Eleventh Young Lady looked at that old servant with her expression of triumphant satisfaction, and found herself somewhere between wanting to laugh and wanting to sigh.

Still, this was for the best.

Under ordinary circumstances, an adopted heir did not maintain contact with his birth parents. The fact that Wang Chengzu’s birth father and mother could carry on in such a manner suggested they were not exactly reasonable people to begin with. Perhaps the old saying truly applied here: “Villains are ground down by worse villains.” That said, even a cornered rabbit would bite. What Tenth Young Lady had done was also exceedingly bold.

She asked the old servant: “When you went to the Wang Mansion to gather information — how many people knew of it?”

“Not many, not at all.” The old servant replied hurriedly. “There was a sister I’d made acquaintance with when I went to help at the Wang household. She works in the kitchen, so she has little contact with the main quarters — and she has a good hand at cooking, which is why she’s kept her position without any trouble.”

“Very well,” Eleventh Young Lady said thoughtfully. “From now on, go over there once every two or three days. You don’t need to conceal your movements, but there’s no need to make a show of it either. If anyone asks, just say I sent you to have a look.”

That way, Wang Chengzu’s birth parents might at least think twice before acting.

The old servant readily agreed.

Eleventh Young Lady had Hupo send her off with one tael of silver: “If you continue to perform your duties well, there will be a proper reward.”

The old servant departed in high spirits.

A few days later, word came back.

“Tenth Young Madam had the steward send away all the collateral Wang family members who had been residing in Maoguo Duke’s Mansion. Those people refused to comply. So Tenth Young Madam had the kitchen stop their meals. Some of them went to reason with Tenth Young Madam about it. Tenth Young Madam didn’t say a single word, but picked up a cup of hot tea and hurled it…” At this point, the old servant cast a sidelong glance at Eleventh Young Lady.

Eleventh Young Lady, though surprised, reflected for a moment and realized that this was entirely Tenth Young Lady’s style. She betrayed nothing on her face, and calmly lifted her own teacup for a leisurely sip.

Only then did the old servant dare continue.

“If that person hadn’t jumped aside quickly, and if Tenth Young Madam hadn’t been so long weakened by illness, that cup of boiling tea would likely have hit them in the face. The others heard what happened and began making an uproar. Tenth Young Madam pulled down the ceremonial sword displayed in the main hall, slammed it onto the floor with a loud crack, and declared: if anyone had the nerve, they were welcome to kill her — otherwise, in three days’ time she would have men burn down every last one of the side rooms where the collateral members were staying. She drove them all back in their tracks. That very night some of them slipped away in secret, carrying off whatever they could from their rooms. Tenth Young Madam found out, and posted several strong and able-bodied men at the gates. Now anyone leaving Maoguo Duke’s Mansion must submit to a body search. If a single item belonging to the Mansion is found on a person, they will be handed over to the Prefect of Shuntian for ‘theft.’ Now those people are all in utter confusion.”

Eleventh Young Lady considered for a moment, then sent Lvyun to summon Chief Steward Bai.

“My Tenth Elder Sister is now managing on her own, a widow with an ailing mother-in-law to care for. I worry there may be troublemakers and idle gangs making things difficult for her. I would ask Chief Steward Bai to send word to the Prefect of Shuntian — have his men make a point of passing by the gates of Maoguo Duke’s Mansion every now and then, on whatever pretext.” She then had Hupo bring out fifty taels of silver for Chief Steward Bai. “This silver is for the constables, to buy them a round of drinks.”

Chief Steward Bai pressed the silver back with both hands. “Our Mansion has the constables over for drinks every year at the Dragon Boat Festival, the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the New Year. In ordinary times there’s nothing to trouble them over. Now that the Madam has a task for them, it’s precisely the opportunity they’ve been waiting for to repay the favor. There’s no need for silver at all.” He then added: “Madam may set her mind at ease — I will take personal responsibility for this matter. I guarantee that no one will cause trouble at Maoguo Duke’s Mansion.”

The silver had been produced only as a gesture of gratitude. Since Chief Steward Bai declined it, Eleventh Young Lady did not press the matter, offered a few polite words of “you’ve worked hard” and the like, and Chief Steward Bai, reading the situation, rose and took his leave.

That evening she mentioned the matter to Xu Lingyi: “…I don’t know what else she might stir up. It really is cause for worry!”

“What is there to worry about!” Xu Lingyi leaned over and blew out the lamp. “As long as Marquis Yongping’s Mansion stands for a single day, those people will have cause to be wary for a single day.” He then turned the conversation to the shop: “How are the preparations coming?”

“Those embroidresses should be arriving within the next few days.” Things had been progressing smoothly, and a trace of pleasure seeped into Eleventh Young Lady’s voice. “The previous tenants left in something of a hurry, and still have some cosmetics on hand. Master Jian and I discussed it, and we’d like to buy them out at a discounted price. When we open for business, we’ll give a gift of either a box of rouge or a box of face powder to every customer who makes a purchase. She told me that back in the Jiangnan region she once saw a rice shop on opening day give away small bags of rice — I thought that was a fine idea. So we spent over two hundred taels to buy more than four hundred boxes of face powder and more than three hundred boxes of rouge, plus some hair oil and lip balm and such things. My only worry now is that we won’t manage to give it all away.”

Xu Lingyi laughed as he listened: “If there’s any left over, bring it home and give it out as tips to the maids and matrons. The New Year is almost here.”

“That is a good idea, my Lord,” Eleventh Young Lady said with a smile. “Though I do worry someone will take this as a precedent, and next year and the year after expect cosmetics as part of their New Year gratuities. If there really is a surplus, I think it would be better for me to keep it for those closest to me.”

“Handle it as you see fit,” Xu Lingyi said, thinking these were all minor matters. “I heard from Chief Steward Bai that the Yang Huizu you introduced is quite capable — very talented when it comes to purchasing and procurement. He’s thinking of promoting him to a second-tier steward.”

“He was originally an attendant bonded to Elder Sister’s household,” Eleventh Young Lady said, making no effort to claim the credit for herself, and went on to explain the circumstances of how she had found Yang Huizu to purchase pearls for her. “…It was simply because he impressed me that I recommended him to the Marquis.”

The two of them chatted for a long while before settling down to sleep.

In the hazy half-slumber, she sensed Xu Lingyi rustling softly as he rose from bed.

“What is the matter?”

“Nothing — go back to sleep.” Xu Lingyi gave her head a gentle stroke.

Having already been roused, Eleventh Young Lady simply opened her eyes.

The lamp in the outer room came to life, and low murmuring voices were heard, followed by light, receding footsteps, and then the quiet turning of a door hinge. Then Xu Lingyi, wearing only an inner robe, lifted the curtain and entered.

In the dim and shifting light, he caught sight of two eyes gleaming like gems.

“I’ve woken you,” he said in a low, quiet laugh, and undressed and got into bed.

“What has happened?” Eleventh Young Lady stifled a yawn behind her sleeve.

“Just past the first night watch, Her Highness the Empress gave birth to a princess.”

“Oh!” Eleventh Young Lady was instantly wide awake. She had been counting the days — the Empress’s confinement was due these very nights — yet hearing the definite news still brought a surge of joy. “A daughter is her mother’s little comfort. The Empress now has both a son and a daughter — this calls for a proper celebration!”

“The Emperor is very pleased,” Xu Lingyi smiled and nodded. “This is the Emperor’s firstborn legitimate daughter. The Bureau of Protocol is already drafting the imperial edict — in three days’ time, all princes and great ministers, officials, princesses, and all titled ladies of the fourth rank and above in the capital are to enter the palace to offer congratulations. They are also preparing a general amnesty.”

“Such a grand occasion!” Eleventh Young Lady was startled, but on reflection she could understand it.

He had seven sons — but as for daughters, this was the very first.

Xu Lingyi’s thoughts, however, differed from Eleventh Young Lady’s: “These past months there has been much discord over the reopening of maritime trade. It would do well to take the occasion of the Princess’s birth to mark the occasion with celebration.”

In mid-autumn, the Emperor had issued an edict to reestablish the Maritime Trade Offices at Quanzhou, Ningbo, and Guangzhou. But just now, that was not what concerned Eleventh Young Lady most.

She sat up. “Let’s go tell Mother — let her share in the good news!”

“We can go a little later,” Xu Lingyi pressed her back. “It is barely past the third quarter of the first night watch!”

Eleventh Young Lady was somewhat surprised.

Which meant that from the moment the Empress gave birth to the arrival of the news at Xu Lingyi’s ears, no more than three quarters of an hour had passed.

She could not help glancing at Xu Lingyi.

Xu Lingyi met her gaze with studied restraint: “It is best to know what happens in the palace early.”

Eleventh Young Lady asked no more, lay back down — but found sleep would not come, and talked on with Xu Lingyi: “Is there any news from Fujian?”

“Nothing much,” Xu Lingyi said mildly. “The various branches of the Qu family have gradually quieted down and have begun shifting their attention from searching for the missing Young Heir to determining who shall inherit the title. General Li has carried out several raids against bandits, taken considerable spoils, and the Ministry of War is now petitioning on his behalf for a commendation — they intend to confer on him the title of Zhaoyu General.”

Because it all fell within expectations, it was hardly news worth speaking of.

Eleventh Young Lady turned it over in her thoughts, and found herself thinking of Li Ji, who had followed his father to Fujian.

As if reading her mind, Xu Lingyi brought up Li Ji: “…He has taken a position under his father’s command as a Captain of a Thousand.”

A Captain of a Thousand held the rank of the upper fifth tier. One step above that was the lower fourth tier. The leap from the fifth to the fourth tier had always been a difficult threshold — some people could not cross it in an entire lifetime. Yet once that step was taken, with connections at court and no grave political missteps, the rank of a full third-tier General Commander was within foreseeable reach. Still — for Li Ji to have risen to such a position at such a young age, had General Li not been pushing things too hastily?

Eleventh Young Lady was turning this over when a warm, broad hand closed around hers. “A person’s life is long — one cannot judge by what a single morning or evening may bring.”

She turned toward the voice and met Xu Lingyi’s warm, steady gaze.

“A fine sword is tempered through long grinding, and the plum blossom’s fragrance is born from enduring the bitter cold. To reach high station in youth is not necessarily a blessing. And so before the military examinations were announced, I specifically called Zhongren to come and asked him what he intended. He deliberated for a good while, and in the end stayed with his earlier promise — he will remain in Yanjing to help manage affairs for the Shao family’s young men who are preparing for next year’s military provincial examinations, and then return to Cangzhou to sit the autumn military examinations next year. Although he still carries himself with a certain restraint, the fact that he has kept his word, placing others before himself, already carries the manner of a gentleman. I find him to be a steady and grounded young man — and no wonder you took notice of him.”

So he had been worried that she might feel a pang of regret seeing Li Ji’s early success, and had spoken these words of counsel.

Eleventh Young Lady’s heart warmed: “Everyone understands the principle in their mind — even so, one cannot help but be pulled back and forth by gains and losses.”

Xu Lingyi listened and smiled faintly.

Eleventh Young Lady had an openness about her — that sense that there was nothing in her heart she could not speak aloud — which made conversation with her feel like being bathed in a gentle spring breeze.

He could not help tightening his grip around the small hand in his palm.

Soft and tender, like mutton-fat jade — too precious to let go.

“Rest a while longer,” Xu Lingyi said, leaning back against the bolster pillow. “Wait until daylight, and then we’ll go deliver the news to Mother.”

Eleventh Young Lady nodded, and made to withdraw her hand and lie down.

But it was held fast.

She glanced over at Xu Lingyi.

He had already closed his eyes, as if fallen asleep.

Was he really expecting them to sleep like this, hand in hand?

Eleventh Young Lady grumbled inwardly, and gave her hand another firm tug.

The broad hand did not stir by a fraction.

His closed eyes were peaceful and serene.

Eleventh Young Lady stared at him for a long moment, then, having no other choice, lay down and let him hold her hand until she drifted into sleep.

Xu Lingyi opened his eyes. The gaze with which he looked at Eleventh Young Lady brimmed with quiet warmth.

—

By year’s end, Eleventh Young Lady heard a piece of news.

It was said that the second son of Fujian’s General Commander had become engaged to the youngest legitimate daughter of Princess Ancheng’s household.

—