Xiang Lan halted her steps and slightly furrowed her brows. Being alone with Lin Jinlou seemed unwise, so she thought about quietly retreating. Just then, she spotted Yin Die following Chun Ling as they walked in her direction. After giving some instructions, Chun Ling departed down another small path.

Yin Die walked a few steps with her head down before looking up and seeing Xiang Lan. She froze momentarily, appearing uncomfortable. With a slight pout, she maintained her arrogant demeanor, walking past Xiang Lan with her head held high. Her gaze swept through the layered branches and caught sight of Lin Jinlou’s figure in Taoran Pavilion. She found herself unable to move forward. Though she wanted to approach, seeing Xiang Lan nearby made her secretly resent Xiang Lan’s ill-timed presence.

Xiang Lan, with her perceptive nature, immediately understood Yin Die’s intentions. She promptly clutched her stomach and said, “Oh my, oh my! My stomach suddenly hurts so much, I need to rush to the latrine.” She hurried away, bent over and holding her stomach.

Behind her back, Yin Die shot her a white-eyed glance and quietly cursed, “What a hasty ghost, rushing off as if to reincarnate!” She then adjusted her clothes and walked toward Lin Jinlou.

Xiang Lan ran a short distance, looked back to see Yin Die heading toward the pavilion, and quickly hid behind a cluster of bamboo. She thought to herself, “What’s poison to one is honey to another. Since Yin Die loves to climb the social ladder, I’ll help her achieve that.” She deliberately concealed herself behind an artificial mountain.

Meanwhile, Lin Jinlou was waiting for Xiang Lan when he suddenly heard a coquettish voice behind him: “Greetings to Young Master. When did you return home? Why didn’t you let us know? Here you are in this pavilion with nothing to eat or drink. Would you like some tea or food? Let this servant attend to you.”

He turned around to see a fifteen or sixteen-year-old maid with an oval face and large, watery eyes. She had some beauty to her, with powder and rouge on her face, wearing an ingratiating smile. Having seen plenty of such maids in the household, he remained unimpressed and said, “Your service isn’t needed here. You may go.”

Yin Die, having finally seized this opportunity, refused to let Lin Jinlou dismiss her so easily. She boldly stepped forward and said, “Young Master has just returned, how can you go without service? Shall I bring you some tea? The kitchen has fresh Iron Goddess tea brewing, with such a wonderful aroma. The ladies were just praising it endlessly…”

Lin Jinlou glanced at Yin Die and, seeing the obvious intention in her eyes, understood her motives. Currently focused on waiting for Xiang Lan, he grew impatient with Yin Die’s behavior, his expression darkening slightly.

Yin Die, unable to read his displeasure, continued when Lin Jinlou remained silent. She remembered the day when she had wanted to adjust his clothes but was caught and scolded by Chun Ling, still feeling resentful about it. She stared at Lin Jinlou’s pouch and said, “Young Master, your pouch is crooked,” reaching out to touch it.

Before her hand could reach the pouch’s edge, a loud “slap” rang out as her cheek received a harsh blow, leaving her stunned and crumpling to the ground.

Lin Jinlou, with a cold face, thundered: “Get out!”

Frightened beyond tears, Yin Die scrambled away on all fours.

Lin Jinlou frowned, thinking: “What does she take me for? How dare she offer herself with such mediocre looks and talents? How presumptuous. I haven’t taken many maids in the household at all. Hua Mei and the others, first, they’re exceptionally beautiful; second, they’re skilled in music; and third, I only took them into spite of Madam Zhao. There’s no reason to accept just anyone into my chambers.” It turned out that while Lin Jinlou was promiscuous outside the household, he maintained certain standards within. He preferred beautiful women and was extremely picky. If a woman was beautiful, he would find even their small quirks charming and refreshing. However, if she wasn’t exceptionally attractive, even with some beauty and gentle attentiveness, he would find her annoying if she didn’t meet his standards.

Just then, Qing Lan came over, supported by Chun Ling. Earlier, when Chun Ling had separated from Yin Die, she remembered several more instructions to give her. Upon returning, she saw Yin Die rushing to curry favor with the Young Master. She hurriedly returned to Long Cui Residence to quietly inform Qing Lan, and the mistress and servant rushed over together.

Qing Lan, having missed Lin Jinlou for many days, walked quickly toward him, causing Chun Ling to call out anxiously, “Madam, please slow down, slow down…”

With tears in her eyes, Qing Lan said, “Why didn’t you say you were back? How can Young Master sit here alone without anyone attending to you, without hot tea or water?”

Lin Jinlou smiled slightly: “I just returned and wanted to sit alone to clear my thoughts.” Suddenly remembering what Mama Wu had said earlier, he casually played with the thrush while saying, “I heard from Mama Wu that you’ve made quite a showing here.”

Qing Lan lowered her head shyly and said, “What do you mean by that? I’m young and inexperienced, haven’t been through much, and am rather clumsy with words. I’m also quite simple-minded, relying entirely on Mama Wu’s guidance.”

Lin Jinlou merely responded with a light “Mm.”

After all her efforts, Qing Lan most wanted Lin Jinlou’s special attention, but seeing his indifferent response, she thought perhaps she had been too modest. She continued, “Though I’m not talented, this poetry society has taken some shape. The First Madam, Second Madam, and several friendly madams from other families have praised its organization. But I know in my heart that their praise is just kindness, meant to encourage me.”

She paused here, hoping to draw praise from Lin Jinlou, but he didn’t even raise an eyebrow, continuing to whistle at the thrush chirping away.

Feeling somewhat embarrassed, Qing Lan continued, “Running this poetry society to everyone’s satisfaction is quite challenging. The masters from prestigious households aren’t easy to please. I’ve been quite nervous… Sister Hua Mei asked me to join in writing a poem, but how could I have such talent? Yet everyone insisted, so I reluctantly wrote one… ah, never mind, it’s quite laughable.”

This finally caught Lin Jinlou’s attention. He turned to look at Qing Lan and said, “You wrote a poem? Let’s hear it.”

Qing Lan quickly smiled and said, “It’s not good, I’m too embarrassed to recite it.”

Lin Jinlou said, “It’s fine, as long as you wrote it yourself, I’d love to hear it.” Though he smiled, his eyes carried a hint of coldness as they fixed on Qing Lan’s face.

Qing Lan’s heart trembled, feeling her little schemes were completely transparent before Lin Jinlou. She knew his temperament well – when gentle, his sweet words could melt one’s heart, but when his face darkened, his anger was like thunder. She almost blurted out “I didn’t write that poem,” but steadied herself and managed to say, “Since Young Master wishes to hear it, I’ll make a poor showing.” After much hesitation, she softly recited: “Whose white magnolia has fallen, lost in the spring breeze? Guarding its single thread of fragrance, entangled in life’s fleeting dreams.”

Lin Jinlou looked at Qing Lan: “Did you write this?”

Qing Lan forced a smile and nodded.

Lin Jinlou only said three words: “It’s quite good.”

Qing Lan’s expression showed immense relief as she let out a long breath, joy immediately showing on her face.

Lin Jinlou closed his eyes, slightly disappointed. He had thought highly of Qing Lan for two reasons: first, because she was a proper concubine personally chosen by Madam Qin; second, though not clever, she was gentle and considerate, honest and kind-hearted, making her pleasant company. Who would have thought that while not a bad person, she harbored such petty schemes and calculations, revealing her narrow-mindedness?

These two incidents with Yin Die and Qing Lan completely ruined Lin Jinlou’s mood. He no longer waited for Xiang Lan and said, “I’m feeling tired, I’ll go rest. You should attend to your duties.” He left without looking back.

Chun Ling’s face showed concern: “Madam, I don’t think the Young Master seemed… happy…”

Qing Lan asked in surprise, “Really? Didn’t the Young Master just praise my poem?” After thinking for a moment, she patted Chun Ling’s arm, “The Young Master must be troubled by official matters, we shouldn’t overthink it.”

Chun Ling wanted to say more but, seeing Qing Lan’s certainty, suppressed her doubts.