“Cousin?” Hui Jie’er listened and said in surprise. “Cousin Zhongryan?”

“Only ‘Young Master Cousin’ was announced,” Eleventh Miss smiled. “I don’t know if it’s the Cousin Zhongryan you mentioned.”

“Then it must be him,” Hui Jie’er smiled. “Cousin Zhongryan is not of the same branch as my maternal uncle and his family, so they address each other by courtesy name. The female servants of the household just follow along and call him ‘Young Master Cousin.'”

Eleventh Miss listened with a mild smile, thinking to take this opportunity to probe the matter of the fan face — how had Shao Zhongryan known that Hui Jie’er wanted to paint a moonlit tuberose? Did he know that the tuberose painting was meant as a gift for Zhen Jie’er? But the corner of her eye caught sight of Zhen Jie’er standing nearby with a bright smile, and she swallowed the words that had reached the tip of her tongue.

Why give Zhen Jie’er any reason to remember this Shao Zhongryan more vividly?

The thought had barely passed when she heard Hui Jie’er murmur under her breath: “What has Cousin Zhongryan come for? Can it be that the house purchase isn’t going smoothly?”

Eleventh Miss smiled and said nothing.

But Hui Jie’er of her own accord began to explain to them: “When my maternal uncle and his family originally came to the capital, they all stayed with us. But there were too many people this time — everyone crowded together — and my youngest uncle said it was inconvenient. They wrote home, intending to buy a small residence in Yanjing, so that in future they wouldn’t always have to impose on our household. Last month my maternal grandfather sent a steward over with funds, and these past few days my youngest uncle and Cousin Zhongryan have been out every day looking at houses!” Her expression held a trace of sheepishness.

Since everyone crowded together was inconvenient, why then buy a small residence rather than simply return?

Eleventh Miss thought of what Third Madam Huang had said — that every branch of the Lin Family was stronger than the last, yet all of them kept their eyes on the common property, afraid that if they moved out they would become estranged from the Old Marquis, and when the time came for dividing assets they would be at a disadvantage. If that were the case, the relations between the various branches must be quite tangled. A whole crowd of Shao Family members had been eating and living here for several months — even if they paid for their keep, they still required servants to attend them. And Madam Lin was the one managing the household, responsible for keeping all these relationships in balance. That was probably the real reason the Shao family wanted to buy a place outside.

“To have a courtyard of one’s own is always a good asset,” she said, following Hui Jie’er’s lead. “If it’s not needed in the future, it can always be sold — they certainly won’t lose money.”

Hui Jie’er relaxed and smiled: “Just as Auntie says. That’s why Maternal Grandfather made up his mind this time to buy a courtyard.”

The two were still talking when Eleventh Miss, who had been keeping a discreet eye on the window, caught from the corner of her eye the sight of a young man in a bright blue Hangzhou silk Daoist-style robe stepping down from the main hall’s steps and heading toward the courtyard gate.

That must be Shao Zhongryan.

She looked without letting it show, lowering her head over her tea while letting her eyes drift toward the window.

Broad shoulders, a narrow waist, a tall and slender build, his dark hair dressed in a Daoist topknot with a plain yellow wood hairpin.

He stopped, turned, and clasped his hands in a bow of courtesy to the matron who had seen him to the door.

Eleventh Miss suddenly understood why Madam Lin had said that her nephew, standing alongside Zhen Jie’er, would look like a perfectly matched pair of golden boy and jade girl.

Shao Zhongryan had sword-like brows and bright, star-like eyes — handsome and upright, that went without saying. But in his glances and bearing there was a quality of sunshine-like openness that made one smile involuntarily upon seeing it. Zhen Jie’er, with her snow-white skin, dark and expressive brows and eyes, had a still and tranquil air, like the quiet calm of lake water.

Lost in thought, she saw Shao Zhongryan cast a glance, his expression tinged with a look of wistfulness, back toward the main hall, then quickly disappear through the inner gate.

Eleventh Miss was inwardly startled.

Madam Lin was already smiling as she pushed aside the curtain and entered.

She explained: “My youngest brother has his eye on a residence. The owner needs the money urgently and wants to sell quickly — at thirty percent below market price — on the condition that the deal be concluded before the hour of the Rooster today. My youngest brother is worried about unscrupulous swindlers and specially sent Zhongryan over to let me know — asking me to send a steward to help him make a formal report to the authorities, so that the contract can be completed before the hour of the Rooster.”

Eleventh Miss thought of Shao Zhongryan’s hurried footsteps just moments ago. She smiled and nodded: “Having someone with connections grease the wheels always makes things run more smoothly!”

Madam Lin’s heart felt lighter.

Whether Eleventh Miss believed it or not, at least both parties now had an explanation to give.

The two chatted idly for a while, went to Madam Lin the elder’s for lunch, and then Eleventh Miss brought Zhen Jie’er back to the Xu estate.

The Matriarch was not home.

“…She has gone to the palace,” Weizi said quickly, smiling as she poured tea for Eleventh Miss. “She said that with the birthday celebrations and the Dragon Boat Festival, the Emperor and Empress had sent gifts, and she wished to go to the palace to express her thanks.”

The Second Madam was a widow; she herself had gone to the Weibei Marquis Estate; the Fifth Madam’s children were still young…

“Who accompanied her?” Eleventh Miss asked, somewhat worried.

“Nanny Du accompanied her,” Weizi smiled. “The Fifth Madam wanted to go along, but the Matriarch wouldn’t hear of it.”

Just as they were speaking, a small maidservant came running in: “The Matriarch has returned!”

Eleventh Miss led Zhen Jie’er out to the ornamental gate to welcome her.

“You came back so early!” the Matriarch said, a little surprised on seeing them. “You didn’t stay and talk a while longer.”

“Madam Lin is very busy too,” Eleventh Miss said, stepping forward to take the Matriarch’s arm. “You went to the palace — why didn’t you say a word to me? The Lin Family could wait — it’s never too late.” She said with gentle reproach: “You went into the palace by yourself without a proper attendant.”

The Matriarch laughed: “It was only to pay my respects — not attending any palace banquet. Old as I am, I can still eat three big bowls.”

Seeing that the Matriarch was still in excellent spirits, Eleventh Miss set her mind at rest and walked back to the Matriarch’s quarters with her, smiling.

The Matriarch talked with her about the Dragon Boat Festival arrangements: “…Zhun Ge’er made an appointment with Teacher Zhao early on to go and watch the dragon boat races. I thought, he’s grown so much and rarely goes out — it would be good for him to go and see.” She asked Eleventh Miss’s opinion.

Eleventh Miss had been afraid the Matriarch might object, so hearing this she smiled: “Have a few nimble and capable people follow him.”

The Matriarch, seeing that Eleventh Miss had no objections, nodded with a smile: “As for Siyu, ask him whether he has any plans. Sijie is too young, so he’ll stay at home. The adulthood ceremony will be held in the morning, midday we’ll keep the guests for lunch, and in the afternoon I expect everyone will want to return home. Then the family will gather and eat together.”

An adulthood ceremony was a ladies’ affair — there would be no male guests.

Eleventh Miss smiled and agreed, then asked about the ceremony arrangements: “…How many guests are expected? I should arrange accordingly.”

“You are busy — just hand this matter over to Nanny Du,” the Matriarch smiled. “Tomorrow I’ll have her bring you the banquet menu, and you can instruct the kitchen to prepare the food. As for everything else, let Nanny Du worry about it. You just need to dress up beautifully and attend.”

Eleventh Miss then talked with the Matriarch about adulthood ceremonies: “…When I returned from Fujian, Fifth Elder Sister had already had hers. For Seventh Elder Sister’s, it fell during the mourning period for Grandfather, so just the family sat together for a meal. For Tenth Elder Sister’s…” she had no memory of one, but could not say so in front of the Matriarch. “…I had already come to Yanjing. None of them were married yet at the time. As I remember it, they put on a pretty dress, nothing was worn at all, then the First Madam helped put up their hair and inserted a hairpin. I don’t know if mine will be any different?”

“Much the same!” the Matriarch said, sitting with Eleventh Miss on the kang. Zhen Jie’er had picked up some needlework Weizi had left half-done and was practicing beside them. “Comb the hair, say a few words of blessing. Everyone eats and drinks and makes merry. But since you are already married, the ceremony will be presided over by me, with the First Madam attending as an honored guest. I’ll make a trip to Bowstring Alley tomorrow to ask the First Madam’s thoughts — she is your mother, after all, and some things should still be discussed with her.”

Eleventh Miss was not very versed in such rites, and naturally deferred entirely to the Matriarch. She smiled: “Then should I accompany you tomorrow?”

“No need,” the Matriarch smiled. “You just concentrate on the Dragon Boat Festival preparations.”

Eleventh Miss nodded. She chatted idly with the Matriarch and Zhen Jie’er for a good long while. When Zhun Ge returned from his lessons and heard he would be watching the dragon boat races with Teacher Zhao on Dragon Boat Festival day, he leapt with excitement and rushed to go tell Teacher Zhao the news. The Matriarch, beaming with laughter, reminded him several times to “behave with composure” before he could contain himself. He still paced about the room for quite a while before settling down somewhat. Xu Siyu, meanwhile, asked about Xu Lingyi: “Has Father… not said when he will return?”

“He should be back by the Dragon Boat Festival!” Eleventh Miss smiled.

Xu Siyu said nothing. His eyelids dropped: “I’ll just stay home and study, then — so when I get to the Qianjin Academy and the teachers test my learning, I won’t be unable to answer.”

His quiet, still nature — that vivid animation by the shores of Bi Yi Lake had vanished as completely as a small stone dropped into the water.

Children already half-grown had their own feelings. If you thought he was making much of little, he in turn felt his feelings unacknowledged. It was better to pretend not to notice. Wait until he came to speak of it himself, and then listen quietly.

Eleventh Miss smiled: “Very well. Remember to come to the Matriarch’s room for dinner at the early hour of the Rooster.”

Xu Siyu softly answered “yes.”

Zhen Jie’er then smiled and tugged at Xu Sijie’s hand: “You come and play with me!”

Xu Sijie lifted his little face and smiled up at his elder sister.

Zhen Jie’er gently pinched his nose.

The Matriarch watched in quiet approval.

…

In a matter of days it was the third of the fifth month. Eleventh Miss had already prepared everything for the Dragon Boat Festival and the adulthood ceremony banquet, when word came through the household management office that on the second of the fifth month, Madam Jiang had arrived in Yanjing with the ninth young miss of the Jiang Family. Eleventh Miss waited until the fourth of the fifth month, and still no one from the Jiang Family had come to send word.

Could it be because of the adulthood ceremony?

Eleventh Miss pondered this.

Had she not known that Madam Jiang and the Jiang Family’s ninth young miss had come to Yanjing, nothing would have needed to be said. But knowing, she could hardly avoid inviting them to spend the Dragon Boat Festival together. Yet that very day she herself was holding the adulthood ceremony. As the saying goes, a bride holds her head high, a mother-in-law keeps hers low. Meeting for the first time, to have Madam Jiang and the Jiang ninth young miss come to offer her congratulations — that would not seem quite right.

Eleventh Miss went to discuss it with the Matriarch: “…I think we should simply pretend not to know.”

The Matriarch heard this and smiled: “Then let’s pretend not to know. Wait until the Jiang Family sends word themselves.” She added: “When I was arranging things, I also thought of the Jiang Family’s feelings, and did not invite Madam Jiang to the adulthood ceremony.”

“But since the Jiang Family wasn’t invited, the Jiang Family shouldn’t know that an adulthood ceremony was being held. So why hasn’t anyone come to bring us word?” Eleventh Miss listened and murmured thoughtfully. “Could something have happened on the Jiang Family’s side?”

“They’ve brought the child all the way to Yanjing — what could possibly have happened?” the Matriarch said dismissively. “Most likely the Jiang Family heard some whisper of things, and that’s precisely why they haven’t sent word to inform us of Madam Jiang and the ninth young miss arriving in the capital.”

“Heard some whisper?” Eleventh Miss was mildly surprised. “Heard word of the adulthood ceremony?”

The Xu and Jiang families belonged to different social circles, and both were relatively low-profile. Opportunities for them to cross paths were not frequent.

“What is there to wonder about?” the Matriarch smiled. “In a place as small as Yanjing, those who are attentive will naturally come to know.”