Against the Current - Chapter 201

Chapter 201 - The Side Room (Part 2)

With a smiling face and flushed cheeks, Zidai eagerly bustled about to serve Lin Jinlou tea, preparing to lay out fresh melon fruits and pastries as well. "Madame will finish reciting scriptures in two more rounds," she smiled. "Will the Eldest Young Master please wait a moment longer?"

Ignoring her, Lin Jinlou simply gathered Lin Jinyuan into his arms. While straightening his younger brother's hair, he said to Xianglan, "I originally intended to come find you earlier, but I was delayed while paying my respects in Grandfather's quarters discussing some family business. Being away for so long these past few days was partly for official duties and partly on account of household matters. Second Brother's marriage has already been settled, and it's time the family starts worrying about Third Brother and Third Sister's matches. Grandfather has taken a fancy to the granddaughter of Li Wieen, the Right Vice Minister of the Rites. Her father is currently serving as an assistant prefect in Zhejiang, so once I finished official business, I went with Second Uncle to ask for a formal proposal. Little San even sent me a letter, repeatedly asking me to sneak a look at what his future wife looks like, and if she turns out ugly, telling me to quickly ruin the match." Leaning closer to Bailan with a mischievous smirk, he asked, "Guess what that girl looks like?"

Xianglan, feeling somewhat curious as well, blinked and couldn't help asking, "What does she look like?"

Pointing to his cheek, Lin Jinlou said, "Give me a kiss and I'll tell you."

Xianglan never expected him to flirt with her in front of everyone, and she froze in sheer astonishment. Before she could react, Lin Jinyuan wrapped his arms around Lin Jinlou's neck, leaned over, and planted a loud smack of a kiss on his cheek, pressing eagerly, "I kissed her! I kissed her! Now hurry up and tell me what my third brother's wife looks like!"

Lin Jinlou was taken aback. Everyone else in the room secretly covered their mouths to hide their smiles. Lin Jinlou gave the child a light swat on the bottom, laughing and cursing, "You haven't even grown your hair out properly, what do you know!" With that, he picked him up, thrust him into the wet nurse's arms, and told her to take him away.

Lin Jinyuan tried to struggle, but seeing his older brother glare at him, he instantly shrank his neck back and obediently scampered off.

Though Zidai wore a smile on her face, she felt deeply ill at ease inside. Just now, Lin Jinlou hadn't even spared her a glance, yet now that only the three of them were left in the room, Lin Jinlou merely flipped through the characters written on the Kang table, talking in intermittent sentences with Xianglan—though mostly rambling to himself while Xianglan kept silent. Finding it tedious and unwilling to leave, Zidai sought an excuse to draw closer, placing a plate of delicate little pastries right in front of Lin Jinlou and softening her voice. "These are freshly steamed snow-skin buns from this morning. Won't the Eldest Young Master try a couple? Even Madame praised them."

Seeing Zidai beam with eager obsequiousness—her face tinted like peach blossoms, her autumn-water eyes brimming with emotion as she gazed expectantly at Lin Jinlou with deep affection and a hint of maidenly shyness— Xianglan noted that she wore a flesh-pink damask quilted jacket woven with gold thread and a peach-red plain gauze skirt. Opting not to wear a sleeveless vest for fear of looking heavy only served to make her full bosom stand out all the more, truly lending her a unique grace and allure. Even Xianglan had to admit she was a tasteful beauty; by comparison, among all the maids in Qin's quarters, Zidai was quite simply the cream of the crop. Turning to look at Lin Jinlou, Xianglan indeed saw his gaze resting directly upon Zidai's breasts. She gave a cold internal laugh, thinking that she had been foolish to harbor any hope that this scoundrel would uphold justice for her. She should have remembered long ago that Lin Jinlou was a lecher who was never satisfied when it came to female beauty, possessing a violent and cold-hearted temperament. As for women, whenever a fresh one came along, the old ones were cast aside like the wind whistling through a horse stable. Right now, he was probably eager to taste this sultry-figured Zidai; she would be lucky if he didn't trample over her himself, let alone clear her name.

Quietly shifting herself a little further away from Lin Jinlou, she listened to the desolate autumn wind howling outside, feeling all the more isolated and helpless in this vast Lin manor. Immediately afterwards, she hurriedly stamped out these self-pitying thoughts, mocking herself inwardly, Living the life of a drifting duckweed in the Lin family isn't a matter of just a day or two; why bother groaning and sighing? This life will come to an end one way or another before long.

Lin Jinlou stared at Zidai's breasts for a few moments before lifting his gaze to take in her skin like congealed lard and her raven-black cicada-wing temples. This girl has a couple of points of talent, he mused, and those two soft mounds of flesh ought to be intoxicating. It's a pity she's a flashy piece of work, full of schemes. People who think themselves clever in every direction are the most repulsive; otherwise, for my mother's sake, I might have taken her in.

Seeing Lin Jinlou stare at her, Zidai's joy bloomed to the tips of her brows. Although Chen Bailan was currently riding a wave of immense favor, Lin Jinlou had always been a man of amorous habits. While she herself might not match Xianglan's peerless beauty, she was still an exceptional beauty in her own right. If she truly managed to wait upon Lin Jinlou, backed by Qin's tacit approval and her aunt's influence, the title of "Secondary Wife" would be well within her grasp. Once she bore a child for the Lin family, she would truly become a glorious, respected mistress of the house, enjoying boundless fortune and blessings. Having made up her mind, she paid no heed to Xianglan's presence and pressed even closer, reaching out to untie Lin Jinlou's boots as she spoke in a meltingly soft tone, "Madame won't be coming over for a while yet. Wouldn't it be much more comfortable if the Eldest Young Master took off your shoes and rested on the Kang? This slave has learned a unique skill for massaging legs. Whenever Madame feels fatigued in her body, I'm always the one who massages her. The Eldest Young Master is constantly running about for the manor day in and day out; we see it in our eyes and ache for it in our hearts, only regretting that we haven't had an opportunity to repay you. Now at last I can let this slave pour out a shred of devotion."

This speech left Bailan thinking she had much to learn, silently marveling that today had truly opened her eyes. Previously, she had thought Huamei was the most adept at flattering obsequiousness, but now she realized Zidai was a true master of the craft, surpassing Huamei by a margin in pure sickening sweetness. Such words were something she couldn't conjure up even if she slit her own throat. And men ate this routine up entirely. Lin Jinlou simply let Zidai pull off his boots, his feet held in her embrace as a pair of slender jade fingers began to knead them with moderate pressure.

Seeing Lin Jinlou close his eyes and yield to the comfort, Zidai grew even bolder. "Actually, waiting until evening when the Eldest Young Master has washed your feet in warm water would be the best time for me to knead them again for you. It's guaranteed to make Your Lordship feel completely refreshed all over..."

Watching Zidai's pretty face conceal a teasing allure while her words remained subtly coy, Xianglan felt that sitting right beside them made her look glaringly out of place. With no other choice, she lowered her head to play dead, listening only as Zidai made small talk with Lin Jinlou in a soft voice, while Lin Jinlou merely half-leaned against the embroidered silk cushions with his eyes shut.

Suddenly, she heard Zidai call out, "Sister Xianglan."

Xianglan hastily looked up.

With a smiling expression, Zidai said, "Trouble you to fetch a basin of hot water. Once His Lordship is done having his feet massaged, he needs to soak them properly. Also, pour me a cup of tea; I'm suddenly feeling terribly thirsty."

Xianglan was stunned. She glanced at Lin Jinlou, only to see his eyes still closed.

Wearing an all-smiles expression, Zidai said, "I'm right in the middle of massaging the Eldest Young Master's feet and can't step away. You've been writing characters for half the day anyway, you should stretch your limbs a bit. Besides, this is serving His Lordship, so you don't need to put on airs like some young lady."

Zidai always spoke this way; although her words were like piercing thorns, she wore a constant smile and spoke in a gentle tone, making it sound as though those irritating remarks were entirely the innocent, thoughtless blunders of a pure-hearted girl. If you tried to argue with her, it made you look petty instead. Xianglan had already experienced this several times in Qin's quarters and knew Zidai was deliberately trying to provoke her into a rage, so she always endured it. The discerning maids and matrons all felt pity for Xianglan, but unwilling to offend Mother Han and the others, they simply kept their mouths shut. Green Indigo and the other maids who were on good terms with Mother Wu had tried to put Zidai in her place a few times, but Zidai merely played dumb in response.

Having long since calmed her mind, Xianglan stood up upon hearing Zidai's words, preparing to step down from the Kang to fetch the water. Zidai felt a surge of triumph: on one hand, she wanted to test whether Xianglan truly held such high favor, and on the other, she wanted to crush Xianglan's prestige in front of Lin Jinlou. Fetching foot-washing water for Lin Jinlou was secondary; the crucial part was the cup of tea Xianglan would pour for her. She wanted all those dogs-eyes-looking-down-on-people in Qin's quarters to take a good, close look at how she ordered Xianglan around. No matter how beautiful or clever Xianglan was, she couldn't show off in front of her!

Just as Xianglan rose to her feet, Lin Jinlou seized her hand in a tight grip. Opening his eyes slightly, he told Xianglan, "You sit right here." Then he shouted loudly, "Someone come in, bring a basin of hot water."

Promptly, Green Indigo personally carried a basin of hot water into the room. Lin Jinlou ordered it placed on the Kang and said to Xianglan, "Take off your socks."

Xianglan stared blankly. "Huh?"

"Huh what huh? Can't you understand human speech? Saying you're stupid is flattering you."

"I won't... Hey, what kind of madness are you acting!"

Before Xianglan could dodge away, Lin Jinlou had already grabbed her ankle, yanked off her gauze socks in one motion, and pressed her little porcelain-white feet right into the water. Mortified to the point of blushing crimson, Xianglan pounded her fists twice against Lin Jinlou's shoulder. With a grinning chuckle, Lin Jinlou remarked, "Right on target, it would be even better if you used a bit more strength." After pressing her feet into the basin for a moment, he finally released his hold. Xianglan instantly jerked her feet out and, ignoring the fact that they were soaking wet, hurriedly tucked them away beneath her skirt.

Pointing at the bronze basin, Lin Jinlou instructed Zidai, "Drink it."

The smile on Zidai's face froze instantly.

With a cold sneer, Lin Jinlou said, "Didn't you say you were thirsty just now? This is the water His Lordship bestowed upon you, why aren't you drinking?" When Lin Jinlou dropped his face into a scowl, very few people dared look at him without fear.

Staring at Lin Jinlou's gloomy, dark expression, Zidai stumbled backward off the edge of the Kang, retreating two steps. Still forcing a smile on her face, she stammered, "Eldest Young Master... the Eldest Young Master is joking..."

"Which of your eyes saw His Lordship joking with you?" Before the words had even faded, a heavy slap cracked across Zidai's face. "I took you for a blind fool who didn't know who the master was and who the servant was. You actually dared to order people around in my quarters, putting on such a grand display of arrogance. Today, I'll make sure you learn your place!"

The blow made Zidai's vision go black as tears streamed down her face in unison. Overwhelmed by grievance and burning fury, she collapsed onto her knees on the floor and burst into tears.

In a flat voice, Lin Jinlou asked, "Do you submit or not?"

With tears streaming down her face, Zidai bit her lip in stubborn silence.

Lin Jinlou repeated the question: "Do you submit or not?"

Only then did Zidai choke out through her sobs, "This slave was wrong. I beg the Eldest Young Master to spare me."

Nodding toward the basin, Lin Jinlou commanded, "Go on, drink two mouthfuls of the water in that basin, and this matter will be written off. Otherwise, pack your bundles and get lost."

Wailing even more hysterically, Zidai knelt at the edge of the Kang, trembling as she scooped up the water with her hands to take a sip, only to vomit it all out onto the floor with a retch.

Disgusted, Lin Jinlou stepped aside and coldly stated, "Next time you scheme against the people in my quarters, I'll make you eat everything you just threw up." With that, he flicked the curtain back and strode out. Pausing abruptly mid-stride, he turned back to see Xianglan still sitting in a daze upon the Kang, and bellowed, "What are you still staring blankly for? Don't you see your master is about to leave!"

With a start, Xianglan shrank her neck, hastily slipped her shoes and socks back on, and followed close behind Lin Jinlou out the door. Outside, a crowd of maids had already gathered; having heard the commotion inside, none of them had dared to peek in. Lin Jinlou went off to see Qin, sending Xianglan back to Zhisun Lodge first.

Shaken by the morning's dramatic spectacle, Xianglan had yet to recover her wits. Upon returning, she lay down on the bed, staring blankly at the flower-and-bird embroidery on the canopy for a while before rolling over to face the wall. Lin Jinlou pulling such a stunt truly caught her off guard. While she felt a modicum of gratification, she also harbored a twinge of disappointment—had Lin Jinlou actually taken Zidai in, her plans to leave the manor might have gone even more smoothly.

Just as her mind was wandering wildly, she felt a sudden tightening around her waist. Startled, Xianglan turned her head to discover that Lin Jinlou had somehow entered the room. Wrapping both arms around her, he lifted her up, saying, "What are you doing here? Facing the wall in repentance?"

Unwilling to pay him any mind, Xianglan looked away. Lin Jinlou pinched her chin and said, "Still not talking to your master, hmm? You little heartless thing, just now your master protected you and vented your anger for nothing." With that, he sat down on the bed.

After hesitating for a long moment, Bailan finally spoke up, "Won't this offend Madame..."

Absently, Lin Jinlou replied, "Second Uncle wants to marry Third Sister off to the Marquis of Yongchang, and wants me to go inquire about him. The Marquis is a fine hero of a man, except he's a bit on the older side, already in his forties. Third Sister is young and has a fierce temper, so I'm afraid she won't agree. Just now I asked Grandfather's opinion; he doesn't seem opposed to it either, telling me Second Uncle's official rank isn't high, and for his daughter to marry a marquis is hardly a grievance. With the match practically set to be finalized soon, Madame will be busy for a while; she won't have the leisure to care about a mere maid." Finished speaking, he chuckled teasingly as he nibbled on Xianglan's round, white earlobe, lowering his voice to ask, "Did that relieve your hatred today?"

Xianglan hastily reached out to push him away. She heard Lin Jinlou continue, "When you were wronged, you didn't mention it to your master. Was it because you don't trust your master to have your back, or because you were harboring other little schemes in your heart?"

A jolt of shock went through her. Lin Jinlou leisurely stroked the glossy hair behind her head before gradually tightening his grip, his fingers pulling hard enough to make her scalp sting. "You're a clever girl. Though your temper is a bit soft, you regard your chastity and reputation as more important than anything else. Your mouth can be as sharp as a little knife, yet you'd rather let people splash filthy water on you than utter a single peep. Little Xianglan, tell your master what's on your mind—were you planning to wait until your master takes other women and grows cold toward you, so you could seize an opportunity to run away from the Lin family?"

He had guessed nearly everything correctly. Eyes wide with shock, Xianglan hurriedly defended herself, "No, no, really not..."

Lin Jinlou chuckled softly, pressed a light kiss onto her snow-white neck, and loosened his grip to stroke her cheek. "If not, then not. Look at how you're scared out of your wits—why has your face gone all white?"

Xianglan stared at him as if looking a ghost in the face.

In a tone of casual indifference, Lin Jinlou said, "Even if you did think that way, it wouldn't matter. You already hated your master to the bone; ever since I nearly choked you to death last time, you've hated me even more, mustering all your strength to figure out a way to get out of here while putting on a facade as if you intended to live out your days in Zhisun Lodge. Am I right or wrong?"

Cold sweat had already broken out across Bailan's forehead. So he knew everything! He knew it all!

"Silly girl," Lin Jinlou kissed her lips with what seemed like immense fondness. "Those little tricks of yours aren't even worth looking at under your master's hands. Don't play games with me; if you behave yourself, there will be plenty of good days ahead for you to enjoy. If not, next time your master truly can't guarantee he won't snap this little neck of yours—along with your parents' into the bargain... Tsk, do you understand?"

Though spoken in a soft, gentle tone, his words exuded a chilling, ruthless murderous intent that chilled her right down to the bone marrow.

Paralyzed by terror, Xianglan didn't dare move a muscle as tears slowly welled up in her eyes.

Gently wiping her eyes with his sleeve, Lin Jinlou lowered his voice with a chuckle, "Look at you, why are you crying again?" Pulling her into his embrace and rocking her back and forth just as he would soothe Lin Jinyuan, he patted her back and murmured, "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid."

Buried against his shoulder, Xianglan was as docile and obedient as a little rabbit.