Xiang Lan thought to herself: “Since I’ve already met Xia Yun, it wouldn’t be right to pretend not to know him. Besides, this rain won’t stop anytime soon, so I might as well lend him an umbrella to go home.” In her heart, she truly respected scholars, and seeing that he was willing to sell calligraphy and copybooks to supplement his family’s income added to her respect. She gave a slight bow and smiled, “So it’s Young Master Xia, why are you sheltering from the rain here?”

The speaker meant nothing by it, but the listener took it to heart. Xiang Lan had asked casually, but she had touched upon exactly what made Xia Yun feel guilty. He had come specifically to catch a glimpse of Xiang Lan, and hearing her words made his face turn red, leaving him stammering without words.

Xiang Lan thought Xia Yun might not remember her from their single meeting, so she smiled and said, “I’m Chen Wanquan’s daughter, we met yesterday.”

Xia Yun finally cupped his hands in greeting and said, “My respects.”

Xiang Lan then said, “The clouds are so thick, I’m afraid the rain won’t stop anytime soon. Wait here, I’ll get you an umbrella.”

Xia Yun desperately wanted to spend more time with her and didn’t want her to fetch an umbrella. Hoping to gain her favor, he cleared his throat and said, “There’s a saying, ‘Rainy days keep honored guests.’ Only distinguished guests are kept by rain, so let it rain. Last time when I went to pay respects to the God of Literature and Prosperity, the sky was completely clear, but suddenly a strong wind came up and it rained heavily, just like today. The Taoist priest at the temple told me it was Heaven’s way of keeping an honored guest, so Miss needn’t fetch an umbrella, just let it rain.”

Xiang Lan was bewildered by this speech, thinking to herself: “What’s the meaning of this rambling?” Looking at Xia Yun’s serious, dignified face, she suddenly understood and thought to herself: “‘Heaven keeping an honored guest’—he means he’s that ‘honored guest,’ doesn’t he?” She wanted to laugh out loud but held back, suppressing her smile as she said, “So you’re saying you’re truly extraordinary, Master, that even when you go to burn incense, Heaven sends rain to keep you.”

This was exactly what Xia Yun meant. Since childhood, he had excelled in his studies and was used to praise, with everyone saying he must be the Literary Star incarnate and would surely achieve greatness and become an official in the future. Having heard such praise often, he truly believed in his own extraordinariness and future achievements, though verbally he kept saying “I dare not.”

Xiang Lan struggled to hold back her laughter, thinking: “This pedantic, poor scholar is amusingly foolish.” She said aloud, “In that case, I should get an umbrella for Young Master Xia. It would be a sin to let Heaven’s honored guest and great talent get soaked in the rain.”

Xia Yun detected the teasing in Xiang Lan’s words but only found her speech clever and adorable. He wanted to say more but then saw Xiang Lan knocking on the door. The old woman guarding the back door opened it and saw it was Xiang Lan, whom she knew Song Ke particularly valued—Song Ke had specifically instructed her: “Xiang Lan’s family lives in the back street. If she occasionally feels homesick and wants to visit, there’s no need to make a fuss, just quietly open the door and let her go home”—so she smiled warmly and asked, “Has Miss returned from home?”

Xiang Lan smiled and said, “Yes, thank you for opening the door, Mother.” She then pressed a jar of wine into the old woman’s hands and said, “This is home-brewed wine, different from what you get outside. Mother, have a taste and try something new.”

The old woman smiled and said, “Then I’ll shamelessly accept it.” She thought to herself: “Leaving aside appearances, this Xiang Lan is ten times more refined than Fang Si in speech and conduct. She always speaks with a smile, is warm and cordial, and handles matters in a way that puts people at ease. Fang Si always has a dismissive manner. No wonder the Master doesn’t care for Fang Si.” She stepped aside to let Xiang Lan enter.

Xiang Lan asked, “Mother, do you have any spare umbrellas in your room? My former neighbor is outside sheltering from the rain.”

The old woman said, “As luck would have it, there is one.” She hurriedly brought an umbrella, which Xiang Lan took through the door gap, then handed her umbrella to Xia Yun saying, “Take it. When you have time, just return the umbrella to my home.”

Xia Yun wanted to say more, but Xiang Lan had already slipped inside nimbly, and the vermillion side door closed with a “clang.”

Xia Yun stood dazed for a while, feeling somewhat lost, but then remembered how in the opera “Legend of the White Snake,” White Lady and Xu Xian’s romance began with an umbrella. Now this encounter seemed to follow the same pattern, which made him happy again. He opened the umbrella and left, but we’ll leave him for now.

As for Xiang Lan, she returned to her room, changed into fresh clothes, and redid her hair in front of the mirror. Thinking of Xia Yun’s manner earlier, she couldn’t help but smile.

Now that her paintings were earning money, she felt more at ease. If she saved for a while, her family could buy property. With careful management and her father collecting and selling antiques, they would surely become prosperous over time. Though her background was humble, with a comfortable financial situation and outstanding painting and calligraphy skills, she wasn’t entirely unsuitable for Song Ke. While she never forced matters, she had never been one to resign herself to a lower position. As long as she saw even a glimmer of hope, she wanted to make her life prosperous.

After chatting and laughing with the maids in her room for a while, suddenly Song Tanchai’s personal maid Juan Hua arrived. Xiang Lan and the others hurriedly offered her a seat and made tea. After sitting down, Juan Hua smiled and said, “Our Miss sent me to ask Sister Xiang Lan for help. Our Miss has been staying at the Lin residence for many days and now wants to host a banquet at home for the young ladies of the Lin family and the daughter of the Duke of Xian. We heard Sister Xiang Lan can make some delicate dishes, so please prepare two or three dishes then, saving us from having to find an outside chef.”

Xiang Lan readily agreed. Song Tanchai was a quiet person who lived with Aunt Song but rarely left her room. The swing in her courtyard had never been used, and she always seemed preoccupied. Previously, Song Tanchai had been staying at the Lin residence, but since Xiang Lan had been bought by the Song family, Song Ke had sent a carriage to bring his sister back. Out of fondness for Song Ke, Xiang Lan also showed much care for Song Tanchai, always setting aside a portion of any fresh dishes she made. Song Tanchai always reciprocated, sometimes sending a pot of flowers, sometimes seasonal fruits, maintaining a harmonious relationship through these exchanges.

Soon after, Song Ke returned home. Juan Hua then took her leave. Although Song Ke had used an umbrella, the rain outside had been so heavy that half his clothes were still wet. After bathing in the cleaning room, the meal was finally served in the room.

Song Ke ate heartily, wolfing down his food. After the meal was cleared away, fresh fruit and hot tea were served. Song Ke then shared some of the day’s experiences and news, adding, “Today I heard from Xiu Hong that Lin Jinlou has achieved merit in suppressing bandits. Although the bandit problem isn’t completely resolved, he has pacified two cities. The imperial court’s commendation will be issued in the next few days. The Emperor is greatly pleased, and he’s likely to be promoted to General.”

At the mention of Lin Jinlou, Xiang Lan felt apprehensive and said, “It’s just suppressing bandits, how could that lead to such a high position?”

Song Ke shook his head and said, “This was earned through real combat. Don’t underestimate him just because his household is in chaos and he’s known for being romantic and fond of women. He governs well and is skilled in military affairs, having thoroughly studied ‘The Art of War.’ Otherwise, even with his parents’ influence, he wouldn’t have achieved such a career at such a young age.”

Xiang Lan thought to herself that Lin Jinlou wasn’t just romantic and fond of women, but also had a violent temper, was self-centered, and full of greed, anger, delusion, arrogance, and suspicion. Although Lin Jinlou had once saved her, she had always viewed him as a fearsome figure. Now hearing Song Ke praise him, she felt strange and said, “Since he’s so good at fighting and killing, it’s fitting that he married a wife as fierce as a demon. They’re truly well-matched.”

Song Ke couldn’t help laughing and said, “Zhao Yuechan’s reputation is known throughout official circles, and the Zhao family is powerful. Some people don’t even dare to send beautiful concubines or serving girls to Lin Jinlou, fearing it might backfire.”

Xiang Lan said, “Evil people will be dealt with by other evil people. It must be karma from their previous lives, otherwise, how would these two end up together?”

Song Ke also laughed and said, “I think you and I must have been fated in our previous life, otherwise how could we be so close at first sight?” As he spoke, he looked at Xiang Lan, secretly trying to hold her hand.

Xiang Lan blushed and spat, “Pah! Shameless!” She got up and fled to the side room.

Song Ke just laughed. Nothing more happened that night.

The rain continued drizzling all night, and for the next few days it still drizzled continuously, so Song Tanchai’s banquet was postponed for several days. On the morning of the fifth day, the sky finally cleared. At the hour of Si, two carriages slowly arrived at the Song family’s main gate, carrying the young ladies from the Lin family and Zheng Jingxian, the daughter of Duke Xian.

Two old women rushed out from the gate, using cloth to cover the entrance before the young ladies alighted one by one, holding their maids’ hands as they walked in. Madam Guo personally welcomed them at the gate, frequently reminding them, “Young ladies, watch your step. It rained yesterday, and the ground is slippery.”

The group walked to the hanging flower gate. Xiang Lan secretly peeked from behind a pillar in the covered walkway and saw Lin Dongling and her maid Nan Ge walking in front, followed by Lin Dongxiu and her maid Han Zhi, while Zheng Jingxian walked at the back with her hands behind her back, accompanied by her maid.

Song Tanchai stood at the hanging flower gate to welcome them. Seeing them arrive, she hurriedly came down the steps and warmly invited them into the inner quarters. Lin Dongling said, “Second Sister has caught a cold and cannot come today.”

Song Tanchai replied, “We have some medicine at home that’s excellent for colds. Later, Sister Ling can help take some back.”

After the young ladies had all gone inside, Xiang Lan returned to her room, thinking to herself: “I’ve heard the servants at the Lin residence gossip that all three unmarried young ladies of the Lin family have feelings for Song Ke. Now that Lin Dongyi is about to be engaged, she naturally avoids coming to the Song house to prevent gossip. As for Lin Dongling and Lin Dongxiu, they’ve both dressed up beautifully today, surely harboring other intentions.”

Just as Xiang Lan had guessed, these two indeed had hidden intentions. Knowing that Fang Si was favored by Aunt Song, they secretly sent their trusted maids to inquire with her. While the young ladies engaged in lively conversation and entertainment in the room, Nan Ge, Han Zhi, and Zheng Jingxian’s maid Yue’er went to speak with Fang Si.

Nan Ge asked, “Why isn’t your young lady staying at the Lin residence anymore? And Master Song, he also rarely comes to the mansion now.”

Han Zhi said, “Could it be because he’s too busy with his studies? But he should still take care of his health.”

Fang Si, who had been harboring anger, gave a cold laugh and said, “It’s not because of his studies. It’s because a heavenly beauty has newly arrived in his chambers, bewitching the Master so that he can’t tear himself away.”

Nan Ge and Han Zhi looked at each other in surprise and asked in unison, “What’s this about?”