As the song ended, everyone burst into applause. Liu Xiaochuan praised, “That was delightful to hear. Do you have any other specialties you could sing for us?”

Lin Jinlou smiled, “Since everyone enjoys it so much, choose another song to sing.”

From behind the screen, Luan’er sang: “I only see palace maidens clustered around, protecting their new makeup with round fans. I still mistakenly believe it’s our first romance, entering the orchid chamber at night. How could it be so cold and lonely, sitting alone behind these painted silk curtains!”

Xie Yu smiled at the corner of his mouth, winked at Lin Jinlou, and whispered, “Look at that, she’s singing ‘The Palace of Eternal Life.’ I suppose you’ve let the beauty keep an empty chamber quite often?”

Lin Jinlou smiled without speaking.

Liu Xiaochuan shook his head and said, “That’s not right of you, Brother. Such a beauty – even without seeing her face, just hearing her voice makes one’s bones go soft. How could you let her guard an empty chamber and neglect the orchid bed!”

Lin Jinlou burst out laughing, “Well, well! Look who’s grown sophisticated, using literary phrases like ‘neglect the orchid bed.’ You must have been reading lately. If your father knew, he’d surely kowtow to the ancestors in gratitude.”

As they joked, Luan’er finished another song. Then Xie Yu and Liu Xiaochuan each requested a song from Luan’er, and couldn’t stop praising her. When the singing ended, Lin Jinlou said, “You may go now. You sang well today, I’ll reward you generously later.”

Behind the screen, Luan’er let out a long breath. Hearing these words, she couldn’t contain her joy, saying, “This servant thanks, Master.” Just as she was preparing to leave, she accidentally dropped her pipa. As she hurried to pick it up, half her face, a snow-white wrist, and spring onion-like fingers briefly showed behind the screen. Everyone craned their necks to look, causing Luan’er’s heart to pound frantically as she quickly sat back down. Then Chu Dapeng was heard saying, “Brother, you’re truly blessed to have such a talented beauty who can both play and sing.”

Lin Jinlou gave Chu Dapeng a sideways glance, “I can tell from that tone you’re up to no good. What are you planning?”

Chu Dapeng smiled, “Brother knows me too well, so I’ll just speak plainly… I need someone who can play and sing. I’ve bought young actors and kept a couple of maids before, but either they got older and their voices deteriorated, or they grew up to be less charming than when they were young. I’ve had others look around, but those available for purchase always have some flaws. Those who are both beautiful and can sing well are even rarer, and the Yangzhou courtesans’ households won’t let us in. I’ve looked at dozens, but haven’t found anyone suitable. If Brother is willing to part with her, I’ll trade that precious sword from the Western Regions.”

Liu Xiaochuan stirred things up, “My, my! You’ve grown quite bold, daring to set your sights on our brother’s treasure, coveting the jewel in his chamber.”

Xie Yu also laughed, “No wonder they call you a romantic scholar. You’re investing heavily – that Western Regions sword you wouldn’t part with before, now you’re willing to trade it.”

Lin Jinlou stroked his chin thoughtfully.

Behind the screen, Luan’er was trembling all over. She fell to her knees with a thud and cried, “Please, Master, don’t send me away! I’d rather die than leave the estate!” She then broke into loud sobs behind the screen.

Lin Jinlou had no intention of giving away a concubine he had taken into his household, but Luan’er’s wailing was causing him to lose face. He frowned and said, “Stop crying, I didn’t say I was giving you away.”

Luan’er had been feeling wronged lately and resented Lin Jinlou’s callousness. His words, rather than consoling her, only triggered more grief, and she cried even harder.

Seeing the situation deteriorating, Jixiang quickly slipped behind the screen, grabbed Luan’er’s arm, and whispered, “Miss Luan’er, please stop crying and return to your quarters.”

Luan’er’s cries grew even more miserable.

Jixiang wanted to slap Luan’er but had to remain patient, whispering, “My dear lady, you can’t see Master’s expression. Crying like this – are you trying to make him angry? He might send you away!”

Hearing this, Luan’er’s crying softened. After Jixiang consoled her further, she hurriedly helped Luan’er up and escorted her out.

The room fell silent, and everyone felt awkward. Chu Dapeng gave an embarrassed laugh and said, “It seems the beauty’s affections run deep. I won’t steal what another treasure.”

Lin Jinlou smiled, “Finding a maid who can play and sing isn’t difficult. I’ll keep an eye out for a good one and train her for you.”

Xie Yu quickly changed the subject, and they moved on to other matters.

Meanwhile, Luan’er, still shaken and fearing that Lin Jinlou would send her away, couldn’t help but cry again upon returning to her quarters. Inevitably, Shuran was summoned. After hearing the whole story, Shuran anxiously said, “How could you go to such an occasion? Even behind a screen, it wasn’t proper. You should have given Lianxin and Jixiang some incentive to tell Master you weren’t in your room, or that you’d gone home with me. Why bring this trouble upon yourself!”

Luan’er sobbed, “I… I just wanted Master to hear my songs… to remember my good qualities… As soon as Master returned, he went straight to that little demon… How can I ever conceive like this… Without a child, where’s my status…” She fell onto the bed crying.

Shuran jabbed Luan’er’s head hard, saying, “You’re killing the hen to get the eggs! Going out to sing like that, entertaining gentlemen like a courtesan – you’ve ruined your reputation. Think about it – even if you went to sing, Master might not have come. There’s plenty of time ahead, but you only think of this moment’s impulse. You’re driving me crazy!”

Luan’er cried even harder, “Then what should I do? I’m heartbroken enough, and everything I do is wrong. Master wants to give me away – I might as well die!”

Hearing Luan’er talk like this, Shuran became uneasy. She turned and went to the front corridor, and called Shuangxi over to inquire about the matter. Shuangxi, who was on good terms with Shuran, smiled and explained, “It wasn’t a big deal. The young masters heard that Master had taken in someone new and wanted to see her. Master said the new person was just an ordinary woman, nothing special to look at, but mentioned he had a concubine who was excellent at playing and singing, so he asked Miss Luan’er to perform a couple of songs. Later, Master Chu wanted to have Luan’er, which scared her into crying, but Master didn’t agree. In the end, he planned to give Master Chu one of the newly acquired young actors, a Yanguan, since they’re old family friends from their fathers’ generation.”

Shuran sighed, thinking to herself, “Luan’er has always been simple-minded. She should know that as Master’s person, with his personality, how could he give her away? She shouldn’t have cried in front of guests – it showed such poor breeding.” She further reflected, “Master does seem different with Xianglan. In such a situation, he used Luan’er as a shield, probably because of his tension with Xianglan. Men are all the same, such base characters – the harder something is to get, the more they can’t let go.” She slowly returned to the room and gave Luan’er some advice and guidance.

Just then, Cunxin pressed against the window and said, “Master has returned.” Shuran looked and indeed saw Lin Jinlou walking in from outside. She immediately stood up and told Luan’er, “I’ll go ask Master to come see you. Remember what I just told you – what to say and what not to say.” Then she left.

Luan’er quickly scrambled up from the bed and hurried to the mirror to fix her hair. Seeing her face smeared with tears, mucus, and powder, there was no time for proper makeup. She hastily wiped her face with a handkerchief, her hands trembling with anxiety as she kept stealing glances outside the window.

She saw Shuran approach Lin Jinlou and say something. Lin Jinlou stopped and said a few words, glancing at her room. Luan’er’s heart leaped to her throat, but then she saw Lin Jinlou give Shuran some instructions, wave his hand, and stride toward the main house. Shuran stood for a moment before slowly walking back. Luan’er anxiously asked in rapid succession, “What did Master say? Will he come after changing clothes? Master’s been drinking, I should send Cunxin to the kitchen for some sobering soup…”

Shuran seemed deflated and said quietly, “Don’t bother. Master isn’t coming. He told me you sang well, and he’ll reward you properly later. You mentioned wanting a pair of bracelets last time – he got a set while he was away and will have someone bring them to you.”

Luan’er felt as if she’d been doused with cold water. She stared blankly before collapsing onto the bed. She had sacrificed her dignity and reputation, exhausted herself singing these songs, yet Lin Jinlou wouldn’t even spare her a glance, dismissing her with a pair of bracelets, showing complete indifference.

Luan’er sat motionless, as if in a daze. Shuran and Cunxin exchanged worried glances, trying to pull her up and console her. Suddenly, Luan’er let out a terrible scream and threw the pipa to the ground. With a loud crash, the fine instrument shattered into pieces.

Meanwhile, Huamei was standing by the window, playing with a yellow oriole in a cage. Xique brought in a quilt, saying, “The autumn wind is getting cold. Let me change your bedding to a thicker one tonight, Madam.” Seeing Huamei gazing outside, leaning against the window frame with a meaningful smile, she peeked out and asked, “What are you looking at, Madam? You seem so pleased.”

Huamei took out her handkerchief to wipe her hands and said, “Watching a good show – it’s quite entertaining.” She walked into the room and sat on the chaise lounge, took a sip of tea, and continued, “That little minx Luan’er failed miserably. Did you see how she dolled herself up and went out carrying her pipa? She went to play and sing for the gentlemen in front. Even though Master’s guests are childhood friends he grew up with and often socializes with, it’s completely improper to send someone from his household to entertain them. Master doesn’t care about her at all, yet she still thinks she’s something special. She’s always showing off, but today she’s learned her lesson. Master just returned, and Shuran went to intercept him, but he turned straight to the main house. Hmph! She lost face for nothing, and couldn’t even get a glimpse of Master. I feel sorry for her.”

Xique laughed, “If only she had half of your wisdom, Madam, she wouldn’t be in this situation.”

Huamei reclined on the pillow, supporting her head with her hand, and smiled coldly, “Master is still in his honeymoon phase. Crying and making scenes won’t work. You have to neither cry nor make a fuss, just wait gently and sweetly – it’s about who can endure the longest.” Huamei emphasized each word, and in her charming eyes, there flickered a hint of frost.