After Liu Bei left, Lin Jin Lou took out an intricate filigree orchid hairpin from the Eight Treasures box, inlaid with tortoiseshell, white jade, and coral – a unique and lovely piece. He held it up, squinting as he examined it, his thoughts already drifting far away. He couldn’t quite make sense of his grandparents’ move – sending such a precious gift, could it mean they had agreed? But why send it in the dead of night rather than making a grand presentation during the day? Was the hidden meaning a rejection? Unable to figure it out, he grew frustrated. Only when he heard movement did he snap back to reality – Xiang Lan had changed into her casual clothes and had servants bring in a copper basin for washing up.
He stared absently at Xiang Lan’s back. Since his injury last time, she had become more attentive toward him and even showed hints of smiles. The tension between them had eased compared to before, and they’d even developed a kind of unspoken understanding. Yet he still felt there was an awkward barrier between them. Recently, as his chest wound healed, the unbearable itching often kept him awake at night. He would get up and study Xiang Lan’s face in the dim light, sometimes gazing for long periods, constantly wondering: Was Xiang Lan’s newfound kindness toward him mere tolerance, given her soft heart, or had she developed some feelings for him? Was she still thinking about Song Ke? Yet he found himself too timid to ask.
“Young Master, what are you thinking about?”
“Oh? Nothing, nothing at all.”
Xiang Lan gave Lin Jin Lou a suspicious look – he had been staring at her intently for quite a while, his expression fluctuating between joy and sorrow as if possessed. She stepped forward to hand him the towel and took the hairpin from his hands, placing it back in the Eight Treasures box. While tidying up, she said, “Young Master should wash up and rest early. Madam said we’ll have visitors early tomorrow morning – one of Master’s old classmates is coming. They were supposed to come today to wish Old Madam a happy birthday, but official business delayed them, so they sent birthday gifts instead. Master just sent word requesting Young Master’s presence tomorrow as well.”
Listening to her gentle, soft-spoken chatter, watching her jade-like cheeks, Lin Jin Lou’s heart softened again, as if waves of warmth were washing over him.
The night passed without incident.
The next day, Lin Jin Lou rose before dawn to practice martial arts. After completing two sets in the small garden, Shu Ran delivered two urgent letters. Lin Jin Lou took a towel to wipe his sweat while accepting the letters. Lin Jin Ting was lurking behind the flowering trees, peeking out. Seeing Lin Jin Lou’s sidelong glance, he immediately put on a fawning smile. Lin Jin Lou gave him a look, then opened the letters to read, saying, “What brings you here so early?”
Lin Jin Ting shuffled forward, his mouth bitter – he hadn’t risen early at all, having not slept the entire night. He said, “Nothing really, just wanted to ask…” He glanced around before continuing in a low voice, “Just wanted to ask if there’s any news about Third Sister?”
“No. We’ve searched almost every household in these alleyways but haven’t found her.” Lin Jin Lou had a good idea – his third sister had either met with misfortune or had been taken out of the city. Finding her in the vast sea of humanity would be extremely difficult; all they could do now was try their best and leave the rest to fate. He looked at Lin Jin Ting, noting his withered appearance, and couldn’t help but sigh. Patting his shoulder, he said, “I issued orders early on to search both inside and outside the city. Go back and wait another half day, but for now, take good care of Second Aunt’s health.” With that, he returned to reading the letters.
Lin Jin Ting nodded, stood dazed for a while, and then said to Lin Jin Lou, “I heard Uncle is arranging a marriage for you?”
Without looking up from the letters, Lin Jin Lou replied, “My father? Arranging my marriage? You must be delirious.”
“Tch, today Uncle’s classmate Minister Wei is bringing his third daughter to our home. Minister Wei has several daughters, why bring just this one? She’s his legitimate daughter, said to be as beautiful as flowers and jade, with quite a reputation among noble ladies. Our family now only has you and Second Brother, and Minister Wei is quite somebody – he surely wouldn’t marry his daughter to a sickly person?”
Lin Jin Lou’s grip tightened, nearly crumpling the letters, his face expressionless as he said, “What unfortunate timing – Old Yuan asked me to train troops with him today.” With that, he walked away.
Just then, Lin Zhang Zheng came out for his morning walk, rolling his cultural relic walnuts in his hands. Seeing Lin Jin Lou rushing back like a gust of wind, he shouted, “Stop right there! When your Uncle Wei comes later, change your clothes and receive the guests.”
Lin Jin Lou stopped and said, “What does Father’s guest have to do with me? Just hearing you all putting on airs with your classical citations gives me a headache. Why not have Second or Third Brother entertain them? I’m busy, I need to head out now.”
As Lin Jin Lou spoke, Lin Zhang Zheng’s face grew increasingly red with anger, his voice thunderous as he raged, “You unfilial son! How dare you speak like this! I’ll beat you, you scoundrel!” He raised his hand to strike.
Lin Jin Lou fled like greased lightning. Lin Zhang Zheng couldn’t catch him and angrily threw all his walnuts, but still missed Lin Jin Lou. He then took off his shoe to throw, trembling with rage, constantly muttering, “This scoundrel, this rebellious fool!”
Lin Jin Ting held back his laughter while rushing forward with a great show to support Lin Zhang Zheng, saying, “Oh my! Uncle, please sit! Sit, sit, don’t lower yourself to his level. My brother’s just like that, doesn’t know how to speak properly. Look at me, look at me instead.” He scolded the little maids, “Useless things, hurry and find the Master’s shoes!” He helped Lin Zhang Zheng sit on the stone bench, and after the maid brought back the shoes and Lin Zhang Zheng put them on, he glared at Lin Jin Ting and said, “Look at you? Look at what? Your elder brother, despite everything, is still better than you. Go back and study properly. Old Master said if you can’t pass the provincial examination next year, he’ll have me oversee you.”
At these words, Lin Jin Ting’s face immediately turned sour as a bitter gourd.
Meanwhile, Lin Jin Lou quickly returned to Chang Chun Hall, where he found Xiang Lan airing out books and paintings with Xiao Juan, Hua Shan, Xue Ning, and others. He went straight up to Xiang Lan, grabbed her shoulders, and pulled her into the bedroom for an impulsive kiss. Xiang Lan’s face turned bright red as she struggled, saying, “Have you gone mad?”
Lin Jin Lou chuckled, “No, I’m heading to battle, just building up my courage.”
Hearing this, Xiang Lan frowned again: “Battle? What battle?”
Lin Jin Lou tapped her nose and gave her lips another fierce kiss, then left without changing his clothes. He entered You Shi Hall’s courtyard, where he found Lin Zhao Xiang sitting in a rocking chair, holding a birdcage and watching his bird in the courtyard. Lin Jin Lou entered and first paid his respects, saying, “Good morning, Grandfather. Did you sleep well last night?”
Lin Zhao Xiang glanced at him without speaking, continuing to coo at his bird with pursed lips.
Lin Jin Lou held his breath and slipped along the wall. Seeing the teacup on the small table was empty, he lifted the pot to pour, watching Lin Zhao Xiang all the while. When he noticed the old man’s eyes turn toward him, he quickly put on a fawning smile, and in his distraction, overfilled the cup until it spilled, the hot liquid making him jump.