Against the Current - Chapter 230

Chapter 230 - Jinling (Part 2)

Meanwhile, Lingqing and Lingsu were tidying up their belongings in the side chamber. Lingsu unpacked the bundle, took out the garments, and placed them into the wardrobe before letting out a soft sigh. "I truly never imagined the Lin family would be on such a grand scale."

The two of them had whispered among themselves along the journey, assuming the Lin family estate would merely be somewhat larger than the one in Yangzhou. Yet upon arriving here, just the sight of the two large stone lions crouching outside the three-bay beast-head main gates had left them dumbfounded. When they saw the magnificent, soaring architecture within the courtyard, the austere and imposing atmosphere, and the extraordinary food and attire of the serving women, they grew even more alarmed.

Once they entered the Zhichun Pavilion and saw some seven or eight maids clustered tightly around Xianglan—all sharp-tongued, aggressive figures—they realized they might not easily find an opening to insert themselves. Fortunately, Xianglan later announced that she was keeping them by her side to manage tasks, which allowed them to finally breathe a sigh of relief. However, earlier when Chunling had led the two of them to the side chamber, her brow had been knitted and her eyes glaring, with a frost-like chill written all over her face. Recognizing Chunling's high standing and seeing that she was a senior maid heavily valued by Xianglan, the two of them—being newcomers—had no choice but to swallow their pride and act submissively.

Lingqing exchanged a glance with Lingsu; both shared a sympathetic sorrow, and silently set about tidying the room. The excitement they had felt upon first coming to the Lin family had long since vanished like a puff of smoke.

Lingsu tugged gently on Lingqing's sleeve and asked in a low whisper, "Tell me, should we address her as 'Milady' or follow the others and call her 'Young Mistress'?"

Lingqing knitted her brows. Before Xie Yu sent them to the Lin family, he had instructed them to serve a certain noble lady and told them to eagerly address her as "Milady" upon arrival. Earlier, seeing the intense care Lin Jing楼 (Jinglou) had shown, along with Xianglan's imposing air, the two of them had assumed Xianglan was a proper first wife. Yet after hearing Liu Xiaochuan and the others call her "Little Sister-in-law," they sensed something was amiss, figuring Xianglan was a favored concubine. But now, hearing everyone in the manor uniformly address her as "Young Mistress," they realized Xianglan wasn't even a formal concubine. Yet seeing how she was surrounded by throngs of attendants and resided in the main chambers, she certainly carried more prestige than a principal wife.

The two exchanged blank stares, and finally let out a synchronized sigh.

Xianglan had curled up for a nap in the warm chamber, and by the time she woke, dusk had already fallen. Xiaojuan was sitting by the kang in the warm chamber working on a pair of shoes. Seeing Xianglan stir, she hurriedly set her work aside and asked, "Has milady woken? Would you care for some tea?" As she spoke, she handed over a cup of warm tea from the small side table.

Xianglan took it, sipped a little, and got up to change her clothes. Noticing only Xiaojuan was present, she asked, "Why are there only the two of you here? Where are the others?"

Xiaojuan replied, "The Madam is busy managing the wedding preparations for the Third Young Master and the Fourth Young Miss, and truly couldn't manage it all alone, so she asked Lianxin and Tinglan to go help out. Xueying said that since Lingqing and Lingsu just arrived and are unfamiliar with everything, she took them out for a stroll around the grounds. Chunling is in the back tidying up milady's luggage." Xiaojuan opened the vanity case and stationery box, picked up an ivory comb, and deftly styled Xianglan's hair while chattering away. "You just got back, so you don't know the changes in the manor yet. That little vixen Zidai was driven out by the Master, leaving a first-rank vacancy open right here in the Zhichun Pavilion. Not only the second-rank maids from our own courtyard, but even the maids from the Old Lady's and the Madam's quarters have been green with envy, itching for a chance to squeeze in here! Back then, the Master was away day after day, and the Madam was ill for a spell. Once she recovered, her heart was entirely set on preparing items for the Second Young Master's wedding; how could she spare any energy to manage this? You have no idea—Chunling glared around like a fighting rooster. When rumor spread that Qiangwei from the Madam's quarters might be transferred over, Chunling even had a row with her. The two of them used to be close, but they've completely broken off now."

Xianglan thought to herself: Chunling has always been unwilling to lag behind others and strives to excel in everything. Back when we were working together as maids, she already aspired to act like a young lady of the house; fixing her sights on this promotion is only human nature. It's just that her temperament remains far too impetuous, and her tongue is unforgiving—though such a disposition is hard to change.

Xiaojuan picked up a pure gold hair-pin inlaid with pearls and a cloud-shaped base, measured it against Xianglan's hair, and feeling it wasn't quite right, swapped it for a larger, kingfisher-feather-inlaid coral hairpin. She pinned down the stray hairs with a delicate little clasp, continuing her stream of chatter, "Sister Shuran also felt it improper to leave the post vacant any longer. She reckoned that Sister Tinglan is kind-hearted, taciturn, and has always worked diligently, so she recommended her, and the Master agreed. Amitabha, it truly proved the old saying: 'The snipe and the clam grapple, and the fisherman reaps the benefit.' Chunling wore a dark face for half a month, and goodness knows how many people were grinding their teeth behind her back, watching the spectacle. Chunling's heart has been unsettled ever since. Oh, why must she be like that?" With this, she stuck out her tongue at the reflection of Xianglan in the mirror, adding, "Since Tinglan was promoted to first-rank, I caught some of the fortune too—Sister Shuran promoted me to second-rank. Now I'm on the same footing as Chunling. If she tries to put on airs and lecture me again, I simply won't pay her any mind."

Xianglan couldn't help laughing, and said, "Her heart isn't bad; it's just her temper."

Xiaojuan pouted. "Milady is simply too good-natured, which is why she acts like that. Next time she dares to be disrespectful, milady should put her in her place." While they spoke, the hair styling was complete. Xiaojuan plucked three apricot blossoms from a blooming branch tucked in a nearby flower vase and pinned them into Xianglan's hair.

Xianglan said, "Leaving aside the great kindness Chunling showed me previously, just consider how I returned to the Zhichun Pavilion after fleeing the estate. You know how helpless I was then; aside from you, Chunling, and Tinglan, not a single person could genuinely lend me a hand. Back then you were still childish, and Tinglan is honest to a fault, so we truly depended on Chunling's boldness and fiery spirit to help me manage everything. Her temper is a bit rushed, but it's not a grave fault. Given her genuine devotion to me, what is there that cannot be forgiven?"

Xiaojuan opened her mouth, then sighed. "Ah, if only she appreciated milady's good intentions."

Just as they were speaking, Lin Jinglou strode into the room. "I came back once earlier while you were still sleeping, and after just this short while, you're already up?" He turned slightly to the side and announced, "Look who's here."

Xianglan looked closely, then sprang up in a sudden start, crying out in delighted surprise, "Father, Mother!"

The visitors were none other than Chen Wanquan and his wife. Catching sight of Xianglan as if a living dragon had descended from the heavens, Xueyi rushed forward a few steps, pulled Xianglan straight into her arms, and hugged her fiercely, rubbing her back over and over while calling her her "heart and flesh." Chen Wanquan's eyes reddened; wishing to step forward but lacking the courage, he stood awkwardly to the side, shifting his feet.

During these past days when Xianglan had been away from home, Xueyi had attempted to enter the manor to see her during the New Year, only to be turned away by the Lin household servants. Only Qin Shi had granted her a brief audience, bestowed some gifts, and claimed that Xianglan had accompanied Lin Jinglou to the countryside estate. Seeing that everyone's words were vague and evasive, Xueyi grew increasingly frantic, yet was powerless to do anything, making it an impossible New Year to enjoy. When Chen Wanquan went out to inquire, rumors whispered quietly that Xianglan had gone missing at a temple, leaving the Chen couple's heads instantly blanched with worry, though a shred of desperate hope still lingered in their hearts. Now, seeing Xianglan safe before their eyes, the two of them finally let their hanging hearts drop back into place, and burst into tears while holding their daughter.

With reddened eyes, Xueyi said, "Good girl, let Mother look at you properly." She gripped Xianglan's arms, inspecting her from head to toe, and wept as she embraced her again. "My child, as long as you are safe and sound, it is the greatest blessing we could ever ask for."