Against the Current - Chapter 255

Chapter 255 - Waves of Flirtation (Part 1)

As it turned out, Madam Tan had inadvertently caught a glimpse of an intimate encounter, leaving her soul shaken and her mind completely unmoored. Slipping away from the Changchun Hall and turning the corner of a corridor, her legs suddenly went weak, causing her to sink onto a stone stool as her cheeks flushed a fiery red with wild, wandering fantasies. Just then, she noticed a man peering out from the corridor entrance. The moment he spotted Madam Tan, he shrank back and tried to bolt. Startled, Madam Tan stood up and rebuked, "Who is there?" Gathering her skirts, she gave chase.

The man, flustered and not knowing where to hide, proved quick-witted enough to stop dead in his tracks. He turned around, cupped his hands in a salute, and said, "This humble one is Dai Rong. Having had a bit too much to drink, I lost my way and wandered into this area. I beg your pardon, milady."

Madam Tan focused her gaze and saw a fair-faced young gentleman standing before her. He possessed slender eyebrows that slanted slightly upward, a straight nose, high cheekbones, thin lips, and a sharp chin. At first glance, he seemed like nothing more than an ordinary pretty boy, but upon closer inspection, he possessed a lingering charm. Above all, his entire demeanor exuded an air of flamboyant dissoluteness. With a playful glint in his eye and clad in rich brocade, he carried the carefree, unrestrained aura of a wealthy young scion.

Frowning, Madam Tan asked, "May I ask which family you belong to?"

Dai Rong smiled and replied, "This humble one is a friend of Young Master Liu Xiaochuan, and my late father served as a fifth-rank compiler in the Imperial Academy. Today, as your esteemed household holds its celebratory banquet, Young Master Liu invited me over to assist. Having just escorted the congratulatory gifts into the storehouse, I grew completely disoriented on my way back and took a wrong turn. I sincerely beg milady's forgiveness." With that, he offered another bow, casting a subtle upward glance. He saw a remarkably neat and pretty young matron wearing gold filigree and kingfisher feather hairpins studded with pearls, an eight-treasure gold wire bun densely adorned with floral hair ornaments, and hair as glossy and smooth as oil. From her earlobes hung amber earrings an inch long, and a beaded necklace encircled her neck. She wore a brand-new bright red satin tunic patterned with a hundred butterflies and peonies, paired with a hibiscus skirt. Her face was as delicate and round as a silver basin, and her eyes shimmered with a watery, amorous gaze. Having partaken in some wine, her cheeks were even more vividly flushed, making her complexion fair and stunningly attractive. Her tall, alluring figure was exceptionally graceful. The moment Dai Rong took in her appearance, he vaguely guessed her identity. Being a veteran connoisseur of romance who frequently sought out beauty, his body went half-limbs-soft just looking at Madam Tan, whose allure resembled the peach blossoms of late spring. Grinning broadly, he said, "This must be Second Young Mistress Lin, is it not? This humble scholar pays his respects." He folded his hands deeply and made a formal bow.

Madam Tan asked in astonishment, "You recognize me?"

Dai Rong smiled warmly and said, "Whose name is more renowned than Second Young Mistress Lin's? Even in your maiden days, you possessed a sterling reputation. Everyone said you excelled in every respect—unrivaled in needlework, and thoroughly accomplished in chess, calligraphy, and painting. They also said you possessed the beauty of a moon goddess. Only upon seeing you today do I realize how false the rumors were; no matter how extravagantly people praise you from the outside, beholding your true person reveals that it falls short of even a ten-thousandth of your grace."

Madam Tan had initially worn an expression of anger, annoyed by Dai Rong's trespassing into the inner quarters, but upon hearing such flattery, her annoyance long since vanished to the ends of the earth. Furthermore, since Dai Rong was a handsome man, an extra seven parts of delight blossomed in her heart. Wearing a slight smile, she said, "Those are just idle gossips spreading rumors outside; I am nothing like what they say." Unable to help herself, she looked Dai Rong up and down once more. Seeing that he was dashing, debonair, and possessed a sweet tongue, her favorable impression grew. Coupled with the illicit rendezvous she had just witnessed, her romantic desires had already been thoroughly stirred. Meeting a young man only made her heart race all the more wildly. Emboldened by the wine, color rose to her cheeks, presenting a rather improper picture.

The moment Dai Rong caught this expression on Madam Tan's face, he knew he had a chance. Teasing her further, he said, "It must be fate that brought the two of us together today. Otherwise, why would I happen to be accompanying the delivery of the gifts? And having delivered them, why would I happen to lose my way? Having lost my way, why would I happen to run into the Second Young Mistress? And having run into her, just as I was turning to leave, why did the Second Young Mistress call out to me? Tell me, if this is not fate, what is?" As he spoke, he continuously darted glances at her, throwing her meaningful, suggestive looks.

Madam Tan was by no means a dull and wooden person devoid of romance; seeing this situation, how could she fail to understand? She took immense pleasure in knowing her peerless beauty had captivated him and overwhelmed everyone else, warming her heart. Looking at Dai Rong again, she found him all the more extraordinarily handsome. She smiled and said, "Big Brother-in-law is a childhood friend of Elder Young Master Liu. Since you are on good terms with him, you are naturally a guest of the Lin family as well. It is just that I had never heard my brother-in-law mention you before, or else I would not have questioned you so bluntly just now. Please forgive me, Young Master, for any impropriety." With that, she offered a respectful curtsy.

Dai Rong replied, "Second Young Mistress is truly different from the women of humble households. Those others are timid, hesitant, and tongue-tied, claiming their youth prevents them from easily meeting people, when in reality it is simply their lack of breeding and narrow horizons that make them shy away. A person like the Second Young Mistress, whose words are crisp and whose bearing is poised and generous, truly exhibits the demeanor of a proper young lady of high birth and a noble matron."

Dai Rong's flattery hit precisely on Madam Tan's vanity, filling her with even greater delight. Wearing a smile, she said, "Young Master Dai flatters me too much. Since you are a friend of the Lin family, you should visit and walk about more often."

Dai Rong smiled and said, "This humble one would also love to come and go often, but General Lin has high standards and the household rules are strict."

Madam Tan said, "Your esteemed father is a scholar of high standing in the Imperial Academy, showing that your ancestors also passed down a legacy of scholarship. Young Master Dai must surely be a reader of the sages' texts as well. My husband is also a scholar, though he is in poor health and rarely receives guests. He often laments that he lacks a literary companion to study with. If Young Master Dai is willing, you might as well come to our home and study together with my husband, how about that?"

This was precisely what Dai Rong had been hoping for. Overjoyed upon hearing these words, he laughed and said, "Splendid, splendid! This humble scholar will certainly make a formal visit." He bowed once more, rose, and said, "Having delayed so long, I should be heading back." As he spoke, he cast several more lingering glances at Madam Tan, turning his head repeatedly even as he finally departed.

Madam Tan had wanted to converse a bit longer with Dai Rong, and seeing him leave filled her with reluctance. She watched with wide, eager eyes until Dai Rong rounded a corner and disappeared from sight, whereupon she gathered her composure and returned to the banquet.

Rounding the corner, Dai Rong slowed his pace and thought to himself, "I originally thought my trip to the Lin family would be a fruitless endeavor, but I never expected such a miraculous encounter. Heh, if I plan this carefully hereafter, I am bound to reap some benefits."

There was a specific reason behind Dai Rong's visit to the Lin family. It turned out that Zhao Yuechan had previously suffered a setback at the hands of Xianglan. Returning home with lingering resentment, she secretly plotted how to vent this stifling anger from her heart, cause Xianglan to die by her hands, and let her taste her methods. Yet now that Xianglan was safely tucked away inside the Lin estate—never stepping out of the second inner gate—Yuechan could not catch a single handle against her. After mulling it over and over, she concocted a poisonous scheme. She had previously heard Qian Wenze mention that brothels would force newly purchased maids to drink a certain medicine, which would render them permanently barren and incapable of bearing children thereafter. Thus, she quietly dispatched a trusted older matron to purchase this medicine, summoned Dai Rong, and told him, "In a few days, the Lin family will hold a celebratory banquet. You find a way to sneak into the inner quarters and slip this medicine into Chen Xianglan's bowl for her to consume. She and I share some old grievances. This medicine causes severe diarrhea, just enough to make her lose face in front of everyone and vent the hatred in my heart. If you accomplish this task properly, I will credit you with a great achievement, and there will be no shortage of benefits for you."

Dai Rong jumped in fright. Looking sideways at Zhao Yuechan, he said, "Are you joking? The Lin family's banquet didn't even issue an invitation to me, and furthermore, their household is heavily guarded—how am I supposed to get in? Even if I managed to get in, how could I possibly enter the inner quarters? I've only ever caught a glimpse of Chen Xianglan from afar, and she is Lin Jinlou's favorite concubine; how am I supposed to drug her?"

Zhao Yuechan retorted, "Don't you constantly boast to people about your extensive connections? One day you're close with so-and-so official's son, and the next you're sworn brothers with some general's nephew. Among that crowd of your drinking buddies, there's one named Liu Xiaochuan who has a deep friendship with Lin Jinlou. Why don't you go work your way through his connections?"

Hesitating, Dai Rong said, "I've only shared a few drinks with him and don't have any deep friendship... and that tyrant Lin Jinlou isn't someone anyone can afford to provoke..." The implication was that he was unwilling to get involved.

Zhao Yuechan's face darkened as she snapped, "Brother Rong, count on your fingers: whose money was it that covered your gambling debts outside over the past few months, paid behind your father's back? You even stole from the maidservants around me; I haven't even brought that up with your father yet. I've been bullied and wronged outside, and I ask you to handle this tiny matter just to vent my anger, yet you hem and haw with excuses. You still owe one hundred taels outside—I originally planned to clear that for you and give you an extra fifty taels for daily expenses. What, has this silver found another master instead?"

This final sentence struck Dai Rong's fatal weakness. He quickly put on a smiling face and adopted a honeyed, gentle tone, "In a family, we don't speak of two separate households. Ever since Mother came into our home, there is no telling how much affection she has shown her son, and your son remembers it all in his heart. Since it's such a trivial matter, no matter how difficult it is, I will find a way to get it done, won't I? Heh heh... It's just that... well, about that silver... I always have to treat the fellow surnamed Liu to meals outside and keep him happy before he'll bring me into the Lin estate, right?"

Zhao Yuechan glared at him and sneered, "With that deadbeat attitude of yours, looking at you for half a month is already enough. Once the deed is done, I'll give you the fifty taels, plus your additional rewards." This glare was neither quite angry nor entirely displeased, brimming with raw charm that left Dai Rong's heart fluttering. Inwardly, he cursed, "I've seen countless women, yet none can compare to this seductive wretch. If she weren't so ruthless, I'd really love to get my hands on her and taste what she's like."

Having finished her instructions, Zhao Yuechan stood up, waving her fan as she swayed gracefully away. She had not truly expected Dai Rong to accomplish the task on the first try, but her jealousy and hatred burned too intensely to let go. She thought to herself, "If this fails, I've merely squandered a few dozen taels of silver; but if it succeeds, then Heaven itself is helping me, and it is simply time for that wretched little hussy's luck to run out. Once she can't bear children and Lin Jinlou's affection for her fades, I'd love to see what kind of end she meets!" She then ordered Qiongzhi to dress up in all her finery to see Dai Rong out.

Dai Rong and Qiongzhi had only managed to succeed once back at the Lu household, and their daily flirtations had left them starved for more. The moment their eyes met now, they locked together like glue. As Qiongzhi escorted Dai Rong to the entrance, she whispered, "Mistress said, as long as you accomplish this task properly, she will naturally arrange for you and me to meet again. Among the female guests heading to the Lin household is a bosom friend of hers, so if you try to pull a fast one and deceive her without doing the job, she will know." Motivated by both silver and female beauty, Dai Rong readily agreed and departed.

Two days later, Dai Rong indeed invited Liu Xiaochuan and others for food and drink. During the banquet, he lavished them with pleasantries and even invited two heavily made-up courtesans to urge the wine. Through cajoling and flattery, claiming he simply wished to befriend the Lin family's third young master and offer his congratulations at the banquet, Liu Xiaochuan finally relented and agreed to bring him along to the Lin estate.