Everyone said that Yin Liu had offended Xiang Lan by speaking out of turn. Even kneeling and kowtowing at night proved futile. Xiang Lan filed a complaint with Madam, resulting in Yin Liu being sold off. Xiang Lan’s reputation for tyranny grew notorious, and the maids and servants whispered and gossiped.

New rumors about Xiang Lan spread: “Her reputation was never good to begin with. Even as a maid, she seduced men. After leaving the mansion, she wasn’t clean either. They say she had an affair with a scholar. Poor Young Master was fooled by this temptress and picked up what others had discarded.” “She’s even more prestigious than the former First Madam, ordering everyone around. But it’s just a lowborn getting ahead, throwing her weight around.”

Mother Wu sternly intervened twice before things settled down, but Madam Qin remained aloof, paying no attention to the matter. Zi Dai wept bitterly over Yin Liu being sold and even gave her some private silver and clothes. Everyone praised Zi Dai’s kindness, noting how she showed such deep friendship despite knowing Yin Liu for only a few days.

“Let this be a lesson. Everyone should control their hot tempers from now on. A gentleman’s anger should be righteous, but quarreling with petty people only ends up hurting oneself. Some things are just like that—it’s not worth getting momentary satisfaction from speaking your mind. The anger passes, but not enduring a moment’s irritation brings even bigger troubles.” Xiang Lan reclined against the headboard, holding a cup of warm tea, her jade-like face serene behind the rising steam.

Chun Ling stood with hands lowered, face ashamed, and whispered, “I understand… I’ll learn my lesson from now on… I was wrong to bring trouble to Miss.”

“It was Zi Dai who dug a pit for us to fall into. That woman’s heart has long since turned black,” Little Juan said angrily, viciously crumpling Xiang Lan’s discarded drawing paper even more as if trying to vent her frustration.

Chun Ling said softly, “Zi Dai entered the mansion with me. I spent two years with her. Though she likes to put on airs, she doesn’t have such a scheming heart. This must be someone else’s idea—Mother Han.”

Ting Lan, who had been making cord, put down her work and frowned slightly, “By rights, I should also speak words of reconciliation, but Zi Dai has been behaving outrageously lately. It’s because Miss is too gentle. Hasn’t she been bullying Miss in front of Madam too? I heard Lian Xin and Xue Ning both say that Zi Dai has gotten too cocky, not knowing her measure.” Ting Lan was usually good-natured, but firstly, she was close to Xiang Lan; secondly, Zi Dai and Yin Liu had also offended her before; and thirdly, seeing the chaos in Zhi Chun Hall, she was truly worried and couldn’t help speaking up.

“It’s all because Madam backs that lowborn, making Miss bear a bad name for nothing!” Little Juan threw the crumpled drawing into the fire basin and jabbed at it frantically with the tongs.

Those nearby fell silent upon hearing this, unable to hold back their sighs.

Ting Lan hesitated, “Do you think… with her causing such trouble, does Madam know? Lian Xin also said this can’t go on. Miss is suffering so many wrongful grievances. We should talk to Madam about this. Otherwise, all the rules in Zhi Chun Hall will fall apart. Even the well-trained little maids now lack proper conduct…”

Xiang Lan said, “Zi Dai is Madam’s face. Wouldn’t complaining to Madam be slapping her face? Besides, Zi Dai hasn’t done anything too outrageous. Madam doesn’t care about such trivial matters.”

Little Juan said irritably, “Miss is just too easy to bully. She calculated that you wouldn’t dare do anything to her, that’s why she’s become so evil. Now she’s even ruined Miss’s reputation.”

Xiang Lan’s face darkened. She set her teacup on the table and said sternly, “Let me make this clear: from today on, no one is to quarrel with Zi Dai. When you see her, walk the other way. Understand?”

Little Juan sheepishly fell silent.

Xiang Lan slowly exhaled and gazed out the window. She saw falling leaves drifting down and misty cold smoke, with only the chrysanthemums on the flower rack presenting a brocade of colors, swaying in the wind. Zi Dai’s backing was Madam Qin, and she also had Mother Han as her aunt. Xiang Lan was merely a lowly woman who had caught Lin Jin Lou’s eye because of her looks. Lin Jin Lou would never quarrel with his mother over a woman, which was why Zi Dai dared to meddle so boldly in Zhi Chun Hall, repeatedly bullying her without showing any regard for her.

She looked at the dejected Chun Ling, then at Little Juan with her puffed cheeks. She knew both were acting out of concern for her, and their current indignation was only natural—when someone bullies you, you want to jump up and defend yourself immediately to “get that anger out of your system.” But what after that satisfaction? Madam Qin let things be, Zi Dai was riding high, prancing about proudly up and down, while she could only watch coldly from the sidelines, waiting for the day when Zi Dai would offend everyone and be put in her place by the rules. But Chun Ling’s outburst had saved Zi Dai—on the surface, this incident was simply about Yin Liu offending Xiang Lan, kneeling in the draft until she fell ill and was sold off. The stamp of “arrogant abuse of favor” was thus pressed onto Xiang Lan’s forehead, while Zi Dai’s failure to manage her subordinates became unimportant. Yin Liu’s expulsion provided a scapegoat for the mess Zi Dai had left behind, while also establishing Zi Dai’s reputation for “righteousness” and damaging Xiang Lan’s name—truly killing three birds with one stone.

Xiang Lan had no desire to cause trouble. She wasn’t afraid of Zi Dai, but what was the point of fighting like roosters with the likes of her? Lin Jin Lou’s interest in her was still fresh for now, but who knew when? What benefit would she gain from offending Madam Qin?

A few days ago, Mother Wu had sent a little maid with a pot of honeysuckle. Little Juan had said, “This flower isn’t much to look at, why did Mother Wu go out of her way to send this?”

Xiang Lan knew Mother Wu’s meaning was for her to endure for now, and endure she must. Living in this world was never about doing as one pleased. Back then, she had even knelt and kowtowed to Young Master Xia, so what were these small humiliations now?

She silently stood up, walked to the writing desk, picked up a brush, and wrote a large character for “endurance” on paper. Taking a deep breath, she stared at the character for a long while, then picked it up, crumpled it, and threw it into the fire basin.

Seeing Xiang Lan’s stern face, Little Juan didn’t dare make a sound, quietly using the fire tongs to turn over the ashes in the basin.

To skip the idle talk:

At midnight, Lin Jin Lou returned home under the stars and moon. Entering the bedroom, he saw Xiang Lan still sleeping in bed. That night it was Ting Lan’s turn to keep watch, and she hurriedly put on clothes and stumbled in. Lin Jin Lou casually dismissed her, removed his clothes, and lay down, reaching out to touch.

Xiang Lan had awakened as soon as he entered, and she pushed away his hand, saying, “You smell of earth and dust. Stay away from me.”

Lin Jin Lou said with a grin, “You heartless one, I rode hard and haven’t closed my eyes for a day and night to come see you, yet you complain.” As he spoke, his hands grew bolder.

Lin Jin Lou was known for his romantic affairs, and when pleased, he always spoke sweet words. If one truly believed them, they’d be a fool, and besides, he wasn’t one for romance. Being in such a hurry to return must mean official business. Naturally, Xiang Lan didn’t believe his words and tried to hide deeper in the bed, saying, “Stop it, it’s already midnight.” But how could she escape? When Lin Jin Lou was aroused, he didn’t care if it was day or night. In a few moves, he stripped Xiang Lan bare and pressed himself upon her.

Ting Lan outside pricked up her ears and understood immediately. She quickly went out to wake the serving maid on night duty and ordered her to heat water. Zhi Chun Hall instantly became busy.

The little maid Hu Po serving outside was trained by Lian Xin. When she saw Lin Jin Lou return, she quietly informed Lian Xin, who smiled and said, “You little monkey, go on then, I’ll remember your good deed.” She also gave her a piece of pastry to eat. Lian Xin saw Zi Dai was still sleeping, so she quietly dressed and did her hair before going to the front to manage things.

By daybreak, Lin Jin Lou had finished bathing and sat spiritedly at the kang table. On the table was a pot of thick purple rice and red date porridge, two bowls of fragrant nine-strand soup floating with ham strips, whitebait, wood ear mushrooms, dried tofu, and other ingredients, along with crab dumplings, various fried pastries, chestnut flour pancakes, and refreshing side dishes like stir-fried bean sprouts and chicken marrow bamboo shoots.

Shortly after, Little Juan supported Xiang Lan to come sit down. She wore a snow-green collared cyan winter plum dark flower satin front-opening padded jacket, with dark circles under her eyes and a delicate blush of weakness on her cheeks. Lin Jin Lou looked at her appearance, and Xiang Lan lowered her head. Lin Jin Lou suddenly laughed and picked up his chopsticks, saying, “Let’s eat.”

After last night’s exhaustion, Xiang Lan was weary in body and mind, still feeling lazy. She only picked up a dumpling and ate it in small bites.

Lian Xin saw Lin Jin Lou finish a bowl of soup and respectfully asked, “Would you like another bowl?” Seeing Lin Jin Lou nod, she took the bowl and was about to withdraw. As she turned, she saw Zi Dai standing in front of her, who snatched the bowl, saying with a smile, “I’ll take care of this small matter.” She went to the side to fill another bowl of soup, brought it to Lin Jin Lou’s side, and eagerly asked, “The kitchen just made fresh radish pancakes, would Young Master like a plate?”

Lin Jin Lou found the voice unfamiliar and looked up to see a tender, plump maid with an ingratiating smile, her bright almond eyes seemingly full of affection, dressed quite elegantly.

Lin Jin Lou looked at Xiang Lan and hesitantly asked, “This is…?”

“After Sister Shu Ran left, Madam feared Young Master had no one to serve him, so Madam assigned me here to serve.” Zi Dai smiled and said, “This servant is Zi Dai, paying respects to Young Master.” She then knelt and gave Lin Jin Lou a kowtow.

The room fell silent for a moment. At this point, Lian Xin or other proper maids should have said something like “Zi Dai is clever, she’s been working hard since she came, showing how much Madam cares for Young Master,” but Lian Xin stood to the side with lowered head playing dead, not making a sound, and the other maids all kept their heads down in silence.

Lin Jin Lou was in a good mood and laughed, “From Madam’s quarters? How come I’ve never seen you before?”

Zi Dai smiled with pursed lips before saying, “I’ve been serving in the back, and besides, Young Master is a busy important person—even if you’ve seen me before, you probably forgot.” She then shuffled forward on her knees, her chest trembling slightly.

Lian Xin cut off their conversation, saying, “Besides Zi Dai, Old Madam’s quarters also assigned a maid named Xue Ning, who is sensible and follows the rules, filling a second-class position.” She then had Xue Ning kowtow to Lin Jin Lou.

Lin Jin Lou glanced over, saw Xue Ning with her head lowered, nodded, and made a sound of acknowledgment.

Zi Dai was a little beauty, seemingly full of feeling, pushing out her pair of trembling breasts, quite alluring indeed. Lin Jin Lou was experienced in romance and did have some mind to flirt, but catching sight of Xiang Lan in his peripheral vision, he thought of her pure and pristine manner, and how she looked down on his dalliances with beauties. Besides, having seen much of the world, though Zi Dai was beautiful, to him she was just a novelty, not outstanding. Why offend Xiang Lan over a mere maid? So he dismissed both of them.

Zi Dai had finally gotten her opportunity, only to be interrupted by Lian Xin, and she secretly hated it. She looked up at Lin Jin Lou, then glanced at Xiang Lan sitting to the side taking small sips of porridge from her bowl, feeling quite displeased. Everyone said Xiang Lan was favored, but before Lin Jin Lou had returned home, she had only seen Xiang Lan dressed well and living in the main room, which she hadn’t thought much of—the proper maids in Zhi Chun Hall all wore silk and satin, gold and silver, so naturally someone of Xiang Lan’s position would be better off than others, which was only right. Moreover, in front of Madam Qin, Zi Dai had the upper hand, squeezing out Xiang Lan like nothing, and back in Zhi Chun Hall, Xiang Lan mostly stayed in her room, tolerating everything, so Zi Dai increasingly didn’t take Xiang Lan seriously, feeling that she was bestowed by Madam Qin and no one could surpass her.

But today with Lin Jin Lou’s return, Zi Dai noticed the difference. She had woken up late, with no one calling her, and only learned upon coming out that Lin Jin Lou had already returned home. She hurriedly went back to change clothes before coming out, and in the corridor saw three boxes placed on the ground, with two servants standing there talking. She heard one say: “Damn it, be careful! Master Xiang said this box was for Miss Xiang Lan, all the delicate precious things inside. If you break anything, your dog’s life won’t be enough to compensate for even a corner of it. I heard there are two paintings in here, one worth three thousand taels… Could they be made of gold?”

“What are these paintings worth? On the road, Young Master had people send a cart of things to Xiang Lan’s family, saying he’d prepared all the New Year’s goods for them. This cart isn’t about how much silver it’s worth, but about the face Young Master is giving, tsk tsk.”

Zi Dai was stunned upon hearing this. When she entered the room again, she saw Lin Jin Lou letting Xiang Lan eat at the same table with him! Even a senior maid like Lian Xin stood serving at the side, clearly treating Xiang Lan like a mistress.

Xiang Lan noticed Zi Dai’s unwilling expression and saw her standing to the side, casting amorous glances at Lin Jin Lou. She thought silently: Lin Jin Lou is filial, and people Madam Qin wants him to favor, he won’t deny face to. If he takes Zi Dai, he’ll naturally be interested for a few days, and the timing would be perfect for me to leave this place…

Lin Jin Lou ate two pieces of fine pastry, then looked up to see Xiang Lan listlessly stirring her porridge bowl with a spoon, completely distracted. He frowned and placed a piece of tender bamboo shoot in her cyan porcelain dish, saying, “This bamboo shoot is braised in chicken broth, it’s refreshing with porridge.” Seeing Xiang Lan look up at him, he raised an eyebrow and suddenly smiled elegantly, saying, “Eat more, or you’ll be too thin to handle it.”

Xiang Lan’s face immediately turned red, and she lowered her head as if startled.

Soon the meal was finished. The maids brought tea and water for rinsing mouths and washing hands. Lin Jin Lou was still lounging on the bed when he saw Xiang Lan rise to leave, so he asked, “Where are you going?”

Xiang Lan replied, “To Madam’s quarters to learn proper conduct.”

Lin Jin Lou was taken aback: “After all this time, you still haven’t finished learning?”

Before Xiang Lan could speak, Chun Ling deliberately walked in and said, “Miss, please hurry. Zi Dai is already dressed and waiting at the door.”

Xiang Lan glanced at Lin Jin Lou and, as if possessed, said: “Zi Dai is a first-class maid promoted by Madam. Madam wants to teach her personally and has asked me to learn from her as well.”