Luo Zhensheng gave a deeply dissatisfied “hmph” and said no more about Tenth Young Lady.
The First Young Mistress had the household to manage, so Fifth Young Lady, Eleventh Young Lady, and the Sixth Yiniang took turns attending to the First Madam for the better part of the morning. As the First Madam looked around at the people in the room, her spirits lifted somewhat.
The Sixth Yiniang found a moment and quietly said to the First Master: “The First Madam’s illness will not improve quickly. The First Young Mistress is busy from morning to night managing everything — would it not be better to invite some of the ladies back to help care for the First Madam? With more people in the room, it will be livelier, and the First Madam’s spirits will be better for it.”
The First Master considered this: “What you say makes sense.”
Just as they were speaking, the Third Madam arrived.
Everyone was somewhat taken aback.
“It was Brother-in-Law who told Third Madam,” Fifth Young Lady said suddenly.
A flicker of irritation crossed Luo Zhensheng’s face: “How can one let people invite Third Aunt to come pay her respects to Mother?”
“It was never a deliberate invitation,” Fifth Young Lady said, with a hint of pride. “Yu Ge and Kai Ge are leaving, and I had made each of them an autumn garment — I was planning to send them over these next couple of days. This morning, my husband sent the garments over, and while he was at it, he happened to mention that Mother had fallen ill and I would be at home nursing her and might not have time to see Yu Ge and Kai Ge off, and asked Third Madam not to mind. So naturally Third Madam found out.”
Luo Zhensheng could only shake his head: “That Zichun.” He said it under his breath, then led the First Young Mistress, Fifth Young Lady, and Eleventh Young Lady out to receive her.
The Third Madam’s face was full of anxiety: “How is she? How is she?” Behind her came Luo Zhenyu and Luo Zhenkai.
Luo Zhensheng walked alongside the Third Madam inside and gave a brief account of the First Madam’s condition.
The Third Madam sighed: “Wind palsy is not a thing to be rushed — it can only be nursed.”
Luo Zhensheng nodded, and the whole group went into the inner chamber.
The First Madam, at the sight of the Third Madam’s family, felt a glimmer of emotion at the corners of her eyes.
The Third Madam quickly sat down on the small stool at her side to comfort her. After a while, the First Madam’s face showed signs of fatigue, and everyone withdrew to the side room.
The First Young Mistress brought tea for the Third Madam, and the Third Madam said: “I have already sent word to Second Sister-in-Law. But Seventh Young Lady’s wedding is almost upon us, so I doubt she will have time to come back.”
Luo Zhensheng quickly said politely: “We have already taken up too much of the two aunts’ time.”
The Third Madam also exchanged a few pleasantries, then offered a suggestion: “…I heard that the former Hanlin Academy official, Director Zhou, suffered from this very condition — and was later healed by a renowned physician from Taiyuan. At the time, I merely heard of it in passing and paid it no mind. When I return, I will send someone to inquire into it.”
The First Young Mistress nodded attentively and made note of what the Third Madam said. As noon approached, she busied herself arranging luncheon. Everyone sat down together to eat. The Third Madam wanted to go back and prepare a few things, and set off with Luo Zhenyu and Luo Zhenkai.
Eleventh Young Lady saw the Third Madam to the door, and took the opportunity to ask her: “Is the tutor Zhao planning to remain in Shanxi and take up a position there?”
The Third Madam shook her head: “He is only going to escort Yu Ge and Kai Ge there. He says it has been seven or eight years since he was last home and he would like to use this chance to return to his hometown.”
Eleventh Young Lady nodded, and after seeing the Third Madam off, went to find Luo Zhensheng: “…Zhun Ge is currently being raised beside the Grand Madam, and his formal schooling is a matter of this year or next. As it happens, the eldest son and second son on that side have been making good progress in their studies and are hoping to find a private tutor to set up a separate school. I imagine that by then, Zhun Ge will most likely be studying alongside the three brothers. I have been hoping to find him a good teacher — someone with both learning and good character. When I heard from Third Madam that the tutor Zhao, who was engaged specifically for Yu Ge and Kai Ge, is sending them off and then returning home, I thought that if he might be suitable — perhaps he could be recommended to the Marquis. That way, Zhun Ge would also have someone to look after him.”
“Eleventh Sister’s idea is excellent.” Luo Zhensheng nodded repeatedly. “Only I don’t know how Tutor Zhao’s learning stands. I fear the Marquis’s expectations will be high — otherwise, why would the matter have dragged on until now without a resolution?”
“I know.” Eleventh Young Lady gave a quiet sigh. “But one must at least try. To be honest, whether Zhun Ge warms to me is a secondary concern — what I truly fear is that, being so young and without firm convictions, he will be surrounded entirely by people who only flatter him, and his character will be spoiled for it.”
Luo Zhensheng understood clearly. As long as Zhun Ge did nothing seriously wrong, his future prospects were brilliant. But hearing Eleventh Young Lady say this, he was genuinely startled: “Has Zhun Ge said something to you?”
“Nothing like that.” Eleventh Young Lady smiled ruefully. “He simply avoids me whenever he sees me. And since he is in the Grand Madam’s quarters, I cannot readily find the reason. I can only take things slowly.”
“Don’t worry — I will handle this myself!” He made up his mind on the spot. “I will write to Second Uncle and Third Uncle both, and make sure we find Zhun Ge a good teacher.” Then, as though something had just occurred to him, his expression changed and he said: “About the two Yininangs — you should also let the Marquis know. Father has agreed to let them take their vows at Ci’an Temple.”
Eleventh Young Lady felt some concern: “Should we not set down certain terms for the two Yininangs, to keep them in check? Otherwise they might feel free to behave without restraint.” She also told Luo Zhensheng about what Xu Lingyi had mentioned — that the two gilded Buddha statues inside Ci’an Temple had been donated by the wives of the Marquis of Jianning and the Baron of Shouchang.
Luo Zhensheng fell into a moment of thought.
Qian Ming arrived.
Luo Zhensheng, at a loss for a plan, told Qian Ming everything Eleventh Young Lady had said, from beginning to end.
Qian Ming smiled: “Eleventh Young Lady’s concern is not without basis. The way I see it — even though we have already agreed to the two Yininangs taking their vows, we should not concede too readily. Draw out the negotiations with Jining for a while. Then, when the time comes, put forward certain conditions. I believe Jining will agree. We cannot simply let the two Yininangs enter the temple just like that.”
Luo Zhensheng felt Qian Ming’s approach was sound, and the two of them fell to discussing exactly how to handle the negotiations with Jining.
Xu Lingyi arrived.
Eleventh Young Lady could not help glancing at the hourglass nearby.
Xu Lingyi was due to finish his duties at the midafternoon hour — and yet it was not even past the first quarter of the early afternoon…
The thought passed quickly, and she went out to receive him. She accompanied Xu Lingyi to pay his respects to the First Master. Everyone sat down to discuss the matter of the two Yininangs taking their vows.
Unlike the smaller discussion they had earlier, at this moment only the men held sway.
The First Young Mistress, Fifth Young Lady, and Eleventh Young Lady went about pouring tea and serving refreshments, then withdrew to the main hall.
The Sixth Yiniang came to ask the First Young Mistress whether they would still set out for Yuhang at the original time.
“The ship has already been booked,” the First Young Mistress said.
The Sixth Yiniang smiled: “Then I will go pack the trunks for the First Master.” And with a curtsy and a smile, she withdrew.
The First Young Mistress nodded, and the Sixth Yiniang then turned to ask Eleventh Young Lady with a smile: “Is there anything the Young Lady would like me to take back?”
“Only a few medicines and some cloth.” Eleventh Young Lady said. “Tomorrow I will have Dongqing bring them over. Please ask Fifth Yiniang to come to Yanjing for a visit when she has time.”
The Sixth Yiniang smiled and curtseyed her way out.
Fifth Young Lady’s cheeks turned faintly pink. She said in a low voice to the First Young Mistress: “Sister-in-Law, I won’t be going back. I will stay in Yanjing to nurse Mother.”
The First Young Mistress was slightly taken aback, then seemed to grasp something and asked very carefully: “Could it be that you…”
Eleventh Young Lady thought of how Fifth Young Lady had been eating only plain white rice just now — she had her suspicions too — and found herself looking toward Fifth Young Lady.
Fifth Young Lady’s cheeks turned so red they seemed about to drip, and she lowered her head: “We have only just found out.” Her voice was barely audible.
“Aiyo!” The First Young Mistress’s face was full of joy. “This is wonderful news!”
Qian Ming and Fifth Young Lady were both getting on in years. Eleventh Young Lady was glad for them both: “Fifth Young Lady, congratulations.”
Fifth Young Lady shot Eleventh Young Lady a sidelong glance, coquettish as a flower in May: “What do you know?”
Eleventh Young Lady raised her sleeve to hide her smile.
The First Young Mistress quickly said: “How far along? Don’t come tomorrow — be careful you don’t strain yourself.”
Fifth Young Lady’s face glowed like dawn clouds: “They say it has just taken hold. I am to be careful as well.”
The First Young Mistress drew Fifth Young Lady aside for a quiet word.
Eleventh Young Lady stood nearby with a smile.
Perhaps because there was so much to say, time passed particularly quickly. From the other side, Luo Zhensheng and Qian Ming came to see Xu Lingyi out.
The three women outside all rose to their feet.
Xu Lingyi’s expression was still composed, unhurried. He said to Qian Ming: “…In that case, I will leave this matter in your capable hands, Zichun.”
A look of surprised gratification flickered through Qian Ming’s eyes, and he quickly bowed: “With the Marquis behind me, I have the confidence to handle this running-about business, and I trust nothing will go too badly wrong.” He smiled at Xu Lingyi.
The trace of a smile appeared on Xu Lingyi’s face as well.
Luo Zhensheng quickly said: “Fifth Sister, Eleventh Sister — it is getting late. You should be on your way.”
Eleventh Young Lady knew that the men had settled everything. She and Fifth Young Lady went to see the First Madam, then took their leave of the First Master, and boarded the carriage with Xu Lingyi.
The two rode in their separate carriages back to the Xu household. As the hour was still early, they returned to their rooms first to change.
Xu Lingyi took the moment to say to Eleventh Young Lady: “My thought is this — since the two Yininangs have made up their minds to take their vows at Ci’an Temple, and Jining is willing to go to these lengths on their behalf, there must be some reason we do not know about. These household matters are often such that each side has its own argument, and getting mired in them does nothing to resolve anything. It would be better to find an approach that serves everyone’s needs — let the two Yininangs take their vows at Ci’an Temple, with their daily expenses provided by us, and all the chores of the temple to have nothing to do with them. That way, the two Yininangs can devote themselves entirely to the dharma and seek enlightenment in good time.”
For some reason, Xu Lingyi’s final words — “seek enlightenment in good time” — made Eleventh Young Lady think of the saying “the sooner dead, the sooner free”… She couldn’t tell whether he was speaking of the two Yininangs or of himself — eager to see the matter settled so he too could be done with it.
She could not help smiling behind her sleeve.
Xu Lingyi was taken aback.
Eleventh Young Lady quickly composed her expression and said seriously: “The Marquis’s approach is the best one. You don’t know — before you arrived, we siblings had talked it over for the better part of the afternoon without arriving at any plan. We only felt that this wouldn’t do, and that wouldn’t do either…”
Xu Lingyi looked at Eleventh Young Lady’s bright, gleaming eyes and her softly flushed cheeks, and could not help thinking to himself: Who would ever believe such a story!
He thought exactly this — yet somehow, against all reason, a quiet gladness rose in his heart.
…
Since Xu Lingyi felt that Luo Zhensheng was too straightforward, and Qian Ming more adept at handling people, he had left the matter of negotiating terms with Jining in Qian Ming’s hands.
Fifth Young Lady, being with child, could not be about. On the eighteenth day of the ninth month, when Luo Zhenyu and Luo Zhenkai departed, she sent Ziwei to bring some food as a farewell gift, and Eleventh Young Lady also did not go in person — she sent along fifty taels of silver in ceremony, two sets of brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, and raised with Luo Zhensheng the matter of the tutor Zhao: “…I spoke my thoughts to Third Madam. Third Madam had originally hoped for Tutor Zhao to continue teaching Yu Ge and Kai Ge for a few more years, and hadn’t imagined that Elder Academician Liu would have the two of them go to Shanxi. She already felt she had let Tutor Zhao down. If he could go to your household, she felt it would be for the best. I also mentioned it to Tutor Zhao, and he said that one must honour one’s commitments — he had undertaken to see Yu Ge and Kai Ge to Shanxi, and his manner was politely declining, with a look of reluctance and little enthusiasm. It seems the chances of this succeeding are not very great.”
Eleventh Young Lady was also somewhat disappointed: “We didn’t even know if he would meet the Marquis’s requirements… now it will be even harder to find someone.”
Luo Zhensheng offered a few words of comfort: “Yanjing is full of hidden talents — we can search more carefully.”
The two chatted a while longer and went to see the First Madam.
Everyone in the house was telling the First Madam that the two Yininangs had already been put in prison and were awaiting trial. The First Madam’s spirits had improved considerably, and she could say a few simple words. Eleventh Young Lady could see that the First Young Mistress and Nanny Xu were looking after her with the greatest of care, and she felt a quiet wave of relief.