Having received Binju’s definite answer, Eleventh Young Lady went to the Grand Matriarch’s quarters and told her about the plan to have Binju guide Zhen Jie’er in needlework.

“No one knows better than you how skilled Binju is in needlework, and how Zhen Jie’er’s learning is progressing,” the Grand Matriarch smiled. “You decide on this.”

And so the matter of Binju entering the mansion was settled.

Upon returning to her quarters, Nanny Song came to report: “Madam Zhou says she would like to visit Ci’an Temple tomorrow to offer incense.”

Eleventh Young Lady rose and went to the Grand Matriarch’s side once more.

The Grand Matriarch heard this and said: “Then bring more people with you tomorrow.”

Eleventh Young Lady acknowledged and asked Nanny Song to arrange the outing for the following day.

Zhun Ge returned from school, still holding a small green bamboo flute in his hand.

“Grandmother! Mother!” He bowed, then raised the bamboo flute in his hand to show the Grand Matriarch and Eleventh Young Lady: “Teacher Zhao made it for me.”

The Grand Matriarch glanced at it casually and smiled warmly: “How beautifully made!” — she did not want to dampen the overjoyed Zhun Ge’s spirits.

Zhun Ge looked all the more pleased, then held the flute sideways and blew a few notes: “Grandmother, does it sound good?”

The Grand Matriarch quickly nodded: “It does, it does!”

Zhun Ge was even more delighted and said: “Teacher Zhao said that if I learn a little each day and persevere without stopping, I will be able to play a beautiful tune.”

“That is very wise, very wise,” the Grand Matriarch agreed. “We will look forward to our Zhun Ge’er playing a beautiful tune for us!”

Zhun Ge nodded vigorously: “Teacher Zhao said I am learning very quickly. In two days’ time I will be able to play a tune for Grandmother and Mother.”

Every other word was Teacher Zhao — it was clear he was very fond of his teacher.

The Grand Matriarch saw this and gave a slight nod of satisfaction. When Zhun Ge went to change his clothes, she took Eleventh Young Lady’s hand and sighed with feeling: “It is a good thing we have the National Uncle — otherwise, how could we have found such a fine teacher to come and tutor at home.”

Just then a maidservant came in to announce: “The First Young Mistress from Bowstring Hutong has arrived.”

The Grand Matriarch quickly said: “Invite her in, invite her in!”

Eleventh Young Lady went to welcome First Young Mistress Luo in.

“…Come to send team fans and bamboo sleeping mats for our Eleventh Young Lady.”

It was a southern custom that when a daughter of the family married, during the first year her family must send her a team fan and bamboo sleeping mat. As the Xu household had everything already, the Luo household sent only a symbolic gift of five fans and five bamboo mats.

The Grand Matriarch heard this and instructed Nanny Du to go receive the items. She kept First Young Mistress Luo for the meal, also asked Wei Zi to bring Siyu out to pay his respects to his aunt — the whole scene was lively and warm.

First Young Mistress Luo took the opportunity to bring Eleventh Young Lady joyous news: “Your Fourth Sister-in-law has been confirmed to be with child.”

The Grand Matriarch was overjoyed: “Wonderful, wonderful! She is a truly capable and clever person.” The elder had a very favorable impression of Fourth Young Mistress.

But Eleventh Young Lady thought of Di Jin… then quickly suppressed the thought, and asked after Fourth Young Mistress Luo’s situation.

“All is well,” First Young Mistress Luo replied with a smile. The group moved to the east side chamber.

After lunch, the Grand Matriarch rested, and First Young Mistress Luo went to Eleventh Young Lady’s quarters.

Zhen Jie’er had already returned to Second Young Mistress’s side. Wen Yiniang and Hupo were still reconciling accounts.

First Young Mistress Luo looked on with surprise.

Eleventh Young Lady looked on with a smile: “One cannot grow fat from a single mouthful of food. Wen Yiniang should eat lunch, take an afternoon nap, and resume calculations after midafternoon — there is no hurry.” She then formally introduced Wen Yiniang to First Young Mistress Luo.

Wen Yiniang had been about to finish up the last bit of remaining calculations, but seeing that Eleventh Young Lady had a guest, she smiled, dipped her knees in a bow to First Young Mistress Luo, and withdrew.

First Young Mistress Luo asked quietly: “What is this all about?”

“Nothing much,” Eleventh Young Lady smiled. “Just having Wen Yiniang help with the accounts.”

“You must not be careless,” First Young Mistress Luo said with disapproval. “How can the household accounts be shown to her?”

“It is fine!” Eleventh Young Lady said. “This is her strength, and finding something for her to do lightens my load while she is glad for the task.” Not wishing to discuss the matter further with First Young Mistress Luo, she smiled and changed the subject: “How has Fifth Yiniang been lately? When Nanny Song was sent to deliver the festival gifts, she went to pay her respects to the Yiniang and I heard she is already showing. With two expecting women in the household, First Sister-in-law must have her hands full!”

“It is hardly a burden!” First Young Mistress Luo smiled. “The Yiniang’s side is looked after by Sixth Yiniang, and your Fourth Sister-in-law has her own Nannies and maids.” She then said: “My coming today, there is also something I wish to discuss with you.”

Seeing her expression turn serious, Eleventh Young Lady invited First Young Mistress Luo into the inner chamber to sit.

“Father’s intention is to return to Yuhang after summer.” She said. “By then, everyone except for myself and Mu Ge will return to Yuhang.”

Though she had mentally prepared herself for this news, when she heard it, Eleventh Young Lady could not conceal her surprise: “Mother is still confined to bed with illness, and both the Yiniangs are with child — how could Father…”

First Young Mistress Luo considered for a moment, then said candidly: “In the past, when Father held office, whether people respected the monk or the Buddha’s temple, the business ran prosperously. But these past few years, expenditures have been outpacing income. Keeping such a large household in Yanjing this way is too costly. Furthermore, Father has thought things through — back when Elder Liu was in the cabinet, he used to suppress both Elder Chen and Elder Liang considerably. For Father to enter official service, Elder Chen and Elder Liang would both have to have stepped down. Elder Chen is not yet fifty this year, and Elder Liang is only a few years older — who knows how long one would have to wait. So he has decided to return to his hometown.”

These matters Eleventh Young Lady did not fully understand. She pondered and said: “Should we not discuss this with the Marquis?”

“There is no need!” First Young Mistress Luo said. “Father’s reason for having me tell you this is precisely because he is afraid you would ask the Marquis to intervene.” Her cheeks flushed slightly. “Father’s intention is that rather than burdening you with his affairs, it would be better for the Marquis to help your eldest brother secure a good post. That way, you and Zhun Ge will have someone to rely on in future.”

Old Master Luo was most likely thinking to sacrifice one piece to protect the more important piece. And if Old Master Luo continued pursuing office, it might well obstruct Luo Zhensheng’s advancement.

Eleventh Young Lady quickly said: “Sister-in-law, please be assured — I will speak with the Marquis about this.”

First Young Mistress Luo, having said what she needed to say, smiled, took her tea, exchanged a few more words with Eleventh Young Lady, and took her leave.

That afternoon Wen Yiniang came at the appointed time. Eleventh Young Lady asked her: “Can you and Hupo manage between the two of you? Do you need another maidservant to come help?”

Wen Yiniang thought for a moment and smiled: “If another maidservant could come help, that would be ideal. If there is no one suitable at the moment, it may take two extra days. Only I do not know how urgently Madam needs this done. If it is urgent, please ask Miss Hupo to work a little harder — if she reviews the account books with me again in the evenings, we could make up for these two days of progress!”

Eleventh Young Lady very much liked this manner in Wen Yiniang. Half in jest and half in earnest, she said: “Any maidservant in my courtyard, you may choose freely. Do not come complaining to me later that you are short-handed!”

Wen Yiniang looked up in surprise.

Eleventh Young Lady smiled faintly and called Zhuxiang in: “Go with Wen Yiniang to choose a maidservant!” She then rose and went to the inner chamber to sleep.

Wen Yiniang watched her retreating figure, lost in thought.

Eleventh Young Lady awoke to find it was already early afternoon. She learned that Binju was accompanying Zhen Jie’er in the water pavilion doing embroidery, that Wen Yiniang had chosen Xiulan to assist, gave a slight nod of approval, and went with Zhuxiang to select the outfit for going to Ci’an Temple the following day.

The next day, rising early, she had her hair dressed in a high bun, adorned with a pearl headband, and put on a scallion-green plain Hangzhou silk top and a white Hangzhou silk skirt one foot wide with a gold embroidered grass and insects pattern, floral trim, and a trailing hem. On her wrists she wore the pearl bracelet the Grand Matriarch had previously gifted her, and first went to pay her respects to the Grand Matriarch, then set out with Hupo, Lvyun, and seven or eight young maidservants and matrons toward Ci’an Temple.

The Zhou household had already reserved and closed off the gates behind the main hall of the temple. When the temple staff saw that the Xu Mansion’s carriage, while not particularly conspicuous, was attended by drivers and matrons who held their heads and chests high with an uncommon bearing, they promptly came forward to inquire. Learning it was the Xu household’s carriage, someone who appeared to be a manager took hold of the reins and led them to a small courtyard behind the hill.

The courtyard was planted full of jasmine flowers. As it was not yet flowering season, a lush, flourishing sea of new green met the eye, a sight that was quite pleasing.

Madam Zhou had prepared the gold-stem dew liquor, and welcomed her to sit on a black lacquered arhat bed draped with self-brought crimson satin cushions.

“They will not likely arrive until the afternoon — let us take this rare opportunity for some leisure.” On the small table, a red lacquered gold-inlaid compartmented box held seasoned goose feet, pan-fried silver fish, smoked pressed duck, braised pork knuckle, white-poached pork, and other side dishes, along with two pairs of ebony chopsticks and two small golden lotus-pod style drinking cups.

She personally poured a cup for Eleventh Young Lady.

Eleventh Young Lady thanked her and smiled: “My tolerance for alcohol is poor, and I still need to meet people later — I dare not drink too much.”

Madam Zhou laughed: “This liquor has very little strength, even less than Jinhua wine. Otherwise I would not have dared to bring it out for you.” She raised her cup and drank it down in one go.

Eleventh Young Lady smiled and took a small sip.

Madam Zhou did not press her, and began to speak of the Wang Family.

Only now did Eleventh Young Lady learn that the Wang Family currently had six branches altogether, with over two hundred people all living together. Madam Zhou’s mother had already passed away, her eldest sister-in-law was in poor health and had been confined to bed for years, and the family’s social engagements all fell to Madam Zhou’s older brother, the Heir of Marquis Zhennan.

No wonder she had never seen any womenfolk from the Marquis Zhennan household.

The two chatted for a good long while. Madam Zhou had drunk seven or eight cups, and Eleventh Young Lady still had seven or eight portions left in her cup. Madam Zhou was laughing at her for being too cautious, when a young maidservant came in to announce: “The Sixteenth Young Master and Nineteenth Young Master have come to Ci’an Temple to offer incense. Hearing that Madam is here, they wish to come and pay their respects.”

“Let them in!” Madam Zhou said, and as her close maidservant began tidying the table, she remarked to Eleventh Young Lady in a tone of mild complaint: “How did they come so early!”

Madam Zhou’s head maidservant was quite sharp and smiled: “No doubt they were anxious with anticipation!”

Madam Zhou laughed at this.

Eleventh Young Lady retreated behind the folding screen standing at the back of the arhat bed.

Before long, two young men’s voices came from outside: “Nephew Wang Yuan and Nephew Wang Ze request to see Aunt.”

“Come in!” Madam Zhou’s voice was very warm.

Eleventh Young Lady looked out through the gap in the screen panels.

The two young men bowing to Madam Zhou — one wore a honey-beige silk Hangzhou straight-cut robe and was about seventeen or eighteen years of age; the other wore a sapphire-blue silk Hangzhou straight-cut robe and was about fifteen or sixteen. Both were of medium build, handsome and upright, their features faintly resembling Madam Zhou’s. The former carried himself with great composure in every gesture, while the latter had a gentle and refined bearing with a touch of reserve.

Though the meeting had been arranged, the proper forms still needed to be observed.

Madam Zhou inquired after matters at home.

The younger one spoke briefly and sparingly, guarding his words; the older one was warm and courteous, answering with ease and fluency. Not only that — when the younger one fell into silence, he could smile and engage Madam Zhou in conversation, enlivening the atmosphere. He made a deep impression on Eleventh Young Lady.

When the two took their leave, Eleventh Young Lady asked: “Which one is Wang Yuan and which is Wang Ze?”

—