It is said that after Xianglan returned to the mansion, she summoned Dr. Luo, who had long been responsible for checking the family’s health, to take her pulse. This time, it was confirmed that she was pregnant, and the entire household was overjoyed. Gui Yuan hurried to deliver the news to Chen Wanquan and his wife, and before long, the couple arrived.
It turned out that Chen Wanquan had intended to sell their previous residence and purchase another near the Lin residence to be closer to their daughter. When Lin Jinlou heard this, he said, "Why go to such trouble? There are plenty of vacant houses in our estate. Just yesterday, Madam sent a letter saying they plan to stay in the capital for a long time and asked us to move into their residence. Third Brother isn’t cut out for studying, so the family has purchased him an official title in the capital—a nominal position—and he’ll stay there to manage external affairs. A few days ago, someone was sent to collect all his belongings and take them to the capital, saying they would clean out the Mengfang Courtyard for him to live in. His former residence here, the Woyun Courtyard, is now vacant. Though it’s not large, it has a front hall and rear quarters, complete with a side gate leading to the street. It’s an independent courtyard with its own entrance. Why not have your parents move in there?"
Xianglan was delighted to hear Lin Jinlou’s suggestion but worried, "My parents have only me as their daughter, and it’s my duty to care for them. But I’m afraid if they move in and live in Third Master’s courtyard..."
Lin Jinlou wrapped an arm around Xianglan’s shoulder and said, "Ah, my little Xianglan, can you stop worrying for even the time it takes to drink a cup of tea? Second Uncle is in such a state now, and they won’t be returning. I’ve given Third Brother a shop, and the residence in the capital has prepared the Mengfang Courtyard for him and his wife to live in. It’s clear they don’t plan to come back, especially since Third Sister-in-Law’s family is still in the capital. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of everything." He then sent people to fetch Chen Wanquan and his wife and ordered his attendants and servants to help with the move.
Chen Wanquan was naturally overjoyed to hear they would be moving into the Lin residence. The thought of such prestige and glory made him feel as if he were walking on air. However, once their belongings were packed, he began to fret. At times, he worried about living day in and day out with his former masters, feeling awkward from head to toe. At other times, he feared his words or actions might cause trouble for his daughter. And then there was the concern that living in the Lin estate would incur significant expenses for daily needs and tips, making it less economical than living outside. He sighed deeply and spent a sleepless night. The next day, when he arrived at the Lin residence and saw Lin Jinlou, Chen Wanquan was too nervous to speak and could only grin foolishly. Fortunately, Xue Shi was articulate and socially adept. She repeatedly expressed her gratitude and lavished praise on Lin Jinlou from head to toe, making even him feel somewhat uncomfortable. Glancing sideways, Lin Jinlou noticed Xianglan standing nearby, suppressing a smile. He shot her a glare but couldn’t help feeling pleased inwardly, turning away to hide his own grin.
Fearing her parents might feel uneasy, Xianglan spoke to them privately: "Now that we’re all in the same estate, it’ll be much more convenient to visit. Otherwise, every time I return to my parents’ home, it involves carriages, attendants, and guards—a whole production—and it’s not appropriate for me to visit too often. Here, I’ll cover all your expenses; that’s a sustainable arrangement. Avoid gossiping with others in the estate. You have your own independent courtyard—just close the gate and live your life. If you need anything, just let me know. All of Third Master’s belongings have been cleared out, and the furnishings are from the storage. Feel free to use them without worry."
Chen Wanquan frowned and said, "Your mother and I should still move out..."
Xue Shi glared at him and said, "What nonsense are you talking? We’ve put so much effort into moving here. Don’t waste our child’s kindness, and don’t make our son-in-law think you’re troublesome!"
At the mention of their formidable son-in-law, Chen Wanquan immediately fell silent.After Xianglan left, Xue Shi couldn't resist touching and examining everything - the brand new pink ruyi cloud-patterned satin mattress, the official green quilt, the lotus-root colored gauze bed curtains hanging from silver hooks, the begonia-wood side tables, the famille rose gentian vase, the brass lion-shaped incense burner, and the large ebony screen inlaid with mother-of-pearl. Sitting in the chair, Xue Shi let out a long sigh: "I used to see such places often when I was a servant, but never imagined I'd become the mistress living here myself."
Chen Wanquan was examining the curios on the multi-tiered shelf one by one. Hearing this, he turned his head and scolded: "Look at your lack of ambition! Don't mention being a servant anymore - what if someone hears and laughs at our daughter!"
Xue Shi rolled her eyes and said: "What's wrong with being a servant? Didn't I properly and honorably become the Da Nǎinai of the Lin family? I always said our Xianglan was extraordinary - what did you used to say? Now we've truly become official master and mistress, going out in grand carriages, eating and drinking the finest, served by eight maids, and even letting you old thing live in the Lin residence. You should be having sweet dreams!"
Chen Wanquan immediately grinned from ear to ear.
From then on, the Chen couple moved into the Lin residence and rented out their former home. Chen Wanquan still went to the antique shop daily, leaving early and returning early. In his spare time, he would either drink tea at teahouses, play chess with people on the streets, or return to the residence to enjoy raising birds. Xue Shi stayed home doing needlework daily, sometimes visiting Xianglan for conversation, or going to temples to chant Buddhist scriptures - quite content with their lives. The Woyun Courtyard was separated from the main residence by other buildings and had a street-facing gate. When the door connecting to the Lin residence was closed daily, it truly seemed like an independent household. Thus the couple settled in comfortably.
When the couple heard that Xianglan was pregnant, they were overjoyed and hurried to visit, busily preparing food, medicinal materials and other items. Xue Shi clasped her hands together and said cheerfully: "Amitabha! There's finally movement! It wasn't in vain that I've been praying to the Child-Giving Guanyin for the past year or so. Tomorrow your father and I will go to the temple to fulfill our vow and donate some incense money."
When Chen Wanquan heard Xue Shi mention donating money, he couldn't help feeling the pinch. Just as he was about to frown and object, he remembered this was their daughter's first pregnancy - it might truly be due to Buddha's blessing. Hadn't that fortune-telling immortal accurately predicted their daughter's rise to prominence? This matter seemed somewhat credible, so he held his tongue and only inquired after Xianglan's wellbeing.
After her parents left, Xianglan lay in bed hugging the quilt and thought: "Eldest Master, why aren't you back yet?"
Xianglan waited several more days, but Lin Jinlou still hadn't returned home. One day when she went with Xue Shi to Tranquil Moon Temple to offer incense and fulfill vows, Bao'er came to deliver a message upon their return: "The Eldest Master said he'll return tomorrow." Lin Jinlou had now released Bao'er from slavery documents, rewarded him with a large sum of silver, and promoted him to be a Personal Soldier - thus his prospects had greatly changed. Bao'er was deeply grateful and served with utmost dedication.
Hearing this, Xianglan couldn't help feeling happy. She rewarded Bao'er with some coins and distributed various protective talismans obtained from the temple to everyone. She ordered Xue Ning and Lianxin to open the wardrobe and either give away unworn clothes or take them out to sun. She also collected the paintings she had done during this period, keeping those she liked - folding them properly to place in boxes or painting tubes, while setting aside others she wouldn't keep.
When Xiao Juan, Hua Shan, Ling Su and others saw Xianglan organizing the paintings, they quickly gathered around and pointed at the stack set aside, saying: "Please give them to us."
Xianglan smiled and said: "Take them if you like them."Xiao Juan quickly arranged for Ling Qing, Lianxin, and Xue Ning to come choose paintings. Unrolling a scroll to examine it, she giggled and said, "Mistress, this painting lacks a seal. Don’t try to fool me—I know paintings without seals or inscriptions aren’t valuable." She coaxed Hua Shan to join her in sweet-talking Xianglan into fetching the vermilion seal paste to stamp the artwork.
Xianglan pinched Xiao Juan playfully and couldn’t help laughing. "You clever little imp! All those snacks you eat must be fueling your cunning."
Xiao Juan carefully stored the newly stamped painting and chirped cheerfully, "Now that your paintings are rarely seen outside, each one or two is worth a fortune."
Xianglan no longer relied on the reputation of the "Recluse of Orchid Fragrance" to sell her paintings. Yet some people, well-versed in refined tastes, admired her superb technique and elegant color harmony, longing to acquire a piece for appreciation. Others, spurred by her fame from The Story of Hermit Lanxiang and the fact that her works had once been tributes to the Empress Dowager, saw them as rare treasures to flaunt their status. There were also those who sought her paintings at high prices to curry favor with Lin Jinlou, essentially offering bribes. Worried about causing trouble for him, Xianglan ceased sales entirely, only occasionally gifting small paintings to close friends and family as tokens of affection.
After a busy morning, Xianglan grew weary. She ate lunch and drifted into a deep nap on her bed. Sometime later, Lin Jinlou’s voice roused her. Blinking sleepily, she saw him seated by the bed, clad in military attire, his hair tied up with a gold bat hairpin adorned with pearls. His eyes sparkled brightly—clearly just returned. Noticing her awake, he smiled and reached out to pull her up.
Xianglan smiled back, offering her hand. Lin Jinlou drew her up, embraced her, and planted a kiss on her lips. Still drowsy, she leaned against him lazily and mumbled, "What time is it? Weren’t you returning tomorrow?" Suddenly, she felt herself lifted as he scooped her into his arms and strode out, declaring, "Come, let’s stroll in the garden."
Blushing crimson, Xianglan whispered, "This is improper! Put me down—" She wanted to struggle but feared harming her belly.
Lin Jinlou glanced down at her flustered expression and grinned, delighted. He kissed her cheek and said, "There’s no one here. Why be shy?" Then he chattered on, "Did you eat lunch? Are you hungry now?"
Xianglan replied, "I had some soup and a few side dishes before coming out."
Frowning, Lin Jinlou said, "That’s too little. I’ve had food and wine prepared at the Autumn-Clipping Pavilion. Let’s eat there." Carrying her forward, he marched on. Xianglan peeked around and indeed saw no one else nearby, only a few maids trailing afar with supplies. Soon they reached the waterside pavilion, where he set her down on a reclining couch. "Eat well," he chuckled. "Don’t starve my son or his mother."
Startled, Xianglan asked, "You know?"
Beaming with pride, Lin Jinlou tweaked her nose. "Congratulations poured into my camp—that’s how I found out. I sent someone to inquire and learned you’d been hiding it on purpose. But what can you keep from me? Hearing the news, I rushed to finish my duties and hurried home. Do you know what I’m thinking?"
Xianglan had intended to tell him herself and felt a twinge of annoyance at his attitude. "No, I don’t," she retorted."Both startled and delighted, so overjoyed he was nearly driven mad with happiness. So ecstatic he didn't know what to do with himself, he rewarded all the guards and household servants with silver." Lin Jinlou spoke while unable to suppress another burst of laughter. He knew this matter had left him completely dazed; he stood rooted to the spot for a long moment without recovering his senses. After a while, the overwhelming joy threatened to burst from his lungs, making his heart feel as if it would explode. He roared with laughter, truly wanting to jump for joy on the spot. Wen Rushi and the other fellows thought he had gone mad, staring at him wide-eyed and exchanging bewildered glances. Unable to close his grinning mouth, he walked out while saying: "Even if knives were falling from the sky, I'd still have to return home now. The matter is mostly settled anyway - you all handle what remains."
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