Hello dear readers! How are you today? This is the Ending Explained article for Against the Current. I hope you enjoy Xu Lan Xiang and Lin Jin Qi’s journey as much as I did. Now, let’s take a closer look on how things unfold in the end. Do you think the bad people will get the deserved retribution, and the good people would have a happy ending? Let’s find out! Happy reading!
Against the Current Ending Explained
What Happened to Xu Lan Xiang and Lin Jin Qi on Against the Current Ending?
During the rebellion of Prince Han, Lin Jin Qi sent Jiu Gao to warn the emperor while he and Nanke fought the rebels. He got severely injured after the Shenji Battalion joined Prince Han.
Thus, Lin Jin Qi sent Nanke to ask Duke Ying to protect the emperor and faced the rebels alone, until Xu Lan Xiang and Sun Yong found him first. After what Lin Jin Qi did to the country, the emperor gave him and Xu Lan Xiang the title of Marquis and Marchioness Jing’an.
Xu Lan Xiang saved the Lin family again by burning the evidence of his treasonous deeds. That evidence was handed over by Zhao Xing Tang who obtained it from her father. Xu Lan Xiang chose to protect the Lin family rather than use it against them.
Read the Against the Current drama review here:
Against the Current Drama Review
Later, Xu Lan Xiang finally knows where the Shen family and the real Xu Lan Xiang was buried. She was shocked to see her former maid, Qiu Kui, was alive and already married. It was Lin Jin Qi who arranged the burial site and even visited the graves every year on Shen Jia Lan’s birthday.
The date that even Xu Lan Xiang had forgotten. Xu Lan Xiang never thought that the kind soul whose she’s been searching for was right under her nose.
Overcome with emotion, Xu Lan Xiang apologized for coming so late. Lin Jin Qi admitted that he had failed the Shen family and Shan Jia Lan but promised not to fail Xu Lan Xiang in this life.
Moved by the sincerity and believed that the ancestors have heard his words, Xu Lan Xiang asked him to perform the wedding kowtows in front of the grave. In that sunny day, Xu Lan Xiang married him again. But this time is in front of her parents and family.
Later, Xu Lan Xiang explained why their beliefs differed. Lin Jin Qi served the emperor faithfully, but she warned that the ruler he trusted could kill him easily like when the late emperor destroyed the Shen family. Her words made Lin Jin Qi realize that his loyalty had stopped him from considering the consequences.
After that, Lin family was clouded in grief after Lin Jin Lan and Old Madam Lin died. However, the emperor refused Lin Jin Qi’s request to return to Jinling. So, Xu Lan Xiang did it for him and took Xin Xiu Wan, Lin Xiu Lai, Shu Hua, baby Lin Zhang Rui, and Lin Jin Lan’s coffin back to Jinling.
Two years later, following Xu Lan Xiang’s advice, Lin Jin Qi retired from court and returned home as eunuch began meddling in politics. The couple completed their wedding ceremony and finally lived as husband and wife.
Xu Lan Xiang helped Qin Shun Hua manage the household and secured a future for Lin Xiu Ru and her daughters when Old Madam Yuan forced Yuan Shao Hui to take concubine for the sake of a son. Later, Xu Lan Xian gave birth to a baby girl named Lin Zhang Cheng. Lin Jin Qi stayed by his wife’s side through this difficult time, even though he fainted twice. 😂
But after the baby was born, Lin Jin Qi began to suspect that Xu Lan Xiang might have a different identity after hearing different stories of her birth. Besides, Lin Jin Qi saw that her drawing skills were exceptional, but her calligraphy resembled a child just learning to write as if it was intentional.
He also recognizes her skill in music, her sharp perceptions, courage, and wisdom. When Old Master Lin revealed that a painting found yeas earlier by Xu Wang Quan had originally belonged to Grand Secretary Shen, Lin Jin Qi put the clues together and realized that she might be Shen Jia Lan.
However, he decided to keep the truth buried. He stated that she is Xu Lan Xiang, his wife and the person whom he shared his joys and sorrows. Their bond grows stronger from then on.
But the happiness didn’t last for long time. Qin Shun Hua’s death brought more grief. She had hidden her illness from everyone except her attendant, Lady Wu. On her death bed, Qin Shun Hua passed the authority tokens to continue managing the household to Xu Lan Xiang.
Later, Cheng Feng Xian, Lin Jin Qiao’s wife, tried to frame hew using Lin Xiu Lai’s children. Her scheme failed, and Xu Lan Xiang was officially appointed to become the next matriarch of the Lin family. Cheng Feng Xian was punished for a year.
Seven years passed, Xu Lan Xiang gave birth to a son, Lin Zhang Run. Then shocking news of the death of the emperor arrived. A year later, the new emperor fell under the influence of greedy eunuchs.
After river pirates attacked the Longjiang Garrison ship and kill its commander, an investigating eunuch blamed the garrison and demanded compensation for the stolen tribute. Eunuch Wang then petitioned for Lin Jin Qi to become commander and catch river bandits. With funds and manpower short, Xu Lan Xiang used her business knowledge to help raise money.
When Lin Xiu Wan and Lady Peng were kidnapped, Lin Jin Qi discovered that kidnappers were the same pirates who had attacked the garrison. Their leader is their long-time acquaintance, Du Cui Que. After sixteen years, she returned with a vicious plan in mind.
Bad news come one after another. Duke of Xiangguo brought news that the emperor has personally led the troops against Wona army. He was misled by a eunuch and ended up captured by the enemy. Following Han Liang’s advice, the Empress Dowager appointed Prince Chen as the new emperor.
Han Liang was promoted to be the Minister of War and ordered all forces to rush to the capital to join forces against Wona army. The Jinling Defense Command is ordered to allocate huge number of weapons and provision and escort them to the capital. It was a huge task, even for Lin Jin Qi.
After Yuan Shao Hui died on the Zhejiang coast, Lin Jin Qi and Xu Lan Xiang discovered that Du Cui Que was targeting the provisions and weapons. However, she concealed her plan behind her revenge against them.
Lin Jin Qi and Xu Lan Xiang tricked Du Cui Que by spreading the news that Lin Jin Qi was gravely ill. The news was convincing because the married Lin daughters, including the newly widowed Lin Xiu Ru, retuned home for their brother.
What Du Cui Que didn’t know, the women have prepared to defend the house. Xu Lan Xiang also invited her parents to stay at the Lin residence. Xue Gui Hua is ill, and Xu Lan Xiang only feel relieved when they stayed close to her.
Her daughter Lin Zhang Chen was there to entertain her grandparents. But Xu Lan Xiang didn’t know that her parents were pretending in front of her. Xue Gui Hua illness is quite serious, but they just didn’t want their daughter to worry.
At night, the Lin residence became a fortress. The light is out, and every door is bolted. Xu Lan Xiang leads the women with candles and jars of tung oil. Du Cui Que was startled to see them emerge from darkness.
When she drew the firearm, the women blew out the candled and threw the oil at the pirates at a pipa signal, only Xu Lan Xiang’s firetube remains. The pirated fled after they were frightened by the fire and misled by the news of Lin Jin Qi’s victory.
In the end, Du Cui Que died after her gunpowder bag exploded. Meanwhile, after a fierce fight, Lin Jin Qi managed to defeated Zhang Shui Zhi and escorted the provisions to the capital.
With the pirates defeated, Xu Lan Xiang could care for her seriously ill mother. But on the sunny day, under the warm sunlight, Xue Gua Hui closes her eyes forever with Xu Lan Xiang by her side.
Before she died, Xue Gui Hue stared at an empty place and said that her daughter, Lan Xiang, was there to pick her up. She also said that having Shen Jia Lan as her daughter in this life was a blessing. After his wife passed away, Xu Wan Quan wanted to stay at the temple. Lin Xiu Shu had her husband help the old man settle in.
After Wona army’s defeat. Lin Jin Qi asked the emperor to resign and returned home to recover. Han Lian, however, faced the consequences of helping Prince Chen. When the court demanded the retired emperor to return, Han Liang had no choice but to support the petition.
After the retired emperor back to the throne, he punished Han Liang after he criticized him. Han Liang said that the emperor placed too much trust on the wrong people, the treacherous eunuch.
To get back at him, Eunuch Cao convinced the emperor that punishing Han Liang would warn others. The emperor agreed. That night was freezing cold and the snow was thick. In the morning, two small eunuch found Han Liang froze to death outside the Imperial Study.
Six months later, Eunuch Cao framed the ministers who helped support Han Liang and Prince Chen. Some was dismissed and others imprisoned. Grief-stricken over the unjustly death of his prized disciple, Scholar Shouyu rallied people throughout Jiangnan and submit a memorial to the emperor.
In his memorial, Shouyi also demanded the emperor to clear the Shen family’s name. but just like Xu Lan Xiang guessed, the memorial was not approved. Yet, the emperor still releases the imprisoned ministers. Meanwhile, Lin Jin Qi’s return to Jinling was delayed because he escorted Han Liang’s coffin and family to Suzhou.
After a long wait, Lin Jin Qi and Xu Lan Xiang finally lived peacefully together. Years later, Lin Jin Qi felt that his life was coming to an end. He went to a temple to ask for a blessed red string.
That night, he asked Xu Lan Xiang to sit next to him. He tied the string around their bodies, wishing they could be together again in the next life. Xu Lan Xiang cried as he took his last breath leaning against her.
Xu Lan Xiang was blessed with a long life until her hair turned white and her granddaughter reached twenty. She continued writing plays about Tanniang, and also wrote one titled The Shen Family Chronicles. She wanted to preserve their memory and clear their name. She died peacefully after finishing it, holding her mother’s worn-out sachet.
At the ending, a hundred and thirteen years later, after repeated petitions, the emperor finally cleared Shen Qi Han and his family of all charges and granted him the posthumous title Wenqing.
The women of the Shen family were honored for their virtue and fortitude, their remains were returned to their ancestral home, and a tomb and shrine were built for them.
What Happened to Du Cui Que on Against the Current Ending?
Du Cui Que was exiled to Qiongzhou and supposedly died of malaria. But in reality, she escaped and joined the pirate group. Sixteen years later, she control the group and plots revenge to Xu Lan Xiang and Lin Jin Qi.
Her presence was revealed after a group of pirate kidnap two weavers and kill the coachman. Coincidentally, one of the weaver is Lin Xiu Wan. They escaped thanks to her wit and a smart scholar’s help
Du Cui Que and her right-hand man, Zhang Shui Zai, arrives in Jingling. Standing before the Lin family’s residence, she remembered her dream of marrying into the Lin family. That nostalgia sparks Zhang Shui Zai’s jealousy. Thus, making Lin Jin Qi as his mortal enemy.
Zhang Shui Zai was sent to Zhejiang coast. He poisoned Yuan Shao Hui’s troops and ambushed them. Yuan Shao Hui fights against him who eager to avenge Du Zheng. But Yaun Shao Hui is outnumbered and lost his life.
Du Cui Que let Ding Peng, Yuan Shao Hui’s attendant to pass the news to Lin Jin Qi that the killer is her and is targeting the Lin family. She bribes Attendant Eunuch Mao to get the news about Lin Jin Qi fallen ill and could only stayed at Jingling.
This news is aligned with her real plan to burn the provision, so it never reaches the capital. Thus, the Wona army will win the war, and she will be the King of Jingling. Yes. Du Cui Que has rebelled and joined forces with the Wona. The revenge to the Lins only a diversion plan.
That night, pirates infiltrate the city to spread rumours of Wona attack. Amidst the chaos, Du Cui Que approaches the Lin residence in a red wedding attire. A winning smile hung on her face and a group of pirates behind her.
But Xu Lan Xiang is waiting with the women holding candles and tung oil. She already guessed Du Cui Que’s plan and has them drenched Du Cui Que and the pirates in oil. Later, news arrives that the provisions are safe and Zhang Shui Zai is dead.
At the end, the pirates panicked and fled. Furious, Du Cui Que fires her gun, but Xu Lan Xiang acts fast and throw the fire tube at them. Flames engulfed Du Cui Que and an exploding bag of gunpowder kills her.
Meanwhile, the ships are ready to set sails when a group of pirates secretly entered the ship to burn the provisions. Zhang Shui Zai is shocked find Lin Jin Qi aboard. They fought and Zhang Shui Zai is defeated. The provision is safe and the ships set sail.
What Happened to Zhao Xing Tang on Against the Current Ending?
After separated from Lin Jin Qi, Zhao Xing Tang married into the Dai family. She reunited with Xu Lan Xiang in the capital after taking Lv Ji’er and Xiao Pu hostage. Zhao Xing Tang wanting to uncover the truth behind the library incident.
She also tried to extort money from Xu Lan Xiang. Instead, Xu Lan Ziang walked away with Lv Ji’er and Xiao Pu without spending a dime after Xu Lan Xiang teach Zhao Xing Tang how to have her own money, that cannot be claimed by both the Zhaos or the Dais. Later, Zhao Xing Tang and her husband, Dai Rui, tried to kill Lin Jin Qi but Xu Lan Xiang stopped it.
They meet again during Prince Han’s rebellion. Abandoned by her father and brother, Zhao Xing Tang fled with her sister. On the way, they were attacked and violated by the rebels. Her sister died. Xu Lan Xiang helped kill on of the rebels while searching for herbs for the severely injured Lin Jin Qi.
Despite Xu Lan Xiang’s disapproval, Zhao Xing Tang followed her back to the thatched hut. Grateful for her kindness, Zhao Xing Tang decided to repay her by handing over evidence of Lin Jin Qi’s treason. Back then, when Xu Lan Xiang was kidnapped, Lin Jin Qi had secretly helped the former Crown Prince escape.
Already gravely injured, Zhao Xing Tang knew that her life is near the death door. She told Xu Lan Xiang about her longing to live freely. Her mind still wondered why women’s lives couldn’t be like men. She wanted to study, earn money openly, arrange her own marriage, and live with dignity. Before closing her eyes for the last time, Zhao Xing Tang told Xu Lan Xiang to live well.
Zhao Xing Tang was fleeing the chaos with her sister after they were abandoned by her father and brother. She was violated by the rebels while her sister died. Xu Lan Xiang helped her killed one of the rebels when she was out to find herbs for the severely injured Lin Jin Qi. She followed Xu Lan Xiang to the thatched hut, despite her disapproval.
What Happened to Lin Xiu Ru on Against the Current Ending?
Lin Xiu Ru married Yuan Shao Hui and became the Marchioness. She had a good relationship with his daughter and gave birth to three more daughters. However, she never had a son.
This became a thorn Old Madam Yuan’s heart and gave the clansmen an excuse to provoke her. Soon, the old lady began pestering her son to take a concubine and choose her maid, Bi Wu, for the job. Lin Xiu Ru didn’t want to share a husband and turn to her family for help.
The First Madam, Qin Shun Hua, left everything to Lin Jin Qi and Xu Lan Xiang to handle. Lin Jin Qi went to the Yuan residence with a letter of separation. But the Yuan family refused to accept it.
Yuan Shao Hui loved his wife, while his mother knew that separating over a concubine would damage his reputation. As the Yuan family thought that Lin Xiu Ru was only throwing tantrum, Lin Ji Qi had already summoned officials to officiate the divorce.
Yuan Shao Hui challenged Lin Jin Qi, asking what he will do if Xu Lan Xiang still couldn’t give him a son in his forties. Lin Jin Qi replied that his wife has endured hardships and even saved his family. he would never betray her for the sake of son he had never met.
As for the marquis title, it was to remind the younger generation about their ancestors sacrifices and to make them strive to be better. not simply to enjoy the wealth. if he had no son, that meant he has offended the Heaven, and he would rather return the title to the court. His answer left Yuan Shao Hui speechless.
Meanwhile, Lin Xiu Ru faced her mother-in-law, with Qin Shun Hua and Xu Lan Xiang as her backing. After sending the Yuan womenfolk away, Qin Shun Hua announced the Lin family’s conditions.
The concubine must be chosen by the Lin family and while a son can inherit the title, the family properties must be divided equally among the daughters born from wives (the former marchioness and Lin Xiu Ru). Old Madam Yuan objected, but Yuan Shao Hui agreed, leaving her no choice.
The arrangement threw the clansmen into chaos. Yuan Shao Hui finally realized Lin Xiu Ru had never objected him taking concubines. She only afraid that thing would be hard for her and their daughters.
Lin Xiu Ru knew he would eventually take concubines for an heir, but only then did he realize he was losing her. In the end, out of filial piety, Yuan Shao Huo took two concubines. But neither gave him a son. Old Madam Yuan died of illness later on, still without grandson. Their relationship was never return to the way it used to be.
When the court is in turmoil because of the greedy eunuch, incompetent new emperor, and foreign enemy, Yuan Shao Hui was sent to oversee the Zhejiang’s coastal defences against the Wo pirates again. He told Lin Jin Qi that he couldn’t help him anymore, so he should be careful. Yuan Shao Hui died in the hand of Du Cui Que’s subordinate.
Yuan Shao Hui death causing the whole family in turmoil. His Third Granduncle tried to intimidate Lin Xiu Ru to get the family properties back. but after a rumour about how Yuan Shao Hui delayed the soldiers and losing the war, resulting the emperor’s wrath.
Making him took away the Marquis title, they backed out and demand a family separation. In the end, Lin Xiu Ru and her daughters still share the Yuan family name, but they were different family. However, Lin Xiu Ru is not sad. This is the best outcome she planned for her and her daughters’ future.
What Happened to Lin Xiu Wan on Against the Current Ending Explained?
Lin Xiu Wan still stressed her mother over marriage. She is 35 and remains unmarried. Second Madam Wang now grew closer to her daughter-in-law, Chen Feng Xiang. But when she realized how scheming and ambitious she was, Second Madam Wang feared that Lin Xiu Wan would suffer in Cheng Feng Xian’s hand if she’s till unmarried after the death of Old Master Lin.
But Lin Xiu Wan was too idealistic to understand reality. her mother wanted her to find someone to rely on, while she has ideas to support herself. She began working at the Lin family’s Zezhi Workshop, where woman earn a living despite the disapproval of the society.
One day, Lin Xiu Wan and Lady Peng went to inspect the waist looms in Han village. On their way back, they were kidnapped. With her wits and help from a kind stranger, they escaped and reached the city by morning.
Lin Xiu Wan wanted to report it, but Lady Peng stopped her. Spending the night outside will make people assumed she was violated. This could ruin her reputation as well as her daughter’s. Only then Lin Xiu Wan realized how harsh society toward women. She had judged women who refused to work was simply lack of ambitions but never consider their circumstances.
Later, Lin Xiu Wan meet the man again at a medical hall when she accompanied Cheng Feng Xian who had just lost 4 teeth. He was a scholar who gave up officialdom path because he feels unsuited for it.
Lin Xiu Wan and the man instantly felt connection because both of them shared the same passion for exploring the world. When he asked her identity, he was shocked for a while but still promised to visit her ten days later.
And he did. Ten days later, the man visited and asked Old Master Lin for her hand. The Old Madam support the marriage, but Second Madam Wang refused, calling him a snob.
Only then Lin Xiu Wan discover his identity. The man is Xie Zhao, the very man who supposed to be her future husband years ago. The Xie family call off the engagement and choose to marry the powerful Zhao family.
At the ending, Lin Xiu Wan decided to reveal the thing about Du Zheng and how she almost eloped with him. But Xie Zhao refused to back down. He believed heaven had sent them on a longer journey to meet again, so he could worthy of her. When he asked if she would go far with him, Lin Xiu Wan said yes. Behind them Second Madam Wang cried.
What Happened to Yu Chan, Du Xiao Lian, Zhao Gan Tang, and Bao Gai on Against the Current Ending?
When First Madam Qin Shun Hua started looking for a maid to become Yuan Shao Hui’s concubine, Du Xiao Lian, Zhao Gan Tang, and Bao Gai went to Xu Lan Xiang for help. They kneeled in front of her. Zhao Gan Tang announce that she had chosen a husband.
The man is Du Da Song, Xu Xiao Lian’s brother. She often heard Du Xiao Lian talk about her family and believed that Du Da Song must be a good man. Her only worry was whether Du Da Song would accept her. Du Xiao Lian reassured her that Du Da Song would be more than happy to marry her. Xu Lan Xian smiled and agreed to arrange their marriage.
Meanwhile, Du Xiao Lian and Bao Gai begged Xu Lan Xiang not to let them become concubines. Yu Chan explained that the girls had panicked after hearing about First Madam’s plan. Xu Lan Xiang reassured them that the one chosen will be the one who’s willing. Neither of them needed to worry!
Suddenly, Nanke appeared and asking to marry Du Xiao Lian. He also panicked after hearing the concubine matter and feared Du Xiao Lian would be chosen.
Du Xiao Lian remembered how Nanke had reached out to her on that freezing night and saved her life. she shyly accepted the proposal. With her friends finding happiness, Yu Chan finally began thinking about her own.
At Zhao Gan Tang-Du Da Song and Du Xiao Lian-Nanke’s double wedding, Lady Wu told Xue Gui Hua that she no longer had high expectation for Jiu Gao’s future wife. Whether she had been married before or was plain-looking, she would accept anyone as long as her son met someone who care for him and her son finally married.
Yu Chan seized the opportunity to ask Lady Wu what she thought of her. Jiu Gao who sees it, immediately stood beside her and said that he and Yu Chan love each other. Yu Chan admitted that she used to feel she wasn’t good enough and avoided Jiu Gao. But after spending time with Xu Lan Xiang, she now becomes more confident and learned to trust her own abilities.
Lady Wu was both happy and angry. She approved the marriage but angry that Jiu Gao had never told her about his feelings. fortunately, Xue Gui Hua was there to soothe her anger and help them settle the marriage that very night.
Meanwhile, Bao Gai stays unmarried and continues to serve Xu Lan Xiang. She told Xu Lan Xiang that she has changed her life in a way she never imagined. In the end, learning to read and study has opened up a wider and brighter path in her life. Xu Lan Xiang answered that it was Buddha who helped her find her way because the wisdom was already within her.
My Two Cents
I should talk more about the opera in my drama review because it played important role in the story. It helped Xu Lan Xiang earn money, uncover the Prince Han rebellion, and eventually clear the Shen family’s name.
Now, about the villainesses. Both Zhao Xing Tang and Du Cui Que are ruthless characters. But why do I feel pity for one and not the other? Zhao Xing Tang might greedy and mean.
But deep down, she only wants freedom and knows that she can only rely on herself. Du Cui Que, on the other hand, craves power and treats people as stepping stones to reach her goals.
The biggest difference is that Zhao Xing Tang is willing to kneel and beg to save her maid, Qing Xiang. While Du Cui Que kills Lin Dang to cover her tracks. Both are bad, but one still has a heart. And sometimes, that makes all the difference.
The story didn’t explain everything as clearly as I wanted. Although this is already a 47-episode long drama, I think I still need three more episodes so I could get some closure about Han Liang’s death. And I wanted to know how Eunuch Mao, who appeared in episode 46, got his retribution.
I also need some explanation about the political plot and reveal which emperor eventually sat on the throne. Still, not every story gives all the answer we want. And I suppose that is one of the things I have to accept about the ending.
Anyhow, thank you for staying here all this time, dear readers. I hope you enjoy this Ending Explained of Against the Current. Until next time and next drama, dear readers. Goodbye and happy watching!
