Xianglan walked to the door of the side room and faintly heard Chun Ling scolding Yin Die. She couldn't help but shake her head and sighed inwardly: "Among all the young maids in this household, how many don't harbor ambitions to climb higher? Especially since the Master is handsome, holds an official position, and possesses great wealth. Whether it's Chun Ling or the younger Yin Die, they all secretly nurture hopes. It's just pitiful that they only see the small patch of sky above the Lin residence, completely forgetting the saying 'fortune is fickle.'" With these thoughts, she went to the chest to fetch some clothes.
Lin Jinlou had previously left a crab-shell blue Douwen Zhezhi in the eastern wing. Xianglan took it out, sprayed it with liquor, and ironed it. Just then, Chun Ling lifted the curtain and entered. Seeing Xianglan busy at work, she said, "Why are you doing such tasks? Let those little maids handle them."
Xianglan smiled and replied, "It's just a small chore, no trouble at all."
Chun Ling pursed her lips and said, "You're too kind-hearted. As a second-rank maid, you should assert your authority when needed. Now even that little wretch Yin Die dares to look down on you."
Xianglan merely smiled faintly. In truth, Yin Die was usually warm and attentive toward her, but today she had lost her composure upon seeing Lin Jinlou.
After saying a few more words and receiving no response from Xianglan, Chun Ling felt slightly disappointed. Xianglan was amiable and generous, often sharing food and trinkets with others, which made the younger maids fond of her. Chun Ling, who liked to take charge and often scolded the younger maids, wasn't inherently wrong, but compared to Xianglan, she seemed lacking. She wanted to say more but heard Wu Mama calling her in the courtyard, so she left in a huff.
Xianglan finished ironing the garment, neatly folded it, and carried it into the main room. There, she saw a kang table set up on the bed, with fresh fruits and pastries arranged anew. Qing Lan was helping Lin Jinlou remove his official robes.
Xianglan set the clothes down and turned to leave, but Lin Jinlou called out, "Wait." He wanted Xianglan to help him change, but glancing at Qing Lan, he felt it might be inappropriate.
Though Qing Lan wasn't particularly sharp, seeing Lin Jinlou stare so intently at a maid made her visibly displeased. Xianglan kept her head bowed low, eyes fixed on her toes.
After hesitating for a moment, Lin Jinlou feigned nonchalance and said to Qing Lan, "This maid is quite good. She used to serve in Cao Lihuan's quarters. That Cao woman was black-hearted, putting peach juice in Second Sister's food. Luckily, this maid was clever enough to report it to Taitai, or else the consequences could have been dire. Now that she's serving in your quarters, I feel at ease."
Qing Lan's expression softened, and she chided herself for overthinking. "I know. This maid is honest and diligent, doing much work without seeking credit."
Lin Jinlou nodded. Spotting a small golden jade horse pendant hanging at his waist, he casually untied it and held it out to Xianglan. "A reward for you. Take it. Serve your mistress well, and there will be more rewards in the future."
Xianglan kept her head down and said, "This servant only does what is proper. I dare not accept the Master's reward."
Lin Jinlou frowned slightly. "When rewarded, you should accept it. What's this about daring or not?"The Little Golden Horse Waist Ornament was indeed quite valuable. Xianglan hesitated to take it, glancing at Qing Lan for guidance. Seeing Lin Jinlou casually bestow such a precious item upon a mere maid, Qing Lan couldn't help but feel envious. She wanted to dissuade him but didn't dare. When she heard him say, "Serve your mistress well, and there will be more rewards," she assumed Lin Jinlou had given such a fine gift to the maid for her sake. A faint smile touched her lips as she said to Xianglan, "Since it's given to you, you may take it."
Only then did Xianglan dare to accept it. She hurriedly prepared to kowtow in gratitude, but Lin Jinlou waved his hand dismissively. "No need, forget it, forget it."
Xianglan withdrew and, once alone, examined the ornament. Though the golden horse was only the size of a thumb, it was exquisitely crafted, set within a decorative knot with a Five-Colored Tassel dangling below. Holding it, Xianglan felt as though it burned her fingers. Recalling Lin Jinlou's demeanor when he had her fan him earlier, her heart fluttered uneasily. Could it be that Lin Jinlou had taken a liking to her? She tried to reassure herself—Lin Jinlou was simply flirtatious by nature, teasing every maid he encountered. There was no need to dwell on it; she would simply avoid serving in his presence from now on. Yet, as she looked at the little golden horse in her hand, she couldn't shake her unease.
Lin Jinlou had lunch in the east wing and left the estate in the afternoon, with Qing Lan personally seeing him off. Ying Shuang stood at the entrance of the main quarters for a while before returning with a bowl of Bird's Nest Porridge with Rock Sugar for Zhao Yuechan.
Zhao Yuechan reclined on a daybed by the window, her eyes slightly closed, her hair slightly disheveled. A few loose strands of dark hair spilled onto the russet-colored pillow, accentuating her striking beauty.
Ying Shuang carefully placed the bowl on the rosewood side table when Zhao Yuechan suddenly asked, eyes still shut, "Has he left the east wing yet?"
Ying Shuang studied Zhao Yuechan's expression before answering softly, "Yes."
"He's certainly doting on that little wretch and the child in her belly."
Ying Shuang dared not respond, merely stirring the porridge with a spoon before murmuring, "Taitai, the bird's nest porridge is best eaten warm..."
"If that little wretch bears a son, will she climb over my head?" Zhao Yuechan opened her eyes and fixed them on Ying Shuang.
Ying Shuang forced a smile. "Taitai, don't think too much about it. Your health is what matters most. Even if that wretch has a son, she could never surpass you. The Lin family is a lineage of high officials—there would never be a case of favoring a concubine over the wife..." Her voice trailed off until she fell silent.
Zhao Yuechan stared blankly at an orchid pot on the windowsill for a long while.
Ying Shuang licked her dry lips and ventured cautiously, "What Auntie said last time made sense... Master and Taitai have been at odds for years, and he hasn't softened. The maids Taitai favors, he doesn't care for. Why not arrange for Xia Jie'er from Auntie's family to be his concubine? First, Auntie's family is easy to control, and second, Xia Jie'er is timid and foolish. She's pretty enough for Master to take a liking to. Aside from Taitai, I've never seen anyone more beautiful than Xia Jie'er. Once she bears a son, Taitai can take him to raise as your own—"
Before she could finish, Zhao Yuechan's icy glare silenced her.
After a long pause, Zhao Yuechan finally spoke slowly, "A child born of another can never compare to one's own flesh and blood... Don't mention Xia Jie'er again. I have my own plans."
The two fell into silence.Zhao Yuechan took the bird's nest porridge and took a couple of sips before asking, "Has Cao Lihuan settled down?"
At the mention of this, Ying Shuang perked up, straightening her back as she replied, "She has. She hasn’t sent anyone to bother you these past few days, Madam... I heard from some of the gatekeepers that she refused to leave at first, wailing and making a scene. I thought she’d go all out and stir up trouble—given her wretched nature, she never lets those around her live in peace. Now that she’s been kicked out, wouldn’t she raise hell? Who’d have thought it’d end so quietly?"
Zhao Yuechan swallowed another spoonful of porridge, wiped the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief, and sneered, "Stir up trouble? She’s clever. I heard the Old Madam told her when sending her away that she might still add to her dowry when she gets married. For the sake of that dowry money, she wouldn’t dare make a scene and burn bridges. Besides, it was the Master himself who escorted her out. Do you think he’d let Cao Lihuan embarrass herself with a tantrum? It’s best she doesn’t come knocking. Tell the gatekeepers that if she sends anyone again, just turn them away."
Ying Shuang nodded repeatedly, then sighed. "But afterward, some rumors started spreading—that Huan Jie’er had improper relations with the young servant boy by her side. The boy sneaked back drunk and harassed a maid. The gossip must’ve reached the Ren family by now. Who knows if her marriage will even go through?"
Zhao Yuechan scoffed and set the porridge bowl on the side table. "Didn’t she look down on the Ren family? Now she might not even get the chance to marry... But then again, it’s hard to say. Cao Lihuan still has some savings, and that Ren boy isn’t exactly strong-willed. He might just close his eyes and marry her for the money."
Ying Shuang nodded, though still uneasy. "But if Cao Lihuan spreads rumors outside, saying you took a box of hairpins from her but didn’t help her..."
Zhao Yuechan waved a hand dismissively, scooping porridge into her mouth. "Let her talk. Once something’s in my hands, do you think I’d spit it back out? Do you really think she’d speak well of me without that box of hairpins? Pah! I’m not afraid of her!"
Ying Shuang brought over a cup of hot tea. Zhao Yuechan rinsed her mouth and spat into the spittoon, wiping her hands with a small towel. After a moment’s thought, she decided the box of hairpins was too risky to keep—better to sell them quietly and pocket the silver. "Tomorrow, give that box to my cousin. Have him find a discreet buyer—no less than three hundred fifty taels. Anything above that, he can keep. Those hairpins may be small, but each is exquisitely crafted, not to mention the fiery red rubies on them. If they weren’t such a liability, I wouldn’t sell them. What a shame Cao Lihuan mentioned there was a matching pair of ruby earrings—never got my hands on those."
Ying Shuang chuckled. "Why not arrange a marriage for her, Madam? In her current state, forget a pair of ruby hairpins—she’d probably hand over half her mother’s dowry if you asked."Zhao Yuechan snorted and sneered, "She's nothing but a rat scurrying across the street now, too busy hiding to dare come crawling back. Besides, who'd want anything from that tigress? Even this box of hairpins must have cost her dearly. Mark my words—she's lying low for now, but soon enough she'll come knocking again!" She smoothed her hair with a mocking smile. "Only next time she shows up, she won't be the esteemed Miss Lin of the past anymore. Even the gatekeepers might give her the cold shoulder. We'll deal with her when the time comes..."
Ying Shuang responded with a chuckle, turning to unlock a cabinet. She retrieved a sandalwood box and peeked inside—eight exquisite Eight-Treasure Red Gold Ruby Hairpins gleamed in orderly splendor. Closing the lid, she prepared to sell them at a high price outside the estate tomorrow, though that's another story.
Thank you Junxi812 for the Peace Talisman, thank you Bantai for the four Peace Talismans in the journal, and thank you bubu8915 for the Peace Talisman. Thanks, everyone! =3=
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