Against the Current - Chapter 235

Chapter 235 - Currying Favor

A small sedan chair halted beside the ceremonial gate of the Lin residence in the capital. An elderly woman stepped forward to lift the curtain, helping the matron inside to alight with a smile. "Ah, the Eldest Grand-Aunt has arrived. The Eldest Young Master is in the front receiving guests and isn't here at the moment."

Lin Dongwan, the eldest sister of Lin Jinlou and the daughter born to Lady Yin, straightened her clothes and then bent down to guide a toddler of about three years old out of the sedan chair, smiling as she said, "I'll wait for my eldest brother, then." With that, she lifted her skirt with one hand and led the child with the other as she walked inward, asking aloud, "Who came along this trip?" Seeing Shuran emerge from the main dwelling just then, Lin Dongwan instantly abandoned the old woman and hurried forward with a beaming smile, saying, "Let me see who this is."

Shuran smiled. "So it's the Eldest Grand-Aunt. Do come inside and sit." Lowering his head to tease the little boy, he added, "This must be Master Hui, right? He's grown so tall."

Master Hui clutched Lin Dongwan's leg, sucking on his finger in silence. Lin Dongwan stroked Master Hui's head and smiled at Shuran, saying, "The child is shy—as demure as a girl, and not very fond of talking." Seeing that no one else was nearby, she quietly took hold of Shuran's hand, drew a pouch from her own sleeve, handed it over, and lowered her voice to say, "We haven't seen each other in ages, and this is just a little token of my regard. The last time you mentioned having a silver neck-ring made, you were missing a lock; as it happens, I managed to acquire one, so please don't refuse it."

Shuran reached out and gave the pouch a gentle squeeze. Feeling its heavy weight, he smiled and said, "How could I possibly accept such a thing?"

Lin Dongwan put on a stern face. "When we were at home, we even shared a bed, and you used to comb my hair for me. What do you mean, how could you?" Then her expression melted into a smile. "Besides, this is about the bond between us..."

Though Shuran held the pouch in his hand, he did not put it away, merely asking with a smile, "The Eldest Young Master has just returned, and the Eldest Grand-Aunt has come over—is there some pressing matter on your mind?"

Lin Dongwan replied, "What pressing matter could I possibly have? I simply missed my family and came to take a look." Pausing for a moment, she probed further, "How has Eldest Brother been lately? I heard he's been promoted again? Ah, we're all family here, so I'll speak plainly: that good-for-nothing husband of mine purchased an official title some days ago, but it's all empty pretense—high-sounding yet lacking any real substance, and he isn't very satisfied with it himself. I heard there are some choice posts open in the Ministry of War; I wonder how well the Eldest Brother is acquainted with the people over there? As the one who handles and sorts the visiting cards delivered every day, have you ever paid attention to such matters?"

Shuran thought to himself, Lin Dongwan is shrewd and calculating; I really have no desire to get entangled with the things she gives. But since she has asked this, the gift she offered is indeed easy enough to accept. Aloud, he smiled and said, "You flatter me by asking such a thing, Eldest Grand-Aunt. How could a lowly servant like me meddle in those affairs? I merely run errands for the Eldest Young Master; matters regarding visiting cards are managed by Elder Kang and Elder Qi in the front offices."

Lin Dongwan couldn't help frowning. Back before she was married, while helping her mother Lady Yin plot against Madam Qin in the Lin household, Lin Jinlou had always treated her with cold indifference. Later, after she married out, Lin Jinlou's career soared, and she inevitably tried to cozy up to him, but Lin Jinlou never bought into it. Now that she had a favor to ask, her heart felt increasingly unsteady, and she said to Shuran, "Then this matter..."

Shuran said, "As for what the Eldest Grand-Aunt mentioned, my position is too humble to carry any weight, and there's nothing I can do to help. Matters concerning the men are best left for the men to handle themselves. Why not have the Brother-in-Law invite the Eldest Young Master out for a drink? Since you're all family, the Eldest Young Master wouldn't simply reject such a courtesy, would he?"

Lin Dongwan's expression grew all the more troubled. Seeing this, Shuran said no more. After a brief pause, he added, "There is still another route..." Noticing that Lin Dongwan's eyes were fixed intently on him, he lowered his voice and continued, "You may not be aware of it since you're here in the capital, but the Eldest Young Master has recently taken a new concubine named Xianglan, whom he holds closest to his heart. From what I've observed with a cold eye, no one else can compare to the favor she receives. Since she has followed him to the capital, she is without support, and the Eldest Grand-Aunt would do well to draw closer to her. Once the Eldest Young Master is pleased, half of whatever favor you seek will be accomplished." As he spoke, he slipped the pouch into his sleeve.

Doubt flickered in Lin Dongwan's heart, but seeing that Shuran had accepted the item, she reasoned internally, Shuran is renowned for his prudence; if he didn't have a fair bit of confidence in what he's suggesting, he wouldn't take my things. Smiling, she said, "I'm indebted to you for coming up with this idea. If this matter succeeds, I'll have a handsome reward for you." With that, she patted Shuran's hand and led Master Hui toward the inner quarters.

Naturally, Shuran escorted Lin Dongwan inside with attentive courtesy. Once he came out, he found a secluded spot, opened the pouch, and tipped the contents into his palm to inspect them. It turned out to be a silver lock, engraved on the front with "May you live a hundred years in peace and longevity" and on the back with "May fortune and auspiciousness follow you," while four silver peach-shaped pendants hung in a tassel below. The purity of the silver was quite good, and it was evident that it had been brushed clean with a wire brush before she brought it out, gleaming brightly.

Seeing the lock, Shuran felt a trace of disdain, thinking to herself—such a longevity lock must have been given by someone else when Master Hui turned one hundred days old, and it's been sitting around for a few years. Now she brings it out as a human favor. Before she married, Lin Dongwan was always capable of petty calculations; if she were truly sincere in seeking my help, she at least should have melted it down and recast a lock fit for an adult to wear, bearing inscriptions like 'May blessings and longevity flourish forever.' That would have shown some grandness in her dealings. With that thought, she headed out through the second gate, instructed a page named Xufu to call her husband over, and thrust the lock straight into Xufu's hand, saying, "Your older brother's wife just had a son, and your mother thought the lock we sent was too small, giving me cold looks without any reason. Now swap it for this one, and see if she's satisfied with it."

Upon seeing the lock, Xufu exclaimed in astonishment, "Where did this come from? It's so exquisitely made."

Shuran sneered, "Where it came from is none of your concern; just send this lock back so she stops nitpicking you to pieces." With that, her eyes reddened, and she pulled out a handkerchief to dab at her eyes as she choked out, "I am wholeheartedly devoted to our household, yet your mother always suspects that I'm plotting something out of your family. What could I possibly be plotting? I only chose you for your character and your ability to live a steady, honest life! Otherwise, are there really so few sons of shop managers in town? Any one of them is wealthier than your old Xu family!"

"Alright, alright, my mother is just that way, you know how she is. Now that we've come to the capital, we're far away from her, so just let it be." Seeing his wife cry, Xufu felt his head swell to the size of a basket. His mother constantly drilled into him that a wife like Shuran had too much ambition, always trailing after the Eldest Young Master and treating herself like somebody important. If he failed to keep her under strict control, she would not only ride roughshod over her mother-in-law but also climb right on top of her husband's head to act wildly. Yet Shuran was hardly someone who could be easily manipulated, and she looked down upon her mother-in-law's petty, provincial ways, bringing them to the verge of a domestic crisis time and time again. Caught in the middle, he took the brunt of the anger, resenting his mother for meddling while also displeased that Shuran refused to yield. Yet both women were like idols meant to be placed on altars and worshipped, and he dared not offend either of them. Xufu possessed a bit of cleverness—quick-witted and silver-tongued—so seeing that no one was around, he pulled Shuran into a corner, shoved the lock back into her hands, and coaxed her with a smile, "Pay no mind to what my mother says; I'll handle her myself. I think this lock is rather nice, and it would be a pity to give it away. Why don't we keep it for ourselves? When we have a son in the future, we can have him wear it."

Shuran spat lightly. "Bah! Who's going to bear you a son!"

Xufu grinned broadly. "Why, my wife, of course." After sweet-talking her a bit longer, Shuran's expression finally softened, and she instructed, "Starting today, keep Guiyuan company more often. Whether there's business or not, look out for him and give him some guidance."

Xufu asked, "Why is that?"

Shuran explained, "The Eldest Young Master is completely wrapped around Xianglan's finger. If Xianglan gives birth to a son or daughter in the future, it will be even more extraordinary. She only has one page boy by her side, Guiyuan. Treat him well so that he remembers your favor, and it will benefit us down the line. Right now the Eldest Young Master hasn't taken a primary wife yet; once she marries into the estate, it'll be a whole different scene. Since I hold the reins now, the new primary wife certainly won't tolerate me. It's better to plant a few good seeds of goodwill right now so we have more people to lean on later."

Knowing his wife possessed quite a bit of foresight, Xufu nodded in agreement, and we shall say no more of that.

Returning to Xianglan, she had removed several hair ornaments, changed into comfortable everyday attire, and picked up a volume of books to read when she heard someone announce, "The Eldest Grand-Aunt has arrived." Rising to take a look, she saw a woman in her late twenties walking in. She possessed a pair of thick eyebrows, eyes that were not particularly large, a prominent nose, and red lips, with her face heavily caked in powder and rouge. While not exceptionally beautiful, she possessed a certain striking charm. She wore a dark violet outer jacket embroidered with multicolored winter plum blossoms, a grayish-purple quilted silk skirt, and had her hair oiled to a glossy sheen, adorned with pure gold hairpins and a neck ring. Before she even spoke, she wore a three-tenths smile, stepping forward to greet her: "This must be the little sister-in-law, right? My goodness, she's so lovely! I thought I was looking at a fairy descended to earth!"

Only Xuening remained in the room as an older maid, and she whispered softly to Xianglan, "This is the Eldest Young Master's older sister, who is married to a young master of the Lu family here in the capital."

Xianglan hurriedly paid her respects, ushered her onto the kang, instructed a young maid to pour tea, and smiled gently as she offered greetings, adding, "I've just arrived in the capital and don't quite know everyone yet. Please forgive me if I've been remiss in any way." Inwardly, she thought, Lady Yin is a beauty, and Lin Changzheng is a man of striking appearance, but Lin Dongwan seems to have inherited all their worst features. Though her facial features are regular, she cannot compare to her two younger sisters. Still, with her heavy makeup and polished attire, she certainly knows how to dress up. She then thought, The Lu family of the capital? There is a well-known family named Lu in the city; I wonder if this is the one Lin Dongwan married into. Catching sight of a little boy dressed in fine silks with his hair tied into horned tufts—whom she presumed to be Lin Dongwan's son—she offered a few words of praise and had a maid carry him onto the kang to share some dried fruits with him.

Lin Dongwan swept a hasty glance around the room and noticed that the garments draped over the indoor drying frame were all women's wear, and seeing Xianglan sitting comfortably in the room dressed in everyday attire, she realized at once that Xianglan lived right here in the main dwelling. This instantly made her understand why Shuran held this person in such high regard. Observing further that Xianglan was draped in fine silks and satins, adorned with gold and jade, and possessed a face as fair as a flower, every trace of doubt vanished from her mind. With a broad smile, she said, "I married out, and because the journey was so long, I've never been able to return to my maiden home. Now that I've come to the capital and see that my sister here is so lovely—even a fairy couldn't be this charming—we hit it off the moment I laid eyes on you. We should grow closer in the days to come." She then showered Xianglan with non-stop praise, declaring that "you couldn't find anyone this gorgeous even if you searched with a lantern," that "such bearing makes even princesses unnecessary," and that "no wonder my eldest brother is so smitten with you; those women in his quarters previously couldn't hold a candle to you even if you bundled them all together," painting Xianglan as a peerless beauty found only in heaven and never on earth.

Sensing the blatant flattery, Xianglan felt thoroughly ill at ease, and could only reply, "The Eldest Grand-Aunt flatters me far too much." At the same time, she thought, I have no prior acquaintance with Lin Dongwan; for her to curry favor with me this way, she must certainly have an ulterior motive.

As they were talking, unexpectedly, Lin Dongqi arrived as well. Entering the room, she paused in surprise before offering a graceful smile. "So Elder Sister is here too."

Xianglan rose to offer a seat and ordered the maid to pour tea.

Lin Dongqi had her hair styled in a married woman's bun, adorned with pearls and kingfisher feathers, making her look a couple of years more mature than before. She wore a peach-red floral tunic and a bright red foreign-crape skirt, with her makeup impeccably fresh and her whole appearance radiant. With a face full of spring breeze, she greeted everyone, played briefly with Master Hui, and then sat down, saying, "I heard yesterday that you all had arrived in the capital, but it was already too late to disturb you. This morning, my husband urged me to come over with him; he's an old acquaintance of Eldest Brother's and always speaks fondly of him."

That casual mention of "old acquaintance" made Lin Dongwan feel rather uncomfortable, and she sat there holding her teacup in silence.

Xianglan also greeted Lin Dongqi warmly, exchanging inquiries about her well-being before steering the conversation toward idle topics about the local customs and scenery of the capital.

At that moment, Shuran stepped into the room. Xianglan quietly exchanged a glance with her, and then said to the two women, "Please excuse me for a moment while I attend to something; make yourselves at home, Second and Eldest Grand-Aunts." She walked into the eastern side-room, with Shuran following closely behind.

Xianglan asked, "Why on earth was the Eldest Grand-Aunt flattering me so desperately just now?"

Shuran smiled. "She's come to ask the Eldest Young Master to secure a post in the Ministry of War for her husband. Since she's buttering you up, you should just accept it graciously. You're cooped up in this estate all day and must feel stifled; you'll need to go out into capital society eventually and make connections with female relatives. Building a good relationship with her will give you a companion for the future."

Xianglan said, "Securing official posts outside is men's business. You all know the Eldest Young Master's temper; this isn't a matter that's easy to meddle in, nor is it easy to offend her. Next time she comes, we'll put her off however we can." With that, she turned to walk out.

Shuran quickly intercepted her, urging, "You really should cultivate some ties with her, Milady. If she asks you for anything, you're a smart person—you can judge the weight of the matter and handle it accordingly."

Xianglan halted her steps, remaining silent, and simply looked at Shuran with a smile.

Shuran felt as though her innermost thoughts had been laid completely bare by Xianglan, and hastily offered an apologetic smile. "Don't you agree that makes sense, Milady?"

Xianglan smiled lightly and replied, "I understand." Inwardly, she thought, Even Lin Jinlou said that social engagements among the female relatives in the household are entirely up to my discretion, yet Shuran is going out of her way to speak on Lin Dongwan's behalf and urge us to be friendly. People like Lin Dongwan can be recognized at a glance as untrustworthy trouble-makers; she's hardly a simple character, and Shuran has likely accepted some benefit from her. Still, since matters stand thus, I might as well grant Shuran this favor and offer Lin Dongwan a convenient courtesy. With that thought, she walked over to her dressing table, pulled open a drawer, took out a pair of small silver ruyi ingots, placed them inside a pouch, walked back out, and handed them to Master Hui, saying, "This is just a small token of my regard for our first meeting; please don't refuse it, Eldest Grand-Aunt."

Lin Dongwan gushed affectionately, "Now why on earth would you do this? I didn't even bring a gift for you this time, yet you're giving things to the child." She then repeatedly urged Master Hui to express his thanks. Master Hui remained nestled in Lin Dongwan's embrace, clutching the pouch without a word.

After chatting a bit longer, as noon approached, Lin Jinlou sent Guiyuan to report that he had guests in the front quarters and would not be returning for lunch, instructing Xianglan to host both Lin Dongwan and Lin Dongqi for a meal in the estate. After pondering for a moment, Xianglan instructed Lingqing to invite Lady Tan as well, and sent Xiaojuan to the kitchens to order the dishes.

Lady Tan had been on the point of attending to Lin Jinxuan's lunch when she received Xianglan's invitation and learned that both grand-aunts were present. She hurried off to change her clothes, taking a moment to select the most luxurious outfit from her trunks, re-combed her hair, pinned fresh flowers, touched up her makeup, and only then set out, leaning on her maid's arm.

This was Lady Tan's first time visiting Lin Jinlou's residence. Outside the door, she saw a bright crimson soft curtain hanging from copper-carved hooks. Inside the room, beneath the southern window, a broad kang stretched across the wall, where Xianglan and the others were seated conversing. Seeing Lady Tan enter, they immediately gave orders to lay out the table for the meal.