Though Qing Lan was typically meek and obedient, as the saying goes, “An unsatisfied heart would make a snake try to swallow an elephant”—once greed took hold, it couldn’t be contained. When Madam Qin initially sent a matchmaker to her family about becoming Lin Jinlou’s concubine, her father was very hesitant and wanted to refuse. However, after secretly glimpsing Lin Jinlou from behind a screen, she fell in love at first sight, feeling that she could never find such a handsome and talented man again in this world. Even if she had to be a concubine for life, she would be willing.
Earlier, when she lived in the capital, Lin Jinlou doted on her, and everyone in the household, being shrewd, addressed her as “Madam,” omitting the “Concubine” title. She felt no different from the principal wife. But upon returning to Jinling, her first task was to kowtow and serve tea to the principal wife, and she was housed in the east wing’s side quarters. Though her material needs were well met, the grandeur couldn’t compare to the main house.
When the Lin family held banquets, she, as a concubine, couldn’t even attend! Recently, when Lin Jinlou had planned to rest in the east wing, Zhao Yuechan came, smashing cups and injuring her maid. Lin Jinlou hadn’t even scolded Zhao Yuechan, instead returning to the main quarters with her. Though Qing Lan said nothing, her heart felt like it was being fried in oil.
A few days ago, when she arranged for her subordinates to organize a poetry society, which should have been her moment to shine, Madam unexpectedly berated her for overstepping her position and ordered her to “serve the Young Master and First Madam well!”
She now realized that no matter how much Zhao Yuechan displeased Lin Jinlou or was treated coldly by her husband, her status as principal wife meant everyone had to bow and address her as “First Madam.” Even when scandals arose, the entire household worked to cover them up.
Meanwhile, no matter how much Lin Jinlou doted on her, she remained a concubine, someone who could only secure her position by pleasing her master. What would happen if Lin Jinlou found a new favorite in time? Even now, she could see his affection for her waning—she was still young and beautiful, merely pregnant, yet he had already taken a fancy to her maid.
The graceful Xiang Lan, the elegant Xiang Lan, Xiang Lan who was even more beautiful than herself…
Would she end up like in the opera, “Love fades before beauty does”…
Qing Lan clutched her handkerchief tightly, her nails digging deep into her palm.
If she handed this account book to Lin Jinlou, she would be just one step away from becoming the Lin family’s First Madam. Even with just a glimmer of hope, she had to try. With this thought, she lifted the bedboard and hid the ledger in the space between the bed frames.
Just as she smoothed the bedding, lightning flashed across the sky, followed by a deafening “boom” of thunder that made Qing Lan jump. Not being a decisive person by nature, she wavered, feeling both worried and scared, wanting to consult someone. Unfortunately, Mama Wu had caught a cold and returned home to recover, fearing she might pass the illness to her. The remaining maids and servants were either untrustworthy or simple-minded. She stood up and sat down repeatedly, feeling extremely tormented.
In the main quarters of Zhi Chun Hall.
Zhao Yuechan slapped Ying Shuang hard across the face with a “pak!” and scolded, “Useless lowlife! I told you to wait at the second gate for my cousin’s servant to bring back the ledger—what did you bring back? You’ve handled tasks for years, yet now you can’t even manage this simple thing. What use are you?” She threw the Buddhist sutras at Ying Shuang’s face.
Ying Shuang knelt on the ground, holding her face, tears in her eyes, “First Madam, please calm down. I collided with Chun Ling and Xiang Lan in the garden and must have mixed up the books in the confusion. I was closest to Chun Ling then, so the ledger should be in Concubine Lan’s quarters in the east wing.”
Zhao Yuechan grew even more furious, rushing forward to hit her several times: “Did lightning strike your brain, or did ghosts eat your soul? How could you be so foolish! Of all people to get it, it had to be that little tramp. If she gives the ledger to Madam and the Young Master, we might as well all find ropes and hang ourselves!”
Ying Shuang kowtowed tearfully, “Madam, I was wrong, please spare me!”
Zhao Yuechan trembled with anger, both frightened and afraid: “Spare you? How can I spare you? I should get a white silk cord right now, strangle you first, then hang myself from the beam!”
Ying Shuang grabbed Zhao Yuechan’s legs, crying, “How did it come to this? The ledger was just lost—it should still be in the east wing. Why not have Yin Die steal it…”
Zhao Yuechan said, “Don’t mention that useless hussy, the east wing is already wary of her.”
Ying Shuang wiped her tears and suggested, “Then I’ll go ask the east wing for it.”
Zhao Yuechan spat, “Fool! If that little tramp hasn’t noticed the mistake, she might exchange it with you. But if she’s discovered it’s something vital, how could she possibly give it to you!”
Ying Shuang thought to herself, “I said long ago we shouldn’t continue with the loan business, but First Madam was deceived by Young Master Zhao and continued lending money. Now that it’s exposed, we can’t escape involvement. If they trace this back and discover First Madam’s affair with Young Master Zhao, I might as well kill myself now and save the trouble.” She cried even harder.
Zhao Yuechan kicked Ying Shuang, scolding, “Cry! All you do is cry! Shut up!” Ying Shuang immediately quieted down, forcing herself to sob softly. After thinking for a while, Zhao Yuechan took a deep breath and said, “Someone, I’m going to the east wing.”
Then, Zhao Yuechan, accompanied by her maid Bai Lu, lifted her skirts and went to the east wing. Yin Die was in the corridor collecting rainwater in a large earthen jar. Seeing Zhao Yuechan approach, she was startled and called out while lifting the curtain, “First Madam is here!”
Zhao Yuechan, her mind in chaos, ignored the little maid and went straight inside. Chun Ling was doing needlework at the entrance to Qing Lan’s bedroom. Seeing Zhao Yuechan’s aggressive manner, she couldn’t stop her and could only call out, “First Madam is here!” Xiang Lan, who was making shoes inside, wondered why Zhao Yuechan had suddenly come to the east wing. She peeked out, saw Zhao Yuechan heading toward the bedroom with an intimidating air, and quickly pulled her head back.
Qing Lan was pacing anxiously in her room. Upon hearing of Zhao Yuechan’s arrival, she became even more flustered, unsure whether to sit or stand, her mind blank and unable to think of any strategy. In her panic, Zhao Yuechan had already lifted the curtain and entered. Their eyes met, and Zhao Yuechan said with an ambiguous smile, “What’s keeping Sister Qing Lan so busy?”
Qing Lan forced an unnatural smile, stammering, “No-nothing, just sitting idly.” She was so nervous she forgot to offer a seat and tea.
Zhao Yuechan was clever—seeing Qing Lan’s demeanor, she understood immediately and became more composed. She chose a chair and sat down, raising her eyebrows, “I wouldn’t come without reason. My clumsy maid mixed up some books with your maid’s in the garden.” She signaled Bai Lu to hand the Buddhist sutras to Qing Lan, smiling, “Sister, please check if this is yours?”
Qing Lan lowered her head to take the book. With its indigo cover and formal calligraphy of the Diamond Sutra, it was indeed the book Xiang Lan had lent her. Qing Lan’s heart pounded as she secretly glanced at Zhao Yuechan.
Zhao Yuechan sat opposite her, smiling, but her eyes were like two deadly swords, sharp and cold, making Qing Lan shudder.
Zhao Yuechan asked, “This is yours, right?”
Qing Lan forced a smile and said, “Thank you for bringing it, Madam. This is indeed my lost sutra…” She walked to the shelf and took down several books to look through them, avoiding Zhao Yuechan’s gaze, “Strange, I don’t have Madam’s book here.”
“Oh?” Zhao Yuechan raised her eyebrows slightly, walked over, and took the books from Qing Lan’s hands to flip through them, saying with an ambiguous smile, “That is strange indeed.”
Qing Lan said softly, “Perhaps Madam’s maid left it somewhere else.”
Zhao Yuechan sneered, “Did she leave it somewhere else, or did you hide it?”
Qing Lan was startled, shrinking her neck, stammering, “Madam must be joking… I… I…”
Zhao Yuechan softened her voice, “Why call me ‘Madam’? We live together and serve the Young Master together—just call me ‘Sister.’ In the Young Master’s previous household, several women used their wiles to lead him astray. With my devoted heart, I feared for his health, but I didn’t dare restrict those chamber maids too much, only advising him to take care of himself. Who knew this would displease the Young Master? Moreover, I was somewhat strict in managing the household, and some servants spread rumors behind my back, damaging my reputation. I dared not complain, only endured. Later, only after lives were lost did the Young Master realize those vixens were trouble and sent them away. He understood I had his best interests at heart, but feeling awkward, he became distant with me. Sister, you’re clever—though I may sometimes be rough and haven’t taken good care of you, have I ever truly made things difficult for you?”
Qing Lan couldn’t quite follow the sudden turn, but went along, “Madam is reasonable and has never made things difficult for me.”
Zhao Yuechan smiled, “That’s right. When you came and became pregnant with the Young Master’s child, I was overjoyed. Heaven has blessed us, and I’ll have support in the future. We sisters sharing joy and sorrow—isn’t that better than blood relations?”
Qing Lan replied, “I only ask for Madam’s care, and I’m willing to serve Madam for life.” She started to bow.
Zhao Yuechan quickly grabbed Qing Lan’s arm, saying, “I knew you weren’t hiding anything… To be honest with you, that book is very important. Please look again carefully, and if you find it, return it to me.”
Qing Lan’s left hand secretly touched her belly, and she steeled herself, “I truly don’t have Madam’s book here.”
Zhao Yuechan’s smile froze, thinking hatefully, “It seems she’s determined not to admit it. Curse her for having Madam and the child in her belly as support, or I would burn this place down and be done with it! Without that ledger, there’s no proof of the recent loans—a pure loss of seven or eight thousand taels. Losing the silver is a small matter, but if the Young Master finds out…” Her heart skipped a beat, and her gaze toward Qing Lan became particularly venomous.
Thunder rolled across the sky, and the room fell silent. Bai Lu said softly, “First Madam, it’s about to rain. Should I fetch an umbrella?”
Zhao Yuechan said coldly, “No need, let’s go.” She turned to leave, and Qing Lan sighed in relief, hurrying to see her out.
Standing on the corridor steps outside the room, Zhao Yuechan suddenly turned back to stare at Qing Lan, her anger hard to suppress, thinking, “You wretch! Do you want to scheme against me? I won’t let you off easily!” She exhaled and ordered those around, “Step back, I have something to say to Concubine Lan privately.”
Heavy rain poured down.