Meanwhile, Lin Jin Lou had several friends from Beijing visiting him, all from noble families who had long-standing relationships with the Lin family. Lin Jin Lou naturally played the perfect host, bringing along Lin Jin Ting. The brothers held a feast at Quan Fu Restaurant, inviting some courtesans from the pleasure quarters to sing and play instruments, creating quite a lively atmosphere.

After several rounds of wine and dishes, everyone grew more uninhibited. Among them was a young noble named Liu Xiao Chuan, grandson of the Martial General. The Liu family had few descendants, with Liu Xiao Chuan being the only grandson of the third generation who survived to adulthood. They cherished him like their own eyes, inevitably spoiling him. Liu Xiao Chuan and Lin Jin Lou had grown up together in Beijing, and now, having caused trouble in the capital, he had fled to Jiangnan seeking refuge with Lin Jin Lou.

Liu Xiao Chuan swayed while holding his wine cup, speaking in fluent official dialect to Lin Jin Lou: “Jiangnan is truly wonderful, I realize now – beautiful mountains, beautiful waters, and even more beautiful people! Brother, I’ve taken a liking to your favorite Cui Xian from Yi Hong House. Since Young Master rarely visits, shouldn’t my brother give her to me as a gift?”

The young nobles immediately started teasing and encouraging.

Lin Jin Lou laughed and cursed: “You certainly know how to choose! She’s the most sensible of all courtesans in Jinling. Though I’m reluctant to part with her, since you’ve asked, I must agree.”

Minister Xie Zuo’s fourth son, Xie Yu, roared with laughter, patting Liu Xiao Chuan’s shoulder: “Oh my, brother, you originally fled after fighting over a woman in a brothel, and now you want to bring another courtesan home? Won’t your grandfather drop dead from anger on the spot?”

Everyone burst into laughter.

Liu Xiao Chuan rolled his eyes: “This is dying beneath the peony flowers – even as a ghost, I’ll be romantic, understand? You vulgar people wouldn’t comprehend such sentiment!”

Lin Jin Lou smiled, emptying his cup, and rang for his servant Shuang Xi waiting outside: “Send three thousand taels of silver to Yi Hong House, tell the madam it’s to redeem Courtesan Cui Xian. Have her sent by sedan chair to Master Liu’s residence.”

Xie Yu raised his cup again, laughing: “Come, come, congratulations to Brother Liu on becoming a new groom!”

Everyone laughed again.

Lin Jin Ting’s mind started working, and he filled Lin Jin Lou’s cup, smiling: “Since Brother is being so generous today, I dare to ask you for someone as well.”

Liu Xiao Chuan exclaimed: “Oh my, listen, listen! Even Lin’s Third Young Master knows how to ask for people now. I thought he was still green!”

Lin Jin Lou smiled: “Go on, who is it?”

Lin Jin Ting said: “Xiang Lan, the one serving in Brother’s concubine’s quarters.”

Lin Jin Lou’s hand paused, looking at Lin Jin Ting sideways: “You’ve taken a fancy to her?” Though smiling, his expression was cold.

Lin Jin Ting was startled, but looking again, Lin Jin Lou seemed to be smiling warmly as before. He licked his lips and said: “Not me, it’s Brother Yi Fei. He wants this maid.”

Lin Jin Lou drained his cup in one gulp. The courtesan beside him hurriedly refilled it. Lin Jin Lou asked: “Him? How did he even see my household maid?”

Lin Jin Ting smiled: “Brother doesn’t know, but Song Yi Fei lost his soul the first time he saw that girl, even gave her a fan. Initially, he refused to stay at Wo Yun Court with me, but somehow moved there later. We found out it was because Concubine Lan was organizing the poetry society, and Xiang Lan was managing things at Long Cui Residence. He moved there just to catch a few glimpses of his beauty daily, even sending different soups and foods each day. Once I secretly saw them gazing at each other from afar like the Cowherd and Weaving Maid – gave me goosebumps!”

Liu Xiao Chuan hiccupped and laughed: “Oh, what a romantic soul, just like your Master Liu!”

Everyone started teasing again.

Lin Jin Lou smiled: “If he wants that maid, let him come ask me himself.” He then swayed off to use the toilet.

Once outside, his smile vanished instantly, replaced by a cold expression.

Madam Wu brought medicine and peeked into Qing Lan’s room, seeing Hua Mei still there chatting and laughing with Qing Lan. Madam Wu shook her head, having completely lost respect for Qing Lan today and no longer wanting to manage her affairs. She would just wait for Qing Lan to safely deliver the child before retiring. She handed the medicine to Chun Ling: “Take this to Young Madam, have her drink it while it’s hot.”

After Chun Ling left, Madam Wu sighed. Suddenly she saw Lin Jin Lou walking in with an angry expression, asking: “Where’s Xiang Lan?”

Madam Wu sighed again: “Ah, Young Master doesn’t know yet? Madam came earlier. Because this old servant was loose-tongued and praised Xiang Lan to Young Master, making you take notice of her, First Madam made a grand show of sending gifts – glittering jewelry and fine silks, saying she’d prepare rooms and maids for Xiang Lan. When Concubine Lan heard this, she fainted. The doctor said it wasn’t serious, and I planned to comfort her once she felt better. But somehow Madam got word and came to deal with everything.”

Lin Jin Lou was stunned. Unhappy with Zhao Yue Chan’s actions and displeased that Madam Qin had interfered in his household matters, he said: “I chose that maid myself. What business is it of others?”

Madam Wu said: “Madam is just concerned for Young Master. But poor Xiang Lan – Madam took her away and she hasn’t returned. Who knows what punishment she faces?”

Lin Jin Lou’s expression changed. Just then, Hua Mei heard Lin Jin Lou’s voice outside and hurried out with Qing Lan, saying: “Young Master has returned!”

Qing Lan said softly: “It’s almost noon, has Young Master eaten?”

Unexpectedly, Lin Jin Lou turned and left through the curtain.

In the main hall of Zhuo Shou Garden, the courtyard was quiet and peaceful, surrounded by dense trees.

Madam Qin sat in the grand chair, examining the kneeling Xiang Lan carefully for the first time. Xiang Lan had grown taller and her face had matured recently. Madam Qin saw she was truly beautiful, with an exceptionally lovely and bright countenance, delicate features, and elegant bearing. Even in her half-worn plain clothes, her beauty couldn’t be concealed. Though she appeared timid, she showed no signs of common servitude.

Madam Qin narrowed her eyes slightly. No wonder Young Master was enchanted – she was indeed exquisite, surpassing all the ladies of the household.

But how cunning was this little vixen? Madam Qin suddenly gripped her handkerchief tightly.

She was truly capable!

First silently stirring up trouble, catching Cao Li Huan’s weakness, then performing before the master to have Cao Li Huan expelled. Now she had caught Young Master’s attention, causing discord between wife and concubine. What if Qing Lan’s fainting had harmed the child in her belly?

Xiang Lan knelt properly, and facing the situation, she became calm. Since ancient times, masters caused trouble while servants took the blame. Since Madam Qin couldn’t properly punish Zhao Yue Chan and Qing Lan, this account would likely be settled on her head. Therefore, the panic was useless.

Madam Qin pondered briefly as Hong Jian quietly brought a cup of hot tea before silently withdrawing.

“Young Master has taken a liking to you and wants to promote you,” Madam Qin said slowly, her tone unreadable.

Xiang Lan quickly kowtowed: “This servant’s fortune is too thin to dare such thoughts.”

“Oh?” Madam Qin raised her eyebrows, “So Young Master is presumptuous?”

Xiang Lan bit her lip and, without answering Madam Qin’s question, prostrated herself: “All faults are mine. I’ve caused both First Madam and Concubine Lan distress, and even troubled Madam to anger. Please punish this servant.”

Madam Qin was startled. She had expected Xiang Lan to beg for a favor, to let Lin Jin Lou take her. She hadn’t expected Xiang Lan to say such words, taking all the blame upon herself.

To be fair, she knew it wasn’t entirely Xiang Lan’s fault. Her eldest son was naturally romantic and lustful – how could he pass up such a talented maid? She had heard about Lin Jin Lou’s wild behavior outside, but chose not to interfere – her son worked hard outside, what harm was there in some fun?

Madam Qin looked at Xiang Lan and sighed silently. If she were just an ordinary pretty maid, it would be fine for Lin Jin Lou to take her as a concubine. She might bear children and have a lifetime of wealth and status. Nothing in the inner household escaped her eyes – she knew Xiang Lan had managed the poetry society behind Qing Lan. This girl was too beautiful, too capable, and too calculating. Keeping her would likely disturb household peace. Moreover, today’s accusation was “seducing the master during Old Madam Zeng’s mourning period.” While she had been lenient with the others if she didn’t severely punish this maid as a warning, those seductive spirits in the inner household would run wild.

Madam Qin said: “You’re quite clever, but what use is punishing you?”

Xiang Lan’s heart pounded as she said: “This servant knows her crime and dares not serve the master again. I beg Madam’s kindness to let me leave. My parents will bring redemption money. This servant could never repay such kindness even if ground to dust.”

Madam Qin was surprised again. Maids accustomed to the luxurious life in the Lin household rarely wished to leave. But thinking further, her expression darkened as she sneered: “Called you clever, and indeed you are. You’ve calculated well, wanting to leave, planning to gain commoner status and have Young Master marry you as a concubine like Concubine Lan, isn’t that right?”

Xiang Lan sighed inwardly and raised her face: “This servant never had such thoughts. Though Young Master is wonderful in every way, I only wish to marry an ordinary man as his proper wife, caring for him in the future. If Madam doesn’t believe me, send me to Jing Yue Temple to become a nun. I grew up there as a child; returning would bring peace.”

Madam Qin’s eyes widened, thinking this little maid had such thoughts. Looking at Xiang Lan’s delicate features, she felt some pity – if she weren’t a maid, if she had a respectable status, her beauty and cleverness wouldn’t be crimes. But she still didn’t fully believe Xiang Lan’s words. After pondering briefly, she said: “Sending such a delicate beauty to accompany temple lamps and Buddha statues – I can’t bring myself to do it. Moreover, you saved Second Young Lady before; I can’t repay kindness with cruelty.”

Xiang Lan’s clear eyes looked at Madam Qin: “How does Madam wish to deal with me?”