Against the Current - Chapter 231
Chapter 231 - Jinling (Part 3)
Xianglan's eyes were red-rimmed as she leaned in Xue's embrace. While Chen Wanquan was naturally overjoyed to see his daughter, stealing a glance at the opulent furnishings within the room made his eyes ache with golden flashes and overwhelming wealth, as though he had stepped into a palace. Coupled with the fact that Lin Jinglou was standing right beside him, his knees felt weak, and he didn't know where to put his hands and feet.
Lin Jinglou remarked, "Why are you all just standing around? Xianglan, you haven't even told your parents to take a seat."
Xianglan promptly offered seats, pulling Xue to sit on the kang in the warm chamber. The maids brought over embroidered stools, and Chen Wanquan cautiously perched on only half of his seat, not even daring to let his eyes wander wildly, watching instead as Xue pulled Xianglan close to inquire about her well-being with tender concern.
After a moment, Xiaojuan brought in tea and rearranged a platter of dried fruits. Xianglan stole a glance at Lin Jinglou and saw him standing near the multi-treasure cabinet with a lazy smile on his face; after lingering for a short while, he turned and walked away. Only then did Chen Wanquan let out a heavy sigh of relief.
Xianglan solicitously asked her parents about their health, and Xue asked her where she had been all this time and why she hadn't sent word home. Xianglan had no choice but to gloss over it with a falsehood. Noticing there was no one else in the room, Xue lowered her voice and asked Xianglan, "How is the Eldest Master treating you... these days?" Recalling how Lin Jinglou had nearly choked her daughter to death last time, Xue still felt a lingering chill in her heart.
Xianglan lowered her gaze and said, "I am living well within the manor... Father and Mother need not worry."
Xue sighed, "How could I not worry?" Yet seeing that Xianglan's complexion was somewhat better than before, her mind was finally put somewhat at ease.
Seeing that his daughter was now clad in gold and silver, draped in silk and satin from head to toe, and exuding the dignified air of a matron from a noble marquise estate, Chen Wanquan beamed with boundless pride. He chided Xue, "I told you long ago that our girl coming to the Lin family was to enjoy a life of blessing, but you refused to believe me. Even the legitimate wives of noble and imperial relatives can't compare to our Lan." He then turned to tell Xianglan, "The Eldest Master didn't treat you well before, but wasn't it because of your own stubborn temper, always plotting those unrealistic fantasies? Now you must settle your heart. An impressive and formidable man like the Eldest Master is someone you couldn't find anywhere even if you searched with a lantern. To say nothing of else, just over the New Year, look at the sheer amount of goods he sent to our home. I sold what we couldn't use, and combined with the little savings I had tucked away, not only did I open a shop, but I also acquired a plot of land. Even Magistrate Han now addresses me as a brother; your old man can finally hold his head high and be considered somebody when he steps outside. Truly, the heavens have opened their eyes. My child, you have always been clever. If you were still an unmarried maiden, that would be one thing—your father would never have agreed to let you become a concubine. But now that matters have reached this state, as the saying goes, 'follow the chicken if you marry a chicken, follow the dog if you marry a dog.' What would you do if the Eldest Master ever grew tired of you?"
Hearing these words, Xue furrowed her brows deeply, gave Chen Wanquan a kick, and scolded, "What nonsense are you spouting! It's hard enough to finally see our daughter, and yet you say things that pierce her heart."
Chen Wanquan immediately widened his eyes and retorted, "Tsk tsk, am I not speaking the truth? Her ambitions are simply too high!"
Xue hurriedly chimed in, "Alright, hurry up and have a sip of tea to rest properly." As she spoke, she cautiously glanced at Xianglan's expression.
Xianglan, however, said with a calm indifference, "Father knows very well what kind of family background we come from. If you want me to live well in this manor, you must keep yourself in check: drink less wine, associate less with those scoundrel fox-friends, and boast less about me to outsiders. Right now, everyone in the manor is watching me closely. If you slip up even a little, malicious people will catch wind of it, twist the truth, and spread gossip. The Eldest Master is not a man of enduring attachments; if you bring trouble upon me because of this and make the Eldest Master detest me, casting me out like Meimei or Chunyan, there won't be any more holiday gifts coming our way next year."
Chen Wanquan was, at heart, a spineless and timid man. Hearing this, the triumphant bravado with which he had been lecturing Xianglan vanished to the ends of the earth. His expression shifted instantly, and he stammered, "How could that be? How would I ever bring trouble upon you?" Yet, knowing full well that he had been boasting quite recklessly lately and had uttered many things he shouldn't have, a knot of unease began to form in his chest.
Xianglan shook her head. In the past, had Chen Wanquan babbled on like this for half a day, she would surely have grown irritated, knitting her brows and arguing back with him. Now, having weathered several ups and downs of fate, her temperament had grown far more steadfast, and she no longer cared to engage in tit-for-tat disputes. Her father's narrow perspective and limited horizon could not be changed overnight; why should she work herself into a fury over it and ruin the gathering on bad terms? Since she could no longer remain by her parents' side and her future path remained shrouded in uncertainty and unknown directions, it was far better to offer a few words of warning, hoping only that her parents would stay safe and well.
After chatting for a little longer, Xueying entered and announced, "The kitchen has prepared the meal, and the Eldest Master has requested that Miss have Chen Lao Ye and Madam stay to dine in the floral hall." With these words, she guided everyone toward the floral hall.
Stepping inside, they saw that a yellow pearwood Eight Immortals table had already been set with four small plates of cold appetizers. Lin Jinglou sat casually near the table, holding a birdcage and teasing a small yellow warbler. Seeing them enter, he handed the cage over to Lianxin standing nearby. Observing Xianglan enter the room with her eyes still red and swollen, he smiled warmly and said, "Oh, why are you crying again? Are you just that overjoyed to see your parents?" Without waiting for Xianglan to reply, he gestured, "Since you're here, take a seat."
Chen Wanquan didn't even dare to draw a full breath, shrinking back as he stammered, "No, no, how could I presume..." Before he could finish, Xue gave him a sharp nudge, curtsied to Lin Jinglou, and said, "We are intruding." She pulled Chen Wanquan down to sit and shot him a fierce glare.
Xianglan sighed inwardly and took her seat as well. Xiaojuan, Lingqing, and Lingsu stood holding presentation boxes in the room. Chunling stepped forward to lift the box lids, revealing two hot dishes inside each, which she and Tinglan then served onto the table. Mountain delicacies and marine treasures, alongside various fine dishes, filled the entire table. Presently, little maids brought in silver basins for hand-washing; the Chen couple imitated Xianglan's actions to wash their hands, sitting stiffly with tense bodies, too terrified to utter a single word.
Silence hung heavily over the table. Lin Jinglou smiled and said, "I originally intended to invite you over sooner, but I simply lacked the time. Now that you're here, don't stand on ceremony; please eat freely." With that, he glanced at Lianxin, who immediately took up a wine pitcher to pour wine for Chen Wanquan.
Chen Wanquan repeatedly declined, picking up his chopsticks but lacking the courage to reach for any food.
Seeing her parents feeling so uneasy, Xianglan raised her eyes to look at Chunling. Holding a cloth napkin at the side, Chunling knew Xianglan was looking at her, but still harboring lingering resentment toward Xianglan, she refused to raise her head, pretending not to notice. Lingqing and Lingsu were standing on the other side holding spittoons and horsetail whisks; noticing the situation, they exchanged a glance, stepped forward with chopsticks in hand, and smiled, "We don't know which dishes Chen Lao Ye and Madam prefer, so this maid will serve you." With that, they placed some food onto both of their plates. Only then did Chen Wanquan and Xue pick up their food to eat.
Xianglan couldn't help letting out a breath of relief, while Chunling's expression darkened further.
The Lin household strictly observed the rule of "no speaking while eating." Lin Jinglou dined in a measured, unhurried manner and did not go out of his way to cater to the Chen couple. The two of them ate their meal tasting nothing at all, not daring to reach out on their own, eating only what the maids placed on their plates.
When Lin Jinglou had eaten his fill, he set down his chopsticks and gestured for the maids to bring over Western cloth napkins. Wiping his hands, he smiled and said, "Inviting you here today is also to announce a joyous occasion. Xianglan is a most agreeable person, and I have long intended to elevate her to the position of a secondary wife. I was simply too busy to attend to it right away, but once things settle down a bit, I will host a banquet, invite guests, and give her a proper, glorious ceremony. She will not be wronged."
These words struck like a thunderclap in a clear sky. Xianglan's hand froze, and she could no longer eat; her hand gripping the chopsticks turned slightly pale, and she kept her head lowered in silence. The Chen couple were also deeply startled, exchanging glances. Chen Wanquan was genuinely overjoyed, feeling that once her status was officially set, he would have something to rely upon in the future. As long as she committed no grave faults, she could enjoy wealth and luxury within the Lin family for a lifetime. He hastily piled on a smile and said, "Thanks to the Eldest Master's favorable regard, this is truly Xiang's great blessing."
Xue, however, grew secretly worried. Seeing Xianglan keep her head down without a word, her anxiety only deepened. She hurriedly nudged Xiang's leg under the table and whispered, "Hurry and thank the Eldest Master."
Lin Jinglou's expression turned somewhat gloomy.
Noticing this, Xiaojuan beamed with an ingratiating smile and said, "Congratulations to the Young Mistress! This afternoon I saw a pair of magpies chirping in the tree, and it turns out they were heralding this wonderful news! Truly, congratulations to the Young Mistress!" Being naturally charming and naive, Xiaojuan's remark prompted the other maids to step forward with felicitations, eagerly addressing her as "Young Mistress."
Xianglan bit her lip. To anyone else's eyes, elevating her to a concubine was the highest possible honor. Coming from a servant background, had she not fought tooth and nail to have her household registration removed, remaining in the Lin family would have at best meant marrying a lowly servant lad in the future. Now, she was actually able to become a concubine to a third-rank military general; her entire family ought to be weeping with gratitude and burning incense of thanksgiving at their ancestral tombs.
Ever since she resolved to shed her slave status in this lifetime and stepped foot into the Lin family, fortune had never favored her. Every time she emerged from a desperate plight only for the tides to turn, a heavy blow would immediately plunge her back into the abyss. She blamed no one; it was timing, it was destiny. Among all the runaway concubines of wealthy households, she was likely the most law-abiding, staying quietly in the temple—yet trouble sought her out, impossible to avoid even when trying to hide.
She understood her own status and weight all too well, never harboring wild delusions of becoming the principal mistress of the Lin house. Being with Lin Jinglou in this lifetime meant she was nothing more than a concubine whose worth lay in her looks. Who knew when his favor would wane before her youth faded, leaving her like a decorative ornament set deep within the vast courtyards of the Lin estate, slowly withering away her years. She simply refused to be resigned to spending her whole life as a plaything, bowing and scraping to serve her master and mistress. Had she resigned herself to being a concubine, she would have accepted Song Ke long ago. Lin Jinglou called her a stubborn mute, and everyone felt she did not know what was good for her, with the maids whispering behind her back about her affectations. But how could she voice all the words churning in her stomach? Who could ever truly understand her state of mind? Whenever she resisted Lin Jinglou's intentions, she was beaten. Last time, when Lin Jinglou saw the fan Song Ke had gifted her, his fury flared and he nearly choked her to death. If she declared she refused to be Lin Jinglou's concubine, he would genuinely deal with her harshly. She couldn't afford to be reckless; she still had aging parents to support. The sharp edge she initially possessed when confronting Lin Jinglou had long been ground down to nothing by his thunderous methods, leaving only a tiny remnant hidden deep inside her heart. She carefully reined in her words and expressions, growing ever more silent, playing nothing more than a meek, purring cat beside Lin Jinglou.
She had known back in Yangzhou that this day would come. Having saved Qin Shi and her daughter, reason and principle dictated that Lin Jinglou had to give her a proper status. Yet once this status was fixed, escaping afterward would become all the more difficult.
Yet under the present circumstances, what difference did the title of "concubine" truly make?
Seeing Xiang's head bowed in silence, Lin Jinglou's broad smile gradually faded, and his expression grew increasingly cold. Yet he noticed Xianglan suddenly stand up, curtsy, and say, "Thank you, Eldest Master, for your gracious favor."
The Chen couple, along with Xiaojuan and the other maids, breathed a sigh of relief. Lin Jinglou smiled, feeling somewhat pleased in his heart as well. But noticing that Xianglan still kept her head lowered, and looking closer, seeing that her eyes seemed to shimmer with a moist, sparkling light, his brow furrowed once more, and that fleeting trace of joy vanished entirely.
Once the meal concluded, the Chen couple prepared to take their leave. Reluctant to part, Xianglan clutched Xue's hand and said, "You and Father must take good care of your health and come visit me often. In a couple of days, I will also go home to visit you." The little maid Huashan and the page boy Huacai, who had attended to the Chen couple, were summoned specifically by Xianglan, who rewarded each of them with a tael of silver, gifted Huashan a silver hairpin and Huacai a silver button, and instructed the two to serve well and keep her father from drinking too much wine.
Lin Jinglou instructed Shuangxi to prepare a carriage to take the Chen couple home. Upon departure, the maids brought out a matching set of gold-threaded, multicolored large food boxes filled with fine dishes, alongside a jar of aged wine sealed in an earthenware container. There were also local specialties brought back from Yangzhou, satins, and silks, plus a pair of top-grade antique vases gifted specially to Chen Wanquan, and a set of pure gold hair ornaments and jewelry for Xue.
Once the guests were seen off, the Zhichun Pavilion grew quiet once again. Lin Jinglou picked up a volume of books to read by the lamp, surrounded by a large stack of official documents and letters—all backlog affairs delayed by his trip to Yangzhou. Xianglan stole a glance at Lin Jinglou, quietly washed and changed in the warm chamber, let down her hair, changed into sleep garments, and slunk along the wall to the side of the bed, lightly and cautiously lifting the quilt to slip inside.
Catching this out of the corner of his eye, Lin Jinglou felt half of his blazing irritation dissipate, finding the sight rather amusing. He thought to himself: How foolish; knowing it would displease me, why do it in the first place? Still nursing his displeasure, he tossed the book aside and walked toward the bed.
Startled, Xianglan hurriedly wrapped herself tightly in the quilt, burying her head deep inside. Lin Jinglou stepped forward, yanked the quilt away with a swift motion, and said with a stern, gloomy face, "Get up for me!"
Xianglan trembled all over from fright.
Lin Jinglou said coldly, "I'm talking to you! Don't play dead here!"
Lingqing had intended to come in to refill the tea, but hearing that shout gave her a start. Feeling her sleeve tugged, she saw Xueying standing behind her, shaking her head and whispering, "Let's go, don't go in. Wait until the master calls for us later." Hesitating, Lingqing followed Xueying away.
Inside the room, Xianglan slowly sat up, drawing her legs up and lowering her head.
Pointing at her, Lin Jinglou demanded, "Whose face were you pulling back at dinner? Huh? I give you face, and you refuse to take it? Is being my concubine really that much of a grievance to you? Speak!" He then sneered, "Are you still harboring thoughts of Song Ke in your heart?"
Terrified that Lin Jinglou would fly into a rage, Xianglan cautiously raised her eyes to look at him. Hearing the mention of "Song Ke" made Lin Jinglou's temper flare, but right as he was fuming, he caught sight of Xianglan's terrified, pitiful expression, causing him to freeze and swallow the second half of his sentence.
Twisting her fingers together back and forth, Xianglan whispered in a tiny voice, "I don't..."
Perhaps those two words pleased him; thinking at first he had misheard, once it registered, Lin Jinglou felt his entire belly of rage vanish cleanly away. Clenching his hand into a fist, he cleared his throat into his mouth and sat down on the edge of the bed.