Speaking of Xiang Lan, she worried daily about Song Ke’s situation, feeling helpless that she couldn’t assist him. Though concerned, she couldn’t frequently visit the Song family. Fortunately, since Yue Xi had married, they could occasionally exchange news. When Xiang Lan learned that Song Ke’s matter was resolved, she repeatedly clasped her hands in prayer, thinking: “The divination from Jing Yue Temple was indeed accurate. Isn’t this exactly what it meant by ‘after extreme difficulties come great fortune’?” Seeing Yue Xi’s hesitant and stammering manner, she asked, “What’s wrong? Is something still unresolved? Is the Wu family causing trouble again?”

Yue Xi forced a smile and said, “How would the Wu family dare to cause trouble now? Wu Liang’s legs were broken by those twenty strikes; he can barely manage to cry about it.” Carefully watching Xiang Lan’s expression, she continued, “Actually… that young lady from the Xian Guo Manor is quite agreeable. She has a straightforward and lovable nature, without any malicious intent…” Realizing her slip, she hurriedly stood up and said, “I’ve been out for so long, I should head back. I’ll come to chat with you another time.” With that, she took her leave.

Hearing Yue Xi’s seemingly random praise of Zheng Jing Xian, Xiang Lan felt puzzled. But then, remembering that the Song Ke matter was resolved through Zheng Bai Chuan’s efforts, her heart sank as she understood. She could no longer sit still, pacing around her room before quickly changing into clothes from her cabinet, putting on a cone-shaped hat, and hurriedly leaving in a neighbor’s carriage.

Soon she arrived at the Song residence. The doorman, Old Wang, assumed she was looking for Song Tan Chai and let her in without announcing her, saying, “Distinguished guests arrived today, Miss. Please wait in the side room.”

Xiang Lan glanced at the courtyard and saw two sedan chairs with blue silk covers and hanging tassels. She thought to herself, “Since there are guests in the inner courtyard, I needn’t go there first. I’ll go directly to find Song Ke.” She walked past the screen wall toward the front study. After a few steps, she saw a woman emerge from the second gate, walking quickly toward the study’s courtyard. From behind, she was graceful with broad shoulders, wearing a gold-threaded peach-red jacket and soft pink skirt, her hair styled high with pearls and jewels—dressed as a noble young lady.

Xiang Lan paused, slowing her steps. The woman entered the courtyard, hesitated briefly before the study, then went inside. Hidden behind the moon gate, Xiang Lan saw clearly—it was Zheng Jing Xian. Her heart sank further as she quietly moved to the window to listen.

At that moment, Song Ke sat staring at Xiang Lan’s old silver hairpin. Hearing the door open, he looked up to see Zheng Jing Xian enter with a smile. Startled, he quickly stood up, frowning as he said, “Why has Miss Zheng come here?”

Zheng Jing Xian looked around and sat down naturally in a chair, smiling as she said, “Strange, why can’t I come?”

Song Ke frowned deeply and said, “This is highly improper!”

Seeing Song Ke made Zheng Jing Xian’s heart flutter, though she tried to appear casual, saying, “All those proprieties are so annoying! They’re just ridiculous rules made up by vulgar people. We’re to be engaged—why bother with such outdated constraints?”

Song Ke’s frown deepened as he said, “Even so, it’s inappropriate for an unmarried man and woman to be alone together. It would damage both our reputations if word got out. If Miss Zheng won’t leave, I’ll step out.” He turned to leave.

Zheng Jing Xian quickly blocked his way, saying, “Hey, hey, don’t go! I have something extremely important to tell you!”

Song Ke stopped, looking at her sternly. Zheng Jing Xian felt displeased. Having been pampered since childhood, getting whatever she wanted, no one had ever dared to show her such an attitude. Especially this Song Ke—after her family had helped him so much, he should have been gentle with her. Instead, when she came excitedly to see him, she met with cold indifference. She was about to lose her temper, but upon seeing his handsome features, her anger gradually subsided. She softened her approach and said, “Look at you—I’ve managed to steal some time to see you, and you won’t even offer tea. Is this how you treat guests?”

Song Ke, already impatient, forced himself to ask, “What matters brings Miss Zheng here?”

Zheng Jing Xian said, “I came to tell you that when you come to propose at my home, remember to ask Provincial Administrative Commissioner Wu to be the matchmaker. He’s a good friend of my father’s and will surely agree. This will please my father and make him treat you even better.”

Song Ke lowered his eyes and said, “I understand.”

The room fell silent. As Zheng Jing Xian gazed lovingly at Song Ke, he said, “Why did Miss Zheng need to come personally to tell me this? You could have informed my mother and sister. Now that I know, please return.”

Zheng Jing Xian hadn’t expected Song Ke to be so unromantic. She reluctantly stood up. These days, she had been thinking of Song Ke intensely, sometimes dreaming at midnight about actually marrying her beloved, feeling like a dream. Today, she had found an excuse to slip out and see him, thinking that even if their meeting wasn’t as romantic as in novels, there should at least be some shy, sweet affection. Yet she hadn’t expected Song Ke to be so cold and distant.

Reaching the door, she suddenly remembered that day in this very study when a maid called Xiang Lan was bullied by the Lin sisters, and Song Ke had shown such care and tenderness, his eyes full of emotion like blooming apricot blossoms in March, impossible to conceal. Zheng Jing Xian’s heart tightened—this scene was like a thorn in her heart. She had mentioned it to her mother, and Madam Wei had advised: “She’s just a maid. If you find her bothersome, send her away after marriage. You’re beautiful, from a good family, and can help his career. That maid might have some beauty to please men, but he should know what’s important. After you marry and have children, in a year or two, Song Ke will forget about her.” Madam Wei’s gentle persuasion had seemed reasonable, and Zheng Jing Xian had set the matter aside. Now, seeing Song Ke’s cold attitude, the issue resurfaced in her mind. She suddenly stopped, turned around, and said, “That maid called Xiang Lan—you’re not allowed to take her as a concubine in the future!”

Song Ke sharply raised his head, glanced at Zheng Jing Xian, then turned away. At the mention of Xiang Lan’s name, his heart felt as if pierced by a thousand silver needles, filled with guilt, pain, and helplessness. Though he knew this wasn’t Zheng Jing Xian’s fault, her casual mention of Xiang Lan and her commanding “not allowed to” made his disgust impossible to suppress. He said coldly, “Please leave, Miss Zheng.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, Zheng Jing Xian regretted them. She wanted to say something to smooth things over, but seeing Song Ke turn his back, she could only bite her lip and reluctantly leave.

Xiang Lan emerged from behind the building after Zheng Jing Xian left the courtyard. Earlier, she had only heard Zheng Jing Xian’s words about “we are to be engaged,” and it had hit her like thunder, nearly making her collapse. She steadied herself against the cold wall, feeling the world spin. Though she had vaguely understood before, hearing these words pierce her ears still made her whole body cold and trembling. Whatever was said afterward in the room, she hadn’t heard, only staring blankly at the shadowy, flourishing flowers and trees in the courtyard, and the row of orchids swaying in the breeze under the eaves.

Like a walking corpse, she slowly walked out toward the courtyard gate, her face ashen. Behind her came the sound of an opening door, and Song Ke emerged. Seeing that ghostlike figure in the garden, he froze, then quickly descended the steps, grabbing her arm, calling out, “Xiang Lan…” His throat choked, unable to say more.

Xiang Lan turned to look at him vacantly, her expression like a lost child’s, completely blank. Seeing her lifeless eyes and pale face, Song Ke knew she had learned everything. His heart ached terribly, and with tears in his eyes, he said softly, “Xiang Lan, Xiang Lan, say something… I was wrong, I’ve failed you… Hit me, scold me!”

Xiang Lan shook her head and walked forward, breaking free from Song Ke’s grasp. He grabbed her arm again. He wanted to say he had no choice, to explain his torment and dilemma, to tell her how he had gotten drunk the night of his decision, crying in Lin Jin Ting’s arms, calling her name repeatedly, how even though his troubles were resolved, his heart remained unhappy… But he couldn’t speak a word. Such awkwardness and pain made him want to slap himself or hand Xiang Lan a knife to stab him with.

“I understand, I do…” Xiang Lan spoke, her face wooden, her voice like a faint wisp of dust, “Your matter was resolved thanks to the Xian Guo Manor’s help, and Miss Zheng has feelings for you. With such a powerful family as in-laws, your career will surely flourish…”

Song Ke’s eyes reddened as he said, “Xiang Lan…”

“I was born a servant, and even my family’s freedom from servitude came through your help. Being your proper wife was just a foolish dream and presumptuous hope. I can never repay your kindness, so you needn’t feel you’ve wronged me. Now that you have an excellent match and wife, I will… I will only be happy for you.”

Song Ke wanted to beg Xiang Lan to stop speaking. The more reasonable and magnanimous she was, the more it tore at his heart. He pleaded, “Can’t we… can’t we stay together forever? Even without the title of wife, I swear on my life I’ll treat you well forever. If you don’t believe me, I can give you half of the Song family’s properties…”

Xiang Lan suddenly laughed softly, interrupting Song Ke. She lifted her face, looking at the faint clouds in the sky, her voice somewhat distant: “In my life, though I’ve been reduced to dust, bloodied, and nearly lost my life, I can’t change one unsuitable trait—politely called pride, or less politely, arrogance. Being a concubine is impossible! Besides, if you give me the Song family’s property, what would your mother and sister think, and how would Miss Zheng feel?”

She suddenly turned her head, looking intensely at Song Ke: “Let me ask you: If I became a concubine but refused to serve the primary wife like a servant, following rules and serving tea, what then? If I had children and only let them call me ‘mother,’ not recognizing the primary wife as their mother, what then? If your wife came to despise me and wanted to drive me out or sell me off, what then? Fine, even if you sided with me and supported me, but with the Zheng family’s influence, they forced you to deal with me, what could you do? Even if the Zheng family didn’t speak up if future court officials accused you of favoring a concubine and neglecting your wife, what could you do?”

This series of questions left Song Ke stunned.

Xiang Lan reached out, slowly prying Song Ke’s fingers from her arm one by one, saying slowly, “I’ve spent enough years as a servant. I never want to live half a servant’s life again—it’s too bitter and too torturous.” She pulled away from Song Ke’s hand, her bright eyes looking directly into his: “I wish you and Miss Zheng a hundred years of happiness together.”

Song Ke felt his whole body turn cold, his teeth chattering. He closed his eyes, and when he opened them, Xiang Lan had turned the corner and disappeared. Only a white orchid, twirling in the wind, fell to the earth like a long sigh.