Xu Lingyi woke with a start to find no one beside him.

He called out in surprise, “Shiyiniang,” his hand reaching across to feel the bedding beside him.

It was cold!

Last night had gone on rather late, and after feeling thoroughly satisfied, he had planned to rest his eyes for a moment before getting up to help her tidy up… Yet when he woke, she was nowhere to be seen.

The thought had barely formed when a bright, clear voice answered from beyond the bed curtains: “The Marquis is awake!”

Shiyiniang stepped in looking dainty and charming, dressed in a moon-white silk blouse and a sage-green outer robe, carrying his inner garments in her hands.

He had slept right through it all…

Xu Lingyi felt a little sheepish. He put on an air of nonchalance and asked, “What hour is it?”

“A quarter past the hour of Mao!” Shiyiniang said with a smile. “Today is Jin Ge’er’s birthday, and I’ve invited everyone over to share a bowl of longevity noodles. Marquis, do come and get up!” As she spoke, she set the inner garments on the small stool nearby, then had a little maidservant bring in water for him to wash and groom himself.

Seeing her all smiles and radiance, with no trace of displeasure on her face, Xu Lingyi felt a quiet sense of relief settle in his heart. He allowed Shiyiniang to assist him in dressing.

Yet from the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of faint rosy marks above her standing collar. The memory of the previous night stirred something warm in his chest, and he leaned close to murmur in her ear, “Are you all right?”

Shiyiniang shot Xu Lingyi a sideways glance, then looked down and continued helping him dress. But her face had turned the color of morning clouds.

Xu Lingyi was in exceedingly fine spirits. He was just about to tease her a little when a young maidservant came in to make the bed.

He quickly composed his expression and went to the washroom.

When he came out, he saw Xu Sijie sitting at the center of the large kang table by the window in the inner chamber. Before him sat a red-lacquered black enamel sunflower box filled with noodles, topped with meatballs, fish, mushrooms, winter bamboo shoots, and other savory ingredients, along with a tiny longevity character carved from a carrot.

Zhun Ge sat to the right of the kang table; Zhen Jie’er and Wen Yiniang, and Xu Siyu and Qin Yiniang were seated on either side in the grand armchairs by the kang, with matching bowls of noodles on their tea tables — served in large crimson sea bowls.

Shiyiniang guided Xu Lingyi to sit at the left of the kang table, and took her seat beside him. Lvyun served the two of them their noodles.

Shiyiniang smiled and raised her chopsticks. “Today is our Jin Ge’er’s birthday. Let us all share in his good fortune and enjoy a bowl of longevity noodles.”

Xu Lingyi looked around at the roomful of smiling faces and felt a deep sense of contentment. He picked up his chopsticks and brought a mouthful of noodles to his lips.

Only then did everyone else begin to eat.

The noodles were pleasantly springy, the savory toppings delicious — he finished the bowl in just a few bites.

He glanced over at Xu Sijie, who was slurping away with gusto, head bowed over his bowl. Sensing Xu Lingyi’s gaze, he looked up with a grin, a drop of broth still clinging to his chin.

Xu Lingyi looked at him and inwardly let out a quiet sigh. He took a handkerchief and dabbed the boy’s mouth. “No hurry — eat slowly.”

He then looked toward Zhun Ge.

He was eating his noodles in small, careful bites, his manner quite refined.

Xu Lingyi gave a small, satisfied nod and turned his gaze to Xu Siyu.

He sat with his back perfectly straight, his expression earnest. His noodles were already finished, and he was now eating the toppings.

Then he looked at Zhen Jie’er, who was using her spoon to lift noodles to her lips — graceful in a delicate, poised way.

Xu Lingyi nodded again, then asked after Xin Jie’er. “…Send someone to inquire. Find out what exactly happened.”

“I sent someone first thing this morning,” Shiyiniang said with a smile. “After taking Physician Liu’s medicine and burning the prayer paper, Xin Jie’er quieted down in the second half of the night. She slept straight through till dawn. This morning she started feeding again. Her spirits are still a little low, but there’s nothing seriously the matter.”

“That’s a relief.”

Shiyiniang then brought up the matter of Fifth Sister giving birth: “…Tomorrow is the baby’s third-day washing ceremony. I’ll likely need to slip away for a visit.”

“Oh — Zi Chun has become a father!” Xu Lingyi smiled upon hearing this. “You should definitely go. Just let Mother know when the time comes.”

That was really all that needed to be done.

Shiyiniang nodded, and the two exchanged a few more words in idle conversation. When everyone had finished eating, she led the children to the Grand Dowager’s quarters.

She had not expected the Grand Dowager to still remember that today was Xu Sijie’s birthday. The Grand Dowager presented Xu Sijie with two small silver ingots in the shape of champions as a birthday gift, saying, “With a champion ingot, may you become a champion scholar!”

After the children paid their respects, the Second Madam, Xu Lingkuan, the Fifth Madam, and Xin Jie’er arrived.

The Fifth Madam’s eyes were faintly reddened; everyone else appeared composed as usual.

Greetings exchanged, the Second Madam said with a smile, “My quarters at Shaohua Courtyard have been so quiet and lonely — why not let Xin Jie’er come keep me company!” She then turned to Xu Lingkuan and the Fifth Madam with a warm smile. “That way the two of you can enjoy the opera in peace.”

Xu Lingkuan and the Fifth Madam looked toward the Grand Dowager.

The Grand Dowager chuckled heartily. “Perfectly fine! Everyone gets what they need.”

Shiyiniang stood to one side with a quiet smile, understanding that they were afraid the child might be frightened again — this had all been arranged in advance. She steered the conversation toward the news of Fifth Sister’s new baby.

“A big, healthy boy!” The Grand Dowager beamed. “Go, go — I’ll be fine here.” She took the Fifth Madam’s hand. “And so will your Fifth sister-in-law. This was always meant to be a festive occasion — it would be a shame to miss what truly matters!” She then asked Shiyiniang with evident interest, “I remember your fourth elder sister — the one who married the third-place examination laureate — she had two sons, didn’t she?”

Shiyiniang smiled and nodded. “Fourth Elder Sister has two sons.”

The Grand Dowager smiled contentedly. A little maidservant came running in to announce that Madam Huang had arrived. Shiyiniang excused herself and went ahead to receive the guests in the main hall.

Today, Hui Jie’er had come — but Lin Da Nainai had not.

“…Mother has guests to attend to, so she sent me to pay my respects to Auntie,” she said, exchanging pleasantries with Shiyiniang.

Shiyiniang smiled and led her to Zhen Jie’er’s quarters.

Hui Jie’er and Fang Jie’er were not only acquainted but quite close. Upon seeing her, she complained, “The examinations aren’t until next year — what’s the point of coming to Yanjing so early? I can’t tell whether they’re here to sightsee or whether their skills are lacking and they need to get a head start on currying favor. Just seeing them annoys me. I shamelessly followed Grandmother here. Had I known you’d all be here, I should have come yesterday.”

Fang Jie’er listened and covered her mouth, laughing. “Propriety forbids men and women from mixing freely — it’s not as though they could come show off in front of you. What’s there to be annoyed about?”

That single remark left Hui Jie’er’s face burning red.

Zhen Jie’er quickly stepped in to smooth things over. “Shall we sit in the main hall again today to enjoy the sunshine?”

“I don’t want to sit in the sun,” Hui Jie’er announced at once. “You can do that if you like. I want to go fishing.”

Fang Jie’er went along with Hui Jie’er at once. “Then let’s go fishing today!” She glanced over at Xian Jie’er.

Xian Jie’er gave a small nod.

Fang Jie’er turned to call out to the nannies who had accompanied her. “Go and fetch the fishing tackle for us.”

The attending nanny acknowledged and set off.

The eldest young lady of the Li family took in the scene, her heart quietly stinging. She called out loudly, “I want to go boating.”

Fang Jie’er didn’t so much as glance at her, and turned straight to the nanny at her side. “Take the eldest young lady of the Li Family to go boating.”

The eldest Miss Li’s lips trembled with indignation.

Shier Niang quickly stepped forward with a smile and linked her arm through hers. “I want to go boating too — let’s go together!”

Only then did the eldest Miss Li’s expression ease somewhat.

Fang Jie’er cast a glance at Shier Niang.

Zhen Jie’er stepped forward excitedly and gave Shier Niang’s hand a grateful squeeze.

Wen Yiniang, who had been somewhat worried about how to accommodate Zhen Jie’er, breathed a quiet sigh of relief. She organized the serving women to arrange a boat and oarswomen for the eldest Miss Li and Shier Niang, while also having brocade stools set out by the grand rocks along the Biyi River. She stationed skilled fishing women nearby to scatter feed across the water and bait the hooks.

Zhen Jie’er personally brought a lacquered assortment box over to the eldest Miss Li and Shier Niang. “Enjoy the scenery and have some fruit.”

The eldest Miss Li lifted the lid and, upon seeing the honeyed preserved plums inside, brightened at once. “These are my absolute favorite!”

“All the better!” Zhen Jie’er gave Shier Niang a meaningful nod, signaling her to be patient with the guest.

Shier Niang smiled back, indicating she would take good care of entertaining this guest.

Fang Jie’er, seated in one of the grand armchairs cracking melon seeds, let out a soft “hmph” as she watched. “Who knows where she came from — she speaks without sense and has no bearing whatsoever. Yet her mother goes around praising her for being gentle and refined every single day. It’s laughable.”

“At least try to contain yourself a little!” said Hui Jie’er. “If not for the monk’s sake, at least for the Buddha’s — you’re a guest in Zhen Jie’er’s home.”

Fang Jie’er fell silent.

Xian Jie’er and Hui Jie’er began discussing Shiyiniang. “…That sage-green skirt she had on today, embroidered all over in the same shade — layers upon layers of intertwining floral patterns — she really does know how to dress.”

Hui Jie’er listened and smiled. “The last time I came, she was wearing a deep amber short jacket embroidered with pink plum blossoms… Oh, it was simply beautiful.”

“Really?!” Fang Jie’er leaned in. “I’ve always thought deep amber could only be used for the face of a shoe — no, even then, only women past sixty could pull it off.”

“Truly,” Hui Jie’er said earnestly. “It was a casual house jacket, worn with a pink gauze skirt underneath — absolutely lovely.” Just as she was saying this, she noticed Zhen Jie’er approaching, and gestured toward her with her chin. “Don’t believe me? Ask Zhen Jie’er.”

“Ask me what?” Zhen Jie’er directed the maidservants to place a carved red lacquer nine-compartment food box beside them. “There are apple preserves the household made — do try some.”

“We were just talking about how your mother dresses,” Fang Jie’er said with a smile, and relayed everything they had been discussing.

Zhen Jie’er laughed. “Mother’s needlework is really excellent. Once when I went to pay my respects to her…” She paused, her expression faltering slightly, then changed the subject. “She often tells me what to wear.”

Fang Jie’er, ever sharp, seized upon the half-sentence Zhen Jie’er had left unfinished. “Come on, what happened? Tell us.”

Zhen Jie’er merely pressed her lips together with a smile.

Fang Jie’er went over and began to tickle her.

Zhen Jie’er laughed and dodged her way into the nearby octagonal heated pavilion, but Fang Jie’er was relentless.

Hui Jie’er was equally curious, and joined in — the three of them burst into a merry tangle of laughter.

Xian Jie’er watched from the side, covering her mouth to laugh quietly, but it would not have been proper for her to join — she was already betrothed.

Wen Yiniang, watching them, wore a smile touched with bitterness.

“Aren’t the two young ladies just having a bit of fun with the eldest young lady?” Qiu Hong said quickly, worried she might be reading too much into it. “It’s only because they’re close!”

“Do you think I need you to tell me that?” Wen Yiniang said with mild reproach, but then let out a long sigh.

Qiu Hong gazed at Wen Yiniang with a plaintive look.

Wen Yiniang found the expression almost comical, and said, “What I mean is — I’ve made so much money, and not a soul has said a kind word about me. But she, with just a few garments, manages to make people adore her.” Her tone carried a distinct air of wistfulness.

This was a problem Qiu Hong had no answer for either. She stared into a daze at the three young girls laughing and playing in the heated pavilion.

Meanwhile, Zhen Jie’er, still not crying for mercy, said breathlessly, “Fang Jie’er, you bully! All you do is ask me — why not ask Hui Jie’er why she’s hiding at our house?”

Fang Jie’er paused, then laughed. “I’ll ask both! I’ll finish with yours first, then ask hers!”

Zhen Jie’er protested, “If Hui Jie’er speaks first, then I’ll speak!”

“Why drag me into this?” Hui Jie’er’s face had gone so red it might have dripped blood — which was more than a little suspicious.

—