After lunch, Eleventh Miss had Nanny Song accompany Seventh Miss to the guest room where Zhu Anping had been lodging: “…Brother-in-Law has been riding day and night with only two guards. Without anyone to help with washing and grooming, he must be in quite a state. Seventh Sister, go over early and help Brother-in-Law tidy up.”

In front of so many people, she did not mention Xiangyu.

Seventh Miss was quick-witted and perceptive. Earlier she had simply been so unsettled by the matter of children that everything had seemed wrong, and she had not been able to think calmly. Now that she had received Zhu Anping’s reassurance, the weight that had been hanging over her heart settled at last, and things she had overlooked before came flooding back to mind. She smiled and nodded, and rose to take her leave of the Grand Madam: “…The Marquis has put Cong Xiang Pavilion at our disposal — until we buy a house, we’ll likely be staying there. Once it’s been arranged, I’ll invite the Grand Madam, Fifth Madam, and the young masters and young ladies — and Yun Jie’er too — to come and sit with us.”

Now that husband and wife were reconciled, all would naturally be tender and harmonious between them. The Grand Madam was a perceptive woman. She laughingly saw Seventh Miss to the door, instructed Eleventh Miss to take good care of her, and then, supported by Fifth Madam, went back inside.

Seventh Miss pouted: “I’m not keeping Xiangyu. What do you think should be done?”

This was Seventh Miss’s household matter — Eleventh Miss had no right to interfere. But thinking back on Xiangyu’s kneeling and weeping, she rather agreed with Seventh Miss’s decision. If it was genuine ignorance, then Xiangyu had no sense of proper conduct — and as a personal attendant, rather than smoothing things over between Zhu Anping and Seventh Miss in any future disputes, she would more likely only add to the trouble. And if it was deliberate — there was even less reason to keep her.

She said tactfully: “This is something you should discuss with Brother-in-Law and decide together.”

Seventh Miss still had that measure of confidence. She laughed brightly: “What is there to discuss with your Brother-in-Law about? My only problem is that I have nowhere to place her. I can’t very well dismiss her here in your household — the Grand Madam would think I’m intolerant. It would only besmirch your reputation for nothing.” Her eyes lit up: “Isn’t Fourth Sister unwell? She naturally needs as many people as possible to attend her. Since I’m living here as a guest, having too many attendants is inconvenient anyway. Why not send Xiangyu over to Fourth Sister’s place? If anyone asks, there’s nothing objectionable to say.”

Yu Yiqing had relied on his wife’s family’s support to study and pass the examinations, eventually placing as third-ranked scholar. Second Madam sometimes recalled this with a certain pride, but Fourth Miss had only grown more respectful toward her husband in return. She had once even counseled Second Madam: “To give without expecting return — some things, Mother, are better forgotten.” Whether Second Madam had taken this to heart, Eleventh Miss did not know — but Eleventh Miss herself had taken the words to heart. Then, seeing Fourth Miss lying ill in bed and Yu Yiqing still treating her with as much respect and consideration as always, never showing any dissatisfaction that she was unable to serve him properly, Eleventh Miss had come to feel that this cousin-sister she barely knew was no ordinary woman. Since Seventh Miss had suggested sending Xiangyu to Fourth Miss, she naturally trusted Fourth Miss to handle the matter well.

“Then talk to Fourth Sister about it.” Eleventh Miss nodded, and another matter occurred to her: “The donkey-hide gelatin from Shandong — which shop’s is the most reputable?”

Seventh Miss smiled with slight embarrassment: “I left in such a hurry I didn’t think of it at all. I’ll send someone to Jinan to buy some for you tomorrow!”

“Yanjing has everything for sale.” Eleventh Miss smiled. “I want to send a gift to the Jiang family and thought to borrow your name.”

Seventh Miss was puzzled: “What do you mean, borrow my name?”

Since it was no secret to the Luo family anyway, Eleventh Miss told her about Madam Jiang bringing Miss Jiang, the ninth daughter of the family, to Yanjing with the intention of arranging a match with Zhun Ge: “…Since you happen to be here, I can use the occasion of sending the gelatin to call on Madam Jiang and wish her well — and that will give the Jiang family a natural opening to mention Madam Jiang’s visit to our family directly.”

Seventh Miss listened with keen interest: “So does this mean Zhun Ge is about to be engaged?”

“Nothing so fast.” Eleventh Miss smiled. “If the matter can be settled before autumn, that would be good progress.”

Seventh Miss laughed: “Huaide Hall on the West Street carries authentic Shandong Dong’a donkey-hide gelatin — I’ve tried it, and it tastes the same as what I used to eat in Gaoqing.”

Eleventh Miss had Yanrong take the household token to ask Head Steward Bai to purchase some, had Seventh Miss help repackage it in the style used in Shandong, and then sent Nanny Song to deliver it to the Jiang family, while Seventh Miss went with Mufu to collect Xiangyu from Hupo.

By dusk, Nanny Song returned.

The Jiang family had indeed taken the opportunity to make their intentions plain: “…Due to the unfamiliar climate, we have not called on anyone — not family or friends. We have only just begun to feel a little better these past two days. We were just preparing to go and pay our respects to the Grand Madam when, by happy coincidence, you sent your things over. Please convey our regards to the Grand Madam and to Madam.”

While they were talking, Linbo came: “The Marquis says that the Fifth Master is keeping company with Gentleman Zhu. He has gone to the Lin household on some business and will be going out after that. He may return late. Madam need not wait up for him.”

Going to the Lin household on some business? Could it be to see this Shao Zhongran? And where would he be going after that?

Eleventh Miss pondered.

But since Xu Lingyi had not said, she could hardly ask Linbo, who was merely a manservant. She gave her assent with a smile, went to the Grand Madam’s rooms, relayed the message the Jiang family had sent, and settled with the Grand Madam on hosting the Jiang family women on the sixteenth of the fifth month. Eleventh Miss returned to write out the invitation cards, instructed the kitchen to prepare the banquet, and engaged a theater troupe to perform — staying busy until the beginning of the hai hour, by which time Xu Lingyi had still not returned. She retired to bed alone.

—

Early the next morning, after paying her respects to the Grand Madam, Eleventh Miss dealt with household affairs in the West Reception Hall, then inspected the summer garments the sewing room had made for the household servants, and turned back toward the Fishing Pavilion — only to find herself running straight into Xu Lingyi.

Other than the slight rumpling of his clothes, he looked just as he always did. But from past experience, Eleventh Miss sensed he had not slept all night. She called for a maidservant to bring ginseng tea, then helped him change his clothes.

Xu Lingyi rolled up his sleeves to wash his face, and smiled: “I went to see that Shao Zhongran you mentioned. A fine-looking young man indeed.” His tone carried a note of approval.

Eleventh Miss felt a twinge of concern: “You didn’t disturb the Lin household, did you?”

Whatever Shao Zhongran was truly like still needed further inquiry. She had mentioned him to Xu Lingyi only to give him a candidate to consider. But she would not want Xu Lingyi’s judgment to be swayed by her own impression of him.

“Even if they knew, they would pretend not to.” Xu Lingyi smiled. “But that young man is nowhere near the Li family’s son. When the Li family’s son saw me, he was perfectly composed. This one stumbled over a few words at first.” His tone held warmth — the tolerance of a senior regarding a junior.

Eleventh Miss gave a small laugh.

She thought to herself that Shao Zhongran was, after all, a boy of only a few years past ten — if he had remained entirely unruffled meeting Xu Lingyi, that would have been rather too composed for his age.

A sudden curiosity came over her to see this Li Ji for herself.

He must be quite an exceptional young man.

Xu Lingyi asked about the Jiang family matter: “…What did they say over there?”

Eleventh Miss told him about what she and the Grand Madam had decided.

By the time they had finished speaking, Xu Lingyi had completed his washing and grooming. The two of them walked out of the bathroom side by side.

A young maidservant came in to report: “The Steward Zhao from the administrative office requests an audience.”

Xu Lingyi changed his clothes and went to the reception hall to meet Steward Zhao. He returned to Eleventh Miss: “The Imperial Clan Court has formally sent a proposal to the Zhou family. The auspicious date set by the Imperial Astronomy Bureau — the exchange of birth date documents in two days.”

“Now that the matter is publicly known — what if the eight characters are found incompatible?” Eleventh Miss thought of how the last time Lin Mingyuan’s proposed match had been refused, this very same excuse had been used.

Xu Lingyi heard her and laughed: “Rest assured — the Imperial Astronomy Bureau will certainly give the Emperor a satisfactory answer.”

Of course. How else would those fortune-tellers ever earn their living?

“Then I’ll go to the Zhou household this afternoon.” Eleventh Miss said. “Better to settle this matter as soon as possible.”

“Agreed.” Xu Lingyi nodded. “Settle one thing at a time.” Then he instructed her: “I’m going to rest for a while — don’t wake me for lunch.” He said nothing about where he had gone the previous night.

Eleventh Miss laid out the bedding, saw him settled, and instructed a young maidservant to keep watch. She then had someone purchase some Dong’a donkey-hide gelatin from Huaide Hall, arranged the carriages, had lunch with the Grand Madam, and set off for the residence of Princess Fucheng.

The gates of Princess Fucheng’s residence were as stately and quiet as the last time she had come. Mistress Zhou, hearing of her arrival, came to receive her at the ornamental gate. Before Eleventh Miss could even open her mouth, Mistress Zhou smiled and said: “A match unites two families in goodwill. For our Fang Jie’er to have this opportunity to serve the First Imperial Prince — that too is a union of two families in goodwill.”

Eleventh Miss let out a quiet breath of relief, echoed Mistress Zhou’s words with a few remarks about “the two families being connected by fate,” and then went to pay her respects to Princess Fucheng.

Princess Fucheng was in the middle of saying something to Fang Jie’er.

Seeing Eleventh Miss, Fang Jie’er’s cheeks immediately flushed a bright crimson. She gave her greeting with composed grace, but was clearly bashful — she did not do as she usually had when meeting Eleventh Miss, pulling her aside to talk. After returning the courtesy, she quietly withdrew.

Eleventh Miss paid her respects to Princess Fucheng, offered her congratulations on behalf of Fang Jie’er, then presented the donkey-hide gelatin: “My Seventh Sister came from Shandong and brought some local produce.” Then she sat with Princess Fucheng for a few moments’ conversation before rising to take her leave.

Mistress Zhou walked her to the ornamental gate.

Eleventh Miss told Mistress Zhou of Seventh Miss’s coming to Yanjing to seek medical treatment, and asked her to help recommend a physician.

Mistress Zhou readily agreed. She rose to take her leave and returned to Lotus Flower Lane.

Xu Lingyi was already awake, reclining against the head of the bed in thought. Hearing movement, he raised his eyes: “How did it go? Was everything made clear?”

“Did it even require us to say anything?” Eleventh Miss changed her clothes and recounted the visit to Princess Fucheng’s residence to Xu Lingyi, then helped him rise, and the two of them went to the Grand Madam’s quarters for the evening meal together.

After they returned and had just settled in for the evening, Linbo arrived.

He brought Xu Lingyi a letter. Xu Lingyi read it through, then burned it to ash before Eleventh Miss’s eyes, and said to her: “I have something to attend to — if I haven’t returned by the beginning of the hai hour, go ahead and sleep.”

If she still couldn’t see the gravity of the situation by now, she would have been a complete fool.

She asked Xu Lingyi directly: “Has something happened?” Her gaze on him was clear and bright as water.

Xu Lingyi’s eyelids dropped for a moment and then opened again. He said with perfect ease, “It is nothing,” then urged her to rest early, turned, and left the pavilion.

Eleventh Miss could not make sense of his strange behavior and felt thoroughly unsettled. Just then, Wen Yiniang and Qiao Lianfang came by to pay their evening respects. She kept Wen Yiniang to talk.

Ever since Wen Yiniang had helped Eleventh Miss with the accounts that one time, Eleventh Miss had been calling her over to help out every few days. Wen Yiniang suspected Eleventh Miss was using her particular skills to outmaneuver the household steward-matrons — and so she had a favor to sell that was well worth selling.

Without Xu Lingyi present, at that.

She had maintained silence before others.

But Qiao Lianfang’s expression grew subtly shadowed.

These days, Wen Yiniang frequently came to Eleventh Miss alone, avoiding her — and always when Xu Lingyi was not in the mansion…

She recalled the reason Xu Lingyi held Wen Yiniang in such little favor.

Then, with a composed smile, she curtsied and withdrew.