Chapter 5: Entering the Mansion (Part 2)

Xianglan Road: "It is me"

Lin Jinlou compared the roster with the photographs, and then used a brush to strike out a few names from the roster, saying: "Haven't we already discussed this? Shouldn't they have proper appearances? Do these few even qualify as proper?"

To face the frost: "First, make excuses; if that doesn't work, isn't that girl still in the residence?"

Juanzi said, "So, does this mean that the master and his family are still in the capital now"

Xianglan felt overwhelmed, suddenly recalling her previous life in a grand residence in the capital, where the scenery was even more splendid than here. Now, with her family shattered and her loved ones lost, it truly echoed the saying, "The carved railings and jade steps should still be there, only the rosy faces have changed." At that moment, she walked around a large screen carved from black wood depicting mountains and rivers, and saw four adjoining halls, with the main courtyard behind them. A maid dressed in a silver and red tunic was standing on the steps, addressing Yang Hongying: "Why did you take so long to arrive? I have been waiting here for quite some time."

Yang Hongying had no choice but to lead Xianglan and the others inside. Upon entering the main hall, Xianglan slightly raised her head and looked up, only to see a stunningly beautiful woman sitting in the chair directly opposite her. The woman wore a large phoenix hairpin adorned with emeralds and pearls, a necklace of red gold with a circle of beads hanging from her neck, embellished with mutton-fat jade. Her skirt was tied with a colorful silk flower knot and long tassels, and she was dressed in a two-colored gold peony-patterned jacket, paired with a rose-purple pleated skirt. She had delicate, arched eyebrows and a pair of watery, peach blossom eyes, radiant as peach and plum blossoms. Her gaze, whether seemingly indifferent or affectionate, exuded a myriad of charm and grace.

Zhao Yuechan said with a stern face: "If I am not driven out, I will only add to the frustration."

Yang Zhong bent down and smiled, saying: "Some may look a bit rough, but they are skilled with their hands and can sew very well"

Yang Zhong protested, saying: "My lord, how could a lowly person dare!"

Suddenly, the surroundings fell silent, and the girls exchanged glances, no longer speaking. Xianglan raised her head, holding her bundle, and saw a young gentleman in his twenties or so walking out from the archway. He was dressed in a dark green embroidered robe adorned with orchids, and his raven-black hair was tied up with a golden crown. He had a tall and upright figure, broad shoulders, and a strong build, with striking features. His eyes shone like cold stars, exuding an imposing presence and an air of nobility and charm. He was none other than Lin Jilou, the legitimate eldest grandson of the Lin family.

Yang Hongying quickly said: "This was personally selected by the master; the rest have all been sent back"

Zhao Yuechan coldly remarked: "Listen, it's still called Silver Butterfly, just a collection of delicate and charming names." The room was silent, and no one dared to speak. Xianglan thought to herself: "This eldest lady is as beautiful as a celestial being, but her temperament is like that of a fierce demon, which makes her less endearing." Since Zhao Yuechan could not read, she ordered Ying Shuang to read the names on the roster. When Ying Shuang reached the last name, she paused slightly, brought the roster to Zhao Yuechan, and quietly pointed to Xianglan's name, saying: "Madam, this one named Xianglan, the name was circled by the master with a brush." Xianglan thought to herself: "This eldest lady is as beautiful as a celestial being, but her temperament is like that of a fierce demon, which makes her less endearing." Since Zhao Yuechan could not read, she ordered Ying Shuang to read the names on the roster. When Ying Shuang reached the last name, she paused slightly, brought the roster to Zhao Yuechan, and quietly pointed to Xianglan's name, saying: "Madam, this one named Xianglan, the name was circled by the master with a brush."

The girl was startled and timidly said, "I was just renamed by Lord Gang to Silver Butterfly."

Xiang Lan thought for a moment and said softly: "Old Master Lin Zhaoxiang was originally the Minister of Personnel. After retiring, he returned to his hometown. After the Emperor ascended the throne, he considered reinstating him, but Old Master Lin, due to an old ailment, only served as the Grand Scholar at the Imperial Academy for five years before retiring again. Old Master Lin had only two sons. The legitimate eldest son, Lin Changzheng, was a successful candidate in both the highest imperial examinations and was appointed as a Gentleman of the Study. After serving in various positions for a few years, he returned to the capital and entered the Hanlin Academy. After several more years, he was transferred to the position of Deputy Minister of Revenue. He married into a prominent family, the Qins, and had three sons and three daughters. Lin Jinlou is the legitimate eldest son, married to a daughter from a prestigious family, the Zhaos; Lin Jinxuan is the second son, born out of wedlock, and has not yet been betrothed; Lin Jinyuan is the youngest legitimate son, still quite young; the eldest daughter, known as Lin Dongwan, is born out of wedlock; the second daughter is the legitimate Lin Dongqi; and the third daughter is the illegitimate Lin Dongxiu.

Yang Hongying thought to herself: "The eldest lady's words left an impression of the most outstanding girl from https://www.hetushu.com. I wonder how this little girl will turn out in the future." She cast a worried glance at Xianglan, not daring to argue, and hurriedly led the group away. Juanzi frequently looked back at Xianglan, seemingly very reluctant to part.

Ying Shuang hurriedly approached the woman and said: "Madam, everyone has been brought here"

Xiang Lan secretly scoffed, "Just a little girl, always saying 'we' and 'our Lin family', it's truly laughable." With an expressionless face, she continued to walk forward with her head lowered and a compliant demeanor.

Yang Zhong called Yang Hongying, handing her the roster and the ten selected girls. Yang Hongying immediately took the group to Jihong Hall. Xianglan, carrying a bundle, walked at the end, glancing around as she went. After passing through the second gate and the small corridor, she ascended the winding gallery, and before her, the view opened up. Everywhere were intricately carved beams and painted rafters, exotic flowers and rare plants, along with a winding stream meandering beneath the corridor, cascading from the depths of the foliage into a small pond surrounded by peculiar stones, resembling a fairyland.

Ying Shuang led the two of them for quite a while, and soon they came upon a delicate and compact house built by the water, featuring one bright and two dark sections, with walls made of water-ground stone and black tile roofing, devoid of any red or pink decorations. A robust woman in her fifties was sitting at the entrance, washing clothes. Upon seeing Ying Shuang, she stood up and called into the house, "Miss Huan, Ying Shuang has arrived!" After saying this, she leaned against the door frame, her large eyes curiously sizing up Xiang Lan.

These girls, the youngest only eight or nine years old, and the oldest merely thirteen or fourteen, some with flushed faces who quickly lowered their heads, some shyly retreating, and others peeking out from behind others. Xianglan felt a slight tremor and thought: "I had seen him twice when we were children; he was then a delicate little boy, willful and domineering, extraordinarily mischievous, often regarded as a little tyrant. After fourteen years without seeing him, he has grown into this appearance, looking much more refined and cultured. " Thinking of how this person had once discussed a marriage proposal with her, she felt a strange sensation in her heart.

Lin Jinlou immediately said, "I will go right away." After speaking, he remembered that there was one last maid he had not inquired about, so he marked Xianglan's name with a circle as a reminder, thinking he would ask her later. He handed the roster to Yang Zhong and said, "These few, take them to Jihong Hall and let the old matrons teach them the rules properly for a few days." Having said that, he hurriedly left.

The cousin is the granddaughter of the second sister of the old master. Her elders passed away early, and her brother-in-law's family is struggling, so she came to seek refuge with us. Ying Shuang glanced at Xiang Lan and said, "You should take good care of her. The cousin was betrothed at a young age, and now she will only stay with us for a year and a half. Once the mourning period is over, she will get married, and at that time, she will be married off from our Lin family, which will also bring us honor."

I have an idea: why not send her to a remote place? Perhaps the master will forget about her in a moment of whimsy, and if he truly forgets her, it won't be too late to send her away again. It will only take a few days for the old lady to pass away, and once she is gone, no matter how much the master cares, it will be of no use.

Yang Zhong shouted: "Stand properly, just as I instructed earlier." He rearranged the girls into a line and handed the roster to Lin Jinlou, saying: "There are a total of fifteen girls, ten born in the family and five purchased, please take a look, sir."

This maid, named Ying Shuang, is the servant of Zhao Yuechan, the wife of Lin Jinlou. Yang Hongying is well aware that Zhao Yuechan and her subordinates are difficult to deal with, which inevitably causes her some headache. However, she forced a smile and approached, saying: "May I ask what brings you to me?"

The two engaged in a brief conversation, and Juanzi, with her innocent disposition and straightforward speech, quickly became familiar with the other person. Juanzi said: "I wonder where we will serve in the future. You are a native, so you must know quite a bit about the Lin family, right? What kind of books and what sort of masters, madams, young masters, and young ladies does the Lin family have? Please tell me all about it."

Lin Jinlou snorted and ordered the captured individuals to be taken away, while he proceeded to question the remaining ones one by one. He also assigned new names, renaming Juanzi to "Xiao Juan." When he inquired about Xianglan, the young servant Shuangxi rushed in and said: "Master, two managers have arrived from the dock and are waiting to see you in the outer courtyard. They say they have urgent matters to discuss"

Old Master Lin's second son, Lin Changmin, came from Wu. A few years ago, he followed General Zhang Huanping to combat the Japanese threat, and now he remains in Jinling as a deputy general. He married the daughter of a civil official, named Wang, and they have one legitimate son and one legitimate daughter, named Lin Jinting and Lin Dongling respectively

Zhao Yuechan picked up the tea bowl and took a sip, saying lightly: "Didn’t you bring over more than twenty? How come only a few are left?" As she spoke, she turned to look at Yang Hongying

Xianglan smiled and said, "My name is Chen Xianglan, and I am a natural-born child of the Lin family"

The two were chatting away when the second steward, Yang Zhong, stepped out and said: "Please be quiet; Master Lou will be coming to inspect shortly, and we must not make a fool of ourselves."

Zhao Yuechan raised an eyebrow and said, "Who called Xianglan?"

Ying Shuang received the order and led someone out. Xiang Lan frowned and thought to herself: "Who is this young lady? Why have I never heard of her before?"

Zhao Yuechan pondered for a moment, then slightly nodded and said to Yang Hongying: "Leave Xianglan behind, you may take the rest."

Zhao Yuechan scrutinized Xianglan several times, noticing that the girl had a delicate appearance and an extraordinary temperament. Her expression darkened as she thought, "I knew he was in such a hurry to have me buy a girl back; there must be something behind it. It's not because 'father and mother and younger siblings live comfortably at home'; it's all for his own sordid intentions. As expected, I was right!" The more she looked at Xianglan, the more displeased she became. At that moment, she heard Yingshuang whispering, "Is it possible that Grandma wants to drive this little girl away? As expected, I was right!" The more she looked at Xianglan, the more displeased she became. At that moment, she heard Yingshuang whispering, "Is it possible that Grandma wants to drive this little girl away? This cannot be done. Since the Young Master has already circled her name, it means he has taken a liking to her and has plans for her. Grandma has been at odds with the Young Master lately, and if she drives away someone he has set his sights on, wouldn't that just add to the trouble?"

Zhao Yuechan said to Ying Shuang: "You brought the person to Luoxuewu. Coincidentally, a few days ago, Miss Biao asked me for someone, saying that every maid under her command is to be utilized. You should go and tell her that this maid is for her use."

Lin Jinlou cast a sidelong glance at Yang Zhong and said: "Is there really a shortage of seamstresses in the residence? The maidservants must first be pleasing to the eye, so that they are comfortable to look at in the house. Yang Zhong, you are usually quite clever; don't you understand this? Did a servant from your family slip you some silver to send in his daughter or niece?"

In early spring, the weather is still somewhat chilly. Outside the second gate of the Lin residence, more than twenty girls stood in the courtyard. Xianglan wore a slightly worn light red apricot-colored top, her hair styled in a bun, and she held a floral cloth bundle in her hands, standing at the very end. The girl in front of her, about eleven or twelve years old, wore a semi-new floral coat, had a round face, a pair of large eyes, and fair skin, looking particularly endearing. She turned around and smiled at Xianglan, saying: "My surname is Liang, and my parents call me Juanzi. I was just bought into the residence. Where do you come from, sister?"

Everyone raised their heads, and Zhao Yue carefully examined the surroundings. Suddenly, she noticed a little girl dressed in a brand new lake blue dress. The girl had a charming oval face, and her eyes were darting around. Zhao Yue pointed and asked, "What is your name?"

Xiang Lan nodded and said, "It is just that the eldest son of the master, Lord Lou, has been raised by the old master and old mistress since he was young"

The Frost God appeared haughty and did not respond. She glanced down the steps and said, "Is this the girl chosen by the master? Just these few?" Without waiting for Yang Hongying to reply, she snatched the roster from her hand, turned around, and said, "Bring them all in; the madam wishes to see them in person."

Zhao Yuechan coldly laughed and said: "I would like to see how the esteemed gentleman perceives things; let me take a look at you all."

Zhao Yuechan said: "What if that old man starts asking questions?"