The maid at the door lifted the curtain as Xuezhan, Old Madam Lin’s head maid, entered smiling, “Old Madam says since the Young Master has been working hard outside, and Shuran will be married off after the New Year, she’s sending two maids who were trained in her quarters.”
Lin Jinlou smiled, “I must properly thank Old Madam later for thinking of such small matters.”
Xuezhan thought to herself, “The Main Branch still has no heir—how can this be a small matter?” She glanced at Zhao Yuechan’s gloomy face and paused before saying, “The maids are outside. Shall I bring them in to kowtow to their masters?”
Lin Jinlou nodded. Xuezhan lifted the door curtain, and two maids around fourteen or fifteen entered. They were of similar height—one delicate and slender with fine features, the other slightly plumper with bright eyes and white teeth, both walking with graceful dignity. They immediately knelt.
Xuezhan pointed to them saying, “This is Keren, and this is Lianxin. Coincidentally, Keren is Shuran’s cousin. It’s quite fated that she’ll now serve the Young Master.”
Lin Jinlou’s gaze swept over the two. Though he had seen many beauties, and these two were indeed pretty with the refined qualities of noble household maids, they weren’t striking enough to captivate him. Finding them merely pleasing to the eye, he said, “Since they’re Old Madam’s gift, they shouldn’t be treated like the others. Give them first-class privileges and arrange separate quarters in the west wing.”
Lianxin, with her flirtatious eyes, quickly kowtowed saying, “Paying respects to Young Master and First Madam.” Her gesture forced Keren to follow suit, though reluctance showed on her face.
Lin Jinlou said, “You’ll serve at Zhichun Hall from now on.” Looking at the two maids suddenly reminded him of Xianglan, and he asked, “What about Xianglan from the east wing?”
Zhao Yuechan’s heart pounded, but she affected a casual air, “That little hussy stole hairpins and jewelry from my room, so I sold her.”
Lin Jinlou, who had been about to drink from his teacup, paused, his eyes sharp as he looked at Zhao Yuechan: “Sold her? Where?”
Zhao Yuechan said, “A matchmaker took her away. How would I know where she was sold?”
Lin Jinlou laughed coldly, setting down his cup with a clang, “How very capable of you, treating my words as a mere wind in your ears. You’ve grown quite bold!”
The room’s atmosphere suddenly changed. Xuezhan immediately shrank back, thinking, “Everyone knows the Young Master favored Xianglan from the east wing and wanted to promote her. First Madam turned around and sold her—with the Young Master’s temper, who knows what he’ll do. I’d better leave early to avoid getting caught in their marital affairs.” She smiled and said, “I’ve delivered the maids, and Old Madam is waiting for my return. I’ll take my leave.” She hurried away.
Huamei said warmly, “Let me see Sister Xuezhan out,” and followed her out.
Keren and Lianxin knelt motionless. Yingshuang, thinking it wouldn’t be good for the new maids to witness Lin Jinlou embarrassing Zhao Yuechan, quickly stepped forward saying, “You two, come with me.” The two maids timidly glanced at their masters before getting up to follow Yingshuang.
Zhao Yuechan was brooding—Huamei had run away and returned promoted to concubine, and now Old Madam was eagerly pushing in two pretty maids. Usually, if servants dared embarrass her like this, she would have thrown a fit, but she didn’t dare confront Lin Jinlou directly. She just laughed coldly, “Oh my, what’s wrong with selling a maid? Did it touch your heart? I run Zhichun Hall—why can’t I dispose of a thieving little maid? When Qinglan died, you didn’t make a sound. You haven’t even offered incense for her since returning—she trusted you in vain. She died with your child in her belly…”
Before she could finish, there was a whooshing sound and a sharp slap. The blow sent her stumbling against the table, knocking teacups and fruit plates onto the couch and floor. Zhao Yuechan barely noticed, seeing stars and hearing ringing in her ears, half her face numb with pain.
After a while, she recovered enough to cup her cheek, looking at Lin Jinlou in disbelief, “You… you hit me?” She choked up, tears rolling down.
Lin Jinlou stood with an icy expression, staring at Zhao Yuechan without speaking.
Zhao Yuechan cried out, “How mighty you’ve become! Away for half a year, and your first act home is beating your wife!” Wanting to fight back but not daring, she vented her anger by smashing the remaining dishes on the table.
Lin Jinlou stepped forward and grabbed Zhao Yuechan’s collar. His voice, neither loud nor soft, carried complete coldness and hatred: “You whore! You know very well what happened to Qinglan and that child! I’m only showing you face now for the Zhao family’s sake—don’t make yourself uncomfortable.”
Seeing Lin Jinlou’s murderous expression, his eyes full of killing intent, Zhao Yuechan became frightened. Her crying quieted somewhat as she sobbed, “How would I know? She fell and lost the child herself—what does it have to do with me? I’m truly unfortunate…” She began crying again.
Lin Jinlou laughed coldly, releasing her to fall on the couch before walking out without looking back.
Meanwhile, Huamei had used escorting Xuezhan as an excuse to leave. After seeing her at the courtyard gate, she returned and stood in the yard for a long time, staring abstractedly at an old plum tree. Xique brought out a green satin-lined fur cape and gently draped it over her shoulders, softly saying, “Concubine, don’t stand in the wind—you’ll catch a cold.”
Concubine? Yes, she had finally risen from “a maid gifted by superiors” to become a concubine. Huamei took Xique’s hand and slowly walked back to the east wing. The room was already warm from a brazier. Huamei reclined on the bed while Xique efficiently brought a copper hand warmer with two lotus cakes inside, covered it, and placed it in Huamei’s hands, saying, “The mansion hasn’t allocated our coal allowance yet. I got this from the tea room’s old woman—please make do with it for now, Concubine.”
Huamei slowly turned her head, looking around the room. After Qinglan’s death, this room had stood empty, its furnishings unchanged—still the dripping-step bed with embroidered apricot-colored curtains showing flowers, birds, insects, and grass; the sandalwood dressing table in the corner; a princess couch below the bed, now covered with pink and green brocade winter cushions; various treasures displayed on the shelves; even the “Cooling by the Lotus Pond” painting still hung on the wall.
Everything remained as it was when Concubine Lan was alive. Daily cleaning kept it dust-free, as if someone still lived here.
When she first came to this room and saw its luxurious, exquisite furnishings, she had envied it countless times. Back then, Qinglan would recline on the bed just like this, with seasonal fruits and preserved sweets arranged on a crystal plate on the begonia side table, along with two kinds of fruit-flavored warm tea. Mama Wu and Chunling would busily attend to her, while outside, Xianglan and Yindie made her clothes! Qinglan would smile contentedly, urging her to try this and that.
Though she smiled outwardly, her heart was bitter! Her small room in the west wing was only the size of a side room in the east wing, with just two or three pieces of furniture. The few decorative items she had were begged for when Lin Jinlou was in a good mood. Though she didn’t want food or clothing, she never got such fine fresh fruits and pastries. While Qinglan had both old women and young maids attending her, she only had Xique.
She had thought then: why should a stupid woman like Wang Qinglan have such good fortune! She was much smarter than Wang Qinglan, much more beautiful, and much more understanding. One day she would move into the east wing!
After her house caught fire, she knew she couldn’t return to the Lin family and expect good treatment, so she took a desperate gamble. Taking the few account books that hadn’t burned to ash, she had her brother take her to Lin Jinlou. He was naturally shocked to see her. She knelt crying, telling him how Wang Qinglan had been killed—dying with her unborn child—after finding Zhao Yuechan’s account book. She wept about how her home had burned down trying to protect these books, begging for Lin Jinlou’s mercy.
Lin Jinlou was indeed furious upon hearing this, his eyes blazing with anger. Cursing “that whore” several times, he kept her by his side to serve him daily.
She had rejoiced secretly, thinking this was her opportunity—if she could become pregnant, she could finally hold her head high in the Lin family. But before long, Lin Jinlou found new interests and forgot about her, though he remained more intimate than before, giving her many silks and jewels that his subordinates had gifted him.
Upon returning to the Lin family, she thought Lin Jinlou would deal with Zhao Yuechan, so she hadn’t been polite. Who knew he would treat them equally harshly, showing her no special favor?
Huamei let out a long sigh.
Now she had truly moved into the east wing, yet she felt empty inside.
Seeing Huamei staring blankly, Xique worried she wasn’t feeling well and called softly, “Concubine? Concubine?”
After several calls, Huamei finally responded. Xique asked, “Are you feeling unwell, Madam?”
Huamei shook her head and suddenly asked, “Is the east wing nice?”
Xique nodded, “Of course, it’s very nice. Why do you ask, Concubine?”
Huamei closed her eyes and said, “Nothing. I think it’s very nice too.” Now that she had moved in, she wouldn’t be like that fool Wang Qinglan, throwing her life away here. She would live in luxury in the Lin family for the rest of her life!
Meanwhile, Lin Jinlou left the room and saw Shuran waiting at the door. He asked, “Find a quiet place to set up an altar. I want to make offerings to Concubine Lan.”
Shuran led him to a secluded room in the back courtyard. The room was very plain, with memorial tablets for Qinglan and the child in the center. Shuran said, “The Master and Madam said to keep the tablets at home. Since Young Master hasn’t made offerings yet, they set up a separate room.” She lit the incense and handed it to Lin Jinlou.
Lin Jinlou bowed three times, placed the incense on the burner, then took some spirit money and crouched down to burn it.
Shuran quietly closed the door and stood guard outside.
Lin Jinlou watched the jumping flames in the basin, thinking of Qinglan and their unborn child, his heart aching. Though he was quite the romantic, having enjoyed the company of many beauties—many more beautiful than Qinglan—she had been different because Madam Qin had personally arranged for her to be his concubine. Qinglan had been honest and gentle, completely obedient, so he had favored her more, though he couldn’t say he particularly loved her. After sharing affection, Qinglan’s death naturally saddened him, but what pained him most was the child, dying so unjustly.
He had long wanted to divorce that whore Zhao Yuechan, but with the changing political situation at court and the Lin family under pressure, he had to endure silently. The Zhao family was currently powerful—acting rashly would only bring trouble. Moreover, he had greater plans to accomplish. For now, he could only suppress his rage and coldly watch Zhao Yuechan enjoy her temporary triumph.
“Whore!” Lin Jinlou cursed under his breath.
He looked up at the memorial tablets of Qinglan and the child, the firelight reddening his cheeks and the blue-black stubble on his chin, and said softly, “Wait a little longer. Before this year is out, I will avenge you both.”