In recent days, while Lin Jinting had been out enjoying himself with Chu Dapeng and others, he had heard the young masters of Yangzhou discussing Lin Jinlou multiple times. Some envied his high position at such a young age, some feared his reputation, some praised his military prowess, while others commented on his fastidious nature or eagerly discussed his romantic affairs.
Previously, when guests visited the Lin family, Lin Jinting had assumed they came merely out of respect for his grandfather and Lin Zhangzheng. However, this time he witnessed firsthand Lin Jinlou’s influence outside their home. The patriarchs of noble families came in waves to visit the Lin residence in Yangzhou, bearing various gifts and showing extreme courtesy. Both civil and military officials throughout Yangzhou rushed to curry favor with this powerful young general.
Today, as Lin Jinlou departed, all the important officials of Yangzhou came to bid him farewell. The procession of sedan chairs and fine horses stretched across an entire street.
Lin Jinting stood dumbfounded at this sight, suddenly recalling the day his grandfather had ordered him to move into the ancestral house to study. On his first day there, his grandfather, reclining in a rocking chair, had asked him, “Do you resent your eldest brother for what happened to Ling’er?”
Did he resent him? Of course, he harbored resentment. His mother had wept day and night, and his father had cursed Lin Jinlou vehemently behind closed doors. Lin Dongying had been forcibly bundled onto a horse carriage, her face swollen with bruises, crying inconsolably. That evening, a funeral altar had been erected at their doorstep, and from that day forward, there was no longer any “Young Lady Lin Dongying” in the Lin family.
He had stammered, unsure how to respond.
His grandfather had shaken his head and said, “Remember this: though you two are not from the same branch of the family, Lou’er values relationships deeply. As the saying goes, ‘An elder brother is like a father.’ Treat him as your brother and be close to him… Whether you can count on your father remains to be seen, but your future lies with your uncle and eldest brother. Think carefully about what you should do. If you can understand this lesson, it will have been worth my effort to bring you here to study.”
He naturally understood his grandfather’s implicit meaning to get closer to Lin Jinlou, but he still felt uncomfortable. Later, when Lin Jinlou decisively planned to go to Yangzhou, he had grown weary of his grandfather’s restrictions. Upon hearing this news, he hastily left a note and escaped from home following Lin Jinlou. After these days together, his resentment towards Lin Jinlou gradually dissipated, and they returned to their former joking relationship.
However, today, witnessing such a grand spectacle, he finally understood his grandfather’s intentions. His elder brother was no longer the young master who had taken him horse riding and gambling years ago but had become a figure capable of influencing the fate of many.
Lin Jinting didn’t know what to feel as he watched Lin Jinlou smiling and exchanging pleasantries with the officials, repeatedly cupping his hands in greeting after mounting his horse, his demeanor brilliant and commanding.
The crowd only stopped after escorting them out of the city, with another unit of soldiers continuing to provide protection.
Xiang Lan sat in the carriage, lifting the curtain slightly to peek through a small gap, seeing the lush greenery of the outskirts.
Lin Jinlou rode up to her and said, “What are you looking at? Rest your eyes, I’ll call you when we arrive.” He then tucked the curtain back firmly in place.
Ji Xiang, while driving the carriage, smirked to himself. Their master was worried about the guards seeing Xiang Lan, but he failed to realize that none of them would dare even glance in her direction.
Xiang Lan had no choice but to lean back against the cushions.
Seeing this, Ling Su brought out two small red lacquered boxes and offered Xiang Lan some refreshments.
Xiang Lan said, “I just ate two pieces of cake this morning, I’m not hungry. How did you prepare snacks when we were so busy this morning?”
Ling Su smiled and replied, “Master had the cook from Er Mei Pavilion prepare these early and send them over. If Madam is bored, you can have a few pieces to pass the time.” She opened the lids to reveal two types of snacks in one box – peony-shaped fruit candies and cream-fried pastries – while the other contained four delicate pastries: Sweet Dew Biscuits, Snow Flake Crisp, Water Chestnut Rolls, and Amber Cake.
Seeing how exquisitely made they were, Xiang Lan took one to eat and urged Ling Qing and Ling Su to join her. At first, they declined, but after Xiang Lan’s repeated insistence, each took a piece of cake. They then accompanied her in casual conversation to pass the time.
Ling Qing and Ling Su had feared being left behind in Yangzhou like the previous maids in the Yangzhou residence, who rarely saw their masters and spent years guarding an empty garden, their lives potentially forgotten if the master neglected them. When they saw they were being taken along on the journey, their hearts finally settled, and they became even more devoted to their service, no longer harboring any complaints.
Meanwhile, in the Lin residence in Jin Ling, a servant boy named He Tao entered the covered room and casually picked up some bedding. He went to take the teapot from the table but found no water came out. Lifting the lid to look inside, he saw it was empty except for a few dried tea leaves. He sneered at the kang bed, “You’re just asking for trouble! Lazy and useless, lying in bed all day like a corpse, you can’t even refill the tea after finishing it. Wait until the matron beats you!”
Gui Yuan lay on the kang, covering his head with a pillow case, pretending not to hear. Life wasn’t easy for Gui Yuan these days. He had originally served in the study, and Lin Jinlou, seeing his cleverness, had assigned him to serve Xiang Lan. Though young, Gui Yuan was quite shrewd. He had reasoned that the most useful people on the master’s side were Ji Xiang and the Shuang Xi brothers, and it was difficult for others to rise to prominence. Moreover, with so many capable people around the master all vying for his attention and secretly plotting against each other, it was only thanks to Ji Xiang and Shu Ran keeping things in check that order was maintained. As someone who had been bought halfway through, without any backing, life wasn’t particularly smooth for him. Additionally, Lin Jinlou had a difficult temperament and was extremely particular about service. Previously, while serving in the study, he had always been on edge. When he was assigned to serve Xiang Lan, others mocked him, seeing it as a demotion from a respectable position to serving a newly favored concubine, but Gui Yuan secretly rejoiced.
Xiang Lan was easy-going and generous, giving servants many rewards, and she rarely made demands. He might only be called upon once every ten or fifteen days. Life was relaxed, and everyone knew Lin Jinlou favored Xiang Lan exclusively – her promotion to concubine was just a matter of time. Gui Yuan thought that if he served faithfully now when Xiang Lan bore children in the future, Lin Jinlou would be delighted and might grant him a shop or farmland. He could then request to become a manager, securing his prospects.
While he was still ambitiously planning, unexpectedly, Young Lady Xiang Lan had suddenly disappeared! The Lin family only said that Young Lady Xiang Lan was unwell and had been sent to recuperate at their country estate for a few days before returning. However, there were whispers below the stairs that Xiang Lan had disappeared from a temple, and the outlook was likely grim.
Gui Yuan had beaten his chest in despair, wanting to cry but having no tears left. His position in the study had already been filled by someone else, and now he was left without any real duties. The other servants often bullied him, and life held no hope.
As He Tao continued scolding, Gui Yuan rolled over.
Suddenly, the door was kicked open with a bang, and Shuang Xi rushed in, frowning as he said, “Why are you still lying around? Gui Yuan, your miss has returned, hurry to the gate to kowtow!”
Gui Yuan sat up abruptly from the kang, his eyes wide as he asked, “Which miss? …Young Lady Xiang Lan?”
Shuang Xi replied while walking out, “Yes, who else? Now hurry up!”
Meanwhile, Xiang Lan had already been escorted into Zhi Chun Pavilion by a group of matrons and maids. As soon as she sat down, Xiao Juan came forward, holding Xiang Lan’s hand with tears in her eyes, saying, “Dear miss, where have you been all this time? I was worried sick.”
Chun Ling said, “Miss, you could have at least sent us word, so we wouldn’t have to guess.”
Following Lin Jinlou’s instructions, Xiang Lan replied, “I wasn’t feeling well these past days, and fearing I might spread illness at home, I stayed at the country estate for some time. After I recovered, the master had business in Yangzhou and took me along. I’m sorry to have worried everyone needlessly.”
Ting Lan smiled and said, “What’s there to be sorry about? This is only natural, miss needn’t be so polite.”
Chun Ling spoke simultaneously, smiling, “It’s good that miss thinks of us.”
As they spoke, Shu Ran lifted the curtain and entered, smiling as she said, “How lively it is here.” She told Xiang Lan, “The master said he has some urgent military matters to attend to and told miss to rest and settle in. He’ll return in the evening.” Then she addressed everyone else, “Whatever you have to say can wait until after you’ve helped miss freshen up and have something to eat.”
At Shu Ran’s words, everyone dispersed – some bringing tea, others carrying hot water, and some bringing clothes. Ling Qing and Ling Su stood to the side, unable to help.
Chun Ling asked, “Miss, these two are…?”
Xiang Lan glanced at Chun Ling, initially intending to have her take the two away and settle them in, planning to have her teach them later. But before she could speak, she hesitated. Her situation was different now; running away from the Lin family again wouldn’t be so easy. Though Chun Ling was capable, she was still a Lin family servant by birth, and her temperament was like burning charcoal, often getting into disputes with others, which wasn’t always convenient. Ling Qing and Ling Su were both clever, and their contracts were still in her possession. It would be better to keep them under her direct supervision, giving her more loyal followers in the future. She told Chun Ling, “These two were sent by Master Xie, both are very good. One will manage writing materials and the other food. I remember there’s still a side room available, settle them there first.”
Addressing Ling Qing and Ling Su, she added, “You must be tired from the journey. Go rest first, and come back to serve in the evening.”
Chun Ling was stunned, her expression immediately darkening as she led them away.
Shu Ran came close and whispered, “Miss should go pay respects to Madam soon. During your absence, Madam has been constantly thinking of you, sending things to your family several times, and secretly asking me through Hong Jian whether you had returned. She even specially lit a safety lamp for you at the temple.”
Xiang Lan was surprised, not expecting Madam Qin to be so thoughtful, and felt more favorable towards her. She nodded and said, “I understand, thank you, sister, for letting me know.”
After having tea, washing up, changing clothes, and redoing her hair, Xiang Lan took out the gifts she had prepared for Madam Qin and went to Zhuo Shou Garden to see her. Madam Qin had already heard of Xiang Lan’s return and hurriedly had her brought in, rising to meet her and taking her hand. She looked her up and down before finally sighing deeply as if a weight had been lifted from her heart, saying, “Amitabha, it’s good that you’re back.” She pulled Xiang Lan to sit on the couch, and Hong Jian poured tea. After sending the other maids away, the three of them sat together as Madam Qin inquired about where Xiang Lan had been these days, how she had fared, and how Lin Jinlou had found her.
Xiang Lan replied, “I was hiding in a nearby nunnery the whole time. Having been missing for a night, I felt my reputation was compromised and was too ashamed to return. I had planned to stay at the temple permanently, but somehow the master got news of my whereabouts and brought me back.”
Madam Qin’s eyes reddened as she said, “You foolish child, who would look down on you… Such words break my heart.” She choked up, and Xiang Lan and Hong Jian hurried to comfort her. Madam Qin wiped her eyes with a handkerchief and said, “Well, it’s good that you’re back now.” She chatted with Xiang Lan for a while longer, gave her many gifts, and ordered a matron to carry them as she sent Xiang Lan back to Zhi Chun Pavilion.
Tired from the journey and the busy morning, Xiang Lan changed clothes upon returning and lay down on the kang in the warm parlor to bask in the sunlight. Though weary, she couldn’t sleep, her mind in turmoil. Hearing movement beside her, she opened her eyes to see Chun Ling sitting on the edge of the kang. Xiang Lan sat up halfway, about to tell Chun Ling to distribute the gifts she had brought for them all, when Chun Ling, frowning as she sat on the kang’s edge, spoke in a confrontational tone: “Miss, there’s no need to hide it from me. Where exactly were you all this time?”
Xiang Lan was startled. Xiao Juan was just bringing in tea and snacks, and hearing these words, she frowned and said, “Chun Ling, how dare you question miss like this? Since when does she need to report her whereabouts to you?”
Chun Ling raised an eyebrow and said, “I’m just concerned about miss.” She turned back to Xiang Lan and asked, “Where did you go?”
Xiang Lan remained silent, merely giving a slight smile as she reached for the tea in Xiao Juan’s hands. After taking a sip, she said, “In the blue silk bundle in the trunk, there are face powder, rouge, and hair oil brought back from Yangzhou, one set for each of you. Go divide them up.” With that, she lay back down and closed her eyes.
Chun Ling wanted to press further, but Xiao Juan pulled at her sleeve, saying, “Miss is tired, let her rest.” She pulled Chun Ling outside.
Standing in the outer room, Chun Ling said angrily, “Why did you pull me out? Can’t I even ask about this anymore? This whole thing is suspicious – she was lost at the temple, so how did it become a stay at the estate?”
Xiao Juan sneered, “If miss wants to tell us, she will. If she doesn’t want to, she must have her reasons. Is this something we should be prying into? We’re just servants. Miss is close with us and treats us like sisters rather than servants, but we must remember that she is still the master’s woman, soon to be promoted to concubine. No matter how close we are, we shouldn’t speak to her as if lecturing a junior – we must show proper respect.”
Chun Ling, who had seniority and was second-ranked, was used to scolding Xiao Juan. Being suddenly rebuked by her, she immediately lost face and coldly laughed, “Well, well, how impressive. I just asked out of concern, and you lectured me with so many words. There are many masters in this household, but none so grand that they can’t be questioned.” With that, she stormed out, slamming the curtain.
Ting Lan and Xue Ning were entering together, chatting and laughing when they ran into the angry Chun Ling leaving. They were startled and asked Xiao Juan, “What’s wrong with her?”
Xiao Juan snorted and said, “Just because miss brought back two maids and didn’t put them under her supervision, she’s already showing attitude to miss.” Then she muttered to herself, “What concern? She just wants to gossip and pry.”