“Could you ask Fifth Master for a favor?” Shiyiniang set aside the clothes Xu Lingyi had changed out of, placing them on the small stool nearby, and turned to look at him with some surprise.

Xu Lingyi nodded. “Besides having Fan Weigang and Wang Li help stir up the muddy waters, I’ve also asked Fifth Brother and his circle of friends to quietly make some noise on the side.”

Shiyiniang’s mind turned rapidly.

Fan Weigang and Wang Li were both pillars of the court whom the Emperor relied upon, and they were on good terms with Xu Lingyi. While they could submit a memorial touching on the matter, they could not go too deep into it — otherwise, it would give the Emperor the impression that a faction was forming to pursue private interests.

Xu Lingkuan was different, however. For one, he was Xu Lingyi’s younger brother by the same mother. And while his friends came from all walks of life, most were idle young scions of noble families. If they were to cause a commotion in private, others watching would assume it was Xu Lingkuan venting indignation on his elder brother’s behalf, steering the whole affair toward the realm of a romantic scandal. The effect would likely be a hundred times better than having Fan Weigang and Wang Li step forward.

There was a trace of melancholy in Xu Lingyi’s voice as he said this.

In the past, he had shouldered the family’s burdens alone. He had considered his third elder brother Xu Lingning — steady and honest — and his youngest brother Xu Lingkuan — scattered and undisciplined — and concluded that neither was well-suited as a confidant. But beyond that, the more important reason was that since he had inherited the title, he believed he ought to take on the responsibility of revitalizing the family, looking after his brothers, and caring for the more distant branches of the clan. What he had not anticipated was that things would turn out contrary to his wishes. The more he did, the further apart the brothers grew. Setting aside Xu Lingning’s passivity and Xu Lingkuan’s habit of causing trouble — Xu Lingyi had fought with both hands against four, and though the fighting was fierce, in the stillness of late night, alone, exhaustion crept in and a vague sense of bewilderment came over him.

Later, with Shiyiniang’s prompting, he had first used the matter of the moldy rice as an opportunity to have things out with Xu Lingning, breaking through the invisible but demoralizing barrier that had stood between them for years. Then he had begun to regard Xu Lingkuan as a subordinate who opposed him at every turn, bringing to bear the same approach he had once used during the suppression of the Miao uprising to win over a group of defiant generals — and with a single conversation, not only had Xu Lingkuan been filled with shame, he had voluntarily admitted his faults, sincerely reflecting on his past behavior before Xu Lingyi for the very first time.

At that moment, something had stirred in Xu Lingyi’s heart.

Xu Lingkuan had gone from a clever and perceptive boy to an idler who knew only how to eat, drink, and while away his days hawking and horse-riding. Aside from lax discipline, this had a great deal to do with his being the youngest son — and with the fact that their mother had done nothing but indulge him while Xu Lingyi himself had never taken the trouble to guide him properly. If only he could find something for him to do…

The thought had flashed through his mind, and with it came the idea of asking Xu Lingkuan to help him with something.

The moment he let slip a hint, Xu Lingkuan had immediately struck his chest in agreement — and at once proposed a plan. Among his friends, he knew precisely who had a hot temper suited to arguing openly in public; who thrived on chaos and would carry a story from one household to the next, spreading the commotion wide; who was greedy enough that, given sufficient silver, they would willingly swallow even the most humiliating insults… He laid it all out clearly and in full detail. Even how they should go about doing it, he explained with considerable coherence.

Xu Lingyi had been left completely dumbfounded — he had never imagined that Xu Lingkuan knew the people around him so thoroughly.

“If you understand them this well, why do you still spend your time with them?”

Xu Lingyi had set aside his air of an elder brother, and Xu Lingkuan, feeling a new warmth, answered bluntly: “Who else would I spend my time with? Besides, we’re only passing the time together — it’s not as though anyone expects genuine sincerity from the other!” His tone was thoroughly indifferent, yet a flicker of self-deprecation crossed the depths of his eyes.

Xu Lingyi had been at a loss for words at that.

Yet the guilt within him had lingered long, refusing to dissipate.

Taking advantage of the moment he had come back to change clothes, he told Shiyiniang all of this: “Before, I only saw him calling on friends, drowning himself in drink and play, and wallowing in degradation. Little did I know that he was unhappy too…”

“It is not too late for Milord to know now!” Shiyiniang said with a smile, helping him change into a newly made deep blue plain brocade robe. “And now that Fifth Master also understands Milord’s difficulties — and the difficulties of the Xu Family — with him helping you from now on, you can put your mind at ease a little more.”

“I would not dare hope he might help me,” Xu Lingyi said with a sigh. “I would be more than content if, from now on, he would simply stop causing trouble everywhere he goes.”

It was the tone of a helpless but fond father.

Shiyiniang could not help but cover a smile with her sleeve. Then she hesitated and said, “Only, this way, everyone will say Fifth Master has a reckless temperament and is not a man suited for great undertakings. Should we not pay a visit to the old Marquis Sun at Red Lantern Hutong and let him know in advance…”

Though she had only met the old Marquis Sun once, she had always felt that a man who had raised a daughter like Fifth Lady could not be as simple as he appeared.

“No need.” Xu Lingyi smiled. “Don’t be deceived by old Marquis Sun’s easygoing manner — his heart is sharp and clear. You should know that in his late years, the previous Emperor did not know how many princes and high ministers he put to death, yet he never once suspected that old gentleman.”

It seemed her instincts had been right after all.

Shiyiniang smiled and nodded, adjusting Xu Lingyi’s collar for him, and said casually: “Milord’s considerations are always thorough. This concubine only wishes for peace and quiet at home, and to be well-clothed and well-fed — that is enough for me.”

“Peace and quiet, well-clothed and well-fed…” Xu Lingyi laughed. “That is no simple matter. To have peace and quiet, one must ensure the family’s glory endures; to be well-clothed and well-fed, one must ensure wealth continues unbroken…” There was a note of quiet feeling in his voice.

Shiyiniang paused.

She had only been making conversation, and had not expected it to draw such words from Xu Lingyi.

The “glory” he spoke of referred to power and influence, and the “wealth” he spoke of referred to money, she supposed?

Thinking it through carefully, it was indeed so.

Without power and influence, no one would give you a second glance. In a society where it was said even a mere seventh-rank magistrate could find a pretext to falsely accuse you of treason, without power, you were nothing. And without money — even if you were a third-rank official in the court, living solely on your official salary, refusing to take bribes or pocket anything extra — how could you eat and clothe yourself? But if you did take bribes, you lost the way of a gentleman, fell into baseness, and inevitably invited contempt; one day, when it all came to light, even your power would be forfeit.

How many people spent their lives striving desperately for glory and wealth — and when all was said and done, it was nothing more than a wish to live more comfortably, with more ease and security. Yet as they walked that path, they forgot their original intention, turned things upside down, and became slaves to glory and wealth, forgetting that they had pursued these worldly things in the first place simply to make themselves happier…

Just like herself. She had worked so hard to earn the Dowager Marchioness’s trust, worked so hard to become someone Xu Lingyi could confide in — and her ultimate goal was nothing more than to live a leisurely life, watching flowers in her free time, drinking quietly when nothing called for her attention. But before she could reach that, she first had to earn the right to live such a leisurely life.

Thinking of it this way, her own circumstances and Xu Lingyi’s were not so different after all.

Xu Lingyi wished to make the Xu Family a comfortable and wealthy household of quiet distinction — but first, he had to earn the right to do so.

A family without capable and accomplished members would command no respect, whether from the Emperor or from other noble houses. Should trouble arise, such a family would be the first to be cast aside. But should a family produce men of such stature that they could be enfeoffed as prime ministers and marquises, and sway the workings of the court — then the Emperor would grow wary of their factionalism and manipulation of political affairs, while the noble houses would fear their growing dominance and seek to curb it in order to protect their own interests. How to strike the right balance was the most pressing matter facing the Xu Family.

She could only hope that Xu Lingyi would seize this opportunity well and find an equilibrium that would allow the Xu Family to stand on firmer ground.

While her thoughts wandered, she smiled and said, “This concubine’s vision is too narrow, and I lack Milord’s breadth of mind and perspective.”

“Not at all,” Xu Lingyi said with a smile, tugging lightly at his own sleeve. “It is simply that your nature is gentle and you are not inclined to contend with others — you have not thought in that direction, that is all.”

Shiyiniang was taken aback.

She had only felt that some things ought not to be rushed. How had Xu Lingyi come to form the impression that she had a “gentle nature”…

Before she could think on it further, Xu Lingyi had already changed the subject: “Is everything ready? If so, let us go to Mother’s chambers quickly!” With that, he turned and walked out of the inner room.

She hurried to follow him out.

Seeing that the three Yiniang had all arrived, Shiyiniang put on her cloak and had Hupo carry Xu Sijie. The whole party set off in a grand procession toward the Dowager Marchioness’s quarters.

They arrived rather early this time; the Dowager Marchioness was still in the middle of changing her clothes.

Zhun Ge was already waiting in the main hall. He paid his respects to Xu Lingyi and Shiyiniang, but his eyes kept drifting toward Xu Sijie.

Knowing that he had always been wary of Xu Lingyi and was almost certainly wishing to play with Xu Sijie but afraid of displeasing him, Shiyiniang nudged Xu Lingyi toward the east side room: “I will wait here for Third Master and the others.”

Finding that the room was filled with nothing but women and children, Xu Lingyi felt little inclination to stay and withdrew to the east side room.

As expected, Zhun Ge immediately ran to Hupo’s side: “Jie Ge’er, quickly bow to me.” The pride on his face was impossible to conceal.

But Xu Sijie did not spare Zhun Ge so much as a glance.

Zhun Ge could not hide his disappointment and looked toward Shiyiniang, as if asking: why won’t he play with me?

Shiyiniang smiled and led Xu Sijie over to stand before Zhun Ge, saying gently: “This is your Fourth Elder Brother — you must call him Fourth Elder Brother when you see him from now on!”

Xu Sijie hesitated for a long moment, then softly called out: “Fourth Elder Brother.”

His voice was low, but remarkably pleasant to the ear.

Zhun Ge was quite surprised, and looked up at Shiyiniang: “Fifth Younger Brother’s voice is even more beautiful than the oriole’s.”

Shiyiniang smiled despite herself. Fortunately, Zhun Ge meant it as a sincere compliment and thought nothing more of it. He reached into his pocket and produced a small parcel of oiled paper: “You called me Fourth Elder Brother once — so I’ll give you this candy floss made with rose syrup to eat.” Saying so, he opened the oiled paper to reveal the rose-red, crystalline, jewel-like candy floss within.

Not only little Xu Sijie, but even Wen Yiniang and Qiao Yiniang peered over with curiosity. Only Qin Yiniang stood on her tiptoes, craning her neck toward the door, murmuring repeatedly, “Why hasn’t Second Young Master arrived yet?”

Xu Sijie was indeed won over by the candy. His eyes fixed intently on it, and he immediately called out to Zhun Ge: “Fourth Elder Brother.”

Zhun Ge beamed with delight and gave Xu Sijie one piece of candy.

Xu Sijie was not satisfied with just one, however. He placed the candy in his mouth, then stretched out his palm toward Zhun Ge, making it plain he wanted more.

Zhun Ge immediately gave him another piece.

Xu Sijie clutched it tightly in his fist, then extended his other hand.

Zhun Ge hesitated for a moment, took one piece of candy for himself, considered, then took out a few more — and gave all the rest to Xu Sijie.

Xu Sijie immediately stuffed the candy into his front with all the urgency of a little monkey.

The whole room burst into laughter.

Zhun Ge laughed heartily as well, taking Xu Sijie’s hand without minding in the least: “I have osmanthus crisps too. Also bestowed from the palace.” With that, he was about to take Xu Sijie off to his own room.

The nanny at his side quickly stepped in to stop them: “My little ancestor, we are just about to have the New Year’s Eve dinner. We cannot keep the Dowager Marchioness waiting. After the meal, it will not be too late to find those osmanthus crisps for Fifth Young Master then.”

Just as she said this, Third Master and Third Lady walked in with Xu Siqin, Xu Siyu, and Xu Sijian.

Behind Shiyiniang, Qin Yiniang let out a long, quiet breath of relief.

Today was New Year’s Eve, and everyone was to gather for the family banquet. This was no time to arrive late and leave a poor impression on one’s elders.

—