Just then, a servant reported that the doctor had arrived. The women retreated to the inner room while Lin Jin Lou had screens set up for the doctor to examine Ying Ge’s pulse.

The doctor reported signs of mild miscarriage risk, noting that the expectant mother’s weakness and excessive worry warranted a prescription for strengthening blood circulation, securing the pregnancy, and calming the spirit. Lin Jin Lou went behind the screen and sat on the edge of the arhat bed, telling Ying Ge, “The doctor says the baby is fine. Take the medicine, and you’ll feel better.”

Ying Ge timidly tugged at Lin Jin Lou’s sleeve and said, “If Master would just spare me a moment’s thought, all my ailments would vanish.” Her eyes brimmed with tears that she carefully held back, presenting an irresistibly delicate and pitiful appearance.

Lin Jin Lou patted her hand and said, “Take good care of yourself, and don’t overthink things. Of course, I care about you.” He knew Ying Ge had always been frail, moaning and complaining whether truly ill or not. He had initially found this “sick beauty” act intriguing, thinking her weak and pitiful demeanor rather appealing – soothing her and showing affection had its charm. When in a good mood, he had the patience for such games, but when troubled by worries or business matters, her tearful displays became irritating. Moreover, with Ying Ge’s constant melancholy, his initial fascination had worn off into weariness.

Ying Ge clearly heard the perfunctory tone in Lin Jin Lou’s voice and called out softly, “Master…” One hand gently gripped his fingers while the other clutched the bedding beneath her so tightly her knuckles turned white.

Lin Jin Lou ordered the screens removed. Seeing Zhao Yue Chan and the others emerge, he said, “The doctor says Ying Ge shows signs of potential miscarriage. He’s written a prescription – have it prepared and try a few doses, along with some nourishing soups. If the main household account is short on funds, come to me.”

He cast a cool glance at Zhi Cao and Chun Yan. The two had hastily tidied their hair and clothes – Zhi Cao stood with head bowed, looking dazed, while Chun Yan trembled, staring fixedly at Lin Jin Lou.

Lin Jin Lou spoke gravely: “Since Ying Ge isn’t seriously hurt, I won’t investigate who pushed her, but punishment is still necessary. Chun Yan, twenty slaps to the face, confined for one month, and three months’ wages forfeited. Zhi Cao, thirty slaps, three months’ wages forfeited, relegated to cleaning duties, and no longer allowed to serve inside. One more mistake and you’ll be dismissed from the household.”

Chun Yan quietly exhaled in relief, but Lin Jin Lou suddenly looked up at her, his gaze deep as the ocean, and said slowly: “Chun Yan, you’re getting older, and your thoughts are more complicated than before. Since you’ve served me for a time, go collect a hundred taels of silver from the accounts office, along with a set of gold and silver ornaments, and have your parents take you away. If you want your freedom papers, I can release you from service.”

Xiang Lan, hiding behind the window, was startled. She thought: “Lin Jin Lou doesn’t want to keep Chun Yan anymore! A concubine-maid like her, no matter how beautiful, is already a fallen woman – what good family would take her? Still, a hundred taels is generous, and freedom from servitude too. If Chun Yan doesn’t aim too high, she could find a decent match.”

While lost in thought, she heard Chun Yan’s anguished cry: “Master!” She fell straight to her knees, tears flowing like a spring, wailing, “Master, I won’t go, I won’t go! I’d rather die than leave the Lin household!”

Lin Jin Lou said coolly, “You don’t have to leave the household. There are several eligible footmen – tell Madam which one you prefer, and you’ll be treated fairly.”

Chun Yan shook her head desperately, crying heart-rendingly: “Master, Master, please listen! I know you’re angry with me, but I truly didn’t bump into Ying Ge on purpose.” She turned back, clutching her handkerchief and pointing at Zhi Cao: “You wretch! I’ve never wronged you – why are you framing me!”

Seeing Chun Yan’s vicious glare, Zhi Cao stepped back and fell to her knees, biting her lip as tears streamed down her face, choking out: “I’m… wrongly accused…”

Chun Yan quickly turned back to see Lin Jin Lou’s expressionless face with lowered eyes. Though Ying Ge wore a sorrowful expression, her eyes couldn’t hide their mockery and satisfaction. Hua Mei stood by the arhat bed, leisurely biting her handkerchief as if enjoying a show.

Chun Yan pointed frantically at Hua Mei and Ying Ge, screaming: “I understand now! It was you! And you! You conspired together to plot against me! In this entire Knowledge Spring Pavilion, except for Madam, you all despise me, finding ways to harm and bully me, wanting Master to tire of me and drive me out so you can have your way!”

Ying Ge feigned shock, her eyes filled with indignation: “What are you saying!” She tugged at Lin Jin Lou’s sleeve: “Master, this wrong can’t be cleared even by jumping into the Yellow River – how could I risk the Lin family’s flesh and blood?”

Xiang Lan nodded silently, thinking Ying Ge was indeed the better actress. Looking at Hua Mei’s silence, she realized Hua Mei was also clever – sharp-tongued before Lin Jin Lou arrived, now perfectly docile.

Chun Yan spat: “Everyone knows you’re the best actress, playing the ‘sick beauty’ every day…” Halfway through, she remembered this wasn’t the time for quarreling and turned to Lin Jin Lou, begging pitifully: “Master! Master, I beg you, don’t send me away. I’ll serve you like an ox or horse, with complete devotion. Master, you said you loved my carefree nature, enjoyed watching me dress up and apply beauty marks, and liked hearing me play the flute. You even wrote on my arm ‘Whose jade flute plays such tender notes, floating through spring wind into curtained rooms’ – you wrote this poem for me yourself. For the sake of our past love…” She knocked her head on the ground repeatedly.

Whose jade flute plays such tender notes, floating through spring wind into curtained rooms?

Xiang Lan shuddered, thinking this verse would be considered mediocre even among erotic poetry. Lin Jin Lou truly lacked literary talent – no wonder he stopped after becoming a Scholar, avoiding the shame of failing the Provincial Examination, and instead excelled in martial arts, earning the reputation of being “accomplished in both civil and military arts.”

“Enough!” Lin Jin Lou shouted. “Someone take her away for the face-slapping!” After calling twice, two old women emerged from behind the room and dragged Chun Yan out. She thrashed about, shrieking: “Master! Master! I’ve always been true to you…” One of the women stuffed cloth into her mouth.

Hidden behind a pillar, Xiang Lan watched Chun Yan being dragged away in such a sorry state, feeling uncomfortable. This flower-like girl had once shared intimacy with the man sitting inside – he had once favored her, doted on her, and been passionate with her. If she had truly plotted against his offspring, such treatment would be justified, but he showed not even a trace of reluctance, maintaining complete indifference throughout, as if Chun Yan were a stranger.

Lin Jin Lou stood and said to Zhao Yue Chan: “Come with me.” He lifted the curtain and entered the bedroom, sitting on an embroidered stool. Zhao Yue Chan followed and sat on the bed, glancing at him: “What is it?”

Lin Jin Lou exhaled and looked at Zhao Yue Chan with a half-smile: “The child in Ying Ge’s womb is the Lin family’s bloodline, the main branch’s descendant. I trust you’ll take good care of it.” He emphasized the words “take good care” particularly heavily.

Zhao Yue Chan removed her red musk prayer beads and rolled them between her fingers like Buddhist beads, looking up at Lin Jin Lou with venomous resentment: “If Master doesn’t trust me, give her to someone else to watch. I couldn’t bear the responsibility if anything happened to that little wretch and her bastard child.”

Lin Jin Lou suddenly smiled. Though he had been stern and imposing before, this smile carried a rake’s unrestrained charm. He stepped forward and gripped Zhao Yue Chan’s chin, his thumb caressing her lips as he leaned in close. Zhao Yue Chan’s heart pounded, her mouth dry, her body trembling, expecting his kiss. Instead, Lin Jin Lou brought his lips to her ear with a slightly frivolous smile, his deep voice smooth as silk: “Madam Lou should listen carefully. I’m leaving Ying Ge in your care because you’re still nominally my wife – I’m giving you face, so don’t be shameless. Spring Yan is a fool – you incited her to cause trouble in the main household and encouraged discord between Ying Ge and Hua Mei. Ying Ge’s near-miscarriage wasn’t Spring Yan’s intentional doing; Spring Yan is simple – if she had been plotting, she would have revealed herself earlier. Don’t think I don’t know about your dirty schemes. I treat you like excrement, so I can’t be bothered to deal with you. Listen carefully: if anything happens to the child in Ying Ge’s womb, you’ll see what I’m capable of. You know my methods – understand?”

Such sharp words were delivered in gentle whispers – like a bucket of ice water poured over her head, leaving Zhao Yue Chan rigid as stone. Lin Jin Lou straightened up and touched her ear and inch-long agate earring, smiling: “These red agate earrings make your skin look even whiter – truly befitting Jinling’s greatest beauty. Even your ears are so lovely. What a pity such a beauty has lived as a widow for four years. Why do you think that is?”

Zhao Yue Chan trembled uncontrollably. Lin Jin Lou continued smiling: “I’ll say it again – I promised both families, so I can’t divorce you, but if you ever want a separation, just tell me. I’ll personally provide a generous sum, guaranteed to satisfy you.” Then, as if addressing a courtesan, his fingers lightly traced her chin and patted her face: “Think it through carefully – how many years of youth and beauty does a woman have? Wait too long, until that face of yours loses its charm, and you won’t find any good matches.”

He stepped back, took out a handkerchief from his sleeve, and wiped his hands: “Touching you makes me sick.” He threw the handkerchief on the ground and walked out.

Zhao Yue Chan trembled violently, her eyes nearly bleeding with hatred. She grabbed a teacup and threw it at the doorframe, screaming: “Bastard!”

As Lin Jin Lou emerged and was about to leave the courtyard, he suddenly heard someone say: “Master, please wait.” He stopped and turned to see Hua Mei holding out a purse, smiling gently: “I made this purse for Master. Please see if you like it.”

Lin Jin Lou took it and saw it was embroidered with clouds and ruyi patterns in five colors, decorated with palace tassels and jade beads the size of fingertips – an intricate piece requiring much effort. Lin Jin Lou smiled: “I’ll keep this fine purse. Such excellent work deserves a reward – what would you like? Hairpins, rings, clothes? Or shall I have a new set of ornaments made for you?”

Hua Mei pouted: “How awful, Master thinks so poorly of me!” She held up both hands to Lin Jin Lou, pursing her lips: “I don’t want anything. My fingers are full of holes from sewing the purse – just blow on them, and they’ll feel better.”

Lin Jin Lou held her soft, delicate hands, grinning: “You think my breath is magical? One blow and they’ll heal?”

Hua Mei coquettishly said: “Of course, one blow will do it – why don’t you try, Master?”

Lin Jin Lou indeed held her hands and blew on them, pulling her into his arms and laughing: “Let me see if they’re better now.”

Hua Mei giggled continuously. Xiang Lan, standing under the eaves, watched this scene in astonishment: “Good heavens, in broad daylight under the bright sun, Lin Jin Lou is flirting with his concubine-maid right at the main door! This… this Master Lou truly lives up to his reputation as a romantic – definitely a pioneer in matters of the heart!”