Lin Jin Lou was born into a wealthy and powerful family. At age three, he was already accompanying the old master to the study, listening to ministers and advisers discuss affairs, deeply understanding the ways of officialdom. As he grew up, he fought on battlefields between life and death, witnessing the world’s power struggles and emotional entanglements. Now he wielded influence wherever he went, almost at will. Power, wealth, status, women – everything was within easy reach. He had always disdained women; whether they were stunning beauties or reserved talented ladies, as soon as they saw his handsome appearance and powerful position, they would already be half won over. Even those who prided themselves on their dignity would melt like spring waves in March after he threw money at them and sweet-talked them a bit.
He knew Jiang Xiu Yun was the bride his family had chosen for him. The girl came from a respectable family, was extremely beautiful, sweet-tongued, and pleasing, reportedly very filial to her grandmother, and often made clothes for her parents and siblings. She seemed to have a sincere nature and wouldn’t likely cause trouble in the household or be jealous, so he was satisfied. However, he could see that while Jiang Xiu Yun appeared sincere and honest, she had a hundred schemes hidden away, observing words and expressions, thinking three moves ahead. She seemed to always lose out but gained all the advantages. Just like today’s incident with Tan Lu Hua over the Fujian specialties – while it appeared that Tan Lu Hua was making unreasonable demands, and although Jiang Xiu Yun hadn’t sent many Fujian specialties, she had sent a fine inkstone and two pieces of medicinal materials, which were more valuable than the Fujian products. But thinking deeper, Jiang Xiu Yun wasn’t someone who enjoyed calligraphy and painting, so the inkstone would just gather dust at her place, and she had no health issues requiring medicine – moreover, medicine loses potency over time. It would be better to count these two gifts for Tan Lu Hua, saving face, silencing others, and pleasing those she wanted to please – truly killing three birds with one stone. When defending herself, she was alternately sharp and wronged, seemingly yielding at every step but aggressive, leaving Jiang Dan Yun and Tan Lu Hua in an awkward position. Just this point alone, that foolish girl Chen Xiang Lan would probably never learn in her lifetime. Character shows in the details, and this Jiang Xiu Yun was truly sophisticated, smooth, calculating, and skilled!
However, such girls often outsmart themselves, thinking others are fools, and believing everyone under heaven can be manipulated by their little tricks of acting coy and naive. Today when he heard Jiang Xiu Yun mention that women learn arts and culture just to please men, he agreed internally, but then he suddenly thought of how Xiang Lan genuinely loved these arts, unlike someone trying to please him. So he encouraged Young Master De to ask questions, firstly to understand Xiang Lan’s thoughts, and secondly to warn Jiang Xiu Yun – if she wanted to marry into the Lin family, she should behave honestly under his watch and use fewer calculating tactics on him.
But he never expected it would lead to such discourse from Xiang Lan. He had always known she was different in her behavior, but only today did he realize that her heart and insights were fundamentally different from other women.
This Xiang Lan, as pedantic as an old scholar, who would still hold her head high even when crying, who was as stubborn as a bone and didn’t know how to curry favor, actually made him feel respect in his heart, mixed with some indescribable feelings. This made him particularly uneasy. He leaned back against the green silk cushion with scattered flowers, looked at her beautiful, slim silhouette, and suddenly felt a softness in his heart. He raised his chopsticks and then put them down, saying, “If you have any troubles now, just tell me. Why do you need to pray to Buddha? The Buddha is busy enough – how can they save all the countless beings in the world? By the time they get to you, it’ll be too late.”
Xiang Lan only forced a slight smile, put some food in Lin Jin Lou’s bowl, and continued eating with her head down. Lin Jin Lou wanted to ask more, but somehow, that unfamiliar feeling in his heart made him inexplicably anxious, and he couldn’t open his mouth again. The two ate in silence, and then the maids served mouth-rinsing tea and cleared away the remains, setting out fine tea and fruits, leaving them with nothing to do.
Lin Jin Lou took Xiang Lan for a walk in the courtyard. Soon, Shu Ran brought urgent documents, and they returned. Lin Jin Lou sat behind his desk, opened the letters, read them carefully, wrote replies, sealed them with wax, and ordered Shu Ran to give them to the front courtyard guards. He looked up and saw Xiang Lan sitting on the arhat bed opposite him doing needlework, so he asked, “It strains your eyes under candlelight, what are you sewing?”
Xiang Lan said, “I noticed Young Master De’s undershirt is a bit thick, so I want to make him a thinner one from fine cloth.”
Before she finished speaking, Shu Ran entered and reported, “Master Chu has sent a cart of orchids, saying they’re what Master asked for. Where should we put these flowers?”
Lin Jin Lou smiled at Xiang Lan and said, “The Chu family has several craftsmen who are best at growing rare flowers and plants. They plant them in the garden and dig them up to sell, making quite a bit of silver in a year. Now that I’ve asked, young Chu wouldn’t dare charge silver. Let’s go appreciate them later and see if he’s brought all his best flowers.” He then told Shu Ran, “Put the flowers under the corridor or on the flower stands.”
Soon several servants came in carrying flowers, and after everything was arranged, Lin Jin Lou took Xiang Lan to look. Indeed, there were various types of orchids, and the two viewed them by moonlight for a while.
The next day at dawn, Lin Jin Lou left early for court. At about 5:45 AM, Shu Ran came in and quietly told Xiang Lan, “Master sent word that His Majesty has issued an imperial edict establishing the Crown Prince. His Majesty has appointed Master as a palace guard, requiring him to stay in the palace for seven or eight days, and asked to prepare some daily clothes to bring along.”
Xiang Lan and the maids carefully packed several sets of clothes, along with Lin Jin Lou’s usual tea bowls and implements, into two large packages and had them sent over. Now that the Crown Prince was established, some were happy while others were worried. Madam Qin strictly controlled the Lin family’s affairs, and after a few days, several letters arrived from Shanxi and Jinling.
In Mengfang Court, Mother Jiang held a letter in her hand, looking at Jiang Xiu Yun with worry, saying, “…This is exactly what your father wrote. A censor submitted a memorial impeaching him for accepting heavy bribes from the Second Prince, intending to form factions for private gain. His Majesty was enraged and severely reprimanded him in court. It’s unknown what punishment will follow. Your father has already written a memorial requesting punishment… *cough cough*…” Mother Jiang coughed forcefully twice, and Jiang Xiu Yun hurried forward to pat her chest and soothe her, saying, “Grandmother, don’t worry, take it slowly.”
Mother Jiang caught her breath, looking haggard, shaking her head and sighing, “The gifts your father accepted must have been substantial for His Majesty to be so furious. Who knows if he can return to the capital, or if the Crown Prince will hold a grudge against him…” She raised her eyes to look at her granddaughter, who was like a powder puff, stroking her hand and saying, “Lin Jin Lou greatly favors his concubine. Although this marriage is good, I’m reluctant to let you make it, but in these circumstances… your parents’ meaning is that this marriage must happen. The Lin family currently enjoys imperial favor, and Lin Jin Lou has been accompanying the prince these days, often at the Crown Prince’s side… *cough cough cough*…” She started coughing again after speaking.
Jiang Xiu Yun’s heart sank like iron, but she forced a smile and said, “In our current situation, it’s uncertain whether the Lin family would still agree.”
Mother Jiang sighed deeply again, about to speak when Jiang Dan Yun walked in, sneering, “How can Fifth Sister be so selfish? Father and brothers’ futures are about to be ruined, and you’re still only thinking of yourself. Were all these years of fine clothes and food blown in by the wind? Haven’t you received any favors from the family?” She knelt before Mother Jiang and said, “If Fifth Sister is unwilling, I am willing to marry in her place. I am older than her, and if we’re discussing marriage, it should have been me first.”
Mother Jiang was so angry her face turned red. She sat up from the kang and pointed while scolding, “Outrageous! Your heart is clouded with greed! At such an age, you’re shameless enough to say such things without any dignity. What ‘marry in her place’? The Lin family never considered you at all. Are we going to humiliate ourselves by pushing ourselves forward?” She started coughing again, and Jiang Xiu Yun rubbed her back and slowly fed her half a cup of tea.
Jiang Dan Yun’s eyes were full of tears as she choked, “Grandmother… Grandmother only favors Fifth Sister, I, I’m not inferior…”
Mother Jiang sighed deeply, closed her eyes, then opened them again and said, “Your father’s letter already mentioned that he has arranged a marriage for you, with a scholar from Jiangnan, from a scholarly family that has passed down farming and learning for generations. Though young, he’s already a graduate, and the family is quite wealthy. His grandfather was once an official in the Censorate, and his father is a county magistrate. In a few days, someone will come to escort you, and you should go back to prepare for marriage.”
Jiang Dan Yun froze, feeling as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her head. She collapsed to the ground, tears silently rolling down her cheeks onto her clothes.
Jiang Xiu Yun’s heart was heavy. She consoled Mother Jiang for a while and helped her take medicine, and when she turned to close the window, she saw the orchid that Madam Qin had given her on the windowsill. Somehow, she suddenly thought of Xiang Lan – that girl with her flower-like beauty and overflowing talent, and Lin Jin Lou’s extremely shrewd, meaningful smile… She stood lost in thought for a while, then quietly closed the window.
After Lin Jin Lou entered the palace, Xiang Lan became even more leisurely and carefree, spending her days with Young Master De, either teaching him the Four Books, composing poetry and painting together, or watching him play in the courtyard. Originally, Yuan Shao Ren only intended to let Young Master De stay for two or three days, but with the establishment of the Crown Prince, His Majesty wanted to perform sacrifices to Heaven, keeping all court officials extremely busy. Yuan Shao Ren had no free time, so he simply let Young Master De stay with the Lin family, which Xiang Lan naturally couldn’t have wished for more.
“Xiang Lan’s sister is truly blessed. Just because there’s a ‘Lan’ in your name, Elder Brother brought so many orchids, some varieties I’ve never seen before,” Tan Lu Hua envied the courtyard full of orchids as she sat on the beauty rest, fanning herself.
Since Xiang Lan had helped Tan Lu Hua out of her predicament and sent clothes, Tan Lu Hua frequently visited Changchun Hall, returning small gifts like hair oil, rouge, and sachets. The two chatted idly, occasionally discussing poetry to pass the time. Tan Lu Hua loved to boast about her past fame for talent in the women’s quarters, while Xiang Lan would just smile and make appropriate comments at times, often doing some needlework or watching Young Master De play.
Xiang Lan smiled and said, “This is the season for appreciating orchids, and Young Master Chu’s family is skilled at growing them, that’s why they were brought here. It has nothing to do with me.”
Tan Lu Hua said, “This reminds me of life at home when I was a girl. It’s just a pity those two little hussies from the Jiang family aren’t good people, otherwise we could form a poetry society together… You don’t know, but now Jiang Xiu Yun goes to Madam’s place every day. Today she sends needlework, tomorrow she brings some food she made herself, making Madam so happy. Now she’s even having Lady Xia teach the two Jiang girls on the side. Ah, I must say you’re just too honest and sincere. If you don’t try to get close to her, Madam might forget about you.”
Xiang Lan didn’t want to discuss this further and changed the subject, “With so many girls in the family now, starting a poetry society isn’t a bad idea. Second Madam, if you like any of these flowers, feel free to take them. Send invitations to several young ladies, and then you can show your brilliance, living up to your reputation as a ‘talented lady.'”
Tan Lu Hua was excited but then shook her head, “Second Master likes quiet, and having too many girls over would make him uncomfortable and wouldn’t be good for his rest. Besides, hosting requires money, and our Second Master isn’t like our Elder Brother who can earn money outside. The monthly allowance isn’t even enough for his expenses.”
Xiang Lan said, “That’s easy to handle. The garden in our mansion would be perfect. Although it’s a bit small, they’ve built a new pavilion for the Third Master’s wedding, and the surrounding flowers and plants are quite lush, making for quite a nice scenery. The farm has just sent some seasonal fruits and vegetables, and the mansion has cooks skilled in vegetarian dishes, so we could have an all-vegetarian feast – light and suitable for Madam and the others’ taste. We’d only need to spend a few more taels of silver to buy some fruit wine – they’re all women, who would be a heavy drinker?”
Tan Lu Hua was pleased, thinking that if this event went well, it would also make her look good in front of Madam Qin. Her face broke into a smile as she said to Xiang Lan, “You truly have an ingenious mind. I hope you won’t mind me saying this, but when I first met you, I thought you were some bewitching fox spirit and didn’t think much of you. Now, seeing how you handle things, I understand why Elder Brother trusts you so much. My natal family isn’t very wealthy, and Second Master isn’t in good health. Everyone in this mansion has eyes only for the wealthy and powerful – some show respect to my face but gossip behind my back, others don’t even give me a face at all. It often makes me cry in private. Only you treat me with true sincerity, explaining things to me several times and sending me good things. Earlier, I was rash and even embarrassed you, but you didn’t hold it against me.” She continued generously, “From now on, I’ll consider you a sister. If you have any difficulties in the future, just come to me. You’re so righteous, I won’t hesitate to help.”
Xiang Lan smiled and said, “Second Madam, you’re too kind. I’m not that good.” But in her heart, she sighed. Although she hadn’t particularly admired Tan Lu Hua’s character before, seeing her difficult situation at her natal home and having to marry Lin Jin Xuan despite her beauty, only to keep an empty chamber at such a young age, not knowing how to spend the rest of her life, she thought of her state of mind and felt more sympathy for Tan Lu Hua. However, with Tan Lu Hua’s personality, it was better to maintain a polite distance – if the friendship grew too deep, it might end up being painful.
At this moment, Young Master De finished reciting a passage and came out of the room, and Tan Lu Hua took her leave.
A few days later, Tan Lu Hua did indeed send out invitations and organized the poetry society. It happened to coincide with Lin Jin Lou’s return home, so it was postponed for a day. Early the next morning, Lin Dong Wan, Lin Dong Ji, and the Jiang family’s eldest daughter Jiang Fei Yun all arrived at the Lin family in sedan chairs and carriages.