In the face of Mr. Lin’s orders, Mrs. Wang, the Second Madam, never refutes them.
So she nodded and said,
"Rest assured, husband, I understand."
"Hmm, then take a good rest. I have matters to attend to, I’ll be leaving first."
After finishing his instructions, Mr. Lin hurriedly left.
After he left, Shushui brought warm water forward and said reassuringly,
"Madam, don’t be upset. The Second Master surely has business to attend to, which is why he left."
"Humph, business to attend to? I think he’s rushing to meet Aunt Guo and that little girl Lin Jingshu."
Both mother and daughter are alluring people, ensnaring the Second Master’s heart!
Shushui served beside her, not daring to say much.
Firstly, she was inherently very cautious, and secondly, she hadn’t served the Second Madam long enough to understand her temper.
If she spoke out of turn and caused trouble, it would be very bothersome.
But the more the Second Madam thought about it, the angrier she became, yet there was nothing she could do.
She could only watch the gradually disappearing figure outside the door and feel saddened by herself.
Her guess was correct; after leaving the Second Madam’s main courtyard, Mr. Lin went straight to his beloved Aunt Guo.
When he arrived, he coincidentally encountered the maid beside Aunt Guo applying a moisturizing serum to her.
Her skin was whiter than snow, delicate, and shiny.
Mr. Lin was filled with distraction, his eyes dazed.
After coughing twice, the master and servant realized that someone had entered.
"Second Master, what brings you here?"
Aunt Guo hurriedly dressed herself upon seeing him, though her hair was still loose behind her, unlike a married woman who would tie it up.
Aunt Guo’s beauty was well-known outside.
Back when she was still a courtesan, she relied on her unparalleled beauty and exceptional pipa skills to win over audiences.
She was later selected by Mr. Lin, who first redeemed her and kept her outside, then after two years when she became pregnant, he brought her back to the mansion and made her his concubine.
Now their daughter was already around nine years old, yet Aunt Guo still looked the same as before.
It seemed like time hadn’t left any marks on her.
And she hadn’t been bullied by the main wife despite being a concubine.
"I feel troubled inside, just came to sit with you."
Xianglian, the maid beside Aunt Guo, promptly bowed and left.
Mr. Lin turned and sat directly on the bed, pulling Aunt Guo into his arms.
With beauty in his embrace, his originally tense heart finally calmed down.
He said in a low voice,
"That fool Wang has ruined a good situation; if not for the Imperial Concubine and Guangzhi, I would have divorced her long ago! She’s just an eyesore."
Since entering the mansion, Aunt Guo had heard these words countless times.
Yet she never paid them any mind.
To be honest, she never liked the position of the main wife.
As a proper wife, one must respect parents-in-law, manage children, be resourceful externally, and wield both kindness and authority internally.
Frequently, the husband would bring more beautiful concubines home.
One couldn’t be jealous, nor resentful.
If giving birth to a son or daughter, they’d have to be raised under one’s own name.
Such laborious yet thankless tasks she disdained.
Her current life was comfortable.
The Second Master thought of her, so what she ate, wore, and used were all good.
Her daughter spent the past years growing up in her room, bonding thoroughly, even if she’s sent to Ronghe Hall to be educated now, there’s no worry they’d turn against each other in the future.
And she hadn’t been able to bear another son over the years, thus not seeming too conspicuous to the main wife.
Therefore, every day she thought of refining her pipa skills or tended to her beauty.
Gradually, her place became Mr. Lin’s retreat.
Each visit, the two lingered intimately for quite some time.
Hence, this affection grew richer daily, and no new concubines were brought home by Mr. Lin.
"The main wife has it hard too, toiling daily, isn’t it all for the good of the house? Master Lin, ease your mind, how about I sing you a new song?"
About the division of the house by the eldest branch, even without inquiring personally, lots of gossip reached home.
So she easily knew what made Mr. Lin angry.
However, some words, some matters shouldn’t be managed by a concubine like her.
Thus, still those words,
"A songstress knows not the hatred of a fallen country, sings willow flowers beyond the river."
Soon, the pipa sounds echoed in the courtyard.
Sometimes softly murmuring, sometimes clear and elegant.
Teasing Mr. Lin’s heart like a cat’s paw scratching, itchingly intense.
Then, outside, Xianglian heard the sounds of passion between a man and woman.
Seemingly used to it, she glanced inside and then went to her own room.
Not until Mr. Lin left feeling refreshed did she bring in hot water.
Upon entering the room, there was an overwhelming sense of amorousness.
The bed was in utter disarray.
Lying there was Aunt Guo, her cheeks flushed, eyes sultry.
She looked at Xianglian and said,
"Aunt, please wipe your hands first, I’ll go retrieve it."
Xianglian handed a towel to Aunt Guo and then approached the cabinet.
She took out a porcelain bottle hidden in a secret compartment, gently shook out a pill, and then restored everything.
The pill, when placed in water and shaken slightly, dissolved smoothly.
Aunt Guo drank the water in one gulp and then said nonchalantly,
"After Mrs. Qiu returns from visiting relatives next month, go buy some more from her."
"Yes, Aunt. But Aunt, we’ve been taking this medicine for several months now, is it really effective?"
"Don’t worry. I know Mrs. Qiu’s skills; if she dares guarantee, then she’ll surely help me achieve my desires."
Soon her eyes revealed a hint of excitement.
Previously, she hadn’t conceived again because she secretly took various contraceptives.
Over time, it had somewhat affected her health.
But now her daughter had grown, pleasing Princess Rongkang in Ronghe Hall.
The main wife, Mrs. Wang, also continued losing the Commandery Princess and Mr. Lin’s trust.
So now she intended to nurture her health properly.
If given a chance, she ought to bear a son.
It’s said when the division happened, the eldest branch left with quite a lot of Silver Coin.
Though she’d bear a secondary son, they should rightfully have a share of the family property.
The more she thought this way, the more calmly and resolutely she planned.
The quiet days in the West Wing, after so many years, were also due for some upheaval.
In Yao Tai Pavilion, Lin Guifei’s current life may not be on the brink, but it isn’t comfortable.
Having lost real power, those below dare not act recklessly.
Yet, lacking the past days sitting at the top, presiding over concubines, she had no outlet for her frustrations.
For this reason, both Qin He and Qin Liu served cautiously, not daring to slack in the least.
Fearing they might be the next ones punished.