Against the Current

Du Bin had long harbored ill intentions, yet he constantly played the humble and submissive role, employing every ounce of tenderness to coax Lin Dongling. As time passed, Lin Dongling’s guard gradually faded, and she became deeply infatuated with Du Bin, having long entrusted her heart and affections to him. Now, it had all come to fruition naturally.

Watching from outside, Lin Dongxiu trembled all over and hastily retreated, turning to flee. She only stopped when she reached a bamboo grove not far away, panting heavily as she slumped against a cluster of bamboo.

Lin Dongling had actually engaged in such filthy, disgraceful acts with a man—what was to be done? If such a scandal were exposed, she would find it difficult to marry in the future. Her first instinct was to seek out Qin Shi or rush in to drive the man away. Struggling to her feet, she suddenly reconsidered: "Wait, if Lin Dongling has been intimate with that man, then her prestigious and respectable marriage arrangement will vanish like a bubble. That man seems to come from a humble family, without even the face to come and propose..."

Thinking this, Lin Dongxiu gradually halted her steps. Suddenly, from the hillside, she spotted two young girls in the distance crossing the winding bridge and heading straight toward Luoxue Courtyard. One wore a xiangfei-colored gown, the other a begonia-red, both of similar height. As they drew closer, she recognized the one in xiangfei attire as Xianglan, and the other as Tinglan. It turned out that Lianxin had returned home to watch the house, and Tinglan had repeatedly urged Xianglan to stroll in the garden, saying, "The Eldest Master has gone to escort the bride’s family and isn’t in the residence. All the masters are at the front listening to opera and drinking, the maids have gathered to play, and the young servants have scattered everywhere. The garden is very quiet. Since you usually stay indoors, now’s the time to go out and relax. Let’s just wander to the secluded spots. You don’t know how beautiful the autumn scenery is now—let’s go see the flowers."

With this coaxing, Xianglan couldn’t help but be persuaded. She changed her clothes and, arm in arm with Tinglan, went to stroll in the garden. Unconsciously, they arrived at Luoxue Courtyard. Xianglan recalled that she had served here when she first entered the mansion, and seeing it again stirred a mix of emotions in her heart. Slowly approaching the door, she touched the bronze fish-shaped lock hanging there and asked Tinglan, "What about Liu Pozi who used to be at Luoxue Courtyard? Is she still here?"

Tinglan replied, "Liu Pozi is advanced in years and was taken home by her son to retire. This residence has been emptied and turned into a flower room, filled with potted plants inside and out. All the flowers in our hall are moved from here." She glanced at Xianglan’s hair and laughed, "On such a festive day, how can we not wear flowers in our hair? Since we’ve come here, why not go in and snip one to pin by our buns? It’ll stand out more than any gold or silver phoenix hairpins."

Xianglan said, "The door is locked—how can we get in? If you want to wear flowers, why not just cut some from the garden?"

Tinglan said, "What’s there to fear? I have a key." So saying, she untied a string of brass keys from her belt and chuckled, "The old woman in charge of the plants here is my aunt. Afraid she might forget or lose things in her old age, she had a spare key made and left it with me for emergencies." Winking at Xianglan, she used the key to unlock the door.

The noise outside startled the lovebirds inside. Lin Dongling shuddered, pushing Du Bin away in a panic as she clutched her collar, utterly distraught. "What do we do? Someone’s coming, what do we do?!"Du Bin grew anxious inwardly and swiftly scanned the room with his eyes. He said to Lin Dongling, "When someone comes in later, tell them you're tired and need a quiet place to rest for a while." After speaking, he stepped onto the armrest of the Arhat Bed, leaped upward, hooked his hands onto the roof beam, and with a flex of his waist, mounted the crossbeam, shrinking into the corner against the wall.

Lin Dongling frantically straightened her clothes. Hearing Tinglan outside say, "There's a pot of azaleas in the inner room—still blooming this late in the season, and so vibrant! Come take a look," Lin Dongling grew even more frantic. There was no time to fix her hair now, so she immediately lay face down on the headrests, pretending to be asleep.

When Xianglan and Tinglan lifted the curtain and entered the inner room, they were startled to see Lin Dongling lying on the bed with her eyes closed. They exchanged glances, and Tinglan hurried forward, shaking her gently. "Third Miss, Third Miss."

Lin Dongling feigned a drowsy expression, rubbing her eyes as she asked, "What is it?"

Tinglan replied, "Third Miss, the banquet has already started up front. Why are you sleeping here? Just now, when we came over, we saw Shanhu searching all over the garden for you."

Lin Dongling sat up and said, "I only meant to come here to admire the flowers, but I got tired and lay down here. Before I knew it, I dozed off." As she spoke, she stood up and hurried out.

Tinglan clasped her hands together and murmured a prayer. "My dear young lady, sleeping here without even a blanket—if you catch a chill and fall ill, that would be terrible."

Xinglan noticed a half-sleeved jacket embroidered with butterflies and peonies left on the Arhat Bed. Picking it up, she asked, "Third Miss, is this your garment?"

Lin Dongling turned back and saw it. Guilt-ridden, her face flushed even redder. She snatched it away and scolded, "You little wretch! Who gave you permission to touch my clothes?" She stormed out, slapping the curtain aside, and called from outside, "Tinglan, come help me fix my hair!"

Tinglan squeezed Xianglan's hand and said, "Third Miss has always been like this. Don't take it to heart."

Xianglan smiled and nodded.

Tinglan then went out. Xianglan let out a long sigh. Lin Dongling's disheveled appearance and the faint red mark Xianglan had spotted on her neck up close—just like the ones Lin Jinlou left on her each time he... Xianglan quickly shook her head, dispelling the embarrassing, vexing thought. She wondered, "Why would Lin Dongling come alone to Luoxue Courtyard for no reason? And why would she take off her half-sleeve and sleep here in disarray?" She immediately recalled how, during the New Year, she had once stumbled upon Lin Dongling with a handsome young man. A shiver ran through her. She looked left and right in the room but found nothing amiss.

Up on the beam, Du Bin held his breath, his eyes fixed on Xianglan. This girl, with her dark hair, slender waist, jade-like complexion, bright eyes, and gleaming teeth, was radiant—indescribably delicate and graceful, her elegance beyond words. Du Bin inwardly praised her, feeling that among all the women he had seen, none could compare. Though Lin Dongling was also a beauty, standing next to this girl, she instantly paled in comparison. He couldn't help but gaze at her again and again.

Xianglan was still hesitating when she heard Lin Dongling shout, "Xianglan, what are you still doing in there? Trying to steal something?"

Xianglan thought to herself, "If Lin Dongling truly came here to rest, it's harmless enough. But if she really did sneak a man in here, she's bringing ruin upon herself. It's a pity she won't listen to me, and if I tell others, they might not believe me. If she turns around and accuses me of tarnishing her reputation, I'd have no way to defend myself." She sighed, lifted the curtain, and walked out.Du Bin let out a long sigh of relief from the rafters, thinking to himself: "That girl just now was called 'Xianglan'—she must be Lin Jinlou's latest favorite. Truly a stunning beauty, no wonder even my sister is no match for her. That scoundrel Lin Jinlou has quite the luck with women. I wonder how this temptress carries herself in bed? If I could take her into my chambers for a night of pleasure, this life would be worth living." As his thoughts wandered, his heart grew restless, when suddenly—clang!—someone shut the main gate, followed by the sound of a lock clicking into place.