Lin Jinlou rarely came to the east chamber during the day. Xianglan hesitated slightly before stepping forward and saying, "Concubine Lan has gone for a walk in the garden. Does Master have any instructions?"
Lin Jinlou glanced lazily at Xianglan and said, "So there is someone here after all. I thought all the maids were out. Go pour me a bowl of tea."
Xianglan faintly remembered that Lin Jinlou's usual tea was kept in the cabinet. Opening the cabinet door, she indeed saw a small bean-green glazed jar with painted bamboo and plum patterns on the shelf. She pinched a handful of tea leaves and placed them in a small blue-and-white fish-and-weed-patterned cup. She rinsed the tea, discarded the first infusion, added hot water, and only then brought the tea to the small table beside Lin Jinlou. Then she took a large step back, lowered her head, and was about to leave.
Lin Jinlou, reclining on the couch, frowned slightly and said, "Wait, who said you could leave?"
Xianglan had no choice but to stop and turn around. Lin Jinlou half-closed his eyes, swinging his foot slightly, and said, "Take off my boots." Xianglan walked over, knelt halfway, pulled off Lin Jinlou's boots, placed them gently on the floor, and was about to retreat again.
Lin Jinlou called out once more, "I still need someone to attend to me here. Where are you going? I'm hungry—bring two plates of pastries. No mille-feuille. If there's any soup, heat a bowl of that too." Xianglan had no choice but to go to the small side room at the back and fetch two plates of pastries. There was still half a pot of the plain rice and lean meat porridge that Concubine Lan had eaten in the morning, so she heated a small bowl on the stove, placed it on a tray, and brought it back.
Lin Jinlou leisurely sipped his tea, holding the fine porcelain bowl. Since childhood, he had been accustomed to luxury, and even the simplest things like tea had to meet his exacting standards. Though military life had forced him to endure hardships, at home, even drinking tea required meticulous attention. In the past, Qing Lan had always prepared his tea personally. Today, with someone else doing it, the tea was lighter and the temperature slightly off—not as rich as before, but it had a delicate aftertaste that was unexpectedly pleasant.
Just then, Xianglan brought in the food, placing it on the small table and saying, "There's no soup, but there's porridge made this morning. It's still very fresh, so I heated a small bowl for Master."
Lin Jinlou nodded, took a few sips of the porridge, and began eating the pastries.
The room was silent, save for the occasional chirping of the thrush in the birdcage hanging outside the corridor. Lin Jinlou glanced up and saw Xianglan standing far away by the door, head bowed and motionless, which displeased him. Wherever he went in the inner household, everyone—young and old, male and female—would rush to greet him, bowing and scraping. The maids would vie for his attention, devising all sorts of tricks to catch his eye. If any maid found herself alone with him, she would surely try to strike up a conversation. But Xianglan was different—she kept her distance as if he carried the plague, not even bothering to lift her head.
Lin Jinlou clanked the spoon loudly into the bowl.
He had originally sent Xianglan to serve under Qing Lan to keep the little maid close where he could watch her. He knew the people in his household well—none of them were easy to deal with, except for Qing Lan, who was gentle and kind. But later, between the grueling demands of military affairs and his additional duties patrolling the salt trade, he had gradually forgotten about the little maid. On the rare occasions he visited the east chamber, she never came forward to serve him. Now that he saw her again, he realized she was utterly ungrateful. He had saved her virtue and even promoted her to serve close to him, yet she treated him like a stranger.Xianglan crouched by the door, inwardly grumbling, "When Concubine Lan and Chun Ling return later and see me alone in the room attending to the Master, they'll surely think I'm deliberately throwing myself at him. If they get angry, that would be troublesome." Though in truth, she did feel grateful to Lin Jinlou, whenever she saw that burning look in his eyes—as if he wanted to devour her—she dared not show any further eagerness.
Just then, Lin Jinlou spoke: "It's hot in here. Come over and fan me."
Xianglan froze for a moment before obediently picking up a snow-white palace fan from the octagonal table and moving to fan him. After a few strokes, Lin Jinlou glared at her. "Standing so far away, how am I supposed to feel any breeze?"
Helpless, Xianglan took a step closer. Lin Jinlou snorted again. "What, do you think I'm some wild beast who'll eat you?" Xianglan had no choice but to inch forward again, lowering her eyes demurely as she continued fanning.
Only then did Lin Jinlou seem satisfied. He glanced up at Xianglan, noticing her rounder cheeks, rosy complexion, and delicate eyes—an indescribable loveliness. Her hair was still tied in twin buns, and she wore a camel-colored brocade jacket with a white long skirt, her figure just beginning to show grace.
Suddenly, Lin Jinlou frowned. "What scent are you wearing?"
Xianglan was taken aback. "This servant never wears perfume..."
Lin Jinlou shifted uncomfortably, narrowing his eyes at the little maid before him. Xianglan stood close enough that a faint, elusive fragrance drifted into his nose with each breeze, making him itch to touch her soft, delicate face and breathe in that alluring scent. As a man accustomed to indulgence, he was greatly tempted. Had it not been during the mourning period for the old madam, taking a maid as his Bedchamber Attendant that very night wouldn't have been a big deal. But when he looked at Xianglan again, noticing she hadn't yet come of age and still carried a youthful innocence, he thought it might be better to wait a little longer before bringing her into his chambers.
Reining in his thoughts, Lin Jinlou took a sip of tea and asked, "Are you settling in well here? Has anyone given you trouble? I've come by a few times but never saw you."
Xianglan kept her eyes downcast, her expression respectful. "Replying to the Master, the concubine is as kind as a bodhisattva and treats me very well. She's even given me many gifts. Since I'm new and clumsy, I've been doing needlework in the back. Serving tea and water is left to Sister Chun Ling."
Lin Jinlou chuckled lowly. "If you don't do the work in front of people, your mistress might forget about you." His words carried a suggestive, teasing lilt.
Xianglan was clever enough to understand his implication. Whether from embarrassment or anger, her face flushed crimson all the way to her neck, but she kept her head bowed and said softly, "Sister Chun Ling is much more capable than I am. I'm too clumsy and fear displeasing my superiors."
Lin Jinlou propped his feet on the couch, grinning. "How about this—later, you can come serve me personally? My attendant Shuran is about to leave to get married. You can take her place. If you follow me, I promise I won't mind your clumsiness..."
Just as he spoke, someone at the door exclaimed joyfully, "Master, when did you arrive?"
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Thank you to Huashan Lüshuizhou for the sachet, thank you to Yourenzhang for two Peace Talismans, and thank you to Junxi812, Yueyue Aiyueyue, and christine_86 for the Peace Talismans =3=
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