Speaking of Hua Mei and Luan Er, they were standing in the corridor waiting for Xiang Lan’s response. Hua Mei was chatting very warmly with Ting Lan at the door, but Luan Er was quite impatient, waving her handkerchief and sneering at Hua Mei, “This newly arrived little servant has such grand airs, making the two of us stand waiting at the door. I might put up with it, but you’re a Concubine – how can you tolerate her being so presumptuous?”

Hua Mei was still dressed very elaborately, wearing a purple silk jacket with peony patterns, and a red satin skirt, showing a bit of her water-green embroidered shoes. Her hair was adorned with gold hairpins, emerald ornaments, and pearl rings. Her face was powdered and painted, and she held a fan, covering her mouth as she giggled, “She’s someone Master had his eye on long ago, not just some newcomer. Sister, you must be careful with your words. Haven’t you seen how she moved straight into the main chamber upon arrival? As for me, I’m just like an ‘autumn fan’ that no one wants anymore, so I must keep my distance now. Why bother provoking her?”

These words further ignited Luan Er’s anger. She was already jealous of Xiang Lan and resented Lin Jin Lou’s philandering ways, elevating her briefly before taking in someone new. After holding back a belly full of grievances from last night with nowhere to vent, she began cursing indiscriminately, “I never thought you were such a weak person, but now you’ve lost all your authority before that little woman. She just arrived and should have paid her respects to you. We come to her door, yet she puts on airs. Bah! Does she think she’s the main house, Madam?”

Hua Mei just kept fanning herself, a slight smile on her lips, saying nothing. Ting Lan had long since fallen silent.

Feeling even more emboldened, Luan Er stepped toward the door, saying, “I don’t believe this nonsense. Let me have a round with that little woman, then she’ll know her place!”

Before she finished speaking, Chun Ling had already come out to block the door, sneering, “My, my, who’s so hot-tempered early in the morning, trying to barge into the room? Seems you’ve forgotten the rules Master set years ago – without the master’s permission, neither concubines nor servants may step foot in the main chamber. Wasn’t it just yesterday someone got scolded by Master for this very thing? Still haven’t learned your lesson?”

Luan Er’s face immediately turned red, and she pointed at Chun Ling, “What an impudent servant, who do you think you’re talking to!”

Chun Ling put her hands on her hips and sneered, “Who am I talking to? I’m talking to a servant – aren’t you one? Just barely made it to ‘Miss’ status, not even a Concubine yet, you’re no better than us, yet you’re acting like a proper master, ignoring the rules, calling others ‘servants’ – don’t make me feel embarrassed for you!”

Chun Ling was known for her sharp tongue, and Luan Er clenched her fists, wanting to argue back, but thinking it over, everything Chun Ling said was reasonable. Not being particularly good at arguments, she stood there dumbfounded, her face turning purple.

Ting Lan quickly pulled at Luan Er, saying, “Alright, alright, it’s nothing serious. Let’s all go to my room for tea.”

Luan Er forcefully shook off Ting Lan’s arm. Ting Lan tried to pull her several more times but was shaken off again. Pointing at Chun Ling, Luan Er sneered, “You servant, this isn’t over between us!”

Chun Ling sneered back, “Even if you tell Sister Shu Ran about this, I’m not afraid. Or you can go to Master for judgment!”

Hua Mei naturally watched the fire from across the shore, fanning herself, her eyes moving from one person to another, with her lips slightly curved upward, not saying a word.

Chun Ling then said to Hua Mei, “Concubine’s kindness is appreciated by our Miss, but she’s truly not feeling well today. She just took some medicine and went to sleep. Let’s wait until Miss feels better.”

Hua Mei’s face was full of smiles as she said, “Oh my, how thoughtless of me, I didn’t consider everything. This is fine too, we sisters can gather another day.” With that, she walked away with a swaying gait.

Chun Ling gave Luan Er another look, snorted, and turned to go back inside.

Xiao Juan came forward and said, “Offending Luan Er like this might not be good, right?”

Chun Ling replied, “What’s there to fear? Xiang Lan just returned, if we stay quiet now, they’ll all think she’s easy to bully. You know what these people are like.” After speaking, she peeked into the side room again, seeing Xiang Lan still staring at that pot of orchids, and let out a deep sigh.

As for Luan Er, having been mocked by Chun Ling, she was extremely upset and immediately went to complain to Shu Ran. Shu Ran tapped Luan Er’s forehead and said, “You, you, give me some peace! Last night you already stirred up trouble, Master hasn’t gotten over it yet. Now that there’s someone new, how can you cause more problems?”

Luan Er’s complaint backfired, earning her a scolding instead, and she left grumbling and displeased.

As for Hua Mei, she was a calculating person. After thinking for a while upon returning, she quietly sent the corridor servant Xiao Er to deliver a message to Lin Jin Lou, saying she wanted to spend money to host a feast for Xiang Lan to “show sisterly affection,” and asked Lin Jin Lou to return early in the evening to join the drinking. Lin Jin Lou was naturally pleased and returned from the military camp before lantern-lighting time.

As soon as he entered the courtyard, Hua Mei came to greet him with a worried expression, saying, “I must apologize to Master, Sister Xiang Lan isn’t feeling well, so tonight’s feast probably can’t be held. It’s my fault for not considering everything thoroughly.” She watched Lin Jin Lou’s expression as she continued, “With all my heart, I thought that with a new sister coming to serve Master alongside us, eating and sleeping together, we’d become as close as real family even if we’re not related by blood. So I wanted to spend money to arrange a feast, planning to invite Ying Ge and Luan Er to enjoy ourselves in the room and send someone to inform Master. Who would have thought that when we went to invite Sister Xiang Lan, she stayed in her room and didn’t show her face, not even letting me and Luan Er in? She must not be feeling well. Sister Luan Er has a straightforward personality and had some words with Chun Ling… Ai, it’s all my fault…”

Lin Jin Lou raised his eyebrows and asked, “Has the feast been prepared?”

Hua Mei was startled, then said, “The small kitchen has already prepared several dishes that Master likes…”

Lin Jin Lou nodded and said, “Very good. Send someone to ask what Xiang Lan likes to eat, add a few more dishes, and take the money from my account.” He glanced at Xi Que beside Hua Mei, who hurried away.

Lin Jin Lou turned and entered the east wing, with Hua Mei quickly following behind to serve him, offering tea, arranging fruits, and preparing hot water for him to wash his face. She constantly chattered, “Sister Luan Er is still young and quite hot-tempered. Today she got angry just from waiting in the corridor for a while and tried to barge into the room. Then Chun Ling came out and said she ‘just barely made it to Miss status, not even a Concubine yet, no better than us, yet acting like a proper master, ignoring the rules, calling others servants.’ I also saw she had more airs than the previous Madam, and she said I was weak for letting Xiang Lan be so arrogant. Ai, seeing her argue with Chun Ling, I didn’t dare intervene much…”

In Hua Mei’s mind, Luan Er was her primary rival. Although Xiang Lan was someone Lin Jin Lou had long remembered, she had no support in the mansion and was soft-natured. Lin Jin Lou typically lost interest after a couple of days of novelty, so Xiang Lan was not much of a threat. But Luan Er was different. She was personally given by the Old Madam, which made her status higher than others – even Hua Mei had to yield to her. Moreover, Luan Er’s elder sister Shu Ran was Lin Jin Lou’s most useful person and the main housekeeper of Zhi Chun Hall. Although Luan Er had a difficult personality, she was pretty and could both play and sing. Lin Jin Lou often called her to perform when drinking, which made Hua Mei particularly envious. Especially since Luan Er always wanted to dominate in everything, changing her name as soon as she arrived and placing herself above others. If such a person wasn’t removed, how could Hua Mei have any footing even if she became a Concubine?

Lin Jin Lou waved his hand and said, “Come here, I have something to tell you.”

Hua Mei giggled and quickly ran to the window, saying coquettishly, “Oh my, with such a dark face, how frightening. I dare not come over.”

Lin Jin Lou’s expression was calm as he slightly raised his thick eyebrows and said, “Come here.”

Hua Mei was a flirtatious person, but seeing that Lin Jin Lou’s manner wasn’t playful, she withdrew her smile and properly walked to his side. Lin Jin Lou said, “Hua Mei, you’re the most clever one in the household. But don’t be too clever and take me for a fool, or you’ll end up bringing trouble upon yourself.”

Hua Mei’s heart skipped a beat. Looking up, she saw Lin Jin Lou’s expression between a smile and not, but his eyes were like cold lightning. She couldn’t help but shudder and forced a smile, saying, “What are you saying, Master? I don’t understand.”

Lin Jin Lou gave her a light look and just picked up his tea cup to drink, not saying another word.

Hua Mei’s heart was pounding, and she couldn’t help but serve even more attentively. Soon after, maids indeed brought up four small jade-green plates of delicate silver thread vegetables, along with preserved fruits and fine pastries. Ying Ge and Luan Er arrived, dressed up elaborately.

Lin Jin Lou sat on the kang bed, with Hua Mei sitting on his right. Luan Er immediately grabbed the left side to sit, while Ying Ge sat on the lower right.

Lin Jin Lou then asked, “Why hasn’t Xiang Lan come yet?”

Xi Que entered the room and said, “Miss Xiang Lan says she’s not feeling well and can’t come.”

Luan Er sneered, “Such grand airs, saying she won’t come means she won’t come?”

Lin Jin Lou’s face darkened as he stood up abruptly and went straight to the main chamber. There he found Xiang Lan reclining on the bed in the side room, covered with a brocade quilt, her eyes tightly closed.

Lin Jin Lou yanked off the quilt and pointed at her, saying, “Getting cocky, are we? Do you need me to personally invite you?”

Xiang Lan lay motionless. Chun Ling quickly came forward and said, “Master, Miss really isn’t feeling well…” Her voice became as quiet as a mosquito’s buzz, “She just took medicine earlier…”

Lin Jin Lou was startled, immediately understanding the reason. He rubbed his nose and sat on the edge of the bed. After a while, he said in a calmer voice, “No matter how unwell you are, you still need to eat. A feast has been set up in the east wing, with dishes you like.”

Xiang Lan still didn’t move, thinking to herself how hateful this bandit thug was. She had already been mistreated by him, couldn’t she even hide away for some peace? What did his merrymaking with his concubines have to do with her? She would rather go hungry for a night than eat with him.

Lin Jin Lou gave a sneering laugh. Chun Ling and Xiao Juan exchanged glances, and just as Chun Ling was about to speak, Lin Jin Lou said, “All of you withdraw.” They had no choice but to leave.

Lin Jin Lou leaned down, putting his mouth close to Xiang Lan’s ear, and said, “Your stubbornness is useless. Think of your parents – don’t think I can’t control you just because you’re no longer bound as a servant. You know very well what kind of temper I have.”

Xiang Lan kept her eyes closed, but tears flowed down her long eyelashes.

Suddenly, she felt someone lift her. Startled, she opened her eyes to see that Lin Jin Lou had picked her up in his arms. He smiled at her and said, “I’m carrying you over there – this is giving you a great face. Wipe those tears away, don’t spoil the mood with your crying.”