After receiving the news, Shiyiniang first sent someone to inform Xu Lingyi, then went to Qiao Lianfang’s quarters.

“I’m completely at a loss,” she said, consulting the two nannies. “What do you think should be done?”

Both nannies wore unpleasant expressions. Nanny Tian said nothing, while Nanny Wan smiled and said, “Come to think of it, when the Grand Madam gave birth to the Fifth Master back then, we were the ones attending to her. We never saw a situation quite like Qiao Yiniang’s, where she couldn’t keep anything down at all. We are, after all, just women of the inner household with limited experience. Perhaps, Madam, you could help arrange for an Imperial Physician to come and take a look. That way we might also learn something new.”

There was more to those words than met the eye, giving one much to ponder.

Shiyiniang thought it best not to comment, and simply said, “I’ll follow what you’ve suggested, Nanny. I’ll send someone to fetch an Imperial Physician right away.” She immediately had Lvyun take the authorization token and asked Steward Bai to arrange for an Imperial Physician, then brought Hupo along to visit Qiao Lianfang.

Qiao Lianfang lay listlessly in bed, her complexion ashen, her large eyes completely vacant, her whole person looking thoroughly haggard.

When she saw Shiyiniang enter, she weakly struggled to rise. “Madam, you’ve come!”

Embroidered Eave quickly moved to support her.

“Qiao Yiniang, there’s no need for formalities,” Shiyiniang said politely. “You’re not well — please lie back down and rest!”

Qiao Lianfang exchanged a few courteous words but still insisted on sitting up.

Shiyiniang asked after her condition.

“…It’s as though my throat is being strangled. I can’t get anything down.”

Shiyiniang offered a few words of comfort, told her that she had already sent for a physician, urged her to rest well, and then rose to return to her own courtyard.

Linbo was waiting in the courtyard. Seeing her return, he hurried forward. “Madam, the Marquis says you should arrange for an Imperial Physician for Qiao Yiniang and have her properly examined to determine what illness she has. If one Imperial Physician can’t find anything, send for two. If two can’t find anything, send for three — until it becomes clear whether the physicians of the Imperial Medical Bureau are simply lacking in skill, or whether Qiao Yiniang’s illness is so unusual as to defy diagnosis.” Since he was only conveying a message, and since it touched on matters of the inner household, his voice carried a note of unease by the time he finished.

Shiyiniang nodded and said gently, “Please go back and report to the Marquis. Tell him that I have already spoken with both nannies, and that their opinion is also to invite an Imperial Physician to examine Qiao Yiniang. Lvyun has just taken my authorization token to Steward Bai. The Imperial Physician should arrive shortly. Tell the Marquis there is no need to worry.”

At those last words, Linbo’s lips parted slightly, as though he wished to say something more, but he held back, gave a respectful bow, and withdrew.

That afternoon, Imperial Physician Wu arrived.

As propriety demanded that men and women be kept separate, Shiyiniang had the two nannies attend in her stead.

A short while later, Nanny Tian returned to report, “Imperial Physician Wu says there is nothing seriously wrong with the Yiniang. It is simply that spring has arrived and she is feeling somewhat sluggish, combined with the fact that she is in the first three months of her pregnancy, which accounts for the loss of appetite. He has prescribed a remedy.” She then handed the prescription to Hupo, who stood nearby.

Shiyiniang took the prescription from Hupo, glanced at it, and consulted with Nanny Tian. “After all, she is with child. As for the matter of medication, I think it would be best to speak with the Marquis before proceeding.”

Nanny Tian nodded. “As always, Madam thinks of everything.” She then expressed concern for Shiyiniang’s own well-being. “…These days have been busy. You must take care of yourself as well. I noticed you’ve grown noticeably thinner of late. Should we not also have an Imperial Physician come and look at you?”

The Third Household was preparing to depart. The Third Madam was taking only a few personal maids and the family of Nanny Gan and the family of Gan Laoquan. Even Yiniang Yi was being left behind. Some who could not follow felt resentful, while others had been scheming eagerly to take Gan Laoquan’s position. They came and went in a steady stream at the door, reporting matters to Shiyiniang, and in the course of their reports would invariably find ways to mention how capable and loyal they themselves were. Meanwhile, Wanxiang and others had been growing restless, occasionally letting it be known that they intended to resume their management duties — sending the servants into a state of anxious uncertainty.

These past few days, Shiyiniang had devoted most of her energy to balancing these relationships.

Fortunately, this era was not like the world she had come from, where employers dismissed employees and employees dismissed employers, with everyone having many options. In this age, “loyalty” was paramount, and anyone dismissed from a household like the Xu family would find their character called into question, making it nearly impossible to find employment elsewhere. Wielding this particular authority proved more than effective.

It was not nearly as “taxing” as Nanny Tian had made it sound.

“Thank you for your concern, Nanny,” Shiyiniang said with a smile. “I feel fine. I’m just a little short on sleep.”

Nanny Tian laughed at that. “When the Grand Madam was young, she used to say exactly the same thing — too much to do, too little time, never enough sleep.” She added with concern, “Even so, Madam, please do take care. When you’re young you can push through without feeling it much, but when age catches up with you, those early habits often come back to trouble you.”

The two were still chatting when Xu Lingyi returned.

Nanny Tian bowed in greeting but did not withdraw. Instead, stepping forward past Shiyiniang, she proactively brought up the matter of Qiao Lianfang’s illness. “…The prescription was shown to Madam. Madam said that since Qiao Yiniang is currently with child, the question of whether to use the medicine should be left for the Marquis to decide.”

Xu Lingyi took the prescription with a cold laugh. He said to Shiyiniang, “Have another Imperial Physician examine her. Let’s see if, besides this spring sluggishness and loss of appetite, there is anything else wrong with her — so that we don’t cure one ailment only to have a new one appear.”

“My lord!” Shiyiniang intervened in front of Nanny Tian before things got out of hand. “Please just look over the prescription and tell us whether it can be used. Then I can send someone to fetch the medicine.”

Xu Lingyi gave a cold snort and turned into the washroom.

Shiyiniang had Lvyun go and collect the medicine, then turned to Nanny Tian. “The Third Master is about to set out, and the Marquis has had a great deal on his mind these past few days. I’m afraid he is simply exhausted. Please don’t take it to heart, Nanny.”

Nanny Tian was quick to demur, rose to take her leave, and withdrew.

Upon leaving the main courtyard, she went directly to the Grand Madam’s quarters.

“A remedy was prescribed?” The Grand Madam sat in her grand chair while Nanny Du massaged her shoulders.

“Yes!” Nanny Tian replied respectfully, then crouched down and skillfully began massaging the Grand Madam’s calves. “The Fourth Madam did not feel it was her place to decide, so she deferred to the Marquis. The Marquis lost his temper and was reined in by the Fourth Madam…”

“Oh!” The Grand Madam immediately perked up with interest. “Tell me — what was it like? Did the Fourth Master lose his temper?”

Nanny Du covered her mouth in quiet laughter. “What business is a son’s domestic affairs to you?”

It was meant as a light-hearted tease, yet the Grand Madam’s expression dimmed slightly. “Of all my sons, the one I’ve wronged most is the Fourth…”

She began to speak of the past. The two nannies exchanged a glance and, both smiling, steered the conversation elsewhere. “Blessings come from misfortune, and misfortune leads to blessings. Without what came before, there would be no happiness now!”

The Grand Madam’s expression softened at that.

Nanny Tian seized the moment. “There was something the Fourth Madam said…” and skillfully redirected the Grand Madam’s attention.

—

Meanwhile, Shiyiniang was giving Lvyun careful instructions. “The prescription came out with you, and the medicine will come back with you. You must check everything carefully before handing it over to the two nannies.”

Fortunately, the prescribed remedy was a common heat-clearing and detoxifying tea taken seasonally in spring — the ingredients were familiar to everyone.

Lvyun nodded. “Madam, rest assured. I know how serious this is. I will not let anyone else handle it.”

Shiyiniang listened and gave a nod of approval.

Hupo could not help but grumble, “Qiao Yiniang had better deliver that baby soon. The way she carries on — she’s not tormenting herself, she’s tormenting the rest of us.”

Shiyiniang thought about it and found she couldn’t entirely disagree. A smile escaped her despite herself.

As it turned out, Qiao Third Madam paid a visit the very next day.

Shiyiniang was taken aback.

Was it coincidence, or something more deliberate?

She received Qiao Third Madam in the main hall. Without waiting for her to state her purpose, Shiyiniang went straight to the point and told her about Qiao Lianfang being confined to her quarters by Xu Lingyi. “…It is simply not convenient for you to see Qiao Yiniang right now. I think it would be best if you waited until the Marquis’s temper has cooled before coming again — to avoid inadvertently making things worse for Qiao Yiniang.”

At that, Qiao Third Madam’s face flushed a deep, mottled red. She exchanged a few perfunctory pleasantries with Shiyiniang, clearly distracted, then rose and took her leave.

Shiyiniang called Hupo to her. “Look again, carefully, and see if there are any gaps in our defenses. I can’t help feeling that Qiao Third Madam’s visit was not entirely straightforward. If that’s truly the case, I’m afraid trouble is only a matter of time.”

Hupo nodded and spent two days making a thorough investigation, but found nothing.

Shiyiniang turned her thoughts to Imperial Physician Wu… Tracing that thread would inevitably draw the two nannies into it. She had no choice but to instruct Hupo, “Then all we can do is be vigilant and make sure nothing suspicious gets in from the outside.”

Hupo acknowledged the order.

Xu Siyu arrived.

He had been confined to his quarters for some time. Since the Third Household was departing the next day, and this separation meant a journey of a thousand miles with no knowing when they would meet again, Shiyiniang had arranged to give Xu Siyu a day to say his farewells to Xu Siqin and Xu Sijian. She had specifically sent a maid to fetch him.

Xu Siyu was visibly surprised.

Shiyiniang spoke frankly. “You grew up together — your bonds are deep. I kept you confined because I feared you would try to see Yuan Jie’er out of a sense of injustice and stir up further trouble.”

“It won’t happen again!” Xu Siyu bowed his head. “We will never act so rashly in the future.”

Shiyiniang put no stock in his promises, which was why she cast a quiet glance at Wenzhu.

Wenzhu was startled into action at once and said hurriedly, “Madam, I will follow Second Young Master at all times, just as you have instructed.”

Xu Siyu looked as though he wanted to say something but held back.

Shiyiniang lifted her teacup.

Xu Siyu withdrew.

A young maid came in to report, “The Third Madam and Qiao Madam from the Duke Chengguo Mansion, along with Tang Madam from the Marquis Zhongshan Mansion, have arrived.”

Shiyiniang’s heart sank with alarm.

That Qiao Madam would appear so soon after Qiao Third Madam had been turned away — and in the company of Tang Madam, no less…

She quickly called for Hupo. “Go and inform the Marquis at once. Both Qiao Madam and Tang Madam are senior family members. If they corner me with their words… I’m afraid I may not be able to hold them off alone.”

Hupo set off at a quick trot toward the outer courtyard.

Shiyiniang went out to receive her guests.

The Third Madam accompanied the two ladies with an air of reflected glory.

The moment Qiao Madam caught sight of Shiyiniang, she came forward warmly and took her hand. “Tomorrow the Third Madam is leaving, so we’ve come to see her off — and thought we’d look in on you at the same time.”

Tang Madam maintained the composed dignity befitting a senior figure, giving Shiyiniang a mild nod with a faint smile.

Shiyiniang courteously ushered all three inside and invited them to be seated.

Once the maids had served tea, Qiao Madam began glancing around the room. “How is it I don’t see Lianfang? Is she not attending on you here?”

Shiyiniang smiled. “Qiao Yiniang is with child — how could she be waiting on anyone…”

Before she had even finished, Qiao Madam looked up in surprise. “She is with child? How did I not know?” She then rose to her feet. “This is wonderful news — I must go and see her!”

Tang Madam, hearing this, cast Qiao Madam a faintly disdainful glance and said, “I, for one, am quite exhausted from the journey. I’ll sit and have my tea first.”

One does not humiliate a person in public.

Shiyiniang excused herself and walked out of the hall alongside Qiao Madam, then told her that Qiao Yiniang had been confined to her quarters.

Qiao Madam was visibly shaken, and a look of hesitation crossed her face.

Shiyiniang saw it plainly and offered her a way out. “You must be tired from the journey as well. Come, let us sit and have some tea.”

Qiao Madam was still wavering.

Just then a young manservant stepped in. “Madam, the Marquis says that if Qiao Madam wishes to see Qiao Yiniang, she is welcome to do so.”

Qiao Madam’s expression relaxed at once. She raised her brows and gave Shiyiniang a smile. “Since it is the Marquis himself who has confined her, I’ll go precisely to give her a proper scolding — and remind her what it means to be a proper wife and concubine in a household.”

Shiyiniang saw no reason to be particularly gracious toward someone like this. She had a young maid escort Qiao Madam to Qiao Lianfang’s quarters, while she herself remained in the hall to keep Tang Madam company over tea.

That evening when Xu Lingyi returned, Shiyiniang could not help grumbling. “That whole situation came from one word from you, my lord… I honestly don’t think Qiao Madam was absolutely determined to see Qiao Yiniang.”

Xu Lingyi listened, and the veins at his temple stood out visibly. “Just let her see whoever she likes. I want to see exactly what this little performance of hers is all about.”

Three days after the Third Household’s departure, Qiao Lianfang miscarried.

—