Eleventh Young Madam’s suspicions were quickly confirmed.

That evening, when she went to pay her respects to the Grand Madam, she encountered Second Madam. Second Madam was leaning close to Grand Madam, speaking in a low voice. Seeing Eleventh Young Madam enter, she gave a slight nod. “Fourth Sister-in-law is here!”

Eleventh Young Madam smiled and exchanged greetings with her.

Grand Madam then brought up the subject of Lanting’s wedding: “…You’ve already met everyone. I’m getting on in years and can’t endure all that noise and commotion — just bring the maids and the nannies when the time comes, and that will do.”

From worrying that she would be unable to manage the situation, to now letting go entirely — could this be considered progress?

Eleventh Young Madam smiled warmly.

She settled into the armchair beside Grand Madam. “His Lordship and I discussed it — he’ll go to Zhongqin Bo’s residence, and I’ll go to Minister Liang’s. Mother, why don’t you go with His Lordship to Zhongqin Bo’s residence instead? Madam Huang and the others will all be there. You could catch up with old friends and enjoy a bit of lively company!”

Eleventh Young Madam genuinely wanted Grand Madam to go.

For the elderly, friends grew fewer and farther between, and health declined with each passing year. While one’s health still held and old friends were still around, gathering more often was what truly mattered.

“That Fourth of mine.” Grand Madam laughed upon hearing this. “Sending you off to Liang’s to drink wedding wine while he goes to Zhongqin Bo’s — could it be he’s trying to avoid something?”

Second Madam smiled from the side. “It should be the matter of lifting the sea ban, I imagine. His Lordship’s standing is unlike most — whether those who support it or those who oppose it, they’ll all find ways to approach him. I think this arrangement is actually quite sensible. It saves him from offending anyone.”

Grand Madam gave a small nod and smiled. “Whether to lift the sea ban or keep it — this is no trivial game. It could very well be the ruin of some families and the rise of others. Don’t think only merchants are keeping their eyes on this matter. The noble houses and court officials of Yanjing are watching just as closely. The way I see it —” Grand Madam’s gaze settled on Eleventh Young Madam, “— His Lordship need not go anywhere at all, and I’ll stay home as well. We go only by closeness of kinship. Zhongqin Bo’s household is related to ours by marriage. You shall represent the Marquis of Yongping and attend Zhongqin Bo’s wedding celebration!”

Eleventh Young Madam did not immediately agree. Instead, she replied tactfully, “Let me go back and speak with His Lordship about it!”

Grand Madam gave a gentle nod at her answer and smiled as she shared a few anecdotes from years past with the two daughters-in-law.

When Xu Siyu and Zhun Ge returned from their studies and came to pay their respects to Grand Madam, Nan Yong’s wife also arrived carrying Xu Sijie. Grand Madam had someone call Zhen Jie’er in from the east side chamber where she had been practicing her calligraphy, then sent word to Xu Lingyi. Learning that Xu Lingyi would not be joining for the evening meal, she led her daughters-in-law, granddaughters, and grandsons to the east inner room for dinner, then moved with the children to the west inner room for a little while of cheerful talk. Seeing that the hour was growing late, she had Eleventh Young Madam help her change into her sleeping clothes, and the others all dispersed.

Grand Madam and Eleventh Young Madam then settled together on the large kang beside the inner chamber window.

“Yizhen just came to tell me. The marriage arrangement may fall through.” Grand Madam said quietly. “She says that her own dispute with her sister-in-law has harmed the children’s prospects. She asks me to tell you — if a suitable family comes along, help settle a match for Siyu.”

Eleventh Young Madam had sensed this coming.

With things having grown so unsettled, even if the two families were to proceed with the marriage, there would already be a rift between them. It was better to let it go.

Seeing the trace of melancholy on Grand Madam’s face, she spoke gently. “Mother, marriage is a matter of fate and destiny — is that not why it is called a fated union?”

“Alas!” Grand Madam sighed upon hearing this. “I had hoped that if we could strengthen the bond between the two families through yet another marriage, that would be wonderful!”

Eleventh Young Madam was somewhat puzzled.

Grand Madam spoke slowly. “There are things you don’t know. When Yizhen’s mother was still alive, she suffered no small amount of grief over her stepsons. That she passed so early had something to do with all of that as well. Later, when your Second Elder Brother was gone, Yizhen carried bitterness in her heart, yet she still wanted to adopt a child to carry on Second Elder Brother’s line. But at the time, Fifth Brother had not yet married, and Fourth Brother’s children were few, so we thought of the relatives in the Nanjing household. Someone was sent to discuss the matter, and only the third son of the Lingfu family seemed suitable — he had just turned one year old, and was a legitimate son. It had all been agreed upon, but at the very last moment, Lingfu’s wife refused. I was a little displeased at first, but then your Second Sister-in-law said that the bond between a mother and child is deep, and it was only natural that Lingfu’s Second Madam would be unwilling. We could look again for the right opportunity later. Seeing that she took it so calmly, and that the other family was unwilling as well, I let the matter drop. Who could have known that one thing after another would come — Fourth Brother returning home to observe mourning, then helping your Elder Sister seek out physicians and remedies, then worrying whether Her Majesty the Empress would be able to…” She paused here, as though words like “ascend the throne” were not fit to be spoken plainly. “There was never an end to the worries. So the matter was set aside. But I have always felt tenderness for her — to have kept her chastity in the prime of her youth. She never brought it up, and so neither did I.” Grand Madam spoke, then, with something clearly left unsaid, gave Eleventh Young Madam’s hand a gentle pat.

The reason Grand Madam had hoped for yet another bond with the Xiang family was surely so that Second Madam might have a companion.

But such things could not be forced.

Eleventh Young Madam comforted Grand Madam. “Mother, Second Sister-in-law is still young. The matter of adoption can be looked into again slowly, when the time is right.”

“That is all we can do!” There was still a trace of regret in her voice.

The two of them, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, were still speaking when Xu Lingyi came to pay his respects to Grand Madam. Seeing Eleventh Young Madam and Grand Madam sitting together so warmly on the kang, he could not help but smile faintly.

Grand Madam laughed and waved them off. “I’m ready to rest for the night!”

Eleventh Young Madam’s cheeks flushed lightly. “Let me help you settle in before I leave!”

“No need, no need!” Grand Madam laughed. “I have Nanny Du — that’s quite enough!”

Seeing that Grand Madam was firm, Eleventh Young Madam smiled, gave her a respectful curtsy, and withdrew together with Xu Lingyi.

Xu Lingyi turned to Eleventh Young Madam. “What were you and Mother talking about, sitting so warmly together like that?”

“We were talking about Siyu’s matter.”

Xu Lingyi gave a light smile upon hearing this. “The marriage has fallen through, and Second Sister-in-law came to report back to Mother?”

Eleventh Young Madam was a little surprised. “How did His Lordship know?”

“Second Sister-in-law acts with a certain proud bearing.” Xu Lingyi said. “Since the Xiang family was not entirely willing, she would not have pressed the matter. Naturally, she would cut through it swiftly and make things clear — she is not one to drag things out.”

“His Lordship has guessed correctly.” Eleventh Young Madam relayed to Xu Lingyi what Grand Madam had told her, and could not help adding, “…Mother truly treats people with such warmth.”

Xu Lingyi nodded. “Mother has often told me that when a family lives together, one must always keep each other’s kindness in mind — only then can one’s days be lived in harmony and peace.”

Then why had things become so hostile between him and Yuan Madam?

The words almost escaped Eleventh Young Madam’s lips. She looked up and caught the faint shadow that crossed Xu Lingyi’s face. She could not help but wonder whether he, too, was thinking of Yuan Madam.

The two returned to their rooms in quiet.

It was then that Eleventh Young Madam remembered the matter of attending the wedding at Zhongqin Bo’s residence.

“Mother asked me to discuss it with His Lordship — between the wedding celebrations at the Liang and Gan households, we are to go by closeness of kinship. She has asked me to attend the wedding at Zhongqin Bo’s.”

Xu Lingyi thought for a moment. “Did you bring up the sea ban matter with Mother?”

“I did not.” Eleventh Young Madam said. “It was Second Sister-in-law who mentioned it…” She recounted the scene as it had unfolded.

“That will work.” Xu Lingyi smiled. “You’ll have the chance to see Seventh Miss of the Gan family off on her way!”

The two washed up and retired to bed.

Eleventh Young Madam asked Xu Lingyi, “When will the courtyard be finished with its repairs?”

“Why? You don’t like staying on this side?”

Ever since the two of them had moved into this part of the courtyard, the old routines had all been temporarily set aside.

“I’m only asking so I know what to expect.” Eleventh Young Madam said lightly. “When the time comes, there will be trunks to pack, staff to coordinate for the move, and the rooms over there to arrange… it will be a busy stretch.”

“I’ve noticed you like to know things in advance and prepare for them carefully.”

“Mm.” Eleventh Young Madam said. “I don’t like things that come out of nowhere.”

“But what about managing the household? Surely unexpected things come up all the time?”

“It’s been manageable.” Eleventh Young Madam said. “As long as it doesn’t affect the broader order. The small and trivial matters are fine.”

“What counts as something that affects the broader order? What counts as something small?”

“It’s all relative…”

The husband and wife chatted idly on, and by the end, Xu Lingyi still had not mentioned when the courtyard repairs would be finished.

On the twenty-fifth day of the third month, Eleventh Young Madam dressed in a rose-red jacket of Hangzhou silk woven with a continuous myriad-swastika pattern, paired with a willow-yellow skirt embroidered with intertwining floral branches in deep green, and set out for Zhongqin Bo’s residence.

Madam Gan showed a slight unease upon seeing her.

Eleventh Young Madam acted as though nothing from that day had ever occurred. She greeted her gracefully and exchanged pleasantries.

Madam Gan gradually regained her composure and led Eleventh Young Madam to the main hall reception chamber reserved for honored guests.

Madam Huang of Yongchang Hou, Madam Tang of Zhongshan Hou, Madam Lin of Weibei Hou, Madam Zhou, and others had already arrived and were gathered together in conversation. Seeing Eleventh Young Madam come alone, they all appeared mildly surprised. Madam Zhou stepped forward with a bright smile. “Fourth Madam, how have you been keeping? Your outfit today is truly lovely!” She took her hand and looked her up and down admiringly, all warmth and enthusiasm.

Eleventh Young Madam returned her greeting. “I have been thinking of Elder Sister and all the other Madams — I set out at the crack of dawn, yet I still arrived a step behind everyone.”  She then went forward to pay her respects to the senior ladies.

Everyone inclined their heads slightly in acknowledgment.

Madam Qiao of Duke Chengguo’s residence arrived.

Greetings were exchanged all around.

Eleventh Young Madam also gave her a nod, then took a seat beside Madam Huang.

Madam Gan’s sister-in-law and others came to join them. Before long the room was filled with warm laughter and pleasant chatter.

Madam Zhou then leaned over and spoke quietly to Eleventh Young Madam. “Your Zhen Jie’er must be twelve years old this year? After the mourning rites are completed, it should be time to start discussing a marriage, shouldn’t it?”

Eleventh Young Madam’s heart stirred.

The Zhou family had always formed alliances through marriage with distinguished households. If Madam Zhou could be asked to keep an eye out for Zhen Jie’er, her connections would reach far beyond what Eleventh Young Madam could manage on her own.

“Indeed.” She smiled at Madam Zhou. “But these past years, the family has been rarely seen out and about, and nothing suitable has come along. If fate allows, I hope Elder Sister will help keep an eye out when the time comes.”

Madam Zhou laughed upon hearing this. “I actually have someone in mind who seems quite promising. I was afraid to say anything in case your family’s Zhen Jie’er was already betrothed before I could open my mouth — so I wanted to ask you first.”

“Elder Sister is too kind.” Eleventh Young Madam smiled. “When Grand Madam’s birthday comes, I will make sure to offer you a proper toast.”

Her meaning was clear — this was not the occasion to discuss such matters, and they should wait until the mourning rites were held and Grand Madam’s birthday celebrations on the twenty-fourth day of the fourth month, when everyone could sit down together and speak properly.

Madam Zhou understood perfectly and smiled with a nod. “I shall come and claim a cup of wine then!”

The two chatted quietly for a little while. The new son-in-law came to receive the dowry trousseau — some guests went to watch the lively scene, others remained seated drinking tea, and still others strolled about the courtyard.

Eleventh Young Madam excused herself to the powder room.

As she was coming out, a small maidservant carrying tea stumbled into her, soaking her jacket entirely and rendering it unwearable.

The little maid was so frightened she fell to the ground, trembling, unable to speak a word.

Eleventh Young Madam had Hupo help the little maid to her feet. “Don’t make a scene — just take me to your Third Miss’s quarters so I can change into something else.”

The little maid was no more than eight or nine years old, with hair still unbound. Rather than quietly leading Eleventh Young Madam to Cao E’s rooms as one might have expected, she suddenly burst into loud, wailing sobs.

—