Xianglan walked to the door of the side room and faintly heard Chunling scolding Yindie. She couldn't help shaking her head and sighed inwardly, "Among all the young maids in this mansion, how many don't harbor ambitions of climbing the social ladder? Especially since the Eldest Master is handsome, holds an official position, and possesses great wealth. Whether it's Chunling or the younger Yindie, they all secretly cherish hopes. It's just a pity they only see the small patch of sky above the Lin residence and have completely forgotten the saying 'the world is impermanent'." While thinking this, she went to the chest to fetch clothes.
Lin Jinlou had previously left a crab-shell green straight gown with bucket pattern in the eastern chamber. Xianglan took it out, sprayed it with liquor, and ironed it with a pressing tool. Just then, Chunling lifted the curtain and entered. Seeing Xianglan busy, she said, "Why are you doing such work? Let those young maids do it."
Xianglan smiled and said, "It's just a small task, no trouble."
Chunling curled her lips and said, "You're too soft-hearted. You're a second-class maid—you should assert your authority when needed. Now even that little wench Yindie dares to look down on you."
Xianglan pressed her lips together in a slight smile. Actually, Yindie was usually warm and attentive to her, but today she had lost her composure upon seeing Lin Jinlou.
After saying a couple of sentences, Chunling felt somewhat disappointed when Xianglan didn't respond. Xianglan was easygoing and generous, willing to share food and trinkets with everyone, so the young maids all liked to be close to her. Chunling preferred to take charge of everything and enjoyed scolding and disciplining the young maids. While this wasn't inherently wrong, compared to Xianglan, she appeared less favorable. She wanted to say more but heard Wu Mama calling her in the courtyard, so she turned and left.
Xianglan ironed the clothes smooth, folded them neatly, and carried them into the room. She saw that a kang table had been set up on the bed, with fruits and pastries rearranged, and Qinglan was helping Lin Jinlou remove his official robes.
Xianglan set the clothes down and was about to leave when Lin Jinlou stopped her: "Wait." He wanted Xianglan to help him change clothes, but after glancing at Qinglan, he felt it somewhat inappropriate.
Qinglan wasn't particularly sharp, but seeing Lin Jinlou staring intently at a young maid, her face showed some displeasure. Xianglan kept her head bowed low, staring at the tips of her shoes.
Lin Jinlou hesitated for a moment, then said to Qinglan in a casual tone, "This maid is quite good. She originally served in Cao Lihuan's room. That Cao woman was black-hearted—she put peach juice in Second Sister's food. Fortunately, this maid was clever and informed Madam, otherwise it would have been troublesome if symptoms had developed. Now that she's serving in your room, I feel at ease."
Only then did Qinglan's expression brighten into a smile, secretly thinking she had been too suspicious. She said, "I know. This girl is honest and has done much work both openly and behind the scenes, but she never boasts about her contributions."
Lin Jinlou nodded. Looking down, he noticed a small gold and yellow jade horse pendant hanging from his waist. He casually unfastened it and handed it to Xianglan, saying, "This is your reward. Take it. Serve your Concubine well, and there will be more rewards in the future."
Xianglan kept her head lowered and said, "This is all within this servant's duties. I dare not accept the Eldest Master's reward."
Lin Jinlou slightly furrowed his brows: "When you're rewarded, you should accept it. What do you mean by daring or not daring?"The small golden horse pendant was indeed quite valuable. Xianglan hesitated to take it, glancing at Qinglan for guidance. Seeing Lin Jinlou casually bestowing such a precious item upon a maid, Qinglan couldn't help but feel envious. Though she wanted to dissuade him, she didn't dare. Hearing him say, "Serve your Concubine well, and there will be more rewards in the future," she felt that Lin Jinlou had given such a fine thing to the maid because of her. A smile touched her lips as she said to Xianglan, "Since it's given to you, you should take it."
Only then did Xianglan dare to accept it. She hurriedly prepared to kowtow in thanks, but Lin Jinlou waved his hand and said, "No need, forget it, forget it."
Xianglan then withdrew. When she reached a secluded spot, she examined the golden horse. Though only the size of a thumb, it was exquisitely crafted, set on a silk cord with a five-colored tassel hanging below. Holding the horse, Xianglan felt as if it were burning her hand. She recalled Lin Jinlou's demeanor when he had asked her to serve him by fanning him, and her heart grew unsettled. She thought, "Could it be that Lin Jinlou has taken a fancy to me?" Then she comforted herself, thinking that Lin Jinlou was simply a flirtatious man who would banter with any maid. There was no need for her to take it to heart, and she would simply avoid serving in his presence from now on. But looking at the small golden horse in her hand, she still couldn't feel at ease.
Lin Jinlou had lunch in the east wing and was preparing to leave the residence in the afternoon. Qinglan personally saw him off. Yingshuang stood at the door of the main room watching for a while before turning back to bring Zhao Yuechan a bowl of bird's nest soup with rock sugar.
Zhao Yuechan was lying on a daybed by the window, her eyes slightly closed, her hair slightly disheveled with a few strands of dark hair spilling onto the russet-colored headrest, making her face appear even more stunning.
Yingshuang carefully placed the bowl on the pearwood crabapple table. Suddenly, Zhao Yuechan asked with her eyes still closed, "Has he already left the east wing?"
Yingshuang glanced at Zhao Yuechan's expression and replied softly, "Yes."
"He's certainly concerned about that little slut's unborn child."
Yingshuang didn't dare to speak, only picking up the bowl of bird's nest soup and stirring it with a spoon. She murmured, "Madam, the bird's nest soup should be eaten while it's hot..."
"If that little slut gives birth to a son, will she try to climb over my head?" Zhao Yuechan opened her eyes and looked at Yingshuang.
Yingshuang forced a smile and said, "Madam, don't think too much about it. It's important to take care of your health. Even if that little slut has a son, she could never surpass you. The Lin family is a distinguished lineage of officials for generations—they would never allow a concubine to overshadow the wife..." Her voice grew softer until she fell silent.
Zhao Yuechan stared at a pot of cymbidium orchids on the windowsill, lost in thought for a long time.
Yingshuang licked her dry lips and cautiously said, "What Madam's aunt said last time also makes sense... The Eldest Master and you have a strained relationship, and he hasn't changed his mind all these years. The maids you've chosen, the Eldest Master doesn't fancy them. Why not arrange for Aunt's daughter, Sister Xia, to become the Eldest Master's concubine? For one, Aunt's family is easy to control, and secondly, Sister Xia is timid and rather foolish. She's quite beautiful, so the Eldest Master would likely take a liking to her. Aside from you, I've never seen anyone more beautiful than Sister Xia. Once she has a son, you could take him and raise him yourself..."
Before she could finish, she saw Zhao Yuechan's gaze turn as cold as frost as she looked at her. Yingshuang shrank her neck and fell silent.
After a long pause, Zhao Yuechan slowly said, "A child born by someone else can never compare to one's own flesh and blood... Don't mention Sister Xia's matter again. I have my own plans."
The two fell into silence.Zhao Yuechan took the bowl of bird's nest congee and ate a couple of mouthfuls before asking, "Has Cao Lihuan settled down?"
At the mention of this, Yingshuang perked up, straightening her posture as she replied, "She's settled down. These past few days she hasn't sent anyone to bother you, Madam... I heard from the matrons at the second gate that she initially refused to leave, weeping and wailing. I thought she'd surely make a huge scene—given her wretched nature, she never lets those around her live in peace normally, and now that she's been thrown out, wouldn't she stir up heaven and earth? Who'd have thought it would end so quietly."
Zhao Yuechan swallowed a mouthful of congee, wiped the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief, and sneered, "Make a scene? She's a clever one. I heard Old Madam told her when sending her away that perhaps when she marries, Old Madam might still add to her dowry. Just for Old Madam's dowry money, she couldn't afford to tear up all pretenses and make a scene outside. Besides, it was Eldest Master himself who escorted her out. With his methods, would he let Cao Lihuan make a disgraceful fuss? It's best she doesn't come knocking. Later, tell the matrons at the second gate that if she sends anyone again, they're to be driven away."
Yingshuang nodded repeatedly, then sighed, "But afterward, some rumors started circulating, saying Sister Huan was improper with the young servant boy by her side, and that the boy sneaked over after drinking and mistakenly harassed a maid. I suppose this gossip has already reached the Ren family. It's uncertain whether Sister Huan's marriage will go through."
Zhao Yuechan scoffed and set the congee bowl on the small side table. "Didn't she look down on the Ren family? Now she can't even marry into it if she wants... But it's hard to say. Cao Lihuan still has some private savings, and that Ren boy isn't exactly strong-willed. He might just close his eyes and marry her for the money."
Yingshuang nodded, somewhat worried. "If Cao Lihuan spreads malicious rumors about you outside, saying we took a box of hairpins from her but didn't help with her affairs..."
Zhao Yuechan lifted her fingers elegantly, scooping congee into her mouth spoon by spoon, utterly unconcerned. "Let her say what she wants. Can you spit out what's already in your mouth? Do you think without that box of hairpins she'd speak well of me? Pah! I'm truly not afraid of her!"
Yingshuang brought over a cup of hot tea. Zhao Yuechan rinsed her mouth and spat into the spittoon, then wiped her hands with a small towel. After thinking it over carefully, she felt that keeping the box of hairpins was somewhat troublesome. It would be better to quietly sell them and get the silver instead. She said, "Tomorrow, take that box of hairpins to my cousin. Have him find a reliable buyer—no less than three hundred and fifty taels of silver. Any amount above that, he can keep for himself. Don't let the hairpins' small size fool you; each one is exquisitely crafted, not to mention the rubies on them, fiery red. If it weren't for the trouble of keeping them, I wouldn't be willing to sell. It's a pity Cao Lihuan mentioned there was a pair of ruby earrings to match these hairpins, but I never managed to get my hands on them."
Yingshuang laughed. "Why not arrange a marriage for her, Madam? In her current situation, forget a pair of ruby hairpins—even if you asked for half her mother's dowry chest, she'd probably deliver it to your hands."Zhao Yuechan snorted coldly, "She's nothing but a rat scurrying across the street now, hiding in fear—how could she possibly dare to cling to us? Besides, that tigress's belongings aren't something to be trifled with lightly. Just this box of hairpins alone must have pained her deeply to part with. Mark my words: she may lie low for now, but before long, she'll come knocking again!" She smoothed her hair back with a faint, mocking smile. "But when she does return, she won't be the esteemed Miss Lin of the past anymore. I doubt even the gatekeepers would give her a second glance. We can deal with her then..."
Yingshuang chuckled in agreement, then turned to unlock a cabinet. She retrieved a sandalwood box and opened it briefly. Inside gleamed eight exquisite gold hairpins adorned with precious gems, meticulously arranged. Closing the lid, she prepared to take them out of the estate the next day to sell at a high price—though that is a matter for later.
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