"The flowers and trees know not spring is late,
Still vying in beauty, their colors debate.
Petals strewn in chaos upon the ground,
Meeting now, we think of days long past found."
Before the words even finished, Song Tanchai laughed and said, "And you claim you write poorly? You deserve a spanking! Just the depth of your idea puts mine to shame—truly admirable."
Lin Dongling, already upset at her own poor poetry, felt even more awkward. Earlier, she had been humiliated when she caught Zheng Jingxian sneering at her with undisguised contempt, which made her eyes redden with anger. Now, hearing Song Tanchai speak so humbly to Zheng Jingxian only worsened her mood. She cut in, "Why are you being so modest, Tanchai? If your poem is good, it’s good. Your brother is a renowned talent in the capital, after all. If we had invited him today—though we don’t entertain outside men—even a poem he wrote in his sleep would win first place."
Zheng Jingxian didn’t even glance at Lin Dongling, addressing Song Tanchai coolly instead. "I’m from the capital myself, but I’m afraid I don’t know which gentleman your brother is."
Song Tanchai replied, "Sister, don’t listen to Ling-jie’s nonsense—"
Lin Dongling interrupted, "Her brother is Song Ke, styled Yifei. He’s written quite a few poems and essays."
Seeing Lin Dongling acting like a Black-eyed Chicken, Zhao Yuechan quickly interjected, "We’ve talked enough—let’s all have some tea before continuing our critiques." She then busied herself with serving refreshments, generous and attentive, warmly urging everyone to eat and drink. At one point, she even sent someone to fetch the Goose Feet and Duck Tongues she had pickled a couple of days earlier. With a smile, she added, "When I went back to my family home for my mother’s birthday recently, my elder cousin’s wife told us such a funny story—we laughed till our sides hurt!"
Lin Dongqi, knowing Zhao Yuechan was the best at telling amusing tales, asked, "What was it? Share it with us so we can laugh too."
Zhao Yuechan’s beautiful eyes sparkled with charm as she fluttered her silk fan. "My elder cousin used to serve as the magistrate of Shunyi County in Shuntian Prefecture. Once, during a trial, he asked a prisoner how old he was, and the man said he was born in the Year of the Pig. My cousin thought the prisoner was mocking him and angrily snapped, ‘This magistrate is born in the Year of the Pig—how dare you claim the same?’ The prisoner quickly replied, ‘Your Honor, I truly was born in the Year of the Pig—in the twelfth month!’ Only then did my cousin realize the man wasn’t insulting him and sighed in relief, muttering, ‘This magistrate was born in the first month.’ But then the prisoner, eager to flatter, grinned broadly and declared in a booming voice, ‘That makes sense! Your Honor is the pig’s head, and I’m just the Pig Offal!’"
The moment she finished, everyone burst into laughter, clutching their sides in mirth. Hearing the commotion from inside, Qin Shi called out, "What’s happening out there? Such uproarious laughter!"
Hongjian, still giggling, replied, "The young mistress told a joke that had everyone in stitches." She then repeated Zhao Yuechan’s story, and soon the ladies inside were laughing just as hard.
Song Yima chuckled. "That little monkey—always so clever and quick-witted. No one can match her way with words." Another added in praise, "Indeed! Not only is she sharp-tongued, but her looks are beyond compare. The way she handles everything inside and out—such capable energy! Sister Qin, you’re truly blessed to have such a daughter-in-law."Qin Shi listened with a faint smile, lowering her head to sip tea, masking the complex emotions in her eyes. After a moment, she looked up at Zhao Yuechan's radiant demeanor, her heart bitter. "Madam Zhao is clever, beautiful, and perceptive, always respectful to me, never uttering a word of dissent. Such intelligence is indeed rare—she would make an excellent daughter-in-law. But there's one flaw: she lacks kindness and virtue. Without these, coupled with her greedy nature, no amount of good qualities can elevate her... Ah, it seems my Jinlou is fated to lack a good wife. If only he could marry someone with Zhao Yuechan's looks and wit, yet as kind-hearted as Qing Lan..."
At that moment, Zhao Yuechan laughed loudly and said, "Oh, I'm just a simpleton who knows nothing of poetry and verse. All I can do is tell a few crude jokes from the countryside to make everyone laugh and lighten the mood."
Xianglan leaned against the wall, watching Zhao Yuechan's dazzling charm and grace, then glanced at Qing Lan, who sat dejectedly on a bench under the corridor. She sighed inwardly, "The main wife truly has that noble air—after all, she's the daughter of an official family, raised with refinement and experience. Even with all of us supporting Concubine Lan, lifting her up, she lacks the wit and presence to hold her own. This Poetry Club took so much effort, yet in the end, Zhao Yuechan stole half the spotlight with just one joke."
As Xianglan observed from the corner, she didn't notice Lin Jinlou watching her from behind the rose trellis. He noted her simple coiled hair, the russet-colored short jacket, and the light blue skirt embroidered with two butterflies at the hem—her clean, elegant attire accentuating her delicate beauty. Lin Jinlou narrowed his eyes, studying her from head to toe and back again. She seemed different from his memory, yet upon closer inspection, she was the same—only more striking in person. He stroked his chin, wondering how a maid could be so lovely...
His gaze shifted to a young girl with newly grown hair, munching on a pastry as she walked by. Her round face was utterly endearing. He beckoned, "Hey, you—come here."
The girl was Xiao Juan. Startled by the sudden call, she nearly choked when she saw it was Lin Jinlou. Terrified of his imposing presence, she froze in place.
Lin Jinlou snapped impatiently, "I called you. Didn’t you hear? Are you deaf?"
Xiao Juan swallowed the pastry with difficulty, her eyes watering, and hurried over meekly. "What does the Master require?"
Lin Jinlou pointed discreetly at Xianglan. "Tell her to go to Taoran Pavilion. I have need of her."
Xiao Juan nodded vigorously like a pecking chick and turned to leave, only for Lin Jinlou to call out again, "Wait." She halted abruptly.
Lin Jinlou added, "Don’t let anyone else know. Do it quietly."
Xiao Juan nodded emphatically before scurrying off.
Xianglan was still at her post by the wall when she felt a tap on her shoulder. Xiao Juan, still chewing her pastry, mumbled, "Hurry, the Master is looking for you."
Xianglan startled. "The Master? He’s back? What does he want with me?"Xiao Juan patted her chest, still looking shaken. "I'm not sure, but they said at the Joyful Pavilion behind Gathered Verdure Residence. You'd better not keep him waiting—when he suddenly called out to me just now, it gave me such a fright I nearly choked to death."
Xianglan had no choice but to head to the Joyful Pavilion. Exiting through the rear gate of Gathered Verdure Residence and skirting around an oddly shaped rock, she found the pavilion nestled between mountain peach and apricot trees. There, Lin Jinlou stood leisurely inside, amusing himself by teasing a hua mei bird in a cage hanging from the pavilion.
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Last episode, I forgot to mention—Shuran is actually a pretty cool extra character. Anyone want to apply for a cameo?
Also, my old habit's acting up again—the young ladies' poems all hint at their fates, ahem.
Oh, and today I happened to check the fan rankings and noticed the name "Early Cherry Blossom" looked unfamiliar. Seems this supporter backed me before, but I missed thanking them?? Awkward... making up for it now—thank you! =3=
I can be pretty careless and absent-minded, so if I've missed thanking anyone, please let me know!!! I'd never do it on purpose T_T
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