Jiexiang fell silent.

She was Second Madam’s personal maid, brought along as part of her dowry trousseau. When Second Elder Brother passed away, Second Madam had released all the servants. Jiexiang did not wish to leave, and so she registered her name at a temple and stayed on.

She knew every twist and turn of the history between Second Madam and the Mistress of the house.

Speaking plainly, the Mistress of the house had every virtue — save one that people found rather difficult to bear: whenever anything went wrong, she liked to make a great commotion about going back to her mother’s family. And it was this very habit that made Old Madam Xiang deeply dislike this daughter-in-law of hers — there had even been one occasion when she frightened Old Madam Xiang into fainting. The relationship between Second Madam and this sister-in-law grew more and more strained as a result. In the earlier years, Second Madam had her Second Elder Brother at her side and was managing the household of the marquis — she had managed to endure with gritted teeth and sit with Madam Xiang on occasion. But after Second Elder Brother died, Second Madam’s naturally aloof and solitary temperament gradually reasserted itself. Even the patience she had once had for the first Madam Yuan had worn thin — to say nothing of this sister-in-law she had never liked in the first place.

Thinking of it, she could not help but let out a quiet sigh in her heart.

“Then — do you truly intend to let the Second Miss marry into the family?” At the thought of that girl who had grown up quietly overshadowed by the dignified and serene elder sister and the lively, adorable younger sister — always so unnoticeable — Jiexiang could not help but ask.

“I had not given it serious thought at first,” Second Madam said. “I assumed that once Shiyiniang found out, she would certainly refuse. And given My Lord’s temperament, there was a good eight or nine in ten chance the matter would simply be dropped. I never expected Shiyiniang to agree.” She smiled at that.

Jiexiang did not understand.

Second Madam had an unusual patience with this maid who was so unswerving in her loyalty yet just a little slow of understanding, and had grown accustomed to chattering with her in the quiet and solitary days.

“Think about it — a daughter-in-law who enters the family must observe the proper formalities in the presence of the mother-in-law. If a daughter-in-law were forced into the family against the Fourth Madam’s wishes, could the daughter-in-law say a single ‘no’ when Shiyiniang asked her to knead her shoulders one day and massage her legs the next? But if things went on in that manner, could there ever be any peace in the household? The reason My Lord wishes to take my niece from the Xiang Family as Siyu’s wife is, firstly, because our two families are already related — there is a bond of kinship between us, and it is not unreasonable for a legitimate secondary daughter to be given in marriage to an eldest illegitimate son. Secondly, he wishes to give Siyu a path forward so that the brothers will not be occupied with scheming over the family’s assets. But if the daughter-in-law has not yet arrived and Shiyiniang has already made a scene — would that not be entirely contrary to purpose? My Lord would naturally have had to abandon the plan.”

Jiexiang nodded: “What Madam says makes sense.”

“But now that My Lord and the Fourth Madam have come here today with their thanks, I feel that Rounuo marrying into the family would not be a bad thing at all!” Second Madam smiled. “Never mind that this match is of nothing but benefit to the Xu Family — for Rounuo herself, it is all good and no harm.”

“Siyu is of illegitimate birth, and will naturally feel somewhat diffident in Rounuo’s presence. If my elder brother can help Siyu advance in his official career, then given Rounuo’s meek and yielding temperament, even if husband and wife cannot achieve perfect harmony, they should at least be able to maintain mutual respect. Besides, with me here as her aunt, the Grand Madam and My Lord will both show her some leniency out of regard for me. Even if Shiyiniang were inclined to put on the airs of a mother-in-law in her presence, she would be somewhat restrained — and Concubine Qin would not dare show Rounuo even the slightest disrespect.”

Jiexiang could see the logic in this. She realized that with Second Madam having made up her mind, the Second Miss would certainly be marrying the Second Young Master now.

She felt this was a satisfactory outcome, and said happily, “If the Second Young Master and the Second Miss are happy, things will be livelier over here for us too!”

“In the matter of marriage, nothing is more impossible to calculate in advance,” Second Madam replied, giving a faint smile. “Man proposes, Heaven disposes. It all comes down to fate in the end.”

Jiexiang saw that she did not look happy, and suddenly thought of Second Elder Brother — ever since Second Elder Brother had passed, even in moments of genuine laughter, Second Madam no longer had the dazzling brightness she once possessed.

She felt her own expression dim.

If only Second Elder Brother were still alive — how wonderful that would be.

The thought flickered past.

She quickly reined in her heart and minded it. She dared not dwell on it; she did not wish to dwell on it.

“Then when you go back tomorrow, you should speak to the Mistress of the house with some care.” Jiexiang urged Second Madam. “Since you feel so tenderly toward the Second Miss, you must ensure she leaves home in joy and contentment. Otherwise, the Second Miss will have her mother on one side, her aunt on the other, and the Fourth Madam in the middle — how difficult a life that would be for her.”

Second Madam made no reply. She rose and said, “Let us go to the Grand Madam’s — she has been waiting long enough.”

Knowing her temperament, Jiexiang said no more, and rose to accompany her.

The Grand Madam took Second Madam by the hand and spoke with her on the kang: “What did the two of them come to you for?”

Second Madam was somewhat taken aback.

She had not expected the Grand Madam to ask this. But in an instant she understood — the Grand Madam was not yet aware that Xu Lingyi intended to take her second niece as a wife for Xu Siyu.

Speaking of which, when she had gone to the Western Hills, both the Grand Madam and Xu Lingyi had kept a watchful and careful distance toward Shiyiniang. Yet each time she came back for a visit, the situation had shifted further — not only had the Grand Madam grown increasingly protective of Shiyiniang, but Xu Lingyi had also begun, little by little, to treat her as a true wife. She had sensed even then that this young woman was no ordinary person. And then today, with the two of them coming together to thank her…

Second Madam could not help but smile: “The two of them came to thank me.”

“To thank you?” The Grand Madam blinked, puzzled. “For what?”

Second Madam then related the story of Xu Lingyi’s request for her to act as a go-between.

The Grand Madam understood everything at once.

No wonder the two of them had quarreled. Most likely, Old Fourth had relapsed into his old habit of making unilateral decisions — without a word to anyone, he had gone and asked the Second Daughter-in-law to go to her mother’s family and broach the matter. Then, only after everything had been decided, had he thought to inform Shiyiniang.

The Grand Madam’s expression grew a shade cooler.

“In truth, all of this was my fault,” Second Madam said, having noted the look on her face, and sighed. “As you know, my sister-in-law and I are at daggers drawn. When My Lord came to ask me to act as go-between, I did not want to openly refuse him — and yet I thought that anyone else’s approach might have a chance of succeeding, while mine was certain to be refused by my sister-in-law. So I was prepared to go through the motions and let it come to nothing. I therefore did not ask too many questions at the time, for fear My Lord might think I was worried he could not manage affairs within his own household.” Her expression took on a sheepish cast. “As it turned out, when my elder brother heard the proposal, he felt it was a fine idea — and agreed on the spot without hesitation. Not only that, but when he learned My Lord was hoping for someone of a gentle and docile nature, he immediately settled on Rounuo. And so it was I who was left with no way out. When I encountered Fourth Sister-in-law that day at your residence, she is the most courteous and proper of people — and yet she said not a single word to me. I knew at once something was amiss: either Fourth Sister-in-law had not agreed to the match, or My Lord had not said a word to her beforehand.” Second Madam looked at the Grand Madam with a wry smile. “I was in even less of a position to say anything then. I was just thinking about how to untangle this knot, when the two of them showed up at my door.” She smiled warmly. “Not only to thank me, but to ask me to go back tomorrow and sound out my elder brother’s sentiments!” She then reassured the Grand Madam: “Do not worry. The way I saw those two — perfectly in step with one another — they are getting on beautifully.”

The Grand Madam, hearing Second Madam’s account and then recalling what Nanny Du had told her about the two of them talking and laughing together, felt the coolness ease from her expression: “Even so, Old Fourth’s temper needs correcting. We may be a household with a simple family structure — but just imagine if there were several branches living under one roof. Where would that leave Shiyiniang’s dignity?”

“My Lord is the head of the household,” Second Madam said. “The storms of life — he is the one standing in front of them all. Sometimes an authoritative and decisive manner truly is necessary. And from what I can see, Fourth Sister-in-law is a reasonable and sensible person. Whatever else one might say, at the very least the two of them did not let this matter erupt into a full-scale falling out. Did you not always say yourself — what pot fits what lid? In My Lord and the Fourth Sister-in-law, I do believe the fit is quite right.”

The Grand Madam could not help but laugh: “Whatever nonsense are you saying!”

Second Madam, seeing the Grand Madam in better spirits, laughed as well: “You should have seen it yourself — My Lord came to my place today and it was ‘we’ this and ‘we’ that with every other word. When did My Lord ever speak that way before?”

The Grand Madam thought of the old days and could not help but nod. She then asked about Xu Siyu’s marriage: “…If it truly comes together, it will be a very fine match indeed!”

The Grand Madam was an astute woman through and through — none of the subtleties were lost on her.

“You know what my elder brother is like,” Second Madam said, pouring a fresh cup of hot tea for the Grand Madam and settling herself back beside her. “Unless My Lord feels that our Rounuo is somehow unworthy of Siyu — what reason could there be for it not to come together?”

The Grand Madam smiled and offered a token disclaimer: “Siyu is, after all, of illegitimate birth…”

Second Madam immediately cut her off: “But he is still My Lord’s son! A descendant of the Xu household!”

The Grand Madam was very pleased with Second Madam’s answer, and a glimmer of gratification crossed the depths of her eyes. She said: “Before this is formally settled, find an occasion to let me and Shiyiniang have a proper look at the child — there were too many people that day, and I did not get a clear view of her!”

Second Madam smiled her assent.

Nanny Du returned.

The Grand Madam did not avoid the Second Madam’s presence, and asked Nanny Du directly: “What was said?”

Nanny Du paid her respects to both the Grand Madam and Second Madam, then said, “The Old Marquis says he will send a matron over first thing tomorrow morning.”

The Grand Madam let out a long, slow breath.

Second Madam inquired with concern: “What is the matter?”

“That girl Danyang,” the Grand Madam said, her expression carrying more than a trace of exasperation. “For Xin Jie’er’s sake, she summons Abbess Jining every few days. The visits are becoming far too frequent.”

Second Madam considered this: “Then perhaps they should move to another location?”

“You and I have had the same thought,” the Grand Madam said. “I was thinking to discuss it with Old Fourth when he comes later. If all else fails, we could have a courtyard built for them within the garden.” She then asked after Abbess Jining: “Is she still expounding the sutras to Fifth Madam?”

“No,” Nanny Du said with a smile. “She has gone to the Fourth Madam’s.”

The Grand Madam looked somewhat surprised: “Is My Lord not in?”

“A Master Ma came to call, and My Lord went to the outer study.”

The Grand Madam laughed: “No wonder Abbess Jining dared go to Shiyiniang’s.”

But Second Madam said, “Master Ma came to call? Has Master Ma been coming by frequently these days?”

Nanny Du smiled: “He has come a few times. Not so often as to be called frequent.”

In the midst of their conversation, a small maid came rushing in: “Grand Madam, Eunuch Lei has arrived!” She then added, “He is dressed in plain clothes.”

Plain clothes meant he had come quietly, without ceremony.

The Grand Madam’s expression shifted. Second Madam had already gone down to help the Grand Madam with her shoes.

“Leave that to others,” the Grand Madam said, seeing this. “Nanny Du can see to it. Go and welcome Eunuch Lei inside.”

Second Madam assented and went.

Nanny Du quickly helped the Grand Madam straighten her garments and headed toward the courtyard gate.

—