Early the next day, Lin Jinlou and Yuan Shaoren went out. Xianglan spent the time chatting and laughing with Lin Dongxiu. Young Master De wanted to go out to play, but Lin Dongxiu was extremely worried about him catching a cold and getting sick. Despite Young Master De’s three or four attempts at begging, she wouldn’t let him go out, saying, “It’s not worth it. If the Marquis were here, I wouldn’t care if you lay in a pile of snow, let alone just going out to play.” Young Master De became listless, so Xianglan secretly slipped him some pine nut candy and whispered, “We’ll see lanterns tonight. Be good now, and I’ll let you play with fireworks later.” Only then did Young Master De perk up and lay on the kang bed to play with the kitten?
Lin Dongxiu indirectly asked Xianglan if Lin Jinlou had agreed to support her at the Yongchang Marquis Manor. Xianglan chose her words carefully: “Master said that as a man, it wouldn’t be appropriate for him to interfere in your matters and that it would be better to let Madam handle it later.”
Lin Dongxiu was particularly skilled at interpreting such subtle implications. She immediately understood and deflated halfway, tossing aside the winter cap she was making for Yuan Shaoren and leaning against the cushions to sulk. Xianglan thought to herself, “Now that Lin Dongxiu has become the Marchioness, she’s full of ambition and eager to assert herself. She won’t listen to any advice now. Saying more would only make her unhappy. It’s better to let her cool down first.” With this in mind, she took Young Master De to play on the bed in the bedroom. However, her thoughts remained unsettled, particularly recalling yesterday’s interrogation of the spy by Lin Jinlou, especially regarding the former Crown Prince’s matter. The more she pondered it, the more disturbing it became. While lost in thought, she heard the door open – it was Lin Dongxiu calling in her trusted confidants Qiangwei, Mama Han, Hanzhi, and others. They huddled together for a private discussion before dispersing.
Time passed uneventfully until near evening when Lin Jinlou and Yuan Shaoren finally returned, immediately ordering a feast to be prepared. Upon entering the room, Lin Jinlou saw Xianglan teaching Young Master De to play chess. When the child heard Yuan Shaoren’s voice outside, he dropped the chess pieces and ran out. Lin Jinlou said, “I just went with Old Yuan to check on the military camp on the outskirts of the capital. Who would have thought we’d run into Liu and Xie drinking and boasting there? When they learned I was at this estate, they insisted on coming over.”
After speaking, he went to look at Xianglan, who kept her head down while helping him change clothes, remaining silent. Seeing Lin Jinlou only reminded her more of last night’s events. The destruction of her family in her previous life due to involvement in the succession struggle remained vivid in her memory, causing her heart to sink gradually.
Lin Jinlou scratched his head. Xianglan had seemed equally preoccupied last night – she was probably frightened by what she’d heard. He felt annoyed looking at her. This woman had such a pretty face and was friendly with everyone else, so why was she so difficult with him? She kept everything bottled up inside, and the few genuine words she did speak were always things he didn’t want to hear. If you don’t pay attention to me, fine! I don’t want to pay attention to you either! He changed his clothes with a stern face and strode out with heavy footsteps.
Xuening poked her head in while carrying tea and asked, “Is Master angry?”
Xianglan was still lost in thought and only came to her senses when Xuening spoke. At that moment, they heard dogs barking at the gate, indicating visitors had arrived.
Liu Xiaochuan came through the main gate, looking around as he entered. He smiled and said, “Brother, I’d heard you had a residence at an estate in the suburbs, but this is my first time seeing it. It’s quite impressive. Maybe you could let your little brother stay here for a few days sometimes.”
Lin Jinlou pointed at him and said, “So that’s why you insisted on following us here – you had designs on my estate! Don’t you have your property outside the city? Why come freeload off me?”
Xie Yu giggled and said, “His father took back that property…” Before he could finish, Liu Xiaochuan jumped over to cover Xie Yu’s mouth, saying, “I’m not really after your estate. Who would dare have designs on your property?”
Yuan Shaoren asked, “Where’s Little Second Chu? The three of you are usually inseparable. Why are there just two of you today?”
Liu Xiaochuan hung his head and said, “Little Second Chu is stuck at home studying all day and can’t come out. My brother and I were bored, so we came to take a look.”
As the three walked inside talking, they saw the banquet already set up in the hall, surrounded by Jin Chong’s brocade screens, with seven or eight large palace lanterns hanging. Several pink and white vases stood on either side, filled with red and white plum blossoms cut yesterday, creating a luxurious display. The table was laden with delicacies, and two large braziers were set up, making the room as warm as spring. Just as they had settled in and had a couple of drinks, there came a knock at the door. While Lin Jinlou was puzzled, Liu Xiaochuan laughed and said, “Must be the entertainment arriving. Quick, let them in!” While sending someone to open the door, he chuckled and said, “I figured just us men drinking would be boring. As luck would have it, a courtesan recently arrived in this area. They call her Sister Guo Qiong, and she’s incredibly beautiful with an excellent voice. I heard she came from a noble household. She’s extremely popular now – anyone of status who holds a banquet must have her perform, and it’s hard to book her. It’s only thanks to my invitation that we could get her here – others couldn’t even manage that!”
Yuan Shaoren pointed at him and laughed, “You! When will you give up these playful habits? That’s when your father will return your property to you.”
Xie Yu rolled his eyes and said, “Don’t listen to his boasting. Though Sister Guo Qiong is beautiful, she might not even rank as a top courtesan in the capital.”
As they were speaking, they heard the jingling of ornaments, and four heavily made-up women entered. The one in front wore a silver-red satin cape and carried a pipa. She gave a graceful curtsy and said in a delicate voice, “This humble one greets the noble gentlemen.” When she removed her hat, they saw her delicate powdered face – truly a beauty. She was skillfully made up, with neat, oiled black hair arranged in a Hangzhou-style bun. When she removed her cape, she revealed a purple silk flowered jacket paired with a red pomegranate skirt. Upon seeing Lin Jinlou, Guo Qiong was greatly startled. She quickly lowered her head to hide her reaction but couldn’t help stealing glances at him again.
This Guo Qiong was Qiongzhi, a former maid of Zhao Yuechan. Earlier, Zhao Yuechan had specifically chosen and purchased this girl to please Lin Jinlou, but he had shown no interest. When Zhao Yuechan left the Lin household, she took this maid with her. To marry into the Dai family, she schemed to have Qiongzhi seduce her brother Zhao Gang, but Zhao Gang soon tired of her and cast her aside, sending her back to Zhao Yuechan. Qiongzhi wasn’t one to stay quiet – she and Dai Rongmei became involved. Originally, Qiongzhi lived quite comfortably in the Dai household, but when Zhao Yuechan’s grandfather Zhao Jin was murdered, Zhao Yuechan’s position in the Dai family plummeted. Qiongzhi had always been imperious, and while others had previously dared not speak against her despite their anger, now that the wall was falling, everyone pushed against it. Someone informed Dai Rongmei’s wife, Madam Jiao, about the affair between Rongmei and Qiong. Madam Jiao, being a domineering woman, couldn’t tolerate such an insult. The situation exploded into chaos, and Qiongzhi was sold to a brothel that very night.
Now, by coincidence, Qiongzhi had come to perform at Lin Jinlou’s estate.