Against the Current

Lin Jinlou stretched out his arm, drew Xianglan into his embrace, and closed his eyes to sleep.

The next day, Lin Jinlou rose before dawn as usual to practice martial arts. Xianglan slept a while longer before getting up. The maids had already prepared everything needed for her bath.

Hua Shan first handed Xianglan a cup of warm tea. After drinking it, Xianglan went behind the screen to bathe.

Once she finished bathing, Ling Qing presented a lotus-root-colored jacket embroidered with Plum, Orchid, Bamboo, and Chrysanthemum, and a dark green cotton-ling skirt, saying, "Does Madam find these two pieces satisfactory?"

Seeing the clothes were smooth and unwrinkled—unlike garments long pressed in chests—Xianglan knew Ling Qing had sprayed them with liquor and ironed them. She nodded and changed into the outfit. Xue Ning then offered green salt for teeth cleaning, while Ling Su held the spittoon. After washing up, Ling Qing brought out the yellow jade beauty cream for facial application, and Xianglan used a small jade hairpin stick to scoop some and even out her complexion.

Meanwhile, Hua Shan had already brought over a large octagonal Foreign Lacquer box inlaid with mother-of-pearl peonies. Inside were uniformly styled sachets, jade pendants, and waist ornaments. Ling Qing selected three and fastened them at Xianglan’s waist. Xue Ning then presented a square box of the same design, filled with various bracelets, and invited Xianglan to choose. Xianglan picked a pair of jade ones. Xue Ning smiled and said, "It’s fashionable nowadays to wear three bracelets on one wrist—one jade, one gold, and in between, one of coral or tortoiseshell." She then took two more pairs and slipped them onto Xianglan’s wrists.

Just then, Xiao Juan entered rubbing her eyes. Seeing Xianglan already washed and dressed, she stepped forward, picked up a boxwood comb, and said cheerfully, "The journey was so tiring—I overslept this morning. Let me do your hair, Madam." Xiao Juan was always quick and skilled at styling hair and devising new designs. She immediately instructed Hua Shan to bring the large round box containing hair ornaments and hairpins, selected accessories to style Xianglan’s hair, and finally clipped a peony from the large porcelain vase nearby, tucking it into the chignon.

Hua Shan watched intently, stuck out her tongue, and whispered to Xue Ning beside her, "Madam is so beautiful. With all these pearls, jades, and flowers, she looks even lovelier—more exquisite than Guanyin portrayed at the temple fair."

"Taitai says all the young ladies in the manor combined aren’t as pretty as Madam," Xue Ning replied, closing the jewelry box and securing it with copper locks. "In my opinion, it’s not just those in the manor—we’ve seen many young ladies come and go, yet none can surpass Madam. Some may have pretty features, but they lack her grace and presence..." She sighed, swallowing the rest of her thought—"such a pity about her background."

Pouting, Hua Shan said, "Madam is so gentle, but Master is a bit fierce—it makes people uneasy just breathing."

Xianglan overheard this and, considering Hua Shan was only ten and still very childlike, beckoned her over. She gave her a handful of fruits, comforted her with a few words, patted her head, and asked how she had slept and whether she was settling in.

Hua Shan answered each question and added that Xue Ning had given her two slightly worn but still brand-new-looking clothes. She was chattering animatedly when Lin Jinlou strode in, his robe open, carrying a sword. He called out thirstily for tea as he entered. Hua Shan froze in fright, her eyes wide, stammering, "Madam, I—I’ll go to the kitchen to fetch the dishes." She ducked her head and zipped away faster than a little rabbit.

Lin Jinlou was taken aback as the little maid dashed past him.

Fearing he might be angered, Xianglan quickly stood and said, "I asked her to check on the kitchen."Lin Jinlou snorted and sat down, saying, "Indeed, a maid takes after her mistress. All of you from the Chen family are like mice—timid as rats, acting as if you’ve seen a ghost whenever you lay eyes on me." With that, he took the tea and gulped it down in one go. "After the meal, we’ll go together to my second brother’s place. By rights, they should have come to us, but my second brother is in poor health, so we’ll go over instead." After speaking, he went behind the screen to wash up and changed into fresh clothes.

After the meal, Xianglan followed Lin Jinlou to the courtyard where Lin Jinxuan lived. The courtyard was exceptionally large, lush with flowers and trees, and a wall was covered with climbing roses of various colors. Two cats lay lazily by the entrance, basking in the sun.

Xianglan praised, "This place truly captures the beauty of spring."

Shuran, hearing this, smiled and said, "Originally, the Second Master didn’t live here but resided in the side rooms of the main house. Later, when he was about to marry, two courtyards were merged and renovated, and he moved here."

As they spoke, the two followed Lin Jinlou into the courtyard, where they saw two maids dressed in bright red and green already standing there. Upon seeing Lin Jinlou, they hurriedly lifted the curtain and said, "The Second Master has been talking about you for a long time. It’s good that you’ve finally arrived, Master."

Everyone entered and saw a slender man sitting in the main hall. He had delicate, refined features, fair skin, and an elegant, scholarly demeanor, bearing a sixty percent resemblance to Lin Changzheng. However, his cheeks bore a sickly pallor, suggesting a constitutionally weak state. Upon their entry, he quickly rose to bow and said, "Elder Brother, you’ve come."

Beside him stood a tall young woman and a middle-aged lady over forty. Seeing him rise, they immediately reached out to support him.

Lin Jinlou also hurried forward and made a gesture of support, saying, "There’s no need for such formality between brothers. Please, sit down."

Once seated, the tall young woman stepped forward first to offer tea to Lin Jinlou. This was none other than Lin Jinxuan’s newly wedded wife, Madam Tan. Xianglan observed that she had a fair complexion, a face like a silver plate, eyes resembling apricots, and a few faint pockmarks that only added to her charm. She wore a gold-woven chignon adorned with a gold phoenix hairpin holding a pearl, a gold necklace with pendants around her neck, and a bright red Hundred Sons Gown over a red floral-patterned skirt. With her slender waist, full bosom, and delicate back, she was dressed so exquisitely she resembled a living lantern, exuding an air of grace and allure.

Lin Jinlou accepted the tea, and Shuran promptly handed Madam Tan a thick red envelope. Lin Jinlou took a sip of the tea and said, "Before I came, the Old Master specifically instructed me to tell you that since the elders are all in Jinling, he fears you may feel neglected."

Madam Tan hurriedly replied, "I am overwhelmed that the ancestors are concerned about me." She then instructed the maids to lay out a kneeling cushion and kowtowed once in the direction of Jinling.

Lin Jinlou felt that Madam Tan was both reasonable and well-mannered, and he nodded in approval, offering her a slight smile.

Madam Tan’s heart fluttered, her face instantly flushed, and she lowered her head as she stepped aside.

Lin Jinlou paid no attention and, pointing to Xianglan, said to Lin Jinxuan, "This is your new sister-in-law." He then introduced everyone to Xianglan: "This is my second brother, this is his wife, and this is my father’s concubine, Madam Yin." Xianglan greeted each of them in turn.

Concubine Yin had an oval face, evidence of her beauty in her youth. She was of average height but appeared somewhat older than Qin Shi, with an ingratiating smile on her face. When Lin Jinlou introduced Xianglan, she exchanged a glance with Lin Jinxuan and said enthusiastically, "So lovely, like a blooming flower! With such grace, you wouldn’t find a single young lady in the entire capital who could compare!"Lin Jinxuan, however, was preoccupied with another thought. Although his elder brother had a notorious reputation for being a libertine with high standards—only keeping beautiful maids in his chambers—Qing Lan was the sole exception, having been elevated to the status of concubine by their legal mother’s arrangement. Back in the capital, Qing Lan had lived in grandeur, respected by all as if she were the legitimate wife. Yet even then, his elder brother had never formally introduced her with such gravity or asked him to address her as "little sister-in-law." This clearly indicated that this woman was both deeply favored and extraordinary. Upon closer inspection, she indeed possessed striking beauty and refined manners. Not daring to slight her, he promptly bowed with utmost solemnity.

Xianglan sidestepped, declining the gesture.

Concubine Yin, seeing Lin Jinlou merely sitting with a smile, felt a surge of irritation. She thought to herself, "Where did this little vixen come from? She’s not the legitimate wife, yet she dares to have a young master like my son lower himself to bow!" But she dared not offend Lin Jinlou and could only stand there in silence.

After a moment, Lin Jinlou inquired about Lin Jinxuan’s health, the medicine he was taking, and whether he had been studying recently.

Lin Jinxuan replied, "I fell slightly ill during the transition from winter to spring, but I’ve mostly recovered now. We summoned an imperial physician from the Imperial Medical Academy, who adjusted my prescription to focus on gentle nourishment. I’ve improved greatly these days, and my old ailments haven’t recurred, though I still suffer from night sweats. As for studying, I’ve only just resumed it recently... I still intend to sit for the imperial examinations next autumn."

Lin Jinlou said, "Your health is the priority; studying can wait. Later, we can arrange an official position for you through donation. If you wish to join the Hanlin Academy, our family does have connections."

Lin Jinxuan then asked after the elders in the family, and Lin Jinlou provided updates. After some casual conversation, noticing Lin Jinxuan’s fatigue, Lin Jinlou rose to take his leave.

On the way back, Xianglan reflected that Lin Jinxuan was indeed frail, so thin he was little more than skin and bones. His new wife, Madam Tan, however, was a beauty—the daughter of a concubine of a fourth-ranked civil official. Xianglan privately surmised that, given Madam Tan’s background and looks, she would hardly have been matched with a sickly son of a concubine like Lin Jinxuan. Thinking this, she voiced her thoughts to Shuran.

Lin Jinlou paused mid-step, turned his head, and sneered, "Tan Siye may be a fourth-ranked official, but he’s stationed in a remote backwater and has offended his superiors, with no hope of future promotion. Otherwise, why would he be so eager to offer up his daughter? At the latest by next year, my father will recommend him for a post in Shandong—though it’s neither a promotion nor a demotion, it’s a prosperous region. Originally, he wanted to marry off his legitimate daughter, but Grandfather found it unseemly. This Madam Tan is the most accomplished among the Tan family’s daughters, skilled in needlework, board games, and even playing the moon lute. My father personally evaluated her and gave his approval."

Xianglan was taken aback and said, "But what if she’s unwilling…"

"Nonsense! How could she be unwilling? She agreed eagerly."

Xianglan thought to herself, "I’m afraid she agreed willingly at the time, but after marrying and discovering Lin Jinxuan’s frail condition, it’s too late for regrets."

By then, they had reached the courtyard where they resided. Lin Jinlou pinched Xianglan’s cheek and said, "Go back and rest. Once I’ve finished my duties, I’ll take you out for some leisure." He paused, then coughed lightly and added, "Second Brother is simple-hearted, but his concubine is meddlesome. You may interact with his people if you wish, but feel free to ignore them if you prefer."

Xianglan lowered her head and murmured, "Mm."Lin Jinlou was inwardly fuming, thinking to himself, "What kind of heart does this woman have? I’ve even thought of this for her, and all she does is give a simple 'Hmm'? Any other woman would have been gazing at me with affection by now." His expression immediately darkened, and he said with a stern face, "Then I’ll be off."

Shuran saw it clearly but stood aside pretending to be oblivious. She wanted to give Xianglan a hint but didn’t dare.

Seeing that Lin Jinlou still hadn’t left, Xianglan made small talk and asked softly, "Will Master be back for lunch?" It was a question, but because she spoke softly, Lin Jinlou took it as Xianglan inviting him to return for the midday meal. His expression immediately softened, and he replied, "Hmm, I’ll be back." Only then did he leisurely turn and leave.

Thanks to Jinxiu Wanli for the Peace Talisman, and thank you all for the pink votes~ You can now vote for characters in the work by clicking into the character section. This doesn’t require any money. If you have votes, please lend a hand—thank you! There’s a pinned thread for extra roles; if you’d like to make a cameo, you can reply there. Try to choose more classical names, as that increases the chance of appearing.