Against the Current - Chapter 202

Chapter 202 - Sweet Dates

Lin Jinlou pulled Xianglan onto his lap. Seeing that she only kept her head lowered without even moving her eyes, looking both daze-stricken and pitiable as if frightened to the core, he felt the palms of her hands and found them indeed icy cold. Kissing her temple, he said, "You ate very little this morning and your constitution is weak right now. Shall I have the maids bring over a bowl of soup?"

Xianglan obediently nodded.

Lin Jinlou then called Chunling in and ordered a bowl of soup to be brought. As Chunling withdrew, she muttered to herself in suspicion; the leftover nine-thread soup from the morning had long been given away, and she doubted the small kitchen would have anything ready-made right now. Walking to the entrance of the small kitchen, she saw Mother Huang, who was in charge of the cooking, standing outside talking to a matron. Catching sight of Chunling, Mother Huang immediately hurried over, greeting her with a beaming smile all over her face. "Why has Sister Chunling come over at this hour? It's only three quarters past the si hour (around 10:45 AM), and lunch is still being prepared on the stove. Or is there something our young lady wishes to have?"

Zhisun Lodge had its own separate kitchen for cooking. Previously, the head cook had been Mother You, but she had returned home to observe mourning for her deceased father-in-law, so Mother Huang, who had been the second cook, stepped up to take her place. With Zidai currently riding a wave of power, the small kitchen inevitably sought to curry favor with her. Moreover, Mother Huang was on good terms with Mother Han and had accepted favors from her, so she privately used public funds to prepare a separate portion for Zidai. While she wasn't exactly slighting Xianglan, she wasn't as attentive as before either, requiring three reminders for whatever food was requested. A few days ago, Xianglan had wanted a bowl of light dragon-whisker noodles—a simple enough dish—and Xiaojuan went to request it. Mother Huang was busy bending over arranging dishes for Zidai and didn't even spare Xiaojuan a proper glance, merely saying, "Sister Xianglan is truly high and mighty; she doesn't order simple fare, yet insists on this difficult dish. In this busy rush of work, who has the time to knead dough and pull noodles? No one can get it ready in under half an hour! Besides, to make this kind of noodle without pig bone broth for the rich stock, how can it taste like anything? The half-pig sent over a few days ago has long been eaten up; tell your young lady to eat these noodles another day." This remark had left Xiaojuan boiling with anger, and upon returning she cursed, "If the young lady hadn't repeatedly told us to 'be cautious in speech and conduct,' I would have gone to the kitchen today and made a huge scene, tearing off their masks. Back when Mother You was here, every food item was prioritized for us, and people came and went welcoming us warmly, so where would we ever suffer this kind of humiliation? She said there was no time to make noodles, but she certainly had time to fry gluten for Zidai!"

Chunling remarked, "Now that Zidai has seized control of the small kitchen and taken away the account books, she has even promoted Mother Huang's daughter, Xiaoluo, to be her personal attendant. It would be a miracle if Mother Huang didn't crawl all over themselves to suck up to her." After comforting Xiaojuan with a few words, she still felt a knot of anger pent up in her chest. Now, abruptly seeing Mother Huang's deferential expression and turning it over in her mind, she understood it must be because Lin Jinlou had returned. Giving a light cough, she said, "The Eldest Young Master asked me to bring a bowl of restorative soup for our young lady."

"Soup? We have it, we have it! Do trouble yourself to come with me, Sister." Mother Huang's smile grew even wider, guiding Chunling into the kitchen. She scooped an earthen jar from the stove and laughed, "What a coincidence! Hearing that Sister Xianglan's appetite hadn't been good these past two days, I specifically made this assorted meat soup, letting it simmer on the fire for two whole hours so the flavor is fully steeped." With that, she filled a bowl to the brim and placed it on a small foreign-lacquered begonia-shaped tray.

Chunling sneered, "Made specially for our young lady? This morning when I came to the kitchen to fetch the food box, I heard Xiaoluo saying who-knows-who wanted to drink assorted meat soup at noon."

Mother Huang inwardly cursed Chunling for her sharp tongue, but maintained her smile on the outside. "You must have misheard, Sister. This soup was indeed specially made for Sister Xianglan."

Chunling wore a half-mocking smile. "Is that so? Could it be my ears caught fire and I misheard the sounds? Earlier when our young lady wanted a bowl of dragon-whisker noodles, she had to look at people's faces, but now receiving such grand treatment really makes us feel undeserving!"

Mother Huang cursed inwardly, but just moments ago, a trusted matron under Qin's command had told her how Lin Jinlou had stood up for Xianglan and caused Zidai to lose a tremendous amount of face. She was scared out of her wits, realizing she had worshipped the wrong ancestor and offended a true living Buddha. Now, willing to dig out her heart and lungs to curry favor in every possible way, she knew that even if Chunling threw dirt in her face—let alone slapped her—she would just have to take it. She fawned, "My good Chunling, I was muddle-headed before, blind as a partling-owl, and failed to recognize Mount Tai. Please be magnanimous and forgive me." Saying this, she quietly fished out a corner-cut piece of silver and thrust it into Chunling's hand, then shouted loudly, "Liangjie! Didn't you see your Sister Chunling has arrived? Pack a box containing both the poria cakes and osmanthus cakes steaming on the bamboo racks!" Rubbing her hands together, she smiled, "Whenever you want to eat anything in the future, just tell me. Today at noon we have wine-marinated goose webs and duck palates, and the flavor is exquisite. I'll reserve a plate for you and little Sister Xiaojuan..."

Chunling let out a huff, shoved the silver into her sleeve, and walked away with the soup. Upon returning to the room, she saw an open chest set by the bedside. Lin Jinlou was holding Xianglan on the bed, pointing out the items inside the chest to her.

Chunling presented the soup and withdrew. Xianglan had zero appetite, but Lin Jinlou raised the soup bowl and said, "Drink at least a little while it's hot."

Xianglan drank half the bowl, and Lin Jinlou drank the rest in one gulp. Seeing Xianglan's look of astonishment, he chuckled mischievously right by her ear, "What? Surprised to see your master eating your leftovers? Your master has enjoyed mountain delicacies and sea treasures at home, and when out on military campaigns, what filthy things hasn't he eaten? Besides, this soup is exceptionally delicious, seasoned with a touch of your fragrant saliva, making it better than anything else." With that, he kissed Xianglan on the lips and murmured indistinctly, "Look how your master went out and kept thinking of bringing things back for you. No one else has that kind of standing; follow your master well from now on, stop letting your mind wander blindly, and your good days are yet to come."

Tearfully sighing inwardly, Xianglan leaned against Lin Jinlou's chest without moving an inch. She had originally thought herself rather clever, but now realized she was no match for Lin Jinlou's craftiness and malice. This man gave her luxurious garments and jade jewels, yet could not grant her self-respect, warmth, or the vitality of living, leaving her longing endlessly for a life of freedom.

With soft jade and warm fragrance in his arms, Lin Jinlou felt a wicked fire rising within him and reached out to untie Xianglan's clothing fasteners. At that moment, Lianxin's voice came from behind the door curtain, "Reporting to the Eldest Young Master, Shuran has arrived."

Lin Jinlou cursed under his breath, "Couldn't come sooner or later, had to pick this exact moment." Seeing Xianglan blushing as she broke away, he kissed her cheek and laughed, "I'll deal with you later." He straightened his clothes and ordered Shuran to enter.

The moment Shuran entered the room, she dropped to her knees and kowtowed in greeting.

With an indifferent expression, Lin Jinlou stated, "Shuran, you know very well why I drove you out. I originally intended never to use you again, but Xianglan put in a good word for you before me, saying you have served me faithfully all these years and handled your duties properly. As for the previous matter, let's treat it as a temporary lapse of judgment." Here he paused slightly.

Shuran was an extremely clever person and immediately struck her head against the floor with a loud thud, saying, "Sister Xianglan is entirely right; it was indeed this slave who lost her senses and failed the Eldest Young Master's painstaking intentions."

Xianglan curled her lip in silent disdain nearby. Firstly, she had never spoken a good word for Shuran, and secondly, Shuran had been expelled because Lin Jinlou vented his anger over the Luan'er incident. Objectively speaking, Shuran was thoroughly wronged and it had nothing whatsoever to do with whether she had lost her senses or not.

Lin Jinlou continued, "As long as you understand. I also know you are a reliable person when it comes to getting things done. Starting today, you will follow Xianglan. Maintain your former duties in Zhisun Lodge as before. A troublemaker arrived these past two days and turned the lodge upside down; starting tomorrow, you are to report for duty and sort things out properly."

Shuran's eyes reddened, and she immediately kowtowed again. "Being able to serve the Eldest Young Master again is this slave's blessing. If I ever displease the Eldest Young Master again, beat me or kill me without a single word of complaint. Thank you, Eldest Young Master, for your grace." She then kowtowed to Xianglan as well, saying, "Thank you, Young Lady, for your grace." A trace of bitter self-mockery welled up in her heart. She had once been the most capable steward in Lin Jinlou's inner residence, yet now she was expected to wait upon a concubine in the manor who didn't even possess a proper title. In the past, she would have flatly refused; even if forced to accept, she would have harbored resentment and anger, handling chores perfunctorily. But now she dared not. Lin Jinlou had driven her out, stripping away her prestige and robbing her of all power. For the first time, she had learned what the phrase "the world is fickle" truly meant; even the matrons and sisters-in-law who previously flattered her had started giving her cold looks, to say nothing of the dog-eyed maidservants and gossiping hags in the manor. She had spent the last half-month as if living in a nightmare. Now that Lin Jinlou allowed her to return and restored her former authority, even if she were serving someone who had lost favor like Yingge, let alone a favored one like Xianglan, she would gladly accept it with joy and serve with all her heart.

Lin Jinlou waved his hand to dismiss Shuran.

Xianglan stared at Lin Jinlou in a daze. She suddenly understood why he had driven Shuran out in the first place—it turned out he had prepared to assign Shuran to serve her. Yet an arrogant and clever head-servant like Shuran would naturally be unwilling to serve someone of her humble status, so Lin Jinlou had cast her into the mud to shave away her pride before sending her to her side, deliberately framing it as an act of intercession by Xianglan to bestow a favor upon her.

Pulling Xianglan into his embrace, Lin Jinlou said, "Those two maids by your side—the sharp-faced one lacks experience and bearing, while the round-faced one is a complete fool, neither of them is of any use. I've given Shuran to you so you'll suffer less bullying in the future." Seeing Xianglan's dazed expression, he tapped her nose with a smile, "What are you thinking about? Your master has gone this far for you; aren't you touched?"

This morning, Xianglan had first watched Lin Jinlou stand up and vent her anger, before being terrified by his vicious threats. Before that shock could fade, Lin Jinlou handed her a capable servant. This tactic of doling out a few sweet dates, following it with a big stick, and then tossing more sweet dates left Xianglan thoroughly bewildered.

She parted her lips, not yet knowing what to say, when she heard Lin Jinlou chuckle, flip her over to pin her on the bed, and slip his hand beneath her skirt. "If you're touched, serve your master well. You passed out last night before we finished; feel this, your master's fire hasn't died down yet."

Xianglan originally wanted to offer him a word of thanks, but hearing this left her completely speechless. Darkness fell before her eyes as the bed curtains were yanked down by Lin Jinlou. With one hand groping a full, soft mound and the other parting her embroidered skirt to pull down her snow-white silk drawers, revealing a pair of slender, pale-pink legs, his breathing instantly turned heavy. The passionate spring scenery within the bed-curtains goes without saying.

Meanwhile, along the covered veranda of the main quarters in Zhuoshou Garden, Mother Wu and Mother Han crossed paths face-to-face. Mother Han was walking in a hurried rush, but Mother Wu stopped and intentionally spoke up, "Old Sister, where are you rushing off to in such a hurry? The Eldest Young Master just sent someone to bring me some local specialties, and some of the food is quite exquisite. If you aren't busy, old sister, come over to my place and try some?"

Mother Han had a mountain of troubles on her mind, and hearing the words "Eldest Young Master" only added to her agitation. She abruptly halted her steps, turned her head, and sneered, "What do you mean by that, you old wretch? Don't ask me to pull out the few hairs you have left on your head that look like a horse-hitch cover!"

Mother Wu reached out to touch the golden hairpin in her back bun and chuckled coldly, "Old sister, I don't understand what you're talking about. Your niece caused trouble, why are you taking your anger out on an unrelated person like me? I acted out of kind intentions and told you long ago not to provoke Xianglan, but Zidai refused to listen, failing to seize power and instead stirring up a mess of trouble. And you played it ruthlessly—to protect your niece's reputation, you tricked that little wench Yinliu into taking the fall, telling her that offending Xianglan would bring no good, making her kowtow in confession while lying that she caught a chill from the wind and needed to retreat home for a couple of days. Pity that she misjudged you; as soon as she stepped out the door she was sold off by people, while your scheme also smeared Xianglan's reputation. Framing Yinliu is one thing, but plotting against Xianglan... Tsk, as the saying goes, 'The granary mouse and the rook go to borrow grain—those standing guard have none, those flying by have plenty.'"

Mother Han's expression shifted, but she only sneered repeatedly without uttering a word.

Mother Wu continued, "You thought what you did was done in secret? I've been in the Lin family for decades after all, and Zhisun Lodge has its own standards. What can possibly be hidden from me?" Stepping forward another half-step, she said, "I kept my mouth shut about this precisely to preserve our years of friendship. After all, we've been together these years; though we bicker and compete, we're still old sisters living day-to-day. If you're not doing well, I feel bad inside too. Take my advice: stop letting Zidai hang around Zhisun Lodge. Use this opening to beg Madame for a favor and let her go out and get married. Madame will naturally take care of her. Zidai has already incurred the Eldest Young Master's displeasure, what else can she do?"

Mother Han seemed deeply touched, letting out a long sigh of lamentation. "Ah, yes, what else can we do." Her eyes reddened as she pulled out a handkerchief to wipe her tears, saying, "Zidai is someone I watched grow up from childhood, as close to me as my own daughter. As her maternal aunt, I naturally hoped for her to have a bright future..."

Mother Wu thought to herself, This old wretch saying such things means she still hasn't given up! Despising Mother Han in her heart, she nonetheless offered a few soft words of comfort.

As soon as Mother Wu left, Mother Han instantly wiped away her tears, spat, and cursed, "Keeping her mouth shut to preserve years of friendship? Sounds nice, but she kept quiet only because Madame condoned it! Since Madame doesn't care, do you dare stick your nose into it?" Turning back into her room, she pushed open the door to the inner alcove and saw Zidai kneeling on the floor, slumped over the edge of the bed and weeping sorrowfully. Mother Han already had a belly full of fire, and seeing this only made her angrier. Knitting her brows with a fierce and severe expression, she scolded, "Cry! You still have the face to cry!" With a long sigh after finishing her scold, she sat down on the bed, looking as though she had aged several years overnight, before speaking after a long pause, "I told you not to be too hasty, but you couldn't wait. Now that things have turned out like this, I can no longer protect you. What do you want to do from now on? If you want to beg for a favor to go out and get married, I will speak to Madame myself."

Zidai suddenly raised her head, her face caked with smeared powder and makeup as she sobbed, "I will never go out! I refuse to swallow this! I struggled and clawed my way to this point with such immense difficulty—if it's all washed away just like this, I'd rather die!" With that, she collapsed back onto the bed and wept aloud.

Mother Han let out a long breath, lifted her head to gaze at the ceiling, and gently rested a hand on Zidai's raven-black hair, stroking it over and over again.