Against the Current

Lin Jinlou laughed and said, "What kind of beauties haven't you fellows seen before? She's just an ordinary person."

Liu Xiaochuan immediately protested, "What treasure are you hiding in your arms that you won't let others see? Today I must have a look."

Lin Jinlou said, "She's a woman who's shy around strangers, and she's been ill these past couple of days. I'll have her come another day. There's someone in my quarters who can sing and play music—shall I have her come out to play a tune for everyone's enjoyment?" He glanced at Liu Xiaochuan and added, "She sings even better than Xiao Cuixian. Don't you want to hear her?"

Lin Jinting perked up and said, "Elder Brother must be talking about Luan'er from your quarters. She sings extremely well. Back when she was in Grandmother's rooms, she would always come out to sing for Grandmother's birthday celebrations. It's a pity we haven't had the pleasure of hearing her since."

Lin Jinlou drank half a cup of wine and said with a laugh, "So you've been thinking about her all this time. Today, thanks to these brothers, you'll get to hear her again."

Liu Xiaochuan widened his eyes and said, "Are you boasting? Can she really sing better than Xiao Cuixian?"

Lin Jinting grabbed Liu Xiaochuan and said with a laugh, "Don't be stubborn—she really does sing better than Miss Cuixian! Her voice is sweet and clear, and she plays the pipa beautifully too!" He shot Lin Jinlou a resentful look, smacked his lips, and said with a mix of envy and implication, "There are plenty of pretty girls around, but without some real talent, how could they catch my elder brother's eye?"

Xie Yu put an arm around Lin Jinting's shoulder and said, "Everyone knows the Lin Family has many beauties. Just now you said your grandmother gave you a maid too, and you've taken her into your quarters now."

Lin Jinting snorted resentfully and said, "Grandmother is biased—she lets Elder Brother pick all the good ones first. The one I got was just what he left behind."

Lin Jinlou laughed heartily and said, "Alright, tomorrow I'll buy you a pretty maid to shut you up." With that, he sent someone to fetch Luan'er.

Meanwhile, at Knowing Spring Pavilion, Wu Mama had already taken her leave. After Xianglan finished lunch, she went to the backyard and sat on a stone bench with Chun Ling, doing needlework while Xiao Juan nearby prepared rouge. They chatted idly. Chun Ling looked at the shoes Xianglan was making for Xue Shi and praised them, then quietly advised, "About what Wu Mama mentioned today, Miss should really take it seriously. Since Taitai has asked you to go pay your respects, it's not good to keep putting it off..."

Before she could finish, they heard someone say, "What bad luck! Let's go—someone's already taken the spot!" Xianglan looked up and saw Luan'er standing in the covered corridor with Cun Xin, who was holding a small basket of sewing supplies. Clearly, they had intended to do needlework on the stone benches.

Xianglan stood up and said, "Let's go back," and began packing her needlework.

Luan'er sneered, "Don't leave on my account, lest people say I came and chased you away. If that gets back to the Master's ears, it would be unpleasant."

Xiao Juan was so angry she wanted to retort, but Xianglan pulled her back and continued packing to leave. Just then, Lianxin came over and said, "The Master has sent someone from the front, asking Miss to come sing a song."

Luan'er's expression changed, her fine eyebrows furrowing, and she said, "My voice is hoarse—I can't sing." She turned to leave.

Lianxin quickly stopped her, smiling, "How did it become hoarse? I just heard you singing a moment ago."

Luan'er said, "It's hoarse, that's all. Go back and report to the Master that I can't sing."Lianxin was at her wit's end, anxiously wringing her hands. Ji Xiang, standing not far away, had already deduced that Lianxin wasn't quick-tongued enough to persuade Luan'er. He approached with an ingratiating smile and said, "Miss Luan'er, the Master specially sent me to personally invite you over. Please change your clothes and come along."

Luan'er sneered coldly, "Not even the Jade Emperor himself could get me to go today. My voice is hoarse—I can't sing."

Ji Xiang replied, "You know the Master's temper—how can you refuse? Besides, these are all the Master's closest friends. They only want you to sing from behind a screen. I heard from the servant boys that the Master has been boasting about your singing, saying there isn't another in all of Jinling who sings as beautifully as you. Even Third Master is jealous, complaining that the old lady was biased to give such a pretty and talented girl like you to the Master!"

Ji Xiang's flattery softened Luan'er's expression, and a smile crept onto her face. "Third Master really shouldn't say such things in front of so many people," she said.

Ji Xiang chuckled, "It's only because you sing so well. If you perform just one song from behind the screen today, giving the Master face, he'll be so pleased he might reward you handsomely." Noticing that Xianglan had already led the others away, he lowered his voice and added, "Aren't you holding a grudge? This is your chance. Or do you want the Master to stay in the Main House again tonight?"

Luan'er flushed red and spat at Ji Xiang, "Bah! A dog's mouth can't produce ivory! Say another word and I'll tear your lips!" But his words had struck a chord. Lost in thought, she turned to go change her clothes.

Cun Xin followed, urging, "Miss, you mustn't go. You're the Master's woman—how can you casually sing for outside men? If this gets out, it'll damage your dignity, and Taitai will be displeased. What about your reputation?"

Luan'er slowed her steps, thought for a moment, then continued toward her room. "You saw it yourself—the moment the Master returned, he went to the Main House to be with that little slut. They're inseparable! If this continues, where will I stand? If I sing well today and catch the Master's attention, he might stay with us tonight and remember our past affection. Then I could hopefully conceive soon." She pushed the door open and began rummaging through her chests for outfits.

Cun Xin protested, "If the Master truly cared for you, he wouldn't make you sing for entertainment!" She grew frantic, wanting to fetch Shuran, but remembered Shuran had gone home after lunch.

Luan'er said, "Ji Xiang said I'll be behind a screen—no one will see me. What's undignified about that? Besides, if the Master orders me to go, can I really refuse?"

This last point silenced Cun Xin, who sighed deeply as she helped Luan'er dress and style her hair.

Ji Xiang waited under the corridor outside. Before long, Luan'er emerged wearing a pink-green jacket with embroidered peach blossom collar and a dark brown phoenix-patterned skirt. Her hair was adorned with pearls and jade, a phoenix hairpin half-removed, her face radiant with makeup. Holding a pipa, she moved with graceful elegance.

Ji Xiang didn't dare delay, leading Luan'er to the Flower Hall. They entered through a side door, where she took her seat behind the screen.The people in the room heard the tinkling of jade ornaments, followed by the fragrance of rouge and powder, and knew she had arrived. Luan'er adjusted her pipa and said, "Your humble Concubine is here. May I ask what song the gentlemen would like to hear?" Her voice was so delicate and sweet that everyone felt their hearts itch with curiosity, longing to catch a glimpse of the beauty behind the screen.

Lin Jinlou glanced at the others. Chu Dapeng said, "Sing the set of 'Gossamer in the Sun'."

Luan'er then plucked the pipa and began to sing: "Gossamer in the sun drifts into the quiet courtyard, swaying like threads of spring. Pausing a moment to adjust my floral hairpin, the mirror unexpectedly steals half my face, tilting the cloud-like hair askew. How can I step out of my fragrant chamber and reveal my whole self..." Truly, her voice was exquisitely melodious and profoundly moving.

Next chapter ^_^