Against the Current - Chapter 319

Chapter 319 - Miaozhi

After the first lunar month had passed, the Emperor personally dispatched a leading eunuch to the Lin residence to inquire about the illness and bestowed numerous gifts. Furthermore, he summoned Lin Changzheng back to the capital, seemingly intending to confer upon him the title of Grand Academician. The Crown Prince also frequently summoned imperial physicians to inquire about Lin Jinlou's injuries. Even though Lin Jinlou was growing better by the day, the physicians dared not slacken in the slightest, fearing any misstep. They traveled to the Lin residence one trip after another, constantly changing their decoctions to recuperate Lin Jinlou's health. With the Lin family's prestige flourishing at its peak, visitors coming to pay their respects formed an endless stream.

Everyone knew that Lin Jinlou's temper was difficult to manage, but upon hearing that his deeply favored beloved concubine was gentle and accommodating, female family members came to cozy up to Xianglan. These were all ladies of the fourth and fifth ranks holding official titles, and in terms of age, they were old enough to be Xianglan's mother or grandmother. Yet they treated Xianglan like a spring breeze, cordially addressing her as a sister. When Xianglan recalled how, back when she was a maidservant, she had been surrounded by cold and disdainful faces, and how those same faces were now wreathed in flattering smiles, this fickle shifting of the world's sentiment truly gave one cause to sigh.

Since Lin Changzheng was about to return to the capital, Madam Qin hurriedly instructed Lin Jinting to oversee the remodeling of the quarters and the replanting of flowers and grass. At the same time, worrying that her husband and eldest son would inevitably clash, she specifically went to Lin Jinlou to admonish him, telling him to "restrain your temperament and give your father fewer reasons to anger." Lin Jinlou listened with half an ear; while he held a certain awe and respect for his old man, what he dreaded most was his grandfather, Lin Zhaoxiang. Earlier, when he was recovering from his injuries, Lin Jinting had come scurrying over to pass along words, telling him that his grandfather was currently furious with him on account of Su Meiru's affair. Although this matter was no longer mentioned afterward, Lin Zhaoxiang still occasionally dropped by to check on his recovery, always wearing a stern face without a hint of warmth. Lin Jinlou could not help but beat the drums in his heart, knowing he certainly could not escape a severe scolding this time.

To everyone's surprise, before a few days had passed and even before Lin Changzheng had arrived, Lin Changmin arrived instead with his family. As it turned out, Lin Changmin had his own calculations. During this period, a gang of river bandits who had seized the opportunity of Lin Jinlou's trip to the capital had bribed Su Meiru to act as a go-between, introducing them to Lin Changmin with all manner of bribes. Taking advantage of his status as Lin Jinlou's second uncle and an official, Lin Changmin had smuggled goods, turned a blind eye to river pirates murdering and burning, and amassed a massive fortune. Now, seeing that Lin Jinlou was recovering and about to return to Jiangling, and realizing that he would no longer be able to easily meddle in the canal transport, he could not help but feel deeply vexed. Su Meiru offered a strategy, saying, "The power of the Lin family is currently like the blazing midday sun. Why don't you also go to the capital to cultivate connections and secure a promotion to the rank of Inspector General of Canal Transport? Once you attain that position, whatever comes after will be entirely justified and proper." Lin Changmin deeply agreed, smilingly telling Su Meiru, "My dearest Qingqing, you truly are my military strategist." Thus, he had traveled up to the capital.

Madam Qin, leading Xianglan, stood at the ceremonial gate to welcome them. From the leading carriage carrying Lin Changmin, she saw a remarkably pretty woman step out, her layered emerald cloud-like hair shining, her powdered face blooming with spring vitality, moving with graceful, swaying steps. Xianglan could not help being slightly startled. Then, looking toward the rear carriage, she saw Wang's hand being supported as she emerged. Her face was pale and haggard, so thin her chin had grown sharp, and her eyes were swollen like walnuts, as if she had just been crying. Supporting Wang was a young woman of about seventeen or eighteen years of age, wearing a gold-threaded eight-treasure bun adorned with gold-inlaid emerald plum hairpins, her cloud-like temples decorated with numerous floral and kingfisher-feather ornaments. She wore a yellowish-brown brocade cape, her figure slightly full, with a full moon-like face, a pair of dark, lustrous eyes, and a natural smile at the corners of her mouth. Her appearance was exceptionally sweet yet carried an implicit spring-like majesty. Even if she was not an absolute beauty, she was remarkably pleasing to the eye. This person was none other than Lin Jinting's newly wedded wife, née Li, whose personal name was Miaozhi.

Madam Qin hurried forward, grasped Wang's hand, and cried out in dismay, "My dear sister, it has only been a few months, how did you become like this? Have you contracted some ailment?"

Upon hearing these words, Wang was on the verge of tears once again. She drew out her handkerchief to wipe her eyes, while Li Miaozhi quickly stepped forward to offer a greeting, smiling as she said, "Troubling First Aunt to worry. Mother simply endured the fatigue of the journey; a good rest and she will be fine." She added with a smile, "Yuan'er came along as well, but he fell asleep just now in the carriage behind. Later, I'll have the wet nurse carry him over to Aunt's quarters."

Seeing Li Miaozhi exchange a meaningful glance, Madam Qin immediately understood and ceased her inquiries, simply taking Wang's hand as they walked inward. Xianglan thought to herself, "Third Young Master's newly wedded wife is truly sharp-witted in every look and gesture, living up entirely to the character 'Miao' in her name." Slightly turning her head, she happened to catch the beautiful matron outside the second gate glancing toward her. Their gazes met, and the woman looked her up and down, staring straight at her. Xianglan thought inwardly, "The maids and older women were gossiping about Second Master taking a new concubine; this must be her. She is truly a beauty."

Madam Qin first ushered Wang and the others into the courtyard where she resided, exchanging a few preliminary words of warmth before introducing Xianglan and Li Miaozhi to one another. Li Miaozhi stepped forward to take Xianglan's hand, looked her over with a smile, and said to Madam Qin, "I only caught a glimpse of her on my wedding day and regretted not being able to get close to her then. Now, her great name has become like thunder in my ears. Who doesn't know that Miss Xianglan is blessed with flower-like beauty and renowned as a great talented woman? When I caught that hasty glimpse of her before and heard others praising her, I assumed it was mere exaggeration and hearsay. But seeing her today, I finally understand what is meant by 'hearing a hundred times is inferior to seeing once.' If anything, the rumors probably understated her."

Xianglan inwardly marveled at how Li Miaozhi could effortlessly build rapport with others in just a few words, flattering to the utmost without causing the slightest discomfort. She replied, "Third Young Madam flatters me undeservedly..."

Li Miaozhi smiled and said, "I am certainly not flattering you undeservedly. This bearing of yours is even more dignified than the daughters of dukes and marquises—you look precisely like a fairy descended to the mortal realm."

Not being accustomed to such enthusiastic warmth from someone she was meeting for the first time, Xianglan could only say, "My humble appearance is hardly fit for grand occasions; it is all thanks to Madam's careful instruction."

Li Miaozhi immediately looked at Madam Qin with a smile and said, "First Aunt truly knows how to cultivate people. Perhaps you can mold me as well one of these days."

This remark amused Madam Qin, who patted Li Miaozhi's hand repeatedly and chuckled, "You little monkey, I only fear that keeping you cooped up before my eyes would make you feel constrained." Then, turning to Xianglan, she said, "Good child, I've set aside a few fine bolts of fabric for Miao. Accompany her to take a look." Knowing that Madam Qin deliberately wanted to clear the room, Xianglan led Li Miaozhi away.

True enough, seven or eight bolts of various silk and fine cotton fabrics were piled high on the large heated brick kang in the parlor. Dismissing the maidservants, Li Miaozhi promptly slumped onto the kang, massaging her waist and legs with one hand while saying, "This journey has nearly killed me; my bones feel practically scattered. And having to put on airs just now..." Catching Xianglan watching her, she let out an amused, winking smile.

Xianglan could not help but laugh as well. Li Miaozhi spoke her mind directly, laughed heartily, and even when deliberately putting on airs, she managed not to appear obnoxious. Xianglan poured a cup of tea with her own hands and brought it over. With an exclamation of "Oh dear," Li Miaozhi hurriedly scrambled up, waving her hands and saying, "I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare! How could I ever allow Sister Xianglan to pour tea for me?" She accepted the teacup, placed it on a small table, clasped her fists in a salute, and declared, "All along the road, stopping at taverns and tea stations, I've heard all about it—you are truly a heroine among women."

Curious, Xianglan asked, "What have you heard?"

Li Miaozhi looked surprised and said, "You don't know? There is currently a popular storybook circulating outside called The Biography of the Recluse Xianglan, consisting of eighteen chapters. Storytellers and opera troupes are performing it everywhere. From the time you rescued the Second Aunt in the Lin family, suffered jealousy and were sold off, risked your life to save your father, guarded your master loyally during a night stay at a mountain temple, all the way to saving the Eldest Young Master in the dense forest—it's all laid out line by line in the plays and books."

Xianglan was momentarily stunned.

Li Miaozhi smiled and said, "Tomorrow I'll have someone round up a complete set for you to look at. Lines like 'Evening breeze ushers in the dusk, starry skies fill the vast firmament, yet alas, the jade beauty remains unseen' are exquisitely refined—not something ordinary street folk could write... I hear you excel at painting as well. When you have some leisure tomorrow, would you mind presenting me with a couple of scrolls?"

While Xianglan gave verbal assent, her thoughts had already drifted to The Biography of the Recluse Xianglan.

Meanwhile, back in Madam Qin's quarters, Wang had begun weeping even before she could speak. After crying for a spell, she sobbed, "Ever since Old Master left for the capital, the Master has grown even more uninhibited. He keeps that little vixen in his study, providing her with the finest food and drink, and even forces the entire household to address her as 'Madam.' All of that I endured. But this matter eventually stirred up unsightly gossip, and when I gently offered a few words of persuasion, it only earned me a beating... When that little vixen sees me, she doesn't even bother to greet me; she just walks past with her chin in the air, deliberately driving me to fall ill. And then she instigates others to claim I am feigning illness on purpose... on top of all that, she uses every possible means to urge the Master to divorce me."

Madam Qin flew into a rage and said, "Outrageous! Have they completely lost their minds? Are you just going to sit back and let yourself be bullied and pushed around like this?"

Wang wept, "The Master listens exclusively to her. In his eyes, I am not even as good as a servant. Weeping is a crime, smiling is a crime; if a single word doesn't suit his mood, it's beating and cursing all over again. At times like this, I wish I could just slit my throat and be done with it."

Madam Qin rebuked her with exasperated disappointment, "You, oh you! When will you ever change this temperament of yours? On matters where you ought to be firm, you let things slide, but when it's something you shouldn't fuss over, you stubbornly dig in your heels. You are the legal wife—you must never think like that! You need to fight for your own dignity. Besides, you still have Grandfather and Grandmother to back you up; they will never allow that little vixen to run so wild! Stop talking about seeking death at every turn—don't forget you still have Ting'er. He is a filial child, and you will still enjoy his blessings for a long time to come."

Wang wiped her tears and said, "If not for Ting'er, I wouldn't have stayed alive this long." Pausing for a moment, she added, "There is one more matter I must lay bare to you, Sister, and I must trouble you to lend a hand."

Madam Qin asked, "What is it?"

Wang lowered her voice and said, "I brought Ling'er along."

Madam Qin was startled out of her wits. "Why on earth did you bring her here? What if someone sees her? We've already announced to the outside world that she is dead—even her funeral was held!"

Wang's tears began to flow again. "She is a daughter I raised with every bitter hardship; how could I bear to let her spend her entire life stuck away on an estate, only to end up marrying some peasant farmer in the end? Even if she made mistakes—Big Sister, you are a mother too; you should know that children are a mother's flesh and blood. How could I have the heart? Before coming, I went to the estate to visit her. Her eyes were filled with tears as she pitifully tugged at my sleeve, begging me repeatedly to return quickly and not forget her. I... I... it breaks my heart..."

Madam Qin patted Wang's shoulder, sighed, and said, "Stop crying. Since you've already brought her, where is she settled right now?"

Wang said, "I had her veil her face and told everyone she is a daughter of a family friend who is practicing asceticism while retaining her secular status at our ancestral temple. Bringing her here this time is also because I remember our family still has several relatives in the capital, some of whom have promising sons. I don't dare hope for wealth and status like Xiuer's; I only want to find her a decent family to marry into. Even if they are poor, I will provide them with a house and land—a few thousand taels of silver is a small price to pay for peace and safety, which is true happiness. Furthermore, if she marries in the capital, no one will know her past, and she can live more freely. I beg you, Sister, to help me scout for a suitable candidate and arrange this for us."

Though Madam Qin already felt a deep aversion toward Lin Dongling, looking at Wang's haggard face, all the words on the tip of her tongue dissolved into a long, heavy sigh as she gently nodded.