Shu Ran then led people to bring out a chest from the back. Upon opening it, they found half a chest of Xue Lang paper, another half stack of processed paper, and several pigments including cinnabar, ochre, Guang flowers, gamboge, and rouge stored in lacquered boxes.

There were also various brushes – large grip brushes, wolf-hair brushes of different sizes, White Cloud brushes, along with several coarse white plates and bowls. Indeed, most items were still usable. Xiang Lan ordered people to sort out the usable items and spread out the paper, then held the brush while lost in thought.

She didn’t know what to draw. These past few days, she had been lying in bed, feeling dejected. She felt her life was bitter – after struggling through difficulties to finally see a glimmer of hope, she immediately fell into an abyss again. Sometimes she thought about just accepting things as they were. Having already ended up in this state, why not try to learn Lin Jinlou’s preferences and make life more comfortable for herself? During the day, she invited Shu Ran over to gradually work on her plan, probing indirectly.

Shu Ran was shrewd – though she appeared warm and welcoming to everyone, she was quite guarded. Xiang Lan remained composed, only making casual conversation without mentioning other matters, slowly lowering Shu Ran’s guard before extracting useful information. But at night, lying in bed sleepless, countless feelings of unwillingness and resentment nearly drove her mad. It felt like a saw was cutting through her heart, causing intense pain.

Later, she found some Buddhist sutras to copy, which gradually calmed her mind. Seeing this, Chun Ling brought her a white porcelain Guanyin statue. Xiang Lan then burned sandalwood incense daily, gazing at the white porcelain Guanyin in contemplation. Life had to go on – she still had to stay in the Lin family. No amount of grief would help matters. Just like when she served Cao Lihuan, she could only endure for now and wait for an opportunity to act, eventually leaving this place in one move. This morning, she discovered her monthly cycle had started, and couldn’t help but let out a long sigh of relief. Her mood immediately brightened, and she thought about picking up the brush again.

Shu Ran found two large染 brushes, one medium染 brush, and three small染 brushes, along with mineral yellow, mineral blue, mineral green, and other pigments, bringing them all over. Seeing Xiang Lan painting a cluster of orchids, she smiled and said, “These orchids are painted beautifully. Draw me a couple of pieces tomorrow – I’ll use them as patterns.”

Xiang Lan smiled, “I could make a hundred of these.”

Shu Ran said, “Master usually paints landscapes. He also painted several fan faces – I’ll find them later to show you.” Seeing Xiang Lan lowering her head without speaking, she sighed and said, “Actually, if you please, Master, he’ll grant any request. When he’s unhappy, nobody has a good time. Master has already shown you extraordinary mercy – haven’t you seen how he treated Zhao Yuechan… On the second day of their marriage, they had a falling out. Zhao Yuechan was quite fierce, but Master’s single punch nearly took half her life. She couldn’t even get out of bed for her third-day return home visit – instead, the Zhao family came to visit. In my early years serving Master, once when someone from the clan came seeking an audience, I thought since they were family relations, I should let them in. Master was very angry and made me kneel outside all night. It was deep winter – I nearly fainted from the cold and caught a terrible chill, falling quite ill. Master sent someone with medicine and told me that even for clan members, without his permission, they shouldn’t be brought into the inner quarters – this was the rule. Moreover, he fought battles outside and made many bandit enemies. What if someone with ill intentions sneaked in and took the lives of his family members?”

Xiang Lan was startled.

Shu Ran continued, “Master is capable and has his own business – he can even support the Lin family army himself. While the court loses money in battles, Master makes gleaming silver from every campaign. In the entire mansion, except for Old Master’s quarters, Knowledge Spring Quarter lives the best – food, clothing, housing, and daily necessities are all top of the line.”

Xiang Lan asked, “Isn’t everything paid for from the common fund? How can there be better or worse living conditions?”

Shu Ran covered her mouth and laughed, “Relying solely on the standard allowance would barely cover food. There’s seasonal clothing to make, jewelry for Madam and the young ladies, gentlemen’s social expenses, rewards for servants, extra items for festivals and holidays, new household members, and various consumables – maintaining a dignified appearance isn’t easy!”

Xiang Lan said, “But it’s not good to be too extravagant, surpassing one’s parents, right?”

Shu Ran said, “You don’t understand – Elder Master values simplicity and modesty, and Elder Madam isn’t picky. Besides, with the Elder Master being an official outside, how could they be short of silver? Just look at the Second Young Lady’s wedding – everything from the First House was of the finest quality, they just don’t flaunt their wealth. The Second House should be well-off too, but the Second Master… to put it bluntly, is hopeless. Look at him with his fifth-rank official position – he puts on airs in social situations and schemes a bit, but everything about him screams pettiness, even giving servants copper coins as rewards. He doesn’t manage anything at home, spending all his money on women outside – gambling, drinking, visiting brothels, what doesn’t he do? He even relies on his wife’s dowry to act powerful at home. Fortunately, Second Madam has a good temperament – who knows what would happen with someone else! But Second Madam is somewhat unclear-headed. Though her dowry was substantial, she loved to spend extravagantly. However, I heard she has farms and shops that bring in considerable annual income, so she maintains face.”

Xiang Lan smiled, “No wonder Master values you – they call you ‘Know-it-all,’ you really do know everything.”

Shu Ran laughed, “After being in the mansion for so long, one naturally learns everything.”

After chatting more, Shu Ran left. Xiang Lan painted for a while longer, then had Xiao Juan bring over a pot of flowers to use as a model. Xiao Juan smiled, “These flowers are fresh – I’ll pick a couple later for your hair. Those old women in the garden are so blind – every morning they send fresh flowers to Knowledge Spring Quarter, prioritizing Hua Mei. Perhaps they think she’s a concubine! But everyone in Knowledge Spring Quarter knows who Master favors most – even the sweeping maids and servants know. I think they’re doing it on purpose!”

Chun Ling was taking out two pieces of clothing when she heard this. She smacked Xiao Juan’s head, scolding, “Say that again and I’ll hit your mouth!”

Xiao Juan rubbed her head and muttered, “It’s true though. These past couple of times when Master had people bring back food and items for Sister Xiang Lan, didn’t you see how sour the East Wing was? Xi Que told me, ‘You’ve made it now, with such good eyes for talent. Back when Xiang Lan was just a sweeping maid, you were already friendly with her. Now that she’s Master’s darling, you’re rising with the tide. Look at your face getting rounder lately – you must have eaten plenty of the things Master sent back!’ Listen to that! What kind of talk is that? I haven’t gotten fatter at all!”

Xiang Lan couldn’t help but laugh, “Last night you ate half a box of pastries by yourself, and didn’t skip your regular dinner. Keep this up, and even if you’re not fat now, you’ll soon become a little ball.” Then she said to Chun Ling, “From now on when the flower-delivering old women come, give them some reward money – even if it’s not much, being courteous is never wrong.”

Chun Ling agreed. Xiang Lan went back to painting, thinking to herself, “Relationships are built up over time. Don’t underestimate these few coins – they’ll prove useful in the long run.”