Xiang Lan hurriedly turned around to see Lin Jin Lou emerging from the dense tree shadows and flower silhouettes. His expression was arrogant, and although he wore a smile, his eyes were extremely cold.

Xiang Lan froze, feeling her blood turn ice-cold. At that moment, footsteps sounded from another direction as Zheng Jing Xian rushed over, her face dark with anger, complexion ashen. She glared at Xiang Lan, breathing heavily from her hurried arrival, with a thin layer of sweat on her nose. She went straight to Song Ke’s side and raised her voice, “What are you doing here?” Seeing Song Ke’s silence, she raised her voice further, saying, “I have a headache, caused by those shameless vixens.” She cast a contemptuous glance at Xiang Lan before saying to Song Ke, “Let’s go home.”

Song Ke looked at Zheng Jing Xian but remained standing firmly without speaking. Worried that Lin Jin Lou might trouble Xiang Lan, he cupped his hands and said, “Earlier, Miss Xiang Lan and I merely happened to meet by chance. I mistakenly entered the garden and caused this disruption. Brother Lin, please don’t blame her. I, Song, offer my apologies.”

Lin Jin Lou raised his eyebrows slightly, then smiled warmly as he walked directly to Xiang Lan’s side and grabbed her hand.

Xiang Lan’s whole body trembled.

Lin Jin Lou lowered his head, squeezing Xiang Lan’s small hand in his palm. He raised his eyes to look at her face, suddenly showing his teeth in a smile, his expression both tender and loving. He said, “Your hands are so cold, hmm? Been standing in the wind too long? Have you taken your medicine? I was just saying I would come check on you, but you came out yourself.”

Xiang Lan was stunned. Looking at Lin Jin Lou’s face, she noticed the veins showing on his forehead, knowing that his seemingly gentle and elegant demeanor masked his fury. Her heart sank. Understanding Lin Jin Lou’s temperament and fearing he might lose control and cause an irreparable scene, she submissively lowered her head and said in a trembling voice, “It is a bit cold. I should have worn more clothes.” She then took his hand in return and softly said, “Master, please warm my hands.”

Lin Jin Lou was taken aback. Even in private moments, Xiang Lan had never been so intimate with him. He smiled and gently pulled her into his embrace, saying affectionately, “Being so obedient, I’ll reward you well later.”

Xiang Lan smiled faintly, turning her face slightly aside, pretending to adjust a pearl flower in her hair while secretly wiping away a tear from the corner of her eye. Lin Jin Lou noticed this but maintained his loving smile. He lowered his head and said through gritted teeth, “Just try shedding another tear.”

Xiang Lan closed her eyes briefly, her face full of smiles, and said to Lin Jin Lou, “I drank too much at the banquet earlier, and now my head is spinning. I want to go back.”

Lin Jin Lou glanced at Song Ke, noting his pale face with some satisfaction, and embraced Xiang Lan, saying, “If that’s the case, let’s return.” He turned to leave.

Zheng Jing Xian suddenly laughed coldly in a high pitch, “Shameless!”

Lin Jin Lou halted his steps, turned to face Zheng Jing Xian, and said, “Who are you insulting?”

Zheng Jing Xian looked at Lin Jin Lou’s domineering expression, straightened her back, pointed her chin at Xiang Lan, and said arrogantly, “I’m talking about her. What are you going to do about it?”

Lin Jin Lou burst out laughing, released Xiang Lan, and walked forward, shaking his head with a smile, “Well, well, cousin, it’s been a while since we last met, and your courage has grown. Now you dare to speak ill of the woman in my household.”

Song Ke, sensing trouble, stepped in front of Zheng Jing Xian and said, “She’s had too much to drink and has offended Miss Xiang Lan. I apologize on her behalf.”

Song Ke’s actions only fueled Zheng Jing Xian’s anger further. Who was she? The beloved legitimate daughter of the Duke of Xian, pampered since childhood, often receiving favors from the Empress Dowager herself. Which lady in the capital didn’t show her respect or praise her as a “woman of character”? Who dared to show her disrespect, and when had she ever tolerated anyone’s impudence? Chen Xiang Lan was merely a lowly servant girl, yet she dared to seduce her husband in broad daylight, and her husband even protected this vixen. How could she swallow this insult? People said the Lin family was powerful, that when Lin Jin Lou stamped his foot, all of Jinling would tremble three times, but she refused to believe this.

Zheng Jing Xian pushed Song Ke aside and stepped forward, raising her chin high, smirking as she said, “Anyone with eyes can see that it’s your concubine who’s fickle and unfaithful, seducing men around. Cousin, you haven’t improved much over the years. It was bad enough when you were involved with those courtesans, but now you’ve brought such trash into your home, even worse than those loose women outside! Aren’t you worried about bringing shame to your household?”

Xiang Lan’s eyes widened. This was the first time she had heard anyone dare to challenge Lin Jin Lou so brazenly.

Song Ke’s expression turned severe as he frowned and rebuked, “What nonsense are you talking!”

Lin Jin Lou nodded at Song Ke with a smile and said, “Yi Fei, your taste isn’t that great. How did you end up with such a wife who speaks of nothing but ‘courtesans’ and ‘loose women’? And she claims to be from a noble family? I find it quite novel to hear.”

Song Ke glanced at Xiang Lan, who stood silently with her head lowered, then bit his lip and bowed deeply to Lin Jin Lou, saying, “My wife speaks without restraint. I apologize on her behalf.”

Zheng Jing Xian was fuming and about to speak when Song Ke suddenly turned and shouted sternly, “Haven’t you had enough!”

Zheng Jing Xian was startled. Song Ke had always been gentle and had never been so harsh with her. Seeing his ashen face, she had no choice but to swallow her anger, though her eyes were filled with tears. As they were about to fall, she turned her face away, unwilling to let others see.

Lin Jin Lou stared intently at Zheng Jing Xian and said coldly, “Watch your mouth. Don’t think that coming from the Duke of Xian’s household means everyone must respect you. Next time you show me disrespect, I’ll personally help you wash your mouth out.”

Song Ke had regained his elegant demeanor and walked to Lin Jin Lou’s side, patting his shoulder with a smile, saying, “That’s enough, Brother Lin. My wife was confused earlier and spoke nonsense. I apologize on her behalf. I’ll host a dinner at our residence later to make amends.” With that, he left without another glance at Xiang Lan, pulling Zheng Jing Xian along.

As they rounded a rockery, Song Ke slowed his pace and released her hand. Zheng Jing Xian asked angrily, “What were you doing earlier, alone with that cheap woman in the garden? You kept defending her, being so submissive, showing no backbone at all. Fine, fine, you’ve become capable now, only knowing how to scold me…” As she spoke of her grievances, tears streamed down her face.

Song Ke merely said coolly, “You were quite impressive today. Where did you get your information to come storming in to catch adulterers? Did you see anything improper? Count on your fingers, how many times have you embarrassed me in public?”

Hearing these words, Zheng Jing Xian’s angry expression froze, and she couldn’t utter a word. Song Ke continued, “I’ve told you before, that you are my wife, and naturally I respect you as an equal. But if you continue to act against my wishes, you know how I’ll respond. Or has your memory failed, and you need a reminder?” With that, he glanced at Zheng Jing Xian, pursed his lips, and left.

Zheng Jing Xian held back tears. She had loved Song Ke since childhood, and when he fell from grace, she disregarded her reputation to marry him and help him regain his status. After marriage, Song Ke indeed treated her with respect, but she still felt it wasn’t enough. She wasn’t skilled at managing the household or needlework, but she could help Song Ke advance his career. Song Ke was ambitious, so she tried every way to persuade her father to seek opportunities for him. She even discussed with her father about paving a way for Song Tan Chai to enter the palace, so that Tan Chai could gain imperial favor and Song Ke could advance further. Song Tan Chai agreed after their repeated persuasion, but when Song Ke found out, he was furious and refused to let his sister enter the palace. However, her father used some unknown means to spread Tan Chai’s virtuous reputation to the imperial court. The Emperor personally selected her to enter the palace as a Noble Lady, was greatly pleased with her, and bestowed favor on Song Ke, especially appointing him to compile books and allowing him to assist in the Imperial Cabinet. She was overjoyed, but from then on, Song Ke became increasingly distant, showing only ordinary respect, often sleeping in his study, merely pretending to be a loving couple in public.

Zheng Jing Xian’s heart was filled with countless sorrows, but she refused to show even the slightest bit, only holding her head high and enduring. Now she could no longer contain herself, covered her face with a handkerchief, and shed bitter tears. But let’s leave her for now.

As for Song Ke’s departure, Zhao Yue Chan couldn’t sit still. She had specifically ordered Dai Rong and Qiong Zhi to call Lin Jin Lou and Zheng Jing Xian, hoping to cause a scene and spread gossip to vent her hatred. She had hidden behind a stone wall, and though she couldn’t hear what Song Ke and Xiang Lan had said earlier, she had heard the entire argument when Zheng Jing Xian arrived. She had expected a storm but was surprised to see it end so peacefully.

Then she heard Lin Jin Lou say harshly to Xiang Lan, “Why are you still standing here? Go back for me, don’t return to the banquet. I’ll settle accounts with you at Di Cui Hall later.” Lin Jin Lou contained his anger, first sending Xiang Lan away with a few words, but followed a few steps behind, only stopping after seeing her enter Di Cui Hall. He muttered under his breath, “Troublesome thing, always causing problems for me.”

Zhao Yue Chan watched all this, her jealousy growing stronger. She couldn’t help but emerge from behind the stone wall, wearing an extremely coquettish smile, batting her seductive eyes, and covering her mouth with a fan, saying, “I heard quite a commotion out here earlier. Oh my, how did the big show end before it even began?”

She stared intently at Lin Jin Lou. This man, so young yet wielding both wealth and power, had become even more imposing than before. This man was supposed to be her husband! Various emotions surged in Zhao Yue Chan’s heart – hatred, jealousy, and regret – making her restless and almost wanting to tear Lin Jin Lou to pieces. She said with a smirk, “Tsk tsk tsk, it’s a pity General Lin arrived too late and missed the beautiful scene of the scholar and beauty meeting secretly in the garden. Their romantic display was even better than what you’d see on stage.”

Seeing Zhao Yue Chan and recalling Dai Rong’s earlier message, Lin Jin Lou understood everything. Hearing Zhao Yue Chan’s words, he sneered and walked past her, ignoring her presence. Suddenly he stopped, standing behind Zhao Yue Chan, staring at her fair neck, and said in a low voice, “Control your thoughts and think carefully about how to serve that old man. Xiang Lan is mine for this life and the next. Even if she were Sun Wukong himself, she couldn’t escape my Five-finger Mountain. But that old man’s life might not be long – be careful when he kicks the bucket and closes his eyes, or you’ll end up without even a place to stand.”

He looked at Zhao Yue Chan’s pale face with a contemptuous smile and strode away.