After agreeing to help with the poetry society, Xiang Lan began working on it day and night. Since she didn’t want to disturb Qing Lan’s rest and preferred to stay low-profile while assisting Mother Wu, she moved to Rongcui Residence. She worked late into the night, with Mother Wu keeping her company in the evenings.

One evening, just before the garden was to be locked up, a seven or eight-year-old servant boy came knocking at Rongcui Residence’s door. When Xiang Lan answered, she saw the boy carrying a square lacquered box. He said, “My master says you’ve been working hard these past few days and sent some food.” He walked into the room, opened the food box, and took out a blue-and-white porcelain stemmed bowl, a dish of side dishes, and a plate of pastries.

When Xiang Lan opened the stemmed bowl’s lid, she found duck soup with wolfberries and red dates, creamy white and fragrant. Not recognizing the boy as one of those who served at Zhichun Hall, she asked, “Who is your master? Concubine Lan?”

The boy’s eyes twinkled mischievously as he smiled, “No, not her. Sister Xiang Lan, step outside the courtyard and you’ll see.” With that, he picked up the empty box and left.

Xiang Lan hurriedly followed him out to the courtyard entrance. The boy pointed toward a moon gate in the distance, “Sister, look over there.”

Xiang Lan craned her neck and saw dense, verdant bamboo by the moon gate. Someone stood behind the bamboo grove, half their face visible along with the corner of an indigo-patterned robe. Seeing Xiang Lan looking his way, he pushed aside the bamboo, revealing Song Ke’s handsome, fair face.

Xiang Lan stood dumbfounded as if frozen in place. Her mouth opened but no words came out, her mind blank except for one thought echoing in her heart: “How did he know I was at Rongcui Residence? He’s concerned about me… my husband brought me food…”

Song Ke smiled at Xiang Lan, which finally brought her back to her senses. She hurriedly performed a graceful curtsy. Song Ke’s heart warmed at the sight, and he nodded slightly with a smile.

The clever young servant said, “Sister, enjoy your meal. I’ll come back tomorrow to collect the empty bowls. I’m called Lu Dou. If you need anything or have any messages for our master, just let me know.”

Though Xiang Lan knew it wasn’t proper, she couldn’t help herself and pulled out some copper coins from her sleeve, saying, “Please thank your master properly for me. Tell him he needn’t spend money on me in the future, but I appreciate his thoughtfulness.”

Lu Dou refused to take the coins and ran off.

Xiang Lan looked up to see Song Ke still standing by the moon gate. Though she wanted to look longer, she feared being seen by others and reluctantly went back inside, closing the courtyard door. She peeked through the gap until Song Ke and Lu Dou turned and left before collecting herself and returning indoors.

Looking at the carefully prepared dishes on the table, her emotions were mixed. She had repeatedly told herself to abandon such impossible thoughts, and truly believed she had steeled her heart. Yet when faced with Song Ke, she couldn’t help but recall their previous life together – their harmonious marriage and deep affection.

Xiang Lan picked up the stemmed bowl, but before the soup reached her lips, tears fell.

Since their last parting, Song Ke had been thinking about requesting Xiang Lan’s transfer, but Lin Jinlou happened to be away. Lin Jinting had initially planned to simply inform Zhao Yuechan and take Xiang Lan directly, but coincidentally learned that his elder brother had gifted her some imperial Crystal Orchid Snow Cream. This made Lin Jinting hesitate. Lin Jinlou’s actions clearly showed some regard for this young maid called Xiang Lan, so taking her without permission seemed unwise. He decided to wait for Lin Jinlou’s return before making plans.

Song Ke constantly thought of Xiang Lan and had Lin Jinting gather information about her. Learning she had moved to Rongcui Residence for the poetry society preparations, he sent food to let her know he hadn’t forgotten her. Fortunately, Rongcui Residence was close to Lin Jinting’s Woyun Court, so his comings and goings wouldn’t arouse suspicion.

“…Sister Xiang Lan didn’t say much, just asked the master not to spend money anymore, though she accepts his thoughtfulness,” Lu Dou scratched his head. “She tried to give me some money, but of course, I couldn’t accept it.”

Song Ke sighed silently and looked back at Rongcui Residence’s small courtyard door, as if still able to see that delicate figure.

As the sun set, the garden’s caretaker came to patrol and, seeing Song Ke by the door, approached with a smile, “Master Ke, it’s time to lock up the garden. Please come back tomorrow.”

Song Ke took one last look before leaving with Lu Dou.

After this, Lu Dou brought food daily. Xiang Lan would stand at the door to curtsy to Song Ke, and they would gaze at each other from afar. Though they never spoke, they seemed to understand each other’s hearts, finding intoxicating sweetness in their unspoken feelings.

The day of the poetry society gathering arrived, and Qing Lan personally delivered the invitation to Madam Qin. Madam Qin visited Rongcui Residence and found it transformed, with hundreds of flower pots displaying their beauty inside and out. Two pomegranate trees in the courtyard were in full bloom, while outside stood a clear stream, interesting rocks, and a winding corridor. Though not as elegant as other places, it had its charm.

Madam Qin asked several questions and was amazed to find everything perfectly arranged.

The next day, ladies from various households arrived by carriage and sedan chair. Qing Lan had dressed early in a pink and white phoenix-tailed patterned flesh-colored robe with gold trim and round collar. Spring Ling had styled her hair in an intricate silver-thread bun, and she wore some makeup. Though visibly pregnant, she didn’t appear bulky and still looked like a pretty young wife among the crowd. Since she wasn’t experienced with social occasions, Madam Qin had Lin Dongqi accompany and guide her. Soon, all the women had arrived in twos and threes, and Rongcui Residence grew lively.

Xiang Lan, not fond of crowds, sat on a small stool in the back supervising the kitchen service. Mother Wu came over quietly and patted her shoulder, “What are you doing here? It’s very lively up front with about twenty guests. Go get some rewards.”

Xiang Lan smiled, “If I leave, who will watch the kitchen?”

Mother Wu asked, “Have you eaten?”

“I had something earlier,” Xiang Lan replied.

Mother Wu said, “The main dishes are all served, with just porridge and snacks remaining. I’ll have Chun Ling watch things here. You go to the front. I’ve told the Madam how much you’ve helped these days, and she wants to reward you properly.”

Xiang Lan hesitated.

Mother Wu urged, “Go on. You’ve helped the Concubine save a lot of face. The Madam has rewarded all the maids, even Xiao Juan and Yin Die got red packets.”

Xiang Lan finally went to the front, where she found the courtyard filled with ladies in jewels and ornaments, their laughter like oriole songs. She walked along the wall and saw a beautiful woman who somewhat resembled Madam Qin sitting beside her, both chatting and laughing.