In the afternoon, Lin Jinlou headed from Changchun Hall to his study, with Shuran following behind. Her master wore a new pine-green dragon-patterned robe with a gold-threaded azure cloud belt, which accentuated his tall stature. He had regained his usual composed demeanor, unlike his dejected state when he returned in the morning. Shuran secretly breathed a sigh of relief, feeling somewhat admiring. The morning’s confrontation between their young master and Old Master Lin had spread among the senior servants, though the exact cause was speculated about variously. Shuran dared not make assumptions and remained cautious.

Upon entering the study, Jixiang had already prepared tea. Lin Jinlou asked, “Where is Master Kang?” Kang Shiyuan was his trusted advisor and right-hand man.

Jixiang quickly replied, “Shuangxi went to fetch him. He should arrive shortly.”

Lin Jinlou nodded and sat behind his desk. Earlier, when he was with Xianglan, though she hadn’t said anything, she had been soft and compliant in his arms. From the way she looked at him, Lin Jinlou felt he understood, though he feared misreading the situation. He felt foolish and clumsy like a youth experiencing first love. If word got out, his brothers would surely laugh themselves silly, yet he felt content and mustered his spirit to continue battling with his father. He had long known his father’s mind was full of ritual propriety and hierarchy. He had hoped his father would make an exception considering Xianglan had saved their family twice. With his mother’s pillow talk influence and the Old Madam’s mediation, he had hoped to let his father see Xianglan’s conduct and character, wearing down his resistance over time. Unexpectedly, today’s confrontation had reached an impasse, with the old man stubbornly cutting off all future possibilities. Sitting behind his desk, he let out several cold laughs. Fortunately, he had prepared a backup plan. Since this matter couldn’t be resolved within the family, he would have to take it to a higher authority. His years in officialdom had exposed him to all manner of vicious schemes and treachery, weathering numerous storms. His father thought he could subdue him this way, forgetting his true nature. The idea of molding him to his will was impossible!

Jixiang stood to one side, watching as Lin Jinlou’s expression shifted from tender affection and spring-like warmth to sudden sinister coldness and calculating shrewdness. He felt unnerved and exchanged glances with Shuran as if asking, “What’s wrong with the Young Master?” Shuran stood with folded arms on the other side, returning his look with: “Stay quiet and mind your own business, can’t you see his mood has changed?”

As the two were exchanging glances, Shuangxi announced at the door, “Young Master, Master Kang has arrived.”

Lin Jinlou said, “Show him in.”

Kang Shiyuan entered, bowing in greeting. Lin Jinlou waved his hand, offering him a seat while Jixiang served tea. Lin Jinlou said, “I’ve invited you today to handle a matter on my behalf.” He took a stack of “The Chronicle of Scholar Lanxiang” from his desk and pushed it toward Kang Shiyuan, continuing, “This afternoon, please take these scripts and generous gifts to the northern part of the city. Miss Xia, who used to teach the Fourth Young Lady of the Yuan family, lives there. She now serves noble persons in the palace but returns home for a few days each month. Today is one such day. Take my card and ask her to bring these scripts for the Empress Dowager to see. Better yet, try to arrange for a theater troupe to perform it for the Empress Dowager. There will be a handsome reward if successful.”

Kang Shiyuan immediately understood, feeling a chill run through him. He nearly broke his beard hair and exclaimed, “Young Master, you mean to… Have Old Master Lin and Master Lin agreed?”

Lin Jinlou snorted, “If they had agreed, would I need to go to all this trouble?” He tapped his fingers on the table meaningfully and said, “Please ask Miss Xia to convey to the Empress Dowager that we are deeply in love, but Xianglan’s humble origins invite gossip. We request the Empress Dowager’s golden words to bless this beautiful union.”

Kang Shiyuan wiped the cold sweat from his brow with his sleeve. This young master truly dared to think and act boldly. Then Lin Jinlou turned to Shuran and said, “You were quite close with Miss Xia when she lived here. Go with Master Kang – it’s easier for women to discuss such matters. Follow Master Kang’s lead in what to say and do.”

Shuran was already dumbfounded but repeatedly agreed, her mind in turmoil. She thought to herself, “Oh dear mother, Buddha preserve us! That servant-born Xianglan is truly about to soar to great heights!” Reviewing past events carefully, she felt fortunate that she had never crossed Xianglan and had accumulated quite a few favors.

After discussing details further with Kang Shiyuan and instructing Shuran, Lin Jinlou dismissed them. He then ordered his horse prepared and took a stack of “The Chronicle of Scholar Lanxiang” to seek an audience with the Crown Prince. But let us set that aside for now.

Meanwhile, in the Lin family’s ancestral temple, Su Meiyu lay with disheveled hair. The curtain lifted, and a stout woman in her fifties entered – Meng, her attendant – carrying a tray, saying, “Madam, your meal is here.” She set the tray on the bedside table and helped Su Meiyu sit up, first feeding her a few sips of warm tea.

Su Meiyu glanced sideways and saw four dishes – though they included chicken, duck, fish, and meat, they were all leftovers. Anger rose in her heart as she spat, “Is this fit for human consumption? In all my life, I’ve never eaten leftovers!” Tears welled up in her eyes and began to fall.

Meng quickly consoled her, “Madam, don’t cry, mind your headache… Shall I add some silver to have the kitchen prepare fresh dishes?”

Su Meiyu cried, “All my clothes and money are in the wing room, I brought nothing here, and what savings I had are in Jinling. I have nothing left to spend.”

Meng smiled and said, “Madam, they say it’s easy to add flowers to brocade but hard to send charcoal in snow. Now truly, one of Madam’s dear friends has come to bring you food.” With that, she stood and lifted the curtain. A woman in a cape entered, removing her hood to reveal a heavily made-up face, smiling slightly: “My dear sister, someone has missed you terribly.” It was none other than Huamei!

It turned out that when the scandal broke, Huamei had fled with her birth mother, taking a boat downstream. Unexpectedly, they encountered river bandits, and in the chaos, Huamei’s mother fell overboard and drowned. Due to her beauty, Huamei was taken by the bandit leader Wu Biao. With her cunning, Huamei, who had been at a loss for options, seized the opportunity to become his chief consort. With her knowledge and skill at sweet talk, she greatly pleased Wu Biao. However, Lin Jinlou’s strict military governance pacified the river bandits with thunderous might, and Wu Biao gradually felt cornered. When Lin Jinlou went to the capital, Huamei suggested, “Master Wu need not worry. Now that the tyrant has left, his second uncle Lin Changmin oversees the canal transport. This man has a rogue nature and is greedy and miserly. Why not establish a connection with him? Send some real gold and silver, and I guarantee peaceful days ahead.”

They learned that Lin Changmin kept a mistress, so they sent generous gifts to Su Meiyu. As the saying goes, “Don’t turn away those bearing gifts.” Su Meiyu was no fool either, and they soon became acquainted. At first, Lin Changmin dared not accept, but Su Meiyu coldly laughed, “My lord is truly muddle-headed. Where do honest officials get their silver? Since ancient times, fortune has favored the bold. Only with money in hand can one stand tall. Besides, your nephew isn’t here – who would know? Why not take a large sum, and when your nephew returns, you can stop? No one will be the wiser. The money in your pocket is what truly matters.” After much persuasion, Lin Changmin was tempted. He first accepted one payment, and after several anxious days passed without incident, he accepted more and more, unable to stop. He began amassing wealth unscrupulously, allowing Wu Biao to smuggle goods and commit robbery on the waterways.

Su Meiyu and Huamei had become quite close, calling each other sisters, though Su Meiyu didn’t know Huamei had been Lin Jinlou’s concubine. Seeing Huamei arrive was like meeting a relative; Su Meiyu couldn’t help but weep, struggling to rise as she choked out, “Sister Mei…”

Huamei quickly came forward to support Su Meiyu, saying, “Don’t get up. I heard from Meng that you were ill and couldn’t help but worry. Fortunately, this is a temple – I used some silver to slip in quietly to see you.” She opened the food box she carried, saying, “Have some refreshments first.”

Su Meiyu looked and saw the three-tiered box containing delicate dishes, hot porridge, and fresh soup, all steaming hot. Tears fell as she clutched Huamei’s hand, choking out, “At times like these, you truly learn who your friends are…”

Huamei gently consoled her, “Don’t cry anymore. Eat something first – when you’re better, you can try for another child.”

Su Meiyu cried, “Another child? Can’t you see how the Lin family has abandoned me in this temple without a care? They’re cutting me off completely!”

Huamei coldly smiled, “Pardon my frankness, but the Lin family are all worthless. Second Master Lin owes his position today entirely to your support. Now that they have no use for you, they cast you aside. They don’t even inquire about your food and drink while you’re here suffering. If it were me, I’d risk everything to get you out – this is no place to recover!”

Su Meiyu felt every word spoke to her heart and grew more choked with emotion. Huamei offered a few words of comfort, then ordered Meng to bring a basin of water. She wrung out a hot towel to wipe Su Meiyu’s face and hands, sighing, “What a shame to see such a beautiful flower reduced to this state – it breaks our hearts.” She handed over a mirror, and when Su Meiyu looked, she saw sickly yellow cheeks, severe weight loss, and dark circles under her eyes. Though still beautiful, she was far from her former glory. She couldn’t help but sob again, then suddenly stopped crying. Wiping away her tears fiercely, she said bitterly, “It’s all the Lin family’s fault that I’m like this!”

Huamei gently combed Su Meiyu’s hair while saying, “Indeed, the Lin family has wronged you – sister should have claimed her due long ago! A precious jade-like you is destined for greatness… My foolish heart believes that if sister heeds my words, she could live in glory and splendor for the rest of her life.”

Su Meiyu couldn’t help but ask, “What do you mean?”

Huamei finished arranging her hair in a casual style and sat before Su Meiyu. Seeing no one around, she lowered her voice and said, “Lin Jinlou will soon return to Jinling. I fear once he returns, life won’t be easy for any of us. Sooner or later, things will come to light. He can’t do much to Lin Changmin, his second uncle, but you and I might not be so fortunate. Why not, before he leaves…” She made a slicing gesture with her hand.

Su Meiyu was greatly shocked, her eyes widening as she said, “How… how could we do that?”