Soon after entering Lin Zhang Zheng’s courtyard, they saw Hong Jian, Lu Lan, Cui Mo, Bao Yan, Yu Bi, and other maids standing under the corridor eaves. Seeing the two arrive, they smiled and said, “The Madam was just talking about you, and here you are.” Hong Jian whispered, “Master and Madam are discussing matters in the room.” She winked while personally lifting the curtain. Lin Jin Lou understood, nodding slightly. Lu Lan suppressed a smile nearby and said, “What kind of charades are you playing?” Hong Jian laughed, “Nothing, just remember to serve tea later.”
Lin Jin Lou and Xiang Lan entered through the door. Lin Zhang Zheng and Madam Qin were in the inner room. Concubine Bao lifted the curtain, and Lin Jin Lou led Xiang Lan inside. Xiang Lan looked around and saw that the room’s furnishings had been changed. All the bedding, chair covers, brocade cushions, and backrests were made of the finest ink-blue satin, neither new nor old. On the kang bed sat a painted lacquer mother-of-pearl small table, holding white imperial porcelain soup bowls, a celadon ram-headed kettle, and a black lacquer waist-bound Shou Chun tray containing several delicate snacks, all meant to quench thirst and clear heat. Luohan beds flanked by lacquered flower square tables held a pair of Song Dynasty white glazed vases containing freshly cut orchids and golden lotus flowers. The wall bore four characters reading “Zhong He Wei Yu,” written with lean, forceful, and magnificent strokes. Below stood a begonia-style table with several books scattered upon it. The room had no incense but rather small pottery urns along the walls containing fresh fruits, which could be eaten while naturally perfuming the room with their fresh fragrance. The room had been refurnished according to Lin Zhang Zheng’s preferences – not overtly luxurious, appearing ordinary to the untrained eye, but those who knew better could recognize the precious nature of its furnishings and objects.
Lin Zhang Zheng and Madam Qin sat facing each other on the kang bed, with no one else present. Madam Qin wore her hair in an eight-treasure style, smoothly combed and adorned with gold-threaded hairpins and lustrous white jade earrings. She wore a honey-colored kesi silk jacket and scallion-yellow silk cotton skirt, holding a teacup while slightly leaning forward as she spoke with Lin Zhang Zheng. He wore a grey satin robe without a belt, appearing contemplative. Upon seeing the two enter, he looked their way. Xiang Lan observed his square face, pale complexion, long eyebrows, narrow eyes, lion-like nose, and wide mouth. Though his gaze was sharp, he maintained a scholarly and gentle demeanor, appearing composed and understated with what seemed to be a smile on his lips, yet somehow inspiring inexplicable fear. He glanced at Lin Jin Lou before fixing his gaze on Xiang Lan.
Xiang Lan felt slightly nervous and lowered her head, steadying herself. Then Lin Zhang Zheng spoke: “Why have you come here?”
Lin Jin Lou smiled, “Son has come to pay respects to Father and Mother.”
Lin Zhang Zheng sneered, “I can’t even get you to attend to house guests, yet you still acknowledge me as your father?”
Seeing the tension, Madam Qin quickly intervened, “Lou’er has been busy these days, with imperial duties one moment and Ministry of War duties the next. How could he neglect official business just to stay home and entertain guests? He’s now someone who represents us in public, how can he be confined at home like a child, meeting whoever comes?” She changed the subject, beckoning to Xiang Lan, “Good child, come here.” When Xiang Lan approached, she took her hand and said to Lin Zhang Zheng, “This is Xiang Lan, whom I told you about.”
Lin Zhang Zheng looked Xiang Lan up and down, smiled slightly, and said, “I’ve heard about how you saved Lou’er. Your loyalty is truly commendable.”
Before he finished speaking, Lin Jin Lou frowned and said, “How can this be called loyalty? This is about affection.”
Lin Zhang Zheng seemed not to hear, still looking at Xiang Lan, smiling, “I hear your entire family were servants of our household. You were born to servant parents?”
Lin Jin Lou grew increasingly displeased, his brows nearly rising. Madam Qin’s heart leaped to her throat, and she quickly tried to signal him with her eyes. Xiang Lan’s face paled, her nails digging deep into her palms. Looking at Lin Zhang Zheng again, she saw his expression remained amiable, though his eyes were unreadable. She calmed herself and smiled faintly, “Yes, my family were all servants of the Lin family.”
Madam Qin coughed lightly and smiled, “That’s ancient history now, didn’t they all receive their freedom papers long ago?” She smiled at Xiang Lan, trying to change the subject, “I heard the Old Madam specially rewarded you with a set of jewelry recently, quite precious indeed, not everyone gets such an honor…”
Lin Zhang Zheng took a sip of tea, suddenly interrupting Madam Qin and looking meaningfully at Lin Jin Lou, “No wonder. Though not frivolous, she’s still inadequate, naturally unable to match the grace and nobility of proper officials’ daughters.”
Lin Jin Lou grew angry but restrained himself, “What kind of judgment is this? How is she inferior to others? Her appearance, character, conduct, and learning – she’s excellent in every way. Bring out any young lady from any family to compare…”
Upon hearing this, Lin Zhang Zheng’s face immediately darkened. As Madam Qin rushed to smooth things over, Xiang Lan spoke: “The Master is correct.” All three turned to look at her. Xiang Lan smiled graciously and said, “It is indeed difficult for someone of lower status to be graceful and noble, Master.”
Lin Zhang Zheng set down his teacup and examined Xiang Lan carefully. Though her expression was serene and her bearing neither servile nor arrogant, her pallor was evident, lending her a touch of fragility, yet her back remained perfectly straight. She was intelligent and had understood the implications of his words. Though he felt somewhat guilty about humiliating her at their first meeting, when he thought about how someone of such lowly status harbored such wild ambitions, his heart hardened again. He said, “You understand your place well, very good. You have done a service, and if you properly serve and respect the primary wife in the future, the Lin family will not treat you poorly. If you have any difficulties, feel free to speak up. But if you scheme and plot…” At this point, he gave Xiang Lan a meaningful look, “You surely understand the consequences without my having to spell them out?”
Xiang Lan could barely breathe but managed to answer, “Yes…” Lin Jin Lou’s face was expressionless as he grabbed Xiang Lan’s arm and pushed her toward the door, saying, “Go out.”
Xiang Lan was startled and resisted slightly. Lin Jin Lou maintained his stern expression and said, “When I tell you to go out, go out.” He took both her arms and led her out of the room. Seeing the maids chatting quietly under the eaves, he pointed to Hong Jian and Lu Lan, “You two, escort her back properly, quickly.”
Hong Jian and Lu Lan were startled, noting Lin Jin Lou’s unusual expression, and quickly gathered around. Xiang Lan couldn’t help but tug at Lin Jin Lou’s sleeve, “Young Master…” She wanted to tell him not to quarrel with Lin Zhang Zheng, but with the maids present, she couldn’t say it. Instead, she said, “Today’s events were expected, I knew this would happen.”
But Lin Jin Lou was impatient, forcing a smile as he patted her hand, “This doesn’t concern you anymore, go back first.” He then instructed Hong Jian and Lu Lan, “Take her back quickly, don’t let her return. Stay with her until I return, only then may you come back.”
The two maids were quick-witted and understood something was happening, repeatedly acknowledging his orders. Lin Jin Lou turned and entered the room, lifting the curtain to find Madam Qin whispering something to Lin Zhang Zheng. Seeing Lin Jin Lou enter, she stopped and pretended nothing had happened, smiling, “Your father specifically mentioned wanting to give Xiang Lan some gifts.” She took out a wooden lacquered crane-deer square box.
Lin Jin Lou was burning with anxiety and didn’t even look at it, taking it and tossing it aside. Madam Qin was worried and kept signaling with her eyes. Lin Zhang Zheng remained calm, pouring himself more tea and taking a sip, then another, before finally raising his eyes to Lin Jin Lou and asking, “What exactly do you want?”
Lin Jin Lou harbored resentment but said calmly, “Father surely knows what I want, why ask what you already know?”
Lin Zhang Zheng nodded: “Your mother hinted at your intentions, and today you deliberately brought her here. Each move, like a game of chess, well played indeed.”
Lin Jin Lou felt as if his heart carried a heavyweight, repeatedly suppressing his anger. Since his grandfather wouldn’t take charge of Xiang Lan’s matter from above, he had to patiently handle this situation with his father. Otherwise, Xiang Lan wouldn’t have good days ahead, and any family discord would draw unwanted attention. He softened his voice, “Father, I’m not young anymore and have long needed someone suitable by my side. I’ve made up my mind, it’s Xiang Lan…”
“Hasn’t she already been by your side? Who’s ever stopped you? If you value her, have a banquet if you wish, arrange a grand ceremony if you like, it’s all up to you. Bring her in with a fine sedan chair, and even though she hasn’t borne children, elevate her to concubine status – who would dare say ‘no’?”
“Father, not as a concubine…”
“If not a concubine, then what?! What else do you want?!”
“…”
“Speak! What else do you want?!” He slammed the table, “You rebellious son, would you turn the entire Lin family upside down?!”
“Oh my, enough, enough, can’t we discuss this calmly? Master, have some tea, the weather is dry, you must take care of your health, don’t strain your voice.” Madam Qin stood up, personally pouring tea for Lin Zhang Zheng, then went to Lin Jin Lou’s side, extremely anxious, signaling with her eyes while pulling her eldest son’s arm, whispering, “Speak properly with your father, don’t be hasty.”
Lin Jin Lou’s heart pounded like thunder, blood rushing to his head, his fists clenching and unclenching, veins bulging: “I just want to live with her in life and share the same grave in death, give her the status of wife. She deserves it and can handle it.”
Lin Zhang Zheng was furious but laughed coldly: “Handle it? You dare say such things! You dare say such things! Lin! Jin! Lou! I’m ashamed for you, you’ve completely disgraced the Lin family ancestors! Marriage has always been arranged by parents and matchmakers, you, you, you dare to marry a lowborn servant! Let alone how the entire Lin family would face others if this spreads, just ask your conscience – can you face the careful nurturing and cultivation our entire family has invested in you?!” As he spoke, he grew angrier, raising his hand and with a crash, overturning the painted lacquer mother-of-pearl table, breaking bowls and spilling soup everywhere. Pointing at Lin Jin Lou, his hand trembling slightly, he shouted: “You unfilial son, blinded by female charm! Unfilial son!”
Lin Jin Lou felt as if struck by lightning, for the first time in his life his hands and feet turned cold. He gritted his teeth, “She’s long since not been a servant, she never acted like one, she…”
Lin Zhang Zheng was so angry his face contorted as he glared at Lin Jin Lou: “Even if she were a celestial maiden, she’s still of servant stock! Don’t think I don’t know, the good relations between the Lin and Jiang families are in shambles today because of her. With her present, how can your household ever know peace? Which respectable young lady would want to marry? She’s not just of servant stock, she’s a source of trouble! Just because she has some beauty and can paint a few worthless pictures, she’s made you lose your head, forgetting propriety, shame, filial piety, brotherhood, loyalty, and trust. You’ve grown capable, haven’t you? I overlooked things considering her service to our family, but who knew she’d be so presumptuous! Let me make this clear today – you want to marry her? Only over my dead body!”