After the first month of the year, the Emperor personally sent the Chief Eunuch to visit the Lin Manor to inquire about the illness, along with many gifts. He also summoned Lin Zhang Zheng back to the capital, seemingly intending to bestow the title of Grand Scholar. The Crown Prince frequently summoned Imperial Physicians to ask about Lin Jin Lou’s injuries. Even though Lin Jin Lou’s condition improved daily, the Imperial Physicians dared not be negligent, fearing any mishap. They made repeated visits to the Lin residence, changing prescriptions to help Lin Jin Lou recover. The Lin family was at the height of their prominence, with visitors arriving in an endless stream.
Everyone knew Lin Jin Lou was difficult to serve, but hearing that his beloved concubine was gentle and kind, many noble ladies came to befriend Xiang Lan. These were all wives of fourth and fifth-rank officials, old enough to be Xiang Lan’s mother or grandmother, yet they treated her as a sister with warmth. Xiang Lan recalled how when she was a servant, she faced cold, disdainful faces everywhere. Now she saw only fawning smiles – such were the vagaries of life that made one sigh.
Because Lin Zhang Zheng was returning to the capital, Madam Qin ordered Lin Jin Ting to arrange the renovation of quarters and the replanting of flowers. Thinking of how her husband never got along with their eldest son, she specifically went to Lin Jin Lou to advise him to “control your temperament and avoid angering your father.” Lin Jin Lou listened halfheartedly – he respected his father but feared his grandfather Lin Zhao Xiang most. Earlier during his convalescence, Lin Jin Ting had come to relay messages, saying his grandfather was angry about the Su Mei Ru affair. Though it wasn’t mentioned anymore, when Lin Zhao Xiang occasionally came to check on his illness, he maintained a stern face without any warmth. Lin Jin Lou couldn’t help but worry, knowing he couldn’t escape a lecture.
Unexpectedly, before Lin Zhang Zheng arrived, Lin Zhang Min came with his family. It turned out Lin Zhang Min had his schemes. During this time, a group of river bandits had taken advantage of Lin Jin Lou’s absence in the capital to bribe Su Mei Ru to introduce them to Lin Zhang Min. Using his position as Lin Jin Lou’s Second Uncle and an official, he made huge profits from smuggling goods and turning a blind eye to pirates’ murders and arsons. Now seeing that Lin Jin Lou had recovered and would return to Jinling, making it difficult to interfere with river transport, he grew anxious. Su Mei Ru suggested: “The Lin family’s influence is like the sun at high noon. Why not go to the capital to curry favor and get promoted to Transport Commissioner? Whatever happens after that would be legitimate, wouldn’t it?” Lin Zhang Min strongly agreed, smiling at Su Mei Ru: “My dear, you truly are my military advisor.” Thus he headed to the capital.
Madam Qin led Xiang Lan to welcome them at the hanging flower gate. From Lin Zhang Min’s lead carriage emerged a strikingly beautiful woman, with elaborate jade-decorated hair and a powdered face blooming like spring, moving with graceful elegance. Xiang Lan was startled. From the carriage behind, Madam Wang was helped out, her face pale and haggard, chin sharp from weight loss, eyes swollen like walnuts as if she had just been crying. Supporting Madam Wang was a young woman about seventeen or eighteen, her hair done in an eight-treasure bun with gold thread, wearing a gold-inlaid plum flower ornament, many jeweled flowers in her cloud-like hair, and a yellow-brown brocade cape. She was slightly plump with a full moon face, bright black eyes, and a natural smile. Though not exceptionally beautiful, she was particularly likable. This was Li Miao Zhi, Lin Jin Ting’s newly wedded wife.
Madam Qin hurried forward, grasped Madam Wang’s hands, and exclaimed: “My dear sister, how did you become like this in just a few months? Have you fallen ill?”
At these words, Madam Wang was about to cry again, taking out her handkerchief to wipe her eyes. Li Miao Zhi quickly stepped forward to bow, smiling: “Thank you for your concern, Elder Aunt. Mother is just tired from the journey, she’ll be fine after some rest.” She added with a smile: “Young Master Yuan has also come but is sleeping in the carriage behind. The wet nurse will bring him to Aunt’s quarters later.”
Seeing Li Miao Zhi’s meaningful glance, Madam Qin immediately understood and asked no more questions, simply holding Madam Wang’s hand as they walked inside. Xiang Lan thought to herself: “Third Young Master Lin’s new wife truly has clever eyes, living up to the ‘Miao’ (wonderful) in her name.” As she turned her head slightly, she caught the beautiful woman from the second gate looking her way, their eyes meeting as the woman sized her up. Xiang Lan thought silently: “The servants have been gossiping about Second Master taking a new concubine – this must be her. She truly is beautiful.”
Madam Qin first led Madam Wang and others to sit in her courtyard. After exchanging greetings, she introduced Xiang Lan to Li Miao Zhi. Li Miao Zhi came forward to hold Xiang Lan’s hand, smiling as she looked her over, then said to Madam Qin with a smile: “I only saw her briefly at my wedding and regret not getting better acquainted. Now her reputation precedes her – who hasn’t heard of Miss Xiang Lan’s beauty and great talent? When I hurriedly glimpsed her that day, I thought people’s praise was just hearsay, exaggerated. But seeing her today, I understand the saying ‘seeing once is better than hearing a hundred times’ – perhaps the rumors were even understated.”
Xiang Lan was impressed – Li Miao Zhi had quickly established rapport in just a few words, praising generously without making others uncomfortable. She replied: “Third Madam is too kind…”
Li Miao Zhi smiled: “I’m not just being kind. Your bearing is more dignified than noble ladies, truly like an immortal descended to earth.”
Unaccustomed to such warmth from someone she just met, Xiang Lan could only say: “My humble appearance is unworthy of such praise – it’s all thanks to Madam’s guidance.”
Li Miao Zhi quickly smiled at Madam Qin: “Elder Aunt truly knows how to nurture people. Perhaps you could guide me as well someday.”
These words made Madam Qin laugh as she held Li Miao Zhi’s hand, patting it several times: “You monkey, I worry you’d feel constrained under my watch.” She then told Xiang Lan: “Child, I’ve set aside some fine fabrics for Miao girl – go show them to her.” Xiang Lan knew Madam Qin deliberately wanted to send them away, so she led Li Miao Zhi out.
Sure enough, seven or eight bolts of various silks and fine cloths were piled on the large kang bed. Li Miao Zhi dismissed her maids, then flopped onto the kang, massaging her waist and legs while saying: “This journey nearly killed me, my bones are about to fall apart, and I had to put on such airs earlier.” Seeing Xiang Lan watching her, she winked with a smile.
Xiang Lan couldn’t help but smile too – Li Miao Zhi was straightforward and jovial, likable even when putting on airs. She poured a cup of tea and brought it over. Li Miao Zhi quickly stood up with an “Oh my!” waving her hands: “I wouldn’t dare, how could I let Sister Xiang Lan pour tea for me?” She took the teacup and placed it on the small table, clasping her hands: “All along the journey through taverns and tea houses, I heard about you. You’re truly a heroine among women.”
Xiang Lan asked curiously: “What did you hear?”
Li Miao Zhi exclaimed in surprise: “You don’t know? There’s now a story called ‘The Tale of Scholar Lan Xiang’ in eighteen parts. Storytellers and opera performers are all performing it. From how you saved Second Miss at the Lin family, suffered jealousy and was sold, sacrificed yourself to save your father, stayed righteously loyal during the night at the mountain temple, to saving Elder Cousin in the dense forest – it’s all there in the stories and plays.”
Xiang Lan was stunned.
Li Miao Zhi smiled: “I’ll have someone find a copy for you to see tomorrow. Lines like ‘The fragrant evening wind, the vast starry sky, yet alas the jade beauty is unseen’ are so elegant, unlike something common folk would write… I heard you’re skilled at painting – could you perhaps give me a couple of pieces when you have time?”
Xiang Lan agreed verbally, but her thoughts had already drifted to “The Tale of Scholar Lan Xiang.”
Meanwhile, with Madam Qin, Madam Wang began crying before speaking. After a while, she finally said between sobs: “Since the Old Master went to the capital, my husband has become even more unrestrained. He keeps that little tramp in his study, providing her with the best food and drink, and makes the whole household call her ‘Madam’ – I endured all this. But unseemly rumors spread, and when I kindly offered some advice, he beat me instead… That tramp doesn’t even bow to me when she sees me, holding her head high as she passes by, literally making me sick with anger. Then she instigated others to say I was deliberately feigning illness… and repeatedly urged my husband to divorce me…”
Madam Qin said angrily: “How outrageous! Are you just letting her bully you?”
Madam Wang cried: “My husband only listens to her. In his eyes, I’m worse than a servant. Whether I cry or laugh, it’s wrong. If I say something that doesn’t please him, he beats and scolds me. I’ve thought about ending it all.”
Madam Qin, angry at her weakness, said: “Oh you! When will you change this nature of yours? You let important things slide but get stubborn about things that don’t matter. You’re the principal wife – you can’t think like this. You must stand up for yourself. The Old Master and Old Madam will support you. How can they let that little tramp be so brazen? Don’t talk about dying all the time – don’t forget you still have Ting boy. He’s a filial child, and you need to live long to enjoy the blessings he’ll bring you.”
Wiping her tears, Madam Wang said: “If not for Ting boy, I would have ended my life long ago.” After a pause, she continued, “There’s another matter I need to tell sister about and ask for your help.”
Madam Qin asked: “What is it?”
Madam Wang said softly: “I brought Ling girl with me.”
Madam Qin was startled: “Why did you bring her? What if someone sees her? We’ve told everyone she died and even held a funeral!”
Tears fell from Madam Wang’s eyes again: “The daughter I raised with such hardship – how could I let her live on the estate forever, eventually marrying some farmer? Even if she made mistakes, Sister-in-law, you’re a mother too, you should know children are flesh of our flesh. How could I bear it? Before coming, I visited her at the estate. Her eyes were full of tears, pitifully clutching my sleeve, begging me repeatedly to return soon and not forget her. I… I… it breaks my heart…”
Patting Madam Wang’s shoulder, Madam Qin sighed: “Don’t cry. Since you’ve brought her, where is she staying now?”
Madam Wang said: “I had her cover her face and said she’s a young lady from a family temple of close friends who have taken Buddhist vows. I brought her this time because my family has several relatives in the capital, including some talented young men. I dare not hope for a marriage as grand as Xiu girl’s anymore – I just want her to marry a good family. Even if they’re poor, I can provide houses and land. A few thousand taels of silver for a peaceful life would be enough. Besides, if she marries in the capital where no one knows her, she can live more freely. I ask sister to help look for suitable matches and arrange things for us.”
Though Madam Qin was extremely disgusted with Lin Dong Ying, seeing Madam Wang’s haggard face, all her words turned into a long sigh as she nodded slightly.