Against the Current - Chapter 278

Chapter 278 - Resentment 

Xianglan looked straight into Jiang Xiyun's eyes. Their gazes locked for a brief moment before she suddenly sensed that Jiang Xiyun wasn't merely misunderstanding her as a rival, but was instead probing and testing her with hidden motives. Jiang Xiyun's expression was calm, yet her eyes were complex, leaking the unspoken subtext hidden deep within her heart.

Xianglan smiled and said, "Lady Xi, it's just as I said a moment ago: you are the daughter of a grand academician, while I started out merely as the daughter of a hereditary bondservant. Even if you are a daughter of a concubine, you have still grown up surrounded by silk and brocade, like a delicate flower nurtured in a pavilion of gold and silver. I am merely wild grass growing in a mountain ravine. Based on this alone, the distance between us is countless mountains apart. Why should you needlessly bring trouble upon yourself?"

Jiang Xiyun looked calmly at Xianglan with a pair of clear eyes and slowly said, "Lady Xianglan, you are both beautiful and talented. Why must you be so modest?" Her demeanor was detached, yet it carried a faint, pressing momentum.

Xianglan took a step back, lowered her eyelids, and said pointedly, "Lady Xi, the maidservants are all still around. You have always been an innocent, carefree, and endearing girl, and Madam is exceptionally fond of you."

Jiang Xiyun was startled. She immediately understood that Xianglan was warning her to rein it in. Glancing around, she saw that several maidservants were indeed a short distance away clearing the leftover banquet tables, while Tan Luhua was standing in the pavilion, glancing over toward them from time to time. Her imposing momentum inexplicably waned. She, too, took half a step back and said, "I truly do find myself getting along well with my maternal aunt-in-law."

Suddenly, they heard Lin Jinlou shouting, "What are you still standing around for? Don't you know I'm waiting to be served?"

Xianglan gave a start. Turning her head, she saw Lin Jinlou standing at the end of the winding path, so she said to Jiang Xiyun, "The First Master is calling me, so I will take my leave." With that, she turned and walked away.

Jiang Xiyun averted her gaze and saw Xianglan lifting the hem of her skirt to trot over to Lin Jinlou. Lin Jinlou set off walking immediately, but after a few paces, he stopped and asked something. Xianglan fished an item out from her sleeve, which Lin Jinlou took, unspooled its multicolored five-strung cord, and slipped it directly around her neck. Jiang Xiyun gazed intently and saw that the object was precisely the magnolia pendant from earlier. Lin Jinlou said a few more words while Xianglan simply stood with her head bowed, listening. Then, Lin Jinlou turned and walked a few steps before looking back. Seeming to find Xianglan's pace too slow, he grabbed her wrist and strode away in big steps.

A gentle breeze rose once more, but this time, brushing against Jiang Xiyun's face, it only made her feel irritable and vexed. Ruoqing walked over, craned her neck to look, and seeing that Lin Jinlou's figure had long since vanished, she whispered, "My lady, shall we head back?"

Jiang Xiyun let out a long breath. At that moment, she felt utterly exhausted, a surge of deep grievance welling up from the bottom of her heart. She quietly covered her face with her sleeve, wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, and left together with Ruoqing.

Inside Mengfang Courtyard, the doors and windows of the main room where Madam Jiang resided were tightly shut. Only Madam Jiang, Jiang Feyun, and Jiang Xiyun remained inside. Madam Jiang's coughing grew increasingly severe, and Jiang Feyun hurriedly tended to her, patting her back to help her catch her breath. Jiang Xiyun was kneeling on the floor with her head lowered.

After a bout of coughing, Madam Jiang's face was already streaked with tears and mucus. Jiang Feyun used a handkerchief to wipe her face, but Madam Jiang pushed her hand away, pointed a trembling finger at Jiang Xiyun, and rasped, "You disgraceful wretch who has brought shame upon our household! Who told you to cheat on a poem, and who told you to go looking for Lin Jinlou's concubine!"

With a numb expression, Jiang Xiyun said, "This granddaughter knows she was wrong."

Tears tumbled down Madam Jiang's face in a rush. After catching her breath, she said, "Writing poetry was one thing—a woman's lack of talent is a virtue, and not being well-versed in romantic trifles is no grave fault. But what sort of thing is that concubine! She comes from slave stock; no matter how beautiful her appearance is, she is nothing more than a plaything. What is your status, and what is her status? You actually went out of your way to seek her out. She isn't even worthy of carrying your shoes!"

Jiang Xiyun paused for a moment before saying, "Not only is she born beautiful, but she is also truly talented. She is by no means comparable to an ordinary concubine. To be honest, this granddaughter even holds a bit of admiration for her."

Madam Jiang sneered. "Are you afraid of her?"

Jiang Xiyun spoke in a clear, ringing voice, "Why would I fear her? No matter how clever, witty, and resourceful she may be, she is ultimately just a concubine who can never ascend to the high parlor!"

Madam Jiang let out a long sigh and said, "Xi'er, you have always been the cleverest and most steady-headed. How is it that today you lost your composure to this extent?"

Jiang Feyun hastily brought over a cup of tea, served it for Madam Jiang to take a sip, and said, "Grandmother, calm your anger. The Fifth Younger Sister simply couldn't hold back her temper for a moment and acted out. Today, Fourth Miss Lin and the Tan woman truly made people lose all face, and that Chen Xianglan played the good person right in the middle of it all, which is genuinely infuriating." She then turned to Jiang Xiyun with a soft and gentle tone, saying, "As your eldest sister, let me let you in on a secret: this matter of yours is ninety-nine percent settled. I hear the Lin family is already looking around for a suitable official matchmaker. Sister, you were far too impatient. What does Chen Xianglan matter? In the future, will she ever be able to overshadow you? Once you marry in, you can slowly deal with her then."

Madam Jiang coughed heavily once more, and Jiang Feyun quickly held out the spittoon. After expectorating and taking another sip of tea to rinse her mouth, Madam Jiang said, "In all things, elders step forward to call the shots; it is not yet your turn to personally go arguing about it. Do not forget that your grandmother is still here—am I just a piece of furniture to be looked at? Even if the Lin family is a household of high standing, I cannot let them wrong you! However, for you to go find Chen Xianglan all by yourself was a grave mistake. What if word of this reached Lin Jinlou's ears? Wouldn't the Lin family think you lack virtue?"

A bitter smile slowly appeared on Jiang Xiyun's face. She inched forward on her knees, went up to grasp Madam Jiang's hand, and said, "Grandmother, this granddaughter knows you cherish me. But given the current situation, no matter how many grievances I harbor, I still must marry into this family."

Madam Jiang was startled, her heart sinking as well. With a tight face, she asked, "Does marrying into the Lin family make you feel so wronged?"

"No, I am not wronged," Jiang Xiyun said with a calm expression. "For a family of our standing to be favored by the Lin family is undoubtedly aiming high. Furthermore, Lin Jinlou is an outstanding hero among men, young and promising. It is rare that at his age, he doesn't even have a single concubine-born son or daughter under his knees, with only a favored concubine in his inner courtyard. The matches Grandmother considered for me at first could not compare to the Lin family, could they?"

Jiang Feyun couldn't help but interject, "If that's the case, then why did you still..."

Jiang Xiyun took a deep breath and said, "At first, I only thought my maternal aunt-in-law had taken a fancy to me because she was afraid Lin Jinlou's pampering of his favored concubine would lead to the scandal of a concubine subverting the wife later on, and that she wanted me to marry in and properly manage the affairs of the inner quarters. Later on, I gradually realized something was amiss: Lin Jinlou elevates Chen Xianglan in everything, and though my maternal aunt-in-law dislikes it, she hasn't even opposed it! At first, I assumed she was simply unwilling to go against her son, but then I heard Chunling, a maidservant in Changchun Hall, say that it seemed Chen Xianglan had saved my maternal aunt-in-law's life!"

Madam Jiang and Jiang Feyun were startled, speaking in unison, "What?"

Jiang Xiyun shook her head. "How things truly stand, even that maid named Chunling does not know. But after these repeated incidents, I realized that the Lin family's interest in me is not simply for me to keep Chen Xianglan in check, but for me to tolerate her! Chen Xianglan is born with beauty and formidable methods, and she actually has two thorn-like figures like Second Young Mistress Lin and Fourth Miss Lin championing her. Sister Qi also speaks of her with nothing but praise, not to mention that Lin Jinlou actually dismissed all his other concubines on her account and still lets her sleep in the main room to this day. Grandmother, after I marry in, I might end up being nothing more than a puppet, a mere ornament!"

Madam Jiang and Jiang Feyun suffered a violent shock to their minds, both of them rendered speechless.

With a choked voice, Jiang Xiyun said, "I know Grandmother loves me and wants to arrange everything perfectly for me, but the present circumstances are stronger than we are, and I have no choice but to marry into the Lin family. Could it be that after I get married, I must constantly pull out my maiden family to prop me up? Besides, my heart refuses to submit. Why? Why should I resign myself to my fate before the marriage is even settled, and willingly become that puppet and ornament in the future?"

Jiang Xiyun's expression suddenly turned resolute, her eyes as bright as burning candlelight. "Wood and stone are not unfeeling, and which woman does not wish for her husband to sing and her to harmonize, for their zithers to play in sweet unison? Why must I feign noble detachment and pretend to be virtuous and magnanimous? The Lin family hopes for me to be a virtuous and generous wife—to be filial to my parents-in-law and serve my husband above, and to care for the concubines and look after the children of concubines below, enjoying a lifetime of silk and brocade while watching my husband hold others in his arms and pamper his favorite mistresses, until my hair turns white in the inner quarters. Even if I am compelled to do so for the sake of the family's future, I am... unconvinced!"

The two people in the room were dumbfounded. Jiang Feyun stammered, "F-Fifth Sister, these words can only be spoken behind closed doors in our own room. If they get out, you'll be slapping your own face!"

Tears falling from her eyes, Jiang Xiyun said, "It is too difficult for a young maiden to live in this world. The family looks at this marriage as a glorious affair, but I know the bitterness and sweetness within it myself. When I am doing well, the family shares in the glory, but if I am wronged in the future, I can only swallow it down on my own. Grandmother loves me, but who can look after me for a lifetime? My family gave birth to me and raised me, and now that it's time for me to contribute, I am naturally duty-bound. However, we should not sit passively and await our doom. Just now, when Lin Jinlou gave that magnolia pendant to Chen Xianglan, I had already made up my mind. While the marriage has not yet been finalized, no matter what, I must fight for myself. That is why I went to find Chen Xianglan. Since she has repeatedly surpassed me, she must harbor hostile intentions in her heart as well. If she tells Lin Jinlou about these words of mine, it will just be a good way to test his attitude. The Lin family has also eight-tenths accepted this marriage, so Lin Jinlou should be given a warning. If they truly wish to form this match, they should not elevate a concubine to such heights, and they ought to put on an appropriate posture for the future. Although our Jiang family is asking something of them, we are not something to be kneaded and flattened at will. No matter how rare this marriage is, we should not lower our own status to such a cheap degree!"

Madam Jiang reached out with a trembling hand, pulled Jiang Xiyun up, and gathered her into her arms. Choking up, she said, "Good, good child. Your courage and decisiveness are no less than a man's. Even if I have to risk my old life, Grandmother will salvage your dignity this once. You spoke correctly—why should we back down to such an extent? While nothing is settled yet, we must fight for it first."

Jiang Feyun hesitated. "What if... what if the fight fails?"

"Then I will resign myself to fate!" Jiang Xiyun leaned against Madam Jiang's embrace, her eyes crystal clear. "It's just that if I back down without even trying, how could I ever reconcile myself to it! The Lin family is noble, and we are asking a favor of them, but a daughter of the Jiang family should not belittle herself like this!"

Outside the main room, Qingfen was peeking stealthily from behind the door curtain. Seeing that the maidservants Liusu and Ruoqing were guarding the entrance, she had no choice but to turn back. Jiang Danyun was sitting on the outer kang, lazily looking at herself in a hand mirror. Qingfen whispered in her ear, "Someone is guarding the door, so I couldn't hear what they were saying."

Jiang Danyun sneered. "Kind words aren't spoken behind people's backs, and hiding things from me like I'm a thief—what good does it do? Didn't they still get their faces slapped today? Even if I didn't want to hear what they were discussing inside, let's go, let's go take a walk outside." With that, she got up and went out with Qingfen. Giving it some thought, she figured there was nowhere particularly nice to go in the Lin family anyway. On the contrary, since Tan Luhua had put Jiang Xiyun in her place earlier, it had secretly vented a breath of anger for her, so she headed toward Kangshou Residence. That goes without saying.

As it happened, no sooner had those two left than a knock came from outside the main room of Mengfang Courtyard. Liusu said at the doorway, "Old Madam, First Master Lin has sent someone to deliver items."

Hearing this, the people inside hurriedly wiped away their tears, tidied up their appearance and hair ornaments, smoothed down the corners of their clothes, and Madam Jiang hastily said, "Quickly invite them in!" As the door opened, Chunling walked in followed by two little maidservants, all of them holding bolts of fabric. Chunling first greeted everyone with a beaming smile, then said, "As soon as the First Master returned, his first order was to have these gifts sent to Mengfang Courtyard. These two bolts of satin are for the Aunt-Grandmother to make clothes with, these three are for the three young misses, and there are two more for the two young ladies who didn't come to the Lin family." After placing the items on the table, she produced a small filigree enamel box, handed it forward, and said, "These are rings. Only the Fifth Young Miss has one; nobody else got any!"

Madam Jiang took it, opened it, and saw that it was a pure gold ring set with a pearl, its pearly luster smooth and possessing great literary refinement. Smiling, Madam Jiang handed it to Jiang Xiyun and said, "Take a look, quickly. This is truly a fine item."

Chunling eagerly chimed in, "Of course. Although the First Master is always generous with his spending, fine items like this aren't things he'd normally let people give away."

Madam Jiang felt somewhat better, a faint smile blooming on her face, and she repeatedly ordered someone to give Chunling a reward. Jiang Xiyun personally escorted people out to the doorway, had everyone else step back, and softly asked, "How is the Eldest Brother acting back there?"

Chunling replied, "Nothing much. He gave Xianglan a few instructions and then headed to the front. He also ordered Dr. Zhang to come over for another visit."

Jiang Xiyun asked in surprise, "Dr. Zhang? Who in the manor is sick?"

Chunling said, "Alas, nobody is sick. It's just Xianglan—she still hasn't conceived any good news, so the First Master specifically invited a doctor to examine her. She's taken dozens of doses of medicine with no effect, and the First Master is losing patience, so he wants to invite the doctor over to change the prescription and try again."

The tightly knitted brows between Jiang Xiyun's eyes finally unfurled. She patted Chunling on the shoulder and said, "I know. I must thank you as well. If you hadn't mentioned making knee pads, I wouldn't have been able to make something so clever." As she spoke, she fished a red packet out from her sleeve and handed it to her.

Chunling smiled and said, "I was only casually mentioning it; it's the young miss who is bright as snow and ice." She then quietly pushed the red packet back.

Jiang Xiyun smiled. "Don't stand on ceremony. There will be plenty of places in the future where I'll have to rely on you."

Hearing this, Chunling finally accepted the red packet and smiled, "You truly live up to your upbringing in a great noble household, Miss; your actions are so magnanimous, unlike those people who crawled out from narrow and petty backgrounds. Working under you, Miss, makes my heart feel gratified." With that, she led her people away.

Upon returning to Changchun Hall, Chunling reported to Shuran. Just as she was about to enter the inner room, she heard Huashan say from within, "Where is Sister Chunling? Second Mistress was just looking for her, telling her to take two boxes of fresh fruit to Madam's room in the First Master's name. This is a lucky opportunity—once Madam is pleased, there's no telling what rewards she might hand down."

Xiaojuan let out a sneer and said, "You're looking for her? She just snatched Lingqing's chore, grabbed the cuts of fabric, and scampered off like a dog to deliver them to Mengfang Courtyard. Her heart is 'in Cao Cao's camp while her body is in Han'; she's planning to climb up high branches now!"

Lingqing let out a sigh and said, "I don't know what she's thinking. Second Aunt-Grandmother treats her well, letting her handle the respectable chores, yet she still grumbles all day long. If I were a master and saw her acting like this, I would have chased her out long ago."

Lingsu said, "She's just unhappy in her heart. Back then she was so glorious she could practically make decisions on Second Aunt-Grandmother's behalf, but now nobody treats what she says as an imperial edict anymore."

Chunling's face turned red with anger. Stamping her foot, she forcefully lifted the door curtain and stalked into the room, causing the chatter inside to instantly die down. With a sneer, Chunling swept her gaze across the people in the room, but everyone ignored her, burying their heads in their work. Even Xueying, who used to exchange a few words with her, remained silent, merely using a pair of small silver tweezers to pick out walnut kernels.

With a gloomy face, Chunling retreated to the inner room. Previously, whenever she had a quarrel with any of the maidservants and threw a temper tantrum, Xianglan would always step in to mediate and offer kind words of persuasion. Later on, however, Xianglan stopped bothering and simply left everything to Shuran to handle, causing her to suffer a good few beatings and scoldings for nothing. She gradually came to realize that Xianglan was no longer that timid, disheartened young girl who had first entered the Lin family—she had truly become a mistress over her own head, yet Chunling herself could never bring herself to bow.

Even though Xianglan never skimped on rewards and frequently chatted with her about daily matters, Chunling viewed this entire routine as nothing more than hypocrisy. If Xianglan truly remembered their old friendship, she ought to know what she desired in her heart and should have appointed her to oversee all affairs, great and small. Why else would she let the likes of Xiaojuan climb over her head?

It wasn't until the Jiang family arrived that she finally saw hope. Jiang Xiyun came from a prestigious family, was sweet-natured, pleasant, kind, and honest. She always wore a sweet smile when speaking to her, gave out extremely generous rewards, and loved to tell jokes and amuse people. Especially the maidservants by her side—they were far more pleasing than the likes of Xiaojuan and Huashan, constantly calling her "Elder Sister." Gradually, she grew closer to the Jiang family, even boasting to Xueying and a few little maidservants about how wonderful Jiang Xiyun was.

Unexpectedly, when Shuran found out, she flew into a rage and punished Chunling by making her stand outside the corridor with a basin of water on her head for an entire afternoon. The passing little maidservants all pointed and mocked her, and even Xueying distanced herself from her ever since. This incident was an utter humiliation, and from then on, she threw herself even more thoroughly into supporting Jiang Xiyun. Everyone knew that Jiang Xiyun was the daughter-in-law favored by Qin Shi; good birds naturally choose the best tree to nest in. When Jiang Xiyun married in later to take charge of the household, she would rise to become a trusted, close confidante maidservant, and then she would properly put Shuran, Xiaojuan, and the others in their places and let them all have a good look!

Putting aside how Chunling fared for the moment, Tan Luhua had been busy for half a day before finally returning to Kangshou Residence. Upon entering the room and seeing Lin Jinxuan writing calligraphy at his desk, she said, "Second Master, don't just stand there the whole time. Write for a bit and then sit for a bit; if you exhaust your spirit, you won't sleep well tonight."

Lin Jinxuan smiled and said, "How am I so useless? Come over and take a look at which of these characters is best." He then asked her about the poetry gathering.

Tan Luhua frowned and said, "Don't even mention it. It was completely spoiled by those little hussies from the Jiang family." She gave Lin Jinxuan a brief, disjointed account of what happened, then added, "Is Eldest Brother really going to marry into the Jiang family?"

Lin Jinxuan said, "These are all matters for the elders; it's not up to us to decide. In any case, we live our lives and they live theirs. It's not going to shortchange you or me."

Tan Luhua huffed, "If it were her, that would be truly fatal. With that kind of temperament that refuses to suffer any losses, there's no telling what pillow talk she might whisper into Eldest Brother's ear, or how she might instigate discord between you brothers later on."

As they were speaking, Caiming came in and reported, "Second Mistress, Miss Dan is here."

Tan Luhua said in surprise, "Why is she coming over?" She got up to welcome her and instructed the maidservants to serve fine tea and pastries. Once they were seated, Jiang Danyun—who also wished to be on good terms with Tan Luhua—deliberately uttered some flattering words. Tan Luhua held no ill will toward her either, and the two of them chatted congenially for a while. Tan Luhua specially ordered her maidservants to fetch the zither from her dowry and invite Jiang Danyun to play.

After laughing and chatting for a round, the two grew even more harmonious. Tan Luhua took a sip of tea and suddenly sighed, "Sister Dan, let me say something I shouldn't—don't take offense... Never mind, better not say it."

Jiang Danyun smiled and said, "It's fine, Second Sister-in-law, go ahead."

Tan Luhua said earnestly, "I see that you, Sister, are a very well-read, upright, and virtuous person. How is it that you happen to have such a younger sister? Tsk tsk, born of the same father and mother, yet the difference is far too great. I would much rather you were my sister-in-law!"

These words struck precisely at Jiang Danyun's desires. Her face flushed red, and she cast a feigned, reproachful glance at Tan Luhua, saying, "What is Second Sister-in-law talking about!" Then she sighed, "How can I compare to my fifth sister in pleasing people? Aunt-Grandmother is so fond of her."

Tan Luhua said, "If I may say something I shouldn't, Mother-in-law has also lost her mind, mistaking a stone for gold."

This remark struck Jiang Danyun's heart once more. She let out a sigh and said, "I guessed that Second Sister-in-law has extraordinary insight. That younger sister of mine looks honest, but she never suffers a loss. I don't even need to mention how many grievances I've suffered from her since childhood, and now even a good marriage is reserved for her. But what good does your discerning eye do? This marriage is about to be finalized anyway."

Tan Luhua sneered, "It's also because Sister Dan is too good-natured. If it were me, even if a good marriage didn't fall to my lot, I wouldn't let her be so smug about it!"

Before her words had faded, a sudden, chaotic clatter rang out. Both Hua and Dan were startled. They heard Xiluo screaming at the top of her lungs, "I knew it, you motherless, fatherless, rotten-bottomed bitch! You're jealous that the Second Master values me, and you're trying to ruin me to death!"

Caifeng shouted, "Let go! Let go!" and shrieked in turn.

Onlookers tried to intervene, shouting, "Stop fighting! Stop fighting!"

Frowning, Tan Luhua put on a forced smile and said to Jiang Danyun, "Sister, sit here for a moment; I'll go see what's going on." She got up and went outside. There, she saw Caifeng and Xiluo engaged in a brawl in the courtyard, their hair disheveled and clothes in disarray, while several maidservants and old women were trying to pull them apart.

Xiluo cried as she yelled, "You bitch are jealous of the affection between me and the Second Master, so you used such base methods! Today I'll drag you down with me to perish together and go argue it out clearly before King Yama!" With that, she lunged to grab and beat Caifeng again.

Dodging, Caifeng retorted, "Talking nonsense and spewing filth! You're framing and sifting me, and this lady isn't going to let you off!"

Tan Luhua roared angrily, "Stop it, all of you! Have you forgotten all manners?!"

That shout was like "a single bird entering the woods, silencing a hundred voices"; everyone quieted down and dropped to their knees.

As it turned out, there was indeed a specific reason behind this matter. Ever since Tan Luhua had physical relations with Dai Rong, the two of them had been like glue and lacquer, burning hot with passion. Tan Luhua was naturally a woman easily stirred by romance, and Dai Rong was an old hand at this. After a few rounds, Tan Luhua was utterly devoted to him and obeyed his every word. Though naturally stingy herself, she was willing to lavish large sums of silver on Dai Rong to spend. Dai Rong milked a good deal of silver and cash from her hands, and in return, he gifted her some less valuable hairpins, rouge, and powder. Tan Luhua treated these as supreme treasures, feeling that Dai Rong was truly reciprocating her deep devotion.

Zhao Yuechan had instructed Dai Rong to procure a medicine that cuts off progeny and give it to Tan Luhua, telling her to administer it to Xianglan while promising her all sorts of benefits. Dai Rong then coaxed Tan Luhua into doing it. Unexpectedly, Tan Luhua still possessed a shred of loyalty, so she told Caifeng, "Ever since I married into the Lin family, from masters to servants, everyone looks down their noses at me and steps on me with gossip behind my back. Only Xianglan looks upon me with high regard, continuously sending me things and comforting me with kind words. How could I administer this medicine to her? Tomorrow, you throw it away for me. When I talk to my dear Dai tomorrow, I'll just say the medicine has already been given to Xianglan; after all, her belly hasn't shown any news of late anyway." With that, she handed the small satin packet wrapped around the pill over to Caifeng.

Caifeng harbored her own calculations in her heart as well. As it turned out, Tan Luhua was single-mindedly devoted to Dai Rong and was unwilling to let Lin Jinlou come near her, so she told Caifeng that after a little while, she would take charge of opening Caifeng's face and elevate her to become Lin Jinlou's concubine. Naturally, Caifeng was delighted. However, there was a personal maidservant in Lin Jinxuan's rooms named Xiluo who was greatly favored by Aunt Yin. Aunt Yin would frequently whisper in Lin Jinxuan's ear, demanding that he take Xiluo into his chambers as a concubine.

In an instant, Caifeng and Xiluo became rivals. Both of them were hot-tempered spitfires who refused to suffer losses, and after falling out unpleasantly on several occasions, Caifeng grew vicious. Privately, she said to Caiping, "That little hussy Xiluo is utterly detestable. I have a medicine here that cuts off descendants. Tomorrow I'll have her eat it; even if the Second Master tries to promote her, she won't be able to drop any eggs, and she'll suffer abuse for the rest of her life!" She even pulled out the packet of medicine to show Caiping.

As it happened, Caiping was a honey-tongued, double-dealing sort. She pretended to be on good terms with Caifeng while actually envying the favor Caifeng received from Tan Luhua. Turning around, she sowed discord by gossiping and spilling the whole affair to Xiluo.

Xiluo had a straightforward and blunt personality; how could she ever swallow such an insult? The two of them immediately kicked up a fuss. Seeing Tan Luhua arrive, Xiluo dropped to her knees, clutched the hem of Tan Luhua's skirt, and wailed loudly, "Second Mistress, you must uphold justice for me! That little hussy Caifeng has a black heart and actually wants to feed me medicine that cuts off descendants!"

Caifeng also dropped to her knees, her face turning pale as she said, "Second Mistress, do not listen to her wild ravings!"

Xiluo wept, "How am I raving wildly?" Pulling the packet of medicine out from her bosom, she held it out before Tan Luhua and said, "This was fished out from under Caifeng's pillow! She still dares to deny it. Sister Caiping told me all about it long ago!"

The moment Tan Luhua caught sight of that small satin sachet, her temples throbbed violently. In a fit of rage, she slapped the sachet out of Xiluo's hand and glared fiercely at Caifeng. Knowing she had committed a grave error, Caifeng shrunk down and lowered her head.

Caiping had never expected Xiluo to lose her composure to this extent. Failing to stop her scheme and seeing it blow up into such a scene, she trembled all over with terror, hastily dropping to her knees to plead, "There is no such thing, Second Mistress! This is all sheer nonsense spouted by Xiluo!"

Raising her voice, Xiluo shouted, "Every word I've said is the truth! Whether this is true or not, just invite a doctor over to examine this medicine and we'll find out!"

Peering through the window, Jiang Danyun had watched the entire spectacle unfold with absolute clarity. Although she still wanted to stay and watch the excitement here, she knew that remaining any longer would violate proper etiquette, so she greeted Luoluo and took her leave, slipping away quietly along the base of the wall with Qingfen. Walking halfway, she suddenly caught sight of a small satin sachet ahead. Gazing intently, she recognized it as the very "medicine to cut off descendants" that Xiluo had been shouting about—the one Tan Luhua had batted away with her hand, which had landed near a stone stool inside a courtyard.

Jiang Danyun initially wanted to pretend she hadn't seen it, but for some reason, Tan Luhua's words echoed in her ears: "It's also because Sister Dan is too good-natured. If it were me, even if a good marriage didn't fall to my lot, I wouldn't let her be so smug about it!" As if possessed by a ghost or a spirit, she slowly bent down, feigned to pick up a fallen fan, and quietly clenched that packet of medicine tightly in the palm of her hand.