Madam Xue hurriedly invited him in. As Xia Yun bowed and was about to enter, he looked up and saw a young lady in apricot-red clothing standing inside. Her beauty was striking and fresh. Xia Yun froze, with one foot across the threshold, neither able to advance nor retreat. Though he wanted another glance at the young lady, he maintained his scholarly dignity by keeping his eyes straight ahead and said to Madam Xue, “Perhaps… perhaps I shouldn’t come in…”

Seeing Xia Yun’s discomfort, Xiang Lan suppressed a smile. Since the Chen couple lived in a two-story building rather than a courtyard house, she lifted her skirts and went upstairs. Only after further urging from Madam Xue did Xia Yun enter. Madam Xue smiled and said, “That’s my daughter, home for a visit today.” She hurriedly went to pour tea, saying, “Your Uncle Chen had a few drinks and just fell asleep. I’ll go wake him.”

Xia Yun had heard of Chen’s fairy-like daughter, and now seeing her, he knew the rumors weren’t exaggerated. Still dazed, he quickly stopped Madam Xue, saying, “Don’t trouble yourself, Aunt. I’m just here to deliver something.” He handed over a cloth bundle, explaining, “These are two pieces of calligraphy I wrote and some books I copied. Please have Uncle Chen pass them to the buyers.”

Madam Xue accepted it and took out a string of coins from a drawer, giving them to Xia Yun: “This is payment for last time, fifty copper coins in total.” She earnestly added, “Young Master Xia, please don’t mention to anyone that you saw my daughter.”

Xia Yun tucked the money away, saying, “Of course not,” and repeatedly expressed his thanks. Though Madam Xue tried to make him stay, he politely declined and left. After closing the door, Madam Xue took Xia Yun’s bundle upstairs. Seeing Xiang Lan tidying up, she sat beside her and sighed: “Did you see him? That’s Young Master Xia I told you about, Second Sister Xia’s nephew from across the street. Though his family is modest, he’s well-educated and ambitious. Last year he nearly passed the provincial examinations, and he’s sure to pass this year. Second Sister Xia told me she wanted to arrange a match between you two, but then you were sold to the Lin family…”

Madam Xue rambled on for a while, but seeing Xiang Lan continue tidying the cabinets with apparent disinterest, she grew irritated. She nudged Xiang Lan’s arm and frowned, “I’m talking to you, are you listening? Young Master Xia’s character and appearance are both excellent. Now that your father and I are being freed, we’d be a suitable match. Your father will be a shop manager, earning even more than the Xia family… Haven’t you seen how Young Master Xia writes and copies books to help his family? Knowing your father meets scholars and literati at the antique shop all day, he eagerly offered his calligraphy services. He can earn several dozen copper coins copying for others. Everyone praises his writing, saying he’s truly talented… But Young Master Song has taken a fancy to you… Ah!” She poked Xiang Lan’s head, “You, you make me worry so much.”

Xiang Lan rubbed her forehead, thinking her mother was worrying needlessly. She paid no mind to Xia Yun, finished tidying the room, chatted and laughed with her mother for a while, and then returned to the Song household.

As for Xia Yun, he returned home preoccupied and took up a book but couldn’t focus on reading. Remembering Xiang Lan’s appearance made him increasingly restless. Previously, when his second sister-in-law mentioned Chen Wan Quan’s daughter, he had been focused solely on passing the examinations and achieving glory. Moreover, though he treated Chen Wan Quan respectfully, he looked down on his merchant-like vulgarity and doubted such a person could raise a worthy daughter. Finally, being particular about marriage, he wouldn’t settle for an ordinary family’s daughter, insisting on finding both beauty and talent. Thus, he had delayed marriage.

But now, after that fleeting glimpse of Xiang Lan, his interest was piqued. Comparing her to other women he’d seen, none could match her beauty, and he found his heart stirred. Seeing his second sister-in-law hanging clothes in the courtyard, he went to probe for information. She replied, “You’re asking about the Chen family’s Xiang Lan? She’s truly beautiful, with a special spirit about her. She’s literate and can even paint – her father says one painting can sell for a tael of silver. Though Old Chen tends to boast, I’ve asked around, and this isn’t far from the truth. While not every painting sells for that much, they go for at least half a tael. Marrying her would be like marrying a fortune goddess. However, I hear she has a fierce temperament – once threatened someone with a kitchen knife. She caused trouble in the Lin household too, until the mistress drove her out. Tsk tsk, with looks like hers, it’s no wonder men are interested.”

Xia Yun was shocked: “Was she noticed by the Lin family’s master?”

His second sister-in-law looked around and lowered her voice: “Indeed. They say Master Lin took a fancy to her and planned to elevate her position after the mourning period for Old Madam Zeng. But then there was a rebellion in the outer provinces, and Master Lin led troops to suppress the bandits. This gave the mistress her chance to quietly get rid of her. No one knows where she’s been sold. Madam Lin is notoriously cruel – Xiang Lan won’t fare well. Haven’t you noticed even her parents were taken in by the Song family… Ah, even if Xiang Lan were still in the mansion, we wouldn’t dare pursue this match now. Who knows if a girl noticed by Master Lin is still pure…”

While his second sister-in-law continued talking, Xia Yun stood dazed for a long while, feeling a heaviness in his heart. As he walked dejectedly back to his room, his second sister-in-law called after him: “Brother-in-law, what would you like for dinner? The kitchen has saved you a bowl of meat.” Seeing him ignore her, she muttered: “Everyone in the family treats him like an ancestor – can he come back as a top scholar? Hmph, I hope he passes so we can benefit, but I doubt the Xia family ancestors have that much luck!”

Leaving aside Xia Yun’s troubles for now, let’s return to Xiang Lan, who has returned to the Song mansion. After doing some needlework, she cooked two of Song Ke’s favorite dishes and kept them warm in the steamer. Seeing Jun Xi measuring fabric, she asked, “What are you making?”

Jun Xi replied, “I want to make shoes for the master. Boots are too hot in summer – it would be more comfortable to make shoes with layered soles. The pair he’s wearing is old and not very presentable.”

Xiang Lan smiled and said, “Perfect. You take his measurements, and I’ll design a pattern to embroider on the shoes – it will bring good luck.”

Jun Xi smiled, “That’s wonderful! I’ve seen the patterns you made on the master’s stationery set – they’re both intricate and beautiful, neat and evenly stitched, even better than professional embroiderers. You must teach me sometime.”

Yue Xi came out from the inner room and said, “Your drawings are beautiful too, unlike anything you’d see outside. Draw a stack of patterns for me to keep.”

Jun Xi clapped her hands and laughed, “My sister must be thinking of marriage, wanting to save Xiang Lan’s patterns for her dowry embroidery!”

Yue Xi blushed and spat, “Nonsense! I’ll twist that mouth of yours.” She moved to do just that, while Jun Xi begged for mercy.

Xiang Lan smiled and set up a writing table with brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. Yue Xi’s parents had already received permission – after the New Year, she would marry a Jiangnan cloth merchant’s son whose family owned some land. Jun Xi had secretly seen him and reported back that he was handsome and capable – a rare good match. These days Jun Xi often teased Yue Xi, leading to playful fights between the sisters.

Xiang Lan envied their carefree nature. Suddenly hearing the curtain rustle, she looked up to see Fang Si enter with a pair of pants. Seeing the room full of laughter, Fang Si slightly tensed her face and said, “Stop this at once! How can you make such a commotion? And you,” she looked at Xiang Lan, “you don’t even control them? What if the master returns and sees this chaos?”

Xiang Lan smiled, “Sister Fang Si’s presence silences all others like a bird entering the forest. I’m not good at managing people – I should learn from Sister Fang Si.”

Fang Si sneered, “Didn’t you say you came from a grand household? Didn’t you learn how to manage maids?”

Xiang Lan continued smiling, “I didn’t learn, that’s why I just said I need to learn from Sister Fang Si.”

Fang Si felt like she was punching Cotton – unable to say anything more. With Xiang Lan maintaining her smile, any further criticism would make Fang Si appear petty. She felt anger building inside.

Jun Xi pouted as she got down from the couch, muttering, “The master doesn’t even mind, yet she’s trying to control everything.” Yue Xi pulled Jun Xi’s arm, saying with a smile, “Sister Fang Si, please sit. I’ll make you some tea.” She pulled Jun Xi into the inner room and whispered sternly, “Fang Si is favored by the mistress – don’t you know what she’s thinking? Say less and don’t antagonize her.” Then she went to pour tea.

Meanwhile, Fang Si sat down and looked at the writing table, asking, “What are you doing?”

Xiang Lan replied, “Making shoes for the master. I was about to design a pattern to embroider on them.”

Fang Si quickly said, “Oh my, good thing I asked! You don’t know – the master hates flowery embroidery on his clothes. He says it’s effeminate and prefers things plain.” She raised her eyes to look at Xiang Lan with a false smile, “Even if you want to please a man, you should first understand his preferences, don’t you think?”

Xiang Lan saw through her clearly but smiled and nodded, “That’s true, but it’s still better than knowing a man’s preferences yet failing to please him.”

Fang Si’s expression changed slightly.

Xiang Lan casually dipped her brush in ink and said, “Besides, I’m not trying to please anyone. I’m Master Song’s maid – serving him is my duty. It’s just embroidering a pattern on shoes – I’m simply doing my job. Unlike some restless ones who focus on climbing into the master’s bed while proclaiming their loyalty and calling others base. Everyone knows their true intentions – who are they trying to fool?”

Fang Si slammed the table and stood up, trembling with anger: “You… what do you mean by that?!”

Xiang Lan maintained her smile, put down her brush, and feigned surprise: “Why is Sister Fang Si angry? I was talking about some restless maids from my previous household.”

Fang Si’s face turned bright red. She wanted to accuse Xiang Lan of making insinuations, but doing so would be admitting that Xiang Lan’s words were about her. She stood frozen, unable to move forward or back.

Xiang Lan thought to herself: “Back in the Lin household, I was just enduring each day waiting to be freed, so I tolerated everything and played deaf and dumb. Now that I’ve found Xiao Hang and plan to reunite with him, I can’t let anyone trying to cause trouble remain by his side. Since Fang Si already dislikes me, I needn’t keep retreating. Let her know what I’m capable of. It’s also a good chance to see how Song Ke reacts. If he shows tender concern for this maid, I’ll repay his kindness in saving our family from the Lin household, but I absolutely cannot stay with him.”