Lin Jinlou laughed and said, “What kind of beauties haven’t you all seen before? She’s just an ordinary person.”

Liu Xiaochuan immediately protested, “Why are you keeping such a treasure hidden away? Today we must have our eyes opened.”

Lin Jinlou said, “She’s a married woman who’s shy of strangers, and she’s been ill these past two days. I’ll have her come another time. I have someone in my quarters who can sing and play instruments. Shall I invite her to come play a tune for everyone’s entertainment?” He glanced at Liu Xiaochuan and added, “She sings even better than Cui Xian. Don’t you want to hear?”

Lin Jinting perked up and said, “Brother must be talking about Luan’er from your quarters. She sings extremely well. Back when she was in her Grandmother’s quarters, she would sing birthday songs during her Grandmother’s celebrations. It’s a pity we haven’t had the pleasure of hearing her since.”

Lin Jinlou drank half a cup of wine and smiled, “So you’ve been thinking about it. Today, thanks to these brothers’ presence, you can hear her again.”

Liu Xiaochuan widened his eyes and said, “Are you boasting? She sings better than Cui Xian?”

Lin Jinting grabbed Liu Xiaochuan and laughed, “Don’t be skeptical. She does sing better than Miss Cui Xian. Her voice is both sweet and clear, and she plays the Pipa beautifully!” He shot Lin Jinlou a meaningful glance, half envious and half suggestive, clicking his tongue as he said, “There are plenty of pretty girls out there, but without some real talent, how could they catch my elder brother’s eye?”

Xie Yu put his arm around Lin Jinting’s shoulders and said, “Everyone knows your Lin family has many beauties. You just mentioned that your Grandmother gave you a maid too, who’s now in your quarters.”

Lin Jinting snorted and said resentfully, “Grandmother shows favoritism. She lets elder brother pick all the good ones first, and I only get his leftovers.”

Lin Jinlou laughed heartily and said, “Alright, one of these days, brother will buy you a pretty maid to shut you up.” With that, he sent someone to invite Luan’er.

Meanwhile, at Zhichun Hall, Madam Wu had already taken her leave. After lunch, Xiang Lan went to the back courtyard and sat with Chun Ling on a stone bench doing needlework. Little Juan was nearby washing rouge bowls, and they chatted casually. Chun Ling looked at the shoes Xiang Lan was making for Madam Xue, continuously praising them while quietly advising, “Regarding what Madam Wu mentioned today, Miss should take it seriously. Since Madam has said to let you go kowtow, it’s not good to keep delaying like this…”

Before she could finish, they heard someone say, “How annoying! Let’s go, someone’s already taken this spot!” Xiang Lan looked up and saw Luan’er with Cun Xin standing in the corridor. Cun Xin was carrying a small basket of sewing supplies, clearly intending to do needlework on the stone bench.

Xiang Lan stood up and said, “Let’s go back,” and began gathering her sewing materials.

Luan’er sneered, “Don’t leave on my account. I don’t want people telling Master that I drove you away – how unsavory that would be.”

Little Juan was about to retort, but Xiang Lan pulled her back as they prepared to leave. Just then, Lian Xin came over and said, “Master sent someone from the front to invite Miss to sing a song.”

Luan’er’s expression changed, her delicate eyebrows furrowing as she said, “My throat is hoarse, I can’t sing.” She turned to leave.

Lian Xin quickly blocked her way, smiling, “How can it be hoarse? I just heard you singing earlier.”

Luan’er said, “When I say I’m hoarse, I’m hoarse. Go tell Master I can’t sing.”

Lian Xin was at a loss, wringing her hands anxiously. Ji Xiang, standing nearby, knew Lian Xin wasn’t eloquent enough to persuade Luan’er, so she came over with an ingratiating smile and said, “Miss Luan’er, Master specifically sent me to personally invite you. Please change your clothes and come.”

Luan’er sneered, “Even if the Emperor himself invited me today, it would be useless. My throat is hoarse, I can’t sing.”

Ji Xiang said, “You know Master’s temper, how can you refuse? Besides, these are all Master’s close friends, and you’ll just be singing behind a screen. I heard the servants say that Master was praising your singing to others, saying no one in all of Jinling could sing as well as you. Third Young Master was even envious, saying how Grandmother clearly showed favoritism by giving such a beautiful and talented maid only to Master!”

Ji Xiang’s words softened Luan’er’s expression, and she smiled, “Third Young Master really shouldn’t have said such things in front of so many people.”

Ji Xiang smiled, “It’s all because Miss sings so well. Today, just sing one song behind the screen and show just a little of your talent. It will give Master face inside and out, and who knows what rewards he might give you when he’s pleased.” Seeing that Xiang Lan had left with her people, Ji Xiang lowered her voice and said, “Isn’t Miss holding onto some grievances? This is an opportunity. Surely Miss doesn’t want Master to return to the main quarters tonight?”

Luan’er’s face flushed red, and she spat at Ji Xiang, “Pah! Nothing good comes out of that dog mouth of yours. Say more and I’ll tear your mouth!” But these words had already stirred her thoughts. Luan’er’s face turned thoughtful as she turned to go change clothes.

Cun Xin followed behind, advising, “Miss, you really shouldn’t go. You belong to Master’s quarters, how can you casually go sing for entertainment to other men? If word gets out, it would be disrespectful. Madam wouldn’t like it – don’t you care about your reputation anymore?”

Luan’er slowed her steps but continued toward her room, saying, “You saw it too. As soon as Master returned, he went straight to the main quarters to be with that little tramp. They’re as close as glue. If this continues, how can I maintain my position? If I sing well today and catch Master’s attention, perhaps he’ll spend the night in our quarters, and he might remember our past affection. I might even get pregnant soon.” With that, she pushed open the door and began rummaging through boxes for clothes.

Cun Xin said, “If Master truly cared for Miss, he wouldn’t ask you to go sing like this!” She was so anxious she wanted to find Shu Ran but then remembered Shu Ran had gone home after lunch.

Luan’er said, “Ji Xiang said there would be a screen, and no one would see me. What’s disrespectful about that? Besides, when Master asks me to go, can I be stubborn and refuse?”

This last point silenced Cun Xin, who could only sigh as she helped Luan’er dress and do her hair.

Ji Xiang was waiting in the corridor outside. Soon Luan’er emerged wearing a pale green jacket with embroidered intertwining peach blossoms and collars, a dark brown skirt with phoenix patterns, her hair adorned with pearls and jade, a phoenix hairpin half-tilted, her face radiant with powder and rouge, carrying a Pipa in her arms – she was the very picture of grace and elegance.

Ji Xiang dared not delay, leading Luan’er to the flower hall, entering through the side door to sit behind the screen.

The people in the room heard the tinkling of jewelry and caught a whiff of fragrant powder, knowing she had arrived. Luan’er tuned her Pipa and said, “This humble one is here. What song would the gentlemen like to hear?” Her voice was sweet and tender, making everyone’s hearts itch to peek behind the screen to see what beauty lay there.

Lin Jinlou glanced at the others, and Chu Dapeng said, “Let’s hear ‘Floating in the Spring Breeze.'”

Luan’er began playing the Pipa and sang: “Gentle spring breeze blows through the quiet courtyard, swaying like silken threads. Pausing briefly to adjust my flower hairpin, stealing half a face in the mirror’s reflection, teasing the colored clouds askew. How can I reveal my whole self as I step through the fragrant chambers…” Her voice truly had a thousand turns and a hundred twists, especially moving to hear.