Sometimes, the very thing you dread is exactly what comes to pass.

Xu Siqin had barely gotten a word out when a gentle voice sounded beside his ear: “Qin Ge, I know you brothers are close. This matter — it’s best you don’t drag yourself into it.”

It was Eleventh Lady speaking. She cut off Xu Siqin’s words, then turned her gaze to Xu Siyu. “Yu Ge, you needn’t involve yourself either.”

At that moment, the Third Madam — who had been feeling rather unnerved upon hearing Eleventh Lady instruct Hupo to summon Xu Lingyi and the Third Master — suddenly snapped back to her senses with a jolt. The most pressing thing was to prevent this from spiraling out of control. If it did, the Xu Family would lose face, and the Gan Family along with them. And if her elder sister-in-law were to learn that it was her own mishandling that caused all this, it would not end with merely a round of scolding as it had today. She feared even her father-in-law, Duke Zhonqin, would be drawn into it, and her own father would be implicated as well.

The very thought of it sent a shiver down the Third Madam’s spine.

“Qin Ge, your Fourth Aunt is right.” She made an immediate decision to deal with the crisis at hand first and worry about the rest later. “You two needn’t speak for me or cover for each other. This matter shall be handled by your Third Aunt and your Fourth Aunt.” Turning to confer with Eleventh Lady, she said, “Fourth Sister-in-law, I think for now it would be best not to alarm the Marquis and the Third Master. You don’t know — the moment my elder sister-in-law arrived, she flung her handkerchief at me and launched into a torrent of scolding. I was so furious I was beside myself, and I only blamed the children for being thoughtless. I didn’t think any further than that. But now, hearing what Fourth Sister-in-law has said, it does seem rather suspicious. If we were to make a scene about it before the Marquis and the Third Master just like this, it would look rather rash. I think this matter needs to be investigated further — so we don’t wrongfully blame the children. What does Fourth Sister-in-law think?”

The Third Madam’s expression had fallen, all her earlier bluster completely gone.

Xu Siqin was guileless and straightforward; Xu Siyu was sharp and quick-witted.

Eleventh Lady knew exactly how to read the room — she knew when to press an advantage and when to let it go.

But even a graceful exit required method and strategy.

She deliberated in silence for a long moment before saying, “What Third Sister-in-law says also makes sense. If we were to bring this before the Marquis and the Third Master just like this, it would seem rather lacking in composure.” Her tone softened somewhat.

The Third Madam’s heart leapt with a surge of joy, and she quickly said, “Exactly — that is precisely right.”

But no sooner had her words fallen than Eleventh Lady’s tone shifted. “However, as for the matter of investigation…”

The Third Madam’s heart clenched again. “What does Fourth Sister-in-law mean?”

Eleventh Lady’s expression became one of visible difficulty. She seemed to struggle for a moment before saying, “Ever since I married into the Xu Family, Third Sister-in-law has treated me with great warmth and affection. She taught me how to manage the household, and even recommended that I take charge of domestic affairs. In truth, a real sister could do no more. Not to mention that this matter also involves Duke Zhonqin’s residence…” She sighed deeply. “If I were to insist on my own way at this moment, I would truly be failing to honor the care and affection Third Sister-in-law has shown me.”

The Third Madam’s expression brightened considerably. “Fourth Sister-in-law is being far too polite. I saw that Fourth Sister-in-law was a person of sincere character, well worth befriending — that is why I gave you my full support. Besides, you are, in proper standing, the Lady of Marquis Yongping. It is only right that the household affairs be entrusted to you.”

“Please don’t say such things, Third Sister-in-law. You are senior to me in years and far richer in experience. I ought to be learning from you. If not, Mother would not have placed me in your care.” Eleventh Lady exchanged a few more polite words before returning to the matter at hand. “Then — the investigation, I will leave entirely to Third Sister-in-law.” She leaned closer to speak into the Third Madam’s ear: “After all, the dignity of both families is what matters most.”

“Yes, yes, yes.” Eleventh Lady’s manner was as warm as a winter’s sun, filling the Third Madam with a sense of ease from head to toe. “Leave this matter to me!”

Eleventh Lady smiled faintly.

The two of them turned back around, their manner now perfectly amiable.

“Your Fourth Aunt is right — this matter needs to be properly investigated.” The Third Madam’s expression became stern. “Who arranged these manservant disguises for you? Who drove you to Duke Zhonqin’s residence? Where are your personal attendants? All of this must be made clear.” Not a single word was said about summoning Xu Lingyi or Xu Lingning.

The three children visibly relaxed at her words.

Xu Sijian’s face lit up with delight, while Xu Siyu and Xu Siqin exchanged a glance — the former raised an eyebrow at the latter, and the latter gave a firm, resolved nod in return.

Eleventh Lady had been watching the children’s expressions all along. She noticed this exchange, and a faint shadow of displeasure crossed her heart.

This Xu Siyu — truly didn’t know what was good for him.

She had helped him wriggle free with a defense of his actions, but that did not mean he was without fault. And yet, even now, instead of reflecting soberly on himself, he was exchanging meaningful glances with Xu Siqin…

“Yu Ge’er.” Her expression turned cool. “Although this matter still awaits your Third Aunt’s investigation, a gentleman does not stand beneath a crumbling wall. The very fact that you allowed yourself to be drawn into this kind of trouble means there is fault on your part regardless. Starting today, you are to confine yourself to your quarters and reflect on your wrongs. Except to pay respects to the Grand Madam, you are not to set foot outside Lijing Pavilion without my express permission — not until your Third Aunt has gotten to the bottom of this and a decision has been made.” She then instructed Hupo, “Go and convey my words to Wenzhu now: the Second Young Master is confined to his quarters. If the Second Young Master is allowed to slip out from under their watch again, each of them will receive thirty strokes of the rod and then be expelled from the household.”

Thirty strokes of the rod in the Xu household — fifteen was enough to cost a life. Thirty strokes for girls barely ten years of age would be certain death.

Everyone present drew a sharp breath. Even Hupo’s voice trembled faintly as she gave her assent. As for Xu Siyu, the blood had completely drained from his face.

“Fourth Aunt…” Xu Siqin called out to Eleventh Lady, his expression already pleading.

Eleventh Lady pretended not to notice.

“It is getting late. I shall take Yu Ge home now!” She gave the Third Madam a slight nod. “I would not want the Marquis to worry when he returns!”

The Third Madam nodded repeatedly and accompanied Eleventh Lady to the door.

When she turned back, she found her two sons still kneeling on the floor. The elder said, “Mother, regarding Third Cousin — could you please speak to First Aunt on her behalf? Third Cousin had absolutely no knowledge that I intended to send her the handkerchief!” The younger said, “Mother, when First Aunt came and made those accusations, you should have done what Fourth Aunt did — asked her what proof she had that the handkerchief was sent by us. We had it delivered through a serving woman. She never saw us with her own eyes!”

The anger the Third Madam had barely managed to suppress flared up again like a lit firecracker. “You pair of wretched creatures! You still have the nerve to speak! If you hadn’t done something so reckless and thoughtless, would I have been dressed down by your First Aunt? Would I have had to humble myself before your Fourth Aunt? Would your First Aunt have dared say to my face that she wants to betroth Yuan Jie’er to your elder brother?!”

This was the first either brother had heard of Gan Da Nainai’s intention to match Yuan Jie’er to Xu Siqin.

Xu Siqin opened his mouth and said nothing.

Xu Sijian, however, started in surprise: “First Aunt truly said she wants to betroth Yuan Jie’er to Elder Brother? Then why did you say it was Second Brother who wrote her the poem?” Having asked his question, he promptly discarded his own confusion, his face breaking into a cheerful grin. “Though actually, it would be quite nice for Elder Brother to marry Third Cousin! Elder Brother likes her, Third Cousin is beautiful and has a lovely temperament. When First Cousin was ill with the pox, all the maids shrank away — only Third Cousin stayed by her side and tended to her with such care…”

The Third Madam stared at her younger son, who could be counted on to prod every sore spot, then glanced at her elder son, who was standing beside him grinning away like a fool. She was so furious she couldn’t find words for a long moment. She paced round and round the room in circles, and then her eye caught the bright red feather duster standing in the cloisonné vase on the flower stand in the corner of the wall. Without another word, she snatched it out.

“Whose idea was all of this? You had better tell me clearly.” Her hand trembled as she pointed at her sons. “Or neither of you will come to any good!”

—

Xu Siyu walked silently behind Eleventh Lady, gazing at the slender, graceful figure ahead of him, listening to the distant, faint sound of the night watch drum, walking through the covered corridor under the warm pools of light cast upon the ground by the great red lanterns. Several times he seemed on the verge of speaking, but each time he held back. When the courtyard where Eleventh Lady resided came into view, he could restrain himself no longer. His steps faltered, and he said haltingly, “Will Third Cousin… be all right?”

His voice was hesitant, uncertain, with a touch of guilt.

Eleventh Lady, who had been watching him with the corner of her eye from up ahead, quietly let out a breath of relief.

At least he knew to worry about Yuan Jie’er — there was still hope for him!

Her mood lightened a little. But when she turned to face him, there was still a trace of cool disdain in her expression. She answered his question with a question: “What do you think?”

Xu Siyu was at a loss for words.

“From what Qin Ge was saying just now — he met Yuan Jie’er during Xian Jie’er’s ritual worship of the Goddess of Smallpox?” Eleventh Lady’s tone softened somewhat.

“Yes!” Xu Siyu nodded quickly. “That was the only time he saw her.”

Eleventh Lady glanced at him and said with measured weight, “Smallpox is contagious. The maids all fled from it, yet Yuan Jie’er stayed to attend her. One can only imagine what her situation must be. And yet you had to go and damage her reputation…”

“We didn’t! We didn’t!” Xu Siyu’s face flushed deep red, and he shook his hands in frantic denial. “Elder Brother knows that Third Aunt is utterly set on helping him marry First Cousin. But First Cousin is arrogant by nature, and Elder Brother is displeased by her…” His voice gradually dropped. “Third Aunt was going to take them all to Shanyang… Elder Brother just wanted to say something to Third Cousin… We only paid someone to deliver a handkerchief to her… ” He looked at Eleventh Lady with a slightly flustered expression. “She knew nothing about it. Truly! She knew nothing about it. And we never entered the inner courtyard…”

Thinking of the poem written on that handkerchief, and the demeanor of the children… Eleventh Lady believed Xu Siyu was telling the truth. The question was whether Gan Da Nainai would believe it.

She wanted him to learn a lesson from this.

So that he would not act so recklessly in the future and cause harm to both others and himself.

“I believe what you are saying is true.” Eleventh Lady said coolly. “But to Yuan Jie’er, you are still the ones who brought harm to her. My confining you to your quarters is also intended to give you the chance to reflect carefully — to understand what ought to be done and what ought not.” She then instructed Qin Xiang, “Please escort the Second Young Master back to his room.”

Qin Xiang complied with some trepidation and accompanied the somber-faced Xu Siyu back to Lijing Pavilion.

Watching their retreating figures, Hupo said with some concern, “My Lady, by putting ourselves at odds with the Third Madam like this — I fear we may invite her resentment.”

“You saw the situation just now.” Eleventh Lady’s expression was calm and resolute. “Would the Third Madam have let the matter drop quietly if I had simply helped Yu Ge offer apologies?”

Hupo hesitated. “She probably would not have…”

“Then why should we swallow our grievances in silence?” Though Eleventh Lady’s voice was not loud, it rang out like metal striking stone — clear and firm. “Never mind that the Third Madam wants to settle this privately between us — even if it were brought before the Grand Madam, I would not yield to her so much as an inch. Besides, Yu Ge is one of our household. If we do not stand up for him ourselves, would we not chill his heart?”

Hupo seemed to turn this over thoughtfully.

Eleventh Lady smiled faintly and turned to go back inside.

From a distance, she could already see Xiu Yuan standing before the ornately carved rosewood screen inlaid with plum blossoms braving the cold, which stood at the entrance of the inner hall, talking with Yan Rong.

—