Against the Current - Chapter 264

Chapter 264 - The Jiang Family (Part 4)

Nanny Wu said, "Xiyun is certainly a delightful girl, but how can the Mistress know for sure that her character is gentle and her heart kind?"

Lady Qin smiled faintly and replied, "Since we are family by marriage, a little quiet asking around reveals that everyone familiar with her family has nothing but praise for her. Above all, she is a deeply filial child—otherwise, why would Old Madam Jiang cherish her so much?" She rubbed her temples and continued, "Still, we cannot rely solely on hearsay. It won't hurt to keep her by my side for a while and observe before making a final decision. From what I can see, she is a refined and lovable girl."

Nanny Wu sighed. "The Mistress truly exhausts her mind and energy. Since ancient times, mothers have never ceased fretting over their children."

Lady Qin gave a soft sigh and said, "Nowadays, I can only confide such thoughts to you. If the younger sister-in-law were someone capable, I would at least have a dependable arm to lean on, but Qi'er has already married away..."

Nanny Wu smiled reassuringly. "The Mistress need not feel disheartened. In a few days' time, when the Eldest Young Master formally marries the Eldest Young Mistress, the Mistress will be able to rest easy."

Lady Qin sighed again. "I can only hope so."

Leaving aside the idle conversation between Lady Qin and Nanny Wu, back in Mengfang Courtyard, when the three generations of the Jiang family returned, the rooms had already been thoroughly tidied. Old Madam Jiang retired to rest in the inner chamber, Xiyun stayed with her in the adjoining warm pavilion, and Danyun was settled in the alcove behind the bead curtain. After Old Madam Jiang met the maids and matrons assigned by Lady Qin, she dismissed everyone to rest, then sat upon the wide brick bed, propping the window open with a stone support. Twirling her prayer beads in her hand, she stared abstractedly out the window. Suddenly hearing footsteps outside, she saw the curtain lift as Jiang Xiyun walked in with lowered head. Without a word, she went straight to the bedside, kicked off her shoes, and tumbled onto the bed, burrowing and rubbing against Old Madam Jiang's side. Resting her head in her grandmother's embrace, she reached out with her small hands to tug at Old Madam Jiang's sleeve.

Old Madam Jiang affectionately stroked Jiang Xiyun's back and asked, "Has the room been completely tidied? Why do you look so crestfallen?"

Jiang Xiyun muttered gloomily, "It's nothing, Grandmother. At first nothing was wrong, but the more your granddaughter thinks about it, the more choked and uneasy my heart feels..."

Before she could finish, the senior maid attending Old Madam Jiang, Liusu, entered and reported, "Old Madam, the Political Affairs Eldest Mistress has sent Hongjian over to check whether Old Madam has settled down to rest."

Old Madam Jiang hastily rose and said, "Quickly invite her in." Jiang Xiyun also hurried to sit up.

Hongjian brought two young maids into the room, beaming with smiles as she said, "Our Mistress has been fretting over the Elder Aunt-Grandmother, fearing you might not have rested well, and sent me to check on you."

Old Madam Jiang smiled. "It is truly kind of my nephew's wife to care so much."

Jiang Xiyun had already gotten off the bed and hastily smiled, saying, "Sister, please take a seat."

Hongjian smiled and said, "Xiyun, there is no need for you to busy yourself." She waved two little maids forward, instructed them to place the items they were carrying onto the table, and continued, "The Elder Aunt-Grandmother has had a tiring journey, and the weather is quite hot. Speaking so much today was also taxing to your spirit, so the Mistress had the kitchen stew a bowl of white fungus and lotus seed soup for the Old Madam to cool down. Furthermore, the Mistress instructed: although incense has been burned in the rooms to drive away mosquitoes and the window gauze is tightly woven, small insects might still manage to fly in. So she asked me to bring a brand-new, fresh green floral bed curtain."

Old Madam Jiang had already recited a quiet Buddhist prayer and said with a warm smile, "They always say my nephew's wife is an exceptionally attentive and considerate person. My old sister-in-law has praised her to me many times, but only now do I realize that a tenth of my sister's praise doesn't even do justice to your family's Mistress!"

Jiang Xiyun also blinked her large eyes and smiled all around, saying, "Tableau cousin-in-law is surely a heroine among women. Just a moment ago, Grandmother was telling me that I must properly learn from her."

Hongjian smiled and said, "When we were chatting just now, Xiyun mentioned that the pot of orchids in the Mistress's room was blooming beautifully. The Mistress sent me to bring it over for the young lady to admire, and there is also a pot of jasmine, which is exceptionally fragrant."

Old Madam Jiang said, "How can we accept this? She is just a child speaking without any proper sense of propriety—making nephew's wife go to such trouble!"

Jiang Xiyun's face blushed as she said, "It is entirely because I didn't know any better. Why on earth did I bring that up over at cousin-in-law's place..."

Hongjian smiled and comforted her, saying, "It's merely a pot of flowers, and the Mistress still has more in her room. Young lady, just accept them." After exchanging a few more polite pleasantries with Old Madam Jiang, she departed with her attendants.

Jiang Xiyun let out a deep breath, sat down on the edge of the bed, and stared blankly at the graceful, swaying pot of orchids on the table.

Old Madam Jiang gently patted her shoulder. Jiang Xiyun turned her head, and meeting her grandmother's perceptive eyes, Old Madam Jiang said softly, "My good child, Grandmother knows what is in your heart..."

Jiang Xiyun remained silent, only pressing softly against Old Madam Jiang's bosom. In her heart, she understood that this pot of flowers held profound significance. She had praised its beauty, and Lady Qin had hastily sent someone to deliver it that very night—giving it exclusively to her while leaving Danyun out. Lady Qin's partiality and favor toward her were transparently clear, serving also to set her mind at ease. Even before coming to the Lin family, her father and stepmother had repeatedly admonished her that her marriage into the Lin family was a settled matter. Her second brother had inquired about Lin Jinglou on her behalf, and she was already well aware of the fact that he kept a favored concubine in his quarters, though she had never paid it too much heed—after all, a girl of lowly maidservant origins, no matter how striking her looks or clever her methods, could she really turn the tables under her own authority? Yet today, after seeing Lin Jinglou and encountering Chen Xianglan, Jiang Xiyun felt for the first time that this matter was by no means so simple.

Patting her shoulder rhythmically, Old Madam Jiang said, "Since the Lin family Mistress has gone this far, whatever stifled resentment or grievance you harbor in your heart should dissipate now."

Jiang Xiyun remained silent. Old Madam Jiang hugged her and rocked her for a long while before Jiang Xiyun suddenly spoke up, "How can I not feel aggrieved, Grandmother? Is this marriage... truly unavoidable?"

Old Madam Jiang released Jiang Xiyun, looked at the delicate and tender young maiden before her, and affectionately brushed the stray locks of hair from her cheek behind her ear, speaking softly, "The Lin family has produced officials for generations. Unobtrusively, their roots have already spread deep and wide, standing firm and unshakable. Lin Jinglou is far from being a mere wastrel; he is naturally gifted and exceptionally talented in his studies. The essays he writes have won praise from several great scholars. Never did anyone expect him to cast aside the brush for a military career, accumulating military merits in recent years and rising through official ranks like a firecracker shooting into the sky. He is also extremely adept at networking. Several senior officials who frequently visit our household speak of Lin Jinglou with high regard, noting that young though he is, he has been immersed in officialdom since childhood and has long since turned as cunning as Lin Zhaoxiang. Such a distinguished and noble match is coveted by countless households in the capital, yet your cousin-in-law has set her sights on you. How could your father refuse?"

Jiang Xiyun moved her lips. Old Madam Jiang sighed, pulled her back into her embrace, and continued, "Your grandfather passed away early. If not for your father striving diligently and earning the elevation of a noble benefactor, our family would inevitably have fallen into decline. Now that he has been transferred out of the Grand Secretariat to a provincial post, although several officials predict he will soon be promoted upon return, the imperial mind is unpredictable, and His Majesty is still in the prime of his years. Your father does not know how long he will have to languish in Zhejiang and Jiangsu, and what if His Majesty forgets him..." Old Madam Jiang shook her head. "Therefore, both your father and mother fervently hope you will marry into the Lin family. Lin Changzheng is a prominent regional viceroy whose words carry immense weight in the imperial court."

Jiang Xiyun muttered gloomily, "Has Grandmother thought of me? Lin Jinglou has a penchant for romantic affairs, and he still keeps such a heavily favored concubine in his quarters... That Chen Xianglan truly possesses extraordinary looks, and her speech and deportment are rarely seen even among noble young ladies."

Old Madam Jiang remained silent for a long moment before patting Jiang Xiyun and saying, "There is no rush, no rush. Let us observe a bit longer." With that, she turned her face toward the pot of orchids, thinking inwardly, Xiyun, do not fear. Grandmother is here to protect you through everything, and I will naturally ensure your peace and joy.

Meanwhile, in the alcove, Jiang Danyun was just about to remove her makeup when she saw Qingfen dismiss the young maid attending the washing basin, come over, and whisper a few words into her ear.

Jiang Danyun started in shock, her eyes widening as she said, "What? They actually sent the orchids that little wench praised over there?"

Qingfen hastily covered Jiang Danyun's mouth, urgently whispering, "My good young lady, keep your voice down. Don't let anyone hear."

Jiang Danyun sneered, "Those two certainly wouldn't hear; right now in their room, who knows how happy they're being." Her eyes reddening, she choked out, "Ah, I have no way out. If I hadn't begged Father, how would Grandmother have agreed to bring me along? Grandmother doesn't cherish me. Even though I am older than Fifth Sister, when good things happen, they never fall to my share."

Qingfen consoled her, "Young lady, do not lose heart. We are still staying in the Lin family estate; sooner or later, everyone in this household will recognize the young lady's merits."

Fretting and nursing her resentment, Jiang Danyun smoothed her clothes, walked out, and headed into the bedroom. Lifting the curtain, she saw Jiang Xiyun attending to Old Madam Jiang's washing and grooming. Wearing a smile on her face, Danyun stepped forward and said, "I was just saying I wanted to come and attend to Grandmother, but I never expected Fifth Sister was already here."

Old Madam Jiang glanced at Jiang Danyun and said with a faint, indifferent smile, "Fourth Girl is very filial."

Jiang Danyun hurriedly took the fine-toothed comb to comb Old Madam Jiang's hair, chattering away with a smile, "No matter how filial I am, I can never compare to Fifth Sister." She then smiled at Jiang Xiyun and said, "Fifth Sister has known how to show concern for Grandmother since she was little—making caps when it's cold, making shoes when it's hot, caring and warming her in every possible way. No wonder Grandmother loves you so much."

Jiang Xiyun merely pursed her lips and smiled foolishly without replying.

Old Madam Jiang's expression remained unreadable. Opening her eyes, she looked at Jiang Danyun through the mirror and smiled faintly, "I cherish all of you equally; young maidens should all be tenderly raised." Then, her face turning stern, she added, "Now that we are staying in a relative's home, both of you must be cautious in your words and deeds, displaying the proper breeding and deportment of well-born young ladies. Do not act petty and narrow-minded like trivial folk, bickering over sesame-seed matters and making yourselves looked down upon! Whoever brings shame upon our family, I will be the first not to spare her!"

Jiang Danyun's face instantly flushed crimson. Danyun and Xiyun both lowered their skirts, curtsied, and acknowledged the reprimand in unison. Just as Jiang Danyun was about to open her mouth to put in a few words for herself, Jiang Xiyun chimed in cheerfully, "Just now, cousin-in-law sent over two pots of flowers—an orchid for me, and another pot of double-flowered jasmine sent to Sister. I just smelled it; it is delightfully fragrant."

Jiang Danyun turned her head and indeed saw another pot of jasmine sitting in the corner beside the orchids. Remembering that Lady Qin had asked her earlier what scent her sachet carried, and she had replied that it was filled with jasmine petals, Lady Qin must have sent this flower precisely for that reason. Only then did Danyun let out a long breath of relief.

Old Madam Jiang opened her eyes and saw from the mirror that Jiang Danyun's cheeks already bore a faint trace of joy, as if all her pent-up anger had dissipated. She said calmly, "Tomorrow morning, don't forget to go and thank them. Even over a pot of flowers, they remembered us." Both sisters responded in unison. Out of the corner of her eye, Old Madam Jiang caught her youngest granddaughter playfully making a face at her, which made her shake her head inwardly before closing her eyes once more.