The First Madam was indeed more alert than when Eleventh Young Mistress had seen her last. Her hair was neatly dressed and her clothing tasteful and understated. Nanny Xu attended to her diligently at her side.

Hearing that they were going to visit Tenth Young Mistress, the First Madam’s lips pursed, though her expression could no longer snap back to its former sharpness as quickly as before, and so it looked rather strange.

“She never had a moment’s peace — this is only a lesson she deserved.”

Eleventh Young Mistress found this grating to hear, but sat there with a smile and said nothing.

The First Madam asked her about the people in her household. “…Three concubines — Qin Yiniang is getting on in years, and the Marquis probably visits her mainly out of obligation. Wen Yiniang chatters about the Wen family business every time she sees the Marquis. The one you need to watch is Qiao Yiniang. Do you know when her monthly time falls?”

“I haven’t asked,” Eleventh Young Mistress said mildly.

She had arranged the schedule according to the order in which she respected each of them — not according to who was most likely to conceive. Xu Lingyi was no fool. Even Nanny Nanyong’s wife knew — could he not? And even if he didn’t, would the Grand Madam not know? Would the Third Madam not know? She had no intention of becoming the laughingstock of the entire Xu household.

The First Madam’s brow furrowed.

“Didn’t Nanny Tao teach you,” she said, her gaze still sharp despite her illness. “The distinction between the legitimate and the concubine is everything. If that Qiao Lianfang bears a son, what would you do?”

Eleventh Young Mistress smiled faintly. “The Marquis already has children of both his own. A few more would only be a blessing — there is nothing to worry about, Mother.”

The First Madam glared at Eleventh Young Mistress. “You foolish girl…”

Just then a little maidservant came in to announce “The First Young Madam has arrived,” and the First Madam gave a cold snort and dropped the subject.

The First Young Madam had already changed into a sapphire-blue squirrel-fur jacket, with a light dusting of powder on her face. Her long brows and almond eyes were somehow even more appealing than usual. She asked the First Madam whether there was any message to pass along, then bid farewell with Eleventh Young Mistress, and the two of them took the carriage to Duke Maoguo’s mansion on Stone Lion Lane.

A page boy went in ahead to announce them. When the carriage stopped before the ornamental gate, a nanny came out at once to receive them: “The First Young Madam has come! And the Eleventh Young Mistress!”

The First Young Madam distributed tip money with an easy hand, and was led by the nanny into the inner courtyard.

On either side stood green pines and dark cypresses, set against the glistening white of snow, and a fresh, clean breath of air wafted toward them.

They entered the room. In the center burned a great basin of sweet herbal incense; on the altar table in the main hall sat a self-striking clock that ticked away steadily; beside the bed-curtains stood maidservants with lowered eyes — altogether it carried the dignified air befitting an aristocratic household.

A maidservant and an older woman escorted out a matron with white-streaked hair. “You must be the First Young Madam and Eleventh Young Miss!”

Eleventh Young Mistress noted the tourmaline stone the size of a pigeon’s egg mounted on the matron’s forehead band, the vivid red gemstone ring on her hand, and the blue figured-satin robe with full-length sleeves — and was already quietly forming a guess as to who she might be.

Someone beside her said, “This is the Old Madam of our household.”

Eleventh Young Mistress had not expected Wang Lang’s mother to be in Tenth Young Mistress’s rooms.

The two of them quickly stepped forward to bow in greeting.

Eleventh Young Mistress could not help but look at her carefully.

Her features were quite refined. The Jiang Madam resembled her in seven or eight points — though the corners of her eyes and brows were heavy with a deep, unrelenting melancholy, like someone long worn down by illness, and she looked very tired.

Old Madam Wang took one hand of the First Young Madam and one of Eleventh Young Mistress. “Please, rise!” Even as she spoke, tears were already falling. “Tenth Young Mistress has not eaten or drunk for two or three days — we truly had no recourse, and so sent word. Please help persuade her.”

Both the First Young Madam and Eleventh Young Mistress were stunned.

They had not realized this had been going on for two or three days already.

Both gave hurried nods and went quickly into the inner chamber.

The great red bed-curtains were half-drawn. Tenth Young Mistress lay against a large jade-green bolster pillow, her face ashen, eyes closed — all the radiant brightness of summer flowers was gone from her brow. Only the yellowed hue of autumn leaves remained.

“Tenth Young Mistress.” The First Young Madam’s eyes grew damp at once. She walked quickly to the bedside and sat down, calling softly, “Tenth Young Mistress, it’s me, your elder sister-in-law. I’ve come to see you, with Eleventh Young Mistress.”

Old Madam Wang and a crowd of others pressed around the First Young Madam and Eleventh Young Mistress: “Tenth Young Mistress, your family has come to see you.”

Tenth Young Mistress’s long lashes trembled faintly. Her eyes slowly opened.

“Tenth Young Mistress.” The First Young Madam called to her, moved.

Her gaze rested a moment on the First Young Madam’s face, then came to rest on Eleventh Young Mistress’s.

“Tenth Sister,” Eleventh Young Mistress called softly.

Tenth Young Mistress stared at her blankly, her eyes dull and hollow as ash.

Sensing that something was wrong, Eleventh Young Mistress grew uneasy and called again — “Tenth Sister.”

Tenth Young Mistress continued to stare at Eleventh Young Mistress with that same blank, vacant look, as if she did not know who stood before her.

Everyone held their breath, watching Tenth Young Mistress. The air grew tense.

After a long moment, Tenth Young Mistress slowly closed her eyes — then turned her face to the wall.

It was unmistakably the look of someone who refused to see Eleventh Young Mistress.

The entire room was struck dumb, and every gaze fell upon Eleventh Young Mistress.

For a moment, the room was as silent as still water.

The First Young Madam quickly said, “There’s no need to crowd in here — it gets stuffy. Everyone, please step back.” Her eyes swept the room and landed on Yinping. She directed her, “Take Eleventh Young Mistress to the outer room to sit.”

Yinping came hurrying over to curtsy before Eleventh Young Mistress. Old Madam Wang also sensed what was happening and personally accompanied Eleventh Young Mistress to the outer hall.

Hupo smiled at once. “Madam, the hour is not early anymore, and the Marquis should be leaving the ministry soon — we’d best head back, in case the Marquis worries if we’re late.”

Old Madam Wang quickly said, “Tenth Young Mistress and Eleventh Young Mistress grew up together — and she’s always had a childlike temperament. I’m sure Eleventh Young Mistress understands. Please do not take offense.”

She was apologizing on her daughter-in-law’s behalf, and her smile carried a considerable measure of awkwardness.

Eleventh Young Mistress said with a smile, “Old Madam, please don’t worry. We grew up together — I know her temperament well enough.” Then she said to Hupo, “Since I came together with my elder sister-in-law, I’ll wait for her before leaving.”

Yinping said at once, “Yes, yes — Eleventh Young Mistress has come all this way, she should at least have some tea before going.” Attentively, she served Eleventh Young Mistress tea, as if afraid of giving offence.

Old Madam Wang then asked after the Grand Madam. “…The last time I saw her was over New Year — she must still be as spirited and radiant as ever.”

“Thank you for your kind concern, Old Madam.” Eleventh Young Mistress made pleasant conversation with her, though the old madam glanced toward the inner chamber from time to time, clearly worried that something might happen.

Eleventh Young Mistress remained outwardly unruffled.

After the time it took to drink two cups of tea, the First Young Madam came out from the inner chamber, her eyes reddened.

Old Madam Wang immediately stepped forward to greet her. “First Young Madam, please stay and dine before you go!”

The First Young Madam glanced at Eleventh Young Mistress, whose expression was perfectly composed, and shook her head. “It’s getting late — I’ll come again to see her tomorrow.”

Old Madam Wang did not press them further, and personally saw the two of them out the door.

The First Young Madam gave Eleventh Young Mistress a significant look and announced in a loud voice, “Back to Bowstring Lane.”

It was already dusk by the time they left the Wang household. Eleventh Young Mistress was riding in the Xu family carriage — ordinarily, she and the First Young Madam would exchange a few words before going their separate ways. But to call out so loudly and deliberately like that, and then recalling Old Madam Wang’s unease from moments before, Eleventh Young Mistress immediately said quietly to Hupo, “We’ll follow the First Young Madam’s carriage.” Then she let the accompanying nanny help her up into the carriage.

Hupo discreetly instructed the driver, and the Xu family carriage quietly followed the Luo family carriage out of Stone Lion Lane.

“Madam’s temper is really too gentle,” Hupo said, shutting the carriage door, a touch of indignation in her voice. “What has come over Tenth Young Mistress? Even if she’s upset about something, she can’t take it out on you! Where does that leave your dignity?”

Eleventh Young Mistress smiled faintly. “Did I do anything wrong?”

Hupo startled, then said, “No!”

“There you go, then.” Eleventh Young Mistress smiled. “Since I haven’t done anything wrong, there’s nothing to feel unsettled about, and nothing to be angry over.” And then a faint look of pity surfaced in her eyes. “You don’t understand — Tenth Sister… whether it’s love or hate, there has to be something to hold onto, some reason to keep living…”

The resentment in Tenth Young Mistress’s gaze, the cornered, unyielding look when she had swept all the things off her table in the Lvyun Loft — scene after scene played through Eleventh Young Mistress’s mind like a spinning lantern.

…

The carriage came to a halt at the mouth of West Main Street.

Eleventh Young Mistress was just wondering why, when the nanny accompanying the carriage knocked at the door. “Madam, the First Young Madam has come over.”

She quickly moved aside to open the carriage door. The First Young Madam, braving the cold wind, lifted her skirts and squeezed in.

“Tenth Young Mistress doesn’t look right to me.” She was cold all over. “I asked her everything and she said nothing — when I pressed her, she only answered ‘fine.'”

Eleventh Young Mistress told the First Young Madam about Old Madam Wang’s unease when the two of them were together.

The First Young Madam nodded. “You have a mother-in-law above you and sisters-in-law around you — it isn’t convenient for you to come and go freely. Tomorrow I’ll go see her on my own. If anything happens, I’ll send someone to let you know.” She added, “Lotus Flower Lane is very close from here for you to get back. We’ll part ways here. No need to go back late and have the Marquis worried.”

Eleventh Young Mistress was very grateful for her thoughtfulness. She said a few words of “take care on the road,” and the two of them parted ways at the corner of West Main Street.

When she arrived home, Xu Lingyi had already returned from the ministry, changed his clothes, and was reclining against the large platform bed by the window, reading. He looked up when she came in, gave a mild “you’re back,” and lowered his head to read again.

Eleventh Young Mistress murmured an acknowledgment. Hupo helped her change clothes, wash her face, and re-dress her hair. Then she sat at the edge of the bed and said, “Tenth Sister suffered a miscarriage. I went with my elder sister-in-law to visit her.”

Xu Lingyi nodded. “I’ll personally call on Zichun myself at the appropriate time. As for the Shandong side, let Steward Zhao go instead. The snow has come early this year, and come hard — the roads won’t be easy to travel. He’ll need to set out early.”

Eleventh Young Mistress hadn’t expected that he would go in person to call on Qian Ming — the benefit that would bring to Qian Ming went without saying. She smiled. “Fifth Brother-in-law will be overjoyed to hear it. He’s always loved having family around, lively and bustling.”

Xu Lingyi smiled slightly.

When relatives wanted to make use of his name, so long as they weren’t doing something unlawful, he generally did not refuse.

He set down his book. “It’s getting late. Shall we go see Mother?”

Eleventh Young Mistress said “yes” at once, and called Xia Yi to bring Xu Lingyi’s cloak. She stood on the tips of her toes and personally draped it over his shoulders. She was just about to put on her own cloak when a little maidservant came in to report: “Marquis, Madam, Madam Qiao requests an audience!”

Madam Qiao? Qiao Lianfang’s mother?

Eleventh Young Mistress was rather surprised, and wondered what she had come to say to Xu Lingyi. But seeing that Xu Lingyi’s expression was perfectly calm, with no sign of refusal, she smiled and instructed the maidservant, “Please ask Madam Qiao in.” Then she went to help Xu Lingyi remove his cloak.

Xu Lingyi reached out a hand to stop her, and stood where he was, waiting for Madam Qiao — the very picture of a man already on his way out, conveying that whatever she had to say should be said quickly.

Eleventh Young Mistress stepped back a few paces and took her place behind Xu Lingyi.

—