Jiang Xi Yun sat down weakly on the drum stool, looking haggard. Ruo Qing spoke softly, “The Old Madam has always treated Young Miss like the apple of her eye, not letting anyone lay a finger on you. But this time, I’m afraid even she is powerless… Ah, if she knew how Young Master Lin was behaving this way, it would upset her terribly…” She sighed and then consoled Jiang Xi Yun, “At least the Young Master will soon leave for the capital. We still have First Young Madam on our side. When the time comes, someone will naturally stand up for us. If the Lin family wants this marriage, they’ll have to give us an explanation.”

Jiang Xi Yun’s heart felt like an ice cellar. Exhausted, she let out a light, derisive laugh upon hearing these words: “Stand up for me? How? To what extent? Are you suggesting this marriage should be called off? Father barely escaped serious trouble this time, but he still offended the Eastern Palace. One wrong move could end his career, and it might even affect Big Brother. The Lin family is powerful and enjoys imperial favor. Even when Father was at the peak of his career, this marriage was considered marrying above our station, let alone in our current situation. Never mind Lin Jin Lou favoring one concubine – even if he had seven or eight concubines, I’d still have to hold my nose and marry into their family. What should I do? Ask Big Brother to tell Lin Jin Lou ‘Drive out that concubine of yours, and don’t let her back in’? Or should I be patient, wait until I’m married, let Lin Jin Lou put Chen Xiang Lan on a pedestal, and then fight with her? The Old Madam loves me, but she’s also helpless. Even her most beloved granddaughter can’t compete with the family’s prospects – I understand this clearly.” She sighed softly again as if talking to herself, “I just can’t accept becoming a wooden puppet in the future.”

Ruo Qing’s face darkened as she silently placed a blue enamel lady’s bowl filled with summer refreshments on the table. Jiang Xi Yun was a connoisseur of food who pursued culinary pleasures extensively. Being plump and sensitive to heat, she usually had a bowl of iced sweet melon, lotus root, and almond tofu every summer day, but with her thoughts in such turmoil, she had no appetite for it now.

Just then, the silver bell tied to the door curtain rang, and Qiao Hui entered carrying a silver-gilt food box, smiling as she said, “Madam has prepared lotus root soup with taro balls, remembering it’s one of Young Miss Xi’s favorites. She sent over a small pot and asked the Old Aunt and both Young Ladies to enjoy it at their leisure.” After setting down the food box, Jiang Xi Yun forced a smile in response and instructed Ruo Qing to give a reward of more than ten coins.

After Qiao Hui left, Ruo Qing lifted the pot lid and first served a bowl to send to Mother Jiang. When she returned, she saw Jiang Xi Yun staring blankly at the pot, so she served another bowl and placed it before her, saying softly, “Young Miss, please try to eat something.”

Jiang Xi Yun mustered her energy, picked up the bowl, and spooned some into her mouth, eating while lost in thought. Ruo Qing brought a cup of fragrant tea to rinse her mouth, then hesitantly asked, “Young Miss, when the Young Master comes in a few days, should we mention this or not? We can’t let the Lin family keep bullying us like this.”

Jiang Xi Yun set down her bowl and cup, her eyes now clear. She wiped her mouth with a handkerchief and said quietly, “There is certainly a way.”

Having had the sweet soup, Jiang Xi Yun didn’t eat dinner that evening. After attending to her mother for a while, she washed up and went to bed early, but lay tossing and turning in her embroidered bed curtains, her mind in chaos. She had witnessed the underhanded methods of the inner courtyard before and wasn’t afraid of any seductive or bewitching concubines. But this time, heaven had given her an opponent who was a delicate orchid. If Chen Xiang Lan had been playing dumb and pitiful, it would have been fine – she wouldn’t have had any misgivings about using whatever methods necessary. But Chen Xiang Lan happened to be genuinely delicate like an orchid. She didn’t think much of this person; she had previously thought Chen Xiang Lan was like herself, appearing simple on the outside but harboring shrewdness within. But after hearing Ruo Qing relay Spring Ling’s account of Xiang Lan’s past, she realized Chen Xiang Lan was truly simple-minded, honest, pure, and carried an air of melancholy.

Jiang Xi Yun had been clever since childhood, with striking features. Her grandmother often loved to hold her close and say, “Our Xi’er has ten thousand little tricks up her sleeve, and such quick wit too. She’s so adept at dealing with people – before others have even caught on to the first turn, Xi’er has already planned out what to say three steps ahead. She’s so clever and knows how to weigh situations. Oh my, she’s a real little mastermind.”

In contrast, Chen Xiang Lan appeared gentle-natured, harmless, yielding, and patient everywhere, willingly letting others take advantage, only ever being bullied. Though beautiful and accomplished in the four arts, she neither knew how to compete nor to fight, only crying when faced with difficulties. If it were her in such a situation, she would have died of frustration long ago.

Beautiful, talented, honest, of humble birth – truthfully, she had felt sympathy and regret for Chen Xiang Lan. If there had been no conflict of interest between them, perhaps they could have been friends, but for her own sake, she had no time to pity others.

She slowly exhaled and gradually clenched her fist.

The next day, Jiang Fei Yun came to visit Mother Jiang again. After hearing Ruo Qing recount the previous day’s events, she became indignant and said to Jiang Xi Yun, “Fifth Sister, you’re too good-natured! Lin Jin Lou shouldn’t be so domineering – does he think our Jiang family has no one to stand up to him?”

Jiang Xi Yun replied very innocently, “What’s wrong with this? Elder Cousin currently has no one capable of serving him in his chambers. What’s wrong with keeping Xiang Lan in the main room?”

Jiang Fei Yun poked Jiang Xi Yun’s forehead and said, “You! Not being clever when you should be – letting people walk all over you. Technically speaking, there’s nothing improper about it, but the Lin family is going to be related to us by marriage, and while you’re still living in the mansion, Lin Jin Lou openly shows such favor to a concubine. It’s too disrespectful to our family.”

Jiang Xi Yun twisted about awkwardly in apparent distress: “Xiang Lan hasn’t done anything wrong, and she’s Elder Cousin’s beloved. If we make an issue of this, it wouldn’t look good for us either.”

Jiang Fei Yun said, “That’s no matter, I’ll speak up for you again. Bring paper and brush – I’ll write to Big Brother myself and have him uphold justice for you.”

Jiang Xi Yun was pleased in her heart but continued to discourage it verbally. Jiang Fei Yun wrote a letter, and before leaving, she held Jiang Xi Yun’s hand and said, “That Chen Xiang Lan is beautiful and knows how to handle matters – she is indeed a worthy opponent. But she’s too pedantic and foolish, far less quick-witted than you. If Chen Xiang Lan had your personality, I would truly be worried, but as she is, what do you have to fear? If I have a daughter in the future, I’d be satisfied if she were half as clever as you, Fifth Sister.”

Jiang Xi Yun only smiled faintly.

Seven or eight days passed in the blink of an eye. Lin Jin Lou was away on official business and couldn’t return home. Madam Qin specially called Jiang Xi Yun to comfort her, and tactfully said, “That eldest son of ours is the most troublesome, but he still knows reason. I just hope that in the future, a sensible girl like you can help manage him.”

Jiang Xi Yun twisted her clothes corner, playing dumb: “He’s Elder Cousin – wouldn’t it be improper for me to manage him? Elder Cousin is destined for great things, naturally, he shouldn’t be concerned with minor details.”

Madam Qin sighed and said, “You are a considerate child.” She pulled Jiang Xi Yun into her embrace for a moment.

Coming out of Madam Qin’s room, Jiang Xi Yun saw Xiang Lan carrying two volumes of books with her maid. Their eyes met, Xiang Lan curtsied, and Jiang Xi Yun returned the greeting. They gazed at each other from a distance, both carefully averting their eyes without showing any emotion.

After Jiang Xi Yun passed by, Hua Shan said, “Young Miss Xi seems to be coming from Madam’s room.”

Xiang Lan nodded. That day when she had woken from her drunken state, Xiao Juan and others had quietly told her that Madam had come and conveyed the Jiang family’s wishes for her to move out of the main room, but Lin Jin Lou hadn’t agreed. Originally, Xiang and Xi had exchanged pleasant words when meeting, but after this incident, their encounters became awkward – perhaps it was better not to meet at all.

Xiang Lan let out a soft sigh. Lin Jin Lou had become busy again. A few days ago, he had instructed her to pack a box of things and leave with his entourage. Before departing, he had advised her: “Take your medicine on time. There’s silver in the cabinet – if you need anything, send someone to buy it. If you feel troubled or lonely, go find someone to talk to. Don’t just stay in your room painting, or you’ll strain your eyes. Pay your respects to Madam when appropriate, but don’t take anything she says to heart – just wait for me to return.”

Xiang Lan just listened with her head lowered. She had no interest in dealing with the Lin household. Lin Jin Lou added, “I’ll be back in a few days, and then I’ll take you on an outing to the countryside.” Xiang Lan secretly glanced at Lin Jin Lou, seeing him in his official robes and black hat, which made his features appear even more heroic and composed. Lin Jin Lou stroked her cheek before leaving. When she returned to her room, she saw a pair of knee warmers on the bed – the ones Jiang Xi Yun had made. She had originally packed them in the box for Lin Jin Lou to take. Looking around, she noticed that the knee warmers she had made herself, which had been in the sewing basket, had mysteriously disappeared. From the corner of her eye, she caught Xiao Juan and others watching her cautiously. She stared at the knee warmers for a long while before silently putting them away.

As Xiang Lan stood lost in thought, she suddenly heard someone calling her from behind. Turning around, she saw Jiang Dan Yun approaching with her maids, who smiled and said, “So here you are.”

Xiang Lan nodded and smiled, “Young Lady Dan.” These days, Jiang Dan Yun frequently visited Chang Chun Hall, hoping to gossip about Jiang Xi Yun, but Xiang Lan was unwilling to engage much, always deflecting the conversation and merely serving good tea and snacks.

Jiang Dan Yun covered her mouth with her fan and smiled, “I just saw you meet my sister, didn’t I? She ignored you, but Sister Xiang Lan shouldn’t take it to heart. That sister of mine was born with that nature – if you’re useful to her, her sweet talk will charm you like you’ve eaten honeybee droppings. But if you’re against her, oh my, that mouth of hers becomes like a knife, making you furious while leaving no trace to catch her at fault. I’ve suffered countless times since childhood… Right now, my sister dislikes you, and Sister, being clever, you know why without me explaining. Watch out for her schemes – she plays dumb while knowing everything. She’ll harm you, push you into the mud, then act innocent while continuing to charm everyone. She smiled again and said, “I see Sister is quite talented and surely wouldn’t want to be subordinate to others. Since you have Elder Cousin’s favor, why let her lord it over you?”

Seeing Jiang Dan Yun stirring up trouble again, Xiang Lan had no desire to listen and said, “Thank you for your kind words, Young Lady Dan. Madam asked me to deliver copied Buddhist scriptures, and she was waiting in her room. Let’s talk more another day.” With that, she left with Hua Shan.

Watching Xiang Lan’s retreating figure, Jiang Dan Yun felt anger rising in her heart, thinking secretly: “What gives this little hussy Xiang Lan the right to act so high and mighty?” Looking at the furnishings in Chang Chun Hall and Xiang Lan’s fine silk clothing from head to toe, thinking of her future marriage into a scholarly family where even as the primary wife she wouldn’t enjoy such luxury as a concubine, and further considering that Jiang Xi Yun would become the Lin family’s primary wife, likely keeping her suppressed for life and that in a few days, her elder brother would come to take her away to prepare for marriage, she couldn’t help but shed tears. Recalling the few words Jiang Xi Yun and Ruo Qing had revealed to her these past days, she thought to herself: “Don’t think you’ll have peaceful days ahead. Before I leave, I’ll turn your world upside down!”

To continue the story: The weather was gradually cooling, and the summer heat was dissipating. That day, the household received a letter from Lin Jin Lou saying he would return home in the afternoon. Master Jiang Shang Xian had already sent his calling card, and Lin Jin Lou had arranged to meet him that afternoon. Additionally, Yuan Shao Ren would be bringing Young Master De to stay for a while, so the household was instructed to prepare.

By noon, Lin Jin Lou had returned, travel-worn from his journey. After eating hastily and bathing, he had just changed clothes when Jiang Shang Xian arrived, and Lin Jin Lou went to receive him in the front hall. Soon after, Yuan Shao Ren arrived with Young Master De, who was settled in the outer study where Gui Yuan hurriedly served tea.

Yuan Shao Ren asked, “Why are you alone? Where are Ji Xiang and Shuang Xi?”

Gui Yuan replied, “Shuang Xi went out, and Ji Xiang is attending to the Young Master, as Master Jiang has arrived.”

Yuan Shao Ren frowned. Just then, Young Master De said, “I’m going to find Aunt Lan.” He jumped off his chair and ran out, but we’ll leave that for now.

Meanwhile, in Xiang Lan’s quarters, Chun Ling was brewing medicine in the small tea room. This was originally Ling Su’s task, but since Ling Su had caught a cold and feared spreading it, she had moved to the outer quarters, leaving this duty to Chun Ling. Chun Ling was initially unwilling, telling everyone, “If something goes wrong with Madam’s medicine, wouldn’t it be my fault?” After Shu Ran scolded her once, she reluctantly went to brew the medicine, though still dissatisfied.

Though the hottest days of summer had passed, it was still stuffy. As Chun Ling fanned the stove, sweat rolled down her face. Wanting to find a young maid to fan the fire for her, she looked out the window and saw that all the other young maids had gone to play, except for Zhao Lu, who was kicking a shuttlecock in the shade. Zhao Lu was Shu Ran’s maid, whom Chun Ling couldn’t order around. As she was frowning to herself, she heard laughter and looked out to see Jiang Dan Yun and Jiang Xi Yun walking nearby, chatting as they went.

Seeing them, Chun Ling quickly went out to greet them, smiling, “What brings both Young Ladies here?”

Jiang Xi Yun smiled, “Fourth Sister insisted on bringing me over.”

Jiang Dan Yun said, “We came to chat with Sister Xiang Lan.”

Chun Ling replied, “Oh, what bad timing! Young Master Yuan’s son has arrived, and just now Concubine took him to the small garden for a walk.”

Jiang Xi Yun immediately said, “In that case, let’s go back. My feet are sore from walking.”

Jiang Dan Yun said, “What’s the rush? Your feet are sore, and I’m thirsty. This is the tea room – let’s ask for some water.”

Chun Ling quickly said, “Please, come inside.” She led them in and personally rinsed the cups to serve them tea.

Jiang Dan Yun asked, “What medicine is brewing on the stove?”

Chun Ling replied, “This is for the Concubine of the house.”

Jiang Xi Yun discreetly glanced at Jiang Dan Yun, took a sip of tea, and said, “The medicinal smell is strong in here. I’ll go outside for some air.” She carried her tea outside, leading Chun Ling to stand at the tea room door, with their backs to the room, engaging in casual conversation.

Jiang Dan Yun’s heart was pounding. Though she had been hesitant and conflicted, thinking she would let it go if there was no opportunity, she hadn’t expected Jiang Xi Yun to stand at the door chatting with Chun Ling. Knowing this chance might not come again, she stood up with trembling limbs.