The next day, early in the morning before dawn, Lin Jin Lou went to practice martial arts. As soon as he left, Xiang Lan eagerly washed up, got dressed, and packed her things to go home. She opened her trunk and took out the embroidered shoes she had made for Madam Xue, carefully wrapped them, selected a few paintings she had drawn, and packed two or three sets of clothes. Meanwhile, Spring Ling had personally prepared a trunk filled with Xiang Lan’s daily necessities – clothes, jewelry, toiletries, and mirror cases – packed to the brim. She also directed the young maids to prepare bedding.
Xiang Lan stared in astonishment and quickly protested, “I’m only staying at home for two days. Why make such a fuss? We have bedding at home, and I have toiletries there too.”
Spring Ling smiled, “This is how we’ve always done it. It’s more comfortable to bring our things.” Looking at Xiang Lan’s blue silk jacket and moon-white skirt, she frowned, “With so many colorful clothes in your trunk, why wear just this? Looking so humble would embarrass Master, and might upset him again.”
Xiang Lan looked down at herself, “I was in such a hurry to get home this morning, I just grabbed whatever was in the trunk.”
Spring Ling personally selected an apricot-yellow silk jacket with embroidered magnolia branches and an emerald-green brocade cotton skirt with gold patterns. Xiang Lan had no choice but to change. Little Juan also picked several gold hairpins with pearl and kingfisher feather ornaments and redid Xiang Lan’s hair before they were finished.
After hurriedly getting everything ready, Lin Jin Lou returned. Seeing Xiang Lan’s attire, he gave a slight nod and ordered breakfast. They ate together, though he noticed she was distracted and only managed to eat a bowl of porridge before wiping her mouth with a handkerchief. He called Shu Ran in and asked, “How are the preparations for Xiang Lan’s return home?”
Shu Ran quickly replied, “Everything is arranged according to Master’s wishes. When leaving, we’ll assign another servant woman to ride in the rear carriage with the old nanny and young maid. Miss Xiang Lan will ride in the front carriage with Spring Ling, accompanied by six escorts, all experienced hands.”
Lin Jin Lou said, “Very well, I’ll assign two more personal guards to go along.” Shu Ran acknowledged and left. Lin Jin Lou then instructed Spring Ling, “Go to the kitchen and get a large box of pastries to take along. Didn’t you notice your Miss barely ate anything this morning? You don’t even have that much sense.”
Seeing Lin Jin Lou in a good mood, Spring Ling tried to please him, “Thank you for pointing that out, Master. It shows how much you care about Miss. You even thought of the pastries. Miss often tells me how well you treat her.” She gently nudged Xiang Lan from behind.
Xiang Lan wanted to say “thank you” to Lin Jin Lou, but when she looked up and saw him smiling at her, the words caught in her throat.
Lin Jin Lou took Xiang Lan’s hand, held it in his palm, and patted it, saying with a half-smile, “Oh? So you can remember my kindness?”
Xiang Lan blushed slightly, thinking how this visit home was thanks to this tyrant’s mercy, and he had indeed shown her kindness. She nodded gently and said, “I always remember.”
The golden morning light filtered through the carved vermillion windows, casting a golden glow on Xiang Lan as she sat quietly with her head slightly bowed, her delicate face radiating a gentle beauty. He stared at her, transfixed for a moment, before coming to his senses. He reached out and pinched her cheek, saying softly, “Who knows if your little ingrate is telling the truth? If only you weren’t so stubborn, always giving me the cold shoulder, I’d believe you remembered my kindness… Well, go stay at home for a few days, and I’ll send for you to return.”
Xiang Lan put on a lotus-colored cape embroidered with plum blossoms and left with Spring Ling and the others.
On the way to the Chen family home, they spotted a servant craning his neck at the entrance of the alley. Upon seeing the carriages approach, he immediately turned to report inside. When the carriages stopped in front of the Chen residence, the six escorts immediately surrounded them, facing outward and holding up a large black cloth to create a perfect screen. The elderly nanny, servant women, and young maids from the rear carriage quickly dismounted and gathered around. Ji Xiang lifted the curtain and set down the mounting step. Spring Ling descended first, then helped Xiang Lan down from the lower side.
The commotion had already drawn neighbors out to watch, though they couldn’t see past the black cloth. Just the sight of the two impressive carriages, along with two intimidating soldiers in military uniforms with sabers standing guard at the Chen family gate, caused quite a stir. People whispered among themselves, “The Chen family seemed ordinary before, but who could be visiting with such grandeur? Add a gong and drum procession, and it would rival the County Magistrate’s parade!”
“You don’t know? I heard their daughter became a concubine to a high official. This must be her returning home.”
“Right, I heard about that. There was even a Scholar Xia who fancied their daughter and ended up losing his academic rank because of it…”
“My, my, who would have thought? The Chen family was practically extinct, but having a beautiful daughter has brought them great fortune!”
Regardless of the neighbors’ gossip, as soon as Xiang Lan stepped down from the carriage, she saw Chen Wan Quan and Madam Xue eagerly waiting at the door. Upon seeing them, her eyes welled up with tears. She hurried forward to support Madam Xue, calling out “Mother,” as tears rolled down her cheeks.
The Chen couple’s eyes reddened. Chen Wan Quan, who had been stunned by the grand arrival procession, finally came to his senses upon seeing his daughter and hastily wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.
Spring Ling quickly advised, “Miss, if you wish to catch up with your family, please go inside. The wind is strong at the door, be careful not to catch cold.”
Xiang Lan nodded repeatedly and walked inside holding Madam Xue’s hand. Only after the three family members entered the main hall did Spring Ling order the escorts to put away the black cloth and bring in the trunks.
In the main hall, Madam Xue looked her daughter up and down. Though Xiang Lan appeared thinner, her hair ornaments and clothing were all dazzling, but her formerly bright and cheerful demeanor was gone, replaced by a reserved and withdrawn manner, clearly indicating her life was not as free and easy as it should be. Madam Xue’s heart sank and her expression turned serious, but with others present, she couldn’t ask what was on her mind.
Chen Wan Quan, however, was beaming with joy and laughed heartily, “Daughter, I can tell at a glance you’re living well in the Lin family. Look at your attire – even palace ladies couldn’t be more grand! And the way you arrived today, my word! With soldiers as escorts, six attendants plus personal maids, elderly nanny, servant women, and young maids – heavens above, even the County Magistrate’s wife might not travel so grandly!” He continued laughing, clearly pleased with himself, and straightened his back even more, nodding, “Not bad, not bad at all. Who would have thought I’d become Master Lin’s father-in-law? I’d like to see who dares cross me now!”
These words stunned and angered Xiang Lan, who said, “Father, don’t flatter yourself. How can you even say ‘Master Lin’s father-in-law’ with a straight face?”
Chen Wan Quan’s small eyes widened, “What’s wrong with what I said? Now that you’re with Master Lin, aren’t I his father-in-law? Listen, daughter, you need to get rid of that stubborn attitude! Serve Master Lin well – not only did he save your father’s life, but all this luxury and wealth you’re enjoying now comes from him! This is a golden rice bowl, you better hold onto it tight.”
Xiang Lan laughed coldly, “I swore I’d never be someone’s concubine, yet look at me now, being treated like property, and you think this is something to be proud of, trying to claim glory for yourself. Do you know what I am in the Lin household? I’m nothing but a lowly person, a pet to be played with. Master Lin has so many concubines in his back courtyard and so many lovers outside – he only pampers me now because I’m novel to him. If you want to enjoy this false glory, better enjoy it while you can, because once your daughter grows old loses her charm, and falls out of favor, not only will your ‘Master Lin’s father-in-law’ status be gone, but you might end up lower than a servant!” With that, she stood up and walked out without looking back, went to the east wing room, and slammed the door shut.
Madam Xue anxiously stamped her foot in the room, pointing at Chen Wan Quan, “You fool! Our daughter finally comes home for a visit, and you say all these inappropriate things, hitting her where it hurts most. Have you gone senile?”
Chen Wan Quan was already embarrassed by Xiang Lan’s words, and hearing Madam Xue’s criticism made him even more angry and ashamed. He jumped up saying, “What was wrong with what I said? Now that she’s got strong wings, she thinks being a madam makes her grand enough to talk back to her father!” He continued grumbling under his breath, wanting to shout but afraid the servants outside would hear, so he had to contain himself, though he continued cursing quietly.
Madam Xue glared at Chen Wan Quan in frustration before rushing out after their daughter.
Spring Ling was helping the young maids arrange things in the east wing room when Xiang Lan entered with an angry expression. Startled, Spring Ling heard Xiang Lan say, “All of you, go out.” Not daring to ask questions, Spring Ling led the others out to an adjacent room.
Xiang Lan sat on the bed and immediately burst into tears, covering her face as she wept. In the Lin household, she felt she was merely existing, opening her eyes each day to let maids dress her in bright clothes and expensive jewelry, making her up like a flower to please Lin Jin Lou, because only when he was happy could she have peaceful days. She spent her days painting, reading, and staring blankly out the window, sometimes listening to Yuan Er sing while holding her pipa. Lately, she often sang: “Morning joy at spring flowers’ beauty, evening sorrow as flowers turn to dust. Not grieving early fallen flowers, but grieving that I am like them…” Her voice was excellent, the melody flowing and sorrowful. She would sit hugging her knees, listening in a daze for as long as Yuan Er sang. She felt no jealousy toward the women in Lin Jin Lou’s back courtyard, only sympathy – they were all pitiful creatures like herself, though they exhausted themselves competing for favor while she had no such desire.
Sometimes she tried to make herself live more freely, thinking that dwelling on such depressing matters was just seeking trouble – after all, life had to go on somehow. But Lin Jin Lou was not a good man, and she was born with an unyielding nature that could never reconcile with this. She had hoped to quietly discuss with her parents during this visit home, to sit together as a family and think of a way to leave the Lin household. Who would have thought Chen Wan Quan would show such pride in her situation? Half of Xiang Lan’s heart turned to ash, and all the grievances she had accumulated over these days rushed forth at once, making her tears unstoppable.