Things had come to this point, words had reached this juncture — was she really more versed in these matters than Xu Lingyi? And moreover, as Xu Lingyi himself had said, with this entire household behind him, the weight upon his shoulders was far greater than hers.

Eleventh Young Miss chose to trust Xu Lingyi.

She nodded and quietly urged him, “My lord, please do take good care of yourself. As you yourself have said, there is this whole family standing behind you.”

Xu Lingyi smiled and nodded, reached out, and patted her on the shoulder. “Go help me pack. I’d like to sit here quietly by myself for a bit.”

Eleventh Young Miss understood — at a critical moment like this, a clear head was what was needed.

She brewed a cup of hot tea for Xu Lingyi, then called in Xia Yi and Chun Mo, and together with them she began to pack his belongings.

Quite an eye-opening experience indeed.

She had not known that even plain white undergarments alone required twenty-four sets to be brought along… Her gaze wandered back and forth between the great pile of clothing in the wardrobe and the ten trunks lined up on the floor. She resolved that visiting relatives in the future would be all well and good, but it would be best not to stay overnight — it was simply too much trouble.

Seeing that the hour was growing late, and thinking that Xu Lingyi would spend the night at Qiao Yiniang’s this evening, Eleventh Young Miss decided to go to the Grand Dowager’s for dinner first and then return to finish the packing. She went quietly and lightly into the inner chamber.

Xu Lingyi was seated cross-legged on the kang, his head turned to gaze out the window at the vast white snow beyond, lost in thought.

Hearing the sound of movement, he turned and smiled at Eleventh Young Miss.

Eleventh Young Miss said quietly, “The hour is getting late — it’s time to go to Mother’s.”

Xu Lingyi nodded, and together they went to the Grand Dowager’s quarters.

On the way they encountered Xu Lingning and his wife.

They exchanged greetings, and the two brothers walked ahead, discussing household matters. The Third Madam and Eleventh Young Miss walked behind, with the Third Madam introducing the various household management matrons. The two groups — one with quick steps, one with slow — gradually drew farther and farther apart. Eleventh Young Miss noticed this and wanted to quicken her pace, but the Third Madam maintained an unhurried speed while still talking to her, so there was no way to go faster. She immediately understood that the Third Madam was deliberately holding her back so that the Third Master could speak privately with Xu Lingyi.

Whatever secret matter it was, it could be nothing other than the handover of household affairs and the Third Branch’s assignment to a post outside the capital.

Eleventh Young Miss smiled and fell into a leisurely pace, strolling with the Third Madam in an easy, unhurried manner into the Grand Dowager’s courtyard.

The children had arrived already, gathered around the Grand Dowager and chatting with her. The Grand Dowager was all smiles, clearly in fine spirits.

Everyone exchanged greetings. They went to the eastern side room for dinner, saw off Xu Siqin and Xu Siyu, then the Third Master, the Third Madam, and Xu Sijian departed too. Eleventh Young Miss used the pretext of seeing Zhen Jie’er and Zhun Ge home to leave some private space between Xu Lingyi and his mother, then made her way to Zhen Jie’er’s room.

Zhen Jie’er lived in the inner chamber behind the eastern room — a small lacquered bed, curtains of crimson gauze, a coverlet of apricot-yellow brocade. Beside it, on a flower stand, a pot of winter plum was in bloom, and a subtle fragrance drifted through the air.

“How beautiful,” said Eleventh Young Miss, her eyes lighting up with admiration.

Zhen Jie’er smiled with her lips pressed together and brewed tea with her own hands for Eleventh Young Miss.

Eleventh Young Miss accepted it. It was Tieguanyin.

She was mildly surprised, reminded of the trouble she had gone to in front of the First Madam.

Because she had felt so stifled, she hoped that Zhen Jie’er could bloom as bright as May sunshine.

She took out the pearl bracelet and held it out to Zhen Jie’er.

Zhen Jie’er’s expression filled with surprise. “For me?”

Eleventh Young Miss nodded and smiled. “Tomorrow, the Hui Jie’er from next door is coming. You help me receive her — and remember to dress up nicely.”

A flash of brightness crossed Zhen Jie’er’s eyes.

It was so brief that Eleventh Young Miss almost thought it was her imagination.

“And Zhun Ge’er?” she asked hesitantly.

“Let him stay with Grandmother and play cat’s cradle.” Eleventh Young Miss smiled and winked at her.

Zhen Jie’er laughed.

Eleventh Young Miss rose to take her leave. “I’ll come over early tomorrow to pay respects to Mother. I’ll see what outfit you’re wearing then.”

Zhen Jie’er saw her to the door with a slightly bashful air.

After walking a few steps, she heard Zhen Jie’er’s maidservant Xiao Li let out a soft little cry of delight.

Eleventh Young Miss smiled to herself and made her way to the Grand Dowager’s quarters.

When Eleventh Young Miss walked in, both mother and son looked over. Yet Xu Lingyi did not pause in his conversation: “…After all, she served Father and you — at the time, just set aside an annual sum to support her. Having walked ninety-nine of the hundred steps, there’s no need to make a scene of it now.”

The Grand Dowager glanced at Eleventh Young Miss, then at her son, who showed no inclination whatsoever to speak in private — and a faint smile passed across her face.

“Mother, what do you think?” Xu Lingyi asked the Grand Dowager.

The Grand Dowager gave a small sound of acknowledgment, looked up with a smile, and said, “Do as you say.” Then she added, “The hour is late. Go back and rest early. You’re leaving for the Western Mountain Secondary Palace tomorrow.”

Xu Lingyi and Eleventh Young Miss paid their respects to the Grand Dowager and withdrew.

On the way, Xu Lingyi took the initiative to say to Eleventh Young Miss, “I only said that the Empress wishes to take a soak in the hot springs at the Western Mountain Secondary Palace before the Laba Festival, with the Third Prince accompanying her and me serving as escort. I said nothing of the rest. Remember not to let anything slip.”

“This concubine understands!” Eleventh Young Miss answered with a smile.

Xu Lingyi came to a halt and looked at her with a smile. “Are you truly not going to invite me in?” His tone carried a thick note of playful teasing.

Eleventh Young Miss was bewildered.

Why had he suddenly taken such a tone with her!

Xu Lingyi watched as her wide eyes, usually so bright and lively, suddenly went vacant, and found it tremendously amusing. He laughed, turned, and walked on ahead.

Eleventh Young Miss quickly followed.

But she felt a quiet flutter of uncertainty in her heart.

What did Xu Lingyi mean by that?

Back in the room, Xu Lingyi washed up in Eleventh Young Miss’s quarters, and then made to leave for the Half-Moon Pavilion.

Had everything not been fine just a day or two ago — what had gone wrong now?

Yet if she asked him to go sleep in the study, and the Grand Dowager were to find out… She bit her lip and said quietly, “Would my lord perhaps stay the night here?”

A gleam of mockery flashed through Xu Lingyi’s eyes. “I’m meeting with a few advisors tonight.”

Eleventh Young Miss froze, then her face flushed bright red from ear to ear. She stood there, wishing the floor would open up and swallow her.

She had misunderstood him again…

And Xu Lingyi, watching her flush crimson in mortification while still straining to maintain her composure, could not hold back a burst of laughter. “I’m entering the palace at the hour of Yin tomorrow morning.”

Bearing himself with perfect posture, he strode away.

Every maidservant in the room lowered her head.

Eleventh Young Miss stared after his retreating figure in utter stupefaction. Only after some time did she call for Hupo: “Go tell Qiao Yiniang not to wait up — my lord has affairs to attend to and will be staying at the Half-Moon Pavilion tonight.”

Hupo acknowledged and went.

In the middle of the night, Eleventh Young Miss was roused by the sound of a zither ringing out.

“What has happened?” she asked Dongqing, half-asleep.

Dongqing had already risen and thrown on a robe. “I’ll go and have a look.”

She came back shortly after: “Qiao Yiniang is playing the zither.”

Eleventh Young Miss let out a helpless sigh and said, “Go tell her it’s very late and everyone needs to sleep — she can play tomorrow.”

Dongqing went to deliver the message. The music did not stop — it only shifted to a different piece. Occasionally a high and piercing note carried over, which made it even harder to fall back asleep — like the person in the upstairs room kicking off one shoe so that it struck the floor with a thunderous crash, and then the second shoe taking an eternity to fall, leaving one waiting in anxious suspense.

Eleventh Young Miss pulled the covers over her head and managed a fitful sleep, then dragged herself up to wash and dress at the hour of Chou. She had just finished getting ready when Xu Lingyi came through the door.

At first glance he looked full of vigor, yet the faint red streaks at the corners of his eyes betrayed his weariness.

“My lord, have you not slept at all tonight?” Eleventh Young Miss asked with some concern, and poured out a cup of sheep’s milk for him.

Xu Lingyi drained it in one go. “I slept two hours.”

A person who had slept two hours wouldn’t have red at the corners of their eyes. Only a person who had been up all night would look that way.

This was not the moment to speak of taking care of his health — it was precisely because he had exhausted himself planning that they might all be safer.

Eleventh Young Miss brought out a bowl of slow-cooked silky chicken soup with cordyceps for Xu Lingyi. “Having some warm broth in the morning will settle the stomach — you’ll feel better for it.”

Xu Lingyi nodded, drank a full bowl of soup, and ate four small steamed buns. Eleventh Young Miss kept him company over half a bowl of porridge, then had someone pack some meat cakes for him to take along.

Qiao Yiniang arrived.

Had she caught wind of something and come to see Xu Lingyi off?

But her information was rather too well-informed.

Eleventh Young Miss showed no reaction, and had a young maidservant show her in.

Nearly a month had passed since she had last seen Qiao Lianfang. She was as graceful and willowy as ever — her thick black hair bound casually into a loose coil, wearing a moon-white skirt and jacket, as clear and lovely as a crescent moon on water.

Catching sight of Xu Lingyi, she showed a startled expression. “My lord is here as well…”

Xu Lingyi smiled and nodded to her with warm and amiable courtesy.

Eleventh Young Miss, observing this, directed a young maidservant to bring a stool for her, and asked, “Have you eaten? Would you like something?”

Qiao Lianfang cast a sidelong glance at Xu Lingyi and said softly, “Not yet… This concubine has come to apologize to Madam.”

A flash of surprise crossed Xu Lingyi’s eyes.

Eleventh Young Miss smiled and had someone bring her a bowl of silky chicken soup, then said, “Is it on account of playing the zither in the middle of the night?”

“Indeed.” Qiao Lianfang shifted uncomfortably and dipped her head slightly. “This concubine had not thought that you would be able to hear it from your side. Your ladyship must not have slept well the entire night. It is entirely this concubine’s fault.”

Eleventh Young Miss smiled lightly. “As you know, even Zhen Jie’er rarely practices her zither anymore, precisely for fear of disturbing others.”

Qiao Lianfang grew even more uneasy at this, her face flushing red as she murmured repeated apologies.

Just as they were speaking, Qin Yiniang and Wen Yiniang arrived.

Xu Lingyi could not help but take out his pocket watch and check the time.

“I was the one who asked Qin Yiniang and Wen Yiniang to come,” Eleventh Young Miss said with a smile. “My lord is going to the Western Mountain for a few days — I thought to let the two concubines come and see you off as well.”

Xu Lingyi inclined his head in approval. “Madam has gone to trouble.”

Eleventh Young Miss smiled. “It is this concubine’s duty.” She glanced sidelong at Qiao Lianfang and saw her expression shift dramatically, as expected.

The two concubines paid their respects to Eleventh Young Miss and Xu Lingyi. Xu Siyu, Zhen Jie’er, and Zhun Ge’er arrived one after another. Once the children had paid their respects, Eleventh Young Miss first accompanied Xu Lingyi to bid farewell to the Grand Dowager, then led all of them to see Xu Lingyi off to the Inner Gatehouse.

Xu Lingyi instructed Xu Siyu: “You are the eldest son. When I am away from home, you must help your mother keep your younger sister and brother in order.”

Xu Siyu gave a respectful bow of acknowledgment.

Xu Lingyi gave Eleventh Young Miss a nod, then, surrounded by pages, strode briskly out through the Inner Gatehouse.

Eleventh Young Miss waited until his figure had disappeared from sight before saying in an even tone: “Qiao Yiniang, stay behind. The rest of you are dismissed.”

Everyone’s gaze lingered a moment on Qiao Lianfang before they gave their farewells to Eleventh Young Miss and dispersed.

Qiao Lianfang’s gaze flickered slightly. “Is there something Madam wishes to instruct me in, that you have asked me to stay?”

“Let us walk and talk.” Eleventh Young Miss smiled. “How has Qiao Yiniang’s health been of late?”

“By Madam’s grace, this concubine has been continuously taking her medicine,” said Qiao Lianfang. “Only my constitution is weak, so it comes and goes — I have caused Madam to worry.”

Eleventh Young Miss inwardly let out a quiet sigh.

Even in conversation with her, Qiao Lianfang spoke with the formal social pleasantries exchanged between a mistress and a distinguished guest.

Being a concubine was not a frightening thing — what was frightening was being a concubine who had still not correctly found her own place in the hierarchy…

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