Everyone was shocked and quickly gathered around, some pressing her philtrum, others rubbing her chest, while the swift-footed ones dashed out to fetch a doctor. Xianglan also wanted to step forward but was abruptly shoved aside by Yin Die. Xianglan froze, only to see Yin Die shoot her a venomous glare. She sneered inwardly but refused to stoop to Yin Die's level. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Ying Shuang whispering something into Yin Liu's ear, and Yin Liu hurried away.
Xianglan sighed. It was like throwing a stone into a lake—ripples would spread, and who knew what demons and monsters would emerge from the chaos. She felt like a small boat tossed in a raging storm, unsure when the next wave might capsize her. Then again, she thought, what was meant to come would come. She had nothing to lose but her life. As long as she wasn’t yet Lin Jinlou’s concubine, there was still room for maneuver.
With this thought, her heart settled somewhat.
Just then, a long groan was heard—Qing Lan had regained consciousness. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Wu Mama clasped her hands together, murmuring prayers, while several maids and older women hastily carried Qing Lan to the bed. Chun Ling, the picture of a loyal servant, knelt by the bedside with tears in her eyes and said, "Concubine, what’s wrong? Tell me where you feel unwell."
Qing Lan’s face was deathly pale, a sheen of cold sweat on her forehead. She weakly waved a hand and turned her face to the wall, two silent tears trailing down. Just yesterday, she had hosted a flawless poetry club, basking in the limelight. Not only had several Taitais praised her endlessly, but even Qin Shi had regarded her with newfound respect, not to mention the envy burning in Zhao Yuechan and Ying Ge. Though she had feigned modesty, her heart had swelled with pride—what other concubine could boast such glory? Once she bore a son, she might even dare to rival the main wife!
But today’s events had slapped her hard across the face.
Yesterday, Lin Jinlou had still spoken to her tenderly, praising the poem she had composed. Yet in the blink of an eye, he had turned to dally with her own maid! She had strived so hard, all to earn his favor and regard—and now, this was the result! The shock of such extreme highs and lows had overwhelmed her, and she had fainted. Now, even awake, she felt utterly desolate.
Wu Mama, a seasoned veteran of the inner household, understood Qing Lan’s state at a glance. She turned to Ying Shuang and said, "The concubine has been overworked these past few days and is weak. She needs rest—please take your leave for now."
Ying Shuang led the others away. Xianglan went to see them out, while Tinglan deliberately lingered behind. Once Ying Shuang was out of earshot, Tinglan turned and squeezed Xianglan’s hand, whispering, "Some jealous little minxes are picking on you—don’t take it to heart. But the real challenge is with the master. If the Master truly favors you, seize the moment while his interest is fresh and secure the title of concubine... You’ve seen what happened to Ying Ge and Hua Mei, and that Chunyan who was driven out. Stuck as a mere Bedchamber servant, living in awkward limbo, who knows what wretched fate awaits them... Dear sister, I only wish you well..."
Xianglan felt warmth in her heart and clasped Tinglan’s hand. "I understand. You’re looking out for me."
Tinglan smiled and left.Xianglan turned back into the room and saw Chun Ling massaging Qing Lan's chest to help her breathe, while Yin Die fanned her and Xiao Juan handed her water. She fetched a basin of hot water, wrung out a warm towel, and passed it to Qing Lan. Yin Die remarked with a sneer, "Sister Xianglan, you're not like before now—so precious. We wouldn’t dare trouble you."
Xianglan’s expression darkened. "What do you mean by that?"
Yin Die shot her a glance, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Nothing much, just worried about you. Wouldn’t want you to tire yourself."
Xianglan replied coldly, "If it’s nothing, then shut up. Who gave you the right to speak here?"
Yin Die had always bullied Xianglan for her gentle nature and didn’t expect her to suddenly snap. She stopped fanning, crossed her arms, and stood up with a mocking laugh. "Oh ho, the Master hasn’t even promoted you yet, and you’re already putting on airs like a concubine? All this time pretending to be virtuous and dignified, who knew you were actually—" She bit back the words "little seductress."
Xianglan scoffed. "Actually what? All I know is someone sneaked off to Taoran Pavilion yesterday trying to seduce the Master, only to end up with a slap across the face. She hid all night, too ashamed to show herself, and her cheek’s still swollen. Yin Die, you know who I’m talking about, don’t you?"
Yin Die’s face flushed crimson with rage. Pointing at Xianglan, she stammered, "You—you—" but couldn’t get another word out.
Xianglan gave her a cool glance, thinking, "Yin Die’s had her eye on Lin Jinlou for ages. She must be seething with jealousy now and will surely stir trouble with Qing Lan. Well, I’ll expose her attempt to seduce the Master first. If she tries to smear me, I’ll drag her down too. Let’s see how she likes it when we’re both covered in filth."
At that moment, Chun Ling interjected blandly, "Enough, both of you. Can’t you see the concubine is lying here unwell?"
Xianglan shoved the towel into Chun Ling’s hands, picked up the basin, and left. In the tea room, she exhaled deeply.
Zhao Yuechan’s first move had been a heavy blow, thrusting her into the eye of the storm. To make matters worse, Qing Lan had fainted over the incident—and she was carrying the Lin family’s heir. This could escalate quickly. If Qing Lan claimed Xianglan had upset her, and Qin Shi grew furious, branding her a "black-hearted seductress scheming behind the scenes to lure the Master and threaten the concubine’s pregnancy," the consequences would be dire.
Hurrying out, she spotted Wu Mama standing under the eaves, asking the servants when the doctor would arrive. Xianglan rushed over and dropped to her knees with a thud, tears streaming down her face. "Mama, save me!" she cried.
Wu Mama was startled and quickly grasped Xianglan’s arms. "My child, what’s wrong?" She helped her up, saying, "Speak properly."
Xianglan wiped her tears as they entered the tea room, then knelt again, clutching Wu Mama’s legs. "Mama, if anything happens to the concubine and the Master or Taitai blame me, I’d be a sinner. I might as well hang myself and be done with it..."
Wu Mama understood at once. Helping Xianglan up, she said, "I see... Don’t worry. I’ll speak to Taitai about this."With Wu Mama's words, Xianglan felt half of her worries eased. She obediently stood up, still shedding tears as she said, "This truly is an undeserved misfortune. To speak from the bottom of my heart to you, Mama, I never wanted the master's favor—I only wished to serve peacefully and, someday, receive his grace to be released and live a quiet life. Who would have thought this would happen, and during Old Madam Zeng's mourning period no less, causing the concubine to faint? If this spreads, who knows what rumors people will spin!" Her tears fell like rolling melons.
Wu Mama comforted her, "Good child, don't cry. Mama knows you're a good girl. Let the gossipers gossip—they’ll tire of it soon enough. Should we stop living just because of a few idle words?" She affectionately pulled Xianglan to sit on the stool and spoke intimately, "This fortune of yours is something many can only dream of. In wealthy households, even becoming an old man’s concubine in his seventies or eighties is sought after by countless maids, let alone a young and vigorous man like our master. You’re truly blessed—our Master is talented, handsome, skilled in martial arts, and holds a high official position. With all his abilities, you’ll live a life of luxury and comfort by his side. What’s so bad about that? Don’t ever say things like ‘not wanting the master’s favor’ again—it would sadden him deeply if he heard."
Xianglan’s heart sank at Wu Mama’s words, thinking to herself, "Wu Mama and I are not on the same path. I must never share my true thoughts with her again." She only wept and said, "What fortune? I dare not hope for it. I only pray this doesn’t anger the master and Taitai..."
Wu Mama reassured her, "Don’t worry, didn’t I say I’d handle it...?"
Before she could finish, word came that the physician had arrived. Wu Mama patted Xianglan’s hand and stood to leave.
Thank you, Yan Sansheng, for the He's Jade Disc! I should have added another chapter, but I’m truly exhausted. I’ll owe this one for now and make it up this weekend!!! Please wait two more days, thank youO(∩_∩)O~
Thank you rk_owl for the peach blossom fan, babylaura for the sachet, and Taozi Yaoyao 315 for three Peace Talismans, as well as Yan Sansheng for two Peace Talismans—really, thank you all=3=
Also, the late update today has a reason T_T. After getting home, I decided to buy some spicy hotpot. I painstakingly brought it back, happily took two bites, and when I flipped over a leaf—what the heck did I see?!?!
OMG, there was a huge freaking dead cockroach, right?!?!?!?!?!
AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!
Old He (the author) instantly collapsed… truly shattered, feeling spiritually destroyed, mentally devastated, and completely demoralized. The world lost all color.
That cockroach’s corpse kept replaying in my mind like a broken record—I still haven’t recovered. I couldn’t focus on writing, just felt… disgusted!!! Wuwuwuwu—need comforting hugs (ㄒoㄒ)~~
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