Against the Current

Xianglan glanced at Luanr and gave a faint, cold smile inwardly, lowering her face without speaking.

Luanr raised her slender eyebrows and said, "Hey, I'm talking to you. Did you hear me?"

Xianglan merely kept her head down and did not move. Seeing her like this, Luanr reached up to smooth her hair, a hint of smugness on her face, and said, "What's there to be shy about? It's just singing a tune to liven things up. Surely you're not unwilling? If you really are unwilling, then you're truly slapping the Eldest Master in the face. Our master has always loved listening to songs, and today's banquet was specially prepared for you by Sister Huamei. If you don't sing a piece, there's no way to justify it, is there?" She giggled, "Don't tell me you can't sing? If you can't, it doesn't matter. With the warmth the master shows you, even if you sing off-key and out of tune, he'll think it's a nightingale's call!" As she spoke, she glanced sideways at Lin Jinlou.

Xianglan remained seated and unmoving. Lin Jinlou also acted as if he hadn't heard, drinking on his own while Huamei and Yingge diligently served him dishes. Huamei thought to herself, "Xianglan was originally a maid. Although she caught the Eldest Master's eye, she ended up being driven out by Da Nǎinai out of jealousy. They say 'what you can't have is what you long for most,' and indeed, it's true. I heard the Eldest Master even went to the magistrate's office in person to release her father. Now he's bringing her in with such care and attention, clearly giving her support and face. Luanr has always been foolish and didn't notice the Eldest Master's intentions. Instead, she's gotten jealous and wants to put Xianglan in her place. In my opinion, she's just going to end up humiliating herself. Luanr is more detestable than anyone. As a mere Bedchamber Attendant, she acts as if she wants to tie the Eldest Master to her waistband, putting on airs like a mistress every day. It's utterly annoying. It's just as well to let these two fight it out while I reap the benefits."

Yingge, however, picked up a wine cup and offered it to Luanr, smiling as she said, "You sang so beautifully earlier, you probably scared her. Why trouble her? Dear sister, drink this cup of wine and sing another song for us."

Seeing that Lin Jinlou still appeared indifferent, Luanr grew bolder. She didn't accept the wine Yingge offered but straightened her back and sat there with a cold laugh, saying, "Sister Yingge offering me a drink—by rights, I shouldn't refuse. But today, if Xianglan doesn't respond to me, I simply won't drink this wine."

Yingge had intended to smooth things over but didn't expect Luanr to say this. She was momentarily embarrassed and set the wine cup down again.

Luanr grew even more displeased and said to Xianglan, "Are you deaf or mute? I've asked you so many times, and you haven't made a sound? If you want to slight me, fine, but haven't you noticed the Eldest Master is here too?"

Xianglan slowly raised her head, looked at Luanr's face, and said with a cold smile, "I am neither an actress, nor a Rouge powder, nor a servant. Why should I sing for others' amusement?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the room fell silent. Lin Jinlou paused for a moment but still finished the half-cup of wine in his hand.

Luanr's face flushed with anger. She abruptly raised her hand, pointing at Xianglan, and said, "You, you, you! What did you say?"

Xianglan said, "Are you deaf? Didn't you hear what I just said?"

Luanr flew into a rage, swept the wine cup in front of her to the ground, shattering it with a crash, and tugged at Lin Jinlou's sleeve, saying, "Eldest Master! Did you hear that?"

Xianglan gave a faint, cold smile and said, "What a fine servant you are, daring to smash a cup right in front of your master. Truly impeccable manners."Luanr widened her eyes and pointed, cursing, "I may be an actress, a rouge-powdered servant, but how much higher do you think you are? You're nothing but a lowly maid with a wretched fate!"

Xianglan replied slowly, "I may be a lowly maid with a wretched fate, but at least I haven't stooped to the point where I let others amuse themselves at my expense and still think it's an honor. Unlike some who haven't even earned the reputation of being half a mistress or a concubine, pleasing others with songs and serving them is your duty, not mine."

Luanr flushed crimson with rage and hissed, "You little bitch! Say one more word, and I'll tear your mouth apart!"

Seeing the situation escalate, Yingge quickly stood up and grabbed Luanr's arm, saying, "Good sister, say no more!"

Huamei also chimed in, "What's all this about? Everyone, calm down. The master is still here." Yet she remained seated, her tone laced with a hint of schadenfreude.

Yingge pointed and scolded, "You little wretch, you really think you're somebody? Asking you to sing was giving you face..."

Xianglan cut her off, "Spare me. What face can you possibly give me? Just now, with all your veiled insults, did you think I wouldn't notice? If you can't stand me, go beg your master to throw me out. Then we'll all be rid of this mess."

Luanr trembled with fury and was about to slap Xianglan but hesitated, mindful of Lin Jinlou's presence. She was just about to burst into tears and demand justice from him when, to her surprise, Lin Jinlou burst out laughing. He turned to Xianglan and said, "I truly didn't expect this. I thought you were a quiet one, but it turns out you're a little firecracker."

Xianglan replied with a stern face, "I'm no firecracker. Someone here wants to tear my mouth apart."

Lin Jinlou seemed utterly unbothered. He handed his wine cup to Xianglan and said, "Try this. It's authentic aged osmanthus wine. This small jar was buried under an osmanthus tree for over a decade. Even the imperial wine from the palace can't compare to its purity."

No one had expected Lin Jinlou to act this way. Xianglan was also taken aback but shook her head and said, "I never drink."

Lin Jinlou grinned, revealing a row of white teeth, and brought the cup to Xianglan's lips. "Just a sip. This is my wine cup, and I'm toasting you. You should know what's good for you, shouldn't you?"

Xianglan opened her bright eyes wide and stared at Lin Jinlou, unmoving. Lin Jinlou's expression gradually darkened, and he said impassively, "Quick, take a sip. Just to taste it." His tone brooked no refusal.

Xianglan had no choice but to take a small sip. The strong, spicy flavor rushed up, making her cough repeatedly. Lin Jinlou pulled her close and gently patted her back, then said to Huamei and the others, "If she doesn't want to sing, she doesn't have to. The rest of you can keep singing."

Luanr felt as if the world were spinning. Her lips trembled, but no words came out. Finally, she let out a loud wail, threw her pipa to the ground, covered her face, and ran out. Cunxin hurriedly chased after her.

Huamei remained unruffled and merely smiled, saying, "Sister Xianglan, come sit closer. There are a few vegetarian dishes here that are very fresh, all tender vegetable hearts. Have a few more bites." While urging Xianglan to eat more, she subtly signaled Xique to pick up the broken pipa and take it away, acting as if Luanr had never been there at all. The table was reset with bowls and chopsticks for Xianglan, and both Huamei and Yingge vied to serve her dishes.Huamei chatted and laughed with great enthusiasm, telling only amusing anecdotes and entertaining with a beaming face, taking care of every detail. Xianglan thought to herself, "Even though Luanr is skilled in playing and singing, and her looks are more delicate and fresh than Huamei's, her conversation, charm, and insight are far inferior to Huamei's. No wonder Lin Jinlou promoted her to be a concubine. It's just that her character is not upright; otherwise, she would be admirable."

Yingge, on the other hand, spoke little and silently peeled a plate of clams, then added chili oil to the vinegar dish and brought it to Lin Jinlou. Only then did Lin Jinlou take a proper look at Yingge. He noticed her thin cheeks; though she had the delicate charm of a "sickly beauty," there was also a hint of illness about her. He asked, "How have you been feeling these days? What medicine are you taking? Has the doctor come to see you?"

Yingge was overjoyed and hurriedly replied, "I'm only taking a few restorative medicines, and the doctor comes regularly to check on me."

Lin Jinlou nodded and asked no more.

Yingge said, "I've learned a new and clever tune recently and would like to play it for you, sir." Seeing Lin Jinlou nod, she quickly sent someone to fetch a flute and played a melodious piece. However, since her miscarriage, her health had never fully recovered, and she inevitably lacked energy. After playing just one tune, she could go no further, her face pale and her breathing unsteady.

Xianglan sighed inwardly, "Why go to such lengths just to please a man?" She then recalled her earlier conflict with Luanr, realizing that, at its core, it was merely a struggle for favor. A sense of desolation washed over her, and she found it all rather pointless.

At that moment, Lin Jinlou rewarded Yingge with a bolt of cloth. Yingge immediately felt honored and gratefully toasted Lin Jinlou with a cup of wine. Occasionally, Huamei also played tunes to liven the atmosphere and received gifts from Lin Jinlou as well.

After everyone had eaten and drunk a while longer, Lin Jinlou declared the feast over. Yingge quickly said, "It hasn't even been an hour since we started eating. Stay a little longer. Is there anything else you'd like to eat, sir?"

Lin Jinlou replied, "I have to leave early tomorrow morning. It's late, so I should go."

Huamei and the others tried to persuade him to stay, but when they saw Lin Jinlou already putting his feet on the ground, they knelt down together with Yingge to help him put on his shoes. Huamei added, "In that case, have one more drink before you go."

Lin Jinlou drank a cup and ordered the maids to pack a large box with assorted fruits and dishes to send to the main quarters for the old nannies and maids to enjoy. Huamei turned up the lamp, intending to find a pair of her own shoes for Xianglan to wear, but unexpectedly, Lin Jinlou picked Xianglan up and carried her away.

The main quarters were brightly lit. Lin Jinlou placed Xianglan on the large bed in the bedroom. At the sight of the bed, Xianglan turned pale and felt a chill of fear, repeatedly asking Xiao Juan to fetch her shoes. But Lin Jinlou chuckled and said, "What's the hurry? We didn't get to enjoy ourselves fully in the east wing earlier. Let's have a couple more drinks now." He truly ordered a kang table to be brought in, while Chunling went to the small kitchen to fetch three or four side dishes, and Tinglan and the others went to heat the wine.

Lin Jinlou pinched Xianglan's cheek and said, "I stood up for you today, so don't keep a straight face. Pour me a drink."

Xianglan had no choice but to pour wine for Lin Jinlou.

Lin Jinlou smiled and said, "I know you're shy and don't like to sing in front of others. There's no one else here now, so sing a tune for me."

Xianglan lowered her eyelids and said, "I don't know how."Lin Jinlou reclined against the pillows, stretching his long legs, and said with a laugh, "Who says you can't? I still remember, the first time I saw you, you were singing—something like 'Snowy waves beat against the sky, autumn clouds roll on the horizon.' Isn't that from The Romance of the Western Chamber?" Seeing that Xianglan remained silent, he took a sip of wine and chuckled, "Little Xianglan, do you even understand your own position? Luanr went a bit too far earlier, but because I care for you, I gave you face. Yet you ought to know very well what you are. When I favor you, you're a mistress; when I don't, you're not even as good as a servant. Understand?"

Xianglan sat rigidly, feeling a lump in her throat that made it hard to bear.

Chunling, who was waiting outside and had overheard clearly, couldn't bear it. She found an excuse to come in to clear the dishes, quietly signaling to Xianglan with her eyes, and said to Lin Jinlou, "The young lady might be thirsty. Let me pour her some tea to moisten her throat." She hurriedly brought in a cup of tea and whispered, "At least sing a song, even just two or three lines."

Just then, Xiao Juan entered and said, "Jixiang is outside under the corridor, saying there's something urgent to discuss with the Eldest Master."

Lin Jinlou then threw on his robe and went out, and he did not return after that.

Xianglan finally breathed a sigh of relief, hastily washed up, and went to bed.