Against the Current - Chapter 292

Chapter 292

Xiulan did not dare meet Lin Jinlou's gaze. Lowering her eyelids, she pleaded, "I beg the eldest master to show mercy... I..." At this point, her voice choked, and a string of crystal-clear tears rolled down the corners of her eyes. Shuran had told her at the bedside about seeing morning dew witness Jiang Danyun poisoning her tea, and she knew she had finally found her opportunity. She had Xiaojuan invite Lin Jinlou and Madam Qin to eavesdrop from the next room, willing to risk everything on this single gamble. First, it would vent the grievance in her chest and demand justice for herself; second, since she had completely burned bridges with the future eldest grandmother the Lin family intended to marry, she could logically and smoothly beg to leave the mansion. She had turned the matter over in her mind countless times. By now, she had accumulated some savings, and her family was much better off than before. If she left the manor, she could sell all their farmland and real estate, move the entire family to another province, and adopt a male heir to carry on the family incense. She would raise him with the utmost care, and whether he married in the future or not, it would still be far better than being trapped in the depths of a grand courtyard, fighting for favor and begging for pity day in and day out, slowly withering away into a resentful, venomous woman. Jialian was a cautionary tale; leaving the manor might not turn out as she wished, but staying put would truly leave her heart as cold as ashes.

Madam Qin froze. She looked down at Xiulan, then back up at Lin Jinlou, seeing only her eldest son's face dark and ashen with fury. She hurriedly patted Xiulan's hand and forced a laugh, saying, "Silly child, you're out of your mind. Lie down quickly, close your eyes, and get some rest."

Xiulan struggled to sit up, shaking her head as she said, "I beg Madam and the eldest master to show mercy. I will never marry for the rest of my life; I ask for nothing more than peace and quiet... Since I can no longer win the favor of the future eldest grandmother, and my body is in this state, I fear it will be difficult for me to conceive in the future. To linger on the brink of death within this manor would leave me with no place to stand down the road. My mind is made up. Today, I am risking everything to speak these words, and I beg Madam and the eldest master to take pity on me... If I am not speaking from the heart, may heaven and earth strike me down, and may I suffer a miserable doom for life after life!" As she spoke, she struggled to kowtow.

When Madam Qin heard these words, her hands and feet turned cold as well. She hurriedly stopped her, saying, "Lie down first, lie down first. Let's treat your illness first; other matters can wait until later."

Lin Jinlou clenched his hands into fists. He had completely grasped Xiulan's intentions, and they nearly drove him to rage. Looking at Xiulan's sweat-drenched, haggard face, he forcefully suppressed his anger and snapped, "Shut your mouth! Is this a matter for you to meddle in?"

Madam Qin said in a low voice, "The official matchmaker has not been invited yet, so the Lin and Jiang families cannot be considered formally engaged."

Xiulan was greatly shocked, as if struck over the head with a heavy club. Her head spun dizzyingly as she heard Lin Jinlou say, "Brother Yuan came to the Duke of Zhenguo's estate to look for me, and before he could even bring up the marriage, it saved us this trouble. Stay here properly and recover; you are not the one who should be rolling out of here."

Xiulan went completely limp on the bed, her eyes blank. A wave of despair and sorrow surged from the depths of her heart. She turned her face to the side and closed her eyes.

The fire in Lin Jinlou's chest burned so fiercely it made his temples throb. He turned around to see Jiang Xiyun standing frozen to the spot, tears still lingering on her face. A faint, greenish pallor hung over Lin Jinlou's face as rage roared from his ribs, his gaze gradually turning vicious. He stepped forward, grabbed Jiang Xiyun by the neck, and hoisted her right off the ground, gritting his teeth as he said, "Good, good, good! It was actually you!"

This was the first time the Jiang family had ever witnessed Lin Jinlou fly into a thunderous rage. Seeing him look so sinister, vicious, and utterly terrifying, Jiang Xiyun was instantly unable to breathe. Her legs kicked wildly, and her face turned a purplish red.

Madam Jiang was terrified and rushed forward to grab Lin Jinlou's arm, crying, "Let go of my granddaughter!" Jiang Shangxian stepped forward and grabbed Lin Jinlou's hand, shouting, "What are you doing! Let go this instant!" Lin Jinlou jerked his hand away, shoving Jiang Xiyun aside. Jiang Shangxian and his sister tumbled backward together, knocking over a begonia-shaped tea table and sending the teacups and saucers crashing to the floor into a shattered mess.

Jiang Xiyun trembled violently from head to toe, her hair buns coming loose and scattering jade hairpins and pearl flowers all over the ground. She coughed incessantly, tears and snot streaking across her face like a terrified little rabbit, and buried her head in Madam Jiang's arms, coughing and weeping bitterly.

Jiang Shangxian's face flushed red with fury as he pointed and shouted, "Lin Jinlou, you have some nerve!"

Lin Jinlou said with a sinister chill, "My nerve isn't all that big." With that, he pointed at Xiulan. "If she suffers even the slightest mishap, I'll have your sister pay for her life with her own, and then you'll find out what real nerve is."

Madam Jiang's body swayed, her face turning pale and purplish. She seemed unable to breathe, wanting to cough but unable to produce a sound. The Jiang siblings were terrified, hurriedly pinching her philtrum and patting her back. After a long moment, Madam Jiang let out a long sigh, coughed up a glob of phlegm with a rattling sound, and then closed her eyes and slumped over.

Madam Qin also pulled Lin Jinlou aside and said in a low voice, "No matter how much wrong the Jiang family has done, if we carry on making a scene like this, it's bound to cost someone their life. Clearly we are in the right, but I'm afraid we'll end up in the wrong. We should send her off to get medical treatment first, and discuss the rest after cooler heads prevail." As she spoke, she hurriedly exchanged glances to have the Jiang family's grandparents and grandchildren sent away.

Lin Jinlou's face remained dark as he looked down at Xiulan. Seeing her covered in sweat, sallow and weak, her once pink and tender lips as white as paper, a mixture of hatred and fury churned in his chest, making him want to tear the Jiang family's throats out. Yet he was also angry at Xiulan for failing to see the bigger picture and still plotting to leave, which only added fuel to his rage.

Huashan, Xiaojuan, Lingqing, and Xuening all hurried over to wait on her—some fetching water, some wiping away sweat, some fanning her, while others unpinned her hair. Huashan untied her skirt, and with a soft gasp of "Oh!", she saw her undergarments spotted and stained with trickling blood.

Madam Qin let out a long sigh. "What a sin!"

Cursing under his breath, Lin Jinlou strode out and yelled, "Where are people? Did all of you damn fools drop dead? Why haven't you gone to fetch Imperial Physician Zhang yet?" Even as he cursed, he saw Jixiang hurrying over, supporting Zhang Shiwen, who arrived out of breath and drenched in sweat, with Guiyuan following close behind carrying the medicine chest. Zhang Shiwen took Xiulan's pulse, diagnosing her condition as being caused by overexertion and requiring strict rest to nourish her Qi, enrich her blood, and restore her fundamental vitality. He wrote out a new prescription, ordered someone to brew the medicine, and produced a plaster to be applied to her lower abdomen. Once the medicine was brewed, Huashan personally brought it over to serve Xiulan. After a while, the bleeding gradually stopped and ceased flowing.

Xiulan's mind was heavy with exhaustion, hovering between sleep and wakefulness. She felt a dull ache throughout her body, along with dizziness and weakness in her limbs. At the slightest movement, a groan slipped past her lips. Half-dreaming and half-waking, she heard Madam Qin speaking softly with Lin Jinlou. Madam Qin's voice was barely audible, but every word Lin Jinlou spoke rang clear in her ears: "Critically ill? Does the Jiang family think they can sweep this aside with a pathetic self-harm trick? What a joke. Do they think that because they targeted a concubine, and because they are relatives of the masters and people of high status, this matter can be brushed away so lightly? In their wildest dreams... Jiang Xiyun is willing to kneel and apologize? Even if her old man came here to kneel, it wouldn't do any good!"

Xiulan snapped out of her dream and opened her eyes to see Lin Jinlou sitting on the edge of the bed with a stern, grim face. Madam Qin sat on an embroidered stool, looking worried.

Xiulan coughed twice and tried to lift her body up, but the pain in her lower half made it impossible to support herself. She fell back with a soft "Ouch!" Lin Jinlou, still simmering with anger, glared at her and snapped, "Hey, what are you getting up for? Hurt yourself, did you? Serves you right!" Then, softening his tone slightly while keeping his face as stiff as if carved from frost and snow, he asked, "Where else does it hurt? Shall I have the imperial physician take another look?" Madam Qin also stepped forward to check on her.

Xiulan said, "I'm feeling a bit better, there's no need to make such a fuss. Just now, when I heard Madam and the eldest master talking, I caught a word or two..." She glanced at Lin Jinlou.

Lin Jinlou sneered. "The Jiang family thinks they can smooth this over just by having Jiang Xiyun kneel? They certainly know how to calculate." With that, he waved his hand to summon the maids inside to wait on her. Huashan entered and used an autumn-fragrance-colored large bolster to prop Xiulan up from behind, while Shuran brought over a cup of extremely rich red date soup, feeding Xiulan a few sips.

Madam Qin sighed, sat down on the edge of the bed, and said, "I always thought the fifth Jiang miss was a kind-hearted person, who could have imagined... But earlier, everyone inside and out praised her as a rare, gentle, and pleasing child. Truly..." She shook her head as she spoke. While she disliked the Jiang family for resorting to such scheming, she was also secretly relieved that the official matchmaker had not been invited yet. If the Duke of Zhenguo had truly been brought into this, they would have had to grit their teeth and go through with the marriage—especially since the Emperor still favored the Jiang family, and the Lin and Jiang clans maintained good relations. To tear down the relationship over this would indeed be unwise. Now, she had to consider the dignity of both sides for fear of lingering resentment, while also worrying that her eldest son might stir up trouble. Her heart was filled with anxiety, yet hearing Xiulan's tone lean toward putting the matter to rest, she felt a quiet sense of relief and grew even more fond of and sympathetic toward Xiulan.

Xiulan sighed softly, feeling heavy-hearted yet empty inside. Jiang Xiyun... was also a pitiful person. To be born with such beauty, such cleverness, and the status of a wealthy young lady—no matter how docile she appeared, deep down she possessed an unyielding arrogance. It wasn't that Madam Qin had misjudged her; if life had been smooth and ordinary, Jiang Xiyun would no doubt have displayed magnanimity and generosity. It was simply that the circumstances had forced her into a corner. Most people only display lofty morals when times are good; when caught in deep adversity where upholding righteousness means sacrificing one's own interests without changing one's heart, such people are vanishingly rare... It was just that this girl's methods were far too vicious, lacking both honor and the slightest shred of remorse, enough to chill one's bones.

Xiulan shook her head and pushed the red date soup away. She had originally thought she could use this situation to leave, but now that hope seemed destined to fall through. Since matters had reached this point, she could only plan for the long term and consider her future carefully. Madam Qin coaxed her to drink a couple more spoonfuls of soup, and she managed to finish the bowl. Lin Jinlou immediately ordered someone to bring another bowl.

Madam Qin sat on the edge of the bed, took Xiulan's hand, and said, "You've suffered a great grievance this time, rest well and recover." Then she turned to Lin Jinlou and said, "Xiulan is unwell, so you need to tone down that temper of yours that flips over like a dog's face. You are not allowed to bully her anymore."

Lin Jinlou pulled a long face and let out a cold "Hmph."

Madam Qin turned back to Xiulan and asked, "What are your thoughts on this?"

Xiulan said, "Thank you, Madam, for your kindness and consideration." After a brief pause, she added, "Let's... let this matter go."

Lin Jinlou raised an eyebrow slightly. "Let it go?"

"What else can be done? Make her kneel to me, and have the eldest master vent my anger? Then the Jiang family will be furious, turning the Lin family into enemies. Relatives will become foes, and endless fighting will follow. All this squabbling and fighting is just to purge the bitterness stuck in our throats—what's the point?" Xiulan raised her head and looked quietly at Lin Jinlou. "Today, the truth has come to light, and I won't die an unjustified death; half of the weight in my heart has been lifted. Of course I am annoyed and resentful, but medicine once swallowed cannot be vomited back out. Why torment myself with daily hatred over this? Let it be behind us sooner." She paused again before continuing, "If the fifth Jiang miss comes to apologize, she doesn't need to kneel. Apologizing is only right and proper, but kneeling is a humiliation. It's just that I don't have that kind of magnanimity—I never want to see her again in this lifetime. When she comes to apologize, have her stand behind a screen." She raised her head as she spoke, locking eyes with Lin Jinlou, and saw his eyes fixed on her like two deep, quiet pools of water.

Xiulan's heart skipped a beat, and she hurriedly lowered her gaze. Her words struck a chord with Madam Qin, who secretly praised Xiulan for understanding the bigger picture. Her pity for the girl grew even stronger, and she patted Xiulan's hand, saying, "I am glad you have such broad-mindedness. With me here to call the shots for you, the Jiang family won't be let off easily after pulling such a shameful stunt." She personally picked up the soup bowl and fed Xiulan more soup.

At that moment, Shuran came in to announce that Jiang Shangxian had arrived. Lin Jinlou stood up and walked out, and Madam Qin, unable to set her mind at ease, followed him out as well. As soon as the two of them left, Xiaojuan, Lingqing, and Xuening filed in to wait on her. Seeing that Xiulan seemed to be fast asleep, Huashan tucked in the quilt edges, let down the bed curtains, and said softly, "So we're just going to let the Jiang family issue an apology and sweep this under the rug?"

Lingqing tossed two pieces of plum-blossom scented incense into an enamel-painted maiden jar, closed the lid, and sighed softly, "Auntie is good at everything, but she's just too soft-tempered."

Xuening said, "Things have already reached this point, and Auntie shouldn't have stepped forward herself. She should leave it to Madam and the eldest master."

Xiaojuan said, "That's true, but it still doesn't sit well in my heart."

Xiulan opened her eyes and stared at the top of the canopy. How could her heart sit well? Yet having been through so many knocks and blows, she was no longer that sharp, fierce girl who indulged her impulses in self-pity and tears. She had no desire to play the aggrieved victim or put on a pitiful act to provoke Lin Jinlou into bringing down a storm of sword and frost upon the Jiang family, nor did she wish to stir up trouble or throw a violent tantrum. After all, she was still of this station, and even if the Jiang sisters had done something shameful, they were still daughters of official families. The Lin family masters, including Madam Qin, still had no wish to turn into bitter enemies with the Jiang family. For now, she had the upper hand by relying on the pity of Madam Qin and Lin Jinlou and their willingness to seek justice for her. If she pushed her luck without restraint or refused to let go, she would exhaust the pity of others and produce the opposite of her desired effect. If she was delayed in leaving the Lin family and ended up drawing everyone's disgust, she would sink beyond redemption. Besides, she no longer wanted to weigh herself down with this frustrating mess. Day after day, resentment gnawed at the heart; every time it was brought up, it left one fuming with frustration and grinding one's teeth—that was merely torturing oneself.

She wanted to keep her heart clean.

So let it end here.

She parted the bed curtains, called Xiaojuan over, and asked, "Where is Chunling?"

Xiaojuan replied, "She's still locked up in the utility room."

Xiulan said, "Bring her here."

Xiaojuan had no choice but to go. Before long, two matrons dragged Chunling in. Her face looked like gold leaf, her hair was disheveled, and the blood from her buttocks had soaked through her skirt. She could only crawl on the ground to pay her respects, looking truly pitiful.

The moment Chunling saw Xiulan, she burst into tears. "Auntie, spare my life! Remembering the time I once saved your life in the past, please spare me this once..." She choked up and could not finish.

Xiulan ordered someone to hoist Chunling onto a spring bench, offered her a bowl of tea, and instructed Xuening to tidy up Chunling's hair before suddenly asking, "How did you and I, who once knew each other so well, end up like this?"

Chunling bit her lip in silence, a look of resentment and grievance flashing through her eyes.

Xiulan let out a long sigh and said, "So be it." She ordered a chest to be brought over and said to Chunling, "Inside are your belongings from the mansion, all packed up properly. Along with them is your contract of indenture. I am also giving you some loose silver coins—consider yourself released. I heard your older brother is at an estate on the outskirts of the capital; I'll have him come pick you up tomorrow morning."

Chunling was stunned, then tears streamed down her face. She had expected either to lose her life or be sold off. This outcome exceeded her wildest expectations. She pressed her forehead against the spring bench, kowtowing repeatedly, and choked out, "Thank you, Auntie, for your grace! Thank you, Auntie, for your grace..."

Xiulan said, "Take good care of yourself from now on."

The two matrons carried Chunling out. Just as they were about to step out of Changchun Hall, Xiaojuan couldn't help saying, "Chunling, did you know? Back when Auntie wanted you to brew medicine for Lingsu, the rest of us knew you were close with Fifth Miss Xiyun and tried to talk Auntie out of it. But Auntie said that giving you the task of brewing medicine meant you would naturally understand her heart, and she still trusted you deeply... yet in the end, you still let her down."

Chunling lay prone on the spring bench in silence.

Xiaojuan pushed open the courtyard gate and said, "Forget it. Matters have come to this, and saying more is useless. Let's go."

The gate creaked as the matrons carried Chunling out, disappearing beyond the second gate. As Xiaojuan closed the gate, she noticed a few damp spots on the ground, resembling tearstains.