Before the words were finished, Zhao Yuechan had already entered, leaning on her maid, swaying gracefully. She wore a pear-blossom green gauze skirt embroidered with double patterns, adorned with a complete set of gleaming jade jewelry on her head, ears, and hands, making her appear radiant and elegant, like a celestial fairy. Zhao Yuechan walked straight toward the inner chamber. As she stepped inside, she saw Lin Jinlou and Qing Lan sitting intimately close together. Instantly, her hands and feet turned cold with anger, yet she forced a smile and said, "Oh, so Master is here. My timing must be unfortunate."
Qing Lan hurriedly stood up to offer her seat, smiling, "Madam has come at just the right time. How could it be unfortunate? Xianglan, quickly, brew some tea and bring some delicate pastries."
Zhao Yuechan gracefully seated herself by the kang table and said, "Had I known my husband was here being affectionate with you, sister, I wouldn’t have dared to intrude. Otherwise, the servants might gossip and say I lack virtue." Qing Lan dared not sit back down or reply, standing awkwardly to the side.
Lin Jinlou took a sip of tea and glanced at Zhao Yuechan. "What brings you here?"
Zhao Yuechan shot him a coquettish look. "I just came to visit and chat. What? Is that not allowed?" Though feigning annoyance, her eyes shimmered like spring ripples, full of charm. She surveyed the room, noting its lavish furnishings—especially the curio cabinet in the corner, displaying gold and silver treasures. At the center of the cabinet stood a jade-carved statue of Guanyin bestowing a child, crafted from a single piece of luminous green jade and inlaid with agate, crystal, coral, and emerald, dazzlingly radiant.
This Guanyin had been a wedding gift from a wealthy salt merchant in Yangzhou years ago. She had coveted it at first sight and repeatedly hinted for Lin Jinlou to give it to her. But he had pretended not to hear. Now, he had bestowed it upon Wang Qinglan—this little seductress!
By the bed stood a gilded sandalwood mirror frame with intricate ivory carvings, looking even more luxurious than her own padauk wood mirror stand inlaid with silver. The sandalwood moon gate, carved with chrysanthemum motifs and hollowed out, was draped with a crystal bead curtain—each bead polished to perfection, smooth and translucent, serving both as a light filter and mosquito barrier. Every bead was uniform in size, a rare and precious sight.
Suppressing her fury, Zhao Yuechan smiled thinly. "This is my first time visiting your quarters, sister. I had no idea your decorations and furnishings surpass even mine."
Qing Lan forced a smile. "Madam flatters me. How could they compare? My room may look dazzling, but it’s nothing next to the treasures in yours."
Zhao Yuechan’s smile turned barbed. "You’re the one Master holds dearest. Who else would he spoil with such fine things? Everything here was handpicked by him. No matter how precious the items in my room, compared to Master’s favor, they’re as worthless as dirt."
Qing Lan, never quick with words, faltered under Zhao Yuechan’s sharp remarks, unsure how to respond.
Lin Jinlou set his teacup down. "Pour me more tea." Qing Lan hastily picked up the teapot to refill his cup.
Seeing Lin Jinlou’s indifference, Zhao Yuechan swallowed her anger and softened her voice. "Earlier, I went to Mother’s room to deliver some Goose Feet and Duck Tongues I had prepared. She mentioned you’re leaving tomorrow—why didn’t you tell me? I could have helped pack your clothes and necessities. I waited for you in my room for so long, but you never came. Feeling restless, I thought to chat with Qinglan."Lin Jinlou said indifferently, "Shuran and the servants have already prepared my things for me."
Zhao Yuechan said, "They can never care for you as attentively as we do. If you don’t eat or sleep well outside, we’d be worried too. Isn’t that right, sister?"
Qing Lan glanced at Lin Jinlou’s expression, unsure whether she should respond or not. The sight of Zhao Yuechan always made her uneasy, and she hastily lowered her head.
Zhao Yuechan sneered inwardly, "This little wretch isn’t half as beautiful as I am, and her timid nature is utterly unimpressive. What exactly does she have that captivates him? The Master seems bewitched, visiting the east wing every other day." Her eyes fell on Qing Lan’s swollen belly, and resentment flared even hotter.
Lin Jinlou had been cold to her for some time. Every time she returned to her parents’ home, her mother would urge her to bear a child soon. But under these circumstances, with her left alone in an empty room, how could she possibly conjure a child out of thin air? Lately, she had deliberately restrained herself, no longer throwing tantrums or acting domineering, instead coaxing Lin Jinlou with gentleness. She hadn’t even found fault with Qing Lan, yet Lin Jinlou remained distant. Earlier, she had heard from Qin Shi that Lin Jinlou would be leaving tomorrow—something she hadn’t even been informed of! Now her status was even lower than that of a lowly concubine! Fuming, she dressed up and came to the east wing, determined to see what this little seductress had that could enchant a man so. But upon seeing her, she found nothing remarkable. Yet Lin Jinlou, in front of this wretch, treated her with indifference, deliberately humiliating her!
The angrier Zhao Yuechan grew, the more misfortune seemed to seek her out. Just then, Xianglan entered with tea. It should have been Qing Lan who served the tea to Zhao Yuechan, but in her daze, she hadn’t moved. Zhao Yuechan, already seething, seized the teacup as an excuse to vent. With a sigh, she splashed the hot tea onto Xianglan’s face, scolding, "You blind little wench! How can I hold such scalding tea?"
Though the tea wasn’t boiling, it was still hot. Xianglan cried out in pain, covering her face as tears streamed down. Lin Jinlou immediately sat up. Zhao Yuechan snapped, "Get out!"
Xianglan, still clutching her face, turned to leave. Lin Jinlou, not even bothering with shoes, leaped off the kang and rushed to her side. He pulled her hands away to see her cheeks flushed red, though thankfully not scalded. Seeing her tear-streaked face, frightened and pitiful, his heart ached.
His expression icy, Lin Jinlou glanced at Zhao Yuechan before turning to Xianglan. "The Mistress was rude to you just now. I apologize on her behalf."
Xianglan froze, about to kneel, but Lin Jinlou caught her arm to stop her. From his purse, he pulled out a silver ingot and pressed it into her hand. "Tomorrow, go see Divine Doctor Luo at Ji’an Hall. Keep this silver for your recovery. You needn’t serve until you’re healed. Later, I’ll send someone with ointment for you."
Xianglan gazed at him tearfully, lips trembling, unable to voice her gratitude. Lin Jinlou gave her a faint smile, revealing a row of strikingly white teeth, then turned to Zhao Yuechan. "Let’s go." Seeing her still stunned, he arched his brows sharply. "Didn’t you come here to fetch me back? Bring me my shoes!"
Only then did Zhao Yuechan snap out of it, hastily helping him into his shoes before following him out.Xianglan returned to her room, feeling both wronged and upset, her face burning with pain. Soon after, Chun Ling and others came to inquire about what had happened earlier. Xianglan only managed to respond briefly before twisting a cold towel to soothe her face. Not long after, a young maid arrived carrying a small round box made of fragrant sandalwood inlaid with gold threads, saying, "This is an ointment from the Master for you. Apply a layer when your face hurts, and avoid getting it wet." Xianglan unscrewed the lid and saw a creamy paste inside, accompanied by a faint herbal fragrance. When she applied it, it felt cool and soothing, and the red marks faded instantly.
Chun Ling exclaimed in surprise, "This is the Crystal Jade Orchid Snow Balm, a gift from the palace just this New Year. Taitai received four boxes and immediately sent one to the old madam. It’s made from a secret imperial recipe—any rashes or chilblains on the skin heal right away with just one application. But there’s nowhere to buy it even if you wanted to." Her face took on a jealous expression as she added, "The Master not only apologized to you and gave you silver but also gave you this precious balm from the palace. He even had Divine Doctor Luo from Ji’an Hall examine your injury—Divine Doctor Luo usually only checks the health of Taitai and the other ladies."
Xiao Juan giggled and said, "Just a little burn, yet you’ve gained such great favor—what a lucky turn of events!"
Yin Die remarked indifferently, "Though the Master is kind-hearted and compassionate toward those below him, if it weren’t for the concubine’s sake, how could you have received such face? Don’t let it go to your head!"
Xianglan found it both laughable and exasperating, thinking to herself, "The burn hurts me, yet it’s stirred up all this gossip. If any of you would like to take my place, I’d gladly give up this so-called ‘great favor’ from the Master." Then another thought crossed her mind: "Though the Master is somewhat spoiled, he’s still generous. The balm he gave me is so precious—once the marks fade, I’ll return it to him." Keeping her expression neutral, she quietly put the item away.
Thank you to bubu8915, Daisy Evening, Flower West Moon, chong1978, Rose SZY, L.M.G, Yueyue loves Yueyue for the zongzi, and thank you to Junxi812 for two zongzi. Thanks also to Rose SZY for the review votes and reminder tickets.
Happy Dragon Boat Festival to everyone! ^_^
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