Against the Current

"The flowers and trees know not that spring has long passed,

Still vying in splendor, their beauty amassed.

Petals strewn chaotically blanket the ground,

Meeting now, we but reminisce the past we found."

Before the verse concluded, Song Tanzhai chuckled, "You claim your writing is poor? You deserve a spanking! The conception alone surpasses mine, truly admirable."

Lin Dongling, already vexed by her own poetic inadequacy, grew more agitated. Humiliated earlier by Zheng Jingxian's scornful gaze filled with disdain, she flushed crimson. Hearing Song Tanzhai's modesty toward Zheng Jingxian further irked her. She interjected, "Why feign humility, Tanzhai? Your talent speaks for itself. Your brother is renowned as a great scholar in the capital. Had he been invited today—though we exclude gentlemen—even a dreamt verse from him would win the crown."

Zheng Jingxian ignored Lin Dongling entirely, addressing Song Tanzhai coolly, "I hail from the capital myself. Pray, who might your esteemed brother be?"

Song Tanzhai replied, "Sister, pay no mind to Ling's nonsense..."

Lin Dongling cut in, "Her brother is Song Ke, styled Yi Fei, acclaimed for his numerous poetic works."

Noticing Lin Dongling's Black-boned chicken-like agitation, Zhao Yuechan swiftly intervened, "We've talked enough and must be weary. Let's refresh with tea before resuming critiques." She bustled about arranging refreshments with graceful efficiency, warmly urging everyone to indulge. She dispatched a maid to fetch goose feet and duck tongues she had pickled days prior, then smiled, "At my mother's birthday recently, I visited my maternal home and heard my eldest sister-in-law share a hilarious tale that had us clutching our bellies in laughter."

Knowing Zhao Yuechan's gift for humor, Lin Dongqi asked, "What amusing story? Do tell, sister, so we may share the joy.Zhao Yuechan's eyes sparkled coquettishly as she swayed her silk fan. "My eldest cousin served as magistrate in Shunyi County, Shuntian Prefecture. Once, interrogating a prisoner, he asked his age. The prisoner said he was born in the Year of the Pig. My cousin, thinking himself mocked, flared up: 'This magistrate is born in the Year of the Pig! How dare you claim the same?' The prisoner hastily explained, 'Your Honor, I truly am—born in the twelfth month.' Realizing no insult was intended, my cousin sighed in relief, muttering, 'This magistrate was born in the first month.' To his surprise, the prisoner obsequiously beamed and boomed, 'Exactly! Your Honor is the pig's head, and I'm the pig's offal!'"

The room erupted in uproarious laughter, everyone doubled over in mirth. Hearing the commotion, Qin Shi called from inside, "What's happening out there? Such merriment!"

Hongjian answered laughingly, "Da Nǎinai told a joke that has everyone in stitches," and recounted Zhao Yuechan's tale, sending the ladies indoors into giggles too.

Song Yima chuckled, "That monkey! Always clever and quick-tongued—none can match her eloquence." Others chimed in, "Indeed! Not just sharp-witted, but her looks are beyond compare. The way she manages everything with such poise and capability—Sister Qin is blessed to have such a daughter-in-law."Qin Shi listened to these words with only a faint smile, lowering her head to sip tea and conceal the complex emotions in her eyes. After a moment, she looked up at Zhao Yuechan’s radiant demeanor and felt a pang of bitterness in her heart: "Zhao Shi is both clever and beautiful, perceptive of others' feelings, respectful toward me, never uttering a word of refusal. Such intelligence is indeed rare—one could say she’d make an excellent daughter-in-law. But there’s one flaw: she lacks kindness and virtue. Without these two qualities, coupled with a greedy nature, no amount of other merits can elevate her beyond mediocrity... Ah, it seems Lou Ge’er is fated not to have a good wife. If only he could marry someone with Zhao Yuechan’s looks and sharp wit, yet possessing Qinglan’s good heart..."

Just then, Zhao Yuechan laughed loudly and declared, "I’m a simple, vulgar person—I don’t understand poetry or verses. All I can manage are a few crude jokes from the countryside to make everyone laugh and lighten the mood."

Xianglan leaned against the wall, watching Zhao Yuechatalk and laugh with dazzling charm. Then she glanced at Qinglan, who sat dejectedly on a bench under the corridor, and sighed inwardly: "The main wife truly has that commanding presence. After all, she comes from an official’s family, raised with refinement and experience, having weathered storms. Her manner and actions are simply different. Even with all of us supporting Concubine Lan, propping her up to a high position, she lacks the wit and eloquence herself, and in the end, she’s the one left embarrassed. This poetry gathering required so much effort, yet Zhao Yuechan stole half the spotlight with just one joke."

As Xianglan observed others from the corner, she didn’t notice Lin Jinlou watching her from behind the rose trellis. He saw Xianglan’s hair tied in a simple bun, wearing an autumn-fragrance-colored short jacket and a light blue skirt embroidered with two butterflies at the hem. Her neat and clean attire accentuated her delicate, lovely face, making it even more striking. Lin Jinlou narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing her from head to toe and back again. She didn’t quite match the image in his memory, yet upon closer inspection, she was the same—though he felt the real person looked even prettier. Stroking his chin, he wondered how a maid could be so beautiful...

His gaze shifted to a young girl who had just started growing out her hair, holding a plate of cakes and munching as she walked over. Her round face was utterly charming. He waved and called out, "You there, come here."

It was Xiao Juan, who was startled by the sudden summons. Recognizing Lin Jinlou, she nearly choked in fright—she was terrified of his imposing presence and stood there dumbfounded.

Lin Jinlou said impatiently, "I’m calling you, hear me? Are you deaf?"

Xiao Juan struggled to swallow the cake, gagging and rolling her eyes, then hurried over with bowed head and humble demeanor. "What does Eldest Master require?"

Lin Jinlou pointed distantly at Xianglan. "Tell her to go to the Joyful Pavilion. I have something for her to do."

Xiao Juan nodded vigorously like a pecking chick and turned to leave, but Lin Jinlou suddenly called out, "Wait." She halted immediately.

Lin Jinlou added, "Don’t let anyone else know about this. Go quietly."

Xiao Juan nodded emphatically again before scurrying off.

Xianglan was on duty by the wall when she felt a tap on her shoulder. Xiao Juan, still chewing on cake, mumbled, "Hurry up, Eldest Master is looking for you."

Xianglan was startled. "Eldest Master? He’s back? What does he want with me?"Xiao Juan patted her chest with a lingering sense of fear: "I don't know, they said it's at Taoran Pavilion behind Longcui Residence. You'd better not keep that gentleman waiting. Just now when he suddenly called out to me, it gave me such a fright I nearly choked to death."

Xianglan had no choice but to go to Taoran Pavilion. Exiting through the back door of Longcui Residence, she circled around an oddly-shaped rock, and there stood Taoran Pavilion nestled among mountain peach and apricot trees. She saw Lin Jinlou leisurely standing in the pavilion, teasing a Huamei bird hanging in a cage inside the pavilion.