Against the Current - Chapter 332

Chapter 332 - Handling (Part 3)

Watching from the side, Xianglan felt somewhat dazed, and could not help marveling at Jiang Xiyun's formidable methods. She had originally thought that only Su Meiru was capable of turning black into white, but she never imagined that Jiang Xiyun would outmatch her by a whole tier. Singing, reciting, acting, and dancing—her delivery of voice, expression, and emotion was complete perfection. She had allowed the entire matter to blow over with a light touch, all while simultaneously playing the weak victim and pleading pitifully. That tear-streaked appearance, resembling a dewy peony blossom, was more than enough to wrench anyone's heartstrings.

While the two of them knelt on the floor and wept with heart-wrenching sorrow, Lin Zhaoxiang did not utter a single word. His hand tightened its grip around the carved mythical beast head on his cane as he turned slightly to Qin Shi and instructed, "Su Yiniang is carrying a child and cannot remain kneeling for long. Help her back to her rooms to rest. After making such a scene for half the day, I fear her health may have been affected; have a physician come over to examine her." Qin Shi acknowledged the order and promptly commanded four matrons to step forward and escort Su Meiru away.

Though Su Meiru was filled with bitter unwillingness, she no longer dared to throw a tantrum, and could only cover her face and leave while weeping softly.

Jiang Xiyun was somewhat taken aback, not expecting Lin Zhaoxiang to dismiss her without asking a single question. Instead, she heard Lin Zhaoxiang say to her, "Miss Xi, you should also go to the floral hall to rest." Before Qin Shi could even move, Shuran, with her quick wits and sharp eyes, immediately stepped forward to pull and support Jiang Xiyun to her feet. A slight, pleasant smile played across her face as she said, "Miss Xi, please come this way; I shall escort you to a bowl of hot tea." With that, moving with brisk steps, she half-coaxed and half-guided Jiang Xiyun out of the room.

Once the two of them had departed, the room felt more than half emptied, leaving behind only Wan, Qi, Xiu, Miao, along with Qin Shi and Xianglan. Lin Zhaoxiang turned back to the maidservants and matrons, instructing, "All of you outside as well." Knowing that Lin Zhaoxiang had matters to discuss, Hongjian hurriedly led the female servants out, pulled the door shut behind her, and sat down on a small embroidered stool not far away to keep watch over the entrance.

Seeing that everyone else had cleared out, Lin Zhaoxiang finally let out a long breath. His cane struck the floor with a dull thud, and he said, "Now, let us close the doors and discuss our family scandals."

Xianglan felt her eyelids twitch slightly. Only now did she realize that Lin Zhaoxiang had never once regarded Su Meiru as a true member of the Lin family. Standing here in the room still, a complex mix of emotions suddenly washed over her.

Lin Zhaoxiang sighed slowly. "Over the years, first I was bogged down by endless documents and chaotic political affairs, unable to attend to matters big and small within the household. After my retirement, thinking that my children were all grown and possessed their own destinies and fortunes, I grew lazy regarding domestic affairs. Naturally, those in charge of household duties exercised the power of control and deprivation. I had foolishly assumed that even if there were those among my children and grandchildren who liked to stir up tempers and make a fuss, their basic moral conduct and adherence to rules remained sound. Never did I imagine things would degenerate to this state! Today, I feel a piercing grief in my heart, and I am utterly ashamed before our ancestors!"

As soon as these words fell, Qin Shi had already lost half her soul in shock. With tears brimming in her eyes, she dropped to her knees and pleaded, "Please calm your anger, Old Master. All these domestic faults stem entirely from this daughter-in-law's lack of careful oversight and dereliction of duty. Since I no longer have a place to stand, I beg the Old Master to punish me."

Following Qin Shi's lead, everyone else in the room dropped to their knees as well, chorusing, "Please calm your anger, Old Master. It is this granddaughter who was in the wrong," or "It is this granddaughter-in-law who was in the wrong."

Lin Zhaoxiang swept his gaze across each of their faces in turn. "By right, married-off daughters are like poured-out water, and those who return are esteemed guests who should always be welcomed with open arms. There is never any reason to have you kneeling here and confessing your faults. Yet today's farce was utterly preposterous; if your words and actions were brought back to your husbands' households, it would only serve to smear the Lin family's name. Rather than letting outsiders point fingers at your spines behind your backs, it is better for me to discipline you right here today. Since you all admit your wrongdoing—First Girl, tell me, where do you think you went wrong?"

Lin Dongwan's heart had been fluttering anxiously since earlier, as she had no idea how much Lin Zhaoxiang actually knew. Hearing her name called, she suffered a sharp jolt. She raised her head, intending to force a smile, but upon seeing Lin Zhaoxiang's pitch-black, stern countenance—resembling an official conducting a three-court trial—she quickly wiped the smile from her face and stammered, "Granddaughter... granddaughter should not have quarreled with her sisters." Having uttered this, Lin Dongwan felt her courage return somewhat. Being naturally articulate and glib, she continued fluently, "I am the eldest, and it is only right that I should make concessions to my younger sisters. Even teeth occasionally bite the tongue, and it is inevitable that sisters might occasionally exchange a sharp word or two and feel out of sorts, only for things to patch themselves up a few days later. What harm is there in letting a sister vent her anger with a few words? It was simply my own narrow-mindedness." Having finished this speech, she turned to Lin Dongxiu with a smile and said, "Good sister, please don't hold a grudge against me; your elder sister offers you her sincere apology."

Lin Dongxiu, however, let out a cold snort, a look of bitter mockery crossing her face as she turned her head slightly to the side. Clearly, she refused to buy into the performance.

Lin Dongwan's expression froze, leaving her hanging awkwardly in mid-air, though a surge of secret satisfaction bubbled up inside her. She thought to herself, Go ahead and throw your unruly tantrums. The more arrogant and obnoxious you are, the less the Old Master will favor you, and he will see that I was the one truly being wronged all along.

Lin Zhaoxiang shifted his gaze to Lin Dongxiu and asked, "Your elder sister has offered you an apology. What do you have to say?"

Lin Dongxiu had originally intended to put on a gesture of reconciliation with Lin Dongwan, but she simply could not suppress the burning fire in her chest. Straightening her neck, she retorted, "She is merely avoiding the heavy and dwelling on the light! Right now, she puts on the air of a magnanimous elder sister, but not a single thing she has done carries the demeanor of one. Now she's playing the saint here again—this apology of hers is something I have no use for!"

Hearing this tone, Qin Shi could not help interjecting, "What more do you want? Must you tear down all family decency between sisters and treat each other like absolute strangers?"

That was precisely what Lin Dongxiu had in mind. She cast a glance at Lin Zhaoxiang, feeling a slight flutter of cowardice in her heart, but remembering that she was now, after all, a noble marquis's lady—no longer the lowly concubine-born daughter in the family who had walked on eggshells behind her sisters—a sudden surge of reckless courage welled up within her. Staring directly into Lin Zhaoxiang's eyes, she declared, "Granddaughter believes that for a family to gather together is a matter of predestined affinity, which naturally should be cherished. However, there are no everlasting feasts under heaven. When interacting with relatives in the future, naturally we should draw closer to those who bring us joy and keep our distance from those who do not. Those who treat me like a sister and treat me with genuine sincerity, I will acknowledge as sisters. But as for those who harbor deceitful intentions and constantly scheme against others, it is far better to keep them at a respectful distance."

The moment these words left her mouth, a teacup came flying through the air with a swift whoosh. With a sharp crack, it struck Lin Dongxiu right on the temple. Tea liquor splashed in all directions, soaking her head and face, and Lin Dongxiu was instantly stunned into complete silence.

Lin Zhaoxiang's complexion turned icy and grim as he raised his cane, pointing it straight at Lin Dongxiu while his arm trembled with rage. "You ungrateful wretch! I am not yet dead, and the Lin family has not yet fallen, yet you dare to stage a performance of familial discord right before my very eyes!"

Everyone in the room was struck dumb with shock, not daring to utter a single sound. Lin Dongxiu clutched her bleeding temple and lowered her head, not even daring to wipe the tea from her face.

Seizing the opportunity, Lin Dongwan began to sob softly, weeping, "Please calm your anger, Grandfather. It is all granddaughter's fault; please do not punish Fourth Sister..."

Lin Zhaoxiang glanced at her out of the corner of his eye and said, "Enough. You can stop putting on an act here as well."

Lin Dongwan choked back a sob, and the rest of her complaints died instantly in her throat.

Looking directly at her, Lin Zhaoxiang said, "Do not try to play clever tricks in front of me; you must remember that excess is as bad as falling short. When you quarreled with Xiu丫头 (Xiu-丫头 translates to Xiu girl), the root of the trouble originated with you. What was that business with the maritime cargo about? How much extra silver did you extort?"

Lin Dongwan's heart sank. Twisting her handkerchief between her fingers, she stammered and failed to utter a word.

Lin Zhaoxiang cast a look toward Lin Dongqi, who hesitated for a moment before whispering, "Two hundred taels."

Lin Zhaoxiang let out a long sigh, closed his eyes for a moment, and said, "Back then, I should not have remained indifferent and allowed Madam Yin to raise you by her side. You should have turned out to be a young lady of a great household, yet instead, you picked up every vulgar habit of the marketplace!"

Lin Dongwan started, never expecting Lin Zhaoxiang to deliver such a heavy verdict. Overwhelmed by shame, humiliation, and grievance, her eyes quickly filled with tears. Lin Dongxiu, upon hearing these words, felt a wave of relief wash over her. She stopped holding her wounded temple, straightened her back, and listened attentively as Lin Zhaoxiang administered his scolding.

Lin Zhaoxiang shook his head. "Your vision is far too shallow. You weigh profit over righteousness, trading away the bond of sisterhood for a mere two hundred taels of silver. Could it be that the Lu family is truly starving? Or did you take everyone else for fools, thinking they couldn't see through your petty scheming? Human life is defined precisely by these bonds of human warmth and sentiment. When you place silver above affection, you become far too devoid of human feeling—no wonder your sisters felt cold toward you. By chasing after these tiny, immediate gains, snatching this advantage today and grasping that benefit tomorrow, you will eventually find that no one is willing to associate with you. You are cutting off all the roads ahead of you. Remember this saying: 'Those who chase petty gains will never attain lifelong wealth and nobility.' You were born the daughter of a great family; do not lower yourself to the standards of the vulgar!"

Every single word of this speech was laced with a sharp edge. This time, Lin Dongwan was weeping genuinely, hiding her face in her handkerchief as she sobbed and wailed without stopping.

Lin Zhaoxiang shifted his gaze back to Lin Dongxiu. "And among you sisters, you are married to a husband who holds the highest official rank. What is this? Now that you have soared to prominence and changed completely, you no longer even hold me in your eyes?"

Flustered, Lin Dongxiu prostrated herself flat on the floor. "Granddaughter would never dare!"

"Hmph, you wouldn't dare? But that is precisely what you have done! Once tasting success, you've become dizzy with arrogance!" Lin Zhaoxiang's voice boomed like a bronze bell, leaving Lin Dongxiu pinned to the floor, not daring to twitch a muscle. "Ask yourself in your own conscience: if you were still unwed, or if you had married into an ordinary, plain family inferior to your eldest sister's, would you dare to pick a fight with her today? Your confidence today stems entirely from the fact that you feel yourself superior to others, and you no longer regard your brothers and sisters as your equals. When your siblings are not doing as well as you, even if they have faults, you should all the more show consideration and make allowances everywhere. How could you dare to lord your position over them and throw your weight around? If you possessed even a sliver of sisterly affection, you should have guarded your elder sister's dignity in front of outsiders today. I said your eldest sister lacks human feeling, but how much humanity do you possess yourself?" With a heavy thud, his cane struck the floor again as he barked sternly, "You must understand that thirty years on the east side of the river are followed by thirty years on the west side—the fortunes of the world constantly turn. When a person is enjoying success, they must always leave themselves a way out. The people you look down upon today might very well end up standing right above your head tomorrow! Being aggressive and refusing to yield to anyone—how can you ever speak of household harmony? Pull back that arrogant heart of yours, and learn to be more generous and humble in your conduct, lest you make enemies everywhere and find yourself blocked at every turn in the future!"

Tears rolled uncontrollably down Lin Dongxiu's face as she bowed her head, murmuring submissively, "Granddaughter knows she was wrong! I know I was wrong!"

Ignoring Lin Dongxiu further, Lin Zhaoxiang turned his gaze toward Li Miaozhi. Li Miaozhi hurriedly lowered her head, kept her brows knitted together, and knelt properly, her palms completely drenched in cold sweat. Lin Zhaoxiang gave a slight shake of his head. "Second Granddaughter-in-law, I had heard that when you were still in your maiden family, you were raised like a boy—everyone called you 'Miao Ge'—and that you were an absolute master at managing affairs both inside and out. Ever since you married into this family, your mother-in-law has also sung your praises, which brought me great comfort. Your mother-in-law has a weak temperament, and Ting'er has a somewhat flighty disposition; it was vital that he have a capable wife to assist him. Yet today, I am especially disappointed in you. The scene today dissolved into utter chaos; it was your duty to mediate skillfully and pacify the conflict, but for the sake of a private grudge, you instead fanned the flames and nearly pushed things beyond repair. Let me ask you: is the Lin family's dignity more important, or is your own personal satisfaction more important?"

Li Miaozhi stammered, unable to form a reply. Pressing her forehead against the floor, she choked out through her tears, "At the time, this granddaughter-in-law's mind was clouded by phlegm, and my head was addled with anger."

Lin Zhaoxiang stated coldly, "Your mind was not merely clouded by phlegm; your vision was blinded as well. In such a massive household, rather than protecting your own people, you chose to start infighting from within, turning the spear around to point it at your own family. I do not fear external threats; what I fear most is disaster rising from within the walls, where our own people slaughter one another first. Throughout history, how many great families have fallen precisely because of this? No matter how unbearable Su Yiniang may be, she is still your father-in-law's concubine. You should never have allowed outsiders to humiliate her, let alone added fuel to the fire!"

Cold sweat broke out across Li Miaozhi's forehead. Realizing that she had gone too far today, she kowtowed repeatedly to admit her fault.

With a long sigh, Lin Zhaoxiang continued, "Managing a household is no easy task. It is by no means as magnificent and glamorous as it looks from the outside—holding supreme authority and exercising the power of life and death. Within this entire household, there are elders above and juniors below, brothers and sisters on either side, uncles and cousins, sisters-in-law and aunts, alongside servants and runners—altogether dozens or hundreds of mouths. How is one to make them submit? Having intelligence and talent alone is far from sufficient. For a woman sitting in the position of the mistress of the main house, she must possess the heart of a Buddha. If she marries into an aristocratic lineage or climbs into a noble family, she requires even greater wisdom. Relying on sheer intimidation or fawning flattery never lasts long, let alone engaging in endless infighting and scheming, turning a home into a battlefield. Enduring humiliation with gentleness, keeping the overall situation in view—that is the true bearing of a household matriarch. Deeds of kindness and benevolent actions performed in everyday life will cultivate future blessings for days to come. Only by being able to accommodate others can one possess true greatness; only by being able to endure can one possess a broad vision. Only then can one steadily hold the bowl of rice handed to a noble family's wife. Bear this in mind!"

Shock rippled through everyone's hearts as they stood stunned in place, before collectively bowing down to the floor. "Thank you, Grandfather, for your profound teachings," they chorused, adding, "We know our wrongdoings."

Lin Dongxiu could not help recalling the initial quarrel inside the room, when Xianglan had repeatedly spoken with gentle words to try and persuade them, while she herself had blocked her and told her to mind her own business. A strange and inexpressible flavor welled up in her heart, and she could not resist turning her head to look at Xianglan. Xianglan was kneeling near a small table, her brows lowered, revealing only an exceptionally graceful profile.

Her lecture concluded, Lin Zhaoxiang spoke with a weary tone, "Very well, you may all get up. Wan丫头, later on I will have Lou-ge'er find a suitable post for your husband—not necessarily seeking titles and hereditary ranks that pass down to descendants, but something that allows him to stand on his own two feet and support his family. That is far better than you harboring such fierce ambition and resorting to crooked ways to scrape together silver."

This remark instantly brought an unexpected wave of wild joy to Lin Dongwan. Choked with emotion, she cried, "Grandfather..." and made as if to kowtow once more.

Waving his hand, Lin Zhaoxiang said, "That's enough. The birthday banquet has not yet concluded; you should all head to the floral hall." Only then did the group rise to their feet and withdraw one by one. Lin Zhaoxiang called back Lin Dong绮 alone, a look of gratification crossing his features as he said, "Qi girl, you did very well. This demeanor of yours is the only thing that resembles a young lady of breeding raised by the Lin family." Then, his smile fading into a sigh, he added, "It's just that your eldest sister and fourth sister... a magnanimous mindset and broad horizon cannot be cultivated overnight. I fear that even though the two of them claim to submit and make peace with their lips, deep down inside they still harbor bitter grudges. You will need to mediate between them and untie this knot."

Lin Dong绮 readily accepted the task, offering words of reassurance: "Grandfather need not worry so much; everything you said just now was taken to heart by both of them."

Lin Zhaoxiang instructed, "Go and invite the Jiang family girl to come over; I have a few words to speak with her." Acknowledging the command, Lin Dong绮 turned and exited the room.

Moments later, Jiang Xiyun arrived. Standing before Lin Zhaoxiang, she held her handkerchief tightly in her hands, looking exceedingly nervous and ill at ease.

Reaching out, Lin Zhaoxiang pointed a finger at a chair below him. "Sit down."

Jiang Xiyun took a seat. Pouring himself a cup of tea, Lin Zhaoxiang said, "I've considered this over and over—whether or not I should invite you here. After all, you are not a member of our Lin family, and regardless of whether I spoke too deeply or too lightly, it would be highly inappropriate. However, your grandfather and I shared a deep friendship. When he was still alive, I frequently visited the Jiang family, and I practically watched you grow up. Since I am an elder, I shall speak a few words to you."

Jiang Xiyun stood up instantly, curtsying respectfully. Looking at Lin Zhaoxiang with an expression of filial adoration, she replied, "Your junior is ready to listen to your teachings, Grandfather Lin. Please instruct me."