Now, as Lin Jinlou left the eastern wing, he summoned a young servant boy waiting in the corridor and said, "Go to the front study and tell Shuran to bring the medicated cream gifted from the palace to Xianglan, the maid in the eastern wing." With that, he turned and headed back to the main quarters. Zhao Yuechan's maids, Bai Lu and Tinglan, were already waiting at the door. Seeing Lin Jinlou arrive, they immediately sprang into action.
Ying Shuang went to fetch the already brewed Pear Aroma Tea, Bai Lu prepared a hot towel, and Tinglan arranged delicate pastries on the kang table. Lin Jinlou paid them no mind and strode straight inside. Zhao Yuechan followed closely behind him. Spotting Ying Shuang, she gave her a meaningful glance. Understanding the signal, Ying Shuang nodded almost imperceptibly before slipping away.
Lin Jinlou sprawled onto the bed, closing his eyes without a word. Zhao Yuechan forced a smile back onto her face and approached softly, seating herself on the embroidered stool beside the bed. In a gentle tone, she said, "I noticed you ate well earlier, but if you're still hungry, I’ve prepared some snacks—Date Paste and Yam Cake and Chrysanthemum Cake—both good for digestion and vitality."
Lin Jinlou opened his eyes to glance at Zhao Yuechan and replied, "No need."
"Please have some—it’s my way of showing care," Zhao Yuechan urged with a solicitous smile. "Quick, bring the cakes."
Before long, a sweet, melodious voice murmured near Lin Jinlou’s ear, "Master, please enjoy the cakes." The voice was as soft and alluring as a nightingale’s song.
Lin Jinlou opened his eyes to see a fifteen- or sixteen-year-old maid kneeling on the floor. Her figure was slender and graceful, clad in a lake-blue jacket that accentuated her full bosom and narrow waist. Upon closer inspection, her face was equally striking—willow-leaf eyebrows, cherry lips, and large, dewy eyes that made her a true beauty. She held a tray with a plate of pastries.
Noticing Lin Jinlou’s lingering gaze on the maid, Zhao Yuechan felt a pang of jealousy but maintained her smile. "This is Qiongzhi. I bought her a few days ago. She’s pretty and gentle, so I kept her by my side to serve... Hurry and greet the Master properly."
Ying Shuang took the tray as Qiongzhi gracefully kowtowed. "Qiongzhi wishes Master Golden Peace," she said, her eyes involuntarily flickering toward Lin Jinlou. She had been purchased at a high price by Zhao Yuechan from a human trafficker just days prior. Originally bought by a brothel madam as a child, she had been taught by a female tutor to read a few characters and play string and wind instruments. Though still a virgin, she had learned some coquettish tricks. Later, an official had intended to buy her as a concubine for his superior, but after his household fell into ruin due to a fire, he sold her directly to the traffickers for money. Zhao Yuechan happened to be there selecting servants and bought her on the spot.
Upon her arrival, Zhao Yuechan had sternly warned her, leaving Qiongzhi genuinely intimidated. But now, seeing Lin Jinlou for the first time, her eyes clung to him as if magnetized—she had expected to serve a man in his sixties, not this vigorous and handsome young master!
Her body tingled with excitement as she flirtatiously batted her eyelashes before demurely lowering her head.
Zhao Yuechan felt a tightness in her chest. Recently, watching Lin Jinlou frequent the eastern wing daily, she had come to a realization: her greatest threat wasn’t those seductive Bedchamber servants, but Concubine Lan in the eastern wing. Concubine Lan came from a respectable family, had won Qin Shi’s favor, and was now pregnant—even Lin Jinlou held her in high regard. If she bore him a son in time, Zhao Yuechan’s standing in the Lin household would crumble further!Zhao Yuechan was an intelligent woman. After much painful deliberation, she finally resolved to personally select a beautiful concubine to send to Lin Jinlou's bed. Once the concubine bore a son, she would adopt the child as her own, securing her future standing. However, this concubine had to be carefully chosen—she must have her indenture papers controlled by Zhao Yuechan, possess some wit but not too much cleverness, and above all, be obedient. After careful consideration and aligning with Lin Jinlou's preferences in women, she settled on this particular girl before her. After a few days of training and giving her a more alluring name, she presented her to Lin Jinlou.
Now, as she observed Lin Jinlou's evident interest, her heart swelled with mixed emotions—both joy and bitterness intertwined. Lost in thought, she suddenly heard Lin Jinlou snort with laughter as he leaned closer and sneered, "I never knew you'd taken up a new hobby as a madam."
Zhao Yuechan froze, her face instantly paling.
Lin Jinlou reclined against the round pillow behind him and said leisurely, "What a pity. Even if the esteemed Madam Lin plays the pimp, I dare not indulge."
With that, he turned his back to her, facing the wall, and closed his eyes to sleep.
Zhao Yuechan clenched her teeth in silent fury. Rising, she left with Ying Shuang but ordered Qiongzhi to stay and attend to him. Once outside, Ying Shuang gestured toward the room and whispered, "The Master isn’t biting. What should we do now?"
Zhao Yuechan scoffed coldly, "Don’t be fooled by his act. Didn’t you see how he couldn’t take his eyes off that little minx the moment she stepped in? Let’s go. I refuse to believe he won’t take the bait."
Truth be told, Lin Jinlou was indeed tempted. Having observed mourning for his great-grandmother, he had abstained for quite some time. Seeing such a stunning beauty before him stirred his desires. Yet, he was currently plotting to expel Zhao Yuechan from the household—how could he possibly touch someone she had sent?
Lin Jinlou lay still with his eyes closed and soon drifted into a light slumber. In the middle of the night, he woke thirsty, pushed aside the bed curtains, and called out, "Tea."
Moments later, a pair of delicate white hands offered a celadon cup shaped like a flower petal. Lin Jinlou took it and drained it in one gulp. By the faint light, he saw Qiongzhi standing before the bed, her hair loosely tied, her pale jacket half-open to reveal a crimson waistcoat that accentuated her snow-white skin.
Noticing Lin Jinlou’s gaze, Qiongzhi’s eyes reddened as she lowered her head and murmured, "Does Qiongzhi displease the Master...? Have I offended you?"
Her pitiable demeanor made Lin Jinlou’s throat dry, his voice softening involuntarily as he handed back the cup. "What nonsense. You haven’t displeased me."
Tears glistening in her eyes, Qiongzhi glanced shyly at him and whispered, "Then... if Madam wishes me to serve the Master... I... I’m willing..."
As she reached for the cup, she deliberately brushed against Lin Jinlou’s hand—her fingers soft and smooth. A thrill ran through him, and he seized her hand, pulling her into his arms with a teasing grin. "Serve me? How exactly do you plan to serve?" Internally, he mused, "She’s just a maid. Taking her won’t change anything. Does she think sending me a beauty will stop me from divorcing her?"Qiongzhi's face flushed with a touch of spring as she traced her fingernail across Lin Jinlou's chest. "Whatever the Master desires, this humble servant shall obey."
Lin Jinlou chuckled low and leaned in for a kiss, but upon seeing Qiongzhi's coy and timid expression, he inexplicably recalled the little maid Xianglan, whose face had been scalded by tea earlier that day. Xianglan had worn the same timid look, her face flushed red from the burn, tears welling in her large eyes—utterly pitiful and aggrieved. This train of thought then led him to Zhao Yuechan's domineering arrogance, and suddenly, even the beauty in his arms lost her appeal. Releasing his hold, he pushed Qiongzhi away and said indifferently, "It's late. Go to bed." With that, he let the bed curtains fall and turned over to sleep.
Qiongzhi stood dumbfounded by the bedside, bewildered by the Master's sudden change in demeanor. One moment he had been tender and sweet, the next cold and distant. She silently cursed herself for missing the perfect opportunity—she should have been bolder, should have seized the moment to make the deed irreversible. Clenching her teeth in frustration, she could only stomp her foot in vexation and retreat to her own bed.
Thank you, chong1978, for the zongzi^_^
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