Thunder rumbled heavily, the sky as dark as a pot’s bottom, with rain pouring down in torrents. Mother Jiang reclined at the headboard, extending a hand from behind the curtain covered with a handkerchief. The Imperial Physician sat outside the curtain taking her pulse, and after a while, having finished checking her condition, went to the front room to deliberate on the prescription.

Someone outside announced, “Reporting to Old Madam, Madam Lin has arrived.”

Mother Jiang quickly said, “Please invite her in.”

Madam Qin lifted the curtain and entered. As Mother Jiang struggled to sit up on the kang, Madam Qin hurried forward, saying, “Aunt Old Madam, please don’t get up, you might get dizzy from rising too quickly.” She reached the kang, took Mother Jiang’s hand, and sat on the bedding, exclaiming, “My dear Old Madam! You looked perfectly fine this morning, how did your complexion become like this in such a short time?”

Mother Jiang forced a smile and said, “When one gets old, the body becomes unreliable. I haven’t been feeling well these past few days, and I fear the heat outside earlier affected my heart when I returned.”

Madam Qin turned her head and asked, “Has a doctor examined you?”

Jiang Fei Yun replied, “Yes, he said it’s a recurrence of an old ailment and has gone to write a prescription.”

Madam Qin said, “The weather is hot with strong summer heat. Aunt Old Madam must take care of herself. Whatever you want to eat or use, just tell me. Let me show my filial devotion.”

Jiang Dan Yun, just waking from her afternoon nap and seeing Madam Qin arrive, hurriedly went to greet her. She deliberately asked Jiang Xiu Yun, “I just woke up from a nap and heard Grandmother isn’t feeling well. What happened? Wasn’t Fifth Sister attending to her earlier?”

Jiang Xiu Yun, appearing obedient with an innocent tone, replied, “Earlier, Elder Brother-in-law’s servant came saying that Elder Cousin had given his concubine’s painting to the young masters of the household. They say the painting was excellently done. Though this matter doesn’t concern us, I wanted to join in the excitement and tried to get a painting to look at. I went out to give some instructions, but when I returned, I found Grandmother looking unwell.”

Mother Jiang glared at Jiang Xiu Yun, then turned to Madam Qin and said, “Look at my granddaughter, so mischievous and unbecoming, even getting excited about men showing off their concubines’ paintings. Won’t people laugh if this gets out!”

Madam Qin, with her crystal-clear understanding, immediately grasped the situation. Her face remained calm as she lightly adjusted her hair bun and straightened her dress, secretly annoyed. She thought to herself, “The Jiang grandmother and granddaughter are trying to shame me. If they have something to say, they should say it directly. Playing innocent and shooting veiled arrows at me, it’s a waste of others praising them as ‘sincere and lovable.’ Young Master Lou is thoughtless. You can dote on Chen Xiang Lan and do whatever you want behind closed doors, but bringing it out in the open like this, no wonder the Jiang family can’t save face.”

Madam Qin, being naturally straightforward and protective, smiled slightly and said, “Aunt Old Madam is upset, and indeed, our Lou’er was wrong. We had our eye on Xiu girl, and both families had intentions.” Then with a full smile continued, “However, it was just a thought, we haven’t even sent the name cards or betrothal gifts yet.” The implication was that whether the Lin family would proceed with this marriage was still uncertain.

Mother Jiang was startled, not expecting Madam Qin to tear through the window paper and turn the tables on her. Her face turned purplish-blue, and she began coughing heavily. Jiang Xiu Yun quickly went forward to pat Mother Jiang’s chest, while Jiang Dan Yun’s face showed surprise, followed by schadenfreude.

Seeing the situation deteriorate, Jiang Fei Yun hurriedly went forward to affectionately take Madam Qin’s arm, saying with a reproachful smile, “What are you saying, Aunt? Marriage is no small matter. We shouldn’t let a few misplaced words ruin a good match.” She brought a cup of tea forward, saying, “Aunt, please have some tea.”

Madam Qin took the tea, gently stirred the leaves with the lid, blew on it to cool it, and slowly took a sip. Jiang Xiu Yun was kneeling on the footstool by the bed, slightly turning her head. Madam Qin stared at her eyes for a moment. Though Madam Qin had always been kind and gentle towards her like a spring breeze, her gaze had never been so cold and sharp. Jiang Xiu Yun’s heart tightened, and she lowered her head again. Mother Jiang was furious inside but couldn’t express it, only closing her eyes and leaning against the pillow.

Knowing she had softened the Jiang family’s stance, Madam Qin leisurely said, “Speaking of which, Lou’er was indeed inappropriate, but men, especially when young, are all like greedy cats. Chen Xiang Lan is good in every way, with the qualities of a noble lady, so it’s natural for him to pay her more attention. Besides, at Lou’er’s age, who doesn’t have three wives and four concubines with children in rows? Right now he only has one favored concubine, isn’t that a hundred times better than others? One must know contentment, don’t you agree?” As she spoke, she gently stroked Jiang Xiu Yun’s head, making Jiang Xiu Yun slightly shudder.

Madam Qin withdrew her hand and looked at Mother Jiang, saying, “Of course, the Lin family has its rules. If Lou’er favors a concubine over his wife and doesn’t know his priorities, we’ll still discipline him according to our ancestral laws.”

Hearing Madam Qin’s words, Jiang Dan Yun realized she still intended for Jiang Xiu Yun to marry into their family and couldn’t hide her disappointment.

The room fell silent again. Mother Jiang opened her eyes, put on a smile, and softened her tone, saying, “Niece-in-law, this old woman has a few words to say to you. Once I say them, my illness will be half cured.” As she struggled to sit up, Madam Qin and Jiang Fei Yun both went forward to help. Jiang Xiu Yun placed a backrest pillow behind Mother Jiang and was about to serve her tea, but Mother Jiang waved her hand, ordering everyone to withdraw, adding, “Xiu girl, stay.”

Jiang Dan Yun’s face showed anger, but Jiang Fei Yun pulled her out.

Madam Qin leaned slightly forward, maintaining her composure, and said, “Please speak.”

Mother Jiang let out a long sigh, took Jiang Xiu Yun’s hand, and patted it, saying to Madam Qin, “Niece-in-law, if anything I said earlier was offensive, please don’t take it to heart.”

Madam Qin replied, “Aunt Old Madam, you’re too kind.”

“It’s just that Lou’er’s treatment of that concubine… is improper. I hear the household servants call her without the ‘Yi’ title, directly addressing her as ‘Madam,’ and he allows it. Soon they might add ‘Great’ in front, then where would the proper wife stand? I hear he even lets the concubine sleep in the main chamber,… this goes against both sentiment and reason, doesn’t it? Even the most magnanimous woman probably couldn’t tolerate such a concubine.” As Mother Jiang spoke, she covered her mouth with a handkerchief, coughing softly.

Madam Qin firmly said, “Aunt Old Madam, Chen Xiang Lan has done our Lin family great favors. Whether one can accept her or not, she must be accepted. If truly unacceptable, then let’s not speak of marriage.”

Mother Jiang was shocked and looked at Madam Qin, who half-squinted her eyes in return. A flash of lightning crossed the sky, illuminating the room brightly. Their gazes met in a confrontation until Mother Jiang finally deflated, her expression haggard. With sincere eyes, she looked at Madam Qin and said, “Niece-in-law, you also have daughters, put yourself in our shoes, you should understand our feelings.” She took Jiang Xiu Yun’s small hand and made her stand up, “My granddaughter’s appearance, temperament, and character are all first-rate. Sometimes I’d rather die than see her wronged.”

Jiang Xiu Yun’s eyes filled with tears as she choked out, “Grandmother…”

These words were spoken sincerely, and combined with Mother Jiang’s weak and haggard appearance, they softened Madam Qin’s heart. She sighed and took Mother Jiang’s hand, saying, “Aunt Old Madam, please don’t worry. We know right from wrong. If our families join in marriage, we won’t mistreat Xiu girl, and we absolutely won’t allow Lou’er to act recklessly. In these few days, we’ll have Chen Xiang Lan move out of the main chamber, and from now on, everything will follow concubine protocols without any overstepping.” She paused and added, “I’ve already written home to arrange for an official matchmaker to visit.”

Hearing these words, Mother Jiang was satisfied – after the concubine entered the household, there would be time to deal with her. For now, Madam Qin’s attitude was sufficient. Her face brightened slightly with a faint smile.

Jiang Xiu Yun stood quietly to the side. Was this… the Lin family compromising? Why did her heart still feel knotted? The Lin family had seized upon her family’s weakness in eagerly wanting to marry off their daughter, forcing her to accept Chen Xiang Lan, that beautiful, gentle, and talented concubine whom Lin Jin Lou couldn’t take his eyes off.

For the first time, she felt powerless. Lin Jin Lou would be extremely difficult to control, and Chen Xiang Lan, except for her background, was not inferior to her in any way… She had always dreamed of a romance between a talented scholar and a beautiful lady, hoping for a loving match with mutual understanding and marital harmony… Jiang Xiu Yun’s chest burned like fire, her whole being seemed trapped in a swamp. After Madam Qin left, she collapsed beside Mother Jiang, tears falling in a daze.

Meanwhile, Xiang Lan returned to Chang Chun Hall, dismissed her maids, and went to her room alone, first shedding tears. Just then, Lin Dong Xiu arrived with her maids and, seeing the maids all standing at the bedroom door peering inside, asked, “What are you all standing here for?”

Xue Ning hesitated and said, “Madam came back crying and is alone in the room, not letting anyone in.”

Hua Shan said, “She hasn’t eaten lunch yet.”

Just then, Ling Qing and Ling Su brought in a kang table with several dishes. Ling Qing said, “Everything’s been reheated twice already, you can’t go without eating.”

Lin Dong Xiu said, “Fine, set up the table inside. I’ll eat with Xiang Lan.” She entered the room first.

Xiang Lan’s eyes were swollen like walnuts, and the tip of her nose was red. Seeing Lin Dong Xiu enter, she quickly wiped her tears with a handkerchief and said hoarsely, “Fourth Miss, why are you here?”

Lin Dong Xiu was startled and said, “Oh my, why are you crying like this? Who dared to upset you?” She moved closer and asked, “Did Elder Brother bully you?”

Xiang Lan forced a smile and just helped the two Ling maids set up the kang table on the large kang inside the gauze-screened alcove.

Lin Dong Xiu ordered her maid, “Qiang Wei, go back to my quarters and bring those two jars of good wine.” Then pulling Xiang Lan to sit on the kang, she said, “Wine can dissolve a thousand sorrows. We’ve never had a proper drink together.”

Lin Dong Xiu was also harboring frustration. Earlier, Aunt Xia had scolded her for behavior at the poetry society that “violated ladies’ propriety” and for “arguing over trivial matters, completely unbefitting a noble lady, acting like a common market shrew.” Lin Dong Xiu felt uncomfortable but couldn’t find any words to refute, so she could only hang her head and listen to the lecture for a long while. Feeling stifled, she came out to clear her head and ended up at Xiang Lan’s place, wanting to share her troubles.

Xiang Lan, heavy-hearted herself, sat quietly by the kang table. Lin Dong Xiu made herself at home, looked over the dishes, and ordered several of her favorites from Chang Chun Hall’s small kitchen, saying, “I’ve long heard that Elder Brother’s cook here is skilled, but haven’t tried the food.” Soon Qiang Wei and others brought the wine, warmed up a pot, and Hua Shan poured it. Lin Dong Xiu raised her cup and said, “I’ll drink to you.”

Xiang Lan raised her cup to clink with hers and drank it in one gulp. This was no mild fruit wine or yellow rice wine, but something sharp, spicy, and strong. Xiang Lan felt a burning sensation travel from her throat to her heart, extremely uncomfortable yet inexplicably satisfying. Lin Dong Xiu stuck out her tongue and said, “My goodness, how can anyone consider such unpalatable wine good?” Seeing Xiang Lan pour herself another full cup, she quickly stopped her, saying, “This won’t do. If you get drunk, Elder Brother won’t let me off.”

Xiang Lan pushed her hand away saying, “Aren’t we here today just to enjoy ourselves? Fourth Miss, you brought the wine yourself, so why fuss?” She then poured for Lin Dong Xiu and dismissed all the maids.

Lin Dong Xiu sighed and said, “Very well.” She raised her cup to clink with Xiang Lan’s and drank with furrowed brows, feeling her heart pounding and her face reddening. After taking a bite of food, she suddenly laughed and said, “Three years ago, who would have thought I’d be drinking with you? Back then you were just a timid little maid, Cao Li Huan would slap your face at will, always scolding and ordering you around. Now you’re dressed in fine silks and satins, wearing gold and silver, socializing with the masters, while she’s probably wandered off somewhere as a vagrant ghost. How remarkable, this twist of fate…”

“Is wearing fine silks and jewels a good life? Fourth Miss, my heart has always been clear as a mirror. This current glory of mine is only skin-deep. What socializing with masters? I’m still just a plaything, a servant. If misfortune strikes tomorrow, I might end up worse than that vagrant ghost.”

“Tsk, this is why people find it hard to love you. When others praise you, you should just accept it. Living today while worrying about tomorrow – if you think like that, in several decades we’ll all be nothing but yellow earth anyway. Isn’t it exhausting?”

“Whether I think about it or not, things are what they are. It’s not like I can live blindly with my eyes covered. These things can’t be avoided. I fear that if I indulge in present pleasures, the future outcome will be even more unbearable… Alright, alright, I’ll stop. Let’s drink.”

They ate some food and clinked cups again.

As the wine took effect, Lin Dong Xiu became more talkative: “I didn’t think much of you before. You were just a maid, but your neck was stiffer than anyone’s. You looked submissive but had an air of superiority inside. Several times you even made me lose face, making my teeth ache with hatred. These past two years, I’ve watched you become much more gentle. Looking closer, I’ve come to think you’re good – not the type to smile to someone’s face while harboring evil behind their back.”

Xiang Lan’s lips curled slightly as she raised her cup, saying, “For any past offenses, I offer this cup of wine as an apology to Fourth Miss.”

Lin Dong Xiu took a sip of wine and continued, “I know why you’re unhappy. It’s because of the Jiang family, isn’t it? Try to think positively. Elder Brother will marry eventually. Jiang Xiu Yun isn’t easy to deal with, but Madam and Elder Brother will still protect you somewhat. If you face grievances in the future, you can come to me. You saved my life and have treated me well – I remember that.”

While Lin Dong Xiu was speaking, Xiang Lan had already downed several cups. With drunk eyes, she said to Lin Dong Xiu, “In the future, the Fourth Miss will be the Marquise of Yong Chang. Fourth Miss got what she wanted, but the Marquis is older, with many wives and concubines, and his sons from concubines. Is Fourth Miss truly unbothered? If you found a scholar of similar age instead…”

Lin Dong Xiu sneered, “I don’t believe in those ethereal things. If this marriage were perfect in every way, how would it have fallen to me? What I seek is a lifetime of wealth and stability. I don’t feel particularly wronged.”

Xiang Lan nodded her heavy head vigorously, clapping her hands in admiration, “Fourth Miss, hearing you say this, I truly respect you…”

Seeing Xiang Lan’s flushed face and slurred speech, Lin Dong Xiu quickly tried to stop her, saying, “Don’t drink anymore. Let’s have the maids bring some sobering soup. I really won’t be able to explain this to Elder Brother.”

Xiang Lan snatched back the wine cup, giggling, “What’s there to explain to him? I’ve lived so carefully to reach this point, finally having a moment of joy, why must I explain to anyone!” She laughed while tears fell, then choked out, “My poor foolish sister… indulged in momentary pleasure, and look what became of her, now wandering as a vagrant ghost somewhere… wuu wuu wuu…”

Lin Dong Xiu frowned, “What? Sister? What sister?” She staggered to her feet and pushed Xiang Lan, saying, “This won’t do, you’re drunk.” She quickly ordered the maids to clear away the wine and bring sobering soup.

Just then, Lin Jin Lou returned from seeing off the guests in the front. As soon as he entered, he saw Xiang Lan hugging the wine pot, still trying to drink, while Lin Dong Xiu and the maids were trying to coax her. His face immediately darkened as he said, “What are you doing?”

The maids were too frightened to move. Lin Dong Xiu said, “I had some wine with Xiang Lan, but unexpectedly she couldn’t handle it and got drunk…”

Lin Jin Lou stepped forward and pulled Xiang Lan up. Seeing her flushed face and smell of alcohol, he frowned and asked, “Where’s the sobering soup?”

Xiang Lan looked at Lin Jin Lou with bleary eyes, suddenly struggling and hitting out, shouting, “I don’t want to see you, get away!”

Lin Jin Lou was furious. He shook Xiang Lan twice, causing the pins and ornaments in her hair to fall to the ground, and said through gritted teeth, “Look carefully who you’re talking to! You’re just asking for trouble!”

Lin Dong Xiu couldn’t help but shrink back, saying softly, “Brother, be gentle…”

Lin Jin Lou shot Lin Dong Xiu a glare, pointing at her, then took the sobering soup from the maid and tried to make Xiang Lan drink it. Xiang Lan struggled desperately, refusing to drink, spilling most of the soup, and began coughing violently.

Lin Jin Lou was extremely angry. He let go and shoved Xiang Lan onto the kang, saying hatefully, “Go ahead and court death! Just go ahead! Later Madam still wants you to go over, and see how you handle that! You’ve done well, haven’t you? I just finished showing off your painting in front, and here you are pulling this stunt in the back. How can you face me!”

Lin Dong Xiu hurried over to pat Xiang Lan’s back and wipe her face with a handkerchief, saying, “Elder Brother, she’s drunk, it’s natural to talk nonsense…”

Lin Jin Lou glared at her and said, “Why are you still dawdling here? The rain has lightened, get out quickly!”

Lin Dong Xiu didn’t dare provoke this tyrant and maintained a smile as she said, “Then I’ll take my leave.” Before leaving, she couldn’t help but turn back to say, “Brother, be gentle with her…” Seeing Lin Jin Lou glare again, she hurriedly turned and left.

Lin Jin Lou watched Xiang Lan lying uncomfortably on the kang, alternating between crying and laughing, then asking for more wine. He was so angry he could spit blood, his hands shaking with rage. He got up and stormed back to the bedroom, slamming the door with a thunderous “bang.” The maids bit their fingers nervously, not daring to make a sound, just quietly attending to Xiang Lan. Suddenly the door opened again with a “pa,” and Lin Jin Lou emerged in changed clothes. With a cold face, he picked up Xiang Lan and carried her to the main bedroom’s large bed. Seeing Hua Shan bring a towel, he snatched it and wiped Xiang Lan’s face, then brought the sobering soup and forced it into her mouth by pinching her cheeks. Xiang Lan felt sick and finally vomited with a “wa,” fortunately with Ling Qing holding a spittoon ready beside her.