On the way to the Grand Dowager’s, Eleventh deliberately walked alongside Xu Lingyi while Zhen Jie’er, a little embarrassed, fell behind at some distance.

Eleventh leaned close and said quietly, “With Zhen Jie’er here, you ought to at least give her some consideration. Showing Wen Yiniang such a cold face in front of her — what is she to think?”

Xu Lingyi was silent for a long while. Eleventh was on the verge of saying more when he spoke, his voice low and firm. “I understand.”

Eleventh let the matter go and turned back to walk alongside Zhen Jie’er.

“I have left things at home with Nanny Du,” she said quietly, going over the arrangements with Zhen Jie’er in detail. “If anything comes up, go to her directly. We will be at the mourning rites for five days. Once these five days are over, all will be well.”

Zhen Jie’er nodded. “Mother, do not worry. I will take good care of Zhun Ge at home.”

Eleventh was entirely at ease on that count. She slipped a small sachet into Zhen Jie’er’s hand. “There are ten taels of silver inside — not a great deal, but keep it for urgent needs.”

Zhen Jie’er was startled and quickly tried to refuse. “I do not want it. I have my own money.”

“Take it.” Eleventh smiled. “This is from me. If you truly have no need for it, just keep it as your own private savings.”

Zhen Jie’er thought about it and stopped resisting. She accepted it with a grateful smile, and the two of them walked shoulder to shoulder to the Grand Dowager’s quarters.

Xu Lingyi, walking ahead, could hear the soft murmur of voices behind him, and his mood quietly became very cheerful. When he stepped inside, he saw Fifth Master Xu Lingkuan, fully dressed and composed, looking solemn as he supported Danyang — as though he had suddenly grown up overnight. Xu Lingyi’s mood lifted further still, and a look of approval crossed his eyes. Xu Lingkuan, who had been watching Xu Lingyi all along, saw this, understood that his early rising had not been in vain, and his own spirits rose in turn. Seeing Second Madam come out supporting the Grand Dowager, he quickly helped his wife through the ornamental gate and into the carriage.

Outside, it was just beginning to grow light. The Xu household had already arrived at Sishamen.

The female members of the noble families gathered inside the gate; the civil and military officials stood outside.

Xu Lingyi, along with Third Master and Fifth Master, parted ways with the Grand Dowager, Second Madam, and the others.

The appointed hour had not yet arrived, but more than half of those attending the mourning rites were already there. People clustered in groups of three or five, whispering among themselves.

At the sight of the Xu household, someone immediately came forward to greet them.

Eleventh looked over — it was Lady Huang, leading the Huang family’s womenfolk, with Third Young Madam Huang among them. She and the Grand Dowager quickly stepped forward to exchange greetings.

The two families had long been acquainted.

Everyone exchanged formalities, dabbed at the corners of their eyes and lamented the Fifth Prince’s passing, and soon others came forward to offer their greetings.

In no time at all, the Xu household’s womenfolk were surrounded on all sides. Second Madam remained close by the Grand Dowager; Fifth Madam was hemmed in by a different group; and Third Madam alone was left trailing behind the Grand Dowager with a strained smile on her face.

Third Young Madam Huang drew Eleventh aside and pointed discreetly at a small cluster of people standing not far to their left who had been looking their way. “Do you see them? People from the Jianninghou and Shouchangbo households.”

Eleventh glanced over and spotted Third Young Madam Tang of the Tang family, Yang Shi, standing among them, clearly peering in their direction. The moment Eleventh looked over, she turned away and said something low to the person beside her, as though she had not noticed anything at all.

What had Yang Shi taken against her? Even if it was on account of Xu Lingyi — the Yang family had not agreed to the match in the first place.

While she was still turning this over in her mind, someone called to her in a low voice. “Fourth Madam!”

Eleventh looked over — it was First Young Madam Lin.

She quickly curtsied in greeting. “First Young Madam Lin.”

First Young Madam Lin returned the courtesy and said with a sigh, “I never imagined the Fifth Prince would just be gone like that.”

The official account was a misdiagnosis.

Eleventh replied with small talk, “And so suddenly at that — there was not even a chance to go looking for folk remedies.”

“The Imperial Medical Bureau truly needs to be overhauled,” said First Young Madam Lin, nodding in agreement. Just then, Lady Gan walked over with another woman. Everyone exchanged greetings and introductions, and Eleventh learned that this woman was Lady Gan’s elder brother’s wife — her own sister-in-law by marriage on her natal side — whose husband was the Chief of the Office of Transmission, a full third-rank official of the court.

Eleventh felt a quiet wave of sympathy.

Even with a brother of such standing to her name, Lady Gan still seemed to have a difficult time of it within the Gan family.

No sooner had the group settled together than Lady Zhou and Lady Liang came walking in.

Lady Zhou called out from a distance, “We were just saying we had not seen any of you!”

Eleventh stepped forward to pay her respects to Lady Zhou and Lady Liang. Lady Zhou took Eleventh by the hand and walked with her to see the Grand Dowager.

Second Madam gave a small nod when she saw Lady Zhou. Lady Zhou returned the nod and, in complete contrast to her warmth toward the others, treated Second Madam with cool reserve.

Eleventh thought this rather strange.

Lady Zhou did not conceal it from her. In a low voice she said, “She thinks we are all a flock of hens without a shred of distinction — and I think her legs are too long for a woman of normal proportions. There is no reason to put ourselves through that.”

This was the first time Eleventh had heard anyone so thoroughly refuse to defer to Second Madam. If the setting had been any different, she really might have laughed.

Just then, the Grand Dowager finished speaking with Lady Liang and asked Lady Zhou, “Where is your mother-in-law?”

Lady Zhou answered respectfully, “She is in Kunning Palace, keeping Her Highness the Empress company.”

Her words had barely fallen when an attendant came hurrying over. “Grand Dowager, Her Highness the Empress has issued a decree requesting that you and the Ladies of the Noble Families come to Kunning Palace to speak with her.”

Many eyes in the crowd filled with envy, and the Xu household’s womenfolk became the center of attention.

Eleventh gave an inward sigh.

Any woman, in such a moment, would feel her vanity gratified beyond measure. No wonder people spent so much energy scrambling for power and position.

Second Madam called out to Eleventh quietly, “Go and support the Grand Dowager while you walk at the front.”

Eleventh was the Marchioness of Yongping.

The Grand Dowager gave a slight nod at this and transferred her arm to Eleventh’s keeping as they made their way to Kunning Palace.

Kunning Palace was a sea of white. Maids and attendants, all wearing an outer layer of mourning clothes, stood outside. Eunuch Lei was there to receive them, just as before.

In less than a single night, Her Highness the Empress appeared still more haggard. At the sight of the Xu household’s womenfolk, her eyes turned red at the rims, and she called out “Grand Dowager” — but her gaze immediately fell on Second Madam. “Yizhen, it has been so long.”

Second Madam’s eyes brimmed at once with tears. “Your Highness.”

The two of them faced each other and wept.

Someone beside them offered consolation. “Your Highness, please accept your grief and do not give way to sorrow. If you do, the Grand Dowager will be overcome with sadness as well.”

Eleventh looked in the direction of the voice.

It was a woman about the same age as the Grand Dowager — of average height, plump and pale, with even, pleasant features that gave an impression of comfortable prosperity.

Second Madam immediately curtsied in apology. “Yizhen has been remiss.”

The Empress said quickly, “We have not seen each other in so long!” — as if afraid someone might rebuke Second Madam. It was clear the two shared a bond far deeper than that of a sister-in-law and her husband’s sister…

The Grand Dowager swiftly led the Xu household womenfolk forward to pay their respects to Her Highness. Her Highness invited the Grand Dowager to be seated. After the Grand Dowager expressed her thanks, she led the Xu household womenfolk forward to pay their respects to the Imperial Princess.

The Imperial Princess gave a slight nod in acknowledgement.

A maid brought a padded brocade stool forward. After a brief exchange of polite refusals, the Grand Dowager perched on the edge of it. Second Madam, Third Madam, Eleventh, and Fifth Madam gathered in a row behind the Grand Dowager. Before anyone had opened their mouths to speak, a maid came in to announce, “Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has arrived.”

Her Highness the Empress rose and went to receive her. The Imperial Princess, the Grand Dowager, and the others all followed closely behind.

After a round of bowing and kneeling, everyone took their seats according to rank.

An attendant came to report, “The hour of the mourning rites has come.”

The Grand Dowager had no choice but to lead the Xu household womenfolk in taking their leave.

The Empress looked as though she was about to speak, but the Empress Dowager had already said, “The Grand Dowager is of advancing years, and she is, after all, the Fifth Prince’s maternal grandmother. While ruler and subject must observe their proper distinction, seniority also demands its own order. Grand Dowager, do come and sit with me a while at Cining Palace. The wind and snow outside are fierce — if you were to take ill, it would be no small matter.” As she spoke, she stepped forward and took the Grand Dowager by the hand. “You and I are both getting on in years and cannot endure such ordeals as this.” She was the picture of warmth and familiarity with the Grand Dowager, then turned and instructed the Imperial Princess, “You take Danyang and her sisters-in-law to Sishamen.”

The Imperial Princess answered with a respectful “Yes.”

She had not given the Xu household a single moment to speak with the Empress.

Eleventh shot a quick glance at Second Madam.

She was utterly still, as serene as standing water, with not the slightest trace of anything unusual.

Eleventh could not help but feel a deep, quiet admiration.

No wonder Xu Lingyi had entrusted this matter to Second Madam. That calm and composure alone was enough to command a different kind of regard — for it must be remembered that the Xu family was now walking on hot coals, and the most urgent thing was to make contact with the Empress as soon as possible and persuade her. The longer it was left, the more time those who wished them ill would have to say things in the Empress’s ear. Once that happened, what might unfold was anyone’s guess.

The Grand Dowager kept saying “I would not dare” and tried to decline gracefully.

The Empress Dowager’s expression took on a slight look of displeasure. “Grand Dowager, it seems you are no longer as close to me as you once were.”

With the matter stated in those terms, any further refusal from the Grand Dowager would be throwing the Empress Dowager’s graciousness back in her face.

“Your Majesty is too gracious — I am deeply grateful,” said the Grand Dowager, her manner pliant. “Truth be told, these past two years I have often thought of Your Majesty. It was only that household affairs kept me occupied and I could not get away, and I feared that if I came to your palace with a head full of grievances, I might disturb your peace. That is why my visits to Cining Palace have grown fewer.”

“Oh,” said the Empress Dowager, her eyes shifting. “I was not aware that you had been ill at ease. Then we simply must have a good long talk.” She turned her head and urged the Imperial Princess, “Go ahead now.”

The Imperial Princess dared not delay. She led the Xu household womenfolk out of Kunning Palace and toward Sishamen.

The sound of weeping at Sishamen was thunderous, startling Eleventh considerably. Looking more closely, she saw that every woman there had a handkerchief pressed to her face — and not a single tear was to be seen.

At the sight of Eleventh and the others arriving, they all peered out from behind their concealing handkerchiefs.

Second Madam quickly tugged at Eleventh’s sleeve. “Hurry and weep,” she said — and promptly dropped to her knees in her designated spot, drew out her handkerchief, and began to dab her eyes.

Eleventh had truly not expected it.

She had assumed Second Madam would consider it beneath her dignity. Yet as it turned out, she wept more sorrowfully than anyone — and with such a grace in her anguish that it seemed neither vulgar nor contrived.

Eleventh was beyond words. She hastily knelt and followed suit, pulling out her own handkerchief.

Inwardly, she was worried about Fifth Madam.

She hoped nothing would go wrong with her.

Fortunately, before many cries had been shed, an attendant came with an oral decree from Her Highness the Empress, inviting Fifth Madam to rest in a side hall.

Watching Fifth Madam’s retreating figure, Eleventh felt a wave of relief. Yet from the corner of her eye, she happened to catch a glimpse of Second Madam’s face — and saw on it an expression of clear relief as well.

Eleventh was quietly thoughtful.

…

Everyone wailed through the midday session. Once the time was up, they gradually trailed to a halt, and an attendant led the assembly to a side hall to rest.

The Imperial Princess and other members of the imperial family were led by their own attendants to the rear hall. The others remained in the front hall.

Fifth Madam sat in a grand armchair in the front hall, her complexion slightly pale.

Second Madam hurried over to her. “Danyang, are you all right?”

—