Sweet words, spoken from Shiyiniang’s lips, were measured and composed — so much so that no matter how Xu Lingyi listened, they carried a hint of coolness about them.
He could not help but scrutinize the person before him with care.
A slender, even figure; a head of glossy, lustrous black hair; a snow-white complexion; a pair of eyes that sparkled brilliantly, like stars at the edge of the sky — mysterious and unfathomable, holding within them a complexity no words could quite capture. He simply stood there, transfixed.
This was the woman who had been as soft and yielding as water in his arms last night…
For a moment he was not entirely sure he could be certain of it.
And Shiyiniang, seeing him gaze at her without answering her question, assumed he did not wish to answer and naturally could not press him. She smiled, took the tea from the maidservant’s tray, and offered it to him: “My Lord, please have some hot tea.”
Xu Lingyi gave a quiet sound of acknowledgment, came back to himself, received the teacup, and took a small sip.
By now the little maidservants had already removed the platform bed table used ordinarily, and the coarser serving women had brought in a platform bed table already set with the morning meal.
Everything had been prepared according to Xu Lingyi’s preferences.
Shiyiniang gently moved the small sweet-white porcelain bowl of hot-and-sour soup to Xu Lingyi’s right side, and said with a smile: “My Lord, please eat!”
Xu Lingyi looked at her warm yet slightly formal smile and found himself missing the silvery laughter of the night before.
He lowered his head and drank the hot-and-sour soup. Shiyiniang used her chopsticks to place two mushroom-filled meat buns on the small gold-flecked dish before him.
“Let us change the bed curtain!” he suddenly lifted his head and instructed her. “The floor heating is already burning, and then sleeping in a bed lined with nanmu wood panels, with heavy woolen drapes hanging outside — it feels rather stifling.”
Shiyiniang followed his gaze over and saw the deep crimson silk curtain hanging from the bed.
The household had established specifications for furnishings in each of the four seasons. However, Xu Lingyi was the master of this household and had the final say. Even if someone found it improper, he could make the call with full authority.
Shiyiniang agreed, and consulted him: “My Lord, what sort of curtain would you prefer?”
Xu Lingyi had no particular ideas at the moment. After a brief consideration, he said: “Just hang a fine gauze one.”
Shiyiniang had no strong preference either. After serving him through breakfast, she went immediately to the storeroom and found a moon-white fine cotton gauze curtain, a deep crimson coarse cloth curtain, and a silver-ribbed gauze curtain.
“My Lord, which do you prefer?”
Xu Lingyi looked them over and appeared not entirely satisfied with any of them.
Just then, the three Yiniángs came to pay their morning respects, and seeing this scene, they were all momentarily surprised.
Shiyiniang smiled and explained: “My Lord said the room felt too warm, and asked for the curtain to be changed.”
Qin Yiniang nodded: “My Lord has always been sensitive to heat.”
Wen Yiniang then said: “Shall we have the sewing room make a fine kudzu-cloth curtain? It would look far more elegant than the brocade gauze, coarse cloth, or silver-ribbed gauze.” Shiyiniang had married into the household in the ninth month, and her trousseau contained only the brocade gauze and coarse cloth curtains suited to autumn. Gauze and silk gauze of the kind used for summer curtains were the sort that the Luo Family would send over before the Dragon Boat Festival the following year; she truly had no fine kudzu gauze curtains in her storeroom. Wen Yiniang understood this perfectly well in her heart, and said with a beaming smile: “As it happens, I still have a fine kudzu curtain at my place. If you find it acceptable, I can have Qiuhong bring it over for you to have a look.”
Her own bed hung with Wen Yiniang’s curtain… The thought had no sooner formed in Shiyiniang’s mind than she was about to decline. But before she could open her mouth, Qiao Lianfang — who had been standing quietly to one side — suddenly spoke: “The kudzu from outside is heavy and doesn’t breathe well. How could it compare to the tribute goods from the Imperial Household Department? Since my Lord finds it stifling, why not ask the Imperial Household Department for a few bolts of fine kudzu and have a curtain made?” Pausing for a moment, she turned to Shiyiniang with a smile. “Madam, that fine kudzu is a turmeric yellow color — it would pair perfectly with the black lacquer furnishings in your room. I think a fine kudzu gauze curtain would be just the thing.”
To have her go ask the Imperial Household Department for tribute goods — the nerve of her for thinking of it. She really did treat her like a naive young girl to be managed. But she had no intention of crossing swords with Qiao Lianfang — after all, the difference in their respective statuses made winning such a contest meaningless.
Shiyiniang remained impassive and simply looked at Qiao Yiniang with a faint smile.
Wen Yiniang, whose words had been cut off by Qiao Lianfang, had been standing with a beaming smile. Now, seeing that Shiyiniang had not spoken, she immediately stepped forward with a smile: “Qiao Yiniang certainly has discernment. A crude person like me only knows that fine kudzu is worth more than gold and thought it would be a fitting match for Madam.”
“Whether something is good or not has nothing to do with how expensive it is,” Qiao Lianfang smiled with measured restraint. “What matters is whether it suits.”
Shiyiniang was quietly amused.
The one who had said the room was stifling was Xu Lingyi. The one who wanted the curtain changed was Xu Lingyi. As for what kind of curtain to use, what truly mattered was getting his approval.
She leaned slightly forward and said thoughtfully: “My Lord, what do you think?”
“Then let us have a fine kudzu gauze curtain made,” said Xu Lingyi, his tone light and unhurried. Shiyiniang, however, caught a flash of delight in Qiao Lianfang’s eyes. “I will have Steward Bai take care of this matter.”
Once he had spoken, who would dare object.
Both wife and concubines answered in unison: “Yes.”
Zhen Jie’er came to pay her respects to Xu Lingyi. She had barely finished her bow when Xu Siyu and Zhun Ge arrived one after the other. After their greetings, Xu Lingyi led his wife and children to pay their respects to the Old Marchioness. Shiyiniang, for the first time, invited the three Yiniángs to come and talk together in the early afternoon at the start of the Shen hour: “…today is the Little New Year — let us all gather together.”
The three Yiniángs curtsied in agreement and saw Xu Lingyi, Shiyiniang, and the three children to the door.
Along the way, Shiyiniang explained to Xu Lingyi: “The monthly allowances for our household, along with the New Year money, have all been distributed, and the new New Year outfits for the maidservants and women servants are also finished. The days ahead will be even more hectic, and I thought to take this opportunity to wrap up these few matters.”
Xu Lingyi said without concern: “You make the decisions.”
The whole party arrived at the Old Marchioness’s quarters. The Third Master, the Third Madam, the Fifth Master, the Fifth Madam, Xu Siqin, and Xu Sijian were all present, and everyone was discussing arrangements for the New Year.
After everyone had exchanged greetings, the Fifth Master laughed and welcomed Xu Lingyi to sit beside the Old Marchioness: “Fourth Brother, it is rare for you to be spending the New Year at home this year — why don’t we buy more firecrackers?”
“What do you mean, ‘rare for me to be spending the New Year at home’?” Xu Lingyi’s expression was mild. “Am I not at home for the New Year in other years too?”
Seeing that his elder brother showed no displeasure, the Fifth Master laughed: “It’s not that you weren’t at home in other years. It’s just that you had court duties to rush off to and social engagements to attend, unlike this year, when you’ve been spending more time with everyone.”
Xu Lingyi was moved by what he said.
Come spring, Third Brother would be leaving for his post; after that, he certainly would not be home for the New Year. Days like today, when the whole family was together, would not come often from now on.
“All right!” He laughed. “This matter is in your hands, then.”
The Fifth Master stared at Xu Lingyi in astonishment, having not expected him to agree so readily, and immediately brightened with delight.
Xu Lingyi looked at him and said: “However, since this was your idea, you must be responsible for the firecrackers.”
“Fine by me!” The Fifth Master laughed. “I am best at this sort of thing.”
“Not only the firecrackers,” Xu Lingyi added with a smile, “but also for ensuring everyone in the household is safe. First — no fire must break out from the setting off of firecrackers; second — no one must be injured from the setting off of firecrackers. Can you manage that?”
“Have no worries,” the Fifth Master thumped his chest. “Leave it all to me!” His voice was rather louder than usual.
The Old Marchioness was not quite at ease, however, and promptly urged him to be careful, and told him to check that the large water vats in front of every room were filled, and that people should be stationed to watch carefully in places that were prone to accidents…
“Mother, you need not worry. I am not a child — I know what to do.” Seeing his mother take this attitude, the Fifth Master could not help but feel a little deflated.
The Old Marchioness caught herself at once and smiled: “Mother has grown old and loves to nag.”
The Fifth Master’s spirits lifted again at this, and he pointed to Xu Siqin and Xu Siyu: “Do you two want to come along with me!”
Though both young men were steady in bearing, they were only half-grown boys at heart, and both nodded with evident enthusiasm.
Xu Sijian, seeing the others going, clamored to join as well; Zhun Ge, seeing him want to go, clamored to go too. For a moment, the room rang with cheerful voices and laughter, wonderfully lively.
Xu Siqin laughed at his younger brother: “Little ones shouldn’t meddle in grown-up affairs — you stay home and play with Zhun Ge.”
Xu Sijian was indignant, and called out loudly: “You have to go to your mother-in-law’s household for the New Year — what time will you have to help Fifth Uncle manage the firecrackers?”
These words left everyone in the room with startled expressions. Xu Siqin flushed crimson with embarrassment; Xu Siyu wore an expression hovering between a smile and not quite a smile, and winked at Xu Siqin. Zhen Jie’er lowered her head, looking for all the world as though she had heard nothing. Xu Sijian and Zhun Ge had both sensed the strange shift in atmosphere — one looked utterly bewildered, the other gazed left and right with curiosity, a little slow and endearing, like a goose who had lost its bearings.
The Old Marchioness gave a mild smile and said to Xu Siqin: “Off you go, all of you. It’s not comfortable for you sitting here as if you were on a bed of nails while we talk.” Openly, she was shooing the children out so the adults could speak.
The children escaped as though granted a pardon and made their way to the east side room.
The Old Marchioness then looked at the Third Madam with a smile: “Now, what is this all about?”
The Third Madam’s color went somewhat pale, and she quickly collected herself: “Mother, this was only under discussion. Nothing is confirmed, which is why we said nothing to you.”
The Old Marchioness smiled: “You are the parents — it is only right that you have the final say; I, after all, am only the grandmother. I was simply hearing of it for the first time and wanted to ask. I would also like to be ready with a gift for when I meet the young bride.”
These words sounded light, but on reflection, they carried considerable weight.
The Third Madam looked to the Third Master for help.
“Mother, please don’t listen to the children’s chatter.” The Third Master, seeing this, immediately laughed and stood up. “It is that we noticed that the Xian Jie’er of my wife’s elder brother’s household and Qin Ge are of a similar age — she is good-looking and has a gentle, obliging nature — and we thought to ourselves, ‘How wonderful it would be if our Qin Ge could marry someone like that.’ You also know, Mother, that my wife’s elder brother is the heir apparent, and Xian Jie’er is his eldest legitimate daughter… we were only letting our thoughts run away with us.”
The Third Madam wants Xu Siqin to marry her own niece?
This would be a marriage between a nephew and his maternal first cousin — something modern science categorically prohibits!
Shiyiniang looked at the Old Marchioness with some unease.
The Old Marchioness, however, listened and nodded with a smile: “Xian Jie’er is certainly outstanding — I can see she is a fine child.” The Third Madam’s face immediately lit up with delight, but then the Old Marchioness’s tone shifted entirely: “However, when it comes to the matter of marriage, it all depends on both parties being willing. You must also sound out your elder brother-in-law first — speaking of it so freely like this, others will think you have already made the engagement. And if word of this were to reach the Gan Family’s ears, what would the Gan Family think?”
“We haven’t been going around proclaiming it everywhere…” The Third Madam was still trying to defend herself, but the Third Master had already taken hold of her sleeve and knelt first: “Mother’s instruction is entirely correct. This was our fault. We will be sure to act with more care hereafter.” Seeing her husband kneel, the Third Madam had no choice but to kneel as well.
“Rise,” said the Old Marchioness with a smile. “I was only reminding you. In the end, you will always have your own household to manage — if you continue to be so reckless and hasty, how could I rest easy?”
Hearing the meaning between the Old Marchioness’s words, the Third Master’s spirits brightened; the Third Madam’s face was even more suffused with joy. Xu Lingyi and Shiyiniang, who already understood the situation, sat quietly to one side. The Fifth Master was not one to trouble himself over such things and listened without comment. Only the Fifth Madam, Danyang, raised an eyebrow ever so slightly, with a pensive look.
—