Against the Current - Chapter 125

Chapter 125 - The Golden Horse

Cao Lihuan was a woman of considerable cunning and strategy. She understood mood and romance, possessing a hundred different clever ways to please others. Han Yaozu instantly fell deeply in love with her, unable to tear himself away for even a moment, and long ago cast his own shrew of a wife to the back of his mind. From hair ornaments, necklaces, and bracelets to clothing for the four seasons, along with delicacies like chicken, duck, fish, and pork, down to various medicinal tonics, there was nothing she did not ask for. Since Han Yaozu was completely devoted to doting on her, he naturally granted every request. To further ingratiate herself, Cao Lihuan even brought her personal maid, Huier, and offered her to Han Yaozu. With mistress and servant attending to him together, it was not long before Ren Yu was promoted from a mere prison warden to a ninth-rank tax inspector, openly bestowing an official standing upon a commoner.

Yet as the saying goes, "There are no walls in the world that can keep out the wind." Before long, someone caught sight of Cao Lihuan with her jacket unfastened, revealing nearly half her chest as she emerged from Han Yaozu's study, and the rumor quickly spread in whispers. When word reached Ren Yu's mother, the old lady was instantly thrown into a fit of fury and demanded that Ren Yu divorce his wife. Cao Lihuan sneered coldly, "If not for me, how could your son have inexplicably secured a ninth-rank official post? It's bad enough that your own son is spineless and incapable of earning academic honors, but do you think dragging a wife into this brings honor to your face? Instead of reflecting, you glare straight at me and start making accusations!" Upon hearing these words, and seeing Ren Yu's utterly submissive demeanor, Ren Mother spat up two mouthfuls of blood and passed away in less than a month. From then on, no one dared to cross Cao Lihuan. While she played the tender, submissive role to win Han Yaozu's favor, back home she bossed her husband around like a servant, berating and beating him at whim, only to occasionally soothe him with a few sweet, affectionate words. Terrified of Cao Lihuan yet deeply infatuated with her, Ren Yu could only play deaf, mute, and swallow his grievances.

Now, having caught sight of Xia Yun at the entrance, Cao Lihuan had secretly taken note of him. She thought to herself that Xia Yun was neatly groomed; though not quite as handsome as Ren Yu, he possessed an air of profound scholarly refinement and lofty grace. While he lacked Han Yaozu's official might, his vibrant youthful vigor was something an old wreck like Han Yaozu could never hope to match. Gritting her teeth in bitter resentment, she thought, How hateful, how terribly hateful! As fate would have it, I lack fortune and could only marry a spineless good-for-nothing, never once crossing paths with someone so entirely to my liking! Xia Yun is different from ordinary folk; he passed the provincial imperial examination at such a young age, and sooner or later he will soar to great heights. Han Yaozu is getting old, and there's no telling when his career as a magistrate will hit a dead end. Though he treats me well enough, it's ultimately not a long-term arrangement. Better to find a way to forge a connection with Young Scholar Xia so I'll have someone to lean on in the yamen later on... Perhaps I might even be able to rely on him in the future! The more she pondered it, the more her heart felt as though it held a burning flame.

From then on, she seized every opportunity to strike up casual conversations and chat with Xia Yun, inquiring after his well-being from time to time. She also whispered sweet nothingnesses in Han Yaozu's ear, making him value Xia Yun all the more and consecutively assigning him several high-profile tasks that brought him much acclaim, along with generous monetary rewards. Cao Lihuan would then go to Xia Yun to claim credit, saying, "Your handmaid simply cherishes Young Scholar Xia's talent. You write such an exquisite hand and possess such profound learning—it is a terrible waste of talent to remain stuck in this county yamen. Fortunately, I am able to put in a few words with the magistrate, so I praised Young Scholar Xia's fine qualities. And look, has a man of talent not immediately been brought to light?"

Xia Yun instantly felt that Cao Lihuan was a discerning judge of talent who truly had his best interests at heart. Though he had previously kept his distance from her, they gradually grew quite familiar.

Once they had grown somewhat closer, Cao Lihuan would cast lingering glances at him, occasionally exchanging flirtatious jests as she said, "Young Scholar Xia has not yet taken a wife, has he? In the dead of night with an empty pillow, of whom do you find yourself thinking?"

Xia Yun replied, "At night, I simply close my doors and read."

Cao Lihuan chuckled and said, "Oh, relying solely on reading won't do; one must learn to relax a bit, shouldn't they?" As she spoke, she leaned gracefully against the doorframe, one foot resting on the threshold, while lightly lifting the hem of her skirt to reveal a tiny glimpse of a pink water-red embroidered shoe.

Xia Yun understood immediately. Although inwardly he despised Cao Lihuan's character, he had no wish to offend her, so he simply lowered his gaze and pretended not to notice. Deep down, however, he felt a certain smug satisfaction, fancying himself a dashing and romantic figure on par with Pan An, surrounded by blossoms wherever he went.

Since she dared not linger too long in Xia Yun's quarters within the yamen, Cao Lihuan saw that he was ignoring her advances, so she smoothly shifted to other topics before taking her leave. In her heart, she thought, There is plenty of time. A rat loves oil-pastry just as much as a cat loves fish—surely I'll find a way to reel in a novice like you?

Putting aside how Cao Lihuan sought opportunities for seduction, we turn to Lin Jinlou. After lobbying connections in the capital for over half a year, he finally returned to Jinling, having solidified the news that Lin Zhangzheng had been promoted to Viceroy of Shanxi. The entire Lin household rejoiced. Officials of all ranks in Jinling rushed to act upon the news—with Lin Zhangzheng completing his period of mourning and re-entering official service, his return marked an immediate promotion to a first-rank senior official wielding real localized power. It was a clear sign that the Lin family was about to restore its former glory. Consequently, an endless stream of visitors arrived to submit calling cards, deliver congratulatory gifts, and forge connections. In particular, vague rumors had circulated outside that Lin Jinlou had divorced the Zhao woman, causing those with marriage aspirations to line up more than a street away.

Upon returning home, Lin Jinlou first inspected the military camp for a couple of days and handled various trivial matters before finally stealing half a day of leisure to indulge in a lazy sleep. When he awoke, feeling parched with thirst, he got up and called for tea.

As the bed curtains were lifted, a heavily made-up woman holding a bowl of tea stepped forward to present it to him. Taking a sip, Lin Jinlou raised his eyes and saw that the person serving the tea was none other than Huamiao, causing him to frown slightly. This was the master bedroom of Zhisun Lodge, and a concubine like Huamiao had no business wandering in and out at will.

Huamiao, being exceptionally quick-witted, saw the displeasure on Lin Jinlou's face and understood instantly. She immediately explained, "It was the First Mistress who told me to keep watch here, saying that Eldest Young Master has been as busy as a spinning top these past few days and there was no telling when you might wake up, so you shouldn't wake to find not a single person around to attend to you..." Casting a sidelong glance at Lin Jinlou, she lowered her voice and added, "The ones who used to serve in this room... mostly belonged to that person who was brought from her maiden family, so..."

Lin Jinlou immediately said, "I understand." He threw off the light quilt and prepared to get out of bed.

Huamiao hurriedly stooped to slip his shoes on, picked up his garments from the nearby warming cage, and helped Lin Jinlou dress. Once he was fully attired, she asked, "Does the Eldest Young Master feel like eating anything? The small kitchen has just prepared a few kinds of fine wheaten pastries that the Eldest Young Master usually favors. Would you care for a few pieces?" Seeing Lin Jinlou nod slightly, she promptly ordered someone to bring them over.

As Lin Jinlou stretched his neck, a nimble maid swiftly brought over a covered bowl of clear soup. He took a sip, and hearing the faint sounds of cymbals and stringed instruments drifting from the front courtyard, he asked, "What's going on out front? It's making quite a commotion."

Huamiao replied, "A few of the old master's disciples and subordinates have come to offer congratulations, so the master has kept them for dinner."

Glancing out the window, Lin Jinlou saw that the sky had indeed darkened. He finished the soup and reached for the chopsticks to pick up a pastry, but suddenly his hand paused. Calling out to the maid who had just entered to clear away the soup bowls, he commanded, "Stop right there!"

That maid was none other than Yindie. Because Lin Jinlou was home today, she had meticulously dressed up, changing into a brand-new purplish-gray outfit. All the ornaments she wore were the finest treasures from the bottom of her chest; she wore three pairs of bracelets on each wrist, and the powder on her face had been secretly swiped from Huamiao's dressing table. Being naturally pretty, such grooming added an even greater allure to her appearance.

Now that Lin Jinlou had called her name, Yindie was so thrilled her entire body trembled. She halted, turned around, and was just about to bestow a charming smile upon Lin Jinlou when she saw him approaching with a darkened expression. He grabbed the gold-inlaid horse pendant hanging from her skirt sash and demanded, "Where did you get this thing?"

Yindie gave a start as a cold shiver ran through her.

Back when Xianglan had been driven away by Zhao Yuechan, she had departed in such a rush that she had left behind many of her belongings uncollected. Yindie had secretly made off with Xianglan's chest, taking all the finer clothes and jewelry inside. At the bottom of the chest, she had found a red silk pouch containing this small horse attached to tassel tassels—it was truly exquisite beyond compare. Staring at it wide-eyed with greed, Yindie had immediately pocketed the golden horse. She had never dared to wear it since the day she stole it, and today, wearing it on her skirt sash for the very first time, she had run right into Lin Jinlou, who spotted it immediately.

Now, this golden horse waist pendant had quite a background. Originally a rare treasure brought back from an overseas merchant vessel, it had been paired with brightly colored silk threads and various precious jades before being presented to Lin Jinlou. Finding the small horse of pure gold and yellow jade remarkably delicate, Lin Jinlou had played with it for a while before tying it around his waist. On that particular day, when Xianglan was attending to him, he had felt a fondness for the girl and bestowed the little golden horse upon her. To find the item now hanging from the person of an unrelated maid instantly caused Lin Jinlou's face to sink.

Quick-witted as she was, Yindie immediately sensed that this golden horse was a sensitive matter. Coupled with a guilty conscience and a deep dread of Lin Jinlou's authority, her eyes darted frantically as she stammered, "This is... this is..."

Lin Jinlou delivered a swift kick to Yindie's stomach, snapping, "What is this? I asked you where you got this golden horse!"

With an audible gasp, Yindie collapsed to the floor, then hurriedly scrambled back onto her knees, turning pale with pain. She thought to herself, This is bad. If I admit I stole it from Xianglan, I'm bound to meet a terrible fate. Zhao Yuechan is gone anyway, so I might as well push the blame entirely onto her. She immediately blurted out, "May the Eldest Young Master examine the truth! This trinket was originally bestowed upon me by the former First Mistress..."

Lin Jinlou laughed coldly and harshly. "She bestowed it upon you? She's someone who wouldn't part with a single cash, yet she was truly generous to a dog of a slave like you? When she was booted out of the Lin family, why didn't she take you along?"

This casual remark made every hair on Yindie's body stand on end. She began kowtowing repeatedly, crying, "This maid was wrong! Eldest Young Master, please spare this maid!"

Without even sparing her a glance, Lin Jinlou ordered, "First thing tomorrow morning, have the human traffickers come and clear this person out of my sight."

Huamiao hurriedly acknowledged the order, "Yes."

Seized with terror, tears streaming down her face, Yindie kowtowed frantically with loud thuds, pleading, "Eldest Young Master, spare my life! Eldest Young Master, spare my life! That waist pendant wasn't given by the First Mistress; after Xianglan left, this maid rummaged through her chest and took it! I lost my mind, I'll never dare do it again, never again..."

Lin Jinlou shouted sternly, "Get her out of my sight this instant!"

Two matronly servants immediately stepped forward, gagged Yindie, and dragged her away.

Huamiao's lips twitched as she thought to herself, Yindie truly is a complete fool. She'd rather claim she stole it than admit it was a gift from Zhao Yuechan—did she really not know which person this master detests the most? Yet her expression remained calm, avoiding any unnecessary words as she carefully attended to Lin Jinlou's meal.

Lin Jinlou fingered the golden horse pendant, his thoughts drifting entirely to Xianglan. Though he had been away for over half a year, he remained well-informed and knew that Song Ke had passed the imperial examinations and become a jinshi, subsequently becoming betrothed to the daughter of the Duke of Xian, leaving Xianglan behind as he packed up his entire family to move to the capital.