After being busy for a while, Lin Jinlou lost track of time as night deepened. Gui Yuan came in to refill the tea and brighten the fire with silver chopsticks. Just as he was about to withdraw, Lin Jinlou asked, “What time is it?”

Gui Yuan replied, “It’s past the second watch, nearly the third.”

Lin Jinlou stood up and stretched, saying, “Let’s go, time to rest.”

Gui Yuan hurriedly went to fetch the lantern, but when Lin Jinlou opened the door and saw the beautiful moonlight outside, he said, “No need for the lantern.” He walked back, and after passing through the flower-hanging gate, he headed towards Luan’er’s room. Before entering, he heard people talking by the window.

He heard Shuran saying, “You’re asking for trouble. Now you’ve caught a cold. Wearing summer clothes in this weather – you brought this on yourself.”

Then came Luan’er’s coughing.

Cun Xin said, “Miss, drink some water and rest. If you don’t get better soon, we should call for a doctor.”

Luan’er coughed again and said, “Absolutely not! Master is coming later. If Lady and the others find out I’m sick, they’ll surely send me home to recover. I won’t go back.”

Shuran coaxed, “I’ll tell Master that it’s nothing serious, just a chill. We’ll ask a doctor to check and let you recover here in the mansion. The mansion is cleaner than home, with people to serve you – much better than going home. It’s late now, we’ll call the doctor first thing tomorrow.”

Before she finished speaking, Huamei interjected, “Hehe, this truly is ‘having connections makes things easier.’ Two months ago when I had a cough, though not contagious, I was sent home for half a month. Yet Sister Luan’er, with her fever and cold, doesn’t need to leave and still expects Master to visit. Tsk tsk, it’s the changing of seasons now. Infecting others is one thing, but what if Master gets infected? Sister Shuran, Luan’er is young and ignorant, but you’re Master’s trusted senior servant – shouldn’t you know better?”

Luan’er, who had been lying in bed, flew into a rage and sat up, shouting, “Huamei, if you want to criticize me, direct it at me! What right do you have to speak about my sister? If you’re afraid of getting sick, why don’t you get out of here? You’re contaminating my room just by sitting there!”

Shuran quickly restrained Luan’er, saying, “Why are you getting angry? Lie down quickly, or you’ll catch another chill.”

Huamei sneered, “No good deed goes unpunished. Cun Xin came to my room asking for cough medicine, and hearing you were sick, I came to check on you. You’re putting on airs, daring to tell me to ‘get out.’ Fine, fine, very well! Remember what you said today. Who knows who’ll be the one getting out tomorrow!” She stood up to leave.

Shuran hurriedly held Huamei back, smiling, “She’s young and doesn’t know better, and being sick has made her irritable. Madam, please don’t take offense.”

Huamei just gave a slight cold smile and said to Shuran, “Your sister is quite imposing, more so than you, and even more than me, a Madam. From what I observe, even the former First Lady wasn’t as temperamental as her.” She snorted and walked out.

Lin Jinlou concealed himself in the shadows and watched as Huamei swayed her way toward the east wing.

Luan’er, her eyebrows knitted in anger, cursed, “Wretched woman, thinking she’s half a mistress! Seeing me sick and coming to bully me. Just wait until your Miss recovers – I’ll skin you alive and show you who I am!”

Shuran advised, “You need to control that temper. I know you’re proud, but she is still a Madam. Why create friction with her?”

Luan’er said breathlessly, “How can I swallow this insult? What’s so great about being a Madam? Everyone has their fate and karma – who’s to say I won’t become a proper lady myself?”

Cun Xin hurriedly consoled, “Miss, say less and rest well. Just focus on getting better.” She stepped forward to tuck in Luan’er’s blanket.

Luan’er glared at Cun Xin. Though frightened, Cun Xin smiled and asked, “What is it, Miss? Would you like some water?”

Luan’er grabbed Cun Xin and began hitting her, cursing, “Damn wretch! Who told you to ask Huamei for medicine? Am I dying? Running to that woman like that. Or perhaps you want me dead, you troublemaker, letting that demon come here to upset me! I’ll beat you to death, you thoughtless wretch!”

Cun Xin began crying from pain and grievance. Shuran quickly pulled Cun Xin away, shielding her while angrily scolding, “Why are you hitting her for no reason? You specifically asked her to find cough medicine, and when she couldn’t find any, she came to me. Where am I supposed to get medicine at this hour? Knowing Huamei had a cough recently, I sent Cun Xin to her room for a few pills. Who knew she’d come herself?”

Luan’er realized she had wrongly accused Cun Xin, but being stubborn, she refused to admit it. She remained silent, turned her face away, and lay down with her eyes closed.

Shuran sighed and pulled Cun Xin outside to comfort her. While she was consoling her, she saw Lin Jinlou standing in the corridor. Her heart jumped as she thought, “How long has Master been here? How much of our conversation did he hear?” She approached him with a smile, saying, “Master has returned.”

Lin Jinlou said nothing, gave Shuran a look, and turned to leave.

Just then, Xi Que was coming out carrying a basin of water to throw out. Seeing Lin Jinlou, she hurried back to inform Huamei, who immediately came out of her room and called out, “Master!” She approached him with a bright smile and said, “Master hasn’t visited me for many days. I recently acquired something nice and would like Master to see it.” Without waiting for Lin Jinlou’s response, she pulled his arm towards the east wing.

Meanwhile, Luan’er in her room had heard Shuran call out “Master.” She quickly sat up, ignoring her dizziness, fixing her hair while getting out of bed. Peering through the window, she saw Lin Jinlou being pulled away by Huamei. Rage immediately filled her heart, and just as she was about to curse, her head spun and she collapsed onto the bed with a cry of “Aiyo!”

Huamei pulled Lin Jinlou into her room, repeatedly ordering Xi Que, “Quickly brew some piping hot tea. Bring out Master’s casual clothes that are here.” She led Lin Jinlou to the bed, invited him to sit, and asked softly, “Is Master hungry? I have some pastries here, all in Master’s favorite flavors.”

Lin Jinlou lay back on the bed with half-closed eyes and after a long while gave a slight “Mm.”

Huamei hurriedly went to prepare, walking quietly to the door to instruct Xi Que, “Replace the heart-shaped jasmine incense in the burner with two pieces of the begonia warming incense.” Xi Que acknowledged and left.

Huamei went to the dressing table to check her appearance, touched up her makeup, and added a bit of rouge to her lips. She quietly sat down beside Lin Jinlou and began undoing the buttons on his clothes, saying softly, “Let your servant help Master change into casual clothes, they’ll be more comfortable.”

Lin Jinlou, still with closed eyes, gave another “Mm” and let Huamei attend to him.