Eleventh Young Miss glanced at the pearl bracelet on Zhen Jie’er’s wrist and felt a bittersweet pang rise in her heart. Then she looked at Zhen Jie’er herself — red-cheeked and gazing at her with a faint timid uncertainty in her eyes, adorably affecting — and her heart softened. She quickly stepped forward and took Zhen Jie’er’s hand. “Lovely.”

Zhen Jie’er smiled with her lips pressed together, visibly more at ease than a moment before.

“However, those pearl flower pins are a little plain. I have some gold chrysanthemum hairpins — I’ll find them and let you wear them.”

Zhen Jie’er glanced at the Grand Dowager.

The Grand Dowager gave a gentle nod. “If it is your mother who is gifting them, accept them.”

Zhen Jie’er quietly thanked Eleventh Young Miss, with the air of one who felt undeserving of such gifts.

Zhun Ge was watching and called out to Zhen Jie’er: “…Where are you going?”

Eleventh Young Miss smiled and bent down to pat his head. “Your sister and I have something to attend to — you stay and keep Grandmother company.”

Zhun Ge pouted. “I want to come too!”

“Next time I’ll bring you along.” Eleventh Young Miss smiled, paid her respects to the Grand Dowager, took Zhen Jie’er’s hand, and went to her own room. There she found a pair of gold chrysanthemum hairpins the size of wine cups and put them in Zhen Jie’er’s hair. The effect was immediately more radiant.

Only then did Eleventh Young Miss notice that Zhen Jie’er did not have her ears pierced. She smiled and said, “Let’s have them pierced during the Laba Festival.” She found a small pair of plain gold earrings and said, “It will heal in no more than a month. By spring, when we go for an outing, you’ll be able to wear earrings.”

Zhen Jie’er flushed with color, murmuring, not knowing what to say.

Eleventh Young Miss led her to the eastern side room.

“When our guests arrive shortly, we’ll receive Madam Lin right here. All you need to do is stay by my side and watch while the adults talk. If Hui Jie’er seems bored, smile at her. You may say a word or two if the chance presents itself, but don’t interrupt while the adults are speaking.”

Zhen Jie’er nodded gravely. “I’ll remember.”

“When you speak, say things the other person is interested in. Don’t just go on talking about yourself. That way the other person will want to keep the conversation going…” Eleventh Young Miss was still going over small details when Xiu Lan came in: “Madam, the Lin family’s carriage has arrived at the main gate.”

Eleventh Young Miss brought Zhen Jie’er to the main hall to receive the guests.

Madam Lin and the First Young Madam of the Lin family had brought with them a young girl about the same age as Zhen Jie’er — a red five-colored cut-silk padded jacket, a sapphire-blue skirt that swept the ground, her small face porcelain-white and held very taut, her eyes and brows carrying a solemn severity. It was plain to see she was not at all pleased.

This must be the Hui Jie’er of the Lin family.

Eleventh Young Miss glanced at Zhen Jie’er.

Zhen Jie’er’s expression was one of astonishment — she looked as though she had been startled by Hui Jie’er’s manner.

Eleventh Young Miss gave a slight inward smile.

The women around her all kept their eyes downcast and their bearing meek — she had probably never imagined there could be someone who wore such an expression.

Eleventh Young Miss smiled and exchanged greetings with Madam Lin and the First Young Madam, then introduced Zhen Jie’er and Hui Jie’er to each other.

Hui Jie’er’s expression softened slightly, and she greeted Zhen Jie’er in an easy, self-possessed manner.

Zhen Jie’er, though looking a little shy, was graceful in her bearing — composed in both advance and retreat.

Madam Lin and the First Young Madam were both clearly pleased. One gave a mutton-fat jade pendant as a meeting gift for Zhen Jie’er, and the other gave a pair of South Sea pearl flower pins. Naturally, Eleventh Young Miss could not be outdone, and gave Hui Jie’er an emerald jade cicada.

Everyone moved to the side room adjoining the main hall for tea, then went to the Grand Dowager’s side to pay their respects. Madam Lin remained behind with the Grand Dowager while the First Young Madam and Hui Jie’er went to Eleventh Young Miss’s living quarters, settling into the large kang by the windows in the eastern side room. Hui Jie’er and Zhen Jie’er each sat on a brocade stool at their mother’s side.

Maidservants brought up tea and refreshments. The First Young Madam and Eleventh Young Miss exchanged pleasantries for a bit before getting to the point: “…I was hoping you might give her some guidance in embroidery.” She then turned to Hui Jie’er and said, “The Marchioness of Yongping studied directly under the Celestial Silk Pavilion — you must learn well from her.”

As the First Young Madam spoke, Eleventh Young Miss kept her eyes on Hui Jie’er’s expression and caught the flash of impatience in her eyes. She turned to Hui Jie’er with a smile: “Learning embroidery is a small matter — mostly it is because we live right next door, and yet you and our Zhen Jie’er have never met… I thought to find an occasion for the two of you to become acquainted.”

Hui Jie’er started in surprise and turned to look at Zhen Jie’er.

Zhen Jie’er flushed slightly and smiled at her.

Hui Jie’er’s expression relaxed considerably.

The First Young Madam, having heard Eleventh Young Miss’s words, had an anxious look flash across her face. Eleventh Young Miss seized the moment when Hui Jie’er was turned toward Zhen Jie’er and cast a meaningful glance at the First Young Madam.

The First Young Madam knew perfectly well what her own daughter was thinking in her heart. But there was no help for it — willing or not, she had to learn at least some of it, or she would be looked down upon by her future in-laws’ household. Capable women at the helm of a family were without exception all of extraordinary cleverness. Seeing Eleventh Young Miss signal her, she swallowed back what was on the tip of her tongue. Noticing too that her daughter’s manner had lost its earlier stiffness, and knowing it was Eleventh Young Miss’s words that had worked, she gave Eleventh Young Miss a slight nod and said no more.

Eleventh Young Miss smiled and said, “Hui Jie’er, what pastimes do you enjoy in ordinary days?”

Hui Jie’er’s eyes showed a flash of wariness. She rose politely and answered with courtesy: “I enjoy reading most of all, particularly historical records.”

Eleventh Young Miss was genuinely surprised and felt her curiosity stir. She smiled and asked, “Which have made the deepest impression on you?”

“The Comprehensive Mirror.” Hui Jie’er’s gaze suddenly blazed bright. “Thousands of years of events laid out before your eyes — what a captivating thing…”

The First Young Madam gave a quiet cough. Hui Jie’er immediately felt deflated, but she changed the topic all the same and smiled, asking Zhen Jie’er, “What pastimes does younger sister enjoy in ordinary days?”

Zhen Jie’er shot a swift glance at Eleventh Young Miss. Seeing her smiling warmly back at her the whole time, she finally smiled and said, “I enjoy playing the zither.”

Hui Jie’er lit up at once. “What a pity there is no zither here — otherwise I would have loved to hear sister’s playing. I enjoy the pipa myself, and the xiao flute as well — both instruments easy to carry about, which is very convenient. Had I known sister plays the zither, I should have brought my xiao to play a duet with you.”

“Next time Hui Jie’er comes, bring your xiao!” said Eleventh Young Miss.

“I certainly will!” said Hui Jie’er with easy grace.

Eleventh Young Miss chatted with her for a while without once raising the subject of embroidery, and Hui Jie’er gradually relaxed. After a while, Eleventh Young Miss raised the teacup beside her and took a sip, then drew a handkerchief from her sleeve and dabbed the corner of her mouth.

Hui Jie’er could not help but look at the handkerchief.

It was made of white silk, with green vine tendrils embroidered around the border, and among the vines bloomed fully open peonies. These peonies were different from the usual embroidery style — only their outlines were stitched, and the petals within had all been cut into delicate lacework, giving the whole piece a distinctly unconventional look.

Eleventh Young Miss had intentionally sought this out from the bottom of her trunk to tempt Hui Jie’er’s interest.

Yet Hui Jie’er had only one look, then immediately looked away, as though the handkerchief were some kind of poison — all but fleeing from the sight of it.

Eleventh Young Miss was quietly amused.

Hui Jie’er was truly a most perceptive young girl.

After a few more exchanges, Nanny Du came in to invite everyone to the Grand Dowager’s side for dinner.

The First Young Madam and Eleventh Young Miss walked in front; Hui Jie’er and Zhen Jie’er walked side by side. The whole party made their way toward the Grand Dowager’s quarters.

Eleventh Young Miss took the First Young Madam’s hand and quickened their pace, drawing some distance between themselves and the two younger girls. Then she said in a low voice, “This cannot be rushed — it can only be approached gradually.”

The First Young Madam gave a wry smile. “I know that as well as anyone. Only she manages everything else with ease — needlework alone she simply cannot get a grip on. She herself grows frustrated, and all the more impatient with it. The more she tries and fails, the more she dreads the thought of it.”

It was rather like a student who excelled at every subject suddenly faced with cooking — not as though there were nothing to eat, but feeling it a waste of effort. More than truly being incapable, she simply had no will to spend energy on it.

“All the more reason for you, the First Young Madam, to be patient,” Eleventh Young Miss said quietly.

Behind them, Zhen Jie’er and Hui Jie’er were talking: “Do you spend a great deal of your time on reading?”

Hui Jie’er nodded. “Naturally. There is nothing more interesting than reading.”

Zhen Jie’er smiled. “I once spent a great deal of time on the zither. I used to practice often in the Shaohua Courtyard where my Second Aunt lives — it’s in the rear garden, so I wouldn’t disturb anyone. Later, when my Fifth Aunt was recovering in the rear garden, I stopped playing as much.”

“Your Second Aunt — is she the one who wrote the Primer on the Eight-Legged Essay?” Hui Jie’er asked with curiosity. “Everyone says it is such a pity — such beauty, yet widowed so young. I actually think she has it quite well, to be able to devote herself entirely to scholarship.”

Zhen Jie’er cut her off: “Second Aunt is an elder. It is not our place as juniors to discuss her affairs.”

Hui Jie’er, seeing that Zhen Jie’er was frank without affectation and far more comfortable to be with than her cousins at home, felt a genuine desire to befriend her. She apologized at once: “I was thoughtless.”

Zhen Jie’er, seeing that she was open-hearted and upright in her conduct, liked her very much as well. She smiled at her — a wordless acceptance of her unintentional remark.

Hui Jie’er then laughed. “Your rear garden is so large — if you want to practice your zither, she’s to the east and you go west, she’s to the west and you go east. You really were overly cautious to give up your practice over something like that.”

Zhen Jie’er thought about it, then smiled. “Older sister makes a fair point. I had never thought of it that way.” In truth, it was because Zhun Ge always trailed after her, and she dared not venture to the garden — if anything went wrong, neither she nor Wen Yiniang would survive it.

Hui Jie’er smiled. “Then why don’t you come to our home tomorrow? I have an entire courtyard to myself with plenty of room — you could come and practice your zither there.”

Zhen Jie’er felt quite drawn to the idea.

She had lived all her years, and in her memory she had only been outside once — at the age of nine, when she had accompanied the Grand Dowager to Huguo Temple to offer incense.

But thinking of Zhun Ge… her heart turned cold again. She declined gently: “This requires my mother’s consent.”

Hui Jie’er winked at her. “Just watch what I do!”

Zhen Jie’er was alarmed, afraid she might say something that would cause Eleventh Young Miss to misunderstand, and was just about to speak when Hui Jie’er said, “Don’t worry — I know she is your stepmother. I won’t put you in an awkward position. I’ll send you an invitation tomorrow; she will agree for the sake of appearances.”

“She has been very good to me,” Zhen Jie’er said quickly. “Please don’t make things difficult for her.”

Hui Jie’er stared at her with wide eyes. She found Zhen Jie’er deeply kind at heart, and it moved her to sympathy — even the best stepmother was not one’s own mother, after all. She was outspoken, but she had grown up in a noble household and knew what was important.

“Don’t worry,” Hui Jie’er said with a smile. “I won’t put you in a difficult position.” In her heart, however, she felt that Zhen Jie’er was a truly generous soul — far better than most people around her.

The adults and the younger girls each carried on their own conversations as they made their way to the Grand Dowager’s quarters.

When Zhun Ge saw Hui Jie’er, he stared at her wide-eyed with evident curiosity.

Everyone exchanged greetings. They ate dinner. The Grand Dowager invited Madam Lin to rest in her inner chamber, and Eleventh Young Miss and the First Young Madam brought the two young girls to Eleventh Young Miss’s quarters.

Zhun Ge took hold of Zhen Jie’er’s sleeve and would not let go. The Grand Dowager tried to coax him gently for a while, but to no avail. With the Lin family guests present, it would naturally not do to scold the child outright. Eleventh Young Miss smiled and said, “Let him come along with us — and you can rest properly.”

The Grand Dowager agreed helplessly, but ordered all of those attending Zhun Ge to follow along and keep watch over him.

—