This time, Xiang Lan returned to Jinling as Lin’s primary wife, and Lin Jinlou held several days of banquets at the mansion for her. First, he invited influential and prestigious families who were close to the Lin family, and second, he invited prominent relatives from the clan who frequently visited. However, one clan member’s wife from the “Zhao” generation, Madam Ding, known as Fifth Madam Lin, did not attend.
Madam Ding was also descended from generations of officials, but her family’s fortunes had declined by her father’s generation. Though plain in appearance, she was extremely skilled in needlework and embroidery. She was capable and strong-willed, having earned a reputation while still unmarried, and subsequently married into a branch of the Lin family. Unexpectedly, her husband died young, and as the family gradually fell into hardship, Ding refused to remarry, raising her two children alone. When clan members tried to bully her as a helpless widow, she confronted them with two kitchen knives, causing such a commotion that the clan leader had to intervene to ensure justice. From then on, her reputation soared. Due to her capabilities, she became involved in managing both major and minor affairs among the clan’s wives, sisters-in-law, and relatives by marriage, earning even Madam Qin’s respect. Later, when her maiden family showed signs of revival and her son passed the provincial examinations to become an official, securing an imperial title for his mother, Madam Ding became even more authoritative.
Mother Wu, who had returned with Xiang Lan and others, was an elder well-connected both inside and outside the mansion. Being extremely astute and sharp-eyed, she quietly told Xiang Lan: “Fifth Madam is close with Duke Xian’s wife. When the Duke’s daughter Zheng Jin Xian had marital troubles with young Master Song, the Duchess claimed… claimed that you seduced men, and then climbed up the social ladder with the Young Master, saying your fox-spirit nature couldn’t be changed anywhere. This made Madam Ding believe you were a fox spirit too, not having a single good word to say about you. When Young Master published ‘The Biography of the Lan Xiang Scholar,’ Fifth Madam saw his intention to marry you and said the story was mostly fabricated, that you could never marry into the Lin family, being just a lowly maid of humble birth, like a toad eating swan meat, saying it would only bring shame to the family. She even specially wrote to our Old Madam about it. Old Madam, knowing Young Master’s temperament, feared he would become angry if he knew and strain relations with these relatives, so she quickly burned the letter. This time when Young Master invited relatives, many people tried to persuade Madam Ding to come, but she refused… I’m telling you this so you’ll be aware.”
She then comforted Xiang Lan, saying, “Don’t worry, Madam. You won’t run into her anyway, just maintaining face on the surface is enough.”
Xiang Lan was stunned. As Mother Wu tried to say more comforting words, Xiang Lan smiled and said: “I understand. She even wrote to Old Madam, and who knows what else she’s said about me behind my back. To say I’m not upset at all would be a lie. But Mother Wu, you know how much I’ve been through to get where I am today. In this world, there will always be people who consider you worthless and point fingers at you, leaving you unable to defend yourself. But who you truly are can’t be changed by their harsh, bitter words.”
Mother Wu hadn’t expected Xiang Lan to be so open-minded and couldn’t help sighing: “That’s right, this is how it should be. Public opinion is frightening – it has killed many heroes, let alone young women. Why bother? Why ruin good days over a few words?”
Xiang Lan said: “When I was younger and didn’t understand the world, if someone spoke acidly about me or wronged me, even if I didn’t say anything, I harbored hatred in my heart, not to mention wanting to talk back, always feeling I needed to respond with harsher words to feel better. Later, I gradually realized it wasn’t worth it. Don’t argue, don’t fight – people have different perspectives and varying depths of understanding. Just act with a good heart. When people say things, no matter how unpleasant, just smile. If you can’t let go of a few words, how will you handle bigger things in the future?”
Mother Wu smiled and said: “My dear, to be honest with you, Madam, many naive and envious maids below are jealous, sourly saying that you only have a pretty face from your parents. How would they know that while the Young Master has seen many beauties, he ultimately fell deeply in love here because of the depths of your heart?”
Xiang Lan couldn’t help but laugh: “How much am I worth? Others might not know, but surely you do, Mother Wu? I’m just an ordinary person, actually quite timid and narrow-minded. When I first came to the mansion, I wholeheartedly believed I was better than others, feeling unwilling about everything, as if I were a fine jade covered in dust, fallen into this mire of gossip. It took many hard lessons to learn not to look down on anyone, to realize that one must ultimately be humble and peaceful.”
Mother Wu looked up to see Xiang Lan’s skin glowing like snow, radiant like a bright pearl. She secretly sighed, wondering who could imagine that this delicate flower-like girl had experienced so many hardships in just a few short years, becoming so steady and sensible – her broad-mindedness probably expanded through suffering.
The matter was dropped from then on, with no one mentioning it again.
Time flew like a white colt passing a crack, months passing like a shuttle. A year had passed in the blink of an eye. Since marriage, Lin Jinlou had no other desires – having finally won the person he had worked so hard to get, who now shared his deep affection and revolved around him daily, he was completely content. He would make excuses to avoid social engagements, returning home early to talk and enjoy time with Xiang Lan, or he would review official documents while she curled up on the chaise lounge reading, occasionally coming over to refill his tea. Though wordless at times, they shared peaceful tranquility. Sometimes she would teach him to paint, and when tired of writing, he would take a lantern and lead Xiang Lan to the courtyard for a walk, stealing kisses in the night, holding her in his arms, breathing in her fragrant hair, feeling everything was perfect. It seemed that after living almost thirty years, he had finally found his peace of mind, feeling an almost unreal happiness.
Xiang Lan was also secretly amazed. Lin Jinlou had originally been someone with many social engagements, long accustomed to a life of pleasure, but after marriage, he declined all outside entertainment, and even when he couldn’t avoid them, he would return early, seemingly very content to be at home. When free, he often took her out – to watch opera at theaters, dine at restaurants, visit scenic spots, and occasionally stay at their country estate for a few days. Yet he remained imperious and bad-tempered, brooking no opposition, though when his anger passed and he saw her truly upset and ignoring him, he would shamelessly hang around her, playing dumb as if nothing had happened, making her not know whether to laugh or cry. Xiang Lan understood that this tyrant could never become a gentle, considerate young lord – he still bullied her occasionally, insisting she follow his wishes, but seeing that rascal made her heart happy in an inexplicably reassuring way.
One day, Lin Jinlou and Xiang Lan were visiting old friends when passing by Taiyu Tower, Lin Jinlou remembered their unique six vegetarian dishes and sent someone to buy them. As Xiang Lan waited in her sedan chair, she peeked through a crack and saw a tall, thin man approaching who looked familiar. As he got closer, she realized it was Xia Yun. He wore a plain blue robe, dressed simply and plainly, with sunken cheeks. Though not destitute, he was haggard, with a vacant expression far from content.
After he passed by, Xiang Lan was still in a daze. Gui Yuan, noticing this, came forward and asked, “Does Madam know this person?” Xiang Lan replied, “He is Master Xia, I knew him before. I wonder how he’s doing now.”
Gui Yuan kept this in mind, inquired about Xia Yun’s residence, and truly went to investigate. He returned to tell Xiang Lan: “This Master Xia lost his degree, then changed his name and took examinations in another province, but only passed the county level exam, never advancing further. Due to his bad reputation, he faced much discrimination and could only earn money teaching children and copying books. Two years ago, while he was taking exams in another province, his father fell seriously ill at home, spending money on water but never getting better. His second sister-in-law couldn’t bear it and instigated her husband – the two secretly locked the old father alone in a room at night. At first, neighbors said the old man could be heard cursing in the room, but gradually the sound ceased. When Xia Yun returned and opened the door, he found him skeletal, barely human, with excrement everywhere – he had been starved to death. The county magistrate sentenced his second brother’s family to immediate execution, while other siblings were beaten with planks. Alas, how pitiful. They say he’s lost heart and is preparing to leave his family behind to seek his fortune in the north.”
Xiang Lan remained silent upon hearing this. She grabbed some money from her fan and gave it to Gui Yuan, personally seeing him to the door, saying softly, “There’s a package of pastries in the outside cabinet, take them to eat.” Gui Yuan, taking the money from the hand that had grabbed the fan, smiled and said, “Hua Shan still cares for us the most.” Hua Shan glared at him, half-smiling, and flipped her braid as she entered the room.
That night, the couple lay side by side in bed, with Jinlou lazily stroking Xiang Lan’s hair as they chatted casually. He usually didn’t like discussing his affairs with women, thinking they had long hair but short wisdom, were prone to emotional entanglements, spread gossip, could argue endlessly over a single word, and could cry over the smallest things – he really couldn’t be bothered. But Xiang Lan was different – her words were soft, her voice gentle, she was intelligent and reasonable, never gossiped about others, and thought about things with tolerance. Talking with her was like taking a cooling medicine, clearing his mind and gradually easing the worries and irritations from his daily official duties. While their physical intimacy was certainly full of passion and sweetness, these midnight conversations, warm and peaceful, made him feel even more content.
Xiang Lan told Lin Jinlou about Xia Yun’s situation. Playing with her fingers, Lin Jinlou said, “I heard you once kowtowed to him. His current situation is karmic retribution – has your resentment subsided?”
Xiang Lan sighed, “Though he was somewhat arrogant, he wasn’t a bad person, just born unlucky. It shows that poverty isn’t what ruins a family, but rather improper family conduct. Back then, because of him, my father nearly lost his life – I hated him extremely. Later, all that hatred and vengeance faded away, I could barely remember this person… You don’t know, he used to be quite a proper young man, but now his face is weathered, he’s aged more than ten years – his appearance shows he’s been through hardships. Young Master, please restore his provincial examination degree to him.”
Lin Jinlou slightly furrowed his brows: “Restore his degree?”
“Yes, he earned that degree through years of hard study, he truly has real learning and ability.” Xiang Lan lay on Lin Jinlou’s arm, her hand on his chest. “With his reputation, even if he gets justice, it will be hard for him to become an official, but it’s still better than his current situation. You hate me, I hate you – harming each other back and forth, deepening grudges – there’s no point to it. Besides, so much time has passed, and what happened back then wasn’t entirely his fault.”