Eleventh Young Lady did not know what to say either.

This affair had been handled in the most unconscionable manner… Whoever had tied the bell would have to untie it themselves.

She said urgently: “If it has come to this, let me go speak to the Grand Madam. Then I will go back with you to see how things stand.”

But the First Young Mistress pulled at her sleeve: “I came especially to let you know so you wouldn’t be caught off guard. You are still in your first month of marriage — going back at a time like this is not quite right…”

The first month after a wedding — the bridal chamber was not to be left empty.

Eleventh Young Lady smiled: “The houses are close. I will go have a look and come straight back. Attending upon the sick and preparing medicines — I fear that will fall to Elder Sister-in-Law.”

“It is my duty — there is no question of hardship.”

The First Young Mistress and Eleventh Young Lady exchanged a few polite words, then went together to the Grand Madam’s quarters.

The Grand Madam had not yet returned from the Second Madam’s place.

The two of them found their way to the Second Madam’s courtyard instead.

From far away, the graceful, lively notes of a qin reached their ears.

The First Young Mistress slowed her step involuntarily.

“That is ‘Lu Ming’…” She gazed at the high steps ahead and tilted her head to listen. “Measured and flowing, far-reaching and unhurried, the rhythm of quick and slow well-balanced. Hmm — the gong string is a touch light, and the yu string rather heavy; the technique seems not quite practiced yet.”

Eleventh Young Lady was taken aback.

She had never known the First Young Mistress understood the qin.

If the technique was not entirely practiced, it must be Zhen Jie’er playing.

The two walked slowly up the steps. As they reached the entrance, the music ceased.

Hupo stepped forward and knocked. A maidservant with bright eyes and white teeth came to answer the door.

Seeing Eleventh Young Lady, she smiled and curtseyed: “Fourth Madam, this servant is Jiexiang, attending upon the Second Madam.” Her manner was entirely composed.

Eleventh Young Lady gave a slight nod and followed Jiexiang through the deep shade of the courtyard into the Second Madam’s rooms.

The furnishings were bright and uncluttered — pear-wood furniture, sweet-white porcelain pieces pure as jade, curtains in a vivid blue, and a faint pineapple fragrance drifting through the air — the whole space giving a warm and pleasant feeling.

The Grand Madam was reclining casually on the daybed, smiling at Zhen Jie’er, who sat by the qin table at the window: “…Jie’er’s playing grows better and better!”

Zhen Jie’er looked shyly at the Second Madam sitting beside her: “It is all thanks to Second Aunt’s guidance.”

“You must also apply yourself.”

Leaning against the Grand Madam, Zhun Ge jumped up with a grin: “First Aunt!”

The people in the room turned.

“Zhun Ge!” The First Young Mistress smiled and responded to him, then along with Eleventh Young Lady stepped forward to pay their respects to the Grand Madam.

“Fourth Sister-in-Law!” The Second Madam greeted the two with a smile. “First Young Mistress of the Luo family.” She then called to Jiexiang: “Bring out the West Lake Dragon Well I purchased a few days ago.” Then, smiling at Eleventh Young Lady: “Autumn air is dry — Dragon Well tea clears away the heat and dryness.”

Eleventh Young Lady thanked her, and the two of them accepted the greetings of the junior members of the household.

The Grand Madam spoke directly: “First Young Mistress of the Luo family, coming at this hour — surely something urgent has arisen.”

The First Young Mistress’s eyes reddened upon hearing this: “My mother-in-law has taken ill. My father-in-law, fearing that his daughters might worry, especially asked me to come and let the Fourth Young Lady know.”

Eleventh Young Lady was already looking toward the Grand Madam with expectation: “I would like to go back and see Mother. I will return before dark.”

The Grand Madam immediately agreed, calling Nanny Du to arrange a carriage for Eleventh Young Lady: “…When you come back, remember to let me know.”

Eleventh Young Lady was genuinely grateful. She paid her respects to the Grand Madam, and without even stopping to take a sip of the Second Madam’s tea, returned with the First Young Mistress to Bowstring Lane.

The Grand Madam watched the backs of the two departing figures and told of the nun Jining’s visit to find Eleventh Young Lady: “…People in good circumstances — if they truly have their hearts set on the dharma, they could simply set up a small Buddhist shrine at home. Most likely they have been driven to a place of no return and are seeking refuge at Ci’an Temple.”

The Second Madam only smiled: “Every family has its own difficult scripture to read.”

The Grand Madam sighed: “How true. Everyone envies me for having raised a daughter who became an Empress and a son who serves the court, thinking I must live in the greatest of ease — yet I have my own difficulties…”

The Grand Madam and the Second Madam went on talking at leisure, warmth flowing quietly through the room.

…

Eleventh Young Lady and the First Young Mistress descended from the carriage hurriedly, and a sharp-eyed maidservant had already run ahead to announce: “Eleventh Young Mistress has returned!”

She then saw Fifth Young Lady lift the door curtain and step out quickly: “Eleventh Sister, you are finally here. Mother has been asking for you!”

Eleventh Young Lady noticed that Fifth Young Lady’s eyes were red, and her heart gave a start. As she asked “How is Mother now?” she was already hurrying inside.

Fifth Young Lady followed behind her: “She has woken, but she cannot speak…” As she said this, she began to weep softly.

Eleventh Young Lady had already entered the inner chamber and saw at a glance the First Madam lying in bed, her face a waxy yellow.

She walked quickly over and sat on a small stool beside her: “Mother, how are you? Is it very bad?”

The First Madam looked at her — first with joy, then with reproach — her mouth trembling as she tried to speak, but only managing two incoherent sounds, unable to form words.

Eleventh Young Lady’s heart sank.

This was unmistakably the look of a stroke…

Fifth Young Lady, who had followed in, quickly said: “Mother, the physician said you must not excite yourself — you are to rest calmly. Whatever you want to say, when you are better you can still tell Eleventh Sister. It is the same.”

The First Madam shook her head with difficulty.

Eleventh Young Lady hesitated for a moment, then said: “You are worried about the two Yininangs, aren’t you?”

The First Madam blinked.

Eleventh Young Lady glanced at the First Young Mistress and said: “Elder Sister-in-Law has already sent someone to call Elder Brother back. When he returns, he and the nun Jining will handle the negotiations. As for us daughters, we will naturally defer to Mother’s wishes.”

A look of comfort spread through the First Madam’s eyes.

“Please rest now.” Eleventh Young Lady tucked the covers more snugly around her. “When Elder Brother returns, we will all discuss things together.”

The First Madam closed her eyes.

The room fell into a deep quiet.

Eleventh Young Lady made a gesture to Nanny Xu to stay by the First Madam’s side, then withdrew with the First Young Mistress and Fifth Young Lady.

The First Master was sitting on the large kang bed near the window in the side room. When he saw Eleventh Young Lady come out, anger rose up his face.

“Go and tell that Jining that if she wants to take this to the magistrate, the Luo family will gladly oblige.”

Eleventh Young Lady understood that the First Master was beside himself with fury. But the First Young Mistress was afraid of causing offense to Eleventh Young Lady, and first sought to reassure her: “Eleventh Young Lady, please don’t take it to heart — Father is venting his anger over the two Yininangs.” Then she turned to the First Master: “Eleventh Young Lady has barely crossed the threshold — she doesn’t know the full story from beginning to end. If you want to vent your anger, at least let me explain things to her first, and you can say your piece afterward!” As she spoke, she gestured meaningfully at Eleventh Young Lady: “Eleventh Young Lady, please come with me for a cup of tea!”

Eleventh Young Lady, herself wanting to know exactly what Jining had said, smiled and paid her respects to the First Master, then followed the First Young Mistress with Fifth Young Lady to the east side room.

It turned out that Dongqing had barely come ahead to report, and the First Young Mistress was still considering how to first broach the subject with the First Madam, when Jining herself arrived. Before the First Young Mistress could say a word, Jining announced that the two Yininangs intended to take their vows at Ci’an Temple. The First Madam, upon hearing this, turned ashen with rage and refused to agree, no matter what Jining said. She demanded that Jining hand the two women over — otherwise they would take it to the magistrate. In the midst of all the commotion, the First Madam grew so agitated that she collapsed. When she came to, her hands and feet were shaking and she could no longer speak.

Just as they were recounting all of this, Luo Zhensheng and Qian Ming arrived.

Eleventh Young Lady had been hoping to keep some distance from Qian Ming, but the First Young Mistress said quietly: “At a time like this, more people means more options. Besides, Fifth Brother-in-Law always has good ideas and is devoted to the family’s affairs. If we speak among ourselves and leave him out, Fifth Sister will likely tell him everything when she gets home anyway.”

Thinking of how Fifth Young Lady’s face had lit up the moment she heard Qian Ming’s name, Eleventh Young Lady knew the First Young Mistress was right, and gave a rueful smile of agreement.

The First Young Mistress then invited Luo Zhensheng and Qian Ming to the east wing of the main hall. The five of them — Luo Zhensheng, the First Young Mistress, Fifth Young Lady, Qian Ming, and Eleventh Young Lady — dismissed the maidservants and sat down to deliberate.

“We cannot report this to the magistrate,” Qian Ming said, glancing at Eleventh Young Lady. “This whole affair is already strange enough. If we make it a legal matter on top of that, word will spread from ten to a hundred, and a hundred to a thousand — and every manner of unsavory rumor will be put about. What is not true will seem as if it is. Besides, the Xu household has always kept a low profile, and the Tenth Young Lady’s husband has quite a formidable temper… I fear it may stir up something none of us can foresee.”

Eleventh Young Lady was not afraid of Xu Lingyi — he was measured and rational. What she worried about was Wang Lang, who might well cast off Tenth Young Lady in repudiation, or subject her to some humiliating treatment…

Fifth Young Lady was naturally in full agreement with Qian Ming.

Luo Zhensheng thought it over, then said: “What if we follow what Jining said and agree to let the two Yininangs take their vows? The old saying holds — ‘a melon forced from the vine is not sweet.’ The two Yininangs have made up their minds to leave. Even if we hold them for now, we cannot hold them forever. And a prolonged struggle will leave no one at peace.”

Qian Ming looked at Eleventh Young Lady.

Eleventh Young Lady also felt this was the better course.

It was rather like earthenware bumping against porcelain. The two Yininangs, having done what they had done, faced nothing but a death sentence if they were caught escaping and seized as runaway concubines — they had nothing to fear. But the Luo family still had this entire household of people whose lives had to go on…

“Elder Brother is right,” Eleventh Young Lady said.

Luo Zhensheng let out a quiet breath of relief. “Father was only overwhelmed by the moment — I will go speak with him. As for Mother — let us keep things from her for now. When she is feeling somewhat better, we can tell her then.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Luo Zhensheng’s gaze fell on the First Young Mistress: “In that case, I ask my wife to take special care of things. Make sure none of the maidservants or matrons gossip in front of Mother. And if Mother should ask, no one is to say anything that contradicts the story. Just say that the Marquis’s card was used to bring the magistrate to apprehend the two Yininangs, and that the matter is awaiting trial.”

Everyone nodded.

Then a small maidservant said timidly: “Young Master, the Marquis is here!”

The whole room was startled.

Eleventh Young Lady felt a wave of relief.

Good — this son-in-law of theirs had come after all. He had not put on airs and left her to face her own family without support.

Qian Ming was already the first to lift the curtain and step out: “Please invite him in.” He went out to receive him.

Luo Zhensheng, seeing Qian Ming go out, caught himself and followed.

The First Young Mistress, Fifth Young Lady, and Eleventh Young Lady also went out to receive him.

In the gathering dusk, Xu Lingyi walked in with a composed and austere expression. His gaze swept the scene, then settled on Eleventh Young Lady.

Eleventh Young Lady respectfully curtseyed to him — for the simple act of coming like this, she owed him at least this much courtesy and deference.

Qian Ming had already bowed: “Marquis!”

Luo Zhensheng also called out a respectful “Marquis.”

“What has happened?” Xu Lingyi looked at him, his voice neither loud nor soft, yet carrying an authority that commanded respect — and Luo Zhensheng momentarily didn’t know how to answer.

Qian Ming glanced at the maidservants, matrons, and manservants around them and said hurriedly: “Let us go inside and speak.”

Xu Lingyi gave a slight nod, and followed Qian Ming into the east wing. Everyone sat, and Qian Ming gave a concise account of the matter.

Eleventh Young Lady felt her face burning.

She had always felt that Xu Lingyi looked down on the Luo family, and now this of all things had to happen.

Xu Lingyi glanced at Eleventh Young Lady.

He found her sitting in a corner, her cheeks flushed, visibly ill at ease — as though she were the one who had done something wrong.

“Could a family shrine be built in the house?” Xu Lingyi said. “If it is a matter of funds, we can find a way together.”

—