Against the Current - Chapter 4

Chapter 4 - Entering the Estate (Part 1)

For the past few days, Second Aunt Lü had been sneaking out early and returning late, busy with who knows what, and had not come to the Chen household to stir up trouble. Xianglan spent this time in exceptional peace, throwing herself entirely into painting. Her brawl with Second Aunt Lü had truly made her famous overnight, effectively extinguishing any lingering thoughts many families might have had about betrothing their sons to her. Mistress Xue wore a gloomy expression, deeply unhappy and weighed down with worry.

One day, when Mistress Xue returned from outside, she saw Xianglan painting a peony and in the midst of inscribing characters upon it. Her displeasure grew even more pronounced, and with a dark, heavy face, she scolded, "You're a proper young lady, yet you won't tend to proper tasks! Your father pampers you, but what use is writing and painting these worthless trinkets? And reading those messy, miscellaneous books has completely bewitched your mind. Learning needlework and embroidery is the sensible path! Our family doesn't rely on you to earn these paltry coins!"

Xianglan replied, "Though I may not paint as skillfully as the nuns in the convent, a painting I did the other day sold for two hundred wen of silver—that's equivalent to the monthly stipend of a third-class maid in the great estate! How can you call that 'paltry coins'? Besides, how can books of the sages ever be considered miscellaneous? Reading them brings wisdom and clarity of mind, ensuring a person isn't left living in a blur for the rest of their days."

Mistress Xue frowned and said, "What kind of talk is that? What the hell is the use of you constantly spouting those classical turns of phrase? You can't take the imperial examinations to become a scholar. Mastering fine needlework can secure you a good match with a proper husband—can't you tell which matters are heavy and which are light? If you were the young mistress of a great noble household, you could dabble in the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting as your whims pleased. But do you even know your own station? You had better settle your mind down right this instant!"

Xianglan sneered, "Why must Mother's horizons be so narrow? Are our entire family destined to serve others as slaves for our whole lives, never having a single day to rise above it?"

Chen Wanquan was eating his meal in the inner room. Hearing this, he came out carrying his rice bowl and demanded, "What is it you want? Are you planning to lead a rebellion? You're ungrateful for living such a life in a household like this—so many people outside would envy it to no end! A mere child running her mouth off with wild talk. You had better get to work on your needlework right now. In a couple of years, you'll be of age to marry. Even with the fierce and formidable reputation hanging over your head, Head Manager Liu's son over at the silk shop has taken a fancy to you. The other day he asked to see the embroidered pouch you made, and in a couple of days, he'll send a matchmaker. When the time comes, Head Manager Liu will beg a favor from the master and mistress, get you betrothed, and have the wedding celebrated next year. That way, your mother and I can finally set half our minds at rest!"

Overjoyed, Mistress Xue asked, "Really? Did the Liu family actually say that?"

Xianglan, however, was taken aback. "Head Manager Liu's son? I certainly won't have him! I heard that when he was young, he suffered a severe illness; his wits aren't quite right, and even now he still looks dim-witted and simple."

Chen Wanquan glared at Xianglan. "What kind of man are you hoping to marry? Hoping to marry a scholar or a provincial graduate—as if you're worthy!" Then, his tone softening slightly, he continued, "You've met that boy from the Liu family before; you even played with him when you were children. He's two years older than you. He isn't stupid; he's just honest, steadfast, and simple-minded. If you're going to marry, you should marry someone without a deceitful bone in his body, understand? His father plans to secure a position for him on the estate's country estate later on, so you won't be shortchanged; marrying him, you won't suffer. Furthermore, Head Manager Liu holds great favor before the old master, their household is well-off, and they even keep a young maid to serve them. To my eye, it's just about comparable to a minor landlord's family. He's an only son, treasured like the pupils of their eyes, and countless families have been eyeing him. Now that he has taken a liking to you, marrying into such a household is your blessing."

Puffing out her cheeks in anger, Xianglan retorted, "If you're going to make me marry someone like that, I might as well shave my head and become a nun right this very second!"

Furious, Chen Wanquan scolded, "Listen to that! What kind of nonsense are you spouting! What kind of life are you holding out for? The lives of the mistresses and grandmothers up at the grand estate are wonderful—it's just a pity you weren't born into that womb! You're always looking at the greener grass on the other hill. Right now you aren't lacking for food or clothing, and a fine match has been laid out for you, yet you still don't know when you're well off."

Xianglan said, "I have no envy for the lives of the mistresses and grandmothers in the estate; I am doing this for my own lifelong future. Father, have you ever considered buying back our freedom and leaving the estate? Over the years, our family has saved up a little silver; once we're out, you could open an antique shop, or I could sell my paintings. Our family would have some money, and living freely—isn't that far better than being a slave?"

Chen Wanquan scoffed, "Do you think opening an antique shop is easy? Do you even have the capital for it?" With a sigh, he continued, "I'd like nothing better than to leave the Lin family sooner rather than later—the two managers in the shop are masters at squeezing others out, and working there is thoroughly disheartening. But redeeming our freedom takes a tidy sum of silver. When I first came to the Lin family, I sold myself for a mere five taels, but after all these years of eating and lodging on the estate's tab, who knows how many times over that silver has multiplied?"

Xianglan argued, "Father is simply too timid. If you were to quietly collect antiques on the side and sell them, you have no idea how much profit you could make." Just as she was speaking, a loud voice rang out from the doorway, "Is Chen Sister-in-law at home?"

Hastily climbing off the kang, Mistress Xue answered, "I'm here. Who is it?"

The visitor replied, "It's me." With those words, a woman in her mid-thirties stepped inside. She had thick eyebrows, a square face, and a tall, slender build. She wore an ink-green bodice, her hair was slicked back into an immaculate, glossy bun secured by only two silver hairpins, and her facial powder was blended with exquisite neatness, radiating an aura of sharp competence and capability. Her surname was Yang, given name Hongying. She was the daughter of the Lin estate's steward Yang Shun, and was married to a fairly prominent steward within the Lin household. Because of her eloquence and efficiency, she was highly valued among the married women of the estate.

The moment Mistress Xue saw her, she hurriedly ushered her into the room, instructed Xianglan to pour tea, and hastily retreated into the inner quarters. Yang Hongying smiled and said, "Sister-in-law, don't put yourself out." She sat down on the kang, and Mistress Xue smiled, asking, "What fragrant breeze blew you in today?"

Yang Hongying replied, "I came specifically to check on you. You took some of the estate's embroidery work last time, but you haven't been seen around for these past few months. There's some new needlework up at the mansion with generous wages; you can look up Mother Cui at the second gate later." Then, glancing toward the kang table, she picked up a piece of paper, clicked her tongue repeatedly, and exclaimed, "What gorgeous handwriting! It's even better than what the young masters in the estate write. Whose hand is this?"

Nodding toward the inner room, Mistress Xue said, "It's written by my daughter. She messes around with these miscellaneous things when she has nothing better to do—I was just lecturing her about it a moment ago."

As the words fell, Xianglan emerged from the inner room carrying a cup of tea and set it on the kang table. Yang Hongying grabbed Xianglan's hand and smiled, "Oh my, my child! The last time I saw you, you were only this high, and in the blink of an eye you've grown this big." She looked her over thoroughly. The girl before her was thirteen or fourteen years of age, with a slender and delicate figure, a peach-blossom face, arching eyebrows, red lips and white teeth, and a pair of eyes as bright and clear as spring water. She was an absolute beauty—pure, striking, and rich in natural charm, leaving a lasting impression upon a single glance.

Delighted, Yang Hongying exclaimed, "Truly a gorgeous young lady! And so remarkably literate and well-read to boot—no wonder she was raised within the Buddha's gates; she's entirely different from the others." She then turned to ask Mistress Xue, "Has she been betrothed yet?"

Mistress Xue replied, "Not yet. She's young after all, so there's no rush to settle it just yet."

Yang Hongying nodded silently, once more examining Xianglan closely and asking her about her usual chores, pastimes, and the like. Believing that Yang Hongying intended to broker a match for Xianglan, Mistress Xue felt a surge of elation, thinking to herself, This Madame Yang holds a position of status before the mistresses in the estate; who among the lower servants doesn't rush to greet her with utmost reverence? Everyone she deals with is a person of prestige in the mansion. If I can entrust her with finding a match even better than Head Manager Liu's son, who's to say it's impossible? Wealthy as the Liu family is, their son is somewhat dim-witted and unworthy of my daughter. With that thought, she dismissed Xianglan into the inner room so she could converse freely with Yang Hongying.

Picking up her bowl to take a sip of tea, Yang Hongying glanced at Mistress Xue and said, "Alas, I've been terribly busy these past few days. Old Mistress Zeng is failing fast; within these next few days, the entire household will have to go into mourning. When that happens, the First Master, First Mistress, the two young misses, and the concubine-born young master and young miss will all be returning to the capital to observe mourning."

Startled, Mistress Xue asked, "Isn't the First Master serving as an official in the capital?"

Yang Hongying explained, "Even officials must return to mourn their grandmother—this is what they call 'observing mourning leave.' Because of this, the estate is suddenly short of maids. I've been so swamped with this matter for the past two days that I haven't even had a chance to close my eyes."

Having already guessed seven or eight parts of her intent, Mistress Xue felt her heart pound furiously. She forced a smile and said, "You can simply have a human trafficker buy a few new maids and bring them back."

Sighing, Yang Hongying replied, "It's not nearly that simple. Newcomers need to be trained and taught the rules—how could they ever compare to those whose backgrounds are well known right here in the estate?" Lowering her voice, she continued, "For the past few years, First Young Mistress Lou has been managing the household accounts, but she has run up quite a bit of a deficit and can't spare much silver to buy new maids. Now that First Young Master Lou is pressing us hard, we've been sent in a rush to select a few hereditary bondservants to report for duty. I think your Xianglan is quite suitable—she's good-looking, gentle-natured, and bound to win the favor of the master and mistresses. It would be best for her to enter the estate to serve for a couple of years, learn the rules, and carve out a bright future for herself. As the saying goes, 'Better a maid in a great family than a wife in a small one.' Those maids with prestige can all achieve great things."

Hearing this, Chen Wanquan hurried out from the inner room, waving his hands frantically. "No, no! How could our Xianglan possibly have what it takes? Ordinarily, she only knows how to write a few characters, she can't handle a needle, and she doesn't know how to speak properly. She's utterly unsuited for serving others—if she goes in there, she'll just earn herself a beating! Besides, she's growing up and will be due to marry in a couple of years. She's my only daughter, so I beg Madame Yang to leave her behind. You can report upward that she's fallen ill or whatever else, and I will certainly not forget your kindness."

Yang Hongying urged, "Brother Chen, why speak like this? I'm doing this for your daughter's good as well. With Xianglan's looks and bearing, if she is favored in the future and raised to a secondary mistress, or if her status is eventually dissolved and she is married off to a prosperous family after leaving the estate, wouldn't that be far better than matching her with some domestic slave?"

Weeping with anxiety, Mistress Xue said, "If she stays by our side, at least we can call the shots, pick a good family for her betrothal, and then beg a favor from the master and mistress. Once she enters the mansion, what if she gets matched with some elderly bachelor? Our Xianglan's entire life would be ruined."

Yang Hongying countered, "Once a couple of years pass, we can select a husband for Xianglan, petition the estate for grace, and leave the household to be married. The masters will mostly even add to her dowry—those who were previously sent out of the mansion in matches were all those who committed misdeeds..." Realizing mid-sentence that Mistress Xue herself had been "sent out of the mansion in a match," she abruptly halted, coughed awkwardly, and added, "Even so, from the look of it, those girls are doing quite well."

Chen Wanquan argued, "The fourth daughter of the Liu family next door and the fifth daughter of the Zhang family are both the exact same age as our Xianglan..."

Interrupting him, Yang Hongying said, "And what about Second Aunt Lü's second daughter, or the Gong family's sixth daughter? I've looked at all of them—either they're too hideous or their spines are too spineless to take a stand, yet they kept shoving silver at me, desperately wanting to push their girls into the estate. Is it really that simple? Young Master Lou wants to inspect them personally, and he specifically gave orders to select those with upright appearances and compliant dispositions. This isn't a matter of just slipping some silver."

Though Chen Wanquan and his wife still pleaded desperately, Xianglan, hiding behind the doorway curtain, had heard every word loud and clear. She reasoned inwardly: My parents' minds are set on betrothing me to the Liu family and marrying me off next year, and once they've made up their minds, it won't be easy to change it. Instead of that, I'd be better off entering the Lin estate. I can stall for time day by day; after a few years, once I've saved enough silver, I can figure out my next move. Besides, if the Lin family's household rules are fair and upright, there's even a chance I might eventually have my bond annulled and be set free.

Thinking this through, she stepped out and said, "Madame Yang, if I enter the estate as a maid, will I be able to have my bond redeemed and be set free in the future?"

Yang Hongying replied, "Not everyone gets released, but maids who show competence and win favor before the young masters, young misses, and mistresses are frequently set free. These days times are hard, and others are all desperate to cling to the Lin family, which is why fewer people petition for grace to be released."

With absolute resolve, Xianglan declared, "Then I will enter the estate."

Mistress Xue let out a startled gasp. Xianglan glanced at her mother, then turned to Yang Hongying and said, "I am willing to enter the estate."

Nodding with satisfaction, Yang Hongying said to Chen Wanquan and his wife, "This daughter of yours actually has ambition." With that, she finished the remaining half-cup of tea, stood up, and said, "In that case, I won't disturb you any longer." Pushing the door open, she walked out.

In a frenzy of anxiety, Chen Wanquan barked at Xianglan, "What on earth made you agree to that! If I had coaxed her properly and slipped her some silver, you wouldn't have had to go into the estate to serve people. By the time you're let out at an advanced age, what respectable family would still want you?"

Calmly, Xianglan replied, "If the silk shop's Head Manager Liu counts as a respectable family, then I'd rather have nothing to do with such 'respectability.' If I don't enter the estate, I'll only end up married to some slave, and the children I bear will remain slaves forever. But if I enter the estate, there is at least a possibility that I might one day be set free and married to a commoner."

Even more infuriated, Chen Wanquan snapped, "That's bloody useless! Plenty of commoners live lives far less respectable than ours!"

Xianglan countered, "A commoner can be master of their own destiny. In the future, I can urge my children to study hard and forge ahead—who's to say they couldn't become the very 'scholars and provincial graduates' Father keeps talking about? And even failing that, we could own our own fields and property, which is still infinitely better than being a slave generation after generation."

Chen Wanquan argued, "You've never suffered a hardship since you were little, so you don't know how dangerous and weighty this is. Even though our master's family is benevolent, it's not as if maids haven't died in this mansion! And even if you manage to leave the estate after a few years, if you end up unable to find a match even as good as Second Manager Huang's son, you..."

Interrupting him, Xianglan said, "That would simply be my fate, and I would accept it." As she spoke, her tone remained tranquil, yet her gaze was brimming with unyielding resolve.

Mistress Xue looked from her husband to her daughter, and silently closed her mouth.