Chapter 26: Midnight Rendezvous

Lin Jinyan had just recovered from an illness, and after several rounds of conversation, she was indeed listless. She fell asleep shortly after lying down and did not wake up until evening.

After waking up, she chatted with Mother Zhou for a while until it was time for dinner. Using the excuse that she did not want soup, Lin Jinyan gifted the soup brought by Zhou Yuexue to Mother Zhou.

It wasn't that she feared she had been poisoned, but simply that she had no desire to consume anything from her.

After dinner, she soaked in a medicinal bath for half an hour using the herbal packets left by Bai Yiran. The soak left her feeling languid, and she fell asleep again as soon as the hour of Hai arrived.

When she woke again, it was already the hour of Chou. The house was silent. Lin Jinyan instinctively touched her face; finding no scars, she felt relieved.

She began to reflect on the day's events: "My temperament is still too unstable. I couldn't maintain my composure even when seeing my grandparents, father, and brother, and I nearly lost control of my hatred upon seeing Zhou Yuexue. If this continues, how can I ensure the safety of my kin? With such a temperament, how can I achieve great things? I must endure what cannot be endured to achieve what cannot be achieved."

After much contemplation, Lin Jinyan, having slept two sleeps, felt refreshed and found herself unable to fall back asleep.

She slowly lifted the bed curtains and climbed out of bed. Using the faint light of a candle, she dressed herself. Seeing Yulan sleeping soundly on the daybed by the door, Lin Jinyan did not disturb her and quietly slipped out.

Walking into the courtyard, the stars filled the sky and a jade-like moon hung high, its silvery light illuminating the ground.

Lin Jinyan stretched, avoided the household servants, and wandered with unhurried steps. She strolled to the edge of the pond where she had fallen into the water a few days ago and sat down on a flat stone near the rockery.

She pondered how she had fallen into the water, but no matter how hard she tried, she could not remember. Shaking her head, she gave up on the thought.

Resting her chin in her hands, she began to contemplate her future course of action and which people she should contact.

Just as she was lost in thought, low whispers of a man and a woman suddenly drifted from behind the rockery. Lin Jinyan snapped back to her senses, pulled her feet back, and leaned against the rockery to listen intently.

"Cousin, it is so late and you have still asked me out. What if we are caught?"

"Sister Xue'er, I have missed you so much these past few days that I had Lingrong go find Dong'er. Will Dong'er speak of this?"

"No, that girl is entirely devoted to me."

"That is good then. Since our brief meeting during the Mid-Autumn Festival, I haven't seen you. I heard from my mother that you were kneeling to recite scriptures for Jinyan; it pained my heart deeply."

"As long as Sister Jinyan recovers, I do not mind kneeling. It's just... when I went to see her after waking up today, for some reason, she seemed much more distant toward me. It makes me feel quite sad."

"That girl is still young; she must have been frightened by falling into the water. She will be fine in a couple of days, so do not worry. Not every woman is as well-bred and reasonable as you."

"Cousin, you certainly know how to coax me."

"Xue'er, after the New Year, I want to ask Mother to speak to Grandmother about betrothing you to me. That way, once you reach your coming-of-age ceremony, you can marry me, and we can be together every day, Xue'er."

"Cousin, you must not let Second Aunt speak of this. I have been in the Lin residence for less than two years, and you are already asking for my hand? If word gets out, what will become of my reputation? How will I ever face people?"

"Xue'er, do not be angry. I only want to see you every day."

"You only care about your own happiness and do not consider me at all. It would be best if we stopped seeing each other from now on."

"Sister Xue'er, please do not be angry. I won't say anything then. It is only three years; I can wait."

"It is more important that you study hard and earn your official titles. It is better if we keep our distance for these next two years. Otherwise, if word spreads that I was involved in a secret affair before my coming-of-age, how could I possibly live?"

As she spoke, the woman's voice broke into a sob.

(End of Chapter)