Hua Mei pressed her head against the cold stone floor and sobbed, filled with bitter regret. She had meticulously planned this scheme over a lengthy period – first having Nuan Yue plant talismans to frame someone, then using Luan Er as a scapegoat. Just days ago, she had sent a letter to her brother ordering him to silence Priestess Cui and had used both threats and incentives to get Ru Shuang to clear her name. With her silver tongue, she had been certain of bringing down Chen Xiang Lan. Yet she never expected Chen Xiang Lan would prove such a tough opponent, instead dragging her down into this predicament.
Hua Mei lifted her head and gazed at the full moon on the horizon, taking a deep breath. However unbearable the pain on her face might be, it couldn’t compare to her inner torment.
She too had once been the daughter of an official family. Though her father was only a seventh-rank minor official, he still commanded respect wherever he went. Despite being born to a concubine, she had grown up beautiful and clever and had even been betrothed to the son of a wealthy local family. But when her father fell from grace, he sent her to serve as a maid and potential concubine to the Marquis of Zhenguo. Though deeply unwilling, her birth mother was too timid and lowly in status to protect her. For the sake of her family’s future, she had no choice but to accept, swallowing all her grievances and resentment like bitter wine. But then the old man had given her to Lin Jin Lou – this young, handsome man of wealth and power. She had been overjoyed. Whether through intimate submission or calculated favor-currying, she felt as if she had been given new life. She had sworn to establish a firm position in the Lin household and make something of herself, to ensure no one could look down on her again. She hadn’t even bothered to consider Zhao Yue Chan, the main wife, or Qing Lan, the favored concubine carrying Lin Jin Lou’s child. Yet she never imagined she would fall at the hands of that little hussy Chen Xiang Lan!
At this point, requesting to return home to seek another good marriage would be the best outcome for her future. But how could she go back? Her family had previously treated her with contempt and spoke to her with thinly veiled disdain, only becoming warm and polite after she caught Lin Jin Lou’s eye. Later, when she became a concubine, they practically worshipped her like a goddess, watching her every expression before speaking. If she were to slink back home now, aside from her weak-willed birth mother, who would still respect her? Her heartless parents and siblings might even try to sell her again!
Hua Mei shuddered and turned her head to look toward the main room of Zhi Chun Hall. The main hall’s lights were out, with only the bedroom still lit. Chen Xiang Lan’s profile was faintly visible through the window. Hua Mei suddenly gave a cold laugh, her nails digging deep into her palms as she muttered, “Chen Xiang Lan, don’t think you’ll have it easy from now on. If I’m going down, I won’t let you live comfortably either!”
Meanwhile, Lin Jin Lou had returned to his chambers, where all was quiet. That evening’s dramatic events had resulted in two favored maids being dismissed from Zhi Chun Hall, a personal maid being expelled, and a concubine being demoted. Everyone was terrified and as silent as cicadas in winter.
Upon entering the bedroom, Lin Jin Lou saw Xiang Lan lying on the chaise lounge with her eyes closed. After observing her for a moment, he called for maids to bring washbasin and towels. After changing his clothes, he sat beside Xiang Lan and playfully pinched her soft nose, saying, “What are you doing lying here? After such an eventful evening, shouldn’t you be resting in bed?” He continued, talking to himself, “Who knew you could be so sharp-tongued? I always thought you were the quiet type and worried about others bullying you.”
Xiang Lan secretly pursed her lips, thinking to herself that if he had been worried, why didn’t he come in when she was being falsely accused, instead of eavesdropping at the door? But she was too tired to question him. She sat up and said flatly, “All your household staff are fully armed with martial skills. If I hadn’t spoken up, I might have been stripped and beaten, and after you choked me again, my life would truly have been over.”
Lin Jin Lou’s expression instantly darkened, his thick eyebrows furrowing as he scolded, “Are you giving me attitude again?”
Xiang Lan lowered her head in silence.
Lin Jin Lou grew annoyed and went to the small table to drink a cup of warm tea, fuming.
Xiang Lan sighed deeply, staring at the window lattice for a long while before saying softly, “Master, when will you tire of this? When will this all end? Why not just drive me out too, so we can both find peace?”
Lin Jin Lou slammed the teacup down on the table with a “bang,” the veins on his forehead pulsing. The entire evening’s chaos hadn’t irritated him as much as this single statement from Xiang Lan. He turned around, grinding his teeth as he said, “Are you deliberately trying to make trouble again? Drive you out? Dream on! Even if I get tired of you, I’ll keep you here – for no other reason than to make you miserable!” He stormed toward the door, shouting, “Where is everyone? Where have you all gone? Can’t even get a cup of hot tea served! I’ll have all your skins peeled off!”
Lian Xin and Chun Ling were terrified and came running, trembling.
Lin Jin Lou angrily turned back to the room. He saw Xiang Lan still sitting on the chaise lounge, staring at the small floor tiles, her figure lonely and fragile like a delicate, pitiful flower. The anger in his chest unconsciously subsided somewhat. He took a deep breath and walked back to sit beside Xiang Lan. Seeing her shrink away, his irritation rose again. He said sternly, “I know you suffered wrongly today, but didn’t I punish them and get revenge for you? Why are you still acting this way toward me? If you make me angry enough to hit you again, I’ll find it tiresome. Are you addicted to it or something?”
Xiang Lan ignored him, feeling Lin Jin Lou’s violent and cold aura. She dared not raise her head and kept her jade-like face lowered, shrinking further into the corner.
Lin Jin Lou looked down and saw her elegant green mandarin duck embroidered shoes peeking out from her wide silk trousers. He unconsciously reached out to grab them. Xiang Lan struggled briefly – she regretted her heated words from earlier and truly feared angering Lin Jin Lou further – so she dared not move anymore and could only let him hold them. He said, “Those maids will be sold off first thing tomorrow morning. Except for Hua Mei – she was sent by superiors and has some face to maintain. Her brother is currently useful to me and once took a knife for me. Driving her away like this might discourage others in my service. But I’ve confined her, and she won’t be wandering around anymore. She’s a clever person – after some time, she’ll leave the Lin family on her own… Don’t be afraid. The new maids who come won’t dare act this way. From now on, if you find any maid displeasing, just tell me, and I’ll drive her away immediately. How’s that?”
Seeing Xiang Lan still silent, he continued talking to himself: “Alright, consider this matter settled. Tomorrow when you go to see the Madam, be more careful. I’ll speak with Madam Han and Madam Wu later – if anything seems amiss, they’ll look after you… Hey, don’t keep quiet all the time. I’ve sweet-talked you and given you a way out – are you still trying to provoke me?”
Xiang Lan kept her face down, hugging her knees, and shook her head slightly.