Xiang Lan stood dazed for a while before coming to her senses. She walked unsteadily back to the east secondary room, where Chun Ling had already risen and was directing young maids to bring in hot water. Xiang Lan covered her collar with a large towel, washed her face with jasmine soap, cleaned her teeth with green salt, and applied some fragrant cream. Xiao Juan had already done her hair, and was about to style it elaborately when Xiang Lan quickly said, “This is fine.”

Xiao Juan went to select accessories, exclaiming, “Oh my, since Master hasn’t been here lately and Sister Xiang Lan hasn’t been dressing up, most of the jewelry is locked in Master’s room’s dresser drawer. The styles here are simpler.” She held up a golden hairpin with kingfisher feathers depicting a flying phoenix holding a pearl against Xiang Lan’s hair, but finding it unsuitable, switched to a silver ginkgo jade hairpin. Xiang Lan, feeling annoyed, said, “This hairpin is fine.” Just then, the garden’s old women brought fresh flowers on lotus leaf plates, and Xiao Juan picked two bright ones to pin in Xiang Lan’s hair.

Chun Ling brought clothes: a vermilion jacket embroidered with plum blossoms, a ginger-yellow satin jacket with detailed trim, and a silver-red embroidered skirt, along with a pair of mandarin duck shoes. Xiang Lan reluctantly changed into the clothes and dragged herself to the bedroom. Lin Jinlou had washed again, his hair still somewhat disheveled, wearing a crab-shell blue fine hemp robe loosely fastened with just two buttons, loose-legged ink-black trousers, and cloth shoes. He sat by the arhat bed with a bowl of hot soup beside him.

Xiang Lan inched forward. Lin Jinlou looked less intimidating dressed, though still commanding. He glanced up at Xiang Lan and said, “You’re here?” He pointed across the kang table, “Sit here.”

Xiang Lan sat down with a lowered head.

Lin Jinlou wiped his hands with a small towel and said, “Serve the meal.”

Lian Xin and Nuan Yue brought trays with four dishes of light vegetarian dishes, two meat dishes, a large plate of fine pastries, and a small pot of soup. Lin Jinlou picked up his chopsticks and said, “Eat.”

Xiang Lan stirred the soup with a small silver spoon, stealing a glance at Lin Jinlou. Sitting with such a living demon lord killed her appetite, but she couldn’t avoid eating, so she took a spoonful of soup, then another after a while.

Lin Jinlou ate with relish, finishing the pastries and calling for more desserts. While Xiang Lan sat with a lowered head, feeling bored and distracted, a pair of chopsticks reached over and picked up a crystal shrimp dumpling for her. Xiang Lan looked up, and Lin Jinlou said casually, “I brought back a Cantonese cook this time. Try his cooking – if it’s good, we’ll keep him.” After stuffing some beef in his mouth and chewing, he continued, “I heard from the maids that you’ve been painting in your spare time lately. That’s good. Use the writing desk inside, and show me what you’ve painted later.”

Xiang Lan lowered her head again, staring at the crystal shrimp dumpling without speaking.

Lin Jinlou said, “Don’t just paint – I’ll bring back a zither or something, and hire a teacher. You can learn when you’re free, so you don’t get sick from boredom.”

Lian Xin stepped forward to serve Lin Jinlou some soup. Xiang Lan continued sitting with a lowered head. Lin Jinlou said, “I brought back two boxes of new things from outside. Pick out whatever you like first.”

Xiang Lan remained silent.

Chun Ling was secretly anxious, her heart in her throat, thinking, “My dear young mistress, Master is talking to you – isn’t ignoring him courting death?” She looked at Lin Jinlou but saw no anger on his face; instead, he appeared composed, simply holding his hot soup. She felt slightly relieved and kept trying to catch Xiang Lan’s eye, but she wouldn’t even raise her head.

Xiang Lan ate slowly with a lowered head. After finishing a round cake, some dishes, a small pastry, and drinking soup, she put down her spoon. Seeing she was done, Lin Jinlou drank his soup in one go. Lian Xin and Chun Ling brought tea for them to rinse their mouths.

Lin Jinlou wiped his mouth with a towel, had the maids remove the kang table, and dismissed everyone. He sat beside Xiang Lan, stared at her for a while, and asked, “I heard from Lian Xin you were bedridden for several days. Are you better now?”

Xiang Lan started, immediately understanding his meaning. Her face flushed red, and she bit her lip, still not speaking.

Lin Jinlou chuckled, suddenly embracing her. Xiang Lan was greatly startled and struggled, but she was no match for Lin Jinlou’s strength. Like a frantically fluttering little bird, she was held in his arms as he breathed hot air by her ear, saying softly, “What’s wrong? Still hurting? Looking so glum – are you still angry with me?”

Xiang Lan struggled again. Lin Jinlou laughed softly, “Your stubborn temperament made me so angry my heart and lungs ached. When have you ever been comfortable these past times? If I hadn’t lost my head in anger, I wouldn’t have… alright, alright, stop struggling. I won’t mention it, okay? I won’t mention it anymore.”

Hearing his lazy tone, clearly teasing, Xiang Lan felt more ashamed and angry. Though she let Lin Jinlou hold her, she turned her face away.

Lin Jinlou said, “Why can’t you just go along with me? Making trouble only brings suffering on yourself, doesn’t it?” Seeing Xiang Lan ignore him, he smiled mischievously, “Oh, are you still uncomfortable? Let me check personally if you’re better or not.” His hand reached under her skirt, trying to remove her pants.

Xiang Lan was greatly shocked and hurriedly grabbed his hand, her face burning even hotter. Afraid the maids outside would hear, she whispered, “I’m better, I’m already better.”

Lin Jinlou pinched Xiang Lan’s small chin, saying, “Then stop looking so gloomy. I’m apologizing, hmm?”

Xiang Lan lowered her long eyelashes again. Lin Jinlou saw the unwillingness in her expression, but her face was like a peach blossom, truly like the opera lyrics “powder-soft, delicate features dripping with charm.” He couldn’t help feeling pleased, his voice unconsciously softening as he asked, “What did you do while I was away?” Without waiting for her answer, he continued, “These days, I’ve been exhausted outside, either fighting or arguing with a bunch of old foxes. Japanese pirates attacked at night, two county cities were in danger, and those useless officials just pushed responsibility around. They even closed the city gates, not letting me go to help, afraid the city would be surrounded by pirates after the army left. I got angry and held a sword to Prefect Sun’s neck before they opened the gates. Fortunately, we went early – otherwise, there would have been fires everywhere, burning all the houses. Coming back, I had to guard against Sun making false accusations first, so I had my advisors write a memorial impeaching him. Haven’t told the old man at home about this yet – if he learns I assaulted an imperial official, he’ll lecture me again, bringing up Confucius and all.”

Born into a scholarly family in her previous life, where most were civil officials, Xiang Lan heard about warfare for the first time. Though Lin Jinlou spoke casually, she knew the dangers involved, thinking to herself that this scoundrel wasn’t entirely useless – he understood that generals die in battle, served the country loyally, and cared for the common people.