Against the Current - Chapter 59

Chapter 59 - Poetry Society (Part 5)

"Flowers and trees know not that spring is already late,

Yet still they vie in fragrant splendor, struggling to display their brilliant charms.

The fallen petals covering the ground are scattered in such disarray,

When we meet again, we only say it was back then."

Before the voice had even faded, Song Tanchai smiled and said, "And here she claimed she couldn't write well—she deserves a beating! Merely the conception alone surpasses mine, leaving one utterly convinced."

Because Lin Dongling was poor at composing poetry herself, she was currently feeling rather out of sorts. Having lost face just moments ago, she caught Zheng Jingxian casting a derisive glance in her direction, her eyes filled with undisguised disdain, which instantly brought a flush of heat to Lin Dongling's eyes. Hearing Song Tanchai heap such humble praise upon Zheng Jingxian only added to her irritation. She piped up, "Sister Tanchai, why are you being so modest? If something she wrote is good, it's good. Your own elder brother is a famously great talent in the capital; today we simply didn't invite outside men, but if he were invited here to compose poetry, even if he wrote something half-asleep in a dream, he'd still take first place."

Refusing to even look at Lin Dongling, Zheng Jingxian addressed Song Tanchai with an indifferent tone, "I hail from the capital myself, yet I wonder which one your esteemed brother might be?"

Song Tanchai hastily said, "Elder Sister Xian, don't listen to Sister Ling's nonsense..."

Lin Dongling cut right over her words, snapping, "Her brother is called Song Ke, styled Yifei, and he has written plenty of fine poems and essays."

Noticing that Lin Dongling was acting like a gamecock spoiling for a fight, Zhao Yuechan hurriedly intervened, "We've been talking long enough and we're all tired; let's have some tea before we continue reviewing the rest." With that, she personally took charge of the refreshments. Graceful, well-mannered, warm, and attentive, she first urged everyone to partake freely, then had someone fetch some goose feet and duck tongues she had pickled a couple of days prior from her own quarters. Smiling, she added, "When my mother celebrated her birthday last time and I visited my maiden home, my eldest paternal cousin-in-law told an amusing little anecdote that had us all laughing until our stomachs hurt."

Knowing that Zhao Yuechan was the best at telling amusing stories, Lin Dongqi asked, "What sort of anecdote was it? Do tell us, Sister-in-law, so we can have a good laugh along with you."

With her beautiful eyes sweeping in a captivating glance and an air of infinite charm, Zhao Yuechan gently twirled her round silk fan in her hand. "My eldest paternal cousin used to serve as the magistrate of Shunyi County in Shuntian Prefecture. On one occasion, he ascended the tribunal to interrogate a prisoner, asking him his age and what animal sign he was born under. The prisoner replied that he was born in the year of the pig. My eldest cousin thought the man was mocking and ridiculing him, so he flew into a rage and rebuked, 'This magistrate was born in the year of the pig—how dare you also claim to be born in the year of the pig?' The prisoner hurriedly kowtowed and said, 'My lord, this lowly subject truly was born in the year of the pig, specifically in the twelfth lunar month.' Only then did my eldest cousin realize the prisoner hadn't been cursing him at all, so he let out a sigh of relief and muttered under his breath, 'This magistrate was born in the first lunar month.' Who would have thought the prisoner would ingratiatingly squeeze out a flattering smile and belt out in a booming voice, 'That settles it then! My lord is the pig's head, and I am the pig's offal!'"

As soon as the words fell, everyone burst into resounding applause and laughter, laughing so hard they went completely weak at the knees. Hearing the commotion from inside her room, Madam Qin asked, "What is going on outside? Everyone is laughing so uproariously."

Hongjian smiled and said, "The Eldest Young Madam told a joke and cracked everyone up." With that, she recounted the tale Zhao Yuechan had just told, prompting the matrons in the room to break out into irrepressible laughter as well.

Madam Song chuckled. "This little monkey is always so clever and witty; among all those who have a way with words, not a single one can surpass her." Someone else chimed in with praise, "Indeed! Not only is she sharp and capable in disposition, but her appearance is beyond fault. Handling matters both inside and out with such grand poise and competence—Elder Sister Qin is truly blessed to have acquired such a daughter-in-law."

Hearing these words, Madam Qin merely offered a faint smile, lowering her head to sip her tea in order to conceal the complex emotions shifting within her eyes. A moment later, she raised her head and looked at Zhao Yuechan's radiant, spirited appearance, a bitter ache rising in her heart. Zhao is both clever and beautiful, adept at discerning people's hearts and treats me with utmost reverence, never once uttering a single word of dissent. Truly intelligent women of this sort are exceedingly rare; viewed in that light, she is an exceptional wife. Yet there is one fatal flaw: she lacks benevolence and virtue. Once you strip those two away and tack on an avaricious nature that loves to hoard wealth, then no matter how many fine qualities she possesses, she still falls into a lower tier... Ah, it is also Lin Jinlou's misfortune in marriage; if only he had wed someone as striking and capable as Zhao Yuechan, yet possessing a benevolent heart like Qinglan's, how wonderful that would be.

At that moment, Zhao Yuechan smiled brightly once more and raised her voice, "As for me, I am a terribly vulgar person who understands nothing of poetry and odes. The most I can do is tell a few crude, rustic jokes to make everyone laugh and bring a bit of cheer."

Leaning against the wall, Xianglan watched Zhao Yuechan chatting and laughing with such dazzling, captivating grace. Then, casting her gaze toward Qinglan, who sat somewhat crestfallen upon the stool beneath the corridor, Xianglan reflected inwardly with a quiet sigh, This is why a proper first-wife carries that distinct aura after all. Having grown up the daughter of an official family, she has seen and experienced much since childhood, and has weathered her share of storms; the way she handles herself in action is simply different. Even with the likes of us assisting Concubine Lan and elevating her to a lofty position, she lacks the natural wit and eloquence to carry it off, ultimately ending up losing face. A poetry society like this, which consumed so much effort and energy, has ended up having half its thunder stolen by one of Zhao Yuechan's jokes.

While Xianglan stood observing the others from her nook by the wall, she little suspected that Lin Jinlou was watching her from behind the climbing rose trellis. Seeing Xianglan with her hair coiled into a simple bun, dressed in an autumn-fragrance short jacket and a pale blue skirt embroidered with a pair of butterflies along the hem, her crisp, fresh attire made her clear, exquisite face look all the more enchanting. Half-closing his eyes, Lin Jinlou looked Xianglan over from head to toe, then from toe to head, feeling that she didn't quite match the image lingering in his memory. Yet upon closer inspection, she was precisely the same, though the living reality before him somehow appeared even more striking. Lin Jinlou stroked his chin in thought, wondering how on earth a mere maid could possibly grow up to be so breathtakingly lovely.

Scanning the area with a sidelong glance, he spotted a young maid who had just pinned up her hair, holding a small plate of pastries and eating as she walked along. With her round, pleasing face, she looked exceptionally endearing, so he beckoned to her with a finger. "Hey, you there, come here."

The pastry-eating girl was none other than Xiaojuan. Caught completely off guard by the summons, she jumped in fright, and upon recognizing that the person calling her was Lin Jinlou, she was so startled she nearly choked. She held the utmost terror for Lin Jinlou's imposing authority, and stood frozen in place, dumbstruck for a moment.

Impatiently, Lin Jinlou snapped, "I'm calling you! Did you hear me? Are you deaf?"

Putting all her might into it, Xiaojuan forced the pastry down, choking so hard her eyes rolled back. Lowering her gaze and assuming a meek posture, she shuffled over and asked, "What are the Master's instructions?"

Lin Jinlou pointed off in the distance toward Xianglan. "Go tell her to come to the TaoRan Pavilion. I have a matter for her."

Nodding like a chick pecking at rice, Xiaojuan turned to hurry off, but before she took a step, Lin Jinlou called out once more, causing her to freeze in her tracks in a panic.

Lin Jinlou instructed further, "You are not to let anyone else know about this. Go quietly."

Xiaojuan nodded vigorously once again before finally scurrying away.

Xianglan was busy tending to her duties by the base of the wall when she suddenly felt a tap on her shoulder. Turning around, she saw Xiaojuan, who was still chewing on a pastry as she mumbled indistinctly, "Hurry and go; the Master is looking for you."

Xianglan was startled. "The Master? He's back? What could he possibly want with me?"

Slapping her chest with a lingering look of terror, Xiaojuan said, "I have no idea. He said he's waiting for you at the TaoRan Pavilion behind the Gathering Green Lodge. You'd better not keep that man waiting; when he suddenly called out to me just now, it scared the wits out of me—I nearly choked to death."

With no other choice, Xianglan made her way toward the TaoRan Pavilion. Slipping out through the back door of the Gathering Green Lodge and rounding an unusual-looking ornamental rock, she found the TaoRan Pavilion nestled quietly amidst flowering peach and apricot trees. There, she saw Lin Jinlou standing leisurely within the pavilion, teasing a shama thrush hanging inside a cage suspended from the eaves.