Against the Current

Luanr held back her tears and said, "Has the Eldest Master grown tired of me? You won't even spare me a glance?"

Lin Jinlou replied, "What nonsense are you talking? It's time for the meal, why are you still standing here?" After speaking, he stood up, glanced at Luanr, and said, "Your attire today is quite nice, very festive. You may go now. I'll listen to you play the qin another day." With that, he went inside to change his clothes.

Luanr felt an emptiness in her heart, unsure of what she was feeling. Dazed, she walked out. Recalling how Lin Jinlou had just been joking and intimate with Xianglan while being indifferent to her, a wave of grievance surged within her. Unable to swallow her pride, she buried her face in her handkerchief and began to sob. Rushuang, hearing the sound, hurried over, grabbed Luanr, and pushed her out, whispering urgently, "My dear girl, if you must cry, do it outside. What are you doing here? Be careful not to upset the Eldest Master and incur his anger again. Hurry, go out!" She pushed and pulled Luanr out the door.

Rushuang, who was usually on good terms with Shu Ran, wanted to offer Luanr some advice. When they reached the doorway and saw no one around, she whispered, "What are you crying for? Haven't you considered how many days it's been since the Eldest Master last saw you? Last time he was angry with you, but this time he gave you a friendly look. Everything takes time; you can't become fat with one mouthful. Go back now and come again tomorrow." She then brought out a bowl of tea from the room and offered it to her.

After drinking a few sips of tea, Luanr finally sobered up. She wiped her tears and silently pondered Rushuang's words. Remembering that Lin Jinlou had praised her attire and said he would listen to her sing again, her heart warmed. Though she resented Xianglan, she resolved to visit the main room every day from then on, but for now, she said nothing more.

Meanwhile, Lin Jinlou changed his clothes, washed up, and sat on the Arhat Bed. Lianxin brought over a large, plain silver tray holding a stack of name cards and said to Lin Jinlou, "These are the cards received by the gatehouse today. These were selected by Mr. Qi for your decision." She placed them on the kang table.

Lin Jinlou opened them one by one, sorting them into several piles. Lifting his eyes, he noticed Xianglan sitting far away, lost in thought. He beckoned to her and said, "Come here and write a few characters for me."

Xianglan had no choice but to go over. Tinglan brought the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. Xianglan held the brush as Lin Jinlou dictated, "Two hundred hard bows, three hundred goose-feather sabers, one hundred long spears, fifty warhorses..." He then stroked his chin and fell into deep thought.

Xianglan paused and waited. After a long while, Lin Jinlou continued, "Fifty sets of imperial armor, eighty pairs of copper hammers, nine hundred rope ladders."

Xianglan wrote each item down. Lin Jinlou took the paper, looked it over, nodded, and smiled, "Your delicate handwriting doesn't quite match these items. It would be more fitting for romantic and poetic words." He then stroked his chin and pondered the paper thoughtfully again.Tinglan entered and, seeing Lin Jinlou in such a state, dared not disturb him. She shot Xianglan a meaningful glance, to which Xianglan gently shook her head. When Lin Jinlou was deep in thought, no one dared interrupt. Last time, while he was reviewing letters with the same contemplative intensity, Nuanyue had tried to curry favor by bringing over soup. She repeatedly urged, "Eldest Master, please eat quickly. The chicken soup will turn greasy and unappetizing once it cools." Her pestering annoyed Lin Jinlou so much that he waved his hand, knocking over the bowl and splashing soup all over Nuanyue’s skirt. Pointing at her, he roared, "You damned fool! Don’t hover around me from now on! Get out!" Nuanyue trembled with fear, nearly stumbling as she fled, and didn’t dare show her face around Lin Jinlou for two whole days.

Naturally, Xianglan had no desire to invite misfortune. She simply sat in a daze, unconsciously staring at the eight-treasure-inlaid purple sandalwood peacock screen in the warm chamber. The first time she had seen this screen was just after returning home, and the sight had struck her like a thunderbolt, leaving her stunned and mesmerized as if in a dream. She reached out to touch it, her fingertips brushing against the ruby in the peacock’s eye, feeling a chill. This screen had been part of her dowry in her previous life. Her mother had smiled and told her, "This peacock screen is an antique originally enjoyed by Old Madam. She dotes on you most, saying the peacock symbolizes wealth, grandeur, and auspicious blessings. She wants to give it to you for your trousseau. Don’t forget to kowtow to your grandmother later."

Later, the screen accompanied her to the Xiao family, where it stood in their bedroom. In the evenings, when Xiao Hang returned, he would read and write outside the screen, while she did needlework on the heated kang inside, enveloped in tranquility and peace. Then, after the Eighth Prince usurped the throne, the Xiao family was confiscated. She and Xiao Hang fell ill and died during their exile, and the screen vanished without a trace. Never did she imagine that, after all these twists and turns, she would see this old treasure again in the Lin household. Nowadays, she didn’t even dare set up name tablets for her grandparents, parents, or relatives, nor could she openly offer sacrifices. Instead, she had discreetly placed a small tablet inscribed "Ancestors of the Shen Family" at the Tranquil Moon Temple, where she secretly burned incense, knelt in prayer, and chanted sutras for their souls. Seeing the screen again filled her heart with poignant nostalgia, yet she couldn’t tear her eyes away.

Lin Jinlou emerged from his reverie and looked up to find Xianglan motionless, gazing entranced at the peacock screen. The candlelight cast shadows over her, making her appear especially frail and delicate. Her brows furrowed like distant hills, her eyes shimmering like autumn water, yet she carried a unique grace and charm. Lin Jinlou watched her for a long while before clearing his throat softly and asking, "What are you looking at?"

Xianglan snapped out of her trance, glanced at Lin Jinlou, then lowered her head without speaking. After a long pause, she said softly, "Eldest Master, it’s time to eat."

Lin Jinlou frowned briefly, then relaxed. "It is time to eat. Clear the things away and set the table."

Lianxin, Tinglan, and the others had been waiting for this order. They hurried in to light the gilded lamps, clear the kang table, bring a copper basin for the two to wash their hands, and serve the dishes. The cook in the small kitchen knew Lin Jinlou’s tastes well. Seeing that he had specifically requested Dragon Whisker Noodles and Osmanthus cake today, the cook deduced that he had been socializing outside these past few days, likely drinking too much and eating greasy food, and now preferred lighter fare. So, the cook prepared two vegetarian dishes, a cold dish tossed with braised meat and chicken, specially made cornmeal steamed buns with rose fruit filling, along with Osmanthus cake, Poria cake, and lotus root fragrant cake.Xianglan finished a bowl of noodles with some side dishes, then wiped her mouth with a handkerchief. Since Lin Jinlou hadn't finished eating yet, she didn't dare ask for tea to rinse her mouth. Lin Jinlou indeed had a hearty appetite, eating with great relish and speed. After rinsing his mouth, the maid cleared the remnants of the meal. He then took Xianglan's hand, pulling her in front of the screen, and asked, "Do you like this thing?"

Xianglan's eyes flickered as she said, "It's quite pretty. I just took a few extra glances."

Lin Jinlou laughed and said, "I'm asking you, do you like this?"

Xianglan replied, "...It's quite pretty..."

Lin Jinlou snorted disdainfully and sneered, "Tch, if you like something, you should say it out loud and then grab it. If you stay silent, how will anyone know you like it?"

"...Sometimes it's enough just to look at what you like. You don't necessarily have to possess it, right?"

"Silly girl, if you like something but don't snatch it up, and someone else gets it first, you'll just be left staring enviously. Then you'll be tormented with regret. Hurry up and say it, do you like this or not?"

Xianglan didn't quite agree, but seeing Lin Jinlou's intense gaze, she nodded lightly and whispered, "I like it."

"See, wasn't that simple?" Lin Jinlou laughed, pulling Xianglan into his embrace. Ignoring her struggles, he blew warm breath into her ear and said, "If you call me 'dear brother' and 'good husband' a couple of times, I'll give it to you. How about that?"

Xianglan's ears turned bright red as she punched him, saying, "What nonsense are you talking about!"

Lin Jinlou chuckled and said, "I'm in a good mood today. Miss this chance, and it won't come again... Today, that old fool Lu Changyu suffered a great loss at my hands. Last time, that bastard stole my credit, but this time I've taken back the principal with interest."

Xianglan thought for a moment and asked, "Is Lu Changyu the Marquis Yongxin?"

Lin Jinlou was surprised. "You actually know him?"

Xianglan quickly covered up, "A while ago, the Eldest Master was angry with him and kept cursing him at home..."

Lin Jinlou studied her for a moment, making Xianglan somewhat nervous. She lowered her head, only to hear Lin Jinlou say, "That bastard is so desperate for money he's lost his mind. He secretly sold military supplies and provisions, and by chance, my people caught him red-handed. I leaked the information to Duke Zhenguo and Marquis Yongchang, and the three of us teamed up to take him down. He's a clever one, though—he used the tactic of sacrificing a pawn to save the king, slipped away, and took his wife and children to lie low in the capital. But all his lackeys have been stripped away, and now all the vacant key positions are filled with my people. Things will be much more comfortable from now on."

Xianglan thought to herself, "Back when the late emperor was alive, the Marquis Yongxin's family relied on their ancestral privileges to get by, and they still had some luck left. Lin Jinlou actually dared to confront a noble." Then it occurred to her that with his domineering nature, if his temper flared up, he might even dare to poke a hole in the sky, and she felt somewhat resigned to it.

Lin Jinlou fiddled with the bright red agate earrings on Xianglan's ears and said casually, "No wonder he was so desperate for money. His family was already impoverished, to the point of selling gold necklaces and antiques to make ends meet. But he has a beautiful daughter who became the third prince's concubine, and by clinging to that powerful connection, he managed to catch his breath. The third prince secured him a promotion, and he raised some lackeys who started biting people left and right like mad dogs. If the old master hadn't reprimanded him a few times, I would have dealt with him long ago." He then pinched Xianglan's small chin, stared into her eyes, and asked, "Enough about that annoying topic. Hurry up and call me 'good husband.' Will you say it? Will you?" As he spoke, he reached out to tickle her.Xianglan couldn't bear the tickling and giggled uncontrollably, squirming and dodging. When the itching became truly unbearable, she finally cried out: "Good husband."

Seeing her flower-like smiling face, rosy cheeks, and slightly disheveled hair, Lin Jinlou felt a stirring in his heart. Remembering how Xianglan had angered him days before, resentment welled up again. He held her tightly in his arms, rubbing and kneading until Xianglan nearly felt suffocated. Only then did she hear Lin Jinlou grit his teeth above her head: "If you dare again..."

Hearing the ominous tone in his words, Xianglan immediately froze in fear, thinking to herself: "Oh no, this Living Yama is so unpredictable. He was fine just now, but now he's turning hostile!" As she trembled with apprehension, Lin Jinlou released her. Xianglan timidly looked up, only to see his face beaming with smiles as he said to her: "That was well said just now. Say it again, quickly."

His expression changed multiple times in mere moments, leaving Xianglan somewhat bewildered. After hesitating for a long while, she finally called out again: "Good brother," then tightly pressed her lips together.

Lin Jinlou, however, was extremely pleased. He kissed her cheek, then called for Chunling to enter and summoned servants to replenish the tea.