Against the Current

Lin Jinlou returned to the Hall of Flourishing Spring, where Xianglan had long finished washing and dressing. A few dishes and hot soup were laid out on the kang table, clearly freshly prepared. Without washing up, Lin Jinlou invited Xianglan to dine with him. Xianglan said, "Eldest Master, why not wash your face and change clothes before eating?"

Lin Jinlou replied, "By the time I change, the food will be cold. Let's eat first." He picked up a piece of chestnut cake with his chopsticks and placed it in the small dish before Xianglan.

Xianglan lifted her chopsticks and glanced at him. Lin Jinlou smiled faintly and said, "What? Aren't you going to serve me some food?"

Xianglan was taken aback, lowered her head, hesitated for a moment, then picked up a portion of silver-thread fine vegetables and placed it in Lin Jinlou's dish. His expression darkened slightly.

No further words were exchanged as the two ate quietly.

After the meal, Lin Jinlou went to the writing desk and began unrolling the paintings Xianglan had stored in the painting tubes one by one. Xianglan couldn't help asking, "What are you doing?"

As he unrolled the paintings, Lin Jinlou said, "Didn't I ask you to show me a couple of your best paintings when I was bedridden and unable to move the other day? Which ones are they?"

Xianglan said, "Let me find them." She pulled out two tubes and handed them over. "These are the ones."

Lin Jinlou unrolled them and saw that one depicted Guanyin holding a pure vase, her eyes lowered in dignified composure, her heavenly robes flowing as if stirred by wind—a masterpiece of form capturing spirit, exquisitely detailed. The other was "Snowy Night by the Riverbank," with distant gentle hills and nearby towering peaks arranged in harmonious disorder, reeds swaying along the shore, withered trees and rocky peaks blanketed in gleaming snow—the very scene of their past misfortune.

Lin Jinlou frowned and said, "Why paint these? I thought you'd paint flowers, birds, or fish like you usually do."

Xianglan smiled without responding. Lin Jinlou naturally didn't know how devoutly she had painted Guanyin stroke by stroke, praying for his safety and well-being, or how she had faced life and death in that snowy night and suddenly gained enlightenment.

Lin Jinlou examined the paintings from all angles and finally said, "Well, even if they're not quite fitting, they're truly excellent." He rolled them up, tucked them under his arm, and headed out.

Xianglan hurried after him and asked, "Where are you going, Eldest Master?"

Lin Jinlou turned back, looking at her with a half-smile. "Where? Off to battle for you, you ungrateful little wolf. Serving me a dish with such reluctance." He pinched the tip of her nose and said through gritted teeth, "Tell me, who am I running around for? I must be asking for trouble!" He turned away, handed the two painting tubes to Shu Ran as he walked out, and said, "Call Jixiang and Shuangxi, come with me to Old Master's courtyard."

In the northwest corner of the Lin residence in the capital stood the Hall of Veracity, Lin Zhaoxiang's quiet retreat. It consisted of about a dozen rooms, complete with a front hall and rear quarters, accessible from the street. Lin Zhaoxiang lived in seclusion most days, so this courtyard was more serene than usual places. Servants moved about with slow, light steps, and only the chirping of birds could be heard.Lin Jinlou unconsciously softened his footsteps as he entered the courtyard. Thinking of Lin Zhaoxiang's sharp gaze and cunning mind, he felt a twinge of apprehension, silently grumbling, "That old man, why does he have to be so shrewd at his age?" It's often said that the old grow crafty, but his grandfather had been a sly fox even in his youth, hiding ten thousand schemes in his heart. Now, having lived so long, he was practically immortal, feigning ignorance while hoarding his shrewdness all day. Lin Jinlou alone couldn't see through him; every time he made a misstep, his grandfather would point it out, filling him with profound awe and reverence.

Looking up, he spotted Geng Tonggui, Lin Zhaoxiang's trusted confidant, walking out with a birdcage in hand. Lin Jinlou hurried over, his face breaking into a smile, and said, "Uncle Geng, out walking the bird for Grandfather so early in the morning?"

Geng Tonggui's face crinkled into a chrysanthemum-like smile as he looked at Lin Jinlou. "The Eldest Master is here? How rare, how rare. Coming at this hour, have you stirred up some trouble you can't handle? Give this old servant a heads-up so I can send for Old Madam later." Having watched Lin Jinlou grow up, Geng Tonggui shared an unusual bond with him and, being highly regarded by Lin Zhaoxiang, spoke without restraint.

Lin Jinlou replied, "How could that be? I was just thinking that since I've fully recovered, it's time to resume my morning and evening duties."

"Oh?" Geng Tonggui chuckled. "Rare indeed, truly rare. Well, go on in. The Old Master is alone, admiring the flowers in his room."

"What about Old Madam?"

"Madam and Second Madam are selecting patterns for this year's satin, and Old Madam went to join the excitement."

"...And Yuan Ge'er?"

"Third Master took Fourth Master out." Geng Tonggui smiled again. "It's quiet today—a good chance for you two, grandfather and grandson, to have a proper chat. The Old Master has been talking about you every day lately."

"Ah? What has he been saying about me?"

"Heh heh, as a servant, I shouldn't gossip. You'll find out when you go in."

"Don't be like that, Uncle Geng, Uncle Geng..." Ignoring Lin Jinlou's calls, Geng Tonggui cheerfully walked out of the inner gate with his birdcage. That old fox, after all these years of exposure to his grandfather, had developed the same cunning demeanor.

Lin Jinlou's heart pounded with anxiety. Behind him, Shuangxi cautiously handed over the scroll case and said, "Eldest Master, this..."

Lin Jinlou impatiently took it and snapped, "Give it to me, now scram." He strode inside but suddenly caught a small figure darting behind the grape trellis. With his quick reflexes, Lin Jinlou lunged forward and grabbed the person, shouting, "Where do you think you're going? Too bold to greet your elder brother when you see him?"

Lin Jinyuan, held firmly by Lin Jinlou, grinned cheekily, his fair little face full of mischief. "Heh heh, Brother, I just didn't see you. Third Brother asked me to go out with him."

"What good could you learn from him? Come with me to see the Old Master."

At this, Lin Jinyuan struggled and protested, "I won't go! You go if you want! I stayed up half the night memorizing the 'Four Books' before Grandfather allowed me to go out today. If I go in now, I'll have to study again—it's so annoying."

"Tsk, tsk, stop moving!" Seeing Lin Jinlou's stern expression, Lin Jinyuan immediately froze, his little mouth pouting.

Lin Jinlou then softened his expression and whispered to Lin Jinyuan, "Come here, Little Fourth. I know you've been eyeing that bow in my study."

Lin Jinyuan's eyes lit up instantly.

"That bow is too big for you—you're still too small to draw it. I've already spoken to the craftsman; he's making a smaller one for you. It'll be ready in three or four days, complete with arrows, all fletched with peacock and pheasant feathers.""That would be wonderful, I..."

"But you have to be obedient, or else I'll give it to Lao Yuan's son De Ge'er instead."

Lin Jinyuan widened his round eyes and immediately raised his hand in pledge: "No, big brother, I'll be obedient! If you tell me to go east, I won't go west; if you tell me to beat a dog, I won't chase a chicken!"

"Mm, good Little Fourth, obedient little brother. Later, your big brother needs to go in and discuss some matters with grandfather. If grandfather gets angry later, you must come in to rescue me, understand?"

Lin Jinyuan scratched his head: "Ah? Grandfather is angry..."

Lin Jinlou glared: "Tch, what's this? A real man shouldn't hesitate. Do you still want that bow or not? As the saying goes, wealth is found in dangers - how can you catch tiger cubs without entering the tiger's den?"

Just as they were speaking, they heard a cough from inside the room. Lin Zhaoxiang said: "Who's out there?"

Both were startled. Lin Jinyuan jumped up, broke free from Lin Jinlou and fled. Lin Jinlou pointed at Lin Jinyuan's retreating back and whispered: "That brat runs faster than a rabbit. Remember, come in later to rescue me, otherwise no bow for you, and I'll give you a taste of bamboo paddle on your hide instead." Watching as Little Fourth Lin disappeared from sight, Lin Jinlou had no choice but to carry the painting tube into the room.

Lin Zhaoxiang was trimming plants in the main hall. He glanced up at Lin Jinlou, then looked down again as if he hadn't seen him.

Lin Jinlou quickly stepped forward, his face breaking into an ingratiating smile: "Grandfather, your unfilial grandson has come." As he spoke, he knelt and bowed in formal greeting. Just as he was about to rise, Lin Zhaoxiang said: "Stay kneeling. Don't get up."

Lin Jinlou looked up to check Lin Zhaoxiang's expression, then remained kneeling stiffly upright.

Lin Zhaoxiang paid him no mind, leisurely trimming a potted plant. Lin Jinlou inwardly lamented his misfortune, not daring to move a muscle. When he saw Lin Zhaoxiang turn around, he quickly put on his smile again. Lin Zhaoxiang snorted, set the scissors aside, and a young maid presented him with a white towel. After wiping his hands, Lin Zhaoxiang sat down in his official's armchair, picked up a teacup and took a sip of hot tea before finally looking at Lin Jinlou: "Fine. You're quite composed. I thought you were treating me as already dead."

Lin Jinlou smiled apologetically: "If Grandfather says that, there's no place for me to stand here."

"None of your cheeky grinning! You know perfectly well how much trouble you've stirred up outside! Good-for-nothing! Don't think that just because you've gotten yourself a high official position now you can do as you please and disgrace our ancestors! I'll be the first to not let you off!" Lin Zhaoxiang raised his cane as if to strike, but remembering his eldest grandson had just recovered from serious injuries, he hesitated about whether to lower it when someone called out: "Grandfather, how do you explain this passage in Mencius?" Turning to look, he saw Lin Jinyuan peeking in through the doorway holding a book.

Lin Zhaoxiang said irritably: "You little monkey, do you want to join your big brother in getting beaten?"

Lin Jinyuan stuck out his tongue and his small head disappeared back outside.

This interruption made Lin Zhaoxiang lower his cane. Lin Jinlou's heart began to race. Logically, Lin Zhaoxiang shouldn't be this angry with him over the Su Meiru matter. That affair had already settled down, Su Meiru had entered the household to await childbirth, and she was quite docile anyway. In wealthy families, who didn't have some dirty laundry? Though this matter wasn't honorable, when it came down to it, it was his second uncle who was most shamed. Grandfather shouldn't be taking it out on him.

While he was lost in these thoughts, Lin Zhaoxiang's angry roar sounded in his ears again: "You've grown quite capable, haven't you? Calculating that I can't control you anymore?"

"No, no. Grandfather, please calm your anger. Great anger harms the liver."Lin Zhaoxiang said, "I ask you, what's this about you going into partnership with those lads from the Chu and Liu families in the salt trade?"

Hearing this, the stone in Lin Jinlou's heart finally settled, knowing now where the old man's focus lay.

"That's a legitimate business, run by members of the Chu family. We merely invested shares, offering some assistance in canal transport during ordinary times, all in accordance with the law."

"Don't involve yourself in shady dealings or harbor thoughts of smuggling salt. Your father values his official reputation above all, and I too must preserve my dignity!"

"Absolutely not, I wouldn't dare bring shame upon our ancestors. Grandfather, I also command a military force. The meager military pay from the court is barely enough to make a splash when thrown into water. With so many brothers relying on me for their livelihood, we must engage in some ventures—how else could we survive on empty promises?"

"Stop pretending to be poor. You're involved in maritime trade as well, don't think you can hide it from me."

"Those dealings are all with private vessels. I wouldn't dare lay a hand on the court's shipments."

"Stay away from those dubious characters from the underworld. I've been too lenient with you before. If I find out you're still carousing recklessly outside or fooling around with disreputable women, I will truly make you pay."

Lin Jinlou silently grumbled to himself but verbally agreed repeatedly. Then he heard Lin Zhaoxiang say, "Stand up."

Lin Jinlou inwardly breathed a sigh of relief, but as soon as he rose to his feet, his grandfather added, "Now, tell me, what's the story with that 'The Story of Hermit Lanxiang'?"