Lin Zhao Xiang walked in unhurriedly, holding a Huang Hua Li wooden staff carved with a hundred bats offering longevity motifs in one hand while leading Lin Jin Yuan with the other. Lin Jin Yuan wore his hair in two buns and was dressed in a sleeveless round-collared robe with a red background embroidered with golden lotus patterns. His round white face and jet-black eyes sparkled with intelligence. He was closest to Xiang Lan and secretly made a face at her, causing her to laugh as she winked back at him.

Everyone rose in a crowd to pay their respects and greetings. Lin Zhao Xiang went directly to Grandmother Lin’s side and sat down. Only after Grandmother Lin was seated did Lin Zhao Xiang address everyone: “Hearing the festivities here, I came to join in. Please continue enjoying yourselves and don’t feel constrained by my presence.”

As everyone took their seats, Lin Dong Wan hurriedly stepped forward and asked: “Grandfather, I wish you fortune and health. Are you feeling better? When I heard you were ill recently, I was so worried that I prayed daily for your health and longevity. Seeing your improved complexion today puts my mind at ease. I must go to Guan Yin Temple tomorrow to fulfill my vows.”

Lin Zhao Xiang lifted his eyelids to look at her and said flatly: “Elder Miss, you’ve managed to say everything that everyone else in this room might have said.”

Lin Dong Wan’s face flushed red with embarrassment as she stepped back.

Madam Qin quickly smoothed things over, presenting a program listing with a smile: “Since Old Master is here, please select some plays. We’ve invited the renowned Qing Yun Theatre Troupe today, known for their excellent performances and singing.”

Lin Zhao Xiang selected two plays, and a young maid rushed out to relay the choices. Soon, the singing began outside. As Lin Zhao Xiang took a sip of tea from his cup, he noticed a beautiful young lady sitting on the small stool by Grandmother Lin’s feet. Though he knew who she was, he still asked: “And this is…?”

Grandmother Lin laughed: “Oh my, I forgot to tell you.” Taking Jiang Xi Yun’s hand, she said: “This is Miss Xi.”

Jiang Xi Yun quickly performed a formal curtsy.

Lin Zhao Xiang looked her up and down, nodding with a faint smile: “I still have sketches from when you were little.” He gestured with his hand, “Back then you were only this tall, often coming to our house with your grandfather. You were as sweet as could be. In the blink of an eye, you’ve grown into a young lady.” After thinking for a moment, he smiled again and said, “Back then you said the Lin family’s cook was excellent, especially skilled at preparing fish. Whenever this dish was served, you would eat with such enjoyment, but because ‘fish causes inflammation and meat causes phlegm,’ your nursemaid wouldn’t let you eat too much. Every time you saw the fish being taken away, you would be on the verge of tears.”

Jiang Xi Yun shrank behind Grandmother Lin, her face full of endearing embarrassment as she said: “Those were childhood things. I’m not so greedy anymore, Old Master knows how to tease…”

Everyone laughed. Madam Qin gave a perfunctory laugh while wiping her mouth with a handkerchief; Xiang Lan lowered her head in silence; Lin Dong Yi kept her eyes fixed on the stage; Lin Dong Xiu repeatedly gave cold laughs; Su Mei Ru cracked melon seeds, casually spitting the shells on the ground.

Soon after, Jiang Xi Yun had her maid bring two types of needlework, which she earnestly presented: “These are the needlework pieces I made for Old Master. Please don’t mind my crude skills.”

Lin Zhao Xiang looked and saw a pair of shoes and a cloak with an embroidered fish that appeared remarkably lifelike. He smiled and said: “You ate quite a lot of the Lin family’s fish back then. I’m afraid embroidering this one fish won’t make up for it all?”

Everyone burst into laughter at these words.

Jiang Xi Yun’s small face turned red as she said plaintively: “Old Master can have as many fish as he wants, but I’m afraid my childhood greediness left such a debt that even filling this entire cloak with fish wouldn’t be enough to repay it!”

At these words, Lin Zhao Xiang couldn’t help but laugh. Everyone else quickly joined in the laughter. Lin Zhao Xiang glanced at Xiang Lan from the corner of his eye and saw that her expression remained unchanged, neither sad nor happy, as she kept her eyes lowered.

Lin Dong Xiu secretly exchanged glances with Lin Dong Yi and whispered: “Could it be that Grandfather doesn’t know what she’s done?”

Lin Dong Yi kicked her under the table and gestured toward Lin Zhao Xiang, saying in a low voice: “Keep your voice down, don’t let anyone hear.”

Lin Dong Xiu snorted coldly: “What’s there to fear? I hope Grandfather does hear!”

Xiang Lan sat quietly, her face expressionless, but her heart was filled with sorrow, grievance, and hatred that threatened to burst forth. The torment made her restless, stirring up waves in her previously calm heart. She took several deep breaths, slowly clenching and unclenching her fists. When she looked up, she saw Madam Qin watching her with concerned eyes. Xiang Lan shook her head slightly.

Madam Qin’s face showed sympathy as she nodded slowly. Now she truly felt sorry for this girl, thinking: “Xiang Lan has saved me, saved Miss Xiu, and saved Young Master Lou. Any one of these deeds should spare her from such humiliation and suffering today. Have the Old Master and Old Madam become confused? With the whole family watching, how can they treat Xiang Lan this way? How pitiful.” She was planning to send Xiang Lan on an errand soon to spare her from this awkward situation.

Just then, Grandmother Lin said: “Since everyone is here, why don’t we bring out the bracelet bestowed by the Crown Prince for everyone to admire?”

Madam Qin exclaimed: “Oh my, such a precious thing! We must certainly have a look.”

Grandmother Lin explained: “After the Banquet of Centenarians, the Crown Prince personally removed this from his wrist as a reward. It has eighteen Agarwood beads, with Buddha heads made of pigeon egg-sized rubies, and the cloud pendant features auspicious beasts carved from mutton-fat white jade.”

Madam Wang recited a Buddhist phrase and said: “Even without considering that it was bestowed by the Crown Prince, this bracelet alone is an extremely precious item!”

Lin Zhao Xiang said: “This was the Crown Prince’s beloved possession, and bestowing it upon the Lin family is a great honor. Since your Old Madam isn’t feeling well these days, I’ll let her wear these prayer beads to share in the Crown Prince’s blessings. Let’s bring it out then.”

These words immediately drained the color from Lin Jin Yuan’s face. He slipped down from his chair and quietly walked to Xiang Lan’s side, tugging at her clothes. Xiang Lan followed him out, and when they were alone, Lin Jin Yuan grabbed her sleeve, his round face full of panic, saying: “Sister Xiang Lan, please help me!”

Xiang Lan quickly asked: “What’s wrong?”

Lin Jin Yuan said tearfully: “That string of beads… I lost it.”

Xiang Lan exclaimed in shock: “What?!”

Lin Jin Yuan wiped his tears and said: “This morning I was eating with Old Madam in the inner room of the flower hall, and I saw her wrap the bracelet in a handkerchief and put it under the bedding on the large kang. I took it out to play with it just as Third Brother came to pay his morning respects and took me out to buy some necessities. I put the prayer beads in my pouch, but when I returned and felt at my waist, I realized they were gone… I had agreed with Big Brother to have him find me an identical string outside and tell Old Madam about the lost bracelet in the evening, asking her to cover for me for a while. I didn’t expect Old Master to ask about it today. What should I do?” He stamped his feet anxiously and shed more tears.

Xiang Lan also became anxious: “That’s not something you should have taken out to play with. Other bracelets might not matter, but this was personally bestowed by the Eastern Palace, it’s no small matter. How can we find a replica?”

Lin Jin Yuan sobbed: “What should we do… I’m scared…”

Xiang Lan held Lin Jin Yuan’s small hand and said: “Darling, let’s go back together and tell Old Master and Old Madam the truth. Take whatever punishment you deserve. Since you made the mistake, you must face the consequences.”

Lin Jin Yuan shook his head like a rattling drum, his face full of terror: “No, no! Grandfather’s ruler will beat me to death!”

Xiang Lan said gently: “Grandfather’s anger will pass quickly, especially with Old Madam present. Think about it, even if the beating hurts, isn’t it better than living in constant fear?”

Lin Jin Yuan wept pitifully, absolutely refusing to confess, and repeatedly begged: “Dear Sister, please don’t tell anyone. I promise I’ll never do it again!” Xiang Lan wanted to persuade him further, but seeing Lin Jin Yuan’s pitiful and frightened expression, she remembered her early days in the Lin family, working under Cao Li Huan, how she had lived in constant fear whenever she made a mistake, not knowing what beatings or scolding awaited her. Her heart softened. Seeing two maids approaching, Xiang Lan feared being discovered and held Lin Jin Yuan in her arms, saying: “A man must take responsibility for his actions, and accepting punishment for wrongdoing is the right thing to do. But since you haven’t come to terms with this yet, I won’t force you. I promise not to tell others. But this is your mistake, and you should bear the responsibility yourself.”

Lin Jin Yuan continued sobbing without speaking.

Xiang Lan sighed, used her handkerchief to wipe the tears from Lin Jin Yuan’s face, and led him back to the flower hall.

Before they entered, they saw that everyone inside was already kneeling in a crowd, and heard Lin Zhao Xiang’s voice like a bell, full of anger, his complexion changed as he struck his cane heavily on the ground, saying: “…Such incredible audacity, to dare such thoughts about something bestowed by the Eastern Palace! Whoever took that bracelet, confess now. If I have to investigate and find out, it won’t be something that can be easily dismissed! Who all went into the inner room today?”

Lin Jin Yuan was terrified out of his wits, broke free from Xiang Lan’s hand, and retreated repeatedly, running away without looking back.

Everyone held their breath in silence.

Liu Bei, Grandmother Lin’s maid, said: “The inner room was set aside for the Young Ladies and Madams to rest. After Old Madam had breakfast there, no ordinary people were allowed in. Only First Young Miss, Second Young Miss, Second Madam, and Miss Xi went in, along with a few maids and servants who brought in food and tea.”

Hearing this, Madam Qin’s heart sank. She thought to herself: “This is terrible. These are all family members – what about their lives and faces if this spreads?” She quickly straightened up, crawled forward on her knees, and said tearfully: “Please calm your anger, Old Master and Old Madam. I dare not speculate whether it was someone from the family or if some servant was dishonest about the loss of the Eastern Palace’s gift, but there are some points for Old Master to consider: First, perhaps the item wasn’t placed under the bedding, or maybe it was locked in some box and forgotten. We shouldn’t wrong anyone and cause heartache. Second, it would be better to search for the item and question people privately – who would have the face to confess in front of everyone? Third, if the item can be found, that’s fine, but if it can’t, Old Master and Old Madam should be mindful of their health above all.”

Madam Wang quickly nodded upon hearing this: “Sister-in-law speaks wisely. Old Master and Old Madam should take care of themselves.”

Lin Zhao Xiang listened to these words, looked at Madam Qin, then at Madam Wang, slowly swallowed his anger, and said in a deep voice: “I will wait in the inner room. Whoever took that bracelet and wishes to confess, come find me there.” With these words, he stood up and, refusing any help, slowly walked into the inner room.