Lin Jinlou returned home early the next morning. Madam Qin, who had been worried, got up at the hour of Shen to pray to Buddha and recite sutras. When a maid reported Lin Jinlou’s return, she hurried to Chang Chun Hall to see him. Without announcing herself, she hid behind a screen and peeked inside. She saw Lin Jinlou sitting on the bed still in his travel-worn clothes, his face covered in dust and stubble, staring blankly ahead as if in a trance. In his hand, he clutched what appeared to be a piece of fabric – upon closer inspection, Madam Qin recognized it as an unfinished pair of men’s socks.

Madam Qin stood at the doorway for quite some time, but Lin Jinlou remained motionless, barely blinking. “This is terrible, he’s been bewitched,” she thought to herself. She hurried into the room, carefully approaching Lin Jinlou’s side, and gently nudged him. “Young Master Lou, Young Master Lou?”

Lin Jinlou startled as if frightened, looking at Madam Qin in confusion. “Mother, why are you here?”

“I came to check on you,” she said, reaching out to touch his face. With concern in her voice, she asked, “Where did you go last night? And your Second Uncle…” Seeing his expression, she dared not probe further or mention Xianglan. Instead, she said, “Let the maids bring water to wash your face, then you should lie down and rest.” When Lin Jinlou remained silent, she went ahead and ordered the washing items herself.

Soon, the maids brought in a silver basin. Madam Qin personally wrung out a handkerchief to wipe Lin Jinlou’s face. He remained silent, allowing her to tend to him. After wiping his face, she moved to clean his hands and noticed the socks he was still clutching. “Why are you holding onto these?… Oh, these socks aren’t even finished. What are you doing with them?”

This seemed to bring Lin Jinlou back to awareness. “Xianglan was making these for me,” he said, then smiled. “Mother, you don’t know how difficult it used to be to get her to make anything for me. I had to beg and threaten and plead, and she would still grumble and be reluctant. When she finally made me a pouch, it was just to get it over with – it made me so angry I could die. But later she got better. Whatever I asked for, she would make. And now look at these socks – I hadn’t even asked, but she saw the season changing and started making them on her own. Isn’t she thoughtful?”

Madam Qin stared in astonishment, mouth agape for a long while before responding, “Ah, that… yes, she is very thoughtful…” She thought to herself that her eldest son must be a glutton for punishment – so many women eagerly offered to make him clothes and shoes, which he never gave a second glance, yet here he was, having to beg this one girl, and getting so excited over just a pair of socks.

“Isn’t she though? She’s sincere, not like those who use sweet words and eager flattery to deceive people. When she cares for someone, it comes truly from her heart.” Lin Jinlou looked down at the socks, slowly smoothing out the wrinkles with his hand. He said softly, “I wonder where that silly girl has gone. How can she just disappear? These socks are still waiting for her to finish…”

Hearing these words, Madam Qin’s nose began to sting with emotion. Not daring to shed tears in front of Lin Jinlou for fear of triggering his grief, she quickly put the handkerchief on the table and took a deep breath. “Are you hungry? The kitchen is keeping your favorite dishes warm over a low fire. Would you like some?”

Before she finished speaking, Shu Ran announced from outside, “The Old Master and Master request Young Master’s presence in the study.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Jinlou rose to leave.

Madam Qin tried to stop him: “You’ve been busy all night. Eat something first and get some rest. The matter at the study can wait.”

Lin Jinlou shook his head. “Second Uncle nearly lost his life last night and was carried back. I must explain this to Grandfather and Father.” With that, he left.

Entering You Shi Hall, he found Lin Zhaoxiang and Lin Zhangzheng present. After paying his respects, Lin Jinlou explained the events of the previous night regarding Lin Zhangmin’s injury. He omitted the part about Lin Zhangmin conspiring with water bandits to take his life, merely stating briefly that his Second Uncle was injured in the neck while helping him fight bandits. Lin Zhaoxiang couldn’t help but feel troubled and worried. After leaving You Shi Hall, Lin Jinlou then told Lin Zhangzheng the whole truth. Lin Zhangzheng was shocked, his eyes wide, then flew into a rage: “That treacherous beast! He dared…” He quickly looked Lin Jinlou over, asking, “You weren’t hurt, were you?”

Lin Jinlou, looking exhausted, impatiently waved his hand. “Father, I need to go out and search for someone. I’m leaving now.” With that, he walked away.

Seeing his son’s cold demeanor, Lin Zhangzheng knew his son still harbored resentment toward him. His face darkened, and he wanted to call out, but seeing his son’s haggard appearance, his lips moved but no words came out.

Lin Jinlou went to the front study, mobilizing his forces, and dispatching all available men to search for her. He also had news spread throughout the city, offering a substantial reward, and alerting people from all walks of life to join the search. Shortly after, Shu Ran entered with a cup of strong tea. Lin Jinlou rubbed his face vigorously and picked up his riding crop from the table, ready to go out again when Ji Xiang rushed in, saying, “Young Master, Bao Er has returned with the news!”

Lin Jinlou’s whole body tensed. “Where is she?” Without waiting for an answer, he pushed past Ji Xiang and went outside, where he saw Bao Er standing at the study door. Seeing Lin Jinlou emerge, Bao Er immediately knelt. Lin Jinlou looked around and asked, “Where’s Xianglan?”

Bao Er stammered, “Madam Xianglan, she… she… didn’t come.”

“Where is she?”

“I… I don’t know…”

“What?”

Bao Er stole a glance at Lin Jinlou, then quickly lowered his head again.

As it happened, this Bao Er was Ying Ge’s brother, originally named Zhao Er, but had changed his name as it was taboo to use Lin Zhaoxiang’s given name. Because of his quick wit and adaptability, he had caught Lin Zhangmin’s eye and was usually tasked with handling his horses and carriages.

That day, when Lin Zhangmin ordered Lai Xing and Lai An to bind Xianglan, Lai Xing was uneasy and suspicious of everyone. He ordered Bao Er to prepare the carriage, berating him: “You stupid sack, acting like you can’t understand human speech when called! Today the master has important business, dealing with someone precious to those in the mansion. If anything goes wrong, we’ll all suffer.” Hearing this, Lai An immediately pulled him away. But Bao Er had heard clearly and thought to himself, “‘Someone precious to those in the mansion’ – could they mean Xianglan?” So he made an excuse about moving flower pots to follow them from a distance, hiding behind buildings. He saw them bind Xianglan and was greatly alarmed. He hurried to try to warn someone but was too late. In his panic, he spotted Gui Yuan, knowing he was close to Xianglan, and pretended to pick up a riding crop while passing along the message.

After they had bound Xianglan and the carriage left the city, Bao Er deliberately drove slowly, earning Lai Xing’s curses. Bao Er intentionally argued back, leading to Lai Xing’s fury. When Lai Xing climbed out of the carriage to sit on the shaft and argue with Bao Er, Bao Er seized his opportunity. At a turn, he suddenly pushed hard, catching Lai Xing off guard. With a cry, Lai Xing tumbled to the roadside, hitting his head on a rock and lying unconscious. Bao Er shouted and drove the carriage away at full speed, traveling quite a distance before stopping. He then went to the carriage and freed Xianglan.

Bao Er explained everything that had happened, then continued: “Madam was badly shaken. There was a Guanyin Temple nearby, so I took her there for water. She said she wasn’t feeling well, so I rushed out to find a doctor. When I returned, she was gone, leaving only this letter… I was terrified and searched for a day and night but couldn’t find her, so I finally came back…” As he spoke, he pulled out a letter and presented it with both hands.

Lin Jinlou quickly took the letter and opened it to read:

“To Esteemed Master Lin:

Three years have passed since I first entered your noble household. You did not despise my humble origins as I served at your side. Through life’s vicissitudes and many ups and downs, I was fortunate to receive your misplaced affection, though I feel deep shame when I reflect upon it in the quiet of the night. However, my body may be incomplete, unable to fulfill the responsibility of bearing children to continue your line. Moreover, this mansion feels like a prison, filled with right and wrong, worldly entanglements, and mundane disputes. I have never found joy here, and in the stillness of night, I often think how wealth and status are but dreams. I only wish for peace and tranquility, to disappear into the mists. After much consideration, I bid you farewell. Please take care of yourself and eat well. Take care, cherish yourself.

Respectfully wishing you well,

Your humble Chen Xianglan”

The beautiful formal calligraphy was unmistakably Xianglan’s handwriting.

Lin Jinlou held the letter in silence. Ji Xiang hardly dared to breathe. After a while, his master’s hands holding the letter began to shake, and his face turned ashen. He took several deep breaths, as if unable to believe it, and suddenly grabbed Bao Er’s collar, though his expression remained eerily calm. “Nonsense. Where is Xianglan? Where is she? WHERE?”

Bao Er was terrified, waving his hands. “I truly… truly don’t know, I don’t know…”

Lin Jinlou released his grip in a daze, and Bao Er collapsed to the ground. Lin Jinlou’s face turned purple with emotion. Yes, he had forced Xianglan into the household, and she had never wanted to stay here. This place had caused her nothing but suffering, and she had always wanted to leave. But what about him? Hadn’t she said she no longer hated him? After spending day and night together, had she truly developed no genuine feelings for him? Could she be so cruel as to leave without a word?

He had schemed so carefully, deploying troops and laying plans that reached the emperor’s ears, then working tirelessly to please his grandfather, begging his grandmother and mother, and standing up to his father – what had it all been for? What? He staggered backward two steps, nearly tripping on the doorframe and retreated into the room. Looking around in confusion, his eyes fell on the set of “The Chronicles of Scholar Lanxiang” displayed on the table. Those stories now seemed to mock him painfully – Chen Xianglan had never intended to stay with him forever. Deep down he had known this, but he had chosen to ignore it, believing she must have some feelings for him. But now he realized that from beginning to end, he had been the only one fooling himself!

He felt as if his heart was being carved out with a knife. The wound on his chest that had long healed seemed to fester anew. His temples throbbed, and his mind went blank – he couldn’t remember anything, couldn’t think of anything, completely defeated, feeling as if he would shatter at the slightest touch. As if in a dream, he walked to the table and with one sweep of his arm, “crash!” – the story books, tea cups, and all the tea implements crashed to the floor. With his back to the door, shoulders slumped, he forced words through gritted teeth: “Since you’ve left, never come back. Never, ever come back!”

Like a ghost, he walked numbly toward the back.

Shu Ran’s eyes filled with tears, and with a choked voice, called out: “Young Master…”

Lin Jinlou mumbled, “Master is dreaming. Don’t call anyone. Let me sleep for a while.”

Outside, all was silent. After everyone stood stunned for a long while, Ji Xiang helped Bao Er up and managed a forced smile. “Stay here, go rest in the side room.”

Shu Ran, worried about Lin Jinlou, waited quite a while before quietly walking to the inner study. Peering in, he saw Lin Jinlou lying on the kang bed with his back turned, his body trembling slightly – he appeared to be crying.