When returning to Zhi Chun Hall, the East Wing was quiet. After a full day’s work, everyone was tired and had gone to rest. Only Chun Ling persevered, still attending to Qing Lan, forcing herself to stay alert.

Xiang Lan had slept for a while in bed until Xiao Juan woke her at a lamp-lighting time for dinner. Because Qing Lan had done well with the poetry society, Madam Qin specially ordered Lu Lan to bring two extra dishes. Qing Lan immediately brightened up, and with Chun Ling adding to the cheerful atmosphere, the moment was quite harmonious.

Xiao Juan whispered to Xiang Lan, “Did you see Yin Die? She met with some bad luck somewhere and got slapped on the face – it’s swollen huge! She’s hiding it with her sleeve, too ashamed to show her face. She went straight to bed when she returned, and didn’t even eat dinner.”

Xiang Lan said quietly, “I think the Young Master slapped her.”

Xiao Juan widened her eyes in surprise: “The Young Master?” She covered her mouth and giggled, “Serves her right, should have happened sooner. You don’t know what nonsense she’s been saying about you behind your back!”

Before she finished speaking, they saw Ting Lan enter, smiling: “So here you are. The masters had their fun this morning, now it’s our turn. They’ve set up games in the back room, planning to play dice and Go. If you don’t have any duties tonight, why not join in for some fun?”

Xiao Juan clapped her hands: “Wonderful! We’ve been so confined these days, I’ve been wanting to play.” She tucked some copper coins into her clothes and pulled Xiang Lan along.

When Xiang Lan arrived and looked around, she saw several maids playing merrily together. After watching for a while, she found it uninteresting and left through the back courtyard. By then it was dark, with the moon hanging in the sky. Hearing the laughter from inside, she felt a slight envy for Xiao Juan and the others’ carefree nature.

Just then, someone said: “They’re all playing inside, why aren’t you joining them?”

Xiang Lan was startled and turned to see a tall figure standing before her, backlit and appearing somewhat dark. She quickly bowed and said, “Young Master,” intending to slip away along the wall.

Lin Jinlou stood with his arms crossed, eyes half-closed and a smile playing at his lips, still asking: “Why aren’t you joining them?”

Xiang Lan had to force herself to say: “I’m not good at playing, I’m afraid I’d spoil their fun.”

Seeing her standing prettily before him, head lowered obediently, Lin Jinlou smiled and said: “I know what you like to play…” He took a few steps, then turned back with furrowed brows: “Why aren’t you coming?”

Xiang Lan had no choice but to follow as Lin Jinlou led her to his front study.

When Shu Ran saw Lin Jinlou enter, she hurried forward, but he waved her away saying: “You’re not needed, go.” As Shu Ran withdrew, she carefully examined Xiang Lan. Seeing Xiang Lan look up at her, she smiled, turned, and closed the door behind her as she left.

Only the two of them remained in the room. Seeing Xiang Lan’s timidity, Lin Jinlou lowered his voice, speaking gently: “Why are you standing there like a fool, come here.”

Xiang Lan shuffled forward two steps with a lowered head, her heart panicking. Being alone in a room with Lin Jinlou was certainly not a good omen, but she had no way to escape. She resolved that if Lin Jinlou attempted anything improper, she would struggle to death. Looking up slightly, she saw Lin Jinlou smiling at her. He was naturally handsome, looking dignified when not smiling, but when he smiled there was a hint of lazy flirtation. This made Xiang Lan even more panicked, and she quickly looked down after a glance.

Lin Jinlou said: “Come here, I have something wonderful for you.”

Xiang Lan kept her head down and remained silent.

Lin Jinlou thought she was just scared, thinking that though this little maid was beautiful, she was always like a frightened rabbit, which wasn’t very interesting. He was usually skilled in matters of romance and refused to believe he couldn’t win over Xiang Lan. He took out the “Sky’s Dark Clouds Calligraphy” from the drawer and held it out to Xiang Lan: “Look at this, do you like it?”

Xiang Lan barely glanced at it, keeping her head down as she said: “Young Master’s possessions must all be fine things.”

Lin Jinlou said: “It’s nothing special, just Shen Zhou’s work, merely something rare and unique. Today I heard Mama Wu praising you endlessly, so I looked at your poem and your writing. Knowing you appreciate refinement, how about I give you this calligraphy?”

Hearing this, Xiang Lan’s heart sank. She quickly held out the calligraphy with both hands, shaking her head: “Such a thing should stay with Young Master, giving it to me would be wasteful… I can’t write poetry, I just know a few characters, mentioning it would only invite ridicule.”

Lin Jinlou chuckled softly, saying: “Why so anxious? Only we few know about this… Where did you learn to write?”

Xiang Lan responded respectfully: “As a child, I was a lay disciple at Jing Yue Temple, the masters there taught me.”

Lin Jinlou smiled: “So you were once a little nun.” As he reached for the calligraphy, he grabbed her wrist instead, pulling her into his embrace with one forceful movement.

Xiang Lan was shocked, her hands loosening as the calligraphy fell to the floor with a “thud.” She found herself in Lin Jinlou’s embrace, smelling alcohol, perfumed clothes, and male scent. Alarmed, she immediately pushed against him.

Lin Jinlou trapped both her wrists in one hand while his other arm wrapped around her waist. Feeling like he held a small bird frantically flapping its wings, he laughed heartily, his lips brushing her temple as he breathed hot air into her ear: “Don’t be afraid, I’m showing you my favor…”

These words chilled Xiang Lan to the bone, and she pleaded: “Young Master, please let go, someone like me doesn’t deserve Young Master’s favor…”

With such a delicate beauty in his arms, Lin Jinlou’s heart stirred. Smelling the subtle fragrance in Xiang Lan’s hair, he said frivolously: “If not you, then who deserves it? If you don’t like the calligraphy, I’ll give you something else.”

He opened a wooden box on his desk containing eight neatly arranged pure gold hairpins with ruby inlays. He casually took one and placed it in Xiang Lan’s hair, squinting as he admired it in the candlelight, saying lazily: “These just came into the shop yesterday. I liked them at first sight, thinking this set of pins would suit your complexion perfectly, making you look even more beautiful…” He grabbed her chin, trying to kiss her.

Xiang Lan turned her head to avoid him, crying as she spoke urgently: “I’m just a crude person, why would Young Master care about me? We’re still in Old Madam Zeng’s mourning period – I’d rather die than do this!”

Lin Jinlou’s expression darkened.

At that moment, outside the study, Ji Xiang was frantically saying: “First Madam, the Young Master said he’s not seeing anyone tonight…”

Zhao Yuechan, carrying a large food box, said: “I know, I’m just bringing him some food. The Young Master just returned from another province, I can’t rest easy without checking on him. I’ll just take one look, leave the food, and go.”

Both were important people, so Ji Xiang smiled placatingly: “The Young Master is busy with official matters, he really can’t spare time today. How about I deliver it for First Madam?”

Zhao Yuechan said coldly: “I won’t disturb his work, I’ll just leave the food and go. Is that not allowed?” She lifted her skirts and walked up the steps.

Earlier, she had heard from a courtyard guard that Lin Jinlou had taken a maid with him. Previously, Hua Mei had been taken to the study and claimed by Lin Jinlou, so Zhao Yuechan dared not be careless. She hurried over, and seeing Ji Xiang’s manner made her more suspicious, determined to see for herself what was happening.

Ji Xiang hurriedly spread his arms to block her, smiling apologetically: “My good Madam, you know our Master’s temper…”

Zhao Yuechan’s eyebrows shot up as she delivered a slap, spitting: “Worthless thing, you dare stop me!” Taking advantage of Ji Xiang’s shock, she kicked open the door to find Lin Jinlou embracing a maid, their activities obvious at a glance. The maid’s face was pale, exceptionally beautiful, with traces of tears still visible.

Zhao Yuechan felt her entire body go cold with anger.