That day, as Xia Yun was following a servant, he suddenly saw two women standing by the second gate. Looking closer, he saw they were well-dressed women – unclear whether they were young ladies or maids. One wore turquoise clothing and had delicate features, though of average looks. The other wore lotus-pink clothes with pearls and jewels in her hair, large watery eyes, and a worried expression. Though she had the appearance of a modest beauty, she was quite captivating.
Xia Yun secretly admired them, thinking, “The women of wealthy households are truly different, each like fresh flowers and tender willows, incomparable to common women.” With this thought, he turned to look again.
Yin Die, utterly despondent at the time, had lived in the inner quarters and seen few men besides those of the Lin family. Now, when this handsome young man turned to look at her, their eyes met, and she felt her heart tremble. Unconsciously, she craned her neck to look back.
Xia Yun thought to himself, “Standing at the flower gate without propriety, she must be a maid. People say Lin family’s maids are of middling beauty, and it seems true.” He looked back two more times, thinking, “Though pretty, she lacks refinement, unlike Xianglan’s elegance and grace.” He glanced back once more.
Yin Die was at the age of budding romance and prone to fantasizing. Now, seeing a young gentleman look at her several times, she assumed Xia Yun was interested in her. Overjoyed and trembling, she forgot her previous heartbreak and immediately perked up. As Xia Yun’s group walked away, she kept looking after them and asked Gui Yuan, “Who were those people who just passed by, do you know?”
Gui Yuan scratched her head and said, “I overheard that some masters and young lords were drunk, and since they came on horseback, they couldn’t return home conveniently. They’re staying in the rooms at the South Court – must be them.”
Yin Die pressed further, “Who was that young lord walking at the back?”
Gui Yuan shook her head, “Don’t know. There are over a hundred guests – how could I remember them all? Probably some sixth or seventh-rank official’s son. Those above the fifth rank don’t stay in the South Court.”
Yin Die nodded slowly, secretly delighted: “Perfect! Today’s guests at the house are all wealthy or noble, and even a sixth or seventh-rank official is quite prestigious. That man looked refined, surely some family’s young master judging by his dress. It’s truly like getting a pillow while dozing – now that someone with discerning eyes has noticed me, I won’t return to the Lin family even if they beg me.”
When Han Fang urged Yin Die to hurry, she pleaded, “Dear sister, you serve in Third Miss’s chambers and shouldn’t be out too long. I can return home by myself. My home is just on the street behind the mansion, no need for a sedan chair, just a few steps away.”
Han Fang, seeing Yin Die’s sudden change in attitude, looked her up and down suspiciously.
Yin Die quickly said, “I’ve thought it through – what good would it do not to go home now?”
Han Fang nodded, relieved, “It’s good you’ve understood. Hurry home then, they’ll be locking up soon.”
Yin Die kept agreeing.
Still worried, Han Fang accompanied Yin Die to the corner gate, giving several more words of advice before leaving. Yin Die hid behind the door until Han Fang was far away before slipping out. The gatekeeper grumbled impatiently, “Miss, are you going or staying? I need to lock up.” Yin Die didn’t answer but took a quiet path around to the South Court. Though her heart pounded as she walked, she gritted her teeth and thought to herself, “Rather than wait for the Lin family to sell me tomorrow, I might as well try for a better future myself. I’d rather die than live in poverty!”
By this time, the banquet had ended, and officials of all ranks were taking their leave, with those who were drunk staying overnight at the Lin mansion. Large red lanterns were hung for lighting, and several old women, wives, and servants were busy cleaning up. Yin Die tiptoed past quickly and quietly made her way to the South Court. She saw that the lights in some rooms were already out. When Xia Yun came out of his room, a servant approached and spoke with him briefly before bringing in a basin and towels.
Yin Die was secretly delighted. She quietly watched the servant leave with the basin, waited until no one was around, then hurriedly pushed open the door and entered. Xia Yun was about to undress when he was startled by a young woman suddenly entering. He quickly covered himself.
Yin Die stepped forward with a graceful bow and smiled, “Does the young lord remember me?”
Xia Yun looked carefully and recognized the beautiful young woman from the flower gate. His face reddened as he hurriedly fastened his clothes and bowed deeply, “I don’t know you, Miss, I only saw you earlier.”
Yin Die quickly turned sideways and curtsied again. Xia Yun glanced up at her face – she had a fair, oval face with fine eyebrows, cherry lips, rosy cheeks, and large almond eyes that looked at him meaningfully, throwing him a flirtatious glance before lowering her head coyly. She said softly, “I wonder if the young lord is comfortable here? My master sent me to serve you.”
Xia Yun felt weak from that look, but started at her words and quickly asked, “Who is your master?”
Yin Die smiled, “Who else could it be but the Lin family’s master?”
Xia Yun, assuming it was customary for wealthy households to send maids to serve guests, didn’t refuse and merely said, “Then I’ll trouble you, sister.”
Yin Die, thinking Xia Yun had tacitly agreed, became even more delighted and eagerly went to serve him, making the bed while asking, “When I first saw you, I thought you had an extraordinary bearing. Where do you work, young lord? Which family are you from?”
Xia Yun, ashamed of his humble origins, would never tell the truth. He vaguely said his surname was Xia, and while Yin Die was making tea, he removed his outer robe, got into bed, and said, “I’m going to sleep now, sister, please close the door when you leave.”
Yin Die bit her lip, blew out the candle in one breath, lifted the bed curtain, and embraced Xia Yun, saying, “I truly admire you, young lord. My master sent me to serve you, please don’t think poorly of me.”
Xia Yun was greatly shocked and hurriedly tried to push her away, but Yin Die held on tightly and tried to kiss him. If you ask why Yin Die was so bold, there was a reason – she was naturally very romantic and had often flirted and exchanged glances with several handsome servants in the mansion. Those who liked to take advantage would touch her, and there had been secret face-touching and kissing. Therefore, Yin Die felt no shame and kept trying to be intimate with Xia Yun.
Xia Yun was inexperienced, having never even touched a woman’s hand before. How could he resist such temptation? Though he initially resisted, once Yin Die kissed him, he became frozen as if under a spell. Being young and unmarried, he had often had improper thoughts. Now with a soft fragrance in his arms, a heat rose from his heart, his mind went blank, and all thoughts of propriety and morality were forgotten as he embraced Yin Die back and kissed her passionately.
While these two were caught up in passion, there was still Young Master Han Guangye lying in the inner room. He had gone to sleep drunk earlier but now woke up thirsty. Vaguely remembering he was at the Lin mansion, he didn’t call out for water but got out of bed barefoot to find the teapot. Suddenly hearing noises outside, he listened carefully and heard kissing and a woman’s breathless sounds.
Han Guangye’s eyes went wide, and he broke out in a cold sweat, instantly sobering up. He thought to himself, “My dear parents and Jade Emperor! That must be Xia Yun outside – how could he have a woman with him? This is the Lin mansion! Could this fool be so daring as to seduce and defile one of the Lin family’s women?”
Just then he heard Yin Die say coquettishly, “I truly like Young Master Xia, please take pity on me…”
Hearing this, Han Guangye felt the world spinning and his legs went weak. Though he was unlearned, he still knew the gravity of the situation. Several thoughts flashed through his mind, and he coldly laughed to himself, “Xia Yun, you lustful fool, don’t drag us down with you. I better distance myself from this immediately!” He quietly opened the door latch and slipped out, running into Lin Jinlou heading to the main hall just as he reached the ceremonial gate.
Han Guangye took a few steps forward, his legs giving way as he knelt before Lin Jinlou, saying, “Grandson deserves death, please spare my life, Grandfather!”
Lin Jinlou stopped and looked down, and Ji Xiang immediately brought the lantern closer. Lin Jinlou frowned and said, “You are…?”
Han Guangye quickly said, “Grandfather is too important to remember everyone – I am Han Yaozu’s son.”
Lin Jinlou thought for a moment before his brow smoothed, and he said with a laugh, “So you’re Han Yaozu’s son. Your father wants to acknowledge me as his godfather, though I haven’t agreed yet, but you’re quick to call me grandfather.”
Han Guangye’s face was full of smiles: “Whether my father has the fortune to call you father or not, you are like a true grandfather in my heart.”
Lin Jinlou looked at Ji Xiang and Shuang Xi beside him, pointing at Han Guangye and laughing, “Look at this fellow – isn’t he thoroughly playing the grandson?”
The servants all laughed, and Han Guangye kept smiling apologetically.
Lin Jinlou kicked him and said, “Don’t tell others outside that I’m your grandfather. Now stand up and speak.”
Han Guangye stood up, hunching his shoulders, “Yes, yes, I wouldn’t dare.” He continued, “The person I brought has now caused huge trouble, but this has nothing to do with me. If Grandfather is angry, just punish that bastard… Today my father couldn’t come, so he sent this year’s new graduate Xia Yun to accompany me. I drank too much at the banquet and don’t even know how I was carried back, but just now I woke up thirsty and got up for tea, only to hear a woman’s voice outside. I listened carefully and found that bastard Xia Yun was being intimate with a woman. I immediately ran out…” He said with a mournful face, “This has absolutely nothing to do with me. My father only favored him because he was young and passed the examinations. Tomorrow we’ll drive him out of the yamen!”
Lin Jinlou started, thinking to himself, “If a servant of the household has done such a thing, it would bring shame to the Lin family if word got out.” He said to Han Guangye, “This isn’t your fault, but keep your mouth shut. If even a hint of this spreads outside, you’ll bear the consequences.”
Han Guangye quickly shrunk his neck and said, “I wouldn’t dare, wouldn’t dare.”
Lin Jinlou then whispered something to Ji Xiang and sent him and Shuang Xi away, arranging different accommodations for Han Guangye.
Meanwhile, Xia Yun was being intimate with Yin Die. Though his head was clouded by desire, he was still a clever person and, fearing the Lin family’s power and concerned for his reputation, didn’t dare to fully consummate the relationship. Just then, the door was pushed open and someone entered with a lantern, asking, “Is Young Master Xia here?”
Xia Yun was so startled he nearly fell off the bed. Yin Die was also panicked and didn’t dare move. Someone pulled back the bed curtain, and Yin Die screamed and shrank into the corner. Xia Yun now knew things had gone badly wrong, and cold sweat rolled down his forehead.
Shuang Xi grabbed Yin Die by the hair and pulled her forward. Recognizing her face, he froze for a moment – he knew all the maids from Zhichun Pavilion – then coldly smiled, “Very good, very good.” Yin Die trembled in fear, clutching her loosened clothes tight.
Ji Xiang went to report to Lin Jinlou, “Master, it’s Yin Die from Zhichun Pavilion.”
Lin Jinlou raised an eyebrow, “Which one is Yin Die?”
Ji Xiang, sharp-eyed and quick-witted, already knew Yin Die had offended Lin Jinlou and was to be expelled, so he said, “The maid who stole the golden horse and was to be driven out by Master.”