Against the Current - Chapter 100

Chapter 100 - The Visit

Song Ke naturally remembered. His late father, Song Fang, had been an honored guest of Duke Xian, Zheng Baichuan, and when Song Ke was five or six years old, he had often been brought along to visit the Duke of Xian's estate. Zheng Jingxian was a year younger than him, still a chubby toddler of four at the time. Her eyebrows and eyes strongly resembled her father's, and since her facial features had not yet fully matured in childhood, she looked rather like a little boy—yet she had stubbornly insisted on trailing behind him everywhere, calling him "Brother Yifei." The female relatives had teased them, saying, "Since Xian'er is so fond of Brother Ke, could it be that she wants to be his bride when she grows up?" Zheng Jingxian had raised her thick eyebrows, widened her large eyes, and declared, "I will if I want to, what of it!" Everyone present had burst into hearty laughter.

Song Ke had found the whole thing rather tedious. Having been reborn into this life, he was not truly a child and cared little for such playful banter. Still, Zheng Jingxian's constant attachment to him had occasionally been a nuisance. As they grew older and the rule requiring boys and girls to sit apart after age seven took effect, Zheng Jingxian was confined to the inner quarters and no longer permitted to see male visitors from outside; any rare glimpse of her thereafter was nothing more than a fleeting flash. Now, upon reuniting, Zheng Jingxian had blossomed into a poised and dignified young woman, though the spirited, martial vigor between her brows remained unchanged.

Zheng Jingxian was also silently appraising Song Ke. The last time she had seen him was in the Lin family's garden, where he had stood beside a cluster of bamboo near Gathering Emerald Residence, looking toward it. The indigo patterned robe he wore made him appear as straight as a pine tree, yet as ethereal as a wisp of cloud on the horizon. The moment Zheng Jingxian laid eyes on him, she recognized him as the "Brother Yifei" who used to visit her family's estate in their childhood. Her heart had fluttered wildly, and her eyes had been utterly unable to look away, causing her to stand frozen in her spot for a long while even after Song Ke had departed.

Now, as she looked at Song Ke once more, she felt her cheeks growing inexplicably warm.

Song Ke gave a formal bow and said, "After so many years apart, I truly scarcely dared to recognize you."

Zheng Jingxian turned slightly, curtsied, and smiled. "My father still speaks of Master Song from time to time, saying that his scholarship was exceptional and that his untimely passing was a genuine tragedy. He often wondered how his only son, who was already well-versed in poetry and books from a tender age, was faring now."

Song Ke hastily returned the salute. "I am deeply touched by Duke Xian's remembrance. I shall certainly call upon your esteemed residence to pay my respects another day."

This was merely a polite formality, but Zheng Jingxian immediately chimed in: "My father is currently staying at our ancestral estate, and he will have free time tomorrow. As soon as I return, I'll speak to him about your coming and tell him not to go out." With that, she offered a parting bow and withdrew.

Song Ke froze in surprise, then shook his head with a helpless smile. This Miss Zheng's temperament had not changed in the slightest. In her childhood she had been overbearing, and now that she had grown, she was even more so. Even when making a formal social call, one was supposed to formally submit a calling card and wait for an auspicious day to visit, yet Zheng Jingxian had settled the entire matter with a single sentence.

Yuexi and Junxi had been standing outside the doorway of the outer study chatting, and they had witnessed the entire scene unfold before their eyes, exchanging a mutual glance. Yuexi lowered her voice to say, "The Duke of Xian's daughter is certainly a bold one. She dares to meet the eldest young master in private right inside his own home, with not a care for how it might damage her reputation if word got out."

Junxi curled her lip. "I reckon she's wishing she could ruin her own reputation so she could use the excuse to latch onto the eldest young master. Just look at the way she stared at our young master—you could tell immediately."

Yuexi hastily clapped a hand over her mouth. "You mustn't talk nonsense."

Junxi retorted, "She dared to look at him like that, why shouldn't I be allowed to say it?" She paused in thought before adding, "We need to breathe a word of this to Xianglan. She and the eldest young master have mutual feelings for one another, and this Miss Zheng does not look like an easy person to deal with. If she manages to marry into the family in the future, Xianglan will most likely come out the loser. We should warn her so she can be on her guard early."

Yuexi replied, "There's not even a shadow of a promise yet."

Junxi countered, "The person has already come knocking at the door in person, and you say there's no shadow of a promise?"

Recalling the fervent gaze with which Zheng Jingxian had looked at Song Ke just moments before, Yuexi fell silent. Without further delay, she called out to Lüdou and instructed her, "Go to the back lane and find Xianglan. Tell her that the Duke of Xian's wife and Miss Zheng have both come over, that they spent ages praising the eldest young master, and that Miss Zheng even told the eldest young master to come visit her father at their home tomorrow." With that, she pressed a handful of coins into Lüdou's palm.

Lüdou took the money and departed, making her way to the back lane to knock on the Chen family's door. She relayed Yuexi's words directly to Xianglan. Being a clever girl, Xianglan understood the situation instantly. She scooped up a handful of dried fruits and gave them to Lüdou, saying, "I understand what is going on. Thank you so much on my behalf for letting me know, Sister Yuexi." Inwardly, she thought: "The three young ladies of the Lin family, along with Zheng Jingxian from the Duke of Xian's household—they've all set their sights on Song Ke. You can't really blame them for being sentimental; after all, how many male visitors can sheltered young ladies in the inner quarters ever lay eyes on in a lifetime? Furthermore, Song Ke is exceptionally handsome with an extraordinary bearing, an elegance rarely seen in this world, not to mention his learning and capability. Even though his family has fallen on hard times lately, there are bound to be countless young maidens with awakening hearts who yearn for him." She slowly seated herself in a chair, musing to herself: "The Duke of Xian's lineage has spanned three generations. Though they may not be as prominent as they once were, they remain a proper aristocratic noble house, and this generation has produced one or two talented individuals who, though few, manage to hold up the family's standing. Zheng Jingxian is the only daughter born to the secondary wife Lady Wei, and she is immensely cherished by Duke Xian. If Song Ke were truly to marry her, his official career would catch a powerful favorable wind—no doubt this is precisely what he has been longing for."

With a silent, drawn-out sigh, she retrieved the half-finished pair of shoes she had been making for Song Ke, placed them back into her sewing box, and turned the lock with a sharp click.

Meanwhile, early the next morning, Song Ke took his calling card and proceeded to the Zheng family's ancestral estate. The gatekeeper escorted him inside, where a matron took over to guide him all the way to the study. A page keeping watch at the door informed him, "The master is currently practicing calligraphy and has given strict orders that he is not to be disturbed by idlers. Would the young master please wait a moment."

Song Ke replied, "It is quite all right, I would not dare disturb my elder." Holding his gift, he stood patiently out in the courtyard. Inwardly, he thought: "The Duke of Xian certainly puts on grand airs. Even as a junior paying a call today, if there is no pressing emergency, one should at least be granted an audience when summoned. Yet merely because he is scribbling a few characters to pass the time, he leaves a guest standing out here in the courtyard to wait. Even Grand Secretary Shen at the height of his supreme political power didn't put on airs quite like this."

Inside the room, Zheng Baichuan stood behind his writing desk, holding a writing brush and sweeping strokes rapidly across paper. He was already over fifty years old, with graying temples. Having inherited his ancestral peerage and lived a life of pampered luxury, he had once served as an imperial censor before retiring from official service. Now, he spent his days admiring flowers, appreciating herbs, composing poetry, and playing with literary phrases to pass the time.

He raised his head to glance toward the door and saw Zheng Jingxian standing stealthily in the doorway, peering out through the crack. He could not help coughing lightly, lowering his gaze as he rebuked, "What are you staring at? You're already growing impatient just because I made him wait a little while?"

Pouting, Zheng Jingxian walked over, threw her arms around Zheng Baichuan's sleeve, and said, "I was the one who asked him to come visit our home today. Leaving him standing out in the courtyard like this is practically making a mockery of your daughter's face."

"Nonsense." Zheng Baichuan put down his brush and glared at Zheng Jingxian. "Who ever heard of actively summoning someone to come visit their home?" When his wife and daughter had visited the Song household yesterday and returned singing Song Ke's praises, he had inquired further and realized that the mother and daughter had essentially gone out—one to inspect a prospective son-in-law, the other a husband. He was not a rigid or overly pedantic man, so a casual visit in itself was nothing objectionable; however, Song Ke's branch of the family had been on a swift downward spiral ever since Song Fang's death, barely scraping by on past prestige. Though technically considered the offspring of an official's family, it hardly carried enough weight to be presentable. His own daughter, while not a golden imperial princess, was still a young lady of noble birth, and to have her set her sights on such a family background deeply displeased him. Hence, he had deliberately slighted Song Ke today.

Refusing to let the matter drop, Zheng Jingxian snatched the writing brush from Zheng Baichuan's hand and stamped her foot. "When can't you practice your big characters? Why pick this exact moment? Father, hurry up and let him come in, quickly, quickly!"

With no defense against this cherished daughter born late in his life, Zheng Baichuan could only wave his hand in resignation, sigh, and seat himself.

Song Ke was standing in the courtyard lost in thought, his mind still entirely consumed by matters concerning Xianglan. Suddenly, the door swung open, and Zheng Jingxian appeared on the threshold, flashing a bright, charming smile as she said, "You've been kept waiting for a long time. Please, come right in."

Song Ke was momentarily startled, a flicker of realization dawning upon him. He cupped his fists in a salute and stepped into the room, where he saw Zheng Baichuan seated behind the writing desk, his slightly plump, round face pulled into a rather tight expression. Song Ke bowed deeply and said, "Junior Song Ke pays his respects to the esteemed Elder Duke Xian."

The moment Song Ke stepped into the room, Zheng Baichuan was struck by his compelling and arresting presence, causing his tense expression to soften by a couple of degrees. Just as he began to scrutinize him carefully, he caught sight of Zheng Jingxian making frantic facial expressions and exchanging secret winks with the young man, prompting him to clear his throat and say, "Please, take a seat."

Song Ke seated himself in the grand master's chair on the lower left and smiled. "Coming in such haste today, I failed to prepare any superior gifts. However, my household happens to possess an ancient inkstone, which is truly the work of a master craftsman and worthy of appreciation. Please accept it, Elder Duke, to keep for your collection."

This particular offering struck straight at Zheng Baichuan's fondness for refined scholarly tastes, causing his expression to soften yet another notch. Before he could even speak, Zheng Jingxian jumped in preemptively: "This gift of yours is well chosen. My father loves inkstones; if you add up all the ones we have in the house from top to bottom, there must be nearly a hundred. He is bound to be thoroughly delighted with this."

Zheng Baichuan let out an internal sigh and remarked to Song Ke, "This youngest daughter of mine has been utterly spoiled and acts somewhat lawlessly at times; I must ask you not to laugh at her." Turning his head, he glared at Zheng Jingxian once more, causing her to stick out her tongue playfully and retreat to the side.

Song Ke thought to himself: "Spoiled indeed—inviting a guest into the study, yet as a young unmarried lady she doesn't even know to avoid suspicion. Heaven knows what kind of household discipline and rules this Duke of Xian's estate has." Aloud, however, he smiled and said, "Your Ladyship speaks her mind directly; she has a wonderfully refreshing and crisp disposition."

Zheng Baichuan then exchanged a few brief pleasantries with Song Ke, up and down on various topics. Finding that Song Ke's replies were entirely appropriate and his demeanor composed and natural, Zheng Baichuan nodded inwardly in silent approval, then sighed with emotion. "I previously shared a deep friendship with your late father. During our time in the censorate, our political views aligned closely, and he would frequently come to my estate to drink wine and discuss literary theory—it was always immensely gratifying. Who could have expected that we would be separated by the netherworlds? It truly fills one with sorrow and sighs."

Song Ke replied, "During his lifetime, my late father often praised Elder Duke Xian for his loyalty to the sovereign and love for his country, as well as his courage in offering frank remonstrances. His strength of character was something my father admired above all else, and he drew much inspiration from him regarding statecraft." Inwardly, however, he sneered: "Zheng Baichuan is an old fox. The moment my father died, he severed all ties with our family. Despite his years of friendship with my father, when our lone mother and child were facing our darkest hour, he never stepped forward to offer a helping hand. He is certainly not a man of profound virtue worthy of deep friendship. If Zheng Jingxian hadn't insisted that I come, I wouldn't have bothered to pay this visit at all; I am merely playing along with a false front to deal with him."

Yet Song Ke's words happened to strike a chord that brought great pleasure to Zheng Baichuan's heart. Smiling, the older man said, "You flatter me, you flatter me. On the contrary, you are a formidable youth indeed. I hear you will be sitting for the imperial civil service examinations next month—how are your preparations coming along?"

Just as Song Ke opened his mouth to reply, Zheng Jingxian stepped forward and blurted out, "Father, I heard that the chief examiner for the Jinling provincial examinations this year is Lord Jiang Yun, who was once promoted thanks to your patronage. Why don't you write a letter to him, Father, asking him to give special consideration to a few examination topics for him?" As she finished speaking, she glanced at Song Ke, her face flushing slightly before she hurriedly averted her gaze.

At that moment, not only did Zheng Baichuan's face darken, but even Song Ke furrowed his brows deeply. He thought to himself: "The way Zheng Jingxian phrases this makes it sound as though my coming here today was specifically to get Zheng Baichuan to pull strings and hand me the exam questions through the back door." A surge of displeasure instantly welled up within him. Little did he know that while Zheng Jingxian was generally an aloof and proud person, beneath her exterior she burned with the intensity of charcoal fire. Having set her heart on Song Ke, she was sparing no effort to scheme and plan for his future; it was simply that, being young and accustomed to being indulged, coupled with the anxiety born of deep care, she had inevitably lost her composure.