Eleventh Young Miss was stunned.

She had not expected Xu Lingyi to tell her all this.

She thought back to his cold, austere manner the first time they had met, and compared it to the way he sat there now — face slightly flushed, murmuring haltingly — and could not help but smile inwardly.

Seeing his wife smile so warmly, Xu Lingyi felt somewhat unable to keep his composure, and said with a trace of irritation: “I am telling the truth. Afterward I also asked Qiao Yiniang why she had cried out. She said she had suddenly discovered someone behind the screen… It was entirely a misunderstanding.”

Eleventh Young Miss had watched every shift in his expression clearly, and inwardly knew she had mistepped. She quickly said: “What manner of man is my Lord? He has pacified the southern savages, campaigned in the northwest — a true and upright man. What need would there be to lie to a woman!”

There was an art to this flattery.

Xu Lingyi was perfectly aware of it, yet could not help feeling pleased nonetheless. Thinking further of how he had brought a child back without a word of explanation, and how Eleventh Young Miss had never once doubted him, he suddenly felt a deep and settled sense of reassurance. And so without any further restraint, he said: “To look at it clearly, this affair is Fifth Young Master’s fault. But if one is being honest, the fault is mine.” His voice took on a note of dejection. “In those years when I was away on campaign, I paid little mind to household matters. By the time I returned, he had already become a wastrel who thought of nothing but pleasure and indulgence… Seeing that, I felt nothing but displeasure, and naturally had no kind words for him. He was afraid of me, and would find reasons to avoid me whenever he could. When something went wrong, never mind consulting me — his first thought was how to hide it from me…” He leaned back against the large bolster pillow and exhaled a long, slow breath, his gaze drifting somewhat blankly to the ceiling above. “Come to think of it, I was no model of propriety when I was young, either. But Second Elder Brother treated me then with always gentle words and patient counsel. When we brothers had troubles, Second Elder Brother spared no effort… And how have I treated Fifth Young Master? Nothing but beatings and scoldings. No wonder he never comes to me when things go wrong. No wonder he has come to this. When all is said and done, I… I fall far short of Second Elder Brother.” His voice trailed off at the last into boundless wistfulness.

When a man who has passed sets the standard, those still living find it difficult to surpass him.

Eleventh Young Miss looked at Xu Lingyi with something close to sympathy.

“It is not too late to begin changing now,” she said, her voice softer than she herself had expected. “Besides, Fifth Young Master is only nineteen this year. You will have plenty of time at home from now on.”

Xu Lingyi gazed steadily at Eleventh Young Miss.

Her bearing was tranquil, her smile serene. The look she turned on him was sincere, and carried in it a measure of quiet acceptance.

His troubled thoughts settled all at once into a deep and peaceful calm.

“Let us hope this lesson makes him more sensible,” Xu Lingyi said with a long sigh.

Eleventh Young Miss recalled something: “Have they found out who it was that intended to buy the child?”

Xu Lingyi shook his head: “No news as yet.”

As the two were speaking, a young manservant came in to announce: “My Lord, the First Young Master from Gongxian Lane has arrived!”

Xu Lingyi’s expression sharpened. He instructed the manservant: “Please invite First Young Master in!” Then he rose from the kang.

Eleventh Young Miss personally held the curtain back as she saw him out, then called Hupo over: “Go to Half-Moon Pond and have a look. Children don’t know any better — if you give him food and drink, he’ll warm up to you. Take some pastries with you and have Dongqing coax Fengqing into eating something. The Marquis has said the child will be sent away in a couple of days. Tell her to bear with it these two days.”

Hupo assented and withdrew.

A young maidservant came in: “My Lady, the Marquis is asking you to come to the front hall.”

Eleventh Young Miss went to the dressing table to tidy her hair and straighten her collar, then made her way to the front hall.

Xu Lingyi and Luo Zhensheng sat opposite each other on either side of a black-lacquered square table, on top of which were stacked several paper boxes for gifts, each bearing a red character for good fortune. Seeing Eleventh Young Miss enter, Luo Zhensheng rose and called out “Eleventh Sister.”

Eleventh Young Miss stepped forward at once and greeted him.

Xu Lingyi gestured toward the master’s chair at his lower side: “There is no one else here. Please, everyone sit.”

Eleventh Young Miss respectfully assented and sat down. A young maidservant served tea, then withdrew on silent feet.

Only then did Xu Lingyi speak: “Zhensheng has come this time on behalf of Young Master Zhu, to deliver New Year gifts.”

Young Master Zhu delivering New Year gifts… Was it Zhu Anping?

The thought had barely flickered when Luo Zhensheng was already smiling: “It is Seventh Sister’s husband. He specifically sent people to deliver New Year gifts to each household. The road turned out to be more difficult than anticipated, so there were delays. They only arrived this noon. I kept him for a meal before accompanying him over.”

“Seventh Brother-in-law is truly too courteous!” Eleventh Young Miss felt a little awkward.

Both she and Fifth Miss, as daughters newly married in their first year, had only sent gifts to their elders — they had sent nothing to those of the same generation.

She glanced over at Xu Lingyi.

He immediately gave her a small nod, indicating he had already made preparations on her behalf.

Eleventh Young Miss relaxed.

Luo Zhensheng continued: “Seventh Sister specifically set aside several items to be given to you. I have brought them along.”

Since they had come all the way to the capital to deliver New Year gifts, they could simply have sent a couple of senior nurses along to pay their respects to the elders — proper, and not at all intrusive. Why hadn’t she thought of that? Instead she had left it to her elder brother, a man, to carry things on her behalf…

Inwardly she had reservations about Zhu Anping’s carelessness, yet outwardly she smiled and rose to curtsy to Luo Zhensheng: “I have put Elder Brother to such trouble.”

Luo Zhensheng smiled and said “It is nothing at all,” then gently pushed the paper boxes on the table forward: “I had intended to let the nurses who came with the carriage come in to pay their respects to you, so you might also hear news of Seventh Sister and exchange some private words. But those two nurses were afraid of overstepping, and absolutely refused to enter. I had no choice but to serve as your go-between.”

Eleventh Young Miss felt mortified.

So it was not that the other party was careless — it was that they were afraid the threshold of her household was too high and dared not step inside… She felt a small pang of regret. If only they could have met in person, how lovely it would have been to ask after Seventh Sister!

She could not help saying: “In that case, do let the two nurses come in so I may see them.”

Luo Zhensheng smiled: “It is better left as it is. No need to startle anyone.”

Eleventh Young Miss could not press the matter. After Lvyun collected the boxes, Xu Lingyi asked after the First Master and the First Lady: “…Both elders are in good health, I trust?”

“Quite well.” The First Lady’s health was not a matter of a day or two, so Luo Zhensheng answered tactfully and briefly.

“If there is anything you need me to handle in person, just say so,” Xu Lingyi said. “I received two fifty-year ginseng roots a couple of days ago. Take them back with you for the two elders, to nourish their health.”

Luo Zhensheng quickly declined: “My Lord’s own health is not strong — you are yourself in need of medicines at this time. How could I accept your ginseng?”

“We are family — no need for such ceremony.” Xu Lingyi directly called for a young manservant to go find Steward Bai for the ginseng, then asked: “Does Father-in-law have any intentions?”

Luo Zhensheng’s face colored slightly, assuming Xu Lingyi was asking about the First Master’s response to the message he had relayed.

“Father has a scholar’s disposition. I’m afraid it will take some time yet before he can fully grasp the Emperor’s intent in the general amnesty.”

A flicker of helplessness crossed Xu Lingyi’s eyes: “Father-in-law served as an official, bringing benefit to the people under his governance. It is truly a waste for him to be idle like this. However, the Emperor is in his prime and aspires to follow the example of Emperor Taizong — pursuing both civil and military excellence, to become a ruler of the ages. The major examinations are next spring, and there will be many more positions opening up. Elder Councilor Liu has been retired for two years now. Zhensheng, you should still persuade Father-in-law. Once his mind is settled, I can also work to arrange matters from my side.”

He was hinting for Luo Zhensheng to bring his father around — to commit himself wholeheartedly to serving the Emperor — so that he, Xu Lingyi, could help secure a suitable vacancy come the following spring.

Yet Luo Zhensheng did not respond with the eagerness one might expect. He was silent for a long, wavering moment, then looked at Xu Lingyi with steady resolve: “I am grateful for my Lord’s kind intentions. However, Father is getting on in years, and his health declines with each passing day. Rather than seeking high office and keeping the whole family in constant anxiety on his behalf, it would be far more peaceful for him to remain at home — doting on grandchildren, tending to flowers and fish.”

He had actually declined Xu Lingyi’s good intentions.

Xu Lingyi was quite surprised, and hesitantly said: “Would you like to go back and discuss it with Father-in-law first?”

Luo Zhensheng glanced at Eleventh Young Miss, whose face showed undisguised astonishment, then shook his head: “It would be better not to trouble him.” He added: “The court is in a shifting state these days, and the Emperor’s mind is not easily read. Rather than muddling into it at this juncture, it is wiser to live out one’s days in peace at home.” With that, he rose and bowed deeply to Xu Lingyi: “I hope my Lord will understand Zhensheng’s sincerity, and allow Zhensheng to fulfill his duty of filial piety.”

Eleventh Young Miss inwardly nodded in agreement.

Though this course of action might be seen as hindering the First Master’s career — even as somewhat unfilial — compared to his father’s so-called great ambitions, this was far better. At least this way he would not stir up trouble. Besides, Luo Zhensheng was due to complete his tenure at the Hanlin Academy in two years. Rather than securing a position for the First Master, it would serve the family far better to find a good posting for Luo Zhensheng.

Xu Lingyi was uncertain how to proceed.

It was not that he disagreed with Luo Zhensheng’s view — on the contrary, he very much approved of it, and admired Luo Zhensheng’s ability to read the situation. But his own position was that of a son-in-law… Who would not wish for their own family to prosper and rise, so they could in turn lend support at the husband’s household? And it was not as though he lacked the ability to help the First Master.

Thinking this, he looked over at Eleventh Young Miss.

Eleventh Young Miss had noticed Xu Lingyi’s prolonged silence and glanced over at him. Their gazes met in mid-air.

Seeing the hesitation in Xu Lingyi’s eyes, she gave him a small, clear nod — indicating she agreed with Luo Zhensheng’s proposal.

A flash of surprise crossed Xu Lingyi’s eyes.

Eleventh Young Miss simply smiled and turned to Luo Zhensheng: “Elder Brother will be completing his Hanlin tenure in two years, won’t he?”

Luo Zhensheng was taken aback.

Xu Lingyi understood at once. He immediately dropped the subject of the First Master, and smiled as he asked Luo Zhensheng: “Then what are your own plans, Zhensheng? I think the Ministry of Personnel would suit you well. Would you have any interest in going to the Ministry of Personnel to gain some experience?”

Remaining in the capital as an official, beginning from the Ministry of Personnel — the foremost of the Six Ministries — this was already an exceptionally high starting point, something others could only dream of seeking.

Eleventh Young Miss also smiled at Luo Zhensheng expectantly.

Yet Luo Zhensheng declined again, with his characteristic politeness: “…After so many years of study, everything I know is theory without practice. If I truly wish to be an official who benefits the people, it is better to start from the position of county magistrate.”

Xu Lingyi smiled slightly: “While it is true that capable officials often start from the magistrate’s post, if you first spend a few years as an official here in Yanjing, building connections, you will find it far easier to act when you are later posted to a locality.”

Luo Zhensheng was about to say something more, but Xu Lingyi had already said: “In any case, there is still time. Give the matter careful thought, and you may as well hear what Father-in-law has to say before deciding.”

Xu Lingyi’s stance was already quite evident, and Luo Zhensheng had no further grounds to argue. The two exchanged some pleasant talk, and then Luo Zhensheng mentioned he still had to deliver New Year gifts to Fourth Miss, and rose to take his leave.

The husband and wife accompanied Luo Zhensheng to the Grand Madam’s quarters to pay his respects, and saw him off at the Hanging Flower Gate.

Steward Bai had already prepared the gifts for the Zhu Family in return, and several young manservants were loading them onto the Zhu family’s carriage. Eleventh Young Miss saw that the Xu household had sent back a full carriage of things and was quite startled.

Luo Zhensheng smiled ruefully: “The Zhu family’s gifts were generous. Each of us received a carriage’s worth.”

Eleventh Young Miss could not help laughing softly: “Seventh Sister has truly married into a wealthy household!”

When the Xu household sent New Year gifts, they observed the standard of eighty taels per family — ten loads carried over. Yet the Zhu family sent by the carriage.

—