Luan’er, typically hot-tempered, had wanted to plead more, but hearing Lin Jinlou’s heartless words, despair welled up in her heart. She decided to abandon all pretense and said: “Master says I’m embarrassing, but how sincere have you ever been with me? You were only interested in me for a few days before Chen Xianglan bewitched you. You treated me like a pet cat or dog, like worthless grass – amusing when you’re happy, discarding when you’re not. Even a clay figure has some dignity, let alone a living person. Despite my many faults, I’ve always been utterly devoted to you. I can say with my hand on my heart that among all the girls in the mansion, none can match my genuine feelings for you. I’ve thought of you constantly, and longed for you, but when have you ever cared about my true feelings? How am I inferior to Chen Xianglan? I can’t accept this! What justifies this treatment?”

Lin Jinlou looked down at Luan’er’s tear-stained face and suddenly gave a short laugh, saying softly: “You can’t accept it? Then let me tell you. Because I am the Master, and you are a servant. There are plenty of pretty servants like you who can sing and play the pipa. Without you, there will be another. One who is just as devoted, even more beautiful and talented at singing and playing, but who understands her place as a servant. Do you understand now?”

Luan’er felt as if thunder had struck her head. She stared blankly, tears rolling down her face and dropping to the floor.

Lin Jinlou spoke slowly: “For the sake of our past intimacy, you may keep whatever gifts I’ve given you. If you wish, you can say you requested to return home for marriage. This consideration is only because Shuran served me diligently for several years. Take care of yourself.” He then ordered people to drag Luan’er away.

Luan’er, face covered in tears, suddenly broke free from those holding her and ran to the side. Two servant women quickly grabbed her arms, but with a “thud,” Luan’er still managed to slam into the wall. Xianglan cried out in shock. Mother Wu ran out of the room to look and immediately lost half her soul in fright, her legs going weak as she cried: “Terrible! Miss Luan’er is trying to kill herself!”

This cry startled everyone. In the west side room, Madam Qin felt her heart race and immediately stood up. Two or three experienced old servants rushed over, with Xianglan hurrying after them. They saw several old servants gathered around the wall, with only a delicate white hand visible on the ground, wearing a gold and agate bracelet that made the red nail polish appear even more vibrant. Fresh blood had splattered on the wall like scattered peach blossoms, a horrifying sight.

Mother Han cried: “She’s still breathing! Still breathing! Quickly call for a doctor! Quickly!” While shouting, she tore off the cotton cloth cushion cover from a chair to press against Luan’er’s head. Everyone worked together to carry Luan’er to the Buddhist couch on the left side of the main hall, some fetching medicine, others calling for a doctor, all in chaos.

Lin Jinlou ordered someone to fetch medicine, then turned to see Xianglan standing there pale-faced. He frowned and pointed at her, shouting: “Who told you to come out? Get back inside quickly!” Making Xianglan jump.

Mother Wu pulled her aside, saying softly: “This is no place for you to be. To attend to the Madam.”

Xianglan had no choice but to return. She had never liked Luan’er, but never hated her either, considering her an insignificant figure. Yet seeing her fate today stirred unclear feelings – sighs, pity, sympathy, and self-pity all welled up at once. Looking back, she saw a pool of blood gradually spreading where Luan’er had fallen.

In the west side room, Madam Qin’s heart pounded. She had thought this was just a case of maidservants causing trouble, but who would have expected it to escalate to this point, now even threatening a life? Fearing death would bring bad luck during the ancestral worship period, she quickly ordered the kitchen to prepare life-saving ginseng soup and commanded them to find a fine cloth for bandaging Luan’er’s wounds.

After a while, the main hall quieted down. Mother Han came in and reported: “The bleeding has stopped. She’s been moved to her room but remains unconscious and can’t drink any medicine. The doctor examined her and wrote a prescription. Fortunately, someone was holding her when she hit the wall. Though there’s blood, her life can be saved, but whether she’ll have lasting effects remains uncertain.”

Madam Qin pressed her palms together and uttered a Buddhist prayer. Then asked: “What did the Master say?”

Mother Han replied: “The Master said tomorrow morning Luan’er will be carried out on a plank and her parents will take her away.”

Madam Qin sighed: “Let it be so. With her evil intentions, we can’t blame the masters for not being merciful… She truly was foolish.”

Seeing Madam Qin’s poor complexion, Mother Han quickly added: “Madam speaks truly. After what happened, she should be grateful the masters didn’t punish her more severely. What more could she want?”

Madam Qin sighed again, sat silently for a while, then stood up to go to the main hall. Xianglan, who had been standing at the door, followed behind her.

They saw the scene had been cleaned up, the blood on the ground washed away, though traces remained spattered on the wall. Lin Jinlou still sat high in his seat, with only Huamei kneeling before him.

Lin Jinlou tapped two fingers on the armrest, just looking at Huamei in silence.

Huamei seemed to feel Lin Jinlou’s gaze and though trying to remain calm, couldn’t help trembling, her heart nearly jumping out of her chest. Suddenly she heard Lin Jinlou say above her head: “Rushuang said Nueyue planted the talisman. I believe it.”

Huamei suddenly looked up, meeting Lin Jinlou’s sharp gaze and naturally imposing countenance. Her heart quailed, and she quickly lowered her head.

Madam Qin was also surprised and looked at Lin Jinlou, wanting to say something, but was gently pulled back by Mother Han and remained silent. Xianglan slightly furrowed her brow. Though Huamei had found Rushuang as a scapegoat to exonerate her, clever people could see through the scheme. Yet Lin Jinlou had Rushuang dragged away and beaten without a word, severely punished Nueyue, and said he believed Huamei, clearly showing he didn’t wish to pursue the matter further.

Lin Jinlou said coldly: “But you stirred up trouble, wrongly accused the innocent, hoped for chaos, and once incited Qinglan. You’ve lacked discipline. You’ll no longer be a concubine, and if you offend again, you’ll be driven out directly. Previously, I had hoped Qinglan would bear a first son, which is why she lived in the east wing. It’s improper for you to continue living there. Starting tomorrow, you’ll move to Luan’er’s vacant room. From now on, you’re confined and must kneel for incense at the ancestral hall for an hour each day. To find the old mother for your punishment – fifty slaps to the face.”

Huamei’s face turned deathly pale, her heart feeling as if weighted by a massive stone, yet she obediently kowtowed and said: “It was my fault. Master’s punishment is just. I beg Master to calm his anger and take care of his health.”

Lin Jinlou barked: “Don’t stand here offending my eyes. Get out and kneel in the courtyard!”

Huamei’s knees were already red, swollen, and numb, feeling like they were being stuck with needles, making it almost impossible to stand. The room was silent, with no one coming forward to help her. Madam Qin couldn’t bear to watch and ordered two old women to drag her out.