Against the Current - Chapter 263

Chapter 263 - The Jiang Family (Part 3)

Everyone present saw a young maiden walk slowly out from the inner room, her brows and eyes lowered, her face like white jade. A single side-coiled bun was gathered by a braided strand, and she wore a light green vest over a white silk pleated skirt. Her attire was devoid of luxury, yet her movements were as graceful as willow branches swaying in the breeze. The jade pendants tied to her skirt chimed softly, every note falling in perfect rhythm with her footsteps.

Seeing this, Lin Dongxiu was astonished. Yesterday, Mama Xia had spoken to her with a stern face: "When the Fourth Young Miss is married, you will be a titled matron who must enter the palace to pay respects to noble personages during festivals and New Year. If your posture looks unseemly, you will disgrace not only the Marquis of Yongchang, but the Lin family as well. The Classic of Rites states: 'A gentleman makes music with his jading pendants as he walks.' Your walking posture is acceptable, but the sound of your jade pendants must synchronize with your footsteps—one strong, one soft, tinkling with precise cadence." She had practiced for half a day until her waist and legs ached, and Mama Xia had grudgingly called it "passable." Yet looking at Xianglan's posture just now, it was entirely identical to what Mama Xia had demonstrated to her. Previously she had not paid attention, but recalling it now, she realized Xianglan's walking posture had always been precisely like this.

Xianglan walked up to the doorway, turned around, and curtsied formally to Lady Qin, saying, "Mistress, I will take my leave." Lifting her gaze slightly, she appeared as exquisite as spring plum blossoms blooming over snow, with a spirit like autumn thoroughwort veiled in frost. Old Madam Jiang's fingers, which were turning her prayer beads, suddenly paused, a look of astonishment welling up in her eyes. Her youngest granddaughter, Jiang Xiyun, possessed peerless beauty and she had never seen anyone surpass her, yet she never expected this young girl to be both physically and spiritually breathtaking, transcending the ordinary and vulgar. Compared to Jiang Xiyun's rich and soft allure, each had their own unique strengths, matching each other evenly.

Jiang Danyun was also taken aback. Narrowing her eyes slightly, she sized Xianglan up from head to toe and down from toe to head, her heart sinking and turning sour. Yet, she could not help looking toward Jiang Xiyun with schadenfreude, thinking to herself, Hasn't everyone always praised you alone for your beauty, cleverness, and winning ways? Now you'll finally get to see a good show.

Jiang Xiyun maintained a slight smile as she looked carefully at Xianglan, then glanced over at Old Madam Jiang. Seeing that Old Madam Jiang kept her gaze fixed squarely on Xianglan, she cast a sidelong glance at Lady Qin and noticed Lady Qin's solemn expression, prompting her to give an imperceptible shake of her head.

Lin Dongxiu slowly paced back, the corners of her mouth hooked upward as she sat down with her neck held high, acting as though she were the one who had just commanded the attention of the entire room.

Old Madam Jiang gave a light cough and asked, "Nephew's wife, who is this..."

Lady Qin was all smiles and just about to speak when Lin锦楼 already laughed and said, "She is someone from my quarters, named Xianglan." He then gave Xianglan's lower back a slight push, saying, "Hurry up and pay your respects to the Elder Aunt-Grandmother."

With no other choice, Xianglan had no alternative but to step forward and perform the formal greetings one by one. Danyun and Xiyun both stood up, turned sideways to receive the greeting, and curtsied in return. Jiang Xiyun could not help looking her over closely, unable to define the feeling in her heart as she quietly watched the young girl standing there with graceful poise. Neither humble nor arrogant, Xianglan wore no smile on her face, yet she possessed an otherworldly elegance that made anyone who saw her forget the mundane world.

At that moment, Xianglan raised her eyes, her clear autumn-water pupils meeting Jiang Xiyun's ink-bright, limpid gaze. Their glances touched briefly before both simultaneously withdrew, lowering their eyelids.

Lin Jinglou stood by the door, half-closing his eyes as he watched the two of them twice over, then looked toward Lady Qin. Lady Qin glanced at him, lowered her head, picked up the teacup at her side, and sipped her tea with lowered eyes. Everyone in the room harbored their own private thoughts, save for Lin Jinxuan, whose state of mind remained pure. He looked at Xianglan, then looked at Jiang Xiyun, feeling that both were peerless beauties hard to distinguish in excellence. Upon closer inspection, Xianglan possessed the ethereal, orchid-like grace of an immortal wishing to "ride the wind and return home"; while Jiang Xiyun was a vibrant, worldly beauty of exquisite tenderness amidst a thousand blossoms, with a charming and radiant smile.

He looked again and again, yet felt that no matter how fair the two of them were, neither could compare to his own wife, Tan Luhua. Not only did she possess beauty, but she was also gentle and considerate, with a mind rich in inner depth. He could not help glancing at Tan Luhua, only to find her staring intently at Xianglan and Xiyun, her handkerchief already twisted into a tight knot between her hands.

Old Madam Jiang looked them up and down a couple more times, then said with a faint smile to Lady Qin, "Lou'er is truly blessed. I never imagined there could be such a striking person in this world."

Jiang Xiyun smiled and said, "Just now when she came out of the room, for a split second, I thought an immortal maiden had descended to the mortal realm."

Lin Dongxiu remarked, "Xianglan is wonderfully skilled in the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and the floral patterns she draws are both fresh and engaging. Tomorrow I'll have her draw a few for you as well."

Tan Luhua said with a smile that wasn't quite a smile, "Not only are her hands clever, but her mind is clever too."

Jiang Danyun glanced at Jiang Xiyun and said in a soft, gentle voice, "That would be wonderful indeed. Fifth Sister's floral patterns are also drawn with great skill, but she is lazy and dislikes picking up the brush. I was just worrying about what pattern to match with my newly tailored dress, and now I've found just the right person."

Jiang Xiyun smiled. "A couple of days ago, I embroidered a handkerchief for Fourth Sister, and she accused me of being lazy. I won't stand for that."

Lady Qin merely smiled.

Lin Jinglou beckoned to Xianglan, saying, "Come here." He then gave a slight bow to the company, took hold of Xianglan, and walked away.

Once outside the door, Xianglan let out a long breath. As they cleared the courtyard of Rongshou Hall and entered the covered corridor, Lin Jinglou pinched Xianglan's cheek and said with a grin, "My dear girl, shouldn't you thank your master for rescuing you from Mother's room? If I hadn't called you out, you'd still be in there doing needlework for Fourth Sister, wouldn't you? Next time they call you, don't go—that needlework ruins the eyes, and you'll end up blinding yourself." As he spoke, he reached out to wrap his arm around her waist.

Xianglan started in alarm and quickly tapped Lin Jinglou twice with her fist, saying, "Have you lost your mind? We're still outside—what if someone sees us? How could you?"

Lin Jinglou said, "You have far too many rules; you live life much too tiredly." Seeing Xianglan's face flushed red like an autumn fruit, he felt a sudden surge of desire, scooped Xianglan into his arms as if she were a little chick, pointed to his own face, and said, "Hurry, give me a kiss."

Seeing two little maid servants holding trays walking toward them and seeing the two of them standing here embracing each other, Xianglan stuck out her tongue, nibbled her finger, tucked her neck in, and slipped away around the corner. Xianglan's face instantly blazed red as she twisted her body in a struggle.

Lin Jinglou said, "Hurry up, if you don't kiss me I'll change my mind and kiss you on the lips instead." With that, he leaned in as if to kiss her.

Xianglan hurriedly covered his mouth. Lin Jinglou kissed the palm of her hand, and Xianglan hastily pulled her hand away. Seeing no one else around, she stood on tiptoe and swiftly kissed his left cheek. Lin Jinglou flashed a wide grin, then leaned down and planted a resounding kiss on her face. Xianglan wiped her cheek with one hand while pushing him away, exclaiming, "You're impossible!"

Lin Jinglou laughed and said, "You really are such a prickly person." With that, he took Xianglan's hand and headed back toward Changchun Hall, setting aside all else.

Meanwhile, back in Rongshou Hall, after exchanging a few more remarks, the company prepared a banquet. Once the meal concluded and everyone chatted idly for a little while, they dispersed. Returning to her bedchamber, Lady Qin felt physically and mentally exhausted. Sitting on the couch, she dispatched Hongjian to the Mengfang Courtyard to check on how Old Madam Jiang and her grandchildren were settling in, and also instructed Lulan to invite Mama Xia and Lin Dongxiu. Mama Xia arrived shortly after, greeted Lady Qin, and took a seat. Lulan came over to serve tea, and the two exchanged a few casual pleasantries before Lin Dongxiu walked in. Lady Qin instantly assumed a stern countenance, beckoned Lin Dongxiu before her, and said coldly, "Kneel down!"

Lin Dongxiu dropped heavily to her knees, kowtowed, and said, "Mistress, please calm your anger. Xiu'er knows she was wrong."

Lady Qin said, "Oh? Then tell me, where were you wrong?"

Lin Dongxiu replied, "Xiu'er shouldn't have called Xianglan out. It was just that for a moment I lost my head—I beg Mistress to show me pity and forgive me this once." With that, she kowtowed again.

Lady Qin said coldly, "Whether you lost your head just now or not, you know best in your heart. I will tell you this much: this is your maiden home, and since you are soon to be married off as a cherished guest, they will naturally treat you with a degree of indulgence. But if you behave with such arbitrary self-will when you arrive at your husband's family, whether or not you disgrace your maiden family comes second; whether your life is pleasant or difficult is something you will experience firsthand, just as a person drinking water knows for themselves whether it is cold or hot. You may go back now."

Lin Dongxiu cast a stealthy glance at Lady Qin, kowtowed, stood up, and walked out.

As soon as she left, Lady Qin put on a solemn expression and said, "Mama, I am entrusting the Fourth Girl entirely to you. I hope you will discipline her well—the family will certainly reward you handsomely."

Mama Xia was startled and hastily said, "Mistress, you flatter me too much; those words are far too heavy."

Lady Qin heaved a long sigh, weariness written across her face, and said, "You know what happened in the hall just now."

Mama Xia fell silent. Lady Qin had invited her behind the screen to sit and help observe the Jiang family maidens, which was no difficult task, so she had agreed. She had observed just now that Jiang Danyun was merely of ordinary maidenly demeanor, her conversation and deportment acceptable; but if Jiang Danyun was merely somewhat better than average, Jiang Xiyun was truly breathtaking. This girl must be extremely shrewd in her heart, yet she deliberately played the fool. Yet her looks alone were already peerless, and her words and actions were genuinely graceful, carrying an air of cleverness. Though she harbored a few little schemes, she still felt endearing. However, it was Chen Xianglan who had given her a true shock. Previously, she had only thought Xianglan was a strikingly beautiful concubine whose looks were fine, without paying her much heed. Today, seeing this person stand side by side with Jiang Xiyun, the two set off each other's brilliance, yet only served to highlight Xianglan's extraordinary bearing—especially those few steps she took when coming out of the room, flowing like moving clouds and water with a myriad of graceful airs. Even she had felt startled; ordinary young ladies of noble families simply could not compare.

Lady Qin sighed. "The Fourth Girl is truly a handful... Speaking of which, this is ultimately my own fault." Sighing again, she placed her teacup on the small side table. "The eldest daughter was born of a concubine, but I regarded her as my own and raised her by my side. Yet blood is thicker than water after all—how could Madam Yin bear to part with her? Besides, I was young and headstrong at the time, arguing with the Master and washing my hands of the eldest girl entirely. But when I wanted to care for her again, the Eldest Miss was already grown, a rift had formed between us, and she opposed me in everything, breeding mutual resentment. After trying to discipline her a few times, I grew disheartened and simply let her be. Later, when the Master took a concubine and the Fourth Girl was born, I poured all my affectionate care into teaching her as well, yet she grew close to the Eldest Miss... Alas..." As she spoke, tears rolled down Lady Qin's face.

Nanny Wu stood nearby attending, and seeing this, she hurried forward to hand over a handkerchief, saying, "Mistress need not grieve; everyone has their own destined path."

Lady Qin drew a breath and said, "I taught her the same way I taught the Second Girl, treating them both equally, yet this child has always maintained her guard against me, acting as though I might harm her. That is why I invited you here—we must absolutely not let her carry such narrow vision and disposition when she marries into the Marquis's estate!"

Mama Xia stood up, curtsied, and replied, "I will certainly do my utmost to serve. Although the Fourth Young Miss's temperament is stubborn and she has certain flaws, she is not wood or stone that cannot be carved."

Lady Qin wiped her tears with her handkerchief and smiled with relief. "Then I must trouble Mama." With a subtle glance, Nanny Wu immediately placed a red envelope on the table and smiled, "The weather is turning warm, Mama can have two cool outfits made to wear."

Mama Xia did not decline, accepted the red envelope, curtsied, and took her leave.

Lady Qin let out a long sigh and leaned back against the couch. Nanny Wu hurriedly stepped up to adjust the cushion behind her, saying, "Mistress has worked too hard."

Lady Qin gritted her teeth and said, "This is a match I've managed to secure with great difficulty. If she ruins it like this, even though the Fourth Girl is about to be married off, I will not spare her!" Her chest rose and fell violently.

Nanny Wu hurriedly massaged Lady Qin's chest and handed her the teacup, saying, "The weather is hot, Mistress must take care of her health above all else. Please calm your anger."

Lady Qin said, "You don't understand. The Jiang family is favored by both the Elder Master and the Master. Although they are a formerly declining noble house, who would have thought this generation would produce Jiang Xuecheng, who at such a young age has become a Grand Academician and minister! I originally thought he would spend decades lingering in that position, but who could have expected the Emperor to send him to Zhejiang instead."

Nanny Wu asked, "So he was demoted? I heard that when Lord Jiang went to Zhejiang, he was only promoted by one rank..."

Lady Qin sat up and sneered, "Of course he was only promoted by one rank. Previously I too thought Jiang Xuecheng had lost supreme favor, but later, not only did the Master write to say so, even the Elder Master said that the Jiang family is likely on the rise. Right now, both the First Prince and the Second Prince have their eyes set on the throne and are recruiting followers everywhere. The Emperor likely already has his preferred successor and fears Jiang Xuecheng might become entangled in the succession struggle, so he deliberately transferred him out, letting him assume the quiet post of Left Counselor in Zhejiang while enjoying substantial real power. This is simply to recall him to the capital for promotion and bestowal of grace once the new emperor ascends the throne. Otherwise, why would he first dispatch Jiang Xuecheng and then promote his eldest son to serve as Prefect in Shandong? His eldest son had only been serving as a seventh-rank county magistrate for a single year."

With that, she sighed again and said to Nanny Wu, "There are certainly families even more prestigious than the Jiang family, but... but you are also an experienced person of the world. Count how many great ladies you have seen who possess a complexion comparable to Xianglan's?"

Nanny Wu thought about it for a moment and smiled, "Xianglan is simply too stunning—the only ones comparable are today's Jiang Fifth Miss and the Eldest Young Master's former wife, Madam Zhao."

Lady Qin nodded and said, "Precisely. You know your own son best: Lin Lou has always been of a romantic and lustful disposition, which is why he lost his head and married that wretch Zhao Yuechan, and is now infatuated with Xianglan. With him unable to let go and doting on her indiscriminately, I only fear that if we don't marry a woman capable of holding her own ground, it will stir up trouble in the inner quarters and lead to some scandalous 'pampering of a concubine over the wife' nonsense. Two years ago I saw the Jiang Fifth Miss and noted back then that she had a lovely appearance and a very endearing personality. Seeing her today, she has grown even more striking. Didn't you see how Lin Lou looked at her today, almost as if he had lost his soul? Half this matter is already accomplished. Only someone as pretty as her can rival Xianglan, and only with her supreme cleverness can she control Lin Lou's inner courtyard. Moreover, with her peaceful disposition and benevolent heart, she will also be able to tolerate Xianglan."