Against the Current

Chunling said, "What's the matter? They're all gossiping busybodies, utterly detestable! Did I say anything wrong by pointing out they only care about having fun and neglect their duties?"

"It's not that you're wrong..."

"That's exactly why I'm so annoyed—stirring up all this pointless gossip for no reason!"

Chunling had always been sharp-tongued and unwilling to yield. Xianglan felt a headache coming on and took a deep breath. "I was the one who told them to rest today. If there's any fault, it should fall on me."

Chunling cut in, "I never said you were wrong to let them rest, but was anything I said about them incorrect? Why are they ganging up to bully me? Or should I pretend to be blind and dumb next time I see them making mistakes? Fine, it seems I overstepped!"

Xianglan quietly studied Chunling for a moment before replying calmly, "I understand what you mean. But since we all live together, we ought to show some tolerance toward one another. You and Xiao Juan have some history between you, and today is her birthday. Even if she were entirely at fault, you should have considered that and spoken to her privately instead of confronting her openly."

Chunling sneered, "Personal history is one thing, but that doesn't mean her mistakes should go unmentioned. This household isn't full of her doting parents who’d indulge her every whim!"

Xianglan patiently countered, "If even those who live side by side day and night refuse to make allowances for each other, wouldn't this place become a constant battlefield? As the saying goes, 'Gold cannot be pure, and no one is perfect.' How can we coexist peacefully if we’re always fixated on others' faults?"

Chunling grew even angrier and retorted coldly, "So, Concubine, you're saying I'm the one in the wrong? That this is my fault? That I'm just being picky, is that it?"

Seeing Chunling's aggressive stance, Xianglan knew further reasoning was futile. She lowered her gaze, cradling a half-cooled cup of tea in her hands. "I understand your perspective and know you meant well. Let's drop this matter now. You may go."

Chunling was taken aback. In past disputes with other maids, Xianglan had always sided with her. She hadn’t expected such a detached response today. Though still seething and eager to argue further, the sight of Xianglan's demeanor made her heart sink. Clever enough to recognize the topic was now closed, she rose and left.

Meanwhile, Hua Shan, who had been peeking from behind the curio cabinet, scurried over to Xiao Juan after Chunling’s departure. She relayed everything she had overheard and added, "Chunling is so ungrateful! Does she think just because she once saved Madam, she’s entitled to act high and mighty? Or maybe she’s colluding with Madam in some way—it’s truly insufferable!" Then, with some unease, she continued, "If she really is Madam’s spy, wouldn’t you be in trouble for confronting her? Besides, Concubine did say you shouldn’t argue anymore from now on..."Xiao Juan picked up a piece of cloud slice cake and took a bite, saying, "When Xianglan first returned to the mansion, she was disheartened by everything and let Chunling handle all matters. Chunling could make decisions on behalf of the mistress in everything. The mistress has a gentle temperament—sometimes she would just laugh off a few sarcastic remarks from Chunling. Back then, the mistress didn’t have the authority to promote her rank, so she always gave her rewards. All in all, she must have given her at least fifty taels, if not eighty, not to mention all the clothes and jewelry. Whenever the mistress had new clothes made, if Chunling fancied a particular fabric, she would ask the mistress for it, and the mistress would pay for it out of her own pocket without a second thought. This indulged her temper and appetite, making her increasingly unruly. She has a sharp temper and loves to pick fights and argue. If she feels wronged by a single remark, she’ll find a way to get back at them. She never watches her words. Back then, before you arrived, that incident with Yinliu happened because she couldn’t resist speaking recklessly, causing trouble for the mistress. Later, she even tried to climb over the mistress’s head. Hah, the mistress originally planned to promote her rank once we arrived in the capital, but she herself chose not to walk the right path. In the end, this opportunity fell into my lap."

Hua Shan said, "Actually, Chunling just has a sharp tongue, but her heart isn’t bad..."

Xiao Juan replied, "It’s precisely this temperament of hers that’s irritating. Back in the Hall of Knowing Spring, aside from Shu Ran and Lianxin, whom she didn’t dare order around, who else did she ever take seriously? This time she returned, she hasn’t been assigned any important tasks. Whether she’s in the room or not makes no difference. Yet she remains unaware, stubbornly opposing the Concubine as if the mistress couldn’t manage without her. How could the mistress be pleased with that? No matter how great the kindness, it can’t withstand such grinding. The Concubine can’t say much, so since that’s the case, I’ll speak up. I’m not afraid of offending her." With that, she took a plate of fresh fruit and carried it into the bedroom. After chatting idly with Xianglan for a moment, she said, "Mistress, you’re too kind. Someone like Chunling ought to be firmly disciplined to make her aware of her own limitations."

Xianglan smiled and shook her head, pushing the plate in front of her toward Xiao Juan. "With her temperament, disciplining her would only make her resentful and worsen the situation. Some matters aren’t resolved by harsh words. If it were that simple, things would be easy." She thought wistfully to herself, "Xiao Juan and Chunling were the earliest to share hardships with me; our bond is extraordinary. I understand Chunling’s desperate desire to climb higher, but her temper is like burning coal, and she loves to nitpick and argue. Now, though I may seem to be in a favorable position in the mansion, it’s actually quite difficult. Those I value by my side represent my face to the outside world. If she makes mistakes, it only makes things harder for me. I might as well give her more rewards and observe her for a while, though I fear she may resent me for it."

Xiao Juan said, "We all understand your concerns, mistress. Chunling not only picks fights but also loves to gossip and stir up trouble. If it doesn’t work out, just send her away. Are you short of people to serve you? Ling Qing is perceptive and skillful, Ling Su is kind-hearted, and even though Xue Ning is a fence-sitter, she’s more than capable with writing and calculations. Why tolerate her arrogance?"

Xianglan replied, "After all, she has done me favors, and I remember her kindness. If I were to disregard past affections, it would chill people’s hearts, and that’s not my intention. I know how to handle this matter. In the future, you should keep your distance from her too. If things really escalate, no one will save face."

Xiao Juan agreed and later recounted this to Hua Shan. By chance, Xiao Fang'er was also there and witnessed the entire exchange. She went back and relayed it as a humorous anecdote to Lin Dongxiu, Han Mama, and Xia Gugu.Han Mama said, "That girl Chunling was always eager to outshine others back in Madam's quarters, but I never expected her to grow even more overbearing now."

Lin Dongxiu sneered, "Xianglan used to have some spirit, but in recent years she's become increasingly meek. If it were me, I'd give her a good beating to teach her a lesson, whether it's Chunling or Qiuling, she'd learn her place."

Xia Gugu glanced at Lin Dongxiu and shook her head slightly. Later, she told her maid Fangfei, "Scolding people at every turn is no way to manage others. Fourth Miss Lin still needs more tempering. That concubine named Xianglan seems more adept at handling people, though her nature is still too soft. Who knows if it's genuine kindness or just pretense?"

That afternoon, after her nap, Xianglan had Ling Qing grind ink and cut paper. She weighed down the paper with a crystal beast-head paperweight, propped open the window, and facing the rustling green bamboo outside, painted an ink bamboo scroll in the style of the Plum Blossom Daoist from the previous dynasty. In the blank space, she inscribed the date and wrote, "Painted for summer pastime, created in the Hall of Flourishing Spring." She reached out a hand to Ling Qing, who immediately handed her a small seal carved with orchids after pressing it in vermilion ink. Just then, laughter came from outside. Xianglan set the seal aside and looked out the window to see Jiang Danyun and Lin Dongxiu walking in arm-in-arm, with Jiang Xiyun leisurely following behind.

Xianglan frowned slightly while washing her hands and said to Ling Qing, "Have them quickly brew tea and set out fruits. The young ladies are here." As she dried her hands with a towel, she heard Chunling announce from outside, "Fourth Miss and the two cousin young ladies have arrived."

Xianglan emerged from the side room to find the three already there. Lin Dongxiu entered first, laughing, "We were wandering around and somehow ended up here. In this summer heat, you must offer us some tea."

Xianglan hurriedly invited them to sit and serve tea, smiling, "Not just one bowl, but as many as you like. We also have cooling herbal tea for summer. Would you young ladies like some?"

As the three took their seats, Lin Dongxiu asked, "Is Eldest Brother not home?"

Xianglan replied, "He's busy all day. He left after breakfast, saying he's supervising military training in the suburbs by The Emperor's order."

While these two conversed, Dan and Xiyun quietly observed their surroundings. Jiang Danyun glanced around the room, noting that the Hall of Flourishing Spring was considerably larger and brighter than other rooms in the Lin residence. It featured partition doors with bamboo-patterned panels, all windows were sill windows, and the main hall was furnished entirely with rosewood tables, chairs, and stands, covered with colorful Babao floral Chair Cushions and cushions. For summer, these were topped with fine phoenix-tail mats. A long altar table stood in the center, bearing a plaque inscribed "Cultivate Brilliant Virtue," but instead of calligraphy or paintings, it displayed a large powerful bow and a quiver of arrows, with swords and broadswords arranged on the table, reflecting the master's martial spirit. Curtains connected the main hall to side rooms on both sides, while the northern end chamber served as the bedroom, concealed by dense bead curtains and a screen, hiding what lay within.

Jiang Danyun was inwardly astonished—the furnishings in Lin Jinlou's room were even more impressive than her family's ancestral home. She recalled overhearing two Lin family maids gossiping last night, saying that the Lin residence in the capital was just where Lin Changzheng had lived during his official posting, far inferior to their old mansion in Jinling. Taking it all in, Jiang Danyun's heart grew increasingly fervent.Jiang Xiyun fixed her gaze on Xianglan, observing that her hair was coiled into a bun with three jade hairpins. She wore a cherry-red jacket and a scallion-yellow embroidered skirt, appearing even more delicate and beautiful than the last time they met. Her face remained free of makeup, with long eyebrows, elegant eyes, snow-white skin, and red lips—ethereal and refined, like a luminous pearl or exquisite jade. After scrutinizing her for a moment, Jiang Xiyun quietly withdrew her gaze and said with a smile, "What were you doing just now, Sister Xianglan? Did our visit disturb you?"

Hearing her address her as "sister," Xianglan thought to herself that Jiang Xiyun indeed had a sweet and polished way of speaking. She merely smiled and replied, "I was just idling away. Your timing is perfect."

At that moment, Chunling came out to serve tea and, overhearing the conversation, chimed in with a smile, "The Concubine was just painting."

Jiang Danyun asked, "What painting? Could we take a look?"

Xianglan was about to decline when Lin Dongxiu stood up and said, "Xianglan is skilled in painting. Let’s go see what she was working on just now." With that, she led the group to the study in the eastern side room.