The topic was indeed novel and unique. Xiang Lan thought for a moment and said, “I can write something, but I’m afraid it won’t be good enough and Madam won’t approve.”

Mother Wu said, “My child, just write something to fill the quota!”

Xiang Lan thought to herself, “I can’t write too well, nor too poorly, and not too profound. I’ll just use some straightforward words.” Somehow, she suddenly recalled the poem Song Ke had written on the fan: “The bright moon and old friend are far away, the secluded orchid retains its fragrance in vain. In the small tower, hearing the night flute, stillness marks the third watch.” Staring at the orchid before her, she fell into a momentary trance, then picked up her brush and wrote swiftly in response: “Whose white jade orchid is this, abandoned in the spring breeze, guarding its sole thread of fragrance, entangling dreams of a previous life.”

She stared at the poem for a while, then silently changed “previous life” to “fleeting life,” rewrote it cleanly, and handed it to Mother Wu, instructing, “Mother, please don’t say I wrote this.”

Mother Wu responded with vague acknowledgments and hurriedly delivered it to Qing Lan. When Qing Lan unfolded the paper and looked, she immediately frowned and said, “What kind of poem is this? It doesn’t even rhyme, and it’s only four lines – far too short. Second Young Lady and the others all wrote seven-line regulated verses. Mother, please have someone write another one.” She stuffed the paper back into Mother Wu’s hands.

Mother Wu suppressed her anger and said, “There are no others, just this one. Young Madam can either use it, or this old servant has no other solution.”

Qing Lan pouted, clearly displeased. Mother Wu saw her still behaving like a child and felt exasperated. She wanted to offer some advice, but after turning the words over in her mouth a couple of times, she still didn’t speak them, just shook her head and left.

Fearing that Qing Lan might give her more difficult tasks, Mother Wu circled Long Cui Residence toward Zhi Chun Hall, planning to return and avoid trouble for a while. Just as she returned to the east wing, she heard snoring coming from the bedroom. Going in to look, she saw Lin Jin Lou sprawled on the bed with a pillow, sleeping.

Mother Wu quickly fetched a light silk quilt and tiptoed over to cover Lin Jin Lou. However, being trained in martial arts and having spent long periods in the military, Lin Jin Lou was naturally a hundred times more alert than ordinary people. As soon as Mother Wu approached, he awoke. Mother Wu hurriedly put down the quilt and said anxiously, “Young Master must be tired. When did you return? Please rest a while longer, and if you’re hungry, there’s fresh porridge in the kitchen.”

Lin Jin Lou sat up, rubbed his eyes, his voice still hoarse: “I just got back, saw no one in the room and lay down on the bed, then fell asleep without realizing it.”

Mother Wu saw Lin Jin Lou covered in dust from traveling, looking exhausted and felt very concerned. She said, “Today Young Madam Lan is hosting a poetry society gathering, everyone from Zhi Chun Hall has gone there, and even the remaining little servant girls who should be watching the house have all snuck out to play.” She efficiently prepared and brought forward a cup of tea.

Lin Jin Lou quickly said, “No need.” He frowned, “Poetry society? What poetry society?”

Mother Wu, mentioning the poetry society, was full of frustration and smiled bitterly, frowning as she said, “Young Master doesn’t know, but Young Madam Lan, stirred up by Hua Mei’s provocations, insisted on hosting a poetry society session for Second Young Lady. But she’s heavily pregnant and hasn’t experienced much in life – how could she be capable of hosting a poetry society? Ah, these days the east wing has been turned upside down, everyone busy with this affair of hers.”

Lin Jin Lou picked up the teacup and, hearing Mother Wu’s words, found it rather amusing: “What poetry society? It’s just a game to amuse herself. If she wants to do it, let her. It’s not a big deal.”

As soon as Mother Wu heard this, she stiffened her neck and said, “What do you mean ‘not a big deal’? This is a serious matter. Young Master should take some time to teach her when you’re free. A pregnant woman should focus on taking care of the baby, that’s the right thing to do. All this unnecessary fussing about – what if it harms the child? Moreover, if she wants to make trouble, she should at least have the ability to do so. She doesn’t know how to manage household affairs or give proper instructions, and now she’s simply stopped managing altogether, leaving all the work to these old bones of mine…”

While complaining, she wrung out a towel and handed it to Lin Jin Lou to wash his face.

Lin Jin Lou was impatient with Mother Wu’s complaints but still respected his nanny in his heart, so he laughed it off, saying, “Alright, alright, I know you’ve been working hard these days. I’ll have the accountant give you ten taels of silver so you can buy some good food to nourish yourself… I also brought back a bolt of fine fabric for you from my travels these past days…”

Mother Wu said, “It’s not just me, that girl called Xiang Lan should be rewarded well too.”

Lin Jin Lou paused: “Xiang Lan?”

“Yes, the one whose face was burned, and Young Master gave her ointment to apply.” Mother Wu smiled, “She’s been helping me manage everything inside and out, truly saving me worry. That girl isn’t just capable, she has perspective and insight, and she’s very thoughtful, considering everything thoroughly. She knows where to save and where to spend money generously… Most praiseworthy is her character – she doesn’t fight for attention or try to show off. Even though she managed everything, she told me not to mention it, saying all credit should go to Young Madam. Ah… I’ve been observing her, and she’s better than those young ladies in the mansion, it’s just a pity she was born a servant…”

Lin Jin Lou laughed, “She’s just pretty and clever, how could she be better than the young ladies of our household?”

Mother Wu was intent on praising Xiang Lan’s virtues and said, “Young Master Lou shouldn’t disbelieve.” As she spoke, she pulled out a crumpled paper from her sleeve and handed it over, saying, “Look at this.”

Lin Jin Lou opened it and saw it was a poem titled “Lingering Fragrance,” so he asked, “What’s this?”

Mother Wu said, “That Young Madam you’re so fond of wanted to write poetry along with the young ladies, but couldn’t compose anything, so she urgently asked me to find someone to write one for her. I remembered Xiang Lan was literate, so I thought I’d try asking her. Who knew, that as soon as she saw the topic, she wrote this poem without hesitation? Oh my, it took just the blink of an eye.”

Hearing it was written by Xiang Lan, Lin Jin Lou carefully read the poem again and couldn’t help but laugh, “It’s rather short and seems ordinary.”

Mother Wu snorted, “Even this ordinary poem is beyond Young Madam Lan’s ability to write. My lord, you must properly guide and discipline her, let her be more modest. If she wants to show off, she can wait until she gives birth to a son.”

Lin Jin Lou responded with vague acknowledgments, asking for some pure lily incense to be burned in the censers. While Mother Wu went out to find the incense, Lin Jin Lou took out the paper to look at it again and again. He thought to himself, “Though the poem isn’t particularly brilliant, what’s remarkable is the handwriting. These delicate small regular script characters couldn’t be written without over a decade of practice to achieve such proper and elegant penmanship.” He flicked the small note with two fingers: “‘Whose white jade orchid is this, abandoned in the spring breeze, guarding its sole thread of fragrance, entangling dreams of fleeting life.’ Hmph, I wonder whose dreams this orchid has gone to stir up.” Thinking of Xiang Lan’s beautiful face, he felt his chest grow warm.

At this moment, Mother Wu entered the room, placed three or four lily incense cakes in the center, and lit them, covering them with the lid while saying, “Speaking of Xiang Lan, she really is excellent, better than those in Young Master’s quarters. In my opinion, she should be taken in… Ah, forgive me for saying something that might displease Young Master, but a girl like her deserves to be someone’s proper primary wife with status, it would be beneath her to be a concubine…” She continued chattering endlessly.

Unexpectedly, Lin Jin Lou suddenly stood up and strode toward the door. Mother Wu hurriedly chased after him a few steps and asked, “Where is Young Master going?”

Lin Jin Lou didn’t answer and quickly walked away with long strides.