Xianglan had been ill for a month before stopping her medicine, and the bruises on her face had completely faded. It was now midsummer, with cicadas chirping and frogs croaking, lush green trees casting deep shadows, and the entire courtyard filled with the fragrance of blooming roses on the trellises.
Xianglan sat in the cool shade of the corridor, carefully doing needlework. Junxi brought out a small low table and said with a smile, "Take a break. You've been at it all day—be careful not to overwork yourself and fall ill."
"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 very refreshing." Yuexi deftly carried over a plump watermelon, cut it with a knife, handed a piece to Xianglan, and then called Junxi over.
Xianglan took a bite and found it indeed sweet and cool. She asked, "Have Madam and the young lady had some?"
Junxi replied, "We sent some to their rooms first. Madam even rewarded us with Lychee Drink, which we'll chill and serve to the Eldest 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, and Xianglan smoothed the stray hairs at her temples. Gazing at the plants and trees in the courtyard, she felt completely at ease.
The Song family residence was not large—just a two-courtyard house. Though it lacked the grandeur of the Lin family's pavilions, towers, ponds, and galleries, its green bamboos, plantains, exotic rocks, and rare plants held a unique charm. The Song household was simple, with few servants—only about a dozen people in total. Xianglan observed carefully: the Song family did not have many valuable curios on display, but the White Jade Goblet with Animal-Shaped Knob and Lion Ears and the Deer-Head Cauldron with Ringed Double Ears were extremely precious items. The Chair Cushions, Headrests, and Seat Cushions they used were all made of Kesi Silk, slightly worn but still elegant. From this, one could tell how prosperous this family must have been in the past. Though half of their luxurious aura had faded, they remained comfortably well-off.
A few days earlier, Song Ke had asked her to kowtow to Song Yima, simply saying that Xianglan was a maid he had bought from outside. Xianglan had been anxious, fearing she might be recognized as having come from the Lin family. However, she didn't realize that Song Yima was the type who seldom bothered with details. Moreover, the Lin household had many maids, and Song Yima only recognized the influential senior maids around Qin Shi and Wang Shi during her visits, so she naturally didn't remember Xianglan. Song Yima had only met Xianglan twice before, and with so much time having passed, she merely found Xianglan familiar upon seeing her again and noticed nothing amiss. Instead, she even gifted Xianglan a set of brightly colored clothes she seldom wore.
Xianglan had little to do every day—perhaps because Song Ke had given instructions. Junxi and Yuexi took care of all the tasks, treating Xianglan like a young lady. Xianglan insisted on finding some needlework to do, and since others couldn't dissuade her, they let her be.
After the three finished eating watermelon, Junxi cleared the table and took the remaining pieces on a tray to the front for the other servants. Yuexi opened a chest and brought out winter cotton clothes to air in the courtyard. Xianglan went to help and found a piece of dark blue brocade fabric in the cabinet.
Yuexi laughed and said, "This was left over from making winter clothes for the Eldest Master last year. We thought about making shoes, but there wasn't enough scrap fabric, and we don't have the skill to make a hat. It seemed a waste to throw it away, so we just stored it in the cabinet."
Xianglan smiled and said, "If it's of no use, give it to me. I have an idea for something to make."
Yuexi replied indifferently, "Take it. It would just gather dust sitting here unused."Xianglan promptly fetched the fabric and crafted a stationery pouch within an afternoon. She then took out brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone to meticulously sketch patterns, first embroidering a cluster of bamboo on the pouch. Junxi praised, "This bamboo embroidery is exquisite—vibrant and neatly stitched."
Xianglan sat embroidering in her room until dusk, massaging her sore neck as she looked up to discover Song Ke standing at the doorway watching her, unsure how long he had been there.
Xianglan hurriedly rose and asked, "Why stand at the door upon returning?" She beckoned him inside while pouring tea, then turned to inquire, "It’s sweltering outside—bathwater has long been prepared in the washroom, and there’s chilled fruit in the house. Would you like some?"
Song Ke remained silent. Dressed in a Clover Green soft silk robe with a jade-colored belt at his waist, his jade-like countenance broke into a smile as he gazed at Xianglan. Though the oppressive heat and a frustrating afternoon managing family business had left him simmering with irritation, the moment he entered and saw Xianglan quietly embroidering on the gilded Arhat bed—her lotus-like face bowed, revealing a delicate pale neck as her nimble needle danced—her serene grace instantly dissolved his anger into the ether. Unconsciously, his lips curved, and he stood transfixed for a long while.
Now, as Xianglan served tea and fetched his everyday house robes, Song Ke felt she resembled nothing so much as a young wife welcoming her husband home. Dazed, he sat down, watching her bustle about before setting a platter of melons, fruits, pears, and peaches on the small kang table beside him.
Song Ke cleared his throat softly. "You’ve only just recovered—don’t overexert yourself. Where are Junxi and Yuexi?"
"They’ve gone to the young lady’s room to select fabric. The shop just delivered new bolts of cloth in various colors—they say they need to tailor a few new outfits." Xianglan wrung out a hand towel and brought over the tea. "I’m fully recovered now, not so fragile anymore."
Song Ke wiped his face and hands. "Even so, you should convalesce longer. In my opinion, taking tonic medicine for another half year wouldn’t be excessive." He glanced at her. "Since everyone went to choose fabric, why didn’t you?" Ever since Xianglan arrived at the Song household, she had worn only Song Tanzhai’s hand-me-downs and two new servant’s dresses. Song Ke had thus ordered fabrics from the shop intending to have two seasonal outfits made for her. But singling her out would be too conspicuous, so he had the materials sent to Song Tanzhai’s room for everyone to pick from. He hadn’t expected Xianglan to abstain.
Xianglan smiled, her delicate brows and eyes curving charmingly. "If I went, who would mind the house? Would you have to summon matrons from outside to serve cold tea and water?"
That smile made Song Ke’s heart pound, striking him as both familiar and captivating, plucking at the strings of his heart until he drifted into a daze.
Noticing Song Ke’s rapt stare, Xianglan flushed. Though inwardly flustered, she maintained composure and deftly changed the subject: "Eldest Master, would you prefer to bathe first or dine?"
Song Ke, realizing his lapse, coughed and looked down as if ignoring her question. "Since you didn’t go choose fabric, I happen to have two bolts here. Keep them if they suit you." He lifted the curtain and called to the young attendant in the corridor: "Ludou, bring those two bolts of cloth."Before long, Ludou indeed brought two bolts of fabric—one of sky-blue fine cloth, the other of imperial concubine-colored cocoon silk. Both were of superior quality, soft and finely woven, yet not overly luxurious.
Xianglan caressed the fabrics repeatedly. Song Ke watched her slightly lowered lashes, feeling as if a soft feather were brushing against his heart. Noticing the Jade Flower Hairpin on her head had gone askew, he instinctively reached out to adjust it. Xianglan quickly looked up, and their eyes met just as the door curtain rustled. Fangsi entered carrying a bolt of ivory-colored cloth, and upon seeing the two of them in such an intimate posture, her expression immediately darkened. She remarked coolly, "Oh my, what a scene. It seems I've come at an inopportune time."
Fangsi was the favored senior maid serving Song Yima. Her mother, Guo Shi, was Song Yima's trusted confidante who later married a respectable steward. After Song Ke's father passed away, leaving the mother and son vulnerable to hardships, Guo Mama remained steadfastly loyal. Her daughter Fangsi also entered the household to serve the masters, and Song Yima held her in particularly high regard.
Fangsi was tall and fair-skinned, with almond-shaped eyes and thin lips. Though not exceptionally beautiful, she possessed a certain charm and was quick-witted with her words. Song Yima had taken a liking to her and, after sounding out Guo Mama's opinion and learning that Fangsi was willing to serve by Song Ke's side, had intended to grant Fangsi to Song Ke as a concubine. To her surprise, Song Ke refused and even chided Song Yima for meddling.
Song Yima regarded her son as the apple of her eye and her sole hope for the latter half of her life, so she dared not go against his wishes. Upon learning of the rejection, Fangsi wept bitterly and avoided everyone for three full days. Yet afterward, she seemed to grow even more attentive—frequently sending items to Song Ke and engaging in cheerful banter with Junxi and Yuexi. Initially, when she saw Xianglan bedridden and disfigured by illness, she had expressed pity for the unfortunate girl. But as Xianglan gradually regained her health and her facial injuries healed completely, Fangsi grew increasingly cold and distant toward her.
Song Ke was inwardly annoyed at Fangsi's untimely arrival. Expressionlessly, he withdrew his hand from Xianglan's hair and turned around, asking, "What brings you here?"
Fangsi, feeling wronged, suppressed her bitterness and said, "Madam thought this color was lovely and asked for Eldest Master's opinion. If you like it, I can make a cloak for you." Her eyes secretly darted toward Song Ke's face.
Song Ke smiled faintly and replied, "I've already said I won't be adding any new clothes this year. Let Mother and my sisters choose. Besides, it's so hot in summer—what use would I have for a cloak?"
Fangsi hurriedly added, "If not a cloak, then perhaps a pair of loose-legged pants would do."
Seeing Fangsi's eyes redden, Song Ke softened his tone. "You're already busy enough with the needlework in Madam's quarters. Why add to your duties? There are others to make my clothes—just focus on serving Madam well."
Fangsi shook her head urgently. "It's just a pair of pants—it won't be any trouble." As if afraid Song Ke would refuse, she took a few steps forward and forced a smile at Xianglan. "Junxi and Yuexi's needlework is rather coarse, and Xianglan here has just arrived and isn't in the best health. She shouldn't be overworked. After much thought, I believe the needlework for Eldest Master's quarters should still be left to me."
Song Ke thought to himself, "Fangsi is Mother's most favored maid. I can't openly slight Mother's face. It's just a pair of pants—if she wants to make them, let her." Reluctantly, he nodded in agreement.
Fangsi beamed as if she had received a treasure, her entire face lighting up with joy. "I can finish it in two or three days," she said delightedly, gazing eagerly at Song Ke.Song Ke smiled and nodded, then rose to go bathe in the cleansing room, leaving Fangsi and Xianglan staring wide-eyed at each other in the room.
Fangsi looked Xianglan over from head to toe, her expression haughty. "I haven't asked you before—when the Eldest Master bought you and brought you into the mansion, you were a sickly weakling. How did that happen?"
Xianglan glanced at Fangsi, lit the lamp on the table, and said calmly, "Did Madam ask you to question me, or are you asking on your own?"
Fangsi hadn't expected Xianglan to respond like that and was immediately stunned.
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