, fish, and meat, they were all leftovers. Fury surged within her, and she spat bitterly, "Is this fit for human consumption? In all my life, I’ve never eaten leftovers!" Tears welled in her eyes and began to fall.
Granny Meng quickly comforted her, "Don’t cry, Concubine, you’ll give yourself a headache... How about adding some silver to have the kitchen prepare something fresh?"
Su Meiru wept, "All my clothes and money are in the side chamber—I didn’t bring a single thing. The rest of my savings are in Jinling. What do I have now to spend?"
Granny Meng, however, smiled and said, "Concubine, as the saying goes, 'It’s easy to add flowers to embroidery, but hard to send charcoal in snowy weather.' Yet now, a true and dear friend of yours has come to bring you food." With that, she stood up and lifted the door curtain. A woman in a cloak entered, removing her hood to reveal a heavily made-up face. She smiled faintly and said, "My dear sister, I’ve missed you to death." It was none other than Huamei!It turned out that when the matter was exposed that day, Huamei fled with her birth mother, taking a boat down the river. Unexpectedly, they encountered river bandits. In the chaos, Huamei’s mother slipped and fell into the river, drowning. Because of her beauty, Huamei was taken in by the bandit leader Wu Biao. With her cunning mind and desperate for a way out, she willingly became the bandit chief’s wife. She was insightful and skilled at sweet-talking, quickly winning Wu Biao’s favor. However, Lin Jinlou governed his troops with strict discipline, suppressing banditry along the river with thunderous force. As Wu Biao found himself cornered, Lin Jinlou happened to leave for the capital. Huamei then offered a plan: "Master Wu, there’s no need to fret. That tyrant has left, and his uncle Lin Changmin is now in charge of river patrols. This man is a scoundrel by nature—greedy and stingy. Why not bribe him with gold and silver? I guarantee you’ll rest easy." They soon discovered that Lin Changmin kept a mistress and sent lavish gifts to Su Meiru. As the saying goes, "One never turns away a gift-giver." Su Meiru was no fool either, and through repeated interactions, they became acquainted. At first, Lin Changmin hesitated, but Su Meiru sneered, "How foolish you are, Master! Where does a clean official get silver? Since ancient times, wealth is sought through risk. Only with money in hand can one stand tall. Besides, your nephew isn’t here—who would know? Why not seize this chance to make a fortune and stop when he returns? No one will be the wiser, and silver in your pocket is what truly matters." After much persuasion, Lin Changmin was swayed. He accepted the first bribe and, after a few tense days with no repercussions, took several more. Unable to stop, he amassed wealth recklessly, allowing Wu Biao to smuggle goods, murder, and plunder on the river.
Su Meiru and Huamei grew very close, addressing each other as sisters, yet Su Meiru had no idea Huamei was once Lin Jinlou’s concubine. When Su Meiru saw Huamei, she felt as if meeting a dear relative. Tears streaming down her face, she struggled to sit up and choked out, "Sister Mei..."
Huamei hurried forward to support her, saying, "Don’t get up. I heard from Granny Meng that you were ill and couldn’t rest easy. Fortunately, this is a temple—I paid my way in quietly to see you." She opened the food box she carried and added, "Have some refreshments first."
Su Meiru looked and saw the three-tiered box filled with delicate dishes, warm porridge, and fresh soup, all steaming hot. Tears fell as she grasped Huamei’s hand and sobbed, "Only at a time like this does one realize who is truly good..."
Huamei comforted her gently, "Don’t cry anymore. Eat something first. Once you’re well, you can have another child—it’s not too late."
Su Meiru wept, "Another child? Can’t you see the Lin family has abandoned me here in this temple without a care? They’re snuffing out the lamp!"
Huamei sneered, "Forgive my bluntness, but the entire Lin family is worthless. Second Master owes his rise entirely to your support, Sister. Now that you’re no longer useful, he’s cast you aside. You’ve suffered immensely here, and he hasn’t even asked after your food or drink. If it were me, I’d risk everything to get you out. This is no place to recuperate!"Su Meiru felt every word struck a chord within her heart, making her even more choked with sobs. Huamei comforted her a few times, then instructed Mother Meng to fetch a basin of water. She wrung out a warm towel herself and gently wiped Su Meiru’s face and hands. Sighing, she said, "What a pity—such a delicate, jade-like beauty has been reduced to this state. It truly pains us to see it." She handed Su Meiru a Target Mirror. Su Meiru looked into the mirror and saw her cheeks sallow with illness, her face gaunt, and dark circles under her eyes. Though she was still beautiful, she was far from her former self. Unable to hold back, she let out a sob and wept again, but then abruptly stopped, wiped the tears from her face, and said bitterly, "It’s the Lin family that has brought me to this!"
As Huamei gently combed Su Meiru’s hair, she said, "Exactly. The Lin family has wronged you, sister. You should have sought repayment long ago! A person as precious as gold and jade like you is destined for greatness sooner or later... With all my devotion, if you would only listen to my advice, you could live a life of glory, splendor, and wealth forever."
Su Meiru couldn’t help asking, "What do you mean?"
Huamei tied Su Meiru’s hair into a simple bun, then sat down in front of her. Seeing that no one was around, she lowered her voice and said, "Lin Jinlou is about to return to Jinling. Once he’s back, I fear our days will become difficult. Sooner or later, the truth will come out. Lin Changmin is his own uncle, so he might not dare touch him, but you and I are not so safe. It would be better to take care of him before he returns..." As she spoke, she made a cutting gesture with her hand.
Su Meiru was greatly startled, her eyes widening in shock. "This... how can this be done?"
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