Everyone was greatly startled and hurriedly crowded around, some pinching her philtrum and others rubbing her chest, while the swift-footed ones dashed out to fetch a physician. Xianglan also wanted to step forward but was shoved aside by Yindie, who gave her a sharp glare. Xianglan was taken aback but inwardly sneered, unwilling to stoop to Yindie's level. As she glanced around, she noticed Yingshuang whispering something into Yinliu's ear, and Yinliu promptly left.
Xianglan sighed. It was like a stone thrown into a lake, stirring up endless ripples—who knew what demons and monsters would seize this opportunity to cause trouble? She felt like a small boat tossed in a raging storm, unsure when the next wave might capsize her. Then she thought, what must come will come; she had only one life to lose. As long as she hadn't yet become Lin Jinlou's concubine, there was still room for maneuver.
With this thought, her heart grew somewhat calmer.
Just then, a long groan was heard—Qinglan had regained consciousness. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Wu Mama clasped her hands together, repeatedly chanting Buddha's name, as she and several maids and older women hastily carried Qinglan to the bed. Chunling, ever the loyal servant, knelt by the bedside with tears in her eyes and said, "Concubine, what's wrong? Tell me quickly where you feel unwell."
Qinglan's face was deathly pale, covered in a sheen of cold sweat. She waved a hand weakly, turned her face to the wall, and two clear tears traced down her cheeks. Yesterday, she had hosted a poetry gathering with great success, basking in the limelight. Not only had several Madams praised her effusively, but even Qin Shi had begun to regard her more highly, let alone the envy of Zhao Yuechan and Yingge. Though she had feigned humility, she couldn't suppress her inner pride—what other concubine had ever enjoyed such glory? Once she bore a son, she might even dare to compete with the principal wife!
But today's events felt like a slap across her face!
Just yesterday, Lin Jinlou had spoken to her so tenderly, praising the poem she had composed—yet in the blink of an eye, he had entangled himself with her own maid! She had striven so hard, all to win Lin Jinlou's greater affection and esteem, and now... now she was met with this outcome! Overwhelmed by the extreme swings of joy and sorrow, she had fainted in a fit of rage. Now, upon waking, she felt utterly desolate.
Wu Mama, a seasoned veteran of the inner household, understood Qinglan's state all too well. She said to Yingshuang, "The Concubine has been overworking herself these past few days and is rather frail. She needs quiet rest—please take your leave for now."
Yingshuang then led the others away. Xianglan went to see the guests out. Tinglan deliberately lingered behind, and once Yingshuang was out of sight, she turned back, squeezed Xianglan's hand, and whispered, "Those little sluts who pick on you are just jealous—don't take it to heart. But the real challenge lies with the master. If the Eldest Master truly favors you, seize the chance while he's still enamored to secure the title of Concubine... You've seen what happened to Yingge and Huamei, and that Chunyan who was driven out—stuck as mere Bedchamber maids in such awkward positions, who knows what wretched fate awaits them... Dear sister, I mean well..."
Xianglan felt a warmth in her heart and clasped Tinglan's hand, saying, "I understand. You're looking out for me."
Tinglan smiled and left.Xianglan returned to the room and saw Chunling massaging Qinglan’s chest to soothe her breathing, Yindie fanning her, and Xiao Juan offering water. She fetched a basin of hot water, wrung out a warm towel, and handed it to Qinglan. Yindie remarked with a sarcastic tone, "Sister Xianglan, you’re not like you used to be—you’re precious now. We wouldn’t dare trouble you."
Xianglan’s face darkened. "What do you mean by that?"
Yindie shot her a glance, her voice dripping with envy. "Nothing much, just concerned about you, afraid you might tire yourself."
Xianglan replied coldly, "If it’s nothing, then shut up. Who gave you the right to speak here?"
Yindie, accustomed to bullying Xianglan for her gentle nature, hadn’t expected her to snap back. She stopped fanning, crossed her arms, and stood up with a sneer. "Well, well! The Eldest 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 a..." She swallowed the words "little seductress" before they escaped her lips.
Xianglan let out a scornful laugh. "Actually what? All I know is someone ran eagerly to Taoran Pavilion yesterday trying to seduce the Eldest Master, only to end up worse off—coming back with a big slap mark on her face, too ashamed to show herself all night. Even now, her face is still swollen. Yindie, you know who I’m talking about, don’t you?"
Yindie’s face instantly flushed crimson with rage. Pointing at Xianglan, she stammered, "You... you..." but couldn’t form a complete sentence.
Xianglan gave her a calm look, thinking to herself, "Yindie has long had designs on Lin Jinlou. She must be burning with jealousy now and will surely stir up trouble in front of Qinglan. I’ll just expose her attempt to seduce Lin Jinlou first. If she tries to smear me, I’ll drag her down with me. Let’s see what she can do when we’re both covered in mud."
At that moment, Chunling interjected indifferently, "Enough, both of you. Can’t you see the Concubine is lying ill in bed?"
Xianglan shoved the towel into Chunling’s hand, picked up the basin, and left. In the tea room, she let out a deep sigh.
Zhao Yuechan’s first move had been a heavy blow, pushing her directly into the spotlight. To make matters worse, Qinglan had fainted because of it—and she was carrying the Lin family’s heir. This matter could escalate easily; if mishandled, Qinglan could claim Xianglan had upset her. If Madam Qin grew angry, accusing her of being a "black-hearted seductress who schemed behind the scenes to seduce the master and agitated Concubine Lan, disturbing her pregnancy," the consequences would be no joke.
She hurried out and happened to see Wu Mama standing under the corridor, asking the young attendants when the doctor would arrive. Xianglan quickly approached, knelt before Wu Mama with a thud, tears streaming down her face, and cried, "Mama, save me!"
Startled, Wu Mama quickly grasped Xianglan’s arms. "My child, what’s wrong?" She helped her up, saying, "Speak properly."
Wiping her tears, Xianglan followed Wu Mama into the tea room, knelt again, and clung to her legs, sobbing, "Mama, if anything happens to the Concubine and the Master, Madam, or the Eldest Master get angry, I’ll be the guilty one. I might as well hang myself and be done with it..."
Wu Mama understood immediately. As she helped Xianglan up, she said, "I see... Don’t worry, I’ll speak to the Madam on your behalf."With Wu Mama's reassurance, Xianglan felt half of her worries melt away. She obediently rose to her feet, tears still streaming down her face as she said, "This is truly an undeserved calamity. To speak from the bottom of my heart to you, Mama, I never had any desire to gain the master's favor. I only wished to serve peacefully and, in the future, receive the grace of being released to live a quiet life. Who could have imagined such a scene would occur—and during Old Madam Zeng's mourning period at that! To make matters worse, the Concubine fainted because of it. Who knows how people will gossip once this spreads?" Her tears fell like rolling melons.
Wu Mama comforted her, "Good child, don't cry. Mama knows you're a good one. Let the gossipmongers chatter—they'll tire of it soon enough. Surely we can't stop living because of a few idle words?" She affectionately pulled Xianglan down to sit on a stool, knee to knee as they talked. "This fortune of yours—many would beg for it and still not receive it. In wealthy households, even becoming the concubine of some seventy- or eighty-year-old man has maids clamoring for the position, let alone for a young, vigorous man. You're truly blessed. Our Eldest Master is talented, handsome, skilled in martial arts, holds a high official post, and is accomplished in every way. In the future, you'll follow him to enjoy luxury and comfort, living a life of wealth and honor—what could be better? Don't ever say things like 'not wanting the master's favor' again. If the Eldest Master heard, how hurt he would be!"
Hearing this, Xianglan's heart sank. She thought to herself, "Wu Mama and I are not of the same mind. I must never speak my true thoughts to her again." She merely wept and said, "What fortune or blessing—I dare not think of such things. I only beg that this incident doesn't anger the master and Madam..."
Wu Mama comforted her again, "Set your heart at ease. Didn't I say? This matter rests with me..."
Before she could finish speaking, they heard that the physician had arrived. Wu Mama patted Xianglan's hand and stood up to go out.
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