Nanny Xu went on at length, but the substance of it all came down to this: she wanted Shiyiniang to take advantage of Qiao Lianfang’s pregnancy — since Qiao Lianfang could not be in attendance — to bring a personal maidservant into her chambers, so as to keep Xu Lingyi close. In this way, the young and beautiful Qiao Lianfang would not, by bearing a son, suddenly rise dramatically in Xu Lingyi’s regard, seizing a dominant voice within the household — and thereby failing to adequately protect Zhun Ge’s welfare and interests.

Since the aim was clear, the path taken to reach it was of little importance.

Shiyiniang smiled and cut Nanny Xu off. “Nanny Xu, this coming spring Zhun Ge will turn seven — it is time for him to begin his studies. As he has been raised at the Dowager’s side, he has already learned fifteen passages from the Three Character Classic. He tells his little brother the stories of Mencius’s mother moving three times and young Huang Xiang warming his father’s bed. Brotherly affection and filial devotion — the Dowager and the Marquis are deeply pleased to see it. Even Second Young Master Siyu, when he meets Zhun Ge, cannot help but commend him for his gracious bearing. There is no need for Mother to worry. As for your own health, Mother, you must take good care of yourself and rest more. Elder Brother and Elder Sister-in-Law are here to manage things at home — please set your mind at ease and enjoy a few years of leisure.”

Nanny Xu was left speechless.

The First Mistress stared at the utterly unruffled Shiyiniang, her face flushing red with fury at those words that struck straight at the heart. She twisted her mouth and struck the bed, calling out in garbled sounds toward her.

The mood in the room edged toward the absurd.

The First Young Madam could see it would not do, and moved to smooth things over.

“Eleventh Young Mistress is a clever woman. We were only worried that you might not be seeing things clearly through the fog, that is all. Since you have a plan of your own, we need say nothing more.” She exchanged a glance with Nanny Xu, then turned back to Shiyiniang with a smile. “Eleventh Young Mistress has not yet visited Fifth Yiniang, has she? Fifth Yiniang has been eating well and sleeping well these days, and has grown quite a bit rounder… Why not let me accompany Eleventh Young Mistress to Fifth Yiniang’s rooms for a visit?”

Nanny Xu, taking her cue, stepped forward to wipe the First Mistress’s mouth, effectively shielding her from the First Mistress’s furious gaze.

Shiyiniang had no desire to continue wrangling with the First Mistress over this matter, and seized the offered retreat. She went with the First Young Madam to Fifth Yiniang’s quarters.

On the way, the First Young Madam said quietly, “Eleventh Young Mistress need not take offence. You know Mother’s nature. But there is much truth in what she said. Please give it some thought.” She paused, her voice taking on a worried note as she glanced at Shiyiniang. “If only you could have a son of your own, things would be different…”

Shiyiniang had no wish to cause a rift with the First Young Madam either. She answered evasively, “I am grateful for Elder Sister-in-Law’s kind concern. But whether or not to take someone in, to take a concubine or not — even if I were willing, it would require the Marquis’s consent.” She could not help a rueful smile. “Mother had me summoned back like this and pressed me for an answer. What was I to say?”

Hearing her put it that way, the First Young Madam had nothing further to offer. She smiled. “It is I who failed to think things through. After all, this is a Xu family matter — we of the Luo family have no business inserting ourselves like this. Never mind that it is difficult for you to answer; even with the Marquis, he would likely take it poorly.” Then she smiled again. “Take your elder brother, for instance — he is always most irritated when his maternal uncle meddles in the affairs of his inner chambers…”

Shiyiniang smiled along with her, and they arrived at Fifth Yiniang’s quarters.

Fifth Yiniang was doing needlework on the large heated bed by the inner room window. When she saw the First Young Madam accompanying Shiyiniang inside, her face broke into delighted surprise. “Eleventh Young Mistress, when did you get back? Why didn’t you say anything?” She hurried to welcome them onto the bed, and called the little maid to bring tea and refreshments.

Shiyiniang exchanged a few pleasantries with Fifth Yiniang, then inquired after her health.

“I’m perfectly well — you needn’t worry.” With an outsider present, Fifth Yiniang was as usual a woman of few words, and her manner was restrained.

The First Young Madam, thinking her own presence was making it awkward for the two of them to speak freely, made some excuse about needing to find the Fourth Young Madam and took her leave.

Shiyiniang had also wanted some private time with Fifth Yiniang. She exchanged a few courteous words and had the little maid show the First Young Madam out.

Fifth Yiniang immediately took Shiyiniang’s hand. “Shanhu told me. She said the Qiao Yiniang at your place is with child, and the First Mistress wants you to bring someone into your chambers. Is that why you’ve come back today?”

The news had spread so quickly.

Even if she denied it, it would be known throughout the household within days. Better to speak openly with Fifth Yiniang.

“That is indeed why.” Shiyiniang smiled. “But you need not worry. I have a clear sense of what I’m doing.”

“How can I not worry!” Fifth Yiniang let out a long sigh. “You and the Marquis came together midway through life, with neither the shared hardship of early poverty nor the three years of mourning worn together. The bond between you is naturally thin to begin with. If you cannot win the Marquis’s affection on top of that, how will you get on in the days ahead?” She glanced at Shiyiniang reclining against the bolster pillow — a warm chestnut-coloured fur robe, her complexion pale as powder, delicate and refined, like a white magnolia just beginning to bloom. Fifth Yiniang sighed again. “Once you are a bit older, things will be easier… For now you just have to endure these days. You should listen to the First Mistress and take someone into your chambers.”

Shiyiniang had not expected even Fifth Yiniang to say such things. It was clear everyone shared the same view of the matter.

She laughed and quipped, “Why not simply bring the Marquis a few more concubines? With so many around, like lice too numerous to itch, like debts too many to fret over — let whoever it is play off east against west, manoeuvre and scheme — I can sit comfortably in the middle, stand firm like a pillar in the wind, swaying to neither side!” Having said it, she found herself genuinely amused and began to laugh.

Who could have known that Fifth Yiniang would take this in all seriousness, consider it for a moment, and then say, “That is not a bad plan either. If it were really so, it would actually be somewhat like our own household.”

Shiyiniang burst out laughing.

“Eleventh Young Mistress, I am speaking in earnest.” Fifth Yiniang, seeing that she was not taking it seriously at all, said reproachfully.

Not wishing to keep teasing her, Shiyiniang sat up properly and said, “I thought this through carefully in the very early days after I married in. Although the Marquis and I are joined midway through life, as long as I do not go against my elders, drive a wedge between family members, stir up conflict between sisters-in-law, or make mischief with gossip — the Marquis will show me at least some measure of respect no matter what. Rest assured — nothing will go wrong.”

“That is true enough,” Fifth Yiniang reflected. “The Marquis has children already, and a legacy secured. If you keep your place with propriety, he will naturally preserve your standing. We ask for nothing grand in this life — just to live quietly and decently.”

—

When a daughter who has married out is summoned back to her maternal home, it is customary to give the household of the husband’s family advance notice of a few days and await their consent before the return date is fixed. Of course, this was how things were done under ordinary circumstances. In cases of emergency — a parent’s illness, or a sudden death in the family — all formalities could be set aside.

To have called Shiyiniang home so abruptly was enough to make anyone suspicious.

Xu Lingyi was perfectly collected and asked no questions the entire journey back.

Had he already learned the reason from Luo Zhensheng? Or was he simply uninterested in whatever the First Mistress had called her back for? Or was he being deliberately inscrutable, waiting for her to ask first?

Shiyiniang turned this over in her mind. Part of her wanted to simply sit in silence across from him all the way back to Lotus Lane. But then she thought of the Dowager’s warm words of concern on their departure, and her resolve softened — it was hardly possible to return and airily say to the old lady, “Mother called me back to discuss finding the Marquis a personal maidservant.” How was that any different from what Qiao Furen had done in sending Qiao Lianfang that canopy?

“Marquis… Mother called me back to discuss something with me.”

“Oh.” Xu Lingyi replied with cool detachment, not a flicker of movement at the corner of his eye or brow, as though utterly indifferent.

Shiyiniang steeled herself and continued. “…Mother said I am young and inexperienced, and asked me to find the Marquis a personal maidservant to keep in my chambers.”

On the very same afternoon that Qiao Lianfang’s happy pulse was announced? Then suddenly recalling that Shiyiniang was still so young, and deciding she ought to find him a personal maidservant?

Xu Lingyi looked at Shiyiniang and raised an eyebrow. “Said you were young and inexperienced, and asked you to find me a personal maidservant?” His tone was markedly sardonic.

When she had been called back so abruptly, he had known it would be nothing good.

One person not enough to meddle in, now another too… there was never a moment’s peace…

“And what is your opinion?” Xu Lingyi asked. He simply tossed the ball back to Shiyiniang.

You’re asking me? If I say I am against it and you refuse to agree, my objection means nothing.

“I said I would defer to the Marquis.” She kicked the ball right back to him.

“Very well.” Xu Lingyi nodded. “Understood.”

And then — nothing more.

Just like that.

Shiyiniang was taken aback.

Then she felt a quiet wave of relief.

In any case, I have said what I needed to say. As for what is to be done — since I said I would defer to the Marquis, I will simply do so when the time comes.

With that settled in her mind, she leaned back against the bolster pillow and listened to the steady rhythm of the horses’ hooves all the way back to Lotus Lane.

Back at Lotus Lane, Xu Lingyi spoke up before she could. “…She said she wanted to see Shiyiniang. When one has been ill for a long time, the temper does not always cooperate, and the family dares not cross her. As for us — we set off in such a rush without asking clearly first, and made quite a spectacle of ourselves.”

When a person is unwell, it is generally the one they hold most dear that they think of. Not Zhun Ge — but Shiyiniang… The Dowager smiled to herself and pretended not to see through any of it.

“Fortunately it was a false alarm. Now go and rest.”

The two of them returned to their own courtyard. Chief Steward Bai appeared at once. “Marquis, the Master Xi recommended by Prince Shun has arrived! He has been waiting for you for over an hour.”

Xu Lingyi explained to Shiyiniang, “I have been asking around on the children’s behalf for a tutor.”

Shiyiniang had something she needed to speak with Nanny Tao about — this arrangement suited them both. She smiled and saw Xu Lingyi out.

Nanny Tao made no attempt to evade. “Madam, it was I who told the First Mistress.” Her eyes reddened at the corners. “Madam is still young — there are things whose gravity you may not yet fully grasp. I have seen too much of the world to stand by and do nothing. Since I could not persuade you myself, I had no choice but to ask the First Mistress to step in and speak to you.” Her complexion grew a little pale. “Madam, I know I was wrong in this. But I can swear before Heaven and Earth that I have no ill intent toward you, and I have not spoken of the affairs of this household to any outside party…”

What she feared most was someone who believed themselves faultless, who held their head high and walked a straight and undeviating path to the end.

“Since you call me Madam,” Shiyiniang said, her voice carrying a quiet sorrow, “then it is I who governs this household, is it not?”

Nanny Tao stared at her.

“You are a loyal servant left behind by my elder sister, and each of us has our own allegiance. I have no wish to make things difficult for you, nor do I wish to give others cause to laugh at the Luo family, and even less do I wish for Zhun Ge to be grieved. So there is only one thing I want to ask you now: do you wish to remain at my side, to watch Zhun Ge grow up, marry, and start a family, and manage the inner household on his behalf? Or would you rather I sent you to one of the estates, to live alongside your son?”

—