Inside Second Madam’s main chamber, a golden incense burner slowly released agarwood fragrance. By the window, on a long table sat a jade vase holding a thousand-petaled spring flower. A square rosewood birdcage hung from the window frame, where a yellow oriole flapped its wings and chirped incessantly.

“…If I hadn’t happened to hear that maid Xiang Lan from Luo Xuewu speaking with Suju about this, we wouldn’t have known Cao Lihuan was so bold as to secretly send letters to Xiuhong. If this spreads, it would become a scandal.” Song Ke stood beside the carved dragon couch, handing the letter to Second Madam Wang.

Madam Wang was in her early forties, with a plump figure and well-maintained appearance. She had curved crescent eyebrows, almond-shaped eyes, and a slightly large mouth. She wore a plain satin silver-threaded jacket with a dark cyan skirt beneath and an eight-treasures hairpin with two silver hairpins – still maintaining her charm. Her face was grave as she quickly opened and read the letter.

Song Ke remained silent as he saw Madam Wang’s maid Shanhu bring a cup of hot tea. He quickly took it, waved the maid away, and personally placed the hot tea on the kang table beside Madam Wang.

After reading the letter, Madam Wang’s expression lightened somewhat: “There’s nothing much written here, just some daily greetings and asking Ting’er about poetry. There are two poems at the end, but I’m not skilled in poetry. Take a look and tell me what these poems mean.”

Song Ke glanced at them and said, “The poems seem innocent, but that’s precisely what makes them clever.”

Madam Wang had just picked up her teacup but quickly put it down at his words, asking, “What do you mean?”

Song Ke tapped the letter, choosing his words carefully: “Cao Lihuan is three years older than Xiuhong, though they’re of similar age. Cousin Cao is about to get married, and it’s already inappropriate for her to write private letters to her cousin. However, if this letter were exposed, its contents could barely be justified. What’s most concerning is this pattern – this time she’s asking for guidance on poems about willows and spring, but what if Xiuhong replies? What if next time she writes passionate love poems? And after that, sensual verses? Xiuhong is preparing for the autumn imperial examinations – I’m worried these back-and-forth exchanges will corrupt his character.”

Madam Wang wiped her mouth with her gossamer handkerchief and smiled: “How could that happen? Child, you think too much. Be careful not to become an old man at such a young age.”

Song Ke quickly said: “Even if I’m overthinking those points, let me boldly say something presumptuous, Aunt – you’re well aware of Cousin Cao’s recent behavior in the mansion. If she uses this letter as an excuse to spread rumors that Xiuhong has feelings for her and frequently exchanges letters with her, it would become a scandal once it spreads – people outside won’t care whether it’s true or not. If this reaches her fiancé’s family and they make trouble or want to break off the engagement, Cao Lihuan might use the opportunity to trap Xiuhong. That maid Xiang Lan mentioned hearing rumors about Xiuhong and Cao Lihuan in the mansion. I made a few inquiries and was terrified by what I found. This matter…”

With each sentence Song Ke spoke, Madam Wang’s face grew darker. Suddenly she shouted, “Enough!” She stood up, snatched the letter, and said, “I’m going to see my sister-in-law right now!” She rushed toward the door.

Song Ke quickly caught up and whispered beside her: “This matter shouldn’t be publicized.”

Madam Wang paused, finally understanding. She said to Song Ke: “Come with me. Tell my sister-in-law exactly what you and Xiang Lan discussed.”

Song Ke had no choice. His aunt was kind-hearted but single-minded and straightforward, which had caused her to suffer many setbacks, though fortunately she was open-minded. If he hadn’t explained the implications to his aunt, she might have dismissed the letter incident entirely.

They went to the main house where Madam Qin was checking accounts with an abacus. Seeing them, she quickly ordered tea to be served and fresh snacks and fruits to be brought. Madam Wang had no mood for tea and grabbed Madam Qin, saying, “My dear sister-in-law, I have something to tell you.” She dismissed the servants and had Song Ke repeat everything, then presented the letter, leaning toward Madam Qin: “Sister-in-law, what do you think…”

Madam Qin briefly scanned the letter, a cold smile playing at her lips: “That little hussy has such a vulgar mind. I wondered why she’s been so well-behaved lately – so she’s set her sights on Ting’er. Sister-in-law, this letter might seem innocent, but if word gets out and ill-intentioned people hear of it, who knows what stories they’ll spin! It seems she’s attracted to our Lin family’s wealth and Ting’er’s character, and has decided to trap him. Pah! She’s dreaming!”

Hearing Madam Qin’s assessment match Song Ke’s exactly, Madam Wang drew in a sharp breath. In her mind, Madam Qin was the smartest person she knew, so she quickly said: “Sister-in-law’s words match exactly what Ke’er said. What should we do about this? Should we… should we quickly drive that little hussy out?”

Madam Qin shook her head: “Driving her out like that would make the Lin family appear unkind and invite criticism. Besides, what reason would we give for expelling her? She’s about to be married – we can’t ruin her reputation. We should leave some room for maneuver. She hasn’t pushed us into a corner, so we needn’t be too harsh with her.”

Hearing these words, Song Ke looked at her with new respect, thinking silently: “They say Madam Qin is a remarkable woman, and these words alone show her breadth of mind and insight.”

Then Madam Qin’s expression turned serious: “But we can’t let this matter slide entirely. Otherwise, she’ll think the Lin family is a soft target she can manipulate at will. I gave her several thunderous warnings before, but it seems they had little effect – she truly has thick skin.”

Madam Wang was eager for Madam Qin to take action and quickly nodded in agreement: “Sister-in-law, please come up with a plan quickly. She’s so presumptuous, daring to set her sights on our Ting’er. If something happens, how could I face our lord, let alone the old master and old madam? I only have Ting’er as my son – if he’s truly trapped by that demon woman, his whole life would be ruined…”

Madam Qin smiled and patted Madam Wang’s hand. After thinking for a while, she asked Song Ke: “Did that little maid from Luo Xuewu say anything else?”

Song Ke replied: “Nothing else, she only said she’s a Lin family maid and her loyalty lies with the Lin family.”

Madam Qin nodded and said quietly to Madam Wang: “Later, send a trustworthy maid to quietly find this Xiang Lan, give her some rewards, and have her watch Cao Lihuan. Have her report any suspicious movements immediately.”

Madam Wang nodded repeatedly.

Madam Qin continued: “Don’t worry about anything else. From today, have Ting’er move to quarters farther from the garden.”

Madam Wang quickly said: “I was just thinking the same. Let Ting’er move in with Ke’er – they can study together and look after each other.”

Madam Qin smiled, picked up her teacup, glanced at Song Ke, took a sip, and said slowly: “Young Master Ke is an ambitious good child – Ting’er can’t go wrong studying with him. But with the autumn examinations approaching, Young Master Ke should help your cousin focus more, spend less time in the garden, and study harder indoors.” She paused, then added, “Although Tan’er and Ling’er are your proper sisters, you should treat Wan’er, Qi’er, and Xiu’er as true sisters too. When you succeed in the future, you should look after them all.”

Song Ke’s expression changed slightly before he smiled again: “Of course. I’ve always treated all my sisters as my own, and since Aunt has specially invited famous scholars to teach us, Xiuhong and I will naturally study hard and stay indoors.”

These two were speaking in riddles, expressing their true meanings in just a few words, but Madam Wang remained oblivious. She smiled at Song Ke: “Fortunately you’re so clever – protecting Ting’er is protecting me. I must thank you properly.”

“Aunt, speaking of ‘thanks’ makes us seem distant.” Song Ke said this while rising and bowing gracefully, his eyes like black jade, his elegant smile leaving both Madam Qin and Madam Wang somewhat dazed.

Madam Wang thought to herself: “Ke’er is clever and kind, also ambitious. If his family background weren’t lacking, I would have betrothed Ling’er to him.”

Meanwhile, Madam Qin thought privately: “Qi’er is my precious daughter, and though Song Ke would be worthy of her, he’s too sophisticated and smooth, with great ambition. Qi’er couldn’t match his schemes – they wouldn’t be equals. Song Ke probably wouldn’t consider the concubine-born Xiu’er. It’s a pity about his fine character and appearance – he’ll surely have a bright future, but he can’t be a Lin family son-in-law.”

After Madam Wang and Song Ke left, Madam Qin leaned against her satin sunflower-and-banana-leaf pillow and suddenly said: “They’ve gone, you can come out now.”

The inner room’s curtain lifted and Lin Dongqi emerged, her eyes slightly red, head lowered in silence. Madam Qin patted the chair beside her for her to sit. Madam Qin remained quiet, just drinking tea. After a while, she said: “Did you hear everything just now?”

Lin Dongqi kept her head down without speaking.

Madam Qin said slowly: “I know why you’re so kind to Song Tanchai. A mother knows her daughter – if you had no ulterior motives, you wouldn’t lower yourself daily to please Song Tanchai. Even though you’re generous, there’s no reason to give away the gold-and-jewel hairpin that Old Madam gave you. When you heard Song Ke’s belt was missing a red agate bead, you took an agate jewel from your gold butterfly step-shake and had Song Tanchai give it to her brother. That step-shake was a pair, part of my dowry. You loved it so much that I gave it to you, and you usually wouldn’t even wear it. Now for a man, you’re willing to part with it.”

Lin Dongqi felt her girlish feelings completely exposed by her mother, feeling both ashamed and embarrassed. She called out a pitiful “Mother” as tears began to fall.

Madam Qin held Lin Dongqi’s hand and said: “Child, give up this notion, all right?”

Lin Dongqi’s face was covered in tears. Suddenly she choked out: “What makes me unworthy of him? Or is it that Mother looks down on his family’s current misfortune…”

Madam Qin interrupted: “I would never dare look down on him. Song Ke has an inherent drive for advancement and competition – he surely won’t go wrong in the future, but his thoughts run too deep. Why do you think he frequently visits our Lin family and sends his sister here? Although Ling’er is his family’s proper relative, Song Tanchai lives with you. Don’t tell me you forced her to stay – Song Tanchai is intelligent and has her mind. If she weren’t willing, you couldn’t have kept her.” Madam Qin sighed: “Qi’er, though Song Ke’s appearance and learning are good, he’s not the best choice. I especially dislike his inscrutable nature – I can’t tell what his true character is… He is indeed clever; today I only gave a few hints, and he understood completely.”

Lin Dongqi’s eyes were blurred with tears. She couldn’t take in anything Madam Qin was saying. Having experienced her first love with Song Ke, she had secretly compared him to all the young men she knew and found none could match him. She admired his elegance and talent and had heard from Lin Jinting that since Song Ke’s father’s death, he had shouldered all family responsibilities, managing shops and properties with expertise, while still dedicating his spare time to studying diligently. This had only increased her admiration. Today, Madam Qin’s words were like a bucket of cold water, drenching her to the bone, but she found it hard to let go of these feelings. In her daze, tears rolled down her cheeks again.

Seeing that Lin Dongqi showed no response after all she had said, Madam Qin’s expression changed. She said sternly: “Lin Dongqi! Today I’ll tell you plainly – the matter of Song Ke ends here. From now on, you will stay properly in the inner quarters and stop thinking about such shameless things! I’ve already inquired about several families for you and Xiu’er. In a few days, I’ll invite their women over, and if they seem suitable, we’ll discuss marriage arrangements once Old Madam Zeng’s mourning period ends! Do you understand?”

Lin Dongqi had feared her mother since childhood. Though her heart was full of grievances and unwillingness, she could only nod through her tears. When she returned to her room, she hugged her pillow and cried all night.