Xiang Lan’s illness lasted a month before she stopped taking medicine, and the bruises on her face had finally faded completely. By then, it was the height of summer, with cicadas chirping and frogs croaking, dense green trees providing shade and climbing roses filling the courtyard with their fragrance.

Xiang Lan sat in the cool shade of the corridor, meticulously working on her needlework. Jun Xi brought out a small table and said with a smile, “Take a break, you’ve been working all day. Be careful not to make yourself sick again.”

“This needlework can’t be finished in just a day or two. Have some watermelon first to cool down. It’s just been drawn from the well, very refreshing,” Yue Xi efficiently brought over a round watermelon, cut it, and handed a piece to Xiang Lan before going to serve Jun Xi.

Xiang Lan took a bite; it was indeed sweet and cool. She asked, “Did Madam and Young Miss get any in their rooms?”

Jun Xi replied, “We sent it to their rooms first. Madam even rewarded us with a lychee drink. We’ll chill it tonight and serve it to Young Master.” She sat down next to Yue Xi, and the three of them gathered around the small table, eating watermelon and chatting cheerfully.

A gentle breeze blew past, and Xiang Lan smoothed the loose strands of hair near her temples, looking at the plants in the courtyard with contentment.

The Song family residence wasn’t large, just a compound with two courtyards. Though it lacked the Lin family’s pavilions, towers, and ornamental ponds, it had its charm with its bamboo groves, banana trees, unusual rocks, and exotic plants. The Song household was small, with few servants, totaling no more than a dozen people. Xiang Lan observed that while the Song family didn’t display many precious objects, the white jade vessel with beast knobs and lion ears, and the bronze tripod with deer heads and ring handles were extremely valuable items. The chair covers, pillows and seat cushions were all made of half-new figured silk and gauze, indicating how prosperous this family had once been, though now their luxurious atmosphere had diminished by half, yet they remained comfortable and well-off.

A few days ago, Song Ke had her pay respects to Aunt Song, simply saying Xiang Lan was a maid he bought from outside. Xiang Lan had been nervous, fearing someone would recognize her from the Lin household. However, Aunt Song wasn’t one to overthink matters, and with the Lin family having so many maids, she only remembered the few influential senior maids who served Madam Qin and Madam Wang, naturally not recalling Xiang Lan. Song Tan Chai had only met Xiang Lan twice, and after such a long time, though Xiang Lan’s face seemed familiar, she found nothing amiss and even gifted her a set of brightly colored clothes she rarely wore.

Xiang Lan had few daily tasks; perhaps Song Ke had given instructions, as Jun Xi and Yue Xi rushed to do everything, treating her like a young mistress. Xiang Lan insisted on doing some needlework, and when others couldn’t persuade her otherwise, they let her be.

After eating watermelon, Jun Xi cleared the table and took the remaining pieces on a tray to serve the other servants in the front courtyard. Yue Xi opened the storage chest and brought out winter cotton clothes to air in the courtyard. Xiang Lan went to help and found a piece of dark cyan brocade in the cabinet.

Yue Xi smiled, “This was left over from making Young Master’s winter clothes last year. It’s not enough to make shoes, and we don’t have the skill to make a hat, so it would be a waste to throw it away. We just kept it in the cabinet.”

Xiang Lan smiled, “If it’s not needed, let me have it. I have an idea for it.”

Yue Xi said carelessly, “Take it, it’s just collecting dust anyway.”

Xiang Lan took the fabric and by afternoon had made a stationery bag, carefully drawing patterns and embroidering a cluster of bamboo on it. Jun Xi praised, “The bamboo embroidery is beautiful, both bright and neat.”

Xiang Lan sat in her room embroidering until dusk. When she rubbed her sore neck and looked up, she saw Song Ke standing at the doorway watching her, having been there for who knows how long.

Xiang Lan quickly stood up and asked, “Why are you just standing at the door?” While inviting him in, she went to pour tea and turned to ask, “It’s hot outside. The bath water is ready in the washroom, and there’s chilled fruit in the room. Would you like some?”

Song Ke remained silent. He wore a soft cyan silk robe with a jade-colored belt, his complexion fair as jade, just smiling at Xiang Lan. Outside was stuffy and hot, and he had spent the afternoon busy with family business, originally full of irritation. But upon entering and seeing Xiang Lan sitting quietly on the gilt-decorated lounger doing embroidery, her lotus-like face bowed, showing her fair neck as she skillfully wielded needle and thread, both peaceful and beautiful.

Song Ke felt his irritation instantly vanish into thin air, and his lips unconsciously curved into a smile as he stood watching for a long while. Now Xiang Lan was serving tea and helping him with his everyday clothes, and Song Ke thought she looked just like a young wife welcoming her husband home. He sat down somewhat dazedly, watching Xiang Lan bustle about, setting a plate of fruits by his side table.

Song Ke cleared his throat softly: “You’ve just recovered, don’t overwork yourself. Where are Jun Xi and Yue Xi?”

“They went to Young Miss’s room to help choose fabrics. The shop just sent new materials, and they’re planning to make several new outfits.” Xiang Lan wrung out a handkerchief and brought over tea, “I’m already well, and I’m not that delicate.”

Song Ke wiped his face and hands: “You still need more time to recover. In my opinion, you should continue taking the tonic medicine for another half year before stopping.” He glanced at Xiang Lan, “They’re all choosing fabrics, why didn’t you go?” Since arriving at the Song household, Xiang Lan had been wearing Song Tan Chai’s old clothes and two sets of new maid’s clothes. Song Ke had ordered fabric from the shop to make her some new seasonal clothes. But giving only to Xiang Lan would be too obvious, so he had everything sent to Song Tan Chai’s room for everyone to choose from, yet surprisingly, Xiang Lan hadn’t gone.

Xiang Lan smiled, her delicate eyebrows curving: “If I went, who would watch the room? Would you have an outside servant come in to serve you cold tea and water?”

That smile made Song Ke’s heart flutter, finding it both familiar and beautiful, stirring the strings of his heart until he was lost in a daze.

Seeing Song Ke staring at her, Xiang Lan blushed, though shy at heart, she remained secretly vigilant and changed the subject casually: “Young Master, would you like to bathe first or eat first?”

Song Ke also noticed his loss of composure and lowered his head, coughing once, as if not hearing Xiang Lan’s question: “Since you didn’t go choose fabrics, I have two pieces here. Keep them if you like them.” He lifted the curtain and called to Little Er who was on duty in the corridor: “Lu Dou, bring those two pieces of fabric.”

Soon Lu Dou brought two pieces of fabric, one sky-blue fine cotton and the other deep rose cocoon silk, both high-quality materials, soft and finely woven, yet not ostentatious.

As Xiang Lan felt the fabrics, Song Ke watched her slightly lowered eyelashes, feeling as if a soft feather was brushing his heart. Seeing the jade hairpin in her hair had tilted, he unconsciously reached out to fix it. Xiang Lan quickly looked up, their eyes met, and at that moment, they heard the door curtain rustle as Fang Si entered carrying a piece of ivory-colored fabric. Seeing their manner, her face immediately darkened, and she said coolly, “Oh my, how awkward, I seem to have come at a bad time.”

Fang Si was a favored maid in Aunt Song’s household. Her mother, Madam Guo, was Aunt Song’s confidante who later married a respectable steward. After Song’s father passed away, when they were struggling as widows and orphans, Madam Guo remained loyally by their side, and her daughter Fang Si also entered the household to serve, earning special favors from Aunt Song.

Fang Si was tall and fair, with almond eyes and thin lips. Though not exceptionally beautiful, she had some charm and was quick-witted. Aunt Song had taken notice and, after discussing with Madam Guo and learning that Fang Si was willing to serve Song Ke, had promised to let Fang Si become Song Ke’s concubine. However, Song Ke refused and even reproached Aunt Song for meddling.

Aunt Song treasured this son like her own eyes and considered him her hope for the latter half of her life, so she dared not go against his wishes. When Fang Si learned of this, she cried for an entire day and didn’t see anyone for three days. But afterward, she seemed even more attentive, constantly bringing things to Song Ke’s quarters and enjoying chatting with Jun Xi and Yue Xi. Earlier, when she saw Xiang Lan bedridden and disfigured, she had expressed sympathy for the poor girl. But as Xiang Lan recovered day by day and her injuries healed completely, Fang Si became increasingly dismissive of her.

Song Ke was secretly annoyed at Fang Si’s untimely arrival. He expressionlessly removed his hand from Xiang Lan’s hair, turned around, and asked, “What are you here for?”

Fang Si felt hurt inside but held back her bitterness and said, “Madam likes this color and wants to know Young Master’s opinion. If you like it, I could make you a cape.” Her eyes secretly glanced at Song Ke’s face.

Song Ke smiled faintly, “Haven’t I already said I won’t add any new clothes this year? Let Mother and Sister choose. Besides, it’s so hot in summer, who would wear a cape?”

Fang Si quickly said, “If not a cape, I could make loose trousers.”

Seeing Fang Si’s eyes reddening, Song Ke softened his voice, “You’re already busy with Madam’s needlework, why add more tasks? I have others to make my clothes, you just focus on serving Madam well.”

Fang Si hurriedly shook her head, “It’s just a pair of trousers, it’s no trouble.” Afraid Song Ke wouldn’t agree, she stepped forward and gave Xiang Lan a fake smile, “Jun Xi and Yue Xi’s needlework is rough, and Sister Xiang Lan just arrived and isn’t in good health, she shouldn’t work too hard. I’ve thought it through, let me do Young Master’s needlework.”

Song Ke thought, “Fang Si is Mother’s most favored maid, I can’t openly refuse and disappoint Mother. It’s just a pair of trousers, let her make them if she wants.” He could only nod reluctantly.

Fang Si was as delighted as if she’d received a precious treasure, her face breaking into a smile as she said happily, “I can finish them in two or three days.” She looked expectantly at Song Ke.

Song Ke smiled and nodded, then went to the washroom to bathe, leaving Fang Si and Xiang Lan staring at each other in the room.

Fang Si looked Xiang Lan up and down haughtily: “I haven’t asked before, but when Young Master bought you into the household, you were sickly. What happened?”

Xiang Lan glanced at Fang Si, lit the lamp on the table, and said flatly: “Is Madam asking this, or are you asking me?”

Fang Si hadn’t expected this response from Xiang Lan and was momentarily stunned.