Xiang Lan said, “Let’s let Master sleep longer.” The entire courtyard revolved around Lin Jin Lou – while he slept, the kitchen would delay cooking, and the guards who usually attended his archery practice had already dispersed. Xiang Lan first ate two pastries, and while she was drinking soup, Lin Jin Lou awoke. Getting up, he rubbed his head complaining of a headache. After wiping his face with a hot towel and downing a bowl of sobering soup, he bathed behind the screen, calling Ji Xiang and Shuang Xi to massage him. After bathing, Lin Jin Lou only ate a pastry and took two sips of soup, his appetite was poor. Feeling uncomfortable, he practiced a set of martial arts in the courtyard until he worked up a sweat, which made him feel better.
When he came inside, he saw Xiang Lan writing. He sat down casually in a chair, bare-chested, wiping his sweat with a hot towel while asking, “What are you writing so early in the morning?”
“A letter home. My parents said to send word once we reached the capital to let them know we were safe. When we left, my mother had caught a cold and was coughing. I don’t know if she’s better, and I’m worried about her.”
“Oh, don’t worry about that. Before leaving, I left a note with Master Qi to have Doctor Luo from Ji An Tang examine your mother. He’s one of the most renowned physicians in Jin Ling city and handles all our family’s regular check-ups.”
“I know… thank you, Master…”
Seeing Xiang Lan put down her brush with a somewhat shy demeanor, Lin Jin Lou couldn’t help but chuckle softly: “You’re still so formal with me. Just don’t anger me or be stubborn – that’s better than anything.”
Xiang Lan secretly rolled her eyes and said nothing, lowering her head to continue writing.
Xiao Juan brought hot tea. Lin Jin Lou took a sip and asked, “Have you taken your medicine?”
“…Yes.”
“Doctor Zhang said you can’t stop taking it.” Lin Jin Lou called out to Shu Ran, “Make sure your mistress takes her medicine continuously.”
Shu Ran, who was organizing boxes outside, quickly came in and replied, “Yes, Master. We watch her daily, buy the best medicinal ingredients, and Ling Su personally monitors the brewing.”
Lin Jin Lou nodded and fell silent, staring intently at Xiang Lan’s profile. He put down his tea cup and said, “Get ready soon, you’re coming out with me.”
“Where are we going?”
“Old Master Lu is celebrating his birthday, and the Lu family is holding a grand celebration. Though this generation of the Lu family hasn’t produced anyone notable, while the old master lives, they’re far from scattered. He was my father’s examination colleague and is also my elder sister’s in-law. Since they sent an invitation, we must attend.”
Hearing this, Xiang Lan frowned. Given her awkward status, she didn’t want to join such gatherings. She said, “…Could I not go? I don’t know anyone, it won’t be enjoyable. Besides, it will be all the madams and mistresses from various households, and I wouldn’t fit in… Also, I’m not feeling very well these days…”
“You’ll get to know people once you meet them. You must go today.”
“…”
“That’s final. Shu Ran, dress your mistress well for tonight. If she looks shabby, it reflects poorly on me.”
Xiang Lan silently gripped her brush, suddenly unsure how to continue her half-written letter home. She stared blankly at the paper for a long while before sighing.
Meanwhile, at Kang Fu Residence, Lin Jin Xuan had sunbathed in the courtyard and read half a scroll before tiring. Madam Tang helped him to bed, and with nothing to do, she took her young maid Zhen to visit Xiang Lan for conversation. Just as she entered through the side door, she saw Lin Jin Lou leaving the house. Madam Tang quickly hid behind the door but couldn’t resist stretching her neck to look. She saw him wearing a silver-gray robe with peacock blue cloud patterns, an Eight Treasures Fu Lu Shou belt at his waist, court boots on his feet, and his hair bound with a gold mesh crown. With his broad shoulders and back, he truly cut an impressive figure. He stopped at the second gate where a young gentleman was waiting, who quickly bowed with a courteous smile upon seeing Lin Jin Lou.
Lin Jin Lou merely smiled slightly, his manner composed and elegant, as if naturally born to receive such reverence.
Zhen peeked for a while and exclaimed in surprise: “Oh my, is Master wearing a gold mesh crown? I heard only officials of third rank or higher can wear those. Master is so young to have achieved such rank – even if he never gets promoted again, he’s lived a full life.” Seeing Madam Tang clutching her handkerchief and staring intently, she whispered, “I see Second Master is frail, and the civil examinations alone could take half a life out of anyone. Why not ask Master about buying an official position first, getting a lucrative post? It would give us something to rely on in the future.”
While Madam Tang was watching Lin Jin Lou with mixed feelings, Zhen’s words reminded her of her sickly husband, making her irritated. She scolded, “Stop talking nonsense! Who told you to gossip like this!”
Zhen knew Madam Tang had a quick temper but was “more thunder than rain,” so she wasn’t scared and kept smiling.
At this moment, Xiang Lan came out of the house supported by Xiao Juan, her head adorned with pearls and kingfisher feathers. Most eye-catching was a pair of pure gold butterfly hairpins inlaid with precious stones, their wings thin as cicada wings, trembling slightly in her hair – anyone who saw them couldn’t help but look again. She wore a pure gold necklace and three pairs of bracelets on each arm, dressed in an apricot-yellow spring jacket embroidered with magnolia flowers and a lotus-colored decorated skirt that accentuated her slender waist. From a distance, she looked like she had stepped out of a painting. Surrounded by maids and servants, she got into a sedan chair as soon as she passed through the hanging flower gate.
Seeing this, Madam Tang told Zhen, “Go ask where Master and Concubine are going.”
Zhen went and returned shortly, saying, “First Young Mistress’s father-in-law is celebrating his birthday. Master is taking Concubine to offer congratulations.”
Madam Tang froze, staring at the rose bush in the corner for a while before saying wistfully, “Oh, so they’re going to offer birthday congratulations…” She knew about Old Master Lu Gui Yi’s birthday celebration, but when Lin Dong Wan mentioned it earlier, there wasn’t much of an invitation. Considering Lin Jin Xuan’s poor health and her status as a new bride, she didn’t think it appropriate to appear in public and didn’t want to join the festivities. But seeing Lin Jin Lou taking Xiang Lan today, she felt conflicted.
After all, Lin Jin Xuan and Lin Dong Wan were born to the same mother. If only Lin Jin Xuan were more capable, she too could dress up beautifully and attend gloriously…
Zhen saw Madam Tang staring blankly at the withered roses on the wall and called out, “Second Mistress, Second Mistress? Don’t stand in the shade, let’s go back.”
Madam Tang finally gathered her sleeves and slowly walked back supported by Zhen.
Meanwhile, Xiang Lan was heading to the Lu residence in the sedan chair. The chair was very spacious, allowing Xiao Juan to sit inside with her and occasionally adjust her clothes and accessories. With Chun Ling gone, Xiang Lan now trusted Xiao Juan, and the other maids tacitly followed Xiao Juan’s lead. However, Xiao Juan was lazy by nature, and aside from daily hair-combing for Xiang Lan, she avoided all other tasks. Fortunately, Xue Ning avoided trouble, Ling Qing and Ling Su were newcomers, and Hua Shan was still young, so Xiao Juan didn’t attract too many complaints.
Xiang Lan closed her eyes and leaned against the cushions. Suddenly feeling the sedan chair stop, she heard bustling noises ahead and opened her eyes. Xiao Juan immediately said knowingly, “I’ll go look,” and was about to get out. Xiang Lan grabbed her sleeve, saying, “Don’t act like a monkey. It wouldn’t look good if people saw you getting out like this. Let Gui Yuan go see what’s happening.”
Just as Xiao Juan was about to lift the curtain to call someone, Gui Yuan arrived, bowing respectfully: “The Dai family’s carriage has blocked the alley ahead. We must wait for them to pass.”
Xiang Lan lifted the curtain slightly to peek. Indeed, several carriages were blocked ahead, led by a young gentleman on horseback. He was sixteen or seventeen, dressed in fine clothes, with red lips, white teeth, and bright eyes. His manner was flirtatious – from head to toe he exuded charm, a truly handsome young lord.
Gui Yuan followed Xiang Lan’s gaze and immediately said, “Madam, the one you’re looking at is Third Young Master Dai Rong. He has quite a formidable wife.”
Seeing Gui Yuan’s mysterious expression, Xiang Lan couldn’t help but smile, asking, “How do you know?”
Gui Yuan eagerly replied, “Everyone in the capital knows that Third Madam Dai scratched the face of Third Master Dai’s concubine.” Gui Yuan rarely appeared before Xiang Lan, usually being sent on errands through the maids. Now that she was asking him questions, he desperately tried to think of more to say but regretted not listening more carefully when Shuang Xi had discussed this matter with other servants. After thinking for a while, he added, “Third Young Master Dai once sent an invitation to Master for drinks, but Master ignored him.”
Xiang Lan nodded and lowered the curtain, thinking to herself that the Dai family was now merely a third-rate official family, so it was natural for Lin Jin Lou to look down on them. Seeing this Dai Rong, clearly a philanderer, sending invitations to Lin Jin Lou showed that “birds of a feather flock together.” Then she remembered the smell of powder and perfume on Lin Jin Lou last night, and couldn’t help but snort softly.
After waiting a while longer, they finally entered the Lu residence. As she was getting out of the sedan chair, she noticed another carriage stopped nearby. The servants held up the curtains as two maids jumped down first, carefully helping a young woman descend. She was somewhat tall and sturdy, with an oval face, thick eyebrows, large eyes, and an air of authority; her large mouth somehow appeared quite charming. This was Third Madam Dai, née Jiao.
Madam Jiao saw a beautiful woman with distinguished bearing looking at her. Judging by her attire, which was already quite extraordinary, she assumed Xiang Lan was from some noble family and quickly nodded with a smile.
Xiang Lan smiled and nodded back.
Madam Jiao turned back and helped another noble lady out of the carriage. This woman wore a large Five-Phoenix Facing the Sun hairpin, a dazzling coiled dragon gold necklace with a jade lock, a bright red silver-threaded jacket embroidered with peonies, and a light pink double-happiness dark gold-woven pleated skirt. Her rich appearance and ornaments caught everyone’s eye – when she got out of the carriage, all the other women around became the mere backdrop. Madam Jiao respectfully called out, “Madam.”
The woman was holding a white satin fan embroidered with peacocks and pine trees, gently fanning herself, the corners of her mouth slightly upturned. As her beautiful eyes glanced around, she suddenly noticed Xiang Lan. Her hand froze, and the smile on her face stiffened.
Xiang Lan’s bright eyes widened – this woman was none other than Zhao Yue Chan!