Shiyiniang was in the middle of a conversation with the First Young Madam of the Luo Family.

“…What are we to do? The Wang Family is opening the ancestral hall tomorrow.” The First Young Madam of the Luo Family was pacing anxiously in circles. “All the Marquis’s efforts will have been for nothing.”

Lvyun came in with light, careful steps, carrying a bowl of red sugar water steeped with motherwort.

The First Young Madam of the Luo Family caught the familiar scent, and her expression flickered. “You…”

Shiyiniang took the small blue-and-white porcelain bowl.

The reddish-brown liquid steamed gently with warmth. She lifted it carefully and took a small sip. “I’m feeling unwell at the moment.” Her tone was calm.

The First Young Madam of the Luo Family could not help but grow concerned. “Then in your room… who will attend to the Marquis?”

Shiyiniang had no habit of discussing private matters with others. She picked up the earlier thread of conversation. “Is there truly no way to change course?”

Seeing that Shiyiniang had no wish to pursue the subject, the First Young Madam of the Luo Family did not press further.

In truth, the Luo Family’s people had been negotiating with the Wang Family for the past several days, yet the Wang Family had still decided to adopt a son into the Duke’s name. Perhaps fearing that once the Luo Family knew, they would no longer exert themselves in the matter of the title succession, the Wang Family had kept this hidden from the Luo Family the entire time. Had it not been for one of the wives Shiyiniang had sent over noticing that a seven-year-old boy had been lodging in Old Madam Wang’s room for several nights running and grown suspicious, the Luo Family would have remained in the dark about the Wang Family’s intentions until this very moment.

“It’s already been decided.” She thought of this and felt a surge of bitter resentment. “Your elder brother is still over at the Wang Family arguing with them even now. He specifically asked me to come and tell you, to see if you had any ideas.”

Luo Zhensheng was Shiyiniang’s own eldest brother-in-law on her maiden side — if even he had no solution, what could Shiyiniang do? The First Young Madam of the Luo Family had phrased it tactfully, but what she truly wanted was for Shiyiniang to ask Xu Lingyi to intervene, to see if there was any chance of turning things around.

Thinking of how the First Young Madam of the Luo Family had rushed over in the middle of the night, Shiyiniang sent Lvyun to fetch Xu Lingyi, then explained the situation to the First Young Madam of the Luo Family. “The previous batch of household stewards were all men who had served under the late Marquis. Now advanced in years and lacking the vigor they once had, many have gone to the Marquis one by one to tender their resignations. The Marquis has been preoccupied with this matter.”

“This truly was a last resort.” The First Young Madam of the Luo Family looked faintly embarrassed. “Your elder brother also understands — this is a matter of the Wang Family’s clan, and the Luo Family, as the wife’s maiden relatives, has no standing to intervene in it, let alone the Marquis, who is merely a brother-in-law by marriage. That is precisely why the Marquis left the task of persuading the Wang Family to us, while taking it upon himself to handle the succession of the title. It truly was because the Marquis had no standing in this…”

Shiyiniang cut off the First Young Madam of the Luo Family. “We are all one family — there is no need for such talk. The Marquis is a man of wide experience and broad knowledge. He may very well come up with a good solution.” She turned instead to offering comfort to the First Young Madam of the Luo Family.

The First Young Madam of the Luo Family felt only deeper shame.

Xu Lingyi returned.

Shiyiniang promptly explained the purpose of the First Young Madam of the Luo Family’s visit.

Xu Lingyi’s brow furrowed deeply. “No wonder they could raise someone like Wang Lang.”

The First Young Madam of the Luo Family flushed crimson. Then, fearing Shiyiniang might take offense, she murmured, “It was our failure to handle this matter properly. Otherwise, the Marquis would not have been placed in such a difficult position…”

What use was there in saying any of this now? What mattered was whether the present difficulty could be resolved.

Shiyiniang gave a soft cough and said, “I once read those old tales and historical romances, and they all said that when a county magistrate couldn’t make up his mind on a verdict, he would have his advisor dig out old case records to look through, searching for something similar…” She looked at Xu Lingyi. “Though we know nothing of such matters ourselves, and I’m not sure whether that’s actually how it works…”

Xu Lingyi said nothing. He clasped his hands behind his back and began pacing about the room.

The First Young Madam of the Luo Family dared not disturb him, sitting in still, breathless attention with her eyes fixed on Xu Lingyi.

Shiyiniang refilled the First Young Madam of the Luo Family’s tea and said softly, “Elder Sister-in-law, don’t worry — a solution will be found.”

The First Young Madam of the Luo Family accepted the tea bowl and gave a slight nod. The pacing Xu Lingyi came to a stop.

“How old is the child?”

The First Young Madam of the Luo Family quickly set down her tea bowl. “He is seven years old.”

“What is his temperament like?”

The First Young Madam of the Luo Family smiled bitterly. Had it not been for Shiyiniang’s person discovering this, they would never have known. To say nothing of observing the child’s character. She could only say vaguely, “He looks fair and clean — by appearances, he seems a well-behaved and clever sort.”

“Was it the Duke who proposed this? Or Old Madam Wang? Or the idea of those relatives?”

“It should be those relatives’ idea.” The First Young Madam of the Luo Family was not entirely certain. “The Duke has shut himself in his study the entire time. Old Madam Wang is bedridden. Madam Jiang was escorted back to the Jiang Family by Yuan Baozhu’s wife. The Tenth Young Madam doesn’t even know which of the Wang Family’s relatives exist… The child was naturally selected by those relatives themselves.”

Even Shiyiniang, to say nothing of Xu Lingyi, inwardly let out a quiet sigh upon hearing this.

To know yourself and know your enemy is to win every battle. They didn’t even know these most basic facts — it was no wonder they had been driven to a passive, reactive position.

The First Young Madam of the Luo Family herself knew the matter had been handled poorly. She lowered her head. “The Duke had originally agreed to your elder brother’s arrangement — who could have known that…”

Xu Lingyi glanced at the self-chiming clock in the eastern side room, then said to the First Young Madam of the Luo Family, “The curfew hour has come. Elder Sister-in-law, why not stay the night here? As for the Chengguo Marquis’s residence, I’ll go take a look.”

The First Young Madam of the Luo Family was thoroughly taken aback, and stood up with an expression full of gratitude. “How could I allow the Marquis to go to such trouble? Let me go along too.” Then she added, “These past few days I’ve been staying with the Tenth Young Aunt…”

When sisters-in-law were reunited, it was often difficult for them to part — sitting up by candlelight deep into the night was commonplace…

Xu Lingyi glanced over at Shiyiniang.

She was wearing a simple white silk jacket, her face without a trace of powder, a faint weariness about her brow, yet her expression was very gentle. She was saying in a soft voice to the First Young Madam of the Luo Family, “Take care on the road. The wives I sent are all longtime members of the Xu household — they understand propriety and are thorough. If you need anything, feel free to call on them. Don’t tire yourself out…”

Every word was a thought for others. Not a single word about herself.

Xu Lingyi could not help but let out an inward sigh.

Shiyiniang saw them to the gate of the courtyard.

But then two figures slipped out from the eastern side gate. “Marquis!”

By the light of the large red lanterns hanging beneath the covered walkway, it turned out to be Qiao Lianfang and Xiuyuan.

Xu Lingyi was startled. “At this hour — what are you doing here?”

Qiao Lianfang and Xiuyuan had hurried over to the main courtyard and, after asking the gatekeeper wives, learned that Xu Lingyi had not yet returned. With the night wind blowing hard, Xiuyuan feared Qiao Lianfang might catch a chill and urged her to return, offering to wait at the side gate herself. When she saw Xu Lingyi return to the courtyard, she rushed to inform Qiao Lianfang, who hurried over — only to hear that the First Young Madam of the Luo Family had arrived. Seeing that the hour was growing late and thinking the First Young Madam of the Luo Family would not stay long, she waited at the eastern side gate for a while. But not only did she wait until the First Young Madam of the Luo Family had left — she waited until Xu Lingyi was heading out the door.

She had no time to think further and stepped forward.

“Marquis!” She bent her knees to give him a bow.

Xu Lingyi quickly caught her by the arm. “You are with child — all of that can be dispensed with!”

The anxiety that had gripped Qiao Lianfang immediately settled.

She smiled. “It is so late, Marquis — are you preparing to go out?”

Xu Lingyi nodded. “I am indeed about to go out. Do you have something to say?”

Qiao Lianfang looked toward the First Young Madam of the Luo Family and seemed to want to speak, but held herself back.

The First Young Madam of the Luo Family saw this and stepped forward a few paces. “I shall ride in the carriage and the Marquis shall ride on horseback — I’ll go ahead first.”

Xu Lingyi listened, then beckoned Shiyiniang over and said to Qiao Lianfang, “Whatever you have to say, tell it to Madam directly. I must step out for a while.” He then instructed Shiyiniang, “See to whatever Qiao Yiniang needs. If it is beyond you, let Steward Bai know.”

The First Young Madam of the Luo Family, who had not gone far, heard every word clearly.

She gave an inward nod of approval.

The fact that the Marquis could entrust a pregnant concubine to Shiyiniang’s care spoke volumes about the trust he placed in Shiyiniang. No wonder Shiyiniang was unconcerned about who attended to the Marquis — after all, the very purpose of arranging someone to serve the Marquis was to keep his heart close. The Marquis’s trust in Shiyiniang spoke for itself.

Shiyiniang promptly responded, “Your concubine understands.”

Xu Lingyi gave Qiao Lianfang a nod, then departed the inner courtyard with his manservants and attendants alongside the First Young Madam of the Luo Family.

For a moment, the courtyard gate fell quiet.

Qiao Lianfang watched Xu Lingyi’s retreating figure and bit her lips until they turned pale.

Shiyiniang courteously invited her to take a seat in the main hall. “…Qiao Yiniang is with child. Whatever it is, speak to me directly.” She added, “As the Marquis said — if there is anything I cannot manage, Steward Bai can be asked to see to it as well.”

“That won’t be necessary.” Qiao Lianfang refused, then said haltingly, “It’s not really such an important matter…”

Xiuyuan looked on anxiously.

If Shiyiniang grew suspicious and chose to block things, it would become all the more difficult to see the Marquis in the future.

She quickly spoke up from the side. “Actually, the Yiniang came to see Madam. It just happened that she ran into the Marquis, so she stepped forward to greet him.” As she spoke, she gave Qiao Lianfang a tug on the sleeve.

Qiao Lianfang understood in her heart, but could not quite resign herself to it, and a trace of hesitation showed on her face.

Xiuyuan simply spoke on Qiao Lianfang’s behalf. “Qiao Yiniang wishes to see Madam Qiao. She simply felt a little embarrassed to ask, and was still working up the nerve.”

After all, the Marquis had already said — if Shiyiniang could not manage it, Steward Bai would see to it. This was an entirely trivial matter for Shiyiniang.

But to their surprise, Shiyiniang did not agree as readily as she usually did. Instead, she said, “Given Qiao Yiniang’s present circumstances, I’m not sure whether receiving visitors is permitted. Why don’t I consult with the two Nannies first?”

The two Nannies she referred to were Nanny Tian and Nanny Wan, sent by the Grand Madam to tend to her.

Qiao Lianfang thought for a moment, and then, unexpectedly, smiled and nodded. “Then let us wait until Madam has spoken with the two Nannies.” She then led Xiuyuan back to her quarters.

On the way, Xiuyuan murmured, “Miss, it was clearly a stalling tactic on Shiyiniang’s part. You should have gone with her to see the two Nannies before making any plans…”

Qiao Lianfang smiled and shook her head. “The Marquis isn’t here. What good does it do to say any of this?”

Xiuyuan thought about it and found there was truth in that.

What use was it for anyone else to know? It only mattered if the Marquis knew.

She said no more, and attended to Qiao Lianfang for the night.

Shiyiniang, thinking it over briefly, understood as well.

She gave a quiet smile, then instructed Lvyun to go invite the two Nannies over.

Upon learning the purpose, both Nannies expressed their view. “Qiao Yiniang is in excellent health. Receiving a visitor should be no problem at all.”

Shiyiniang smiled and nodded, then said politely, “I know little about such things — I’ll have to rely on you both to guide me often in the future.”

Both Nannies quickly rose, saying, “We would not dare.”

After a round of pleasantries, Shiyiniang dismissed them with tea.

Lvyun attended to Shiyiniang as she retired for the night, but hesitated several times on the verge of speaking.

Shiyiniang smiled. “Say what you have to say.”

Lvyun said, “I’ve noticed that Madam is usually very generous with people. Why didn’t you take the opportunity to give the two Nannies a handsome tip?”

Shiyiniang replied with a meaningful smile, “I was afraid of being misunderstood.”

Lvyun listened and fell into quiet thought.

—