Winter had arrived, and it was Madam Qin’s birthday. Since Lin Zhengzheng had gone to Shanxi, the mansion wasn’t as lively as previous years. Temples and Taoist monasteries sent various gifts, and their offered fresh fruits were selected and arranged in a large presentation box. Regular visiting relatives and friends also sent clothes, shoes, socks, purses, and trinkets. Since it wasn’t a major birthday year, Madam Qin didn’t want a grand celebration, even forgoing temple visits for blessings and ceremonies.

She only invited a few monks and nuns to chant longevity sutras at home for two days. However, since Lin Zhengzheng had become a high-ranking official and Lin Jinlou held significant power, people bringing birthday gifts nearly wore down the threshold.

This day, Xianglian sat on the large kang bed behind the gauze cabinet doing needlework. Looking past the screen, she saw Lin Jinlou sitting outside reviewing a thick stack of gift lists. These had already been sorted by his advisors, filling four silver trays daily for the past two or three days. Lin Jinlou sorted them into piles – those to keep and those to return, with several set aside separately. Shuran held a brush dipped in ink, marking the lists according to Lin Jinlou’s instructions.

Shuran had been back at Knowledge Spring Pavilion for several days, immediately showing intent to restore order. She reclaimed all authority, punishing disobedient maids and servants, especially targeting those Zidai had promoted, thoroughly asserting her power. Zidai had returned to Knowledge Spring Pavilion but stayed subdued, hiding in her room daily, not even allowed to enter the main quarters. The rough-working maids and servants who had been friendly with her now kept their distance, while others avoided her entirely, gossiping behind her back.

Rumors spread about Xianglian being “arrogant and domineering,” but these were just shadows – no one had witnessed it. However, everyone had seen Zidai lose face before Lin Jinlou and drink Xianglian’s foot-washing water. The gossip spread wildly, eventually distorting into claims that Zidai had “tried to seduce men” unsuccessfully and had drunk Lin Jinlou’s foot-washing water, her reputation thoroughly trampled, causing Madam Han’s face to darken with anger.

“If not for consideration of Madam’s face, she would have been sent away long ago. Several of the Master’s unmarried guards – it would be face-saving for Zidai to marry one of them, better than marrying a servant. But Madam Han probably wouldn’t agree and might poison Madam’s ears against you. Better to keep her for now, but not let her enter the main rooms, so you won’t be upset seeing her,” Shuran explained to Xianglian. She was especially respectful to Xianglian, personally selecting four clever and capable maids to serve her. Xiaokuan, having “no great ambitions,” was fine, but Chunling feared being replaced by newcomers and became increasingly attentive to Xianglian. Later, seeing Xianglian put those four new maids under her management, she finally relaxed and even became somewhat proud.

At this moment, Chunling sprayed some spirits on an embroidered peach design, carefully ironed it flat, and handed it to Xianglian.

Xianglian carefully stretched the embroidery on a piece of silk – she was making a four-sided harmony purse, as she couldn’t go empty-handed to Madam Qin’s birthday. Lin Jinlou finished reviewing the gift lists and invitation cards, ordered Shuran to take them to the front study, then stretched and entered the gauze cabinet. Sitting on the kang, he stared at Xianglian for a while before saying, “My purse is old, make me one later too.” He removed the square gold-threaded dark brocade purse from his waist and tossed it beside Xianglian.

Xianglian looked – the purse wasn’t exactly new but still bright, having been worn for only a short time. She looked up at Lin Jinlou without speaking.

Lin Jinlou cleared his throat, “It’s getting cold, not good to keep wearing brocade. Make me one with sheepskin and gold trim.”

Xianglian agreed, then heard Lin Jinlou say, “I won’t be dining here tonight. Marquis Yongchang invited me to his mansion for drinks, probably about Third Sister’s marriage. His parents died early, and his paternal uncle is handling this matter. He’s worried about offending our family. Second Uncle has been suffering from his old ailment these past days, so Grandfather wants me to go.”

Xianglian was secretly puzzled. She had once witnessed Lin Dongying meeting with a young man and thought that when this marriage was arranged, given Lin Dongying’s temperament, she would surely create a huge scene with crying, shouting, and threatening suicide. Surprisingly, she remained quiet. It was Madam Wang who complained that Marquis Yongchang was too old – though his first wife hadn’t left any descendants, two concubines had borne children, with the eldest son being around Lin Dongying’s age. Madam Wang was very unhappy about her delicate daughter becoming a replacement wife. However, Lin Changmin was extremely pleased to have such a prestigious son-in-law, and since Marquis Yongchang was highly favored by the emperor, in his prime, and known for his generosity and righteousness – qualities Lin Jinlou often praised – Madam Wang reluctantly agreed. Still feeling her precious daughter was being wronged, she had been zealously preparing the dowry these days. Lin Dongying had initially cried and made a scene about the marriage, but somehow quieted down afterward.

Since Lin Dongying seemed to accept this marriage, Xianglian wouldn’t speak out of turn, and besides, she was tired of caring about Lin’s family matters. She merely nodded at Lin Jinlou’s words.

Lin Jinlou said, “If you’re bored tonight, find some people to chat with. Little Chu mentioned there’s a female storyteller in his family – we’ll have her come to tell some stories to entertain you later.”

Just then, Lin Jinyuan came running in, called “Big Brother” upon seeing Lin Jinlou, and jumped into his arms. Though Lin Zhengzheng loved his youngest son, he maintained a stern fatherly dignity, following the saying “a gentleman holds his grandson but not his son,” often maintaining a stern face while teaching, making Lin Jinyuan somewhat afraid of him. As the saying goes, “eldest brother is like a father,” and Lin Jinlou doted on him greatly, staying home to play with him and sometimes taking him out running wild. From childhood, Lin Jinyuan felt closer to his big brother than his father and always looked forward to visiting Knowledge Spring Pavilion, but being raised by his grandparents and having studies despite his young age, he rarely got to come out.

Lin Jinlou beamed with joy, lifted his young brother onto the kang, and ordered Lianxin to set out pastries and brew a cup of imperial-bestowed fruit drink. Lin Jinyuan rolled on the kang, giggling as he pounced on Lin Jinlou, who caught him by one ankle and dangled him upside down, swinging him in the air.

Lin Jinyuan was delighted, squealing and shouting, while his wet nurse and the accompanying maids stood at the door, hearts nearly jumping out in fear, but not daring to interfere. Lin Jinlou gently tossed the child onto the kang, saying, “Alright, rest a bit, let your Sister Xianglian peel chestnuts for you.”

Lin Jinyuan’s cheeks were flushed from laughing, and Xianglian brought him the fruit drink. Having spent these days in Madam Qin’s quarters, Lin Jinyuan had become familiar with Xianglian. Being precocious, he knew Xianglian was favored in his big brother’s household, and always sweetly called her “sister.” Enjoying her gentleness, he now lay on her lap, grabbing snacks from the plate.

After his second piece, the wet nurse came to stop him: “Young Master can’t eat anymore.”

Lin Jinyuan pouted, pointing at his nurse and complaining to Lin Jinlou in a drawn-out voice, “Brother, look at her.”

Lin Jinlou said, “It’s just a piece of pastry, why be so restrictive?”

The wet nurse quickly smiled apologetically, “Master doesn’t know – a maid in Third Miss’s room has developed smallpox. Madam was terrified and early this morning had the rooms cleaned and made offerings to the Smallpox Goddess. Old Madam ordered the Young Master to avoid certain foods, prohibiting fried and stir-fried items. This sweet cake is deep-fried – two pieces are fine, but any more might not be good.”

Lin Jinlou frowned and told Lin Jinyuan, “If that’s the case, don’t eat anymore.” He ordered the maids to take away the plate.

Lin Jinyuan pouted unhappily. Under Old Madam and Madam Qin’s supervision, he couldn’t eat many snacks, so he clung to Lin Jinlou, whining and coaxing.

Lin Jinlou leaned to his ear and said, “If you behave, I’ll give you something nice – I have a wonderful toy from Persia, very intricate.”

Lin Jinyuan immediately forgot about the pastries and pestered for the Persian toy. Lin Jinlou suddenly scooped him up and headed out, making Lin Jinyuan laugh again. Before leaving, he instructed Xianglian, “Pack a box of light snacks to send to Yuan’er.”

Seeing Lin Jinlou’s smiling face, so different from his usual cruel demeanor, Xianglian was momentarily stunned. After recovering, she ordered Chunling to get a round presentation box, selected several snacks, thought for a moment, then chose some soft ones and packed them separately for Old Madam.

Delivering snacks to Old Madam’s quarters was a face-gaining task. With Xiaokuan absent and Chunling disdaining to compete with small maids for this duty, she had just reached the corridor to call a maid when she saw Zidai walking along the covered walkway. Upon seeing her, Zidai smiled and approached, saying, “What are you doing here? Need to deliver something? I’m free, I can do it for you.”

Chunling glanced sideways at Zidai and said sarcastically, “No need, we wouldn’t dare trouble your Highness. Later it might spread that our Miss is so arrogant she dared order Aunt Zidai to deliver things – that would cut short my life.” Just then, Cun Xin and several other maids approached, and Chunling waved her over, placing the presentation box in her hands, saying, “Here’s a good task for you – take these two boxes of snacks to Old Madam’s quarters. The square one is for Old Madam, the round one for Fourth Young Master, go on.”

Cun Xin had originally been Luan’er’s maid, but after Luan’er was expelled, she was demoted to rough work. Only after Shuran returned was she brought back and assigned to serve Xianglian. Chunling resented her and usually treated her poorly, so this sudden assignment made Cun Xin overjoyed. She repeatedly said, “Sister, don’t worry, I’ll handle it properly,” and hurried off with the boxes, light on her feet.

Chunling snorted and turned around, muttering to herself, “Such thick skin, any normal person would have died of shame, yet still shamelessly hanging around here, truly nauseating…” She deliberately raised her voice so Zidai would hear clearly.

Zidai immediately trembled with anger, tears rolling down as soon as they formed in her eyes. She quickly covered her face with a handkerchief and left.

Huamei stood quietly behind a pomegranate tree in the courtyard, watching everything. Today she wore a half-new cyan floral satin cape, her hair adorned with just two or three golden longevity hairpins. Though heavily made up, her appearance was much more subdued – this simple elegance had its charm. She particularly cared about her appearance and loved dressing up. This morning she had spent a long time choosing clothes, secretly lamenting, “All my clothes are bright colors – in the current situation, dressing too eye-catching would be asking for death, but the plain-colored clothes are from years ago and look too shabby.” She felt somewhat dispirited. Thinking of Lin Jinlou’s preference for beauty, and how she had already fallen from his favor, she knew if she didn’t dress properly to regain some old affection, he might send her to the family temple after the new year. So she roused her spirits, chose her clothes anew, and carefully applied her makeup.

Zhicao stood beside her, silently watching Huamei’s delicate profile. She had been a third-rank maid, but after following Zhao Yuechan’s orders to push Chunyan, nearly causing Yingge to miscarry, she was demoted to outer rough work. Later, after the charm paper incident, Huamei’s servants like Xique were severely beaten by Lin Jinlou and sold off. Shuran, seeing Zhicao’s strong build, selected her to serve Huamei – though “serve” really meant joining two old women in monitoring Huamei. Being clever, Huamei stayed quiet for several days, then used silver and jewelry to win them over. The two old women softened considerably and even bought Zhicao’s loyalty.

After Huamei stood for another moment, Zhicao urged, “Miss should go now, or you’ll be late for kneeling in the ancestral hall.”

Huamei lowered her eyelids in acknowledgment and gracefully left.

The sweeping maids and servants who saw this whispered among themselves: “That minx Huamei is strange, not ashamed of going to kneel in the ancestral hall, still dressing up like this, as if she’s going out with the mansion’s ladies.”

“What ‘lady’? She’s not a lady anymore. The Master’s legs are planted firmly in the main quarters – haven’t you seen he even gave Shuran to Xianglian? She’s the real lady now.”

Huamei ignored them and continued to the ancestral hall. Zhicao took out a cushion and laid it on the ground, and Huamei knelt on it. The cushion was lined with thick fur, keeping out the cold, and the vast ancestral hall was silent. Zhicao made a show of standing for a while, then went out, quietly closing the door, and slipped some coins to the old woman guarding the hall before chatting with her.

Huamei sat down on the cushion. Zhicao secretly brought her hot tea twice. After sitting idly for nearly an hour, she finally got up to leave. Outside, the sunshine was bright, making Huamei more irritable. She stopped and said, “I’m stifled, let me walk around the garden before returning.”

Zhicao said worriedly, “This… isn’t appropriate.”

“What’s inappropriate about it? Just a walk, what’s the big deal?”

“If the Master finds out… well, at least stay away from areas near the Master and Madam.” As Zhicao spoke, she tucked the dozen or so coins Huamei had given her into her pocket.

Huamei walked around the area near the Second House, seeing half a pond of withered lotus, chrysanthemums still clinging to branches, and the increasingly cold west wind adding to the desolation. Even someone as unfeeling and calculating as Huamei was moved to self-pity, feeling she was like those remaining chrysanthemums on the branches – still clinging but precarious. At home she would face her wolf-like father and brothers; staying meant being sent to the family temple. Either way would lead to “black hair turning silver, rosy face becoming gaunt.” She couldn’t help but shed tears.

Just as she was caught in melancholy, suddenly a burst of flame shot up from behind the artificial mountain, startling her. She heard someone say from behind the mountain, “Huairui, are you trying to die? Why build such a big fire? Didn’t you see the wind blowing this way? Nearly singed my hair!”