Against the Current - Chapter 337

Chapter 337 - Pondering (Part 1)

Now, when Liubei had left, Lin Jinlou picked up a filigree ruyi orchid hairpin from the eight-treasure box. Inlaid with tortoiseshell, white jade, and coral, it was exquisitely charming. Lin Jinlou held it in his hand, squinting as he examined it while his thoughts drifted far away. He couldn't quite gauge his grandfather's and grandmother's intentions with this move. Giving such a valuable gift—could it mean they had agreed to it? Yet why send someone to deliver it in the middle of the night instead of making a grand, open display of it during the day? Did the hidden implication mean they hadn't agreed? He couldn't puzzle it out, and irritation began to bubble up inside him. A slight movement nearby snapped him back to reality: Xianglan had already changed into her casual indoor clothes and called for the maids to bring in the bronze washbasin and other items for freshening up.

He stared blankly at Xianglan's back. Ever since he was injured last time, Xianglan had been much more attentive toward him and even wore smiles more often. The two of them no longer glared at each other with drawn swords like before; they even shared a sort of telepathic tacit understanding. Yet he still felt as though a lingering awkwardness remained between them. A while ago, when his chest wound was healing and the itching became almost unbearable, he would often toss and turn in the middle of the night, driven mad by the sensation, and would get up just to gaze at Xianglan's face in the dim light. Sometimes he could look at her for a long time, repeatedly turning it over in his mind: Xianglan was soft-hearted, but was she treating him kindly now simply out of tolerance, or had she truly developed some affection for him? Was she still lingeringly fond of that fellow Song Ke in her heart? Yet he was so cowardly that he couldn't even bring himself to ask.

"Master, what are you thinking about?"

"Ah? No, nothing at all."

Xianglan gave Lin Jinlou a suspicious look. Just a moment ago, his eyes had been fixed straight on her for ages, and his facial expression had been a strange mixture of sorrow and joy, as if he had been possessed by a spirit. She stepped forward to hand him the hand towel, then picked up the hairpin he had been holding, placed it back into the eight-treasure box, and continued tidying up as she spoke. "After you finish washing, Master, you should rest early. Madam said that someone is coming to the house bright and early tomorrow—an old classmate of the Master's from his student days who is coming to visit. He was originally supposed to arrive today to offer birthday greetings to the Old Madam, but official duties delayed him, so he sent birthday gifts ahead instead. The Master just sent someone over to ask you to come across tomorrow as well."

Hearing her chatter on in a soft, gentle voice while gazing at her jade-like cheeks, Lin Jinlou felt his heart soften once more, as if gentle waves of warmth were washing over him.

The night passed without incident.

The next day, before dawn, Lin Jinlou got up to practice his boxing. After running through two sets in the small garden, Shuran delivered two urgent dispatches. Lin Jinlou picked up a towel to wipe away his sweat while taking the letters with his other hand. Lin Jinting was lingering vaguely behind the flowering trees, peering out cautiously. Seeing Lin Jinlou shoot him a sidelong glance, he immediately plastered on a smile. Lin Jinlou glanced at him and simply unfolded the letters, asking aloud, "What brings you up so early looking for me?"

Lin Jinting shuffled forward looking thoroughly miserable—he hadn't gotten up early at all; truth be told, he hadn't slept a wink all night. "No, nothing much," he stammered. "Just wanted to ask..." He darted his eyes around before lowering his voice. "I wanted to ask if there's any news of Third Sister?"

"None. Every single lane nearby has been checked house by house, and no one has seen a trace of her." In his heart, Lin Jinlou actually had a fair idea: if his third sister hadn't already met with misfortune, she must have been lured out of the city long ago. In this vast sea of humanity, finding her would likely prove extremely difficult; at this point, they had done all they could and must leave the rest to fate. He glanced at Lin Jinting, and seeing his haggard, exhausted appearance, could not help sighing. He patted his shoulder and said, "I issued orders first thing this morning, and people are already searching both inside and outside the city together. Go back and wait for half a day longer; for now, prioritize getting Second Aunt's health back on track." With that, he went back to reading his letters.

Lin Jinting nodded dully. After standing blankly for a long while, he asked Lin Jinlou, "I heard Eldest Uncle is planning to arrange a match for you?"

Without even lifting his head from the letters, Lin Jinlou replied, "My dad? Arranging a match for me? You must be out of your mind."

"Tsk, today Eldest Uncle's old classmate, Lord Wei, is bringing his third daughter to visit the residence. Lord Wei has several daughters, so why bring just this one? She's a legitimate daughter, and I've heard she's as lovely as a jade blossom with a sterling reputation among the gentry. There are only you and Second Brother left in our family now, and since Lord Wei is considered a person of some standing, he surely wouldn't marry his daughter off to a sickly invalid, right?"

Lin Jinlou's grip tightened, nearly crushing the letter into a ball. With a blank expression, he said, "Well, that's unfortunate, then. Old Yuan asked me to go train the troops with him today." With that, he turned and strode away.

Just then, Lin Changzheng happened to come out bright and early, strolling through the garden while rolling a pair of decorative walnut shells in his hand. Catching sight of Lin Jinlou rushing off like a gust of wind, he bellowed, "Stop right there! When your Uncle Wei arrives later, change your clothes and come out to greet the guest."

Lin Jinlou halted his steps. "My father's guests—what business is that of mine? Whenever I hear you all sitting together talking in that affected, archaic literary jargon, my head starts throbbing. Why don't you have Xiao Er or Xiao San go out and entertain them? I'm busy and have to head out right now."

Even as Lin Jinlou spoke, Lin Changzheng began puffing out his mustache and glaring in fury, his voice booming like thunder as he cursed, "You unfilial wretch! How dare you speak to me like that! I'll beat some sense into you, you scoundrel!" He raised his hand to strike him.

Lin Jinlou oiled the soles of his feet and bolted. There was no way Lin Changzheng could catch him, so in his exasperation, he hurled both of his walnut shells after him—though he missed completely—and then even kicked off his shoes to throw them. Trembling all over with rage, he could only mutter repeatedly, "That scoundrel! That utter brute!"

Suppressing a chuckle, Lin Jinting cried out in exaggerated alarm as he rushed over to steady Lin Changzheng. "Oh! Eldest Uncle, please sit down! Sit, sit, sit, don't lower yourself to his level. My elder brother is just like that; he doesn't know how to speak properly. Come, look at me instead, look at me!" He turned to scold a nearby little maid, "You blind thing, why haven't you fetched the Master his shoes yet?" With that, he helped Lin Changzheng settle onto a stone bench. Once the little maid brought the shoes back, Lin Changzheng put them on and glared darkly at Lin Jinting. "Look at you? What is there to look at? Your eldest brother, worthless as he is, is still better than you. Go back and study diligently; the Old Master said if you fail to pass the provincial imperial examination next year, he'll have me supervise your studies personally."

As soon as those words left his mouth, Lin Jinting's face instantly twisted into the expression of a bitter melon.

Meanwhile, Lin Jinlou strode briskly back to Changchun Hall, where he found Xianglan sunning books and paintings alongside Xiaojuan, Huashan, Xuening, and the others. Lin Jinlou marched right up, grabbed Xianglan by both shoulders, hoisted her into the bedroom, and subjected her to a random, unfocused flurry of kisses. Crimson-faced all over, Xianglan struggled and protested, "Have you lost your mind?!"

Lin Jinlou chuckled deviously, "Not at all. I'm heading onto the battlefield, so I'm just building up my courage."

Hearing this, Xianglan knitted her brows again. "The battlefield? What battlefield?"

Lin Jinlou tapped the tip of her nose, planted one more heavy smack on her lips, and—without even bothering to change his clothes—turned right back out. Entering the courtyard of Youshi Hall, he found Lin Zhaoxiang sitting in a rocking chair, holding a birdcage and watching the birds in the courtyard. As Lin Jinlou entered, he offered a formal salute. "Wishing the Old Master peace and longevity. Did you sleep well last night?"

Lin Zhaoxiang glanced at him sideways without a word, continuing to purse his lips and make cooing sounds to entice the bird to chirp.

Holding his breath and steadying his nerves, Lin Jinlou slipped quietly along the base of the wall. Seeing that the teacup on the small side table was empty, he picked up the kettle to pour a fresh cup. As he watched Lin Zhaoxiang, the old man suddenly turned his gaze toward him, causing Lin Jinlou to hurriedly flash an apologetic smile. Distracted for a split second, he poured too quickly and the tea overflowed, scalding him so sharply that he jerked back with a start.