Lin Jin Lou stroked her hair, thinking that she had indeed suffered today and witnessed Luan Er’s suicide attempt – her fear and distress were understandable. He planned to get her some fine calligraphy and paintings, along with new clothes and jewelry. Just as he was about to speak, Chun Ling timidly entered with a teapot to pour tea. He closed his mouth, drank his tea, rinsed his mouth, and went to bed with Xiang Lan, leaving matters there for now.

When Chun Ling left the room, she quietly glanced at the wooden daybed outside where the night watch slept. Nuan Yue should have been on duty tonight, but now only Lian Xin sat there. Chun Ling walked over and refilled the teacup beside Lian Xin, who thanked her and pursed her lips, asking softly, “How are things inside?”

Chun Ling also lowered her voice: “All quiet now. They’re asleep. I was the one who lowered the bed curtains.”

Lian Xin finally relaxed, reciting, “Amitabha Buddha, may those two deities sleep well tonight.”

They exchanged glances, both sticking out their tongues in grimacing expressions before Chun Ling tiptoed away. She added cold water to the teapot and placed it on the small stove in the outer tea room. The stove’s flame was weak but would last all night, providing hot water whenever the masters needed it. Chun Ling exhaled, then took another half pot of hot water from another stove and poured it into a copper basin to carry back for washing.

She and Xiao Juan served Xiang Lan, so they shared a small side room. When she pushed open the door, she saw Xiao Juan wrapped in blankets, holding a plate of snacks and stuffing them into her mouth.

Seeing her eating contentedly, Chun Ling rolled her eyes and said, “You have the biggest heart in the entire courtyard, still able to eat at this hour.”

Xiao Juan rolled her eyes back, speaking while chewing, “Who says I have a big heart? Earlier when Madam gave me that look, my liver trembled and I nearly lost half my life! I’m just eating a few snacks now to calm my nerves.” She offered the plate to Chun Ling, saying, “Have some too, they’re sweet.”

Chun Ling pushed it away, saying, “I can’t eat.” After removing her makeup, she turned to look at Xiao Juan and the plate of snacks, started to speak, “You…” then pressed her lips together and said, “Never mind.”

Xiao Juan snickered, saying, “Chun Ling, I know what you want to ask. Wondering if I went to the back garden to see chrysanthemums with Xiang Lan that day. Whether it’s true or not, from today on, it’s the truth.”

Chun Ling was undoing her hair bun to brush it when she turned around with a cold smile, “You know where you were that day. Someone didn’t check the stove or water the flowers early that morning, just ran off to play in the garden.”

Xiao Juan put down her plate and sneered, “What? These days you’ve been serving diligently from dawn to dusk, and now you’re jealous because Xiang Lan gave me snacks but not you?” She jumped off the bed, saying, “I may not be as hardworking as you, not as observant, not as good at serving, flattering, and pleasing others, but as the elders say, helping in times of need is more valuable than adding flowers to brocade. That’s the principle. Xiang Lan and I entered the household together. She often looked after me then, even doing my needlework, always saving me good food and fun things. Now that she’s successful, she even recommended my second brother as an apprentice at her father’s pawnshop. She treats me well, so naturally I must be loyal to her in return. Heart for the heart.”

Chun Ling’s face stiffened as she put down the peach wood comb carved with peonies. She walked to Xiao Juan’s side and said, “What do you mean by that? Are you saying I’m not sincere?”

Xiao Juan leisurely washed the soap off her face and wiped it with a towel, saying, “You’re sincere too, just not as much as me. You’re focused on climbing higher branches, putting your effort outside Zhi Chun Hall. You’ve spent plenty of time at Madam’s place, haven’t you? Running there every few days. Can’t blame you though – you came from Madam’s quarters originally, so of course your heart is with the mistress.”

Chun Ling’s face alternated between red and white, wanting to explode but unable to speak.

Xiao Juan brushed her teeth and spat into the spittoon, saying, “If you don’t want others to know, don’t do it in the first place. Chun Ling, you’re not a bad person, and you’ve treated me well enough. I’m just giving you a warning. Trying to stand on two boats is the easiest way to fall into the river. We didn’t say anything before, but that doesn’t mean we’re all blind. Everyone has their aspirations though – you think following Madam gives you a future, while I’m determined to follow Xiang Lan. She’s kind-hearted and genuine – on this point alone, none of the masters in the household or those who think they’re half-masters can compare.”

Chun Ling’s face flushed red as she said, “What kind of person do you think I am? Madam called me over to ask questions – could I have forced my way there? I’ve never said a single bad word about Xiang Lan. I’m not stupid – if I had said anything, Master wouldn’t spare me.”

Xiao Juan covered the remaining snacks with a gauze cover, undressed, and flopped onto the kang bed in a spread-eagle position, staring at the ceiling, “Sometimes I really can’t understand what’s going on in your heads – currying favor with this one, pleasing that one, thinking three times before saying anything. Isn’t it exhausting?”

Chun Ling glared at her, “You think everyone’s like you, single-minded and not thinking about the future? The classics say ‘Without long-term planning, there will be immediate worries.'”

Xiao Juan sneered, “Oh my sister, you think you’re somebody? People like us, no matter how hard we struggle, how different can we end up?”

Chun Ling also got on the kang bed and put the candle on the windowsill, saying, “But if people like us don’t struggle, we’ll be trampled even deeper into the mud. Tell me, what kind of future are you hoping for?”

Xiao Juan moved aside slightly, saying, “I don’t have as big ambitions as you, sister. I know my worth. As they say, ‘The greater the power, the greater the trouble.’ Those who seem glamorous might be crying under their blankets! I’m content with a simple, happy life.”

Chun Ling blew out the candle: “You’re still young, you don’t understand life’s hardships.”

The room fell silent for a moment. As Chun Ling was about to fall asleep, she suddenly heard Xiao Juan say, “I know everyone has their fate. Having a clear conscience is enough.”

This statement jolted Chun Ling awake. When she turned to look, Xiao Juan’s breathing was deep and steady, clearly already asleep.

Chun Ling tossed and turned for half the night before finally drifting off to sleep, but we’ll leave that for now.

Madam Qin was also unable to sleep. Due to the commotion lasting until midnight and nearly resulting in death, she remained unsettled after returning to her quarters. She took a pill to calm her mind and spirit, then took out her Buddhist scriptures to recite.

Since Madam Qin wasn’t sleeping, the maids and elderly servants didn’t dare rest either. After she finished one round of recitation, Madam Han came over and said, “Madam, it’s late. Please rest – you need to rise early tomorrow.”

Madam Qin put down the scripture and exhaled, saying, “I can’t sleep, my mind is in chaos.” After a pause, she continued, “Why does Lou’er’s situation always worry me so? First, he married that fox-spirit-like wife and trouble arose right after the wedding. Then he wanted to take Fu Rong as a concubine, but just as it was arranged, Fu Rong died. Ying Ge lost her child, and just when Qing Lan finally got pregnant, both mother and child died. We had just driven out Zhao Yue Chan, hoping for some peace, but now this mess has happened.”