Against the Current - Chapter 333
Chapter 333 - Handling (Part 4)
Lin Zhaoxiang paused for a moment before continuing, "When I received family letters earlier and learned about your sister plotting to administer medicine, I could scarcely believe it. Just then, a trusted old servant happened to tell me about a matter he had heard concerning you. You originally had two maids given to you by your primary stepmother; they were cunning and unruly, refusing to accept discipline. When you wanted to send them away, you feared offending your elders. Therefore, you turned a blind eye to their dissolute behavior and even paved the way for them to stir up trouble, ultimately angering your stepmother. One was brutally beaten and died within a few days, while the other was sold off to a sordid place. From this single incident, I knew that scheming, calculating, and going with the flow to let your elder sister administer the medicine was entirely within reason for you."
Upon hearing these words, Jiang Xiyun's chest heaved violently and her entire body trembled. As past scars were torn open, she could not tell whether she was feeling anger, fear, shame, or vexation. A cold sweat soaked her back, her fingers dug deep into her palms, and her vision blurred completely. It felt as though a solid lump was wedged tightly in her throat—she could neither swallow it nor spit it out—and she felt an urge to scream out loud, completely unaware that her eyes had long since turned bloodshot. Abruptly raising her head to stare at Lin Zhaoxiang, she could no longer restrain herself. Her lips quivering, she nearly failed to string her words together and raised her voice, crying out, "What else could I possibly have done? I am merely a concubine-born daughter. No matter how exceptional I am in every respect, I am always forced to humble myself in every situation. From childhood until now, how many grievances and injustices have I had to endure by playing the fool? I have constantly walked on eggshells, currying favor everywhere. Even the people I detest and loathe, I have had to force myself to smile and humor. If only I were born of the primary wife, how could I have ever been driven to use such a method just to get rid of two maids?! I never wanted to marry into the Lin family, but my family insisted that I do so. I had already accepted my fate, yet with a favored concubine standing right before me, I was expected to spend the second half of my life acting like a mere decorative ornament. I disliked it, yet I was forcefully told to pretend that I loved it! What other choice did I have? I only wanted to live out the rest of my days in peace, I... I..." As she spoke, a continuous stream of tears rolled down her cheeks, and she murmured, "I had no other choice either, I had no other choice either..." Her voice choked with sobs until her words became completely unintelligible.
Looking at Jiang Xiyun, Lin Zhaoxiang slowly asked, "Are you finished?" Then, giving a slight, soft laugh, his previously stern face revealed a trace of pity: "Xi girl, you are as bright as newly fallen snow, and everyone says you possess great strategic depth in your heart. Yet your breadth of vision and judgment ultimately fall short by a tier. No wonder your cleverness has become the very instrument of your undoing."
Jiang Xiyun gave another start, her eyes opening wide. From childhood to adulthood, she had always prided herself on having a vision and insight far surpassing ordinary people, and she had never expected Lin Zhaoxiang to say such a thing.
Lin Zhaoxiang continued, "You knew what the outcome would be for those two maids given your stepmother's temperament and character, and you also knew that those two maids did not deserve to die, yet you still acted that way simply because they were thorns in your side. Although those two brought their punishment upon themselves, your actions were undoubtedly fueled by your instigation and push. Those two lives soaked in fresh blood—have you never felt a twinge of guilt? You could not surpass Xianglan, and fearing that you might one day face a formidable rival, you were capable of dealing a ruthless blow simply because that person stood in your way. For the sake of your own comfort, you were able to repeatedly violate your conscience, yet you still considered yourself completely pure and upright, as if it were all entirely justified?"
Jiang Xiyun was struck dumb, left only to sob softly.
Lin Zhaoxiang said, "This year, the Censorate submitted a memorial directly to the imperial ear, stating that there is currently a faction of exquisitely selfish people within officialdom. Such individuals are supremely intelligent, worldly, sophisticated, adept at acting, skilled at coordination, and even better at calculating people's hearts to achieve their own ends. Once they attain power, they become a malignant tumor to the court, far more terrifying than ordinary corrupt officials. Some people use methods for the sake of the common people of the world, but such individuals use methods purely for their own selfish gains." He finished speaking and looked at Jiang Xiyun, his gaze tinged with reproach: "Xi girl, how on earth did you turn into such a person?"
Silence filled the room.
Jiang Xiyun looked at Lin Zhaoxiang in disbelief, her lips moving without being able to force out a single word. She wanted to say: When was she ever in the wrong? Doesn't everyone living in this world plan and scheme for themselves? If you aren't a bit ruthless toward others, you are only inviting trouble for yourself—why bother torturing yourself with needless empathy? She had a conscience, but she was no saint. When interests clashed, she simply had no spare energy to pity others. Everyone wanted to walk an honorable path, but how many people could truly live their lives with a completely untarnished reputation? Everyone reads the books of the sages, but which of those teachings could ever compare to the concrete comfort and ease of daily life? She merely wanted to live a more leisurely existence, she... Jiang Xiyun remained completely silent, her eyes brimming with tears as she collapsed limply into her chair.
Lin Zhaoxiang took a sip of tea and continued speaking, seemingly to himself: "Once upon a time, there was a young lady whose maid was exceptionally beautiful. She was originally the daughter of an official who had run afoul of the law, and her clan elders had given her to the young lady's father as a concubine. Now reduced to a maid, she naturally harbored deep resentment, spending all day flirting and showing off, weeping, acting lazy, and even stealing the young lady's jewelry. The entire household was watching and waiting to see a good show. Disciplining that maid would inevitably offend the elders, yet failing to discipline her would make her increasingly unruly and impossible to manage. Someone suggested seizing upon her wrongdoing to blow the matter up and have the elders personally flog her and sell her off. If it were you, what would you have done?"
He glanced at Jiang Xiyun, and without waiting for her reply, he continued: "That young lady, however, made no public fuss. She simply summoned the maid alone into her room, ordered a trusted matron to administer ten strikes of the paddle, and then actually took out five taels of silver to gift to her. She merely said, 'I punished you because you broke the rules, and without discipline, I could not maintain order among the rest. To have punished you publicly would have been more than you could bear, which is why I disciplined you privately within my rooms. I am giving you these five taels of silver because I know you are lonely and destitute. A few days ago when you fell ill, I suspect all the silver you had managed to save was spent on extra soups and meals from the kitchen, leaving your purse empty and your need for money urgent—otherwise, you would never have stolen my jewelry. Now that you have recovered from your illness, those remaining dozen strokes of the paddle are temporarily recorded against your name, to be inflicted once your health is fully restored. I sympathize with you, and I also hope you will not commit such offenses again.' The maid burst into tears, gradually mended her ways, and was later married off to a prosperous landowner as a concubine. Later still, that young lady's family fell into ruin, and she died on the road during her exile, leaving no trace of her body. Who could have anticipated that the very next year, right beside her family's ancestral tombs, someone erected a tombstone for the young lady? A woman came to worship there, and upon being questioned, it was discovered that the maid, deeply grateful for her kindness, had selected a geomantic burial site and built a cenotaph for her." Lin Zhaoxiang raised his eyelids to look at Jiang Xiyun, slowly saying, "That young lady was the eldest granddaughter of the former Senior Grand Secretary Shen."
Jiang Xiyun's heart skipped a beat as she met Lin Zhaoxiang's piercing gaze. In an exceptionally slow voice, he continued, "Both instances involved maids who could not be dismissed: one relied on schemes, while the other relied on benevolence. Taste the deeper meaning behind these things for yourself. Whose life ever goes entirely smoothly and fulfills every single wish? You are still young and do not yet understand. You think that if you want to navigate the world with ease and live comfortably, you must rely on slick cleverness and endless maneuvers. In truth, the foundation of invincibility lies in a tolerance and compassion rooted in abundant virtue. To understand the ways of the world yet remain uncorrupted by its cynicism—that is the true gentleman."
Having finished these words, Lin Zhaoxiang stood up, leaned on his cane, and slowly walked toward the door. When he had gone halfway, he suddenly turned his head back and said to Jiang Xiyun, "Your brother Jiang Shangxian came to the manor in person, knelt for half a day, and pleaded that, out of consideration for the longstanding friendship between the Lin and Jiang families, we wipe the slate clean and restore your reputation so that you might still find a good marriage match. I have already agreed to his request. That entire affair is from this moment onward completely dissolved into thin air—it never happened in the past, and no one shall ever mention it again."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiyun felt an involuntary wave of relief wash over her, which was immediately followed by a state of helpless panic and mental chaos. She stood up, unsure whether she should offer her thanks, only to see Lin Zhaoxiang turn his head away again, refusing to look at her as he said in a weathered, aged voice, "You are a concubine-born girl, and since you lost your birth mother at a young age, you never truly won your parents' favor. Your food, clothing, and daily necessities were always whatever your other brothers and sisters left behind. Yet you never minded at all; you were considerate of your elders, filial and well-behaved, never uttering a complaint even when bullied by your siblings. You showed tolerance and accommodation in everything you did and toward every person you met, continuing to run around with a smile on your face to please others, which made even your grandmother hold a special fondness for you. As the saying goes, 'You can tell what a person will be at seven by observing them at three.' Since childhood, one could see your generosity and kindness, and I believed that when you grew up you would surely turn out fine. That is why, when discussing a wife for my eldest grandson, you were the very first person who came to my mind..." He paused for a long while before softly shaking his head. "What a pity, what a pity. The ways of the world are like a sharp blade; sometimes, rather than carving a person into something more beautiful, they carve them into something uglier. I hope you will take good care of your future." With a faint creak, the door was pushed open, and then slammed shut with a loud bang.
Jiang Xiyun's legs turned weak, and she collapsed entirely into the chair. For reasons unknown, a heart-wrenching, indescribable wave of sorrow welled up from deep within her. Letting out a soft, whimpering cry, she leaned her head back against the chair, her face already thoroughly chilled by tears.
When Lin Zhaoxiang walked out, Ruizhu immediately stepped forward to support him. He half-closed his eyes to gauge the position of the sun outside, let out a breath, and down on the theatrical stage, the young actors resumed their shrill, melodious singing. Entering the floral hall, Lin Zhaoxiang found everyone standing up to greet him. He simply seated himself beside the Luohandai couch and instructed everyone to sit back down and continue watching the performance. Qin Shi hurriedly stepped forward to offer him tea, lowering her voice as she reported, "The physician has just arrived and examined Second Sister-in-law. He said it is stagnation of the liver qi, and she merely fainted from a sudden rush of agitation. She is currently resting in bed and is in no major condition. Ting-er's wife has gone to wait upon her." Pausing for a moment, she added, "As for Yuan-ge..." Here she lifted her eyelids to steal a glance at Old Madam Lin.
Old Madam Lin gave a slight cough and said, "Yuan-ge already knows he was wrong. I've sent him off to copy books; the child is still young, and who doesn't have their mischievous moments? He just needs to be patiently taught—there's no need to frighten him further."
Lin Zhaoxiang let out a cold snort and muttered under his breath, "A lenient mother ruins her son! It was precisely because of your excessive pampering back then that the second son turned out so useless and brought about so many scandals. Yuan-ge has natural talent, and today I am laying down the law right here: no one is permitted to spoil him into a crooked shape!"
Old Madam Lin knew Lin Zhaoxiang's temperament well and did not take offense, simply choosing to remain silent. Qin Shi also stood quietly to one side with lowered eyes.
Lin Zhaoxiang cast his gaze outside and saw Xianglan standing on the winding covered veranda, talking with Lin Dongxiu. As a breeze blew past, the pearl pendants on her head and the hem of her skirt swayed gently—a scene worthy of a painting. A sudden wave of reflection washed over him. He asked himself, having lived to this advanced age and having weathered countless storms, he could consider himself a connoisseur of humanity. Yet upon seeing Xianglan, he still could not help feeling a sense of wonder. A girl of only seventeen or eighteen years old possessed the poise of someone who had weathered a lifetime of hardships, and her articulation and breadth of vision were far from ordinary. No wonder that even when caught in the mire, she was still able to repeatedly extend a helping hand to save others. He suddenly leaned over and whispered to Old Madam Lin, "Have you noticed that Xianglan's demeanor, tone of voice, and overall conduct bear the exact character of Shen Jiaran, the eldest granddaughter of the Shen family from back in the day?"
Old Madam Lin thought about it for a moment, then couldn't help smiling. "Now that you mention it, she really does resemble her somewhat. Back then, you were endlessly praising her for doing things with both proper decorum and benevolence, and regardless of the fact that she was four years older than Lou-ge'er, you wanted to arrange a marriage with the Shen family—though her younger sister Jialian was actually closer in age." Pausing, she sighed again, "Ah well, let it be; those people have already passed into history. If that girl were still alive today, I wonder what she would look like; she should have children surrounding her knees by now. Ah, nothing can withstand the impermanence of worldly affairs."
Lin Zhaoxiang paused for a moment before continuing, "When I received family letters earlier and learned about your sister plotting to administer medicine, I could scarcely believe it. Just then, a trusted old servant happened to tell me about a matter he had heard concerning you. You originally had two maids given to you by your primary stepmother; they were cunning and unruly, refusing to accept discipline. When you wanted to send them away, you feared offending your elders. Therefore, you turned a blind eye to their dissolute behavior and even paved the way for them to stir up trouble, ultimately angering your stepmother. One was brutally beaten and died within a few days, while the other was sold off to a sordid place. From this single incident, I knew that scheming, calculating, and going with the flow to let your elder sister administer the medicine was entirely within reason for you."
Upon hearing these words, Jiang Xiyun's chest heaved violently and her entire body trembled. As past scars were torn open, she could not tell whether she was feeling anger, fear, shame, or vexation. A cold sweat soaked her back, her fingers dug deep into her palms, and her vision blurred completely. It felt as though a solid lump was wedged tightly in her throat—she could neither swallow it nor spit it out—and she felt an urge to scream out loud, completely unaware that her eyes had long since turned bloodshot. Abruptly raising her head to stare at Lin Zhaoxiang, she could no longer restrain herself. Her lips quivering, she nearly failed to string her words together and raised her voice, crying out, "What else could I possibly have done? I am merely a concubine-born daughter. No matter how exceptional I am in every respect, I am always forced to humble myself in every situation. From childhood until now, how many grievances and injustices have I had to endure by playing the fool? I have constantly walked on eggshells, currying favor everywhere. Even the people I detest and loathe, I have had to force myself to smile and humor. If only I were born of the primary wife, how could I have ever been driven to use such a method just to get rid of two maids?! I never wanted to marry into the Lin family, but my family insisted that I do so. I had already accepted my fate, yet with a favored concubine standing right before me, I was expected to spend the second half of my life acting like a mere decorative ornament. I disliked it, yet I was forcefully told to pretend that I loved it! What other choice did I have? I only wanted to live out the rest of my days in peace, I... I..." As she spoke, a continuous stream of tears rolled down her cheeks, and she murmured, "I had no other choice either, I had no other choice either..." Her voice choked with sobs until her words became completely unintelligible.
Looking at Jiang Xiyun, Lin Zhaoxiang slowly asked, "Are you finished?" Then, giving a slight, soft laugh, his previously stern face revealed a trace of pity: "Xi girl, you are as bright as newly fallen snow, and everyone says you possess great strategic depth in your heart. Yet your breadth of vision and judgment ultimately fall short by a tier. No wonder your cleverness has become the very instrument of your undoing."
Jiang Xiyun gave another start, her eyes opening wide. From childhood to adulthood, she had always prided herself on having a vision and insight far surpassing ordinary people, and she had never expected Lin Zhaoxiang to say such a thing.
Lin Zhaoxiang continued, "You knew what the outcome would be for those two maids given your stepmother's temperament and character, and you also knew that those two maids did not deserve to die, yet you still acted that way simply because they were thorns in your side. Although those two brought their punishment upon themselves, your actions were undoubtedly fueled by your instigation and push. Those two lives soaked in fresh blood—have you never felt a twinge of guilt? You could not surpass Xianglan, and fearing that you might one day face a formidable rival, you were capable of dealing a ruthless blow simply because that person stood in your way. For the sake of your own comfort, you were able to repeatedly violate your conscience, yet you still considered yourself completely pure and upright, as if it were all entirely justified?"
Jiang Xiyun was struck dumb, left only to sob softly.
Lin Zhaoxiang said, "This year, the Censorate submitted a memorial directly to the imperial ear, stating that there is currently a faction of exquisitely selfish people within officialdom. Such individuals are supremely intelligent, worldly, sophisticated, adept at acting, skilled at coordination, and even better at calculating people's hearts to achieve their own ends. Once they attain power, they become a malignant tumor to the court, far more terrifying than ordinary corrupt officials. Some people use methods for the sake of the common people of the world, but such individuals use methods purely for their own selfish gains." He finished speaking and looked at Jiang Xiyun, his gaze tinged with reproach: "Xi girl, how on earth did you turn into such a person?"
Silence filled the room.
Jiang Xiyun looked at Lin Zhaoxiang in disbelief, her lips moving without being able to force out a single word. She wanted to say: When was she ever in the wrong? Doesn't everyone living in this world plan and scheme for themselves? If you aren't a bit ruthless toward others, you are only inviting trouble for yourself—why bother torturing yourself with needless empathy? She had a conscience, but she was no saint. When interests clashed, she simply had no spare energy to pity others. Everyone wanted to walk an honorable path, but how many people could truly live their lives with a completely untarnished reputation? Everyone reads the books of the sages, but which of those teachings could ever compare to the concrete comfort and ease of daily life? She merely wanted to live a more leisurely existence, she... Jiang Xiyun remained completely silent, her eyes brimming with tears as she collapsed limply into her chair.
Lin Zhaoxiang took a sip of tea and continued speaking, seemingly to himself: "Once upon a time, there was a young lady whose maid was exceptionally beautiful. She was originally the daughter of an official who had run afoul of the law, and her clan elders had given her to the young lady's father as a concubine. Now reduced to a maid, she naturally harbored deep resentment, spending all day flirting and showing off, weeping, acting lazy, and even stealing the young lady's jewelry. The entire household was watching and waiting to see a good show. Disciplining that maid would inevitably offend the elders, yet failing to discipline her would make her increasingly unruly and impossible to manage. Someone suggested seizing upon her wrongdoing to blow the matter up and have the elders personally flog her and sell her off. If it were you, what would you have done?"
He glanced at Jiang Xiyun, and without waiting for her reply, he continued: "That young lady, however, made no public fuss. She simply summoned the maid alone into her room, ordered a trusted matron to administer ten strikes of the paddle, and then actually took out five taels of silver to gift to her. She merely said, 'I punished you because you broke the rules, and without discipline, I could not maintain order among the rest. To have punished you publicly would have been more than you could bear, which is why I disciplined you privately within my rooms. I am giving you these five taels of silver because I know you are lonely and destitute. A few days ago when you fell ill, I suspect all the silver you had managed to save was spent on extra soups and meals from the kitchen, leaving your purse empty and your need for money urgent—otherwise, you would never have stolen my jewelry. Now that you have recovered from your illness, those remaining dozen strokes of the paddle are temporarily recorded against your name, to be inflicted once your health is fully restored. I sympathize with you, and I also hope you will not commit such offenses again.' The maid burst into tears, gradually mended her ways, and was later married off to a prosperous landowner as a concubine. Later still, that young lady's family fell into ruin, and she died on the road during her exile, leaving no trace of her body. Who could have anticipated that the very next year, right beside her family's ancestral tombs, someone erected a tombstone for the young lady? A woman came to worship there, and upon being questioned, it was discovered that the maid, deeply grateful for her kindness, had selected a geomantic burial site and built a cenotaph for her." Lin Zhaoxiang raised his eyelids to look at Jiang Xiyun, slowly saying, "That young lady was the eldest granddaughter of the former Senior Grand Secretary Shen."
Jiang Xiyun's heart skipped a beat as she met Lin Zhaoxiang's piercing gaze. In an exceptionally slow voice, he continued, "Both instances involved maids who could not be dismissed: one relied on schemes, while the other relied on benevolence. Taste the deeper meaning behind these things for yourself. Whose life ever goes entirely smoothly and fulfills every single wish? You are still young and do not yet understand. You think that if you want to navigate the world with ease and live comfortably, you must rely on slick cleverness and endless maneuvers. In truth, the foundation of invincibility lies in a tolerance and compassion rooted in abundant virtue. To understand the ways of the world yet remain uncorrupted by its cynicism—that is the true gentleman."
Having finished these words, Lin Zhaoxiang stood up, leaned on his cane, and slowly walked toward the door. When he had gone halfway, he suddenly turned his head back and said to Jiang Xiyun, "Your brother Jiang Shangxian came to the manor in person, knelt for half a day, and pleaded that, out of consideration for the longstanding friendship between the Lin and Jiang families, we wipe the slate clean and restore your reputation so that you might still find a good marriage match. I have already agreed to his request. That entire affair is from this moment onward completely dissolved into thin air—it never happened in the past, and no one shall ever mention it again."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiyun felt an involuntary wave of relief wash over her, which was immediately followed by a state of helpless panic and mental chaos. She stood up, unsure whether she should offer her thanks, only to see Lin Zhaoxiang turn his head away again, refusing to look at her as he said in a weathered, aged voice, "You are a concubine-born girl, and since you lost your birth mother at a young age, you never truly won your parents' favor. Your food, clothing, and daily necessities were always whatever your other brothers and sisters left behind. Yet you never minded at all; you were considerate of your elders, filial and well-behaved, never uttering a complaint even when bullied by your siblings. You showed tolerance and accommodation in everything you did and toward every person you met, continuing to run around with a smile on your face to please others, which made even your grandmother hold a special fondness for you. As the saying goes, 'You can tell what a person will be at seven by observing them at three.' Since childhood, one could see your generosity and kindness, and I believed that when you grew up you would surely turn out fine. That is why, when discussing a wife for my eldest grandson, you were the very first person who came to my mind..." He paused for a long while before softly shaking his head. "What a pity, what a pity. The ways of the world are like a sharp blade; sometimes, rather than carving a person into something more beautiful, they carve them into something uglier. I hope you will take good care of your future." With a faint creak, the door was pushed open, and then slammed shut with a loud bang.
Jiang Xiyun's legs turned weak, and she collapsed entirely into the chair. For reasons unknown, a heart-wrenching, indescribable wave of sorrow welled up from deep within her. Letting out a soft, whimpering cry, she leaned her head back against the chair, her face already thoroughly chilled by tears.
When Lin Zhaoxiang walked out, Ruizhu immediately stepped forward to support him. He half-closed his eyes to gauge the position of the sun outside, let out a breath, and down on the theatrical stage, the young actors resumed their shrill, melodious singing. Entering the floral hall, Lin Zhaoxiang found everyone standing up to greet him. He simply seated himself beside the Luohandai couch and instructed everyone to sit back down and continue watching the performance. Qin Shi hurriedly stepped forward to offer him tea, lowering her voice as she reported, "The physician has just arrived and examined Second Sister-in-law. He said it is stagnation of the liver qi, and she merely fainted from a sudden rush of agitation. She is currently resting in bed and is in no major condition. Ting-er's wife has gone to wait upon her." Pausing for a moment, she added, "As for Yuan-ge..." Here she lifted her eyelids to steal a glance at Old Madam Lin.
Old Madam Lin gave a slight cough and said, "Yuan-ge already knows he was wrong. I've sent him off to copy books; the child is still young, and who doesn't have their mischievous moments? He just needs to be patiently taught—there's no need to frighten him further."
Lin Zhaoxiang let out a cold snort and muttered under his breath, "A lenient mother ruins her son! It was precisely because of your excessive pampering back then that the second son turned out so useless and brought about so many scandals. Yuan-ge has natural talent, and today I am laying down the law right here: no one is permitted to spoil him into a crooked shape!"
Old Madam Lin knew Lin Zhaoxiang's temperament well and did not take offense, simply choosing to remain silent. Qin Shi also stood quietly to one side with lowered eyes.
Lin Zhaoxiang cast his gaze outside and saw Xianglan standing on the winding covered veranda, talking with Lin Dongxiu. As a breeze blew past, the pearl pendants on her head and the hem of her skirt swayed gently—a scene worthy of a painting. A sudden wave of reflection washed over him. He asked himself, having lived to this advanced age and having weathered countless storms, he could consider himself a connoisseur of humanity. Yet upon seeing Xianglan, he still could not help feeling a sense of wonder. A girl of only seventeen or eighteen years old possessed the poise of someone who had weathered a lifetime of hardships, and her articulation and breadth of vision were far from ordinary. No wonder that even when caught in the mire, she was still able to repeatedly extend a helping hand to save others. He suddenly leaned over and whispered to Old Madam Lin, "Have you noticed that Xianglan's demeanor, tone of voice, and overall conduct bear the exact character of Shen Jiaran, the eldest granddaughter of the Shen family from back in the day?"
Old Madam Lin thought about it for a moment, then couldn't help smiling. "Now that you mention it, she really does resemble her somewhat. Back then, you were endlessly praising her for doing things with both proper decorum and benevolence, and regardless of the fact that she was four years older than Lou-ge'er, you wanted to arrange a marriage with the Shen family—though her younger sister Jialian was actually closer in age." Pausing, she sighed again, "Ah well, let it be; those people have already passed into history. If that girl were still alive today, I wonder what she would look like; she should have children surrounding her knees by now. Ah, nothing can withstand the impermanence of worldly affairs."