Xu Lingyi did not return until early afternoon the following day.

“It’s settled,” he said the moment he saw Shiyiniang. “The child has been adopted into Wang Lang’s name.”

So quickly…

Shiyiniang was astonished. “How did you manage it, Marquis?” Then she noticed that although his appearance was neat and tidy, his lips were somewhat dry, and he was still wearing yesterday’s traveling clothes. She could detect a disagreeable smell of liquor about him, and suspected he had not slept at all the night before and had drunk quite a bit at the Wang Family’s. Suppressing her surprise, she turned and told the maids to bring water to attend to his washing, then said, “Marquis, you’ve been drinking? Would you like the kitchen to prepare a sobering broth, or perhaps some chicken broth to settle your stomach?”

“No need.” Xu Lingyi said, “I simply haven’t closed my eyes from yesterday until now. Make the bed — I need to lie down for a while.”

Everyone bustled around him. When they had at last attended to him and gotten him into bed, Shiyiniang had intended to wait until he had slept properly before asking what had happened — but Xu Lingyi took the initiative to speak.

“The Duke has a soft heart, but he is not muddled in his mind. Once I spoke plainly with him, he naturally agreed.”

How could it be so simple?

If it had been so simple, surely Luo Zhensheng would have known what to say.

Seeing that she was unconvinced, Xu Lingyi smiled. “There are certain things Zhensheng does not understand. He couldn’t get to the heart of it. And with those relatives on the side making a clamor, the Duke lost his bearings for a moment and couldn’t think things through clearly.”

“The thing is — the inheritance of a noble title is a grace bestowed by the imperial family, but who inherits it is the Wang Family’s own affair. The Duke currently has a daughter-in-law, so he is entirely entitled to adopt a grandson. If he were to adopt a son himself, in time it would still depend on whether this adopted heir had sons of his own to pass on to Wang Lang. And even so, Wang Lang would no longer be part of the direct line. But if the Tenth Young Aunt were to adopt a son, firstly the title could still be passed on, and secondly, the Duke’s own son would be the father of the next Duke, entitling him to better ancestral rites. Otherwise, the one the Duke would eventually enshrine in offerings would be the adopted heir — not his own birth son, Wang Lang.”

“In the end, the Duke still grieves more for his son. Once I put it to him that way, he naturally agreed.”

Shiyiniang finally understood.

This approach of using the direct bloodline and ancestral rites as the point of persuasion to win over the Duke could only have been conceived by someone like Xu Lingyi, who himself came from the nobility — and the Duke would only truly receive it from such a person.

Luo Zhensheng was, after all, still young and of shallow standing.

“The Marquis has worked hard.” She took the opportunity to praise him, then moved on to the matter of Qiao Lianfang. “…She says she wishes to see Madam Qiao of the Qiao Family. I consulted with the two Nannies who attend to her, and both said that Qiao Yiniang is in good health and that having a visitor would be of no concern…”

From the moment Shiyiniang mentioned that Qiao Lianfang wished to see her mother, Xu Lingyi’s expression — already faint and languid — dissolved like morning mist under sunlight. By the time Shiyiniang reached the part about Qiao Lianfang being well enough to receive visitors, every trace of feeling had left his face. He interrupted her mid-sentence. “After all, she is with child. It is better for her to rest quietly at home and attend to the pregnancy, and to receive fewer such idle visitors coming and going.”

Shiyiniang, who had not yet finished speaking, was left stranded right there.

Before she could recover herself, Xu Lingyi was already rustling about as he lay down. “It’s been several days since I’ve gone to the Grand Madam’s for dinner. Remember to wake me at the hour of the rooster.”

His tone was light, yet it carried an unmistakable finality.

Just then, a young maid came in to announce: “Marquis, Madam — Qiao Yiniang has arrived.”

Xu Lingyi had already closed his eyes. “Remember to wake me at the hour of the rooster.”

His voice was quiet, yet firm.

Shiyiniang had no choice but to go to the main hall.

“The Marquis…” Seeing that only Shiyiniang had come out, Qiao Lianfang could not conceal the disappointment in her eyes. She involuntarily craned her neck to look past Shiyiniang.

“The Marquis has just lain down to rest.” Shiyiniang smiled. “Whatever the Yiniang needs to say, telling me is just the same.”

Qiao Lianfang could find no other excuse. “I just wanted to ask about what I mentioned before — about having my mother come to see me…”

Xu Lingyi had already made his position perfectly clear.

Shiyiniang put it gently: “Since you are with child, it is best for you to keep to a quiet regimen.”

Qiao Lianfang stared wide-eyed at this, as if she could not believe what she was hearing. After a long pause, she said, “I — I want to see the Marquis!”

Shiyiniang did not object, and immediately stepped to one side, clearing the way.

Qiao Lianfang looked at the open path and hesitated instead. After a long moment of uncertain deliberation, she said in a low voice, “In that case, I won’t disturb the Marquis’s rest. I’ll return for now.”

Shiyiniang gave a nod and had Lvyun see Qiao Lianfang out, then turned back to the inner chamber and settled herself on the large kang by the window, continuing to embroider the unfinished piece of “Valley Wind” she had set aside.

Once past the eastern side gate, Xiuyuan asked softly, “Miss, why didn’t you go in and ask just now?”

Qiao Lianfang let out a soft, dismissive sound. “Shiyiniang is full of scheming tricks. If she dared to let me go in and speak, she had a nine out of ten chance of already having a counter-prepared. If I had charged in recklessly, wouldn’t I have walked right into her trap?”

Xiuyuan, finding this reasonable, nodded steadily.

Qiao Lianfang then instructed her, “Keep your wits about you. We’ll find another opportunity to see the Marquis alone.”

Xiuyuan acknowledged this.

Unfortunately, in the days that followed, Xu Lingyi was consumed with affairs in the outer compound. It was not only Qiao Lianfang — even Shiyiniang could only see him briefly in the mornings and evenings.

On the sixth day of the second month, word arrived that the Third Master, Xu Lingning, had been appointed as County Magistrate of Shanyang County.

The news sent a ripple of astonishment through the household.

Xu Lingyi had only just relinquished his idle post as Commander of the Five Military Commissions, a senior third-rank position, and now the Emperor was bringing the third son of the Xu Family into official service — even if it was merely the post of a seventh-rank local magistrate over a small county, it was a civil appointment.

What the Emperor had in mind was something people could not help but turn over in their thoughts.

For a time, the front gates of the Xu household were as lively as a stream of flowing carriages and horses, with a constant stream of people coming to offer their congratulations.

It was the first time the Third Madam had become the center of everyone’s attention. Joy made her spirit soar: day after day she wore a bright red crepe silk jacket with full-length sleeves, directing the maids and wives to serve tea, boil water, set out dishes, and arrange wine and food, bustling about in a flurry and enjoying every moment of the attention. Yet she still found time to slip away and hum to the Grand Madam: “The Third Master is sharp in official matters, but he’s hopeless in daily life. With such a long journey ahead, how can I not worry?”

The Grand Madam considered for a moment. “Does he not have a yiniang in his household? Why not have her accompany him?”

The Third Madam was secretly anxious, but she dared not let it show on her face. She smiled. “That one is just as hopeless. In a whole month, she can’t manage to serve him properly for three days.”

“That is a difficult problem.” The Grand Madam nodded, her expression growing thoughtful. “You are his wife — you must manage these matters well.”

“Our Third Master grew up at your side. You know his temperament better than anyone.” The Third Madam smiled. “I had intended to find him someone, but he sets his standards high — this one isn’t to his liking, that one isn’t to his liking — and it kept being put off. Now that the departure is so sudden, there’s even less time to find someone suitable.” She then showed a touch of embarrassment. “I’ve been thinking it over, and my only wish is to accompany him myself. But I worry about leaving no one to attend to you here…” As she spoke, she stole a glance at the Grand Madam out of the corner of her eye.

The Grand Madam felt the timing was about right and gave a slight nod. “I’m not yet so old and infirm that I can’t move about. For now, I don’t need you all to wait on me. Only, if you were to leave, there would be no one to manage the household…”

Everything the two of them had said leading up to this was only to arrive at this one sentence.

The Third Madam immediately smiled. “Mother, as for managing the household, we do have someone capable in our family.”

“Oh?” The Grand Madam raised an eyebrow.

“The Fourth Young Madam!” The Third Madam laughed behind her hand. “She can already read and write. These past days by my side, she grasps things at the first hint and moves at the slightest nudge. I think she has real ability. Why not let her give it a try?”

“Her?” The Grand Madam smiled. “She hasn’t yet reached her coming-of-age ceremony…”

There was already a note of wavering in her tone.

The Third Madam quickly said, “Ambition is not measured by age. Why, Gan Luo became Prime Minister at twelve! And besides, in a few months she’ll have her ceremony…” She spoke in emphatic recommendation.

The Grand Madam deliberated at length and finally agreed. “Let her try it for the time being and see.”

The Third Madam was beside herself with unexpected delight. Afraid the Grand Madam might change her mind, she took it upon herself to send Qiuling to summon Shiyiniang. “…Whether I’ve exaggerated or not, you can ask for yourself.”

When Shiyiniang arrived, the Grand Madam naturally had her round of questioning, Shiyiniang naturally went through her round of declining, and the Third Madam went through her round of earnest vouching. With the back-and-forth between them, Shiyiniang at last reluctantly accepted the household management seal and keys. “…When does Third Sister-in-law plan to set out? These few days she must still guide me a little.”

The Third Madam felt as if a burden had been lifted from her shoulders. Smiling warmly, she promised, “Don’t worry, don’t worry — I will make sure everything is properly handed over to you before I leave, so you won’t be left fumbling and at a loss.”

She then took Shiyiniang’s arm and bid farewell to the Grand Madam, heading to the western flower hall where household accounts were received.

The household steward wives had long had an inkling this was coming, but had not expected it to happen so quickly — nor had they expected the Third Madam not to be leaving in quiet disgrace, but to be departing on a promotion to an official post. Every one of them tucked away any disrespect they had harbored. With smiling faces, they gave cordial send-offs and welcomes, and the atmosphere was warm and harmonious.

Hupo and Zhuxiang both came along. Hupo helped manage personnel, Zhuxiang helped manage funds and goods, and the two of them, together with the steward wives, set about taking over and checking the accounts. Shiyiniang and the Third Madam sat in the inner room listening to the reports. Before long, someone came to report to the Third Madam: “The First Young Madam of the Gan Family of Zhongqin Earldom has arrived.”

Qiuling set down whatever she was holding and instructed the young maids to go welcome the guest to the Third Madam’s main room.

The Third Madam explained to Shiyiniang: “She’s a half-sister of mine on my father’s side. She’s presumably heard that her sister’s husband has received an external appointment, so she came especially to congratulate us.” She made no move to receive her.

Shiyiniang smiled and nodded.

Not long after, there were more announcements — this person had arrived, that person had arrived.

The Third Madam would sometimes send a young maid to look in, sometimes have Nanny Gan go offer tea, sometimes go and receive guests herself for a while. By the time the lamps were lit, only half of the daily accounts had been handed over. The Third Madam sent someone to ask the outer compound, and was told that Xu Lingning and Xu Lingyi were still drinking with the guests in the outer compound. The two women ate dinner hurriedly, then continued with the accounts. Only at the first quarter past the hour of hai did they finally finish.

The two agreed to sort through the storeroom accounts the next day — those were the major portion. Not only would the records need to be checked, the physical goods would need to be verified too. Then they had evening refreshments and each went their separate ways.

Since both the husband and wife were leaving, there was no reason to leave the children behind.

The Third Madam returned home and told her husband to think of something.

Xu Lingning had drunk a fair amount, and he reached out and took hold of the Third Madam’s hand. “You just come with me — never mind the others!”

The Third Madam’s face flushed red. She made a sound of reproach at the Third Master and let go of his hand, then called for a manservant. “Go, bring both young masters here. I have something to say.”

The manservant sped off at once.

The Third Master came up from behind and put his arms around the Third Madam. “Come — let’s go inside!”

His warm breath fell hot on her neck. The Third Madam’s body went faintly soft.

The Third Master laughed proudly, then swept the Third Madam up in his arms and carried her into the inner chamber… Only after more than half an hour did he call for a young maid to bring water in to attend to them.

“Has the First Young Master come?”

The Third Madam’s face was as though brushed with rouge.

The young maid kept her head lowered. “Not yet!”

The Third Madam was startled, and sent the young maid off to look again.

After a long while, the young maid came back to report: “They say the First Young Master is not in his room. They’ve searched everywhere and haven’t found him.”

The Third Madam was so frightened she broke into a cold sweat. “Search again — send more people.”

It suddenly occurred to her that Xu Siqin had not come to pay his respects for the past two evenings.

The flush drained instantly from her face, leaving it ashen white.

—