Once inside the carriage, Xu Lingyi asked Shiyiniang, “Are you alright?” His tone was mild, as though he were unaccustomed to asking such things, and so he did his best to dilute the concern hidden beneath his words.

“I am fine, my lord.” Shiyiniang touched her knees. “I was wearing knee pads!” The ones Wen Yiniang had sent, she had given to the Grand Dowager, and these were the Grand Dowager’s — since they were not as fine as the fur ones from Wen Yiniang, Shiyiniang had insisted on swapping hers with the Grand Dowager’s.

Xu Lingyi nodded. “Being careful is always best — in such cold weather, kneeling on the ground for too long will cause rheumatism. When the weather changes, it will ache, and there will be no cure for it.”

“Thank you for your concern, my lord.” Shiyiniang thanked him, and with a spirit of reciprocity, attentively asked in return, “And how is my lord faring?”

“Fine!” Xu Lingyi’s reply was brief, but his expression visibly softened compared to moments before. “Yanjing is cold, but still falls somewhat short of the northwest.”

“Is that so?” Shiyiniang’s eyes were full of curiosity. “How cold is the northwest?”

“You would need an extra fur coat just to keep warm.”

The two chatted idly for a while. Seeing the atmosphere was pleasant, Shiyiniang told him about what had happened on her end: “…Her Majesty the Empress Dowager took Mother away, and also had the Princess Imperial accompany us to the mourning vigil together. We had no choice but to go to Sishan Gate. Since Her Majesty the Empress Dowager was already aware, the people of the Yang Family must also know the inside story. Second Sister-in-law asked me to find a way to hold the Yang Family off…”

Xu Lingyi was mildly taken aback. “She asked you to hold the Yang Family off?”

“Yes!” Shiyiniang said. “Second Sister-in-law must have considered that since I am young, even if I quarreled with the Yang Family, others would simply dismiss it as my being ignorant. And with my lord ahead of me, even if Her Majesty the Empress Dowager were to find out, it would be difficult to deal with me too harshly — otherwise, they would surely be left with the impression of being unreasonably aggressive. But I have never quarreled with anyone my entire life, so I could not help but feel timid. So I suggested that Second Sister-in-law simply pretend to feel unwell instead…” She recounted the entire matter from beginning to end. “Fifth Sister-in-law was extremely quick-witted and immediately feigned a stomachache, having Madam Zhou and Second Sister-in-law escort her into the inner palace, which allowed Second Sister-in-law to successfully see Her Majesty the Empress.”

Xu Lingyi listened attentively, nodding continuously. At last he said, “Fifth Sister-in-law is most familiar with the palace — she would have been best suited for this task. Yet she is too young, and in front of Her Majesty the Empress, her standing would inevitably be slight, and they would likely have little common ground. Unlike Second Sister-in-law, who is of similar age to Her Majesty the Empress, and the two were already close friends before His Majesty ascended the throne. Moreover, one has suffered the grief of losing a husband, and the other the sorrow of losing a son — so their words would resonate with each other.” As he spoke, a contemplative look crossed his face. “Seen this way, the Empress Dowager is not only guarding against the Grand Dowager, but also against Second Sister-in-law… It seems she has been paying close attention to the affairs of our family for some time now… The matter of my having traced a connection between her and the death of the Fifth Prince — she has likely come to understand some of it herself. What follows next will surely be efforts to strike against Her Majesty the Empress…”

But Shiyiniang’s thoughts had turned to something else.

The late Emperor’s Empress Wu had also been his first wife. In the end, because the Crown Prince had used a straw effigy in the palace to curse the late Emperor, she was deposed. Unwilling to suffer such humiliation, Empress Wu had taken her own life by hanging.

“Should we not warn Her Majesty the Empress…” she hesitated, “…to keep a close watch on those around her, lest someone bring something unclean into the palace…”

Xu Lingyi immediately understood her meaning and said, “Her Majesty the Empress has never had dealings with monks or nuns, and none among those around her practice such things. Nevertheless, in extraordinary times, it is always better to be cautious.”

It was, in effect, an indirect acceptance of Shiyiniang’s suggestion.

Shiyiniang rested her elbow on her knee and sank into thought.

Xu Lingyi watched her with some curiosity. “What is it?”

Shiyiniang said, “I am trying to think of what else might be used to shake the foundations of Her Majesty the Empress’s position…”

“How much could you possibly think of on your own!” Xu Lingyi’s lips curved slightly upward. “I will discuss it with my advisors.”

Shiyiniang nodded, conceding that Xu Lingyi was right. “I was just letting my thoughts wander.” As she spoke, she smiled faintly.

Xu Lingyi saw her tilting her head, gazing at him sideways, a trace of languid serenity between her brows, and felt his own heart settle along with hers. He remarked casually, “I had not realized you were fond of reading history books.”

“I only read a few things in those popular story illustrations.” There were things that were secrets of the heart — Shiyiniang had not prepared to share them with anyone. “I do not understand them very well, either.”

Popular story illustrations?

Xu Lingyi did not believe that for a moment. Yet he had an indistinct feeling that she always made every effort to downplay herself, to conceal herself, like someone standing behind a mountain range, allowing you to see only a hazy, indistinct outline…

All at once, he very much wanted to part the thick mist and see clearly what manner of person truly stood before him.

…

Meanwhile, on the other side, Second Sister-in-law was also speaking with the Grand Dowager about the matter: “…Fourth Brother’s wife is young — even if she came into conflict with the Yang Family, a single remark that she ‘doesn’t know any better’ would render the Yang Family helpless. And I am the widowed sister-in-law of my lord, with a reputation for haughtiness well known outside these walls. Even if the Empress Dowager were to discover it, a single phrase from my lord — ‘she has always had an ungovernable temperament’ — would be enough to wash our hands of the whole affair entirely…”

The Grand Dowager listened and cried out in alarm, “How could that possibly do!”

“What could possibly not do?” Second Sister-in-law smiled. “When the nest is overturned, can any egg remain unbroken?”

“Even so, it should not come to that!” The Grand Dowager shook her head. Second Sister-in-law said, “To my surprise, Fourth Sister-in-law came up with a splendid idea instead…” She then recounted the entire matter, and added, “Fifth Sister-in-law also has an exceptionally nimble mind — she grasped the idea at once and immediately feigned feeling unwell, drawing Her Majesty the Empress over, and so allowed Second Sister-in-law to see her!”

“A single tree does not make a forest.” The Grand Dowager listened and sighed with feeling. “That you are all able to act in this way is a blessing for our Xu Family.”

But Second Sister-in-law linked her arm through the Grand Dowager’s. “Mother, it is I who was blessed — to have come to the Xu Family, to have married Second Brother, and to be your daughter-in-law. That is true fortune.”

Her tone was so sincere it made the Grand Dowager’s heart ache, and she could not help but gently patting Second Sister-in-law’s hand. “That is the bond between us!”

Sensing the Grand Dowager’s sadness, Second Sister-in-law quickly changed the subject and told the Grand Dowager about Shiyiniang’s performance that day: “…Quick-witted and perceptive, knowing when to yield and when to act. If you take her under your guidance for a year or two, managing the household accounts should pose no great difficulty for her.”

“You think so too!” The Grand Dowager’s attention was indeed drawn elsewhere, and a trace of a smile appeared on her face. “I too feel that she conducts herself very reliably.”

Indeed, very reliably.

She yielded when yielding was called for, and fought back when fighting back was called for.

And the Marquis Yongping household, having arrived at its present circumstances, needed precisely this kind of person — one who knew which way the wind blew.

Second Sister-in-law nodded and said tactfully, “The family today is different from before. In the past, what was needed was the capacity to endure humiliation, to be resolute and courageous. Now, what is needed is versatility and dexterity in handling all sides. Otherwise, a temperament too stubborn might not sit well with my lord!”

The Grand Dowager heard this and broke into a delighted smile. “Exactly as you say. That is why when they mentioned she was of concubine birth, I thought — well, perhaps that is for the best. Fourth Brother has always had a stubborn streak. If he were matched with someone equally unyielding, I feared they would live separate lives just as before.”

Second Sister-in-law looked at the Grand Dowager and simply smiled.

But the Grand Dowager could not help herself. “And he stayed in her room for a full fifteen days…”

Second Sister-in-law raised her sleeve to cover her smile.

The Grand Dowager felt a little embarrassed, and said with a somewhat sheepish air, “I was just worried, that is all.” Then, as though gilding the lily, she added, “I like the house to be lively and full of life.”

Meaning — the more children in the house, the better!

Second Sister-in-law could not fail to hear the implication in the Grand Dowager’s words, and her eyes dimmed briefly before she quickly composed herself again. Thinking of the help Fifth Sister-in-law had rendered that day, she turned to ask after her situation. “That Xiaolan in Fifth Brother’s household…”

The Grand Dowager’s brows furrowed slightly as she listened. “My intention was to have her sent to the ancestral home and left to fend for herself. But Danyang ended up keeping her.” With a soft sigh, she said, “If blame is to be laid anywhere, it can only be on Fifth Brother for being so lacking in self-discipline and unable to control himself. And he infuriated Fourth Brother quite badly too. At the time, Fourth Brother wanted to kick him. You know the force that Fourth Brother has. I was genuinely afraid he would actually do it. Fortunately Danyang is a sensible girl — she stepped forward and held Fourth Brother back.”

Second Sister-in-law listened and pondered for a moment. “Mother, in my view, you ought to get a better sense of what Danyang truly intends. She is not one of those women who only knows how to eat, drink, and enjoy herself. If she truly can rein Fifth Brother in, that would be no bad thing at all. When it comes down to it, the fault lies with me — I have been so preoccupied with worldly affairs that I have paid too little attention to him…”

“How can any of this be your fault?” The Grand Dowager shook her head, cutting Second Sister-in-law off. “By rights, he should have moved to the outer courtyard when he was ten years old. It was I who kept him until he was thirteen. He entered the Imperial Guards carrying the title of National Uncle, and without a single day of actual military service, he was promoted straight to battalion commander. With Fourth Brother away from home, Third Brother, though the elder, hardly dared to manage him. And those of us here have no reach over that world either. It would be strange if he hadn’t ended up in trouble. When I think about it, you and I have arrived at the same conclusion. Fourth Brother is the pillar of the family, and Fifth Brother will sooner or later have to establish his own household. If Danyang can keep him in line, and as long as they are both willing, I will turn a blind eye and let them do as they like.”

“One who is not foolish or hard of hearing cannot play the role of mother-in-law.” Second Sister-in-law said, “That is a saying straight from the books.”

The Grand Dowager let out a long, drawn-out sigh upon hearing this. “Sometimes when I think about it that way, I feel sorry that the boy has no sense, and I find myself pampering him a little too much…”

…

The Hehua Li district was right beside the imperial palace, and before long, as they spoke, they had arrived.

Everyone gathered around the Grand Dowager and went to her quarters.

After a whole day in the palace, they had only managed to eat a simple vegetarian meal of broth and rice — and by the time it was served, it had long gone cold.

Nanny Du was experienced in such matters. Not only had she arranged for Xu Siqin and the others to retire to bed early, but once the maids had brought hot water for everyone to wash their hands and faces, hot dishes and hot rice were promptly brought out. She had also prepared specially for Fifth Sister-in-law a restorative meal of soybeans and pork trotter soup, and for Second Sister-in-law a nourishing soup of Chinese angelica, wolfberries, red dates, and pork ribs.

Not a single person was displeased.

After their hearty meal, the Grand Dowager kept Xu Lingyi back to speak with him. Since Second Sister-in-law was staying the night at the Grand Dowager’s quarters, and Shiyiniang needed to attend on Xu Lingyi before he departed, she naturally remained behind as well.

Just as on the previous evening, Nanny Du promptly led the serving attendants out of the room, and Shiyiniang personally went to brew fresh hot tea and bring it out.

This time, Second Sister-in-law waited until Shiyiniang had taken her seat before she spoke.

“Her Majesty the Empress is stronger than we imagined, and more perceptive about the world than we expected. The moment she heard that Danyang was unwell, she came at once. While the imperial physician was diagnosing Danyang from behind the screen, she had an attendant summon me for questioning.”

Xu Lingyi listened and paused slightly.

But the Grand Dowager’s expression remained unreadable. “What did she ask?”

Second Sister-in-law paused for a moment, then said, “She asked what the Xu Family’s intentions were. And she asked what she should do.”

—