Against the Current - Chapter 185

Chapter 185 - Talisman (Part 6)

Although Madam Qin disliked Meimei's heavy makeup and flamboyant dressing, she harbored a favorable impression of her due to her sharp tongue, brisk demeanor, flattering sycophancy, and knack for reading people's expressions. Remembering that Meimei had previously requested a child- beseeching talisman at the temple, her heart softened somewhat, and seeing her weeping over Lin Jinlou involuntarily elevated her in her estimation.

Witnessing this display, Xiulan could not help but inwardly praise Meimei's silver-tongued eloquence. Nurse Wu, Chunling, Tinglan, Lianxin, and others who were on good terms with Xiulan felt a surge of bitter hatred while harboring deep anxiety for her.

To everyone's surprise, Xiulan chuckled softly, shook her head, and said, "Meimei, there is a saying that 'schemes can be exhausted to no avail.' Though your tongue is brilliant as a lotus blossom, capable of speech and performance alike, and though you understand how to read expressions and curry favor—transforming overnight from a concubine gifted by the Eldest Young Master's superior into an official concubine—do not imagine yourself so exceedingly clever that you can treat everyone else like fools. The things you have done behind closed doors—don't assume others are entirely in the dark."

Hearing this, Meimei's complexion shifted instantly, though she reverted to her sorrowful appearance the next moment, crying out in tearful grievance, "Sister! Could it be that because my attempt to expose your plot to harm the Eldest Young Master was found out, you are now resorting to such malicious framing?"

Xiulan stated, "In the dead of night, you first disregarded Madam Qin's orders and barged uninvited into the master's bedroom with ulterior motives—that is your first offense. You claimed that 'my sister once told me that you entered the manor reluctantly because the Eldest Young Master forced you, that you hold a grudge against him in your heart and dream of leaving the manor.' When did I ever utter such words to you? Whenever we have met, three or four maidservants were always present by our sides to bear witness. You have planted false evidence, slandered with a double-tongued mouth, and stirred up trouble—that is your second offense."

Meimei stood dumbfounded, her mouth opening to offer a retort, before Xiulan cut her off relentlessly.

"A moment ago, you and Nuanyue sang in perfect harmony, aggressive and sharp-tongued, every word a deadly blade designed to drive me to my grave, yet you actually had the audacity to claim you wanted to plead for mercy on my behalf. Who with clear eyes could fail to see through the tricks at play here? You have never possessed a benevolent nature. Back then, Aunt Lan listened to your endless instigations and blindly agreed to establish the poetry society, sowing discord between her and Madam Zhao, all while you maintained the facade of a 'good sister acting out of concern.' Were you not aware that Aunt Lan possesses an innocent, naive, and simple-hearted nature, unversed in worldly trivialities? Furthermore, carrying a large belly, she should have been resting with peace of mind. Even if you cared nothing for Qinglan, if you truly had the Eldest Young Master's interests at heart, you should have considered the child in Qinglan's womb and refrained from stirring up her fancies."

Listening intently, Madam Qin furrowed her brows.

Meimei hid her hands inside her sleeves, clenching her fists so tightly that she snapped a fingernail an inch long right off. Yet maintaining her sorrowful and aggrieved expression, she wailed, "Sister's words leave me truly with no will to live on. I merely spoke to Aunt Lan about the poetry society—when did I ever instigate her?" Turning her gaze toward Madam Qin, she pleaded, "Madam, Madam, you must uphold justice for me!"

Xiulan sneered coldly, "The deceased are gone; rehashing this serves no further purpose. But I want my Lady to understand that you have always been a person of such dark and venomous cruelty."

Despite her aggrieved demeanor, the corners of Meimei's mouth twitched upward in a cold smile. "Is Sister genuinely furious with me, or are you harboring a guilty conscience, deliberately diverting the topic onto me so everyone will fixate on my non-existent flaws to exculpate yourself? We are currently discussing a talisman meant to curse the Eldest Young Master to death—what on earth does that have to do with Aunt Lan?"

Xiulan laughed lightly. Meimei's frail appearance was indeed an act; now, being driven to her wits' end, her true colors were on the verge of surfacing. "It is entirely relevant. Among the people in the Eldest Young Master's quarters, Yingge is honest, and Luan'er has a straightforward and blunt temperament, but their feelings—good or bad—are always written plainly across their faces. Only you smile like the gentle breeze of spring while fighting viciously for supremacy in the inner courtyard down to your very bones. Knowing your nature, I have always kept my distance, yet I never imagined you would still manage to join hands with Nuanyue to frame me today."

Turning her gaze back toward Madam Qin, Xiulan softened her tone and said, "I am ignorant and lacking in proper etiquette, having failed to pay formal respects to Madam. That Madam dislikes me is only natural given human sentiment. Coming from a humble background, I am merely a drifting duckweed; entering the Lin family once more was never my own desire. Yet the Eldest Young Master has ultimately shown kindness to me. Such a base and despicable deed is something I, Chen Xiulan, would never condescend to commit!"

At that moment, a voice sounded from the doorway, "Enough, stop talking." Before the words had even faded, Lin Jinlou strode heavily into the room. He walked straight up to Xiulan, grabbed her by the arm, and hoisted her up by sheer force, muttering, "Well, well, I am supporting you now, so why are you still sliding back down to the floor? It's freezing out; aren't you afraid of catching something kneeling on the cold ground?" He raised his gaze toward Madam Qin and added, "I heard everything from outside just now." With those words, he cast a glance at Meimei.

Though calm, that single glance was icy and blindingly piercing, resembling the frost of a drawn sword. Meimei was instantly seized by a terrifying chill, shuddering all over as she collapsed limply onto the floor, gripped by a mixture of shock and fury. Lin Jinlou stepping forward personally to support Xiulan made his stance unmistakably clear. Out of the corner of her eye, Meimei glanced at Nuanyue, who had already crumpled into a heap on the ground, and thought to herself, "Given how things stand now, I have no choice but to sacrifice the pawn to save the chariot."

Unwilling to be publicly manhandled by Lin Jinlou in front of a crowd, Xiulan struggled twice, but Lin Jinlou merely maintained his grip and lifted her up. Stealing a quick, furtive glance upward, she saw that Lin Jinlou was watching her closely, prompting her to instantly turn her face away. The moment Lin Jinlou released his hold, she lowered her head, retreated a quick and light step backward, and stood sideways in a proper, decorous posture.

Lin Jinlou thought to himself, When I was eavesdropping at the door just now, she looked rather formidable with a couple of ounces of backbone. Why does she turn back into a frightened little rabbit the moment she sees me?

Meanwhile, Changfa's wife was someone who loved to play petty cleverness. Witnessing Meimei lose the upper hand while Xiulan turned defeat into victory, she deeply regretted backing the wrong horse. Furthermore, Xiulan was currently the most favored person by Lin Jinlou's side; if Xiulan truly held a grudge against her, she feared her life would become a misery. Having frequently heard of Lin Jinlou's fearsome reputation while rarely witnessing it firsthand, she fancied herself a prominent favorite whose name was registered with the Old Lady. Moreover, she reasoned that Madam Qin still showed her a modicum of respect, let alone Lin Jinlou. Therefore, the moment Lin Jinlou entered, she resolved to curry favor in front of the master, flaunt her status, and cow Xiulan into submission. Stepping forward with a plastered smile, she chimed in, "The Eldest Young Master has returned! Must be freezing outside, right?" Glaring at Xiulan, she poked her in the shoulder with a finger and scolded, "Are you deaf or blind? Didn't you see the Eldest Young Master just walk in? Why haven't you gone to pour a cup of hot tea? Such a lacking, eyeless thing!"

Furious, Xiulan was about to reprimand Changfa's wife for her hands-on insolence when Lin Jinlou lashed out with a kick, sending her flying backward several paces before she crashed heavily onto the floor, clutching her stomach and groaning in agony.

Pointing at Changfa's wife, Lin Jinlou demanded of Madam Qin, "I still know a thing or two about the prominent managing wives in the manor, but I've never even laid eyes on this creature. How is she qualified to step foot into my quarters? Tomorrow, I suppose this courtyard of mine might as well turn into a bustling vegetable market, letting any stray ox-head and horse-face demon walk in and holler as they please!"

Fearing that Lin Jinlou's anger would boil over, Madam Qin berated Changfa's wife, "Did you swallow a vat of cheap liquor tonight?! Completely lacking manners and hierarchy—since when was it your turn to run your mouth here! Get out of my sight immediately!"