Madam Qin smiled faintly, “If you want to marry an ordinary man as a proper wife, I’ll help you achieve that. Mama Han is my chambermaid, and her nephew is about your age. He’s well-mannered and good-looking. Though his family is somewhat poor, he’s studious and ambitious. Who knows, he might pass the imperial examinations in the future and bring honor to his wife and children. Mama Han had previously sought to arrange his marriage with one of the Lin family’s maids. I had intended to save this good match for Hong Jian or Lu Lan, but now you’ve stumbled into this fortune. I’ll arrange your marriage and let you leave to start your new life far from here. Would you like that?”

Xiang Lan trembled.

Mama Han’s nephew? What did Mama Han’s nephew look like? She had never even seen him, and now she was expected to agree to marry a stranger?

What sin had she committed to be controlled like this as a servant? Xiang Lan clenched her teeth, suppressing all her bitterness beneath her tongue.

Madam Qin raised her eyebrows and asked, “What’s wrong? You don’t want to?”

Xiang Lan’s face turned pale. What difference would it make if she didn’t want to? It was clear that Madam Qin intended to deal with her harshly, and this was at least offering her a way out. Somehow, Song Ke’s features flashed through her mind, and in her memory, they blurred into Xiao Hang’s. Xiang Lan smiled sadly—she would treat it all as a dream. Even if Madam Qin truly allowed her to leave, someone of her status wouldn’t be worthy of Song Ke anyway.

Xiang Lan bit her lip and kowtowed, saying, “Then this servant thanks Madam for your kind…” Before she could finish saying “kindness,” there was a loud bang as the door was kicked open behind her.

Xiang Lan quickly turned her head to see Lin Jinlou striding in, his ceremonial robes rose and golden trim dazzling to the eye.

Madam Qin was startled. Lin Jinlou had already walked up to them, and seeing Xiang Lan kneeling on the ground, he grabbed her arm and pulled her up. He said to Madam Qin, “What did Mother call her here for? Perhaps you heard that I’ve taken a liking to her and wanted to elevate her status early? But we’re still in the mourning period for Old Madam Zeng, so it might not be appropriate.”

Madam Qin angrily replied, “Such nonsense! I’ve been covering up your daily misconduct with your father, but now you’re becoming increasingly reckless. Get out of here while I clean up this mess!”

Lin Jinlou stood straight and said calmly, “Son doesn’t need Mother to worry about matters in his quarters. If there’s nothing else, son will take his leave.” He started to leave, pulling Xiang Lan along.

“You unfilial child! Stop right there!” Madam Qin stood up and blocked their path in a few steps, scolding, “Are you trying to anger me to death?”

Lin Jinlou replied with a playful smile, “How could son anger Mother to death? Son has merely taken a liking to a maid—surely that’s not a crime? Son knows Mother cares for Qing Lan, but this incident happened because Qing Lan fainted from jealousy. Mother shouldn’t be unreasonable and blame this maid, right?”

Hearing Lin Jinlou defending Xiang Lan at every turn, Madam Qin became even more furious. She laughed coldly and said, “Very well, how wonderful! Now you won’t even listen to me because of a maid.”

Lin Jinlou smiled, “Son wouldn’t dare. Son is full of filial piety. But Mother should also care for me. Among all the maids in the Lin household, I’ve taken a fancy to her—Mother shouldn’t take away what I desire.”

Madam Qin retorted, “Nonsense! Just her? What about Ying Ge and Hua Mei?”

Lin Jinlou replied, “Those two aren’t as understanding and considerate as her.”

Xiang Lan shrank her neck, thinking to herself, “I avoid this young master like the plague every time I see him—how am I understanding and considerate?”

Lin Jinlou’s eyes darkened as he stared at Madam Qin, “Mother, son has his plans for matters in his quarters. I dare not trouble Mother with them.”

As they were at an impasse, Mama Han suddenly emerged from the side room, appearing surprised, and said with a smile, “Why is everyone standing here? Young Master has arrived at just the right time. Madam was just talking about you earlier and asked me to personally prepare some cooling soup for you.” She walked forward and pulled Madam Qin aside, whispering, “Madam, why argue with Young Master over a mere maid? You know the young master’s temperament—he’s quite stubborn.”

Madam Qin paused, her expression fluctuating.

Lin Jinlou’s temper was like a sudden storm, and even his father could barely control him now, so Madam Qin was somewhat wary. Moreover, Madam Qin had always doted on her eldest son and naturally didn’t want to create such tension.

Lin Jinlou said with a grin, “I’ll take this maid back first, and tomorrow I’ll have her come kowtow to Mother.” He then lifted Xiang Lan like a chicken and took her away.

Lin Jinlou brought Xiang Lan to the outer study, dismissed everyone else, and took her small hand, smiling, “Master has saved you again, shouldn’t you give me a kiss?” He moved his face closer.

Xiang Lan lowered her head and turned away.

Lin Jinlou’s face darkened, but he quickly assumed an indifferent expression and said, “You must have been frightened this time. Don’t worry, I’ll protect you from now on—no one will dare bully you.” He pushed her to the table, where four plates of pastries and four plates of fruits were laid out, and said, “These are pastries bought from the big restaurant, different from what we have in the mansion. Try them and see which ones you like. I’ll have the servants buy more for you.”

Xiang Lan secretly glanced at Lin Jinlou. He had just returned from outside, still wearing his formal clothes, his black hair bound in a jade crown, making him appear even more imposing and powerful. He was indeed a handsome man. But Xiang Lan knew he was far from benevolent—one wrong move and she would be ruined in this household.

She clutched her clothes tightly and said softly, “Young… Young Master, Madam just said she would let this servant leave to marry…”

Lin Jinlou’s body tensed. Xiang Lan licked her lips and carefully continued, “It’s all this servant’s fault for angering Madam and the others. You shouldn’t have discord with your mother because of this servant, this…”

Lin Jinlou turned to look at her, and Xiang Lan’s remaining words caught in her throat. Lin Jinlou stroked her face, and his dark expression suddenly broke into a smile: “Tsk tsk, you ungrateful little thing. Master has been thinking of you, yet you want to leave and marry some outsider? Tell Master, who is this man that has captured your thoughts so completely?”

Xiang Lan dropped to her knees before Lin Jinlou with a thud, pleading, “This servant… begs you… This servant truly doesn’t wish to be anyone’s concubine. Please show mercy, Young Master. If you let this servant leave, I’m willing to become a nun for life, chanting sutras for Young Master’s blessings, never marrying anyone.” As she spoke, she began to choke up, tears rolling down her cheeks.

Lin Jinlou continued smiling, bending down to wipe her tears with his new sleeve, his tone extremely gentle: “Oh my, why are you shedding such precious tears? What’s wrong with staying with Master? With your pretty face and sweet, pleasing nature, Master will surely dote on you immensely. If you become a nun, Master would miss you too much…”

Xiang Lan avoided Lin Jinlou’s sleeve and kowtowed, “Please show mercy, Young Master…”

After trying to console her several times without success, Lin Jinlou’s smile suddenly vanished. He sneered, “You ‘don’t want to be someone’s concubine’? What about that Song fellow? Did he promise to make you his principal wife?”

Xiang Lan’s eyes widened suddenly.

Lin Jinlou sneered again, coldly saying, “Well? Did he promise to make you his main wife?”

Xiang Lan quickly shook her head: “This has nothing to do with Young Master Song. He… we’re not close…”

“Not close? Not close, yet he sends you food and gifts every day?” Lin Jinlou turned to sit on the stool, crossing his legs and looking at the kneeling Xiang Lan through half-closed eyes. He sneered, “You think Master is a fool who doesn’t know? You quietly hooked up with someone—you’re quite the little fox, having such skills. Why not let Master see these techniques of yours?”

Xiang Lan’s face turned pale as she wrung her hands tightly, saying, “No… no… Young Master, it’s not like that…”

“If not like that, then like what?” Lin Jinlou’s face was as cold as frost: “He even had Little San ask me for you, didn’t he? You must have been overjoyed?”

Xiang Lan’s lips trembled, unable to speak further.

Lin Jinlou beckoned, saying, “Stop kneeling, get up. The floor is cold—if you get sick, Master would be worried. Come here.” Seeing Xiang Lan remain kneeling motionless, he raised his voice, “Hurry up, or should Master come over to invite you?”

Xiang Lan had no choice but to stand up and walk over woodenly. Lin Jinlou pulled her into his arms, making her sit on his lap, smiling, “Tell Master, what do you see in that Song boy? Or what did he promise you?”

Xiang Lan’s body was rigid as she forced herself to quietly make up a story: “Nothing at all. Once when he saw me being scolded and beaten by Miss, he helped me carry water. Young Master Song felt sorry for me and said if he got the chance, he would take me to serve his sister.”

Lin Jinlou burst into laughter, throwing his head back, though his eyes grew colder. He pinched Xiang Lan’s small chin, saying, “My little Xiang Lan, you’re truly an adorable little thing. He just saw you like that and took a liking to you? Then started sending fans and food? Tsk tsk, playing out some scholar-meets-beauty story from the opera? What kind of fan did he send? Tell Master about it.”

Xiang Lan’s heart sank, knowing Lin Jinlou already knew the truth. She bit her lip and refused to speak further.

Lin Jinlou maintained his smiling demeanor and said, “You two are quite bold, daring to play games under Master’s nose. Let me tell you, forget about the Song family’s current status—even at their peak, they were nothing in Master’s eyes.”

Xiang Lan trembled as she cried, “Young Master, my relationship with Young Master Song is pure… This servant never had any improper thoughts…”

Lin Jinlou pressed his finger to Xiang Lan’s lips, leaning in intimately, his breath hot on her ear: “Master will tell you today—whether it’s that Song boy or anyone else, you’d better give up hope and stay here obediently with me. Don’t forget, not just you, but your whole family is in my hands. As they say, the wise adapt to circumstances. You need to know your place before trying to make trouble, right?” He gently stroked Xiang Lan’s hair, “Your family is living happily together, and Master doesn’t want to separate flesh and blood. But if you make Master unhappy, perhaps you’ll all end up separated, making for quite a tragic tale.”

Xiang Lan understood that Lin Jinlou would never let her go. All hope died within her. She hated being a servant, hated that her parents were servants, and now they were all firmly under his control.

She wanted to slap Lin Jinlou hard, to stab him until his body was covered in wounds. But she dared not. She could risk her own life, but she couldn’t put her parents in danger.

She nodded with difficulty, wiping her face with her sleeve, saying, “I understand, Young Master.”

Such submissive behavior naturally pleased Lin Jinlou. He stroked Xiang Lan’s hair and smiled, “You’ve been frightened today. Since those wretches at Zhi Chun Hall bullied you, you don’t need to go back. Later, I’ll have Shu Ran go back to pack your things, and you’ll move here.”

Xiang Lan was startled and said, “Young Master, please let me move in a few days…” She added softly, “Please…”

Lin Jinlou thought for a moment before nodding: “Alright, in a few days then.” He then personally escorted her back.

Xiang Lan didn’t know how she made it back. She only felt her heart was filled with nothing but despair.