Against the Current - Chapter 354
Chapter 354 - Preserving Face
When Xianglan walked out into the courtyard, a gust of wind blew away some of the stifling oppression in her heart. Xiaojuan followed right behind her, her face flushed with anger. "It's infuriating to death! That old hag was spouting absolute nonsense, as if everyone else were a fool who couldn't hear what she was really getting at. I'm going to go right back in there and vent this stifled rage!"
Mother Wu walked to Xianglan's side, drew a small copper-cased filigree vial from her pouch, unscrewed the cap, and said, "If My Lady feels heavy-headed, dab a bit of this mint ointment on your temples and take a sniff; it'll surely clear your mind." She sighed softly, adding, "Given the Master's standing and prestige, a Fifth Mistress is really of no consequence. But she carries some weight among the female relatives of the clan, and she is an elder after all. If you get into a direct, open dispute with her, it will only damage your own reputation. Right now, My Lady is at a disadvantage simply because you've just entered the family and are still too green, which is why she dared to pull rank. In a couple of years, once My Lady has truly planted your feet firm and deep, she wouldn't dare do this even if you gave her a hundred pairs of guts."
Xianglan understood in her heart that it wasn't just a matter of being a newcomer; it was even more about her excessively humble background. Mother Wu's words, implicitly and explicitly, were urging her to endure it. Her long, delicate brows knitted slightly. "I understand Mama's meaning. To tell the truth, a few cutting remarks don't mean much to me—how many grievances have I swallowed in the past? But things are different now. The moment I step outside, I am the face of the Lin family; I am the Master's face. Today, Fifth Mistress's few remarks were a tentative probing of the waters, testing my temper. Right now, all the respectable families of the clan are sitting in that side parlor. Don't let their outward appearance of hearing and seeing nothing fool you; their ears are propped up higher than anyone's. If I back down and show weakness today, word will likely spread instantly. I don't care if I lose face myself; what I fear is that when I take charge of managing the household affairs in the future, subservient household servants will pop out to bully their mistress, or worse yet, tomorrow someone might even send concubines right to our doorstep."
Mother Wu thought for a moment, sighed, and said, "There is truth in what you say, but right now there's nothing to be done... It's just that on account of that old wretch, it wouldn't be worth it for My Lady to ruin your reputation, especially when there are already people outside spreading gossip about you."
Xiaojuan's eyes gleamed with fighting spirit as she declared, "My Lady, don't be afraid! Just let me step forward and curse her out on your behalf, saying everything that needs to be said. Afterward, you can play the good person and give me a thorough scolding in public. I'm just a maid anyway—what can she possibly do to me? As long as I open my mouth, they'll understand that My Lady is not someone to be trifled with. Trading my face to preserve the Mistress's face is a bargain any day."
Hearing this, Xianglan felt a warm glow in her heart. Through all her ups and downs over the years, these few people by her side had always been truly and sincerely devoted to her well-being, a thought that filled her with deep gratitude and contentment. She reached out to clasp Xiaojuan's hand, smiling. "Even at home I wouldn't have the heart to scold you, let alone out in public. Though your method is good, if you publicly humiliate Fifth Mistress, she will surely harbor a grudge, and the enmity will run deep."
Xiaojuan retorted, "When a dispute like this starts up, humiliation is inevitable either way."
Xianglan said, "No matter how angry one feels inside, in public one must still preserve others' face. Leave a thread of goodwill today, and you can meet amicably in the future. If you keep your words soft, even if you take stern actions later, there is still room for maneuver. What is truly terrifying is backing yourself into a corner with absolute words; once you leave behind a handle for others to use, it becomes hard to turn back." After pondering for a moment, she turned to Mother Wu and said, "This matter still requires an old veteran like you to take the field." She whispered a set of instructions to Mother Wu, who listened with an inner sigh, though her face showed some hesitation. "Though I have an old acquaintance with Fifth Mistress, I can't guarantee this matter will go smoothly..."
Xianglan smiled. "I know. Whether this succeeds or fails, I will always remember your kindness."
Armed with those words, Mother Wu felt reassured and set off to carry out the task.
Meanwhile, back inside the room, the hosts had already carried the baby away. Everyone present knew full well that Xianglan's departure earlier had been triggered by anger at Madam Ding's remarks. The various mistresses and matrons understood the situation implicitly, exchanging knowing glances as if the episode had never occurred, chatting and laughing over their tea in small groups. Presently, Xianglan re-entered the room and quietly took her seat. Xiaojuan found a pot and refilled Xianglan's cup, and Xianglan picked up the tea bowl with a calm, indifferent expression.
Ding Suyan nudged Madam Ding, gesturing with her chin toward Xianglan, and whispered, "Grandaunt, she is, after all, the Lin family's eldest grandson's wife..."
Madam Ding remained unruffled, patting the back of Ding Suyan's hand and motioning for her to lean closer. "She comes from a mere servant background, with no real backing or support," Madam Ding whispered. "If she runs off to complain to Brother Lou about this, it will only make her look petty and troublesome. Besides, not a single word we said earlier left behind an opening for others to criticize. Look at how provincial and timid she is, coming from such a humble household; being told off a few times means she has to swallow her grievances in silence, even if she's weeping inside. Otherwise, if she makes a fuss and falls out with us, what would outsiders think of her? They'd likely point the finger at her everywhere. Look—didn't we just chase her off in a huff?"
Hearing this, Ding Suyan felt completely assured and whispered, "Indeed! When Grandaunt walked into the room just now, who among them didn't scramble forward to curry favor and speak to you? Yet she sat there putting on airs. It was high time to give her a reality check so she knows her place; otherwise, once her wings get even stiffer in the future, she won't regard her elders at all."
Madam Ding tapped the tip of Ding Suyan's nose with a finger. "You clever little imp, that's precisely the logic of it."
No sooner had the two finished speaking than Mother Wu walked in and made her way over to Madam Ding. Mother Wu was a woman of considerable standing and respectability—not only was she Lin Jinlou's wet nurse, but she also held a position of trust under Lady Qin, and Old Madam Lin regarded her with high esteem as well. Back when Madam Ding was lobbying on behalf of her maternal family, she had once slipped favors to Mother Wu, asking her to put in a good word inside the mansion. The two women shared an old acquaintance, and upon meeting displayed a degree of cordiality, exchanging warm pleasantries and idle chatter. Pulling gently on the sleeve of Madam Ding's garment, Mother Wu said, "Fifth Mistress, this old servant has a few private words to share with you. Might I borrow a moment of your time?" With that, she cast a meaningful glance toward the doorway.
Fifth Mistress assented verbally, stood up, and walked outside with Mother Wu. Reaching the covered veranda, Mother Wu smiled and said, "Fifth Mistress, this old servant is going to speak out of turn today. Whether I overstep or not, I hope Fifth Mistress will be forgiving of this old mouth of mine."
Madam Ding was a shrewd woman and had already vaguely guessed what was coming. Smiling, she said, "Speak your mind."
Mother Wu began, "Ever since our Mistress first entered the household as a maid, I've watched her every step of the way. I wonder if Fifth Mistress has ever watched the theatrical piece The Tale of Scholaress Lan. We won't utter falsehoods today—nine out of ten things in that play are entirely true. Otherwise, given her humble origins, how could she ever have become the eldest grandson's wife of the Lin family? Not only did all the elders of the estate give their consent, but she even received a summons of audience from the Empress Dowager. On her wedding day, the Master dispatched a hundred armored guards to escort her through the gates. Aside from an emperor's daughter getting married, who else could ever match such splendor? Not to mention anything else, ever since she arrived, our master's eyes have been glued to her; he can't even pull his legs away."
Madam Ding raised an eyebrow and let out a slight, cold chuckle. "What on earth are you trying to say? What does any of this have to do with me?"
With profound significance, Mother Wu replied, "This old servant wouldn't dare, nor do I have any other intentions. Fifth Mistress, regardless of her background or whatever unspeakable things happened in the past, she is now the Grand Mistress of the Lin family. If she feels aggrieved and goes to complain to the Master when she gets back... well, you know as well as I do that our master is most protective of his own. Will there still be any social visiting between us in the future? Our mistress has a good nature and will most likely not whisper complaints in his ear at night, but if she truly stops interacting with you altogether in the future, it won't feel comfortable for anyone, will it?"
Hearing that Xianglan might complain to Lin Jinlou, Madam Ding felt a twinge of panic inside, though she didn't let it show on her face. Instead, a fresh surge of irritation rose within her, and she sneered, "What is she going to accuse me of? What did I say just now? I was merely discussing things I've seen and heard—is that enough to convict me of a crime? Did I name names and point directly at her? Goodness, what an absolute injustice, trying to frame and punish someone out of thin air. Ah, I understand now! This is making a mountain out of a molehill, resenting me for not visiting the Lin family that day! You needn't say another word—if she resents me, she's welcome to take it up with the Old Madam and her mother-in-law to judge the rights and wrongs. But for a junior to refuse to place her elders in her eyes—such impudence!" With that, she turned as if to leave.
Mother Wu stepped forward and barred her path. The smile on her face faded slightly, though she remained pleasant-humored. "Fifth Mistress, everyone in that room is clear-sighted; let's not speak in angry retorts. Speaking of elders and juniors, Fifth Mistress, if we are to truly split hairs, our Grand Mistress holds a first-rank noble title of honor. According to protocol and ritual, it ought to be you paying respects to our mistress first—after all, state law comes before family custom, does it not? But putting it that way would only make us strangers. The words you spoke in the room just now—even if the speaker had no intention, the listener took it to heart. In the end, it still inflicted a wound, didn't it?" She paused for a beat before continuing, "Back when our mistress was a maidservant, heaven knows how much bullying and exclusion she suffered; only a handful of people stood by her side to care for her and warm her heart. Now that she has achieved glory overnight, all those people have lifted their heads and basked in that fortune. As for those who looked at our mistress when she was green and easy to bully back then, goodness knows where they are now, weeping with regret! There may be some idle gossip circulating outside right now, but who can say for certain that the Grand Mistress won't bear children in the future? An old saying may not fit perfectly here, but the sentiment remains the same: 'Never bully a youth for being poor.'"
Madam Ding's eyelids twitched. "I didn't bask in her glory back then, and I won't be begging her for favors in the future."
Mother Wu continued, "People interacting with one another always boils down to you giving me face and me giving you face. You have always been a clever person whom this old servant holds in high regard; I know you can turn this thought around. Since I came over, I've laid out a ladder and handed you a step. Whether to step down it or not is entirely up to Fifth Mistress's wise discretion." Having said this, she offered a half-curtsy and added, "This old servant will take her leave first."
Seeing Mother Wu re-enter, Xianglan asked with her eyes. Mother Wu walked over and murmured, "When I spoke in riddles earlier, she was stubborn and refused to turn around. Only when I laid it out plainly did she budge. She is someone who cares deeply about her face and holds herself in high regard, so she didn't offer any soft words on the spot."
Xianglan nodded.
A short while later, Madam Ding walked back in, resumed her seat to drink tea, and chatted with those around her. Xianglan showed no haste; she leisurely finished her cup of tea, then raised her gaze until her eyes met Madam Ding's. As the two locked eyes, Xianglan offered a faint smile first and dipped her head in polite greeting. To her surprise, Madam Ding's expression softened, and she actually smiled back. A moment later, the two of them were sitting together in conversation. After a few remarks, their tone grew remarkably warm. Madam Ding even took Xianglan's hand, exclaiming, "A lovely flower of a person like you—how on earth did you end up marrying that tyrant? If he ever bullies you in the future, you just come and tell me. None of us will let him off the hook!" Xianglan smiled demurely. "Very well, I've noted that down! The moment I get back, I'll tell him I've found myself a powerful patron, and if he ever dares treat me badly again, I'll come running to you in tears." Everyone in the room burst into laughter, bandying lighthearted jests. Yet beneath the banter, they exchanged knowing glances, secretly marveling: just moments ago, one was speaking in veiled insults and the other had stormed out in angry resentment, so how on earth did they become as close as sisters in the blink of an eye?
Only Ding Suyan was unhappy, letting her displeasure show on her face. Catching sight of this, Madam Ding gave her a subtle kick under the table, and Ding Suyan finally composed herself.
Xianglan understood the situation clearly. Her dispatching Mother Wu as an emissary had been a calculated move to mediate from the middle. Some of the things said were scripted by Xianglan herself—enough to convey her displeasure and put the other party on notice, yet stopping short of burning bridges. At the end of the day, having a friend is always better than making an enemy. But how that chapter was closed depended entirely on Madam Ding's performance. Madam Ding's words just now amounted to backing down—a tacit apology for her previous barbs. It showed that the woman was shrewd and knew how to read the situation. She could maintain her dignity before inferiors without losing face, yet when necessary, she could readily bend and stretch. Even while detesting Xianglan, she could put on an act of boundless affection and warmth—no wonder a mere widow had managed to carve out a permanent foothold within the clan.
Though Madam Ding was smiling on the outside, inside she felt thoroughly unsettled. She knew that Xianglan's current position as primary mistress was by no means secured by a pretty face alone. Through this incident, however, she had sensed that Xianglan possessed a tough core beneath her gentle exterior, making her far from an easy pushover. Ordinary people would either have swallowed it in silence or blown things up into a bitter feud. Yet Xianglan had preserved her face before outsiders while dispatching an old servant to issue a veiled warning and lay out the stakes in private—tactics that clearly weren't things Mother Wu could have concocted on her own; they must have been orchestrated entirely by Xianglan behind the scenes. Afterward, she proactively extended an olive branch, laughing and chatting as if nothing had happened. No wonder Chen Xianglan managed to swim in all waters, hooking the young master of the Song family and then climbing even higher to latch onto Lin Jinlou! Ever since she entered the estate, Lin Jinlou's flock of beautiful concubines had vanished one by one, leaving her as the sole object of his pampering—what incredible patience and scheming methods indeed!
Having labored through the half-day's social demands, Xianglan's mind and spirit were thoroughly fatigued. Seeing her pale complexion, Xiaojuan knitted her brows with worry. "Shall we head home, My Lady? We can find a doctor to take a look. Why torture yourself staying here to listen to that old woman chewing on sour grapes and talking nonsense?"
Xianglan nodded. When she stood up, however, a wave of dizziness washed over her. Xiaojuan hurriedly steadied her, and an alert little maidservant immediately reported the situation to the hosts. The mistress of the house rushed over personally, offering her daughter's private bedroom and bustling about to help Xianglan over to rest. "As luck would have it, a doctor is currently here taking our daughter-in-law's pulse," the hostess offered. "We can have him come over to check on you so everyone can have peace of mind, can't we?" With that, she hurried out to fetch the physician.
Before long, the doctor arrived. Frowning as he stroked his beard, he took Xianglan's pulse for a moment, his brows slowly relaxing as he rose, cupped his hands, and smiled broadly. "Congratulations! This is the sign of a blessed pregnancy!"
Hearing this from inside the bed curtains, Xianglan bolted upright, crying out in disbelief, "What?"
Mother Wu stepped forward urgently. "Really? Really? Is it truly a pulse of glad tidings?"
The physician smiled. "The pulse is smooth and flowing, round and slippery like pearls—there is no mistaking it. It is indeed a pregnancy, likely coming up on two months now."
Xianglan sat frozen in shock, which instantly gave way to overwhelming joy. Choked with emotion, she barely held back her tears as she ordered, "Quickly, award a reward!"
Mother Wu had already pulled out a thick red packet filled with money and handed it over. Feeling its substantial weight, the doctor's face broke into a broad grin as he offered a flurry of auspicious New Year-style greetings. "I shall write a prescription for a soothing herbal decoction shortly, which can be brewed and taken later."
As soon as the doctor departed, Mother Wu lifted the door curtain and saw Xianglan sitting on the edge of the bed, wiping away tears. Filled with both deep gratification and heartache, Mother Wu couldn't help shedding tears of her own. Then she heard Xianglan murmur, "Let's have another doctor check it when we get back. If it's truly so... don't tell the Master just yet. I—I want to tell him myself..."
Stepping into the room just in time to catch those words, Xiaojuan felt her own eyes turn red. Clenching her teeth, she declared, "Let's see what those gossiping hags have left to blabber about now! I'm going right out there to slap them in the face with this news!"
The moment the news of Xianglan's pregnancy spread, well-wishers immediately crowded in to offer congratulations. But Xianglan was unwilling to linger a single moment longer and immediately prepared to depart for home. Bidding farewell to everyone before leaving, Madam Ding wore a smile on her face, though her expression was deeply complicated. Had she not patched things up with Xianglan earlier, a truly catastrophic loss of face would have unfolded here today. Yet deep down, she couldn't help feeling simultaneously startled, annoyed, jealous, and furious at her own grandniece's incompetence—this supreme wealth and glory should have been firmly grasped in their own hands all along! Glancing at her dumbstruck grandniece, Madam Ding shook her head and slumped defeatedly into her chair.