Against the Current - Chapter 52

Chapter 52 - Stubbornness

Now, as the story goes, after Mimei left, Qinglan mentioned her agreement to host the poetry society to Mother Wu. Mother Wu was instantly startled and cried out, "My dear mistress, why on earth did you agree to this?"

Qinglan was taken aback and said, "What's wrong with agreeing? Aren't I consulting with you, Mother, on how the poetry society ought to be managed? I'm young and inexperienced, and I've never handled such a grand occasion before. Since you have seen a great deal, Mother, I must rely on you for everything."

Never did she expect that Mother Wu would grind her teeth, cursing bitterly, "I knew that little wretch Mimei meant no good, actually leading a concubine right onto a pirate ship!" Seeing Qinglan's bewildered expression, she couldn't help but sigh and say, "Does the concubine think hosting a poetry society is just child's play, something settled simply by the upper lip brushing the lower lip? In an ordinary wealthy household, a poetry society is just a pastime for the women of the inner quarters, but here in our household, it is entirely different. The Madam has great popularity, and the Master's official reputation is resounding. If our family were to host a single term of a poetry society, it would be equivalent to all the prominent, high-ranking wives and young misses of Jinling gathering together at our estate. To look after every detail and keep everyone satisfied on such an occasion, so that everyone finally utters a word of praise, is truly harder than ascending to heaven. Why do you suppose Second Young Miss loves hosting poetry societies? It is solely because she has yet to be betrothed; if such an occasion is managed well, who wouldn't praise her as virtuous and capable, and vie with one another to marry her into their family?"

Hearing Mother Wu describe the task as so formidable, Qinglan also showed a look of difficulty, but upon hearing the latter part, she perked up again and smiled with spirit. "If I manage such an occasion well, wouldn't I also win people's praise? You always say I have no backing in the estate, Mother, and you're terrified that if the Madam leaves, I'll suffer losses and bullying. Right now is the very best opportunity to make a name for myself; why should I back down?"

Mother Wu wanted nothing more than to roll her eyes, and she gave a bitter laugh. "My dear mistress! Second Young Miss manages things well because she has the Madam right beside her to assist and watch over her. Could it be that the concubine possesses such immense prestige that you can invite the Madam over to help you arrange it? Besides, the concubine is also carrying a large belly and is barely past the stage of guarding your pregnancy—how can you bear to exhaust yourself further? Listen to my advice and put this idea to rest, alright?"

Qinglan pouted, somewhat displeased.

Looking at Qinglan's flower-soft cheeks, Mother Wu sighed once more. Remembering that this Concubine Lan was merely a naive young bride of eighteen or nineteen, she softened her tone a bit and said, "If the concubine wishes to host a poetry society, it would not be too late to wait until the child is born and your body has fully recovered. Over these next few months, the concubine should focus on her own health and stop wearing yourself out with such distracting thoughts. Should anything happen to the young master in your belly, not only will the rest of us be frantic with worry, but the Eldest Master will also be heartbroken."

After trying to persuade and coax her for a long while, it was a pity that Qinglan was stubbornly set in her ways. Bent entirely on showing her face before others, her obstinacy flared up at this moment; the more she was told not to do something, the more determined she became to carry it out, stubbornly refusing to change her mind.

With no other recourse, Mother Wu had no choice but to go find Lady Qin. Lady Qin frowned and rebuked her first with a sharp, "Absurd!" Her brow furrowed deeply. She had carefully chosen Qinglan out of thousands precisely because she saw that the girl had a gentle disposition, a simple mind, and lacked excessive plotting. Otherwise, if a favored concubine focused all her heart on fighting the main wife for power and favor, the inner quarters would become even more chaotic and devoid of peace. Yet, looking at it now, being overly simple was hardly a blessing either.

After turning the matter over in her mind, Lady Qin told Mother Wu, "It's fine. If she wants to host it, let her host it."

Mother Wu was stunned.

Lady Qin continued, "She hasn't suffered any setbacks since entering the manor, so suffering a minor setback to gain a lesson isn't necessarily a bad thing. However, there is one priority: her pregnancy is what matters most. Keep a close watch by her side, have a physician come in to check her pulse every single day, and if anything seems amiss, come tell me immediately so I can find someone to step in and manage things for her."

Mother Wu acknowledged the order and departed.

After finishing her evening meal, Xianglan gathered all the leftover food into a bowl, took it out to the courtyard to feed the cats, and seeing Mother Wu sitting on the veranda sighing heavily, she stepped forward and said, "It's already pitch dark out, Mother—are you sitting out here to feed the mosquitoes?"

Mother Wu was just fretting over having no one to vent her grievances to; the moment she saw Xianglan, she immediately opened the floodgates of her conversation, recounting to Xianglan the entire sequence of events regarding Qinglan's agreement to host the poetry society.

Upon hearing this, Xianglan's expression turned grave as she said, "How can this be treated as child's play? Given the concubine's status, she has no business taking on a matter of this magnitude. What will the First Madam think when she learns of it? Furthermore, managing an occasion like this requires calculating expenses, ensuring everything is entertaining, and yet making sure not to lose face for the Lin family—it is even more difficult than preparing a family reunion banquet for the Mid-Autumn Festival."

Hearing Xianglan articulate such a reasoned perspective, Mother Wu felt secretly astonished, thinking, This little girl actually possesses such insight, almost as if she had personally managed the household affairs of a grand aristocratic family. Aloud, she said, "Who is saying otherwise? Not to mention that several of the official madams are naturally faultfinding. Bringing disgrace upon our household is secondary; what I fear most is if anything happens to the concubine's belly—then I could never face the Eldest Master and the Madam." Troubled, she added, "Though I've stayed in the Lin family for decades, I've never helped manage any banquets, and now the concubine says she will rely on me, an old woman, for everything. Alas..."

Xianglan sighed as well. "The concubine is also at fault—how could she agree to such a difficult task?" She then asked, "When is the poetry society being held?"

Mother Wu replied, "There are still half a month's time."

As the two of them were talking, they suddenly heard Yindie's loud, piercing voice drifting from the tea pantry: "...Sister doesn't need to use Xianglan to suppress me. Isn't it just that she was born with a seductive appearance and knows how to put on a pitiful act before the masters? Do you think I don't know what kind of vixen she is!"

Then they heard Chunling say leisurely, "She is the red-hot favorite in the Eldest Master's eyes, and she's even ranked as a second-class maid. Why must you deliberately court trouble with her? If you ask me, you'd better put aside your thoughts early on; whatever she tells you to do, just go ahead and do it."

Yindie's voice grew even sharper and harsher, carrying a trace of temper: "I'm not as soft-natured as Sister Chunling. Where has all of Sister's usual imposing authority gone? There's no need to fear her!"

Chunling lowered her voice and muttered something else, but it was too muffled to make out.

Mother Wu immediately looked toward Xianglan, but seeing Xianglan's expression remain serene, she remarked, "This is..."

Xianglan gave an awkward smile. "It's all because of that box of ointment from the Eldest Master."

Mother Wu said with extreme disapproval, "The Eldest Master rewarding you was his own choosing; what are they playing at... I always thought that little wretch Yindie lacked integrity, but since she was nimble-handed with chores and knew how to please Concubine Lan, I turned a blind eye. Who could have known she would speak of people in such an ugly manner behind their backs?"

Xianglan thought to herself: Yindie and I entered the manor on the very same day and are of similar age, yet I was promoted to second-class ahead of her. Since she is competitive by nature, naturally she isn't comfortable with it. Moreover, she also harbors romantic notions toward the Eldest Master, so seeing him give me a box of ointment must have stirred even greater resentment in her heart. Suddenly remembering that Lin Jinlou had given her a box of palace ointment, she feared the matter would soon spread throughout the entire estate. Growing vigilant, she looked at Mother Wu with a straightened expression and said, "I want to ask a favor of you, Mother... You are the Eldest Master's wet nurse, and the Eldest Master holds you in the highest respect. If you could pass a word to him, could you perhaps urge the Eldest Master to take back that box of ointment? It would be best if he could severely scold me in front of everyone—that way, I might actually live in peace for a couple of days."

Mother Wu burst out laughing, tapped Xianglan on the forehead, and said, "Do you think the Eldest Master hands out favors to just anyone? Silly girl, even the First Madam doesn't have the good fortune to receive that. Since he gave it to you, just keep it. Remember my words: things are a bit difficult right now, but there will be benefits for you down the line. You are different from other girls, and the moment I look at you, I know you are destined for good fortune and prosperity in the future..."