After leaving Song Yima's room, Guo Mama pulled Fangsi inside, closed the door, and whispered, "Don't bring up that matter about Xianglan again. You know perfectly well that Madam follows the Eldest Master's every word. If the Eldest Master said coal was white, Madam would chime in, 'Yes, yes, it does look a bit white'... Ah, why must you throw yourself against a blade?"
Fangsi twisted her handkerchief and said, "I just can't accept it."
Guo Mama sighed. "What can you do even if you don't accept it? I've long advised you to learn a few characters—the Eldest Master likes those with literary refinement. But you wouldn't listen. Look at Hongxiu and Xianglan—both can read and write. Now that you're not favored, who can you blame?"
Fangsi grew even more agitated. She flung her hand away, walked to the bed, and lay down, covering her head with the quilt. Guo Mama went over, sat by the bed, sighed again, and nudged Fangsi. "You've always been a sensible child since you were little. Don't lose your head and take the wrong path this time. The Eldest Master has that girl on his mind right now—don't go looking for trouble. Instead, try to get closer to her usually. I've noticed the Eldest Master is both gentle and kind to you; it's not impossible he has some interest. Let's wait another two years. But if it still doesn't work out by then, you mustn't delay any longer—marry someone obediently, you hear me?" She gave Fangsi another nudge.
Fangsi buried her head and wept. Hearing Guo Mama's words, she bit her lip and cried even harder.
Meanwhile, Xianglan helped the maids set the meal. Just then, Song Ke emerged from his bath, dressed in a dark green casual robe. Seeing Xianglan about to leave, he called out, "Xianglan, don't go. Stay and eat with me."
Jun and Yue, hearing this, exchanged glances and left with suppressed smiles. Xianglan, however, felt awkward. She had been eating with the other maids these past days, and Song Ke's invitation made her uneasy.
Song Ke acted as if nothing was amiss. He sat at the table, patted the stool beside him, and said with a laugh, "Come here quickly. Why are you standing there foolishly?"
Xianglan hesitated but stepped forward. Song Ke reached out, pulled her down to sit, and picked up several dishes for her small plate. Winking playfully, he said with a hint of mischief, "It's just the two of us—no need to be so reserved." He then served her a bowl of soup. "Try this—it's ham soup."
Xianglan stared motionlessly at the small, fragrant bowl before her.
Ham soup was also Xiao Hang's favorite. Having stayed in the Song household these days, she had become certain from Song Ke's temperament, preferences, and mannerisms that he was Xiao Hang. Yesterday, she had gone to the study and secretly taken out the fan inscribed with the lines, "Hearing the night flute from the small tower, the silence has reached the third watch." Seeing the familiar yet strange handwriting, she silently shed tears.
Finding her husband from her previous life, she couldn't tell whether her heart was filled with joy or sorrow. She rejoiced that across two lifetimes, fate had granted them a chance to meet again; she grieved that their statuses were as far apart as clouds and mud—Song Ke could never marry a servant like her!
Even though the Song family was no longer as prosperous and distinguished as before, "a starved camel is still bigger than a horse." They remained an established lineage with considerable farmland and shops. If Song Ke succeeded in the imperial examinations, he would restore the family's glory and soon marry a daughter from a noble family to revive their fortunes. Even if he were to marry a girl from an ordinary family, she would undoubtedly be the daughter of a wealthy and respectable local gentry. By any count, it would never be her turn—a little maid whose contract of servitude was tightly held by her master.
Even if she and Song Ke recognized each other, what good would it do?She dared not presume too much. In her previous life, she and Xiao Hang had been married for only a year before being exiled, with their time together totaling less than two years. Moreover, their marriage had been her one-sided wish.
Now that they had met again in this new life, how much of Song Ke's affection for her truly remained?
If this lifetime meant exchanging the status of wife for that of a concubine, she would rather never see him again!
Seeing Song Ke's concern, consideration, and attentive care for her, her heart felt as if blocked by a heavy stone. Though she warned herself not to sink too deeply into obsession, deep down, she felt a shameful secret joy and even a faint glimmer of hope.
The Buddha said that unfulfilled desires bring the greatest suffering, and so she struggled daily between obsession and letting go.
Song Ke poured himself a cup of wine and picked up a small pastry, about to eat it, but paused when he noticed Xianglan.
He didn't understand why Xianglan had that sorrowful expression again. Lately, he had been trying every way to make her happy, yet whenever she smiled, it would soon be followed by this sad look in her eyes, as if she had endured great hardship. In his past life, he had fallen ill and died, his spirit drifting aimlessly until he faintly heard a summoning voice. Following it, he found the two-year-old Song Ke on the verge of death, his family having invited a Taoist priest to call back his soul. By then, the child had already stopped breathing, so he approached and entered the boy's body. More than ten years had passed in the blink of an eye. He had sent people to inquire, only to learn that Shen had long died, and his former family members had either passed away or disappeared—not a single one could be found.
Now, this girl bore an uncanny resemblance to his former wife, Shen. Sometimes he wondered if Xianglan, like him, was Shen's soul reborn. He had tested her a few times, deliberately mentioning trivial matters only he and Shen from their past life would know, but Xianglan showed no reaction. So he began to doubt himself—after all, over ten years had passed, and the memories of his past life felt like a dream.
Song Ke cleared his throat lightly, picked up a frozen crystal plantain-leaf cup, filled it to the brim for Xianglan, and placed it before her. "Is something troubling you?" he asked.
"What trouble?" Xianglan had already concealed her melancholy by the time she looked up, smiling faintly. "I was just thinking it might be improper to share a meal with you."
Song Ke frowned deeply. "What's all this talk of propriety? I detest such formalities. At home, shouldn't we just enjoy ourselves? I want you to eat with me." He pushed the wine cup closer. "Have a few drinks with me today."
Xianglan smiled slightly. "Drinking so late at night—will you still be able to study afterward? If you can't even hold a brush steadily, how will you manage your studies?"
Song Ke laughed. "Why bring up such dreary matters? Let me clink glasses with you first." He urged Xianglan to raise her cup, tapped his against it, and downed his wine in one go.
Xianglan quickly advised, "At least have a bite or two of food. Drinking on an empty stomach can harm your organs." She picked up a duck roll and placed it on Song Ke's plate.
Song Ke unconsciously smiled, ate the duck roll in one bite, and began leisurely sharing amusing anecdotes—about how mischievous students played pranks on the academy's great scholars; how Lin Jinting secretly went to pleasure quarters to drink and was found out by Old Master Lin, who ordered Lin Changmin to discipline him with a whip; how Lin Jinting, tearful and sniffling, complained to Song Ke that it was unfair his elder brother could go to such places while he could not; and how a clerk at his shop was swindled by a charlatan.Song Ke was witty and elegant in his speech, his brilliant remarks keeping Xianglan smiling with pursed lips. Perhaps too engrossed in the joy, she only realized it was already Hai hour when Junxi came knocking.
The maids cleared the remnants of the feast and brought in fresh water. Song Ke, half-drunk, insisted on going out to admire the moon upon seeing the beautiful moonlight in the courtyard. Yuexi brought a small table, while Junxi brewed a fresh pot of hot tea and set out fruits and pastries. Song Ke dismissed them, saying, "Go to sleep now. Xianglan will attend to me here."
The two of them stood side by side in the courtyard, surrounded by silence, broken only by the rustling of wind through the bamboo grove and the occasional chirping of insects, which only deepened the tranquility.
Xianglan lifted her face to the sky, where a half-moon hung, its light as soft as silver.
After standing for a while, Song Ke let out a long sigh and smiled. "Scenery is shaped by the heart. I remember another time I looked up at the moon with a woman—it was a bright full moon hanging over the river, but because my heart was bitter, even the most beautiful moonlight felt desolate and sorrowful. Yet tonight, though it's only a half-moon, it feels serene and comforting, as if I've never seen such lovely moonlight in my life."
Xianglan, still gazing at the moon, smiled softly. "Tonight's moonlight is indeed clear and bright. Look, there isn't a single cloud in the sky, and we have flowers to admire in the courtyard, along with fine tea to savor. It truly feels like a celestial existence."
Song Ke whispered, "And with you by my side, even ordinary scenery becomes extraordinary." His voice was so faint it seemed to barely reach Xianglan's ears, yet Song Ke blushed and reached for her hand, his heart fluttering with fear that she might think him frivolous or reckless. He cleared his throat, wanting to say something, but found no words. Usually a composed man, he grew flustered out of concern.
Xianglan did not pull away but stood quietly by his side, lowering her head slightly. Silently, she thought, "Heaven, have mercy on me. Let me indulge just for a little while." Song Ke was the one she cherished deep in her heart. Watching him talk and laugh with such spirited charm, she was reminded of the beautiful days of her past life, making her yearn to draw closer. Every moment spent with Song Ke allowed her to momentarily forget her humble status and uncertain fate.
Stealing a glance, Song Ke noticed Xianglan's delicate profile and slender shoulders. Holding her small hand, his heart softened, and the corners of his mouth lifted. From the first time he saw her, he felt his heartstrings plucked. This girl was so beautiful yet so stubborn and resilient—even when punished by Cao Lihuan, she never appeared disheveled like others, always standing tall with innate dignity and pride. He had studied her intently for a long time, unable to resist the impulse to see her again.
Song Ke squeezed Xianglan's hand tightly and led her to sit by the table, smiling as he said, "I used to play some string and wind instruments for pleasure. Unfortunately, my mother prefers quiet, and since my father passed away, music has long been absent from our home. Otherwise, playing a tune now would be fitting for the occasion."
Only then did Xianglan lift her face, looking at Song Ke's handsome features, and replied with a smile, "The natural sounds around us are more enchanting than any music."Xianglan's smile was exceedingly beautiful, the moonlight spilling over her jade-like face as if coated with a faint silver, as though she had stepped out of a painting. Song Ke stared in a daze, foolishly uttering an "Mm" in response.
Seeing him in such a state, Xianglan felt like laughing, but then a touch of melancholy crept over her. She stood up and said, "It's too late. Eldest Master should go back and rest. You still have to rise early tomorrow to study—don't wear yourself out."
Song Ke was reluctant to part, but fearing Xianglan might be tired, he had no choice but to agree.
Xianglan went to attend to Song Ke's washing and bedtime. As he lifted the bed curtain, watching her carry the candle and close the door behind her, he wanted to ask her to stay, yet felt doing so would be too forward.
"After next year's spring examinations, then," Song Ke thought to himself, drifting off to sleep in a daze.
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