Now let’s talk about Lin Jinlou. Today, several of his old friends from the capital had arrived—all scions of noble families who had long-standing ties with the Lin family. Naturally, Lin Jinlou played the gracious host. He brought along his younger brother Lin Jinting, and the two brothers hosted a banquet at the Quanfu Restaurant. To liven things up, they even fetched a few sing-song girls from the brothel who were skilled in singing and playing instruments, making the occasion quite lively indeed.
After several rounds of drinks and dishes, the group grew increasingly unrestrained. Among them was a young master named Liu Xiaochuan, grandson of the Brave Martial General. The Old General Liu’s family had few descendants, and Liu Xiaochuan was the only grandson of the third generation to survive into adulthood. Doted on like the apple of his eye, he had inevitably been spoiled. Liu Xiaochuan and Lin Jinlou had grown up together in the capital, practically inseparable since childhood. Now that Liu had stirred up trouble in the capital, he had fled to the south to seek refuge with Lin Jinlou.
Liu Xiaochuan swayed slightly as he raised his cup, speaking in smooth Mandarin: "The south is a fine place—only after coming here do I realize how beautiful the mountains, waters, and especially the women are! Listen, my friend, I’ve taken a fancy to your sweetheart Xiao Cuixian from the Yihong Court. Since I’ve come all this way, won’t you do me the honor of giving her to me?"
The other young masters immediately erupted in cheers.
Lin Jinlou laughed and scolded, "You’ve got quite the eye! Out of all the sing-song girls in Jinling, she’s the most charming and delightful. I was reluctant to part with her, but since it’s you asking, I can hardly refuse."
Xie Yu, the fourth son of the Vice Minister of War Xie Zuo, burst into laughter and clapped Liu Xiaochuan on the shoulder. "Well, well, brother, you ran away from the capital after brawling over a brothel girl, and now you’re planning to take another one back? Won’t your grandfather keel over from rage the moment he sees her?"
The group roared with laughter.
Liu Xiaochuan rolled his eyes. "Better to die under the peony than live without romance—understand? You philistines wouldn’t get such refined sentiments!"
Lin Jinlou chuckled, drained his cup, and rang a bell to summon the attendant Shuangxi, who had been waiting by the door. "Take three thousand taels to the Yihong Court and tell the madam to redeem Miss Cuixian. Have her sent to Master Liu’s residence in a sedan chair."
Xie Yu raised his cup again, grinning. "Come, come, let’s toast to Brother Liu becoming a groom again today!"
Another round of laughter ensued.
Lin Jinting, however, had an idea. He personally refilled Lin Jinlou’s cup and said with a smile, "Since you’re in such a generous mood today, brother, I’d like to boldly ask for someone as well."
Liu Xiaochuan exclaimed, "Oh ho! Listen to this! So the youngest Lin has finally learned to appreciate pleasure and ask for a girl. I thought he was still a greenhorn!"
Lin Jinlou smiled. "Go on, who is it?"
Lin Jinting replied, "It’s Xianglan—the one who serves in your concubine’s quarters."
Lin Jinlou’s hand paused mid-air. He narrowed his eyes at Lin Jinting. "You’ve taken a liking to her?" Though he was smiling, his expression had turned icy.
Lin Jinting was startled. But when he looked again, Lin Jinlou seemed as warm and cheerful as ever. Licking his lips, he said, "Not me—it’s Brother Yifei. He wants to take that maid for himself."
Lin Jinlou downed his wine in one gulp. The sing-song girl beside him hurriedly refilled his cup. "Him?" Lin Jinlou said. "How could he have even seen a maid from my household?"Lin Jinting laughed and said, "Brother, you don't know the half of it. That Song Yifei lost his soul the first time he saw that girl, even going so far as to gift her a fan. At first, he absolutely refused to move into Lying Cloud Courtyard with me, but then for some reason, he changed his mind and moved in. Later, I found out that Concubine Lan was starting a poetry club, and Xianglan was helping out at Gathered Verdure Residence. He moved in just to catch a few more glimpses of her each day, even sending her soups and snacks with different variations daily. Once, I secretly caught them gazing at each other like the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl—oh, it gave me goosebumps!"
Liu Xiaochuan let out a tipsy laugh. "Ah, what a lovesick fool! He’s got the same style as your Uncle Liu here."
The group erupted into another round of teasing.
Lin Jinlou chuckled. "If he wants that maid, he’ll have to come ask me himself." With that, he swayed off to the restroom.
The moment he stepped outside, his smile vanished, replaced by a cold, dark expression.
Wu Mama carried a bowl of medicine and peeked into Qing Lan’s room, where Hua Mei was still chatting and laughing with her. Wu Mama shook her head. Today, she had completely lost respect for Qing Lan and couldn’t be bothered with her affairs anymore. She just wanted Qing Lan to safely deliver the child so she could retire with her duty done. She shoved the medicine into Chun Ling’s hands and said, "Take this to the concubine and have her drink it while it’s hot."
After Chun Ling left, Wu Mama sighed. Suddenly, she noticed Lin Jinlou storming in, his face furious. "Where’s Xianglan?" he demanded.
Wu Mama sighed again. "Ah, Master, you don’t know yet, do you? Taitai came by earlier. Because this old servant spoke too much and praised Xianglan to you, making you take notice of her, the Mistress made a grand show of sending gifts—gold jewelry, silks, and satins. She even said she’d prepare a room and maids for Xianglan. When Concubine Lan heard, she fainted. The physician checked her pulse and said it was nothing serious. I planned to console her once she felt better, but somehow Taitai got wind of it and came to settle things."
Lin Jinlou was taken aback, displeased by Zhao Yuechan’s actions and even more annoyed that Qin Shi had interfered in his affairs. "That girl is someone I took a liking to myself. What does it have to do with anyone else?"
Wu Mama said, "Taitai was just concerned for you, Master. But the one who suffered most was poor Xianglan. Taitai took her away, and she hasn’t returned yet. Who knows what punishment she’s enduring?"
Lin Jinlou’s expression darkened. Just then, Hua Mei, hearing his voice from outside, hurried out with Qing Lan to greet him. "Master, you’re back!" they said.
Qing Lan spoke softly, "It’s almost noon. Have you eaten yet, Master?"
But to her surprise, Lin Jinlou turned and left without a word, lifting the curtain as he strode away.
In the main hall of Clumsy Guard Garden, the courtyard was quiet and serene, shaded by lush trees.
Qin Shi sat upright in the grand chair, scrutinizing Xianglan, who knelt before her. This was the first time she had examined the girl closely. Over time, Xianglan had blossomed—her figure fuller, her face radiant. Qin Shi saw that she was extraordinarily beautiful, with a face like a blooming flower, her hair like mist around her temples, her demeanor graceful and refined. Though dressed in plain, slightly worn clothes, her beauty was undeniable. She appeared timid, yet there was no trace of the awkwardness typical of lower-class girls.
Qin Shi narrowed her eyes slightly. No wonder Lou’er was enchanted by her—she was a stunning beauty, outshining all the ladies and misses in the household.
But just how cunning was this little seductress? Qin Shi’s grip on her handkerchief tightened abruptly.
She truly had remarkable skills!First, she stirred up trouble without making a sound, caught Cao Lihuan's misdeeds, and then put on a fine show before the master, driving Cao Lihuan away. Now she has even managed to capture Jinlou's attention, causing discord among his wife and concubines. What if Qing Lan's fainting harms the child in her womb?
Xianglan knelt properly, her demeanor composed. Now that the moment had arrived, she found herself strangely calm. Since ancient times, it was always the masters who caused chaos while the servants took the blame. Qin Shi couldn't easily punish Zhao Yuechan or Qing Lan, so it seemed this debt would fall on her shoulders. In that case, panicking would be pointless.
Qin Shi remained silent for a moment. Hongjian quietly brought in a cup of hot tea and then retreated without a word.
"The Master has taken a liking to you and wishes to elevate you," Qin Shi said slowly, her tone unreadable.
Xianglan immediately kowtowed and replied, "This lowly servant is unworthy and dares not entertain such thoughts."
"Oh?" Qin Shi raised an eyebrow. "So you're saying the Master is being presumptuous?"
Xianglan clenched her teeth but did not respond to Qin Shi's question. Instead, she pressed her forehead to the ground and said, "Every fault lies with this servant. Now I've caused distress to Taitai and Concubine Lan, and even troubled you, Madam, to anger. Please punish me as you see fit."
Qin Shi was taken aback. She had expected Xianglan to beg for her favor, to ask Lin Jinlou to take her in. Instead, Xianglan had spoken these words, even taking all the blame upon herself.
To be fair, Qin Shi knew it wasn't entirely Xianglan's fault. Her eldest son was naturally flirtatious and would never let a girl of such talent slip through his fingers. She had heard of Lin Jinlou's wild escapades outside, but she couldn't be bothered to intervene—her son worked hard; what harm was there in letting him have some fun?
Qin Shi sighed inwardly as she looked at Xianglan. If she were just another pretty maid, it wouldn't matter—Lin Jinlou could take her in, and if she was fortunate enough to bear a child, she might even be promoted to concubine, securing a lifetime of comfort. But nothing in the inner household escaped Qin Shi's notice. She already knew that Xianglan had been the one behind Qing Lan's poetry club. This girl was too beautiful, too capable, and too cunning. Keeping her around would only invite unrest in the household. Moreover, the charge against her today was "seducing the master during Old Madam Zeng's mourning period." While she had dealt lightly with the others, if she didn't make an example of this maid to warn the rest, those scheming vixens in the inner household would run wild.
"You are indeed clever," Qin Shi said. "But what good would punishing you do?"
Xianglan's heart pounded as she replied, "This servant knows her guilt and dares not serve before the master again. I only beg for your mercy, Madam, to allow me to leave. My parents will prepare the redemption money and send it. Even if I were to repay you with my life, it would never be enough."
Qin Shi was surprised again. Few maids who had grown accustomed to the luxurious life in the Lin household were willing to leave. Yet this girl actually wanted out. But then her expression darkened, and she sneered. "You say you're clever, and indeed you are. Now you're scheming—asking to leave so you can shed your servant status and return as a concubine like Concubine Lan, isn't that right?"
Xianglan sighed inwardly and raised her face. "This servant has never entertained such thoughts. Though the Master is exceptional in every way, I only wish to marry an ordinary man and be his proper wife, to have his devotion for me alone. If you do not believe me, Madam, send me to Still Moon Temple to become a nun. I grew up in that temple—returning there would bring me peace."Qin Shi widened her eyes, thinking that even this little maid had such thoughts. Looking at Xianglan's delicate features, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of pity—if she weren't a maid and had a more respectable status, then her beauty and wit wouldn't be faults. However, she wasn't entirely convinced by Xianglan's words. After a brief moment of contemplation, she finally said, "Sending such a delicate beauty like you to a temple to accompany the dim lamps and ancient Buddhas is something I can't bear to do. Besides, you previously saved Second Girl, and I certainly wouldn't repay kindness with cruelty."
Xianglan's clear eyes met Qin Shi's: "How does Taitai wish to deal with me?"
I'm so embarrassed! I'm not very familiar with the Qidian VIP operations. Yesterday, after uploading the chapter, I went straight to bed, forgetting there was still a step to click 'publish' after uploading. I only realized this afternoon when I opened my computer and quickly clicked to upload. I'm really sorry, everyone. There will be another update shortly =3=
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