The master bedroom was spacious, with a large carved rosewood bed featuring cloud and lotus fish motifs on the eastern side. It was dressed with red silk-gold brocade bedding adorned with auspicious patterns, soft and plush, perfumed with refined fragrance.

Lin Jinlou carried Xiang Lan to the bed, removing her butterfly-embroidered outer robe to reveal her fair neck. His throat tightened as he couldn’t resist kissing her, gathering her long hair to one side. As he continued undressing her, he teased, “Why wear such heavy clothes? It’s midsummer – you’ll suffocate in thick layers. I care for you and had several light silk garments made. Change into those to attend to me – that would be delightful.”

These words felt like sharp blades to Xiang Lan, who lay motionless on the bed, her face wooden with humiliation.

Lin Jinlou, breathing heavily, found himself moved by a surge of complex emotions as he looked into Xiang Lan’s tear-swollen eyes. Though initially satisfied, seeing her defeated expression rekindled his anger. He got up and poured himself a cup of cold tea by the osmanthus table.

Returning to the bed and preparing to call for servants to bring water, he noticed traces of their encounter. His anger subsided somewhat as he asked, “What are you thinking about, staring like that?”

Xiang Lan closed her eyes and pressed her lips together.

Seeing her demeanor, Lin Jinlou’s anger flared again. He sneered, “You begged me to save your father, yet now you act like this? Still haven’t learned how to serve properly as a servant? Here I am, having to pour my tea!”

Xiang Lan opened her eyes, struggling to sit up. She silently pulled on her robe, and despite her pain, shakily got up to pour Lin Jinlou fresh tea.

Lin Jinlou snorted coldly, sweeping the teacup away. It shattered on the floor as he stormed out, slamming the door with a loud bang.

Xiang Lan, aching all over, collapsed onto the bed, burying her face in the covers.

Soon, quiet footsteps approached, and someone gently stroked her back, saying softly, “Xiang Lan? Xiang Lan? Come, let’s get you cleaned up.”

Looking up, Xiang Lan saw it was Chun Ling. She had been on duty that night, dozing in the adjacent room when the sound of breaking pottery woke her. After Lin Jinlou’s angry departure, she came to check. She found Xiang Lan with disheveled hair, swollen red eyes, tear-streaked cheeks, and a visible bruise from being struck.

Chun Ling gasped, quickly fetching warm water from the back kitchen and pouring it into a copper basin. She soaked a cloth to clean Xiang Lan, who shook her head and took the cloth to tend to herself. Chun Ling sighed, sitting beside her, saying, “Let me give you some advice. Though the Young Master has a temper and is rather promiscuous, he’s generous to those he favors. Look how he doted on Concubine Lan, giving her not just a room full of treasures but even a shop. He’s had his eye on you for a while – why resist now that things have come to this? Speak sweetly to him, make him happy, and you’ll have better days ahead.”

Xiang Lan lowered her gaze, her voice hoarse: “You don’t understand. I could live as a fawning servant, pleasing others, but that’s only bearable temporarily. If I must live like that forever, I’d rather die. Better he tires of me quickly – there will be a way out eventually.”

Chun Ling was stunned. She tried to speak further but couldn’t find the words. She could only shake her head as she went to change the water. Returning with medicine, she offered it to Xiang Lan, who refused, wrapping herself in a blanket and lying down.

Meanwhile, Lin Jinlou stormed out, his anger burning hot. He found Chen Xiang Lan utterly incomprehensible despite her clever appearance. Here he was, a fourth-rank general at such a young age, commanding troops – one of very few such men. He might even be promoted after the new year. His family wealth far exceeded the Song family’s. What didn’t he have – wealth, power, or status? Court officials, nobles, and even royal relatives hoped to marry their daughters to him. Yes, Chen Xiang Lan was beautiful, but her stubborn nature was truly unlikeable. There were countless more alluring and gentlewomen around him, all buzzing like flies to honey, using every trick to keep him close. He couldn’t swallow this insult – he, Lin Jinlou, wasn’t someone to be treated with indifference and contempt, least of all by an insignificant girl. He would make her submit, turn her into a docile kitten by his side.

Standing in the courtyard, Lin Jinlou rubbed his temples. All houses were dark except for a small room in the west wing. There, Luan Er remained awake, still upset from Lin Jinlou’s scolding. She hadn’t removed her makeup or changed clothes, lying stiffly on the bed with a handkerchief over her face, sulking. Cun Xin tried to console her but was sent away with harsh words.

Cun Xin dared not persist, sitting on a small stool and dozing against the wall.

Suddenly, the door burst open with a bang. Cun Xin startled awake, and Luan Er hurriedly removed her handkerchief and sat up. Lin Jinlou entered with a dark expression, wearing only a silk robe that revealed his muscular chest. Both women gaped in surprise before Cun Xin rushed to pour tea.

Luan Er was overjoyed inside but maintained a displeased expression. Sitting on the bed, she furrowed her delicate brows, dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief. She sniffled, “After scolding me, why come here instead of embracing your beautiful new favorite?”