After Xiang Lan sat briefly, leaving before even one play finished, nothing much happened. The next morning, however, Hua Mei arrived, greeting Xiang Lan with a bright smile. Seeing her cutting fabric on the window-side kang bed, she went over to look and covered her mouth laughing, “Oh my, this fabric is so dark and coarse. Why are you making this?”

Xiang Lan replied, “It’s my Master’s birthday in a few days. I’m making her a monk’s robe to show my filial respect.”

Hua Mei sat down and said, “I heard you used to live in a temple. How was life there? What did you study and recite? Is that where you learned to read?”

Xiang Lan responded, “I just learned to recognize a few characters from the scriptures.”

Hua Mei continued, “I heard your father is now a head manager at the pawnshop. Must be quite prestigious, right? Wonder how much silver he makes monthly? Such a position must bring in at least five or six taels of silver per month, isn’t that right?”

Xiang Lan glanced at Hua Mei, then lowered her head to continue sewing, “I don’t know, my father never discusses such things with me.”

Hua Mei smiled, “How could you not know?” Seeing Xiang Lan’s silence, she asked, “Where does your family live now? How big is the courtyard?”

Xiang Lan replied, “We live in a shabby house, not worth mentioning.”

Hua Mei thought to herself, “I wanted to get some information from her, but she turns out to be someone who claims ignorance of everything.” She then asked about Lin Jin Lou’s daily routine, but Xiang Lan let Chun Ling answer while she continued sewing, not saying a word more.

Yet Hua Mei was extremely patient, chatting about various topics before finally taking her leave. Chun Ling gritted her teeth and said, “Young Miss, really now! Letting that gossip into the room – don’t you remember what happened to Concubine Lan? She starts asking about this and that, how annoying!”

Xiang Lan smiled, “Let her ask. When she gets no response, she’ll stop asking.”

By noon, after lunch, Ying Ge arrived with two types of thread she had made herself. She first thanked Xiang Lan, then chatted for a while. Before leaving, Xiang Lan gave her some patterns and a package of snacks. Knowing Ying Ge’s current difficulties, she also gave her several pieces of leftover silk fabric. Ying Ge naturally left with countless thanks.

At dusk, Luan Er came, clearly dressed up carefully in a water-red satin jacket, plain green plum-patterned skirt, and emerald mandarin duck embroidered shoes. Her face was powdered, and her hair was styled meticulously. Due to her grudge against Xiang Lan, she refused to lower herself to conversation. Upon entering, she merely nodded to Xiang Lan as a greeting and sat stiffly in a chair.

Since she wouldn’t talk, Xiang Lan was happy with the quiet and continued making the robe. Because of Book Ran’s situation, Chun Ling brought Luan Er tea and asked a few questions, but seeing Luan Er’s cold, arrogant attitude, she inwardly sneered and left abruptly.

The room fell silent.

Luan Er hadn’t visited the main chamber many times. Looking around, she noticed the furnishings had changed since her last visit. The display cabinet now held more exquisite and precious items, several new calligraphy pieces and paintings adorned the walls, and the curtains, cushions, pillows, and chair covers were all lotus-root colored, no longer the indigo and dark green that Lin Jin Lou preferred.

Xiang Lan sat steadily on the kang bed, sewing swiftly, as if she naturally belonged in this room while Luan Er was the outsider. Luan Er felt somewhat uncomfortable, thinking of her small room which, though furnished, couldn’t compare to this place, making her feel even more unsettled.

Xiang Lan secretly glanced at Luan Er several times, noting how she sat uneasily, constantly changing positions, occasionally lifting her teacup for a sip, and making several attempts to leave before forcing herself to stay.

Xiang Lan raised her head to rub her neck, and Xiao Juan put down her work to pour more tea. Taking a sip, Xiang Lan reflected on how busy her room had been today. Hua Mei had come earliest, testing waters and probing for information, staying for nearly two hours. Ying Ge had come specifically to thank her, staying only for one cup of tea. Luan Er was the most earnest, coming specifically to wait for Lin Jin Lou’s return.

Xiang Lan silently sighed. Luan Er was still just an unworldly girl. Despite her pride and fiery temperament, which would normally have erupted in anger at such cold treatment, she now endured it, sitting properly dressed up, just to wait for a man who didn’t care about her – it was rather pitiful.

Just then, the door curtain opened and Lin Jin Lou strode in, complaining of thirst. He immediately sprawled on the kang bed. Xiang Lan quickly tidied away the half-finished robe while Chun Ling hurried to pour tea. Luan Er quickly stood up, about to greet him, but Lin Jin Lou hadn’t even noticed her. He reached for the monk’s hat Xiang Lan was making, fiddled with it, and asked, “Hey, what’s this thing? What are you making here?”

This was the first time in days that Lin Jin Lou had spoken to her. Xiang Lan stole a glance at him and saw him smiling, appearing pleased with himself. Knowing he must have had good news outside, she said, “My Master’s birthday is coming up, so I’m making her a set of monk’s robes.”

Lin Jin Lou frowned, tossing the hat into Xiang Lan’s lap, “Oh, so you know how to make these things. Since you came here, you haven’t even made me a coin purse. I thought you didn’t know how.” He took Xiang Lan’s hand, rubbing it in his palm, smiling, “Make something for me one of these days, and I’ll reward you.” He then leaned in to kiss her.

Xiang Lan felt quite uncomfortable, unsure how the man who had been like the King of Hell yesterday could be so pleasant today as if nothing had happened. She looked up to see Luan Er standing there with a pale face, immediately blushed, and pushed Lin Jin Lou away saying, “I- I need to get something from inside.” She darted away.

Lin Jin Lou was displeased, and turning his head, saw Luan Er still standing there. Puzzled, he asked, “Why are you here?”

Luan Er panicked and stammered, unable to speak.

Chun Ling, who had been waiting outside, quickly came in saying, “Young Miss Xiang Lan invited Luan Er over to keep her company…”

Lin Jin Lou nodded and said to Luan Er, “If Xiang Lan invited you, then come. She’s such a quiet one, it’s good to have someone make her talk. Better than her getting sick from keeping everything inside and just arguing with me.”

These words made Luan Er’s face turn white, then red. She stood there awkwardly, not knowing whether to respond, feeling bitter inside as tears welled up in her eyes.

Lin Jin Lou drained a cup of tea and called Chun Ling over, “Have the kitchen prepare something warm for dinner. Yesterday’s noodles were good, make them again. The osmanthus cake was nice too, steam a fresh basket.”

Chun Ling received the order and sent Little Yi to relay it.

Lin Jin Lou drank another cup of tea, turned his head to see Luan Er still standing there, and asked puzzled, “Why haven’t you left yet?”