Shiyiniang stood at the doorway of the bathing room, speaking with Xu Lingyi. “She said she had already been feeling unwell when she visited Duke Chengguo’s estate yesterday. I only just found out. I hurried and sent Hupo to fetch Imperial Physician Wu — the one who cured Qiao Yiniang’s illness last time — to come and have a look.”

“If it really comes to it, just send her to the Fallen Leaves Mountain villa to recuperate!” Xu Lingyi’s expression was somewhat cool. “There are several children living in the house — what if the illness spreads to them?”

“The Imperial Physician’s diagnosis hasn’t even come out yet, and the Marquis has already decided where to send the Yiniang.” Shiyiniang smiled. “Surely we should wait for the results first!”

The two were still talking when Hupo arrived. “Madam, Imperial Physician Wu is here!”

Shiyiniang acknowledged her, then smiled at Xu Lingyi. “The Marquis was away before. Now that he’s returned, it would be better for the Marquis himself to go and inquire about the situation.”

Xu Lingyi nodded, freshened up, and went to the reception hall.

Although separated by a side room, Shiyiniang could still hear Imperial Physician Wu’s voice, animated with what seemed exaggerated delight. “Marquis, congratulations, congratulations — the secondary wife carries a happy pulse.”

“Oh!” Xu Lingyi’s voice held surprise mingled with unmistakable joy, as he said something in a low voice to Imperial Physician Wu.

Shiyiniang sat on the edge of the heated bed, lost in thought.

Nanny Tao had arrived at the same conclusion as herself. From pregnancy to delivery, there were still several months to go. Who knew what might happen in that time? She had only recently entered this household and had not yet found her footing. No matter what, she could not drag her own people into this. She had to find a way to pass this hot potato on to someone else.

Her mind turned swiftly. She saw the curtain lift, and Xu Lingyi walked in with a smile on his face.

“Shiyiniang, Qiao Yiniang carries a happy pulse.”

Shiyiniang’s thoughts were still slightly scattered, and she reflexively echoed Imperial Physician Wu’s words: “Congratulations, Marquis.”

Xu Lingyi laughed despite himself and said, “Let us go and see her.”

“Of course.” Shiyiniang agreed and walked out with Xu Lingyi. “This works out nicely — afterwards we can go to the Dowager’s. Let the old lady be happy too.”

Xu Lingyi gave an affirming hum, his tone light. It was plain to see he was in good spirits.

Qiao Lianfang was lying listlessly on the bed. The moment she saw the two of them enter, she immediately sat up. “Marquis! Madam!”

Her beautiful eyes held a bashful, timid quality as they fixed solely on Xu Lingyi.

Xu Lingyi sat down on the edge of the bed. “How are you feeling?” His tone was very gentle.

Qiao Lianfang lowered her head, her face flushing crimson, and said nothing.

From the side, her maid Xiuyuan smiled and interjected, “The Yiniang simply has no appetite.”

“No, no, that’s not it!” Qiao Lianfang denied it repeatedly, yet her eyes flicked shyly toward Shiyiniang, as though worried she might be angered — after all, not long after Shiyiniang had married into the household, she had done away with the private kitchens in the yiniangss’ courtyard.

Xu Lingyi had vaguely heard about this matter.

The private kitchen had originally been Yuan Niang’s idea — she had not wished to share a table with the several yiniangss. Later, many things had happened: the yiniangss moved in, Yuan Niang moved to the Dianchun Hall side, yet the private kitchen remained available for the yiniangss’ use. Afterwards, when Shiyiniang married in and everyone took their meals at the Dowager’s, the courtyard kitchens fell into disuse. Shiyiniang had merged the two kitchens into one, allowing only the kitchen in the yiniangss’ courtyard to be used for heating water and the like… Hearing Qiao Lianfang’s words, he too looked toward Shiyiniang.

After all, the kitchen had been sitting idle. Now that Qiao Lianfang’s situation was special, it was only right to give her a little extra consideration.

Shiyiniang naturally understood the meaning behind Qiao Lianfang’s words, and could guess at Xu Lingyi’s thoughts as well.

When the other children had been born, the Xu household had either been in turmoil, or Xu family had been helping the Seventh Prince contend for the throne — there had been no leisure to savour the joys of fatherhood. Now things were entirely different. Xu Lingyi had grown into a seasoned statesman; even when storms arose, he no longer felt the dread of his younger years. He had achieved success and renown and was now living in comfortable retirement, with both wealth and leisure. Becoming a father again meant far more enjoyment than responsibility. His mood was different, and so his feelings about Qiao Lianfang’s pregnancy were different too.

She understood this, yet she could not agree to it.

Reversing one’s orders was the great failing of those in positions of authority.

“As long as the Yiniang is not seriously ill, that is what matters.” Shiyiniang met both their gazes calmly. “My own yiniang is also with child. I’m told she craves only sour and spicy things — all the pickled and preserved goods in the household have been carried over to her.”

Qiao Lianfang lowered her head at these words.

Her lips were pressed tightly together, the corners of her eyes glistening with tears, the very picture of aggrieved helplessness.

Though Xu Lingyi gave nothing away outwardly, he was inwardly quite taken aback.

Shiyiniang was a sharp and perceptive woman — given her nature, it was impossible she had not understood his meaning. And yet she had still declined, however tactfully.

Was it because she feared Qiao Lianfang bearing a child would threaten her own position? Or was it simply jealousy?

With Qiao Lianfang present, however, this was not the place for such a conversation.

He smiled and rose to his feet, addressing Qiao Lianfang, “Since you are not seriously unwell, rest well and take care of yourself. Madam and I will go to the Dowager’s and let her share in the happy news.”

Qiao Lianfang had naturally also grasped the meaning behind Shiyiniang’s words.

She was stunned.

She had not expected Shiyiniang to refuse the Marquis, and even less had she expected that the Marquis would simply let the matter drop without a word.

Qiao Lianfang could not help but look toward Xu Lingyi.

His expression was gentle, his eyes clear and bright, without the slightest trace of displeasure.

The hand tipped with pink-painted nails curled tightly into a fist.

Her eyes reddened slightly as she struggled to rise and see Xu Lingyi and Shiyiniang out.

Xu Lingyi stopped her. “You are carrying now — spare yourself these formalities.”

Her mother had told her yesterday that the first three months were the most precarious for miscarriage, and had urged her to stay in bed. Qiao Lianfang was also worried about the child in her womb. Hearing Xu Lingyi say this, she did not persist, and let Xiuyuan see the couple to the door.

Shiyiniang did not wish to let this matter fester into a point of contention between them.

The moment they were out of Qiao Lianfang’s courtyard, she spoke directly. “Marquis, I understand your meaning. The private kitchen is to be used only for heating water and not for cooking meals — those were my own words. Barely half a year has passed, and the words have scarcely faded, yet you would have me make an exception for Qiao Yiniang. The Marquis has commanded thousands of troops and knows full well the dangers of inconsistent orders. If you truly feel for Qiao Yiniang, you might use your personal funds to give her a supplement. But as for reopening the kitchen for her — that I cannot agree to, no matter what.”

Xu Lingyi was genuinely taken aback.

In his experience, women generally shrouded their true intentions beneath layers of irrelevant tangents. It was rare for anyone to speak as openly and directly as Shiyiniang. And thinking it over carefully, her words made a great deal of sense. He had indeed been hasty in this matter.

“You are right. It was I who acted without due thought. Do as you see fit.”

Xu Lingyi was not a man who refused to hear contrary counsel or clung stubbornly to his own views.

Having achieved her aim, Shiyiniang said no more, simply smiling and saying, “Thank you, Marquis, for understanding my difficulty,” before accompanying Xu Lingyi to the Dowager’s quarters.

The Dowager, upon hearing the news, was indeed delighted.

She had Nanny Du fetch some tonics and send them as a gift to Qiao Lianfang.

Shiyiniang offered her thanks, then took the opportunity to raise the matter with the Dowager. “Mother, I am young and inexperienced, and I worry whether I can properly look after Qiao Yiniang. As for those in Qiao Yiniang’s service, they are mostly young and unmarried maids who know even less about such things. Would you help me, and send a couple of experienced nannies to attend to Qiao Yiniang? It would set my mind at ease.”

The Dowager sighed inwardly upon hearing this.

After all, she was born of a concubine — it couldn’t compare to the days of Yuan Niang. When it had been Yuan Niang, the chief wife had sent several of the Luo family’s most capable women as part of her bridal entourage.

Since Shiyiniang had no family support to speak of, she would simply have to lend her a hand.

With this in mind, the Dowager did not hesitate for a moment, immediately saying, “I’ll have Nanny Du select two capable women from my own courtyard to go and attend to Qiao Yiniang.”

Shiyiniang felt a quiet wave of relief wash over her.

With the Dowager’s people in her courtyard, should anything arise, there would be a witness to set the record straight.

“The construction of the new rooms will have to be put on hold for now.” The Dowager instructed Xu Lingyi. “Wait until the first three months have passed, then choose an auspicious date to begin.”

According to custom, no ground could be broken during the first three months of pregnancy.

“I was thinking the same.” Xu Lingyi said. “Pushing it back to the sixth month would do no harm — the days are longer then, so the work would go faster.”

“It is not as though anyone is waiting urgently to move in. Whenever we begin is the same.” Shiyiniang smiled. “I only wonder whether the stonework can be returned.”

And so the matter was settled.

Word soon spread throughout the household about Qiao Lianfang’s pregnancy, and everyone came to offer their congratulations to Xu Lingyi and Shiyiniang, almost as though it were Shiyiniang herself who was with child. Shiyiniang found it quite absurd.

But then, reflecting that all of Xu Lingyi’s future children would, in theory, fall under her care, she understood the meaning behind it all.

—

The two of them left the Dowager’s quarters. Xu Lingyi relayed a message through a manservant to Chief Steward Bai: “…The construction of the rooms will be delayed until the sixth month when an auspicious date can be chosen. The stonework that has already arrived can be stored temporarily at the Fallen Leaves Mountain villa.”

Shiyiniang, meanwhile, instructed Hupo to prepare some gifts. “…Afterwards, summon Nanny Tao. Have her take the gifts to Duke Chengguo’s estate and inform Qiao Furen and Qiao Taitai that Qiao Yiniang is with child. That way they need not worry.”

She looked up to find Xu Lingyi staring at her with undisguised puzzlement.

“Oh — when Qiao Furen’s nanny came to deliver things early this morning, she specifically asked about this matter.” Shiyiniang explained. “Now that we know it is a happy pulse, both courtesy and reason demand that I send word back to Qiao Furen.”

Xu Lingyi said, surprised, “Qiao Furen? Qiao Furen sent someone to deliver things?”

Since Qiao Lianfang had become a concubine, aside from the Third Mistress of the Qiao family, none of the others had maintained any contact with her.

“What did she send?”

“A bed canopy, apparently.” Shiyiniang said. “A gauze canopy painted with ink-wash designs. Duke Chengguo had brought it back from Xuantong. Qiao Furen kept it at the bottom of a chest and never had the heart to use it. Hearing that Qiao Yiniang admired it, she had her nannies search for it for most of the night, and sent it over first thing this morning.”

“She asked Qiao Furen for the canopy?” Xu Lingyi’s voice dropped low, his expression oddly unsettled. “And Qiao Furen sent someone early this morning to inquire after Qiao Yiniang’s condition?”

Shiyiniang nodded, then noticed the vein at Xu Lingyi’s temple pulsing visibly.

Why had he suddenly grown displeased? Could it be because Qiao Lianfang had asked Qiao Furen for things, and he felt his pride wounded? Or perhaps the canopy itself had some significance? It was possible it was something Duke Chengguo had accepted as a bribe, and Xu Lingyi feared being entangled in the matter.

She turned these thoughts over in her mind while smiling gently. “What is the matter, Marquis? It is only a canopy. If you feel it is not right for Qiao Yiniang to have accepted it, I can have someone prepare proper gifts to make amends and send it back.”

The more she spoke, the worse Xu Lingyi’s expression became, until at last a faint tinge of grey crept into it.

Shiyiniang could see something was wrong. She rose and poured him tea. “If the Marquis has something to say, please say it calmly. There is no need to lose one’s temper.”

But Xu Lingyi brought his palm crashing down on the low table with a sharp crack, sending the teacups bouncing and rattling. “Outrageous!”

—