The title was indeed novel and clever. After some thought, Xianglan said, "I can write one, but I'm afraid it won't be good enough for the concubine's standards."
Wu Mama replied, "My dear, just write something to fill the spot!"
Xianglan thought to herself, "It shouldn't be too good, nor too bad, nor too profound—just some straightforward lines will do." For some reason, she suddenly recalled the poem Song Ke had inscribed on a fan: "The bright moon, an old friend far away, / The secluded orchid, its fragrance lingers alone. / From a small tower, the night flute is heard, / In the deep silence, the third watch has passed." Gazing at the orchid before her, she fell into a daze for a moment before swiftly writing a matching verse: "Whose white jade orchid is this, / Left behind in the spring breeze? / Guarding a solitary strand of fragrance, / Tangling the dreams of a past life."
She stared at the poem, then silently changed "past life" to "fleeting life," copied it neatly, and handed it to Wu Mama, adding, "Please don't tell anyone I wrote this."
Wu Mama mumbled an acknowledgment and hurried off to deliver it to Qing Lan. When Qing Lan unfolded the paper, she immediately frowned. "What kind of poem is this? It doesn't even rhyme, and it's only four lines—far too short. Second Miss and the others all wrote regulated verses with eight lines. Mama, have someone write another one." She shoved the paper back into Wu Mama's hands.
Suppressing her irritation, Wu Mama said, "There isn't another one. This is all we have. Either use it, or this old servant can't help you."
Qing Lan pouted, clearly displeased. Seeing her still acting like a spoiled child, Wu Mama sighed inwardly. She wanted to offer some advice, but after hesitating, she held her tongue and left, shaking her head.
Afraid Qing Lan might assign her more troublesome tasks, Wu Mama detoured around Gathered Verdure Residence and headed for Knowing Spring Pavilion, planning to hide there for a while. As soon as she entered the eastern wing, she heard snoring from the bedroom. Peeking inside, she saw Lin Jinlou sprawled on the bed, haphazardly hugging a pillow in his sleep.
Wu Mama quickly fetched a thin brocade quilt and tiptoed over to drape it over him. However, Lin Jinlou, trained in martial arts and long accustomed to military life, was far more alert than most. The moment she approached, he woke. Wu Mama hastily set the quilt aside and said hurriedly, "Master must be exhausted. When did you return? Rest a while longer. If you're hungry, there's fresh congee in the kitchen."
Lin Jinlou sat up, rubbing his eyes, his voice still hoarse. "Just got back. Saw no one was here, so I lay down and dozed off without realizing."
Seeing him travel-worn and weary, Wu Mama's heart ached for him. "Today, Concubine Lan is hosting a poetry club, so everyone from Knowing Spring Pavilion has gone over. The remaining maids sneaked out to play—no one even stayed to mind the house." As she spoke, she deftly brewed a cup of tea and handed it to him.
Lin Jinlou waved it off. "No need." He frowned. "Poetry club? What poetry club?"
The mention of it soured Wu Mama's mood. With a bitter smile, she said, "Master may not know, but Concubine Lan, egged on by Hua Mei, insisted on organizing a poetry club for Second Miss. But she's heavily pregnant and inexperienced—hardly fit to host such an event. Ah, these days, the eastern wing has been in utter chaos, all for her sake."
Lin Jinlou picked up his teacup and chuckled at her words. "What poetry club? It's just a game to amuse herself. If she wants to do it, let her. It's no big deal."Upon hearing this, Wu Mama stiffened her neck and retorted, "What do you mean 'no big deal'? It's a very serious matter. Master, you should take some time to advise her. A pregnant woman should focus on resting and nurturing the baby—that's the proper way. What's the point of all this unnecessary fussing? What if she harms the child? Besides, if she wants to make a fuss, she should at least have the capability for it. She doesn’t know the first thing about managing the household yet gives random orders, and then simply stops caring altogether, leaving all the burden on my old bones..." Grumbling, she wrung out a towel and handed it to Lin Jinlou to wash his face.
Lin Jinlou was impatient with Wu Mama's complaints, but he still held his wet nurse in high regard. He chuckled and said, "Alright, alright, I know you've been working hard these days. I'll have the accounts office give you ten taels of silver later so you can buy some nourishing food... I also brought back a fine piece of cloth for you the other day..." He took the towel and wiped his face.
Wu Mama added, "Not just me—that little maid Xianglan deserves a good reward too."
Lin Jinlou paused. "Xianglan?"
"Yes, the one whose face was scalded, the one you gave ointment to," Wu Mama said with a smile. "She's been helping me manage everything inside and out, truly putting my mind at ease. That girl isn’t just capable—she’s also insightful and meticulous, handling everything perfectly. She knows where to save and where to spend generously... But what’s most commendable is her character. She doesn’t vie for favor or push herself forward. Even though she’s the one handling things, she told me not to mention her and to credit Concubine Lan instead. Sigh... Watching her closely, I’d say she’s better than even the young misses in the household. It’s just a shame she’s destined to be a maid..."
Lin Jinlou laughed. "She’s just a bit prettier and cleverer—how could she compare to the young ladies of the house?"
Wu Mama was determined to praise Xianglan’s virtues. "Don’t dismiss it, Lou-ge," she said, fishing a crumpled piece of paper from her sleeve and handing it to him. "Take a look at this."
Lin Jinlou unfolded it and saw a poem titled Lingering Fragrance . "What’s this?" he asked.
Wu Mama explained, "That concubine you dote on insisted on joining the young misses in composing poetry, but she couldn’t come up with anything. In a hurry, she told me to find someone to write one for her. I remembered Xianglan could read and write, so I thought I’d ask her to try. Who knew she’d write a poem as soon as she saw the topic? It took no time at all!"
Hearing it was Xianglan’s work, Lin Jinlou examined the poem more carefully and remarked with a smile, "It’s short and seems rather ordinary."
Wu Mama snorted. "Even this 'ordinary' poem is something Concubine Lan couldn’t write. My dear, you really ought to discipline her properly—keep her in line. If she wants to act high and mighty, she can wait until she actually bears you a son."
Lin Jinlou murmured vague agreement and asked for some fragrant lily incense to be burned in the censer. As Wu Mama bustled off to fetch it, he took out the paper again and studied it. The poem itself isn’t remarkable, but the handwriting is exceptional—delicate and refined, the kind that takes over a decade of practice to master. He flicked the paper with his fingers and read aloud, "Whose white magnolia, lost in the spring breeze, guards a wisp of fragrance, tangling in life’s fleeting dreams." He smirked. "Hah, I wonder whose dreams this orchid intends to stir." The thought of Xianglan’s delicate beauty made his chest grow warm.At that moment, Wu Mama entered the room, placing three or four lily incense cakes into the censer and lighting them before covering it with a lid. As she worked, she murmured, "To be honest, Xianglan is truly a good girl—far better than those others in the young master's quarters. In my opinion, she should be taken in... Ah, but forgive me for speaking boldly, Master, a girl like her deserves to be honored as a proper wife. Making her a concubine would be a disservice..." She continued muttering to herself.
Suddenly, Lin Jinlou stood up and strode out without warning. Wu Mama hurried after him a few steps, calling, "Master, where are you going?"
Lin Jinlou didn’t respond, his long legs carrying him swiftly away.
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Thank you, Ban Tai, for the Peace Talisman in your journal~~=3= The task is complete. Everyone, please leave comments, bookmark, and support me with recommendation votes! ^_^
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