When Qian Wen Ze looked at the painting, he saw it was a “Portrait of Luo Shen.” In it, Luo Shen was depicted with long eyebrows and delicate eyes, her clothes flowing in the wind, truly embodying the description “graceful as a startled swan, elegant as a swimming dragon.” The painting was ethereally beautiful, capturing both form and spirit perfectly. Though unsigned, it bore only a cinnabar seal with a single character “Lan” in the seal script. Qian Wen Ze immediately praised it and showed the painting to Chun Yan, repeatedly saying, “Actually, this painting is quite ordinary, but I see the Goddess Luo in it seems to have been drawn from the same model as you – though perhaps she’s not quite as beautiful as you.” Chun Yan was pleased by this, giving Qian Wen Ze a coy look while taking out silver to buy the painting.
Upon returning to Yi Cui Tower, just before reaching the main door, they encountered some drunk troublemakers making a ruckus. The madam was delighted to see Chun Yan return and quickly pulled her over to mediate, saying, “Masters, please don’t be angry. Look, Miss Yan Er has returned. She’ll pour wine and apologize to you all shortly.”
The troublemaker was none other than Han Guang Ye, son of Magistrate Han Yao Zu. Their family had attached themselves to the Lin family, and Lin Jin Lou had helped Han Guang Ye secure an eighth-rank minor official position. Though Han Guang Ye was unlearned, he was extremely skilled at managing relationships and thick-skinned, deeply understanding official circles. Being the type to want ten when given one, through his and his father’s schemes, he had managed to secure a lucrative position in the Salt Administration. Though the rank wasn’t high, it was quite profitable, and Han Guang Ye immediately became arrogant. On this trip to Yangzhou for official business, to please his superiors, he had specifically spent silver to treat them to entertainment. However, finding Yi Cui Tower’s most famous courtesan Yan Er absent had displeased his superiors. Han Guang Ye felt he had failed to curry favor properly and so made a scene.
Han Guang Ye looked at Chun Yan, noting her peach-blossom face and apricot cheeks, feeling his heart soften, but he sneered, “You think everything’s fine just because you’ve shown up? Earlier you said you’d return quickly, but we waited an extra hour for nothing! We were served by nothing but common powder-faced girls. Are you looking down on us outsiders, or do you think we don’t have silver?” He glared and slammed the table, “Don’t you know who I am? In Jinling city, everyone has to respectfully call me ‘master,’ even your Salt Administration’s Director Wu has to show me some face, yet today I have to suffer such disrespect here!” He knocked over a cup of hot tea, shattering it on the floor, making Chun Yan cry out in fright.
Han Guang Ye then ordered his followers to start breaking things. The madam and servants couldn’t stop them, and having heard Han Guang Ye’s words about his background, they dared not escalate the situation. Qian Wen Ze, being a clever person, had noticed the mention of “Salt Administration” and saw an opportunity to make connections. Seeing the madam and others at a loss, he thought, “This is my chance to show off.” Wanting to demonstrate his understanding of social graces and ability to manage situations, he stepped forward and grabbed Han Guang Ye, fanning him attentively while saying warmly, “Oh my, oh my, oh my, my dear brother, what has made you so angry? Look how upset my brother is!” He pressed Han Guang Ye into a chair, face full of smiles, “The people here are blind and don’t know how to speak properly. Brother, please don’t be angry – just look at me, look at me!” Then he glared at Chun Yan, “Why are you just standing there? Don’t you know to pour tea and apologize to my brother? What are those white hands for!” He gave her a meaningful look.
Chun Yan shot Qian Wen Ze a glance, suppressing her anger as she reluctantly went to comply.
While fanning Han Guang Ye, Qian Wen Ze smiled and said, “Brother, calm down. A noble official like yourself, why bother getting angry with a few courtesans? We come here for pleasure – it would be too unfortunate to leave with anger instead of enjoyment. Let Yan Er play some fresh tunes for you later, like ‘Spring Dew Thick, Jade Buds Open,’ and drink with you. Tsk tsk, I guarantee your anger will disappear. Brother, for my sake…”
This was exactly what Han Guang Ye wanted – his breaking things was just to save face. Now that someone had given him a way out, he naturally didn’t want to make a big scene. He looked sideways at Qian Wen Ze, noting his handsome face and social awareness, full of polite phrases. Recognizing him as a smooth operator, he was inclined to take the offered path, but couldn’t make it too easy. He kept his cold expression and said haughtily, “For your sake? What are you? What face do you have?”
Qian Wen Ze clicked his tongue and put on a stern face, then smiled like spring wind and said, “Look down on me? Brother probably doesn’t know my reputation, but ask around these streets – everyone knows ‘White-faced Qian.’ Though unworthy, I am a person of some standing in this area. I was just passing by when I saw that brother is a man of spirit, no ordinary person – surely from a noble family or a dragon among men. That’s why I came in to talk with you. Later, I’ll treat brother to drinks, and we can become friends.”
Han Guang Ye looked him up and down, noting Qian Wen Ze’s silk clothes, gold-threaded belt, sandalwood fan, and bright gold rings – he indeed looked like a person of standing, making Han Guang Ye somewhat believe him.
Then Chun Yan personally served tea and apologized softly, while Qian Wen Ze continued his flattery, finally making Han Guang Ye feel his face was saved, and the matter was settled. Chun Yan went to attend to things in front, while Qian Wen Ze insisted on taking Han Guang Ye to a nearby tea room for drinks, continuously flattering him. Han Guang Ye was pleased, and after some casual conversation, when Qian Wen Ze heard that Han Guang Ye’s father was a magistrate and held a lucrative position, he became even more ingratiating. After a few drinks, Han Guang Ye loosened up and said, “No wonder this Yan Er charges five taels of silver for one night – she’s quite alluring.”
Qian Wen Ze chuckled while pouring Han Guang Ye another cup, saying, “She’s not even among Yangzhou’s top courtesans. The real famous Eight Beauties of Yangzhou charge ten taels a night… But in my opinion, these Eight Beauties can’t compare to the young lady I saw today. She was incredibly beautiful – her eyes could capture souls with one glance. Unfortunately, she’s a nun who keeps her hair.” He picked up the scroll painting beside him, unrolled it, and showed it to Han Guang Ye, “Brother, do you see? This is her painting – wouldn’t you say she excels in both beauty and art?” He continued praising Xiang Lan’s beauty. Qian Wen Ze had ill intentions, lusting after Xiang Lan’s beauty, but not knowing her background. Since Xian Sheng Nunnery was a famous temple, not an ordinary one, he dared not act directly, so he tried to incite Han Guang Ye to take action, hoping to share in the spoils if successful.
Hearing Qian Wen Ze praise the young nun to the heavens, Han Guang Ye became very interested. After a few more drinks, emboldened by alcohol and Qian Wen Ze’s instigation, he went to see the beauty. When they reached Xian Sheng Nunnery, the main gate was already closed. Qian Wen Ze said, “No matter, I just heard the bell – it’s time for evening prayers. Let’s go to the back. Brother can stand on my shoulders and look inside – the young nun must go to chant sutras, and brother can see her then.” Han Guang Ye stood on Qian Wen Ze’s shoulders and peered over the wall. Indeed, he saw nuns carrying sutras heading to the Buddha hall in twos and threes. Soon after, he saw a graceful young woman walking slowly, with black hair and snow-white skin, though he couldn’t see her face.
Han Guang Ye’s heart itched with curiosity, and he strained his eyes, standing on tiptoes on Qian Wen Ze’s shoulders to look inside. Qian Wen Ze, already weakened by wine and women, could hardly bear Han Guang Ye’s weight. His legs shook, large beads of sweat running down his forehead as he tilted his neck and gritted his teeth, “Brother, I say brother, have… have you seen her yet?”
Han Guang Ye replied, “Almost, what are you shouting about?”
As the person approached, she indeed had a beautiful face like jade with autumn pools for eyes, and a lovely graceful figure – truly a beauty. Han Guang Ye suddenly widened his eyes as if seeing something terrifying and exclaimed, “This, this, this is…”
At this point, Qian Wen Ze could no longer support the weight. His legs gave way, causing Han Guang Ye to lose his balance. After swaying twice, with a sharp “Aiya!” cry, he fell head-first.
Xiang Lan was startled by the noise and looked up toward its source but saw nothing. She hurried her steps into the Buddha hall. Earlier that day, seeing Chun Yan had made her very uneasy, and she regretted taking off her hood in the room – what if someone had recognized her? But then she thought that she hadn’t seen Chun Yan for a long time, and she had been just a young girl then – Chun Yan probably wouldn’t remember her. Besides, Chun Yan’s whole family had been sold off by the Lin family, so she probably had no more connection to them. This thought somewhat calmed her, though she reminded herself to be even more careful in the future.
Outside the wall, Han Guang Ye lay on the ground clutching his waist and moaning, but his mind was in turmoil.
The person he had just seen was none other than Lin Jin Lou’s beloved concubine Chen Xiang Lan!
How, how, how could she be here?!
All Han Guang Ye’s drunkenness turned to cold sweat.
Back when Lin Jin Lou had gotten Chen Wan Quan out of prison, he and his father, Magistrate Han, had frequently visited the Chen family, bringing medicine, silver, and gifts. He had seen Chen Xiang Lan once and was immediately struck by her beauty. Though he didn’t show it on his face, in his heart he envied Lin Jin Lou’s good fortune. Later, he watched as Chen Wan Quan’s status suddenly rose because of his daughter, quickly becoming wealthy. Initially, the father and son had been extremely cautious, but gradually they became less respectful, calling his father “brother” and him “worthy nephew” – truly forgetting their place, showing the face of upstart commoners.
The two of them maintained warm relations on the surface, but at home behind closed doors, they would throw cups and curse, “Worthless slave breed, daughter being someone’s concubine, yet prancing around like they’re somebody – ptui! When the young master tires of their daughter, we’ll grind that dog face in the mud!” But when they heard Chen Xiang Lan had truly won Lin Jin Lou’s favor and gained exclusive favor in the inner household, though their unwillingness decreased somewhat, they visited the Chen family even more frequently.
If a favored concubine could whisper a few words in bed, he, Han Guang Ye, might become more than just an eighth-rank minor official! He might even outshine his father, who had only become a seventh-rank official after passing the imperial examinations!
He had visited the Chen family during New Year’s this year, and Chen Wan Quan had shown off the gifts from the Lin family, which filled the house to overflowing – four jars of wine and a box of furs had to be placed in the courtyard. He knew the Chen family was truly headed for great fortune.
But why was Chen Xiang Lan in a temple in Yangzhou?
At this point, Qian Wen Ze stood up rubbing his arms, and hurried to help Han Guang Ye, saying, “My dear brother, can you stand? Are you hurt anywhere?”
Han Guang Ye stood up frowning, thinking to himself: “Since before last New Year, the Lin family troops haven’t rested, searching everywhere. They even came to my father, having the yamen send constables to look for beautiful girls around sixteen with unknown backgrounds. They arrested over twenty but released them all. It caused quite a panic – some said they were looking for a runaway concubine from a wealthy family, and others said some family had lost their young lady. But the Lin family troops kept their mouths shut, not letting slip any information. They’re still searching in Jinling now… could it be… they’re looking for her?”
Han Guang Ye shuddered, first breaking out in a cold sweat, then feeling wild joy. So excited that his whole body trembled slightly, he thought to himself: “Heaven helps me! It’s fated that I, Han Guang Ye, will bring glory to my family. With such a great achievement, what couldn’t I accomplish!” At this thought, he couldn’t help but laugh loudly with his hands on his hips, but the force pulled at his injured waist, making him grimace and moan. Yet unable to contain his joy, he laughed again, the pain in his waist bringing tears to his eyes.
This alternating laughing and crying startled Qian Wen Ze, who stood dumbfounded and said, “I say… I say, brother, you haven’t been addled by the fall, have you?”
Han Guang Ye waved his hand and patted Qian Wen Ze’s shoulder, laughing, “No, no, my brother, you’re truly my lucky star…” He stopped mid-sentence, seeing Qian Wen Ze’s eager smiling face, and instead took out two taels of silver, saying, “Come, let’s go have another drink, but don’t tell anyone about this girl. I know what to do, and there’ll be plenty of benefits for you later.” Then he pulled Qian Wen Ze away – but we’ll leave them for now.
Now, though Young Master Han couldn’t read many characters, he was quite shrewd in these matters and definitely wouldn’t tell others and risk sharing the credit. He immediately made his plans, calling his trusted servant and ordering him to watch Xiang Lan from outside the temple. That night, after applying an ointment patch to his waist and buying the “Portrait of Luo Shen” from Qian Wen Ze at twice the price, he hurriedly returned to Jinling. But we won’t elaborate on that.
As for Xiang Lan, that evening after prayers, Abbess Ding Yi suddenly called her to her side and said, “I once said if we were destined, you would return to see me off. Now my time has come, and our deep karmic connection has given us these days together. I have a few words to tell you. Though the temple is peaceful, it is not your final destination. After many ups and downs, follow your karma, and don’t be too hard on yourself. You have always been generous and kind to others – good days lie ahead, and you will ultimately return to a life of wealth and status.” After speaking, she sat cross-legged and passed away peacefully.
Xiang Lan was deeply grieved and couldn’t help but weep greatly. The temple conducted sutra chanting for the deceased and arranged the funeral ceremonies. Abbess Ding Yi had been well-respected, having helped many people over the years. Villagers came to pay their respects in an endless stream, and even the prefect and other officials personally came to offer condolences, making Xian Sheng Nunnery temporarily busy and chaotic. Fearing recognition, Xiang Lan retreated to the vegetable garden in the back for solitude. Thinking of her master, she again shed tears.