Xianglan had been ill for a month before stopping her medication, and the bruises on her face had completely faded. It was now midsummer, with cicadas chirping, frogs croaking, lush green trees casting deep shade, and the courtyard filled with the fragrance of blooming roses on trellises.
Sitting in the cool shade of the corridor, Xianglan carefully worked on her needlework. Junxi brought out a small low table and said with a smile, "Take a break. You've been at it all day—don't overwork yourself and fall ill again."
"This needlework can't be finished in a day or two. Have a piece of watermelon to cool off first. It was just fetched from the well and is wonderfully refreshing." Yuexi deftly carried over a plump watermelon, sliced it with a knife, handed a piece to Xianglan, and then called Junxi over.
Xianglan took a bite—it was indeed sweet and cooling. She asked, "Has some been sent to Taitai and the young mistress's rooms?"
Junxi replied, "They were served first. Taitai even rewarded us with lychee drink, which we'll chill and serve to Master in the evening." She sat down beside Yuexi, and the three of them gathered around the small table, eating watermelon and chatting merrily.
A gentle breeze blew by, and Xianglan smoothed the loose strands of hair at her temples. Gazing at the plants in the courtyard, she felt utterly at ease.
The Song residence wasn't large—just a two-courtyard house. Though it lacked the grandeur of the Lin family's pavilions, towers, and ponds, its bamboo groves, banana trees, exotic rocks, and rare plants gave it a distinctive charm. The Song household was small, with only about a dozen servants in total. Xianglan observed that while there weren’t many luxurious ornaments on display, items like the white jade vase with beast-shaped knobs and lion-shaped handles or the bronze tripod with deer-head rings were clearly valuable. The chair covers, cushions, and seat pads were all made of slightly worn but still elegant brocade and silk, hinting at the family’s past prosperity. Though their former opulence had faded, they remained comfortably well-off.
A few days earlier, Song Ke had instructed Xianglan to kowtow to Song Yima, introducing her as a maid he had bought from outside. Xianglan had been nervous, fearing she might be recognized as someone from the Lin household. But Song Yima was the type who paid little attention to such matters, and with the Lin family’s numerous maids, she only remembered the influential senior maids serving Qin Shi and Wang Shi. Naturally, she didn’t recognize Xianglan. Song Tanchai had only met Xianglan twice before, and with so much time having passed, she merely found Xianglan’s face familiar and saw nothing amiss. Instead, she even gifted Xianglan a set of brightly colored clothes she seldom wore.
Xianglan had little work to do each day—likely because Song Ke had given instructions. Junxi and Yuexi took care of everything, treating her almost like a young mistress. Xianglan insisted on doing some needlework, and since they couldn’t dissuade her, they let her be.
After finishing the watermelon, Junxi cleared the table and took the remaining slices to the servants in the front courtyard on a tray. Meanwhile, Yuexi opened a chest and brought out winter cotton clothes to air in the sun. Xianglan went to help and found a piece of dark blue brocade fabric in the cabinet.
Yuexi smiled and said, "That was leftover from making Master’s winter clothes last year. There wasn’t enough to make shoes, and we didn’t have the skill to make a hat, so we just stored it away to avoid wasting it."
Xianglan replied, "If it’s of no use, may I have it? I have an idea for something."
Yuexi waved a hand dismissively. "Take it. It’s just gathering dust anyway."Xianglan took the fabric and made a stationery pouch in less than an afternoon. She then gathered brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone to carefully sketch patterns, first embroidering a cluster of bamboo on the pouch. Junxi praised, "This bamboo is beautifully embroidered—so vibrant and neat."
Xianglan sat embroidering in her room until evening, rubbing her sore neck when she suddenly noticed Song Ke standing at the doorway, watching her. She had no idea how long he had been there.
She quickly stood up and asked, "Why are you just standing at the door after coming back?" She beckoned him inside while pouring tea, then turned and added, "It's hot outside. The bathwater has been prepared in the washroom, and there are chilled fruits in the house. Would you like some?"
Song Ke didn't answer. Dressed in a soft grass-green silk robe with a jade-colored belt at his waist, his complexion as fair as jade, he simply gazed at Xianglan with a smile. The stifling heat outside and the afternoon spent managing family affairs had left him in a foul mood. But upon entering, he saw Xianglan sitting quietly on the gilded luohan bed, embroidering. Her lotus-like face was slightly bowed, revealing her fair neck as her nimble fingers worked the needle—serene and lovely.
Song Ke felt his irritation vanish into thin air, and the corners of his mouth lifted unconsciously. He had been staring at her for who knows how long. Now, as Xianglan served tea and fetched his everyday home clothes, Song Ke couldn't help but feel she resembled a little wife welcoming her husband home. Dazed, he sat down and watched her bustling about, placing a tray of assorted fruits on the small kang table beside him.
Song Ke cleared his throat softly. "You've just recovered—don't overexert yourself. Where are Junxi and Yuexi?"
"They went to the young lady's room to help pick fabrics. The shop just delivered various bolts of cloth for new outfits," Xianglan replied, handing him a damp towel and then the tea. "I'm already fine—not so delicate anymore."
Song Ke wiped his face and hands. "Still, you should rest a while longer. In my opinion, you shouldn't stop the tonic medicine for at least half a year." He glanced at her. "If everyone went to pick fabrics, why didn't you go?" Since arriving at the Song household, Xianglan had only worn Song Tanchai's old clothes and a couple of new servant outfits. Song Ke had ordered fabrics from the shop to make her a few seasonal outfits, but giving them to her alone would be too conspicuous, so he had them sent to Song Tanchai's room for everyone to choose. Unexpectedly, Xianglan hadn't gone.
Xianglan smiled, her delicate brows and eyes curving. "If I went, who would look after the house? Would I leave you to call in the maids for cold tea and water?"
That smile made Song Ke's heart pound. It felt both familiar and enchanting, plucking at the strings of his heart, leaving him momentarily dazed.
Noticing Song Ke staring blankly at her, Xianglan blushed. Though flustered, she maintained composure and changed the subject. "Master, would you like to bathe first or eat first?"
Song Ke, realizing his lapse, coughed and looked down, pretending not to hear her question. "Since you didn't go pick fabrics, I happen to have two bolts here. Keep them if you like." He lifted the curtain and called to the young attendant in the corridor, "Ludou, bring those two bolts of cloth."Before long, Ludou indeed came in carrying two bolts of fabric—one was a fine sky-blue cloth, and the other a delicate pink silk, both of superior quality, soft and finely woven, yet not overly extravagant.
Xianglan ran her fingers over them repeatedly. Song Ke watched her slightly lowered lashes, feeling as though a gentle feather were brushing against his heart. Noticing the jade hairpin in her hair had gone askew, he instinctively reached out to adjust it. Xianglan quickly looked up, and their eyes met just as the door curtain rustled. Fang Si walked in holding a bolt of ivory-colored cloth, her expression darkening at the sight of them. Coolly, she remarked, “Oh dear, what a scene. It seems I’ve come at an awkward time.”
Fang Si was a favored maidservant of Song Yima. Her mother, Guo Mama, was Song Yima’s trusted confidante and later married a respectable steward. After Song Ke’s father passed away, leaving the mother and son in precarious circumstances, Guo Mama remained fiercely loyal, never leaving their side. Her daughter, Fang Si, also entered the household to serve, earning Song Yima’s particular favor.
Tall, fair-skinned, with almond eyes and thin lips, Fang Si was not stunningly beautiful but had her charms. Quick-witted and eloquent, she had caught Song Yima’s attention. After discreetly probing Guo Mama’s thoughts and confirming Fang Si’s willingness to serve Song Ke, Song Yima intended to give Fang Si to him as a concubine. Unexpectedly, Song Ke refused, even chiding his mother for meddling.
Song Yima doted on her son as her greatest treasure and the hope of her later years, not daring to defy his wishes. Upon learning of the rejection, Fang Si wept bitterly and disappeared for three full days. Yet afterward, she seemed to redouble her efforts—frequently bringing things to Song Ke and chatting merrily with Junxi and Yuexi. Initially, when she saw Xianglan bedridden and disfigured by illness, she had pitied the girl. But as Xianglan gradually recovered, her wounds healing cleanly, Fang Si grew increasingly cold toward her.
Annoyed by Fang Si’s ill-timed arrival, Song Ke expressionlessly withdrew his hand from Xianglan’s hair and turned away. “What brings you here?” he asked.
Fang Si swallowed her bitterness and forced a reply, “Taitai thought this color was lovely and asked for Master’s opinion. If you like it, I’ll make a cloak for you.” Her eyes flickered toward Song Ke’s face.
Song Ke smiled faintly. “I’ve already said I won’t be adding any new clothes this year—let Mother and the girls choose. Besides, it’s sweltering summer. Who wears cloaks now?”
Fang Si hurriedly said, “If not a cloak, then perhaps loose trousers?”
Seeing Fang Si’s reddened eyes, Song Ke softened his tone. “You’re already swamped with needlework for Taitai’s quarters. Why burden you further? My clothes are being taken care of—just focus on serving Taitai well.”
Fang Si shook her head eagerly. “It’s just a pair of trousers—it won’t be any trouble.” As if afraid he might refuse, she stepped forward, offering Xianglan a strained smile. “Junxi and Yuexi’s needlework is rough, and Xianglan is newly arrived and still unwell—she shouldn’t overexert herself. After much thought, I decided the needlework for Master’s quarters should still fall to me.”
Song Ke considered, Fang Si is Mother’s most favored maid. I can’t openly slight Mother’s face. It’s just a pair of trousers—if she wants to make them, let her. Reluctantly, he nodded.
Fang Si beamed as if she had been granted a treasure. “I’ll finish them in two or three days,” she said delightedly, gazing at Song Ke with hopeful eyes.Song Ke smiled and nodded, then got up to go wash in the bathhouse, leaving Fang Si and Xianglan staring at each other in the room.
Fang Si looked Xianglan up and down with an arrogant expression. "I haven't asked you yet—when Master bought you into the household, you were a sickly thing. What was that about?"
Xianglan glanced at Fang Si, lit the lamp on the table, and replied coolly, "Is this something Taitai told you to ask me, or is it your own question?"
Fang Si hadn’t expected Xianglan to respond like that and was momentarily stunned.
My apologies—work has been absolutely insane lately. I was exhausted when I got home yesterday, and staying up late would’ve been too much, so I didn’t finish writing. Now I’m rushing to make up for tomorrow’s update and will try to squeeze in another chapter later. To all the readers who tipped and voted—I’ll thank you properly in the next chapter. Really, thank you all so much for your patience! ^_^
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