Early the next morning, while the sky was still dim, Xiang Lan rose early. After washing her face and hands, she styled her hair into a round bun, adorning it with a small golden phoenix hairpin and two or three decorative pins. From the cabinet, she pulled out and wore a jacket made of three-colored satin – jade, red, and cyan velvet – paired with a light red skirt. On each wrist, she wore a jade bracelet. The outfit was festive yet not ostentatious.

Madam Xue pushed open the door to call her for breakfast and, seeing her dressed up, smiled, “My goodness, why are you wearing this? We got you several new pieces for the New Year – there’s ke silk and burned velvet ones, all more expensive than what you’re wearing.”

Xiang Lan smiled, “I’m going to pay my respects to the Madam and Young Miss later, this outfit is more appropriate.”

Madam Xue quickly nodded, “Indeed, you should pay your respects. I’ll have your father hire a carriage later.”

After eating a piece of cake and drinking a bowl of soup, Xiang Lan put on Madam Xue’s brown cloak before heading out.

Aunt Song and Song Tan Chai were still staying with the Second Madam’s residence in the South Court of the Lin family. Xiang Lan had the carriage stop at a secluded side gate of the South Court. She took some money from her purse, handed it to the driver, and said, “Please wait here for a moment, you’ll need to take me back later.” Then she went to knock on the door.

The elderly female guard opened the door slightly and asked, “Who is it?”

Xiang Lan quickly smiled and said, “I’m a maid from the Song household, here to see the Madam and Young Miss. Please trouble yourself to pass along the message.” Seeing the woman’s impatient expression, she quickly slipped her some money. The woman, noticing Xiang Lan’s decent attire and generosity, softened her expression and asked, “What’s your name?”

Xiang Lan promptly replied, “Just tell our Madam and Young Miss that Xiang Lan is here to pay her respects.”

The woman let Xiang Lan inside the gate and went ahead. She returned shortly and said, “Follow me.” She then led Xiang Lan inside.

Xiang Lan walked quickly with her head lowered. After passing through the hanging flower gate, another maid took over as guide, leading her to a courtyard called “Floating Green,” saying, “Madam Song and Young Miss live in this courtyard. They’ve just finished their meal.”

Xiang Lan repeatedly expressed her thanks, entered the courtyard, and headed for the main house. Standing at the door with hands folded, she called out, “Madam, Xiang Lan has come to pay her New Year respects.”

Aunt Song was sitting on the kang by the window, wearing a peacock blue long jacket embroidered with ruyi patterns. She held an octagonal copper hand warmer, with Juan Hua attending at her side.

Aunt Song was saying, “Read me Elder Brother’s letter again later. Sigh, during the New Year, he’s all alone in Beijing, it must be quite lonely…” She stopped speaking upon hearing Xiang Lan’s voice, her expression becoming uncomfortable.

Juan Hua, knowing Aunt Song’s concerns – had often complained about Xiang Lan not being a good person, being too beautiful like a spirit, causing death as soon as she arrived at the Song household, and potentially harming the Elder Young Master in the future – quickly advised upon seeing Aunt Song’s darkened expression, “Madam, during the New Year, she’s showing filial respect by coming to pay her respects. If not for her sake, then for the Elder Young Master’s sake, let her come in and kowtow.”

Aunt Song, remembering Song Ke’s instructions to treat Xiang Lan well before he left, relaxed her expression slightly and awkwardly said, “Let her in then.”

Juan Hua personally welcomed Xiang Lan in, laying a cushion on the ground. Xiang Lan prostrated herself, saying, “Wishing Madam peace and prosperity.”

Aunt Song replied flatly, “You are thoughtful.” She glanced at Juan Hua, who immediately took out a red envelope and handed it over.

Xiang Lan accepted it and sat on a small stool at Aunt Song’s feet, smiling brightly as she said, “Paying respects to Madam is proper and right.” She inquired about her well-being and reported on all the household matters during the New Year. Seeing Aunt Song’s lukewarm response, she paused briefly before smiling again and said, “A few days ago, Young Master had someone deliver some Beijing specialties, and he specifically instructed me in his letter to save the fine cloth and pastries from Beijing for you, Madam. He said since you’re sensitive to heat, this fine cloth is soft and cool, perfect for summer undergarments. He also mentioned you love sweets, and Beijing’s white-skin pastries are your favorite, which you must miss now that you’re in Jinling, so he bought several packages to send back. Both Yue Xi and I were moved by Young Master’s filial piety – with every piece of cloth and pastry, his first thought was of you.”

As Xiang Lan spoke, she noticed Aunt Song’s face gradually brightening with a smile. Juan Hua thought to herself, “Xiang Lan is quite clever with words, just two or three sentences have brightened Madam’s mood.” She also chimed in, “Indeed, Young Master studies diligently in Beijing, isn’t it all for Madam’s security in her later years?”

Aunt Song nodded slowly, “Yes, yes, Elder Brother has always been a filial child.”

Xiang Lan continued to please her by relating many stories about how Song Ke missed his mother, including many embellishments. Her naturally sweet voice and ability to touch people’s hearts successfully made Aunt Song happy, leading her to praise Song Ke at length. Finally, she said, “Since ancient times, filial piety has been placed first. Elder Brother grew up reading the sage’s books, so naturally, he understands thoroughly and shows filial respect to me in everything. That year when his father passed away, I was bedridden for three whole months. Elder Brother was so young then, but he knew to attend to me at my sickbed without even removing his clothes, losing two circles of weight. They say ‘There are no filial children by a long sickbed,’ but our Elder Brother’s filial piety is genuine. With this virtue alone, he should return from this spring examination as a Jinshi.”

Xiang Lan and Juan Hua repeatedly agreed.

Seeing the moment was right, Xiang Lan said, “Madam is blessed from her previous life to have such a filial son as Young Master, and Young Master is blessed to have such a caring mother…” Then she knelt again and said, “I am ashamed to say, I came today firstly to pay New Year respects to Madam, and secondly to ask Madam for a favor. My parents have only me as their daughter, and seeing them growing older, I truly cannot rest easy. I’ve come to ask for Madam’s grace to allow me to redeem myself.”

Aunt Song and Juan Hua were startled, never expecting Xiang Lan to say this. Song Ke’s feelings for Xiang Lan were obvious to all, and Aunt Song had assumed Xiang Lan would want to stay in the Song household, waiting for Song Ke’s favor. She asked suspiciously, “You want to redeem yourself?”

Xiang Lan kowtowed, “I beg Madam’s grace to allow this servant to return and serve my parents for a few more years.”

Aunt Song thought delightedly, “This is perfect! Once she redeems herself and leaves, she won’t be by Elder Brother’s side anymore. Besides, if Elder Brother passes the examination, he’ll surely stay in Beijing or be posted as an official elsewhere, how could he possibly see her again? I can find someone with good fortune and beauty to place in Elder Brother’s quarters, then arrange a match with a noble young lady – how could Elder Brother still think about this lowborn vixen? Moreover, she asked for redemption herself, it wasn’t me forcing her!” Her face bloomed with smiles, and she helped Xiang Lan up from the ground, saying kindly, “My child, I’m touched by your filial heart, how could I not agree? You’ve served well in our household and have been loyal, and the Song family has always been generous – you need not pay the redemption fee.”

Seeing Aunt Song so pleased, Xiang Lan felt somewhat uncomfortable. Still smiling, she said, “I must pay the fee. Young Master saved me and provided food and clothing – this great kindness cannot be repaid even if I were ground to dust.” She took out a fifty-tael bank note and a package of twenty taels in loose silver from her sleeve, offering them forward, “It’s not much money, but it represents my sincerity.”

Juan Hua quietly pulled at her, whispering, “Didn’t Madam say the Song family is giving you grace and won’t require redemption money?”

Xiang Lan insisted on presenting the money, her eyes clear as autumn waters.

Aunt Song was stunned again, and despite her dislike for Xiang Lan, she secretly praised her thoughtfulness. She pushed the money back to Xiang Lan, saying, “Consider this money my gift to you, use it for your dowry in the future.”

Xiang Lan didn’t refuse further, kowtowed again, and said, “Thank you for Madam’s grace.”

By now, Aunt Song viewed Xiang Lan more favorably and hurriedly sent someone to fetch Xiang Lan’s indenture contract from Song Tan Chai’s home. As if fearing Xiang Lan might change her mind, she urgently dispatched the steward to handle the manumission matters. When Madam Qin sent someone to invite Aunt Song and Song Tan Chai to watch a play, Xiang Lan was left alone in the room. The manumission papers didn’t arrive until the afternoon hour – since it was New Year, no officials were working at the yamen except for the duty clerk, and it took some silver to get everything properly arranged.

Xiang Lan clutched the manumission paper tightly, examining it again and again before hurrying home. She had deliberated until midnight the previous night before deciding to ask Aunt Song for redemption. Firstly, Lin Jin Lou’s threat still rang in her ears – if he approached Aunt Song to request her transfer, Aunt Song would certainly agree. Secondly, if Song Ke succeeded in the spring examination, he would surely be matched with a noble lady, and if he changed his heart while the Song family still held her indenture, she would have no autonomy. Thirdly, what she yearned for most was this freedom, and she felt so happy that yesterday’s humiliation by Lin Jin Lou seemed insignificant now. Previously, she hadn’t dared to ask, partly fearing that Aunt Song might not agree due to Song Ke’s instructions and that if Song Ke learned of it later, it would be awkward; partly because Song Ke’s affection held her back, thinking that as his maid, she could stay by his side a while longer.

Xiang Lan tied her cloak securely as she left the courtyard. Though in the Second House, she feared meeting acquaintances and pulled up her hood, walking with her head down along the covered corridor. By now, lunch was over in the front courtyard, and the men were gathered to watch plays, gamble, and play touhu, and mahjong, creating a bustling atmosphere. Xiang Lan thought to herself, “Coming to pay respects in the early morning was fine since those gentlemen would drink last night and wouldn’t rise so early, but now it’s noon. I don’t know if Young Master Lou has gone out to pay New Year’s visits. It would be terrible to run into him – better take a quieter route. Though longer, it’s safer.” She turned onto a secluded path. Most maids, servants, and elderly women were either gathered to chat or out visiting relatives and having New Year’s tea, leaving the area particularly quiet.

Xiang Lan walked quickly for a short distance, turning past a cluster of pine and cypress trees, when suddenly she saw figures moving by the rockery ahead – seemingly a man and woman embracing.

Xiang Lan was greatly startled and quickly stopped, ducking behind an old pine tree to peek. At that moment, the girl suddenly turned her head, her cloak hood removed by the man, revealing a face like white jade, and then the man kissed her.

Xiang Lan covered her mouth in shock – the girl was Lin Dong Ling!