Xiang Lan was startled and quickly descended from the carriage. She took out copper coins from her purse to pay the driver and sent him away. The courtyard gate was only slightly ajar. Xiang Lan pushed it open and walked around the screen wall, where she saw two well-dressed servants standing at the entrance of the main house. They were twins with proper features but emanating cleverness. Xiang Lan’s heart sank immediately – these two were Ji Xiang and Shuang Xi.
Upon seeing Xiang Lan, their faces broke into smiles as they hurriedly came forward to greet her: “Miss, you’ve come back at just the right time. Our Master just arrived and is inside talking with your parents.”
The other added, “Miss, you truly have good fortune. As soon as Master learned of your whereabouts, he came right over. He brought many things – food, drinks, clothes, and accessories for your family to use during the New Year.”
Xiang Lan’s eyes widened in shock.
Shuang Xi smiled and said, “Master has been thinking about you constantly. The first thing he asked when he came home was where you had gone. When he learned that First Madam had sold you, he flew into a rage and sent us searching everywhere. Thankfully, heaven rewards those who persist – we finally found where you were. Master also knows you suffered grievously and was beaten by First Madam, so he came personally…”
While Shuang Xi continued chattering, Xiang Lan’s face grew increasingly pale. Ji Xiang noticed this clearly and gave Shuang Xi a pull, then smiled at Xiang Lan, “Miss, please go inside. It would be our fault if you caught ill standing in this strong wind.”
Xiang Lan’s face was wooden, unable to even force a fake smile. Her heart was filled with fear and shock, and a bitter taste rose in her throat, though she forcefully suppressed it. Lin Jin Lou had still found her. She had already suffered so terribly at the hands of his principal wife, beaten until she was unrecognizable and nearly ruined for life in a den of wolves. Now that she had finally found some peaceful days, why had he come looking for her?
Seeing Ji Xiang and Shuang Xi’s eager manner and the meaning behind their words, she already understood everything, and her heart sank further. Even though she was now a maid in the Song household, Lin Jin Lou had a bandit’s temperament, and Song Ke was far away in the capital. If Lin Jin Lou truly used force, how could she deal with it?
Shuang Xi was about to speak again, but Ji Xiang pulled him once more, giving him a meaningful look, and both fell silent. Xiang Lan moved to the doorway like a ghost, took a deep breath, and pushed open the door. A wave of warm air hit her face, but to Xiang Lan, it felt more cutting than the bone-chilling wind.
Seeing Xiang Lan enter the house, Shuang Xi frowned and said with his hands in his sleeves, “Brother, you don’t think that girl has gone foolish with joy?”
Ji Xiang gave Shuang Xi a look, “What kind of eyes do you have? Didn’t you see she’s scared? She fears our Master. From what I can see, she doesn’t seem very pleased about Master’s visit.”
Shuang Xi said, “She must be afraid of First Madam. But now that Master has dealt with First Madam, who’s bedridden with illness, there’s nothing to fear if she returns.”
Ji Xiang said quietly, “How could it be that simple? She was bought by Master Song, and look at how she’s dressed… tsk tsk, that’s not how ordinary servants look. Perhaps those two have already…”
Shuang Xi stuck out his tongue, “No wonder Master’s face darkened for half a day when I told him Xiang Lan had been bought by the Song family. If Master lets it go, or if that Song youngster has any sense, then fine, but if not, there’ll be quite a scene.”
The brothers looked at each other, shook their heads, put their hands in their sleeves, and stood silently at the door.
Meanwhile, when Xiang Lan pushed open the door, she saw Lin Jin Lou sitting in the main seat of the hall, still wearing his dark blue cape, though his hat had been removed. Seeing her enter, he narrowed his eyes, and his handsome face broke into a smile that lit up his features.
Xiang Lan dared not look and quickly lowered her head.
Chen Wan Quan sat sideways in a chair to the right below, not daring to sit fully, with only a small portion of his bottom touching the chair. He sat with a straight back, leaning forward, his face twisted into an awkward smile, not knowing how to properly curry favor. Madam Xue carefully offered a plate of fruits and pastries, also looking thoroughly frightened.
Xiang Lan thought to herself: “With Father and Mother already in such a state, how can I not be strong? I don’t believe he would dare to forcibly abduct a commoner’s daughter. If he forces me, I’ll risk everything to resist.” Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself somewhat and gracefully performed a ceremonial greeting, “I pay my respects to Master Lin.”
Lin Jin Lou’s smile widened: “Look at this, you’ve just left the Lin household and already grown distant. You used to just say ‘Master,’ but now you add ‘Lin.’ I wonder which master you serve now?”
Chen Wan Quan bowed and smiled apologetically, “I just told Master that Xiang Lan was bought by the Song family and now serves them.”
Lin Jin Lou acted as if hearing this for the first time, nodding and murmuring, “Oh, so it’s the Song family…” His fingers drummed on the table as he casually asked, “Is there tea?”
Madam Xue quickly responded, “Yes, yes, the water has just boiled. I’ll brew a pot right away. Though we only have simple tea, please make do with it, Master.” She efficiently prepared a cup of tea and quietly pushed Xiang Lan, saying, “Quickly, serve it.”
Xiang Lan carried the tray, head lowered, and walked over to place the teacup on the table. As Lin Jin Lou reached for the tea, whether intentionally or not, his fingers brushed across the back of Xiang Lan’s hand. She jerked back as if stung by a hornet, quickly withdrawing her hand.
Lin Jin Lou frowned briefly, but his expression immediately smoothed over as he casually asked, “Old Chen, what do you do now?”
Chen Wan Quan, knees bent and barely sitting on his chair, respectfully replied, “I’m currently a manager at a pawnshop, just making a living. This year we received some valuable items and made a small profit, which is how we were able to buy this courtyard.”
Lin Jin Lou nodded, alternating between long and short questions about Chen Wan Quan’s daily affairs. Occasionally he would ask Xiang Lan about her monthly wages and what duties she performed. Though Chen Wan Quan was usually loose-tongued, he was so frightened of Lin Jin Lou that he didn’t dare to exaggerate, and his answers remained reasonable. Xiang Lan stood beside Chen Wan Quan with an anxious heart, head bowed.
Then Lin Jin Lou said, “I went to fight bandits, and when I returned, I learned that First Madam had beaten you and sold you. We searched everywhere but couldn’t find any news until later hearing the Song family had bought you. Your parents had also left their registered residence and bought property. I was passing by on business today and thought to take a look.”
The Chen family again showed their trepidation.
Lin Jin Lou stood up, saying, “Well then, I won’t stay long on New Year’s Eve. I’ll be going.” He walked toward the exit.
The three members of the Chen family hurriedly came out to see him off. Lin Jin Lou gave some instructions to Ji Xiang and mounted his horse, while Shuang Xi quickly went to hold the reins. Xiang Lan stood at the courtyard gate watching Lin Jin Lou ride away, finally letting out a sigh of relief. Just as she was about to close the door, Ji Xiang unexpectedly ran back and said quietly, “Master said to have Miss come with me to the back of the house, he has something to ask you.”
Xiang Lan’s heart immediately jumped to her throat again. Seeing Ji Xiang standing motionless at the door, she had no choice but to come out, close the door, and follow him to the back of the courtyard. After turning a corner, they saw Lin Jin Lou leaning against the wall, with Shuang Xi holding the horse at a distance, his back turned to them. Ji Xiang said quietly, “Miss, Master is right there, please go ahead.” Then he too turned his back.
Xiang Lan had no choice but to approach with a lowered head, taking a few steps before stopping firmly in place. Suddenly, she heard the rustle of footsteps, and she secretly shuddered. A pair of black official boots appeared before her, and Lin Jin Lou spoke from above her head: “Don’t just keep your head down, lift it and let me have a good look at you. Earlier in the house, we were just talking, and I didn’t get to properly see how you look.” As he spoke, he reached out and gripped Xiang Lan’s small chin, lifting her face.
Xiang Lan’s eyelashes trembled as she looked up to see Lin Jin Lou looking at her with an ambiguous smile. Though some time had passed since they last met, he hadn’t changed much, except his eyes had grown sharper and calmer, full of dominance. Xiang Lan quickly lowered her gaze, struggled slightly, and turned her face away, pushing Lin Jin Lou’s hand aside as she said in a dry voice, “Master Lin, I must return home. This isn’t proper.”
Lin Jin Lou released his hand, and Xiang Lan immediately buried her head again. She heard him sneer, “Not proper? How is it not proper? My little Xiang Lan, have you forgotten what I said before I left, that I would properly elevate your status when I returned? If you’ve truly forgotten, it doesn’t matter – tomorrow I’ll go to the Song family to claim you. Surely Song Yi Fei’s son wouldn’t dare refuse?”
Xiang Lan’s small face turned white as she looked up and said, “I truly don’t deserve Master’s favor, and I’ve already left the Lin household. I will forever remember Master’s kindness to me, but… but I don’t wish to be a concubine.”
Lin Jin Lou continued smiling: “Oh? Don’t want to be a concubine? You don’t want to be my concubine, but you’re willing to be that Song boy’s concubine?”
“No, that’s not it.”
Lin Jin Lou’s face darkened as he sneered, “Well, well, you’ve grown quite bold since leaving the Lin house. What good things has the Song family given you? Could it be he promised to make you his principal wife?”
Xiang Lan quickly shook her head and said, “No, he…”
“No?” Lin Jin Lou sneered, “Do you take me for a fool? Your clothes, your accessories, the property your family has acquired – which of these is simple? That Song Ke treats you well, he was so eager to take you away before. Given the Song family’s current situation, his generosity is quite remarkable. No wonder you’re so devoted to him.”
Xiang Lan simply kept her mouth tightly shut and said nothing.
Lin Jin Lou playfully pinched Xiang Lan’s cheek and said, “I must say, after not seeing you for half a year, your little face has grown even prettier. No wonder you’ve got Song Ke so bewitched. I can’t let you go either. Go back and pack up your things from the Song house – I’ll send someone to fetch you.”
Xiang Lan suddenly raised her head and looked at Lin Jin Lou, saying, “I must decline.”
Lin Jin Lou’s displeasure showed as he raised an eyebrow: “What’s this, still refusing? Could it be that following Song Ke is more prestigious than following me?” After thinking for a moment, he suddenly seemed to realize something and said, “You don’t need to fear Zhao Shi anymore. From now on, she’s gone.”
Xiang Lan shook her head and knelt on the ground, saying, “Master, I beg you, I am but a blade of grass, wanting only to live a peaceful life. Master has many beautiful women by his side, why bother with someone as lowly as me?”
Lin Jin Lou bent down to look at Xiang Lan’s face and sneered, “Because I want to.”
Xiang Lan calmly replied, “Then I can only choose death.” As she spoke, she suddenly pulled out her sandalwood hairpin and thrust it toward her throat.