“Is that even worth asking?” Second Madam said. “It must certainly be that Princess Fucheng, fearing that if the Emperor issued an imperial decree, it would be difficult later to settle Yang Shi’s position properly, so she urged the Emperor to issue it in the Empress Dowager’s name instead. Just so the Emperor, having reservations about issuing a decree to bestow a concubine as being contrary to proper decorum and inviting the world’s ridicule, went along with the flow and had the eunuchs of the Ci’ning Palace transmit the decree.”

Eleventh Young Madam and the Grand Madam both turned to look at Xu Lingyi.

Xu Lingyi gave a slight nod: “Since ancient times, has any Emperor ever issued a decree not for a marriage but to bestow a concubine? The Emperor had originally intended only a verbal order. It was Princess Fucheng who feared delay would bring complications, and further waves might arise, and was eager to settle the matter at once. The Empress Dowager feared the two households would not honor the agreement and wished to use the decree to bind them. And so it was drafted by the Jianninghou and Shizheng, transmitted by the Ci’ning Palace eunuchs, and the matter was settled on the spot.”

“That explains it,” the Grand Madam said. “Why a decree would be delivered at dusk, with wording all out of the proper order, as though appointing an inner court consort.” She asked him with concern: “Why did you only return now?”

“Afterward the Emperor remained at the Ci’ning Palace to attend to the Empress Dowager’s illness, and we remained in attendance at the side. After the Empress arrived, Princess Fucheng stayed at the Ci’ning Palace to keep the Empress company. We followed the Emperor to the Qianqing Palace. The Emperor graciously provided supper. Since the palace gates had already been locked for the night, we lodged in the duty rooms. The following morning the Emperor had eunuchs summon Shizheng and myself to the Qianqing Palace for a talk. We waited until after the Emperor had held his early morning audience, spoke with him for a while, and only then were permitted to leave.”

The Grand Madam’s expression became earnest: “What did the Emperor say?”

“Nothing of great import.” Xu Lingyi said with careful circumspection. “The Emperor only said: having attended to the Empress Dowager for all these years, if after his passing he cannot receive the posthumous title of ‘Benevolent,’ he would at least hope to merit the title ‘Filial.'”

That, then, was the reason the Emperor had always treated the Empress Dowager with deep deference and respect, and had tolerated the Jianninghou and Marquis of Shouchangbo in so many things.

Eleventh Young Madam turned this over in her mind.

Whatever had passed between them in years gone by, in the eyes of the world, the Empress Dowager had once been the Emperor’s benefactress. If the late Emperor had not been persuaded by the Empress Dowager’s intercession, he would never have designated this Emperor as crown prince. Now the Empress Dowager was growing old and advanced in years, and moreover was already taken ill — like a traveler who had walked ninety-nine steps of a hundred-step road. The Emperor would certainly not wish to suffer a great loss for a small gain, and in the very final moment allow the Empress Dowager to meet with some misfortune, leaving him saddled with the name of “unfilial ruler.”

The Grand Madam’s expression eased somewhat upon hearing this: “Since he was unwilling to issue an imperial decree and used a dowager’s decree instead, and has even spoken such words — I may set my heart at rest!”

The Emperor’s meaning was plain. For as long as the Empress Dowager lived, certain matters must be managed with her feelings in mind. By extension, if the Empress Dowager were no longer present…

From the current situation, it seemed that for as long as the Empress Dowager lived a single day, this Yang Shi would need to be honored for a single day.

Yet there was a common saying: “A bent plank holds firm.” The Empress Dowager had been ill for the better part of a year, and even Princess Fucheng’s words in the Shrine of the Imperial Ancestors had amounted to nothing more than a “fright without lasting harm.” Who would dare to say with certainty that the Empress Dowager would not “grow vigorous in high spirits” and drag on for three or five more years?

Eleventh Young Madam reflected on this privately. Then she simply asked the Grand Madam directly: “Mother, in your view, how should the ceremony of taking a concubine be managed so as to be proper?”

“How should it be managed!” The Grand Madam gave a light, mild smile. “Since this is the taking of a concubine, it naturally follows the proper rites for taking a concubine. What is there to deliberate over?” Her tone carried a note of contempt. “The same procedures as when Qiao Yiniang was brought in — that is the same procedure for bringing in Yang Shi.” She then said: “The fourth son has only just returned from the palace. All of you go back and eat first. I do not need attending to here. In the afternoon we will discuss and finalize the arrangements for the Third Month Third Festival banquet.”

Xu Lingyi rose at this: “Then we will take our leave!”

The Grand Madam nodded, and said with warm affection: “Go quickly, go!”

Eleventh Young Madam followed Xu Lingyi in taking leave of the Grand Madam and returned to their rooms.

Xu Lingyi leaned sideways on the kang: “Make me a bowl of assorted noodles. I have eaten nothing but a small bowl of millet porridge since early dawn.” It was already late morning now — no wonder he wanted only something with broth. He then added: “The same kind of assorted noodles you made for my birthday last time.”

The noodles were made by Eleventh Young Madam with her own hands. The dough was kneaded with a little oil, the broth prepared by simmering beef bones, chicken bones, and duck bones together, with a dressing of shredded winter bamboo shoots, shredded dried mushrooms, mung bean sprouts, shredded carrots, and the like. Quite ordinary things — yet their virtue lay in the light clarity of the broth and the springy firmness of the noodles.

“Then my lord should rest a little,” Eleventh Young Madam said, casually drawing the large scarlet Kesi quilt patterned with phoenixes facing the sun and draping it over Xu Lingyi. “I will call you when the noodles are ready!”

Xu Lingyi gave a nod.

Eleventh Young Madam went to the small kitchen and made a bowl of assorted noodles with her own hands, then carried it into the inner chamber.

Xu Lingyi had his head tilted to the side, sleeping soundly. His expression was peaceful, and none of the sternness of his waking hours remained. He seemed years younger.

Eleventh Young Madam hesitated for a moment, but Xu Lingyi had already opened his eyes and sat up with a drowsy look.

“Smelled the fragrance!”

Eleventh Young Madam set the red lacquered tray in the shape of a crabapple flower before him on the low kang table with a smile: “My lord, eat a little first, then rest.”

Xu Lingyi picked up his chopsticks: “Eat some as well.”

Eleventh Young Madam was not fond of noodles and demurred politely: “I am not hungry yet — I will eat in a little while.”

Xu Lingyi did not press her. As on the previous occasion, he ate three full bowls before setting down his chopsticks.

Eleventh Young Madam attended him as he washed up and lay down to rest, then went to the western side chamber and instructed Hupo to go look over the old account books. She had the young maids set out her meal.

After the meal, Hupo returned with the account books and reported: “…Bed frames, canopies, and bedding; wedding candles and utensils — all together, three hundred taels. Four tables of banquet were hosted, costing two hundred taels.”

Eleventh Young Madam was somewhat taken aback.

It had not occurred to her that the total cost for bringing in Qiao Lianfang had been only five hundred taels, of which the banquet accounted for two-fifths.

Hupo had spent much time at Eleventh Young Madam’s side and had developed her own initiative — no longer simply doing whatever she was told as in the old days. Reflecting that the Marquis had no sooner walked in the door than he had gone with Eleventh Young Madam to the Grand Madam’s residence, it was most likely to discuss the matter of bringing Yang Shi into the household. And the fact that Eleventh Young Madam had returned and immediately looked over the accounts for when Qiao Lianfang had been brought in — nine times out of ten this was connected to the matter of bringing Yang Shi in. So she had also, in passing, looked over the accounts for when Wen Yiniang had arrived.

“…For Wen Yiniang’s arrival, the bed frames, canopies, and bedding, and the wedding candles and utensils, came to five hundred taels altogether. Four tables of banquet were also hosted, costing one hundred and sixty taels.” She added: “I also asked Nanny Song. Nanny Song said: when Wen Yiniang first came into the household, our First Young Miss gave her a headband of red gold set with southern pearls, a pair of hairpins of red gold set with blue stone, and a pair of twisted red gold bangles — worth in all over three hundred taels. When Qiao Yiniang entered, the First Young Miss gave only a pair of jadeite flower ornaments, worth some thirty-odd taels.”

Eleventh Young Madam heard this and understood everything perfectly.

She sent Hupo to invite Chief Steward Bai in, then settled at her writing table and drafted a list of guests to be invited from her side for the Third Month Third Festival.

She set down her brush. Chief Steward Bai arrived as well.

“…The auspicious date is set for the twelfth of the third month.” Eleventh Young Madam said, coming straight to the point. “That date will be upon us in the blink of an eye. Some things must be prepared early.”

Chief Steward Bai inclined forward in a slight bow and said attentively: “Please issue your instructions, my lady.”

“The new rooms should be set up in Second Young Master’s old residence. While the weather these next few days is fine, find some people to give it a fresh coat of whitewash. As for the rites and procedures, follow the same arrangements as when Qiao Yiniang entered the household.” Eleventh Young Madam said, her gaze coming to rest on Hupo. “When the time comes, have a copy of those account books made for Chief Steward Bai, so he has something to follow in purchasing and arranging things.”

Chief Steward Bai’s gaze, however, became slightly intent.

He was an old hand in the household. How could he have no recollection of how much had been spent when Wen Yiniang came in, and how much when Qiao Lianfang came in?

Hupo, on the other hand, could only feel pleased.

That Yang Shi had been bestowed by the Empress Dowager — who knew what kind of temperament she would have? If the Marquis were to show Yang Shi every favor, it was to be feared that Eleventh Young Madam’s standing might grow precarious.

She gave a smiling assent, and went off with Chief Steward Bai to make a copy of the account books.

Eleventh Young Madam rose, intending to go to the Grand Madam’s residence.

Qiao Lianfang requested to see her.

She was wearing a pale willow-green Hangzhou silk jacket and a white skirt with raised-thread embroidery, her hair neatly arranged in a bun with a silver hairpin topped by a lotus flower — clean and fresh-looking, elegant and composed.

Eleventh Young Madam was somewhat taken aback.

It seemed this was perhaps the first time she had seen Qiao Lianfang dressed so plainly.

Qiao Lianfang greeted Eleventh Young Madam respectfully with a bow.

Eleventh Young Madam had a young maid bring a brocade stool for her to sit on.

She smiled, gave thanks, and perched on half the stool. She glanced at the paper in Eleventh Young Madam’s hand and said: “Is my lady still busy with the matter of invitations for the Third Month Third Festival? You must be very occupied these days.”

That was a reference to the fact that she would be attending to both the Third Month Third Festival banquet and the matter of Yang Shi’s arrival.

“It is manageable,” Eleventh Young Madam said. “Both have old precedents to follow. One need only go by the book.”

Qiao Lianfang smiled upon hearing this: “My lady is a clever person — whatever you take up, you grasp at once, and so manage to accomplish twice the work with half the effort. Unlike me — I muddle through everything clumsily no matter what I do.”

“Qiao Yiniang is too modest.” Eleventh Young Madam observed the air of someone who had settled in for a leisurely chat and privately wondered at her intentions.

“That is not modesty at all.” Qiao Lianfang smiled. “Every year at the Third Month Third Festival there are so many noble ladies coming to call. One must not only exchange pleasantries with them, but also see to the arrangements for the opera troupe, the banquet dishes, the tea and refreshments… The very thought of it is daunting. Yet my lady handles everything with effortless ease.”

To be able to speak of the Third Month Third Festival in such a light, relaxed tone!

Eleventh Young Madam felt a faint strangeness.

Before she could open her mouth, however, Qiao Lianfang’s expression had already fallen, and she bowed her head faintly: “Thinking about it now — how fate toys with us.” Her voice was somewhat low. “All the people from that spring banquet years ago have long since gone their separate ways.”

What is the use of speaking of these things now?

Could it change anything?

It would only give rise to the sorrowful feeling that things remain while people pass away, and that nothing in the world endures.

Eleventh Young Madam felt she and Qiao Lianfang could not possibly have any common language. She raised her teacup and took a sip of tea: “Qiao Yiniang came to see me — was there something you wished to say?”

“Nothing, nothing.” Qiao Lianfang raised her head upon hearing this. Her smile held a note of bitterness. “I saw that Wen Yiniang was wholly devoted to helping the First Young Miss prepare her trousseau, and Qin Yiniang was both making summer clothes for Fifth Young Master and finding time to prepare some snacks and food for Second Young Master. Only I sat idle. And so I thought I would come to see if there was anything here I could help my lady with. I did not expect to end up speaking of such old matters.” She let out a long sigh. “My lady — speaking openly, as we are fated companions of a kind — you must have heard, even when you were still in your maiden home. After your honored elder sister passed away, the Empress Dowager had once wished to match the Jianninghou’s eldest daughter to the Marquis as his wife. But the Marquis had made a promise to your honored elder sister that he would choose a new wife from within the Luo family, and for that reason declined the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager has held that against him ever since. Unexpectedly, the Empress Dowager has at last managed to install a Yang woman in this household. From ancient times, a dowager’s decree has only ever been issued for a betrothal — never for the taking of a concubine. My lady would do well to be careful. It is said the late Emperor also once bestowed court ladies on his ministers. Some of those court ladies, after the primary wife died, were elevated to the position of proper wife and even received honorary titles.”