Chunling said, “What’s the problem? They’re all just gossiping women with wagging tongues, making themselves utterly dislikeable! Was I wrong to say they only care about having fun and not working?”
“It’s not that you’re wrong…”
“That’s why I’m annoyed, stirring up all this idle gossip for nothing!”
Chunling had always been headstrong and never willing to back down. Xianglan felt a headache coming on and took a deep breath, saying, “I was the one who let them rest today. If there’s any fault, I should bear it.”
Chunling interrupted sharply, “I’m not saying it was wrong for Madam to let them rest, but which part of what I said was incorrect? Why did they gang up to bully me? Or are you saying that in the future when I see them doing something wrong, I shouldn’t say anything and just play dumb? Fine, I guess I was meddling!”
Xianglan stared quietly at Chunling for a moment before saying softly, “I understand what you mean, but since we all live together, we should be more tolerant of each other. You and Xiaojuan have quite a bond, and today is her birthday. Even if she was greatly at fault, you should have considered this and spoken to her privately rather than confronting her in front of everyone.”
Chunling sneered, “Friendship is one thing, but that doesn’t mean her mistakes can’t be pointed out. Not everyone in the mansion is her parent, letting her do whatever she wants!”
Xianglan patiently replied, “If we can’t show a little tolerance toward the people we live with daily, won’t the household become a constant battlefield of squabbling? As they say, ‘No Gold Is Pure, No Person Perfect.’ How can we live in peace if we’re always focusing on others’ faults?”
This made Chunling even more agitated. She sneered, “So Aunt’s meaning is that I’m wrong? This whole thing is my fault? I’m the one being picky, is that it?”
Seeing Chunling’s aggressive demeanor, Xianglan knew reasoning would be futile. She lowered her gaze, holding a half-cup of cold tea in her hands, and said, “I understand your intentions and know you mean well. Let’s not discuss this further. You may go.”
Chunling was stunned. Previously, when she had disputes with other maids, Xianglan had always taken her side. She hadn’t expected today’s cool response. Though still feeling indignant and wanting to argue further, seeing Xianglan’s expression made her heart sink. Being somewhat clever, she knew the matter couldn’t be pursued further and left.
Meanwhile, Huashan was hiding behind the curio cabinet, peeping out. After seeing Chunling leave, she hurried to Xiaojuan and related everything she’d overheard, saying, “Chunling is so unreasonable! Does she think she can lord it over everyone just because she saved Madam once and knows Madam has a good temper? Plus, she might have some connection with the Mistress, that’s why she’s always so bossy. She’s getting on everyone’s nerves.” Then, anxiously adding, “If she is the Mistress’s spy, won’t you be in trouble for confronting her like this? Besides, Madam said not to quarrel with her anymore…”
Xiaojuan took a bite of a Cloud Cake and said, “When Sister Xianglan first returned to the mansion, she was discouraged about everything and let Chunling handle things. Chunling could make all the decisions for Madam. Madam has such a good nature that sometimes when Chunling mocked her, she would just smile and let it pass. Before Madam had the authority to promote her, she kept giving her rewards – if not Eighty Taels then at least Fifty Taels, not counting the clothes and jewelry. When Madam was having new clothes made, if Chunling liked any fabric and asked Madam for it, Madam would pay for it herself without hesitation. This spoiled her temperament and made her increasingly difficult to handle. She’s hot-tempered and loves to argue and cause trouble. If she feels slighted even a little, she has to find ways to get back at people. She can’t control her mouth. You weren’t here then, but the incident with Yinliu happened because she just wanted to satisfy her desire to speak her mind, bringing trouble to Madam. Later she even tried to climb above Madam’s head. Heh, Madam had planned to promote her once we came to the capital, but she didn’t behave properly, and I ended up getting that lucky break instead.”
Huashan said, “Actually, Sister Chunling just has a sharp tongue, but she’s not bad-hearted…”
Xiaojuan replied, “It’s exactly this temperament that irritates people. Back at Zhichun Hall, except for Shuran and Lianxin whom she didn’t dare order around, who else did she respect? Now that she’s back, she hasn’t touched any important tasks – the household runs the same with or without her. Yet she still doesn’t realize this, arguing with Aunt and being stubborn, as if Madam couldn’t manage without her. How could Madam be happy about that? Even the greatest kindness can’t withstand such constant wearing down. Since Aunt won’t say anything, I’ll speak up – I’m not afraid of offending her.” With that, she took a plate of fresh fruit to the bedroom. After chatting briefly with Xianglan, she said, “Madam is too kind-hearted. Someone like Chunling needs to be severely disciplined to know her place.”
Xianglan smiled and shook her head, pushing the plate in front of her toward Xiaojuan, saying, “With her personality, harsh discipline would only increase her resentment and make things worse. Some matters can’t be resolved with stern words alone. If it were that simple, things would be easier.” She thought sadly to herself: “Xiaojuan and Chunling were the earliest to share hardships with me, our bond is special. I understand Chunling’s desperate desire to advance, but her temperament is like burning coal, and she loves to pick fights. Though I seem to be doing well in the mansion now, it’s difficult. The people I value around me represent my face to others. If she makes mistakes, it makes things even harder for me. I might as well give her more rewards and watch her for a while longer, though I fear she might resent me for this.”
Xiaojuan said, “We understand Madam’s concerns. Chunling not only causes trouble but also loves to spread gossip. Why not just send her away? Madam won’t lack help – Lingqing is observant and skilled, Lingsu is kind-hearted, and though Xuening might be a fence-sitter, she can handle writing and accounting well. Why tolerate her arrogance?”
Xianglan replied, “She has done me favors after all. I keep all her good deeds in my heart. If I don’t honor old friendships, it will discourage others, which isn’t my intention. I have my judgment in this matter. In the future, you should keep your distance from her too. If things get truly hostile, it won’t look good for anyone.”
Xiaojuan agreed and went back to tell Huashan about this. Coincidentally, Xiaofang was there too, and after understanding the whole situation clearly, she went to share it as an amusing story with Lin Dongxiu, Madam Han, and Summer Lady.
Madam Han said, “That girl Chunling was always trying to push herself forward even when she was in the Mistress’s quarters. I didn’t expect her to become even more aggressive now.”
Lin Dongxiu sneered, “Xianglan used to have some spirit, but she’s become increasingly soft these past few years. If it were me, I’d give her a good beating with the discipline stick, whether she’s Chunling or whatever-ling, make her know her place.”
Summer Lady looked at Lin Dongxiu, slightly shaking her head, and later told her maid Fangfei, “Using harsh words to rebuke others is not the way to manage people. Fourth Miss Lin still needs more tempering. That concubine called Xianglan seems to know how to handle matters, though her personality might be a bit too soft. I wonder if her kindness is genuine or just an act.”
Later that afternoon, Xianglan woke from her nap and ordered Lingqing to grind ink and cut paper. After securing the crystal beast-head paperweight and propping open the windows, she faced the rustling green bamboo outside and painted an Ink Bamboo in the style of the Plum Blossom Daoist of the previous dynasty. She wrote the date in the blank space and added a line “Summer self-collection, created at Chang Spring Hall.” She reached out to Lingqing, who immediately pressed a small seal carved with orchids into the cinnabar ink and handed it to her. Just then, laughter came from outside. Xianglan put down the seal and looked out the window to see Jiang Danyun and Lin Dongxiu walking arm in arm, with Jiang Xiyun following leisurely behind.
Xianglan slightly furrowed her brow and said to Lingqing while washing her hands, “Have them quickly prepare tea and fruit, the young ladies are here.” Just as she finished drying her hands with a towel, she heard Chunling announce outside, “Fourth Miss and the two Miss Cousins have arrived.”
Xianglan walked out from the partition, and the three were already there. Lin Dongxiu entered first, laughing, “The three of us were wandering around and somehow ended up here. On such a hot summer day, we must have a cup of tea.”
Xianglan hurriedly offered tea and seats, smiling, “Not just one cup, have as many as you like. We also have cooling tea here, would the young ladies like to try some?”
As the three sat down, Lin Dongxiu asked, “Is Big Brother not home?”
Xianglan replied, “He’s busy all day long. He left right after breakfast, saying the Emperor sent him to supervise military training in the outskirts of the capital.”
While these two were talking, Dan and Xi observed quietly. Jiang Danyun looked around the room, noting that Chang Spring Hall was notably larger than other rooms in the Lin mansion, spacious and bright, with decorative panels and bamboo-patterned skirting boards. All windows were framed, and the main hall was furnished with rosewood tables and chairs, adorned with Five-Colored Eight-Treasures cushions. Being summer, the cushions were covered with fine Phoenix Tail mats. In the center was a long table with a plaque reading “Brilliant Virtue” hanging above, but instead of calligraphy or paintings below, there hung a large strong bow and a quiver of arrows. The table displayed swords, long sabers, and other weapons, showing the master’s martial spirit. The main hall had curtains and connecting rooms on both sides, with the sleeping quarters to the north, hidden behind fine pearl curtains and a screen.
Jiang Danyun was secretly amazed – Lin Jinlou’s quarters were more impressive than her family’s ancestral home. Last night, she had heard two Lin family servants gossiping that the Beijing residence was merely the official residence where Lin Zhangzheng stayed while serving in the capital, far inferior to the Jinling old mansion. Seeing all this, Jiang Danyun’s heart grew even more excited.
Jiang Xiyun only looked at Xianglan, noting that her hair was arranged with three jade hairpins, wearing a true-red cherry-colored jacket and a scallion-yellow embroidered skirt. She looked even more beautiful than their last meeting, her face still free of powder, with long eyebrows and beautiful eyes, snow-white skin, and red lips, appearing ethereal and graceful like a beautiful pearl or jade. After examining her thoroughly, Jiang Xiyun quietly withdrew her gaze and smiled, saying, “What was Sister Xianglan doing just now? Have we disturbed you?”
Hearing her address her as “Sister,” Xianglan thought to herself that Jiang Xiyun was indeed sweet-tongued, and just smiled saying, “I was just idle, your timing is perfect.”
At this moment, Chunling came out to serve tea and hearing this, said with a smile, “Aunt Madam was just painting.”
Jiang Danyun asked, “What kind of painting? Can we take a look?”
Before Xianglan could decline, Lin Dongxiu had already stood up, saying, “Xianglan paints beautifully, let’s go see what she just painted.” With that, she led everyone to the eastern side room’s study.