Against the Current

Ling Qing let out a heavy sigh and exchanged a look with Ling Su, sticking out her tongue as she said, "Amitabha Buddha, the Old Master is even more intimidating than the Eldest Master. I didn't even dare to breathe loudly."

Xianglan sat by the bed, picked up the small foreign handkerchief from the side table, and wiped the sweat from Lin Jinlou's forehead. She ordered someone to fetch the scented grease, dipped her finger in it, and applied it to his chapped lips before letting out a long sigh.

Ling Su stepped forward and said softly, "Concubine, you should rest for a while. Your eyes are full of bloodshot veins."

Xianglan shook her head wearily and sat there in a daze. Just then, Shu Ran entered and, without another word, pulled Xianglan up, saying, "My dear Concubine, you must go and rest immediately. Even someone made of iron couldn't endure this. We'll take care of the Eldest Master here." Exhausted and unsteady on her feet, Xianglan was quickly supported by Shu Ran, who helped her to the side room while directing the maids to make the bed. Dizzy and lightheaded, Xianglan closed her eyes as she walked over. Her hand loosened, and the scented grease box slipped from her fingertips, rolling away to who knows where. Someone removed her clothes, and as she tilted her head and lay down, she plunged straight into a deep sleep.

When Xianglan awoke, daylight had already broken. Hua Shan, wearing a bean-green sleeveless jacket with a shimmering center, sat on the edge of the kang doing needlework. Rubbing her eyes and sitting up, Xianglan asked hoarsely, "How long have I been asleep?"

Xiao Juan quickly set aside her work, helped Xianglan into her clothes, and poured a cup of tea, saying, "You've slept a full day. The Madam came by several times and sent people over repeatedly. The imperial physician also came five or six times to check on you, but you didn't wake up."

Xianglan took a sip of tea, her heart racing, and asked with difficulty, "The Eldest Master... he..."

Xiao Juan replied, "The Eldest Master woke up a few times but fell back asleep shortly after. He even asked about you, ma'am. The Old Master searched all over the capital for several renowned physicians to take turns examining the Eldest Master and the Second Master. The doctors said it's fortunate the Eldest Master is young and has a strong constitution—an ordinary person with such severe injuries, exposed to the freezing snow, would have long met the King of Hell. Now, his life is saved, but it will take some time for a full recovery. The Madam was overjoyed and donated a thousand taels of silver to the temple."

Xianglan felt as if a heavy stone had been lifted from her chest and murmured, "Amitabha Buddha."

Xiao Juan added, "But the Second Master isn't doing well. He's had a fever for two days without breaking and keeps raving nonsense."

Xianglan asked, "What about the Second Mistress?"

Xiao Juan lowered her voice mysteriously, "No one knows what taboo the Second Mistress violated. Now, the entire household is forbidden to mention it. They just say that when the Second Master fell ill, the Second Mistress also fell ill from anxiety."

Xianglan thought to herself, "Tan Luhua and Dai Rong are having an affair. They were probably caught in disarray, and the Lin family must be suppressing an even more scandalous incident to avoid spreading the disgrace." With these thoughts, she hastily washed up, dressed, and went to the bedroom to check on Lin Jinlou. He was still unconscious, with Wu Mama and Ling Su keeping watch. Wu Mama, upon seeing Xianglan, showered her with concerned inquiries and repeatedly urged her to go back and eat.

Xianglan had no choice but to return. Hua Shan and the others had the small kitchen prepare a table full of dishes: a plate of stir-fried bamboo shoots with mountain delicacies, a plate of five-spice fermented soybeans, a plate of vegetarian delight, a plate of milk noodle pastry, along with a bowl of red bean glutinous rice eight treasure rice and vegetarian red date soup.Xianglan finally felt the pangs of hunger and wolfed down her meal. As soon as she set down her chopsticks, Ling Qing arrived with fresh clothes and led her to bathe. Xianglan thoroughly enjoyed her bath and changed into new attire. Xiao Juan used two large foreign towels to partially dry her hair, then braided it and loosely coiled it into a bun atop her head, securing it with several Longevity hairpins.

Just as she stepped out from the back, she went to check on Lin Jinlou in the bedroom. The moment she entered, she realized the room was filled with men and quickly retreated. She heard Lin Jinlou cough and say, "Come, come in."

Xianglan was taken aback, but Shu Ran emerged and gently pulled her inside, smiling as she said, "The Eldest Master requests your presence, madam."

Xianglan had no choice but to enter. She curtsied and offered a blessing, then lifted her eyes to survey the room. Seated inside were Yuan Shaoren, Lin Jinting, Liu Xiaochuan, Xie Yu, and Chu Dapeng. The men promptly rose to their feet, repeatedly expressing deference as they bowed and cupped their hands in salute. Lin Jinting, who was close friends with Song Ke, still held a grudge against Xianglan. He muttered under his breath, "What's so great about her? She's just a snobbish servant—how does she deserve this bow from the Third Master?" His face showed clear reluctance, but before he could react, a dried jujube flew over and struck him squarely on the forehead. Lin Jinting jumped in surprise, exclaiming, "Ouch!" as he leaped up.

Liu Xiaochuan, who had witnessed the whole scene, chuckled and said, "I say, Little Lin Third, what's wrong with you? Hit by one of your Lin family's secret weapons, eh? Don't think your brother lying in bed like a sick cat means anything—now you know what an iron guardian, a living tyrant he is, right? Without moving a single soldier, just a flick of his finger can make your dog head split open." With that, he sidled up to the bed and diligently massaged Lin Jinlou's legs, saying, "Dear brother, am I right or what?"

Lin Jinting rubbed his forehead and glanced at Lin Jinlou, only to see his elder cousin glaring at him with a dark expression. Though pale and weak from illness, that gaze still sent a chill down Lin Jinting's spine. He instinctively hunched his shoulders, then turned to Liu Xiaochuan, feeling his pride wounded, and grumbled, "Get lost, get lost, get lost! You bootlicker, stop stirring up trouble here."

Liu Xiaochuan rolled his eyes and retorted, "Seeing my Brother Lou has achieved another feat, what's wrong with me clinging to his coattails? Others don't even get the chance!"

Xianglan looked toward Lin Jinlou's face. His hair was neatly combed, but he remained deathly pale, his lips chapped, eyes puffy, and cheeks hollowed, which only made his eyes appear even brighter. Lin Jinlou turned his head, and their gazes met. He seemed momentarily stunned but said nothing, instead turning away and declaring, "We're all family here. If you respect her," he coughed, "you respect me."

His words left the entire room in stunned silence. Even Liu Xiaochuan dropped his playful expression, exchanging meaningful glances with Chu Dapeng, Xie Yu, and the others. Lin Jinlou had always treated women as insignificant, openly stating that a well-matched wife was merely a fixture to manage the household, and a beautiful concubine was nothing but a pastime for amusement. This was the first time he had spoken so solemnly, asking his brothers and close friends to show respect to the woman in his chambers. The men promptly bowed again, cupping their hands and saying, "Of course, of course."

Lin Jinlou turned to Xianglan and said, "Go rest in the back."

Xianglan curtsied and hastily withdrew.Ling Qing served a fresh round of tea and laid out new pastries and fruits. Yuan Shaoren said to Lin Jinlou, "Fortunately, you sent word promptly this time. The Crown Prince received the news early and arranged defenses accordingly. As soon as I got your message, I mobilized the local garrison troops. Otherwise, the Eastern Palace would have been in grave danger. The Crown Prince told me that he is currently leading the efforts to capture the rebels and will personally visit when he has a moment."

Lin Jinlou replied, "I don’t deserve such kindness."

Lin Jinting added, "The Eastern Palace has already sent its chief steward to deliver some high-quality medicinal herbs."

Xie Yu remarked, "The Second Prince is too shortsighted. Was it really worth it, all for that throne? The entire court is on edge—Duke Xian’s Zheng family, the Dong family from the Ministry of Personnel, the Cao family of the Commandant, the Dai family from the Hanlin Academy... tsk, the list goes on. The prisons might not even be enough to hold them all."

Chu Dapeng said, "Families with shallow roots weren’t even thoroughly investigated. For instance, Dai Qing from the Hanlin Academy had his home confiscated and was swiftly sentenced to immediate execution."

Lin Jinlou looked at Chu Dapeng and said, "Brother, my apologies."

Chu Dapeng understood what Lin Jinlou meant and laughed, "What’s there to apologize for between us? I’m fine, though my father initially felt humiliated. But now that your family’s Old Master has personally offered an apology, what more could my father say? We’ve been friends for years—bringing this up would only create distance."

The others fell silent. Though efforts were made to suppress the news, word of Lin Jinxuan’s outburst at the Chu family had spread privately. However, the sudden rebellion led by the Second Prince had overshadowed this scandal.

Lin Jinlou clasped his hands and said, "Consider this a favor I owe on behalf of my second brother."

After some time, Lin Jinlou grew weary, and the guests rose to take their leave. Before departing, Yuan Shaoren whispered to Lin Jinlou, "I’ve arranged for Zhao Yuechan’s body to be handled as you requested."

Lin Jinlou was taken aback and said, "Thank you." After a pause, he added, "Please hand it over to my steward, Xu Fu, and have her buried with dignity."

Yuan Shaoren was also surprised. He sighed and teased, "I thought you despised that woman so much you’d at most grant her a thin coffin. It seems I misjudged you. The great General Lin is a man of lasting sentiment after all—once husband and wife, always bound by grace."

Lin Jinlou smiled faintly and said, "Originally, I would have given her nothing more than a ragged mat to wrap her body. But she had a worthy grandfather, and for Xianglan’s sake, let it be."

Yuan Shaoren didn’t understand Lin Jinlou’s meaning and studied him for a long moment before patting his shoulder and leaving.

Meanwhile, Ling Su brought in the medicinal broth, and Ling Qing used the Heart-locking pillow to prop Lin Jinlou’s head higher. Lin Jinlou craned his neck to look outside and asked, "Where’s Xianglan?"

Ling Su replied, "She went to see the Madam."

Lin Jinlou frowned, uttered an "Oh," took the medicine, and fell into a heavy sleep. When he woke, he again asked where Xianglan was. Ling Qing said, "The Concubine is still with the Madam."

Lin Jinlou grew irritable, unable to comprehend what matter with Qin Shi could be more important than him. Ling Su brought another dose of medicine, and just then, Lin Jinting scurried in, nudging Ling Su aside, and said, "Let me, let me." He sat by the bed, picked up the medicine bowl, and scooped a spoonful, saying, "Dear brother, look at me serving you like a filial son or devoted grandson. I’ve never even served the Old Master like this, so don’t be angry with me anymore." With that, he fed the spoon to Lin Jinlou’s lips.Lin Jinlou was already in a foul mood, and the sudden gulp of scalding, bitter medicine made him slap Lin Jinting on the head. "Do you even know how to serve anyone? Are you trying to scald me to death?"

Lin Jinting protested, "No, how would I dare? Didn’t you say so yourself, young master?" He set the medicine bowl aside and lowered his voice. "My dear brother, I came with good intentions—to secretly pass on some news to you."

Lin Jinlou snorted impatiently. "Spit it out if you have something to say. What kind of news could you possibly bring me?"

"Tsk, I’m risking grandfather skinning me alive for this." Lin Jinting leaned in closer and whispered, "Brother, do you remember that mistress you once had, Su Meiru?"