After Song Ke left, the Lin family soon sent people to invite Aunt Song and Song Tanchai to stay at their mansion for a while. Xianglan felt relieved. Aunt Song had been depressed and ignored her, making their interactions uncomfortable. Though Song Tanchai was closer to her, she was overly sensitive, requiring Xianglan to be extremely careful with every word. Being around them was exhausting. Now that they had left, Xianglan felt more at ease, focusing on household duties, reading and practicing calligraphy in the study, occasionally painting, and passing time chatting with Yuexi.
Chen Wanquan and his wife finally purchased the courtyard in the southern part of the city. Since they needed to reserve some silver for the New Year, they only did basic repairs and renovations without buying new furniture. The Chen family had few possessions, and on an auspicious day, they moved everything to the new place using two donkey carts.
That day, when Xianglan went home to look around, she saw a square courtyard with one front room and two back rooms. Though the house wasn’t large, it was clean and tidy, befitting a respectable modest family. Madam Xue set up the east wing as Xianglan’s chambers, complete with an embroidered bed, flowered curtains, a dressing table with a mirror, a writing desk with brushes and ink by the window, and landscape paintings on the walls—a proper young lady’s bedroom.
Xianglan touched everything, feeling that among all the luxurious boudoirs she had seen, none was as cozy and lovely as this small room. When she opened the window, she saw a jujube tree and a long grape trellis in the courtyard. Madam Xue was still talking: “I wanted to raise some chickens in the yard, but your father refused, saying they would make it dirty.”
Xianglan said, “We should get a dog later to guard the house.”
Madam Xue replied, “We’ll get one tomorrow.” She continued happily, “When we were paying for the house, it felt painful, but now that we’re living here, the silver seems well spent. This is my first time living in my own house. Your father woke up laughing in his dreams last night. He’s been in high spirits these days and is thinking about collecting more antiques to sell.”
Xianglan took out five Taels of her private savings and gave them to Madam Xue, saying, “Take these five Taels to buy some kitchen utensils. You and Father should also get new bedding. Our teacups are chipped and have been used for over ten years—we should replace them.”
Madam Xue tried to decline: “New Year is coming, keep the money for new clothes…”
Xianglan insisted, “I still have more, Mother, please take it. Moving to a new home, we should get some new things. Besides, the New Year is approaching, and you both should have new clothes. Now that you and Father are free citizens, we shouldn’t let others look down on us.”
Madam Xue saw the logic and finally accepted the silver. The mother and daughter continued their private conversation.
Soon after, Xia Yun came bearing gifts to congratulate the Chen family on their new home. Chen Wanquan greeted him with a beaming smile, eagerly inviting him inside.
Xianglan secretly watched through the window. Xia Yun wore a new blue satin robe with a matching belt, having discarded his coarse cotton clothes. With his face full of pride, he looked more dignified than usual, dressed like a proper scholar.
Madam Xue hurriedly said, “Young Master Xia has also passed the provincial examinations, ranking one hundred and twenty-ninth. He’s now an honored Provincial Graduate!”
Xianglan was stunned. In recent days, she had been busy attending to Song Ke, preparing various dishes, and managing the household. She had completely forgotten about Xia Yun and his examination. She remarked, “One hundred and twenty-ninth—quite far down in the rankings.”
Madam Xue said, “You think everyone can be like Young Master Song, ranking first? Young Master Xia has done very well. The county clerk specifically came to congratulate him, saying he recognized Young Master Xia’s talent and wanted to promote him to the county office. The Xia family’s status is about to change. Though Young Master Xia has ambition—he declined the clerk’s offer, wanting to go to the capital for the imperial examination. Well, passing the provincial examination at such a young age, who knows what fortune awaits him?”
Xianglan thought to herself: “Currently, the politics are unclear. The Eighth Prince is foolish, only interested in clever tricks and pleasure. The court is controlled by eunuchs, and sycophants wield power. Without great opportunity, how can common scholars succeed? Even if Xia Yun passes the imperial examination, without money and connections, it’s hard to secure an official position—and passing the imperial examination isn’t easy to begin with.” She shook her head slightly.
While Madam Xue went to attend to the guests, Xianglan stayed in her room organizing, neatly folding clothes from the trunk and using oiled paper to patch the walls.
Xia Yun’s visit was meant to show off. Previously, Chen Wanquan had been distant from Xia Yun due to his family’s poverty, but now that Xia Yun was a Provincial Graduate, Chen Wanquan was extremely warm, constantly smiling. Xia Yun felt satisfied; though he looked down on Chen Wanquan, he maintained a pleasant expression during their conversation. He wanted to see Xianglan, but she never appeared, leaving him disappointed. Unable to ask about her, he left after a short while.
Madam Xue said, “Now that Young Master Xia has made something of himself, if he’s interested, he would be a suitable match for Xianglan.”
Chen Wanquan glared at her, saying, “What nonsense! How could he compare to Young Master Song? Young Master Song has shown interest in our Xianglan, don’t speak of such things.”
Madam Xue sighed, “Young Master Song’s success is undeniable, but could he take our Xianglan as his primary wife? It would be less worrisome with Young Master Xia.”
Chen Wanquan scoffed, “What does it matter if Young Master Xia is a Provincial Graduate? His family is dirt poor. Xianglan would only suffer if she married him. Young Master Song comes from an official family with substantial wealth. Besides, the Song family saved Xianglan and freed us from bondage. I still work at the Song mansion—our whole family owes them gratitude!”
Madam Xue said no more.
Time passed quietly. After staying home for two days, Xianglan returned to the Song mansion. Two months later, she received a thick stack of letters from Song Ke, saying he had reached the capital and all was well. He wrote about interesting encounters on his journey and local customs, urging her to take care of herself. Xianglan read the letters several times before carefully storing them away.
It was now the depths of winter, and the weather was cold. Xianglan peeked out the window to see overcast skies threatening snow. As the cold wind crept through the window, she quickly shut and locked it with a snap.
The crimson main gate of the Lin mansion opened slowly with a thud—Lin Jinlou had returned home!
Lin Jinlou entered wearing a fur cloak, and servants rushed to spread the news, shouting, “The Young Master is back! The Young Master is back!”
Three days ago, the Lin family had received an imperial edict: Lin Jinlou was promoted to Fourth-Rank Commander for his success in suppressing bandits, awarded the title of Ming Wei General, and granted a white horse and one hundred Taels of gold. This news shocked the entire Lin household. Old Master Lin Zhaoxiang immediately ordered an altar prepared and the ancestral hall opened to make offerings with the imperial edict. Officials from near and far rushed to offer congratulations, making the Lin mansion extremely busy. Elders from the clan also sent people congratulatory gifts.
Everyone had assumed Lin Jinlou wouldn’t return for another year or more, so his sudden arrival was surprising, and the entire mansion burst into activity.
Lin Jinlou remained calm, handing his riding crop to Jixiang before heading inside. The clever Jixiang asked, “Young Master, would you like to freshen up at Zhichun Hall and change clothes before seeing the elders?”
Lin Jinlou replied flatly, “No need.” He went directly to kowtow to Old Master and Old Madam Lin. Lin Zhaoxiang had always been satisfied with his eldest grandson. Though the boy was unruly and somewhat wild outside, he knew what he was doing. In just half a year, he had earned the rank of Fourth-Rank General. In a few more years, with the Lin family’s connections, he could become a high-ranking official of Second or Third Rank in the Ministry of War.
Old Madam Lin showed loving concern, worried about her grandson’s travel-worn appearance. She privately thought that since her grandson’s favorite concubine had died, he had no one to care for him. She had two fine maids in her service, both pretty and understanding. She planned to send them to her grandson’s quarters—she’d like to see if Madam Zhao dared object. She held Lin Jinlou’s hand, asking many questions, eventually wiping away tears.
Just then, footsteps approached—Lin Zhangzheng and Madam Qin had arrived. Old Madam Lin, with reddened eyes, smiled and said, “Parents always worry. Look, they couldn’t wait for their son to pay respects and come themselves.”
Lin Jinlou immediately kowtowed to his parents. Lin Zhangzheng saw his son had grown more imposing and steady, filling him with pride. Madam Qin, noting the weathered look on her son’s features, felt her heartache and tears well up. Her crying prompted Old Madam Lin to weep as well, and it took quite a while for everyone to calm down.
After catching up, Lin Zhaoxiang called father and son Lin Zhangzheng and Lin Jinlou into the inner room. Lin Jinlou helped him sit in the rocking chair and personally offered him a water pipe. Lin Zhaoxiang took two puffs and asked, “Is the campaign over? You’ve returned so quickly—is there something we should know?”
Lin Jinlou laughed coldly, “What’s there to know? The army is in decay, full of useless cowards. I’d be surprised if they didn’t wet themselves on the battlefield. The army is full of old, weak, sick, and injured men, barely anyone is useful, and the military funds are empty. I had to use our forces to fight several battles. Though the bandits were fierce, they hadn’t become a major threat. However, there were traitors collaborating with Japanese pirates, attacking from both land and sea. I had fifty of them publicly executed, skinned, and hung from masts and city gates as a warning. That finally deterred them. When those demons saw the bandit problem was about to be resolved, they all jumped out, urging the Emperor to send their people to steal the credit. Afraid I might react badly, they promoted me and gave me money to keep me quiet.”
Lin Zhangzheng said, “But returning home without an imperial audience isn’t proper. You should still go to the capital to see the Emperor.”
Lin Jinlou replied, “When would the Emperor have time to see me? The court officials don’t want me to return—how could they claim credit with me there? I’ve already reported to the Emperor that my war injuries have flared up and I need to recover at home before going to the capital for an audience.”
Lin Zhaoxiang tapped the armrest of his rocking chair and said, “Jinlou shows good judgment. Currently, the capital is in chaos, with discord even among the eunuch factions. Better to observe for a while longer.” He then told Lin Zhangzheng, “As for you, with the mourning period almost over, I’ll arrange a post outside the capital for you. Leave the capital’s troubles for a couple of years… *cough cough*… Many great families have fallen, only our family has survived the ups and downs by knowing when to advance and retreat.”
Father and son nodded, accepting his teachings.
Lin Zhaoxiang sighed and told Lin Jinlou, “Though your Second Uncle is also in the military, we know well he’s a mediocre man with ambition. If he seeks your help, you must not assist him.”
Lin Jinlou nodded in agreement.