The next day, Lin Jinlou went out, and Zhao Yuechan personally saw him off at the inner gate before returning. The concubines from various quarters, fearing Zhao Shi's authority, dared not approach him directly. Instead, they discreetly sent their trusted servants to wait outside the inner gate to deliver gifts to Lin Jinlou. Qinglan, ever attentive to Lin Jinlou's well-being, sent a bottle of health-restoring pills; Yingge, who adored romantic gestures, wove a decorative knot using a strand of her hair intertwined with five-colored threads, symbolizing "longing in every direction"; Huamei straightforwardly sent a rose-red, embroidered mandarin duck bellyband she had worn close to her skin.
Xiao Juan gathered information about the gifts from each room and returned to gossip secretly with Xianglan. Xianglan silently assessed: Concubine Lan was the most virtuous, Yingge the most poetic, and Huamei the most... bold. She also privately speculated about which gift Lin Jinlou would favor the most. After some thought, she concluded that, given the Eldest Master's temperament, he would likely prefer Huamei's rose-red mandarin duck bellyband.
While Xianglan and Xiao Juan were chatting and doing needlework, Yindie walked in, holding a casual cinnamon-pink jacket. She tossed it toward Xianglan and turned to leave.
Xianglan picked up the jacket, examined it, and called out, "Wait a moment." She stood up, approached Yindie, and handed the jacket back. "Did you sew this? The stitches are so rough and crooked—how can anyone wear it like this? Take it back and redo it."
Yindie snorted, "This is the best I can do. If you don't like it, sew it yourself."
Xiao Juan retorted angrily, "How dare you talk like that? This is your task, and you have the nerve to justify doing it poorly?"
Xianglan held Xiao Juan back and said calmly, "It's fine if you can't do it well. I'll teach you. Go fetch the sewing basket."
Yindie glanced at Xianglan and said, "I have other tasks. Chunling asked me to sun the books." With that, she turned to leave.
Xianglan stepped forward to block her path. "Let Xiao Juan handle the books. You focus on the sewing first. I'll speak to Chunling."
Yindie started to argue, but Xianglan's expression darkened. She said coldly, "I assigned you this task three days ago. You've already delayed it this long, and the work is shoddy. Now that I'm offering to teach you, you're making excuses. What exactly do you want?"
Yindie had always thought Xianglan was gentle and easy to bully, so she was taken aback by her sudden authoritative demeanor. She stood there stunned as Xianglan handed her the jacket and said, "Go on, resew this jacket. Let me remind you, this fabric is high-quality tribute satin. If you ruin it, the cost will be deducted directly from your monthly allowance. Do you understand?"
Yindie's face flushed crimson with anger. She took several sharp breaths and glared at the jacket but refused to take it. The two of them stood at an impasse until the door curtain was lifted, and Chunling walked in. Taking in the scene, she smiled slightly and said, "Oh, what's going on here?"
Xiao Juan spoke bluntly, "Yindie didn't do her work properly. Xianglan tried to teach her, but she refused to learn."
Yindie sneered, "You're friends with her, so of course you'd take her side." She glared at Xianglan and added, "Don't think we don't know what's going on. Just because the Eldest Master gave you that palace-bestowed ointment, you think you're better than everyone else now, don't you? Pah! Above you, there's still Da Nǎinai and the concubines. Do you really think you can climb the social ladder? Look how full of yourself you are—clearly, you're just nitpicking! Hmph!" With that, she shoved Chunling aside, flung the door curtain open, and stormed out.Xianglan was taken aback. Xiao Juan stamped her foot in anger. "That black-hearted little wench! If you have the guts, go get Eldest Master to reward you one too! Clearly just jealous." She then took Xianglan's hand. "Let's ignore her. What nonsense!"
Chunling secretly felt pleased but pretended to cough and comforted her. "Indeed, Yindie is still young and can't help being sharp-tongued. I'll talk to her later." With that, she went out again, turning her head before leaving to say, "Concubine Lan said you don't need to serve inside these next few days. She wants you to hurry up and make a few children's garments."
Reading between the lines, the clever Xianglan immediately understood—this was Concubine Lan showing her displeasure. Ever since Lin Jinlou had given her that facial cream, the east wing had become strangely tense. Qinglan, who had originally treated her warmly, had since grown somewhat distant. Now she wasn't even allowed to serve closely anymore. Wu Mama, however, had become increasingly affectionate toward her, switching from directly calling her name to addressing her as "Miss Xianglan." Chunling had grown much more polite but was also subtly keeping her at a distance. Yindie made her displeasure obvious, even refusing to assign her tasks. Only Xiao Juan remained as friendly as ever.
Suddenly feeling disheartened, Xianglan sighed deeply, sat back down, and tossed the jacket in her hand aside.
In the east wing's reception parlor, Huamei sat on a chair, leaning slightly forward as she spoke to Qinglan. "...Actually, Second Miss is just someone who appreciates elegance. She used to enjoy organizing poetry clubs and chess clubs, but they were paused for a few sessions due to Old Madam Zeng's mourning period. Now she's in the mood again and is inviting everyone to ask. If you're interested, sister, why not go and relax?" Her hair was coiled into a glossy bun, pinned with an agate cloud dragon hairpin. Her face was still heavily made up, making her appear even more enchanting. She wore a navy blue embroidered jacket with winding floral patterns and indigo borders, paired with a snow-white skirt that faintly revealed the pearls on the upturned tips of her embroidered shoes—both playful and novel.
Qinglan reclined on the Arhat Bed, toying with an orchid plant on the nearby green sandalwood flower stand. She smiled and said, "I don't understand all that poetry stuff. Besides, I'm tired. You all go ahead."
Huamei laughed. "Even Madam sometimes joins in the fun at these poetry clubs. Why not come, sister? What's the point of staying cooped up at home? Besides, several official ladies and young misses from households we frequently interact with will also be there. It would be good to get familiar with them... That ogress from the main residence, though she can barely read, will also go to join the excitement. Usually, I don't get along with that little wench Yingge, but I feel a connection with you, sister. If we go together, we can keep each other company."
Although Qinglan came from a scholarly family, she was naturally lazy and had never been interested in studying since childhood. She had no skill in music, chess, calligraphy, or painting, only knowing a few characters and having studied texts like the "Collection of Virtuous Women." Hearing that Lin Dongqi was organizing a poetry club, she was afraid of embarrassing herself and didn't dare agree. But when Huamei mentioned "Madam will go" and "official ladies and young misses from households we frequently interact with," she began to feel tempted.Huamei observed Qinglan's expression and took a sip of tea with a smile. "Besides, Sister comes from a scholarly family, a hundred times more accomplished than any of us. How could you possibly fear composing a poem? I'm only worried you'll display such extraordinary talent that you'll outshine everyone else! If you ask me, why don't you take the lead in organizing this poetry gathering? Once you reveal just a glimpse of your skill, your reputation will spread far and wide." She then enthusiastically recounted how a certain family's concubine had hosted a poetry gathering, handling everything with perfect grace, earning top honors among the ladies—even outshining the principal wife. Another family's illegitimate daughter, she added, had gained such renown for her poetic talent at a gathering that she married a brilliant scholar with a promising future. Yet in Huamei's view, none of them could compare to Qinglan's intelligence and knowledge. If Qinglan could host a poetry gathering while she was still light on her feet, establishing her prestige among the ladies, not only would she earn Madam's regard, but her unborn child would also gain greater stature through the mother's achievements.
With all this flattery and praise, Qinglan felt dizzy with delight. She thought to herself, "Yes, Huamei is right. Although I'm only a concubine in the Lin family, I come from a respectable background and was carried into the household in a bridal sedan chair with great fanfare and a banquet—I'm fundamentally different from the others. Now, in the Lin family, I have some status but no reputation. If I can make this poetry gathering a success and earn widespread praise, it will be worthy of the child in my womb."
Carried away by the moment, she immediately declared, "Excellent! Then I'll speak to Second Miss and take charge of organizing this poetry gathering."
Huamei narrowed her eyes in a smile and clapped her hands. "Sister, you truly are decisive, a heroine among women. If this succeeds, not only will Madam and Eldest Master hold you in higher esteem, but even the officials' wives will praise your talent and virtue."
She went on chattering about other matters, lavishing more praise on Qinglan before finally taking her leave.
As soon as Huamei stepped out of the eastern chamber, the smile vanished from her face. She cast a cold glance back at the room and sneered, muttering to herself, "Foolish woman, how deluded to dare accept this! You'll get what's coming to you."
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