Against the Current - Chapter 232

Chapter 232 - Estrangement 

Xianglan still kept her head lowered, twisting her fingers as she listened to Lin Jinlou drawl from right above her head, "Oh, so that wasn't what you meant. Then what did you mean by pulling a long face just now?"

Xianglan thought to herself, "If I told him it was because I didn't want to become a concubine, there's no telling how angry he'd get; naturally, I can't bring that up." Turning the thought over in her mind a few times, she barely managed to cobble together an excuse. "Because... because my zodiac sign conflicts this year, and it's not a good time to handle such matters. I was afraid that if I brought it up, Big Young Master wouldn't be pleased..."

Lin Jinlou paused, looking skeptical. "Really? Just because of this?"

Xianglan let out an "en," lowered her head to stare at her fingertips, and said nothing more.

Lin Jinlou frowned slightly. He didn't care about such zodiac conflicts, but his parents, and even his grandfather, placed a certain amount of importance on them. A few years ago, when he went out to suppress bandits, his mother cried for a whole day and adamantly refused to let him go, saying that his zodiac clashed that year and he was bound to face bloodshed. Once he reached the battlefield, he really did get slashed by someone and needed quite a while to recover... Who's to say there wasn't actually some taboo in all this? Little Xianglan had always believed in Buddhas and deities; if it was because of this, it did make some sense.

Impatiently, Lin Jinlou said, "Just because of this trivial nonsense, why didn't you say anything while we were eating earlier?" As soon as he finished speaking, he remembered how much Xianglan feared him; if she had truly dared to bring it up at the dinner table, he wouldn't have felt comfortable about it either, and might well have assumed Xianglan was being reluctant and purely trying to pick a fight with him for no reason. Sheepishly stopping himself, he stroked his hair and said, "Well... if this year won't work, then forget it. There are already plenty of joyful events this year anyway; Second Brother just finished his affairs in the capital, and Fourth Younger Sister's marriage follows right after. Now that Madam thinks highly of you and has already told me she wants to give you a grand ceremony, I was also worried she'd wear herself out. Let's wait until next spring and pick an auspicious day."

"There's no need for it to be grand, nor is there any need to trouble Madam. After all, it's not a major matter."

"How is this not a major matter? You foolish girl, this is Madam showing you respect so that no one will look down on you in the future. Who pushes away good fortune like this?"

"Madam is already quite busy..."

"Then we'll have Shuran manage the arrangements and have Madam preside over it when the time comes. Afterward, I'll also invite a few friends over to liven things up." Lin Jinlou reached out, pulling Xianglan into his embrace as he held her close. "This is done to show the servants in the estate, every single one of whom has eyes that look down on people and fawn on the wealthy... Oh well, we'll have to wait until next spring anyway." With that, he patted Xianglan and drifted off into thought for a moment.

Leaning against Lin Jinlou's chest, Xianglan smelled the blend of soap, the mint and medicinal herbs from his sachet, and his masculine scent. Feeling somewhat ill at ease, she had no choice but to fixate on Lin Jinlou's hand. That hand was large and broad, the hard calluses on his palm worn down from gripping sabers and pulling reins—completely different from Song Ke's slender, jade-white hands... When she and Song Ke parted ways, she had originally thought that in the future she would find a scholar for a husband, regardless of family standing, as long as his character was good, he was motivated, his disposition was gentle and kind, and his family background was clean and clear. The man would study diligently to earn an official rank, while she painted pictures in exchange for silver, slowly acquiring a few mu of land. Their life would surely grow better and better.

Who could have imagined things would turn out like this...

Xianglan sighed inwardly. Some things bore no deep thought; thinking too deeply only brought vexation. She no longer wanted to pressure herself with such harsh intensity. Previously, her heart had burned like a fire, and every day in the Lin household had been an endurance test. In the end, aside from tears, she had used her full stubbornness to crash into a wall of injuries, and what had she actually gained?

She took a deep breath, as if by doing so she could infuse a touch of coolness into her feverish, troubled heart. The worst possible outcome right now was simply becoming Lin Jinlou's concubine, but as long as she drew breath, she would fight to break free from these shackles and refuse to spend her life as a plaything valued only for her looks—yet this matter could not be rushed.

Just as she was lost in thought, she heard Lin Jinlou say, "I'm heading to the capital in a few days. First, I must have an audience with the Emperor; second, I need to handle some official business in the capital; and third, Fourth Younger Sister is getting married, and the Yongchang Marquis's residence is in the capital, so we can conveniently escort her dowry there. This time, you'll be coming along with me. Go ahead and have the maids pack your luggage later."

Xianglan was stunned for a moment. She raised her eyelids to look at Lin Jinlou and saw him casually gazing at the glass table screen. Sensing Xianglan's gaze, he lowered his head and looked at her with a smile. "What? Don't want to go?"

Xianglan hurriedly lowered her gaze and said quickly, "No, I'd very much like to go." She hadn't been back to the capital in over a decade. Everyone in the Shen family had long since passed away, and those who survived were scattered to the winds with unknown whereabouts. There was nothing left in the capital for her to yearn for, yet it was completely saturated with memories. She wanted to return, but she also felt a lingering timidity.

Lin Jinlou pinched Xianglan's small chin, lifted her face, and then reached out to tuck the stray locks of hair beside her cheek behind her ear. Looking at her slightly reddened face, he couldn't help softening his voice. "When we reach the capital, I'll take you around everywhere. Just tell me wherever you want to go, and I'll definitely take you." Following that, he made various promises to Xianglan about taking her to taste local cuisines, listen to theatrical performances, and tour private gardens.

After talking for a while, Lin Jinlou felt quite content. He patted Xianglan's head, told her to go to sleep first, and went back to reviewing official documents.

Xianglan lay on the bed, letting her mind wander wildly until she eventually drifted into a hazy sleep.

The next day, Lin Jinlou finished breakfast and headed out, instructing Shuran before his departure to help him and Xianglan pack their luggage. Xianglan then ordered Chunling to open the trunks, select clothing for both the spring and summer seasons to bring along, and pick out a few items to reward the maids around her.

Chunling asked quietly, "This time we're going out, which maids does the Yiniang wish to take?"

Xianglan hesitated slightly. Lin Jinlou had told her this time she could take four or five maids, "so you don't end up like we were in Yangzhou, without a single competent person to order around." Xianglan ran through the names in her mind: Lianxin and Tinglan were helping Madam Qin manage affairs, so they naturally couldn't be taken. She wanted to take Chunling, Xiaojuan, Lingqing, and Lingsu. The first two shared a different bond with her, having gone through hardships together, so they went without saying, while Lingqing and Lingsu were the ones she wanted to promote. Yet ever since the day she returned, Chunling had been acting prickly toward her. Xianglan knew the score clearly: Chunling must be unhappy about the matter regarding Lingqing and Lingsu, and thus acted indifferent and difficult to command.

Though displeased, Xianglan kept in mind their past affection and figured Chunling was just someone with a sharp tongue but no bad intentions, so she tolerated it, thinking she would have a proper talk with her later to turn over a new leaf. But just thinking about Chunling's unyielding, charcoal-fire temperament gave her a headache.

Facing this question now, Xianglan hesitated. After all, she was closer to Chunling, and she figured that if she told her that Lingqing and Lingsu were coming along too, Chunling would likely become even more upset.

Just at that moment, Xiaojuan lifted the door curtain and announced, "Fourth Young Miss has arrived."

This voice rescued Xianglan. She hurriedly stood up and said to Chunling, "Quickly pour tea for Fourth Young Miss."

Lin Dongxiu had already walked in with her maid. She was dressed in a bright peach-red flowered silk embroidered with birds and flowers over a satin jacket, paired with a water-blue lark pleated skirt. Her hair was neatly combed and adorned with a full set of pure gold lantern-style hairpins and rings, and she had applied a touch of face powder. The sickly appearance she wore previously had vanished entirely; she looked spirited and radiant, her cheeks tenderly glowing as if she had turned into a completely different person. The maid following behind her was none other than Qiuli, originally from Madam Qin's quarters. Because Lin Dongxiu was getting married and Lin Zhaoxiang had spoken up, Madam Qin had handpicked four maids from her own rooms, promoted Qiuli to a first-class maid, and assigned her to serve Lin Dongxiu.

As soon as Lin Dongxiu entered, she took Xianglan's hand, looking her up and down. "Amitabha, you've finally come back." Affectionately clutching Xianglan's arm, she continued, "When I heard you came back yesterday, I came over right away, but then I heard you were asleep. Knowing you had endured a long and tiring journey, I didn't dare to disturb you. You even went out of your way to bring me a gift; every single flower in that box is lovely, and the powder, hair oil, and rouge are all wonderful—fragrant and fine. You really put a lot of thought into this." The two of them sat down as they spoke.

Seeing her appearance, Xianglan thought to herself, "Truly, some people weep while others laugh. I heard Lin Dongling's mourning hall has already been set up, and nobody knows where her remains were sent, yet Lin Dongxiu stumbled upon a free bargain. As the saying goes, 'Misfortune is what happiness rests upon, and happiness is what misfortune lurks within.' With her disposition, marrying out may not necessarily bring her happiness, but since she finally got her wish, it is at least something to be happy about." She smiled and said, "You're someone about to become a bride; I imagine even poorly made powder would look stunning on your face."

Lin Dongxiu feigned anger and said, "Even you are making fun of me!" After speaking, she covered her mouth with her handkerchief and laughed.

Originally, Lin Dongxiu hadn't liked Xianglan, but now that she owed Xianglan a favor and had a good marriage that lifted her spirits, every trace of her aversion toward Xianglan had vanished, replaced by a growing sense of closeness. She instructed Qiuli to open the box she had brought. When Xianglan looked inside, she saw two styles of embroidery threads, both crafted by Lin Dongxiu, along with two books, writing brushes, ink, paper, and an inkstone, all presented as a gift to Xianglan.

Lin Dongxiu said with a smiling expression, "These brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone are top-quality items given to us sisters by my father. I don't usually have much use for them, but since you are a person of refinement, giving them to you is a perfect match."

Xianglan smiled faintly and replied, "Since it is the Young Miss's kind intention, I will accept them."

The two of them chatted idly for a while. Toward noon, Shuran came in to report some matters to Xianglan, prompting Lin Dongxiu to take her leave.

Xiaojuan stepped in while tidying up the teacups and complained, "I really didn't know this Fourth Young Miss was such a chatterbox. Just now, all I heard was her talking on and on without stopping, going over and over the arrangements for her dowry. She drank cup after cup of tea and still didn't know when to say goodbye."

Xianglan rubbed her temples and said, "This is her moment of triumph; it's inevitable she can't contain herself." Lin Dongxiu was genuinely overjoyed at having found a noble husband. Xianglan had tried to steer the conversation away several times, but whenever Lin Dongxiu spoke a couple of lines, she would manage to circle back to her dowry, leaving Xianglan no choice but to let her talk to her heart's content.

Xianglan took a sip of tea and asked, "Where is Chunling? I haven't seen her at all just now. I told her to serve tea to the Fourth Young Miss, and once she went out, she never came back."

Xiaojuan curled her lips. "Her? Who knows where she went. Qiuli came over today, and those two had already been at odds because of the promotion to first-class maid. Later, when Qiuli went to serve the Fourth Young Miss and was elevated to the status of a pseudo-young mistress, Chunling felt awkward about it. Seeing Qiuli tag along with the Fourth Young Miss today, she definitely wouldn't want to stay around and serve."

Just as they were speaking, Lingqing and Xuening entered, each holding a vase containing long branches of peach blossoms, clearly freshly clipped from the trees outside. Hearing Xianglan ask about Chunling, Lingqing piped up, "Elder Sister Chunling already went home, didn't she tell you, Yiniang?"

Xianglan froze and asked, "What's going on?"

Lingqing explained, "This morning, Elder Sister Chunling came into the room to call us to the front hall to serve tea to Fourth Young Miss. When she saw me and Lingsu packing our luggage, she asked what we were doing. We told her it was per your instructions, Yiniang—that the two of us were to accompany you to the capital. Elder Sister Chunling then... she said she was going home right then and there. I saw her carrying a bundle and walking out the door of Zhichun Pavilion."

Xianglan was startled, her brow furrowing.

Xuening chimed in, "When Chunling was about to leave, I happened to be right there... I stopped her at the moon gate and tried to persuade her for a long time, but I couldn't convince her. She said she was feeling unwell and was afraid she'd pass her illness on to her masters..."

Xianglan's expression turned unsightly. Anyone with eyes knew what was really going on; Chunling's little stunt felt like a tight slap across her face.

Shuran stood there with knitted brows. "What does she mean by saying that? Who gave her permission to leave the estate without authorization? Even when you tried your hardest to persuade her, she wouldn't listen—did she expect the Yiniang to go and personally invite her back?"

Xiaojuan looked at Xianglan and suggested, "Shall I... shall I go to her house and talk her into coming back?"

Xianglan closed her eyes for a moment. Even though she had a good disposition and knew how to appreciate kindness and repay favors, she wasn't a fool who would blindly let herself be bullied and manipulated. When she first arrived at Zhichun Pavilion as a concubine, she had been completely dead to the world, unable to muster any interest in anything else, leaving everything in Chunling's hands. Chunling had grown accustomed to calling the shots for her, which was why today, the moment something didn't go her way, Chunling dared to kick up a fuss and trample her dignity into the dirt.

When Xianglan opened her eyes again, they were entirely clear. She instructed Xuening, "Go pack your things. Since Chunling is sick, you'll take her place." Then turning to Xiaojuan, she said, "Go to the bedside drawer, take out twenty taels of silver, and deliver it to Chunling. Tell her that since she's not feeling well, she should stay home and recover properly, and she needn't rush back. This twenty taels is for her medical expenses; if it's not enough, I'll give her more."

Pouting, Xiaojuan muttered, "She's acting like this, yet the Yiniang is still treating her so well."

Xianglan merely urged, "Hurry along now." By having Xuening replace Chunling, she was disciplining her to show her displeasure; by sending the silver, she was demonstrating that she still remembered their past affection. If Chunling had any sense, she would realize she needed to rein in her behavior upon her return, and Xianglan would treat her just as before. If she didn't... Xianglan shook her head. She would repay Chunling's past kindness, but she could not allow someone to run wild around her.

Shuran couldn't help nodding inwardly. She hadn't expected that this seemingly soft-spoken girl possessed such administrative mettle. Servants like Chunling, who trade on past favors to act arrogant, were the hardest to manage; if you were too harsh, people would call you ungrateful, and if you were too lenient, they would say you were soft-hearted and spineless, incapable of commanding respect. Xianglan's approach was just right—water-tight in execution, leaving no opening for anyone to pick a flaw.

Meanwhile, Chunling had stomped her way home carrying her bundle. As soon as she entered the door, she gulped down a large bowl of tea. Lately, things hadn't been going smoothly for her at all. She couldn't understand it: clearly she was the most capable person by Xianglan's side, and her words in Zhichun Pavilion carried more weight than Lianxin's. Countless little maids ran errands for her left and right—so why had the first-class position completely passed her by?! She had originally hoped that with Xianglan's return, she could speak up and secure justice for herself, but Xianglan had changed too. Whenever new maids arrived in the past, they were always sent to her for training. But this time, the two newcomers immediately started stripping away her authority and were granted second-class status right off the bat, which clearly showed they didn't take her seriously at all! Especially when she saw Qiuli today—that little hussy had risen to first-class status simply by following the Fourth Young Miss, and coming to Zhichun Pavilion to flaunt it made her stomach churn. If she didn't make a fuss now, there wouldn't even be room for her to stand here in the future!

She knew Xianglan's temperament best of all. Hearing that she had left, Xianglan was bound to send someone to coax and coddle her back to Zhichun Pavilion. This time, no matter who came, it wouldn't work—she was determined to make Xianglan come and invite her back in person. If for no other reason, she needed to preserve her pride and teach Xianglan a lesson she wouldn't forget.

In the afternoon, Xiaojuan arrived. Chunling originally intended to feign illness and refuse to see her, but Xiaojuan barged right into the room, rattled off everything Xianglan had said like a string of popping beans, placed the silver on the table, and turned on her heel to leave.

Left dumbfounded, Chunling froze right in her tracks.