Against the Current

Jiang Xiyun's face flushed even reder as she murmured, "It's nothing special, so I'd rather not embarrass myself by showing it."

Qin Shi laughed and said, "Quick, bring it out for us to see. Surely you're not going to keep it hidden away?"

Everyone chimed in, urging her to show it. Jiang Xiyun had no choice but to send Ruoqing to fetch it. Before long, Ruoqing returned with a blue satin bundle. When unwrapped, it revealed a pair of knee pads made of fine leather, lined with indigo-blue fabric and embroidered with the "Nine Suns Bring Prosperity" pattern, symbolizing endless blessings and auspicious events. The craftsmanship was vibrant and exquisitely refined.

Qin Shi took them in her hands, examined them, and broke into a wide smile. She then passed them to Lin Jinlou, saying, "Such fine needlework puts even the professional embroiderers to shame. It's clear you put a lot of effort into this. And the thought behind it is so clever—your eldest cousin is a cavalry general, and these will come in handy for him in the winter."

Jiang Mu smiled and said, "Xiyun is such a sincere child. She insisted it was too much trouble for her eldest cousin and wanted to express her gratitude with some needlework. She even stayed up late working on these by lamplight."

Qin Shi beckoned and said, "Good child, come here." Taking Jiang Xiyun's hand, she continued, "Don't do needlework under the lamp from now on—you'll strain your eyes. And as the weather gets hotter, I have some fine cloth here that's cool and comfortable to wear. Later, take it and make some summer clothes with your sisters."

Jiang Xiyun beamed and said, "Xiyun thanks you, Aunt. Old Madam dotes on us and has already had new summer gowns made for Fourth Sister and me. Now you show us such kindness too—we truly don't know how to express our gratitude."

This remark both flattered Jiang Mu and pleased Qin Shi, making both of them feel content. Jiang Mu laughed and said, "This is your aunt's way of caring for you."

Lin Dongwan, pulling Lin Dongqi and Lin Dongxiu along, joked, "Look at this! As soon as our cousins arrive, no one cares about us anymore!"

Jiang Xiyun lowered her head, a shy blush spreading across her cheeks.

Everyone laughed. Though Jiang Danyun forced a smile, her eyes were already reddening. Lin Dongxiu fiddled with her skirt silently, while Tan Luhua let out a soft snort and turned to whisper to Xianglan, "So fake and annoying, putting on an act to curry favor. I can't stand this kind of behavior. If this goes on, I'll lose my temper and expose that little minx's tricks!"

Xianglan squeezed Tan Luhua's hand and whispered back, "Madam is right there. Don't upset her."

Tan Luhua sneered, "What's there to fear? Even if she's my mother-in-law, she'll eventually return to Jinling. Second Master and I will be in the capital, far away from her reach. To be frank with you, Second Master is in poor health, and we're always short on funds. Marrying into this family was already a compromise for me. If I have to endure every little nuisance like this, what's the point of living?"Xianglan was about to persuade further when she suddenly sensed someone watching her. Looking up, her eyes met Lin Jinlou's across the room. He held the knee pads in his hand, gazing at her with an ambiguous half-smile. Xianglan immediately forgot what she had intended to say to Tan Luhua. Though their eyes connected across the distance, it felt as vast as endless mountains and rivers between them.

Lin Jinlou's expression showed three parts satisfaction and seven parts pleasure—clearly, Jiang Xiyun's gift had perfectly catered to his preferences. A sudden heaviness settled in Xianglan's chest. These past few days, Lin Jinlou had received a chest of fine furs and asked her to make him knee pads and a hat. She had nearly finished the knee pads, never expecting Jiang Xiyun to present him with a pair today. Just from the extensive embroidery visible, she could tell they were infinitely more exquisite than her own work. Surely he wouldn't need the pair she was making anymore?

Just as well.

Earlier, Qin Shi's deliberate praise of Jiang Xiyun, her attentive inquiries, and her smiling tolerance of Lin Dongwan's blatant teasing made it clear the matter was practically settled.

Xianglan glanced at Jiang Xiyun, who was being embraced and fussed over by Qin Shi, the girl's face blooming with bashful smiles. Xianglan felt neither particular liking nor dislike toward Jiang Xiyun—she merely observed from afar, unable to suppress the envy in her heart. Such sweet, delicate girls were surely coddled and cherished by their elders as they grew up. Thus they appeared lovely and amiable, yet could never erase the innate superiority and self-perceived cleverness in their bones—much like her former self in her previous life. In this life, however, she had grown from the dust. No matter how resilient, quiet, restrained, or cautious she was, an underlying, unknown anxiety remained buried deep within.

Jiang Xiyun stole a sidelong glance and noticed Lin Jinlou still looking toward Xianglan. Startled, she pretended not to see and turned her head away. Qin Shi happened to witness this and followed her gaze, immediately frowning. She cleared her throat and said, "Lou Ge'er?"

Only then did Lin Jinlou snap out of his reverie and look at Qin Shi.

Qin Shi glared at him. "Your cousin went to such trouble to do needlework for you. Aren't you going to thank her?"

Lin Jinlou smiled. "Thank you, Fifth Cousin."

Qin Shi said, "How can a mere 'thank you' suffice?"

Jiang Xiyun hurriedly replied, "Aunt, I made this needlework precisely to express my gratitude."

Qin Shi patted Jiang Xiyun's hand and laughed. "Don't worry about it. He's the wealthiest one here. Today, your aunt will get you some nice trinkets from him."

Jiang Feiyun chuckled. "Fifth Sister's poem was so excellent again. Shouldn't you give the Jade Pendant to the winner? Earlier, Eldest Cousin clearly announced it as an extra prize—we all heard it plainly. You can't go back on your word now out of stinginess."

Everyone laughed again.

Lin Dongwan, ever observant of every detail, noticed Jiang Mu, Qin Shi, and Lin Jinlou all smiling and grew even more eager to join the fun. "Eldest Brother has always been generous—he would never renege. Come, come, Cousin Xiyun, why don't you toast our Eldest Brother with some mild wine? You should know that pendant originally belonged to the Crown Prince."

The crowd erupted in laughter. Jiang Feiyun promptly poured a cup of wine herself, pressed it into Jiang Xiyun's hand, and signaled with her eyes, urging, "Quick, hurry and toast your Eldest Cousin."

Meanwhile, Lin Dongwan said to Lin Jinlou with a grin, "I know Eldest Brother has a great capacity for liquor. If Cousin Xiyun toasts you, you must show sincerity—a small cup won't do. Haitang, quickly change the cup to a larger one. Today, we must make sure Eldest Brother drinks a full, hearty measure."Lin Jinlou was no stranger to such scenes, but he hadn’t expected Jiang Xiyun to hold her ground so well. She actually switched to a Famille Rose Autumn Chrysanthemum Magpie Gold Trim Bowl and filled it to the brim. At the sight, Lin Jinlou laughed and said, "This won’t do. We’re barely getting started, and I still have social engagements ahead. If you get me drunk here, my relatives, brothers-in-law, and friends will be left staring in disbelief. They’d never let me hear the end of it—this really won’t do."

Lin Dongwan chuckled, "Who doesn’t know you have a vast capacity for liquor? I’ve heard you drank an entire table of guests under the table and remained as steady as Mount Tai. That day, my husband came home and vomited all night. It took him days to recover his complexion. Today, I’m borrowing Sister Xi’s hand to get my revenge."

Qin Shi pointed playfully at Lin Dongwan and said, "Look at this girl—truly, a daughter’s heart leans outward. Now that she’s married, she knows how to defend her husband but has forgotten to care for her own brother." Secretly, though, she was quite pleased with Lin Dongwan. She thought to herself that before marriage, this girl had been all thorns, constantly suspecting her stepmother of ill intentions. Now that she was married, she understood the hardships and rewards of life and recognized the importance of maintaining good relations with her natal family. She glanced at the silent Lin Dongqi and sighed softly, wishing her own biological daughter had half of Lin Dongwan’s perceptiveness. Such an upright yet simple nature—who could she have inherited it from?

Jiang Mu nodded slightly and smiled, "My niece-in-law is truly blessed. Each of these daughters is outstanding, graceful, and a pleasure to behold."

Jiang Feiyun chimed in, "Come, come, Fifth Sister, hurry and offer a toast to our eldest cousin. Didn’t you say earlier that he’s young and accomplished, having built his career without relying on family privilege, and that he’s the most admirable? Today, you should toast him properly—it’ll be worthy of all the praise you’ve given him."

As her words fell, all eyes turned to Lin Jinlou. Earlier, outside the pavilion, the atmosphere had been lively, but inside, only Jiang Danyun, Lin Dongxiu, Tan Luhua, Lin Dongqi, and Xianglan were seated. These five remained utterly silent. Jiang Danyun seethed with resentment and bitterness; if she hadn’t forced herself to hold back, tears would have already streamed down her face. Lin Dongxiu and Tan Luhua wore cold, mocking smiles. Lin Dongqi kept her head lowered. She was usually fond of lively conversation, but ever since the crowd had clamored to crown Jiang Xiyun as the winner, she felt it was unjust. It was obvious to everyone that Xianglan’s poem was superior to Jiang Xiyun’s, yet things had escalated to this point. Suddenly, she felt deeply embarrassed for Xianglan and chose to remain silent.

Xianglan sat quietly at the very edge of the pavilion. She watched the others laugh and banter, observed Jiang Feiyun and Lin Dongwan taking turns with witty remarks, and saw Jiang Xiyun, her cheeks flushed, pouring wine for Lin Jinlou. The more she saw, the more she felt like an outsider. Even if they forcibly elevated her status, it wouldn’t change the fact that everyone looked down on her, treating her as mere decoration. If her poem had been mediocre, it might have been easier to bear, but now it only made her discomfort more acute.

She suddenly let out a soft laugh, followed by a light sigh, and lifted her head to gaze at the blue sky beyond the pavilion.

Jiang Xiyun had already raised her wine bowl, her face tinged with a faint blush, her smile sweet and charming. She said, "Eldest Cousin, my sisters are just teasing. But this bowl of wine, I offer to you with genuine sincerity. Please drink it quickly—it’s mild wine, not too strong, and quite fragrant and sweet."Lin Jinlou lounged in his chair, lazily reaching out to stop the bowl of wine. His gaze lingered on Jiang Xiyun’s face for a moment before he smiled and said, "It’s not that I’m unwilling to give you face, but this isn’t the proper way to offer a toast. Here’s what you should do: first toast Yi Lao Taitai and Madam, then come back to toast me. How can a junior bypass their elders? Besides, this is far too much wine. I’ll drink only as much as the elders do."

The crowd was taken aback, and Jiang Xiyun’s expression turned slightly awkward. Jiang Feiyun thought to herself, "This won’t do. The whole point was for Fifth Sister to toast him and solidify the matter, so she could get that pendant." Aloud, she hurriedly added with a smile, "But Fifth Sister was truly intent on toasting you, Cousin…"

Lin Jinlou paid her no mind. Instead, he turned and pointed to several cups on the table, nodding to Hongjian. "Pour the wine."

Lin Jinlou had always been a man of his word, and Hongjian dared not disobey. She stole a glance at Qin Shi, who remained expressionless, then averted her eyes and carefully poured the wine.