Against the Current - Chapter 94

Chapter 94 - Disposal

Mother Guo finished speaking and grabbed Fangsi to leave, when suddenly a little maid walked in and announced, "Auntie asks Mother to come into her rooms." Upon hearing this, Mother Guo had no choice but to head to Madam Song's bedroom. Entering, she saw that Madam Song had already gotten up, the reddish flush not yet faded from her face, clearly showing she had just woken from her nap. Song Ke was sitting in the chair on the left, Song Tanchai sat on the right, and Xianglan stood to the side serving tea.

At the sight of this, Mother Guo's heart began to beat like a drum. Putting on an ingratiating smile, she said, "When Madam woke up, why didn't you let someone give word? There is some freshly simmered heat-relief soup in the kitchen—would Madam care for a bowl?"

Madam Song waved a hand, as if not daring to look at Mother Guo, keeping her eyes fixed solely on her son's expression. Mother Guo thought to herself, "It's bad." Sure enough, she heard Song Ke speak: "There isn't any particular reason for coming here today, except that I feel Fangsi is getting older. Having served by Madam's side for so many years, she has certainly rendered meritorious service through hard toil, and it is time to have her sent out of the estate to find a match and marry. Although our household is not what it used to be, we cannot treat her shabbily either. Later on, Mother can go to the accounts room to draw fifty taels of silver, along with a set of gold and silver hairpins, accessories, and two bolts of dress fabric as a reward from the family for her hardship over these years. When she gets married in the future, the Song family will provide an additional dowry."

Though Madam Song had already dimly anticipated this step, hearing these words actually spoken aloud by Song Ke still made her heart tighten. She pleaded, "How can Eldest Brother say such a thing? No matter how lacking my girl may be, I ask you masters to instruct her more and not chase her out. Considering my loyal service to Madam all these years, at least leave me some dignity!"

Unable to bear it in her heart, Madam Song glanced over at Song Ke again. Seeing his face as dark and still as water, she moved her lips, then lowered her head and stayed silent.

Song Tanchai said coldly, "To politely invite her out of the estate while preserving her dignity is already out of consideration for Mother's face. Mother only needs to ask Fangsi what she has done, and you will understand why I speak this way." As it turned out, Song Ke had already explained to Song Tanchai beforehand about Fangsi instigating the Lin family's young miss to cause a massive uproar. Having read works like Records of Virtuous Women and Biographies of Exemplary Women since childhood, Song Tanchai was filled with a rigid sense of propriety and grand order, and she utterly despised servants of such dubious character who brought disgrace upon her family's name. No matter how well Fangsi had treated her in the past, that entire sentiment was reduced to ashes by this single infraction. At this moment, she wished for nothing more than to see Fangsi driven out to settle the matter once and for all, which made her tone exceptionally harsh.

Mother Guo dropped to her knees and pleaded, "I beg Young Miss to put in a good word for my daughter. From childhood to adulthood, she has combed your hair, knotted your cords, made your scent pouches, and accompanied Young Miss to chat and ease your mind. When Young Miss was reading and practicing calligraphy as a child, she always stood right beside you to attend to your brush and ink. When the weather turned cold, she made thick mattress pads for Young Miss, and when the weather grew hot, she brewed sour plum soup for you—just consider the past affection between you..." As she spoke, her voice choked with sobs. Although this speech was addressed to Song Tanchai, every single word subtly targeted Madam Song.

Sure enough, Madam Song could no longer sit still. Being a person of soft heart, Mother Guo's words reminded her of Fangsi's dedicated service over the years, and she was moved. Opening her mouth, she called out, "Ke'er..."

Song Tanchai said with a touch of anger, "This is only her proper duty as a maid. Even if she didn't do it, she would at most be lazy and unindustrious—how could that warrant the master's family driving her out? Mother, go ask her later what good deeds she has accomplished!"

Before her voice had even faded, the curtain to the inner parlor lifted. Fangsi rushed in like a gust of wind, dropped to her knees beside Mother Guo, and burst into a flood of tears. With a raw, choked voice, she sobbed, "I know I was wrong, but I beg you not to drive me out. If you force me out, I might as well smash my head against a pillar and die clean right here..." She kowtowed repeatedly without stopping.

Seeing that Madam Song's eyes had also grown red, Song Ke hurriedly spoke up, "Mother Guo, please get up. This is not about driving Fangsi out. It is simply that she is of age, and as the old saying goes, 'a grown daughter cannot be kept at home.' Seeing that her thoughts are becoming increasingly restless, it is time to send her out to marry. If she misses Madam in the future, she is entirely welcome to come back and visit. Just now, Madam was even discussing giving Fangsi a respectable set of jewelry for her future dowry—you should also thank Madam for this kindness."

These words left Mother Guo completely speechless once again. Indeed, they were not chasing Fangsi out; rather, they were sending her off with gifts and letting her leave the estate. Furthermore, Fangsi had long since reached the age where she should be betrothed.

Sobbing, Fangsi protested, "I am willing to serve Madam; I will never marry!"

Mother Guo hurriedly chimed in, "Exactly. Since the girl hasn't even been betrothed to a family yet, she can just continue serving Madam for a few more years, and leave the estate only after her marriage is settled."

Song Ke felt a severe headache coming on. Mother Guo was a senior servant of high standing, and because of her deep bond with Madam, he still showed her a measure of respect, which in turn made it difficult to deal with Fangsi. He had originally hoped to use a bit of wealth to send this troublesome Buddha on her way, but who would have expected this mother and daughter to be so thick-skinned and stubbornly refuse to leave? Raising his gaze, he saw his mother wearing a look of unbearable sympathy, while his sister sat with a rigid face as if someone owed her eight strings of cash. At a time when he desperately needed reliable people, not a single person present could step up and speak with authority.

By this point, Fangsi was kowtowing amidst loud wails, crying, "Don't drive me away! I will correct every single one of my faults from now on!"

Unable to contain her anger any longer, Song Tanchai stood up and snapped, "You'll change? What a public mockery! To scheme against your masters out of pure self-interest—if you insist on clinging here and refusing to leave, I might as well leave this household myself to find some peace of mind!"

Mother Guo beat her chest and wailed aloud, "Why must Tan girl speak with such cruelty? How are the two of us supposed to go on living? The masters we served with such hardship have turned out to be our enemies in the end—truly, heaven is blind and black-hearted..."

Seeing that the situation was descending into an unseemly farce, Xianglan abruptly pulled on Song Tanchai's sleeve and said, "Young Miss, please sit down." Noticing the faint look of vexation in Song Ke's eyes—knowing he was constrained by filial regard for his mother and could not speak too bluntly—she mused for a moment and shot a meaningful glance at Song Ke. Song Ke immediately caught her drift and said, "Xianglan, you speak on my behalf."

Stepping forward, Xianglan said, "Mother Guo, please dry your tears for a moment, take Fangsi outside, and then come back in to report. What kind of place is this? This is Madam's private bedchamber—how can you allow such loud wailing and kowtowing here? Isn't this just giving Madam extra grief? Mother is a veteran of the household who has served by Madam's side for so many years; could it be that you have forgotten even this basic principle? Moreover, letting Sister Fangsi go out to marry was a decision discussed and agreed upon by the Young Master and Young Miss, with Madam herself giving her consent. Yet Mother seems to have such grand prestige that you directly veto Madam's will. The Young Master explained it repeatedly to no avail, and instead you resorted to pulling rank as an old servant. You repeatedly claimed just now that you were utterly loyal, yet your whole mind is set on plotting for your own daughter, not even showing regard for Madam. Can this possibly be called loyalty?"

This string of words came out like a volley from a string of pearls. Delivered with crisp articulation and a clear voice, it left Mother Guo utterly dumbfounded.

Xianglan took another step forward and continued, "Secondly, although the Young Master has long intended to send Fangsi out to marry, there is a specific reason why he brought it up today. No doubt Mother has heard about the great commotion in the study this morning—one only needs to ask Fangsi to know what caused it. The Young Master simply wanted to spare Mother's face, which is why he hadn't laid it all out in the open. Yet Mother chose to act as though the Young Master wasn't giving you any face!" Turning to Fangsi, she added, "When you committed such an act and shattered the rules and propriety of the house, you should have anticipated the consequences. Now that the Young Master has spoken and Madam has given her consent, this is no longer a place where you should linger. Mother, please take your people and return."

These words brought absolute clarity to Song Ke's mind, and he nodded repeatedly toward Xianglan, while even Song Tanchai's face revealed an expression of open admiration.

Fuming with hidden resentment, Mother Guo wiped away a tear and sneered, "Young Miss certainly puts on grand airs. Even the Eldest Young Master wouldn't dare use that tone to speak with me—could it be that a mere servant girl like you thinks she can? Is this what you call knowing your place?"

Xianglan replied, "Though I do not know proper rules, I at least know one shouldn't instigate trouble behind the scenes out of one's own selfish desires."

Mother Guo still wanted to argue further, but Song Ke cut her off sharply, "Our old residence in the capital has always lacked someone reliable to look after it. Mother Guo is advanced in age and should have retired to enjoy her remaining years long ago. Later, I will have the accounts room disburse another fifty taels, and have someone escort Mother to the old family estate in the capital to recuperate! Pack your things tomorrow and leave the estate; a carriage will be prepared at the gates."

It was as though a thunderbolt had struck Mother Guo over the head. In disbelief, she looked toward Madam Song, but Madam Song kept her eyes closed tight throughout, her fingers turning Buddhist prayer beads as she chanted silently.

Song Tanchai stepped forward to support Madam Song, saying, "Mother, come stay in my quarters tonight." Ignoring Mother Guo and Fangsi, who were still kneeling on the floor, the group walked straight out of the room.

Behind them, Mother Guo wailed, "Madam, Madam, say something! Please say something!" She lunged forward, but was grabbed by the matrons who had been standing guard outside the doorway and hauled back inside.

Xianglan sighed softly, "Fangsi is certainly detestable, but Mother Guo has served for so many years after all..."

Song Ke said, "You don't need to pity her. My mother has an easygoing nature, but while serving at her side all these years, Mother Guo has secretly pilfered I don't know how many silver pieces and pieces of jewelry. I once saw Fangsi wearing a pearl-inlaid gold and jade hair ornament that was precisely the one my mother had specially ordered made outside to celebrate her birthday a few years ago. I quietly asked my mother if she had given that hair ornament away as a reward, and she said no, yet the item had vanished into thin air. Mother wanted to hush the matter up to keep the peace, so it was dropped, but ever since then I kept a close eye on things and realized Mother Guo's hands were not clean. Using this current incident as an opportunity is the perfect chance to drive her out."

By the time they reached the doorway of Song Tanchai's private chambers, Song Ke strode forward in a few quick steps and helped Song Tanchai guide Madam Song to sit down on the bed. Bowing respectfully, Song Ke said, "Mother, my sister and I have discussed this: Mother's side lacks someone capable and useful. From now on, Sister can have her maid Juanhua come serve Madam, and I will send my personal maid Junxi to assist Sister. Once this summer passes, we can bring in a couple more maids... If Madam does not care for Juanhua, I will select someone else." As it turned out, Fangsi had completely monopolized power within Madam Song's quarters and refused to train any younger maids, terrified that newcomers would squeeze her out of her position. Now that she had been banished, Madam Song's quarters didn't even have a single usable maid left.

With a face full of exhaustion, Madam Song waved a hand and said, "You two decide everything. I am old now and can no longer make decisions; the people around me can be driven out on a whim—what more is there for me to say?" With that, she closed her eyes.

Song Ke said, "Mother, Mother Guo's hands were not clean, and Fangsi was simply too..."

"I know," Madam Song opened her eyes and looked at Song Ke. "But at my age, what else do I hope for, other than having someone by my side who can coax me with pleasant words and bring me some joy? Even if her hands aren't clean, how much can she possibly take away? Can't I just consider it paying money to buy a little happiness?"

Song Ke immediately dropped to his knees, and Song Tanchai hurriedly knelt beside him. Gritting his teeth, Song Ke said, "Your son is unfilial for causing Mother distress. However..."

Madam Song waved her hand once more, closing her eyes as she said, "Enough. You have all your grand theories and principles—I cannot argue with you. All I want is peace and quiet. Treat this mother and daughter generously, find a reliable person to send them off properly, and that's that. After all, they have served us through the years, and we cannot act like ingrates who forget kindness."

Song Ke repeatedly agreed. Seeing that Madam Song had no desire to converse further, he could only withdraw, tossing an inquiring glance at his sister to ensure she took good care of their mother, before stepping outside.

For a moment, all was quiet.

Early the next morning, a piercing scream echoed from the main rooms, immediately followed by Mother Guo's heart-rending wail: "My child! How could you be so foolish as to abandon me—how am I supposed to go on living?!"

Xianglan, who had been following close behind Song Ke, rushed over in a panic to look, only to find that Fangsi had hanged herself with a beam. One could see just the tip of an embroidered shoe from the hem of her skirt swaying back and forth in mid-air.