Over these days, while the maids were busy packing luggage, Xiang Lan informed Lin Jin Lou and found time to return to the Chen family. When Madam Xue heard that Xiang Lan would accompany Lin Jin Lou to the capital, she called Hua Shan in and told Xiang Lan while holding her hand: “This girl is very sensible. Take her with you. The Lin family maids might not be loyal to you – they may flatter you now but will mistreat you once the Master takes a new wife… Ah, no matter how good they are, they can’t compare to our people.”

These words stirred something in Xiang Lan’s heart. Even Chun Ling, whom she had trusted completely, had turned against her so carelessly. She couldn’t help but become more vigilant. Now besides Xiao Juan, she truly had no one reliable by her side. Looking at Hua Shan, who had grown much taller since first coming to the Chen family, with delicate features and wearing willow-green clothes, she appeared quite sensible and likable.

Xiang Lan smiled and said: “She has always been clever. Mother has given her to me, so I’ll buy another good one to replace her later.” As she spoke, she took out a fifty-tael silver note.

Madam Xue hurriedly said: “I still have Fan Hua to serve me. Our family isn’t a grand household, unlike those with crowds of servants. Having someone who can serve tea and water is enough.”

At this moment, Chen Wan Quan brought over a dragon-carved purple sandalwood box and handed it to Xiang Lan, his face beaming with smiles: “Good daughter, open it and take a look.”

When Xiang Lan opened it, she saw a set of pure gold jewelry inlaid with kingfisher feathers, gleaming brilliantly with various precious stones, jade, and coral. There were over ten pieces including hair ornaments, hairpins, rings, bracelets, and necklaces, filling the entire box.

Xiang Lan exclaimed in surprise: “This… this is…”

Chen Wan Quan rubbed his hands together, his face showing both pride and eagerness to please, saying: “This set of jewelry is an antique from the previous dynasty. They say it was originally part of a noble lady’s dowry. I thought since you’ve become precious now, and the Master will hold a banquet for you – though our family can’t compare to wealthy households, we do not want food or clothes now, with servants and sedan chairs at our disposal. This is still like a marriage for you, and we can’t let others look down on you. I must get you some dignified things. This was newly acquired these past few days, and it’s quite rare to find such a complete set. Your father has a good eye – spotted it right away. Though expensive, it’s worth it. I gritted my teeth and bought it. Quick, try it on, and let us see how it looks.”

Xiang Lan looked at her father’s face, now showing more signs of age at his temples, watching him smile cautiously while repeatedly urging her to try it on. Though her father in this life had its faults, he had always strived to give her the best.

Xiang Lan’s nose tingled with emotion, and she quickly turned away to hide it, taking a pearl and kingfisher feather hair ornament to pin in her hair. Chen Wan Quan kept praising her enthusiastically. The family chatted for a while longer until Gui Yuan came to hurry them several times at the door, only then did Xiang Lan reluctantly leave with Hua Shan.

On the day of departure, Lin Jin Lou set out for the capital with Xiang Lan in a grand procession. Besides the accompanying Shu Ran, Xiao Juan, Ling Qing, Ling Su, Xue Ning, and Hua Shan, there were also the servants Ji Xiang, Shuang Xi, and Xiang Lan’s servant Gui Yuan. Additionally, there was a team of guards and soldiers, carrying swords and riding horses, looking quite imposing.

With nothing to do in the carriage, Xiao Juan, Xue Ning, and others accompanied Xiang Lan playing cards to pass the time. Xiang Lan wasn’t fond of cards and soon tired of it, so she just smiled watching the maids play, giving them some money to bet with. Sometimes she would lean against the cushions to sleep, or slightly lift the carriage curtain to view the scenery along the way, finding ways to pass the time.

During rest stops, Xiang Lan quietly pleaded with Lin Jin Lou to let her go out for walks. Lin Jin Lou was very reluctant, and when Xiang Lan saw his stern face, she lowered her head, knowing it wouldn’t be allowed. Seeing Xiang Lan’s dejected look, Lin Jin Lou’s heart softened somewhat, and he ordered someone to bring a veiled conical hat, placing it on Xiang Lan’s head before letting her leave the carriage.

By now, Xiang Lan and Lin Jin Lou had reached a peaceful coexistence. When she brought Hua Shan home, worried about Lin Jin Lou’s displeasure, she remembered how he had once asked her to make a leather pouch, and Shu Ran had specially found a piece of fine leather. At that time, she had only cut out a pattern before abandoning it, focused on leaving the mansion. So she found it again, sewed it properly, added trim, attached tassels, and took a fan pendant from her small box, removing its orchid jade to weave into the tassels along with some glass and amber beads, completing it in an afternoon.

Xiang Lan was naturally skilled and had refined taste; Xue Ning and Ling Qing both praised the pouch’s beauty.

When Lin Jin Lou returned, she handed him the pouch, saying only: “I had finished the pouch long ago but forgot to give it to Master…” After speaking, she heard no response for a while and looked up curiously to see Lin Jin Lou turning the pouch over and over in his hands, corners of his mouth turned up, though his words were critical: “Look at what you’ve made here, hm? A perfectly good pouch, why add trim? And these dangling things at the bottom, looking like women’s accessories… Well, it’s only because of your sincerity that I’ll reluctantly use it.” As he spoke, he attached it to his belt.

Xiang Lan privately taught him hard to please, but seeing him eat an extra bowl of rice at dinner and later humming while playing with his bird, she knew he was in a good mood and took the chance to mention Hua Shan. Lin Jin Lou was quite indifferent, saying only: “Tell Shu Ran later to give her monthly wages.”

Since making that pouch, Lin Jin Lou has shown more kindness. Though his temper was explosive, he was like a firecracker – harmless unless provoked.

Finally, they reached the capital. The Lin family also owned a mansion in the capital, and though it couldn’t compare to their Jinling residence, it was still quite impressive. After the long journey, everyone was exhausted. Xiao Juan was naturally lazy and loved eating and sleeping, while Hua Shan was young, so both went to rest first. Xue Ning went to boil water, while Ling Qing and Ling Su carried in the trunks containing bedding and laid everything out. Soon after washing her face and changing clothes, Xiang Lan let down her hair and sent everyone to rest.

Lin Jin Lou was busy in the front hall for a while before returning to the inner quarters. He found the curtains drawn low and Xiang Lan already sound asleep. Only Xue Ning remained on duty, fighting to keep her eyes open as she came to attend to him. Lin Jin Lou only washed his face, dismissed her, changed clothes, and lay down beside Xiang Lan.

He turned over and saw Xiang Lan’s rosy cheeks, her black hair scattered on the pillow, making her appear even more delicate. He couldn’t understand how this woman, beautiful as a flower, could have so many stubborn bones in her body, sometimes frustrating him terribly, yet he couldn’t let her go.

Lin Jin Lou was extremely clever. He had long noticed that though Xiang Lan appeared obedient now, she remained unsubdued at heart, likely harboring who knows what thoughts. She had already run away once, so this time Lin Jin Lou dared not be careless. He had decided to keep her by his side at all times, watching her closely under his eye.