Zhao Yuechan’s father, Zhao Xuede, had recently received a confidential letter from his father stating there were rumors that the missing Crown Prince Qin Yunyu was hiding in Jinling. The rumors seemed credible, so he was ordered to stay vigilant and immediately apprehend any suspicious persons. Zhao Xuede accepted the command and secretly dispatched people to investigate. The investigation unexpectedly revealed some clues. While this should have been reported immediately, Zhao Xuede needed political achievements at this time. Fearing that making too big a commotion would let others steal the credit, and being a civil official without capable subordinates, he found himself in a difficult position.

His eldest son Zhao Gang, who had recently received many favors from Lin Jinlou, suggested, “Father, why not seek Brother-in-law’s help? He has troops and authority. Rather than benefiting others, we might as well benefit our own family. He’s indebted to our family’s kindness.”

Zhao Xuede thought this was an excellent plan. Firstly, his son-in-law was family and wouldn’t dare compete with him for credit. Secondly, he had heard that the couple had been quarreling recently – if this matter succeeded, Lin Jinlou would be grateful, and Zhao Yuechan could have better days ahead. So he called Lin Jinlou for a discussion. Lin Jinlou immediately agreed, saying, “Father-in-law is being too formal. If we truly capture the rebels, the merit will naturally be yours. I’m merely lending some men – what difficulty is there in that?”

Zhao Xuede felt pleased, secretly praising Lin Jinlou’s perceptiveness. The two plotted in secret, but we’ll leave that for now.

As for Zhao Yuechan, on the day Lin Jinlou returned home, he slapped her and mentioned Qinglan’s death along with her unborn child. From Lin Jinlou’s tone, Zhao Yuechan knew he had likely guessed the truth, making her extremely uneasy. After laying low for two days, she noticed Lin Jinlou hadn’t taken any action. He even left early and returned late daily, sometimes staying at the military camp, neglecting even Huamei, let alone the two maids Old Madam Lin had just awarded him.

Zhao Yuechan’s courage grew again. She told Yingshuang, “What can Lin Jinlou do to me even if he knows? Qinglan fell by herself; I didn’t push her. And what’s wrong with me lending the Lin family’s money for interest? Many officials’ wives do it – have you seen any of them arrested?”

Yingshuang thought to herself, “Madam, when others lend money, they share some of the profits with the family. You’ve put all the money in your pocket! Moreover, there’s been quite a bit of embezzlement. Most critically, if this leads Master to discover Young Master Qian’s involvement and your affair is exposed, and if he investigates the fire you had Young Master Qian set, you’ll only have hanging yourself to look forward to!” Not daring to advise too strongly, she only said, “Madam should still be careful. Have you forgotten how you couldn’t eat or sleep after losing the account book recently?”

Zhao Yuechan sneered, “The Lin family doesn’t dare touch me. Haven’t you seen how half of Lin Jinlou’s military merit was stolen by others? I heard the rewards from the court weren’t even enough to compensate the injured and dead soldiers… It’s Lin Jinlou’s fault for being too generous and giving too much reward money to the dead, injured, and meritorious soldiers. Even when buying people’s hearts, one must act within one’s means, right? What good is a promotion? Who lives on an official salary nowadays?”

After chatting for a while, she ordered Yingshuang, “Prepare some tribute items. We’ll go to Ganlu Temple tomorrow morning to burn incense.”

Yingshuang acknowledged, secretly wondering, “Recently, Madam has suddenly become religious, though she never reads or copies sutras, and rarely visits the family shrine. Yet she frequently goes to Ganlu Temple, saying she’s praying for Master’s safety in battle. The Old Madam and Madam are pleased, saying it’s good for her to believe in Buddha and temper her character. Now that Master has returned, she still diligently visits Ganlu Temple, saying she’s praying for a child. Sigh, yet I never see her kowtowing before the Child-Giving Guanyin.” While thinking, she prepared two large boxes of food.

The next morning, they took a carriage to Ganlu Temple, but we’ll leave that for now.

As for Xianglan, with the year’s end approaching, every household had begun preparing for the New Year. Since Madam Song and Song Tanchai were naturally staying at the Lin mansion for the New Year, Xianglan had the maids and servants clean the entire Song household, replacing the door gods, couplets, and lanterns, and repainting the peach wood charms. When the farms and shops sent their New Year’s tributes, Xianglan selected the best items and sent half a cart to the Lin mansion for Madam Song to use as gifts. The remainder was distributed to the servants for their New Year’s celebration, along with red envelopes containing their end-of-month bonuses.

In her spare time, she counted the days – there was still over a month until the spring imperial examinations. Concerned about Song Ke, she decided to visit the temple, firstly to pray for safety in the coming year, and secondly to pray for Song Ke’s success in the examinations. Her master, Venerable Dingy, had traveled south several months ago and hadn’t returned, so Xianglan no longer went to Jingyue Temple. Early in the morning, she prepared four types of cakes and four types of fruits, packed them in food boxes and baskets, ordered a carriage prepared, and took old Wang the gatekeeper, and his wife to burn incense at Ganlu Temple.

Ganlu Temple, built on a mountain, was a centuries-old monastery with a thriving following. When Xianglan arrived, it was barely dawn, and the temple gates had just opened, so there were few people. Old Wang waited in the carriage while his wife accompanied Xianglan to pay respects to every Buddha and Bodhisattva, write safety tablets, obtain safety charms, and donate some incense money before leaving the main hall.

When Xianglan became thirsty, she asked a young monk for water. Having donated considerable money for incense, the young monk respectfully invited them to rest in a quiet guest hall in the back courtyard and personally served them tea.

Xianglan removed her cloak hood, took a sip of the hot tea, and smiled, “The temple’s tea is made with mountain spring water – the taste is indeed special, and it’s so warming.”

Old Mrs. Wang smiled, “Indeed, after being cold for so long, we’ve finally warmed up.” Thinking of old Wang still freezing outside, she made an excuse, “Miss, please sit a while, I need to use the toilet.” She left the room to find a monk and get another hot cup of tea for old Wang.

Xianglan put down her teacup and went to the back garden to look at the plum blossoms, which were as beautiful as clouds and brocade, extraordinarily elegant. She continued admiring the tranquil meditation rooms. Looking up at the towering pagoda, she unconsciously passed through an archway to the monks’ quarters. Just as she was about to turn back, she heard faint sounds of male and female moaning from inside a room.

Xianglan was greatly shocked. She quietly approached and poked a hole in the window paper to look inside. To her astonishment, she saw Zhao Yuechan on all fours on the bed, her hair slightly disheveled, gold hairpin about to slip out, brows knitted, eyes half-closed, expression dazed and intoxicated, body naked except for a water-red embroidered dudou with five-colored mandarin ducks dangling around her neck. Her full, white breasts swayed like peaches. Behind her was a young monk with handsome features and a magnificent physique, kneeling on the bed, hands gripping Zhao Yuechan’s slender waist as he thrust forcefully forward.

Zhao Yuechan kept moaning, saying, “Darling, come in deeper…”

The monk laughed, “You want it deeper? What kind of noble lady are you? You’re a worthless whore from a brothel.” He thrust even harder.

The impact made Zhao Yuechan cry out twice. She turned her face, making bedroom eyes, and said hoarsely, “I am a worthless whore, but don’t sully yourself for me, defiling this pure Buddhist place.”

This wanton behavior aroused the monk even more. He said wildly, “You are my Buddha, my goddess.” He leaned forward, and they kissed and sucked each other’s tongues, making loud smacking sounds.

It turned out that after the account book incident, Zhao Yuechan had become more cautious. Yingshuang had advised her, “Madam, why continue lending money and meeting with Young Master Qian? Who knows what trouble it might bring in the future – Young Master Qian isn’t a good person. Madam should lay low for now and stop these activities.” Zhao Yuechan was feeling nervous and afraid at the time, and after hearing Yingshuang’s words, she gradually reduced her meetings with Qian Wenze.

Qian Wenze became panicked – Zhao Yuechan was his golden goose. Now that she was ignoring him, his money became tight again. Being a spendthrift who lived extravagantly in food, drink, gambling, and visiting brothels, he soon spent all his money and began plotting how to get more from Zhao Yuechan. After much thought, he reasoned that since she was a loose woman, she wouldn’t want to stay lonely, and if he found something fresh to tempt her out, half the battle would be won. So he consulted with his old friend Hao Qing.

Hao Qing’s family originally had some money, but after his father died, he squandered most of their fortune. He was handsome and well-endowed, making him very popular with brothel girls. Qian Wenze repeatedly praised Zhao’s beauty and charm to Hao Qing, immediately arousing his interest and making him ask questions eagerly. Qian Wenze devised a plan, having Hao Qing shave his head and disguise himself as a monk, gave a large sum to Ganlu Temple to stay in the quarters, then lured Zhao Yuechan to the temple and introduced them.

Hao Qing was skilled at seduction, and Zhao Yuechan was already a corrupt woman. They quickly developed feelings through flirtatious glances. When Qian Wenze made an excuse to leave, they immediately consummated their relationship and became inseparable. Qian Wenze used this to maintain his hold on Zhao Yuechan. Though he regretted having to share such a beauty, money was more important. Hao Qing told stories about his difficult family circumstances forcing him to become a monk, coaxing Zhao Yuechan to provide money for lending. Though not as profitable as before, it was better than nothing. The three of them sought pleasure together at Ganlu Temple, drinking and engaging in debauchery that cannot be described in detail.

Who would have thought that today Xianglan would witness everything?

Xianglan was immediately stunned, her mouth agape and face bright red. She stumbled back two steps, thinking, “This is terrible! I’ve caught Zhao Yuechan in her shameful act. If she sees me, won’t that poisonous woman find ways to kill me? I must quickly leave this place of trouble!” She hurriedly ran back, pulling her hood back up. After running a few steps, she looked back, thinking somewhat gleefully, “As the saying goes, ‘To get by in life, wear a bit of green on your head.’ Master Lin has become a huge cuckold – this must be karma for his philandering ways. He’d probably go mad if he knew!” She covered her small mouth and giggled. But then, remembering how Lin Jinlou had once saved her, she felt it wasn’t right to mock him and pressed her lips together as she walked back.

Suddenly she heard a commotion – seven or eight constables came running, charging forward to surround the entrance to the quarters, followed by a troop of men. Xianglan quickly pressed herself against the wall to hide. When she peeked, she felt that her shock at seeing Zhao Yuechan’s affair had been merely a gentle breeze – now came the thunderbolt: among the three people walking gracefully behind was none other than Lin Jinlou!