Five days later, Lin Jinlou indeed sent a carriage to the Chen family to pick up Xiang Lan. Although Xiang Lan was extremely reluctant, she had to pack her belongings and go along. Before departing, Madam Xue tearfully grabbed Xiang Lan’s sleeve and said, “Let me beg Master Lin, whatever amount of silver he wants, we’ll give him even if it means selling everything we own, just ask him to let you return…”

The one who came to pick up Xiang Lan was Ji Xiang himself. Hearing these words, he was startled and hurriedly advised, “Aunt Xue, you must never mention such things again. Does the Lin family lack silver? The Master wants the person.”

Madam Xue’s tears fell uncontrollably. Xiang Lan forced a smile and consoled her, “It’s not like we’re parting forever, why cry so much? Eventually, these days will pass. In a couple of days, I’ll come home to visit you and Father.”

Ji Xiang gave a signal, and Old Woman Liu, sent by the Lin family, immediately stepped forward to hold Madam Xue’s arm, smiling, “The young lady is going to enjoy good fortune in the mansion. Many people wish for such an opportunity but can’t get it. Madam crying like this will only make her unsettled.” This Old Woman Liu originally served in Knowledge Spring Pavilion and had some status. Seeing Lin Jinlou assign her to serve the Chen family, who were former servants, she was quite displeased. However, seeing Ji Xiang personally come to escort Xiang Lan, she secretly marveled, thinking: “My nephew holds such a prestigious position as Chief Steward in front of the Master, yet the Master sent him to escort Xiang Lan. This shows how much he values this girl. Who knows what great fortune she might have!” Her attitude became increasingly warm and enthusiastic.

After Ji Xiang also offered some words of consolation, Xiang Lan finally bid a tearful farewell and returned to the Lin family with Ji Xiang and the others.

At the side gate of the Lin mansion, Shu Ran was already waiting with two elderly servants. Seeing Xiang Lan, she greeted her with a broad smile, stepped forward to take her bundle, and warmly helped her into a small sedan chair, which carried her to Knowledge Spring Pavilion.

After Xiang Lan alighted, Shu Ran led her directly to the main room. The courtyard was quiet, without even the maids who usually swept and watered the flowers in sight. Xiang Lan walked straight toward the room with a lowered head, unaware that in the side rooms, Hua Mei, Ying Ge, and others were staring at her intently through the carved flower windows.

Upon entering the room, Shu Ran handed the bundle to the maid at the door and invited Xiang Lan to sit, saying with a smile, “The Master has instructed that from now on, you’ll stay in the eastern secondary room. Everything you need has been prepared. What do you like to eat, drink, and use? Are there things you avoid? The mansion currently lacks a primary madam, so arrangements might not be perfect. Though I’m married now, I still manage Knowledge Spring Pavilion’s affairs. Now that you’re here, I can finally relax a bit.”

Xiang Lan was feeling melancholy, but hearing Shu Ran’s words, she forced herself to brighten up. Looking up, she noticed Shu Ran’s married woman’s hairstyle. Shu Ran continued, “The Master told me to assign two maids to serve you, both familiar faces. If you don’t like them, you can simply replace them.” She then called for two maids to enter – they were Xiao Juan and Chun Ling.

Xiao Juan was overjoyed, her eyes reddening upon seeing Xiang Lan. Chun Ling remained composed as they both bowed to Xiang Lan. Xiang Lan quickly stood up and took their hands, feeling a tightness in her throat that prevented her from speaking.

Shu Ran smiled, “I’ll go check if your things are properly arranged. The secondary room has been cleaned out. Young lady, go rest there, and just let us know if anything is missing.” With that, she withdrew.

Immediately, Xiao Juan grabbed Xiang Lan’s sleeve, saying excitedly, “Oh my heavens! I was just thinking about you yesterday, and now you’re back! This is wonderful!”

Chun Ling, noticing Xiang Lan’s worried expression, pulled Xiao Juan back and asked Xiang Lan, “How… how did you come back?”

Xiang Lan sighed, “It’s a long story.” She then performed a deep bow to Chun Ling, saying, “I haven’t properly thanked you for saving my life.”

Chun Ling stepped aside, extending her arm to support Xiang Lan, saying with a smile, “I can’t accept such a bow now.”

Xiang Lan laughed mockingly, shaking her head and turning to look at the green branches outside the window, speaking softly, “What’s there to accept or not accept? We were servants before, and now we’re just playthings.”

Chun Ling heard clearly and quickly pulled Xiang Lan, looking around before whispering, “Don’t talk like that! If ill-intentioned people hear, who knows how they’ll twist it! Though that demoness is gone, Knowledge Spring Pavilion isn’t exactly a peaceful place.” She then led Xiang Lan to the eastern secondary room, adding, “The Master has gone to the military camp and has some social engagements. He won’t return until evening.”

Xiang Lan had been anxious, but hearing that Lin Jinlou wasn’t present, she quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

The eastern secondary room adjoined the bedroom, separated only by a curio shelf. By the window was a bed with scarlet dragon-patterned bedding, green satin cushions embroidered with five-colored rippling water patterns and mandarin ducks, and autumn-colored flowered pillows, with lotus-colored silk gauze curtains. On one side stood a western-style lacquered small table with a purple gold enamel vase containing tuberose flowers. Next to the table was an ebony cabinet, and on the other side were two chairs and a square side table set with tea cups and other items.

Xiang Lan just sat on the bed, lost in thought.

Seeing no one around, Chun Ling sat beside Xiang Lan and said after some thought, “I don’t know how you ended up back in the mansion, but since the Master assigned me to serve you, he intends to elevate your status. Now that you’re here, don’t overthink things, or you’ll only trouble yourself. Knowledge Spring Pavilion is much quieter than before. Hua Mei has been promoted to concubine and lives in the east wing. Ying Ge stays in her room all day, claiming illness. There’s also Luan’er, given to the Master by the Old Madam. When the Master went to the capital, she insisted on going to serve him. She’s Shu Ran’s cousin, and because of this connection, the Master favored her and made her his intimate servant.”

Xiao Juan interjected, “She’s quite formidable! She can play a few pieces on the pipa, and when the Master dines at home, he always has her serve nearby, occasionally playing a tune. She’s even more favored than Hua Mei. She used to be called Ke Ren, but when the Master was in a good mood, she asked to change her name to Luan’er, saying that was her name before entering the mansion. Goodness, ‘Luan’ (phoenix) is certainly more noble than a mere ‘Hua Mei’ (oriole), and the Master agreed. Both Hua Mei and Ying Ge were visibly displeased.”

Chun Ling continued, “But some days ago, she somehow dropped and cracked the Master’s jade pendant, angering him. He scolded her, but she dared to talk back. The Master ignored her, but since then his attitude has cooled, and he hasn’t called her to serve recently. Instead, Hua Mei made two sets of clothes for the Master, playing the role of a virtuous wife, and he spent a night in the east wing.”

Xiang Lan found these power struggles tedious, but knowing Chun Ling and Xiao Juan meant well, she roused herself and said, “Let them do as they please, as long as it doesn’t involve me, we can coexist peacefully. I’m here only because the Master saved my father, serving him to repay that kindness. As for anything else, I don’t wish to think about it.”

Chun Ling and Xiao Juan exchanged glances. As Xiao Juan was about to speak, Chun Ling pulled her sleeve and changed the subject, “Besides us two, there are two other maids for sewing, nine young maids for cleaning and errands, and four elderly servants.” She then said to Xiao Juan, “It’s almost noon, I wonder what the kitchen has prepared.”

Xiao Juan jumped up, saying cheerfully, “I’ll take a young maid to get the food.” She ran off quickly.

Chun Ling then busied herself arranging Xiang Lan’s belongings and introduced the maids to her. Seeing Xiang Lan’s indifference to everything, she made decisions on her behalf. While Xiang Lan was mourning her fate – though the Lin mansion sparkled with wealth, to her it seemed like a gilded cage, especially with Lin Jinlou’s tyrannical nature and his harem’s endless schemes – she sat dazed for a while before taking a deep breath and thinking to herself, “No amount of depression will help. Things have come to this point, I can only endure and slowly find an opportunity to leave this place.”

Xiang Lan gathered her spirits and looked around. She saw that Chun Ling had already stored her clothes in chests, locked her few pieces of jewelry in the ebony cabinet’s small drawer, and was directing the young maids to water the flowers, arranging everything methodically, showing the demeanor of a head maid, even more experienced than before.

After Green Orchid’s death, Chun Ling had been idle in Knowledge Spring Pavilion. She had wanted to return to serve Madam Qin but couldn’t find a way, so she had to take odd jobs in the main house, losing all her previous status. Yesterday, Shu Ran suddenly called her and Xiao Juan, saying they would serve Xiang Lan starting tomorrow. Though surprised and somewhat uncomfortable, Chun Ling saw it as an opportunity. Honestly speaking, Xiang Lan was easy-going uncontentious, and easy to get along with. Though they had previous conflicts, she had saved her at a crucial moment, and because of this kindness, they could be considered close. Chun Ling decided to serve Xiang Lan as she had served Green Orchid as a concubine, hoping to regain some status worthy of her abilities, so she was very attentive.

Soon, Xiao Juan returned with the meals. Chun Ling arranged the food on the table, noticing that Xiang Lan only ate light dishes, and silently noted this. Xiao Juan, being simple-minded, felt that Xiang Lan was her friend and would no longer suffer hardships, and in her happiness ate an extra bowl of rice. After the meal, Xiao Juan chattered away, first about how hateful Zhao Yuechan was, then about Lin Jinlou’s concubines, and mentioned that Lin Dongqi would be married in a few days.

Xiang Lan listened half-heartedly.

Chun Ling quietly brought in a set of casual clothes, smiling, “The Master won’t return until evening. These clothes might be more comfortable than what you’re wearing.”

Xiang Lan turned to look and saw Chun Ling holding a chrysanthemum-patterned golden bamboo-leaf silk gauze garment. Looking at it, Xiang Lan said, “These aren’t my clothes.”

Chun Ling smiled, “They were prepared in the chest beforehand. The Master had two chests of seasonal clothes brought over, all brand new.”

Xiang Lan noticed the clothes were very thin and would surely show the color of her undergarments. She laughed coldly, “How can one wear such clothes? Does he take me for a courtesan to amuse himself with?” She chose her clothes to change into instead.

Chun Ling looked awkward, thinking to herself, “This fabric is of the highest quality, even the young ladies of the mansion want some to make undergarments. Though it’s revealing for casual wear, what does it matter when staying indoors without visitors?” She didn’t say more and simply helped Xiang Lan change.