Xiang Lan glanced at Luan Er, inwardly smirking as she lowered her face without speaking.

Luan Er raised her delicate eyebrows and said, “Hey, I’m talking to you, did you hear me?”

Xiang Lan kept her head down without moving. Seeing her like this, Luan Er smoothed her hair, wearing a smug expression, and said, “What’s there to be shy about? It’s just singing a tune to liven things up. Don’t tell me you’re unwilling. If you are unwilling, that would truly be a slap in the Master’s face. Our Master loves listening to songs, and today’s feast was specially prepared for you by Sister Hua Mei. You can’t possibly refuse to sing – it wouldn’t be right!” She giggled, “Unless you don’t know how to sing? But that’s fine too. Given how warmly the Master treats you, even if you sang off-key, he’d think it was as sweet as an oriole’s song!” As she spoke, she cast a sideways glance at Lin Jin Lou.

Xiang Lan remained seated without moving. Lin Jin Lou appeared not to have heard, continuing to drink by himself, while Hua Mei and Ying Ge busied themselves serving him dishes. Hua Mei thought to herself: “Xiang Lan was originally just a maid, and although she caught the Master’s eye, she was driven out because the Mistress was wary of her. They say ‘what’s not yet possessed is most missed’ – how true that is. I heard the Master even went to the magistrate’s office himself to release her father, and now he’s personally bringing her back here with such fanfare – he’s supporting and honoring her. Luan Er is such a fool, not seeing the Master’s intentions, and instead trying to put Xiang Lan in her place out of jealousy. In my view, she’s just going to embarrass herself. Luan Er is the most hateful of all, just a concubine who wants to keep the Master all to herself, always putting on airs like she’s the mistress, it’s truly annoying. It’s perfect to let these two fight while I reap the benefits.”

Ying Ge picked up a wine cup and offered it to Luan Er, smiling, “You sang so well earlier that you might have intimidated her. Why force her? My dear sister, drink this cup of wine and sing another song for us.”

Seeing that Lin Jin Lou still maintained his indifferent manner, Luan Er grew even bolder. She ignored Ying Ge’s wine offering and sat up straight, coldly smirking, “Sister Ying Ge is offering me wine, and normally I would have no reason to refuse. But today, if Xiang Lan doesn’t respond to me, I’m not going to drink it.”

Ying Ge had intended to make peace but hadn’t expected Luan Er to respond this way. Awkwardly, she put the wine cup back down.

Luan Er grew even more displeased and said to Xiang Lan, “Are you deaf or mute? You haven’t made a sound after being asked so many questions? You might not care about embarrassing me, but don’t you see the Master is still here?”

Xiang Lan slowly raised her head, looked at Luan Er’s face, and said with a cold smile, “First, I’m not an actress. Second, I’m not a courtesan. Third, I’m not a servant. Why should I sing for anyone’s entertainment?”

The room fell silent at these words. Lin Jin Lou’s hand paused, but he still finished drinking his half cup of wine.

Luan Er’s face flushed with anger as she pointed at Xiang Lan, “You, you, you… what did you say?”

Xiang Lan replied, “Are you deaf? Couldn’t you hear what I just said?”

Luan Er flew into a rage, knocking the wine cup before her to the ground where it shattered. She grabbed Lin Jin Lou’s sleeve and cried, “Master! Did you hear that?!”

Xiang Lan smiled coldly and said, “Some servant you are, daring to smash cups while your Master is present – what fine manners.”

Luan Er’s eyes widened as she pointed and cursed, “I may be an actress, a courtesan, or a servant, but how noble are you? You’re nothing but a lowborn maid!”

Xiang Lan replied slowly, “I may be a lowborn maid, but at least I haven’t stooped to entertaining others and taking pride in it like some people. Unlike someone who hasn’t even earned the reputation of being half a mistress or concubine, singing and serving others may be your duty, but it’s not mine.”

Luan Er’s face turned completely red with fury as she spat, “You daughter of a woman, say one more word and I’ll tear your mouth apart!”

Seeing the situation deteriorating, Ying Ge quickly stood up and grabbed Luan Er’s arm, saying, “Dear sister, please say no more!”

Hua Mei also advised, “Come now, what’s all this about? Let’s all speak less, the Master is still here.” Yet she remained seated, her tone carrying a hint of schadenfreude.

Ying Ge pointed and cursed, “You little wretch, you think you’re somebody now. Letting you sing was doing you a favor…”

Xiang Lan cut her off, “Please don’t. What favor could you possibly do for me? Did you think I couldn’t hear the sarcasm in your words earlier? If you don’t like me, just hurry and ask your Master to drive me out. That would be cleaner for everyone.”

Luan Er trembled with rage and was about to step forward to slap Xiang Lan, but mindful of Lin Jin Lou’s presence, she was about to burst into tears and ask him to intervene. Unexpectedly, Lin Jin Lou burst out laughing and turned to Xiang Lan, saying, “I hadn’t expected this – I thought you were just a quiet gourd, but you’re quite the firecracker.”

Xiang Lan kept a stern face and said, “I’m no firecracker – they’re the ones threatening to tear my mouth apart.”

Lin Jin Lou appeared completely unbothered and offered his wine cup to Xiang Lan, saying, “Try this – it’s genuine osmanthus-aged wine. This small jar was buried under the osmanthus tree for over ten years; even the imperial wine can’t match its pure flavor.”

Everyone was surprised by Lin Jin Lou’s action. Xiang Lan also started, then shook her head saying, “I’ve never drunk alcohol.”

Lin Jin Lou smiled, showing his white teeth, and brought the cup to Xiang Lan’s lips, saying, “Just take a sip. This is the Master’s cup – when I’m offering you a drink, you should know better than to refuse, shouldn’t you?”

Xiang Lan stared at Lin Jin Lou with her bright eyes, not moving. Lin Jin Lou’s expression gradually darkened, and he said expressionlessly, “Quick, take a sip, just taste it.” His tone brooked no refusal.

Xiang Lan had no choice but to take a small sip. The sharp, spicy sensation immediately rushed up, making her cough repeatedly. Lin Jin Lou pulled her close and gently patted her back, telling Hua Mei and the others, “If she doesn’t want to sing, she doesn’t have to. You all can sing instead.”

Luan Er felt the world spinning, her lips trembling unable to speak. Finally, she burst into loud sobs, threw the pipa to the ground, and ran out covering her face. Cun Xin hurriedly followed her out.

Hua Mei maintained her composure, simply smiling and saying, “Sister Xiang Lan, please sit closer. There are several fresh vegetable dishes here, all tender vegetable hearts – do try some more.” While encouraging Xiang Lan to eat, she secretly signaled Xi Que to pick up and remove the broken pipa, as if Luan Er had never been there. They reset the table with new bowls and chopsticks for Xiang Lan, with Hua Mei and Ying Ge both eagerly serving her dishes.

Hua Mei spoke grandly, talking and laughing with flair, choosing only amusing topics to discuss, while maintaining a warm and welcoming demeanor, carefully considering every aspect. Xiang Lan thought to herself: “Even though Luan Er can play and sing, and looks more pure and fresh than Hua Mei, her conversation and refinement are far inferior to Hua Mei’s – no wonder Lin Jin Lou elevated her to be a concubine. It’s just that she’s not upright in character, otherwise she would be quite admirable.”

Ying Ge, however, spoke little, silently shelling a plate of clams and preparing a vinegar dip with chili oil, which she placed before Lin Jin Lou. Only then did Lin Jin Lou properly look at Ying Ge, noticing her hollow cheeks. Though she had the charm of a “sick beauty,” she indeed looked sickly. He asked, “How has your health been these days? What medicine are you taking? Has the doctor visited?”

Ying Ge was overjoyed, quickly responding, “I’m just taking some health-maintaining medicines. The doctor comes regularly to check on me.”

Lin Jin Lou nodded and asked no more.

Ying Ge said, “I’ve learned a new clever tune these days and would like the Master to hear it.” Seeing Lin Jin Lou nod, she quickly had someone bring Xiao and play a melodious piece. However, since her miscarriage, her health had been poor, and she inevitably grew weak, managing only one piece before she couldn’t continue, her face pale and breathing labored.

Xiang Lan silently sighed to herself, “Why go to such lengths just to please a man?” Then thinking of Luan Er’s earlier quarrel with her, she realized that at its core, it was just about competing for favor, and felt another wave of desolation, finding it all meaningless.

At this point, Lin Jin Lou rewarded Ying Ge with a bolt of cloth. Ying Ge immediately felt honored and hurriedly offered Lin Jin Lou a toast in thanks. Occasionally, Hua Mei also played tunes to entertain and received rewards from Lin Jin Lou as well.

After everyone had eaten for a while longer, Lin Jin Lou ordered the feast to end. Ying Ge quickly said, “We haven’t even been eating for an hour. Stay a while longer – what else would you like to eat, Master?”

Lin Jin Lou said, “I need to leave early tomorrow morning, and it’s getting late. Time to go.”

Hua Mei and the others still wanted him to stay, but seeing Lin Jin Lou already putting his feet on the ground, she and Ying Ge both bent down to help him put on his shoes, saying, “In that case, have one more cup before you go.”

Lin Jin Lou drank one more cup and ordered the maids to pack various fruits and dishes into a large box to be sent to the main house for the elderly madams and maids to eat. Hua Mei brightened the lamps and was about to find a pair of shoes for Xiang Lan to wear, but unexpectedly, Lin Jin Lou picked up Xiang Lan again and left.

The main house was brightly lit. Lin Jin Lou placed Xiang Lan on the large bed in the bedroom. Upon seeing the bed, Xiang Lan turned pale, her heart trembling, and repeatedly asked Xiao Juan to help her get her shoes. However, Lin Jin Lou smiled and said, “What’s the hurry? We didn’t eat our fill in the east wing, let’s have a few more cups now.” He did order people to bring in the kang table, and Chun Ling went to the small kitchen to request three or four small dishes, while Ting Lan and others went to warm the wine.

Lin Jin Lou pinched Xiang Lan’s cheek and said, “I stood up for you today, so you can’t keep that stern face anymore. Quick, pour me a cup.”

Xiang Lan had no choice but to pour wine for Lin Jin Lou.

Lin Jin Lou smiled and said, “I know you’re shy and don’t like to sing in front of others, but now there’s no one else here. Sing a tune for your Master.”

Xiang Lan kept her eyes lowered and said, “I don’t know how.”

Lin Jin Lou lounged against the cushions, stretching out his long legs, and smiled, “Who says you don’t know? I remember the first time I saw you, you were singing – what was it? ‘Snow waves strike the sky, autumn clouds roll at heaven’s edge’ – wasn’t that from ‘The Western Chamber’?” Seeing Xiang Lan still silent, he took a drink of wine and burst out laughing, “Little Xiang Lan, you don’t seem to understand your status, do you? Earlier, Luan Er went too far, and I felt sorry for you, so I gave you a face. But you should know very well what you are – when I favor you, you’re the master, but when I don’t, you’re less than a servant. Understand?”

Xiang Lan sat stiffly, feeling a lump in her throat.

Chun Ling, standing outside serving, heard everything clearly and couldn’t help but feel sympathy. She found an excuse to enter with dishes, secretly giving Xiang Lan meaningful looks, and said to Lin Jin Lou, “The young lady must be thirsty, let me pour her some tea to moisten her throat.” She hurriedly brought in a cup of tea and whispered, “Just sing something, even two or three lines will do.”

At this moment, Xiao Juan came in and said, “Ji Xiang is waiting in the corridor outside, saying he has urgent matters for the Master.”

Lin Jin Lou put on his clothes and went out, and didn’t return.

Xiang Lan finally breathed a sigh of relief, hastily washed up, and went to bed.