Xianglan halted her steps and frowned slightly. Being alone with Lin Jinlou would likely be troublesome, so she decided to turn back quietly. Just then, she spotted Yindie following Chunling in her direction. After Chunling gave some instructions, she left via another path.
Yindie walked a few steps with her head down before looking up and noticing Xianglan. She froze momentarily, her expression turning awkward. Pursing her lips, she straightened her posture and strode past Xianglan with an air of haughtiness. A glance through the dense branches revealed Lin Jinlou’s figure in the Taoran Pavilion, and Yindie found herself rooted to the spot. She yearned to approach him but resented Xianglan’s inconvenient presence.
Xianglan, perceptive as ever, immediately grasped Yindie’s intention. Clutching her stomach, she exclaimed, "Oh! Oh, oh! My stomach suddenly hurts—I must rush to the latrine!" Hunched over and holding her belly, she scurried away in a flurry.
Yindie shot a disdainful glare at Xianglan’s retreating back and muttered under her breath, "Such a frantic ghost, rushing to be reborn!" She then smoothed her clothes and headed toward Lin Jinlou.
After running a short distance, Xianglan glanced back and saw Yindie entering the pavilion. She quickly ducked behind a cluster of bamboo, thinking, "One man’s poison is another man’s treasure. Since Yindie is so eager to climb the social ladder, I’ll gladly let her." She deliberately hid behind a rockery to observe.
Meanwhile, Lin Jinlou was waiting for Xianglan when he heard a sweet, coquettish voice behind him: "Greetings, Eldest Master. When did you return home? Why didn’t you inform us? Here in the pavilion, without any refreshments—would you like tea or snacks? Allow this maid to serve you."
He turned and saw a maid of about fifteen or sixteen, with an oval face, large, dewy eyes, and a hint of charm. Her face was heavily powdered, and she wore an ingratiating smile. Having encountered many such maids in the estate, he paid her little mind and said, "Your services aren’t needed here. You may leave."
Yindie, seizing this rare opportunity, refused to be dismissed so easily. Boldly stepping forward, she said, "Eldest Master, you’ve just returned—how can you go unattended? Shall I fetch some tea? The small kitchen has freshly brewed Tieguanyin, fragrant and exquisite. The madams were praising it earlier…"
Lin Jinlou glanced at Yindie, recognizing the amorous intent in her eyes. Annoyed by her interruption while he awaited Xianglan, his expression darkened imperceptibly.
Unfortunately, Yindie 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 Chunling. Resentment simmered within her. Focusing on his pouch, she remarked, "Eldest Master, your pouch is askew." She reached out to touch it.
Before her fingers could graze the pouch, a sharp "smack" echoed, and a stinging slap landed on her cheek. Stunned, Yindie staggered and collapsed to the ground.
Lin Jinlou glared coldly and barked, "Get out!"
Terrified, Yindie stifled her sobs and scrambled away in a frantic retreat.Lin Jinlou frowned, thinking, "What does she take me for? Daring to send someone with such mediocre looks and talent to me? She certainly has nerve. I haven't taken many maids in the mansion—Huamei and the others were only accepted because, firstly, they were exceptionally beautiful, secondly, they were skilled in musical instruments, and thirdly, I happened to want to spite Zhao Shi at the time. There's no reason to just drag anyone into my quarters." The truth was, though Lin Jinlou was a libertine, most of his dalliances occurred outside the mansion; within the household, he still maintained some decorum. He had a particular fondness for beauties and was extremely picky. If a woman was exceptionally lovely and happened to be around him, even if she was a bit willful, he found her charming and spirited. But if she wasn't a stunning beauty, even if she had some appeal, if he didn't fancy her, no matter how gentle and considerate she was to the utmost degree, he would find her cloying and irritating.
Just at that moment, Qinglan, supported by Chunling, approached again. After parting from Yindie earlier, Chunling had remembered a few more things to instruct her and turned back, only to see Yindie scurrying off to curry favor with the Eldest Master. She hurried back to Cuicui Residence to quietly inform Qinglan, and the mistress and maid rushed over together.
Having not seen Lin Jinlou for many days, Qinglan naturally missed him dearly. She quickened her pace, alarming Chunling, who cried out, "Concubine, slow down, slow down..."
With tears in her eyes, Qinglan said, "Why didn't you say anything when you returned? Sitting here alone, Eldest Master, with no one to attend to you, and no hot tea or water—how can that be?"
Lin Jinlou smiled faintly. "I just returned as well, sitting alone to clear my mind." Suddenly recalling Wu Mama's earlier words, he casually teased the Huamei bird and said, "I heard from Wu Mama that you made quite an impression over there."
Qinglan lowered her head shyly. "What are you saying, Eldest Master? What impression? I'm young and inexperienced, haven't been through much, and I'm clumsy with words and rather simple-minded. It's all thanks to Wu Mama's guidance."
Lin Jinlou gave a noncommittal "Hmm."
After all her efforts, what Qinglan wanted most was Lin Jinlou's special attention. Seeing his indifferent attitude, she inwardly wondered if she had been too modest and added, "Though I'm not talented, this poetry club did turn out somewhat presentable. Madam, Second Madam, and a few other friendly ladies all praised it, but I know in my heart—what 'well done'? It's just their kindness, saying a few nice words to humor me."
She paused here, hoping to draw some praise from Lin Jinlou, but he didn't even raise an eyebrow, still whistling and teasing the Huamei bird as it chirped away.
Qinglan felt somewhat awkward. "Making such a poetry club satisfy everyone is no easy task. The mistresses from great households—which of them is easy to deal with? I was on tenterhooks... Huamei urged me to join the fun and write a poem, but what talent do I have? Yet everyone kept insisting, so I reluctantly composed one... Ah, never mind, it's rather laughable."
Unexpectedly, this caught Lin Jinlou's attention. He turned to look at Qinglan and said, "You wrote a poem? Let's hear it."
Qinglan quickly smiled. "It's not good—I'm too embarrassed to even say it myself."
Lin Jinlou said, "No matter. As long as it's your own work, I'd like to hear it." Though he wore a smile, his eyes held a trace of coldness as he fixed his gaze on Qinglan's face.Qinglan’s heart trembled, feeling as though her petty thoughts were laid bare before Lin Jinlou. She had witnessed this master’s temper before—when gentle, his sweet words could melt one’s heart, but the moment his face darkened, thunderous fury followed. She nearly blurted out, "That poem wasn’t written by me," but steadied herself and forced out, "Since the Eldest Master enjoys listening, I’ll humbly offer my clumsy attempt." After hesitating repeatedly, she whispered:
Whose white magnolia,
Fallen in the spring breeze?
Guarding a lone fragrance,
Tangling in this fleeting dream.
Lin Jinlou looked at Qinglan. "Did you truly write this?"
Qinglan forced a smile and nodded.
Lin Jinlou uttered only three words: "Quite impressive."
A relieved expression washed over Qinglan’s face. She let out a long breath, her joy instantly brightening her features.
Closing his eyes, Lin Jinlou felt a faint disappointment. He had held Qinglan in higher regard for two reasons: first, she was a respectable concubine personally chosen by Qin Shi; second, though not clever, she was gentle, attentive, honest, and kind-hearted—her company brought him ease. Yet now, he realized that despite her good nature, she harbored petty, unsavory schemes. She was, after all, narrow-minded.
The episodes with Yindie and Qinglan had drained Lin Jinlou’s mood entirely. Without waiting for Xianglan, he said, "I’m rather tired and will rest now. Attend to your duties." He left without a backward glance.
Chunling wore a worried expression. "Concubine, it seems to me the Eldest Master... didn’t look pleased..."
Qinglan replied in surprise, "Did he not? He just praised my poem!" After a moment’s thought, she patted Chunling’s arm. "The Eldest Master must be troubled by official matters. Let’s not overthink it."
Chunling hesitated, but seeing Qinglan’s certainty, she swallowed her doubts.
OpenNovel