Before she could finish speaking, Zhao Yuechan had already entered, supported by her maid, swaying gracefully. She wore a pear-blossom blue double-embroidered sheer gauze long skirt, with matching bright green jade accessories adorning her hair, ears, and wrists, making her appear pure and radiant, like an immortal consort. Zhao Yuechan headed straight for the bedroom. As she stepped inside and glanced around, she saw Lin Jinlou and Qinglan sitting intimately close together. Instantly, her hands and feet turned cold with rage, yet she forced a smile and said, "Oh my, so the Eldest Master is here. It seems I've come at an awkward time." Qinglan hurriedly stood up to offer her seat, smiling as she replied, "Madam, your timing is perfect. How could it be awkward? Xianglan, quick, brew some tea and bring some delicate refreshments."
Zhao Yuechan gracefully took a seat 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'm not virtuous." Qinglan dared not remain seated or respond, standing silently to the side.
Lin Jinlou took a sip of tea and glanced at Zhao Yuechan. "What are you here for?" he asked.
Zhao Yuechan shot him a reproachful look and said, "I just came to visit and chat. What? Is that not allowed anymore?" Though her tone was chiding, her eyes sparkled like spring ripples, full of charm. She scanned the room and noted its luxurious furnishings, particularly an antique display shelf in the corner adorned with gold and silver treasures. At the center of the multi-tiered curio cabinet stood a jade statue of the Child-Giving Guanyin, carved from a single piece of lustrous green jade and inlaid with gems such as agate, crystal, coral, and jadeite, shimmering brilliantly. This Guanyin statue had been a wedding gift from a wealthy salt merchant in Yangzhou years ago. She had taken a liking to 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 gifted it to that little seductress, Wang Qinglan! By the bed stood a purple sandalwood mirror frame with gold tracery and full-relief ivory carvings, which looked even more exquisite than the pearwood silver-inlaid dressing table in her own room. The purple sandalwood moon gate, carved with chrysanthemum patterns and hollowed out, was draped with a crystal bead curtain. Each bead was meticulously polished to a glossy, smooth, and translucent finish, serving both to let in light and keep out mosquitoes. Every bead was uniformly sized, a rare and precious sight.
Suppressing her fury, Zhao Yuechan smiled faintly and said, "This is my first time visiting your room, sister. I had no idea—your decorations and furnishings are even finer than those in my own quarters."
Qinglan forced a smile and replied, "Madam, you flatter me. It's not that grand. My room may seem dazzling, but how could it compare to the precious items in yours?"
Zhao Yuechan's smile carried a sharp edge as she said, "You're the one held dear in the Eldest Master's heart. Who else would he lavish with such treasures? Everything in your room was handpicked by him. No matter how precious the things in my room are, compared to his affection for you, they're like dirt—utterly worthless."
Qinglan, never skilled with words, faltered under Zhao Yuechan's barbed remarks, unsure how to respond.
Lin Jinlou set his teacup down on the table and said, "Refill my tea." Qinglan hurriedly picked up the teapot to pour more water for him.
Seeing Lin Jinlou's indifferent attitude, Zhao Yuechan stifled her anger and softened her voice. "Earlier, I went to Mother's room to bring some pickled goose feet and duck tongues I made myself. She mentioned you'll be traveling tomorrow. Why didn't you tell me? I could have helped prepare your clothes and supplies. I waited for you in the room for a long time, but you never came. Feeling restless, I decided to chat with Sister Qinglan."Lin Jinlou said indifferently, "Shu Ran and the servants have already prepared my things for me."
Zhao Yuechan replied, "They can never care for you as attentively as we do. If you don’t eat or sleep well outside, we’d worry too. Don’t you agree, sister?"
Qinglan glanced at Lin Jinlou’s expression, unsure whether she should respond or not. The sight of Zhao Yuechan always made her apprehensive, so she hastily lowered her head.
Zhao Yuechan sneered inwardly, "This little slut isn’t half as beautiful as I am, and her timid nature is utterly unimpressive. What exactly is so captivating about her? The Eldest Master seems to be under some spell, visiting the eastern wing every other day." Her eyes fell on Qinglan’s swollen belly, fueling her resentment even further.
Lin Jinlou had been cold toward her lately. Every time she returned to her maternal home, her mother urged her to bear a son or daughter soon. But given the current situation, how could she possibly produce a child out of thin air while sleeping alone in an empty room? Recently, she had deliberately restrained herself, no longer throwing tantrums or acting willfully. Instead, she tried to coax Lin Jinlou with gentleness and avoided picking faults with Qinglan. Yet, Lin Jinlou remained aloof. Earlier, she had learned from Qin Shi that Lin Jinlou would be leaving tomorrow—a piece of news she hadn’t even been aware of. Now, her status had fallen so low that she was even beneath a mere concubine! Fuming, she dressed up and came to the eastern wing, determined to see what kind of enchantress had bewitched her husband. But upon seeing her, she found nothing remarkable. And there was Lin Jinlou, ignoring her in front of that little slut, deliberately humiliating her!
The more Zhao Yuechan thought about it, the angrier she became. Just then, Xianglan entered with tea. It should have been Qinglan who served the tea to Zhao Yuechan, but she had been too dazed to move. Enraged further, Zhao Yuechan picked up the teacup and seized the opportunity to vent. She sighed dramatically and splashed the hot tea onto Xianglan’s face, scolding, "You blind little wench! How could 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 shouted, "Get out of here now!"
As Xianglan, still covering her face, turned to leave, Lin Jinlou hurried down from the kang without even putting on his shoes. He rushed over, pulled her hands away, and saw her cheeks flushed red. Fortunately, there were no burns. Seeing Xianglan’s tear-streaked face, filled with fear and vulnerability, his heart ached for her.
Lin Jinlou’s expression turned cold as he glanced at Zhao Yuechan. He turned to Xianglan and said, "Da Nǎinai was rude to you just now. I apologize on her behalf."
Xianglan was stunned and moved to kneel, but Lin Jinlou gripped her arm to stop her. With his other hand, he took a silver ingot from his purse and pressed it into her palm. "Tomorrow, go see Doctor Luo at Ji’an Hall. Keep this silver for your recovery. You don’t need to serve until you’ve healed. I’ll send someone later with some ointment for you."
Tears in her eyes, Xianglan looked at Lin Jinlou, her lips trembling as she struggled to express her gratitude. Lin Jinlou gave her a faint smile, revealing his strikingly white teeth, then turned to Zhao Yuechan and said, "Let’s go." Seeing her still in a daze, he raised his brows sharply and added, "Didn’t you come here to bring me back? Hurry up and fetch my shoes!"
Zhao Yuechan snapped out of her trance and hastily helped Lin Jinlou put on his shoes before following him out.Xianglan returned to her room, feeling both aggrieved and distressed, her face stinging with pain. Soon after, Chunling and the others came to inquire about what had just happened. Xianglan only managed to reply with a few words before twisting a cold towel to soothe her face. Not long after, a young maid brought a small round box made of fragrant sandalwood inlaid with gold threads, saying, "This is an ointment from the Eldest Master. Apply a layer if your face hurts, and avoid getting it wet." Xianglan unscrewed the lid and saw a milky paste inside, accompanied by a faint herbal fragrance. When she applied it to her face, it felt cool and moisturizing, and the red marks faded instantly.
Chunling exclaimed in surprise, "This is Crystal Jade Orchid Snow Ointment, something just bestowed from the palace during the New Year. Madam received four boxes and immediately sent one to Old Madam. It's made from a secret palace recipe—any skin rashes or chilblains are cured with just one application, but there's nowhere to buy it even if you wanted to." Her face showed a jealous expression as she added, "The Eldest Master has not only apologized to you and given you silver but even gave you this palace-bestowed ointment. He even had Physician Luo from Ji'an Hall examine your injury, and Physician Luo only ever checks the health of Madam and the ladies."
Xiao Juan giggled and said, "Just a little burn, and you've gained such great favor—it's turned into a stroke of luck."
Yindie remarked indifferently, "Although the Eldest Master is kind-hearted and compassionate toward his subordinates, if it weren't for Concubine's sake, how could he grant you such favor? Don't get carried away!"
Xianglan found it both laughable and exasperating, thinking to herself, "The burn hurts me, yet it's stirred up a heap of idle gossip. If any of you are willing to take my place, I'd gladly forgo this 'great favor' from the Eldest Master." Then she thought again, "Although the Eldest Master is somewhat arrogant and indulgent, he is still generous. The ointment he gave me is so precious—once the marks on my face fade, I'll return it to him." Without showing any emotion on her face, she quietly put the item away.
OpenNovel