Against the Current - Chapter 49

Chapter 49 - Scalded

Before her words had even faded, Zhao Yuechan had already been supported inside by a maid in a swaying, graceful walk. She was dressed in a pear-blossom cyan double-embroidered light gauze long skirt, with a matching set of bright, clear emerald-green jade ornaments on her head, ears, and wrists, making her look exceptionally pure, radiant, and refreshing, like a celestial fairy. Zhao Yuechan walked straight toward the bedchamber. Glancing inside, she saw Lin Jinlou and Qinglan snuggled together with extreme intimacy. Instantly, she was so furious that her hands and feet turned ice-cold, yet a smile bloomed on her face as she said, "Oh my, so the eldest young master is here. It seems I've come at an awkward time." Qinglan hurriedly stood up to offer a seat, smiling as she said, "First Madam has arrived at the perfect time, how can you say it's an awkward time? Xianglan, quickly, hurry up and brew some tea, and set out a few fine pastries and fruits."

Zhao Yuechan seated herself with slow, graceful steps by the kang table and said, "Had I known my husband was here being intimate with younger sister, I certainly wouldn't have dared to come and disturb you. Later, the servants will gossip behind our backs and say I lack virtue." Not daring to sit back down or chime in, Qinglan stood quietly to one side.

Lin Jinlou took a sip of tea, glanced at Zhao Yuechan, and asked, "What are you here for?"

Zhao Yuechan shot Lin Jinlou a coquettish, reproachful look and said, "I merely came over to drop by for a chat. What? Is even that not allowed?" Though it was a look of vexation, her eyes rippled with moisture like springtime waves, brimming with seductive charm. She swept her gaze around the room and saw that the furnishings were luxurious. In particular, an antique display rack stood in the corner, laden with treasures of gold and silver. Right in the center of the multitreasure cabinet sat an ivory-carved statue of Guanyin Delivering Children, meticulously sculpted from a single piece of translucent emerald-green jade and inlaid with precious jewels such as agate, crystal, coral, and jadeite, radiating a brilliant, luminous glow. Several years ago, a wealthy and lavish salt merchant from Yangzhou had given this Guanyin statue to Lin Jinlou as a wedding gift. She had fallen in love with it at first sight and dropped endless hints, hoping Lin Jinlou would gift it to her. Lin Jinlou had pretended not to hear, yet now he had given this very Guanyin to Wang Qinglan, this little fox-spirit! Beside the bed stood a rosewood, gold-traced, full-relief carved ivory mirror stand, which looked even more costly than the pear-wood and silver-inlaid mirror table in her own rooms. That rosewood hollow-carved moon gate with chrysanthemum patterns had a curtain of crystal beads hanging down its center—all strung together from brightly polished crystal beads that were round, lustrous, crystal-clear, letting light through while blocking mosquitoes, every single bead of uniform size—an exceptionally rare treasure.

Suppression of the blazing anger in her heart showed as Zhao Yuechan smiled a tight, sardonic smile. "This is my first time visiting younger sister's quarters. I wouldn't have known if I hadn't come; the trinkets and furnishings in this room are even finer than those in my own quarters."

Qinglan curtsied submissively and said, "First Madam flatters me too much. How could it be as wonderful as you say? My room may look dazzling with a myriad of things, but how could it ever compare to the precious treasures in your rooms?"

With a smile that carried hidden barbs, Zhao Yuechan retorted, "You are the person held closest in the eldest young master's heart. When it comes to such fine treasures, if he doesn't reserve them for you, who else would he reserve them for? Every single item in your room was personally chosen by him. No matter how precious the things in my room are, compared to the eldest young master's heartfelt affection, they are like mere dirt—completely worthless."

Qinglan had never been skilled with words. Stung by Zhao Yuechan's barbs, she stammered, at a loss for what to say.

Lin Jinlou set his teacup down heavily on the table and commanded, "Refill my tea." Qinglan hurriedly picked up the teapot to pour water for Lin Jinlou.

Seeing that Lin Jinlou remained indifferent and unresponsive, Zhao Yuechan swallowed her rising anger, softened her tone, and said, "Earlier, I went to Mother's rooms to deliver some goose webs and duck sinews that I had pickled myself. Mother mentioned that you will be leaving on a trip tomorrow. Why didn't you mention this to me? I could have helped you prepare and pack your clothes and daily necessities. I waited for you in my rooms for the longest time, and when you didn't come, I felt so stifled that I came to chat with younger sister Qinglan."

Lin Jinlou answered indifferently, "My garments and articles have already been prepared by Shuran and the pageboys."

Zhao Yuechan pressed on, "They can never look after your comfort as attentively as we do. If you eat poorly or sleep poorly away from home, we worry right along with you. Don't you agree, younger sister?"

Qinglan glanced at Lin Jinlou's expression, unsure whether she should agree or remain silent. The mere sight of Zhao Yuechan struck terror into her heart, and she hastily lowered her head.

Zhao Yuechan sneered inwardly, thinking to herself, "This little cheap thing is far inferior to my looks, and her timid temperament is completely unsuited for high society. What on earth is it about her that has captured a man's heart? The eldest young master acts as though he's been given a love potion, running to the east wing every few days." Her eyes drifted to Qinglan's rounded belly, and an overwhelming wave of resentment surged within her.

As it turned out, Lin Jinlou treated her with chilling coldness. Every time she returned to her natal home, her mother would lecture her to bear a son or daughter as soon as possible. But under the current circumstances, leaving her to spend her nights alone in an empty bedchamber, how could she conjure up a child out of thin air! Over these past few days, she had intentionally restrained herself, abandoning her tears, tantrums, and overbearing ways. She had put on a gentle demeanor to coax Lin Jinlou and refrained from picking faults or making trouble for Qinglan, yet Lin Jinlou's treatment of her remained chillingly distant. A moment ago, she had heard from Qinshi that Lin Jinlou was leaving on a journey tomorrow—a matter she had been kept completely in the dark about. Now, her status had fallen even lower than that of a humble concubine! Consumed by anger, she had dressed up finely and come to the east wing, determined to see just what special qualities that little fox-spirit possessed to bewitch her man. Yet seeing her now, she was nothing out of the ordinary. And yet, Lin Jinlou sat right there in front of that little wretch, treating his own wife with utter indifference and deliberately making her lose face!

The more Zhao Yuechan thought about it, the more enraged she became. As luck would have had it, Xianglan walked in carrying tea. According to propriety, this tea should have been personally served to Zhao Yuechan by Qinglan herself, but caught in a daze of hesitation, Qinglan had failed to move. Fury piled upon fury for Zhao Yuechan. Seizing the opportunity to vent her spleen, she picked up the tea bowl, let out an exaggerated sigh, and hurled the entire cup of hot tea straight into Xianglan's face, scolding fiercely, "Clueless, base little wretch, with tea this scalding, how do you expect me to hold it!"

Though the tea was not boiling hot, it was still quite warm. Xianglan let out a startled cry of "Ah!" and hurriedly covered her face, tears instantly welling up from the stinging pain. Lin Jinlou sat bolt upright on the spot. Zhao Yuechan snapped, "Get out of here at once!"

Xianglan moved to leave with her face covered. Disregarding his shoes, Lin Jinlou swung his legs down from the kang, strode across the room in a few rapid steps, and pulled Xianglan's hands away. Her cheeks were一片 bright red, though fortunately unblistered. Looking closer, he saw tears hanging on Xianglan's face, her expression one of shock, terror, and heart-wrenching vulnerability, which instantly melted his heart with pity.

With a cold, stern expression, Lin Jinlou glanced at Zhao Yuechan, then turned his gaze to Xianglan and said, "First Madam was unreasonable toward you just now. I apologize to you on her behalf."

Xianglan froze, on the verge of dropping to her knees, but Lin Jinlou caught her arm to prevent her from kneeling. With his other hand, he fished a silver ingot from his pouch and pressed it into her hand, saying, "Tomorrow, have Divine Doctor Luo from the Jiantang Pharmacy come over to examine you. Keep this silver for your recuperation, and you don't need to serve before me until your injuries heal. Later, I'll send someone to bring you some healing ointment."

Xianglan looked up at Lin Jinlou through her tears, her lips parting slightly, but words of gratitude failed to leave her throat. Lin Jinlou offered her a faint smile, revealing a flash of exceptionally white teeth, before turning back to Zhao Yuechan to command, "Let's go." Seeing that Zhao Yuechan was still standing there in a daze, he knit his sword-like brows and barked, "Didn't you come here precisely to get me to return? Well, bring me my shoes!"

Recovering her wits, Zhao Yuechan frantically hurried forward to put Lin Jinlou's shoes on, then followed closely behind him as he strode out.

When Xianglan returned to her room, she felt a profound sense of grievance and heartache, and her face burned with a fiery sting. When Chunling and the others came over shortly after to inquire about what had happened, Xianglan managed a few perfunctory replies and pressed a cool, damp towel to her face to soothe the skin. Not long after, a young maid arrived carrying a small circular box made of fine silkwood, announcing, "The eldest young master sent you this ointment. Apply a layer wherever your face hurts, and make sure not to let it touch water." Opening the lid, Xianglan found a milky-white ointment inside, accompanied by a faint, refreshing herbal fragrance. When she smoothed it onto her face, it felt cool, soothing, and moisturized, and the red marks instantly began to fade.

Chunling cried out in astonishment, "This is the Crystal Jade Snow Ointment, something bestowed straight from the imperial palace during the New Year! First Madam received four boxes and immediately sent one over to Old Madam. This stuff is made according to a secret imperial formula; any rashes or frostbite on the skin vanish the moment you apply it. You can't buy this anywhere, even if you have the money." With a flash of jealousy in her eyes, she continued, "The eldest young master not only apologized to you and gave you silver, but he even let you use palace-bestowed ointment and called Divine Doctor Luo to examine your injuries! Divine Doctor Luo only ever comes to take the pulse of the mistresses and madams."

Xiaojuan chimed in with a grin, "To think that getting scalded just like that has earned you such massive prestige, turning a misfortune into a stroke of extraordinary fortune."

Yindie remarked in a flat, indifferent tone, "Though the eldest young master is of a gentle disposition and has a soft spot for servants, if it weren't for the sake of the concubine, how could he possibly grant you such face? Don't let success go to your head!"

Torn between laughter and tears, Xianglan thought to herself, "The pain of the scald is on my face, yet it invites a whole nest of gossiping tongues. Any of you who are so eager can take my place—I have no desire for the 'massive prestige' the eldest young master bestowed." Then she reflected further, "Although the eldest young master is somewhat spoiled and willful, he is also quite magnanimous. Since the ointment he gave me is so precious, once the marks on my face fade away, I will simply return it to him." Keeping her thoughts entirely to herself, she quietly put the item away without a sound.