Yin Die kept a sharp eye on her surroundings. The moment Chun Ling left, she immediately chose a bed by the window. This bed was relatively secluded and closest to the dressing table, making it more convenient for arranging hair or storing miscellaneous items. However, upon closer inspection, she noticed the bedding and pillows looked somewhat worn, which displeased her. She stole a glance at Xianglan, who seemed lost in thought while gazing at a painting on the wall. Seizing the opportunity, Yin Die quietly swapped the bedding and pillows from her chosen bed with those from another.
Xianglan had already noticed Yin Die’s sly maneuver but pretended not to see, inwardly shaking her head. After surveying the room, she selected a bed near the door and lifted the soft, lightweight bed curtains. Inside, she found stone-blue Gold Coin Python Bedding, a jade-colored gauze pillow, and beside it, a slightly worn embroidered sachet with floral motifs, filled with mind-calming and evil-warding herbs. Lifting it to her nose, she detected a faint hint of jasmine fragrance. Stroking the sachet’s tassels, she remarked, "The accommodations here are far superior to those at Gauze Snow Dock. No wonder the Lin family is called a land of wealth. This room is even better than an ordinary young lady’s boudoir—and it’s meant for maids!"
Yin Die, dazzled by the exquisite furnishings, couldn’t contain her excitement, her eyes darting around in admiration. Yet, hearing Xianglan’s words, she deliberately feigned indifference. "What’s so special about this? It’s just a place for low-ranking maids. If you’re this amazed, your eyes might pop out when you see the masters’ main quarters… Then again, no surprise—you used to serve the young mistress’s cousin. You’ve never seen real luxury."
Xianglan frowned slightly, unwilling to argue over trivial matters. She chose to ignore Yin Die and instead unpacked her belongings one by one.
Suddenly, footsteps approached, and Lin Jinlou lifted the curtain to enter. Xianglan and Yin Die hurriedly stood up, clasping their hands nervously. Lin Jinlou’s gaze swept the room, landing on Xianglan standing meekly by the bed, her eyes downcast. He couldn’t help but smile. His striking handsomeness only intensified with that radiant expression, leaving Yin Die momentarily dazed. Previously, under Chunyan’s strict supervision, maids were kept at a distance whenever Lin Jinlou visited. Never had she been this close to the master before. Her cheeks flushed instantly.
Seeing Xianglan, Lin Jinlou’s voice softened unconsciously. "No need to be so formal. From now on, you’ll stay here. Serve your mistress well according to the rules, and I’ll reward you accordingly."
While Xianglan hesitated, Yin Die eagerly responded, "Rest assured, Master. We’ll serve Concubine Lan diligently—it’s our duty."
Lin Jinlou glanced at Yin Die and nodded. His eyes then returned to Xianglan, who remained silent and motionless, her head still bowed. He wanted to draw her into conversation, but with others present, he decided there would be time for that later. After giving a few casual instructions, he turned and left.Now that there were no outsiders left in the room, Xianglan had no energy to tidy up. The day's tumultuous events had left her physically and mentally exhausted. She collapsed onto the bed, unable to move another muscle. The thought of nearly being violated earlier made her legs tremble with lingering fear and resentment. The emotional performance she had just given before Lin Old Madam had drained her completely. Then Cao Lihuan's expulsion, followed by her own sudden reassignment to serve Concubine Lan at Knowing Spring Pavilion—along with an inexplicable promotion to second-rank maid—left her feeling both bewildered and faintly pleased. The day's rollercoaster of emotions, so abrupt and strange, left her with an uneasy premonition she couldn't quite name. But she was too exhausted to dwell on it.
Yin Die, clearly in high spirits, unpacked her belongings one by one. Naturally sociable, she chattered away, fishing for details about Xianglan's family. When she learned that Xianglan's father was merely the third manager of an antique shop, she immediately put on airs. Covering her mouth with a delicate hand, she tittered, "My father is the second overseer of the manor in the capital's outskirts. With his status, if he were to work in the household, he'd at least be a second steward or a manager. Master thinks very highly of him... My cousin Han Fang serves in Miss Ling's quarters—she's quite influential. All the junior maids have to address her respectfully as 'elder sister.'"
Xianglan found her bragging tiresome but didn't want to offend her, so she occasionally murmured "Mm" in response without engaging further.
Yin Die suddenly sighed. "I thought once Chunyan left, I might get reassigned—maybe even to serve one of the young ladies. That would've been a respectable position. But no, I'm still stuck serving a concubine... Tsk, tsk. I doubt there's much of a future in this."
Lying sideways on the bed, Xianglan smiled faintly. "I'm content enough. It'd be even better if Concubine Lan had a gentler temperament."
Yin Die consoled herself, "That's true. I heard Concubine Lan was personally elevated by Taitai and comes from a respectable family. Chunyan was just a bedchamber servant—she only had a room in the west wing. Concubine Lan is a proper concubine with the entire east wing to herself. If she gives birth to a son this time, our lives might be even more glamorous than those serving the young ladies."
Xianglan merely smiled without responding, thinking to herself, This is just a temporary stop. No matter how glamorous a servant's life seems, how far can it really go? The real goal is to quietly gather information and plan a way to secure my freedom.
For a while, neither spoke. Yin Die finished putting away her things and lay down on the bed, tossing and turning. She reflected on how her family had spent a considerable sum, pulled strings through her cousin Han Fang, and even enlisted the help of an influential matron before Chun Ling finally relented—accepting a gold hairpin—to transfer her from the menial tea room to Concubine Lan's service. She had initially been reluctant, but now she felt somewhat uplifted. Then her thoughts drifted to Lin Jinlou—his striking handsomeness, his tall and upright stature, his noble and dashing demeanor. Today, even the corners of his eyes had seemed to smile. A restless, fluttering sensation stirred in her chest, something indescribable and faintly embarrassing. Unable to lie still, she blurted out, "Did you see how Master smiled at us today? So handsome."
Half-asleep, Xianglan mumbled in reply, "He is handsome. Only a beauty like his wife could match him."Yin Die recalled Zhao Yuechan's stunning beauty and alluring grace, knowing she could never compare, and felt a pang of irritation. "The Master and his wife are far from harmonious. Even if she's beautiful, she doesn't please him," she said.
Xianglan remarked, "The Concubine Lan we serve must surely have won the Master's favor, given how overjoyed he is about her pregnancy. She must be quite a beauty—I’ll have to take a good look later."
Yin Die sneered, "No matter how pretty she is, she’s still just a concubine. The Master dotes on her now, but who knows how long that will last?" Then, softening her tone, she added, "I think the Master should find someone more clever and understanding—even if it’s a maid from the household. Someone who’s skilled with needlework, able to make shoes and clothes for him, knows how to sweet-talk him, and is utterly devoted. Only then could she truly win his heart."
Xianglan found Yin Die’s words increasingly improper, her skin prickling with discomfort. Suddenly sobered, she realized what was going on and silently laughed to herself. "No wonder she was so eager to drag me into conversation—it’s all about 'longing for what one cannot have, tossing and turning in restless desire.'" Aloud, she said, "In any case, the Mistress and the Master are the rightful couple. Any others he takes in will just be concubines... and some might not even be elevated to that status. Which of the maids he’s taken to bed has ever been made a concubine?"
Yin Die, her youthful fantasies shattered by Xianglan’s blunt words, turned away in a huff and fell silent.
Facing the wall, Xianglan listened as Yin Die’s side grew quiet. She closed her eyes peacefully, a faint smile curling her lips.
Soon, Chun Ling entered the room and announced, "The concubine has returned. She wants both of you to come over."
Xianglan quickly rose, smoothing her clothes and hair. Yin Die hurriedly adjusted her hairline in the mirror, dabbed a bit of rouge on her lips, then thought it too bold and pressed a handkerchief to her mouth to tone it down.
Chun Ling led the two of them into the adjacent side chamber.
Inside stood Xiao Juan and an elderly maidservant. Seated by the table was a woman of about eighteen or nineteen, her figure fuller due to pregnancy. With jet-black hair and snow-white skin, an oval face, and almond-shaped eyes, she was not as strikingly beautiful as Zhao Yuechan but still exceptionally lovely. She wore a Pale Blue Inlaid Collar, Emerald Green Winter Plum Hidden Flower Satin, Opposite Closure Beizi, adorned only with a single gold hairpin, agate earrings, and a pair of jade bracelets—no other jewelry, presenting an image of simple elegance. This was Qing Lan.
Chun Ling said, "Concubine Lan, these are the two maids I mentioned earlier—one is Xianglan, the other Yin Die."
Yin Die, quick to read the room, immediately knelt. Xianglan followed suit, saying, "Greetings to the honorable concubine."
Qing Lan said, "Rise." She studied them carefully, noting their beauty with some discomfort. Xianglan wore old clothes, her hair tied in a simple bun with two white ribbons and a white flower, while Yin Die was dressed in fresh blue silk, her face lightly powdered, as if she had taken great care with her appearance. Qing Lan thought, "This Xianglan seems honest, but Yin Die is too fond of dressing up—I wonder if she’s the obedient type." Aloud, she said, "Now that you’re under my care, as long as you follow the rules and serve well, I won’t ask for more."
Chun Ling added, "Concubine Lan is the most kind-hearted and generous. You two are fortunate to serve her."Xianglan discreetly surveyed the room, noticing the east chamber was impeccably tidy with lavish furnishings that even rivaled those in Qin Shi's quarters. Finding this improper, she slightly furrowed her brows, but then reconsidered—Qing Lan had entered as a concubine from a respectable family, her status differing from other concubines, and now with pregnancy elevating her worth further. Yet as her gaze swept over several precious curios displayed openly, she felt such ostentation was rather conspicuous.
Soon Qing Lan grew weary and dismissed everyone. Chun Ling led Lan, Die, and Xiao Juan to the adjoining room, saying, "I'm Chun Ling, formerly a maid in Third Taitai's quarters, assigned here to serve Concubine Lan now that she's with child. Come to me for any matters in the future." Pointing to Xiao Juan, she added, "She's Xiao Juan, who arrived a few days earlier. The elderly woman inside is surnamed Wu—address her as Wu Mama." She then explained the serving protocols and assigned simple tasks: Yin Die was to make a sachet for calming herbs, Xiao Juan to water the flowers and embroider a handkerchief, while to Xianglan she said, "Follow me," leading her into Qing Lan's bedroom.
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