Everyone bustled around Lin Jinlou, surrounding him with activity. Xiang Lan climbed down from the carriage and, seeing no place for herself to help, followed behind toward the house. She was so exhausted she could barely move her legs, gritting her teeth as she dragged herself inside. Xiao Juan was craning her neck toward the door when she suddenly saw Xiang Lan and was startled. She hurried forward to support her, exclaiming, “My goodness! What… what happened to you?”
Hua Shan heard the commotion and came running. Together with Xiao Juan, they supported Xiang Lan from both sides as they entered the house. While Lin Jinlou was carried into the bedroom for treatment, Xiang Lan tried to follow but was stopped by Shu Ran, who said, “Aunt, the Imperial Physician is examining him. The serving women are inside, and even Madam is waiting outside. Why don’t you rest in the warm room first?”
Xiang Lan remained worried, but Shu Ran personally helped her to the warm room. Xiao Juan set up a six-panel screen decorated with bamboo, plum blossoms, and double happiness symbols in front of the warm room, and lowered the soft, spring-green flowered curtains hanging from the copper hooks outside the frame. She then rushed outside to call the young maids to fetch water and towels.
The warm room wasn’t large, with a large kang bed by the window. The bed was covered with a large red felt strip and a crimson-colored dragon-patterned cushion, with a stone-blue gold-threaded pillow. On the left stood a small begonia-shaped lacquered table holding teacups and a spittoon. A blue porcelain vase contained two bulbs of narcissus in full fragrant bloom.
Xiang Lan was covered in mud and filth, her face coated with dust from the journey, cold and stiff. Hua Shan had already stepped forward to unfasten her cape and help remove her fox fur coat, tossing them onto the floor. Xiao Juan entered carrying a bowl of hot soup, saying, “This ginger soup has been simmering on the stove. Quickly drink some to warm yourself up.” Xiang Lan took it, held it in her hands, and took a sip, letting out a long breath. She kept saying, “Go check on Master, see how his injuries are.”
Xiao Juan went out again and returned shortly, saying, “The Imperial Physician is examining him and won’t let anyone in. I just asked Hong Jian, who said they need to stitch up the shoulder wound, and the small kitchen is already brewing medicine.” She couldn’t help but lower her voice to ask, “Madam, what… what happened?”
Xiang Lan spoke softly, “It’s a long story. How was the capital last night?”
Xiao Juan replied, “It was chaos—shouting and killing outside, flames reaching the sky. It went on all night. With Master away and Second Master unreliable, what could Madam do as a woman? Fortunately, Master had left Mr. Qi behind, and guards were protecting us. We were terrified all night but managed to avoid disaster. I heard some thieves tried to take advantage of the chaos to break in and steal, but they were all caught and are still locked up.”
Hua Shan whispered, “In all this chaos, early this morning Gui Yuan came in saying the morning market hadn’t opened. People were being arrested throughout the capital, and the road to the palace was covered in blood—the soldiers had blocked it off. Everyone is secretly saying the Second Prince staged a rebellion.”
As she spoke, she deftly removed Xiang Lan’s outer clothes, leaving only her undergarments. Ling Qing brought clean clothes, while Ling Su carried in a basin of hot water, saying, “Master is being treated in his room, and it’s too chaotic for a proper bath. Madam, please just wash up for now.”
The room was as warm as spring, and Xiang Lan sat exhausted on the kang, feeling drowsy and weak, her body trembling slightly. Someone took the bowl from her hands, removed her soaked boots, and soaked her ice-cold feet in water, making her shudder as though thousands of needles were pricking her feet. Xiao Juan let down her hair and carefully combed it straight before styling it into a bun. Ling Qing wiped her face with a hot wool towel and applied ointment to the swollen, painful areas. Hua Shan fed her two more spoonfuls of hot soup. She was too tired, swaying unsteadily with closed eyes. Ling Su brought several delicate pastries and a bowl of porridge. Exhausted and hungry, Xiang Lan’s hands trembled so much she could barely hold her chopsticks. She managed to eat a few wheat pastries without tasting them, then asked for a strong cup of tea, which she gulped down, forcing herself to stay alert.
Soon after, Madam Qin came in and asked Xiang Lan for details about what had happened. As Xiang Lan was giving a brief account, a loud, agonized cry came from Lin Jinlou in the bedroom. Madam Qin and Xiang Lan jumped up in shock and rushed to the bedroom, causing the Imperial Physicians to hurriedly bow and avert their eyes. When Madam Qin and Xiang Lan reached the bedside, they saw Lin Jinlou bare-chested, blood flowing from his wound, silver needles in his body, his face as yellow as gold leaf, and his consciousness hazy as he breathed heavily. One Imperial Physician bowed deeply and said, “Please don’t worry, Madam. We were just treating General Lin’s chest wound. We needed to remove the infected flesh. We’ve given him Western morphine and applied acupuncture, but the wound is severe, and the pain woke the General up.” He wiped his sweat as he spoke. Even with Lin Jinlou’s great strength, three or five men could barely hold him down.
Tears rolled down Madam Qin’s face, and Xiang Lan’s heart twisted in anguish, but there was nothing they could do. The two women had to withdraw from the bedroom. Just then, Gui Yuan ran to the door and knelt, saying, “Madam, the Old Master and Old Madam have arrived!” Hearing this, Madam Qin hurriedly dressed and rushed out, supported by Hong Jian and Lu Lan, with a group of maids and servants following behind.
Shortly after, there was a commotion in the courtyard. Xiang Lan pushed the window open a crack and saw Lin Zhaoxiang leaning on a cane, supported by Lin Jinting, with several servants leading the way. Madam Qin followed at the end. Upon entering the house, Lin Zhaoxiang pushed away Lin Jinting and went straight to the bedroom. Xiang Lan heard Madam Qin standing at the door, complaining, “You monkey! You’re a married man now, but still can’t keep your mouth shut. Weren’t you told to keep this from the Old Master first? In this cold weather, with the old man already tired from traveling, if anything happens because of this news, it’ll all be on your head!”
Lin Jinting rubbed the back of his head, looking worried, and said, “Dear Sister-in-law, my heart is in my throat. If anything happens to Grandfather… you might as well give me a knife and let me end it all…”
Madam Qin slapped Lin Jinting’s head, scolding, “What nonsense are you talking about at year’s end? Isn’t the house chaotic enough? We have three in sickbeds, one in the mourning hall, and now you’re talking about death—shall I sew your mouth shut?”
Lin Jinting looked miserable and kept nodding. Madam Qin was ten times more formidable than his mother, and he had always feared her, but he feared Old Master Lin even more. He shrank his neck and said, “Sister-in-law, this isn’t entirely my fault. Do you know what kind of person our Old Master is? He used to be the Minister of Justice, with piercing insight and razor-sharp judgment. Big Brother would dare to shake heaven but wouldn’t dare to cross him… Don’t glare at me like that. Even a glance from Heaven makes my legs shake—how could I deceive him? When he questioned me, my heart was about to jump out. I meant to tell him gradually, but before I knew it, I’d confessed everything. But I kept it completely secret from Old Madam, not a whisper got out. Sister-in-law, even if I don’t deserve credit, I deserve recognition for my efforts. The journey wasn’t peaceful either. Last night we were fortunate to stay at an official post station, which let us get a proper night’s sleep. Today, if we hadn’t sent word to the Nine Gates Commander, we couldn’t even have entered the city.” He craned his neck to peek into the bedroom and asked, “Is Big Brother alright? The messenger said he was injured. What happened with the Second Brother and Second Sister-in-law?”
Madam Qin sighed, her face clouded with worry, and shook her head. She told Lin Jinting, “Don’t ask about everything—you can’t help here. Go attend to Old Madam. Later, withdraw five hundred Taels from the accounts, donate some incense money to the temples, and light Ocean Lamps for our ancestors and your brothers to ward off bad luck.” Lin Jinting kept agreeing, took one more look at Lin Jinlou in the room, and then withdrew.
By now, the Imperial Physicians were filing out of the room. Madam Qin quickly stepped aside, while Lin Zhaoxiang exchanged pleasantries with them, expressing his thanks very courteously. He ordered the maids to prepare generous red packets and had someone escort the physicians to the reception room to write prescriptions and stay for tea and refreshments, but we won’t elaborate on that.
Xiang Lan couldn’t wait any longer and followed Madam Qin into the bedroom after the physicians left. They saw that Lin Jinlou had fallen into a deep sleep, and the servants were carrying out basins of bloody water. The room was filled with the smell of medicine from the recent treatment.
Lin Zhaoxiang entered and said gravely, “The Imperial Physicians say the shoulder wound is manageable and will heal with rest, but the chest wound is severe. They’ve removed the infected flesh and need to change the medicine every hour. If he can get through these two days, he should recover.”
Xiang Lan didn’t dare ask what would happen if he didn’t make it through. She stood by the bed, looking down at Lin Jinlou’s hair matted with cold sweat on his forehead, the blue stubble on his jaw, and his dry, pale lips making him look increasingly haggard. She had never imagined such a vigorous man could become so weak and powerless.
Madam Qin wiped her tears with a handkerchief and forced herself to be composed. She said softly to Lin Zhaoxiang, “Father, this is Xiang Lan. Lou’er values her greatly, and she has been by his side throughout this ordeal—she’s a caring and honest person.” As she spoke, she tugged at Xiang Lan’s sleeve and gave her a meaningful look, saying, “This is the Old Master, quickly pay your respects.”
In their previous life, the Lin and Shen families had been close. When she was young, Lin Zhaoxiang held Xiang Lan, personally taught her calligraphy, and tested her studies. Now, after several years, Lin Zhaoxiang’s temples had turned frost-white, and he had aged somewhat, but his figure remained lean and straight, his spirit sharp, his manner contemplative and reserved. Lin Jinlou had inherited his father’s natural authority. Xiang Lan thought to herself that it was no wonder people said Lin Jinlou and Lin Zhaoxiang were cut from the same cloth. She had previously thought they didn’t look alike, as Lin Senior was scholarly and refined, but now she could see how similar they were.
Lin Zhaoxiang’s gaze was like lightning as he sized her up. Xiang Lan’s heart fluttered momentarily, but she quickly regained her composure and knelt to kowtow. After examining Xiang Lan once more, Lin Zhaoxiang turned to Madam Qin and said coolly, “I know of her. She’s quite talented—can write and paint. I hadn’t met her before, though. Didn’t expect we had such a talented person in the household. Looking at her now, she seems quite sensible.”
Madam Qin managed a small smile and said, “Indeed, she’s not only beautiful but also has good character.”
Lin Zhaoxiang nodded, glanced at the bed, and told Madam Qin, “Tell the servants to take good care of him. Any news, day or night, let me know immediately. Your Old Madam isn’t feeling well, so don’t tell her about this yet. Just say Lou’er went to train troops in the suburbs.”
Madam Qin kept agreeing repeatedly. As Lin Zhaoxiang walked out, he gave Xiang Lan one last look and said, “Let’s go check on Xuan’er.” Although Madam Qin desperately wanted to stay and care for her son, with the Old Master’s orders, she had no choice but to follow him out.