Xianglan halted in her steps, slightly furrowing her brows. Being alone with Lin Jinlou didn’t seem like a good idea, so she thought to tiptoe back the way she came. Suddenly, she spotted Yin Die walking over with Chun Ling. After exchanging a few words, Chun Ling took another path and left.
Yin Die walked a few steps with her head down before looking up and seeing Xianglan. She froze momentarily, her expression turning awkward as she pursed her lips and lifted her chin haughtily, strutting past Xianglan. A sidelong glance through the dense branches revealed Lin Jinlou’s figure in the Taoran Pavilion. Her feet rooted to the spot, torn between approaching him and resenting Xianglan’s inconvenient presence.
Xianglan, sharp-eyed, immediately grasped Yin Die’s intentions. Clutching her stomach, she feigned distress, “Oh! Oh dear, my stomach suddenly hurts—I must hurry to the privy!” Bending over, she scurried away in a flurry.
Yin Die shot a glare at Xianglan’s retreating figure and muttered under her breath, “Rushing like a ghost chasing its next life!” She then smoothed her clothes and approached Lin Jinlou.
After running a short distance, Xianglan glanced back and saw Yin Die heading toward the pavilion. She quickly ducked behind a cluster of bamboo, thinking, “One man’s poison is another’s honey. If Yin Die is eager to climb, I’ll gladly step aside.” She deliberately hid behind a rockery.
Meanwhile, Lin Jinlou, who had been waiting for Xianglan, suddenly heard a sweet, coquettish voice behind him: “Greetings to the Master with Golden Peace. When did you return home? Why didn’t you let us know? Sitting here in this pavilion without tea or refreshments—shall this servant fetch some for you?”
Turning, he saw a maid of about fifteen or sixteen with an oval face, large, watery eyes, and a somewhat pretty appearance. Her face was powdered and rouged, wearing an ingratiating smile. He had seen many such maids in the household and paid her little mind. “No need for service here. You may leave.”
Yin Die, having finally seized this opportunity, couldn’t let him dismiss her so easily. Boldly stepping forward, she said, “Master, you’ve just returned—how could you go unattended? Shall I bring you tea? The little kitchen has freshly brewed Tieguanyin, fragrant and praised by the Taitais earlier…”
Lin Jinlou glanced at her, recognizing the suggestive look in her eyes. His patience waned as he was preoccupied with waiting for Xianglan, and his expression darkened slightly.
Unfortunately, Yin Die was oblivious to his displeasure. Seeing his silence, she pressed closer, recalling how she had once tried to adjust his clothes, only to be scolded by Chun Ling. Resentment flared as she eyed his pouch. “Master, your pouch is crooked,” she said, reaching out to fix it.
Before her fingers could even graze it, a sharp smack resounded—a heavy slap struck her cheek, sending her stumbling to the ground in stunned confusion.
Lin Jinlou’s voice was icy as he snapped, “Get out!”
Terrified, Yin Die didn’t dare even to cry, scrambling away on all fours.Lin Jinlou frowned, thinking to himself, "What does she take me for? Daring to send someone of such mediocre looks and talent my way? Quite bold indeed. I’ve barely taken in any maids in this household—Hua Mei and the others were only brought in because, firstly, they were exceptionally beautiful, secondly, they could play string and wind instruments, and thirdly, I happened to want to spite Madam Zhao at the time. There’s no reason to just drag anyone into my chambers." The truth was, while Lin Jinlou was a libertine, most of his dalliances occurred outside the estate. Within the household, he still maintained some semblance of propriety. He had a keen eye for beauty and was exceedingly particular. If a woman was exceptionally lovely, even if she acted coy or willful in his presence, he found her charming and spirited. But if she wasn’t a peerless beauty, even if she had some appeal, he would grow irritated and annoyed by her, no matter how tender or considerate she might be.
At that moment, Qing Lan arrived, supporting Chun Ling. Earlier, after parting ways with Yin Die, Chun Ling had recalled a few matters she needed to relay to her and turned back, only to see Yin Die scurrying off to ingratiate herself with the Master. Hurriedly returning to Gathered Verdiance Residence, she quietly informed Qing Lan, and the mistress and maid hastened over.
Having not seen Lin Jinlou for many days, Qing Lan naturally missed him dearly. She quickened her pace, causing Chun Ling to exclaim in alarm, "Madam, slow down, slow down..."
With tears in her eyes, Qing Lan said, "Why didn’t you let us know you were back? Sitting here all alone without anyone to attend to you, not even a cup of hot tea—how could that be?"
Lin Jinlou smiled faintly. "I only just returned. I wanted to sit alone and clear my mind." Suddenly recalling Wu Mama’s earlier words, he casually teased the myna bird and remarked, "I heard from Wu Mama that you’ve made quite an impression recently."
Qing Lan lowered her head shyly. "Oh, Master, what impression could I possibly make? I’m young and inexperienced, clumsy with words, and rather simple-minded. It’s all thanks to Wu Mama’s guidance."
Lin Jinlou gave a noncommittal hum.
Having put in so much effort, Qing Lan longed for Lin Jinlou’s special attention. Seeing his indifference, she wondered if she had been too self-effacing and added, "Though I lack talent, the poetry club I organized has turned out rather well. Taitai, Second Madam, and several other ladies from friendly households have praised it. But I know better—it’s only out of their kindness that they say such things to humor me."
She paused, hoping to draw some praise from Lin Jinlou, but he didn’t even raise an eyebrow, continuing to whistle and coax the myna bird into chirping.
Feeling somewhat awkward, Qing Lan pressed on, "Managing a poetry club to everyone’s satisfaction is no easy task. The ladies from prominent families are hardly easy to please. I was on tenterhooks the whole time... Hua Mei insisted I try my hand at composing a poem, but what talent do I have? Yet everyone urged me repeatedly, so I reluctantly wrote one... Ah, never mind, it’s rather laughable."
To her surprise, this caught Lin Jinlou’s attention. He turned to her and asked, "You wrote a poem? Let’s hear it."
Qing Lan quickly demurred, "It’s not well done. I’m too embarrassed to recite it."
Lin Jinlou said, "No matter. As long as it’s your own work, I’d like to hear it." Though he smiled, his eyes held a cold glint as he fixed his gaze on her face.Qing Lan's heart trembled, feeling as though her petty thoughts were completely transparent before Lin Jinlou. She had witnessed this Master's temper before—when gentle, his sweet words could melt one's heart, but when his face darkened, thunderous wrath would follow. She nearly blurted out, "That poem wasn't written by me," but steadied herself and forced out, "Since the Master enjoys listening, I'll embarrass myself with a recitation." After much hesitation, she softly recited:
"Whose magnolia so fair,
Fallen in spring's gentle air?
Alone guarding its sweet trace,
Tangling dreams in fleeting grace."
Lin Jinlou looked at Qing Lan. "Did you really write this?"
Qing Lan forced a smile and nodded.
Lin Jinlou only said three words: "Quite impressive."
Relief washed over Qing Lan's face, and she exhaled deeply, her joy instantly brightening her expression.
Lin Jinlou closed his eyes, faintly disappointed. He had held Qing Lan in higher regard—first, because she was a virtuous concubine personally chosen by Qin Shi; second, because though not particularly clever, she was gentle, considerate, and honest, making her company rather relaxing. Who would have thought this girl, though not ill-natured, harbored such petty, underhanded schemes? She was, after all, rather narrow-minded.
The incidents with Yin Die and Qing Lan had thoroughly soured Lin Jinlou's mood. No longer willing to wait for Xianglan, he said, "I'm rather tired. I'll go rest. You may attend to your own affairs." Without looking back, he left.
Chun Ling wore a worried expression. "Madame, it seems to me the Master... didn't look very pleased..."
Qing Lan blinked in surprise. "Did he? Didn't he just praise my poem?" After a moment's thought, she patted Chun Ling's arm. "The Master must be troubled by official matters. We shouldn't overthink it."
Chun Ling hesitated but, seeing Qing Lan's certainty, swallowed her doubts.
Apologies for the lack of updates these past two days due to poor health. There will be two chapters today.
This chapter serves as a transition—the major developments everyone's anticipating will be in the next one...
Thanks to Ban Tai's journal, Rose SZY, Hua Xi Yue Xi, Junxi812, and yu21yu21 for the Peace Talismans. Much appreciated =3=
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