Seeing Shiyiniang look back at her, the First Mistress twisted her mouth and let out several more strained, stuttering sounds.

Shiyiniang was shaken.

She had not expected the First Mistress’s condition to have deteriorated to such a degree — she could no longer even speak. In that case, what was the point of staging such a grand gathering? Surely a small gathering among those already in the household would have sufficed.

The thought had barely crossed her mind before she stepped forward and curtsied, calling out, “Mother.”

Zhen Jie’er, obedient as always, stepped forward and called out, “Maternal Grandmother.”

But the First Mistress did not spare Zhen Jie’er a single glance — she kept her eyes fixed solely on Shiyiniang.

Nanny Xu, who stood nearby attending her, quickly said, “Eleventh Young Mistress, the First Mistress has something she wishes to say to you.”

Shiyiniang stepped closer.

The First Mistress stared at her, her face flushing deep red. After a long moment, she managed to force out a few slurred, unintelligible syllables. Unable to make them out, Shiyiniang looked to Nanny Xu.

Nanny Xu explained, “The First Mistress is asking about the Marquis’s resignation.”

She is worried about Zhun Ge’er, no doubt.

Shiyiniang softened her voice. “Mother, please set your mind at ease. The Marquis has a condition affecting his feet. With the cold weather this year and the early morning court appearances every day, it has been truly taxing — that is why he has put forward the request to resign. It is not for any other reason. The Emperor has also repeatedly asked him to reconsider.”

As the First Mistress listened, the sharpness in her gaze gradually softened. Shiyiniang was about to breathe a sigh of relief when the look returned, and the First Mistress uttered another incomprehensible sound.

Shiyiniang had no choice but to look to Nanny Xu again.

Nanny Xu leaned her ear close to the First Mistress’s mouth.

The First Mistress made two more sounds.

Nanny Xu nodded, then turned to Shiyiniang with a smile. “The First Mistress says, please tell the Marquis not to act on impulse. Zhun Ge’er is still so young.”

Shiyiniang nodded, but felt it was not the right moment to press the topic further — the room was full of people, and who knew how the words might change in the retelling. She smiled and redirected the conversation. “The Dowager Lady knew I was coming to visit Mother and specially asked me to bring two stalks of ginseng to help restore your strength. The Marquis also had people prepare some gastrodia root, notoginseng, angelica root, and other medicinal herbs for me to bring along. Everyone is hoping for your swift recovery.”

The First Mistress gave a slight nod.

Fourth Elder Sister, seeing that the two of them had finished speaking, smiled and stepped forward to pay her respects and offer her greetings. “The last time, Seventh Brother-in-law went all the way to Shandong specially to bring you some donkey-hide gelatin. How have you found it? Shall we have him send more?”

The First Mistress managed to force out a stiff smile.

Nanny Xu spoke on her behalf. “Please trouble Fourth Young Mistress to pass along a message to Seventh Young Master. Our First Mistress thanks him. The gelatin is excellent — the last batch has not yet been used up. If Seventh Young Master and Seventh Young Mistress have time to come to Yanjing, please do come and visit.”

“I shall certainly pass it on.” Fourth Elder Sister smiled and exchanged a few more pleasantries with the First Mistress.

Then Sixth Yiniang smiled and drew forward a young woman dressed in a red embroidered full-sleeved jacket. “The two young mistresses have not yet been introduced, have they? This is our newly-wed Fourth Mistress.”

Shiyiniang and Fourth Elder Sister turned to look at the woman.

She appeared to be around twenty years old but seemed three or four years older than that. Of medium build, her complexion was neither fair nor dark, her face was oblong, her brows arching delicately to her temples, and her eyes were remarkably clear and bright — she gave the impression of both vibrancy and steadiness. Her hair was dressed in a peony bun, adorned with a pearl headband and two apricot-yellow silk flowers set at an angle.

Upon being introduced by Sixth Yiniang, she stepped forward and curtsied to the two of them with complete ease and composure. “I am Zhou Shi. I pay my respects to both young mistresses.”

Shiyiniang and Fourth Elder Sister quickly returned the curtsy. Fourth Elder Sister smiled and said several polite things along the lines of “Fourth Brother is most fortunate to have taken such a capable wife,” and offered a pair of solid gold earrings. Shiyiniang first presented the Dowager Lady’s gift of southern pearl ornaments, then gave her own prepared gift — a pair of solid gold enamel bangles.

Zhou Shi showed neither delight at the Dowager Lady’s southern pearl ornaments nor displeasure at Fourth Elder Sister’s gold earrings. She accepted everything with quiet composure, thanked both of them with a smile, and offered two pairs of shoes in return.

Shiyiniang could not help but regard her in a new light.

It seemed the First Mistress had indeed found a good match for Fourth Brother.

She introduced Zhen Jie’er to the Fourth Mistress.

The Fourth Mistress gave Zhen Jie’er a silk handkerchief as a gift. “Embroidered by hand — take it for everyday use, young lady.”

Zhen Jie’er thanked her. Shiyiniang then introduced Third Yiniang and Fifth Yiniang to the Fourth Mistress.

The two Yininangs smiled and inclined their heads slightly. Third Yiniang gave Zhen Jie’er a silver-washed pearl-inlaid hairpin as a gift, while Fifth Yiniang offered a vivid green jade pendant.

Knowing that Fifth Yiniang was Shiyiniang’s birth mother, Zhen Jie’er could not help but look at her a moment longer, then glanced back at Shiyiniang. Seeing that the two women bore a resemblance of seven or eight parts, she let her curiosity show in her expression.

A young maid came in to announce, “Third Young Master and Third Mistress have arrived.”

After all, he was Fourth Elder Sister’s own younger brother by the same mother. She smiled and went to meet them. “What took you so long?”

Third Mistress smiled and glanced at Third Brother. “Just as we were about to leave, he said he hadn’t had hot-and-sour soup in a long time and sent someone to make him a bowl.”

Third Brother had lived in Yanjing long enough that his habits had become those of a Yanjing native.

Fourth Elder Sister laughed. “Still behaving like a child.”

Third Brother gave an embarrassed grin, then, finding himself surrounded by female guests, fixed his gaze straight ahead and retreated — he paid his respects to the First Mistress and promptly slipped out to join Luo Zhensheng. Third Mistress exchanged greetings with Shiyiniang, and Shiyiniang brought Zhen Jie’er forward to pay respects to Third Maternal Aunt. Third Mistress had not expected to encounter Zhen Jie’er and, on the spot, removed the ruby ornament from her hair and gave it as a gift. Sixth Yiniang then led the Fourth Mistress to pay her respects to Third Mistress. Third Mistress gave the Fourth Mistress a pair of solid gold willow-leaf earrings she had prepared in advance; the Fourth Mistress returned the gesture with two pairs of shoes.

The First Mistress then invited everyone to be seated and have tea.

Qian Ming and Fifth Elder Sister arrived.

Upon hearing the announcement, the First Mistress’s face lit with genuine pleasure.

It was clear she truly adored Qian Ming.

Qian Ming paid his respects to the First Mistress and bent down to speak with her. “…Your color is much better than it was yesterday. Illness comes on swift as a mountain’s collapse and departs slow as pulling silk. Please do not be anxious. With First Maternal Uncle and First Aunt managing affairs at home, you need only focus on getting well — that is the greatest blessing you can give all of us as your children.” His smile was bright and warm, his manner gentle and easy — he put people at ease simply by being near. The smile in the First Mistress’s eyes deepened further.

After a few words, Qian Ming rose to his feet. “I will go and look in on Elder Brother. I shall come back to keep you company shortly.”

The First Mistress nodded repeatedly, letting out two sounds.

Nanny Xu quickly relayed, “The First Mistress says, please tell the young masters not to drink too much wine.”

The warmth and affection between them needed no words.

Qian Ming quickly promised, “We won’t, we won’t. With Elder Maternal Uncle present, we would never be so reckless.”

The First Mistress smiled and nodded. Qian Ming lowered his gaze and made a brief bow to everyone in the room, then strode off to find Luo Zhensheng, leaving behind Fifth Elder Sister, heavy with child.

Third Yiniang quickly moved a high-backed chair over for her.

Fifth Elder Sister sank into it with one hand pressed to her lower back. Her attendant was Ziyuan.

“Where is Ziwei?” Third Yiniang asked with a smile.

“Oh.” Fifth Elder Sister replied carelessly, “The Hanlin Academy scholar Han had no one to look after him, and I could see that Ziwei was getting on in years, so I sent her to Scholar Han as a secondary wife.”

Shiyiniang was astonished. Looking around at the others in the room, she could see from their expressions that this was the first any of them had heard of it.

She could not help but glance at Ziyuan — she stood with her eyes cast down, her expression somewhat vacant.

Shiyiniang felt a heaviness settle in her heart.

Ziwei had served Fifth Elder Sister since childhood, had been sent along as her personal attendant when she married — and had simply been given away like this to become someone’s secondary wife.

But this was Fifth Elder Sister’s domestic matter. Even if Shiyiniang had opinions, it was not her place to say anything.

Perhaps everyone in the room felt the same way. For a moment, the atmosphere became strangely stilted.

The First Mistress looked on with amusement and stepped in to smooth things over. “Oh, and how is it that Tenth Brother-in-law and Tenth Elder Sister have not yet arrived?”

Sixth Yiniang immediately played along. “Yes indeed, why haven’t they come yet? Let me go and have a look.” And with a smile, she slipped out toward the inner gate.

That little diversion eased the tension in the room considerably.

Fourth Elder Sister then took the Fourth Mistress Zhou Shi by the hand. “This is our Fifth Young Mistress — do come and meet her.”

Zhou Shi curtsied respectfully to Fifth Elder Sister, but Fifth Elder Sister’s expression was cool. She offered a pair of solid gold cloisonné bangles as a gift; Zhou Shi returned the gesture as before with two pairs of shoes. Fifth Elder Sister gave a brief smile, and Ziyuan stepped forward to take them. Fifth Elder Sister then turned her head toward Shiyiniang. “…When did you arrive?” She then smiled and called out to Zhen Jie’er, “What a rare guest — Zhen Jie’er is here.”

Zhen Jie’er stepped forward to pay her respects to Fifth Elder Sister.

But Shiyiniang’s brow furrowed slightly.

To speak plainly, Fifth Elder Sister and Fourth Brother were born of the same mother. Fourth Brother, as a son born of a concubine, had not had an easy life in the Luo household — which made it all the more fitting for her to treat his new wife with warmth, to show the couple some face. Instead, she was putting on a show of quashing the Fourth Mistress’s standing. And she was only a sister-in-law, at that — if she were a mother-in-law, one shuddered to think what schemes she might employ.

While Shiyiniang was still pondering this, Sixth Yiniang walked back in with a smile. “First Mistress, the Maoguo Duke household sent someone to say that Tenth Brother-in-law has duty today and cannot come. Tenth Young Mistress is feeling slightly unwell and will not be coming either.”

The atmosphere cooled.

Shiyiniang glanced sidelong at the First Mistress — her eyes were full of contempt.

The First Mistress caught the look and covered her mouth with her sleeve. “That Tenth Sister — if Tenth Brother-in-law isn’t coming, she isn’t coming either. When her nephew is born in due time, I shall be a most unaccommodating maternal aunt and make them send three invitations before I deign to visit.”

“And yet you will still go in the end!” Fourth Elder Sister teased.

Everyone laughed.

Fourth Elder Sister then turned to Fourth Mistress. “Don’t laugh. We sisters-in-law are in the habit of teasing each other — we’ve never stood much on ceremony.”

Fourth Mistress smiled and said, “What do you mean, Fourth Young Mistress? Seeing everyone so warm and close, I can only envy it. There is nothing to tease me about.”

Her words were perfectly chosen.

Fourth Elder Sister turned to First Mistress with a mock warning. “You see? Another capable one. You had best watch yourself, or Sister-in-law will find reason to laugh at you.”

First Mistress was entirely unruffled. “Two fists are no match for four hands. I welcome anyone willing to help me.”

Everyone laughed and chatted, and the atmosphere grew light and easy.

But Shiyiniang noticed a shadow pass through the First Mistress’s eyes. Combined with what she had observed upon arriving, she had the feeling there was something more to this…

Before she could find the right moment to ask the First Mistress, a young manservant came in to announce, “Eleventh Young Mistress, the First Master requests your presence in the study.”

Shiyiniang was taken aback. She had Hupo stay with Zhen Jie’er, said a word to Zhen Jie’er, and then followed the manservant to the study.

In the study, beside the First Master, sat First Brother Luo Zhensheng.

Both men wore grave expressions — the atmosphere had the feel of a formal inquisition.

For them to be this solemn about something, it could only be a matter concerning Xu Lingyi.

She curtsied. The First Master pointed to a small stool near the door and asked her to be seated.

“Why did the Marquis not come? I arranged this gathering precisely to see him.”

Shiyiniang was genuinely surprised.

She had assumed the gathering was to introduce the Fourth Mistress Zhou Shi to everyone.

“The Marquis has a condition affecting his feet…” She fell back on the familiar explanation.

“Is the foot condition genuine?” The First Master’s face was full of skepticism. Then his brow furrowed deeply. “In his day, the Marquis’s silver spear — though one would not dare say it swept through all one hundred and eighty thousand Imperial Guards — was rarely met with a match. How could a mere foot condition be reason enough to resign his post?”

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