Against the Current

Lin Jinlou pushed Huamei away, furrowing his brows as he asked, "Why have you applied so much makeup on your face?"

Huamei was taken aback for a moment before forcing a smile. "I've always enjoyed using cosmetics—it's become a habit. I feel uneasy without it," she said, leaning in again. Her half-exposed bosom and alluring gaze accompanied her actions as she undid her skirt to reveal her slender jade-like legs, while one hand slipped inside his robe, caressing him back and forth.

Lin Jinlou enjoyed the sensation, one hand kneading Huamei's waist. But when he looked up and saw the heavy makeup on her face again, it dampened his mood. He waved impatiently and said, "Go on, wash it off for me. As the saying goes, 'Clear water reveals the lotus, natural beauty needs no adornment.' All that makeup on your face looks messy and distracting."

Huamei, however, remained seated on Lin Jinlou's lap without moving.

"Tsk, I told you to wash it off. Why are you still sitting there? Go on, hurry up. Come back after you've washed up to attend to me."

Reluctantly, Huamei rose slowly, slipped on her embroidered shoes, and shuffled step by step toward the washstand. Though she was lightly dressed, her palms were clammy with cold sweat. She was utterly unwilling to remove her makeup in front of Lin Jinlou. Since she first began styling her hair, she had learned the art of meticulous grooming—using eyebrow pencils to shape her brows, jasmine powder to brighten her complexion, and rouge to add color to her cheeks and lips. She would often spend an hour in front of the mirror perfecting her look. Huamei believed her made-up appearance, radiant and polished, was far more striking than her bare face. Layers of fragrant, fine powder concealed all her imperfections, and gradually, she grew afraid to face anyone without cosmetics. With Lin Jinlou, she applied her makeup even more heavily, never daring to wash her face in his presence. Fortunately, he usually visited at night, and the dim candlelight hid much. She had no idea why he had suddenly brought it up today.

Huamei dipped her hands into the basin but hesitated to splash water on her face. Lin Jinlou was a man who appreciated beauty and adored women adorned with cosmetics. If he saw her without makeup, she feared she might lose his favor.

She turned around and said with a strained smile, "The water in this basin has turned cold. I'll have the maids bring a fresh one. Why don't we enjoy some wine and dishes first? I can wash up later when we retire for the night."

Lin Jinlou paused, his wine cup in hand, and looked up. "What's the matter? Afraid to wash? Could it be that there's something unsightly on your face once the makeup is off?"

Huamei's face paled, but she forced another smile. "No, of course not, my lord. What could possibly be unsightly about my face?"

"Then why not wash it clean? That painted face of yours is agitating me."

"My lord, you once praised the shade of my rouge... Alright, alright, I'll go wash it off now..." Seeing Lin Jinlou raise his eyebrows, Huamei felt a chill of fear and dared not argue further. She had no choice but to proceed with washing her face. Just as she had Xique fetch a large towel to cover her collar, there was a knock at the door. Shu Ran stood at the entrance, steeling herself as she mustered the courage to say, "Eldest Master, Old Master just sent word asking you to join him for lunch tomorrow noon."

Lin Jinlou was startled. He rubbed his nose, thinking to himself that his grandfather seldom left his courtyard and even found his children and grandchildren's greetings bothersome. Unless he had caught wind of something, he wouldn't summon him like this. But recently, he hadn't done anything out of line... The only person in the household he truly feared was Lin Zhaoxiang. That old man seemed to see right through him. Though aged, he remained a fierce tiger—dozing often but still firmly controlling the entire Lin family. His decisions were flawless and left no room for error, commanding Lin Jinlou's deep-seated reverence.While he was deep in thought, he heard Shu Ran report, "Eldest Master, Luanr has taken ill. She's burning with fever and has started to ramble deliriously. I fear she may not last until tomorrow morning. We should send for a physician at once."

The room fell silent for a long moment. Shu Ran clenched her fists tightly, bowing her head as she waited. Finally, Lin Jinlou said, "Go and summon one then. Use my token to fetch a physician from Ji'an Hall. Have the old matron escort him in through the side gate."

Shu Ran acknowledged the order and departed.

Lin Jinlou tossed his chopsticks onto the kang table and grumbled, "Nothing goes right, whether at home or outside." Seeing that Huamei was still dawdling, not having washed her face yet, his irritation grew, and his displeasure with her intensified. He stood up, pushed the door open, and returned to the main chamber.

Lianxin had already received word from Xique that Lin Jinlou would be staying in Huamei's room for the night, so she was taken aback when he returned. Noticing there was still half a pot of lukewarm water, she hurried to the back to heat more. Nuanyue stepped forward to seize the task of helping Lin Jinlou change his clothes, while Rushuang went to make the bed. Tinglan led a few junior maids to prepare washing supplies.

Lin Jinlou fussed incessantly—now complaining the water was too hot, now griping that the tea wasn't boiling, now scolding Nuanyue for being too clumsy to even unfasten a waist button. The maids in the room were all as silent as cicadas in winter, not daring to make a sound. Finally, Lin Jinlou waved his arm dismissively and snapped, "Get out, all of you! Scram!"

The maids scattered as if granted amnesty.

Lin Jinlou lay down on the bed, his thoughts turning to Lin Zhaoxiang's request to see him. His mind was a tangled mess. He considered hiding at the yamen to avoid the meeting, but the thought of his grandfather's wrath and the potential consequences—so severe that even slitting his own throat wouldn't atone for them—made him dismiss the idea. He tossed and turned, growing increasingly agitated. Cursing under his breath, he sat up abruptly. Too lazy to call for a maid, he dressed hastily and strode out. The matron on night duty by the curio shelf hurried over and asked, "Where is Eldest Master going?"

Lin Jinlou fabricated an excuse: "Urgent business at the camp. I must go out." He strode away. Once he passed the inner gate, the young servant on duty saw him emerge and rushed to the back to rouse Jixiang and Shuangxi, saying, "Sirs, wake up quickly! Eldest Master is going out!"

The two scrambled into their clothes and emerged, indeed finding Lin Jinlou waiting at the second gate.

Jixiang wiped his face and approached, asking, "It's so late, Eldest Master. Where are you headed?"

Lin Jinlou replied, "The residence feels stifling. I can't stay put—I'm going out for a stroll."

Jixiang and Shuangxi exchanged glances. Shuangxi said, "It's late, and there's a curfew outside. There's not much to see on the main streets. The only place open is the Vermillion Pavilion. You haven't been there in a while. The brothel's attendant even sent over a multicolored mandarin duck handkerchief embroidered by Ruixian herself, saying she misses you every day and has cried her eyes swollen."

Lin Jinlou chuckled derisively, "Can you take a prostitute's words seriously? Don't give me the handkerchief—give it to Third Brother. Isn't he the one pining for Ruixian?"

Hearing this, Shuangxi knew Lin Jinlou had no intention of visiting the Vermillion Pavilion. He suggested another option, "What about the Emerald Pavilion? I heard there's a new girl there who can play and sing, knows the entire 'Green Clouds Destiny' suite, and is exceptionally beautiful. They say no one has ever seen anyone so lovely."

Lin Jinlou's expression remained unenthusiastic.Jixiang found the situation increasingly inappropriate and quietly kicked Shuangxi, then looked at Lin Jinlou’s expression and forced a smile, saying, "Those places are far, and it’s so late now. The road is dark and hard to navigate even with a lantern. Why not pick somewhere closer? In my opinion, why not go to the Chen Family to find Miss Xianglan?"

Shuangxi straightened his neck and said, "The Chen Family? Isn’t that even farther than the Yicui Pavilion?"

Jixiang hurriedly kicked Shuangxi again and continued with an ingratiating smile, "I think the Chen Family is just right. First, Miss Xianglan has been home for two days and must be missing the Eldest Master terribly. If the Eldest Master goes tonight, it will fulfill her longing and show how much the Eldest Master cares for her. Wouldn’t she be overjoyed and deeply moved? Second, when we go, we can conveniently bring her back tomorrow during the day. Third, if we take the shortcut, the Chen Family is familiar and nearby—it’s just perfect."

Lin Jinlou said, "Then prepare the horses, we’ll go to the Chen Family." Shuangxi and Jixiang scurried off to fetch the horses.

The master and his two servants left through the side gate. Jixiang, familiar with the route, led the group to the Chen residence. Shuangxi went to knock on the door. By this time, everyone was already asleep. The dog in the courtyard started barking at the noise, and the gatekeeper, Liu Pozi, hurried to answer the door. She heard Shuangxi say, "Shopkeeper Chen, we’re from the Lin Family. Open up!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Pozi opened the door and raised her lantern to see Lin Jinlou standing outside. She was so frightened that half her soul seemed to flee her body, and she hastily ushered them into the courtyard. The lights in the main hall and the eastern and western wings lit up. Chen Wanquan came out, draped in his clothes, and when he saw Lin Jinlou standing in the courtyard, his legs went weak with fear. He forced a smile onto his face, leaned on his cane, and hurried forward, stammering, "So, so, so it’s the Eldest Master who’s come. Please, please come inside and sit." Then he shouted loudly, "Quickly, boil water and make tea!"

Xianglan had also been asleep but was awakened by the loud knocking and the commotion in the courtyard. Someone shouted, "Eldest Master Lin is here!" She could no longer stay in bed, thinking something had happened, and quickly got up, threw on a thick cloak, and pushed the door open to look.

Lin Jinlou was still standing in the courtyard. Hearing the noise, he saw Xianglan standing at the door of the wing room and walked over. Turning to Chen Wanquan, he said, "There’s no need for you to trouble yourselves. Xianglan will attend to me." He pushed Xianglan and entered the room.

Chen Wanquan felt that Lin Jinlou’s actions were improper and hesitated. Jixiang, being perceptive, quickly pulled Shuangxi over to make small talk with Chen Wanquan. Knowing that these two held significant status in Lin Jinlou’s presence, Chen Wanquan was extremely cautious and asked, "Has the Eldest Master come so late to take Sister Lan back?"

Jixiang smiled and said, "Not necessarily. I’m afraid he’ll be staying here tonight. My brother and I will also need to ask Shopkeeper Chen for a place to stay."

Chen Wanquan immediately ordered people to clean a room and fetch bedding. Huacai went to tend to the horses. It took quite a while of bustling activity before everything quieted down.

Meanwhile, Lin Jinlou entered the room and was first greeted by a warm, fragrant scent that inexplicably put him at ease. He looked around and saw an ancient painting of the "Water-Moon Guanyin" from the previous dynasty hanging on the opposite wall. On either side hung a couplet: "The secluded orchid, the bright moon, the wind—a single dream; The deep courtyard, the latticed window, the rain—the third watch." At the top, in regular script, were the three characters "Jia Lan Xuan." Below stood a long table, flanked by crystal vases filled with large chrysanthemums, each bloom as big as a bowl. In the center of the table was a lotus-shaped incense burner, where the incense had nearly burned out, leaving only a faint, almost imperceptible wisp of smoke.The windows were covered with madder-red gauze. On the left stood an embroidered bed hung with scallion-green brocade curtains, beside which was a small crabapple-red table holding tea bowls and spittoons. Two low embroidered stools stood before the bed, flanked by a pair of mermaid-silk brocade handkerchiefs. By the window rested a bamboo Xiangfei couch already spread with a flower-patterned satin mattress and several green cushions flashing red patterns, scattered with a few books—clearly left there by Xianglan after reading.

Lin Jinlou lifted the curtain and sat on the bed. Reaching out to touch the bedding, he found it still warm and couldn't resist lying down, catching a faint fragrance from the quilts. Xianglan entered carrying a tray, and upon seeing Lin Jinlou sprawled across the bed, she bit her lip, approached him, and said, "Eldest Master, please have some tea."