After parting with Xiang Lan, Song Ke headed toward Shun Fu Tower. The proprietor personally waited at the entrance, and upon seeing Song Ke, he hurriedly stepped forward with repeated bows and a face full of smiles, “Young Master Song, please come in. The Luo Rui Chamber is on the second floor.”

Song Ke climbed the stairs, faintly hearing the sound of string instruments. Lu’er was guarding the door. When he pushed the door open, he saw a young maiden of seventeen or eighteen sitting in the corner of the room. She wore an emerald green dress with a bright red sash around her waist, looking quite striking. Her fingers plucked at the guzheng strings with a melodious “ding-dong” sound. Upon seeing Song Ke, she gave a sweet smile, showing three parts bashfulness, five parts grace, and two parts alluring charm. Though she appeared proper, there was an indefinable hint of flirtatiousness about her—perfectly balanced in every way.

Lin Jin Ting sat in a master’s chair by the window, his elbow propped on the windowsill, one hand waving a fan as he leaned out to look. He swayed his head to the guzheng music, his expression thoroughly enchanted.

Song Ke pulled out a chair and sat down. Just as he raised his teacup, Lin Jin Ting teased, “Oh, now that you’re done with your beauty, you finally decided to return.”

Song Ke’s hand paused. He gave Lin Jin Ting a look but said nothing, simply lifting his tea bowl to drink.

Lin Jin Ting made faces, leaning forward and covering his mouth with his fan, his eyes twinkling with mischief: “I was wondering why that girl’s eyes went straight when she saw you like she was stupefied. So it turns out you’re the one who caused this romantic entanglement.”

Song Ke rebuked, “Nonsense!” He picked up a piece of mung bean cake and stuffed it into Lin Jin Ting’s mouth to silence him.

Chewing on the cake, Lin Jin Ting snickered wickedly, “Still playing hard to get? Let me ask you, where did your fan go? Heh, your young master here saw everything clearly from the second floor.” He opened his fan with a “whoosh” and fanned himself contentedly, asking with satisfaction, “Come on, tell me, which family’s daughter is she? Who would have thought that you, you sly fox, say one thing and do another? I thought you stayed away from women, but it turns out wildflowers smell sweeter than home-grown ones to you.”

Song Ke felt slightly displeased hearing Lin Jin Ting make light of Xiang Lan. He gripped his cup, his expression darkening.

Lin Jin Ting stroked his chin as if savoring the memory, “Tsk tsk, though she’s a bit young, she’s quite a beauty… Yi Fei, you have good taste. No wonder you look down on all the maids in the mansion.”

Song Ke set down his teacup with a clang, looking at Lin Jin Ting with an ambiguous smile, “Speaking of good taste, I can’t compare to you, Third Young Master Lin. Even when having tea outside the mansion, you must have a beauty play music for entertainment. Aren’t you afraid others will know you’re seeking pleasure during your great-grandmother’s mourning period and report it to your father? It seems since you took in Su Ju, you’ve become quite loose with your behavior, your mouth full of flowery words.”

Lin Jin Ting replied carelessly, “Who the hell has nothing better to do than report your young master? This Shun Fu Tower belongs to my elder brother. Behind closed doors, who would know we brothers are enjoying ourselves here… Come on, tell me quickly which family that girl is from. If you make me happy, perhaps your young master will even act as a matchmaker for you at that girl’s house.”

Song Ke lowered his eyes and remained silent for a long while. Finally, he raised his tea bowl for another sip, then leaned closer to Lin Jin Ting and said in a low voice, “That girl just now is from your Lin family. I’ve met her a few times. She currently serves Concubine Lan in your elder brother’s household. Her name is Xiang Lan. When the time is right, help me request to have her transferred to my service.”

Lin Jin Ting was just about to put a piece of sweet pastry in his mouth when he was so shocked that the dessert fell onto the table with a “plop.” He stared at Song Ke with wide eyes: “Hey hey, you… I was just joking around, but you’ve set your heart on her?”

Song Ke just drank his tea without saying a word.

Lin Jin Ting stared at Song Ke for a long while, then burst out laughing: “Unexpected, unexpected! That maid does have some good fortune. Alright, I’ll help you request her tomorrow. My elder brother dotes on me the most. Asking for a maid isn’t any big deal… When it’s done, how will you thank me?”

Song Ke smiled, “How would you like me to thank you?”

Lin Jin Ting thought for a moment and said, “I want your Five Sons Offering Changshou famille rose square vase. I can give it to my mother as a birthday gift next year.”

Song Ke replied calmly, “Fine.”

Lin Jin Ting’s eyes widened again: “Oh my, that vase is from the previous dynasty, and you’re willing to part with it? Tsk tsk, you are sincere. Had I known, I should have asked for that mutton-fat jade pendant.”

Song Ke rapped Lin Jin Ting’s head with his chopsticks: “A snake trying to swallow an elephant—how greedy you are, taking advantage of the situation to extort me. That vase isn’t free. I heard that the girl is house-born and still has her parents. Later, you’ll need to help transfer her whole family over.”

Lin Jin Ting patted his chest and said, “No problem. How could such a small matter be difficult for me?”

Song Ke felt somewhat relieved. Thinking of Xiang Lan’s jade-like face, his chest grew warm. He took a big gulp of tea, and thinking that this girl would soon be by his side, a trace of joy couldn’t help but rise from the bottom of his heart. Even the sound of strings and bamboo instruments became increasingly pleasing to his ears.

Let us leave Song Ke and Lin Jin Ting’s conversation for now. Speaking of Xiang Lan, she was walking home with Song Ke’s fan, her heart alternating between joy and sorrow. As she stepped into the courtyard, she saw three or four women surrounding Madam Xue in the yard, all neighbors from left and right. Upon seeing Xiang Lan, they all smiled and said, “Oh, if it isn’t Miss Chen who has returned!”

Some came forward to warmly take Xiang Lan’s hand: “Let me see, let me see. Tsk tsk, the mansion’s environment does nurture people well. Young Miss has grown even more beautiful, truly like a heavenly fairy.”

“I always said this girl has good features. Look at how broad her forehead is, how beautiful her appearance is—one look tells you she’s blessed with good fortune. In the future, she’ll either be a wealthy lady or an official’s wife.”

“Indeed, she’s only been in the mansion for such a short time and already promoted to second rank. Zhang family’s daughter has been in the mansion for three or four years and hasn’t even made it to third rank.”

Some took Madam Xue’s hand and said, “Your daughter will surely make it big. Today she came back in a sedan chair. In a few days when the young mistress bears a son, your eldest daughter will be even more prestigious. You just wait to enjoy the blessings from your daughter.”

This praise made Madam Xue’s face bloom with smiles, though she made a show of modesty, waving her hands repeatedly saying, “How could it be so good? You’re all praising her too much.” As she looked at Xiang Lan, she felt that her daughter truly had grown into a beauty with an extraordinary air about her, incomparable to other families’ daughters. Such a daughter had come from her womb!

She then proudly thrust out her chest and said, “But speaking of our Xiang Lan, she is extraordinary. Before I gave birth to her, I dreamed of many orchids, their fragrance so pleasant it soothed all my internal organs and they were gleaming with golden light. Even Fortune Teller Ma said I would bear a daughter destined for wealth and nobility, who would let me enjoy a comfortable life.”

Hearing this, the others praised her even more enthusiastically.

With everyone talking at once, Xiang Lan felt uncomfortable and was about to make an excuse to slip away when she heard someone say in a sarcastic tone, “It’s just second rank, yet look how pleased they are, as if she’s become the mistress herself.”

Xiang Lan looked toward the voice and saw a slightly plump woman in her forties wearing a semi-worn blue silk jacket, her hair neatly combed, appearing somewhat respectable. Seeing Xiang Lan look at her, she glared back, flicked her handkerchief, and walked away with a snort.

Beside her, an elderly woman known as “Third Madam Li,” who had moved in after Second Sister-in-law Lü’s family was sold off, had a son and daughter working in the Lin household, and came from an honest family. Third Madam Li pulled Xiang Lan aside and said quietly, “Don’t mind her. Her daughter works with you, called Chun Ling. Her daughter has been working in the mansion for years, and when she was promoted to second rank some days ago, their family almost started beating drums and gongs in celebration. Now she’s just jealous that you got promoted to the second rank in such a short time.”

Xiang Lan suddenly understood why that woman looked familiar—she was Chun Ling’s mother. She shook her head and smiled at Third Madam Li, “Chun Ling is much more capable than me in serving the young mistress. She’ll be promoted to first rank sooner or later. Her mother needn’t be so anxious.”

Third Madam Li smiled with half-closed eyes, “My dear girl, you truly have a generous heart.”

Xiang Lan smiled with pursed lips. Her ambitions had never been confined to the Lin mansion. While others saw the Lin household as their entire sky, she viewed it as a cage. Let them fight over positions like managing maid or respectable servant—she was merely a passerby. Her heart and aspirations lay in the broader world beyond the Lin mansion.