Against the Current - Chapter 43

Chapter 43 - Waiting Upon Him (Part 2)

Before her voice had even faded, Yindie ran in like a gust of wind, snatched the fan right out of Xianglan’s hand, and began fanning Lin Jinlou while smiling broadly, "Why did the Eldest Master come at such an early hour? The concubine just went out for a stroll in the garden and isn't in the room. Whatever the Eldest Master needs, just give your orders to me." She cast surreptitious glances at Lin Jinlou, and seeing how tall, handsome, distinguished, and dashing he was, she felt a bit infatuated, inwardly cursing herself for wearing a pair of somewhat dated and semi-new clothes today, and for not combing her hair properly either. She also worried that the powder and rouge on her face might have melted from the sweat.

Xianglan secretly breathed a sigh of relief and quietly retreated to stand beside the screen. Yindie made an exaggerated fuss, crying, "Could it be that the Eldest Master hasn't eaten breakfast yet? Why are you only eating pastries? I remember there are still two or three delicate side dishes in the cupboard that go best with porridge to cleanse the palate; I'll bring them over for the Eldest Master in a moment." As she spoke, she put even more vigor into fanning Lin Jinlou.

Freed by the excuse she had been looking for, Xianglan immediately chimed in, "I'll go fetch the dishes," and turned to leave. Lin Jinlou waved a hand and said, "Never mind." Pointing at Xianglan, he added, "You come and refill my tea." Yindie had already preempted her by grabbing the teapot to pour tea for Lin Jinlou, blinking her large eyes and baring her teeth in a smile as she said, "The Eldest Master hasn't come by for the longest time. It must be due to your heavy official duties. Behind your back, I always tell Big Sister Xianglan that you are the main pillar of our Lin household, running about and toiling outside every day, and you must take good care of your health. We only regret not being able to serve by the Eldest Master's side to repay your kindness, so we pour all our strength into serving Concubine Lan so as not to let down your good intentions."

Xianglan felt a surge of quiet annoyance, thinking, You can grovel and suck up to the master all you want, but why drag me into it? She stepped forward to clear away the bowls and chopsticks, using it as a pretext to hide in the side room.

While Yindie chattered on endlessly with words expressing boundless gratitude, Lin Jinlou grew quite impatient, wishing he could chase Yindie away and summon Xianglan back to talk. Suddenly, he saw Qinglan walking in, supported by Chunling and Mother Wu, exchanging laughter and chatter all the way. Yindie had no choice but to put down the fan with lingering reluctance and step forward to greet them. Mother Wu said to Chunling, "You kept saying you wanted to pick dew-kissed flowers to make rouge for the concubine, but by now the dew has long since evaporated."

Chunling giggled and said, "It doesn't strictly have to be dew-kissed, as long as the blossoms are fresh. Besides, the concubine is so naturally fair and pretty that I daresay she doesn't even need rouge."

Qinglan smiled and said, "You always have the sweetest tongue. I'll reward you with some preserved honeyed fruits later." Seeing Yindie emerge from the inner room, all three of them looked somewhat surprised. Taking another step inside and casting her gaze across the room, Qinglan saw only Lin Jinlou with his shoes off, lounging sideways on the daybed. A look of awkwardness crossed Qinglan's face, while Chunling and Mother Wu exchanged glances, both of their expressions darkening.

For a time, Qinglan stayed in the room keeping Lin Jinlou company in conversation while Xianglan sat outside waiting to be summoned by her masters. Chunling brewed a fresh pot of tea and then withdrew, heading straight into the room to find Yindie and demanding to know what she was doing in Qinglan's bedchamber. Yindie fabricated a lie, saying, "I originally went to the needlework room to ask for a few bundles of colored thread. On my way back, I saw Big Sister Xianglan serving the Eldest Master in the room, but she was so clumsy that she displeased him, which is why the Eldest Master had me step in to serve instead. I had only fanned him twice before you older sisters came back. If you don't believe me, go ask the Eldest Master."

Xiaojuan was sitting on the bed sorting out a tangled ball of thread. Hearing Yindie describe Xianglan as "clumsy," she sneered, "Do you figure we have no way to ask the Eldest Master, so you can spin a tale like this where there's no proof left behind? You think we can't see right through you? Rushing up to the Eldest Master to show off—who do you think you are! Tomorrow let's all leave, and even Concubine Lan can move away, leaving you to have this entire eastern side-chamber to yourself. Would that finally satisfy you?"

Chunling planted her hands on her hips and knitted her brows as she scolded, "I've said all along that this room can't be left empty of people. Where on earth were you gallivanting all morning? The needlework room isn't far from here; why did you take so long? Could it be that my temperament was too easygoing before, and I spoiled you to the point where you've lost all sense of direction?"

Yindie felt intensely resentful inside, thinking to herself, So what if I harbored that intention? I don't believe you two little hussies don't have the exact same scheming thoughts! The moment the Eldest Master comes around, you guard him like hawks, fighting and scrambling to serve right in front of him. Yet here you are putting on airs in front of me, acting like chastely virtuous maidens and waving rules around to suppress others. As for that cheap-hoof Chunling, she was happy enough to take the rouge and powder I used to give her in the past. Today, I merely fanned the Eldest Master twice, and now there's all this bitter and sweet chatter not worth chewing over—bah! Xianglan is a blockhead and lets you walk all over her, but am I someone you can casually push around? She wanted to argue back, but how could she match the sharp tongues of Chunling and Xiaojuan? She could only curse them both from head to toe in the privacy of her own mind.

Xianglan was sitting on the embroidered round stool at the entrance of the bedchamber, secretly congratulating herself on dodging the bullet in time. Suddenly, she heard the tinkling of a small bell from inside the room. Rising to go in, she saw Lin Jinlou holding Qinglan close as they sat together on the daybed, just about to kiss Qinglan's cheek. Qinglan lowered her head and smiled softly, her enchanting eyes brimming with bashfulness. Pushing gently against Lin Jinlou, she chided playfully, "Behave yourself. The maid is right here."

Lin Jinlou chuckled softly, reached out to tuck a stray lock of hair back behind Qinglan's ear, lifted her hand to plant a kiss on it, and said gently, "What are you shy about? Which blind fool would dare go blabbing about it... Even if they did, I wouldn't care."

Xianglan instantly felt awkward. Standing at the doorway, she found advancing impossible and retreating inappropriate. With her eyes fixed on her nose and her nose fixed on her eyes, she stared straight down at the floorboards. Sweeping a sideways glance across the room, Lin Jinlou caught sight of Xianglan and couldn't help pausing for a moment. Although he thought nothing of joking around with his beloved concubine while a maid happened to be present, realizing that the maid in question was Xianglan made him feel inexplicably ill at ease.

Fortunately, she heard Qinglan say, "Go find a set of the Eldest Master's everyday indoor clothing. I remember we had two or three pieces laundered and starched just the day before yesterday." Feeling as if she had been granted a full pardon, Xianglan hurried to turn around and leave.