Against the Current - Chapter 320

Chapter 320 - Encounter 

Two days later, Lin Jinlou's condition had improved significantly, making it necessary for him to make a trip to the military camp. He had originally intended just to check in and return right away, but following the rebellion, the personnel in the military had shifted several times. Aside from imperial appointments, there were also reserve candidates, causing officers of all ranks to rush about eagerly upon hearing the news. Lin Jinlou inevitably had to spend time socializing and paving the way for the various martial generals seeking to place themselves under his banner. What with one thing and another, he was delayed for seven or eight days. This time around, however, he was eager to return home as an arrow flying to its mark, sending letters home day after day and instructing Xianglan to write to him as well. Yet Xianglan was sparing with her brush and ink, always finishing matters on a single sheet of paper. Lin Jinlou grew somewhat restless; during the day he kept busy and managed to distract himself, but at night—especially amidst a house full of distinguished guests, the music of strings and flutes, and the clinking of goblets—this scene, which he had once navigated with effortless ease, had now become entirely unbearable. Finding himself profoundly bored and refusing to drink, he merely turned a wine cup over and over in his hands, staring blankly at the hanging scroll on the wall.

The several companions who had come along were all seasoned veterans of the official world. Seeing the expression on Lin Jinlou's face, they could not help exchanging glances, assuming they had failed to wait upon this formidable Buddha properly. One military major with the surname Wei raised his wine cup first, his face beaming with a spring breeze as he said, "We have long heard of General Lin's mighty reputation, and that your capacity for wine is truly oceanic. Before you arrived just now, several of the young ladies present were already speaking your praises several times over. It just goes to show that since ancient times, beauties love heroes. Come, come, take turns pouring a few cups for General Lin. Whether the General is happy today depends entirely on the few of you."

An occasion of this sort naturally required the accompaniment of powdered beauties. Seated among them were four famous courtesans, all of renown in the capital. Hearing this, they could not help bursting into dainty giggles, raising wine cups in their delicate hands as they stepped forward to offer a toast. At the sight of this array, Lin Jinlou smiled at Major Wei and said, "This won't do at all. Taking turns to toast me like this—it looks as though you intend for me to walk in upright and be carried out horizontally."

Stroke his mustache, Major Wei let out a hearty laugh and said, "General Lin, we've heard it said long ago that last year you single-handedly drank the Three Tigers of Shanxi under the table. Could these few flower-like lasses possibly be your match? Quick, Qingyi, hurry up and fill General Lin's cup."

The youthful beauty seated beside Lin Jinlou had already filled a cup to the brim for him, presenting it to him with both hands as she smiled gently, "Please, General Lin."

Lin Jinlou narrowed his eyes to look at her. The young woman appeared to be around sixteen or seventeen, wearing a three-feng pearl hairpin with her temples exposed, and three green cosmetic floral stickers on her forehead, which only served to accentuate her powdered face and glossy hair. She possessed eyebrows like spring mountains, eyes resembling autumn ripples, a fair complexion, and a slender waist. Dressed in a rouge-colored robe with full sleeves and a gold-threaded leaf-patterned gauze skirt, a closer look revealed that she bore a striking resemblance to Xianglan in certain respects. It was clear these people had spared no effort, having long since figured out his preferences.

Qingyi blushed slightly, lowering her gaze as she remained silent.

Someone nearby, having long caught on to the implication, chimed in with a playful smile, "General Lin has been resting at home lately and paying little heed to affairs of romance. Miss Qingyi here comes from another province, and now there is no one in the capital who does not know of her. She is proficient in the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting in every aspect, and is especially skilled in singing and playing."

Major Wei quickly chimed in, "Qingyi, serve him well today. Didn't you say just now that you held General Lin in great admiration? If the General doesn't show some leniency, it will quite ruin your reputation."

Qingyi raised her wine cup, a smile that was both sweet and faint playing across her face as she said, "General Lin, I have always heard that you are a man who knows how to cherish jade and pity flowers. I hope you will grace us by draining this cup and showing some pity for us."

Lin Jinlou smiled with his eyes half-closed, extending an index finger to push the wine vessel away as he said, "When I left home, I received endless instructions and warnings: my injuries are not yet fully healed, so I am not permitted to drink. It's not that this lord doesn't pity you, but rather that the one in my quarters is spoiled beyond reason. If she sees me drink to the point of great intoxication, she'll end up shedding tears for half the night afterward. Besides, it's just after the first lunar month; I wouldn't want to bring displeasure to the elders."

The company was somewhat dumbfounded, and Qingyi's expression turned rather awkward. Major Wei hastened to smooth things over, saying, "It's no matter. If you get drunk tonight, you can simply rest right here..."

Without paying him any mind, Lin Jinlou directly picked up his teacup and said, "I have already offered three cups to everyone just now. For this round, I shall substitute tea for wine."

The Overlord Lin had always been a man of his word. Among those present, some had wanted to crack jokes and cajole Lin Jinlou into changing back to wine, but one look at his face robbed them of their nerve, and they obediently raised their cups to finish this round.

Setting down his teacup, Lin Jinlou excused himself from the table and walked straight out to the veranda, lifting his face to the starry sky to let out a long breath of stale air. The moment Qingyi offered him the toast, his thoughts had flown to Xianglan. Xianglan would never smile with such alluring charm, nor would she flirt with her eyes; she rarely even touched wine. When she smiled, she was like a blossoming pear flower. Before his departure this time, she had admonished him: "Your body is not yet fully recovered, so drink less wine." Just thinking of this brought an involuntary warmth of joy to his heart. Then he recalled Xianglan's brows and eyes, and the things she had said—especially during the days of his illness when she had kept constant watch by his side, often smiling for him to see. Dwelling on these thoughts, he found he could no longer stay put. He walked back inside and announced, "Gentlemen, I truly must apologize. Word has just arrived from home regarding an urgent matter, and I must return at once."

Major Wei, still suspecting that Lin Jinlou was dissatisfied, stood up hurriedly and said, "No, no, can it be that our hospitality has been lacking in some way?"

Lin Jinlou smiled and said, "There is genuinely an urgent matter at the manor. If I return too late, I fear it will be difficult to give an account to my elders." With those words, he offered a banquet to make amends for another day and hurried off.

By the time he returned to the Lin residence, it was already the third watch. The gates of the various courtyards had all been bolted, and Xianglan had long since gone to sleep. Refusing to let anyone make a commotion, Lin Jinlou simply washed up hastily outside, changed his clothes, and parted the bed curtains to take a look. He saw Xianglan lying there obediently curled up in the quilt, her dark hair spilled across half the pillow. Lin Jinlou slipped beneath the covers, drew her into his embrace, and Xianglan stirred, waking up with a drowsy, muffled question, "Who is it?"

Pressing close to her ear, Lin Jinlou murmured, "It's me."

Rubbing her eyes, Xianglan struggled to sit up and asked, "Eldest Master? How is it that you've returned?"

Still holding her tight in his arms, Lin Jinlou smiled with a chuckle, "Haven't seen you in all these days—did you miss me?" With that, he planted a heavy kiss on Xianglan's cheek and added, "I missed you."

"...Are your wounds healed? Does it still itch?"

Seizing Xianglan's hand, Lin Jinlou guided it into his own embrace and laughed in a low voice, "It does itch. Help me scratch it." Having said that, he leaned in and kissed her again.

In the middle of the night, Xiaojuan draped an outer garment over her shoulders and walked on tiptoe to the doorway of the bedchamber. She found Lingshu and Huashan keeping watch outside. Lingshu had her ears perked up, listening intently toward the room, while Huashan was nodding off with sleepiness. Xiaojuan gave Lingshu a gentle nudge and whispered, "What are you listening for? Go and boil some water to have it ready." Lingshu responded with a cheeky smile and hurried off. Sitting down, Xiaojuan let out a long breath and murmured to herself, "Amitabha, with this trial behind her, our Xianglan has truly had her calamities erased and her blessings renewed."

For a time, all was quiet. The next morning, while Xianglan was still asleep, Lin Jinlou rose, changed his clothes, and went out to the garden to practice his boxing. By the time he finished a set of Eight Diagrams boxing, he was already drenched in sweat. Just as he was wiping himself down with a towel, he caught sight of four or five maidservants a short distance away, clustering around a heavily pregnant matron who was strolling leisurely toward them. The woman wore a silver-threaded bun adorned with a jade centerpiece, heavy makeup, and a magnificent silk gown; it was none other than Su Meiru. This was the very first time the two of them had encountered one another within the Lin residence. Lin Jinlou straightened his posture. Su Meiru could not help starting slightly, then came to a halt. Surprisingly composed, a full smile blooming on her face, she offered a slight, graceful curtsy to Lin Jinlou before acting as though nothing were amiss and continuing on toward another path, supported by her little maid.

Lin Jinlou raised an eyebrow. Shuran was standing nearby, watching her nose and heart in quiet contemplation. She was, of course, well aware of Lin Jinlou's past romantic entanglements, and seeing Su Meiru's composure just now, she felt genuine admiration. Noticing Lin Jinlou beckon to her, Shuran hurried over and heard him ask, "You've had people keeping an eye on this woman lately—how has she been?"

Shuran replied, "She's been peacefully tending to her pregnancy, never coming to Changchun Hall, nor provoking our Young Madam, keeping her distance whenever she sees her. During this period, the Elder Eldest Sister has frequently visited the manor to observe mourning for Imperial Concubine Yin. Going back and forth, she has had some dealings with Concubine Su, though they don't appear overly close. She is a woman of formidable methods. I heard that she once regretted attaching herself to the Second Master, but later on she must have figured things out and changed her tune, using every possible means to coax the Second Master. And a man like the Second Master actually let himself be completely wrapped around her finger. She frequently eggs the Second Master on to hold a grudge against the Second Madam. The Second Madam has grievances she cannot voice, and from time to time comes to weep before the First Madam. But after all, it's a matter within the Second Master's quarters; the First Madam lacks proper standing and authority to interfere."

Astute as Lin Jinlou was, he grasped the situation immediately. With a cold chuckle, he remarked, "This little vixen—I knew all along her ambitions weren't small, which is why I kept my distance. Now her appetite is growing larger by the day, but unfortunately, her temperament is far too impatient. I only fear she has the ambition without the life to enjoy it." He then instructed Shuran, "Let her make all the fuss she likes, just make sure none of that filth fouls Xianglan's ears." Shuran hastened to assent.

Meanwhile, Su Meiru walked away from the vicinity of Lin Jinlou with her head held high and a radiant expression. But the moment she rounded a stack of rockery, her face instantly darkened. Her eyes filled with unshed tears, and her hands trembled slightly as she gripped her handkerchief so tightly that the veins on the back of her hands stood out. Catching sight of Lin Jinlou just now, she had felt as though her very internal organs were pressing up into her throat, her heart a tangled knot of grief, joy, ache, and bitterness. This was the man she had loved with all her heart, the man she had traveled thousands of miles to Jinling to seek out—yet he could treat her with such callous indifference! And yet, despite it all, her heart still yearned for him. Now, let alone seeing him, even hearing his name made her start as if electrified. The moment she laid eyes on him just now, her only impulse had been to weep, kick, bite, and demand an explanation from him, only to fling herself into his arms and beg for his pity.

At that moment, her little maid spoke up anxiously, "Young Madam, what is wrong with you? You're trembling so—could you be ill?"

Taking a harsh, deep breath, Su Meiru stretched out both hands to smooth her temples and blinked back the tears in her eyes. Indeed, having come this far, she was like a river-crossing pawn that could only advance and never retreat. No matter how many merits Lin Jinlou possessed, they were now like yesterday's withered flowers. Stumbling so painfully over him had taught her a single truth: men are entirely untrustworthy, and in the end, one can only rely upon oneself. Status and silver were the sole things to depend upon; they were the foundation of a life of glory and wealth! She placed a hand over her belly and gently stroked it. Here lay the very roots of her survival and standing; by virtue of this child, the Lin family could not drive her out. As long as she kept a tight grip on Lin Changmin, the day of her own rise to prominence would surely come!

Slowly exhaling that breath, she rested her hand once more upon the maid's arm, gazed ahead, and said, "It's nothing. I am quite well. Let's go."