The next morning, upon waking, Shiyiniang found that Xu Lingyi’s complexion looked terrible.

Since she was returning to her maiden home, she decided to keep her distance from him and make sure to leave without incident — whatever needed to be said could wait until she returned.

Nan Yong’s wife dressed her hair in a small peony bun, adorned with solid gold filigree step-tassels set with dangling rubies and a kingfisher-feather southern pearl ornament. She wore a rose-purple two-toned gold brocade jacket with narrow sleeves that fell to the knee. Zhen Jie’er’s hair was styled in a double spiral bun, decorated with silver-washed southern pearl flower pins, a white silk padded jacket beneath, and a pink brocade short jacket patterned with ten types of auspicious designs. The two of them stood side by side, graceful and upright, like a pair of sister blossoms.

“I shall take my leave of Mother and go directly to Bowstring Lane.” Shiyiniang curtsied to Xu Lingyi, watching his expression carefully.

Xu Lingyi’s face remained cold and indifferent, lounging against the large bolster pillow at the head of the bed reading a book, just as he had the day before.

Hearing Shiyiniang bid him farewell, he lifted his eyes to glance at her, then reached under the pillow and retrieved a small red-lacquered gilt box, handing it to her. “Take this with you.”

He said neither what it was nor who it was for — yet regardless, it was an expression of his goodwill. Shiyiniang decided to flatter him properly. With an expression of delight, she took it and opened the box. “What is this?”

Inside were more than twenty silver ingots of eight or nine tenths purity, along with over a dozen silver notes in denominations of fifty or one hundred taels each.

She was momentarily stunned.

Xu Lingyi had already lowered his head to turn a page. “The gifts for your return to your maiden home have already been prepared by Steward Bai. Take these to give as tips — it is, after all, your Yiniang’s first visit there, and there is also the newly arrived sister-in-law to consider.” His tone was flat.

Shiyiniang thought of the day before, when Xu Lingyi had summoned Steward Bai — it must have been precisely for this matter. Recalling her resentful thoughts from yesterday, she felt a pang of unease. “My Lord…”

Without lifting his head, Xu Lingyi waved his hand, gesturing for her to be on her way.

Should she say something to him?

Shiyiniang deliberated. But she also feared arriving too late — she was already going alone; arriving late on top of that would only invite all manner of gossip. She found herself torn. After a moment’s thought, she decided to let it go and return to her maiden home first. She would apologize to him properly when she got back.

She curtsied to Xu Lingyi. “My Lord, I shall head to Bowstring Lane now.”

Xu Lingyi’s attention seemed entirely fixed on his book, and he gave a somewhat distracted nod.

What sort of book was so utterly absorbing? It looked like the same one he had been reading yesterday.

Shiyiniang could not help craning her neck to peek at the title page.

It was a copy of *Zuo Zhuan*.

Was it really that captivating?

She could not help muttering to herself inwardly, then left with Zhen Jie’er.

She naturally did not notice the flash of sly amusement in the eyes of the man reading *Zuo Zhuan*.

—

Once out of the courtyard, Zhen Jie’er looked at Shiyiniang with considerable worry. “Mother and Father…”

The children were all growing up — when the atmosphere in the household was strained, they could sense it too. Rather than hiding things from her, it was better to be candid with Zhen Jie’er. Children were usually more mature than adults gave them credit for.

“Your father and I have a small disagreement,” Shiyiniang said with a helpless smile. “And I was in such a rush to return to my maiden home. I shall have to wait until I return to have a proper talk with your father.”

Zhen Jie’er nodded. She thought of what the Dowager Lady had said privately to Nanny Du about her stepmother, and hesitated before asking, “Is it about Father resigning from his post?” She added, “I have heard people say that the Emperor is testing Father this way — to see whether he will truly resign. If Father resigns, the Emperor will trust him completely. But if Father does not resign, the Emperor may not let the matter rest. Yet if Father truly does resign, the family will no longer enjoy the prominence it does now…” She paused, stopped walking, and looked at Shiyiniang earnestly. “Mother, as the saying goes, ‘So long as the green hills remain, there will always be firewood.’ Father is Marquis Yongping — the head of this household, its pillar. So long as Father is safe, we shall always have the chance to rise again. Mother, please do not be angry with Father. Even if the family loses its current standing, to live quietly together as a family is also a blessing.”

Shiyiniang was astonished.

Zhen Jie’er was actually consoling her.

She had not expected that at such a young age, the girl had not only a kind and pure heart, but such sound judgment as well. Shiyiniang could not help but smile brightly. “Zhen Jie’er, you are right. So long as the green hills remain, there will always be firewood. So long as your father is safe and sound, nothing will go wrong for our family.”

Zhen Jie’er flushed a little with embarrassment. “I was merely speaking out of turn. Mother is simply too magnanimous to take issue with me.”

“Our Zhen Jie’er truly has great insight.” Shiyiniang smiled and praised her, then offered an explanation. “However, what your father and I are at odds about is not these matters. We simply have a small disagreement about certain details of daily life — for instance, I prefer fish, and your father prefers meat. So we simply need to make some adjustments for each other.”

Zhen Jie’er nodded, and said softly, “It takes a hundred years of shared fate to share the same boat. Mother and we are bound by destiny. Please do not quarrel with Father over such trivial things.”

Looking at Zhen Jie’er as she was now — even if this whole affair with Xu Lingyi had been a misunderstanding, and even if he had been at fault in some way — Shiyiniang found she could not bring herself to hold it against him.

“Zhen Jie’er is right.” She smiled and took Zhen Jie’er’s hand. “Since we are family, we should be more forgiving of one another.”

Zhen Jie’er let out a quiet sigh of relief, and the two of them walked on toward the Dowager Lady’s rooms, chatting and laughing.

When Zhun Ge’er heard that Zhen Jie’er was going out with Shiyiniang to visit relatives, he wanted to go as well.

But Shiyiniang did not dare take him — she worried that he might bump into something or get hurt, and that would be difficult to explain. She smiled and said, “We women are going to visit family. You men should stay home and keep Grandmother company.”

Zhun Ge’er glanced at Xu Sijian beside him, who was grinning cheerfully, then looked at Zhen Jie’er, and his little head drooped.

Shiyiniang could not help but smile and ruffle his hair. “When the New Year comes, I will take you to visit relatives too.”

On the second day of the New Year, one visited one’s maternal uncles; on the third, one visited one’s father-in-law’s family. By then, she would certainly be bringing Zhun Ge’er along to the Luo Mansion.

Zhun Ge’er’s eyes lit up, but he did not forget about Xu Sijian, and pulled at him. “Bring Third Brother too!”

“I’m no woman, to be so excited about visiting relatives.” Xu Sijian’s face was full of disdain, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of longing. “I’m not going.”

Xu Siqin and Xu Siyu were older and had long seen through Shiyiniang’s attempt to placate Zhun Ge’er; they stood to the side laughing. Xu Siqin even went so far as to lift the door curtain for her. “Fourth Aunt, don’t mind those two hotheads.”

Shiyiniang laughed and walked inside with Zhen Jie’er.

The Dowager Lady was seated on the large kang by the window, speaking with someone. When she saw Shiyiniang and Zhen Jie’er enter, she asked carefully whether they had brought the gifts, which matrons were accompanying the carriage, and what time they expected to return.

Shiyiniang answered each question in turn. The Dowager Lady added a few admonitions about being careful on the road, then let Nanny Du see them out.

—

Upon arriving at the Luo Mansion on Bowstring Lane, the First Mistress personally came to receive them at the inner gate.

When she caught sight of Zhen Jie’er behind Shiyiniang, a flash of surprise crossed her eyes. But she did not let it show, greeting Zhen Jie’er with a warm smile. “…The last time I heard the Young Miss play at the Shaohua Courtyard, I was absolutely struck with wonder.”

Zhen Jie’er bowed respectfully. “You are too kind, Aunt.”

But Shiyiniang found something strange.

By all rights, with the First Master having brought the whole household to Yanjing, it was something of a family reunion. They had been specially invited back to their maiden home for a meal — it ought to have been lively and joyful. So why were the maids and matrons all wearing such strained expressions? And why was the First Mistress’s smile so forced?

A thought flickered through her mind, and her heart gave a sudden lurch. She quickly took the First Mistress by the hand. “Sister-in-law, has something happened at home?”

The First Mistress glanced at Zhen Jie’er and hesitated.

Zhen Jie’er was exceptionally perceptive, but this was the Luo household — even if she wished to step away, there was nowhere for her to go. She could only lower her head.

But Shiyiniang had no intention of hiding anything from her.

Trust those you use; do not use those you distrust. Since she and Zhen Jie’er were on good terms, there was no need for secrets. Besides, Zhen Jie’er was a sensible and considerate child.

“Sister-in-law, please speak freely.” She was worried it had something to do with Fifth Yiniang.

Seeing how urgently she asked, and knowing they would have to face it soon enough regardless, the First Mistress gave a bitter smile. “Mother’s condition has taken a turn for the worse.”

“How can that be?” Shiyiniang was stunned. “Just a few days ago, I sent someone to ask, and they said she was nearly recovered — that by the New Year she would be well enough to get out of bed. How has she suddenly worsened?”

The First Mistress was about to say more when the sound of horse hooves clattered up — it was Fourth Brother-in-law Yu Yiqing and Fourth Elder Sister arriving. She gave Shiyiniang an apologetic smile and hurried forward to greet them.

After the exchange of greetings, Yu Yiqing, with Zhen Jie’er present, excused himself and went to find Luo Zhensheng. Fourth Elder Sister took Zhen Jie’er by the hand and offered her a round of compliments, and then everyone made their way together to the main room.

Sixth Yiniang came forward with Twelfth Miss to welcome them.

Twelfth Miss was taller than she had been in Yuhang — the childish air had begun to fade from her, and a young girl’s quiet beauty was emerging.

“Eleventh Young Mistress.” Sixth Yiniang greeted Shiyiniang warmly, then turned to Twelfth Miss and said, “Won’t you pay your respects to your sister?”

Twelfth Miss stepped forward shyly and curtsied to Shiyiniang.

Shiyiniang produced a jade pendant as a gift to mark their meeting, then passed along the southern pearl ornament as well. “This is a token of the Dowager Lady’s regard.”

“Oh my, you really shouldn’t have.” Sixth Yiniang curtsied along with Twelfth Miss. “To think the Dowager Lady should go to such expense.”

“A small token, nothing more.” Shiyiniang returned the pleasantry.

Sixth Yiniang then led Twelfth Miss to pay her respects to Fourth Elder Sister, who gave Twelfth Miss a string of glass beads as a gift.

Shiyiniang introduced Zhen Jie’er to Twelfth Miss.

One had the gentle, graceful beauty of a southern girl; the other had the easy, composed confidence of a northern girl. Standing side by side, they were like autumn chrysanthemum and spring orchid — each with their own distinct charm.

The two girls exchanged bows and each saw admiration reflected in the other’s eyes. Sixth Yiniang, upon learning that Zhen Jie’er was the eldest daughter of the Marquis Yongping household, smiled even more warmly than before, and gave Zhen Jie’er a cloisonné enamel bracelet as a gift.

Zhen Jie’er thanked her respectfully.

The party made their way to the First Mistress’s inner chamber.

At a glance, Shiyiniang spotted Fifth Yiniang standing at the head of the First Mistress’s bed, holding a tea tray.

Time seemed to have treated her with particular favor. Though nearly two years had passed since they last met, not only was her appearance unchanged, but the timid manner she had always carried was gone as well — replaced by a tranquil and unhurried grace that lent her an air of pure refinement. She was more beautiful than before.

Fifth Yiniang also caught sight of her daughter.

She was dressed in finery, her complexion rosy and bright. The anxious, cautious bearing she had worn in the Luo household was entirely gone, replaced by a calm assurance and quiet composure. It was as though Fifth Yiniang had only blinked, and her daughter had grown into a woman.

Fifth Yiniang’s tears welled up all at once. “Shiyiniang…”

“Yiniang!” Shiyiniang’s eyes filled with tears as well.

Then, without warning, a hoarse, ragged sound like a crow’s cry erupted in the room.

Shiyiniang was startled.

She turned toward the sound and saw the First Mistress, propped against the large bolster pillow at the head of the bed.

She was staring at Shiyiniang with wide, sharp eyes.

—