Eleventh Lady’s quarters were abuzz with celebration, and word had also reached the Grand Madam.

“Quickly, quickly — go tell Yizhen.” The Grand Madam called out in rapid succession to Weizi. “Tell her that Second Young Master has passed.”

Weizi gave a curtsy and went, all smiles, to the Shaohua Courtyard.

Second Lady was bent over her desk writing with great urgency. Hearing that Xu Siyu had passed the children’s examination and earned the rank of scholar, she looked up. A faint, fleeting smile crossed her face, and she instructed Jiexiang to pack things up: “…We will go to the Grand Madam’s.”

Jiexiang answered cheerfully and accompanied Second Lady to the Grand Madam’s quarters.

Coming through the door, she saw Eleventh Lady’s personal maid Hupo standing beneath the eaves.

“Fourth Lady arrived first,” Jiexiang said with a quiet smile, and saw Hupo had already respectfully stepped forward to curtsy to Second Lady: “Second Lady!”

Second Lady gave a small nod and walked into the main hall.

From the western side chamber came the Grand Madam’s warm, laughing voice: “…Very well, very well, as you suggest then, as you suggest.”

It was unclear what idea Eleventh Lady had proposed this time to make the Grand Madam so pleased.

Second Lady raised an eyebrow.

The young maid standing before the curtain was already announcing, “Second Lady has arrived,” as she lifted the drapery aside.

Second Lady walked in.

The Grand Madam and Eleventh Lady sat side by side on the kang, shoulder to shoulder, in warm intimacy. Seeing Second Lady enter, the Grand Madam beckoned to her at once: “Our Siyu placed ninth — ninth place.”

Second Lady stepped forward with a smile and gave a bow: “Siyu has truly found a fine teacher — he has been at Le’an for only four or five months!”

“Quite so.” The Grand Madam nodded approvingly. “All credit is owed to Master Jiang.” Then she said: “Eleventh Lady’s thought is that, while it is only the children’s examination, it is still the first step on a journey of ten thousand li — something worthy of celebration. Yet if we make too great a fuss, Siyu still has the licentiate examination ahead of him, and the provincial examination, and the metropolitan examination — and we do not want to place a burden on the child. As the Double Third Festival falls in a few days, it would be fitting to invite relatives and friends for a gathering at home — without declaring any particular occasion; those who know will know, and those who do not need not be told. What do you think?”

Second Lady had heard the Grand Madam’s “as you suggest” the moment she walked in — she could hardly have failed to read the Grand Madam’s sentiments. She smiled: “Fourth Sister-in-law’s idea sounds very good to me as well.”

The Grand Madam, seeing both of them in agreement, was delighted, and drew Second Lady and Eleventh Lady into a discussion of the guest list.

By that afternoon, everyone in the household had heard the news.

Qin Yiniang changed into fresh clothes, washed her face and hands, and knelt before the Bodhisattva with great reverence, lighting three sticks of incense. She murmured prayers for a long while. Cui’er stood beside her and could only make out something about “may all go well” and “may a new golden image be cast.” She knew Qin Yiniang was praying for Second Young Master’s blessings, and covered her mouth with a smile. She went and poured a cup of tea, and when she came back in, Qin Yiniang had just finished her prostrations and was rising.

Cui’er quickly set the teacup on the kang table and stepped forward to support Qin Yiniang’s arm.

“Yiniang, word is the lady instructed the kitchen to add extra dishes and also sent someone to the storeroom to collect silver ingots for distribution.”

Qin Yiniang listened and gave a faint nod, her face showing little of the joy one might expect.

Cui’er was slightly startled, and called out “Yiniang.”

Qin Yiniang listened, then let out a long sigh: “I feared he might not pass and displease the Marquis. But now that he has passed… going back to Le’an is all but certain!” She sank onto the edge of the kang as she spoke.

Cui’er bent down to remove Qin Yiniang’s shoes, thinking of Wenzhu’s remark that Second Young Master intended to return to Le’an whether he passed or not, and felt reluctant herself. She said quietly: “The Double Third Festival is almost here — Second Young Master would surely wait until after the festival before leaving, wouldn’t he?” Her voice held a note of uncertainty.

“That depends on the Marquis’s wishes.” Qin Yiniang frowned, her expression full of worry. “We must think of a way to keep Second Young Master at home a while longer.”

Cui’er nodded vigorously.

Le’an might be a fine place, but it was after all a rural area. How could it compare to Yanjing’s Marquis Yongping’s estate, with all its fine food and rich clothing…

“Indeed we must think of a way to keep Second Young Master at home a while longer.” She too set her mind to it. “After the Double Third Festival… comes the Qingming Festival.” Cui’er said, her eyes lighting up. “Second Young Master has passed the children’s examination — this is a great joyous occasion. Surely the ancestors must be formally informed?”

“Yes, indeed!” Qin Yiniang’s spirits revived at this. “How did I not think of that? After the Double Third Festival comes the Qingming Festival, and after Qingming comes the Grand Madam’s birthday. These are all occasions of ‘filial devotion!'”

Cui’er’s eyes crinkled with laughter.

Meanwhile, far away in the Shaohua Courtyard’s study, the very person Qin Yiniang was fretting over — Xu Siyu — stood before Second Lady with a respectful bearing.

“No one knows how many people remain only scholars their entire lives.” Second Lady sipped her tea. “The road ahead of you is long, and you must not grow proud or complacent over this small step forward. Time and tide wait for no man — do not waste these precious years. I think once the Double Third Festival is over, you should set off and return to Le’an. Master Jiang’s reputation is well-deserved; you must learn to cherish such an opportunity.”

Xu Siyu gave a respectful reply of “Yes,” though a flash of surprise showed in his eyes: “I had originally planned to return to Le’an as soon as the results were announced…”

Second Lady heard this and gave a light nod, a look of approval crossing her face. She explained: “This is your mother’s wish. She said you had passed the children’s examination and wished to celebrate for you, but feared it might make you feel burdened, so she wanted to use the occasion of the Double Third as a pretext for a merry gathering.” Her tone, though level, conveyed no objection to such an arrangement.

A brightness came over Xu Siyu’s face: “Then I will leave after the Double Third Festival.”

Second Lady gave a quiet “mm,” picked up a small black lacquer box from the table, and handed it to Xu Siyu: “This inkstone is rather fine — take it for your use.” She then raised her teacup.

Xu Siyu received the inkstone with both hands and rose to take his leave.

Back in his room, he saw twelve sheets of Chengxin paper and four sticks of fine ink laid out on the writing table.

Wenzhu said with a smile: “The paper is from the lady, and the ink sticks are from Wen Yiniang.”

Xu Siyu gave a nod and set Second Lady’s inkstone beside them: “Put these away. We will set off after the Double Third Festival.”

Wenzhu was a little surprised.

Xu Siyu had already settled into the chair at the writing table: “Mother wishes to mark the occasion with a celebration at the Double Third Festival!”

“It is only a small achievement — passing the children’s examination.” Xu Lingyi sounded somewhat indifferent. “I think it would be better to skip the celebration and have him return to Anle a little sooner to resume his studies.”

“Scholarly achievement is not something that happens all at once,” Eleventh Lady said with a smile. “It is only a matter of a few days’ delay.”

As they spoke, a sharp, piercing sound came from the eastern room.

Xu Lingyi’s brow furrowed slightly: “How much longer is he going to practice?”

Xu Sijie was in the eastern room practicing his flute.

Eleventh Lady glanced at the floor-standing clock with a smile: “Another quarter of an hour!”

As she spoke, two more dull, muffled sounds came through from the eastern room.

Xu Lingyi looked as though he wanted to say something but stopped himself.

Eleventh Lady acted as though she had not noticed, and carried on speaking with him about the arrangements for the gathering: “Master Jiang’s wife — she really ought to be invited.”

Two more brief, hollow tooting sounds.

“Naturally,” Xu Lingyi replied, doing his best to ignore the noise. “Siyu would not have passed the examination without Master Jiang’s considerable contribution. We must, by any means, express our gratitude.”

Barely had he finished speaking when Xu Sijie shuffled in, head drooping.

He gave a listless bow to Xu Lingyi and Eleventh Lady.

“What is wrong?” Eleventh Lady rose and walked to him, crouching down to pat his little head.

“Still no good!” Xu Sijie’s head drooped lower still, his voice barely above a whisper. “Still can’t blow properly!”

“You’ve done very well!” Eleventh Lady said with a laugh. “When Mother was your age, she couldn’t even get out a single note. So to this day Mother still has never learned to play the transverse flute!”

“Really!” Xu Sijie raised his head, his eyes shining bright as morning stars.

“Really!” Eleventh Lady smiled and nodded.

Xu Sijie thought for a moment, then said: “Then when I have learned it, I will teach Mother to play.”

“Wonderful!” Eleventh Lady said gladly. “Then I shall be waiting for our Jie Ge to teach me how to play the transverse flute!”

Xu Sijie nodded with great seriousness.

Eleventh Lady handed him over to Nan Yong’s wife: “Go wash your hands and face — we will go to Grandmother’s for dinner.”

Xu Sijie obediently followed Nan Yong’s wife and went off.

Xu Lingyi said despite himself: “You cannot deceive a child — he will take it to heart.”

He was referring to the matter of learning to play the transverse flute alongside Xu Sijie.

Eleventh Lady laughed: “I have not deceived him. If that day ever comes, I shall simply learn from him!”

What becomes of parental dignity?

Xu Lingyi looked at Eleventh Lady’s smiling, untroubled face, considered the matter, and thought that Jie Ge was still very young — he might well have forgotten the whole thing by then — and in the end said nothing.

Linbo came to request an audience.

“My lord, Eunuch He has come.”

Eunuch He was the Emperor’s most trusted personal attendant and the chief eunuch of the Qianqing Palace. Coming at this hour — what could this be about?

Eleventh Lady looked at Xu Lingyi with some unease.

But Xu Lingyi’s expression was perfectly composed: “Is he in ceremonial dress or informal clothing?”

“He is in ceremonial dress.” Linbo’s eyes showed a flicker of puzzlement. “And yet his manner does not seem to be official business.”

Xu Lingyi considered for a moment, told Eleventh Lady “I’ll go and see,” and went to the study in the outer courtyard.

Eleventh Lady sat holding Xu Sijie and told him several stories from the Three Character Classic before Xu Lingyi returned.

“Help me change into court casual dress — I must enter the palace.”

Eleventh Lady had Nan Yong’s wife take Xu Sijie to the Grand Madam’s, and only then instructed the maids to fetch Xu Lingyi’s court casual dress and help him change into it.

Xu Lingyi looked at her and smiled: “You are not even anxious!”

Eleventh Lady was fastening the sash at his waist, and at his words she looked up: “If my lord is not anxious, what is there for me to be anxious about?”

Xu Lingyi started, then burst out laughing.

Eleventh Lady helped him smooth his collar, then received the seven-ridge ceremonial cap from the young maids and placed it on his head.

“The Empress Dowager is weeping before the Ancestor Shrine, crying for the late Emperor,” Xu Lingyi said, lowering his head to let her fit the ceremonial cap. His voice was soft. “The Emperor has summoned me into the palace to help console the Empress Dowager.”

Eleventh Lady stared: “If that is what is needed, it would make far more sense to summon the Marquis of Jian’ning or the Earl of Shouchang! They are her blood siblings!”

“The Emperor has also summoned the Marquis of Jian’ning and the Earl of Shouchang.” Xu Lingyi replied with perfect composure. “So I have deliberately sent word ahead to Princess Fucheng. A matter as personal as the Emperor’s family affairs is best handled by the Emperor’s own imperial kin.”

Eleventh Lady could not help but laugh: “My lord, how very cunning. You want no part of entangling yourself in this, yet you also worry the Emperor cannot hold his ground against the Yang family, so you have pushed Princess Fucheng out as a shield. Mind you, when she has the leisure, she may well come back and settle accounts with you.”

“She would have to find the time to settle accounts with me!” Xu Lingyi said affectionately, pinching her cheek, and laughing heartily as he turned and walked away.

—