Eleventh Miss paused as she listened.
She had not expected the Matriarch to tease her like that.
Then her heart filled with warmth.
Eleventh Miss playfully nudged the Matriarch: “Mother, I’m trying to talk to you about something serious!”
The Matriarch laughed heartily, took her hand, and pulled her down to sit beside her. “Tell me, tell me, I’m listening!”
Eleventh Miss smiled and relayed to the Matriarch everything she had discussed with Madam Zhou.
The Matriarch listened and smiled. “It’s just that the family’s resources are a bit thin.”
Eleventh Miss replied tactfully, “A match too far above one’s station rarely works out. I think the sixteenth young master of the Wang Family seems like a fine person.”
“That’s true,” the Matriarch said, thinking of the Luo Family’s current circumstances, and smiled. “With someone like him, there’s no need to worry about not being able to make a living.”
Eleventh Miss then discussed with the Matriarch: “Then I’ll go back to Bowstring Alley tomorrow.”
“Mm!” The Matriarch smiled, narrowing her eyes contentedly.
Eleventh Miss then noticed Nanny Du standing nearby with a smile, as if waiting for something. She understood that Nanny Du likely had something to say to the Matriarch privately. After exchanging a few words of idle chat with the Matriarch, she took her leave.
Returning to her room, Binju had already gone back. Zhen Jie’er was lounging on the large kang beside the inner chamber window reading a book, while Wen Yiniang, Hupo, and Xiulan were in the east room tallying accounts.
When she saw Eleventh Miss return, Zhen Jie’er immediately came forward to greet her, while Wen Yiniang stood up and then sat back down.
There were things that naturally could not be asked in front of Zhen Jie’er.
She gave Wen Yiniang a nod, and went with Zhen Jie’er into the inner chamber.
Zhen Jie’er helped Eleventh Miss fetch water. “Mother, why did you suddenly think to go to Ci’an Temple?”
Fortunately there was the matter of Twelfth Miss.
Eleventh Miss smiled. “I won’t tell you now. Wait a few days until there’s definite news, and then I’ll tell you.” She then asked about her embroidery. “Is there anything you don’t understand?”
“Binju’s needlework is very good,” Zhen Jie’er said with a smile. “Wherever I was doing something wrong, she told me very carefully!”
Good that she had earned Zhen Jie’er’s approval.
Eleventh Miss changed her clothes. A young manservant from the outer courtyard came in to report: “Madam, Steward Bai requests an audience!”
Steward Bai had been sent to find out about the second young master of the Li Family.
She asked Zhen Jie’er to stay in the room and read, and went to the Water Pavilion herself.
“…The second young master of the Li Family is not only handsome in appearance, but despite his young age, he has remarkable capabilities. All the young men of means in Yanjing enjoy his friendship. When there is any injustice, they like to ask him to act as a mediator.” His tone was full of admiration. “Madam Li is very fond of this second son. Although she similarly set up separate courtyards on Osmanthus Lane for both her eldest and second son, the second young master’s quarters are furnished far more exquisitely and lavishly than the eldest young master’s. The eldest young master of the Li Family has quite a few complaints about this. When Madam Li found out, she scolded her eldest son, saying: ‘If you also kept company with those sons of powerful families the way your younger brother does, I would furnish your courtyard the same way.’ This left the eldest young master completely speechless.” He continued: “Although Madam Li dotes on this son, her discipline is extremely strict. Those who serve him are all older manservants and young male servants — there are no maidservants. Yet the second young master has never once defied his mother’s teachings on account of such things.”
This was yet another rather surprising circumstance.
Only those who have long fixed their sights on a goal can resist temptation!
This young Master Li was likely no ordinary person!
Standing from the perspective of an onlooker, she greatly admired such a person. But standing from the perspective of a mother, she felt that marrying such a person might not necessarily bring happiness — such people typically pursued their ambitions and had no time to spare for those closest to them.
That evening, while attending to the Matriarch before she retired, Eleventh Miss relayed Steward Bai’s account to the Matriarch. The Matriarch listened with great interest and said, “The second young master of the Li Family — he must only be about fifteen or sixteen this year!”
“He is fifteen!”
The Matriarch smiled. “When our Fourth was fifteen, he already knew what he ought to do and what he ought not to do!” Her tone carried unmistakable admiration.
Eleventh Miss could not offer her own opinion.
Many years hence, people would judge a person’s worth by his standing in society. Such was the world now, and even more so before.
A little later she mentioned it to Wen Yiniang. Wen Yiniang said: “A wife’s standing rises with her husband’s. If this second young master of the Li Family truly has such bearing, other things can be overlooked.”
Whether the match succeeded or not, Xu Lingyi had the most say.
Eleventh Miss smiled and asked Wen Yiniang about the accounts.
“More than half of the accounts from the second year of Yonghe have been sorted. They can be finished tomorrow.” As she spoke, she hesitated for a moment, then said, “If Madam has no objection, I would like to have Xiulan come to my room each evening to practice the abacus for one hour…”
Eleventh Miss smiled and nodded, then raised her teacup.
Wen Yiniang curtsied and withdrew.
Eleventh Miss lay in bed thinking about Zhen Jie’er’s marriage prospects.
She felt one candidate unsatisfactory, another not quite right. She also feared that being too particular would earn a reputation for pickiness and drive good prospects away, yet she feared misjudging and losing the best opportunity in pursuit of something better… It was some time before she finally fell asleep. The next morning, after paying her respects to the Matriarch and seeing to household matters, she took some gifts and returned to Bowstring Alley.
Luo’s eldest daughter-in-law was greatly startled to see her, and immediately took her hand and led her inside. “Why did you suddenly come back? Has something happened?” Her expression was very anxious.
“Nothing, nothing,” Eleventh Miss quickly said. “It’s just that I haven’t been back for a long time. Taking advantage of a free moment before the Dragon Boat Festival, I came to visit Fourth Sister-in-law and visit the concubines. And there’s a matter I’d like to discuss with you, Elder Sister-in-law.”
Luo’s eldest daughter-in-law sent the serving women away and lowered her voice. “What is it?”
Eleventh Miss then told her about Wang Ze’s situation.
Luo’s eldest daughter-in-law’s face lit up with joy as she listened. “Born of a distinguished family, and already holding academic honors — if this can come to pass, it would be a fine match indeed.” She then rose. “I’ll go tell Mother right away.”
Eleventh Miss smiled and accompanied Luo’s eldest daughter-in-law to the First Madam’s quarters.
Sixth Yiniang was attending First Madam as she drank water. Seeing Eleventh Miss, she too was quite surprised.
After Eleventh Miss paid her respects to the Madam, Luo’s eldest daughter-in-law smiled and explained Eleventh Miss’s purpose in coming.
Sixth Yiniang immediately broke into a smile, but the First Madam closed her eyes and for a long time said nothing.
The room fell into complete silence.
Sixth Yiniang anxiously made eye contact with Eleventh Miss, trying to signal her with her eyes.
Eleventh Miss saw that this standoff was getting them nowhere, and rose with a smile: “Fourth Sister-in-law is with child, and I haven’t yet gone to congratulate her!”
Luo’s eldest daughter-in-law, seeing this, also rose smiling: “Fourth Young Sister-in-law has been feeling unwell these past few days — I’ll accompany Eleventh Young Miss to see her!”
“This is a good thing,” Luo’s eldest daughter-in-law said as she led Eleventh Miss toward Fourth Young Mistress’s quarters, speaking in a low voice. “I’ll work on persuading Mother. On the Wang Family’s side, you should also sound them out.”
Eleventh Miss quietly acknowledged this, and went with Luo’s eldest daughter-in-law to Fourth Young Mistress’s quarters.
Fourth Young Mistress saw them enter and quickly sat up.
“Please don’t mind us, Fourth Sister-in-law.” Seeing her about to get out of bed, Eleventh Miss stepped forward and took her hand. “We came specifically to see Fourth Sister-in-law. If this causes her to be unable to rest properly, that would be my fault.” While speaking, she looked her over. Seeing that her complexion was very good, without any of the listlessness of early pregnancy, she felt both curious and relieved.
Fourth Young Mistress listened and felt a little embarrassed. “Thanks entirely to the Imperial Physician Kong that Eleventh Young Miss introduced… I was going to come and thank him in person, but your Fourth Brother said it would be inappropriate for me to call in such a state. He conveyed the thanks through Elder Sister-in-law instead.” She added, “I’m perfectly well, but your Fourth Brother insists I stay in bed. I’m also worried about the chance of complications. How embarrassing for Eleventh Young Miss to see me like this.” Just as she was speaking, a small maidservant came running in carrying a blue and white porcelain plate. Seeing Luo’s eldest daughter-in-law and Eleventh Miss sitting there, she hesitated and was about to withdraw.
Luo’s eldest daughter-in-law, seeing how the little maidservant could not comport herself properly, was displeased. “What is it? So flustered and clumsy!”
The little maidservant dared not withdraw again. She held out the plate timidly. “Fourth Master sent sour plums for Fourth Young Mistress.”
Everyone present was momentarily stunned, then all broke into smiles.
Fourth Young Mistress’s face flushed crimson. “Just set them down — why blurt all that out!”
This set Luo’s eldest daughter-in-law to laughing.
The little maidservant set the plate down hurriedly and withdrew.
Luo Zhensheng’s maidservant Yiliu then smilingly presented the plate to Luo’s eldest daughter-in-law and Eleventh Miss, inviting them to eat the plums.
Eleventh Miss noticed that Yiliu had her hair dressed in a round bun, with a small gilded ruyi hairpin.
“On Fourth Young Mistress’s instructions, Yiliu has been taken into the household.” Luo’s eldest daughter-in-law, seeing her observing Yiliu, smiled and explained.
This made Eleventh Miss think of Dijin. She sighed inwardly, then quickly composed herself. She drew out her purse and produced four eight-tenth-tael silver ingots to give to Yiliu. “I didn’t know before. Take this to buy yourself some flowers to wear.”
Yiliu accepted them with a red face and curtsied in thanks to Eleventh Miss, then stood to one side attending to the tea.
Eleventh Miss sat with Fourth Young Mistress for a while before going to Fifth Yiniang’s quarters.
Fifth Yiniang was sitting on the kang by the window sewing small garments. The corners of her eyes and brows were all soft smiles, serene as a painting.
Eleventh Miss paused for a moment before calling out, “Yiniang.”
“Eleventh Young Miss!” Fifth Yiniang’s face bloomed into a smile bright as summer flowers. She hurried to rise and slip into her shoes. “Come, sit on the kang.” She turned to tidy away her needlework, seeming a little flustered and somewhat clumsy. Yet it made Eleventh Miss’s heart soften.
She stepped forward and took Fifth Yiniang’s hand. “Please don’t trouble yourself — I just came to see how you are!”
“I’m very well!” Fifth Yiniang smiled and settled her onto the kang, then called to Luo’s eldest daughter-in-law: “Please sit too!” She also instructed a small maidservant to pour tea for both of them.
“No need!” Luo’s eldest daughter-in-law smiled. “I have some things to attend to. Please sit and visit with Eleventh Young Miss — I won’t keep you company!” She bid farewell and left.
Fifth Yiniang looked Eleventh Miss over from head to toe. “How are you, Young Miss!”
Eleventh Miss smiled and nodded. “I’m quite well!” She then fell into casual conversation with Fifth Yiniang.
Sixth Yiniang suddenly burst in.
Her complexion was very poor. Without asking anyone’s opinion, she directly ordered the small maidservant: “You step outside.”
The small maidservant glanced at Fifth Yiniang, and seeing Fifth Yiniang give her a slight nod, withdrew, thoughtfully pulling the door shut behind her.
Seeing that no one else remained in the room, Sixth Yiniang immediately said through gritted teeth: “How can she not fear falling into the eighteen layers of hell after she dies!”
Eleventh Miss understood perfectly, but said nothing.
Fifth Yiniang, upon hearing this, quickly recited “Amitabha,” and said, “Sixth Sister, please don’t say such things! Is there anything that cannot be discussed civilly?”
Sixth Yiniang looked at Fifth Yiniang, then looked at Eleventh Miss who had said nothing, and her tears suddenly fell.
“Oh my!” Fifth Yiniang quickly fished out a handkerchief and handed it to Sixth Yiniang. “What’s the matter with you?”
“Eleventh Young Miss, please, you must save our Twelfth Miss!” Sixth Yiniang took the handkerchief and turned to cry to Eleventh Miss. “Such a fine match — you’d have trouble finding one even with a lantern to light your way. Yet the First Madam says… that Twelfth Miss is still young, and there’s no rush to discuss marriage for a few more years.”
—