Ying Luo said, “Sister Shan Hu, wait before you look for Third Young Lady. I have something to tell you. Did you notice? Today Fourth Young Lady hasn’t left Madam’s side at all, which is unusual compared to before.”

Shan Hu replied, “I noticed. Well, what can one do when not born of Madam? That’s just how it is. Our Young Lady is fortunate though. Despite Master’s usual indifference, he’s very attentive to Third Young Lady’s marriage prospects.”

Ying Luo gave a cold laugh. “Master is hoping for Third Young Lady to marry up. I heard he wants to marry her to the Marquis of Yong Chang.”

Shan Hu was startled. “The Marquis of Yong Chang? He… he’s old enough to be Third Young Lady’s father!”

“He’s in his forties,” Ying Luo explained. “His wife passed away two years ago, and now he’s looking for a new marriage. He just received an appointment in the Ministry of War, gaining real authority. That’s what caught Master’s attention.”

“How… how did you learn this?” Shan Hu hesitated.

Ying Luo continued, “Second Master told Madam yesterday. Madam refused completely, but Master slapped her and declared it was final with no room for negotiation. He said it was a great blessing that the Marquis would consider Third Young Lady – something others couldn’t achieve even if they begged. You were helping First Madam yesterday, so you didn’t know. They’re still keeping it from Third Young Lady – who knows what might happen when she finds out!”

“This marriage might not work out. Not just Madam, but the Old Master and Old Madam might not approve either.”

“That’s uncertain. Though the Marquis of Yong Chang is older, he’s still vigorous. He receives imperial audiences during festivals, has achieved military merits, and has quite a reputation. He’s also an old acquaintance of our First Young Master. I heard he’s quite wealthy and owns a large garden. Even as a second wife, she’d still be the proper Lady of Yong Chang Marquis, entitled to wear the third-rank noblewomen’s ceremonial robe in court. Our Master is merely fifth-rank. If not for the Lin family’s status here, Third Young Lady would be considered marrying up.”

“That’s true. If she became the Marchioness of Yong Chang, her status would surpass even the Second Young Lady. Second Young Lady only married the second son of the Duke of Zhen Guo, who won’t inherit the title and can only earn his achievements.”

Lin Dong Xiu didn’t hear their further conversation, sitting there in a daze. How could Lin Dong Ling, who lacked knowledge, wit, and eloquence, secure such a prestigious marriage? Why? Was it simply because she was born to the proper Madam? Apart from birth status, how was she inferior to Lin Dong Ling in any way?

Lin Dong Xiu clutched her mirror tightly, her previous joy and confidence turning to ashes.

Though young, Lin Dong Xiu understood better than most – for women, marriage was about securing their future. A handsome young gentleman was merely an ornament; what truly mattered was official rank and family status. Her elder half-sister Lin Dong Wan married a refined scholar from an official family, but of lower status. Now her husband struggled with his studies, and they depended on her mother-in-law’s goodwill for expenses, often supplementing with her dowry, leading to an unsatisfactory life. Among her close friends, one was an overlooked concubine’s daughter who always acted cautiously. After marrying a fifty-year-old widower with real authority, she transformed completely – wearing gold and silver jewelry, carrying herself with dignity, and becoming an entirely different person. Observing this, Lin Dong Xiu vowed to find a noble marriage, regardless of age. Now that Lin Dong Ling, whom she deeply despised, had secured such a match, Lin Dong Xiu felt both envious and jealous, quite unsettled. She lost interest in dressing up, lazily put away her rouge and mirror, and lifted the curtain to leave.

Shan Hu and Ying Luo had already gone. Lin Dong Xiu walked back listlessly, suddenly feeling dejected. What was the point of outshining others at the banquet? The high-ranking families wouldn’t consider her, and she wouldn’t settle for lower status. She had always been competitive, aspiring to rise above others. Now, falling behind Lin Dong Ling in marriage prospects was hard to swallow.

The more Lin Dong Xiu thought, the more troubled she became. She skipped the banquet and walked heavily through the garden. The white willows swayed, leaves turning yellow, with scattered flowers on the small path. Despite the clear autumn day and bright sun, Lin Dong Xiu felt desolate. She saw maids in colorful clothes carrying trays of delicacies through the corridor, making her feel worse. She thought to herself: “Only daughters born to the proper Madam get such grand weddings. With no one to care for me, who knows where I’ll end up.”

Self-pitying, she crossed a curved bridge over the lake toward a rockery. There was the Luo Xue courtyard, originally Cao Li Huan’s residence, now used for storing flowers and plants. She and Lin Dong Ling had picked flowers there days ago. She thought: “There’s an autumn begonia there with flowers as big as bowls. I could pick one for my hair, matching my outfit perfectly. Only by standing out might I encounter some good fortune.” But when she reached Luo Xue’s courtyard, she found the door locked.

The courtyard’s servants had gone to enjoy the feast. She went to the back door, and reaching the window, heard soft voices inside – seemingly a man and woman. Lin Dong Xiu was startled – how could there be a man in the inner quarters? Boldly, she poked a hole in the window paper and looked in, seeing Lin Dong Ling intimate with a young man.

Lin Dong Xiu nearly fainted with shock, stumbling back two steps, her heart pounding, yet couldn’t resist peering in again.

The man was handsome and robust, with thick eyebrows, large eyes, a straight nose, and a natural smile. He wore indigo clothes and seemed unfamiliar. This was Du Bin, Hua Mei’s brother. Though he failed at scholarship, he excelled at martial arts and networking. Through his sister’s connection, Lin Jin Lou had helped him. Being clever and charming, Du Bin handled matters well, gaining Lin Jin Lou’s favor and potential promotion. Du Bin began frequenting the Lin residence and, being ambitious, asked Hua Mei to request Lin Jin Lou make him an eighth-rank external commander. When Hua Mei saw Lin Jin Lou’s displeasure after mentioning it, she dared not bring it up again.

Du Bin then tried approaching through Lin Jin Ting’s connections. However, Lin Jin Ting, being from a wealthy family, looked down on someone like Du Bin and refused to even meet him. After several failed attempts, Du Bin could only wait in the small reception hall. There, he unexpectedly encountered Lin Dong Ling.

Being spoiled by Madam Wang, Lin Dong Ling was used to acting willfully at home. Disregarding propriety between men and women, she came to the front hall seeking Lin Jin Ting, only to meet this male guest. Seeing his dignified bearing and unrestrained manner, she, being at an age of romantic thoughts, blushed upon encountering such a man. She hurriedly retreated, but not before casting a meaningful glance at Du Bin.

Du Bin, being experienced in romance, understood immediately. Hearing the maids call her “Third Young Lady,” he knew she was the Lin family’s third daughter and formed a plan. He began visiting Cloud Pavilion more frequently, successfully meeting Lin Dong Ling again. Du Bin seized the opportunity to flirt and exchange glances. When no one was looking, he tossed a prepared sachet under Lin Dong Ling’s skirt. Upon examining it later, she found two love poems inside – one praising her beauty, another expressing longing – along with a dragon-phoenix jade pendant, symbolizing marital harmony. Lin Dong Ling was both flattered and excited, though initially hesitant to respond. However, with Du Bin visiting every few days, she couldn’t resist secretly watching for him. Thus, they became entangled, soon deeply involved with each other.

After the Spring Festival, Lin Jin Lou promoted Du Bin to personal guard, allowing him more frequent visits to the Lin residence, where he would secretly meet with Lin Dong Ling.

Du Bin nudged Lin Dong Ling, saying, “The banquet’s starting at noon. You should return, and I should leave.”

Lin Dong Ling frowned, “Are you so unwilling to see me?”

Du Bin smiled, “How could that be? I think of you day and night. Why else would I risk coming to see you? But you really should go back now. I’ll return later.”

Lin Dong Ling gave a cold laugh and turned away sulkily.

Du Bin apologized repeatedly, asking, “Why are you suddenly upset? How about I come back tonight? Though the garden will be locked, I can climb over the wall, but it won’t be easy for you to come.”

Lin Dong Ling said, “Some enchantress outside must have bewitched you, making you so eager to leave, abandoning me here. You’ve barely arrived and won’t even stay a while longer.” She began to cry.

Du Bin quickly swore oaths, “You’re the only one in my heart. For you, I even divorced my wife – don’t you understand my feelings? I only regret not being born into a wealthy family, which is why I can’t properly propose to your family. I dream only of spending my life with you, sister. No other woman could catch my eye.” He comforted her with tender words.

Lin Dong Ling said, “Today is my second sister’s wedding, and soon it will be my turn. When I ask you to come to my home, you make endless excuses. Who knows if you truly care for me? You only say useless words to appease me! You’ll probably be content when I marry someone else!”

Du Bin replied, “Your father would never approve of our marriage unless we have another way…”

Lin Dong Ling asked tearfully, “What way?”

Du Bin whispered something to Lin Dong Ling, causing her to blush deeply. They continued their private conversation, discussing their plans together until it was time to part ways due to the upcoming banquet.