The story branches in two directions like blooming flowers.

After Shu Ran left the room and walked to the back of the house, someone suddenly called out, “Sister!” Startled, she turned to see Luan’er standing behind a cluster of banana trees, clutching a handkerchief with an unhappy expression on her face.

Shu Ran approached and asked, “It’s time for lunch, why are you standing here?”

Luan’er gestured toward the house and said bitterly, “So that vixen has moved in?”

Shu Ran’s face immediately darkened, “Nonsense! What vixen?”

Luan’er sneered, “Isn’t she just that? Moving straight into the main quarters – a place meant for the future Madam. How dare she?”

Shu Ran replied, “Master Lin arranged it. She’s to attend to him closely, staying in the side room.” She rubbed her temple and took Luan’er’s hand, “Dear sister, please watch your words. Master Lin is still upset from last time, and I dare not intervene too much. You know his temperament – when he’s in a good mood, everything is fine and he’ll even humor your petulance. But when truly angered, not even the Jade Emperor could calm him. Why seek trouble? Please set aside your pride.”

Luan’er’s face showed discomfort. She knew well what Shu Ran meant. In the past, when she displayed her petulance, Lin Jinlou would coax her with gentle words, making her feel cherished and loved. Having tasted such sweetness, she found it hard to let go. Yet Lin Jinlou was naturally flirtatious, and once the novelty wore off, he no longer paid her special attention. Unable to accept this, she continued her petulant behavior hoping to regain his attention, but it backfired instead. Too proud to admit her mistake, Luan’er remained stubborn, leading to their current impasse.

Shu Ran sighed, patting Luan’er’s hand, “Oh, you’re still too young. Listen to your sister – go bring Master Lin some soup and apologize. You won’t lose face. Don’t provoke Xiang Lan. Even Huamei, a proper concubine, hasn’t said anything, so why are you making trouble?”

Luan’er’s eyes reddened, “I just can’t stand it. Master Lin only favored me for less than three months before bringing in someone new…”

Shu Ran laughed coldly, “What did I tell you before? I said to choose your path carefully and not regret it later. You wouldn’t listen, insisting you knew what you wanted. Who can you blame now?”

Luan’er stood pale-faced and silent.

Shu Ran sighed, knowing her cousin’s stubborn nature would never admit wrongdoing.

As it happened, when Luan’er was born, her parents had her horoscope read. The fortune teller declared she was no ordinary child but a phoenix reborn – if not destined to be an empress, she would surely become a noble lady enjoying endless wealth and prosperity. Whether the fortune teller spoke truth or nonsense remains unknown, but Luan’er’s parents believed it completely and pampered their daughter from childhood. Living next to a theater troupe, she learned from the masters there. Over time, she mastered the pipa and singing, learned to read and recite Tang poetry and Song lyrics, developing refined manners. As she grew into a beauty with delicate eyebrows, fine eyes, a jade-like nose, cherry lips, fair skin, and a slender waist, everyone praised her: “Look at their daughter – such graceful speech and bearing, skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. She can’t be of common birth – she has the air of a noble lady.”

Growing up amid such praise, and constantly hearing her parents repeat her extraordinary horoscope predicting future greatness, Luan’er increasingly viewed herself as superior and refined, destined for high status. She began to look down on others. After reading romantic novels, she convinced herself she was a phoenix mistakenly born to common servants, waiting for a handsome and wealthy young master to recognize her worth, rescue her from her circumstances, and live together in perfect harmony like paired butterflies.

When Luan’er first saw Lin Jinlou, her heart immediately stirred. She believed he was that perceptive hero who would recognize her true worth. She was determined to play out a romance with him but never imagined Lin Jinlou wouldn’t appreciate it. He merely saw her as an entertaining singing girl, and as soon as he turned away, his thoughts were occupied with bringing Xiang Lan into the household.

Shu Ran paused then said, “You should go back now. Tomorrow I’ll take you to see Master Lin. Say some gentle words while I help smooth things over. From now on, speak less, and especially don’t provoke Xiang Lan at this time. Learn from Huamei.”

Luan’er snorted, “Learn from her? Always acting like a coward – I don’t see what’s so great about that.” Though her voice had softened considerably, Shu Ran knew Luan’er had yielded. Sighing inwardly again, she offered a few more words of advice before they parted ways.

That evening, after the lamps were lit, Lin Jinlou still hadn’t returned. Xiang Lan felt restless and barely touched her dinner, eating just a few bites before setting down her chopsticks.

Chunling lit the candles and sat with Xiao Juan, trying to cheer up Xiang Lan with conversation. Seeing her distracted state, they soon called for water to help her wash up and prepare for bed. After extinguishing the lights, they quietly withdrew.

Lying in the east side room’s bed, Xiang Lan felt as though her heart had been coated in oil – anxious and agitated. She stared blankly at the bed canopy, and just as she was drifting off to sleep, a sudden commotion erupted in the courtyard. Someone pushed open the door with a bang, and Double Joy’s voice called out, “Quick, bring Master’s sobering soup and a hot face towel!”

The sound startled Xiang Lan upright in bed, her palms sweating. She quietly lifted the bed curtain a crack and saw the house now brightly lit, with maids and elderly servants hurrying about. The sounds of water being fetched, people urging Master Lin to drink the sobering soup, and his commands all merged into chaos.

Xiang Lan initially didn’t want to go out but feared that hiding in bed might anger that formidable master and make her days even more difficult. Gritting her teeth, she thought, “Whether I face it or hide, I’ll have to deal with it eventually. I can’t escape forever!” She got up, put on her shoes, threw on an embroidered robe with butterfly patterns, and quietly went out.

Leaning against the curio cabinet, she saw Lin Jinlou slouched in the main hall’s head chair, surrounded by several maids. Double Joy had already left, and among them stood a woman in a crimson silk dress embroidered with gold, clearly different from the others. Xiang Lan observed her fine eyebrows and eyes – features unremarkable individually but possessing a certain charm when combined on her face, enhanced by her slender figure. Among the household maids, she stood out.

Xiang Lan thought to herself, “This must be Luan’er.”

She watched as Luan’er held a bowl of soup, showing clear concern despite her cold expression as if scolding a child: “You should drink less at social occasions. What if you had fallen from your horse in this drunken state?”

Lin Jinlou frowned impatiently.

Luan’er offered the soup, “This is chicken soup. Please drink it while it’s hot.”

Luan’er’s maid Cun Xin quickly added, “Miss carefully simmered this soup for two hours until the flavors melded perfectly. The meat is so tender it melts in your mouth. She kept it warm over a low flame, worried it would cool, and added many nutritious herbs… Master, can you see Miss’s thoughtfulness?”

Luan’er scolded Cun Xin, “You talk too much!” Then eagerly offered the soup bowl again.

Luan’er thought if Master Lin drank the soup, their previous tensions would be resolved. Unexpectedly, Lin Jinlou gave a cold laugh and said, “Who told you to come here? You’re becoming more and more improper. Do you think you can enter this place whenever you wish? Get out!”

Luan’er’s smile froze on her face. Lin Jinlou glared at her, “I told you to leave. Don’t you understand human speech?”

Tears welled in Luan’er’s eyes. The quick-witted Cun Xin hastily placed the soup bowl on a small table and hurriedly pulled Luan’er away.

Lin Jinlou rubbed his temples. He had spent the evening exchanging pleasantries with a group of crafty old men – white-haired old foxes still trying to meddle in canal transportation and salt inspection matters without even asking his consent. The banquet had been a battlefield without weapons. Though he returned victorious and confident, he felt exhausted and had no patience for the coy games of the household women.

Lin Jinlou drank a cup of hot tea beside him and stood up to stretch. Turning his head, he noticed a faint figure standing by the curio cabinet, with long hair framing a snow-white, delicate face. Lin Jinlou was startled, his mood instantly improving. He walked over.

Xiang Lan started, unconsciously stepping back two paces, her small hands clutching her robe, body pressed against the wall, timidly.