Shiyiniang thought for a moment, then asked: “Do you know anything about the Second Madam having pressed-down-the-box funds of her own?”

Nanny Song was caught off guard, and said quietly: “This servant doesn’t know much about that.” Her eyelids dropped, as if she were avoiding something.

Shiyiniang said no more.

Nanny Song was, after all, a household servant. There were matters which, given her position, would be overstepping her bounds to speak of.

Shiyiniang changed the subject. “The Dragon Boat Festival is coming up. First thing tomorrow morning, the stewards are to go to Hanlin Academician Jiang’s household to deliver the festival gifts. Take two young maidservants along, bring some sachets and five-colored pouches and the like, and go along with them to pay your respects to Madam Jiang. While you’re there, find out when Academician Jiang’s wife and daughter plan to arrive in the capital.”

Siyu’s marriage was something everyone understood tacitly. With Shiyiniang putting it this way, Nanny Song immediately grasped the intent and went off with a smiling “Yes.”

Shiyiniang went to see the Grand Madam.

Xu Lingyi had departed with little fanfare. He had merely told the Grand Madam he had business that would take him away for a few days, and had not let wives, concubines, or children see him off.

The Grand Madam was inevitably concerned. “Where has the Fourth Master gone off to now? The fifth day of the fifth month is both your coming-of-age day and the Dragon Boat Festival — what is he running about for at a time like this?”

Since Xu Lingyi had chosen not to tell the Grand Madam, he must have had his reasons. Shiyiniang was careful not to say too much, and smiled: “The Marquis is always thorough in his affairs and must have everything arranged ahead of time. As he was leaving, he asked me to find out when Academician Jiang’s wife and daughter plan to come to the capital, so we can help Siyu prepare his luggage.” She then told the Grand Madam about Nanny Song going to the Jiang family tomorrow to gather news, and also discussed the matter with her: “Academician Jiang, being a man who does not seek advancement, must surely be a person of upright character. And since Siyu is going to study, I thought — if we make too great a show of wealth and luxury, Academician Jiang might think we are unwilling to let the child endure hardship, or that Siyu himself cannot endure hardship.”

The Grand Madam listened and nodded. “What do you have in mind?”

“My thought is this — among the maidservants, Wenzhu is the most conscientious; among the pages, Little Lüzi is the most conscientious. Let just these two serve as his personal attendants, plus one older and more experienced manservant and two able-bodied ones to make the journey with Siyu to Le’an. What do you think?”

“Very well,” the Grand Madam said. “Then ask Steward Bai to help choose an older man with good sense and experience — someone who will know what to do if something comes up. And two strong, sturdy ones who can handle the heavy work.” She then asked Shiyiniang: “Have you started packing Siyu’s things yet?”

“Not yet,” Shiyiniang smiled. “The Marquis said to wait until he returns, and then he and Academician Jiang’s family can agree on the specific date of departure.”

“It won’t be anything like being at home once he reaches Le’an,” the Grand Madam said, hearing this. “He’ll have to apply himself with true diligence once he’s there. These next few days, let him set aside his studies and rest.”

Since Xu Lingyi’s conversation with Xu Sijian, Xu Sijian had stopped going to the clan school and had been making preparations at home for the journey to Le’an, as Xu Lingyi had instructed.

“Yes,” Shiyiniang said with a smile. “Though Siyu has always been devoted to his studies, and if you tell him to idle away his time, he will feel unsettled rather than at ease. So I’ve simply left him to it.”

As she was speaking, the Grand Madam thought of Zhun Ge’er. “…Today is his first day at school. Let us sneak over and have a look this afternoon.”

Xu Lingyi had settled Zhun Ge’er’s schooling arrangements before setting out. He had left the midday reception for Teacher Zhao in the hands of Xu Lingkuan. Xu Lingkuan had not only invited Luo Zhensheng to keep the teacher company, but had even taken a day’s leave to stay home especially for this.

“Let us go in the afternoon,” Shiyiniang gently suggested. “In the morning the teacher will go over the rules, and it will be nearly time for the meal by the time that is done.”

The Grand Madam considered this for a moment and sent Weirong to the entrance gate with the message: “The Fourth Young Master is to come to my rooms as soon as school lets out.”

Weirong went off smiling.

Shiyiniang sat on and kept the Grand Madam company in conversation. Around noon, Weirong came in carrying Zhun Ge’er’s dark blue felt satchel.

“Grandmother!” He came bounding over with a grin and nuzzled up against the Grand Madam for a moment before standing up straight and giving Shiyiniang a proper bow.

The Grand Madam noticed the light sheen of perspiration still on his forehead and quickly called for Yaohuan to bring water so he could wash his face. Once he had tidied himself up, she drew him back into her arms and asked him about his first day.

“What did the teacher cover?”

“Afternoon is when the lessons begin,” Zhun Ge’er said happily. “This morning he only told me what time school starts and ends, and when rest time is.”

“Rest time?” The Grand Madam was slightly puzzled. “The Dragon Boat Festival is still two weeks away.”

“Festival rest days are for the festivals, but there are also regular rest days,” Zhun Ge’er explained. “Every month, the tenth, the twentieth, and the thirtieth are days off from school. Dragon Boat Festival, the sixth day of the sixth month, Ghost Festival, Mid-Autumn, Double Ninth, Winter Solstice, New Year, Qingming Festival…” Zhun Ge’er counted them off on his fingers one by one, “are all holidays.”

The Grand Madam listened with her eyes wide, and after a long moment looked over at Shiyiniang. “Is that… isn’t that rather a lot?”

Shiyiniang also thought it seemed rather many.

But Zhun Ge’er piped up: “It’s not too many, not too many. Teacher said the tenth, twentieth, and thirtieth of every month are for washing hair and face. Dragon Boat Festival is for watching the dragon boat races. The sixth of the sixth month is for airing out books. Ghost Festival is for making offerings to our ancestors. Mid-Autumn is for moon gazing. Double Ninth is for climbing heights. Winter Solstice is for hot pot. New Year is for rest. Qingming is for spring outings.” He tilted his small face up to look at the Grand Madam, his eyes and brows brimming with delight. “Teacher also asked me where in Yanjing one can watch the dragon boat races — he said he’ll take me along to watch when the time comes.”

Shiyiniang felt a small stir of curiosity in her heart and smiled. “Does the teacher take you along for mountain climbing and spring outings too?”

“Of course!” Zhun Ge’er tilted his chin up proudly. “Teacher said, when a student has duties to perform, a disciple labors for the benefit of his teacher. I’ll have to carry his book basket for him.” He added, “Grandmother, where in Yanjing can you watch the dragon boat races?”

“On the West Garden Canal,” the Grand Madam told him with a smile.

Zhun Ge’er listened and nodded very seriously. “I’ll go and tell Teacher right away, so he doesn’t end up lost when we try to find the place.”

Teacher Zhao had once tutored at the household of Marquis Zhongshan — how could he not know that the West Garden Canal held dragon boat races every fifth day of the fifth month?

Shiyiniang smiled. “Did the teacher ask you to go and find out?”

Zhun Ge’er quickly shook his head. “No, no. I just thought — Teacher isn’t from Yanjing, and what if we go to watch the dragon boats and end up in the wrong place?” His tone was entirely protective.

Both the Grand Madam and Shiyiniang laughed.

A maidservant came in just then to ask where the meal should be laid, and everyone set the conversation aside and went to eat in the eastern side chamber.

The Grand Madam had Yaohuan take Zhun Ge’er off for his afternoon rest, but Zhun Ge’er wanted to go to Shuangfu Courtyard. “…Teacher is making a flute. He said it’s for me.”

He tugged at the Grand Madam’s sleeve and twisted this way and that, his manner making clear he absolutely must go.

The Grand Madam, all smiles, agreed, instructed the maidservants and matrons attending Zhun Ge’er to look after him carefully, and had Yaohuan see him out the door. She then let the smile drop from her face and said to Shiyiniang: “Let us go and look this afternoon.”

She must be feeling that Zhun Ge’er was growing too attached to the teacher too quickly. She worried partly that Teacher Zhao might use the boy as leverage to involve himself in the Xu family’s affairs, and partly that over time Xu Lingyi would lose his authority as a father in Zhun Ge’er’s eyes.

Shiyiniang said carefully: “The Marquis is a father, and naturally must hold to a father’s dignified bearing. But Zhun Ge’er is still very young — just at the age when he should be free and innocent. Having someone like Teacher Zhao to be both mentor and companion should help brighten his temperament. In a few more years, when he is old enough to understand things, he will know for himself what is right and what is not.”

The Grand Madam was still not entirely at ease. “It is better to have a look.”

When the Grand Madam rose from her afternoon rest, Shiyiniang accompanied her to Shuangfu Courtyard.

They made their way around through Xu Lingyi’s outer courtyard rooms to reach the rear garden of the main wing at Shuangfu Courtyard.

The black lacquer paneled lattice doors stood half open. Zhun Ge’er was sitting with his small head tilted to one side, practicing his character tracings. A gentle voice was reminding him: “Sit straight. Otherwise you will become a hunchback. Wherever you go, you’ll seem to stand a head shorter than everyone else.”

Zhun Ge’er grinned and straightened up at that.

Shiyiniang supported the Grand Madam and moved along the base of the wall a few steps to the left, where they could see a slender back in a blue-gray Hangzhou silk robe, standing with hands clasped behind him, watching Zhun Ge’er. Seeing that Zhun Ge’er was writing with great concentration, the teacher smiled, turned, and walked back to his own desk — right then catching a clear view from those outside.

A man of about thirty, fair-complexioned, with fine, even features and a graceful ease in his every gesture and movement — the very image of a scholar.

The Grand Madam gave a small, approving nod, and she and Shiyiniang went back to the inner courtyard.

“He seems quite good.”

Shiyiniang smiled and poured tea for the Grand Madam.

A young maidservant came in to announce: “Madam, the wife of Assistant Minister Zhuo has come in person to deliver Dragon Boat Festival gifts for the Madam.”

Shiyiniang and the Grand Madam could not help exchanging a glance.

“Most likely she’s here about Zhen Jie’er,” the Grand Madam said in a low voice.

Shiyiniang nodded, took her leave of the Grand Madam, and received Madam Zhuo in the main reception hall.

Madam Zhuo had brought several fans of fashionable new designs, and also some fresh peaches and plums.

“Just a small token of goodwill.”

Shiyiniang accepted them graciously.

Madam Zhuo asked: “How is it that we don’t see the eldest young miss?”

“She’s in her room doing needlework.”

Madam Zhuo then asked to meet her. “Ever since I came to Yanjing I have heard that the Madam’s own handiwork is exceptional. Since the eldest young miss has been under your guidance, her needlework must surely be remarkable as well.” She was quite insistent.

Shiyiniang went with her to Chuilun Water Pavilion with a smile.

Along the way, Madam Zhuo said: “The person my husband admires most in this world is the Marquis. He often tells me — if not for the Marquis, where would our family be today? He bids me spend more time in your company, Madam. If I ever do anything that falls short, I hope you will guide me.”

Her manner was very deferential.

“Madam is too modest,” Shiyiniang said humbly. “I am young and should be the one asking for your guidance.”

“I am only a few years older than you, nothing more,” Madam Zhuo laughed. “My husband often reproaches me for being hasty and lacking composure. I used to take some exception to that, but after coming to Yanjing I realized I had been sitting at the bottom of a well looking up at the sky, and my husband had been right all along. I only hope our eldest young master will soon take home a capable wife. Then I could set down this burden from my shoulders and put all my heart into raising the two younger ones.” Her tone was quite sincere.

Shiyiniang trusted only what was written in black and white — she did not place her faith in verbal promises.

“Madam Zhuo is truly fortunate,” Shiyiniang said pleasantly. “In another year or two you’ll be able to rest and enjoy your ease.”

The two of them talked on as they entered Chuilun Water Pavilion.

Zhen Jie’er was embroidering a door curtain in the eastern room of the pavilion. Seeing Shiyiniang bring a guest in, she rose quickly to welcome them.

Madam Zhuo admired the embroidery work at length, lavishing praise on Zhen Jie’er, before going with Shiyiniang to pay her respects to the Grand Madam.

The Grand Madam invited her to stay for the evening meal.

Madam Zhuo declined repeatedly and took her leave.

The Grand Madam then asked Shiyiniang: “What did you speak of?”

Shiyiniang told the Grand Madam what Madam Zhuo had said.

The Grand Madam was quiet for a moment, then said: “In your view — how much of what Madam Zhuo said was genuine?”