The next morning, Xiang Lan went early to pay her respects to Madam Qin, first presenting a handmade fragrance pouch, saying, “As the weather grows warmer and insects become more numerous, I made this in my spare time. Inside are some medicinal herbs and dried flowers for calming the mind and repelling mosquitoes. It can be tied to the bedpost or placed beside the pillow for a sweet night’s sleep.”
Madam Qin examined it and saw a gourd-shaped sandalwood-colored sachet embroidered with lotus flowers in gold thread, slightly larger than usual, with exquisite patterns and fine needlework, filled plumply. Upon holding it, a delicate fragrance immediately filled her nostrils. Before Madam Qin could offer praise, Xiang Lan presented the household account books and tallies, saying, “I’m young, inexperienced, and foolish. These days I’ve relied entirely on Shu Ran and others’ help to barely manage. Now that you’ve returned, Madam, I dare not show off my meager skills anymore.”
Madam Qin was startled and carefully studied Xiang Lan, who wore a shy, warm smile without a trace of displeasure. Madam Qin’s gaze grew complex – this Chen Xiang Lan was truly clever, immediately understanding yesterday’s subtle hint of disapproval. She had always believed concubines should be beautiful but simple and honest, thinking the clever ones caused trouble. But Xiang Lan… looking at that peony-like face with its dewy complexion, she felt pity – this girl lived with such clear understanding, though whether that was fortunate or unfortunate was hard to say. Still, a weight lifted from her heart, and she smiled, “It’s all that child Jinlou’s fault, giving you so many worries. If he bullies you in the future, just tell me.”
Xiang Lan just smiled with pressed lips, lowering her head slightly. Inwardly, she smiled wryly. Her management of the Lin household’s internal affairs had indeed overstepped bounds. Yesterday, she could tell from Madam Qin’s expression that she was displeased. Lin Jinlou would eventually remarry, and no one would want a concubine holding real power in the household – what noble family’s daughter would willingly marry into such a situation? Even though she had once saved Madam Qin’s life, earning genuine gratitude, the greatest debts of kindness fade with time, and there comes a day when all favors are repaid. She naturally understood Madam Qin’s thoughts, so she had presented these troublesome responsibilities early. These weren’t things she had wanted anyway, so why keep them and draw attention? Looking up, she saw Madam Qin’s face full of maternal affection as she ordered Lu Lan to bring a plate of glistening cherries as a reward.
After some casual conversation, a servant announced, “Second Madam has arrived.” Tan Luhua entered, and Xiang Lan rose. Tan Luhua first paid her respects, then at Madam Qin’s invitation, took a seat, deliberately pulling her chair forward an inch ahead of Xiang Lan’s. After inquiring about Madam Qin’s health, she pulled a fragrance pouch from her sleeve and presented it, saying, “My needlework is crude, but it’s the thought that counts.”
Lu Lan, serving nearby, thought, “What a coincidence – Xiang Lan gave a fragrance pouch, and now Madam Tan gives one too.” Craning her neck to look, she saw an ingot-shaped pouch in indigo with embroidered butterflies playing among yellow peonies, though not as refined or elegant as Xiang Lan’s. Lu Lan thought secretly, “For a gift to elders, this pouch would suffice, but since Xiang Lan already presented one, this looks rather poor in comparison, especially after Madam’s generous rewards yesterday.”
Tan Luhua smiled, “Inside are the finest musk, borneol, and cloves. It’s quite rare – I initially put in so many herbs that the pouch could barely close, so I had to remove some.”
Lu Lan secretly smirked, thinking such a flat pouch would likely lose its scent within half a month, yet she claimed it was “so full it couldn’t close.”
Madam Qin smiled, “How thoughtful of you,” and handed the pouch to Lu Lan. As Tan Luhua was about to praise her pouch further, Madam Qin adjusted her skirt and said, “In the next few days, Old Madam’s sister from her maiden family will be staying at our mansion. You should all address her as ‘Aunt Old Madam.’ Her eldest son serves as a Grand Secretary of the Eastern Pavilion and has been imperially ordered to serve as Provincial Administration Commissioner of Zhejiang, so the whole family must relocate. However, as Aunt Old Madam is advancing in years and the weather is hot, fearing mishaps on the journey, she will temporarily stay in the capital until their Jiangnan residence is fully prepared. They’ve already sold their capital residence, and since we’re all family, I’ve invited them to stay with us. Aunt Old Madam has kept her youngest granddaughter to attend her, who is about your age. You should spend time together and take good care of her.”
Both Xiang Lan and Tan Luhua acknowledged this.
After a few more words, Madam Qin dismissed them. Tan Luhua left before Xiang Lan, not bothering with farewells, simply walking away. Xiang Lan called after her, “Now that the account books and tallies have been returned to Madam, Second Madam should ask Madam directly for medicinal herbs in the future.”
Tan Luhua stopped, turned to look at Xiang Lan with slight surprise, then nodded, maintaining a cool expression as she left with her head held high. Shu Ran, waiting outside for Xiang Lan, approached asking, “What’s got her so pleased? She barely acknowledges people.” Watching Tan Luhua’s retreating figure in her peach-red fitted jacket and silver-red gold-threaded skirt highlighting her slender waist, fanning herself and leaning on her maid, swaying as she walked, Shu Ran fanned herself with her handkerchief and sneered, “The other day, Concubine Yin was complaining to me that Second Madam demands the best of everything – food, drink, whatever’s most expensive. She wants the finest clothes and jewelry, and even after the household has made her clothes, she spends large sums on more. She dresses up coquettishly every day. She spends lavishly on herself but acts like she’s losing flesh from her heart when spending a penny on others. When rewarding maids, she gives only a couple of coins, inviting ridicule. When Concubine Yin wanted to make shoes and asked for good silk, Second Madam just gave her a bag of fabric scraps, claiming they were high-quality materials, then went to show off to the Second Young Master. Concubine Yin wanted to tell Second Young Master about this but feared upsetting him and affecting his health, so she had to swallow her anger. Though Concubine Yin isn’t the most pleasant speaker, she’s learned discretion over the years and didn’t tell Second Young Master. Second Madam’s behavior shows no respect for others.”
Xiang Lan frowned slightly, thinking, “Though Tan Luhua may be at fault, Concubine Yin isn’t blameless either. Neither is easy to deal with and with neither willing to yield, they’re bound to clash constantly. Shu Ran is half a master in the Lin household, even Madam must show her some respect, yet Tan Luhua always puts on airs with her – no wonder Shu Ran is annoyed.” She asked aloud, “Why did Concubine Yin suddenly discuss this with you?”
Shu Ran replied, “She came asking for shoe-making materials. I thought of some old fabric in storage that had molded and partially spoiled, considered giving it to her, and asked Young Madam about it. At the time, Young Madam was busy with wedding preparations and said to give her all of it. Concubine Yin was extremely grateful and shared these complaints with me. I heard she’s also been spreading nasty rumors about Second Madam, some bearable, some unbearable.” Seeing no one around, she lowered her voice, “She’s saying Second Madam is loose and has ruined Second Young Master’s health.”
Xiang Lan was shocked. Seeing her round, wide eyes, Shu Ran covered her mouth and giggled.
Xiang Lan slowly shook her head. Shu Ran asked, “Why are you shaking your head, Young Madam?”
By now, Xiang Lan and Shu Ran had grown quite close, their relationship deeper than before, and Xiang Lan no longer kept things from her. She said, “Second Madam is being unwise. Though Concubine Yin is a secondary master, she’s still Second Young Master’s birth mother, has borne him a son and daughter, contributed to the Lin family, and has been established here for years. No matter how unfavored she may be, she has her ways and connections. Second Madam is newly married, and her maiden family is not particularly influential – why rush to establish authority and offend Concubine Yin? Now that Concubine Yin is spreading gossip about her if Madam chooses not to intervene, it will be hard for Second Madam to hold her head up with such a reputation.”
Shu Ran had previously thought Xiang Lan only knew about writing, drawing, and calculating, understanding but not excelling at social affairs, hence her usual silence. After longer association, she realized this wasn’t true – this girl understood everything clearly as a mirror, just rarely showed it. Hearing Xiang Lan’s words, she nodded, saying, “Second Madam is still young, lacking in patience.” She then asked, “What did Madam instruct earlier?”
Xiang Lan replied, “She said Old Madam’s family members will be staying for a few days.”
Shu Ran started, “The Jiang family? Who’s coming?”
Xiang Lan said, “Aunt Old Madam and her youngest granddaughter.”
Shu Ran started again, looking at Xiang Lan with complex emotions, saying, “The Jiang family once had their glory days. When Aunt Old Madam’s husband died early, relatives seized most of their fortune. It was only thanks to our Old Madam’s support that they preserved their ancestral property. Aunt Old Madam had it hard, a widow raising two sons and a daughter alone. Her daughter didn’t live past twelve, her younger son is mediocre, fortunately, her eldest son studied hard and became a respectable official. Now with the Emperor’s favor, their family fortunes are rising again.”
As they talked, they returned to Chang Chun Hall, entering to find Lin Jinlou sitting on the couch in a thin silk robe, holding a small clay teapot. Shu Ran quickly withdrew. Xiang Lan sat at the dressing table, removing some of her jewelry. Lin Jinlou came up behind her intimately, playing with her earrings, asking, “What did Mother say?”
Xiang Lan dodged, frowning slightly, “Don’t mess around.”
Lin Jinlou grinned, “Oh? Looking so troubled – did Mother give you a hard time?”
Xiang Lan still wouldn’t look at him, lowering her head to remove her bracelet, saying, “No, everything’s fine.”
Lin Jinlou said, “Tsk, you can’t hide things from me, still trying to fool me?”
Xiang Lan absently put the bracelet back on, staring at her wrist, muttering, “No, really no…” Suddenly she felt warmth on her hand as Lin Jinlou grabbed it, lifting her chin to look at her for a moment, saying, “About giving the account books and tallies to Mother – don’t feel bad. I hadn’t thought about it before, but when you mentioned it to me last night, I realized you were right. If you’re worried about being idle after giving up the authority, you can manage my accounts from now on, how’s that?”
Xiang Lan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, saying, “It’s not about that. I willingly gave them to Madam… I shouldn’t have been managing them anyway, why keep such a thankless burden?”
As Lin Jinlou was about to ask more, Ji Xiang called loudly from the second gate: “Young Master, a visitor is requesting to see you!”
Lin Jinlou released her hand, changed clothes, and went to meet the guest. Xiang Lan sat before the mirror for a long while. Being particularly astute, she had understood as soon as Madam Qin mentioned it – this granddaughter of the Jiang family coming to stay was Madam Qin’s way of keeping watch, intending to arrange a marriage for Lin Jinlou. Now she stood at the edge of a cliff. Staring at her flower-like face in the mirror, her hands slowly clenched into fists.