Against the Current

Xianglan stood there in a daze for a while before snapping back to reality. She drifted back to the eastern chamber on unsteady feet, where Chunling was already up and busily directing the young maids to bring in hot water. Xianglan covered her lapels with a large towel, washed her face with jasmine soap, brushed her teeth with green salt, and applied some scented cream to her face. Xiao Juan had already styled her hair into a bun and was about to create an elaborate design when Xianglan quickly said, "This is fine as it is."

Xiao Juan went to select jewelry, exclaiming with exaggerated surprise, "Oh dear! Since the Eldest Master was away these past few days, Sister Xianglan hasn't been dressing up. Most of the jewelry is locked in the dressing table drawer in the Eldest Master's room. The styles here are simpler." She picked up a gold hairpin with kingfisher feather inlay featuring a phoenix soaring with a pearl in its beak and held it against Xianglan's hair. Finding it unsuitable, she swapped it for a jade ginkgo hairpin. Feeling somewhat irritated, Xianglan said, "This hairpin will do." Just then, an elderly woman from the garden brought in a tray of fresh flowers on a lotus leaf plate. Xiao Juan selected two vibrant blooms and tucked them into Xianglan's hair.

Chunling brought over the clothes: a vermilion embroidered plum blossom jacket, a ginger-yellow satin sleeveless jacket with trimmed edges, a silver-red threaded skirt, and a pair of mandarin duck shoes. Xianglan dawdled as she changed into the outfit, then dragged her feet step by step to the bedroom. Lin Jinlou had clearly washed up again—his hair was still somewhat disheveled, and he wore a crab-shell green fine linen gown, loosely fastened with just two buttons. Below, he wore loose ink wash painting trousers and cloth slippers on his feet. He was sitting by the Arhat Bed, with a bowl of hot soup placed beside his head.

Xianglan shuffled over step by step. With his clothes on, Lin Jinlou seemed less intimidating, but his imposing presence remained. Lin Jinlou glanced up at Xianglan and said, "You're here?" He pointed to the opposite side of the kang table and said, "Sit here."

Xianglan lowered her head and sat down.

Lin Jinlou picked up a small towel to wipe his hands and said, "Serve the meal."

Lianxin and Nuanyue brought over trays, setting out four plates of light vegetarian dishes, two plates of meat dishes, a large platter of delicate pastries, and a small pot of soup. Lin Jinlou picked up his chopsticks and said, "Eat."

Xianglan picked up a small silver spoon and stirred the soup, stealing a glance at Lin Jinlou. Sitting with such a Living Yama ruined her appetite, but she had no choice but to eat. She took a spoonful of soup, then another after a while.

Lin Jinlou ate with relish. After finishing the pastries, he asked for several types of dim sum to be brought over. Xianglan kept her head down, feeling bored and distracted. Just as she was lost in thought, a pair of chopsticks reached over and placed a crystal shrimp dumpling on her plate. Xianglan looked up. Lin Jinlou said casually, "I brought back a Cantonese chef this time. Try his cooking. If you like it, we'll keep him." After stuffing a piece of beef into his mouth and chewing it, he added, "I heard from the maids that you've been painting in your spare time lately. That's good. The desk inside is for you. Show me what you've painted later."

Xianglan lowered her head again, staring at the basket of crystal shrimp dumplings without speaking.

Lin Jinlou said, "Don't just paint. I'll get a zither or something later and hire a teacher. You can learn in your free time so you don't get bored and fall ill."

Lianxin stepped forward to serve Lin Jinlou a bowl of soup. Xianglan remained seated with her head bowed. Lin Jinlou said, "I brought back two chests of novelties from my trip. Pick out anything you like first."

Xianglan remained silent.Chunling was secretly anxious, her heart in her throat, thinking to herself, "My dear young mistress, the Eldest Master is speaking to you. Ignoring him is just asking for trouble!" She glanced at Lin Jinlou and saw no trace of anger on his face. Instead, he appeared calm and composed, simply holding a bowl of hot soup as he sat there. Only then did she feel slightly relieved. She repeatedly tried to catch Xianglan's eye, but unfortunately, Xianglan didn't even lift her head.

Xianglan ate slowly with her head lowered. After finishing a round cake, she picked up some vegetables, ate a small piece of pastry, drank some soup, and then set down her spoon. Seeing that she had finished eating, Lin Jinlou downed his soup in one gulp. Lianxin and Chunling brought tea for the two of them to rinse their mouths.

Lin Jinlou wiped his mouth with a towel, instructed the maids to remove the kang table, and dismissed everyone. He then sat beside Xianglan, stared at her for a moment, and asked, "I heard from Lianxin that you've been lying in bed for a few days. Are you better now?"

Xianglan was taken aback but immediately understood what he meant. Her face flushed crimson in an instant, and she bit her lip, still refusing to speak.

Lin Jinlou chuckled softly, pulled her into his arms. Xianglan was startled and struggled immediately, but she was no match for Lin Jinlou's strength. Like a fluttering little bird, she was pressed against his chest. His warm breath brushed her ear as he whispered, "What's the matter? Are you still in pain? You're pulling such a long face—are you still angry with me?"

Xianglan struggled again, and Lin Jinlou chuckled lowly, "You stubborn little thing, you've made me so angry my heart, liver, and lungs ache. Which of these two times have you been happy? If I hadn't been driven mad with anger, I wouldn't have... Alright, alright, stop struggling. I won't say anymore, how about that? No more talking."

Xianglan could hear the lazy, teasing tone in his voice, which only made her more humiliated and furious. She allowed Lin Jinlou to hold her but turned her face away.

Lin Jinlou said, "You too, why can't you just go along with me? Making such a fuss only brings trouble upon yourself, doesn't it?" Seeing that Xianglan ignored him, he smirked mischievously and said, "Oh, are you still uncomfortable? Let me take a look myself and see if you're really better." As he spoke, his hand slipped under Xianglan's skirt, trying to remove her trousers.

Xianglan was horrified and hurriedly pressed down on Lin Jinlou's hand. Her face burned even hotter, and afraid that the maids outside might hear, she whispered softly, "I'm fine, I'm already fine."

Lin Jinlou pinched Xianglan's small chin and said, "Then stop looking so gloomy. I'm apologizing to you, alright?"

Xianglan lowered her long eyelashes again. Lin Jinlou noticed the reluctance in her expression, but her face was as radiant as peach blossoms, truly like the line from the opera: "Her powdered face and delicate charm seem to drip with tenderness." His heart couldn't help but swell with joy, and his voice softened unconsciously as he asked, "What have you been doing while I was away?" Without waiting for her reply, he continued on his own, "These past few days, I've been exhausted outside, either fighting battles or arguing with a bunch of old foxes. The Japanese pirates launched a night attack, and two counties were in crisis. Those good-for-nothings only knew how to shift blame and even closed the city gates to keep me from rescuing them, afraid that if the troops left, the pirates would besiege the city. I got so furious I held my sword to Governor Sun's neck before they finally opened the gates. Luckily, I went early, or everything would have been burned to the ground. When I returned, I had to guard against that bastard Sun filing a false report first. I had my advisors draft a memorial to impeach him. I haven't even told the old man at home about this yet. If he finds out I assaulted an imperial official, he'll drag out Confucius again to lecture me."In her previous life, Xianglan was born into a scholarly family where all held civil official positions, having mostly encountered scholars. This was her first time hearing about warfare. Though Lin Jinlou spoke of it lightly, she understood the perils involved. She thought to herself that this scoundrel wasn't entirely worthless—he still knew that "a general may die in a hundred battles," serving his country with loyalty and cherishing the common people.