Although Qinglan was timid and submissive, as the saying goes, "Human greed is like a snake trying to swallow an elephant"—once avarice takes root, it becomes uncontrollable. When Qin Shi had sent a matchmaker to her family proposing she become Lin Jinlou's concubine, her father had hesitated and wanted to refuse. But after secretly catching a glimpse of Lin Jinlou from behind a screen, Qinglan had fallen for him at first sight, feeling that such a talented and handsome man would be hard to find elsewhere in the world. Even if she were to be his concubine for life, she would be content.
Earlier, when she lived in the capital, Lin Jinlou had doted on her. Everyone in the mansion, being shrewd, had addressed her as "Nǎinai," omitting the prefix for a concubine, making her feel no different from the legal wife. But upon returning to Jinling, the first thing she had to do was kneel and serve tea to the legal wife. She was also assigned to live in the side chamber of the eastern wing. Though her food, clothing, and daily necessities were not lacking, her status could not compare to that of the legal wife. During the Lin family's banquets, she, as a concubine, wasn't even allowed to attend! The last time Lin Jinlou had intended to rest in the eastern wing, Zhao Yuechan had stormed in, smashing cups and injuring the maids in her room. Yet Lin Jinlou hadn't scolded her; instead, he had followed Zhao Yuechan back to the main chamber to rest. Qinglan said nothing, but her heart felt as if it were being fried in oil.
A few days prior, she had ordered her subordinates to organize a poetry club, expecting to shine and gain attention. Unexpectedly, Madam had harshly reprimanded her for overstepping her status and told her to "serve the Eldest Master and Da Nǎinai properly"!
Only then did she realize that no matter how displeasing Zhao Yuechan was to Lin Jinlou or how coldly her husband treated her, her status as the legal wife came first. Everyone had to bow and address her as "Grandma," and if any scandal occurred, the entire household would do their utmost to cover it up. No matter how much Lin Jinlou doted on Qinglan, she was ultimately just a concubine—a woman who relied on pleasing her master to secure her position. What would happen to her if Lin Jinlou found a new favorite in the future? And now, she could already see his affection for her waning. She was still young and beautiful, yet just because she was pregnant, Lin Jinlou had taken a fancy to the maid in her chamber.
The lovely Xianglan, the elegant Xianglan, the even more beautiful Xianglan...
As for her, would she end up like the opera lyrics: "Beauty not yet faded, but favor already severed"?
Qinglan clenched the handkerchief in her hand, her nails digging deep into her palms.
If she could personally hand this account book to Lin Jinlou, she would be just one step away from becoming the Lin family's Da Nǎinai. Even if there was only a sliver of hope, she had to try. Thinking this, she lifted the bed board and hid the account book in the hidden compartment between the bed frame.
Just as she smoothed the bedding, a flash of lightning streaked across the sky, followed by a thunderous clap that startled Qinglan into jumping. After all, she was not a person of courage and resolve; her heart wavered between worry and fear, and she longed to consult someone. Unfortunately, Wu Mama had caught a chill, fearing to pass the illness to her, and had gone home to recuperate. The remaining maids and matrons were either untrustworthy or foolish. She stood up and sat down repeatedly, her heart in torment.
In the main chamber of Zhichun Hall.
Zhao Yuechan slapped Yingshuang hard across the face and scolded, "Useless wretch! I sent you to the second gate to wait for my cousin's servant to retrieve the account book, and what did you bring back? You're supposed to be experienced in handling matters, yet now you can't even manage this small task. What use are you?" With that, she threw the Buddhist scriptures in her hand directly at Yingshuang's face.Yingshuang knelt on the floor, covering her face with tears in her eyes, and said, "Da Nǎinai, please calm your anger. I bumped into Chunling and Xianglan in the garden, and in the chaos, I must have taken the wrong ledger. Since I was closest to Chunling at the time, the account book should be in the east wing with Concubine Lan."
Zhao Yuechan grew even more furious, rushing forward to strike her several times: "Has lightning struck your brain or have ghosts eaten your soul? How could you do such a foolish thing! It wouldn't be so bad if it fell into anyone else's hands, but to end up with that little slut! If she hands the ledger to Madam and the Eldest Master, we might as well all find ropes and hang ourselves clean!"
Yingshuang kowtowed tearfully, "Mistress, I was wrong, please spare me!"
Zhao Yuechan trembled with rage, both frightened and panicked: "Spare you? How can I spare you? I'll find a white silk cord right now, strangle you first, then hang myself from the beams!"
Yingshuang clung to Zhao Yuechan's legs, crying, "How did it come to this? The ledger has just been lost, it should still be in the east wing. Why not have Yindie steal it back..."
Zhao Yuechan snapped, "Don't mention that useless wench—the east wing has been guarding against her for a long time."
Wiping her tears, Yingshuang suggested, "Then I'll go ask the east wing for it."
Zhao Yuechan spat, "Fool! If that little slut hasn't realized the mistake, she might still exchange it with you. But if she's already discovered it's something deadly, why would she ever give it to you!"
Yingshuang thought to herself: "I've long said we shouldn't continue lending usury money, but Da Nǎinai listened to Young Master Cousin's sweet talk and kept putting money out. Now that this has come to light, I'm afraid we can't escape involvement. If they follow the clues and uncover the affair between Young Master Cousin and Da Nǎinai, I'd rather dash my brains out now to save the trouble." She cried even harder.
Zhao Yuechan kicked Yingshuang and scolded, "Cry! All you know is crying! Shut up now!" Yingshuang immediately fell silent, forcing back soft sobs. After thinking for a moment, Zhao Yuechan took a deep breath and said, "Someone! I'm going to the east wing."
Straightaway, Zhao Yuechan brought her maid Bailu, lifting her skirts as she headed to the east wing. Yindie was under the eaves catching rainwater in a large earthen jar when she saw Zhao Yuechan arrive. Startled, she lifted the curtain and called out, "Da Nǎinai is here!"
Her mind in turmoil, Zhao Yuechan paid no attention to the young maid and strode directly inside. Chunling was guarding Qinglan's bedroom door, doing needlework. Seeing Zhao Yuechan's aggressive demeanor and unable to stop her, she could only crane her neck and shout, "Da Nǎinai is here!" Xianglan, who was making shoes inside, wondered why Zhao Yuechan had come to the east wing for no reason. Peeking out and seeing Zhao Yuechan storming toward the bedroom, she quickly pulled her head back.
Qinglan was pacing nervously in her room. Hearing of Zhao Yuechan's arrival made her even more flustered, unsure whether to sit or stand. Her mind went blank, unable to conjure any strategy to handle the situation. In her panic, Zhao Yuechan had already lifted the curtain and entered. Their eyes met, and Zhao Yuechan said with a mocking smile, "What keeps you so busy, Sister Qinglan?""
Qinglan forced an unnatural smile, stammering, "No—nothing, just sitting idly." So flustered she even forgot to offer a seat or tea.Zhao Yuechan was a clever woman. Taking one look at Qinglan’s expression, she immediately understood the situation and grew more composed instead. She selected a chair to sit in, raised her eyebrows, and said, “I wouldn’t come without a reason. My maid is clumsy and accidentally swapped books with your maid in the garden.” She signaled to Bailu with her eyes to hand the Buddhist scripture to Qinglan. Smiling, she added, “Sister, see if this is yours?”
Qinglan lowered her head and took the book. It had an indigo-blue cover, and inside was a copy of the Diamond Sutra written in a dignified hand—the very one Xianglan had lent her. Qinglan’s heart raced, and she stole a glance at Zhao Yuechan.
Zhao Yuechan sat opposite her, smiling as she watched. Though her expression was amiable, her eyes were like two sharp, menacing swords—cold and piercing—making Qinglan shudder involuntarily.
Zhao Yuechan asked, “This is yours, isn’t it?”
Qinglan forced a smile and replied, “Thank you for bringing it back, Madam. This is indeed the Buddhist scripture I lost…” As she spoke, she walked to the shelf, took down a few books, and flipped through them, not daring to look at Zhao Yuechan. “How strange, I don’t seem to have the book you lost here.”
“Oh?” Zhao Yuechan raised her eyebrows slightly, walked over, took the books from Qinglan’s hands, and leafed through them. With a faint, ambiguous smile, she said, “That is indeed strange.”
Qinglan murmured softly, “Perhaps your maid left it somewhere else.”
Zhao Yuechan sneered, “Did she leave it somewhere else, or did you hide it?”
Qinglan flinched, shrinking her neck, and stammered, “You must be joking, Madam… I… I…”
Zhao Yuechan softened her tone, “Why call me ‘Madam’? We live together and serve the Eldest Master side by side. Just call me ‘sister.’ Originally, there were a few others in the Eldest Master’s household, all with their bewitching charms, scheming to lead him astray. Out of genuine concern, I feared for his health, but as a mere Bedchamber Attendant, I dared not restrain him too much. I only advised him to take care of himself, yet somehow, it displeased him. Moreover, I managed the household rather strictly, and some servants gossiped behind my back, tarnishing my reputation. I never dared to complain, only endured silently. It wasn’t until a life was lost that the Eldest Master realized those fox spirits were trouble and dismissed them. He knows I mean well, but he’s still holding a grudge, which is why he treats me coldly. You’re a clever girl. Though I may be careless at times and fail to take good care of you, have I ever made things difficult for you?”
Qinglan, momentarily confused, could only follow along, “You’re a reasonable person, Madam. You’ve never made things difficult for me.”
Zhao Yuechan smiled, “Exactly. In truth, since you joined the household and are now carrying the Eldest Master’s child, I’ve been overjoyed. Heaven has shown mercy—I’ll have an ally in the future. As sisters, sharing joys and sorrows, wouldn’t that be even stronger than blood ties?”
Qinglan said, “I only ask for your care, Madam. I am willing to serve you for life.” As she spoke, she moved to bow.
Zhao Yuechan quickly held her arm, saying, “I knew you weren’t one to scheme… To be frank, sister, that book of mine is something important. Please search carefully again. If you find it, return it to me.”
Qinglan stealthily placed her left hand on her stomach, hardened her heart, and said, “I truly don’t have your book here, Madam.”Zhao Yuechan's smile stiffened on her face, her heart seething with hatred: "It seems she's determined to deny everything with an iron will. How hateful that she has Madam and the child in her womb backing her! Otherwise, I'd burn this place down and be done with it! Without finding that ledger, the debts I just issued will have no proof, causing a pointless loss of seven or eight thousand taels of silver. Losing the silver is one thing, but if the Eldest Master truly finds out..." Her heart skipped a beat, and when she looked at Qinglan again, her gaze was filled with intense venom.
The rumble of thunder rolled in from the horizon, and the room fell silent for a moment. Bailu whispered, "Da Nǎinai, it's about to rain. Should I fetch an umbrella?"
Zhao Yuechan said coldly, "No need. Let's go." With that, she turned and walked out the door. Qinglan breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly followed to see her off.
Stepping out of the room and standing on the steps under the corridor, Zhao Yuechan suddenly turned back and glared at Qinglan, her anger still simmering. She thought to herself, "You wretch! If you scheme against me, I won't let you off easy either!" She let out a breath and ordered her attendants, "Step back for a moment. I have some words to say to Concubine Lan alone."
The downpour began to fall in torrents.
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