Xiang Lan’s eyes were red as she leaned in her mother’s embrace. While Chen Wanquan was delighted to see his daughter, he secretly surveyed the room’s furnishings, dazzled by its splendor and opulence. It felt like being in a palace. With Lin Jinlou standing beside him, his knees felt weak, and he didn’t know where to put his hands and feet.

Lin Jinlou said, “Why is everyone standing? Xiang Lan, don’t you know to offer your parents seats?”

Xiang Lan then invited them to sit, pulling Madam Xue to sit on the kang in the warm parlor. Maids brought embroidered stools, and Chen Wanquan carefully perched on half of one, not daring to look around, only watching as Madam Xue held Xiang Lan’s hand and inquired about her well-being.

Soon, Xiao Juan brought tea and set out fresh fruits. Xiang Lan secretly glanced at Lin Jinlou, who was standing by the curio cabinet with a lazy smile. After standing there for a while, he turned and left. Only then did Chen Wanquan finally let out a long breath.

Xiang Lan eagerly asked about her parents’ health. When Madam Xue asked where she had been these days and why she hadn’t sent word home, Xiang Lan had to make up excuses. Seeing no one else in the room, Madam Xue quietly asked Xiang Lan, “How is the master treating you now?” She still felt anxious remembering how Lin Jinlou had nearly strangled her daughter last time.

Xiang Lan replied softly, “I’m doing well in the mansion… don’t worry about me, mother and father.”

Madam Xue sighed, “How can I not worry?” But seeing Xiang Lan’s complexion better than before, she felt somewhat relieved.

Seeing his daughter adorned in gold and silver, dressed from head to toe in fine silks, carrying herself with the dignity of a noble household’s lady, Chen Wanquan’s face showed immense pride. He reproached Madam Xue, “I always said our daughter would live well in the Lin family, but you wouldn’t believe me. Even proper madams from noble and royal families can’t compare to our Lan.” He then addressed Xiang Lan, “The master treated you poorly before only because you were too stubborn, always dwelling on foolish fantasies. Now you must settle down. Such a prestigious and impressive man as the master – you couldn’t find better even with a lantern. Just look at New Year’s alone – the amount of gifts sent to our home! I sold what we couldn’t use, and with my savings, not only opened a shop but bought some land too. Even Magistrate Han calls me brother now. Your father has become somebody when he goes out – heaven has finally smiled on us. My child, you’ve always been clever. If you were still unmarried, I would never agree to you becoming a concubine, but given the situation now, a woman must ‘follow the rooster if married to a rooster, follow the dog if married to a dog.’ What would you do if the master grows tired of you?”

Madam Xue frowned at these words and kicked Chen Wanquan, saying, “What are you saying? We finally get to see our daughter, and you say such hurtful things.”

Chen Wanquan immediately bulged his eyes and said, “Tch, am I wrong? Her ambitions are too big!”

Madam Xue hurriedly said, “Enough, have some tea and rest.” All while anxiously watching Xiang Lan’s expression.

Xiang Lan calmly replied, “Father knows very well what our family’s status is. If you want me to live well in the mansion, you need to manage yourself better – drink less, stop associating with those worthless friends, and stop bragging about me. Everyone in the mansion is watching me now, and if you make even a small mistake, ill-intentioned people will twist it into gossip and rumors. The master isn’t a constant man, and if you cause trouble for me and he grows tired of me, he might drive me out like Hua Mei and Chun Yan. Then there won’t be any New Year’s gifts in the future.”

Chen Wanquan, being a timid and weak person, immediately lost all his previous smugness upon hearing these words. His earlier proud demeanor of lecturing Xiang Lan vanished completely, and his expression changed as he quickly said, “How could that happen? I would never cause trouble for you.” Yet he knew he had been bragging excessively lately and said many things he shouldn’t have, which made him uneasy.

Xiang Lan shook her head. Previously, she would have become angry at such words from Chen Wanquan, arguing with furrowed brows. However, after experiencing several ups and downs, her temperament had become more measured, and she no longer wished to engage in confrontations as before. Her father’s perspective and mindset couldn’t be changed quickly, so why should she get upset about it and part on bad terms? Now that she couldn’t stay by her parents’ side, with an uncertain future ahead, it was better to offer some advice and simply hope for their well-being.

After talking for a while longer, Xue Ning came in saying, “The kitchen has prepared the meal, and the master wants Miss to invite Mr. Chen and his wife to dine in the mansion.” She then led everyone to the flower hall.

Inside, four small plates of cold dishes were already set on an eight-immortals table made of huanghuali wood. Lin Jinlou sat casually at the table, holding a birdcage and playing with a small yellow oriole. When people entered, he handed the cage to Lian Xin, who stood nearby. Seeing Xiang Lan enter with swollen eyes, he smiled and said, “Oh, why are you crying again? Too happy to see your parents?” Without waiting for her response, he gestured, “Since you’re here, sit down.”

Chen Wanquan barely dared to breathe, shrinking back saying, “No, no, how could we dare…” Before he could finish, Madam Xue jabbed him, curtsied to Lin Jinlou, and said, “We’re imposing on you.” She pulled Chen Wanquan to sit down, giving him another stern look.

Xiang Lan silently sighed to herself and took her seat. Xiao Juan, Ling Qing, and Ling Su stood holding boxes, while Chun Ling opened the lids revealing two hot dishes each. Together with Ting Lan, they served a table full of delicacies and fine dishes. Soon, a young maid brought over a silver basin for washing hands, and the Chen couple mimicked Xiang Lan’s actions, washing their hands while sitting stiffly and silently.

The table was quiet until Lin Jinlou smiled and said, “I’ve been wanting to invite you over but haven’t had the time. Now that you’re here, don’t be formal, please help yourselves.” He glanced at Lian Xin, who immediately took up the wine pitcher to pour for Chen Wanquan.

Chen Wanquan repeatedly declined, and though he picked up his chopsticks, he didn’t dare to take any food.

Seeing her parents’ discomfort, Xiang Lan looked up at Chun Ling. Chun Ling stood to the side holding a handkerchief, aware of Xiang Lan’s gaze but still harboring resentment, she pretended not to notice. Ling Qing and Ling Su, who were holding washbasins and dusters on the other side, exchanged glances before stepping forward with chopsticks, smiling as they said, “Which dishes would Mr. Chen and Madam like? Let us serve you.” They began placing food in their bowls, and only then did Chen Wanquan and Madam Xue start eating.

Xiang Lan couldn’t help but feel relieved, while Chun Ling’s face darkened.

The Lin family followed the custom of “silence during meals,” and Lin Jinlou ate methodically, not particularly urging the Chen couple to eat more. They ate without tasting the food, not daring to serve themselves, only eating what the maids placed in their bowls.

When Lin Jinlou was nearly finished, he put down his chopsticks and motioned for a maid to bring Western cloth napkins. As he wiped his hands, he smiled and said, “I invited you here today because I have some happy news. Xiang Lan is very pleasing, and I’ve long thought of making her a concubine. I’ve just been too busy to arrange it, but when things settle down, I’ll hold a banquet and invite guests to celebrate properly. She won’t be shortchanged.”

These words struck like thunder from a clear sky. Xiang Lan’s hands froze, and she could no longer eat. Her fingers whitened around her chopsticks as she lowered her head in silence. The Chen couple was also extremely surprised and exchanged glances. Chen Wanquan was genuinely delighted, feeling that with an official position, they would have security in the Lin family and could enjoy wealth for life as long as they didn’t make any major mistakes. He quickly smiled and said, “We’re grateful for the master’s favor. It’s Xiang Lan’s good fortune.”

Madam Xue, however, was secretly worried. Seeing Xiang Lan keep her head down without speaking, she grew more anxious and quietly nudged Xiang Lan’s leg, whispering, “Quickly thank the master.”

Lin Jinlou’s expression grew somewhat dark.

Seeing this, Xiao Juan quickly put on a bright smile and said, “Congratulations, madam! This afternoon I saw two magpies chirping in the tree – so this was the happy event they were announcing! Sincere congratulations, madam!” Being naturally vivacious and charming, her words prompted the other maids to hurry forward with congratulations, eagerly addressing Xiang Lan as “madam.”

Xiang Lan bit her lip. To others, being made a concubine was an enormous honor. She had been born a servant, and if she hadn’t fought to free herself from bondage, at most she would have been matched with another servant in the Lin household. Now she would be the concubine of a third-rank general – her whole family should be grateful and burning incense at their ancestral graves.

From the moment she tried to escape her servant status and enter the Lin family in this life, fortune had never been on her side. Every time she emerged from desperate situations, another blow would soon send her back into the abyss. She blamed no one – it was fate. Among all the runaway concubines from wealthy families, she was probably the most well-behaved, quietly staying in the temple, but trouble still found her when she tried to hide.

She clearly understood her status and worth, never foolishly dreaming of becoming the Lin family’s primary wife. In this life with Lin Jinlou, she was just a concubine serving with her beauty, never knowing when his favor might end before her beauty faded, leaving her like an ornament displayed in the Lin family’s vast compound, slowly withering away. She simply couldn’t resign herself to being a plaything for life, serving masters with a servant’s demeanor. If she had accepted being a concubine, she would have agreed to Song Ke long ago. Lin Jinlou called her a silent gourd, everyone thought she didn’t know her place, and the maids whispered behind her back that she was affected, but how could she express all her thoughts? Who would understand her feelings? Every time she resisted Lin Jinlou’s wishes, she would be beaten. The last time Lin Jinlou saw the fan Song Ke had given her, he had nearly strangled her in anger. If she said she didn’t want to be Lin Jinlou’s concubine, he would truly punish her severely. She couldn’t risk it – she still had parents to care for. Her initial sharp spirit of confrontation with Lin Jinlou had long been worn away by his thunderous methods, leaving only a tiny spark hidden deep in her heart. She carefully controlled her words and expressions, becoming increasingly silent, acting like a mewing kitten around Lin Jinlou.

She had known since Yangzhou that this day would come. Having saved Madam Qin and her daughter, by any measure, Lin Jinlou would have to give her a proper status. But once this status was fixed, it would be even harder to break free later.

However, in the current situation, what difference did it make whether she had the title of “concubine” or not?

Seeing Xiang Lan keep her head down without speaking, Lin Jinlou’s smile gradually faded, his face growing increasingly cold. Then Xiang Lan suddenly stood up and curtseyed, saying, “Thank you for the master’s favor.”

The Chen couple Xiao Juan and the other maids couldn’t help but sigh in relief. Lin Jinlou smiled, feeling somewhat pleased, but then noticed Xiang Lan still keeping her head down. Looking carefully, he saw something bright in her eyes, seemingly tears, which made him frown again, his moment of happiness vanishing.

After the meal, the Chen couple prepared to leave. Xiang Lan was very reluctant to part with them, holding Madam Xue’s hand and saying, “Take good care of yourselves, you and father. Come visit me often, and in a few days, I’ll come home to visit you.” The serving maid Hua Shan and servant Hua Cai had also arrived, and Xiang Lan specially called them forward, giving each one tael of silver, a silver hairpin for Hua Shan, and a silver button for Hua Cai, instructing them to serve well and keep her father from drinking too much.

Lin Jinlou ordered Shuang Xi to prepare a carriage to send the Chen couple home. Before they left, maids brought out large decorative boxes with fine dishes and food, along with a jar of fine wine in a ghost-faced green vase. There were also specialty products from Yangzhou, silks and satins, plus a pair of fine antique vases for Chen Wanquan and a set of pure gold hairpins and jewelry for Madam Xue.

After they left, Zhi Chun Pavilion grew quiet. Lin Jinlou read a book under the lamp, with a large pile of official documents and letters beside him – work that had been delayed during his trip to Yangzhou. Xiang Lan secretly glanced at Lin Jinlou, quietly washed up in the warm parlor, let down her hair, changed clothes, and crept along the wall to the bed, carefully lifting the covers and slipping in.

Lin Jinlou caught this in his peripheral vision, and his anger subsided somewhat, finding it somewhat amusing. He thought to himself, “How foolish, knowing it would displease me, what was she doing earlier?” Still displeased, he threw down his book and walked toward the bed.

Xiang Lan startled, wrapping herself more tightly in the covers and burying her head. Lin Jinlou stepped forward, yanked away the covers, and said sternly, “Get up!”

Xiang Lan trembled in fear.

Lin Jinlou said coldly, “I’m talking to you! Stop playing dead!”

Ling Qing had meant to come in to add tea but jumped at his voice. She felt someone pull her sleeve and saw Xue Ning standing behind her, shaking her head and saying softly, “Let’s go, don’t go in now, wait until the masters call.” Ling Qing hesitantly followed Xue Ning away.

Inside, Xiang Lan slowly sat up, curling her legs and keeping her head down.

Lin Jinlou pointed at her and demanded, “Who were you giving attitude to during dinner? Hm? I give you a face and you don’t want it, is that it? Is being my concubine beneath you? Speak!” He sneered, “Are you still thinking about Song Ke?”

Xiang Lan was truly afraid of Lin Jinlou’s anger. She quietly raised her head to look at him, and just as Lin Jinlou was getting angrier at the mention of “Song Ke,” he suddenly paused seeing Xiang Lan’s frightened, pitiful expression, the rest of his words catching in his throat.

Xiang Lan’s fingers twisted together as she said in a tiny voice, “I’m not…”

Perhaps these three words pleased him, as Lin Jinlou at first thought he had misheard, but when he understood, he felt all his anger suddenly dissipate. He made a fist, held it to his mouth to cough, and sat down on the edge of the bed.