Shiyiniang was startled.
It was the first time Xu Lingyi had ever displayed such a temper in front of her.
An ink-wash gauze canopy — brought back from Xuantong.
Xu Lingyi knew of it.
The Xu family’s storeroom held several of the same kind.
They were specially commissioned from the Xian Ling Pavilion by the Long Family of Bantang in Yangzhou. Because the quantity was limited, they were considered somewhat rare.
The habitually snobbish Qiao Furen had sent such a canopy.
The implications behind the gesture were impossible for him not to consider.
How Qiao Lianfang had come to enter the household — he and Yuan Niang both knew it most clearly of all. Plainly put, she was nothing more than the final result of a power struggle between two people. Whenever he thought of it, a trace of indignation stirred in the depths of his heart. And after Qiao Lianfang entered the household, she had almost entirely severed contact with the Qiao family, which was why he had allowed certain obvious questions to slip past him. Questions such as: why had Qiao Lianfang ventured into that small courtyard? Why had the Qiao family made no counterattack, and had willingly sent her into the Xu household even when other choices were available?
Qiao Lianfang had already felt unwell yesterday at Duke Chengguo’s estate, and yet Shiyiniang had not learned of it until today, when the Qiao family’s nanny arrived…
Why had Qiao Lianfang, when she fell ill, not only failed to inform Shiyiniang, but also neglected to tell him? Yet Qiao Furen — with whom there had been no contact to speak of — had suddenly grown so solicitous before the happy news was even confirmed…
All of it, he could not help but think through.
And yet what he wanted more than anything was someone to talk with.
“Shiyiniang…” Xu Lingyi raised his head, and what his eyes met was his wife’s bewildered face; what his ears caught was the sound of tea dripping steadily onto the floor. He thought of his own outburst just now… and every word he had intended to say lodged in his throat.
He did not know how to begin.
He could only look at the mess on the low table and smile bitterly. “I was not speaking of you!” After a long silence, he added quietly, “I was speaking of myself.”
More than that, he could not say.
Shiyiniang saw the bitterness in his smile, the look of a man who wanted to speak but held himself back. She thought too of the questions he had asked just before the outburst, and something of his meaning began to form in her mind.
His words were not wrong.
The anger had indeed been directed at himself.
How Qiao Lianfang had come to enter the Xu household — Shiyiniang was herself a party to that history.
Beautiful as a flower, in the bloom of youth, the legitimate daughter of Duke Chengguo’s estate — she had ended up in such circumstances because of the affairs between husband and wife. How could Xu Lingyi, looking on, feel nothing of guilt? And with Qiao Lianfang’s deep and tender devotion, how could he help but feel some measure of affection for her? Certain things, naturally, had been allowed to slide. Such as: of all the daughters of noble families, why was it she who had gone to that small courtyard? Could one not say that Qiao Lianfang’s own conduct had been, at least in part, at fault? The dress that Yuan Niang had seized as evidence — while it was indeed proof of something, if the Luo family had produced it, it would have been a tactic that hurt both sides, disgracing the Qiao family while bringing shame upon the Xu family as well. Yet the Chengguo estate, a veteran political household of long standing, had chosen to swallow the insult in silence. Could that not be understood as the Qiao family having been perfectly willing to send Qiao Lianfang in? And as for how Qiao Lianfang had conducted herself toward him after entering the household, Xu Lingyi could not have been entirely without awareness.
When one did not stop to think carefully, life carried on pleasantly enough. But today, Qiao Lianfang’s behaviour had crossed a line for Xu Lingyi, and now that he had begun to think it through, he could no longer look away.
Whatever grievances and injustices Qiao Lianfang harboured, one thing remained undeniable.
Her present circumstances were entirely the result of her own conduct.
If you do not bend your back, who can ride upon it?
The anger, naturally, could only be directed at himself.
Knowing something was one matter; discussing it with Xu Lingyi was quite another. This topic might be appropriate with others, but in her own case it carried a certain sensitivity. She decided to skip over it entirely, rather than risk him asking and leaving her without a good answer — the balance was far too delicate. Going too far in one direction and Xu Lingyi would think she was making accusations; not far enough and she would be condoning Qiao Lianfang. He would have to work through it on his own.
She smiled and called the younger maid to come and clear the low table, then poured Xu Lingyi a fresh cup of tea.
But before she could place the teacup in his hands, a little maid came in to report: “Chief Steward Bai has come!”
Xu Lingyi let out a long, slow breath.
Sitting here with Shiyiniang, he felt decidedly ill at ease.
Chief Steward Bai’s timing could not have been better.
He rose at once. “I’ll go and deal with the stonework in the outer courtyard first.” His tone carried a note of apology.
Shiyiniang, too, felt the steward had arrived at exactly the right moment.
The two of them could take the chance to turn the page on this chapter.
She smiled and saw Xu Lingyi to the door, and had barely sat down in the inner room when a little maid came in to report: “Madam, Nanny Hang from Bowstring Lane has come.”
Qiao Yiniang’s pregnancy, Wang Lang’s death, the Wang family succession… things over there were in upheaval. Shiyiniang hurriedly had Nanny Hang brought in.
“Eleventh Young Mistress,” Nanny Hang curtsied to her, “the First Mistress is a little unwell. The First Young Madam says please come home and see her.”
Shiyiniang was startled.
Everything was happening at once today.
She immediately rose to her feet. “I’ll go back with you right now.”
—
Returning to her maternal home naturally required informing the Dowager first.
Hearing that the First Mistress was unwell, the Dowager immediately sent someone to fetch Xu Lingyi from the outer courtyard. “…A son-in-law is half a son. Go with her and see how things stand.”
Xu Lingyi nodded, instructed a manservant to have a carriage readied, then had Linbo go to Chief Steward Bai’s office to draw two thousand taels in banknotes. He also brought along Zhao Guanshi from the household management office, and together they made for Bowstring Lane.
“In case the worst has come to pass… let us have everything prepared in advance.”
Shiyiniang did not know how things stood. She thought that if First Mistress were truly on her deathbed, having Xu Lingyi present might at least bring her some comfort.
She did not refuse the offer. She thanked the Dowager and set off at speed with Xu Lingyi for Bowstring Lane.
But upon arriving, they found the lane perfectly quiet and undisturbed, without the faintest trace of the grief they had anticipated.
Xu Lingyi and Shiyiniang exchanged a bewildered glance. And Luo Zhensheng, who came out to greet them, took one look at the Marquis and his wife arriving with such an air of grand urgency — and stood there utterly speechless.
“Marquis, what — what is all this…”
“Was it not Mother who was unwell?” Shiyiniang said quickly.
Luo Zhensheng could not help but rub his forehead. “Mother was complaining that she felt poorly and wanted to see you…” Yet seeing how frantic Shiyiniang appeared, and that Xu Lingyi had come as well, he felt a genuine warmth rise in him, and could not help breaking into a wide smile.
Shiyiniang was at a loss for words.
The story of the boy who cried wolf came to mind…
The First Young Madam hurried out to smooth things over. “Come in, come in quickly. The Marquis is a rare guest.”
Xu Lingyi, seeing it was a false alarm, sent Zhao Guanshi back, and accompanied Shiyiniang to pay their respects to the First Master and the First Mistress.
The First Master was surprised to see the two of them return together. Luo Zhensheng leaned over and explained to him quietly. The First Master nodded repeatedly, and the gaze he turned on Xu Lingyi was filled with approval. He immediately had Luo Zhensheng bring out his prized Jinhua wine to entertain Xu Lingyi, and sent Shiyiniang to keep the First Mistress company.
The First Mistress was in no state to do any talking herself.
It was Nanny Xu who did all the talking.
“The First Mistress has a few words she wishes to convey. She has asked me to speak for her. Eleventh Young Mistress, please be patient with us.”
“Nanny is Mother’s most trusted attendant, and we sisters were always in your care when we were at home. What is more, you come bearing Mother’s charge — please do not stand on ceremony, Nanny.”
Nanny Xu smiled and gave a gentle nod.
“The First Mistress has asked me to inquire — is it true that Qiao Yiniang is with child?”
The news had travelled this fast. It had to be Nanny Tao — who else? No wonder her eyes had shifted earlier.
“Yes.” Shiyiniang sat upright on the brocade footstool beside the bed and answered without flinching.
“And what are Eleventh Young Mistress’s plans?”
The shoe that had been suspended in midair had finally dropped.
Shiyiniang let out a quiet breath. “I am the lawful wife, and it is my responsibility to look after the concubines properly. Mother need not worry — I will not fail her teachings, and will take good care of Qiao Lianfang.”
Nanny Xu froze.
The First Mistress, who had been lying with her eyes closed, suddenly opened them.
Like a sword drawn from its sheath, her gaze cut cold and sharp.
Shiyiniang gave a pained smile inwardly.
The First Mistress had not changed at all. Even with her failing health, she still loved to hold the reins of everything.
The First Young Madam, seated beside Shiyiniang at the bed, quickly smiled and stepped in. “Eleventh Young Mistress, Mother is only worried about you, which is why she specifically called you back to have Nanny Xu say a few words. You know we are all your own family here. An arm bends inward naturally — it is all for your sake.”
“I humbly await Mother’s guidance.” Shiyiniang’s manner was respectful, but her bearing carried a quiet resolve.
Nanny Xu looked at the First Mistress, whose presence was formidable; then at Shiyiniang, who was perfectly composed; and then at the First Young Madam, who was smiling graciously at her side. She steeled herself and pressed on. “Eleventh Young Mistress, when you were still at home, you were the most favoured by the First Mistress. Were it not for her deep regard for you, she would not have arranged for you to marry into the family of the Marquis of Yongping before you had even come of age. In ordinary times, you understand, such a match would have been unimaginable. In recent days, the First Mistress was troubled on your behalf and specially summoned Nanny Tao to inquire. I hear that the Marquis’s visits to your chambers are no more than perfunctory calls. Now that Qiao Yiniang is with child, the situation is greatly to your disadvantage.”
Shiyiniang sat where she was and looked at Nanny Xu with a smile.
Nanny Xu felt that gaze — with its fleeting glint of mockery, of cool disdain — like a thorn against her skin, yet she had no choice but to press on.
“Qiao Yiniang is not only of distinguished birth — she is beautiful as well. Now that she carries a child, if she were further to bear a son, the Marquis would likely regard her all the more highly. You know how she came to enter the household. Should she now rise in favour, the first person she would not spare is you, Eleventh Young Mistress. What would you do then? A woman without children is like duckweed — her foundations are never steady. But to bear a child, you must first have the Marquis come to your chambers. You are still young, and to carry a child at this age is to put one foot in the grave. The Xu family wants flourishing descendants — but what our Luo family wants is the safety and wellbeing of our daughter.”
Shiyiniang lowered her head and took a sip of tea. “And what is it that Mother intends?”
“The First Mistress wishes Eleventh Young Mistress to take a personal maidservant into her chambers.”
Shiyiniang gently blew at a floating tea leaf in her cup.
“First, it would help you keep the Marquis’s attention. Second, it would give Qiao Lianfang something to contend with and deflate her self-importance. Third, Eleventh Young Mistress would have the chance to recover your health and in a year or two, be ready to provide the Marquis with heirs. And besides, a personal maidservant kept in your chambers carries no formal status. You may do with her as you wish. If she proves disobedient, you can send her back to the Luo family at any time — the First Mistress herself will see to it on your behalf. Even if she were to conceive, under whose name would the child be registered? Whether to raise her to the position of yiniang — does that not rest entirely on your word…”
—