Early the next morning, Xiang Lan attended to Lin Jinlou as he rose for his martial arts practice. She then returned to bed for a brief rest, only getting up when Ling Qing called through the curtain. After washing up, Xiao Juan brought over the mirror case and toiletries for Xiang Lan to do her hair. It was now late spring, but the mornings still carried a chill. Finding her spring clothes too thin, Xiang Lan wore an embroidered half-sleeve jacket decorated with plum, orchid, and chrysanthemum patterns over them.
Xiao Juan touched the fabric admiringly and said, “This material is so smooth. Clothes made from top-grade silk are truly different, and these embroidered patterns are exquisite.”
Seeing no one else around, Xiang Lan lowered her voice and said, “There’s still some fabric left. If you use it sparingly, you could make a vest. If you like these patterns, I’ll draw them for you later.”
Xiao Juan exclaimed joyfully, “Really?” She tugged at Xiang Lan’s arm and said, “Dear Madam, dear Sister, you treat me so well… I don’t want the patterns from your clothes, as they’d be too eye-catching to wear. When Madam has time, just give me something simpler, like peach blossom branches or a landscape scene. They’re easier to embroider and won’t waste the fabric.”
Xiang Lan readily agreed. Seeing Xiao Juan’s delight, she smiled and said, “It’s your birthday this month. Let’s find a day when the Master isn’t home, close the doors, order some good dishes, and have a proper celebration.”
Before she finished speaking, Lin Jinlou walked in wiping his sweat, half an hour earlier than usual. He sat down beside Xiang Lan, held her chin, and examined her face, asking, “What were you talking about just now? You seem so happy.” Seeing her cheeks flush slightly, he lowered his voice and said, “I remember when you were a maid, wearing an orchid in your hair, looking at your reflection in the lake, singing and smiling. You should smile more often.” He then leaned in to kiss her.
Xiang Lan blushed, trying to dodge while pushing Lin Jinlou away, saying, “Master, please wash up first, you’re all sweaty.”
Seeing Lin Jinlou’s playful and tender expression, Xiao Juan quickly served tea and slipped away.
Unable to escape, Xiang Lan finally lets Lin Jinlou embrace and kiss her before he releases her, saying, “Don’t eat anything or drink tea yet. A doctor will be coming to check your pulse shortly.”
Xiang Lan asked in surprise, “A doctor? I’m not ill, why call for a doctor?”
Lin Jinlou replied, “You haven’t been able to conceive, so I’ve found a skilled Imperial Physician to examine you.”
This statement terrified Xiang Lan, and she hurriedly said, “I… I’m not sick, I…”
Seeing her face turn pale, Lin Jinlou thought she feared his disappointment in her inability to bear children, so he casually said, “What’s there to fear? Of course, you’re not sick. Having a doctor examine you and prescribe some tonics is a good thing.” He then called for maids to prepare his washing items and told Xue Ning, “Watch her and don’t let your Madam eat or drink anything.” He then went behind the screen to bathe.
Xiang Lan sat outside, distressed, clutching her handkerchief until it was damp with sweat.
Just after the bath, someone announced, “Imperial Physician Zhang has arrived.” Lin Jinlou quickly changed clothes and invited him to the hall. After exchanging pleasantries, he said, “I’ve invited you today to examine someone in my household.”
Zhang Shiyou asked, “What ailments does the patient have? Have they seen other doctors before? Are there any previous prescriptions?”
Lin Jinlou replied, “One of my favored concubines is in good health, but she hasn’t conceived after a long time, which is concerning.”
With this information, Zhang Shiyou understood the situation. While it was common for noble families to seek help with conception, it was usually the principal wives who came quietly for consultation. This was the first time he’d been asked to treat a concubine. Though privately surprised, he maintained a neutral expression. Upon entering the chamber, he saw three or four maids dressed in red and green silk, all more elegantly attired than ordinary young ladies. Among them sat a beautiful woman on the bed. In his thirty years of attending to aristocratic families, Zhang Shiyou had seen few women who could match her beauty, and he understood why Lin Jinlou specifically wanted her examined. He asked Lin Jinlou, “Is this your Madam?”
Lin Jinlou confirmed, “Yes, please check her pulse, respected sir.”
The maids brought over a large pillow, and Xiang Lan had no choice but to pull back her sleeve and expose her wrist. Zhang Shiyou first checked her right pulse carefully, then requested her left pulse, inquired about her daily diet, and finally stood up saying, “Let’s go sit outside.”
Back in the main hall, a servant woman served tea. After taking a few sips, Lin Jinlou asked, “Respected sir, how is her condition…”
Zhang Shiyou replied, “I find your Madam’s pulses show the left one is deep and rough, the right one lacks vitality, indicating heart qi deficiency, blood deficiency with qi stagnation…”
Lin Jinlou, impatient with Zhang Shiyou’s medical terminology, interrupted, “Please speak plainly, respected sir. Will her condition affect her ability to bear children?”
Zhang Shiyou smiled and said, “Not at all. She needs careful nurturing. I’ll write a prescription, and after taking several doses of medicine for proper conditioning – since your household can afford good medicines, use the finest ingredients – and with some consideration regarding intimate relations, avoiding too much frequency in the first two months of treatment. Fortunately, your Madam is young. It could take as little as three months or up to half a year to restore her health, but bearing children won’t be an issue.”
Lin Jinlou smiled, “That’s good news. Whatever good medicine is needed is fine.” He knew Zhang Shiyou was experienced with such cases and had seen many difficult conditions, so if he said there was no problem, it must truly be so. His face brightened with a smile.
Zhang Shiyou continued, “However, this Madam worries too much, which could harm her liver. I’ll write another prescription to soothe the liver. She should take good care of herself daily.” He then picked up his brush and quickly wrote two prescriptions, giving Lin Jinlou additional instructions.
Lin Jinlou, feeling relieved, took out a thick red envelope and said, “This small token hardly expresses my gratitude. I’m sure we’ll trouble you to visit again in the future.”
Zhang Shiyou felt the weight in his hand and graciously accepted, simply saying, “General Lin is too kind.”
Just then, Shu Ran came in to add tea and gave Lin Jinlou a meaningful look. Understanding, Lin Jinlou made an excuse to step out. Shu Ran whispered, “Master, Concubine Yin has come over. She says Second Master wasn’t feeling well early this morning. Hearing that you’d invited an Imperial Physician, she wants to ask if the doctor could examine him too.”
Lin Jinlou mentioned this to Zhang Shiyou and had a servant woman lead him there. He looked over the prescriptions, seeing they were all for nourishment and strengthening, then called Shu Ran over and handed her the prescriptions, saying, “There’s a medicine shop in the capital that belongs to our family. Get ten doses of the finest quality ingredients according to these prescriptions. If our shop doesn’t have good enough quality, buy from elsewhere.” He paused then added, “Have Xu Fu handle this personally, and when he returns with the medicine, watch her take it. Make sure she drinks it all.”
Shu Ran said, “When I came in to add tea earlier, I caught some of what the doctor said. There are some things I’m not sure if I should mention.”
Lin Jinlou said, “Speak.”
Shu Ran continued, “Though Xiang Lan has a gentle nature and usually wears a smile, she’s quite strong-willed inside. She’s observant and prone to overthinking, no wonder her liver is stressed. In my opinion, Master should take her out for some diversion, whether to see some sights or just to laugh and talk. We have many friendly households in the capital – let Madam visit them and make some close friends she can talk with. Though we get along well with Madam, we’re still servants, which has its limitations, and Madam’s thoughts are different from others, so sometimes we can’t truly understand her feelings. I noticed yesterday that First Young Lady and Second Young Lady got along well with Madam, but they can’t visit too often.”
Lin Jinlou nodded and said, “I understand. You may go now. Take good care of your Madam, and I’ll remember your service.”
This was exactly what Shu Ran wanted to hear. Smiling broadly, she took the prescriptions and left.
Lin Jinlou returned to the room, finding Xiang Lan sitting anxiously. He embraced her and said, “Set your mind at ease. The Imperial Physician said this isn’t an illness. After some nurturing, you’re sure to bear a healthy son.”
Xiang Lan forced a slight smile, but her heart was extremely anxious. How could she have a child now when she was still counting the days?
Seeing her dazed expression, Lin Jinlou patted her hand and said, “In a few days, Old Master Lu is having his birthday celebration. He sent me an invitation, and since we’re related by marriage, we should make an appearance. You’ll come along too, make some connections, watch some opera, and relax.” Originally, he had planned to just send birthday gifts to Old Master Lu, but Lin Dongwan had earnestly invited him before leaving, and knowing she wasn’t having an easy time in her married home, he decided to attend personally to support his eldest sister. After hearing Shu Ran’s words, he decided to bring Xiang Lan along. With Lin Dongwan there, Xiang Lan wouldn’t be mistreated.
Xiang Lan’s mind was in chaos, absently agreeing to everything Lin Jinlou said. Suddenly, a servant woman came to report that Imperial Physician Zhang had finished examining Lin Jinxuan and was ready to leave. Lin Jinlou had to go see him off, but first told Xiang Lan, “Second Brother is ill again. We didn’t know before, but now that we do, go to the storehouse and see if there’s anything suitable to send over. Go visit on my behalf, as I have business to attend to and can’t go personally.”
Xiang Lan had to agree. She got the storehouse key from Shu Ran and opened it to find mostly large decorative items, some cloth and fabric, and only remnants of medicinal materials. Shu Ran explained, “Since we don’t live in the capital often, there isn’t much here. We moved the medicines to our family’s medicine shop to prevent spoilage and mixing of properties.”
Xiang Lan looked through the fabrics and said to Shu Ran, “The fine cloth is still good, but these silks might have lost their luster and gotten moldy from storage.”
Shu Ran replied, “The best materials were taken back to Jinling. What’s in the storehouse are leftovers. Though not as good as Suzhou and Hangzhou silk, this ‘Capital Silk’ has its reputation. Madam, please choose whatever you like.”
Thinking of her previous unpleasant parting with Madam Tan, and knowing her fondness for fine things, Xiang Lan chose a piece of pomegranate red fabric as a gesture of reconciliation. She then had the small kitchen prepare a bowl of bird’s nest soup, which Shu Ran packed in a food box, and they went together to Lin Jinxuan’s residence at Kangfu Court.
Entering the courtyard, they saw a maid wearing a crab-shell green vest crouching under the eaves, watching a small clay stove brewing medicine and fanning with a round fan. Xiang Lan glanced at her without paying much attention and was about to enter when she heard Madam Tan’s voice through the window: “Where’s the medicine? Why isn’t it ready yet? Have you gone mad? Can’t you hear Second Master coughing?”