Xianglan packed two or three sets of clothes and bundled her daily toiletries into a cloth wrapper. After giving Yuexi a few instructions, she walked out with the bundle in hand. Song Ke stood by the door, watching through the carved floral lattice as Xianglan, dressed in a lotus-root-colored gauze blouse, swayed slightly in her skirt, her dark hair coiled into a bun with an enamel hairpin adorned with gems, its dangling beads swinging back and forth.
She passed through the arched gate, her figure disappearing behind a lush bamboo grove.
Song Ke clenched his fists tightly, as if a piece of his heart had crumbled away.
Meanwhile, Xianglan returned home feeling listless. Today, she had laid bare her feelings to Song Ke. Though she didn’t regret it, anxiety still weighed heavily on her chest like a boulder. Her mother, Xue Shi, was not actually ill—Xianglan had merely fabricated an excuse to avoid an awkward confrontation with Song Ke.
Lifting her skirt, Xianglan went upstairs to the room she usually stayed in upon returning home. The room had been completely refreshed: a new dressing table stood in the corner, the windows were covered with multicolored gauze, and a small writing desk was now furnished with all manner of paints, brushes, and paper. The bed was spread with brand-new brocade bedding, soft and inviting to sit on.
Xue Shi came upstairs with a pot of tea and smiled. "Do you like the new additions? Your father had them made by a carpenter from the neighboring village. At first, I was reluctant to spend the money, but your father said we’re better off now and shouldn’t deprive you anymore. We’ve also found a courtyard in the southern part of town—not too expensive, with one main room and two side rooms, neither too big nor too small, and still fairly new. The owner is moving to Shanxi, so they’re selling it cheap. But your father and I are still hesitating. Though it’s not expensive, it’ll still cost a hundred and twenty taels of silver—all our savings would be spent."
Xianglan forced herself to perk up. "I’ll paint two more pieces tomorrow."
Xue Shi replied, "Your father says your landscapes don’t sell as quickly as your paintings of flowers, birds, and insects. The smaller ones are cheaper and sell faster. There’s a large one hanging in the shop priced at fifty taels, but no one’s bought it yet. Your father says selling such paintings is like 'three years without a sale, but one sale feeds you for three years.' It’ll sell eventually. If that one sells, we’ll have extra money—enough to buy the house without worry, furnish it, and even make some repairs."
Xianglan thought for a moment. "If the price is good, buy it first. We can always rent it out—better not miss the opportunity."
Xue Shi agreed repeatedly and then rambled on about trivial matters—mostly neighborhood gossip. But Xianglan’s mind had already wandered far away. She thought to herself, "If Song Ke agrees, it would be my good fortune to be with him. But if he doesn’t..." She turned the thought over in her mind until her head ached, then finally gritted her teeth and resolved, "If he refuses, it’s only natural. I’ll buy my freedom myself. Better a quick, sharp pain than a long, dull one—better to part early than be bound together, suffering day and night." Though she told herself this, tears still rolled down her cheeks, and she hurriedly turned away to wipe them.
Xue Shi, oblivious, hurried downstairs when she heard knocking at the door. Xianglan sat on the bed in a daze until she suddenly heard commotion downstairs. Descending the stairs, she saw Chen Wanquan, dead drunk, being hauled into the inner room by Young Master Xia, with Xue Shi following behind, carrying a spittoon in case he vomited again.Xianglan hurried to fetch a basin of water. Hearing the noise, Xia Yun turned around and saw her standing behind him, dressed in an elegant gown embroidered with peach blossoms on the lapel, like morning dew. He was instantly entranced, rooted to the spot until Xue Shi urged him again, snapping him out of his daze as he helped carry the man inside.
Chen Wanquan reeked of alcohol, collapsing drunkenly onto the bed. Xianglan wrung out a warm towel to wipe her father's face, removed his boots, and pulled the quilt over him. Xue Shi asked from the side, "How did he end up drunk again for no reason?"
Xia Yun replied, "Today was the manager's grandson's full-month celebration. Uncle Chen had a few extra cups and collapsed on the street on his way back. I happened to see him and helped him home."
Xue Shi murmured a prayer. The Chen family had much to celebrate lately—the couple had their household registration restored, and Chen Wanquan had been selling Xianglan's paintings alone, earning a tidy sum. Suddenly, many came flattering them, inviting them to drinks one day and tea the next, with endless praise. Chen Wanquan, already prone to vanity, grew even more inflated, especially after selling a few antiques at high prices. His pride swelled, and his drinking knew no bounds.
Xianglan poured a bowl of hot tea and forced it down her father's throat. Chen Wanquan turned over and began snoring thunderously. She closed the door softly and stepped out. Outside, Xue Shi was profusely thanking Xia Yun and insisted he take some cured meat home.
Xia Yun declined, "We're neighbors. Uncle Chen has helped me plenty. Carrying him back is nothing." As he spoke, his eyes flickered toward Xianglan.
Xue Shi smiled. "You've been coming and going these days, helping us a lot. We must thank you properly." She pressed the cured meat into Xia Yun's hands and turned to Xianglan. "Your father bought furniture recently, and Young Master Xia came to help move and arrange it. Shouldn't you thank him?"
Xianglan stepped forward to express her gratitude. Xia Yun waved it off, saying, "Last time it rained, you lent me your umbrella. This small favor is nothing." In truth, Xia Yun had been using these opportunities to catch a glimpse of Xianglan, but each time he failed. Today, though they finally met, he found himself at a loss for words. Unable to linger, he took his leave.
Xianglan escorted him to the door. As it opened and Xia Yun stepped out, he paused and said abruptly, "I passed the county-level exam and am now a Licentiate. In two days, I'll take the provincial exam."
Caught off guard, Xianglan blinked in surprise before offering, "Congratulations, Young Master Xia. May you achieve great honors."
Xia Yun grinned. "With your auspicious words, I'll invite your whole family to celebrate if I succeed." His gaze burned into Xianglan.
Understanding dawned on her, and a faint blush colored her cheeks. Mumbling, "Then take care, Young Master Xia," she retreated.
Seeing her blush, Xia Yun mistook it for shyness, his heart swelling with sweetness. He clasped his hands in farewell. At the alley's end, he spotted a beggar with a ragged child and dropped a few coins into the broken bowl—then added a few more.Xianglan watched silently and nodded to herself, thinking, "Although this young Master Xia is a somewhat pedantic scholar, he's also a kind-hearted man. Despite his humble circumstances and needing to copy books to support his family, he still manages to give alms—that's truly remarkable." She closed the door and heard Xue Shi say behind her, "Young Master Xia is a good one. Whenever your father and I have work we can't manage, he comes to lend a hand. Don't let his scholarly appearance fool you—he's quite strong..."
Recalling Xia Yun's gaze, Xianglan felt somewhat uneasy and said to Xue Shi, "Let's not have him come anymore in the future. If any unsavory rumors spread, wouldn't that be unfair to him? Besides, I'm still unmarried, and his frequent visits could harm my reputation."
Xue Shi was taken aback, assuming Xianglan was concerned about Song Ke and worried he might be displeased if he found out. She quickly replied, "You're right. We'll keep our distance from now on."
Xianglan nodded and turned to go upstairs, lifting her skirt as she climbed. For the moment, there was nothing more to do.
Two days passed, and still there was no word from Song Ke—neither sending for Xianglan to return nor even a brief message. Xianglan's emotions shifted from anxious melancholy to restless agitation until she finally recited scriptures and wrote two calligraphy pieces to calm herself. She had come to terms with it: in this life, she was merely a somewhat pretty maidservant. Though she had some talent, her fate was as unstable as duckweed on a river. Being able to leave the Lin family and secure her parents' freedom was already a tremendous blessing—it would be wrong to ask for more. If Song Ke sought to marry a noblewoman, it was only natural. Her identity was no longer that of the high-born lady who once commanded respect; how could she possibly be worthy of Song Ke, who came from an official's family?
With this realization, her heart settled, and she spent her days painting in her room.
Meanwhile, Song Ke seemed to have lost his spirit over those two days, staring blankly at the little insect Xianglan had painted before her departure. He heard Yuexi knock and say, "Master, the horse is ready. Will you be going to the academy today?"
Summoning his energy, Song Ke responded and got up to fetch the Four Treasures of the Study. But when he saw the stationery case, he froze again. The case had been made for him by Xianglan, meticulously embroidered with the Four Gentlemen—plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum—symbolizing the elegance of a scholar.
When Xianglan had first presented the case, she had just recovered from illness. Holding it out as if afraid it might be rejected, she said, "I rushed to finish it these past few days, so the needlework is a bit rough. Please don't mind it, Master. Use it if you like."
Song Ke had looked at Xianglan's tentative smile, her thin cheeks, and frail shoulders. He had intended for her to rest a few more days, never expecting her to be so anxious that she would hurry to present her needlework. Knowing how carefully Xianglan had tread since entering the Lin household, enduring hardships silently, seeing her like this had pained him deeply. He took the case and examined it—it was exquisitely crafted, clearly requiring great effort. He couldn't put it down but still couldn't resist chiding her, "You shouldn't be doing needlework before you've fully recovered. What if your condition worsens?" Noticing Xianglan lower her head, he coughed and added, "Well, the embroidery is quite refined."
Glancing outside, he saw Xianglan still with her head bowed, silent, her small hands clutching the hem of her dress, looking uneasy. Song Ke thought to himself, "She's new to this household and must be cautious in everything, afraid of displeasing her masters. She went to such trouble to make this for me—I should have praised her more."She raised her voice a little more, cheerfully saying, "You're so thoughtful. This stationery set is just the right size, and the embroidered plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum motifs carry such lovely meanings. The design is also something I've never seen before."
Glancing over, she noticed Xianglan still had her head lowered in silence. So she raised her voice again, rambling on, "And this butterfly is embroidered so beautifully, perched right on the orchid. Li Shangyin wrote in his poem, 'Zhuangzi dreamed of a butterfly at dawn, lost in confusion; Emperor Wang's spring heart was entrusted to the cuckoo.' Your embroidery even alludes to classical references! Everyone says the 'Hui Embroidery' of Jiangnan is unparalleled, but I think yours surpasses even that!"
Then she saw Xianglan's shoulders trembling slightly. Suddenly, Xianglan lifted her head, her face flushed red as she suppressed a laugh, saying, "If I keep my head down any longer, will Master keep praising this needlework as if it were a priceless treasure?" Her heart softened. In this second life, Song Ke's nature hadn't changed—Xiao Hang had been the same way, never able to bear speaking harshly to anyone. In her past life, when she first made a hat for Xiao Hang, it turned out too small. Yet he had coaxed her with gentle words, praising the hat as if it were a heavenly marvel until she giggled uncontrollably. They even joked about saving it for their future child...
Song Ke froze for a moment, then shook his head helplessly, though a pleased smile still lingered on his face. When he looked up and saw Xianglan's lively smile and the tender affection in her eyes, his heart melted. Silently, he grasped her hand. Xianglan tugged slightly but didn't pull away. He wanted to kiss her porcelain-like cheek but feared being too forward...
Lost in memories, Song Ke was abruptly brought back to reality when Yuexi called at the door. He responded absentmindedly, about to leave, but after glancing at the stationery set, he gritted his teeth and snatched it up before walking out.
Thanks to Taozhu Xiaocao and Chuchudongren Qiu for the sachets, to Cat9961 and Huaxiyuexi for the Peace Talismans, and to everyone who gave me pink votes. By the way, since it's the end of the month and your votes won't be of much use otherwise, why not toss them all my way? ^_^!!!
OpenNovel