Xiang Lan sat beside Young Master De and asked, “Why do you suddenly ask this?”

Young Master De swung his little legs, glanced outside, then quickly looked down, saying, “Nothing…”

Xiang Lan noticed his glance toward the door and followed his gaze. Behind the curtain, Lin Jin Lou muttered, “Tsk, silly boy, showing your hand already – not a bit of Old Yuan’s craftiness.” He coughed and lifted the curtain to enter. Everyone stood up to pay their respects, but Lin Jin Lou waved his hand, saying, “Please sit.” Though his presence made everyone uncomfortable, Lin Jin Lou appeared not to notice, simply sitting in the official’s chair behind the desk and asking, “Sisters, eat before you leave. What were you discussing just now?”

Young Master De said, “I asked Aunt Lan what use there is in learning zither, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and prose.”

Lin Jin Lou said to Xiang Lan, “Oh, then why don’t you explain it to him?”

Xiang Lan glanced at Lin Jin Lou, hesitating slightly. But when she looked down and saw Young Master De’s eyes, so similar to her sister’s, her heart softened. She thought to herself, “My sister died young, and this child is the only bloodline left. Who knows how long he can stay with the Lin family? I must cherish and teach him well whenever I see him.” After pondering for a moment, she smiled and said, “It’s rather shallow and utilitarian to view poetry, prose, and the four arts as useless things that can’t be eaten or drunk. A good piece of music can relieve fatigue and sorrow, or move one to tears; a fine painting can clear the mind of distractions and purify the heart, leading one to a higher state. The four arts represent the accumulated wisdom of ancient and modern sages. Learning them isn’t about showing off talents or gaining face, but about cultivating the spirit and nurturing virtue. For instance, playing Go develops patience and character. Song Dynasty’s Pan Shen Xiu compared Go to Confucian principles, saying: ‘The way of Go lies in tranquility, while decisions must be swift. Benevolence leads to completeness, righteousness to defense, propriety to adaptability, wisdom to comprehensiveness, and trustworthiness to victory.’ He meant that Go cultivates the virtues of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trust. Similarly, with calligraphy, Tang Taizong wrote in ‘On Brush Techniques’ that ‘When about to write, one should withdraw the senses, eliminate distractions, concentrate the spirit – with a correct mind and harmonious qi, one achieves the marvelous.’ This means letting go of worldly concerns and fame and focusing completely on stillness. Regular immersion in such refined pursuits broadens one’s mind and horizons, benefiting one throughout life.”

Young Master De, with his big round eyes, asked, “What are horizons?”

Xiang Lan smiled again and said, “Horizons’ is a very subtle concept. Let me tell you a story. Buddhist scriptures record that looking at the same river, hell-beings see pus and blood, hungry ghosts see a dried riverbed, humans see sparkling water, while heavenly beings see beautiful golden water and lapis lazuli. Seeing different scenes in the same thing – this is the difference in their horizons. Similarly, with poetry, prose, and the four arts – some people’s horizon only sees these things as useless because they can’t be eaten or drunk; others’ horizons see their refined elegance and endless beauty. The four arts contain Zen wisdom that directly points to the heart, bringing clarity and tranquility to one’s nature. With eyes that can see beauty, life becomes more colorful. If one only considers whether something can be eaten or drunk, life’s pursuits become rather dull.”

Lin Dong Xiu laughed, “You’re remarkable, citing classics and even Buddhist scriptures to explain the four arts. If you were a man, you’d probably return from the imperial examinations as the top scholar.”

Xiang Lan smiled softly. Young Master De nodded his little head, though it wasn’t clear whether he understood or not. Lin Jin Lou gave a light laugh and looked toward Jiang Xi Yun. She looked up, their eyes meeting. Seeing his meaningful gaze, she was startled, being very clever, she immediately realized Lin Jin Lou must have overheard what she said in the courtyard.

Jiang Xi Yun’s heart was filled with mixed emotions. Despite her pickiness, she understood that marriage was decided by parents and matchmakers. Her father highly valued the connection with the Lin family, her grandmother often praised Lin Jin Lou, and Madam Qin particularly favored her. The marriage was practically settled, just waiting for the final word. Lin Jin Lou held a high position and power, radiating vigor. She hadn’t understood why, given the Lin family’s status, they had chosen her, until she saw Xiang Lan. Then she realized this marriage was actually above her station – if not for Chen Xiang Lan, how could it have been her turn? Xiang Lan was both beautiful and talented, which somewhat bothered her, but she didn’t view her as a rival. Lin Jin Lou had a romantic nature, and like all official sons, was fickle. Only family, career, and offspring were the foundations of life. No matter how beloved a concubine was, love would fade with time. With proper etiquette backing her, her mother-in-law’s support, plus her beauty, wit, and methods, she wasn’t worried about Chen Xiang Lan’s eventual downfall. Moreover, Chen Xiang Lan had an otherworldly, detached nature, which she had always looked down upon.

But Lin Jin Lou was unfathomable to her. She was beautiful, sweet-tongued, and clever, having dealt easily with many young nobles and princes who fell at her feet – some from distinguished families, some handsome and refined, some brilliantly talented. She had handled them all with ease, but with Lin Jin Lou, just sitting there quietly, she inexplicably felt somewhat afraid of him.

Lin Jin Lou suddenly spoke, “Fifth Cousin, what’s your view on this?”

Jiang Xi Yun was startled but answered sweetly, “Why ask me, Big Cousin? Sister Xiang Lan speaks so eloquently, that I can’t match her words. With such excellence present, Big Cousin must be trying to embarrass me. I won’t have it.”

Jiang Dan Yun pursed her lips, about to speak, when Jiang Xi Yun continued, “Though Sister Xiang Lan’s words make sense, it’s not so simple.”

Xiang Lan looked up to see Jiang Xi Yun sitting on an embroidered stool, holding a cup of tea, smiling gracefully as she said, “Even if these arts are beneficial, what’s their use? Aren’t there plenty of poor scholars in this world who, despite being well-versed in the four arts and full of learning, still live in poverty? When one can barely eat or struggles in an official career, isn’t it putting the cart before the horse to indulge in poetry and moonlight? ‘A gentleman can endure poverty’ – how pedantic!”

Xiang Lan replied, “The poverty of scholars is their life circumstance, unrelated to their mastery of poetry and the four arts. Many scholars make a living selling calligraphy and paintings when times are hard, managing to feed their families.” Not wanting to argue with Jiang Xi Yun, she lowered her head to pat Young Master De’s head and continued, “When Su Dongpo was demoted to Huangzhou, passing by Pingshan Hall along the river, he saw ‘Resting my head amidst the misty rain of Jiangnan, where a lone wild goose disappears in the distance,’ and was moved to write ‘A touch of noble spirit, like a refreshing wind for a thousand miles.’ Even when a person falls from the clouds into the mud, from the prosperous capital to a remote place, he can still appreciate rain and sky, maintaining his noble spirit. People nowadays only look down at the ground, observing practical benefits, watching human calculations and struggles, plotting schemes and methods, rarely able to gaze at the misty rain, watch the sunset, and live life with an innocent heart. We calculate worldly benefits, considering first what advantage things bring us, which is why the four arts and poetry seem useless. Most people’s hearts are dusty, full of heaviness and desire.”

These words affected each listener differently – some heard them like the lingering echo of a great bell, others like ripples spreading from a stone thrown in a lake, while some remained unmoved, showing contempt.

Everyone fell silent.

Lin Jin Lou watched Xiang Lan as she bent to fasten a loose button on Young Master De’s jacket, a strand of hair falling beside her cheek, adding to her gentle beauty.

Aunt Xia raised her teacup to her lips, blew away the steam, and took a slow sip.

Tan Lu Hua stood up saying, “I’m leaving.” She went to bid farewell to Lin Jin Lou, while Xiang Lan earnestly tried to keep her, saying, “Second Madam, stay a while longer, I still have things to discuss with you.”

With Tan Lu Hua’s departure, Jiang Xi Yun also stood to leave. Jiang Dan Yun didn’t want to go – when Lin Jin Lou had entered earlier, she had tried various ways to speak with him, but he hadn’t even glanced at her. However, with Jiang Xi Yun leaving, she couldn’t well stay longer. Remembering that her face looked most beautiful from a half-profile, she deliberately turned that side toward Lin Jin Lou, wearing a gentle smile.

Xiang Lan went with Tan Lu Hua to the next room, pointing to some patterns and two or three garments on the bed, saying, “These clothes are brand new. If Second Madam doesn’t mind, please choose one.”

Tan Lu Hua, who had been admiring Xiang Lan’s many clothes, broke into a smile but said, “This might not be proper…”

Xiang Lan smiled, “What’s improper? They were cut too large and might not fit me well, but with Second Madam’s figure, they would look perfect.”

Lin Dong Xiu, who had followed them in, saw Xiang Lan giving clothes to Tan Lu Hua and kept making warning gestures, but Xiang Lan gently shook her head.

Tan Lu Hua was delighted. She chose a garment and picked two patterns Xiang Lan had drawn, repeatedly expressing thanks as she left. Once she was gone, Lin Dong Xiu reproached Xiang Lan, “They say you’re foolish, and indeed you show no wisdom. After how Tan treated you in there, you still give her things – have you lost your mind?”

Xiang Lan said, “I’m creating good karma with her, hoping we can get along peacefully in the future.” Seeing Lin Dong Xiu still looking indignant, she pulled her to sit down and said gently, “Fourth Young Lady, you’re naturally clever and well-bred, your actions should be different from ordinary people.” Seeing Lin Dong Xiu’s expression soften after this praise, she continued, “Coming from a great family like the Lins, you should understand how difficult it is for sisters-in-law, mothers-in-law, and sisters to get along, not to mention when you’ll be managing the household and hundreds of people in the future. If you confront everyone who displeases you and refuse to yield even slightly, always speaking harshly – with you scolding me today and harming me tomorrow – how can life be peaceful? Not just mothers-in-law and sisters-in-law living together, even the maids and servants under your command won’t respect you.”

Lin Dong Xiu asked, “Then what should I do?”

Xiang Lan replied, “First, create good karma. Speak kindly, even to maids and servants. Be generous when you can afford to be, regularly showing kindness to others. When people are happy, they’ll be warm toward you.”

Lin Dong Xiu asked, “What about those ungrateful ones who can never be pleased?”

Xiang Lan smiled, “Such people exist but are rare. Just keep your distance from the bad ones once you identify them. Secondly, be willing to lose face. As they say, ‘Loss can be a blessing.’ If others take advantage of you or offend you, being magnanimous is best. As for verbal disputes, it’s fine to ignore them.”

As they were speaking, they heard Lin Jin Lou calling Lin Dong Xiu’s name outside, and she left.