To be fair, Lin Jinlou did admire Song Ke somewhat. As an official’s son from a fallen family, living with just his elderly mother and sister, he was remarkably composed and methodical in his speech and actions despite his young age.

He had even passed both levels of the imperial examinations – those who achieved such scholarly success in their teens could be counted on one hand in the current dynasty. While Lin Jinlou believed in heaven-granted talent, he believed more strongly in the rewards of hard work – the glory seen in public was earned through a hundred times more effort in private.

People said he became a Fourth-Rank General at a young age and commanded significant forces only because of his family background. He felt such talk was nonsense. While he was indeed born with a silver spoon as heaven’s favored son, his military achievements were earned through real combat.

When he was practicing swordplay at dawn, many noble sons were still being coddled by their wet nurses. Not to mention training through the coldest winters and hottest summers. Though his generation of the Lin family produced several talents, who else could endure such hardships as he did, willing to put their head on the chopping block?

Song Ke’s background and prospects naturally couldn’t compare to his. Even passing the imperial examinations – so what? Without great opportunities, many such graduates spent their whole careers hovering around Fifth Rank positions. Even marrying the Marquis of Xian’s daughter might not necessarily advance his career. However, Lin Jinlou had seen how diligently Song Ke studied. From that fierce determination in his studies, Lin Jinlou sensed the burning ambition within him. After their few interactions, Lin Jinlou knew Song Ke was not someone to be trifled with.

Lin Jinlou drummed his fingers on the table. Initially, when he heard about Song Ke passing the examinations, he had briefly considered releasing Xiang Lan. The Lin family had shown Song Ke kindness – there was no need to make an enemy over a woman. But he quickly dismissed this thought. As someone who commanded wind and rain, why should he yield to a rookie just starting? Let alone that Song Ke had yet to grow his wings – even if he eventually became independent, he would never be Lin Jinlou’s match.

As Lin Jinlou was lost in thought, the servant Guiyuan called from the corridor: “The Master heard that Young Master is awake and requests your presence up front to socialize over a few drinks.”

Lin Jinlou acknowledged. He ate a couple of pastries from the plate, changed into formal attire, and went to the front. Several tables had been set up in the courtyard, densely packed with dozens of guests. A stage was erected at the front where actors were singing. Lin Zhangzheng and Lin Changmin were at their seats, warmly conversing with those around them. As soon as Lin Jinlou arrived, the gathering became livelier, with everyone raising their cups to toast him. Lin Jinlou responded to each with a smile, holding his wine cup with the graceful bearing of a noble young master.

Someone whispered below: “See that? That’s the Lin family’s eldest. Lin Zhangzheng’s appointment as Shanxi Governor was all thanks to his networking in the capital – there wasn’t a single important official or noble he didn’t entertain. At such a young age, his rank is already higher than ours.”

Another replied: “People are divided into different classes. With such parents, it would be hard not to succeed.”

Among those seated, one person had been staring intently at Lin Jinlou since he emerged – this was Xia Yun. Han Yaozu had spent considerable money to establish connections with the Lin family, sending expensive gifts during festivals. When the Lin family invited Jinling officials of various ranks whom they knew well, they sent him an invitation. Han Yaozu had originally wanted to bring his eldest son, but he had caught a cold. Knowing his son’s tendency to misbehave when drinking, and considering Xia Yun’s reliable and obedient nature in handling matters to his satisfaction, he had sent Xia Yun to accompany Han Guangye, partly intending to help advance Xia Yun’s career.

Xia Yun was naturally grateful. He especially changed into new silk clothing, feeling quite confident. He hoped to showcase his talents to the high officials at the banquet and advance his position – perhaps he might even get a great opportunity that could lead to an illustrious career. Though he conversed enthusiastically with Han Guangye on the way, internally he scorned Han Guangye’s lack of education and cultivation. Upon arriving at the Lin residence, Xia Yun was somewhat shocked by the bustling scene at the gate. Inside, he was dazzled by the elegant buildings, carved windows and beams, rare stones, and precious birds. When they were seated, he realized that he and Han Guangye were at the farthest table – Han Yaozu’s Seventh Rank position was among the lowest.

Xia Yun sat properly, not daring to speak much, yet he noticed that Han Guangye, who could barely read, was smoothly socializing with everyone, calling them “Uncle” and frequently toasting, engaging in witty conversation. When others learned of Xia Yun’s status as a provincial graduate, they merely raised their cups politely without showing much warmth. This left Xia Yun feeling quite uncomfortable. When Lin Jinlou appeared, everyone treated him like the moon surrounded by stars. It seemed as if this man was born to such nobility and authority. Watching from afar, Xia Yun felt both jealous and admiring, along with some inexplicable melancholy. He realized his previous ambitious dreams of great achievement had been naive. This eye-opening experience showed him what true aristocratic families were like. Half of his aspirations were extinguished, and he no longer dared to dream of gaining great opportunities. He could only focus on making small talk with the Seventh-Rank Magistrate beside him. But let us leave this aside for now.

As for Yindie, after being dragged away by the old woman, she returned to her room and cried incessantly. All the maids despised Yindie’s troublesome nature, and not one came to comfort her. Xiaojuan casually ate melon seeds and said coldly: “Pack your things. The Young Master wants you gone tomorrow, don’t delay and make him blame us.”

Yindie angrily replied: “Even if I’m leaving, it’s not until tomorrow morning. Why does it hurt your liver?”

Xiaojuan put her hands on her hips and sneered: “Watch your tone – you’re no longer a proper maid of this household. Rather than showing off your mouth to me, you’d better think about yourself. A maid guilty of theft – what good family would buy you? Even if you’re to be sold tomorrow, you can’t stay in the mansion tonight. Who knows what else your sticky fingers might take!” With that, she stormed out.

Yindie cried again in anger. She still had some sense though, and after wiping her tears, she took some money from her box and called a young maid: “Go to Third Miss’s room and ask Hanfang to come, say I have something urgent.”

The young maid put her hands behind her back and pouted: “The matrons said we’re not to get involved with your business!”

“You…” Yindie raised her eyebrows angrily and was about to strike, but suppressed her anger and grabbed another handful of money, offering it: “Go quietly, no one will know. Go on!”

Only then did the young maid take the money and leave. Soon after, Hanfang arrived. Upon seeing her, Yindie rushed forward crying: “Cousin, save me!”

Startled, Hanfang quickly asked what happened. Yindie explained everything, saying tearfully: “I… I didn’t know a gold horse would cause such trouble. It all comes back to that cheap Xiang Lan – she caused me trouble when she was here, and even after leaving she won’t let me have peace…”

Hanfang frowned and scolded: “What nonsense are you talking? You stole someone else’s things out of greed, how dare you blame them?”

Wiping her tears, Yindie said: “Anyway, she was sold by the Young Mistress. If I hadn’t taken those things, someone else would have eventually! It’s just my bad luck to run into this situation… wuwuwu…”

Hanfang sighed: “It’s too late for all that now…” After thinking, she continued: “You’ve angered the Young Master, you can’t stay in the mansion anymore. We’ll send you out first, gather some money from home, and have someone we know buy you. You’re old enough anyway – stay at home for a while, find a match, and live peacefully from then on.”

Yindie wailed: “I won’t leave! I’d rather die than marry some poor man!”

Hanfang struck her twice in anger, saying: “You lost a good position through your fault – who can you blame? You’re lucky your family has some savings. If you didn’t have a single coin and got sold as a concubine to some old man, what could you do about it?”

Yindie fell onto the kang bed, crying even louder.

At this moment, Mother Wu entered through the curtain, frowning: “Why haven’t you packed yet? The matrons at the second gate are getting impatient. Any later and the inner quarters will be locked!”

Hanfang quickly smiled apologetically and went forward: “My sister is just troublesome, Mother, don’t be angry. I’ll personally escort her out later for her family to receive her.”

Since Hanfang had some standing with Lin Dongying, Mother Wu’s expression softened: “Well, don’t be too late.”

Hanfang smiled: “Of course not.” She took out two qian of silver and said, “The matrons at the second gate have waited long – let them buy some wine.”

Mother Wu glanced at Yindie and said to Hanfang: “If your sister had half your sense, she wouldn’t have been driven out by the Young Master.”

Hanfang repeatedly agreed, saw Mother Wu out, then turned back to angrily tell Yindie: “Still crying? Hurry and pack your things. I’ll tell Old Woman Cai to have someone carry you home in a small sedan chair!”

Yindie had no choice but to pack her belongings into a trunk. Hanfang led her out, but just as they reached the decorative gate, the servant Guiyuan stopped them: “Sisters, please don’t go forward. The Master is hosting a banquet in front of male guests – it wouldn’t be good if someone saw you.”

Before he finished speaking, two servants came by supporting a drunk man, followed by a tall young gentleman. Yindie looked and saw the young gentleman wearing moon-white silk clothes, appearing refined and cultured, with a fair and proper appearance, and bright eyes in his rectangular face. This was Xia Yun-Han Guangye had drunk too much and was showing wild behavior. Xia Yun hurriedly took care of him, asking Lin’s family’s servants for tangerine peel sobering soup. After one bowl was poured down his throat, Han Guangye looked ready to vomit again. Fortunately, the steward came out and said: “It’s late today, and your noble young master has had too much to drink. Why not rest here? The row of outer guest rooms was just prepared yesterday for guests. Please don’t refuse.”

This was exactly what Xia Yun wanted. He nodded repeatedly in agreement and sent someone to report back. Servants came forward to support Han Guangye, and the group headed to the back guest rooms, coincidentally encountering Yindie and the others at the decorative gate.