Now that Xianglan had agreed to manage the poetry club, she threw herself into preparations day and night. To avoid disturbing Qinglan’s rest and to maintain a low profile while assisting Wu Mama with the arrangements, she moved into the Secluded Jade Residence, working late into the night. Wu Mama often kept her company in the evenings.
One evening, as the garden was about to be locked, a young servant boy of seven or eight knocked on the door of the Secluded Jade Residence. Xianglan stepped out and saw the child holding a square, polished lacquer food box. He said, "My master heard you’ve been working hard these past few days and sent some food for you." Without waiting for a reply, he walked into the room, opened the box, and took out a blue-and-white porcelain stemmed bowl, a small dish of vegetables, and a plate of pastries.
Xianglan lifted the lid of the stemmed bowl and found a steaming duck soup with goji berries and red dates, creamy and fragrant. The boy looked unfamiliar—not one of the usual attendants from the Hall of Knowing Spring. She asked, "Who is your master? Concubine Lan?"
The boy’s eyes sparkled mischievously as he grinned. "Not her. If you step outside the courtyard, Sister Xianglan, you’ll see." With that, he picked up the empty food box and hurried off.
Xianglan quickly followed him to the courtyard gate. The boy pointed toward the moon gate in the distance. "Look over there, sister."
Xianglan craned her neck and saw, beyond the thick cluster of emerald bamboo beside the moon gate, a half-hidden figure in indigo patterned robes. As if noticing her gaze, the person pushed aside the bamboo leaves, revealing Song Ke’s handsome, fair face.
Xianglan stood frozen, as if struck by a Body Freezing Spell. She opened her mouth but could not speak, her mind blank except for one thought screaming inside: "How did he know I was here? He cares about me... My husband has sent me food..."
Song Ke smiled at her, and only then did Xianglan snap out of her daze. She hurriedly curtsied, offering a graceful greeting. Song Ke’s heart warmed, and he nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
The clever boy, Ludou, said to Xianglan, "Take your time with the meal, sister. I’ll come back tomorrow for the dishes. My name is Ludou. If you need anything or have a message for our master, just let me know."
Though she knew it was improper, Xianglan couldn’t resist pulling a few copper coins from her sleeve. "Please thank your master for me. Tell him not to go to such trouble in the future—I’ve received his kindness."
But Ludou refused the coins and darted away.
Xianglan looked up and saw Song Ke still standing by the moon gate. She longed to gaze at him a little longer but feared prying eyes. Reluctantly, she retreated inside and closed the courtyard gate. Peeking through the crack, she watched until Song Ke and Ludou turned to leave, then gathered her emotions and returned to her room.
Facing the delicacies on the table, her heart swirled with conflicting feelings. All this time, she had repeatedly reminded herself to abandon these illusory hopes, believing she had hardened her heart through endurance. Yet at the sight of Song Ke, she couldn’t help recalling their past life—the mutual respect and tender devotion they had shared.
Xianglan lifted the stemmed bowl. Before the soup could reach her lips, tears had already begun to fall.Since their last parting, Song Ke had constantly thought about bringing Xianglan over, but unfortunately, it coincided with Lin Jinlou's imminent departure. Lin Jinting had initially intended to simply inform Zhao Yuechan and bring Xianglan back directly, but by chance, he learned that his elder brother had gifted Xianglan a box of imperial Crystal Jade Orchid Snow Cream. This made Lin Jinting hesitate. Lin Jinlou's gesture clearly showed some regard for this maid named Xianglan, and taking her away without proper notice would be inappropriate. He had no choice but to wait until Lin Jinlou returned to make further plans.
Song Ke, constantly missing Xianglan, asked Lin Jinting to inquire about her. Upon learning that Xianglan had moved to Congcui Residence for the poetry club matters, he sent someone to deliver some food, hoping to let Xianglan know he hadn't forgotten her. Fortunately, Congcui Residence was close to Lin Jinting's Woyun Courtyard, so his comings and goings wouldn't raise suspicion.
"...Sister Xianglan didn't say much, only asked Eldest Master not to spend any more. She accepted your kindness," Ludou scratched his head. "She even tried to give me some money, but of course, I couldn't take it."
Song Ke sighed silently and glanced back at the small gate of Congcui Residence, as if he could still see that slender figure there.
As the sun set in the west, the matron overseeing the garden came for inspection. Seeing Song Ke at the gate, she approached with a smile and said, "Eldest Master Ke, it's time to lock the garden. Please come back for a stroll tomorrow."
Song Ke took one last look back before leaving with Ludou.
From then on, Ludou brought food daily. Xianglan would stand at the gate and bow to Song Ke from a distance. Though they exchanged no words, they seemed to understand each other's feelings, the unspoken emotions between them particularly intoxicating.
Meanwhile, the day of the poetry club gathering arrived. Qinglan personally delivered the invitation to Qin Shi. Qin Shi visited Congcui Residence and found it completely refreshed, with hundreds of potted flowers displayed inside and out, each vying for beauty. In the courtyard, two pomegranate trees were in full bloom, while outside guarded a clear stream, several unusual rocks, and a winding corridor leading to secluded spots. Though not as elegant as other places, it had its own charm.
After asking a few more questions and confirming everything was properly arranged, Qin Shi couldn't help but be greatly surprised.
The next day, female relatives from various families arrived in carriages and sedan chairs. Early in the morning, Qinglan changed into a pink-and-white phoenix-tail patterned round-collar robe with golden trim and had Chunling style her hair into an elaborate silver-thread bun. She applied some makeup, and despite her visible pregnancy, she didn't appear bloated. Standing among the crowd, she still looked like a charming young wife. Since she wasn't particularly skilled in social interactions, Qin Shi instructed Lin Dongqi to accompany and guide her. Soon, small groups of women had all arrived, and Congcui Residence grew noisy.
Xianglan, not fond of crowds, moved a small stool to the back to supervise the kitchen's serving. Wu Mama quietly approached, patted Xianglan's shoulder, and said, "What are you doing sitting here? It's bustling up front with about twenty people. Go and get some reward money."
Xianglan smiled and replied, "If I leave, who will watch over the kitchen's serving?"
Wu Mama asked, "Have you eaten yet?"
Xianglan said, "I had a little earlier."
Wu Mama said, "Anyway, the main dishes are all served. Only some congee and snacks are left. I'll have Chunling come watch. You go to the front. I just spoke with Madam and told her how hard you've worked lately. Madam said you should come over now—she wants to reward you properly."Xianglan hesitated slightly.
Wu Mama said, "Go on. You've brought great honor to the Concubine this time. The Madam has rewarded every maid, even Xiao Juan and Yindie received red envelopes."
Only then did Xianglan proceed to the front courtyard, where she saw the entire garden adorned with pearls and jade, filled with melodious laughter and chatter. Skirting along the wall, she noticed a beautiful woman sitting beside Qin Shi whose features bore some resemblance to her own, the two chatting and laughing merrily.
OpenNovel