Lin Jinlou seldom visited the eastern wing during the day. Xianglan hesitated for a moment before stepping forward and saying, "Concubine has gone for a walk in the garden. Does Eldest Master have any instructions?"
Lin Jinlou cast a lazy glance at Xianglan and replied, "So there is someone in the room after all. I thought all the maids were away. Go and pour me a bowl of tea."
Xianglan vaguely remembered that Lin Jinlou’s usual tea was stored in the cabinet. Opening the cabinet door, she spotted a small pea-green glazed jar with painted plum and bamboo patterns on the shelf. She pinched a handful of tea leaves from it, placed them in a small blue-and-white cup decorated with fish and algae, rinsed the tea, discarded the first infusion, added hot water, and only then brought the tea to the small table beside Lin Jinlou. She then took a large step back, lowered her head, and prepared 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, and commanded, "Take off my boots." Xianglan walked over, knelt on the floor, pulled off Lin Jinlou’s boots, placed them gently on the ground, and once again made to retreat.
Lin Jinlou called out again, "I still need someone to attend to me. Where do you think you’re going? I’m hungry—bring two plates of pastries. No mille-feuille. If there’s any soup, heat a bowl as well." 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 japonica rice and lean meat porridge that Lan Yiniang had eaten in the morning, so she heated a bowl on the stove, placed it on a tray, and brought it back.
Lin Jinlou held the teacup leisurely, savoring the tea. Having been raised in luxury, he was particular about every aspect of his food, clothing, and daily life. Though he had endured hardships in the military and could not afford such fastidiousness there, at home, even drinking tea required meticulous attention. In the past, Qinglan had always prepared his tea herself. Today, with someone else making it, the flavor was lighter, and the temperature slightly different. Though not as rich as before, it had a delicate, lingering aftertaste that was surprisingly pleasant.
Just then, Xianglan brought in the food, placed it on the small table, and said, "There is no soup, but there is porridge made this morning, still very fresh. I heated a small bowl for Eldest Master."
Lin Jinlou nodded, took a few sips of the porridge, and began eating the pastries.
The room was quiet, with only the chirping of Huamei from the birdcage hanging under the eaves breaking the silence. Lin Jinlou glanced up and saw Xianglan standing far away by the door, her head lowered and motionless. He couldn’t help feeling displeased. Wherever he went in the inner household, everyone—young and old, male and female—would greet him with enthusiasm, 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 some plague, not even bothering to lift her head.
With a clatter, Lin Jinlou tossed the spoon into the bowl.
He had originally sent Xianglan to serve under Qinglan to keep the young maid close where he could watch her. He was well aware of the people in his household—none of them were easy to deal with—but Qinglan alone was gentle and tolerant. Later, however, he had become preoccupied with the arduous and complex affairs of the military and had taken on the responsibility of salt inspection. In the midst of it all, he had forgotten about this little maid. On the rare occasions he visited the eastern wing, he never saw her step forward to serve him. Now that he saw her again, he realized she was utterly ungrateful. He had saved her virtue and promoted her to serve closely by his side, yet she treated him as if he were a stranger.Xianglan was crouching by the door, inwardly grumbling, "When Lan Yiniang and Chunling return later and see me alone in the room attending to the Eldest Master, they'll think I'm deliberately throwing myself at him. If they get angry, that would be unfortunate." Though she truly felt grateful to Lin Jinlou, whenever she saw his burning gaze that seemed ready to devour her, she dared not show any further attentiveness.
Just then, Lin Jinlou said, "It's hot in this room. Come over and fan me."
Xianglan froze for a moment, then picked up a snow-white palace fan from the square table and obediently went to fan Lin Jinlou. After a few strokes, Lin Jinlou glared at her and said, "Standing so far away, how can I feel any breeze?"
Xianglan had no choice but to step closer. Lin Jinlou snorted again, "Do you take me for some wild beast? Do you think I'll eat you?" Xianglan could only move forward again, lowering her eyes submissively as she resumed fanning.
Only then did Lin Jinlou appear satisfied. He looked up at Xianglan, noticing her face had become fuller, with rosy cheeks and graceful, beautiful eyes that held indescribable charm. She still wore her hair in double buns, dressed in a camel-colored brocade jacket with a white long skirt beneath, her figure beginning to show gracefulness.
Lin Jinlou suddenly frowned, "What scent are you wearing?"
Xianglan was taken aback, "This maid never uses perfume..."
Lin Jinlou shifted uncomfortably, squinting at the young maid before him. Xianglan stood quite close now, and a faint, elusive fragrance drifted with the breeze into his nostrils, making him want to reach out and touch her soft, delicate face, to breathe in that alluring light scent about her. Being a libertine accustomed to revelry, he felt greatly stirred, thinking that if not for the mourning period of Old Madam, taking a maid as his Bedchamber Attendant that very night wouldn't be any major matter. He glanced at Xianglan again, noticing she hadn't yet reached marriageable age and still carried some youthful innocence, feeling it wouldn't be too late to wait a bit longer before taking her into his chambers.
Lin Jinlou collected himself, took a sip of tea and asked, "Are you accustomed to being here? Have your masters given you any trouble? I've come several times but never seen you."
Xianglan kept her eyes lowered, not looking at Lin Jinlou, but her expression remained extremely respectful as she replied, "In response to the Eldest Master, the Concubine is as merciful as Bodhisattva, treats me very well, and has rewarded me with many things. Being new here and clumsy, I mainly do needlework in the back. Serving tea and water is handled by Sister Chunling."
Lin Jinlou chuckled lowly, "If you don't attend to immediate matters, your mistress might forget about you later." His words carried hidden meaning, with a frivolous and lazy tone.
Xianglan was clever enough to understand immediately. Unable to tell whether she was more embarrassed or angry, her face flushed crimson all the way to her neck. Still keeping her head lowered, she said, "Sister Chunling is much more capable than I. I'm rough and clumsy, afraid of angering my masters."
Lin Jinlou propped his feet on the couch, smiling suggestively, "How about you come serve me specifically later? My attendant Shu Ran is about to leave the mansion to marry. You could replace her. If you follow me, I promise not to mind your clumsiness..."
Just as he was speaking, someone at the door exclaimed delightedly, "Why has the Eldest Master come?"
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