Now, let us speak of Song Ke. After parting ways with Xianglan, he made his way to Shunfu Tower. The proprietor himself was waiting at the entrance and, upon seeing Song Ke, hurried forward with a bow and a face full of smiles. "Master Song, please come inside. The Fallen Blossom Chamber awaits you on the second floor."
Song Ke ascended the stairs, faint strains of string and wind instruments reaching his ears. Lu Er stood guard at the door. Pushing it open, he saw a lovely maiden of seventeen or eighteen seated in the corner of the room. She wore emerald-green robes with a bright red sash tied at her waist, a striking sight. Her fingers danced gracefully over the guzheng strings, producing a melodious tune. When she noticed Song Ke, she offered a sweet smile—three parts shyness, five parts grace, and two parts alluring charm. Though she appeared demure, there was an indescribable coquettishness about her, just enough to be perfect.
Lin Jinting lounged in a grand chair by the window, his elbow propped on the sill as he fanned himself and gazed outside, swaying his head to the rhythm of the guzheng with an expression of deep enjoyment.
Song Ke pulled out a chair and sat down. Just as he raised his teacup, Lin Jinting teased, "Ah, so you’ve finally deigned to return after your rendezvous with the fair maiden."
Song Ke paused, glanced at Lin Jinting, and said nothing, merely sipping his tea.
Lin Jinting leaned forward, mischief in his eyes, and shielded his mouth with his fan as he grinned. "I was wondering why that girl stared at you as if struck dumb. Turns out you’ve got a romantic entanglement on your hands."
"Nonsense," Song Ke retorted, picking up a piece of mung bean cake and stuffing it into Lin Jinting’s mouth to silence him.
Chewing the pastry, Lin Jinting chuckled wickedly. "Still playing coy? Let me ask you—where’s your fan gone? Heh, I saw everything clearly from the second floor." He flicked open his own paper fan and waved it leisurely before his chest, looking utterly pleased. "Come on, out with it. Whose daughter is she? Never thought you, the so-called 'reserved lion,' would be such a hypocrite. I always believed you were indifferent to women, but it seems the grass is always greener elsewhere."
Hearing Lin Jinting jest about Xianglan, Song Ke felt a flicker of displeasure. His grip on the cup tightened, and his expression darkened slightly.
Lin Jinting stroked his chin as if savoring the memory. "Tsk tsk, she’s a bit young, but quite the beauty... Yifei, you really have an eye for them. No wonder you’ve never shown interest in the maids back at the estate."
Song Ke set his cup down with a clink and regarded Lin Jinting with a faint, mocking smile. "If we’re talking about good taste, I’m no match for you, Third Master Ting. Even when stepping out for tea, you must summon a beauty to play music for entertainment. Aren’t you afraid someone might report you to your father for indulging in pleasure during your great-grandmother’s mourning period? Seems ever since you took Suju into your service, you’ve become quite unrestrained—all talk and no propriety."
Lin Jinting waved a dismissive hand. "Who the hell would dare report me? This place belongs to my elder brother. With the doors closed, who’d know what we’re up to here? Now, tell me—who is that girl? If you make me happy, maybe I’ll even play matchmaker for you."
Song Ke lowered his gaze and remained silent for a long moment before finally taking another sip of tea. Then, leaning in, he lowered his voice. "That girl just now is from your Lin household. We’ve crossed paths a few times. She serves under Concubine Lan in your elder brother’s quarters—her name is Xianglan. If the opportunity arises, help me bring her over."Lin Jinting was just about to pop a piece of crispy cake into his mouth when he was so startled that the pastry clattered onto the table. He gaped at Song Ke, exclaiming, "Hey, hey, you... I was just joking around, but you're actually serious about this?"
Song Ke merely sipped his tea without a word.
After staring at Song Ke for a long moment, Lin Jinting suddenly burst out laughing. "Well, well, who would've thought? That girl really has some luck. Fine, I'll go ask for her tomorrow. My eldest brother dotes on me—asking him for a maid is no big deal... So how will you thank me once it's done?"
Song Ke smiled. "How would you like me to thank you?"
Lin Jinting thought for a moment. "I want that Five Sons Offering Longevity Famille Rose Square Vase of yours. I'll give it to my mother as a birthday gift next year."
Song Ke replied indifferently, "Fine."
Lin Jinting widened his eyes again. "Oh-ho! That vase is an antique from the previous dynasty, and you're willing to part with it? Tsk, tsk, you're really serious. I should've asked for that Mutton Fat Jade Tablet instead."
Song Ke tapped Lin Jinting's head with his chopsticks. "Greed is like a snake trying to swallow an elephant. You sure know how to take advantage and extort me. That vase isn't free, you know. I heard that girl is a household slave with parents still around. Make sure you get the whole family."
Lin Jinting thumped his chest. "No problem. Such a small matter is nothing."
Song Ke felt slightly relieved. Thinking of Xianglan's fair, jade-like face, his chest warmed slightly. He took a fierce gulp of tea, imagining how the girl would soon stay by his side. A thread of joy surged uncontrollably from his heart, making even the sound of string and wind instruments in his ears seem more melodious.
But let us set aside Song Ke and Lin Jinting's banter for now. As for Xianglan, she walked home carrying Song Ke's fan, her heart alternating between joy and sorrow. Upon entering the courtyard, she saw three or four women gathered around Xue Shi, gossiping. They were neighbors who, upon spotting Xianglan, smiled and called out, "Oh, it's Miss Chen, back home!"
Some stepped forward to take her hand warmly. "Let me see, let me see. My, my, the manor's environment really nurtures beauty. Miss Chen has grown even lovelier, like a fairy descended from heaven."
"I always said this girl had fine features. Look at her broad forehead and pretty face—she's clearly blessed. In the future, she'll either be a wealthy Taitai or an official's wife."
"Exactly! She's only been in the manor for a short while and already promoted to second rank. The Zhang family's girl has been there three or four years and hasn't even made it to third rank."
Others tugged at Xue Shi's hand, saying, "Your girl is bound for greatness. Today, she came back in a sedan chair! Once the concubine gives birth to a son in a few days, your daughter will be even more remarkable. Just wait to enjoy her blessings."
The flattery made Xue Shi beam, though she pretended modesty, waving her hands dismissively. "She's not that remarkable. You're all spoiling her too much." She glanced at Xianglan, feeling her daughter truly had peerless beauty and grace—unlike any other girl. And such a daughter had come from her own womb!She puffed out her chest proudly and continued, "But speaking of our Xianglan, she truly is extraordinary. Before she was born, I dreamed of countless orchids, their fragrance soothing every fiber of my being, all glowing with golden light. Even Ma Xiangu said I would give birth to a daughter destined for wealth and prosperity, one who would bring me comfort in my old age."
The onlookers grew even more effusive in their praise.
Amid the chorus of flattery, Xianglan felt increasingly uncomfortable. Just as she was about to excuse herself and slip away, she heard someone remark sarcastically, "Just a second-rank maid, yet she carries on as if she's already the mistress of the house."
Xianglan turned to see a slightly plump woman in her forties, dressed in a faded blue silk jacket, her hair neatly combed, giving off an air of respectability. When the woman noticed Xianglan looking at her, she glared back, flicked her handkerchief dismissively, and walked off with a disdainful snort.
An elderly woman nearby, known as Li Sannainai—who had moved in after Lu Ershenzi's family was sold off—gently tugged at Xianglan's sleeve and whispered, "Pay her no mind. Her daughter works alongside you in the household—Chun Ling. That girl has been toiling in the mansion for years and only recently got promoted to second-rank. Their family nearly celebrated with gongs and drums. Now she’s just jealous you rose to second-rank in such a short time."
Xianglan suddenly understood. No wonder the woman had looked familiar—she was Chun Ling’s mother. Shaking her head, Xianglan smiled at Li Sannainai and said, "Chun Ling is far more capable than I am in serving the concubine. She’ll surely make first-rank soon enough. Her mother needn’t be so impatient."
Li Sannainai squinted with amusement. "My dear, you truly have a generous heart."
Xianglan smiled faintly. Her ambitions had never lain within the Lin household. While others saw the Lin estate as the entire sky above them, she viewed it as a cage. Let them fight over positions like head maid or distinguished servant—she was merely passing through. Her aspirations and horizons stretched far beyond the walls of the Lin mansion.
Thank you to Huashan Lvshuizou for the fan ^_^ Thank you to Bantai’s journal for the two zongzi, thank you to Huaxiyuexi for the zongzi, thank you to anniecsfls for the Peace Talisman, thank you to yu21yu21 for the zongzi, thank you to Junxi812 for the zongzi, thank you to kumiko716 for the zongzi, thank you to Daisy Xi for the long review, thank you all =3=
Lately, I’ve been swamped with overtime work and still have to update since I don’t have any drafts saved—ugh. Today, I came back from overtime and fell ill, so the update is a bit late. Please forgive me.
Give me some clicks, favorites, and free votes for encouragement, please ^_^
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