Against the Current - Chapter 195
Chapter 195 - The Floral Parlor (Part 2)
The room instantly fell silent. Madame Qin sat down in the grand taishi chair beside the small pear-wood side table and brushed the folds of her skirt. Green Luan had already served and presented a cup of tea. Mother Han, who had followed Madame Qin in, stood alongside Mother Wu, while Hongjian and Green Luan stood on either side.
Xianglan and the two young misses of the Lin family all stood up. Dongling and Dongxiu offered their greetings first, and only after them did Xianglan take her turn. Acting as if she hadn't even seen Xianglan, Madame Qin said, "Dongling, Dongxiu, sit down quickly. We are family, there's no need for so many formalities." She deliberately left Xianglan standing by herself. Lin Dongling felt a sense of vindication and cast a triumphant glance at Xianglan.
Xianglan did not feel awkward at all; in her life, she had encountered far worse predicaments than this, and Madame Qin ignoring her was well within her expectations. She stood quietly to the side with her gaze slightly lowered, watching the intricate multicolored embroidery on the table runner in a daze.
These past few days, Second Aunt Wang had contracted a chill. Madame Qin first inquired after Wang's condition from Lin Dongling, who replied, "She is somewhat better. Her fever broke last night, and though she took a dose of dispersing medicine today, she still lacks energy and didn't eat much this morning."
Madame Qin said, "With this kind of illness, fasting is precisely what is needed. If any medicinal ingredients are lacking, just let me know, and if there is anything she fancies eating, just send word over."
Lin Dongling answered repeatedly in assent.
Madame Qin continued, "The reason I called you here today is because there is a joyous event. Ge'er's marriage has already been settled; it is with the fourth daughter of Magistrate Tan. Your father wrote a letter asking Grand Councilor Xie of the Court of Judicial Review to act as the matchmaker. Since Ge'er's health is poor, the wedding can only be held in the capital, and your Fourth Uncle is helping to manage matters there. However, the betrothal gifts must be prepared here at the household. I have discussed this with Old Madame, and this task is assigned to the two of you. Draw up the inventories and tally the items—everything must be done properly."
Hearing this, Lin Dongxiu's eyes lit up. Preparing betrothal gifts naturally meant opening up the storerooms. She had long set her sights on the contents within. Now that she was growing older, her own marriage would likely take place within the next year or two. If she could see what was in the storerooms and mentally note the good items, it would be easier later on when asking the family for things. She could not compare to Lin Dongç»®, who was a legitimate daughter married into a prestigious household, with Madame Qin even providing private funds to supplement her dowry. Her biological mother, Concubine Bao, was an honest and simple person with few private savings. If she herself were to make a downward marriage, at most she would have a dowry of five thousand taels of silver. If Lin Dongç»®'s glorious wedding hadn't come first, five thousand taels might have seemed substantial, but how could she swallow this bitter pill now? This occasion was an excellent opportunity to probe the household's financial foundations.
Watching Lin Dongxiu, Madame Qin sighed inwardly. She could see right through whatever Lin Dongling was plotting at a glance. She prided herself on never having treated Lin Dongxiu lightly and had even harbored thoughts of elevating her, yet while this girl was adept at reading expressions, she fixated solely on immediate gains and loved engaging in "infighting." Her vision was simply too narrow, which gradually cooled Madame Qin's intentions, reducing her guidance to mere matters of etiquette, deportment, speech, and managing household accounts. Should Lin Dongxiu marry, aside from the official household silver, the main branch would naturally add to her dowry as well. Lin Zhangzheng had once given instructions that since they were all daughters of the Lin family, they should not favor one over the other; if Lin Dongxiu made a high match in the future, her dowry should match Lin Dongç»®'s, and even if she made a modest match, it should not be too meager. Madame Qin had long since set aside the silver for marrying off the concubine-born daughters. Yet seeing Lin Dongxiu's current expression, she felt a trace of disappointment, finding the girl both pathetic and laughable.
Madame Qin picked up her teacup, blew away the steam, took a sip of tea, and looked toward Lin Dongling. Lin Dongling was absent-minded. Having not seen him for years, she had long forgotten what that second older brother in the capital looked like, and she felt that his marriage had nothing whatsoever to do with her. She simply stared blankly at the small potted landscape on the windowsill, listlessly towsing the palace tassels on her skirt.
Madame Qin sighed again. Wang had asked her to keep Lin Dongling in line, even sending a few gifts specially, and had never let a day pass without sending over food. She genuinely wanted to teach her, but Lin Dongling had been spoiled rotten and was covered in thorns from head to toe. Since she wasn't her own biological daughter, Madame Qin had no wish to play the villain either.
Catching a glimpse of Xianglan standing quietly to the side with her head bowed and hands lowered, maintaining a respectful demeanor that looked gentle and obedient, she felt a twofold sense of satisfaction. She thought to herself, "Though her mind is far too active, her gentle disposition has one distinct advantage—she isn't like that seductive, flirtatious Huamei, nor is she arrogant and haughty like Luan'er." Setting her teacup down with a calm and unruffled expression, she asked, "When I hadn't come in yet, I heard you girls talking in the room. What were you all discussing with such animation? Dongling, tell me so I can hear."
Xianglan's heart skipped a beat. Madame Qin directly pointing at Lin Dongling to speak clearly meant she intended to catch a fault of hers and use it to squeeze her.
Lin Dongling was fretting over lacking an opportunity to complain, and her spirits perked up at this. Glancing sideways at Xianglan, she said to Madame Qin, "I... wouldn't dare say."
Madame Qin asked, "Could it be that you were discussing some state secret? What is there to dare or not dare about?"
Lin Dongling sneered, "Of course I wouldn't dare. How much is my face worth? If I get bullied by some petty servant, I can just swallow the loss and consider myself unlucky; but if I stir up the eldest brother's favorite and make him angry, and then cause the elders displeasure..."
Just as Madame Qin was about to speak, she saw Xianglan bow and say, "It was entirely my fault for speaking improperly, and Third Young Miss disciplined me with a few words."
Madame Qin was instantly stunned, not expecting Xianglan to admit her fault without any prevarication. She thought to herself that Chen Xianglan was truly astute. Just now outside the curtain, she had heard everything clearly: Xianglan had held the upper hand throughout and left Lin Dongling with nothing to say, yet now she framed it as "Third Young Miss disciplined me with a few words," lightly sweeping the entire incident aside.
Lin Dongling snorted and said, "Disciplined you? I don't have the courage! People have already made it clear that she is no longer a servant of the Lin family!"
Madame Qin also chided, "Now that the eldest young master has elevated you and I am giving you a shred of face, you must still know your own standing. Do not imagine that you are a true mistress now, daring to talk back to proper young misses and putting on airs in front of your genuine superiors!"
Overjoyed in her heart, Lin Dongling curved the corners of her mouth and said, "Indeed! Once a servant's seed is given a bit of face, they really start strutting around!"
These words were harsh, and the maids and servants in the room secretly curled their lips in disdain. Madame Qin also frowned slightly. Looking back at Xianglan, she saw that the girl maintained her gentle posture, neither servile nor overbearing, her expression entirely normal.
Madame Qin asked again, "What else do you have to say?"
Xianglan curtsied slightly and replied, "Madame's reprimand is entirely just."
Madame Qin thought to herself that the ability to bend and stretch showed she truly had depth, unlike a fragile young girl of this age who, upon hearing harsh words, would either show resentment on her face or look thoroughly miserable. Earlier, when Lin Dongling kept provoking her with words in the room, Xianglan had neither panicked nor grown impatient, responding calmly and appropriately without losing her own dignity while delivering a well-measured retort. Those who flew into a rage at the slightest disagreement lost the upper hand even if they won the argument; only one who remained unhurried, tolerant, and broad-minded displayed true aristocratic bearing.
Withdrawing her gaze, Madame Qin softened her tone and said, "In this world, everyone has their own way of living and their own rules. Remember your own station: young misses should be dignified and magnanimous, while maids should be understanding and gentle. Each of you must guard your own duties and avoid making mistakes. People must always maintain a veneer of civility when interacting; making a squabbling mess of geese and ducks when you meet is completely unbefitting of proper decorum."
Feeling that she had vented her grievance and won the day, Lin Dongling answered loudly and clearly. Lin Dongxiu stood up to receive the instruction. Knowing that Madame Qin was issuing a warning to her as well, Xianglan curtsied and accepted it too.
After Madame Qin said a few other things, she dismissed Dongling and Dongxiu, leaving only Xianglan in the room. Madame Qin took a sip of warm tea and asked Xianglan, "Did the eldest young master sleep well last night?"
Xianglan replied, "He slept well. Early this morning he even got up to practice boxing."
Madame Qin sighed and said, "Amitabha, who would have thought such a distressing mess would happen last night? How is it that Lou'er's quarters are always filled with these deceitful, treacherous wretches?"
Hearing this, Xianglan instantly understood: Madame Qin was planning to plant a new maid in Lin Jinlou's quarters. Sure enough, Madame Qin ordered someone to summon Zidai, and said to Xianglan, "Zidai was trained right here in my quarters. Two years ago she was too young to be promoted to a higher rank, but now Lou'er's quarters are lacking capable people. Lianxin's temperament is too soft, Tinglan is far too honest, and Shuran has already been matched with someone—and judging by Lou'er's wishes, she won't be allowed back into Zhichun Pavilion to serve anymore—leaving the courtyard without a single efficient person. I already paid my respects to Old Madame early this morning and discussed it; Old Madame happens to have Xueying in her quarters who can be sent to serve Lou'er, and on my end, I am sending Zidai, promoting her to a second-tier maid. Her monthly stipend will continue to be paid from my accounts."
Xianglan looked up and saw a plump girl of fifteen or sixteen with almond-shaped eyes and a small mouth, dressed in a light-purple satin jacket, possessing quite a striking appearance.
Seeing this beautiful maid, Xianglan guessed Madame Qin's intentions, though she wondered why the mistress was explaining all this to her. Then she heard Madame Qin say, "Zidai is Mother Han's niece. She is skilled at needlework and has a gentle temperament; there are many things you should learn from her."
This remark was a naked slap to the face, as well as a clear signal to Xianglan that Zidai had powerful backing from a senior servant close to the mistress, overtly propping Zidai up.
Mother Han wore a look of fearful anxiety, smiling ingratiatingly as she said to Madame Qin, "Madame flatters her. What does she know? At her age, she still only knows how to be mischievous. I'm afraid she still needs to properly serve Girl Xianglan and wait upon the master as her primary duty."
Madame Qin waved her hand and said, "I have watched Zidai for several years now; whatever tasks are handed to her are handled properly. Since she's someone you trained, how could I have any worries?"
Zidai cast a few furtive glances at Xianglan, seeing that she was indeed gorgeously beautiful and refined, a wave of jealousy stirred within her. When she also noticed Xianglan's opulent attire, with a glittering gold filigree necklace around her neck, envy instantly welled up in her heart.
Xianglan raised her eyes, and their gazes collided. Zidai hastily lowered her head. Out of the corner of her eye, Xianglan caught sight of Madame Qin staring unblinkingly at her, whereupon she curtsied and said, "Everyone coming out of Madame's quarters is exceptionally capable. It is because Madame dotes on the eldest young master that she sends the very best to Zhichun Pavilion." She neither accepted Madame Qin's suggestion to learn from Zidai nor put on airs by accepting Mother Han's remark that Zidai was there to serve her.
Madame Qin raised an eyebrow.
Mother Wu and Hongjian exchanged a glance. Hongjian bent forward and said affectionately to Madame Qin, "It's still Xianglan who knows how to talk! Zidai is certainly not the best maid we have here—if we left blockheads like the rest of us to serve Madame, it truly would be wronging Madame! If tomorrow Madame's needlework lacks capable hands to do it, ah, Green Luan and I won't be able to slack off."
Madame Qin finally broke into a faint smile, saying, "I was just wondering why your embroidery skills have all improved—so you've been idling and slacking off, bullying Zidai all this time!"
Mother Wu, Mother Han, and the others hurried to join in the laughter and humor the mood.