Against the Current - Chapter 102

Chapter 102 - Entering the Capital

Xianglan never expected Song Ke to utter such words. Waves churned in her heart, and her throat felt as though it were choked; she opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

Song Ke clenched his fists, feeling his heartbeat like a beating drum. He licked his dry lips and said, "Will you... first come home with me? After the imperial examinations, I will definitely give you an answer." Having said this, he held his breath slightly.

Xianglan gazed at him with her clear, beautiful eyes, which seemed brimful of bright, limpid autumn water. Under this prolonged gaze, Song Ke suddenly felt as though he had understood her heart, yet shortly after, he felt that he did not quite comprehend it at all.

Growing somewhat flustered, he reached out to take Xianglan's small hand. At that moment, the water on the stove bubbled and gurgled, and the sound of tea sets clinking came from the inner room. Madam Xue emerged carrying a tray and said, "Elder Master Song, our home is humble and we have no fine tea, but an acquaintance sent a jar of new tea the other day. Please have a taste."

Song Ke had no choice but to pull his hand back and sheepishly sit back down in his chair. Xianglan personally served the tea before him. Catching sight of his sheepish expression, the corners of her lips twitched into a suppressed smile. Seeing her suddenly smiling face out of the corner of his eye, Song Ke was stunned; he muttered perfunctory replies to Madam Xue while keeping his eyes glued to Xianglan, unable to tear them away even for a second until Xianglan lifted her skirt and went upstairs, at which point he finally dragged his gaze back.

Fortunately, Madam Xue was entirely occupied with bustling about to rummage through the best food the family had to offer and present it to Song Ke, failing to notice any anomaly between the two as she chattered on inquiringly about the situation at Song Ke's home.

Song Ke answered absentmindedly, still secretly pondering what Xianglan's earlier meaning could have been. He picked up his cup to take a sip of tea, and without paying attention, scalded his tongue once more. While still in this flustered state, he heard the creaking sound of the stairs, and Xianglan walked down carrying a bundle, saying calmly and quietly, "Didn't the Eldest Master wish to take me home?"

Overjoyed, Song Ke hastily stood up and said, "Indeed, exactly so." As if afraid Xianglan might go back on her word, he said to Madam Xue, "There are matters requiring my attention at home, so I will not linger. I shall come to visit again tomorrow. If Auntie Xue misses Xianglan, just dispatch someone to send a message to the estate so she can come back and stay for a few days."

Madam Xue poured out a profusion of grateful thanks and saw the two off.

Upon returning to the Song residence, Song Ke first went to pay his respects to Maternal Aunt Song. When he returned to his rooms, he found Xianglan busy tidying up the study. He sat down by the desk, picked up a book to put on a show, but watched out of the corner of his eye as Xianglan bustled about the room. Only then did his heart drop with a solid thud, making him feel secure and settled once more.

He cleared his throat and said, "Tea."

Xianglan went over to the back tearoom, fetched a cup of warm tea, and placed it before Song Ke. Song Ke picked it up, took a sip, and frowned slightly. "Why is this lukewarm?"

Xianglan walked away as she replied, "The boiling hot tea wasn't enough to scorch you just now, so are you hoping to get scalded all over again?"

Slightly embarrassed, Song Ke nevertheless caught hold of Xianglan's hand and, after a long pause, said, "Do not go huffing off back home again in the future. Whatever happens, give me time to think things through clearly."

Xianglan nodded. In truth, she had felt a lingering trace of regret the moment she returned home; seeing that the provincial examination was right around the corner, her sudden anxiety had prompted her to force the issue at the worst possible time. If she had caused Song Ke to fail his examinations, she would bear an inescapable share of the blame.

Seeing her lower her head with an obedient expression, joy welled up inside Song Ke. He lowered his voice and said, "Four pots of chrysanthemums were sent as a tribute from the estate yesterday—one pot of 'Rouge Dotted with Snow,' one of 'Jade Pot's Spring,' one of 'Dark Ink,' and one of 'Pink Rising Peach.' Every single bloom is as large as a bowl and as pretty as a silk hydrangea. Go pick out two pots, and have little Yaoer deliver one to Madam's rooms and send one to my younger sister."

Xianglan scoffed, "Pfft! When you have fine treasures, you don't reserve them for your mother and sister, but instead tell me to pick first. If word gets out, won't other people wag their tongues behind our backs?"

Song Ke smiled and said, "There are only the two of us in this room; who could possibly spread word of it? Besides, aren't you skilled at painting? If you keep two pots that you fancy, painting them will also serve as a pleasant pastime." Seeing that Xianglan remained silent, he gave another slight cough and continued, "Just look at how good I am to you... Could you ever find another person like me under the heavens?"

Xianglan raised her head slightly, cast a damp, glistening glance at him, and then lowered her head once more.

Song Ke said, "Since I treat you so well, tell me then—who was that impoverished scholar who came to your house yesterday?"

Xianglan was startled. "An impoverished scholar?"

"The tall one, rather thin. He delivered things to your house, spoke with your mother for a good long while, and ended up standing right downstairs staring up at your quarters. He didn't look like an upright fellow at all." Song Ke frowned, entirely forgetting that he himself had once stood downstairs beneath Chen's window looking up.

Xianglan thought for a moment, vaguely recalling that Madam Xue had mentioned Xia芸 coming yesterday to deliver a jar of tea leaves. She glanced at Song Ke with a half-smile and retorted, "I haven't even questioned you yet, and here you are interrogating me instead. You dressed yourself up in such a splendid and polished manner, hardly looking like someone heading to the academy to study. Could it be you went to pay a visit to your prospective father-in-law?"

Hearing the tinge of jealousy in Xianglan's words, Song Ke felt a fresh surge of delight and said, "What father-in-law? It's a massive headache, that's what." He then recounted the past history between the Song family and the Grand Duke of Xian's residence.

Thinking it over, Xianglan remarked, "I don't understand the intricate affairs of men concerning careers and official advancement in the outside world, but one principle remains clear. If people lack goodness, retribution will surely follow; it's merely laughable that worldly people treat such warnings as wind past their ears. Since the Grand Duke of Xian is a cold and callous man, one should not cultivate deep ties with him."

Song Ke nodded in agreement. "Indeed. Had Miss Zheng not forced my hand and insisted that I pay a visit, I would have kept their family at a respectful distance all along."

Xianglan thought to herself: Back then, Zheng Baichuan feigned friendship with my grandfather while secretly colluding with the Eighth Prince to launch a rebellion, fabricating false charges to eliminate political opponents and framing loyal ministers. It is only to be expected that he would turn a blind eye to the Song family's plight. Although Zheng Jingxian holds affections for Song Ke, it is likely a case of unrequited feeling where her efforts will be spent in vain. Even if Song Ke is determined to forge ahead, he would never stoop to associating with such sordid scoundrels.

While she was lost in thought, she felt Song Ke squeeze her hand as he prompted, "I've already told you mine. Now tell me—who was that impoverished scholar?"

Xianglan replied, "He is merely our former neighbor. He copies books and essays and simply asked my father to help find a buyer for them."

Frowning, Song Ke muttered, "That fellow has the shifty eyes of a rodent and looks like bad news. Keep your distance from him in the future!"

Xianglan deliberately teased, "I've heard that he has been a prodigy in his studies since childhood and is also sitting for the provincial examination this year. Elder Master Song had better study diligently; otherwise, if you end up being outperformed by someone with the eyes of a rodent, you'll simply throw away your face in shame."

Indignant, Song Ke protested, "How could I possibly score lower than the likes of him? Tell me his name. Once the examinations are graded and the rank lists are posted, I shall personally check whether he placed ahead of me!" With that, he picked up his book to read.

Xianglan smiled faintly, turning her head to look at the four pots of chrysanthemums in the corner of the room, and sighed inwardly: Very well, I shall wait until after he takes the examinations before deciding.

To cut a long story short: in mid-August, Song Ke sat for the provincial examination, returned home to sleep dead to the world for two days, and rose on the third day to pick up his books and resume his bitter studies. When the osmanthus rank list was published in September, Song Ke placed first as the Jieyuan (top provincial scorer). The entire Song household rejoiced; Maternal Aunt Song wept tears of joy, rushing straight to the ancestral hall to kowtow before the Buddha, bodhisattvas, and Song Fang's spirit tablet, before inevitably covering her face to weep bitterly once more. Song Chai's face was also glowing with delight, and Maternal Aunt Song pulled her hand, saying, "Amitabha, once your eldest brother returns after placing first in the metropolitan examination, you will be able to secure a fine marriage match." Song Chai blushed, lowered her head, and said nothing.

Over the next few days, well-wishers streamed into the Song residence in an endless parade. Ranging from prominent households like the Lins and the Grand Duke of Xian's estate—who already had historical ties with the Song family—down to local gentry, wealthy landowners, and matchmakers eager to marry off their daughters upon hearing that Song Ke remained unmarried, visitors were constant. Song Ke was unbothered, stepping forward one by one to receive them, which naturally entailed various social obligations. Because the congratulatory gifts sent by the Lin estate were excessively lavish, he even paid a personal visit to their residence to offer his thanks. Aside from the four treasures of the study sent by Zheng Baichuan's steward, Zheng Jingxian had also secretly dispatched a pageboy to deliver an extremely expensive ceremonial sword. Song Ke declined to accept it, ordering it returned directly into Zheng Baichuan's hands, after which Zheng Jingxian fell completely silent.

Once he had finished attending to all the mundane social duties, Song Ke packed his luggage and prepared to set off for the capital with Shimo.

Xianglan packed a trunk full of all sorts of provisions and daily necessities, checked everything carefully several times, and sat in a daze upon the kang bed. It was early October, and a distinct chill was already in the air. Warm incense burned within the room, and thick felt curtains had been hung over the doors and windows.

When Song Ke entered from outside and saw Xianglan lost in thought, he sat down beside her and asked, "Why so glum? If parting for a single day feels like three autumns, would you like me to take you along to the capital? The Song family still has an old residence in the capital; though not large, it is looked after by dedicated caretakers. You've never been to the capital before, so taking a trip to clear your mind would be quite nice."

Xianglan wrinkled her nose and replied, "Winters in the capital must be bitterly cold, so I won't go. Besides, if I leave, your younger sister won't even have anyone to consult with; how would that ever do?"

Song Ke said, "Both mistresses of the Lin family have stated that while I am away in the capital, they will invite my mother and sister to stay at the Lin estate. But how could anyone else's home ever compare to the comfort of one's own place? If the two of them are away, you can simply lock up the gates and call the maids into your rooms to chat and amuse yourselves. Stop doing embroidery or painting by night, lest you strain your eyes. I've placed another hundred taels of silver in the rosewood box; if any urgent matters arise, draw from it first."

Xianglan assented to each instruction, then added, "The heavy winter clothing in the trunk, along with the hand warmers and foot warmers, are all properly packed for your journey. The brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones are also the set you habitually use, and I've included six sets of spare garments. If that isn't enough, you can purchase more once you reach the capital. There are also two boxes of pastries; I worried the food along the road might not be clean, so you can snack on them if you get hungry. You are much too hard-headed, but everything has its set limits. Just doing your absolute best is enough. Take good care of your health, and don't worry too much about home—we will simply lock our doors and live our peaceful lives."

Song Ke replied, "Understood. If any urgent emergency arises, go to the Lin estate and look for Third Master Lin; he will always be able to lend a hand." With that, he pulled Xianglan into his embrace and murmured softly by her ear, "Wait for my triumphant return covered in glory."

Xianglan nodded, her eye sockets stinging slightly.

Reaching out, Song Ke plucked an old silver hairpin she frequently wore from her hair and said, "Give this to me as a keepsake."

Xianglan smiled. "This is the very hairpin I use every day, and yet you still want to take it. The pouches, stationery sets, belts, and shoes you wear—which of them isn't made by my own needle and thread? And yet you fixate on this single hairpin."

Waving the hairpin with a smile, Song Ke said, "This is the only thing you constantly wear on your person. When the examinations come around, I shall use it to secure my hair." After exchanging a few more tender, heartfelt words, he finally went to bid farewell to Maternal Aunt Song and Song Chai.

Outside the gates of the Song estate, there was naturally another round of melancholic parting sorrows. After repeating numerous injunctions and instructing the domestic servants and maidservants, Song Ke finally boarded the carriage, lifted the curtain to wave from afar, and departed.

Xianglan did not approach closely, remaining hidden far off at the street corner to watch. Seeing Song Ke's carriage grow smaller and smaller in the distance, she finally gathered her emotions, turned back, and returned indoors. Recalling what Song Ke had said to her right before leaving—"When I return, I will properly settle matters between the two of us"—she bolted her doors and devoted herself entirely to waiting for Song Ke's return.

Little did she expect that during the mere few months of Song Ke's absence, violent winds would suddenly rise and the political landscape would transform overnight.