Lin Jinlou was already annoyed at Xiang Lan’s lack of appreciation when Zhao Yuechan unexpectedly burst in. His expression darkened further, but he didn’t release his hold on Xiang Lan as he coldly stared at Zhao Yuechan.

Zhao Yuechan trembled with anger and rushed forward to grab Xiang Lan’s hair and face, cursing, “You harlot! How dare you seduce other women’s men!”

Xiang Lan knew trouble was coming when Zhao Yuechan entered and quickly tried to dodge backward when she saw Zhao Yuechan reaching for her. Lin Jinlou had already extended his arm and shoved Zhao Yuechan back, making her stumble.

Zhao Yuechan’s eyes immediately turned red. Not daring to confront Lin Jinlou directly, she directed all her hatred toward Xiang Lan, pointing and cursing, “You damned whore! Seducing your master’s husband – if I don’t kill you today, I won’t live another day!” Without further words, she charged at Xiang Lan and grabbed her hair.

Xiang Lan’s scalp burned with pain as her hair came undone. Full of grievance and injustice, she thought to herself that this was truly an undeserved calamity – being harassed by an evil young master and then suffering from a jealous woman’s hatred. If she weren’t a servant of the Lin family, she would have fought back against such insults long ago. Now she could only protect her face with her arms as she cried in anger.

Zhao Yuechan viciously gripped Xiang Lan’s hair and scolded, “You still have the nerve to cry!” She struck several blows with her other hand.

Lin Jinlou grabbed Zhao Yuechan’s wrist and shouted angrily, “When will you stop!”

Zhao Yuechan was so angry her body went weak, and she said with a trembling voice, “Well… well… you dare to take her side… what kind of love potion has this little tramp given you that makes you even scold your wife…” Growing even more hateful, she continued to attack Xiang Lan. Xiang Lan wept loudly, and the room descended into chaos.

Ji Xiang stood at the doorway, not daring to intervene. Fortunately, Shu Ran heard the commotion and rushed over, asking, “What’s going on here?”

Ji Xiang gave a meaningful glance toward the room and said softly, “What else could it be? Young Master’s intimate moment was interrupted by Madam, and now there’s quite a scene inside. Dear sister, please go manage this situation. If it gets bigger and the Master and Mistress find out, we’ll all suffer the consequences.”

Shu Ran hurriedly entered the room. She grabbed Zhao Yuechan’s hand and smiled, saying, “What’s wrong, Madam? If there’s something to discuss, let’s talk it through. Don’t harm your health with such anger.”

Zhao Yuechan’s eyebrows shot up as she looked at Shu Ran and spat directly at her: “Who do you think you are? Get out of my way! You’re no better! Don’t think I don’t know you’re all in cahoots to harm me. Young Master has been completely corrupted by all of you!”

When Lin Jinlou brought Xiang Lan to his study today, he hadn’t planned anything specific. He had only intended to give her some gifts first, establish some affection, and then make his intentions clear, planning to elevate her status after the mourning period for Old Madam Zeng ended. Thus, he hadn’t been particularly secretive about it. However, upon seeing Xiang Lan and her delicate beauty, his heart began to itch, especially since he had been abstinent during the mourning period. Now, with Zhao Yuechan barging in, he was already embarrassed and angry. Seeing her acting so violently made him even more furious. He grabbed both her wrists and said angrily, “You dare to act wild in front of me? You’ve grown quite bold!” He applied pressure, and Zhao Yuechan released her grip in pain.

Xiang Lan felt both hatred and anger, thinking to herself: “Since things have come to this, the more chaotic it becomes, the better. When Madam Qin finds out, she’ll be so angry she might sell me, and then I can beg Song Ke to take me in.” So she wailed dramatically: “Such terrible injustice! When Young Master called for this servant, how could I refuse to come? What can a servant do when the master wants something? If this makes me a harlot, I… I might as well die!” She ran toward the wall, seemingly intent on killing herself.

Shu Ran panicked and quickly pulled Xiang Lan back. Zhao Yuechan screamed, “Outrageous! Outrageous! Now she’s acting righteous in her grievance! Let her die!” She rushed forward to strike Xiang Lan again. This provoked Lin Jinlou’s temper, and he kicked Zhao Yuechan, shouting, “Shut up!”

Though he had held back his strength, Zhao Yuechan was as delicate as a flower, and she couldn’t withstand even this restrained kick. She immediately crumpled to the ground, crying loudly, “Heaven wants me dead! All these whores want to kill me, and my confused husband wants to murder me too. I can’t bear to live anymore…”

Lin Jinlou crouched down beside Zhao Yuechan and said quietly, “If you want to make a big scene of this, I’m not afraid. Keep crying, and tomorrow I’ll make her my concubine and divorce you for jealousy. Let’s see if your parents and uncles will have any face left to beg for mercy on your behalf.”

Zhao Yuechan’s eyes flew open, tears streaming down as she stared at him with an icy gaze, gritting her teeth, “You wouldn’t dare…”

Lin Jinlou smiled slightly, “What wouldn’t I dare to do?”

Zhao Yuechan said hatefully, “If it weren’t for our Zhao family, do you think the Emperor would have spared the Lin family? You ungrateful, heartless…”

“You think you’re the only daughter in the Zhao family?” Lin Jinlou sneered, “If you weren’t pretty, do you think I would have married you? Rest assured, without you, your grandfather has plenty of granddaughters who would love to be the primary wife of the Lin family. Divorce you, and another would be sent immediately – believe it or not?” He looked at Zhao Yuechan with a half-smile, speaking softly, “If you don’t want to request a divorce, then behave yourself. Originally, that maid wasn’t anything special – I was just having some fun. But you’ve grown quite capable, daring to give me attitude? So listen well: I’ve taken a liking to that little maid, and if anything happens to her, I won’t let you off. Your life could have been peaceful if you hadn’t made trouble. Think carefully about what to do.” With that, he let go of her and left.

Zhao Yuechan trembled all over, her teeth chattering, lying on the ground with her eyes tightly shut as large tears rolled down her cheeks.

Outside the room, Lin Jinlou saw Shu Ran comforting Xiang Lan and settling her in the side room. He beckoned Shu Ran over and after a moment’s thought said, “Zhao shi can’t make trouble anymore. When she’s washed her face, send her back. As for that little maid… comfort her well. I’ll come to see her later.”

Shu Ran nodded and started to leave, but Lin Jinlou called out, “Wait.”

Shu Ran quickly returned, and Lin Jinlou thought for a moment before saying, “Later, secretly send someone to the east wing to tell Mother Wu that Xiang Lan has suffered wrongly. Have her comfort and console her tonight, and tell the kitchen to prepare some calming soup for Xiang Lan.”

Shu Ran’s eyes lit up with understanding. How could she not comprehend? She thought to herself that this maid Xiang Lan was surely bound for greater things. Young Master had dismissed Madam so easily yet showed such concern for her. Even the most favored Qing Lan had never received such attention from Lin Jinlou. She mentally added several points to Xiang Lan’s worth, determining to curry favor with her.

Meanwhile, after Shu Ran finally settled Xiang Lan in the inner room, she came out to find Zhao Yuechan still lying on the ground. Getting a headache, she quickly went to help her up, saying, “My dear Madam, why are you lying on the ground? Even in summer, there’s still harmful dampness. Quick, get up, get up.”

Zhao Yuechan was a clever person and naturally understood when to yield. She allowed Shu Ran to help her up, covering her face with a handkerchief as she wept. Shu Ran helped her sit in a chair and quietly instructed the young servant in the corridor to fetch hot water for Zhao Yuechan to wash her face. Seeing her clean her face and calm down somewhat, she tried to counsel, “Why does Madam need to quarrel with Young Master? If this gets bigger and Mistress finds out, not only will it anger those above, but it will also worry them, especially since Concubine Lan just gained face today… You know Young Master’s temperament, and no matter what, isn’t Madam still in charge of the inner household?”

Zhao Yuechan said tearfully, “I understand, but why must we women suffer such bitter fate…”

Shu Ran secretly thought, “You brought this suffering upon yourself. If I were you, I’d let Young Master have his fun outside while I enjoyed being the primary wife of the Lin family, lying in comfort with servants all around. Who’d bother getting upset over nothing?” But outwardly, she put on a worried expression, sighed, and said, “Who can say otherwise? Madam, try not to think too much about it. Isn’t life just about getting through one day at a time?”

After speaking about other matters for a while, she finally saw Zhao Yuechan off. Before leaving, Zhao Yuechan held Shu Ran’s hand and said, “Dear sister, I was confused earlier and said many unpleasant things. Please don’t be angry with me. I apologize.”

Shu Ran quickly stepped aside and said, “I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare.”

Zhao Yuechan reproached, “What do you have to be afraid of?” Then she frowned and sighed softly, “When you get the chance, please advise Young Master to take care of his health…” In her heart, she thought, “This little slut Shu Ran is too slippery. Ying Shuang tried to bribe her several times, and while she took the gifts, she didn’t do anything in return. Just wait until I get the chance to deal with you!”

Shu Ran nodded repeatedly, smiling, “I will tell Young Master about Madam’s concern. Actually, from what I observe, Young Master still cares deeply for Madam…” In her heart, she thought, “A primary wife who can’t even bear a child, who knows when Young Master might divorce her. Why put on such airs? Perhaps in the end, she won’t even be equal to a servant like me!”

Each harboring their calculations and mutual disgust, they smiled at each other with seeming sincerity, bidding farewell like true sisters.

After sending off the great buddha that was Zhao Yuechan, Shu Ran sighed and lifted the curtain to enter the inner room. She saw Xiang Lan sitting on the bed, crying uncontrollably. She went forward to pat Xiang Lan’s back and said gently, “Dear sister, stop crying. Dry your tears. Look at you, crying until you look like a little spotted cat.”

Xiang Lan, thinking of Zhao Yuechan’s power and Lin Jinlou’s influence, was truly frightened and couldn’t stop crying. She just shook her head and continued to weep, saying, “Who did I offend? I was just dutifully serving my mistress, how did I provoke that ancestor? Getting angry for no reason at all.”

Shu Ran smiled and said, “There’s an old saying: ‘Only by tasting the bitterest of bitter can one become superior to others.’ Today’s suffering and grievances will all turn into sweet nectar tomorrow. You’re a sensible person, you shouldn’t let Madam’s tantrums make you think Young Master doesn’t treat you well. Didn’t you see how he protected you just now? If it were any other maid, Madam would have already scratched her face bloody.”

Xiang Lan heard clearly and knew Shu Ran was speaking on Lin Jinlou’s behalf. She lowered her face without responding, secretly thinking about leaving this place of trouble before Old Madam Zeng’s mourning period ended.

Then she heard Shu Ran continue, “You’ve seen the situation today. Young Master was willing to face Madam’s anger to prevent you from being wronged. You should keep this kindness in your heart. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

Xiang Lan thought to herself, “Lin Jinlou and Zhao Yuechan’s marital discord isn’t new. These two fight and I become the scapegoat, suffering misfortune and then being told to be grateful. Ah, this is truly misfortune upon misfortune.” But outwardly, she could only say, “I understand.”

Lin Jinlou stood outside the door eavesdropping, and hearing Xiang Lan say she “understood,” he nodded slightly to himself.