Against the Current

Xue Shi hurriedly invited him inside. Xia Yun cupped his hands and was about to enter when he glanced up and saw a young maiden standing in the room. She wore an apricot-red dress, appearing fresh and radiant with striking beauty. Xia Yun froze instantly, one foot already across the threshold—neither advancing nor retreating. He wanted to steal another glance at the girl but felt too embarrassed, maintaining the aloof demeanor of a scholar as he stared straight ahead and said to Xue Shi, "I... I suppose I won't come in after all..."

Noticing Xia Yun's discomfort, Xianglan couldn't help but press her lips together in a faint smile. The Chen couple now lived not in a courtyard house but in a two-story building. Xianglan turned and lifted her skirt to go upstairs. After further urging from Xue Shi, Xia Yun finally stepped inside. Xue Shi smiled and said, "My daughter came home for a visit today," then hurried to pour tea, adding, "Your Uncle Chen had a couple of drinks and just fell asleep. I'll go wake him."

Xia Yun had long heard that the Chen family had a daughter as beautiful as a celestial maiden, and now seeing her, he realized the rumors were true. Still dazed, he quickly stopped Xue Shi upon hearing her words: "Auntie, there's no need to trouble yourself. I only came to deliver something." He handed over a cloth bundle, saying, "Inside are two pieces of my calligraphy and some books I copied for someone. Could you please ask Uncle Chen to pass them to the buyer?"

Xue Shi accepted it and took a string of coins from a drawer, handing them to Xia Yun. "This is the payment from last time—fifty wen in total." She earnestly added, "Young Master Xia, you must never mention having seen my daughter to anyone."

Xia Yun tucked the money into his robe and said, "Of course," then repeatedly expressed his thanks. Xue Shi still tried to keep him longer, but after a few polite refusals, Xia Yun cupped his hands and took his leave. Xue Shi closed the door securely and carried Xia Yun's bundle upstairs. Finding Xianglan tidying up, she sat down beside her and sighed. "Did you see him just now? That's the young Master Xia I told you about—the nephew of Aunt Xia Er, who used to live across from us. Though his family is modest, he studies diligently and has ambition. Last year, he nearly passed the imperial examination at the county level, missing by just a hair. He's sure to pass this year. Aunt Xia Er once mentioned wanting to arrange a match between you two, but then you were sold to the Lin family..."

Xue Shi rambled on for a while, but seeing Xianglan still organizing the cupboard with an indifferent air, she grew somewhat irritated. Poking Xianglan's arm, she frowned and said, "I'm talking to you—are you listening? Young Master Xia's character and appearance are both excellent. Now that your father and I have left our former status, we're well-matched with his family. Besides, your father is about to become a shop manager at an antique store and will earn even more than the Xia family... Didn't you see how Young Master Xia writes and copies books to support his family? Knowing your father deals with scholars and literati at the antique shop, he specifically brought his calligraphy, earning dozens of wen by writing and copying for others. Everyone praises his handwriting, calling him a talented scholar... But then Eldest Master Song took a liking to you... Ah." She poked Xianglan's forehead. "You, you... you worry me to death."

Rubbing her forehead, Xianglan thought her mother was just being overly anxious and paid no mind to Xia Yun. After finishing tidying the room, she chatted and laughed with Xue Shi for a while before returning to the Song family.Now, speaking of Xia Yun, he returned home silently with a troubled heart, picked up a book to read, but couldn't calm his mind no matter how many times he flipped through the pages. Thinking of Xianglan's appearance only made him more restless. Previously, his second sister-in-law had mentioned Chen Wanquan's daughter to him. Firstly, he was preoccupied with passing the imperial exams to attain high rank and return home in glory; secondly, though he treated Chen Wanquan with surface respect in their dealings, he inwardly looked down on his vulgar mercantile nature, thinking such a man couldn't raise a decent daughter, so he paid no mind; thirdly, his standards were high—he wouldn't consider just any family's daughter, insisting on marrying a talented and beautiful lady, which was why his marriage had been delayed.

But now, after that fleeting glimpse of Xianglan, she had caught his attention. He compared her secretly and found that in looks alone, no woman he had ever seen could match her, stirring his heart. Seeing his second sister-in-law hanging laundry in the yard, he went to fish for information. Second Sister-in-law Xia said, "You're asking about Chen Family's Xianglan? She's truly a beauty, with a spirited air about her. She's literate and, most rare, can paint. Her father says one of her paintings can sell for a tael of silver. Though Old Chen is a braggart, I inquired around, and it's not entirely false—not every piece sells for a high price, but at least half a tael. If you marry her, it's like marrying a goddess of wealth. But I hear she's fierce-tempered—she once dared to brandish a kitchen knife at someone. Even after entering the Lin Family, she didn't settle down and was driven out by Da Nǎinai. Tsk, with looks like that, it's no wonder men are smitten."

Xia Yun was startled: "Was she favored by the Lin Family's master?"

Second Sister-in-law Xia glanced around and lowered her voice: "Exactly. I heard Master Lin took a liking to her and planned to promote her after Old Madam Zeng's mourning period ended. But then rebels caused trouble in another province, and Master Lin led troops to suppress them, giving Da Nǎinai the chance to quietly dismiss her. Who knows where she's been sold now? Da Nǎinai Lin is notoriously vicious—Xianglan won't fare well. Didn't you see? Even her parents were taken in by the Song Family... Ah, even if Xianglan were still in the mansion, we wouldn't dare propose marriage anymore. A maid favored by Master Lin—who knows if she's still a virgin..."

As Second Sister-in-law Xia rambled on, Xia Yun stood dazed for a long while, feeling a knot in his chest. He wandered back to his room in a daze, while Second Sister-in-law Xia called after him, "Little brother-in-law, what are we eating tonight? The kitchen saved a bowl of meat dish for you." Seeing he ignored her, she muttered, "Now the whole family treats him like an ancestor—does he really think he'll top the exams? Hmph, I hope he passes with high honors so we can benefit, but I'm afraid the Xia Family graves aren't emitting that kind of luck!"

Setting aside Xia Yun's troubles for now, let's turn to Xianglan, who returned to the Song residence. She did some needlework and personally cooked two dishes Song Ke liked, keeping them warm in a steamer. Seeing Junxi measuring a piece of fabric, she asked, "What are you doing?"

Junxi said, "I want to make a pair of shoes for the master. It's too hot to wear boots in summer—layered-sole shoes would be more comfortable and cool. The pair he's wearing is old and not presentable anymore."

Xianglan smiled and said, "That's perfect. You take the measurements, and I'll draw a pattern to embroider on the shoes—it might bring good fortune."Junxi laughed and said, "That's perfect. I saw the stationery set you made for the Eldest Master—the patterns are exquisite and beautiful, neatly done with fine stitching, even better than what the embroiderers make. You must teach me later."

Yuexi came out from the inner room and said, "And the floral patterns you drew are lovely too, unlike anything seen outside. Later, draw a stack for me to keep."

Junxi clapped her hands and laughed, "My sister wants to get married! She's saving Xianglan's floral patterns to embroider her dowry!"

Yuexi blushed, spat, and said, "Nonsense! I'll pinch your mouth until it's ruined!" As she spoke, she moved closer, and Junxi 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 Yuexi would be married after the New Year to the son of a Jiangnan cloth merchant whose family owned some land. Junxi had secretly taken a look and came back saying he was capable and handsome, a rare match. These days, Junxi often teased Yuexi, and the sisters inevitably ended up in a playful squabble.

Deep down, Xianglan envied their carefree nature. Suddenly, she heard the door curtain rustle. Looking up, she saw Fangsi enter holding a pair of trousers. Seeing the commotion in the room, Fangsi tightened her expression slightly and said, "Stop it, stop it! What kind of behavior is this?" She then turned to Xianglan, "Why aren't you managing this? If the Eldest Master returns and sees such chaos, what would he think?"

Xianglan smiled and replied, "Fangsi sister, 'one bird enters the forest, and a hundred birds fall silent.' I'm not skilled at managing people and need to learn more from you."

Fangsi sneered, "Didn't you say you came from a grand household? Surely you learned how to manage young maids?"

Xianglan still smiled, "I haven't learned, which is why I just said I need to learn from you, Fangsi sister."

Fangsi felt as though she had punched cotton, unable to say anything more. Xianglan's cheerful demeanor made further criticism seem petty, leaving Fangsi inwardly fuming.

Junxi pouted as she climbed down from the kang and muttered, "The Eldest Master doesn't even care, yet she's trying to manage us." Yuexi tugged at Junxi and said with a smile, "Fangsi sister, please sit. I'll brew you a cup of tea." She pulled Junxi into the inner room and scolded in a low voice, "Fangsi is in Madam's favor. Don't you know what she's thinking? Say less and don't confront her." She then went to pour tea.

Meanwhile, Fangsi sat down, glanced at the kang table, and asked, "What are you all doing?"

Xianglan said, "Making a pair of shoes for the Eldest Master. I was planning to sketch a floral pattern and embroider something on them."

Fangsi quickly interjected, "Oh my, good thing I asked, or you'd have caused trouble. Don't you know? The Eldest Master dislikes floral embroidery on his clothes, saying it's too effeminate. He prefers plain and simple designs." She glanced at Xianglan with a fake smile, "Even if you want to please the master, you should first understand his preferences, don't you think?"

Xianglan saw through it clearly and nodded with a feigned smile, "That's true, but it's still better than knowing his preferences and still failing to please him."

Fangsi's expression darkened slightly.Xianglan picked up the brush and dipped it in ink, saying nonchalantly, "Besides, I'm not trying to curry favor with the gentlemen. As Song Ke's maid, serving my master is my duty—let alone just embroidering a pattern on shoes. I'm merely fulfilling my obligations. Unlike some restless ones who scheme day and night to climb into their master's bed, yet boast about their loyalty and slander others as base. Everyone knows their intentions—who are they trying to fool?"

Fangsi slapped the table and stood up, her lips trembling as she said, "You—what do you mean by that?!"

Xianglan still wore a faint smile as she set down the brush, feigning surprise. "Sister Fangsi, why are you angry? I was just talking about some unruly maids from the old household."

Fangsi'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 trapped in an awkward stalemate.

Xianglan thought to herself, "Back in the Lin residence, I was just biding my time waiting for emancipation, so I endured everything and pretended to be deaf and dumb. But now that I've found Xiao Hang and plan to rekindle our past bond, I can't tolerate any troublemakers around him. Since Fangsi already dislikes me, there's no need for me to keep retreating—I'll let her know my resolve. By provoking her, I can also observe Song Ke's reaction. If he shows pity for this maid, I'll repay his kindness for saving my family from the Lin household, but I absolutely cannot stay with him."