Against the Current

Qing Lan was startled and quickly lowered her head, murmuring, "I... I know I was wrong..."

Qin Shi raised an eyebrow slightly. "Oh? Then tell me, what exactly were you wrong about?"

Qing Lan was dumbfounded. Indeed, what had she done wrong? She was clearly the one being bullied and pushed around...

"Do you think you've done nothing wrong and are full of grievances?" Qin Shi said coolly. Qing Lan had been about to nod, but when she met Qin Shi's stern gaze, her courage faltered. She hurriedly bowed her head and stammered, "I... wouldn't dare..."

Qin Shi spoke slowly, "You've been quite the spectacle these days. Despite your pregnancy, you took charge of the Poetry Club, hosting banquets and composing poems, stealing the limelight to the point where even Yuechan had to step back. I’ve heard whispers behind my back that if your belly proves fruitful and you bear a son, you’d dare to challenge the mistress for status. Tell me... is that your intention?"

These words struck Qing Lan like a dagger to the heart. Cold sweat trickled down her back, and despite the heaviness of her belly, she prostrated herself on the kang, kowtowing repeatedly. "I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare! I’d sooner die than dare!" Her tongue felt clumsy, and her guilt left her stammering the same phrases over and over.

Qin Shi glanced at her before looking ahead and said, "Whether you dare or not, I’ve noticed your behavior growing increasingly improper. When you wanted to run the Poetry Club, I thought it unwise, but I didn’t stop you. You’re new to the Lin family, with no one to rely on. If this succeeded, it would help you establish yourself in the household and prevent others from looking down on you. That was the dignity I silently granted you. I thought you were a clever girl who’d understand my intentions and know your place. And yet, despite your condition, you’ve been bustling about, eager to flaunt yourself, even competing with the mistress. Now, when the Master intends to elevate a maid, before the mistress has even spoken, you dare to show jealousy—fainting in public and then weeping for all to see? Qing Lan, though you come from a respectable family, you are still a concubine. Do you need someone to teach you how a concubine should behave?"

Qin Shi’s words were like a resounding slap across Qing Lan’s face. Trembling, large tears rolled down her cheeks, and she couldn’t suppress her sobs.

Qin Shi exhaled sharply and said sternly, "I know you feel wronged, but this path was your own choice. If you weren’t content to be a concubine, you shouldn’t have entered the Lin household in the first place!" Though her words were directed at Qing Lan, her eyes remained fixed on Xiang Lan.

Xiang Lan felt Qin Shi’s gaze was as sharp as Lin Jinlou’s—like an unsheathed sword. A chill ran through her, and she quickly lowered her face, refusing to look up again.

Zhao Yuechan cried out, "Taitai, all of this is my fault. But... Qing Lan is with child and shouldn’t kneel for long. Please punish me alone..."

Qin Shi observed Zhao Yuechan’s tearful, earnest expression and then Qing Lan’s pitiful, sobbing state. She sighed inwardly. Zhao Yuechan was truly cunning, while Qing Lan’s petty schemes were laughably naive in comparison.

Ignoring her, Qin Shi turned to Wu Mama, kneeling by the bed, and said, "Wu Mama, you’re an elder. Jinlou grew up drinking your milk, and even the old mistress treats you with respect. Yet today, I’ve made you kneel. Do you accept this?"Wu Mama thought to herself that Qin Shi was determined to thoroughly rectify the misconduct in the main household today. Realizing she couldn't avoid responsibility either, she kowtowed and said, "I accept the punishment, this old servant deserves it. With the concubine now pregnant, Taitai assigned me to attend to her, showing her trust in me. When the concubine wanted to start a poetry club, I should have advised against it, but..."

Qin Shi shook her head. "Your mistake lies elsewhere. Wu Mama, you're an experienced servant, yet you committed an enormous blunder. Old Madam Zeng's mourning period hasn't even ended—how could you encourage the Master to take a concubine?! If this had caused a scandal and become public gossip, the Lin family's reputation would have been ruined."

Wu Mama bowed her head in shame. "Taitai's reprimand is justified."

Seeing her admission of guilt, Qin Shi said no more.

The room fell silent, broken only by Qing Lan's quiet sobs.

Qin Shi felt the timing was right—after delivering a slap, she should offer some comforting words. She continued, "These past days I've observed coldly how each of you has failed in your duties. The wife doesn't behave like a wife, the concubine doesn't follow concubine rules—you've turned this household into complete chaos. As the saying goes, 'Harmony in the family leads to prosperity in all undertakings.' With all this commotion, how can there be harmony and prosperity within or outside the home?" Pausing, she turned to Zhao Yuechan. "Daughter-in-law, from now on you must lead by example in managing the inner household. You must enforce discipline strictly but also show compassion to those beneath you. For this offense, you're fined one month's allowance and shall kneel in the ancestral hall for half an hour to reflect on your mistakes."

Though seething inwardly, Zhao Yuechan nodded like a pecking chick and said, "Taitai is merciful. I accept the punishment."

Qin Shi turned slightly and patted Qing Lan's shoulder. "Stop crying now. The physician just examined you—what if you ruin your health with more tears? As long as you know your place, take good care of yourself, and serve the Master and his wife properly, I'll stand up for you if anyone dares bully you in the future..." She took out a handkerchief and personally wiped Qing Lan's face.

Qing Lan, overwhelmed, hastily wiped her face with her sleeve instead.

Qin Shi softened her voice. "But your behavior this time was improper. Considering your pregnancy, I won't punish you harshly—just one month's allowance deducted and ten copies of 'Admonitions for Women' to be transcribed."

Qing Lan lowered her head. "Qing Lan is grateful for Taitai's leniency."

Qin Shi then looked meaningfully at Wu Mama. "Wu Mama, you're a senior servant, and you've watched Lou Ge grow up since childhood—you know his temperament well... I won't punish you this time, but don't betray the trust I've placed in you."

Wu Mama kowtowed repeatedly. "This old servant has learned her lesson! It won't happen again!"

Satisfied, Qin Shi nodded. "If you truly understand my intentions, that's enough for me." She stood to leave but suddenly turned back at the doorway. "Xianglan, come with me."

Xianglan's heart raced uneasily. Having witnessed Qin Shi's methods once again, she didn't know whether this summons boded well or ill, but she had no choice but to follow Qin Shi out.

Zhao Yuechan remained behind, seeing them off eagerly.

After the others had left, Zhao Yuechan stood at the entrance of Knowing Spring Pavilion, watching Qin Shi's retreating figure. Ying Shuang hurried over and whispered, "How did it go, Mistress?"Zhao Yuechan's willow-like eyebrows shot up as she sneered, "What do you mean, 'how'? That old hag keeps finding ways to bully me. She's punishing me by making me kneel in the ancestral hall for two hours, yet that little slut Wang Qinglan only has to copy a few pages of writing to get off scot-free. It's all because of that lump of flesh in her belly!" She gritted her teeth and whispered, "But let's see if she's even fated to give birth to it!" With that, she turned and stormed off.

Ying Shuang hurried after her, saying, "Taitai is making you kneel in the ancestral hall for a full two hours? Heavens! Your body is delicate, Mistress. How can you kneel for so long? Besides, the ancestral hall is so gloomy—what if you catch some illness? I'll prepare a thick cushion for you and fetch a warming incense burner..."

Zhao Yuechan, suppressing her anger, said, "Don't worry about that for now. Hurry up and get the keys to the storeroom. Pick out some good tonics and send them to the east wing, and have a few extra dishes prepared for them tonight. And send a bolt of cloth to Qinglan, the same as the one for Xianglan." She rubbed her chest and said bitterly, "Go get me two silver dew pills. All that kneeling and crying just now has made my liver ache from anger. I need something to soothe it." Then she turned her head toward the east wing and sneered, "Wang Qinglan, you little slut, just you wait. One day, I'll make sure you learn what I'm capable of."

Leaving aside Zhao Yuechan's fury for now, let's turn to Yin Die, who was in the side room with Xianglan and the others. When she heard how Qin Shi had dealt with the matter, she couldn't help but gloat. Being close friends with Hua Mei's maid, Xi Que, she slipped out to recount the incident with embellishments to Xi Que, laughing and cursing freely. After Yin Die left, Xi Que relayed the news to Hua Mei, who immediately took some needlework she had been doing the past few days and went to Qinglan's room.

The east wing was peaceful. Qinglan, thoroughly chastened by Qin Shi's reprimand, was too ashamed to cry in bed anymore and simply leaned against the headboard in a daze. When Hua Mei entered, she smiled and said, "I've been working on a little outfit for the baby these past few days. The stitching is a bit rough, but it's the thought that counts. I hope you won't mind it, Sister."

Qinglan, who had come to regard Hua Mei as a confidante because of the poetry club, wanted to share a few heartfelt words. Hua Mei coaxed her into speaking and, after offering some comforting words, managed to draw out the details of what had just happened. Seeing that no one else was around, Hua Mei whispered to Qinglan, "Why so glum, Sister? To me, it's clear Taitai cares more about you. Didn't you see? She made that tigress kneel in the ancestral hall but only had you copy a few pages. The difference is obvious."

Qinglan sighed, stroking her belly. "It's only because of this child... You don't know how harshly Taitai scolded me. I felt like throwing myself into the river." She gave a rough account of Qin Shi's words.

Hua Mei laughed. "Oh, Sister, don't you see what Taitai really meant? She punished you not because she dislikes you but because you overstepped the rules..."

Qinglan hesitated. "Really?"

Hua Mei smiled. "Of course." She lowered her voice and leaned closer. "To speak frankly, in time, when the Master divorces that ogress and elevates you to the proper position, you'll be the dignified Lady of the Lin household. Would Taitai still scold you for overstepping then? It all comes down to status."

Qinglan was startled. "Don't say such things!"Hua Mei waved her little handkerchief nonchalantly and said, "Sister is just too timid, why don't you dare say it? Over a decade ago, who would have dared say the Eighth Prince could become Emperor? Yet he did..."

Qing Lan was shocked and covered Hua Mei's mouth: "Have you lost your mind, saying such things?"

Hua Mei pulled Qing Lan's hand down, smiling brightly: "I'm just speaking the truth, sister, think about it, isn't it so? I feel Taitai favors you, and her current decision is just to keep the inner household peaceful."

Qing Lan pondered carefully and realized Hua Mei's words held some truth. The knot in her heart loosened considerably, and she truly began to regard Hua Mei as one of her own, addressing her affectionately as "little sister" and "elder sister" with increasing warmth.

Today's new release, sincerely requesting first subscriptions, seeking pink votes Xiao He needs your support!!!! Thank you Yan Sansheng for two Peace Talismans, thank you marget24, christine_86, and Junxi812 for the Peace Talismans. There will be another chapter tonight, everyone please give me your first subscriptions, give me some confidence