Lin Dongqi brought over another cup of tea and said, “Elder Brother, please don’t take offense at us. We’re just monkeys being mischievous.”

Lin Jinlou slammed the teacup on the table with a “bang” and said coldly, “I’ll say this one last time: Xianglan is my woman, and you’d better show her respect from now on. If I hear any more gossip, don’t blame me for showing no mercy. Today it was just beating servants, next time I’ll beat you a lot directly. At worst, I’ll take my punishment from Grandfather afterward. Today, Brother is considering that you’re still young and thoughtless, so I’m letting you save face.” Seeing the three of them lowering their heads and shrinking their shoulders, he barked, “Did you all hear me?!”

Jinting, Dongling, and Dongxiu jumped in fright and nodded frantically.

Lin Jinlou snorted, “If you understand, then get out!”

They fled like pardoned prisoners, rising to leave.

Lin Jinlou called out, “Wait, Little Third, stay behind. Come with me.”

Lin Jinting quickly followed Lin Jinlou into the bedroom. Lin Jinlou sat down and said, “You mentioned Han Guangye’s matter to me earlier. I’ve considered it for a few days. There’s an eighth-rank Battalion Commander position available now. Though it has little extra income, it does come with a proper salary.”

Lin Jinting hurriedly replied, “He’ll certainly be pleased. Both Han’s father and son know how difficult it is to secure a position nowadays. Han Guangye hasn’t even mastered all the characters, but he has a clever mind for handling affairs. Starting directly as an eighth-rank official, he should be content.”

Lin Jinlou gave a light laugh and said, “He is clever, knowing to approach through you.”

Lin Jinting said, “He begged me several times, and I couldn’t refuse, seeing his pitiful state. If he doesn’t perform well, Elder Brother can just dismiss him.”

Lin Jinlou said, “I hear you haven’t been studying much lately, spending every day with those pampered young nobles. If you don’t want to take the imperial examinations, why not buy an official position under me? You could handle some lucrative duties in the future – it’s still a proper path.”

Lin Jinting shook his head and said, “Never mind, I at least have some foundation in reading and writing. I know nothing about military matters. Grandfather still hopes I’ll pass the provincial examination.”

Lin Jinlou laughed at these words and said, “With your daily idling about, if you actually pass the provincial exam, the Lin family would need to hold an ancestral ceremony and make a golden Buddha statue. Grandfather would be so happy he’d live another twenty years.”

Lin Jinting hung his head and said, “Didn’t I already pass the county examination? When Yifei was here, I studied diligently every day. I’ve only gotten lazy recently. After tomorrow, I’ll go back to studying at the academy.”

Lin Jinlou said, “If that doesn’t work out, we could try the examination official route. Last year’s chief examiner was my father’s fellow graduate.”

Lin Jinting shook his head and said, “Let me try one more time.” He glanced at Lin Jinlou, wanting to ask about Xianglan, but though his lips moved, he didn’t dare speak.

When Lin Jinting went out, he saw Shuran standing in the courtyard and approached her, saying, “Sister Shuran, are you busy?”

Shuran smiled and said, “I saw the garden balsams blooming nicely, I’m picking some to dye fingernails.”

Seeing no one else around, Lin Jinting asked, “Dear sister, quick, tell me, what’s the story with Xianglan in my brother’s quarters?”

Shuran replied, “I don’t know how she came in. Third Young Master should find out yourself.”

Lin Jinting grinned and said, “Dear sister, you’re the ‘Keen Ears’ of Zhichun Pavilion. If you don’t know, who would?”

Shuran smiled and said, “Stop flattering me. I really don’t know about her. I only knew when Master ordered rooms prepared and brought in clothes and jewelry that there would be a new person in his quarters.” She sighed and continued, “Actually, Xianglan… hasn’t had it easy. She was beaten by Master on her first day here. I observed she didn’t seem very willing.”

Lin Jinting was startled, then sneered, “Now that Brother Yifei has fallen from grace, she puts on an act of being pure and virtuous to kick him aside. Having finally latched onto my brother’s big tree, with future glory and wealth endless, what could she possibly be unwilling about!”

Shuran gave Lin Jinting a reproachful look and said, “My dear Third Young Master, didn’t you see how angry Master was earlier? You’d better say less.”

Lin Jinting touched his neck and asked suspiciously, “Has my brother really fallen for her? He values her that much?”

Shuran, having a good relationship with Lin Jinting due to his frank and unrestrained nature, wanted to give him a hint. She looked around and lowered her voice, saying, “I don’t know if he’s fallen for her, but I do know that besides Zhao Yuechan, no other woman has managed to stay in the main room! All the women Master takes in are placed in side rooms, but this one, he specifically keeps by his side. Third Young Master has always had a deep brotherly bond with Master, but don’t be foolish about this. Showing respect to Xianglan in the future can’t hurt.”

Lin Jinting’s eyes widened as he muttered, “No way… Oh my dear mother, this woman is really trouble.”

Shuran laughed and said, “Why worry? What kind of trouble hasn’t Master seen? They all bore him after three to five days.” She gave a light laugh and left.

As for Xianglan, she had returned to the east side room and was leaning on the windowsill, staring outside in a daze. It was midsummer, and in Zhichun Pavilion’s courtyard there was an artificial hill with exquisite rocks, planted with famous flowers and rare grasses. Vines climbed and trailed, their green ribbons floating. Various orchids bloomed magnificently, each flower as large as a teacup, releasing fragrance and displaying their beauty. There were also magnolias white as fine snow, and roses dotted here and there, creating an enchanting scene.

Xianglan stared blankly, trying to suppress the bitterness in her heart. She had expected cold mockery from Lin Dongling and Lin Dongxiu, and however uncomfortable it might be, she consoled herself to treat it as passing wind. But when Lin Jinting came with those surprised and contemptuous looks, she knew it was only a matter of time before Song Ke found out. At this thought, her heart ached. She had insisted on separating from Song Ke for the sake of dignity and self-respect, but now it had become a joke. She then thought, Song Ke had already married a good wife, and she had become just a faint shadow – what did it matter if he knew? Perhaps it would cause no ripples at all.

Chunling came over and said, “Though the view outside is nice, it’s not good to sit by the window for too long. The sky is overcast, and it might rain. Don’t catch a cold sitting here.” Just then, Lin Jinlou strode in, and she quickly withdrew.

Lin Jinlou saw only a thin figure sitting on the luohan bed, leaning against the windowsill facing outside, motionless. He gave a cold laugh and sat down on the other side, taking a cherry from the fruit plate on the table. After chewing and spitting out the pit, he said, “Still thinking about your old lover? How many romantic stories do you have? Tell them to me.”

Xianglan turned her face to look at Lin Jinlou for a while and said, “Which part would Master like to hear?”

Lin Jinlou stared coldly into her eyes, twitched his lips, and said, “Well, well, didn’t expect you to be such a romantic. Serve me well in the future, and if you please me, when I tire of you, I’ll let you reunite with Song Ke. Though who knows if he’ll still remember you by then.” He stood up angrily and left, having Lianxin bring new clothes. As he changed and tried to calm down, he thought Xianglan was too ungrateful. Initially, he had been attracted by her pretty face, delicate figure, and sweet, gentle voice, thinking she would be tender and caring, but who knew she would be so irritating? Looking into the east side room, seeing Xianglan still leaning lonely against the windowsill, he sneered, thinking: Go ahead and court death. If you make me unhappy, how can you expect anything good?

He had come home just to change clothes before going out for social obligations. After getting ready, he prepared to leave. Lianxin hurriedly presented Lin Jinlou’s waist knife. Lin Jinlou suddenly asked, “I have a spring-green pouch with some cooling pills inside, where is it?”

Lianxin said, “Master indeed had one, but I haven’t seen it in the room. I remember you wore it four or five days ago. Master has been busy with official duties lately and has been sleeping in the study, perhaps the pouch was left there. I’ll go look for it now.”

Lin Jinlou said, “Never mind.” As he walked out, he paused and said, “Pack up the bedding and items from the study, from today I’ll move back here to sleep. The curtains hanging in the room are too dark, making it feel stuffy. Change them to something fresher later.”

Lianxin quickly agreed and asked, “What color would Master prefer?”

Lin Jinlou casually said, “Go ask Xianglan, let her choose.”

Lianxin was greatly shocked but quickly hid her surprise and repeatedly agreed.

Meanwhile, Xianglan had been leaning by the window for half the day when Chunling came to urge her to have lunch. Xianglan looked at the table and saw all the vegetarian dishes made to her taste, so she gathered her spirits and ate some. After eating, Chunling sat on the luohan bed doing needlework, while Xiaojuan made tassels, occasionally trying to draw Xianglan into conversation. Xianglan still leaned against the windowsill, looking out. Soon after, Shuran came, first greeting cheerfully, then asking if she was comfortable with the daily arrangements and if she needed anything, offering some words of comfort to Xianglan. Xianglan only nodded slightly in response, her attitude friendly but distant. Chunling, being quick-witted, chatted and laughed with Shuran, creating a harmonious atmosphere.

Seeing the timing was right, Shuran smiled apologetically and said, “I must apologize to Young Lady. My younger sister Luan’er has been spoiled since childhood and speaks without thinking, often being offensive. Young Lady is magnanimous, please don’t take offense at her. I’m here to apologize on her behalf.” She stood and curtsied.

Xianglan said, “Sister Shuran is too polite. I know she speaks without meaning harm.” She thought to herself: “Shuran handles matters steadily and appropriately, considering everything thoroughly. She’s capable and understands propriety. I wonder how she ended up with a cousin like Luan’er. These cousins share no similarities in appearance or temperament.”

Just then, Nuanyue, Rushuang, Tinglan, and other prominent maids of Zhichun Pavilion came in to see Xianglan. They all wore bright smiles, showing great warmth and deference in their greetings. Xianglan was secretly surprised, and though she had little interest in socializing, she had to force a smile and exchange pleasantries with them.

Chunling came out of the east side room and, seeing Lianxin through the window, quickly called out to her. She came out to the corridor and asked, “What’s happening today? All sorts of important people are going to the east side room.”

Lianxin smiled and said, “There’s certainly a reason.” She lowered her voice and continued, “When Xianglan first arrived two days ago, those weathervanes were still watching which way the wind would blow. Who would have thought that on just the third day, Master would sacrifice the young masters’ and ladies’ faces for her sake? Just now he even said he’d return to sleep at Zhichun Pavilion and ordered books and bedding moved back from the study. Who do you think all this is for?”

Chunling also smiled and said, “I was wondering why several young maids wanted to give me gifts at noon. So they had designs on becoming Xianglan’s personal maids, since she has so few.”

The two chatted for a few more moments, but we’ll leave them for now.