Early morning at Kangshou Residence.

“…That dress was already stained, and Aunt had given it to her maid. Second Madam, if you still want it, just send your maid over. Here are two bolts of fabric. Master said as the weather is getting warmer, he wants Second Young Master to make two sets of clothes.” After Shu Ran finished speaking, she ordered Ling Qing and Ling Su to put down the fabric. She continued, “I have other duties to attend to, so I’ll head back first. I’ll pay my respects to Second Young Master another day.” With that, she prepared to leave.

Lin Jin Xuan had kept his head down the whole time, his face so red it seemed blood might drip from it. Hearing her words, he quickly stood up and said, “Stay for a cup of tea before you go.”

Shu Ran smiled and replied, “No need. I don’t have time today. Second Young Master should rest.” With that, she lifted the curtain and left.

Lin Jin Xuan sat in his chair and let out a long sigh. At this moment, Concubine Yin entered the room. Seeing the two bolts of fabric on the table, she quickly went forward to feel them and said happily, “Where did these come from? You can’t buy such silk outside. This fabric is enough to make a straight-cut robe for you, and with the remainder, I could make a sleeveless jacket.”

Just then there was a “crash” sound from inside, as someone knocked over a teacup. Shortly after, Madam Tan walked out from the inner room. She first looked at the fabric on the table, then glanced at Concubine Yin, and coldly said, “So Concubine is here.” With that, she held her head high and left.

Lin Jin Xuan wanted to stop her, but though his mouth opened, no words came out. Concubine Yin, however, raised her eyebrows in anger and said, “She’s gone too far! Who does she think she is, giving people such cold looks? She’s only been married for such a short time, and she dares to show such an attitude. Xuan’er, are you going to manage this or not!”

Lin Jin Xuan smiled bitterly. Who else would his wife be showing attitude to but his concubine-mother? Yesterday, his wife mentioned to him that she wanted to make a jacket like the one worn by his elder brother’s favorite concubine. He had immediately agreed – it was just a piece of clothing, nothing significant. However, when they asked Snow Ning, who managed the clothes for Xiang Lan, they learned that the fabric was Ming Xia brocade woven in Jiangnan, rarely found in the capital. Moreover, the pattern was designed by Xiang Lan herself and embroidered by a famous Xiang embroiderer, completely different from the capital’s needlework. This single piece of clothing cost ten taels of silver. Lin Jin Xuan became troubled. Due to his weak health, he only focused on recuperating and studying. His monthly allowance and other matters had previously been managed by his concubine-mother, and he couldn’t make decisions himself. Even after marriage, the money wasn’t handed over to him. His concubine-mother only told him that it had been spent on wedding preparations and purchases. Being naturally careless about such matters and since the family never left him wanting food or necessities, he hadn’t paid attention to this issue. After marriage, his monthly allowance of four taels was managed by Madam Tan. When his wife mentioned wanting to make clothes, he suddenly realized that forget ten taels, he probably couldn’t even produce five taels.

However, he didn’t want to disappoint his wife. His wife was a proper official’s daughter, beautiful and talented. During their married days, she had been extremely affectionate towards him. It was the height of marital bliss, sweet as honey. She would either accompany him in reading or play chess with him. Her manners and conduct were incomparable to the maids who had served him before. Lin Jin Xuan was utterly besotted and, feeling self-conscious about his weak constitution compared to his brothers, worried he might never achieve officialdom or bring honor to his wife and children. He felt he had let Madam Tan down and tried even harder to make her happy. But now he couldn’t even provide a piece of clothing – what was he to do?

When Madam Tan heard Lin Jin Xuan’s stammering explanation about having no spare silver, she immediately questioned further. Upon learning that Concubine Yin had previously managed his money, she gave a cold laugh. After some thought, she instructed Lin Jin Xuan to ask Lin Jin Lou for help. Though reluctant, Lin Jin Xuan still went. However, instead of giving him the jacket, Lin Jin Lou gave him two bolts of fabric.

Lin Jin Xuan coughed twice and went to pull open the bedside drawer. One drawer contained copper coins for giving rewards, and a brocade pouch with some loose silver. Another drawer held his various hair pins, longevity locks, jade pendants, and fan tassels used for daily grooming. Lin Jin Xuan took out a gold hairpin with the character for “longevity” and examined it, considering whether to find a servant to pawn it so he could have that dress made for Madam Tan.

Meanwhile, Madam Tan walked to the small garden in the center of the main residence. Sitting in the covered corridor, she fanned herself with a handkerchief, feeling both embarrassed and angry. She was such a powerless primary wife that she had to bow to a concubine just to get a decent, fashionable dress. Xiang Lan giving that dress to a maid was a slap in her face! If she had married Lin Jin Lou instead, how could she have suffered such humiliation?

Thinking of Lin Jin Lou, Madam Tan’s face grew hot. She knew that as a young lady, her reputation had spread far, and many families had sought her hand in marriage. Several of her father’s students had made excuses to visit frequently, just hoping to catch a glimpse of her. With someone like her by his side, she refused to believe that Lin Jin Lou, a man so versed in romance, could have no feelings for her whatsoever. Lin Jin Lou was tall and handsome, wielding power and prestige – such a man should have been her life partner. But now he was just a passerby, and her feelings could only remain her private sorrow.

Lost in these thoughts, Madam Tan grew listless. The small garden was tiny, just a square plot with an ornamental rock in the center and some flowers and plants – nothing spectacular to look at. After brooding for a while, Madam Tan was about to leave when she heard laughter and cursing from nearby, seemingly from some men.

One person said, “You two, settle down. Don’t disturb the ladies in the inner quarters, or Ying Yang won’t be happy.” The speaker was Chu Da Peng.

Liu Xiao Chuan said brazenly, “What’s our status? We come here to fix his residence and garden, and he’s being picky. If it weren’t for Third Brother’s wedding requiring some tidying up, this young master wouldn’t even be here.”

Xie Yu sneered, “Stop running your mouth. If you’ve got the guts, go complain to Ying Yang and see if he doesn’t kick you.”

Liu Xiao Chuan frowned and said, “Last night, this young master was sleeping in a warm embrace, and this morning you two heartless ones dug me out of bed. I’m already furious – don’t provoke me.”

Xie Yu replied, “Without Master Lin, would you even have spare silver to visit brothels? Enough talk. When they said they wanted to fix up the old residence and plant some flowers for Third Brother’s wedding, it was Old Chu who eagerly agreed. If we please that master, there’ll be plenty of silver for errands in the future. Brother, I brought you along to share in this favor – don’t be dense.”

Liu Xiao Chuan pointed at Xie Yu and said, “Pah! Xie Er, I’ve always said you’re a bootlicker. Since childhood, you’ve followed that bandit Lin around – when he farts, you call it heaven-shaking thunder; when he takes a dump, you say it’s dragon’s saliva fragrance. That bandit Lin keeps barking black dogs in the front courtyard. Why keep dogs? He might as well put you on a chain!”

Xie Yu angrily said, “You little rascal, looking for trouble with your grandfather? You need a couple of slaps from me to feel better?”

“Alright, alright, alright! You two start fighting every time you meet, barking like dogs – isn’t it tiresome?” Chu Da Peng waved his hand, pulled out a blueprint from his boot, opened it, and pointed, saying, “The new house next to the garden – the tiles need to be replaced with new ones of the same color, the windows need to be covered with red gauze. The existing furniture like tables and chairs doesn’t need replacing – they’re all properly matched sets. As for furnishings, curtains, embroidered hangings, silk paintings, and golden bamboo blinds with red patterns, all need to be prepared. For the wedding, we need chair covers, table covers, bed skirts, table runners…” As he spoke while walking forward, he suddenly noticed a beautiful face peering out from the covered corridor behind.

Chu Da Peng froze. Liu Xiao Chuan was still mocking from behind, “Listen to him, he’s become like an old housewife.” As he said this, he bumped into Chu Da Peng’s back and grumbled, “Why did you stop?” He peeked ahead and clicked his tongue, saying, “Incredible! Old Xie, come to look – it’s a fairy sister!”

Madam Tan had intended to avoid them, but hearing the three men’s amusing chatter and assuming they were young masters from noble families who were friendly with Lin Jin Lou, she secretly hid behind a pillar to peek out. Now that she had been discovered, her face flushed red, and she lowered her head to leave.

Xie Yu said, “What fairy sister? We’ve frightened the lady of the house – stop looking.”

Liu Xiao Chuan said, “Could this be that Xiang Lan? I saw her before, but I was too drunk then. I vaguely remember she looked quite proper, but by the next day when I sobered up, I’d forgotten.”

Chu Da Peng looked at Madam Tan’s retreating figure and said, “It’s not her. That darling of Lin the tyrant isn’t as tall and slender as her, and her features aren’t as beautiful.”

Madam Tan had been about to leave, but hearing this comment suddenly ignited her temper. She abruptly stopped, took a deep breath, turned around, and walked toward the three men. When she got close, she made a graceful curtsey and said with a smile, “Honored young masters, I am the wife of the Lin family’s Second Young Master. Meeting you here today is quite embarrassing. If there have been any lapses in etiquette, I hope the three young masters will forgive me.”

Now it was the three men’s turn to be dumbfounded. They looked at each other, and Chu Da Peng cleared his throat, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, “It is we three who have been discourteous. Please forgive us, Sister-in-law.”

At these words, Liu Xiao Chuan and Xie Yu also quickly followed suit, greeting Madam Tan.

Madam Tan smiled and said, “The three of you have come so early to attend to our family’s matters – I am truly grateful. In a moment, I will have my maids bring some tea and fruits to show our appreciation. I’ll take my leave now.” With that, she made another curtsey, her eyes sweeping over the three men. She found Chu Da Peng, who stood at the front, to be the most handsome – with red lips, white teeth, and an elegant bearing, he was every inch a beautiful man. She looked at him once more, and their eyes met. Seeing Chu Da Peng’s affectionate eyes, Madam Tan blushed and gracefully turned away.

Liu Xiao Chuan critiqued, “Unbelievable, unbelievable! That sickly Lin Er married such a beautiful wife. Tsk, what a waste, what a waste.” He bumped shoulders with Xie Yu and said, “Don’t you agree?”

Xie Yu nodded and said, “You’re right – she truly has a different kind of charm. I heard Lin Er married Tan Lu Hua, the daughter of the Tan family, who was quite renowned among the ladies of the capital. Now seeing her in person, I understand she’s different.”

Madam Tan deliberately slowed her steps, listening to their discussion as she walked, and her mood suddenly brightened, a smile appearing at the corners of her mouth. She was indeed nobility – how could she be compared to a servant like Xiang Lan who only rose to prominence by attaching herself to someone powerful?

At this moment, Chu Da Peng suddenly noticed something left behind where Madam Tan had been standing. Going forward to look, he saw it was a diamond-shaped fragrance pouch embroidered with bright red flowers, giving off a subtle fragrance.