At that moment, Aunt Xia arrived with her maids. Xiang Lan hurriedly invited them in, and Aunt Xia said, “I’ve come to take Fourth Young Lady back.”

Lin Dong Xiu pleaded, “Dear Aunt, all the sisters are here. Let me enjoy their company a while longer.”

Xiang Lan then said, “Let us chat a bit more. Aunt, please rest next door first. Second Madam is also there choosing patterns.”

Aunt Xia thought to herself, “Madam Lin’s intentions are twofold: first, to have me teach Fourth Young Lady, and second, to observe the character of the two Jiang girls. I might as well stay and watch longer to properly fulfill this important task and justify that generous payment.” With this in mind, she agreed and let Ling Qing lead her to Tan Lu Hua’s room.

Just then, Jiang Dan Yun stood up and walked to the zither lying in the corner of the room. She lightly plucked the strings and smiled at Xiang Lan, saying, “This is a fine zither. May I try it?”

Xiang Lan smiled and replied, “Since Dan Young Lady is in the mood, we shall enjoy this musical treat.”

Jiang Dan Yun maintained a reserved expression as she sat down. She plucked a few notes, tuned the strings, and began playing. Her music flowed like flowing clouds and running water, like the cry of a lone wild goose. She played “Wild Geese Descending on Sandy Shores” with elaborate techniques of plucking, picking, and strumming, displaying the full extent of her technical brilliance.

Xiang Lan thought privately, “Jiang Dan Yun truly plays the zither beautifully. This piece is extremely difficult, yet she executes it masterfully, clearly showing dedicated study.”

When the piece ended, everyone applauded in admiration.

Jiang Dan Yun’s cheeks flushed slightly, but she glanced toward the door, disappointed not to see Lin Jin Lou standing there. Jiang Xi Yun, unaware of Lin Jin Lou’s return, found her sister’s constant glancing outside strange. At this moment, Lin Dong Xiu nudged her, saying, “Since Sister Dan plays so well, Sister Xi must also be accomplished. Why not play something for us?”

Jiang Xi Yun smiled and declined, “Fourth Sister is the most skilled at zither among us sisters. My skills are poor; it’s better to hide my inadequacy than display it.”

Lin Dong Xiu repeatedly urged Jiang Xi Yun to play, but she continued to decline with a smile. Jiang Dan Yun took a sip of tea and looked at Xiang Lan with a hint of mockery, saying, “Sister Xiang Lan has a zither in her room, so she must be versed in music. Why not play something for us?”

Seeing the challenge in her expression, Xiang Lan didn’t bother with polite refusals and said, “I certainly can’t compare to Dan Young Lady, but I’ll play something light to add to our enjoyment.” She sat down and played a simple piece, very light and distant, without complex fingering techniques, yet with its charm.

When she finished, everyone praised her performance. Jiang Dan Yun covered her mouth and laughed lightly, saying, “Indeed, not bad.” However, her eyes held contempt, and her expression was quite self-satisfied.

Xiang Lan just smiled. In her previous life, the Shen family had hired an excellent zither master to teach at home, and she could play “Wild Geese Descending on Sandy Shores,” but in this life, her skills had grown rusty, so she preferred playing simple, refreshing pieces for her own enjoyment.

Soon, Ling Qing and Ling Su came in to serve fresh fruit. As Ling Qing withdrew, she whispered in Xiang Lan’s ear, “Master has returned. He says to tend to the guests and not mind him; he’ll be leaving shortly.”

Xiang Lan nodded. She saw Lin Dong Xiu return to the zither to play again, with Jiang Dan Yun joining her. The two discussed musical theory and debated the difficulty of various schools of “Guangling San” performance, getting along quite well. Reassured, Xiang Lan turned to comfort Tan Lu Hua in the warm room and talk with Aunt Xia.

Jiang Xi Yun, sitting in the room, found it quite dull. At home, they had hired a music teacher to teach the sisters zither, but after studying for a while, she found her head spinning at all the musical modes and dozens of fingering techniques, having little interest. Moreover, she felt that those who appreciated the classical zither were few, and as a concubine’s daughter, learning it had little use, so she had abandoned it. She took a sip of tea and looked up to see Lin Dong Xiu playing “Three Refrains on the Yang Pass,” though somewhat halting and not very smooth, it was passable. Finding it boring, Jiang Xi Yun stood up and went to the courtyard to clear her mind.

Since Changchun Hall had guests, all the prominent maids were busy serving, leaving only one or two young maids in the courtyard. Jiang Xi Yun saw exotic plants and vines growing there, with several rocks complementing various peach, plum, and begonia trees, creating an elegant scene. As she walked slowly to the back courtyard, she could see layers of artificial mountains with several clusters of orchid grass, and various potted orchids.

She stood there, unaware that Aunt Xia’s young maid Fang Fei was behind a rock picking garden balsam to dye her fingernails, and even more unaware that a bedroom window directly faced this spot, where Lin Jin Lou reclined on a low couch, hidden behind soft curtains, with a clear view of her. Lin Jin Lou observed through half-closed eyes: Jiang Xi Yun was very fair-skinned, wearing no makeup, with crow-black hair framing her bright and beautiful face. Looking down, he noted her plump, smooth hands and full figure, quite different from Xiang Lan’s slender fingers and willowy waist.

Jiang Xi Yun peered briefly into the back courtyard before turning to leave, when she saw her maid Ruo Qing approaching. She asked, “Why are you here?”

Ruo Qing replied, “I was worried Young Lady might be warm, so I brought a bottle of Snow Fresh Pills.”

Jiang Xi Yun smiled, “How thoughtful you are, though it’s not that hot.” As she spoke, she took the small bottle of Snow Fresh Pills.

Ruo Qing asked, “Why is Young Lady here?”

Jiang Xi Yun sighed, “Those two inside are discussing how many ways there are to play ‘Guangling San’ – it’s so boring, so I came out.”

Ruo Qing smiled, “Young Lady has never liked these things. When the teacher came to teach zither at home, Young Lady would get drowsy after listening for just a while.”

Jiang Xi Yun said, “What use are poetry, music, painting, and such for a secluded lady? They won’t put food on the table. If I were a man, learning these things could help establish a career, even take the imperial examinations. But I’m a woman – should I be like Big Sister, gaining fame as a talented lady? Big Sister’s reputation might win her a noble husband, but if I learned these things, I’d probably end up as a concubine.”

Ruo Qing said puzzled, “I don’t understand what Young Lady means.”

Jiang Xi Yun explained, “All these things that girls learn in their chambers from childhood are for marriage. Whether it’s needlework, household management, or literacy and accounting, they’re all practical skills for managing the inner household for one’s husband. Even like Big Sister, who became known as a talented lady for her poetry, it’s just for a good reputation to marry better. But Big Sister was born to the principal wife, so naturally she’ll marry the eldest son of the Loyal and Brave Marquis. I’m not so fortunate – even if I learned all these fancy things, I couldn’t match Big Sister, so I might as well learn practical needlework. Concubines serve with their beauty and learn these things to please men. Isn’t that why Concubine Lu caught my father’s eye with her accomplishments in the arts? That’s why she had Fourth Sister learn all that stuff too. For a woman, being too educated or too accomplished in the arts isn’t necessarily good. Better to excel at women’s work – it provides a skill to rely on and earns a good reputation. Why not do that?”

Ruo Qing laughed, “Oh, my Young Lady, no wonder Old Madam always praises you as the most sensible one. You’ve explained all the world’s principles so thoroughly.”

Just then, Xiang Lan came out looking for them, and Jiang Xi Yun returned to the room with her.

Meanwhile, Ling Qing entered to bring Lin Jin Lou hot towels, finding him leaning on the monk’s couch, stroking his chin in thought. Not daring to disturb him, she quietly withdrew.

Lin Jin Lou rose and walked to the bed, lifting the curtain to find Young Master De sleeping inside, covered with a small diamond-patterned quilt, his cheeks flushed with sleep. Lin Jin Lou picked up Young Master De and wiped his face with the hot towel. The child woke up, rubbing his eyes, still looking sleepy.

Lin Jin Lou whispered in Young Master De’s ear, “Stop sleeping. Do something for Uncle, and there’ll be a big reward later.”

Young Master De, half-asleep, said, “I’m so tired, let me sleep a bit more…”

“Tsk, you silly child, I said there’d be a big reward – I’ll take you horseback riding later.”

At the mention of “horseback riding,” Young Master De became alert, his eyes wide open.

Meanwhile, after discussing zither techniques with Lin Dong Xiu for a while, Jiang Dan Yun played several more pieces. Xiang Lan, seeing Jiang Xi Yun’s lack of interest, changed the topic and had the maids brew strong tea for everyone. Jiang Xi Yun wanted to take her leave, but Jiang Dan Yun, knowing Lin Jin Lou had returned, wanted to show off her talents and was in no mood to leave. Seeing a set of purple clay tea implements with banana and landscape designs on a small table in the corner, she said, “Sister Xiang Lan has such a set, so she must appreciate tea. I’m not accomplished, but I know a little. Why don’t we have a tea competition for fun?”

Jiang Xi Yun held her head, thinking to herself, “Fourth Sister, even if you’re desperate to marry Lin Jin Lou, you shouldn’t keep pressing his beloved concubine like this. Knowing your painting isn’t as good, you’ve shown off your superior zither skills to gain the upper hand, and now you want to compete in this too. If you want to marry him, you should be friendly with his beloved concubine. Otherwise, a few whispered words at pillow talk would be enough to make things difficult for you.”

Xiang Lan smiled, “Dan Young Lady is refined. I don’t know how to compete in tea preparation. I just saw this set in the storehouse and, remembering the elegant Tang and Song custom of tea appreciation, put it out to affect refinement.”

Jiang Dan Yun waved her fan and laughed lightly, “What a pity. Tea appreciation and competition – few people know these arts nowadays. I thought I’d found a kindred spirit.”

Lin Dong Xiu, being somewhat friendly with Xiang Lan, frowned at these words and was about to speak, but Xiang Lan quietly pulled her back, making her hold her tongue. Just then, there came the sound of small footsteps, “tap tap tap,” and a small figure lifted the door curtain, revealing a round, dark little face peering into the room. His eyes scanned the room before settling on Xiang Lan, and he called out softly, “Aunt Lan.”

Xiang Lan was both surprised and delighted. She quickly rose and went forward, leading Young Master De into the room, saying, “Weren’t you sick? Why aren’t you resting at home? Why did you come out?”

Young Master De climbed onto the monk’s couch by himself and said, “I had a fever last night, but I was better by daytime. My father went to the outskirts of the capital on official business, and Uncle Lin said I should stay here for a few days.”

Xiang Lan was again pleasantly surprised, alternately feeling his forehead and wondering what to feed him. After fussing for a while, she finally remembered to introduce him to everyone, “This is the younger son of the Marquis of Yongchang, Young Master De.”

Lin Dong Xiu’s face showed some discomfort, knowing the Jiang sisters were watching her secretly. She stepped forward, suppressing her unease, forced a smile, and stroked Young Master De’s cheek, saying, “What a good child.”

Young Master De was somewhat shy, lowering his head without speaking. Suddenly remembering something, he raised his head and looked at Xiang Lan, asking, “Aunt Lan, let me ask you: the four arts of zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting can’t be eaten or drunk, so what use are they?”

Xiang Lan was startled. In the next room, Aunt Xia, who was lifting her teacup, paused upon hearing these words.