Against the Current - Chapter 272

Chapter 272 - Proximity and Distance (Part 2)

Lin Jinlou was born into a powerful, wealthy, and extravagant family. By the age of three, he was already being led into the study by the grand patriarch to listen to visiting ministers, scholars, and advisors discuss state affairs, deeply mastering the ways of officialdom. When he grew up, he entered the battlefield, braving life and death, and grew accustomed to the struggles for power, grief, and parting in the mortal world. To this day, he held wind and rain in his palms, dominating a region and acting almost entirely as he pleased—power, wealth, status, and women were all within easy reach. He had always looked down upon women; regardless of whether they were peerless beauties or reserved talented ladies, the moment they looked upon his handsome visage and immense authority, their bones would soften by half. Even those who fancied themselves noble and aloof would crumble when he smashed huge fortunes in silver down and coaxed them with a few sweet words, turning even the coldest iceberg into the gentle ripples of a March spring.

He knew that Jiang Xiyun was the daughter-in-law chosen for him by his family. This girl came from a respectable lineage, was extremely beautiful, had a sweet and pleasing tongue, and was said to be deeply filial to her grandmother. She also frequently sewed garments for her parents, brothers, and sisters, possessing a kind and honest nature. He figured she would not stir up trouble in the inner courtyard or indulge in petty jealousy in the future, so he was inwardly satisfied with her. However, he could see that while Jiang Xiyun looked honest and simple on the surface, she actually harbored a hundred clever schemes. She observed expressions closely, deduced three consequences from a single clue, and—while appearing to lose out in every matter—actually seized every possible advantage and benefit. Take today, for instance, when Tan Lihua was displeased over the matter of sending Fujian local specialties. On the surface, it seemed like Tan Lihua was being unreasonable; although Jiang Xiyun had not sent many Fujian specialties, she had sent a top-quality inkstone and two ingots of medicinal herbs, which were actually far more expensive than the local specialties. Yet, thinking a layer deeper, Jiang Xiyun was not someone fond of calligraphy and painting, so that inkstone would only gather dust in her possession. Nor did she suffer from any physical deficiencies, so the medicinal herbs were not items she used regularly—moreover, if left too long, their medicinal properties would easily dissipate. It was far better to count them as two separate gifts presented to Tan Lihua, which simultaneously saved face, shut other people's mouths, and successfully ingratiated herself with the person she wanted to please. It was truly killing three birds with one stone. When arguing her case, she was at times sharp and at times aggrieved, seeming to yield step by step while actually being fiercely aggressive, leaving Jiang Danyun and Tan Lihua completely unable to advance or retreat. On this point alone, that blockheaded girl Chen Xianglan probably could never learn in a lifetime. Character reveals itself in the minutest details; this Jiang Xiyun was truly worldly, exceedingly slick, full of schemes, and possessed of formidable methods!

Yet it was precisely girls like this who loved to be overly clever, treating everyone else as fools and imagining that all people under heaven could be manipulated in the palm of their hands through little acts of coquetry and feigned innocence. Today, when he heard Jiang Xiyun mention that women learning zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting was merely to please men, he had inwardly agreed with the sentiment; yet it suddenly caused him to remember that Xianglan always loved zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, though it did not look like she did so to please him. He had therefore incited Deger to go and question her—firstly, to understand what Xianglan truly thought in her heart, and secondly, to put Jiang Xiyun in her place. If she wanted to marry into the Lin family, she had better behave honestly right under his nose, and keep that calculative, utilitarian routine away from him.

Yet he never imagined it would draw out such a discourse from Xianglan. In the past, he had only known that Xianglan's conduct and actions were out of the ordinary, but today he finally dawned on the realization that her inner understanding and perspective were fundamentally vastly different from other women.

This Xianglan, who was as pedantic as an old Confucian scholar; this Xianglan who would weep into a pool of tears while still stiffening her neck; this stubborn-boned Xianglan who refused to cozy up to anyone, had actually stirred a trace of respect deep within his heart, mixed with an inexpressible, indefinable flavor that made him particularly uneasy. He leaned back against the green-satin embroidered bolster behind him, gazing at her graceful, slender profile, while a corner of his heart suddenly softened. Lifting his chopsticks only to put them down again, he said, "If there is anything unsatisfactory in your heart nowadays, just tell your master directly. Why on earth do you need to go praying to Buddhas? His Buddha-elderly is busy enough with all the sentient beings under heaven—how could he save everyone? By the time he thinks of you, the vegetables would have already withered."

Xianglan merely curled the corners of her lips in a forced smile, picked up a piece of food and placed it in Lin Jinlou's bowl, then lowered her head to eat again. Lin Jinlou wanted to ask more, but for some reason, that unfamiliar emotional undertone in his heart made him groundlessly restless, rendering him unable to open his mouth again. The two of them ate their meal in mutual silence. The maidservants brought in scented tea for rinsing mouths, cleared away the remaining dishes, and laid out fine tea and dried fruits anew. For a moment, all was quiet.

Lin Jinlou led Xianglan out to the courtyard for a stroll. Shortly after, Shuran delivered an urgent dispatch, prompting the two of them to return inside. Sitting behind the desk, Lin Jinlou unsealed the letter, read through it carefully, took up his brush to write a reply, sealed it with wax stamps, and instructed Shuran to hand it to the front-courtyard guards. Raising his head, he saw Xianglan sitting opposite him on the arhat bed doing needlework, and asked, "It strains your eyes under the candlelight—what are you sewing?"

Xianglan replied, "I noticed the belly-band Deger is wearing is a bit thick, so I wanted to use fine cloth to make a thinner one for him."

Before her words had even faded, Shuran entered the room and reported, "Big Uncle sent someone to haul over a cart of orchids, saying Big Master asked for them. Where should these flowers be placed?"

Lin Jinlou smiled at Xianglan and said, "The Chu family has several craftsmen who are most adept at cultivating rare flowers and plants. Once they grow successfully in their gardens, they dig them up to sell, earning quite a tidy sum in a year. Now that your master has opened his mouth, little Chu wouldn't dare demand silver. Later on, we'll go admire them and see if he really moved all the best flowers from his household over." Then, turning to Shuran, he instructed, "Move all the flowers under the veranda or onto the plant stands."

Presently, several pageboys and matrons came in to move the flowers. Once everything was neatly arranged, Lin Jinlou brought Xianglan over to take a look. Sure enough, orchids of all different varieties were present in abundance. The two of them spent a while admiring them by the moonlight, and that was that.

On the second day at the Yin hour, Lin Jinlou went off early to court. By the third quarter of the Mao hour, Shuran entered and spoke softly to Xianglan: "Word was sent from the Big Master: the Emperor has already issued an imperial decree conferring the title of Crown Prince upon the First Imperial Prince. His Majesty has personally appointed him as an imperial bodyguard, and he is to remain within the palace for seven or eight days. He asked for a few sets of everyday clothes to be packed and brought along."

Xianglan, alongside the maidservants, carefully packed several sets of garments, along with two large bundles containing Lin Jinlou's customary tea bowls and tea sets, and instructed someone to take them away. Now that the Eastern Palace had been established, it was precisely a time when some rejoiced while others worried. Madam Qin kept the doors of the Lin household tightly guarded, and after a few days, several letters arrived consecutively from Shanxi and Jinling.

Meanwhile, within Menghfang Courtyard, Mother Jiang grasped a letter in her hand, looked at Jiang Xiyun, and said with a troubled expression, "...This is precisely what your father wrote in his letter: a censor has submitted a memorial impeaching him for previously accepting heavy bribes from the Second Imperial Prince with the intent of forming a faction for personal gain. His Majesty flew into a rage over this and reprimanded him severely in the imperial court. It is uncertain how he will be punished hereafter, and your father has already written a submission pleading guilty... Cough, cough..." Mother Jiang coughed vigorously a couple of times. Jiang Xiyun hurried forward to smooth her breath and stroke her chest, saying, "Grandmother, do not fret. Speak slowly."

After catching her breath, Mother Jiang looked haggard, shook her head, and sighed, "The bribes your father accepted were likely no small amount, which is why His Majesty flew into such thunderous wrath. I know not whether he will ever be able to return to the capital, nor whether the Crown Prince will harbor resentment against him because of this..." She raised her eyes, looked at her granddaughter—who looked like a ball of pink flour—and, gently stroking her hand, continued, "Lin Jinlou dotes immensely on his concubine. Although this match is good, in my heart I am reluctant to let you enter it. Yet under such circumstances... Your father and mother's meaning is that this match must go through. The Lin family is currently enjoying imperial favor, and Lin Jinlou has been attending upon the sovereign, frequently remaining by the Crown Prince's side... Cough, cough, cough..." Having spoken thus, she began coughing again.

Jiang Xiyun's heart sank like iron, though she forced a smile onto her face and said, "Given our current situation, it is still uncertain whether the Lin family will even be willing."

Mother Jiang let out another long sigh and was just about to speak when she saw Jiang Danyun walk in. Jiang Danyun sneered and said, "Why is Fifth Younger Sister so selfish? The futures of our father and brothers are about to be cut short, yet you are still only thinking of yourself. Could it be that all these years of eating fine food and wearing brocades were brought by a great wind? Have you not received even a half share of grace from the family?" She dropped to her knees before Mother Jiang and said, "If Fifth Younger Sister is unwilling, I am willing to marry in her stead. After all, I am older than her; if a marriage is to be discussed, it should rightfully be me."

Mother Jiang's face flushed red with anger. Sitting up from the kang, she pointed at her and scolded, "Wretched girl! Has oil blinded your heart? At such an age you know no shame, actually speaking such shameless words! What kind of 'marrying in her stead'? The Lin family never even set their sights on you—do you suppose we should throw ourselves forward to court humiliation?" Finished speaking, she broke into a fresh string of coughs. Jiang Xiyun stroked her back and slowly fed her half a cup of tea.

Jiang Danyun's eyes brimmed with tears as she choked out, "Grandmother... Grandmother only knows how to favor Fifth Younger Sister. I, where am I inferior..."

Mother Jiang let out a long sigh, closed her eyes, and then opened them again, saying, "Your father stated clearly in his letter that he has already selected a match for you. He is a scholar from Jiangnan, hailing from a scholarly family rooted in agriculture and letters. Although the young man is young, he is already a provincial graduate, and his family is quite well-to-do. His grandfather once held a high office in the censorate, and his father is a county magistrate. In a few days, people from the family will come to fetch you, and you can return to prepare for your wedding."

Jiang Danyun froze. Feeling as though a basin of ice-cold water had been poured straight over her head from top to bottom, she collapsed limply onto the floor. Tears fell silently down her cheeks, tumbling in heavy drops onto her garments.

Jiang Xiyun's heart felt heavy. After comforting Mother Jiang and waiting upon her to take her medicine, she turned to close the window and caught sight of the orchid Qin Sh Niang had given her resting on the windowsill. For some reason, she suddenly thought of Xianglan—that girl of flower-like beauty and brilliant talent, and Lin Jinlou, who was shrewd to the extreme and looked at her with a half-smile... She stood quietly in a daze for a moment before gently closing the window.

With Lin Jinlou entering the palace, Xianglan found herself growing increasingly leisurely and at ease. She spent her entire day together with Deger, either teaching him to read the Four Books, reciting poems and painting together, or watching Deger play in the courtyard. Originally, Yuan Shaoren had only intended to let Deger stay for two or three days, but with the establishment of the Crown Prince, the Emperor ordered sacrificial ceremonies to Heaven, keeping all court officials exceedingly busy. Yuan Shaoren was likewise caught up without a moment to spare, so he simply let Deger remain at the Lin household, which Xianglan naturally welcomed with all her heart.

"Sister Xianglan is truly blessed. Just because your name contains the character 'lan', Big Brother hauled back so many orchids; there are plenty of varieties among them that I've never even laid eyes on." Tan Lihua gazed enviously at the courtyard full of orchids as she sat on the delicate railing, gently waving her fan.

Ever since Xianglan helped defuse Tan Lihua's predicament and gifted her clothing, Tan Lihua had begun frequenting the Hall of Spontaneous Spring more often, returning the favor with small trinkets like hair oil, rouge, and fragrant sachets. The two of them would chat idly, occasionally discussing poetry and prose to dispel their boredom. Tan Lihua was always fond of boasting about how great her literary reputation had been back in her maiden days, while Xianglan merely smiled, chiming in appropriately with witty remarks while keeping her hands busy with a piece of needlework or watching Deger play.

Xianglan smiled and said, "This is precisely the season for appreciating orchids, and Young Master Chu's household happens to be skilled at cultivating them, which is why they were brought over. It's hardly on account of me."

Tan Lihua remarked, "This actually reminds me of the days back in my maiden home. It's just a pity those two little wenches from the Jiang family are no good; otherwise, we could have even gathered together to start a poetry club... You have no idea, Jiang Xiyun has been running over to Madam's place every single day now. Today she brings some needlework, tomorrow a bowl of homemade treats, sucking up to Madam until she's utterly delighted. She even has Senior Sister Xia casually tutoring the two Jiang girls. Ah, if you ask me, you are simply too honest and genuine. If you don't go and cozy up to her, before long Madam will completely forget about you."

Unwilling to dwell on the topic, Xianglan steered the conversation elsewhere: "With so many young ladies in the household nowadays, starting a poetry club is hardly out of the question. Second Sister-in-law, whichever pot of flowers you fancy, feel free to have it moved over. Send out invitations for several young ladies to come, and when the time comes, you can display your full brilliance—it won't disgrace your reputation as a 'talented lady'."

Tan Lihua's heart leaped with excitement. She thought it over, then shook her head and said, "Second Brother loves quiet. If too many young ladies come over, firstly he won't feel at ease, and secondly it's not conducive to his quiet recuperation. Besides, playing the host requires silver, and our Second Brother is not like Big Brother who can go out and earn silver on his own; his monthly allowance is barely enough for his own pocket money."

Xianglan suggested, "That's easy to resolve. Right here in the garden belonging to our estate would be just wonderful. Although it's a bit small, because Third Brother got married, they newly constructed a pavilion, and the surrounding flora is extremely lush and flourishing, possessing quite a picturesque view. The agricultural estates sent over some seasonal fruits and fresh vegetables these past few days, and the household has a cook skilled in vegetarian dishes. We can just make it an all-vegetarian banquet—refreshing, and suited to Madam and the others' tastes. We only need to spend a few extra taels of silver to buy some fruit wine back. We're all women; who's going to turn out to be a drunkard?"

Tan Lihua was inwardly satisfied. Thinking that this matter would look graceful and earn her credit in front of Qin Sh Niang, a smile bloomed across her face. She said to Xianglan, "You truly possess a heart of exquisite jade. Don't take it the wrong way, but when I first laid eyes on you, I just thought you were a seductive, bewitching creature and didn't hold you in high regard. Now, seeing how you handle everything step by step, I finally understand why Big Brother trusts and values you so deeply. My maternal family's fortunes are somewhat shallow, and Second Brother's health is useless. Everyone high and low in this estate wears wealth-tinted glasses—either they respect me to my face while chewing over gossip behind my back, or they simply refuse to give me any face at all, often infuriating me to the point of crying alone in frustration. Only you, Sister, treat me with genuine sincerity, comforting me time and again and even gifting me top-quality items. Back then I was rash and even made you lose face, yet Sister never held it against me." She continued generously, "From this day forth, I recognize you as a sister. If Sister ever faces difficulties in the future, just come straight to me. Since you are so righteous, I have no objections."

Xianglan smiled and said, "Second Sister-in-law exaggerates; how could it be anything like that?" Inwardly, however, she sighed. Although she had not previously thought much of Tan Lihua's character, seeing her difficult situation in her maternal family and possessing a flower-like appearance only to be married off to Lin Jinxuan to guard an empty chamber alone—while she was still in her youth and had no idea how she would live out the rest of her days—made Xianglan feel a double portion of pity for her, recalling her own usual state of mind. Yet with a temperament like Tan Lihua's, one could only maintain a polite, distant friendship; if the relationship grew too deep, she feared she would get pricked by thorns once more.

At that moment, Deger finished reciting a section of his book and emerged from the room, prompting Tan Lihua to take her leave.

Two days later, Tan Lihua indeed sent out invitations and set up the poetry club. It happened to coincide with Lin Jinlou's return home, so it was postponed by a single day. Early the next morning, Lin Dongwan, Lin Dongqi, and the eldest daughter of the Jiang family, Jiang Feiyun, arrived at the Lin household one after another, riding in sedan chairs and carriages.