Xiang Lan sat there stunned. She shook Zhao Yuechan, but her head only lolled lifelessly. Checking for breath, she found none – her soul had truly departed for the netherworld.
In Xiang Lan’s mind, this woman had committed countless evils, yet watching her die before her eyes left her feeling desolate and bewildered. She sat there numbly for a moment before finally examining the undergarment.
Being Zhao Yuechan’s item, it was naturally luxurious – white satin lining with red satin exterior, embroidered with designs of prosperity featuring five-colored precious vases and bright green and pink floral patterns. Xiang Lan examined the garment from top to bottom, finding nothing unusual until her hand accidentally squeezed a corner that felt different, as if something was hidden in a compartment. Using a knife, she cut open the garment and pulled out a small oilcloth package. Inside were several letters written in hasty, messy handwriting that read:
“Shocking secret news discovered! Greatly alarmed! After a thorough investigation by trusted sources, my suspicions are confirmed. Lin Jinlou secretly met with the former Crown Prince and sent guards to assist his westward journey. Such treasonous crimes warrant the execution of the entire household and the punishment of nine generations of relatives! Furthermore, his frequenting of brothels, keeping courtesans, and abuse of my granddaughter Yuechan, his lawfully wedded wife, disregarding the bond between our families, is utterly despicable! However, though Yuechan has her faults and Lin is evil, he has done three righteous deeds: First, his brave fighting and repeated victories against enemies for the country, showing the unwavering determination that even His Majesty praised. Second, using his own money to buy over a thousand mu of charitable fields for the poor to farm, taking no payment or grain, opening granaries during famines and disasters, and earning deep gratitude from the common people. Third, as a military commander, he never harmed innocent civilians – when suppressing bandits in the South, he forbade the sacking of cities, and only captured adult males while releasing the elderly, weak, women and children, causing people to welcome the imperial army with food and drink, spreading His Majesty’s reputation for benevolence far and wide. These three deeds show great righteousness. I am troubled and indecisive. Though he helped the former Crown Prince, I see no signs of rebellion, only loyalty to the late emperor. Though I hate him for personal grudges, I cannot harm a loyal official! This matter must be kept secret.”
The following pages detail who Lin Jinlou sent to escort the former Crown Prince, their routes, lodgings, and destinations.
It turned out that when Zhao Jin died and Zhao Yuechan went to mourn, taking advantage of the chaos in the Zhao household, she and Zhao Gang had bribed servants to steal her grandfather’s books, antiques, and paintings to sell. They happened to steal a locked black lacquer box, thinking they’d found treasure. When they pried it open, they found only Zhao Jin’s writings and observations, nothing special, and Zhao Yuechan lost interest. Unexpectedly, Zhao Gang discovered these letters, and they both saw it as a precious opportunity to scheme. When Zhao Yuechan returned to the Dai household, she dropped hints in conversation. Dai Qing immediately plotted to use this information, but before his plan could succeed, Zhao Yuechan learned of his intentions to harm her and fled that night, leading to her encounter with Xiang Lan and the others.
Lin Jinlou quietly opened his eyes – he had awakened when Xiang Lan brought Zhao Yuechan to his side but pretended to sleep. He turned his head slightly and saw Xiang Lan with her back to him, holding several papers. With his keen eyesight, he read the letters clearly, finally understanding why the spies caught at the estate claimed to be sent by the Dai family. His mind raced with thoughts, causing his body to grow cold and break out in sweat. His heart felt as if it was being squeezed tight, more painful than the wound on his chest, leaving him breathless and nearly suffocating. Cold sweat broke out on his forehead as thousands of emotions flooded his mind, leaving him momentarily bewildered, like a condemned criminal awaiting execution at noon in the market square, finding it unbearable. He forced himself to look at Xiang Lan, seeing her motionless back like a monk deep in meditation.
Time seemed to freeze as waves of thoughts crashed through Lin Jinlou’s mind, each one leaving him weak. With such a deadly document in Xiang Lan’s hands, what if she used it to leave him? She had always yearned to leave the Lin family, and after this ordeal, she had shown him tremendous kindness. This delicate, tearful, sometimes timid woman repeatedly did things that amazed him, making him feel small and humble, generating feelings of shame and admiration he had never experienced before. If she wanted to leave, what right did he have to threaten or intimidate her?
Suddenly Xiang Lan buried her head in her knees, her shoulders shaking as she struggled to suppress her sobs. After a moment, she wiped her face with her arm. Lin Jinlou watched her intently, his hands unconsciously trembling. Then came two tearing sounds as Xiang Lan ripped the letters in half, and then into smaller pieces. She walked to the lake’s edge and threw the fragments into the hole in the ice where Zhao Yuechan had fallen. She silently watched as the ice water blurred the ink into indistinct patches until they finally disappeared. Only after the last scrap of paper sank did she turn to walk back.
When Lin Jinlou saw Xiang Lan return empty-handed, he felt relieved, but immediately a heavier weight struck his heart. He seemed to hear a shattering sound as something broke inside him. His throat tightened and his eyes stung. He quietly turned his face away as a tear rolled down his cheek, falling onto his fur coat and leaving a round wet mark.
Xiang Lan dragged Zhao Yuechan’s body aside and looked at her face for a long while before saying, “Your great gift – I just tore it up. Let’s pretend it never existed… I feel neither hatred nor disgust for you now. If I live, I will certainly give you a proper burial. Rest in peace.” She covered Zhao Yuechan’s face with her wet cloak.
This poisonous and selfish woman had shown kindness in her final words. Xiang Lan stood by Zhao Yuechan’s body, pressed her palms together, and recited a sutra. Suddenly hearing coughing, she knew Lin Jinlou had awakened and quickly turned to bend over him, asking, “Master, how are you?” She grasped his hands and found them ice-cold.
Lin Jinlou coughed twice more and lifted his eyelids. He saw Xiang Lan’s disheveled hair and swollen face, now red and purple from crying and the wind, her eyes like walnuts. He stared at her intently, as if unable to look enough. A wave of pain seized him, causing him to convulse. Gritting his teeth to suppress a groan, he struggled to say, “In the study in Jinling, there’s a yellow pear wood box on the left curio shelf. The key is in the blue and white urn by the desk… Inside the box are over ten property deeds…”
Xiang Lan said blankly, “Master, what are you saying?”
Lin Jinlou trembled violently. Earlier with his eyes closed, his consciousness had wavered like a small boat tossed in huge waves, several times thinking he had died, but opening his eyes to find himself still alive. Fearing he might never wake if he didn’t speak now, he shook his head with difficulty and said, “Listen to me… those property deeds are… are for you…”
Tears rolled down Xiang Lan’s cheeks as she gripped his hand, choking out, “I won’t listen. Who wants your broken houses and land…”
Lin Jinlou gave a helpless smile: “Yes, whatever I give you, precious or worthless, you don’t want it…”
Xiang Lan wiped her tears and said, “I just want you to be well.”
Lin Jinlou suddenly fell silent, staring at Xiang Lan’s downturned face for a long time. He couldn’t quite read her expression – her eyes like deep pools flickered with mysterious light, full of gentle depth, sadness, and preciousness, glittering like stars. He didn’t understand their deeper meaning; no one had ever looked at him like this before.
Feeling awkward, he was about to speak when Xiang Lan pressed a finger to his lips saying, “Shh, I hear hoofbeats.” She stood up, gently parting the reeds to look around. A unit of soldiers was approaching from the mountain, led by a man on a tall horse wearing a dark sable coat – none other than the imposing Yuan Shaoren.
Xiang Lan was overjoyed. She bent down to tell Lin Jinlou, “It’s the Marquis of Yongchang!” Then she lifted her skirts and ran out, calling, “My Lord! My Lord! Come quickly to save General Lin!” She fell in her haste but, ignoring the pain, got up and continued running toward Yuan Shaoren.
Everyone raised their weapons when they suddenly saw someone emerge from the reeds shouting. Yuan Shaoren reined in his horse, and when Xiang Lan got closer, he finally recognized her. Quickly dismounting, he was shocked by her appearance and asked, “Miss Xiang Lan, what happened to you… Where is Yingyang?”
Xiang Lan led them to the reed thicket. Seeing Lin Jinlou’s condition, Yuan Shaoren’s brows furrowed with evident worry. Fortunately, there was a village nearby, and he quickly had people bring a donkey cart. After loading Lin Jinlou onto it, Lin Jinlou sent Xiang Lan away and weakly beckoned Yuan Shaoren closer. “Old Yuan, we’re brothers who’ve faced death together, and I trust your character.” His voice was hoarse, shaking from cold and spasms as he gasped out, “If I… if by chance… if she wants to leave the Lin family, let her… Take good care of her…”
“What nonsense are you talking!”
Lin Jinlou stared at Yuan Shaoren, his eyelids gradually closing though he fought to keep them open. Looking at Lin Jinlou, Yuan Shaoren understood – his friend’s injuries were dangerous, possibly fatal. If so, Xiang Lan would lose her protector and face difficult circumstances. Yuan Shaoren said softly, “Don’t worry.”
With this assurance, Lin Jinlou finally closed his eyes and fell into darkness.
Yuan Shaoren had Lin Jinlou taken to the home of a wealthy village family. A doctor came to examine him but repeatedly waved his hands, saying, “This man’s injuries are extremely severe. I’m just a barefoot doctor – I dare not treat such an important general.” He only prescribed strong tonics. With no alternative, they could only give Lin Jinlou ginseng soup and feed him some rice gruel. Yuan Shaoren told Xiang Lan, “We’re very close to the capital now, but there are still uncaptured bandits around. I’m very worried about leaving you here. Moreover, we can’t find good doctors or rare medicines here – better to return to the capital.”
There was no other choice, so Xiang Lan agreed, fortunately as they were indeed close to the capital. Within two cups of tea’s time, they reached the city gates, where Lin family servants had already received word and were waiting. They escorted them back to the residence, where three imperial physicians were waiting. As they carried Lin Jinlou from the carriage, Madam Qin saw her eldest son’s condition and began to cry, hurriedly arranging to have him carried inside.