Before Xiang Lan could speak, she saw Xiao Juan approach with a piece of clothing in her hands. She handed it to Xiang Lan, saying, “Chun Ling mentioned it’s getting windy and worried Young Miss might be cold, so she asked me to bring you this garment.” She then draped the clothing over Xiang Lan’s shoulders.
Everyone noticed it was a crimson silk garment with gold-woven edges in five colors. The fabric was extremely exquisite, ten times finer than the usual silk and brocade they wore, clearly meant for use in the inner palace. Hua Mei’s face showed slight discomfort as she lifted her teacup to hide her expression. Luan Er’s eyes immediately reddened, while Ying Ge’s gaze turned envious. She moved closer to Xiang Lan and picked up the opera program, saying, “We’ve all selected plays, sister, you should choose one too.”
Xiang Lan declined, “Whatever everyone else picks is fine with me.”
Luan Er let out a cold laugh, “Sister Xiang Lan is Young Master’s beloved, even though Madam invited everyone to watch the opera, you dare to arrive late. If we don’t let you pick a play, Young Master might get angry and strangle us. We wouldn’t dare risk that.”
Xiang Lan slowly put on the garment and picked up her teacup, smiling faintly, “Sister Luan Er has always been quick-witted. From your words, it seems you’re resentful that Young Master strangled my neck, and you’re speaking ill of him behind his back.”
Luan Er’s eyes widened as she jumped up, pointing at Xiang Lan, “You’re spewing venom! What nonsense are you talking about!”
The commotion was so great that Madam Wang and others kept turning to look. Hua Mei quickly stood up and smiled apologetically, “It’s nothing, I just clumsily spilled tea on Luan Er.”
Madam Wang said, “The weather is getting cool, quickly let her go change clothes.” She then dismissed the matter.
Hua Mei hurriedly pulled Luan Er back down, thinking to herself, “Luan Er already suffered at Xiang Lan’s hands last time, why hasn’t she learned her lesson? That one isn’t someone to be trifled with.” Aloud she said, “Sister Luan Er was just joking with you, she didn’t mean anything by it.”
Xiang Lan took a sip of tea, still smiling, and responded agreeably, “Oh, I see. It’s just that I’m not good at joking around. I take everything others say seriously. In the future, it’s better not to joke with me. If it reaches Young Master’s ears and the joke becomes serious, whose fault would it be then?”
Luan Er’s face flushed red with anger as she glared at Xiang Lan. However, Xiang Lan remained unperturbed, leisurely lifting her teacup to drink.
Ying Ge quickly pushed forward the opera program to ease the tension, “Let’s pick the plays, let’s pick the plays. There’s one called ‘The Brave Official’ that’s very lively with lots of acrobatics.” She went on chattering about which actor sang well, which one had good technique, which one had a clear voice, and also praised the pattern on Xiang Lan’s handkerchief.
Though Ying Ge was simple-minded, she had always kept her distance from Xiang Lan and had never been this friendly before. Xiang Lan knew that Ting Lan had given Ying Ge money and clothes, causing her to feel grateful. Returning the kindness, she said to Ying Ge, “I designed this pattern myself. If you like it, after the opera, come to my quarters and I’ll give you a stack of them.”
Hua Mei cracked melon seeds, her lips curving in a half-smile, “Oh my, that might not be possible. Sister Xiang Lan lives in the main chamber. People of our status don’t have the privilege to enter there, isn’t that right?”
Xiang Lan hadn’t expected Hua Mei to suddenly challenge her and give her a surprised look.
Luan Er perked up, following Hua Mei’s lead, “Who knows how long this privilege will last? Young Master will eventually bring in the First Madam. Sister Xiang Lan can enjoy the main chamber for now, but once you have to move out, it’ll be hard to get back in.”
Ying Ge, not skilled in verbal sparring and unwilling to offend anyone, wanted to speak up for Xiang Lan but didn’t know how. Xiang Lan smiled, “So both sisters want to move into the main chamber. No wonder you’ve been taking jabs at me since you arrived. That’s easy enough – when Young Master returns, I’ll just mention it to him. If he agrees, I can move to the east wing tonight and let Sister Hua Mei ‘enjoy’ the main chamber for a few days.” At these words, both Hua Mei and Luan Er’s expressions changed noticeably.
Xiang Lan preferred not to make enemies, but the women in Lin Jin Lou’s household saw her as a thorn in their sides and constantly pressured her with ill intentions. Usually, she would avoid confrontation when possible, but when pushed, she couldn’t allow herself to be bullied. Currently, she had nothing in the Lin family except the “favor” of Lin Jin Lou, so she wielded this banner as her only support.
Hua Mei and Luan Er, indeed afraid of Xiang Lan reporting to Lin Jin Lou, immediately fell silent.
Xiang Lan set her teacup down with a clang and grew serious, “Let’s be frank today. All of you sisters arrived at Zhi Chun Hall before me. When I was still a sweeping maid, you were already young mistresses. Hua Mei needn’t be mentioned – your family holds official positions, and now you’re a proper madam, I could never match up. Sisters Luan Er and Ying Ge both come from respectable servant families, with parents and siblings who have the Young Master’s favor. Unlike me, born a servant, though my family recently gained commoner status, it’s of little use. In our mansion, aren’t there many who came as maids despite being commoners? Even with my free status, I wasn’t brought in with the grandeur of Concubine Lan. I entered without rank or title, and I’m clumsy, always displeasing Young Master, as you’ve all witnessed.”
These were true words, and everyone’s expressions softened as they remained silent.
Xiang Lan continued, “For people like us, at best, we can only hope to become concubines…” As she spoke, she carefully observed their reactions. Luan Er’s face showed mockery, Hua Mei displayed hints of melancholy, and Ying Ge nodded slowly. She went on, “Young Master favors me somewhat now, but which of you sisters hasn’t been favored before? Young Master is known for his wandering eye. I might be disgraced now, but perhaps tomorrow someone new will come, and I’ll have to step back further. We’re all in the same situation, so why must you sisters make things difficult for me?”
These words stirred memories in everyone. Ying Ge let out a long sigh, Luan Er snorted, and Hua Mei’s gaze flickered as she stared intently at Xiang Lan. She had examined Xiang Lan carefully more than once, knowing her beauty and vulnerability, but today, sitting formally, she carried a subtle air of authority quite different from her usual fragile demeanor.
Xiang Lan lifted her face slightly, meeting Hua Mei’s gaze. Hua Mei burst into laughter, examining her nails carelessly, “What play are you performing, sister? First, we’ve never made things difficult for you; second, you’re Young Master’s favorite, and that ‘new person’ is still just a shadow. I see you’re blessed – with Young Master’s support, you might end up living in the main chamber permanently!”
Luan Er, whose hostility had somewhat subsided, heard Hua Mei’s words and couldn’t help but sneer.
Xiang Lan knew Luan Er was simple-minded, wearing her emotions on her face, and wasn’t worth fearing. Hua Mei was the truly shrewd one. Hearing her words, Xiang Lan smiled, “How could I have such fortune? I’m merely enjoying the ‘novelty.’ Though we’re all in Young Master’s household, Sister Hua Mei is now a proper concubine with a powerful family and brothers’ protection. Luan Er’s cousin is even more favored by Young Master. My parents are simple commoners, far inferior to you. Besides, you sisters excel in music and arts, needlework, gentleness, and reading people’s intentions. I know no instruments, my needlework is crude, and I’m not sweet-tongued enough to please people. I may look somewhat presentable now, but if I were truly so fortunate, I wouldn’t get beaten. I have no ambition to compete, I just want to quietly pass my days. If you don’t believe my words, when Young Master is home, sisters are welcome to come to the main chamber – just say I invited you.”
These words struck a chord with Hua Mei, Luan Er, and Ying Ge. When Lin Jin Lou was home, he was either in his study or the main chamber, and they had no access to him. Unless they waited at the carved-door entrance, they could hardly see him. If they could enter the main chamber, they might see him more often, perhaps even turning their luck around. Even without opportunity, being seen by Young Master a few more times might keep them in his mind rather than being forgotten.
Hearing this, Hua Mei immediately raised her teacup to Xiang Lan, her face full of smiles, “Dear sister, I didn’t know your true feelings. I spoke wrongly earlier and should be punished! You’re magnanimous and shouldn’t hold it against me. Let me apologize with tea instead of wine.”
Xiang Lan inwardly sneered but raised her cup to acknowledge Hua Mei. Their gazes locked for a moment before Xiang Lan smiled slightly and took a small sip, while Hua Mei drained half her cup in one go.
Luan Er, though emotionally stirred, sneered, “Sister Xiang Lan, don’t just say nice things now and then go back on your word later. From our previous interactions, I know you’re formidable and never take any loss!”
Xiang Lan smiled, “I’m reasonable but won’t let myself be bullied. Sister Luan Er tried to intimidate me from the start – even if I wanted to be friendly, I must maintain my dignity. As I said, I just want to live peacefully.”
Ying Ge smiled, “We didn’t understand Sister Xiang Lan before, but now that everything’s clear and misunderstandings are gone, we should get along well from now on.”
Hua Mei quickly agreed and changed the subject, creating a harmonious atmosphere.
Xiang Lan just smiled and occasionally responded to go along with the flow. Her words served two purposes: first, to make Hua Mei and others seek her favor, so they would at least stop confronting her like fighting roosters and causing her trouble; second, their presence in the main chamber could provide a buffer between her and Lin Jin Lou – perhaps if he rekindled old feelings for any of them, she might find some peace.
Xiang Lan turned her head to see the high sky and scattered clouds, with half a lake of lotus leaves still vibrantly green despite the strengthening autumn wind. Xiao Juan and several young maids were gathered on the corridor watching a bird bathing in its cage, while the stage still rang with opera singing. Xiang Lan tightened her clothes – because of the interests at stake, the women in this household would never stop scheming. She didn’t need to open her heart to them; maintaining surface-level peace was enough.
Since returning to the Lin family, she had resisted everything about it. Now it was time to change her approach.