Against the Current

Xue Shi quickly ushered him inside, and Xia Yun, cupping his hands in greeting, was about to step in when he caught sight of a young maiden standing in the room. Dressed in apricot-red attire, she was strikingly beautiful, her radiant complexion illuminating the space. Xia Yun froze in place, one foot already over the threshold, unsure whether to advance or retreat. Though he longed for another glance at the girl, he restrained himself, maintaining the aloof demeanor of a scholar and keeping his gaze averted. Addressing Xue Shi, he stammered, "I... I think I’d better not come in..."

Xianglan, noticing Xia Yun’s discomfort, couldn’t help but smile faintly. The current residence of Chen Shi and his wife was not a courtyard but a two-story building. Turning away, Xianglan lifted her skirt and ascended the stairs. Only after Xue Shi insisted did Xia Yun finally enter. Xue Shi explained with a smile, "My daughter came home for a visit today," then hurried to pour tea, adding, "Your Uncle Chen had a couple of drinks and just dozed off. I’ll go wake him."

Xia Yun had long heard rumors of the Chen family’s fairy-like daughter, and now, seeing her in person, he realized the tales were true. Still dazed, he quickly stopped Xue Shi when she mentioned waking Chen Shi. "Auntie, there’s no need to trouble yourself. I’m just here to deliver something," he said, handing over a cloth bundle. "Inside are two pieces of my calligraphy and some books I copied for someone. Please ask Uncle Chen to pass them on to the buyer."

Xue Shi accepted the bundle and retrieved a string of coins from a drawer, handing them to Xia Yun. "This is the payment from last time—fifty wen in total." She then earnestly added, "Young Master Xia, please don’t mention to anyone that you’ve seen my daughter."

Xia Yun tucked the coins into his robe and assured her, "Of course." After expressing his thanks repeatedly, he declined Xue Shi’s further hospitality with polite excuses, cupped his hands in farewell, and took his leave. Xue Shi closed the door securely and carried Xia Yun’s bundle upstairs. Finding Xianglan tidying up, she sat beside her and sighed. "Did you see him just now? That was Young Master Xia, the one I told you about—the nephew of Second Sister Xia, who used to live across from us. Though his family is modest, he’s diligent in his studies and ambitious. Last year, he nearly passed the Licentiate exam, and this year he’s sure to succeed. Second Sister Xia once mentioned arranging a match between you two, but then you were sold to the Lin family..."

Xue Shi rambled on for a while, but Xianglan continued organizing the cupboard, seemingly indifferent. Irritated, Xue Shi poked her arm and frowned. "Are you even listening? Young Master Xia is exceptional in both character and appearance. Now that your father and I are freed from servitude, we’re on equal footing with them. Besides, your father is about to become a shop manager and will earn even more than the Xia family... Didn’t you notice how Young Master Xia writes and copies books to support his family? Knowing your father deals with scholars and artists at the antique shop, he eagerly submits his calligraphy, earning dozens of wen per piece. Everyone praises his writing and calls him a prodigy... But then Master Song took a liking to you... Ah!" She jabbed Xianglan’s forehead. "You! You’re going to be the death of me."

Rubbing her forehead, Xianglan thought her mother was worrying over nothing and paid little mind to Xia Yun. After finishing her chores and sharing a few laughs with Xue Shi, she returned to the Song household.Now, as for Xia Yun, he returned home silently with his mind preoccupied. He picked up a book to read but found himself unable to focus, flipping through the pages restlessly. The more he recalled Xianglan’s appearance, the more unsettled he became. Previously, his second sister-in-law had mentioned Chen Wanquan’s daughter to him. At the time, he had been single-mindedly focused on passing the imperial examinations to attain glory and return home in honor. Moreover, though he maintained a respectful demeanor when dealing with Chen Wanquan, he privately looked down on the man’s vulgar and mercenary nature, thinking, "What kind of decent daughter could such a man raise?" and thus paid no heed. Thirdly, his standards were high—he disdained ordinary families and insisted on marrying a lady of both talent and beauty, which was why his marriage had been delayed.

But now, after that fleeting glimpse of Xianglan, he found himself captivated. Secretly comparing her to others, he realized that among all the women he had seen, none could rival her beauty, and his heart was stirred. Noticing his second sister-in-law hanging laundry in the courtyard, he went to probe for information. His sister-in-law said, "You’re asking about Chen’s Xianglan? She’s truly a beauty, with an air of intelligence about her. She’s literate and, rarest of all, can paint. Her father claims one of her paintings can sell for a tael of silver. Though Old Chen is a braggart, I inquired around, and it turns out he wasn’t entirely lying. Not every piece fetches a high price, but the least they go for is half a tael. Marrying her would be like bringing home a goddess of wealth. The only thing is, they say she’s got a fiery temper—once even brandished a kitchen knife at someone. Even after entering the Lin household, she didn’t settle down. In the end, the Taitai drove her out. Tsk, tsk. With looks like hers, it’s no wonder men are smitten."

Xia Yun was startled. "She caught the eye of the Lin family’s master?"

His sister-in-law glanced around and lowered her voice. "Exactly. Word is the Lin Master took a liking to her and planned to elevate her status after Old Madam Zeng’s mourning period ended. But then the unrest in the outer provinces happened, and the Lin Master led troops to suppress the bandits. That gave the Taitai the chance to quietly dismiss her. No one knows where she’s been sold off to now. The Lin Taitai is notoriously ruthless—Xianglan won’t fare well. Haven’t you heard? Even her parents were taken in by the Song family... Ah, even if Xianglan were still in the household, we wouldn’t dare arrange a match now. A maid the Lin Master fancied—who knows if she’s still untouched..."

His sister-in-law rambled on, but Xia Yun stood there dumbfounded, his chest tight with emotion. In a daze, he turned and walked back to his room, ignoring his sister-in-law’s calls from behind: "Little brother-in-law, what’s for dinner tonight? The kitchen saved a bowl of meat for you." When he didn’t respond, she muttered under her breath, "The whole family treats him like an ancestor now, as if he’ll really come back a top scholar. Hmph! I do hope he passes with honors so we can bask in his glory someday. I just worry the Xia family graves haven’t produced that kind of luck!"

But let us set aside Xia Yun’s troubles for now and turn to Xianglan, who had returned to the Song residence. After doing some needlework, she personally cooked two of Song Ke’s favorite dishes and kept them warm in the steamer. Noticing Junxi measuring a piece of fabric, she asked, "What are you making?"

Junxi replied, "I want to make a pair of shoes for the Master. Wearing boots in summer is too hot—a pair of layered-sole shoes would be much more comfortable and cool. The pair he’s wearing now is old and hardly presentable."

Xianglan smiled. "Perfect. You measure the size, and I’ll sketch a pattern to embroider on the shoes. It’ll bring good fortune."Junxi laughed and said, "Perfect timing. I saw the stationery case you made for the Master—the patterns were exquisite and unique, so neat and finely stitched, even better than what the professional embroiderers do. You must teach me how to do it later."

Yuexi emerged from the inner room and added, "And the floral designs you drew are beautiful too, unlike anything seen outside. Later, you should sketch a stack for me to keep."

Junxi clapped her hands and giggled. "My sister must be thinking of marriage, saving Xianglan's floral designs to embroider her dowry!"

Yuexi flushed and retorted, "Nonsense! I’ll pinch your mouth shut!" She lunged playfully at Junxi, who quickly begged for mercy.

Xianglan smiled and set up the kang table, arranging the brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone. Yuexi’s parents had already sought permission, and she was set to marry after the New Year—the son of a Jiangnan cloth merchant with some landholdings. Junxi had secretly peeked at him and reported back that he was handsome, a rare good match. These days, Junxi couldn’t resist teasing Yuexi, and the sisters often ended up in playful squabbles.

Deep down, Xianglan envied their carefree bond. Just then, the door curtain rustled, and Xianglan looked up to see Fang Si entering with a pair of trousers in hand. Noticing the commotion, Fang Si frowned slightly and scolded, "Stop this at once! What kind of behavior is this?" She turned to Xianglan. "And you—why aren’t you keeping them in line? If the Master returns and sees such rowdiness, what will he think?"

Xianglan smiled. "Sister Fang Si, 'one bird enters the forest, and a hundred others fall silent.' I’m not much good at managing people—I ought to learn more from you."

Fang Si sneered. "Didn’t you claim to come from a grand household? Surely you were taught how to discipline maids?"

Xianglan kept smiling. "I wasn’t, which is why I just said I should learn from you."

Fang Si felt as though she’d punched cotton—her words had no effect. Xianglan’s cheerful demeanor made further nitpicking seem petty, leaving Fang Si simmering with frustration.

Junxi pouted as she climbed down from the kang, muttering, "The Master doesn’t even mind, yet she’s the one making rules." Yuexi tugged at Junxi’s sleeve and said brightly, "Sister Fang Si, please sit. I’ll pour you some tea." She pulled Junxi into the inner room and whispered sternly, "Fang Si has Taitai’s favor—you know what she’s after. Keep quiet and don’t provoke her." Then she went to prepare the tea.

Meanwhile, Fang Si sat down and eyed the kang table. "What are you all up to?"

Xianglan replied, "Making a pair of shoes for the Master. I was about to sketch a floral design to embroider on them."

Fang Si quickly interjected, "Oh dear, good thing I asked! You’d have been in trouble otherwise. The Master dislikes floral embroidery on his clothes—he says it’s too effeminate. He prefers plain, simple designs." She raised her eyes to Xianglan, a false smile on her lips. "Even if you want to please a man, you should first understand his tastes. Don’t you agree?"

Xianglan saw right through her and nodded with an equally insincere smile. "True enough. But it’s still better than knowing his tastes and still failing to please him."

Fang Si’s expression darkened.Xianglan picked up the brush and dipped it in ink, saying nonchalantly, "Besides, I'm not trying to curry favor with men. As Song Ke's maid, serving my master is my duty—let alone just embroidering some floral patterns on shoes. I'm merely fulfilling my obligations. Unlike some restless souls who scheme day and night to climb into their master's bed, yet boast about their loyalty while slandering others as shameless. Everyone sees through such transparent schemes—who are they trying to fool?"

Fang Si slammed the table and stood up, her lips trembling. "Y-you! What do you mean by that?!"

Xianglan continued smiling as she set down the brush, feigning surprise. "Sister Fang Si, why are you angry? I was just talking about some unruly maids from my previous household."

Fang Si's face flushed crimson. She wanted to accuse Xianglan of making insinuations, but doing so would be admitting the remarks were about her. She found herself stuck in an awkward stalemate.

Xianglan thought to herself: "Back in the Lin household, I merely endured each day waiting for my release, so I tolerated everything and played dumb. But now that I've found Xiao Hang again and plan to rekindle our past relationship, I can't allow any troublemakers around him. Since Fang Si already dislikes me, there's no need for me to keep retreating—I'll let her know what I'm capable of. Provoking her will also reveal Song Ke's true colors. If he shows her undue sympathy, I'll repay his kindness for rescuing my family from the Lin estate, but I certainly won't stay with him."

Thank you LMG, wqpaqm, Junxi812, and Xinyue Chuyun for the Peace Talismans! Thank you Junxi812 and Xinyue Chuyun for the rating tickets! And heartfelt thanks to everyone who cast pink votes for me! I'm truly grateful! Still hoping for more pink votes ^_^ I had a slight fever yesterday, so there was no update, but I'll make up for it today—there'll be another update tonight! Also, the order of the peach blossom characters' appearances isn't the same as in the synopsis.