Lin Jin Lou found brush, ink, paper, and inkstone in the dormitory and wrote a letter of divorce, handing it to Zhao Xue De. Zhao Gang rubbed his hands and asked: “Though it’s an amicable divorce, it still affects reputation, so…”
Lin Jin Lou said flatly: “Not a single negative word about the Zhao family will leave our mouths. Say what you like, with one condition – do not tarnish the Lin family’s reputation.”
Zhao Xue De sighed in relief. Lin Jin Lou’s words meant he would conceal Zhao Yue Chan’s adultery. Glancing at Hao Qing, he asked: “How should we handle this man?”
Lin Jin Lou smiled mockingly: “Let the Zhao family handle it.” With that, he walked out without looking back.
Zhao Xue De’s heart ached from Lin Jin Lou’s mocking smile. He glared fiercely at Zhao Yue Chan: “Hurry up and get dressed!” Then he turned his venomous gaze toward Hao Qing. Hao Qing trembled all over, quavering: “Master, spare me! Master, spare me!”
Zhao Gang came forward with some cloth to gag Hao Qing thoroughly, then whispered in Zhao Xue De’s ear: “Later we’ll put him in a sack, tie it with stones, and throw it in the river. No one will ever know.”
Zhao Xue De nodded imperceptibly: “Keep it clean and quick.”
Zhao Gang acknowledged the order and found a sack to pack Hao Qing in, but we’ll leave that for now.
As for Lin Jin Lou, after walking out, he called his trusted officer Hu Lai close and asked quietly: “Where are they now?”
Hu Lai lowered his voice: “Word just came that they’ve left Jiangsu and are about to enter Anhui.”
Lin Jin Lou nodded and let out a long breath. When Zhao Xue De approached him about capturing the Crown Prince, Lin Jin Lou thought he was joking. But upon investigation, he was shocked to discover the Crown Prince was indeed in Nanjing, having become a monk begging for alms while wandering. Lin Jin Lou had seen the Crown Prince in the palace when young and remembered the red birthmark above his right eyebrow – it matched perfectly. He found himself in a dilemma: the Eighth Prince had secured the throne with growing power, and the Crown Prince would likely never return to power. Betting on the Crown Prince seemed unwise. Yet the Crown Prince had treated the Lin family well, and one shouldn’t forget such kindness – as they say, “The former king showed favor, but the current emperor cannot be defied.”
Being decisive in matters of life and death, when Lin Jin Lou saw the Crown Prince write “Mountains and rivers remain, all is empty at life’s end,” he knew the Crown Prince had no intention of raising an army. He gave him gold and silver, ordering trusted men to prepare supplies and escort the Crown Prince’s group out of the city to settle beyond the frontier.
Turning his attention back, he had planned carefully. In recent days, he deliberately stayed out late and away from home, having people secretly watch and investigate Zhao Yue Chan’s numerous scandalous affairs. He had intended to catch her in bed with a lover and end it cleanly with his blade, but that would have been reckless and damaged relations between the Lin and Zhao families. Now with this pretext, Lin Jin Lou set up this scheme to bring the Zhao father and son to expose everything openly. Afterward, Lin Zhao Xiang could write to Zhao Yue Chan’s grandfather Zhao Jin to explain, offending only Zhao Xue De’s branch while maintaining old friendships with other Zhao family branches.
Having finally rid himself of this detestable mess, Lin Jin Lou felt utterly refreshed, everything looking pleasing to his eyes as he made a show of ordering his men to search Gan Lu Temple.
Xiang Lan had stood in the wind for so long that her hands and feet were numb. Seeing Lin Jin Lou suddenly emerge and begin searching extensively, she wondered: “Could it be Lin Jin Lou didn’t come to catch adulterers, but there are really rebels in the temple?” Yet looking from afar, she saw Lin Jin Lou’s satisfied expression, unlike someone seriously hunting rebels, making her suspicious again. Fearing he might see her, she quietly hid behind a plum tree.
Just then, a thick-browed, large-eyed, well-dressed officer came over and asked: “Who are you? What are you doing here?”
Xiang Lan quickly curtsied: “This humble girl came to burn incense. I was having tea in the guest hall when I saw some beautiful plum blossoms in the dormitory courtyard and came to look. But suddenly the officials arrived and wouldn’t let anyone leave, so I had to stay here.”
The questioner was Hu Lai. He looked her up and down, noting her cyan satin fur cape and cultured speech. Though her hood covered half her face hiding her features, she was clearly from a wealthy family, possibly some young lady. He waved his hand: “You may leave. This is where monks live – young ladies should visit less often.”
Xiang Lan couldn’t ask for more and curtsied again to leave. But from behind came a voice: “Wait!”
Xiang Lan froze – it was Lin Jin Lou’s voice!
Far from waiting, Xiang Lan quickened her pace, but darkness fell before her as Lin Jin Lou took two quick steps to block her path. His tall figure cast her in shadow.
Xiang Lan was startled, her legs weakening as she trembled slightly, keeping her head down. A hand appeared before her holding a purple ribbon with a five-colored lucky sachet. Lin Jin Lou asked lazily: “Is this yours?”
Xiang Lan looked – it was indeed what had been tied to her skirt, the ribbon must have loosened and dropped the sachet. She lowered her voice and mumbled: “Thank you, sir.” She reached to take it.
Lin Jin Lou had meant to return it, but though the girl wore a hood covering her face, when she looked up he could see her delicate chin and slightly rouge-red small mouth. The mouth looked familiar – suddenly he remembered the maid called Xiang Lan had just such a mouth, pink and tempting to kiss.
Lin Jin Lou’s brows suddenly furrowed as he asked: “What’s your name?” He reached to remove her hood, but just then, the dormitory door opened and Zhao Xue De emerged asking: “General Lin, have you found any rebels?” Having received the divorce letter, even thick-skinned Zhao Xue De couldn’t call him “son-in-law” anymore and used “General Lin” instead, though it pained him – what a fine marriage it had been, Lin Jin Lou so young yet already a Fourth Rank general with limitless prospects. Zhao Yue Chan had been a Fourth Rank lady, making him father-in-law to a Fourth Rank general, but that cursed girl had ruined it all!
Seeing Lin Jin Lou suddenly talking with a woman, arm raised as if to touch her, Zhao Xue De grew more displeased and said sternly: “General Lin, please prioritize the important matter.”
Xiang Lan’s heart pounded as she took the chance to step back, lowering her head further.
Lin Jin Lou was quite impatient, thinking there were no damn rebels here – it was just to bring you to see your daughter’s adultery and kept lovers. But still needing to give Zhao Xue De some face, he withdrew his hand and said expressionlessly: “Rest assured, Lord Zhao. This place is sealed tight as an iron bucket – even a winged rebel couldn’t fly away.”
Zhao Gang said: “Please lead us, General Lin. A word in private.” He came forward to pull Lin Jin Lou’s arm, saying they’d found a painting that might be the rebel’s work. Before leaving, Lin Jin Lou glanced at Xiang Lan, saying: “Stay right here!” Before his words finished, Zhao Gang had pulled him away with the familiar address.
Xiang Lan breathed slightly easier. Seeing Lin Jin Lou walk far away, she lifted her skirts and ran, out of the dormitory courtyard to find Wang Pozi anxiously waiting in the guest hall. Seeing Xiang Lan, Wang Pozi was as delighted as if a phoenix had descended from heaven, rushing forward: “My good miss, where did you go?”
Xiang Lan grabbed Wang Pozi: “There are soldiers inside saying they’re catching rebels. Weapons show no mercy – we’d better leave quickly.”
Wang Pozi had already seen the soldiers, and hearing “catching rebels” and “weapons show no mercy” also panicked, hurrying out with Xiang Lan. Outside the temple gate, they saw Old Wang sitting on the carriage shaft. Xiang Lan and Wang Pozi got in and ordered an immediate return to the Song residence.
After traveling some distance, Xiang Lan dared peek out through the curtain. Seeing all the quiet around, she realized no one was pursuing her and sighed in relief, slumping against the carriage wall. Only then did she notice cold sweat had soaked through her undergarments, fine sweat beading on her forehead. Xiang Lan took out a handkerchief to wipe it away. Looking down at her empty skirt tie, she felt some regret for losing the ribbon and sachet, but then thought losing those external things was better than being caught by Lin Jin Lou, which gave her some comfort.
Entering Nanjing City, Xiang Lan looked back again, and seeing no soldiers in pursuit, finally relaxed. Returning to the Song house, they closed the doors and focused on New Year preparations.
As for Lin Jin Lou, after being detained by Zhao Gang for some time, he grew very impatient but had to keep listening. When he came out, he found not a shadow remained under the plum tree. Lin Jin Lou grew furious and called the nearby soldiers: “Where is she? Where’s the person who was standing under the tree?”
The soldiers were confused, not knowing what Lin Jin Lou meant. Hearing his angry shout, Hu Lai hurried over: “That young lady has already left.”
Lin Jin Lou’s face instantly darkened, but with various matters demanding attention, he had to set this aside for now.
They searched Gan Lu Temple completely, naturally finding no trace of rebels, but in one room they found a landscape painting with a few brush strokes and two lines of poetry in the blank space: “Mountains and rivers remain, all is empty at life’s end,” stamped with the royal seal, seemingly the Crown Prince’s work. Zhao Xue De treated it like a treasure, immediately becoming excited like he’d been injected with chicken blood. He gathered all the temple monks for questioning, learning that the man had been a wandering monk who stayed there half a month ago but had already left for parts unknown.
Zhao Xue De hurriedly sent this information by express courier to his grandfather and planned to search throughout Nanjing. Lin Jin Lou inwardly sneered – he had already sent the Crown Prince to another province. In a few days, he would leave Anhui for Henan territory, heading northwest to exit the frontier, his traces vanishing beyond finding. Even if Zhao Xue De turned Nanjing upside down, he wouldn’t find him.
After a busy full day, Lin Jin Lou returned home at the hour of Shen (3-5 PM). With Zhao Yue Chan gone, Ying Ge seized the opportunity to serve him, bringing self-made wolfberry soup and, seeing him hungry, ordering the kitchen to reheat some food. Lin Jin Lou ate hurriedly, wanting to change clothes to report the divorce from Zhao Yue Chan to his elders. As Ying Ge helped him change, just removing his cape, they heard a “pat” – the purple ribbon and sachet fell from his sleeve onto the floor.
Ying Ge quickly picked it up, but Lin Jin Lou frowned, snatching the sachet and striding out to order the hallway servant Little Yi to summon Shuang Xi and Ji Xiang. He commanded sternly: “Find out which broker bought that maid called Xiang Lan and where she is now. You must find her within three days!”