By the time Shiyiniang arrived at the Grand Dowager’s, the Third Madam had long since arrived and was seated with the Grand Dowager on the large kang by the window, speaking: “…The winter plum blossoms — one hundred fifty pots; the kumquat trees — one hundred fifty pots; the winter green shrubs — two hundred pots; the camellia flowers — one hundred pots…”

Hearing the sound of movement, she looked over and saw it was Shiyiniang entering. Smiling, she halted mid-sentence and rose warmly to greet her: “Fourth Sister-in-law is here!”

Shiyiniang smiled and called out “Third Sister-in-law,” paid her respects to the Grand Dowager, then gave a bow to the Third Madam.

The Third Madam said to her in a most cordial tone: “Knowing you enjoy pickled fish cubes, I especially had this dish prepared today.”

“Third Sister-in-law is too kind.” Shiyiniang thanked the Third Madam, then sat down in the grand chair a young maid had brought for her, and chatted pleasantly with them: “Are you discussing the flowering plants for the New Year?”

The Third Madam nodded: “The weather has been poor this year, and everything has gone up in price.” She looked quite put out.

“No matter how costly things become, the New Year still must be celebrated.” The Grand Dowager smiled. “You simply go ahead and procure everything in full!”

The Third Madam smiled and assented.

Shiyiniang then raised the matter of the maids: “…I have found five candidates. When would you have a moment? I will bring them for your inspection.”

The Grand Dowager smiled: “This afternoon, then!”

Shiyiniang passed over the slip of paper with the young maids’ names written on it: “These are their names!”

The Grand Dowager tucked it into the drawer of the small side table behind her.

The Third Madam, having listened, glanced about with a quick shift of her eyes and smiled: “Since you will have a free moment this afternoon, I shall also bring the young maids I have selected for your inspection. Please help keep an eye out for Qin Ge’er.”

The Grand Dowager smiled: “Very well!”

Before the words had settled, the wet nurses arrived bringing Zhen Jie’er and Zhun Ge’er.

The adults put their conversation aside, smiling as they received the children’s greetings.

The Grand Dowager rose smiling: “Whatever business there may be can wait until after we eat!”

The Third Madam smiled and stepped forward to support the Grand Dowager, and the party proceeded to the eastern side room for the meal.

After dinner, the children were led away by their wet nurses for their afternoon rest, and the Grand Dowager kept the Third Madam and Shiyiniang to talk in the western side room.

“The Marquis of Zhongshan’s family is marrying off a daughter in a few days,” she said, smiling warmly at the Third Madam. “You must oversee all the New Year preparations for this entire household, and Danyang is expecting besides.” Her gaze then shifted to Shiyiniang. “Shiyiniang, you come with me.”

Shiyiniang was stunned.

Ever since Xu Lingyi had returned in triumph from the northwest, the Xu household had closed its doors to guests, with all congratulatory and condolence calls on behalf of family and friends handled by the Third Master or the stewards of the household bureau. Yet here was the Grand Dowager, intending not only to attend the Marquis of Zhongshan’s daughter’s wedding, but to bring Shiyiniang along as well.

Something stirred within her. She had the vague sense that this change had a great deal to do with herself — yet she could not find the reason for it.

But the outcome was encouraging, to say the least.

It showed at minimum that the Grand Dowager was willing to give her an opportunity to prove she was capable of fulfilling the role of Marchioness Yongping.

Shiyiniang thought back to what had happened early that very morning.

She had been lying perfectly content in her bedding when Xu Lingyi had suddenly appeared.

She had scrambled out of bed in a flurry to wash and dress, then attended to his breakfast.

He had sent everyone around him away — but then several times seemed on the verge of speaking, only to hold back.

Shiyiniang thought of how he had gone out with the Third Master the previous evening and not returned until past midnight; she also recalled Nanny Tao quietly telling her just earlier that Xu Lingyi had retired to Qiao Lianfang’s quarters, though the lamp in the eastern study had burned on throughout the night. She surmised he had likely unburdened himself to the Third Master in a long heart-to-heart, leaving his thoughts in turmoil, his sleep fitful. Now he had come to her first thing in the morning, wishing to say something — yet not having the habit of it, he found it difficult to begin.

That in a moment of wanting to speak, he had thought of her — this was already a great step forward.

At the time, she had simply broken through the convention of “no talking at rest, no talking at meals,” and with a cheerful smile spoke of various small matters concerning those around her: “…Wan Yizong has three sons. The youngest gives no particular impression. But the eldest and the second are both highly capable men. The eldest in particular is conscientious and reliable in his work. Worried the heavy snow might cause a roof collapse, he took his younger brother out in the middle of the night to sweep the snow off. Had he not done so, I fear it would have been more than just one side room lost over at the Jinyu Lane residence!”

Since Xu Lingyi was evidently planning a large-scale overhaul in the outer courtyard, if she could manage to secure a post for Wan Daxian and Wan Erxian, Dongqing’s future after her marriage would be considerably more comfortable. Pushing openly would certainly not do — the best approach was the subtle, gradual one.

Xu Lingyi, hearing this, visibly relaxed. Though he did not respond, neither did he frown at her or make a pointed remark about her breaching the etiquette of silence at meals.

And now the Grand Dowager was inviting her to accompany her on social calls…

Shiyiniang’s spirits lifted considerably. She assented with a demure smile, and suddenly felt as though everything before her had grown brighter.

The Third Madam, however, found the taste in her mouth had turned faintly bitter.

The Grand Dowager’s standing was exalted, and the Xu household ranked foremost among the great noble families. When considered properly, the Marquis of Zhongshan — regardless of age or seniority — was two generations her junior. If the Grand Dowager attended his daughter’s wedding, it was an honor bestowed upon his family; if she did not, nothing could be said of it either. Yet after the Xu household had kept to themselves for nearly half a year, the Grand Dowager had reversed her customary reserve and personally brought Shiyiniang to attend a celebratory banquet. Was this not a clear sign she intended to guide Shiyiniang personally?

She was not without self-awareness.

Keeping her smile composed and gracious, the Third Madam rose: “When does Mother plan to go with Fourth Sister-in-law? I will have the servants prepare the carriage.”

“We depart at the start of the first quarter of the si hour tomorrow.” The Grand Dowager said with an amused lilt, “Just in time to arrive for the midday meal.”

Shiyiniang, catching the playful note in the Grand Dowager’s voice, joined in the spirit of it and smiled: “Very well then, I will eat less at breakfast.”

Everyone laughed.

The Third Madam rose to take her leave: “I will go and tell Li Quan’s wife to have the carriage readied.”

“Off you go.” The Grand Dowager smiled and nodded, and the Third Madam took her leave and withdrew.

The Grand Dowager pointed to the brocade stool beside her: “Come, sit and talk.”

Shiyiniang settled onto the brocade stool with a smile.

The Grand Dowager drew several large red gold-flecked cards from the drawer of the kang side table beside her.

“The families written here are distinguished and eminent — when calling on them, full ceremonial dress according to rank is required.” The Grand Dowager passed her one card. “For these families, you need only observe proper etiquette.” She passed her another. “For these, we are on intimate terms — a warm and natural manner is best.” She passed her another. “These families — call when you have the leisure; if not, send the household bureau stewards.” She passed her yet another slip… This continued until she had handed Shiyiniang seven or eight cards in all. Some listed only four or five households, yet bore long strings of titles; others listed more than ten households, with nothing but names.

Among them, the Marquis of Zhongshan’s family fell under the “observe proper etiquette” category.

Shiyiniang understood — this was the Xu household’s social circle.

She received the cards with respectful solemnity.

The Grand Dowager smiled: “The household bureau does keep its own register. But if we leave all our dealings in the hands of the bureau stewards, over time those stewards will inevitably grow complacent. It is far better to keep these matters in your own memory. When something arises, mention it offhandedly — let them see that you are no fool. In time, even when you do slip up somewhere, they will not dare to take advantage of you carelessly.”

In other words: know your own business thoroughly, so that those beneath you do not dare to exploit your ignorance.

Knowing the Grand Dowager was guiding her step by step, Shiyiniang suppressed the small flutter of excitement within her and acknowledged the instruction with an earnest expression.

Seeing Shiyiniang set aside her earlier lightness and grow composed, the Grand Dowager knew she had grasped the meaning, and was quite pleased by her quickness. She gave an approving nod: “The Marquis of Zhongshan’s family has the widest social circle among all the great noble households. It is very likely that half the names on those cards will be encountered in a single gathering. How to speak, how to conduct yourself — keep all of it in your mind, so you will have your bearings when the time comes.”

Shiyiniang assented respectfully, saw the Grand Dowager settled to rest, and returned to her own quarters. She did not take her afternoon rest, but sat down immediately with the cards and began committing the names and titles to memory.

Her body was young now, and her memory considerably sharper than before.

By the time Nanny Tao arrived, she had already memorized three or four of the cards.

Nanny Tao, catching sight of the name cards on the kang, wore a somewhat complicated expression: “Is Madam going to accompany the Grand Dowager on social calls?”

Shiyiniang nodded with a smile: “The Marquis of Zhongshan’s family is marrying off a daughter. The Grand Dowager is taking me along.”

“Madam has… won the Grand Dowager’s favor so quickly.” Her smile was a touch strained.

Shiyiniang understood her feelings perfectly well.

For the sake of Zhun Ge, Nanny Tao now had no choice but to give Shiyiniang her full support — but that did not mean she was willing to watch Shiyiniang grow stronger day by day. The moment their shared interests fractured, Nanny Tao might well be the first to step forward and make things difficult for her. This was precisely why she had to take such careful, winding steps around Nanny Tao while cultivating her own footing within the household.

Shiyiniang had neither the inclination nor the time to dwell on Nanny Tao’s sighs. She smiled: “Have all the young maids been brought? Show them in for me to see.”

Nanny Tao resumed her usual warmth and composure, and smiled as she called the young maids in.

Five young maids — the eldest no more than ten years old, the youngest only seven. All wore their hair in double bun loops, and were neatly and cleanly dressed. Wenzhu was slender, her appearance matching her name; Qinxiang had a round, chubby baby face and was quite adorable; Taoliu had delicate features and appeared gentle and quiet. Lianjiao had a timid quality about her brow that stirred one’s tenderness. Taohua bore a strong resemblance to Weizi, and had a somewhat careless, unguarded manner about her.

Shiyiniang gave a quiet inward nod of approval.

These young girls each had their own distinct character — the Grand Dowager was sure to take a liking to at least one of them.

She spoke to them kindly, with a few reassuring words — “don’t be afraid,” “when the Grand Dowager asks you something in a moment, just answer her properly” — and then led them to the Grand Dowager’s quarters together with Nanny Tao.

The Third Madam had arrived before her.

Nanny Gan stood beneath the eaves with five or six young maids in waiting. The girls, the eldest no more than twelve or thirteen, the youngest around ten, were all of presentable appearance. Seeing Shiyiniang’s party approach, Nanny Gan came forward at once with a warm smile: “Fourth Madam, you have arrived!” Her eyes, however, darted busily past Shiyiniang to take stock of those behind her.

Shiyiniang smiled and gave her a nod, left Nanny Tao and the young maids to wait with Nanny Gan, and had a young maid lift the curtain for her as she entered.

The Grand Dowager was in conversation with the Third Madam about the maids: “…I think that one called Fangting is quite good as well. Keep her, just as you intended.”

It appeared the Grand Dowager had already met with those young maids.

To have gone to such trouble — arriving before Shiyiniang to have the maids for Qin Ge’er settled, so that when Shiyiniang was present there would be no room for complication, as there had been in Yuan Niang’s time, when an outsider had been slipped in.

Shiyiniang smiled and went forward to pay her respects to the Grand Dowager.

—