Xianglan and Song Ke released lotus lanterns together. As the night grew darker, they didn't linger and both returned home. Xianglan had pleasant dreams all night. The next day, Song Ke still went to the academy to study. Xianglan tidied up both inside and outside the house, took out all the clothes from the chests, folded them neatly one by one, and sorted them into several piles to put back in the cabinets.
Yuexi smiled and said, "I've long wanted to organize Master's clothes but never found the time."
Xianglan replied, "Some of these clothes are so worn that the edges have turned white. While simplicity is good, this isn't the right kind. Master deals with scions of noble families and distinguished officials and gentry every day. What's most detestable is those snobbish fools who judge people by their clothes—we can't let them look down on him." She pointed and explained, "These are new, put them on top for Master to wear when receiving guests. These are slightly worn; we can change the collars and cuffs, sprinkle hot wine on them, and iron them to make them look new again. These three have damages—mend the holes where possible, and where not, embroider flowers to cover them. The most regrettable is this fur coat, eaten by moths. Tomorrow, we should ask the steward to bring another camphorwood chest. As for these, they're either too faded or have oil stains on the lapels. We should ask Master—if he no longer wears them, they can be given away."
Yuexi clapped her hands and said, "Master has three or four seasonal outfits made every year, but they're just stored away in the chests, some forgotten after being made. It's good we took them out to check." She called Junxi over to help Xianglan organize the clothes and find suitable fabric for repairs.
Yuexi suddenly sighed and said, "Ah, if the old master were still alive, Master wouldn't have to wear such clothes. He'd have several new outfits tailored every year, and these old ones would have long been discarded."
Xianglan said, "Wearing old clothes isn't necessarily bad, as long as he doesn't wear them when receiving guests."
Junxi added, "Master is saving money to use for networking after passing the provincial exams. Those officials in the capital are all ruthless—without greasing the wheels, how can Master secure a good position?"
As they spoke, someone called from outside the window, "Is Miss Xianglan here?" Xianglan peeked out and saw Guo Mama standing outside. She quickly put down her work, slipped on her shoes from the couch, and went out, saying, "Mama, what brings you here? Please come in."
Guo Mama smiled broadly, took Xianglan's hand, and said, "It's nothing. I came today to apologize. My daughter was impudent and offended you with her words. Please forgive her ignorance and don't take it to heart. I'll discipline her properly when I get back."
Xianglan immediately understood—Song Ke must have spoken to Guo Mama. She smiled and said, "Mama, what are you saying? It's my fault for not knowing what to say and what not to say. Please ask Sister Fang Si to forgive me."
After exchanging polite but insincere smiles, Guo Mama handed over a food box and said, "These are freshly steamed cloud slice cakes I made this morning, for you all to enjoy."
Xianglan smiled and said, "You've gone to too much trouble, Mama." She then fetched a box of assorted candied fruits for Guo Mama to take back.Xianglan was unaware that early that morning, Song Ke had gone to pay his respects to Song Yima. The mother and daughter exchanged a few pleasantries when Fang Si, who was standing by to serve, seized the moment to say, "The trousers I made for Master are ready. Please take a look, and if there's anything unsatisfactory, I can make adjustments." With that, she presented the trousers to Song Ke.
Song Yima smiled and said, "Fang Si stayed up two nights to finish these. You're not allowed to complain."
Song Ke bowed slightly and replied with a smile, "I wouldn't dare." He then glanced at Fang Si and added, "Thank you for your trouble."
Fang Si's face immediately flushed red. She gave Song Ke a shy look but, despite her usual eloquence, found herself at a loss for words and slowly retreated to Song Yima's side.
Song Yima exchanged a knowing glance with Guo Mama, both wearing amused expressions. Song Ke noticed this and lowered his head slightly before saying after a moment, "Fang Si has served Mother diligently all these years, and her efforts are commendable. However, she's also growing older. Mother, please consider finding her a good match in the future. When the time comes, I'll contribute to her dowry."
Before he could finish, Fang Si's face turned pale, and tears welled up in her eyes. Song Yima was taken aback and looked at Guo Mama, her expression awkward. Yet, she didn't wish to oppose her son's wishes and said, "You're right. Naturally, we mustn't mistreat Fang Si."
Song Ke didn't linger and stood to take his leave. Guo Mama escorted him to the door, where he suddenly stopped and turned back, saying, "After all, Fang Si is a maid from Taitai's quarters. In the future, her needlework should prioritize Taitai's needs first. If she ruins her health making trousers for me, not only would I feel guilty, but who would handle Taitai's chores if she falls ill?"
Guo Mama's heart sank again, and she quickly replied, "Master is absolutely right. From now on, Fang Si will only do needlework for Taitai."
Song Ke made his point without overstating it and left.
Guo Mama sensed something amiss in Song Ke's tone. When she entered the side room, she found Fang Si wiping away tears. Upon questioning, she learned that Fang Si had quarreled with Xianglan the previous day. Guo Mama exclaimed anxiously, "I told you to avoid provoking Xianglan, but you wouldn't listen! Now you've left yourself no room for maneuver!" She hastily brought pastries to Xianglan as an apology. Upon returning, she sighed deeply and said to Fang Si, "Today, I took a closer look at Xianglan. She's as beautiful as a fairy, and her words and actions are impeccable. No wonder Master holds her in such regard. Since she's openly clashed with you, it's clear she won't tolerate you. When Master marries his future wife, Xianglan will have her own hardships to face. Why compete with her now? Listen to me—stay far away from her from now on and don't upset Master again."
Fang Si choked back her sobs and agreed, secretly resenting Song Ke's coldness and Xianglan for ruining her plans. But that's another story.
Meanwhile, after tidying Song Ke's room, Xianglan painted a detailed sketch of insects and plants, inscribed with the words "Lan Xiang Ju Shi (The Recluse of Orchid Fragrance)." She took out a seal, dipped it in ink, and pressed it firmly at the bottom. Her paintings were elegant in composition, though occasionally vibrant and bold. Her floral depictions leaned toward the expressive, while the insects were meticulously rendered in fine detail, creating a lively and unique style. Such charming works were rare in the market, making them highly sought after by ladies and young misses in inner chambers.For a while, because Xianglan had entered the Lin household, she had no time to paint. Only two or three of her works were sold by Chen Wanquan before they became scarce, causing the price of her paintings to skyrocket several times over. As a result, counterfeit versions began circulating in the market, though none could match the charm and artistic conception of Xianglan’s originals. Though Chen Wanquan was unreliable, he was shrewd and silver-tongued, hyping the paintings to the extreme. Now, even a small piece could fetch seven or eight taels of silver, making Chen Wanquan so giddy with joy he felt weightless.
Xianglan, however, refused to paint more than one or two small pieces at a time. The moment Chen Wanquan hung them in his shop, they would sell out instantly. Soon, the name "Lan Xiang Ju Shi (The Recluse of Orchid Fragrance)" gained fame, and scholars and connoisseurs took pride in owning one of her works, driving the prices even higher.
After finishing a painting, Xianglan felt stifled by the heat in her room. Peering out the window, she saw dark clouds gathering—a sure sign of rain. She quickly fetched an umbrella and called Ludou to the corridor, saying, "Master probably didn’t take an umbrella when he left this morning. Go deliver this to the academy, and hurry back." Ludou took the umbrella and left.
Xianglan put away her painting, thinking it best not to leave her works at the Song residence. She grabbed another umbrella and quietly slipped out the back gate to return home. Finding Chen Wanquan absent, she handed the painting to Xue Shi with instructions: "Mother, give this to Father in half a month. Don’t sell them too frequently—once they’re no longer rare, their value will drop. After a while, I’ll stop painting insects and plants and switch to landscapes. If those can fetch a high price too, that would be ideal." She added, "Father initially claimed I painted these, but now he mustn’t. Have him retract it and say he misspoke—that the paintings were actually done by a wandering scholar who once stayed at Still Moon Temple and gifted me a few pieces, which I’ve kept hidden until now."
Xue Shi nodded repeatedly, carefully storing the painting away. "Your father said if we mount this on high-quality ebony scrolls, it’ll fetch an even more impressive price."
Noticing the sky had turned pitch black, Xianglan exchanged a few hurried words with Xue Shi before leaving. The moment she stepped outside, thunder rumbled, and raindrops as large as beans began pelting down. She hastily opened her umbrella, lifted her skirt, and quickened her pace. As she approached the back gate of the Song residence, she spotted a scholar in a blue cotton robe sheltering under the eaves.
Approaching for a closer look, Xianglan recognized the man as Xia Yun.
Xia Yun had grown displeased after hearing about Xianglan from his sister-in-law, Xia Ersao. In his leisure time, he and his classmates often gossiped about young ladies from prominent families—even the courtesans of brothels. With his handsome features, refined demeanor, and scholarly status, many families favored him, and young women in the neighborhood often struck up conversations or secretly gifted him embroidered pouches or handkerchiefs. Once, while strolling with friends, Xiao Cuixian of the Yihong Brothel leaned over her balcony, laughing as she nibbled melon seeds, plucked a flower from her hair, and tossed it at him. The onlookers buzzed with envy and admiration, teasing him relentlessly. Though he blushed at the time, he couldn’t suppress a swell of pride. Glancing up, he was struck by Xiao Cuixian’s voluptuous beauty—her flirtatious gaze alone carried endless allure. Even a man of restraint like him couldn’t help but feel his resolve soften.But upon seeing Xianglan again, he felt that despite Xiao Cuixian's charm and beauty, she ultimately paled in comparison to Xianglan's elegant and noble air. With such thoughts swirling in his mind, he found himself unable to focus on his studies and decided to take a stroll instead. Passing by the pawnshop where Chen Wanquan presided, he noticed a painting titled "Cabbage and Cherries" hanging on the wall, executed with delicate brushstrokes, exuding a refined and fresh charm. His heart stirred, and he mused silently, "Only someone with profound depth in their soul could create such a masterpiece." His admiration for her grew even stronger.
Leaving the shop, he found himself wandering unconsciously to Xianglan's doorstep, his heart yearning for another glimpse of her. Disappointed to find her absent, he lingered in the alleyway, unwilling to give up. Unexpectedly, the sky suddenly opened up with heavy rain, forcing him to hastily take shelter under the eaves of the Song residence's back door.
Just moments before, he had spotted a girl approaching with an umbrella and thought it might be Xianglan. As she drew near, the umbrella tilted slightly, revealing a face as lovely as a lotus flower and eyes as dark as black onyx. Xia Yun's heart instantly raced as if a dozen little rabbits were bouncing inside.
Pink votes, please, pink votes~~ There'll be an extra update later today for being so good, don't I deserve a pink vote as a reward? Hehe, starry eyes ing.
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