Wisps of fragrant smoke curled up from the jade incense burner on the redwood table. The ivory-armed couch inlaid with mother-of-pearl bamboo vines was covered with a thick autumn-yellow brocade mattress. On the crab-apple lacquered side table sat a silver-gilt phoenix eight-treasure box containing preserved fruits, alongside frozen stone banana-leaf cups. Chun Ling stepped softly over, carrying a blue-and-white porcelain pomegranate teapot to refill the amber-colored fragrant tea.

Xiang Lan, wearing a mulberry-dyed cotton gauze jacket, sat on the couch making shoes with thick soles. After Chun Ling poured the tea, she quietly discussed winter bedding, curtains, and chair covers with Lian Xin and Shu Ran, finally selecting several options to present to Xiang Lan for choosing.

Xiang Lan was startled, not realizing deep autumn had arrived so quickly. It had been seven or eight days since she returned from home. Lin Jin Lou treated her with extreme coldness, his face dark as storm clouds, not speaking a single word. The entire Zhi Chun pavilion was silent as winter, with Lian Xin, Chun Ling, and others serving cautiously, fearing to displease Lin Jin Lou. Though he still shared the main chamber’s bed with her, she would curl into a ball each night, shrinking into the corner. When Lin Jin Lou fell asleep, he would turn and embrace her, startling her awake, but she couldn’t escape his arms’ restraint. She would endure silently, taking a long while to fall back asleep. Yesterday brought good news – Lin Jin Lou was indeed promoted to Third-Rank Commander. The entire household was jubilant, with visitors arriving continuously. He came home drunk that night but rose before dawn to practice martial arts. Before leaving, he mentioned he wouldn’t return for dinner. Hearing this from behind the curtains, Xiang Lan let out a great sigh of relief.

Meanwhile, Lian Xin was still waiting for her to choose colors. Xiang Lan picked a safflower red, and Shu Ran began arranging the change.

Xiao Juan looked at Xiang Lan’s handiwork and smiled, “The shoe soles are so thick, they won’t look good.” Seeing the basket filled with thick fabric pieces in navy and indigo, though sturdy, she said, “Why use these for the uppers? The cabinet is full of silk, with plenty left from recent tailoring. That would make prettier shoes.” She started to get some.

Xiang Lan quickly stopped her, “The weather’s getting cold, thicker is warmer. Silk is too thin.” Hearing commotion and laughter from the courtyard, she asked, “What’s happening outside? It’s so lively.”

Xiao Juan went to inquire and returned saying, “There’s a female immortal outside from nearby Water Mirror Temple, called Taoist Cui. First Madam is charitable and donates incense money to her temple yearly, so she visits the mansion. A few days ago when Young Master Yuan fell ill, First Madam lit a grand sea lamp at the temple. Taoist Cui heard and came to pay respects. She just left First Madam’s chambers and is heading our way. Would Miss like to see her?”

Xiang Lan frowned. She had heard of this Taoist Cui. Reportedly quite the romantic figure in her youth, with some beauty and grace, she and two other young Taoist nuns secretly engaged in prostitution at the temple, though very discreetly, only entertaining familiar guests while maintaining a righteous facade, going around collecting alms and performing rituals for money. As she aged, she began buying young, attractive girls, claiming them as disciples but forcing them into prostitution. She had quite a reputation among the wealthy youth, nicknamed “Flower Nun,” though most didn’t know the truth.

Xiang Lan’s teacher, Master Ding Yi, knew of these dealings and warned Xiang Lan to stay away. So when Xiao Juan mentioned her, she remembered and said, “Don’t see her. Say, I’m unwell.”

Nuan Yue, who was laying thick cushions on chairs, quickly said, “Why won’t Miss see her? Taoist Cui is very famous. When Third Young Master caught a cold, she cured him with just one ritual!”

Xiang Lan said, “I’m not sick, why should I see her? No.”

Nuan Yue said, “Sick or not, it’s good to see her. She can read faces and fortunes, bringing good luck and avoiding harm. She’s very effective!”

Xiang Lan glanced at Nuan Yue, saying, “I said no.”

As Nuan Yue tried to persuade further, Xiang Lan stared at her directly and said, “I said, no-see-ing.”

Nuan Yue was taken aback, opening and closing her mouth. When Xiang Lan returned from home this time, she had to be supported into the room, with shocking purple-black fingermarks on her neck. Lin Jin Lou’s dark expression led everyone to guess Chen Xiang Lan had angered him greatly. Many gloated behind her back, expecting her imminent fall from favor, which Nuan Yue had hoped for day and night. Yet Lin Jin Lou kept her by his side, maintaining her usual lifestyle. Yesterday when he was promoted and gave reward money to his household, even Hua Mei only got twenty taels, but he gave Xiang Lan fifty taels, firmly maintaining her position.

Moreover, Xiang Lan seemed different since returning. Previously she spent her days painting, reading, and daydreaming, indecisive about everything and letting others decide, as if she couldn’t feel a needle’s prick – they called her “Wooden Beauty” behind her back. But this time, she seemed to have gained some vitality, showing subtle signs of authority, as if Lin Jin Lou’s grip had somehow awakened her.

Xiang Lan put away her work into the cabinet and walked out. Nuan Yue’s deliberate fawning, always seeming insincere, made her uncomfortable. She quietly asked Ting Lan and learned that Nuan Yue had previously been favored by Lin Jin Lou, revealing that Nuan Yue’s attempts to please her were likely aimed at gaining Lin Jin Lou’s attention. This suited Xiang Lan perfectly, so she had Nuan Yue serve tea and attend to her, giving her plenty of opportunities.

When she returned from home this time, Nuan Yue was quite pleased for two days, humming tunes when Lin Jin Lou wasn’t around, until he gave Xiang Lan fifty taels for his promotion, which silenced her. Xiang Lan coldly observed her character and determined to keep her distance in the future.

Xiang Lan left the bedroom to pick up osmanthus flowers but heard voices under the back corridor. She crept behind the building and peeked, seeing Ying Ge telling Ting Lan, “…The medicine isn’t being properly provided. I didn’t take any last night and couldn’t sleep well.”

Ting Lan said, “I’ll tell them to keep your regular medicine supplied daily without interruption. Don’t worry.”

Ying Ge furrowed her fine brows, looking worried, “It’s not just that. I… I don’t have any fabric for clothes or shoes now. Winter’s coming, and I only have that old cotton coat in my trunk. These shoes I’m wearing are patched with leftover silk scraps, looking terrible…”

“Didn’t Young Master give out reward money?”

“My father has consumption. I sent all the money home for his treatment.”

“But… didn’t the mansion provide winter clothes last year?”

“Ah, it’s embarrassing to say… Sister, you know my elder brother’s brain was damaged by a fever at age ten. He grew big and strong but couldn’t even find a wife. Last year someone finally agreed to marry him, but my sister-in-law insisted I ask Young Master to give her brother a respectable position in his shop. You know my standing with Young Master, and her brother isn’t ambitious… So my sister-in-law threw daily tantrums at home. Last New Year, I finally gave in and gave her my new winter clothes and a set of jewelry, which only quieted things for a few days.” Ying Ge’s eyes reddened as she began to sob.

Ting Lan sighed deeply, “You’ve had it so hard. I don’t manage the cloth stores, but I know there’s some old woolen fabric in storage, not much left but enough for a jacket. There’s also some silk with faded colors just sitting there. I can get you some – at least you can make shoes with it.”

Ying Ge nodded quickly.

Ting Lan said, “Don’t tell anyone about this. If word gets out, I’ll be in trouble too! Go back first, and I’ll bring it to you quietly later.”

Ying Ge hurriedly said, “I won’t tell, won’t tell even if beaten to death,” and left with profuse thanks.

As Ting Lan turned to leave, she was startled to find Xiang Lan standing at the corner. Clutching her chest, she said, “Why are you here? You scared me!”

Xiang Lan smiled, “I was watching you do good deeds.”

Ting Lan sighed again, “Ah, Ying Ge and I are both house-born servants, distantly related. We both came to the mansion, so we’re closer than the others. It’s sad – Ying Ge was already weak, and after losing her child, her health worsened. Young Master knows her poor health and stopped visiting her. Her father was a steward but got consumption. With only a simple-minded son and a ten-year-old boy left, their family is finished. Everyone below moves with the wind, stepping on the fallen. Ying Ge’s life is hard – she can’t even get proper medicine in the mansion while worrying about her family… I’m just helping a bit where I can.”

These words touched Xiang Lan’s heart. After thinking a while, she told Ting Lan, “Come with me.”

In the empty bedroom, Xiang Lan opened her trunk and took out twenty taels of loose silver and a new padded jacket, giving them to Ting Lan, “Good sister, please give these to Ying Ge. I’m not close to her – it would be awkward to give them directly.”

Ting Lan was shocked, “What… what are you doing?”

Xiang Lan said, “My father once nearly lost his life in prison. I understand Ying Ge’s filial anxiety. She’s a good daughter – we should help however we can. I trust your character, so please help me deliver these. Perhaps don’t tell her they’re from me, to avoid overthinking.”

Ting Lan stood stunned, finally saying, “Good Xiang Lan, I don’t know what to say. Let me thank you properly on Ying Ge’s behalf.” She gave a deep curtsy and left with the items.

Meanwhile, Taoist Cui had left Ying Ge’s room and turned toward Luan Er’s quarters. After greeting each other, Luan Er had Cun Xin serve hot tea and fresh fruits. As Taoist Cui sucked on preserved fruits, she noticed Luan Er’s disheveled hair and unmade face looking sallow and haggard, and exclaimed, “Oh my! Last time I saw Miss, you were as beautiful as spring flowers and autumn moon – I thought you the greatest beauty under heaven. How have you become so thin in just a few months!”