Madam Qin, the First Lady of the Lin family, sat in her carriage with eyes closed to rest, silently contemplating matters at their Jinling residence while thinking about Lin Jinlou, her thoughts rather unsettled. Lin Jinlou was her eldest son, exceptionally clever from a young age though quite mischievous.

He showed some talent in reading and writing, but gradually lost interest in formal studies, preferring to read casual books and folk tales instead. At thirteen or fourteen, while accompanying friends and relatives to the imperial examinations, he unexpectedly passed and became a Scholar. However, no matter how much Master Lin beat or scolded him, he refused to participate in the spring examinations thereafter.

Yet he loved martial arts, and in his youth specifically sought out masters for training. He surprisingly achieved the rank of Martial Champion, sending the entire Lin household into such joy that they held a continuous feast to entertain guests. Old Master Lin pulled strings everywhere, and Lin Jinlou secured a position as a Military Commissioner, then within two years was promoted to Battalion Commander of the sixth rank.

Bearing his military official position, Lin Jinlou proved adept at navigating official circles while skillfully managing the family business, expanding their shops to the capital. He spent two months each year visiting Beijing, and with the gleaming silver he earned, he maintained a disciplined “Lin Family Army” under his command.

As Lin Jinlou gradually matured into a young man, Madam Qin began paying attention to suitable marriage prospects, and indeed many families sent people to inquire. As the eldest grandson of the prestigious Lin family from Jiangnan, whose grandfather had been a second-rank official in court, whose father Lin Changzheng served as Vice Minister of Revenue, and whose uncle Lin Changmin served as Assistant Commander, Lin Jinlou was accomplished in both civil and military arts and possessed a dignified appearance and elegant manner.

Many families were extremely eager to form this marriage alliance. Madam Qin had already identified two potential families when fate intervened. During the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day of the first month, Lin Jinlou went out to enjoy the festivities and encountered a young lady at the lantern fair who was as beautiful as a painting. She kept turning back to smile coquettishly at Lin Jinlou, full of charm. Lin Jinlou became obsessed, and later learned she was Zhao Yuechan, the younger daughter of Zhao Xuede, a sixth-rank Administrative Commissioner, and was considered the greatest beauty in Jinling.

When Madam Qin heard that Lin Jinlou had set his sights on Commissioner Zhao’s daughter, although their social status was somewhat lower, the Zhao family was still a prestigious clan of centuries’ standing with many talented officials in court.

She didn’t object initially and merely sent people to investigate thoroughly. However, she learned that Zhao Xuede had a poor reputation as an official, and Zhao Yuechan was known to be flirtatious, having unclear relations with even her cousin and household servants. Madam Qin needed to hear only these two points to disapprove and wanted to reject the match.

Unexpectedly, Lin Jinlou went to plead with his grandmother, and Old Madam Lin, who had always indulged Lin Jinlou in everything, actually engaged a matchmaker and agreed to the marriage. When the news reached Beijing, Madam Qin was both shocked and angry, but what was done was done, and she could only accept it helplessly.

On his wedding night, Lin Jinlou discovered that Zhao Yuechan was not a virgin and was quite experienced in bedroom matters. He immediately felt cuckolded, and half of his tender affections were instantly extinguished. Looking at her coldly, he saw that Zhao Yuechan only cared about food, clothing, and adornments, lacking any sense of propriety.

Lin Jinlou regretted letting the character of “lust” blind his eyes and not heeding his elders’ words, treating Zhao Yuechan with indifference. Because his heart was greatly blocked, in a fit of anger he took in three beautiful and charming maids – Yingge, Chunyan, and Huamei – as concubines. For a husband to take personal maids as concubines during the honeymoon period, and three in succession, felt to Zhao Yuechan like a stinging slap across the face. She threw tantrums and cried endlessly at Lin Jinlou, threatening at times to crash into walls or cut her throat.

Lin Jinlou coldly sneered, “If you want to die, don’t do it here – don’t dirty my family’s floor for nothing! Perhaps you want to take this to the officials, let me accuse you of premarital unchastity? Since things are already like this, the Lin family isn’t afraid of losing face!” Once these words were spoken, Zhao Yuechan dared not make any more scenes. She was still quite proud of this marriage and could only swallow her anger.

When Lin Jinlou had been married barely a year, he took a fancy to the daughter of Madam Qin’s distant relative, whose given name was Furong. She was extremely beautiful and proper, and though she had been engaged, her fiancé had died. Having grown up together with Lin Jinlou, she could be considered his childhood friend and had considerable feelings for him. Lin Jinlou intended to take her as his noble concubine, and Furong’s family was more than willing. The Lin family was preparing to properly hold a feast to formally welcome Furong into the household. However, unexpected disaster struck – Furong was lured away by villains, raped, and murdered, remaining an unsolved case to this day.

Three years later, seeing that Lin Jinlou still had no children, Madam Qin again sent people to search everywhere, finally selecting a scholar’s daughter named Wang Qinglan. She was uniquely beautiful with an extremely gentle temperament and a keen sense of propriety. Madam Qin kept her by her side to train for some time, then personally made the arrangements, holding a feast in Beijing to have Lin Jinlou take her as a concubine. When Zhao Yuechan heard this, she could only harbor silent hatred but was powerless to do anything about it.

“Madam, are you feeling unwell?” Madam Qin was deep in troubling thoughts when she suddenly heard someone calling her. Opening her eyes, she saw Qinglan holding a small cloisonné box, saying thoughtfully, “I noticed Madam frowning just now, perhaps because the long journey and carriage swaying has given you a headache. I have a box of camphor-mint balm here – applying a bit to your temples or simply smelling it can help refresh the mind.”

Madam Qin smiled slightly, “I’m quite fine. But you’ve been suffering from carriage sickness these past two days, vomiting severely until your chin has become pointed. When the Young Lord sees this, he’ll surely be distressed and say I haven’t taken good care of you.”

Hearing Madam Qin mention Lin Jinlou, Qinglan’s face reddened slightly as she lowered her head. Madam Qin patted Qinglan’s hand, and at that moment heard someone outside the carriage say, “Madam, we’ve arrived at the second gate.”

When Cao Lihuan heard in Luoxue Pavilion that the First Branch’s carriages had arrived, she complained, “Weren’t they supposed to return tomorrow afternoon? Why are they here so soon?” She hurriedly groomed herself and changed into her best seasonal outfit – a tea-white long jacket of silk damask embroidered with colorful gold birds and flowers, both the fabric and embroidery of the highest quality. She had Hui’er carefully apply her makeup. Though naturally fair-skinned, her complexion wasn’t particularly fine, and had some freckles. Hui’er was skilled and used jasmine purple powder paste to even out her complexion and cover the blemishes, then lightly dusted on some rouge, drew light eyebrows, and carefully arranged her hair into an elegant yet distinctive peach-heart bun, adorning it with plain silver hairpins and rings. The whole effect transformed her – though not a beauty, she now possessed a certain charm.

Because Huirui had taken leave to return home, Cao Lihuan wanted to bring Hui’er to greet the arrivals, but she didn’t trust Xianglan, fearing she might steal things if left alone in the room. She had no choice but to leave Hui’er behind and take Xianglan with her. Halfway there, they heard that the First Branch party had already gone to Shouxu Hall and were preparing to set out the meal after completing their greetings, so she hurriedly rushed toward Shouxu Hall.

Xianglan looked at the swift-footed Cao Lihuan and carefully chose her words, saying cautiously, “Miss, they’re having a family meal at Shouxu Hall, and no one has come to invite us… rushing over like this seems… inappropriate, doesn’t it?”

Cao Lihuan pursed her lips and said, “What’s inappropriate about it? Can’t I attend just because it’s a family meal? I’m a proper relative of the Lin family. Perhaps the little maid who was supposed to invite us got lost on the way. Rather than have them wait for us to start the meal, we might as well go directly.” Cao Lihuan had always looked down on Xianglan and gave her a contemptuous sidelong glance, saying coldly, “How many months have you been in the household? Why are you still so timid and incompetent, unable to handle formal situations? You should at least learn some perspective and knowledge from Hui’er! Don’t embarrass me later.”

Xianglan had offered well-intentioned advice only to receive a scolding. She lowered her head and said no more, secretly sighing: “It’s obvious she’s an unwelcome relative by convenience, yet she still insists on making herself out to be somebody important. If they had wanted to receive and introduce her, they would have sent someone to give notice days ago. The fact that there’s been no word of invitation even after the First Branch has returned and Shouxu Hall has set out the meal shows they don’t wish to see her. Rushing over like this – ah, just wait for the loss of face that’s coming.”

The Shouxu Hall of the Lin residence had three impressive main rooms with exquisitely carved doors opened wide, revealing a large gilt-decorated purple sandalwood table in the main hall with an ancient bronze vessel of bluish-green patina, from which incense burned, releasing an almost imperceptible thread of fine white smoke.

“Please return, Miss Cao,” Snow Cup, Old Madam Lin’s headmaid, said in a gentle voice. “This meal was arranged by Old Madam for the First and Second Branches to dine together. Miss can visit another time. Besides, the food has already been set out – it wouldn’t be appropriate for Miss to enter now.”

Cao Lihuan stood outside Shouxu Hall’s courtyard clutching her handkerchief, her face alternating between red and pale, but persisting: “Since it’s a family meal, and I’m a relative of the Lin family, why can’t I enter? I even prepared gifts for Uncle, Aunt, and my cousins.”

Glass Cup said, “How thoughtful of Miss to prepare gifts, but let me remind you of something – our Master and Madam are your father’s cousin’s husband and wife, connected by the word ‘cousin,’ not direct relatives.” Glass Cup was a second-rank maid in Old Madam Lin’s quarters, known for her sharp tongue that often showed no mercy.

Xianglan stood behind Cao Lihuan, hands tucked away and face downcast, thinking secretly: “Just as I expected. Miss Cao, they don’t want you to enter, why insist on seeking embarrassment? Got rebuffed, didn’t you? Now you’ve lost both face and dignity. Tsk, Miss Cao has quite a temper – there should be quite a show coming up. Just hope I don’t become collateral damage and get punished.”

Cao Lihuan’s face grew increasingly dark as she pointed at Glass Cup and said harshly, “Is this your idea or Old Madam’s? I don’t believe she would keep me outside!” Saying this, she straightened her clothes and attempted to rush inside.

Snow Cup spread her arms and blocked her way, still wearing a smile: “Please return, Miss Cao. These are Old Madam’s instructions – don’t make things difficult for us.”

Cao Lihuan laughed coldly: “Stop using Old Madam as an excuse. Today I absolutely must go in! I want to ask Old Master and Old Madam in person if there’s any reason to keep one’s relatives locked outside! Could it be you’re trying to bully me because I’m an orphan with no parents to rely on?” Cao Lihuan was tall and strong, and with one shove pushed Snow Cup aside, attempting to enter.

Snow Cup stumbled from Cao Lihuan’s push. Glass Cup stepped forward, thrust out her chest to block Cao Lihuan, and said with raised eyebrows: “What are you trying to do? Shouxu Hall is not a place for you to make trouble!” Glass Cup was even taller than Cao Lihuan, and with a cold face, she extended her arm and pushed forcefully, actually sending Cao Lihuan backward.

Cao Lihuan never expected a maid would lay hands on her. Her feet stumbled and she fell backward. Xianglan quickly reached out to catch her from behind, but being small in stature, couldn’t fully support her and had to step back half a pace, nearly falling into the flower bed.

“How dare you! How dare you push me! This is outrageous! Truly outrageous!” Cao Lihuan flew into a rage, strode forward, and slapped Glass Cup across the face, pointing and cursing: “Shameless, ill-mannered little wretch! You’re nothing but something bought with a few taels of silver, yet you dare to get uppity and strike your master! Today I’ll teach you proper manners, let you know how a servant should serve people!” She raised her hand to deliver another slap.

Glass Cup was stunned that Cao Lihuan suddenly turned violent and struck her. Holding her face in shock, when Cao Lihuan’s second slap came down, she finally came to her senses and grabbed Cao Lihuan’s wrist, sneering: “I was bought by the Lin family – the Masters, Madams, Young Lords, and Young Ladies of the Lin family are my masters. What kind of master are you? Nothing but a distant relative, taking advantage of the Lin family, always wanting this and that – fish today, chicken tomorrow, and gold, silver, silk, and satin the day after. You’re worse than us servants!”

Snow Cup quickly came to pull Glass Cup away, saying, “What nonsense are you talking!” Then to Cao Lihuan: “Don’t be angry, Miss Cao. Glass Cup doesn’t know how to watch her mouth – we’ll have the housekeepers discipline her later.”

But Cao Lihuan wouldn’t stand for it. Every word Glass Cup said had struck her sore spot, and she wanted nothing more than to tear Glass Cup apart. Grinding her teeth, she said, “I don’t believe I can’t deal with you, you little slut!” Her other hand shot out to grab Glass Cup’s face.

Glass Cup was greatly startled and raised her hand to block. Cao Lihuan missed her face but grabbed Glass Cup’s hair instead, pulling hard while cursing: “You little wretch, I won’t rest until I’ve dealt with you today! How dare that filthy mouth of yours spread such lies about me?”

Glass Cup grimaced in pain and rammed into Cao Lihuan’s chest, crying wildly: “Go ahead and kill me! Kill me today! At worst, I’ll die with you!” Her charge sent Cao Lihuan falling backward, but she still wouldn’t let go of Glass Cup’s hair. Glass Cup followed through and fell on top of Cao Lihuan, and both women rolled on the ground.

Cao Lihuan was blind with rage, having completely forgotten where she was. Both hands furiously beat Glass Cup while she cursed: “Little wretch! Little wretch!” Glass Cup lay stiff on the ground letting her strike, only concerned with wailing at the top of her lungs.

Xianglan stood dumbfounded, thinking that in her two lifetimes, having lived among both the wealthy and in city slums, she had never seen a master and maid fight like this. She could only weakly call out a few times: “Stop fighting.” Snow Cup was anxiously pacing around, and several old women came forward to break up the fight. Seeing Xianglan standing stupidly to the side, she stamped her foot and said: “Why are you standing there like a pole? Quickly talk some sense into your miss!”

Xianglan originally didn’t want to help – Cao Lihuan showed her no favor and anything she said or did was wrong. One wrong move and she’d become a target for venting anger. But appearances had to be maintained. Seeing Cao Lihuan’s fierce demeanor as she swung her arm to deliver another slap to Glass Cup, Xianglan stepped forward and grabbed Cao Lihuan’s arm, saying: “Miss, please stop hitting her. Don’t harm your health from anger.”

Cao Lihuan shoved Xianglan away and kicked her, cursing: “Useless little wretch! You see your master suffering and don’t even know to come help!”

This kick was exactly what Xianglan had hoped for. She pretended to stumble back several steps, crying “Aiyou!” as she fell to the ground, rubbing her kicked stomach while playing dead.