Spring days lingered on. In late spring, the weather suddenly turned cool, and after several light rains, the grass and trees grew increasingly lush.

Xiang Lan carefully tucked away her valuables close to her body and packed two pieces of clothing into a peony-patterned bundle, stepping lightly as she left Zhi Chun Hall. This was her first visit home since coming to Zhi Chun Hall. Since Lin Jin Lou had dined in the east wing, Qing Lan was in a good mood, so when Xiang Lan mentioned visiting home, she granted her leave for the next day, even saying that if it got too late, she could stay overnight and return when the manor gates opened the next morning.

Xiang Lan was naturally delighted and hurriedly packed her things, leaving the manor early the next day. Her home was in an alley behind the Lin Manor, and since she had been promoted to second rank, the second gate assigned a matron to accompany her home. The matron surnamed Cai was small and capable, treating Xiang Lan with great enthusiasm, smiling as she said: “Miss, you serve under Mistress Lan, how is her health? Everyone in the manor hopes she’ll give Young Master a son – that would be a tremendous joy.”

Xiang Lan smiled gently: “Mistress is in excellent health, thank you for everyone’s concern.”

While chatting with Xiang Lan, Matron Cai ordered a small sedan chair prepared, but Xiang Lan quickly stopped her, saying with a smile: “My home is just in the alley behind the manor, very close, just a few steps away. Why go to the trouble of preparing a sedan chair?”

Matron Cai smiled: “My dear girl, which respectable maid leaves the manor without riding in a sedan chair? Those going further even take carriages. Your Mistress Lan’s maid Yin Die, though only third rank and usually not particular about such things, still slips the doorkeeper some money, claiming her legs hurt, to get a sedan chair home. Everyone knows very well it’s not about leg pain, it’s about keeping up appearances… Moreover…” Matron Cai looked at Xiang Lan’s expression and grinned, showing slightly yellowed teeth, “Moreover, miss lives in the alley behind the manor, you must be house-born, right? Taking a sedan chair brings honor to your parents. Those in the back streets who judge others by their status – arriving home in style will make them look up to you.”

Xiang Lan had initially not wanted to ride in the chair, but after hearing Matron Cai’s words, she changed her mind, silently praising the old woman’s understanding of social nuances. Soon after, Matron Cai indeed had a small green oilcloth two-bearer sedan chair prepared, which swayed as it carried Xiang Lan away.

Sitting in the sedan chair, Xiang Lan occasionally lifted the curtain to look outside, feeling that even this short distance seemed especially far. Some alleys were particularly narrow, forcing the chair to take a roundabout route before arriving. Children were playing at the alley entrance, and several old women sat together gossiping. Seeing a sedan chair arrive, they squinted their eyes, and upon recognizing Xiang Lan alighting from it, they began whispering among themselves.

Xiang Lan gave some money to the bearers and Matron Cai, asking them to return at the third quarter of the You hour. She pushed open the courtyard gate and entered, seeing Madam Xue with her back turned, hanging clothes in the yard. Xiang Lan walked over lightly and called out: “Mother!”

Madam Xue quickly turned around, and upon seeing Xiang Lan, her face lit up with joy. Wiping her hands on her apron, she exclaimed happily: “How did you come back? Quick, come inside!” She grabbed Xiang Lan’s hand and led her into the house, busying herself with pouring tea and bringing out snacks, alternately urging Xiang Lan to drink the freshly brewed hot tea and eat the five-spice melon seeds bought yesterday, along with two pieces of rock candy and sesame pastries from a neighbor’s celebration last month, bustling about continuously.

Xiang Lan felt warmth in her heart and stopped Madam Xue, saying: “Mother, don’t busy yourself, let’s just talk.” She then asked: “Where’s Father?”

Madam Xue replied: “Your father’s still at the shop. When he returns at noon and sees you, he’ll surely be overjoyed. Just last night we were talking about you. He still regrets not stopping you from entering the manor, not knowing if you’re doing well there or suffering any grievances. Last time you came back, your face was so sallow, it worried us sick. We asked around and heard you were serving the Young Miss… That Young Miss isn’t a good person at all. Your father and I were so worried we couldn’t sleep all night…” As she spoke, she held Xiang Lan’s hand, looking her up and down, unable to suppress her concern: “You look better than last time, but still thinner than when you left home…”

Xiang Lan’s nose tingled with emotion. While enduring hardships alone in the Lin Manor, treading carefully as if on thin ice, she had forgotten that she was still loved by someone. While some treated her as a mere object to be used at will, her parents would always see her as the flesh of their flesh, carefully cherishing her in their hearts. She hugged Madam Xue’s arm and said coquettishly: “I’m doing very well in the manor, don’t worry, parents. Cao Li Huan has already been driven out by Madam, and now I serve Young Master’s Mistress, and I’ve even been promoted to second rank.”

Madam Xue exclaimed joyfully: “Really? Promoted to second rank?”

Xiang Lan nodded with a grin: “Mistress is kind-hearted and has rewarded me with many things.”

Xiang Lan pulled Madam Xue to sit on the kang bed, opened her small bundle, and took out items one by one to show her, saying softly: “These are rewards I’ve received since entering the manor.”

Madam Xue first picked up the jade bracelet and held it up to the light, then looked at the agate golden hairpin and coral earrings, beaming with joy: “You’re just a maid serving the Mistress, yet you’ve received such fine rewards, truly respectable.”

Xiang Lan said: “Young Master dotes on Mistress, he even privately gave her a shop, not to mention regular rewards, and gives her extra monthly allowance for expenses. These few pieces of silver are just a drop in the ocean to Mistress Lan.” She took the bracelet and put it on Madam Xue’s wrist, smiling: “I brought these back to show my filial respect to you, Mother. Wear whichever one you like.”

Madam Xue hurriedly removed the bracelet and pushed it back into Xiang Lan’s hands, saying: “I spend all day washing, mending, and sewing – wearing these fine things would be a waste. You’re at the age to enjoy pretty things, and we can’t afford to buy you much at home. Now that your masters have rewarded you with some nice things, you should keep them to wear. I also came from the Lin Manor and know how status-conscious people there are. They look down on those who dress poorly and take any chance to step on them.”

Xiang Lan smiled: “I have more, these are for you, Mother, and besides, I don’t care much for wearing these things.” She took out some needlework from her bundle and said: “I made a pair of shoes for each of you in my spare time. The fabric is leftover from making Mistress’s summer clothes, all fine silk, cool to wear in summer. Mother, you’re getting older, don’t stay up late doing needlework to supplement the household income, it’s bad for your eyes. This is my regular salary, enough for the family to use for a while. Please don’t let Father know, or he’ll take the money to drink and carouse with those worthless friends of his.” She tucked a small purse into Madam Xue’s hand.

Madam Xue held the purse and said: “I’ll save all this money for you… for your dowry.”

Xiang Lan felt uncomfortable hearing the word “dowry” and lowered her head without speaking.

Madam Xue picked up the silver ring given by Qing Lan and examined it repeatedly, then pressed her palms together in prayer, saying: “Your mistress truly has the heart of a Bodhisattva. You must remember her kindness and serve her well.”

Xiang Lan fiddled with the scattered jewelry on the bed and said: “She treats me well, I will naturally repay her kindness.”

Madam Xue glared at Xiang Lan and said: “What do you mean ‘repay’? You’re her maid, being loyal to your masters is your duty.”

Xiang Lan took a sip of hot tea and said casually: “It’s just luck of birth, this master and servant business. I’ve never had such thoughts in my heart. If she treats me well, I naturally respond with sincerity; if she treats me poorly, why should I be blindly loyal?” She thought silently about how Madam Xue would react if she knew that she had twice betrayed her mistress by reporting to Madam Qin, and sighed softly, “Right now I’m a servant, but who knows what will happen in a few years? Perhaps they’ll all be calling me ‘Madam’ or ‘Lady’ someday.”

These words pleased Madam Xue, who smiled and spat playfully: “Such big ambitions! Your father and I don’t expect you to become any Madam or Lady, we’re content as long as you’re safe and sound.” After thinking for a moment, she hurriedly added, “Don’t say such things in front of others.”

Xiang Lan smiled and said: “How could I? I only say such things at home.”

Mother and daughter chatted and laughed for a while.

At noon, Madam Xue busied herself around the stove, cooking several dishes that Xiang Lan loved. When Chen Wan Quan returned home and saw Xiang Lan, he was naturally overjoyed, and upon hearing that she had been promoted to second rank in the manor, he immediately beamed with happiness, straightening his back and downing his cup of wine in one gulp, laughing heartily: “No wonder Fortune Teller Ma said Xiang Lan had some good fortune coming. She’s only been in the manor for such a short time and has already been promoted to the second rank. The Gong family’s second daughter has been in the manor for so many years and is still only third rank, yet she still brags and puts on airs in front of me. Pah! Look at my Chen Wan Quan’s daughter… my child, perhaps before long you’ll become a Junior Miss.”

Xiang Lan rubbed her forehead: “Father, you mustn’t speak carelessly about such things outside.”

Chen Wan Quan glared: “Tsk, how is this ‘speaking carelessly’?”

Xiang Lan said helplessly: “Father if you go out boasting, won’t it make people dislike us? Besides, there are many second-rank maids in the manor, bragging about this will only invite ridicule.”

Chen Wan Quan grew more displeased: “Why can’t I talk about it? This is good news, why can’t I spread it around a bit?”

Xiang Lan silently sighed. Her father in this life, though kind-hearted, was weak and timid, loving to boast, often exaggerating one thing into ten, with a very vulgar air. Because of this personality, despite his skill in appraising antiques, he could only be a third-rank manager in the shop. Xiang Lan wanted to admonish him further, but seeing Chen Wan Quan’s face full of pride and satisfaction, she closed her mouth, thinking to herself: “I rarely get to come home from the manor, why should I make Father unhappy over this? Besides, he’s just bragging to his drinking companions.”

Madam Xue picked up some food with her chopsticks and put it in Xiang Lan’s bowl, saying with a smile: “Now that Lan’er has been promoted to second rank, arranging a marriage will be different. The families of Manager Liu and Manager Huang all seem unsuitable now… A few days ago, Second Sister Xia from across the street wanted to make a match with our family, mentioning her nephew to me… Her nephew is a common citizen, but I heard he studies well and wants to take the imperial examinations to become an official. He’s currently studying hard at home, preparing for the provincial examinations. I previously thought his family was a bit poor, and worried that a scholar might have high standards, and Lan’er might suffer if she married into their family. But now that Lan’er has been promoted to second rank in the manor, she’s better than ordinary young ladies when she leaves, the Xia family would surely be delighted!”

Madam Xue grew increasingly excited as she spoke, her face blooming with smiles: “When I get the chance, I’ll go take a look at young Master Xia. If his appearance is proper and his temperament good, we should settle it early.”

Chen Wan Quan frowned and said: “The Xia family’s circumstances are worse than ours, what use is it to just be good at studying? Later he’ll just be full of scholarly poverty. Let’s wait until young Master Xia passes the provincial examinations.”

Madam Xue snorted: “If we wait until he passes the examinations, it’ll be too late. By then, who knows how many families will want to make a match… Besides, not everything can go exactly as you wish…”

Xiang Lan found this increasingly unsuitable and quickly changed the subject, turning to discuss why Cao Li Huan had been expelled from the manor, only omitting the parts about her betrayal and nearly being assaulted by Si Shun’er. Her parents were both shocked and sighing, thoroughly discussing Cao Li Huan for a while, temporarily setting aside the matter of young Master Xia.