At that moment, a servant boy announced the arrival of the physician. The womenfolk retreated to the inner rooms to avoid him, while Lin Jinlou ordered a screen to be set up for the physician to examine Ying Ge. After taking her pulse, the physician said there were slight signs of miscarriage and prescribed a tonic to replenish qi and blood, calm the fetus, and soothe the nerves, as the expectant mother was somewhat weak and overly anxious. Lin Jinlou walked around the screen and sat on the edge of the daybed, saying to Ying Ge, “The physician says the baby is fine. Take the medicine later, and you’ll recover.”
Ying Ge timidly tugged at Lin Jinlou’s sleeve and whispered, “If Master could spare even a thought for me, my illness would vanish.” Her eyes brimmed with tears, yet she refused to let them fall, her fragile demeanor evoking pity.
Lin Jinlou patted her hand and said, “Rest well and don’t overthink. Of course, I care for you.” He knew Ying Ge had always been delicate, prone to sighing and moaning whether she was truly ill or not. Initially, he had found this “sickly beauty” somewhat charming—her frail, pitiable appearance was endearing, and coaxing and doting on her had its own appeal. But this indulgence only lasted when he was in good spirits. When troubled or burdened with worldly affairs, her tearful fragility only irritated him. Moreover, Ying Ge’s constant melancholy had long since lost its novelty for him.
Ying Ge clearly sensed Lin Jinlou’s indifference. She called out softly, “Master…” One hand gently clasped his fingers, while the other clutched the bedding beneath her so tightly her knuckles turned white.
Lin Jinlou ordered the screen removed. When Zhao Yuechan and the others emerged, he said, “The physician says Ying Ge shows signs of miscarriage. He prescribed medicine—brew a few doses and see how it goes. Also, prepare some nourishing soups. If the main household’s funds are insufficient, come to me.”
His gaze then swept coldly over Zhi Cao and Chunyan. The two had hastily tidied their hair and clothes—Zhi Cao stood with her head bowed, looking dazed, while Chunyan trembled, her lips quivering as she stared fixedly at Lin Jinlou.
Lin Jinlou said sternly, “Since Ying Ge isn’t seriously harmed, I won’t pursue who pushed her, but punishment is still due. Chunyan, twenty slaps on the face, one month of confinement, and three months’ wages withheld. Zhi Cao, thirty slaps, three months’ wages withheld, and demoted to cleaning duties. You’re no longer allowed inside the rooms. If there’s another mistake, you won’t stay in this household.”
Chunyan exhaled quietly in relief, but then Lin Jinlou suddenly looked at her, his gaze deep and unfathomable. Slowly, he said, “Chunyan, you’re growing older, and your thoughts have become more restless. Still, you’ve served me once. Go to the accounts and withdraw a hundred taels of silver, along with a set of gold and silver jewelry. Have your parents take you home. If you want your deed of servitude, I’ll release you.”
Xianglan, hiding behind the window, was startled. She thought, “Lin Jinlou is letting Chunyan go! A Bedchamber servant like her, no matter how beautiful, is considered damaged goods—what decent family would take her? Still, a hundred taels is generous, and she’ll be freed from servitude. If she doesn’t aim too high, she might find a stable match.”
As her mind wandered, she heard Chunyan let out a heart-wrenching wail. “Master—” Chunyan fell to her knees, tears streaming down her face as she cried desperately, “Master, I won’t leave! I’d rather die than step out of the Lin household!”Lin Jinlou said indifferently, "You don’t have to leave the estate. There are a few suitable attendants and young servants around your age. Just pick whoever you like and speak to the Mistress. You won’t be treated unfairly."
Chunyan shook her head desperately, her mouth wide open as she wailed heartrendingly, "Master, Master, please listen to me! I know you’re angry with me, but I swear I didn’t mean to bump into Ying Ge on purpose!" She turned around, clutching a handkerchief, and pointed at Zhi Cao, cursing, "You wretch! I’ve never wronged you in the past, nor do I have any grudge against you now—why are you framing me?"
Zhi Cao shrank back under Chunyan’s fierce glare, then knelt again, biting her lip as tears fell pattering down her cheeks. She sobbed, "This servant… is wronged…"
Chunyan hastily turned back and saw Lin Jinlou with lowered eyelids, his face expressionless. Ying Ge wore a sorrowful look, but her eyes couldn’t conceal a trace of mockery and satisfaction. Hua Mei stood beside the daybed, leisurely chewing on her handkerchief as if enjoying a good show.
Chunyan pointed frantically at Hua Mei and Ying Ge, shouting, "I get it now! It’s you! And you! You conspired to set me up! Everyone in the Knowing Spring Pavilion—except the Mistress—hates me! You’ve been scheming to drive me out, to make the Master despise me, just so you can have your way!"
Ying Ge looked shocked, her eyes brimming with indignation. "How dare you say that!" She tugged at Lin Jinlou’s sleeve. "Master, even if I jumped into the Yellow River, I couldn’t wash away this false accusation! How could I ever risk the Lin family’s flesh and blood?"
Xianglan nodded silently to herself, thinking how well Ying Ge could act. She glanced at Hua Mei, who remained silent, and realized she was clever too. Before Lin Jinlou arrived, Hua Mei’s words had been dripping with sarcasm, yet now she appeared utterly docile.
Chunyan spat, "Who doesn’t know you’re the best actress, always playing the ‘ailing beauty’—" She suddenly remembered this wasn’t the time for squabbling and turned back to Lin Jinlou, pleading tearfully, "Master! Master, I beg you, don’t cast me out! I’ll serve you faithfully, work like an ox or a horse for you. You once said you liked my carefree nature, loved seeing me adorned with hairpins, enjoyed listening to my flute playing. You even wrote on my arm, ‘Whose jade flute sings so sweetly, its melody drifting into the spring breeze’s embrace.’ This was the poem you wrote for me with your own hands! Please, for the sake of our past affection—" She kowtowed repeatedly, her forehead thudding against the floor.
Whose jade flute sings so sweetly, its melody drifting into the spring breeze’s embrace?
Xianglan suppressed a shudder, thinking that even among the most vulgar love songs, this line wouldn’t stand out as refined. Lin Jinlou truly lacked literary talent—no wonder he stopped after becoming a Licentiate and never attempted the higher exams. Better to avoid the humiliation of failing to become a Recommended Man. Instead, he excelled in the military exams, earning himself the reputation of being "accomplished in both letters and martial arts."
"Enough!" Lin Jinlou bellowed. "Someone, take her away and slap her mouth!" After he shouted twice, two elderly maids emerged from the back of the room and dragged Chunyan out. She flailed wildly, shrieking in despair, "Master! Master! My feelings for you have always been true—" One of the maids stuffed a cloth into her mouth, silencing her.Xianglan hid behind a pillar, watching as Chunyan, disheveled and struggling, was dragged away by the old maidservant. Her heart ached with discomfort. This flower-like girl had once shared tender affection with the man sitting inside—cherished, doted upon, and intimately entwined. If Chunyan had truly schemed to harm his heir, sending her away like this would be justified. Yet, he showed not a trace of pity, his expression indifferent from start to finish, as if Chunyan were a complete stranger to him.
Lin Jinlou stood and said to Zhao Yuechan, "Come with me." With that, he lifted the curtain and entered the inner chamber, seating himself on an embroidered stool. Zhao Yuechan followed and sat on the bed, glancing at him. "What is it?"
Lin Jinlou exhaled, looking at Zhao Yuechan with a faint, mocking smile. "The child in Ying Ge's belly is the bloodline of our Lin family, the heir of the main branch. I’ll trouble you to take good care of it." He emphasized the words "take good care" with deliberate weight.
Zhao Yuechan removed the red musk bracelet from her wrist, rolling it between her fingers like prayer beads. She lifted her gaze to Lin Jinlou, her eyes dark with resentment. "If Master doesn’t trust me, then entrust her to someone else. That way, if anything happens to that little slut and her bastard, I won’t be blamed for the crimes you’d pin on me."
Lin Jinlou suddenly laughed. His face, usually stern and imposing, now carried a hint of roguish charm. He stepped forward, pinching Zhao Yuechan’s chin, his thumb brushing her lips as he slowly leaned in. Zhao Yuechan’s heart pounded, her mouth dry, her body trembling in anticipation of his kiss. But instead, Lin Jinlou brought his lips to her ear, his voice low and smooth as silk, laced with playful malice. "Listen well, Eldest Madam Lou. I’m leaving Ying Ge in your hands because you’re still my wife in name, and I’m giving you face. Don’t mistake my generosity for weakness. Chunyan is a fool. You incited her to stir trouble in the main household and pitted Ying Ge against Hua Mei. Ying Ge nearly miscarried, but it wasn’t because Chunyan deliberately pushed her—Chunyan is simple and blunt. If she had schemed, she would’ve slipped up by now. Don’t think I don’t know the filth you’ve been stirring behind my back. I treat you like dung, so I’ve ignored you. But mark my words: if anything happens to the child in Ying Ge’s belly, I’ll make you regret it. You know what I’m capable of. Understood?"
The tender whisper carried such sharp cruelty, like a bucket of ice water dumped over her head. Zhao Yuechan stiffened like stone. Lin Jinlou straightened, stroking her ear and the inch-long carnelian earring dangling from it, his smile indulgent. "These red carnelian earrings make your skin even fairer. Truly, the number one beauty of Jinling—even your ears are exquisite. What a pity such beauty has been wasted in living widowhood for four years. Tell me, why is that?"Zhao Yuechan trembled uncontrollably as Lin Jinlou continued to smile faintly. "I'll say it again—I promised our elders, so I won't divorce you. But if you ever want a separation, just let me know. I'll personally hand you a hefty sum of silver, guaranteed to satisfy you." With that, he treated her like a sing-song girl, lightly tracing her chin with his fingers and patting her cheek. "Think carefully. How many years of youth does a woman have? If you wait too long and your face loses its charm, you won’t find a good match."
He then took a step back, pulled a handkerchief from his sleeve, and wiped his hands. "Touching you disgusts me." He tossed the handkerchief to the ground and strode out.
Zhao Yuechan shook violently, her eyes burning with hatred. She grabbed a teacup and hurled it at the doorframe, roaring, "You bastard!"
As Lin Jinlou left the room and headed out of the courtyard, someone called out, "Master, wait for me!" He turned to see Hua Mei holding a pouch, offering it to him with a soft smile. "I made this pouch for you, Master. Do you like it?"
Lin Jinlou took it and examined it—a finely embroidered pouch with auspicious clouds and vibrant colors, adorned with tassels and jade beads the size of fingernails, clearly a labor of intricate craftsmanship. He chuckled, "I’ll keep this pouch. Since it’s so well-made, I must reward you. What would you like? Hairpins, jewelry, or new clothes? Or perhaps a new set of head ornaments?"
Hua Mei pouted playfully. "How vulgar you make me sound, Master!" She raised both hands to him, puffing her lips. "I don’t want anything. I just pricked my fingers so many times sewing this pouch—all I ask is for you to blow on them. Your breath will make them better."
Lin Jinlou took her soft, delicate hands and teased, "Do you think my breath is magical? One blow and they’ll heal?"
Hua Mei cooed, "Of course! Try it and see."
Lin Jinlou obliged, blowing on her hands before pulling her into his arms. "Let me check—are they better now?"
Hua Mei giggled. Standing under the eaves, Xianglan gaped at the scene: Good heavens! In broad daylight, Lin Jinlou was flirting with his bedchamber servant right at the entrance! Truly, Eldest Master Lou’s reputation as a dashing libertine was well-earned—a true vanguard in the battlefield of romance!
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