When Lin Jinlou returned to Chang Chun Hall, it was already lamplight time. Earlier, Jiang Shangxian had spoken with him at length, showing sincere contrition and offering apologies along with a substantial sum of silver as compensation. Lin Jinlou inwardly sneered—Jiang Shangxian was indeed quite a character, conducting himself with grandeur, but unfortunately, he was born into the wrong family.
He walked around the screen toward the bedroom, where only Xue Ning and Ling Qing were keeping watch. Both quickly stood up. Lin Jinlou lifted the bed curtain to find Xiang Lan still fast asleep, and asked, “How is your mistress?”
Xue Ning replied, “Doctor Zhang instructed us to give her medicine every two hours. She just had one dose and drank some date tea before falling asleep.”
Lin Jinlou nodded, hanging the bed curtain on the small silver hook as he sat down. Ling Qing served tea and withdrew with Xue Ning. The candlelight from the gilt orchid lamp flickered, casting a yellow glow on Xiang Lan’s face. She still rested against the brocade smoky-rose pillow, her dark hair loose, making her face appear even smaller, like white jade—delicate and beautiful. Wrapped in an embroidered quilt, she lay there like a flower that had weathered a violent storm, fragile and wan.
Lin Jinlou gazed at her for a long while, his anxious and irritated heart gradually calming. Who could have imagined that such a delicate girl would be so generous and strong-willed, with insight and character far beyond ordinary women? He had always found it strange how servants like the Chen couple could raise such a daughter—like an orchid blooming in ruins and mud, struggling through countless storms yet growing tenaciously, inadvertently earning his respect. He now finally understood why Xiang Lan wanted to leave, but he couldn’t agree to it even with a knife to his throat!
He couldn’t help reaching out to touch Xiang Lan’s face, brushing aside the stray hair at her temples. Xiang Lan awoke startled, blinking drowsily. Seeing Lin Jinlou, she was alarmed, her eyes widening—given Lin Jinlou’s mercurial temperament and her earlier declaration of wanting to leave, she feared he might anger again. Unexpectedly, Lin Jinlou spoke kindly: “Awake? Are you hungry? The kitchen has prepared red date porridge—would you like a bowl? Doctor Zhang said you need to replenish your qi and blood.”
Xiang Lan thought she was dreaming, staring blankly at Lin Jinlou for a while. She saw him smile slightly and say, “You should eat something to line your stomach before taking medicine.” He reached for the backrest pillow, propped her up, and took a bowl of date tea to feed her.
Xiang Lan was bewildered—had Lin Jinlou gone mad from anger? She watched as he set down the tea bowl and called Ling Qing in, ordering a bowl of porridge, which he personally fed to Xiang Lan spoonful by spoonful, his eyes fixed on her the entire time.
Feeling uncomfortable, Xiang Lan reached out, saying, “I can eat by myself—my hands aren’t broken.”
Lin Jinlou replied, “No, you rest well. Let me serve you for once.” Then, raising his eyebrows with a smile, he added, “I’m being so good to you—are you moved? Happy?”
Xiang Lan found it childish and tedious. Feeling unwell, she couldn’t be bothered to humor him and couldn’t help but mock, “Acting so humble—you surely can’t be the Young Master Lin.”
“Oh? Then who am I?”
“A ghost in human skin, a male fox spirit turned human.”
Lin Jinlou couldn’t help laughing: “Alright, calling me a ghost in human skin and a fox spirit—you’ll end up angering me to death.”
Xiang Lan smiled faintly: “Young Master needn’t be angry. There are probably plenty of people outside calling me a fox spirit now, already avenging you.”
At these words, Lin Jinlou’s laughter ceased. Xiang Lan remained pale and weak, the room permeated with medicinal scents. His anger flared again. He set the bowl on the side table, grabbed Xiang Lan’s small hand, and squeezed it firmly. After a long while, he finally spoke: “Jiang Xiuyun came to apologize and offer five thousand taels of silver in compensation.”
“Five thousand taels? I didn’t realize I was worth so much…”
Lin Jinlou felt unsettled hearing these words. He pressed his index finger to Xiang Lan’s lips and after a moment said: “You’ve been wronged in this matter, and I will naturally seek justice for you. If you can still bear children in the future, then fine, if not… hmph. Good news stays within doors while bad news travels a thousand miles. The clever ones will surely see through this. With such a reputation, the Jiang family’s restoration will be even more difficult. The Lin family certainly won’t extend help again. If Jiang Shangxian shows promise, the Jiang family might still have some hope.”
Xiang Lan lowered her eyelashes in silence.
Lin Jinlou watched her for a while before suddenly asking: “How do you know so much about the Shen family affairs? You weren’t even born when the Shen family met their misfortune, right?”
Xiang Lan raised her eyes to look at Lin Jinlou and said: “I had a dream. In my previous life, I was the eldest daughter of the Shen family, and we were once betrothed. But before the marriage could take place, I married another. Later, when the Shen family became embroiled in disaster, I didn’t meet a good end either.”
Lin Jinlou stared at her with wide eyes, his expression inscrutable. They gazed at each other for a long time, the room so quiet a falling needle could be heard.
Xiang Lan tugged at the corners of her mouth, forcing a smile: “I was just joking with Young Master. How could such a thing be possible? My master, Nun Ding Yi, was once the daughter of an official family and had old connections with the Shen family. I heard it from her.”
Lin Jinlou suddenly leaned down and kissed Xiang Lan’s mouth. Xiang Lan looked up in surprise, and Lin Jinlou said with a grin: “Perhaps that was your previous life. It shows you’re destined to be with me—following anyone else would lead to no good end.”
Xiang Lan managed a weak smile and lowered her head. Seeing her worried expression, Lin Jinlou’s brows furrowed, and he squeezed her hand again firmly.
Early the next morning, Jiang Xiuyun came personally to apologize. The sound of Xiang Lan’s questioning still echoed in this place, making her reluctant to reminisce. Standing outside the screen, she performed three formal bows and hurriedly left with her maid, as if being chased by ghosts. Ling Qing sneered: “The Jiang family got off easy.”
Xue Ning spoke softly: “The Jiang family’s carriage is waiting outside, ready to leave immediately! They packed their belongings overnight. The Old Madam Jiang is likely near death, having coughed all night. And Fourth Miss Jiang has been feverish since returning yesterday, speaking deliriously.”
Ling Qing sighed: “This truly proves the saying ‘Don’t harbor evil intentions, for heaven watches above.’ They thought they could gain advantage through schemes, but heaven sees all.”
To briefly mention other matters, while Xiang Lan was recuperating in the mansion, Lin Dongxi frequently sent gifts, and Tan Luhua and Lin Dongxiu occasionally came to visit. The two women vaguely guessed at the circumstances, but when they questioned Xiang Lan, she would only smile without answering. When pressed, she would say, “The Madam and Young Master forbade me to speak of it,” thus deflecting their inquiries. However, when Tan Luhua heard from the maids that Xiang Lan had consumed medicine made from the “Sterility Pills,” she was greatly alarmed, realizing these were the pills she had lost, which the Jiang sisters had picked up. She felt relieved that she had already sold Qian Luo and Cai Ping far away, and after several anxious days without hearing any news, gradually put her mind at ease. But we’ll leave that for now.
A month passed, and on this day, while Governess Xia was instructing Lin Dongxiu, Xue Ning entered carrying a lacquered tray with seven or eight exquisite snow-white boxes. She smiled and said: “These are cosmetics that just arrived from outside. The Aunt said that since Miss is about to become a bride, she should choose two boxes first.”
Lin Dongxiu opened the boxes one by one to find various powders: purple powder made from rice powder, Butterfly-Welcoming powder made from fine glutinous rice, Jade Maiden Peach Blossom powder mixed with musk and beneficial herbs, Pearl powder made from jasmine flower kernels, Jade Hairpin powder made from jade hairpin flowers, and more. The powder blocks were formed into various shapes—round, square, octagonal, or mallow petal-shaped—with impressed patterns of plum blossoms, orchids, and lotus flowers. Wrapped in silk cloth, they emitted fragrant aromas.
Lin Dongxiu exclaimed delightedly: “How exquisite! They’re perfectly made. Please thank your Aunt for me.” She selected two boxes, and Xue Ning took her leave to visit Tan Luhua.
Governess Xia said: “There should be give and take. Since the Aunt has sent Miss two boxes of powder, Miss shouldn’t accept them without return.”
Lin Dongxiu replied: “That’s exactly right.” She took out two extremely beautiful sachets and ordered Qiang Wei to deliver them.
Governess Xia smiled slightly and nodded.
Shortly after, Lin Dongxiu heard Qiang Wei outside the window talking with Tan Luhua’s maid Cai Feng: “When I went to Chang Chun Hall to deliver the items earlier, I saw a box of jewelry that Young Master had just given to the Aunt. My, my, it was so dazzling I could barely keep my eyes open. I bet even the Aunt’s vinegar bottles are made of agate.”
Cai Feng, who had been rebuked by Tan Luhua over the lost medicine incident and consequently stopped mentioning the possibility of her becoming Lin Jinxuan’s concubine, felt uncomfortable hearing Han Zhi’s words. Unable to contain herself, she retorted: “I don’t mean to speak ill, but Chen Xiang Lan comes from servant stock, yet acts like a young lady. Young Master is high-ranking and powerful, rarely even glancing at ordinary people. For him to elevate her to concubine status is like a fool becoming a top scholar’—even her ancestors’ graves would smoke with good fortune. Yet she puts on airs of being above it all—what does she want? Could she be thinking of becoming the principal wife? She’s dreaming!”
Qiang Wei laughed: “Don’t say that—you never know what fortune might await her in the future.”
Cai Feng sneered: “No matter what fortune comes her way, she’s still born of servants. She chose the wrong mother’s womb from the start. A snake wanting to become a dragon should know its place—even if it makes it to the table, it’s still just a dish!”
Before she finished speaking, a teacup flew out the window, shattering on the ground with a “crash,” startling both of them. Lin Dongxiu scolded: “Who’s out there gossiping?”
Cai Feng dared not speak, sticking out her tongue and quietly leaving.
Lin Dongxiu sneered: “How dare they gossip about their masters’ affairs like maggots? Second Sister-in-law should keep them in check.” Because Xiang Lan had treated Lin Dongxiu with genuine sincerity, the two had grown quite close, and consequently, Lin Jinlou showed favor to Lin Dongxiu as well, adding many items to her dowry. Today, hearing someone speak ill of Xiang Lan, Lin Dongxiu felt protective.
Governess Xia thought to herself: “‘Paper cannot wrap up fire.’ When Xiang Lan fell ill, the Jiang family hastily moved away, not even mentioning the agreed-upon marriage anymore. I can guess the sordid affairs behind it all. Tsk tsk, poor Chen Xiang Lan. These days, watching with detached eyes, she’s truly a pearl in the dust, her fate not her own. But in this world, no circle stays unbroken—these servants are short-sighted. How do they know Xiang Lan won’t rise to prominence and truly become a proper mistress in the future? It’s a pity my position is too lowly, or I would surely help her.” But let’s not dwell on this.
Another month passed, and news came of Old Madam Jiang’s death from a serious illness. At this time, the Lin family was decorated with lanterns and festoons, filled with the sound of drums and music, as Lin Dongxiu was getting married.