Lin Jinlou stretched out his arm, drew Xiang Lan into his embrace, and closed his eyes to sleep.

The next day, Lin Jinlou rose before dawn as usual to practice martial arts. Xiang Lan slept a while longer before getting up. The maids had already prepared everything needed for bathing.

Hua Shan first brought a cup of warm tea for Xiang Lan to drink. After finishing her tea, Xiang Lan went behind the screen to bathe.

Once she finished washing, Ling Qing brought out a lotus-colored jacket embroidered with plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemums, along with a dark green silk skirt. “Madam, do these two pieces please you?” she asked.

Seeing the clothes were smooth, without the creases of long storage, Xiang Lan knew Ling Qing had already pressed them with heated wine. She nodded and changed into the clothes. Xue Ning then offered sea salt for teeth cleaning, while Ling Su held the spittoon. After finishing her washing, Ling Qing brought out Yellow Jade Beauty Cream for her face. Xiang Lan used a small jade hairpin to apply it evenly.

Meanwhile, Hua Shan had brought over a large octagonal lacquered box inlaid with mother-of-pearl peonies. Inside were matching pouches, jade pendants, and waist ornaments. Ling Qing selected three pieces to tie at Xiang Lan’s waist. Xue Ning then brought forward a matching square box containing various bracelets for Xiang Lan to choose from. She selected a pair of jade ones, and Xue Ning smiled, saying, “It’s fashionable now to wear three bracelets on each arm – one jade, one gold, and either coral or tortoiseshell in between.” She then took out two more pairs and placed them on Xiang Lan’s wrists.

At this time, Little Juan entered the room rubbing her eyes. Seeing Xiang Lan had already finished washing up, she came forward with a boxwood comb in hand, saying, “The journey was so tiring, I overslept this morning. Let me do your hair, Madam.” Little Juan was known for being both quick and skilled at hair arranging, always coming up with new styles. She instructed Hua Shan to bring over the large round box containing hairpins and ornaments to style Xiang Lan’s hair. Finally, she cut a peony from the large porcelain vase nearby and tucked it into the finished hairstyle.

Hua Shan watched intently from the side, stuck out her tongue slightly, and whispered to Xue Ning beside her, “Madam is so beautiful, and with all these jewels and flowers, she’s even more stunning – more beautiful than the Guanyin statues at the temple fair.”

“The Mistress always says none of the young ladies in the household compare to Madam’s beauty,” Xue Ning replied as she closed the jewelry boxes and locked them with brass locks. “In my opinion, not just within the household, but among all the young ladies who visit, none surpass Madam. Some might have pretty features, but they lack her overall bearing…” She sighed, swallowing the last words “What a pity about her background.”

Hua Shan pouted and said, “Madam is easy-going, but Master is a bit fierce – makes it hard to even breathe freely.”

Xiang Lan overheard these words. Thinking that Hua Shan was only ten years old and still childlike, she beckoned her over, gave her some fruits to eat, offered a few words of comfort, patted her head, and asked how she had slept and if she was settling in well.

Hua Shan was answering enthusiastically, mentioning how Xue Ning had given her two nearly new pieces of clothing that were slightly small for her, when Lin Jinlou walked in with his chest bare, carrying a sword, and immediately called out for tea, saying he was thirsty. Hua Shan froze instantly, eyes wide, and stammered, “Madam, I’ll… I’ll go to the kitchen to bring the dishes.” She shrank her neck and darted away faster than a rabbit.

Lin Jinlou was startled to see a small maid running so quickly past him.

Fearing he would be angry, Xiang Lan quickly stood up and said, “I sent her to check on things in the kitchen.”

Lin Jinlou snorted as he sat down, saying, “Indeed, servants take after their masters. You Chen family people are all like rats – timid as mice, acting like they’ve seen a ghost when they see their master.” He took the tea and drank it in one go, then continued, “After we eat, we’ll go to my second brother’s place together. By rights, they should come to us, but my second brother’s health is poor, so we’ll go over there.” He then went behind the screen to wash and change clothes.

After eating, Xiang Lan accompanied Lin Jinlou to Lin Jinxuan’s courtyard. The yard was extremely spacious with abundant flowers and trees. Various roses climbed the walls, and two cats lounged lazily in the sun by the entrance.

Xiang Lan praised, “This place has such a lovely spring atmosphere.”

Shu Ran smiled and replied, “Second Master didn’t originally live here. He used to stay in the wing rooms of the main house. When he was to be married, they connected two courtyards, renovated the space, and moved here.”

As they followed Lin Jinlou into the courtyard, they saw two maids in bright clothes already standing there. Upon seeing Lin Jinlou, they quickly lifted the curtains, saying, “Second Master has been speaking of you for quite a while, Master has finally arrived.”

When they entered, they saw a slender man sitting in the main room. He had refined, handsome features, and fair skin, and carried himself with scholarly grace, bearing a sixty percent resemblance to Lin Changzheng. However, his cheeks showed signs of illness, suggesting some form of deficiency. Seeing them enter, he quickly rose to bow, saying, “Elder Brother has arrived.”

Beside him stood a tall young woman, and there was also a woman over forty years old. Seeing him stand, they both quickly moved to support him.

Lin Jinlou hurried forward to help him up, saying, “There’s no need for such a ceremony between brothers, please sit down.”

After they were seated, the tall young woman came forward to serve tea to Lin Jinlou – this was Lin Jinxuan’s newly wedded wife, Lady Tan. Xiang Lan observed that she was fair-skinned with a face like a silver plate and almond-shaped eyes, with a few light freckles that added to her charm. She wore a golden-threaded headdress with a golden phoenix hairpin containing pearls, and a gold necklace with precious stones, and was dressed in a red hundred-sons jacket with a red floral skirt. Her waist was as slender as a willow, with a full chest and trim back. Dressed up like this, she was quite striking, with an air of elegance about her.

Lin Jinlou accepted the tea, and Shu Ran immediately gave Lady Tan a thick red envelope. Lin Jinlou took a sip of tea and said, “Before I came, the Old Master specifically mentioned that since you’ve married while all the elders are in Jinling, he feared you might feel neglected.”

Lady Tan quickly replied, “I’m overwhelmed by the ancestors’ concern.” She had the maids lay out kneeling cushions and kowtowed once in the direction of Jinling.

Lin Jinlou felt that Lady Tan understood propriety and followed the rules well, so he nodded and gave her a slight smile.

Lady Tan’s heart skipped a beat, and she immediately blushed, lowering her head as she moved to the side.

Lin Jinlou didn’t notice and pointed to Xiang Lan, saying to Lin Jinxuan, “This is your new sister-in-law.” He then introduced everyone to Xiang Lan: “This is my second brother, this is my second sister-in-law, and this is my father’s concubine, Lady Yin.” Xiang Lan greeted each of them in turn.

Lady Yin had an oval face that showed traces of beauty from her younger years. She was of medium build but looked older than Madam Qin. Wearing an ingratiating smile, upon hearing Lin Jinlou introduce Xiang Lan, she exchanged a glance with Lin Jinxuan and eagerly said, “Such a beauty, like a flower! With such grace, you couldn’t find her equal among all the young ladies in the capital!”

Lin Jinxuan’s thoughts ran differently. Though his elder brother was known for his romantic affairs and was quite particular, he had only taken in beautiful maids as concubines, except Qing Lan, who was elevated to concubine status at their stepmother’s behest. Even when Qing Lan was at the height of her influence in the capital, treated with respect by all as if she were the proper Madam, his elder brother had never introduced her so formally or asked him to address her as “sister-in-law.” This showed that this woman must be highly favored and extraordinary. Looking at her more carefully, he saw that she was indeed exceptionally beautiful with refined manners, so he quickly gave her a respectful greeting.

Xiang Lan stepped aside, declining to accept the courtesy.

Lady Yin, seeing Lin Jinlou merely sitting and smiling, felt annoyed, thinking to herself, “Where did this little vixen come from? She’s not even a proper Madam, yet she has my son, a young master, bowing to her!” But not daring to offend Lin Jinlou, she could only stand there silently.

Soon, Lin Jinlou asked about Lin Jinxuan’s health, what medicine he was taking, and whether he had been studying recently.

Lin Jinxuan replied, “I was ill briefly during the winter-spring transition, but I’m much better now. We invited a doctor from the Imperial Medical Academy who prescribed a new formula focusing on gentle nourishment. I’ve improved significantly these days, and my old ailment hasn’t recurred, though I still experience night sweats. I’ve only recently resumed my studies… I’m hoping to try the autumn imperial examinations again next year.”

Lin Jinlou said, “Taking care of your health is most important; studying can wait. Later we can purchase an official position. If you want to join the Hanlin Academy, our family certainly has the connections.”

Lin Jinxuan then inquired about the family elders’ health, which Lin Jinlou detailed before making some casual conversation. Seeing Lin Jinxuan grow tired, Lin Jinlou rose to take his leave.

On their way back, Xiang Lan reflected on how frail Lin Jinxuan appeared, nearly reduced to skin and bones. His new wife Lady Tan was quite attractive and the daughter of a fourth-rank civil official. Xiang Lan privately calculated that given Lady Tan’s background and appearance, she surely wouldn’t have chosen to marry such a sickly illegitimate son. She shared these thoughts with Shu Ran as they walked.

Lin Jinlou stopped in his tracks and turned around with a cold smile, saying, “Though Tan Siye holds a fourth-rank position, he’s stationed in some backwater and has offended his superiors, with no hope for future promotion. Otherwise, why would he be so eager to marry off his daughter? By next year at the latest, my father will recommend him for a position in Shandong. Though it’s a lateral move, it’s a wealthy region. Originally, he wanted to marry his legitimate daughter into our family, but Grandfather thought it wouldn’t look good, so they chose Lady Tan, who is the most beautiful and accomplished among the Tan daughters. They say she’s skilled in needlework, and backgammon, and plays the moon zither well. My father personally approved of her after meeting her.”

Xiang Lan was startled and asked, “But what if she didn’t want to…”

“Nonsense, how could she not want to? She eagerly agreed.”

Xiang Lan thought to herself, “She might have been willing when she agreed, but after marrying and discovering Lin Jinxuan’s poor health, it’s too late to change her mind even if she wanted to.”

By then they had reached their courtyard. Lin Jinlou pinched Xiang Lan’s cheek and said, “Go rest now. When I’m done with my business, I’ll take you out for a walk.” He paused, cleared his throat, and added, “Second Brother is simple-hearted, but his concubine mother is troublesome. You can associate with his household if you wish, but it’s fine if you’d rather not see them.”

Xiang Lan lowered her head and made a sound of acknowledgment.

Lin Jinlou felt annoyed, thinking to himself, “What kind of attitude is this? I’m even thinking ahead for her, and all she does is make a sound. Other women would be looking at me with loving eyes by now.” His face darkened as he said, “Well then, I’ll be going.”

Shu Ran saw everything clearly but dared not say anything, though she wanted to give Xiang Lan a hint.

Seeing that Lin Jinlou hadn’t left yet, Xiang Lan searched for something to say and asked softly, “Will Master return for lunch?” Because she spoke so quietly, Lin Jinlou interpreted it as an invitation to come back for lunch, and his expression immediately improved. “Yes, I’ll return,” he said, before finally turning to leave at a leisurely pace.