Qin Shi smiled faintly. "If you wish to marry an ordinary man as his proper wife, I shall grant your wish. Mama Han is my personal attendant. Her nephew is around your age, decent in appearance and character. Though his family is poor, he is diligent in his studies. Who knows, he may pass the imperial examinations one day and bring honor to his wife and descendants. Mama Han once pleaded on his behalf to marry a maid from the Lin household. Such a good match I originally intended for Hongjian or Lu Lan, but now you've stumbled upon fortune through misfortune. I shall arrange this marriage for you and release you to wed, far away from here. Are you willing?"
Xianglan trembled violently.
Mama Han's nephew? What did he look like? She had never even seen him, yet now she was expected to nod and pledge herself to a stranger?
What sin had she committed to be reduced to this—a slave at others' mercy? Xianglan clenched her jaw tightly, swallowing the bitterness that rose in her throat.
Qin Shi raised an eyebrow. "Well? Are you unwilling?"
Xianglan's face was pale. What if she refused? Clearly, Qin Shi meant to punish her severely, and this was already showing her a way out. For some reason, Song Ke's features surfaced in her mind, blurred in her memory, then seemed to morph into Xiao Hang's. Xianglan gave a miserable smile. It was all just a dream. Even if Qin Shi had truly agreed to release her earlier, someone of her status could never be worthy of Song Ke.
Gritting her teeth, Xianglan kowtowed. "This humble maid thanks Taitai for your gra—" Before she could finish the word "grace," a loud crash came from behind as the door was kicked open.
Xianglan whirled around to see Lin Jinlou striding in, the gold-threaded roses on his crane-feather cloak dazzling the eye.
Qin Shi started in surprise. Lin Jinlou was already before them. Seeing Xianglan prostrated on the floor, he grabbed her arm and hauled her up, addressing Qin Shi, "Mother, why have you summoned her? Did you know I fancied her and sought to elevate her status beforehand? But we're still in mourning for Old Madam Zeng—this seems rather inappropriate."
"Preposterous nonsense!" Qin Shi snapped. "I've been covering up your reckless behavior for your father, but now you've gone too far. Get out! I'm cleaning up your mess."
Lin Jinlou straightened, his tone indifferent. "No need for Mother to trouble herself with the affairs of my household. If there's nothing else, I shall take my leave." With that, he began dragging Xianglan away.
"You wretched creature! Stop right there!" Qin Shi stood and blocked their path. "Are you trying to be the death of me?"
Lin Jinlou grinned cheekily. "How have I angered Mother? I merely took a liking to a maid—is that a crime? I know Mother dotes on Qing Lan, but she fainted out of jealousy. Surely you won't unjustly blame this girl?"
Hearing Lin Jinlou defend Xianglan at every turn, Qin Shi grew even angrier. With a bitter laugh, she said, "Splendid! Now you defy me for the sake of a maid."
Lin Jinlou chuckled. "I wouldn't dare. My heart brims with filial piety. But Mother should also show me some consideration. Among all the maids in the Lin household, she's the one I fancy. Don't take what I cherish."
"Rubbish! Just her? Then where did Ying Ge and Hua Mei come from?"
"Those two can't compare to her understanding and charm."Xianglan hunched her shoulders, thinking to herself, "Every time I see this Master, it's like encountering a plague god. How could I possibly be 'considerate and charming'?"
Lin Jinlou's eyes darkened as he stared at Qin Shi. "Mother, matters concerning my household are my own to decide. I dare not trouble you with them."
As the two stood at an impasse, Mama Han suddenly emerged from the side room, feigning surprise before smiling. "What are you all standing around for? The Master has just arrived. Taitai was just mentioning you, Master, and asked me to personally prepare some cooling soup for you." She stepped forward to pull Qin Shi aside, whispering, "Why upset the Master over a mere maid? You know his temper—stubborn as they come."
Qin Shi froze, her expression shifting uncertainly.
Lin Jinlou's temper was like a sudden storm—even his father could barely restrain him now, and Qin Shi herself feared him somewhat. Moreover, she had always doted on her eldest son and naturally didn’t wish for things to escalate.
Lin Jinlou grinned. "I’ll take this girl back with me for now. Tomorrow, I’ll have her come kowtow to you, Mother." With that, he hauled Xianglan out like a little chick.
Lin Jinlou brought Xianglan back to his outer study, dismissing the servants before grabbing her small hand with a smirk. "I’ve saved you yet again. Shouldn’t you give me a kiss?" He leaned his face closer.
Xianglan lowered her head and turned away.
Lin Jinlou’s expression darkened momentarily before shifting to indifference. "You’ve had a fright this time, but don’t worry. From now on, I’ll stand behind you—no one will dare bully you." He pushed her toward the table, where four plates of pastries and four plates of fruits were laid out. "These are from a famous restaurant—different from what we have in the mansion. Try them and see which you like best. I’ll have the servants buy more for you."
Xianglan stole a glance at Lin Jinlou. He had clearly just returned from outside, still dressed in his formal attire, his jet-black hair tied up in a jade crown, making him appear even more imposing and authoritative—a truly formidable man. But Xianglan knew he was no kind soul; one misstep, and she’d be buried alive in this household.
Clutching the hem of her clothes tightly, she whispered, "M-Master, Taitai just said... she would release me to get married..." Lin Jinlou stiffened. Xianglan wet her lips and cautiously continued, "It’s all my fault for angering Taitai and the ladies. Please don’t let me cause discord between you and your mother. I—"
Lin Jinlou turned to face her, and Xianglan’s words died in her throat. He stroked her cheek, his dark expression suddenly breaking into a smile. "Tsk tsk, what an ungrateful little thing. Here I am, thinking of you, and you’re already planning to marry some other man? Tell me, who is this fellow that’s captured your heart so completely?"
Xianglan dropped to her knees with a thud, pleading, "I... beg you... I truly don’t wish to be a concubine. Please, Master, show mercy. If you release me, I’ll become a nun—chanting sutras and praying for your blessings for the rest of my life, never marrying anyone." Her voice choked with sobs as tears rolled down her cheeks.Lin Jinlou remained smiling as he bent down to wipe Xianglan's tears with the sleeve of his brand-new robe, his tone surprisingly gentle. "Oh dear, why the golden tears now? What's so bad about staying with me? With your delicate looks and sweet, pleasing nature, who knows how much I might dote on you. Even if you wanted to become a nun, I couldn't bear to let you go..."
Xianglan avoided his sleeve and kowtowed. "I beg the Master to show mercy..."
After coaxing her for a while with no success, Lin Jinlou's smile vanished abruptly. He sneered, "'Unwilling to be a concubine'? What about that Song boy then? Did he promise to marry you as his proper wife?"
Xianglan's eyes widened in shock.
Lin Jinlou gave another mocking laugh and said coldly, "Well? Did he promise you the position of principal wife?"
Xianglan shook her head hurriedly. "This has nothing to do with Young Master Song. He... he and I aren't close..."
"Not close? Not close yet he sends you food and drink every day?" Lin Jinlou turned and sat on a stool, crossing his legs as he looked down at Xianglan kneeling on the floor. His smile was icy. "Do you take me for a fool who knows nothing? Quietly hooking up with someone behind my back—you're quite the little vixen, aren't you? With such skills, why not let me see what tricks you've got?"
Xianglan's face turned pale as she twisted her hands together. "N-no... Master, it's not like that..."
"Then what is it like?" Lin Jinlou's expression frosted over completely. "He even sent Xiao San'er to ask me for you. You must have been overjoyed, weren't you?"
Xianglan's lips trembled, unable to speak.
Lin Jinlou beckoned. "Stop kneeling. Get up. The floor's cold—if you fall ill, I'll be heartbroken. Come here." When Xianglan remained motionless, he raised his voice. "Hurry up. Must I come fetch you myself?"
Xianglan had no choice but to rise and walk over woodenly. Lin Jinlou yanked her into his lap, grinning as he said, "Tell me, what do you see in that Song boy? Or what did he promise you?"
Xianglan stiffened, forcing herself to fabricate quietly, "Nothing at all. Once he saw me being beaten and scolded by Cousin, so he helped me carry water. Young Master Song pitied me and said he'd take me to serve his sister if the chance arose."
Lin Jinlou threw his head back with loud laughter, though his eyes grew even colder. Pinching Xianglan's small chin, he said, "My little Xianglan, you truly are an adorable creature. So that's all it took for him to fancy you? Sending fans and treats? Tsk, playing out those scholar-beauty romance scripts, are we? What kind of fan did he give you? Tell me."
Xianglan's heart sank—she realized Lin Jinlou already knew everything. Biting her lip, she refused to speak further.
Still smiling, Lin Jinlou said, "How bold of you both, playing games right under my nose. Never mind the Song family's current standing—even at their peak, they were nothing but shit in my eyes."
Xianglan trembled and wept. "Master, Young Master Song and I are innocent... This servant has never entertained improper thoughts..."Lin Jinlou pressed his finger against Xianglan's lips, leaning in intimately, his warm breath brushing her ear: "Let me tell you today, whether it's that Song boy or anyone else, you'd better put those thoughts to rest and stay right here obediently. Don't forget—it's not just you, but your entire family is in my grasp. As they say, a wise man submits to circumstances. If you want to make trouble, you'd better know who you're dealing with." He gently stroked the hair at her temple. "I'd rather not see your happy family torn apart. But if you displease me, perhaps you'll all be scattered to the winds, left to pine for each other in loneliness."
Xianglan understood now that Lin Jinlou would never let her go. Despair washed over her. She hated being a servant, hated that her parents were servants too, leaving them all utterly at another's mercy.
She wanted to slap Lin Jinlou hard across the face, to stab him with sword and dagger until not an inch of him remained whole. But she didn't dare. She might risk her own life, but she couldn't endanger her parents.
With difficulty, she nodded, wiping her cheeks with her sleeve. "Understood, Master."
Such meek submission naturally pleased Lin Jinlou. Stroking her hair, he smiled. "You've had a fright today. Since those wretched things in Knowing Spring Pavilion bullied you, there's no need to go back. I'll have Shuran fetch your belongings later—you'll move here instead."
Xianglan started. "Master, perhaps in a few days?" she pleaded softly. "Please..."
After some thought, Lin Jinlou nodded. "Very well, in a few days then." He stood and personally escorted her back.
Xianglan didn't know how she made the journey back, only that her heart was filled to bursting with despair.
Thank you yu21yu21 for the sachet, thank you Yan Sansheng for two Peace Talismans, and thank you chljyaa for the Peace Talisman as well! My gratitude also to everyone who generously cast pink votes for me The extra chapter for Yan Sansheng will be posted tomorrow, hehe~ Keep those pink votes coming!!! The female lead is going through a rough patch now—but don't worry, she won't stay downtrodden forever, ahem.
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