Against the Current - Chapter 112

Chapter 112 - Calling at the Door

Xianglan was startled, quickly getting down from the carriage, pulling copper coins from her purse to pay the fare, and dismissing the driver. The courtyard gate was only ajar. Xianglan pushed it open, bypassed the screen wall, and saw two decently dressed young servants standing at the main room's entrance. They were a pair of twins with proper features, yet exuding an air of cleverness. Xianglan's heart instantly sank—these two were precisely Jixi and Shuangxi.

The moment they saw Xianglan, their faces broke into smiles as they hurried over to welcome her. "You've returned just in time, Girl! Our master has just arrived and is inside talking with your parents right now."

Another added, "You truly have great fortune, Girl. As soon as the First Young Master found out about your whereabouts, he rushed right over, bringing so many things—food, drinks, clothes, and trinkets—for the family to use during the New Year."

Xianglan stared in shock and horror.

Shuangxi smiled. "The First Young Master has always kept you in his thoughts, Girl. The very first thing he did upon coming home was ask where you had gone. When he learned that the Eldest Young Mistress had sold you off, he threw a massive fit and sent us out to search everywhere. Fortunately, Heaven does not disappoint those who try, and we finally tracked down your whereabouts. The First Young Master also knew you suffered grievances and were beaten by the Eldest Young Mistress, so he came here in person..."

While Shuangxi chattered on, Xianglan's face grew paler and paler. Jixi saw it clearly, yanked Shuangxi by the sleeve, and smiled at Xianglan. "Hurry inside, Girl. If you catch a chill standing in this strong wind, it will be our fault."

Xianglan's face was wooden, incapable of squeezing out even a fake smile. Her heart was filled with terror and shock, and a wave of bitterness surged up her throat, which she forcibly swallowed down. Lin Jinlou had tracked her down after all. She had already suffered so terribly at the hands of his principal wife, beaten past recognition, and nearly dragged into a tiger's den that would have ruined her entire life. It was only with the greatest difficulty that she had finally seen the clouds part to welcome a few days of peaceful living—what was he coming to look for her for now?

Observing Jixi and Shuangxi's ingratiating demeanor and the implications behind their words, she had understood long ago, and her heart sank all the way to the bottom. Even though she was now a maid in the Song family, Lin Jinlou possessed the temperament of a bandit, and Song Ke was far away in the capital. If Lin Jinlou truly resorted to underhanded methods, how was she supposed to cope?

Shuangxi wanted to say more, but Jixi tugged him again, exchanging a subtle glance, and the two of them closed their mouths. Like a wandering ghost, Xianglan slowly dragged herself to the doorway, drew a deep breath, and pushed the room door open. A wave of warmth rushed out to meet her, but Xianglan felt as though it were even more biting than the piercing winter wind.

Seeing Xianglan enter the house, Shuangxi frowned and folded his arms. "I say, Brother, won't that lass be so happy she's muddled?"

Jixi shot Shuangxi a side-eye. "What kind of eyes do you have? Didn't you see that was from fright? Xianglan is terrified of our master. Judging by this situation, she doesn't seem very pleased that the First Young Master came calling."

Shuangxi said, "Is she afraid of the Eldest Young Mistress? Now that the Eldest Young Mistress has been dealt with by the First Young Master and is sick in bed and unable to get up, there's nothing left for her to be afraid of if she goes back."

Jixi lowered his voice. "How could it be that simple? She was bought by Young Master Song. Look at what she's wearing and how she's dressed... Tsk tsk, that's hardly the appearance of an ordinary serving maid. Perhaps the two of them have already..."

Shuangxi clicked his tongue. "No wonder when I told the First Young Master that Xianglan had been bought by the Song family, the First Young Master's face turned black for half a day. If the First Young Master simply drops the matter, or if that Song boy has some sense, that would be one thing. Otherwise, there's bound to be a lively spectacle."

The pair glanced at each other, shook their heads, tucked their sleeves into their arms, and stood quietly by the doorway without another word.

Now, Xianglan pushed the door open and stepped inside to see Lin Jinlou seated in the host's seat of the parlor. He was still wearing his crow-black cloak, having already removed his hat. Seeing her enter, he narrowed his eyes, and a smile spread across his handsome face, bringing a vibrant glow to his features.

Xianglan did not dare to look, quickly lowering her head.

Chen Wanquan sat sideways on the chair to the lower right, not daring to sit fully; barely a fraction of his buttocks touched the edge of the chair. With his back straightened and his torso leaning forward, his smile was somewhat distorted because he did not know how to ingratiate himself. Xue Shi carefully presented a plate of pastries and fruit, her face likewise filled with trepidation.

Xianglan thought to herself, "My parents are already reduced to this state; what will I do if I don't stay strong? I refuse to believe he would dare to forcibly seize a common citizen's daughter. If he tries to coerce me, I'll risk my life and fight him to the bitter end." Taking a deep breath to steady herself somewhat, she offered a proper, graceful bow and said, "May the First Young Master of the Lin family enjoy peace and longevity."

Lin Jinlou chuckled even more broadly. "Look at that. She's grown distant the moment she left the Lin household. Previously, she always addressed me as 'First Young Master,' but now she's added 'Lin family' to it. I wonder whose young master she's calling him now?"

Chen Wanquan nodded and bowed in obsequious flattery. "I just told the First Young Master, Xianglan was bought by the Song family's young master and is currently serving by his side."

Acting as though he were hearing this for the very first time, Lin Jinlou nodded and muttered, "Oh, so it's the Song family..." He tapped his fingers on the table and casually asked, "Is there tea?"

Xue Shi hurriedly replied, "Yes, yes. The water has just boiled right now, and I'll go brew a pot immediately. It's just that our humble home has nothing decent, so I hope the First Young Master will make do." Moving with nimble hands and feet, she brewed a cup of tea and quietly nudged Xianglan, urging, "Hurry up and serve it over."

Xianglan picked up the tray, walked over with her head bowed, and placed the tea bowl on the table. As Lin Jinlou reached out to take the tea, whether intentional or accidental, his fingers brushed across the back of Xianglan's hand. Xianglan flinched as if stung by a wasp and hurriedly pulled her hand back.

Lin Jinlou frowned slightly, though his brow instantly smoothed out again, and he casually asked, "Old Chen, what business are you in nowadays?"

Chen Wanquan curled his knees, his buttocks already lifted off the chair, and respectfully answered, "Nowadays I serve as a resident manager at a pawnshop, just making enough to feed the family. This past year, I acquired a few valuable items, made a small fortune, and only then managed to purchase this courtyard."

Lin Jinlou nodded, asking Chen Wanquan about his daily affairs with alternating questions. Occasionally, he also asked about Xianglan—what her monthly stipend was, what chores she performed, and so forth. Although Chen Wanquan was usually loose-tongued, he was scared to death of Lin Jinlou and no longer dared to spout wild exaggerations, so his answers turned out quite reasonable and logical. Xianglan kept her heart in her throat all the while, standing quietly beside Chen Wanquan with her head bowed.

Then she heard Lin Jinlou say, "I went off to fight battles and suppress bandits, and upon returning, I learned that you had been beaten by the Eldest Young Mistress and turned around and sold off. I sent people to inquire everywhere without getting any news, and only later heard that the Song family had bought you. Your parents have also cast off their household slave status and even bought property. Since I happened to pass by while running errands today, I just dropped in to take a look."

Another wave of terrified trepidation rippled through the Chen household.

Standing up, Lin Jinlou said, "Very well. It's New Year's Eve, so I won't stay long. I'm leaving." He rose to his feet and walked straight toward the exit.

The three members of the Chen family hurriedly followed to see him off. After giving Jixi a few parting instructions, Lin Jinlou mounted his horse, and Shuangxi scrambled to grab the reins. Standing at the courtyard gate and watching Lin Jinlou ride away, Xianglan finally let out a breath. Just as she was about to close the door, Jixi unexpectedly came running back and lowered his voice to say, "The First Young Master said for you to come with me, Girl, to the back of the house. He has something to ask you."

Xianglan's heart leaped back into her throat instantly. Seeing Jixi standing stubbornly at the threshold without moving, she had no choice but to step out, pull the door shut, and follow Jixi toward the back of the courtyard. Turning a corner, she indeed saw Lin Jinlou leaning against the wall, with Shuangxi holding the horse not far away, their backs turned in her direction. Jixi lowered his voice and said, "Girl, the First Young Master is right over there. Hurry on over." With that, he too turned his back.

With no alternative, Xianglan dragged her feet forward with her head bowed, refusing to move further after a few paces, standing rigidly in place. Suddenly, the rustle of footsteps reached her ears, and Xianglan gave an involuntary shudder. A pair of black-soled official boots entered her field of vision, and Lin Jinlou's voice sounded from directly above her head: "Don't just keep your head lowered. Lift it up so Your Master can take a good look at you. Back inside the house, we were too busy talking, and I didn't get a proper look at your face." As he spoke, he reached out, pinched Xianglan's small chin, and forced her face upward.

Xianglan's eyelashes fluttered as she looked up to see Lin Jinlou looking down at her with a half-smile. Although some time had passed, he had barely changed; if anything, his pair of eyes had grown even sharper and calmer, radiating absolute dominance. Xianglan hastily lowered her eyelashes, struggled slightly, turned her face away to brush Lin Jinlou's hand aside, and said in a dry voice, "First Young Master Lin, I must return inside. Doing this is hardly appropriate."

Lin Jinlou released his grip, and Xianglan immediately buried her head once more. She heard him let out a cold chuckle. "Inappropriate? What's inappropriate about it? My little Xianglan, you surely haven't forgotten what I said before I left—that when I returned, I would elevate your status properly. It won't matter if you truly forgot; tomorrow I'll go straight to the Song family and demand someone. Could that brat Song Yifei really dare to refuse to release her?"

Xianglan's small face turned pale as she lifted her head and said, "I am truly unworthy of the First Young Master's favor, and furthermore, I have already left the Lin family. I will forever remember the kindness the First Young Master showed me, but... but I am unwilling to serve as a concubine."

Lin Jinlou still wore his smiling expression. "Oh? Unwilling to be a concubine? Unwilling to be my concubine, but willing to be that Song brat's concubine?"

"No, it's not like that."

Lin Jinlou's face darkened, and he sneered, "Well, look at you! You've grown quite capable the moment you walked out of the Lin house. What kind of wonderful treats did that Song brat give you? Could it be he promised to make you a legitimate wife?"

Xianglan shook her head frantically. "No, he..."

"No?" Lin Jinlou let out a scornful laugh. "Do you take me for a fool? What you're wearing, what you have on your head, the property bought for your family—which of these is ordinary? That fellow Song Ke really treats you quite well; he was hounding after you to take you for himself from the very beginning. Given the Song family's current standing, this sort of outlay counts as quite a grand gesture. No wonder you're so stubbornly devoted to him."

Xianglan simply closed her mouth tightly and refused to speak.

Yet Lin Jinlou playfully pinched Xianglan's cheek and remarked, "You know, I haven't seen you for over half a year, and this pretty little face of yours has grown even more captivating. No wonder you had that Song boy so completely bewitched—I can't bring myself to let go of you either. Later on, go pack up your things at the Song family, and I'll send people to fetch you back myself."

Xianglan abruptly raised her head, stared straight at Lin Jinlou, and said, "I cannot obey."

Displeased, Lin Jinlou arched an eyebrow. "What, you still disagree? Could it be following Song Ke is more prestigious than following me?" He thought for a moment, then spoke with a sudden expression of sudden realization, "You don't need to fear the Zhao woman. From now on, she's out for good."

Xianglan shook her head, dropped to her knees, and pleaded, "First Young Master, I beg of you. I am merely a person as humble as a blade of grass; I only wish to live a peaceful life and make an honest living. The First Young Master has absolute beauties crowding around him by the hundreds—why must you insist on troubling someone as base and lowly as me?"

Lin Jinlou bent down, stared into Xianglan's face, and sneered, "Because I feel like it."

Xianglan said calmly, "Then I have no choice but to end my life." With that, she abruptly pulled the sandalwood hairpin from her hair and thrust it straight toward her throat.