The Third Madam Luo’s eyes grew moist the moment she heard: ‘It has been two years since I last saw them. Father and Elder Brother both write that they are well.’ As she spoke, she dabbed at her tears and took Eleventh Young Mistress’s hand. ‘I heard from your Third Uncle that the Imperial Crown Prince has been formally invested as Crown Prince. Though the Marquis keeps an even lower profile now than before, no one in the court dares show even a trace of negligence toward him. I would ask a favor of you — please speak to the Marquis on my behalf. Ask him to arrange for your Third Uncle to be posted to Shanxi. That way I would be a little closer to Zhenkai and Zhenyu, and not have this constant ache of separation.’

Eleventh Young Mistress had come for precisely this matter, but she dared not make any promises too freely: ‘…The Marquis sent me to ask after your wishes. Whatever he is able to help with, he will certainly help.’

The Third Madam Luo nodded, kept Eleventh Young Mistress for the evening meal, and only then let her return to the mansion.

When Xu Lingyi was told, he simply nodded.

Two days later, the Third Master Luo was appointed Prefect of Datong in Shanxi; the Second Master Luo remained at his post in Shandong.

On the twenty-eighth day of the third month, a servant was dispatched again at first light to read the posted examination results. The steward who returned, however, said: ‘Master Qian’s name was not to be seen.’

Xu Lingyi was greatly startled and sent another man to look again.

Still, Qian Ming’s name was not there.

He was silent for a moment, then went himself to tell Eleventh Young Mistress.

Eleventh Young Mistress felt that, while it was beyond what she had anticipated, it was also, on reflection, entirely within reason. She worried chiefly about what he would do going forward — surely he could not remain at the Imperial Academy forever? Even if he wished to stay, the Imperial Academy had its own regulations.

‘I will go see him tomorrow,’ said Xu Lingyi, after thinking it over. ‘I want to see what plans he has.’ He thought of how Qian Ming had once received, through Fan Weigang, a sum of ‘benefits’ sufficient to keep him comfortable for ten years without want. ‘His family coffers are simply too thin. It divided his attention.’

Eleventh Young Mistress did not wholly agree, though she understood the cause well enough. Precisely because his family was thin-pursed, he had hoped to cultivate acquaintances who might change his circumstances — and had forgotten that the civil examinations were the only true foundation. Without that platform, however earnestly one ingratiated oneself, one remained forever nothing more than a drinking companion. For a man like him, who placed such weight on rank and influence, a single word from Xu Lingyi was worth ten words from anyone else.

‘It would be good for the Marquis to go and counsel him,’ she said, after a pause. ‘Focusing wholeheartedly on his studies is the only righteous path.’

Xu Lingyi had the steward deliver a calling card to Four Elephants Lane, inviting Qian Ming to dine at the Spring Brightness Tower at noon. The steward who delivered the card returned to report: ‘Master Qian says he will arrive at first light.’ Xu Lingyi then changed his clothes and went to the Spring Brightness Tower. He did not return until evening, faintly flushed with wine.

‘…A certain despondency was unavoidable. We drank, he said some things that wine loosened, and his spirits eased somewhat.’ He spread his arms to let Eleventh Young Mistress help him change out of his clothes. ‘I was just about to take my leave when Yi Qing appeared — he had also sent someone early to read the posted results, learned that Zi Chun had failed, and came expressly to see him. So we added a few more dishes. We drank right up until now!’

A small maidservant brought in a sobering broth.

Xu Lingyi drank it off in one draught and felt considerably better. He let out a long breath, climbed onto the kang and sat, then hesitated a moment before saying: ‘What Yi Qing said today was sincere, but too blunt. I am afraid Zi Chun will nurse a grievance over it going forward.’

‘What was said, exactly?’ Eleventh Young Mistress sat down facing Xu Lingyi.

‘He counseled him to spend less time in social company and more thought on his studies. He cited a few examples as well…’ Xu Lingyi recounted the particulars one by one to Eleventh Young Mistress.

Eleventh Young Mistress’s warmth toward this Fourth Elder Brother-in-law grew considerably at once. She thought of Yu Yiqing’s conduct in ordinary times and said: ‘Fourth Elder Brother-in-law has earned the Emperor’s esteem — he is naturally a man of worldly wisdom and discernment. Would he truly not know what ought and ought not to be said? I suspect it is because his feeling runs deep, and his censure follows accordingly — he did not treat Fifth Elder Brother-in-law as an outsider.’

Xu Lingyi nodded: ‘Yi Qing is someone worth cultivating as a friend!’

For Xu Lingyi, this was already high praise indeed.

He then inquired after the Second and Third Masters of the Luo family: ‘…You mentioned that the Second Uncle leaves tomorrow and the Third Uncle the day after. Why don’t you come with me to see them off?’

Eleventh Young Mistress assented, and the two of them settled in for the night.

In the darkness there came a soft rustle of movement, and Eleventh Young Mistress murmured, shy and low: ‘My monthly courses have come!’

‘Again!’ said Xu Lingyi, his voice dropping slightly, carrying a few threads of disappointment — and then brightening once more. ‘It seems it has aligned with last month.’

‘Yes!’ His large, warm hand moved back and forth, stroking her back, making Eleventh Young Mistress feel drowsy and drifting. ‘Just this month it has aligned.’

‘Then the medicine is of some use,’ said Xu Lingyi, kissing her cheek. ‘You must remember to take it going forward!’

‘I take it every day!’ Eleventh Young Mistress was growing hazy with sleep. ‘By now the medicine has seeped into my very bones!’ Her tone held a faint thread of complaint — but more than that, it was the coaxing voice of someone indulging in a little tenderness.

‘Is that so!’ Xu Lingyi held her even tighter at that, laughing softly. ‘Let me smell — is it really true that the medicine has seeped into your very bones!’ He was acutely aware of how soft her body was, delicate and slender, fragile enough that he feared to apply too much force, yet too precious to set down.

The moment Eleventh Young Mistress caught that teasing tone, half her drowsiness fled.

Is this simply a flaw in all men’s nature? Even someone as grave as Xu Lingyi could sometimes behave like a mischievous boy, refusing to let her be until she was caught between laughter and exasperation.

‘I want to sleep!’ she said, with a pretty pout of mock indignation. ‘Tomorrow I still need to discuss with Mother the matter of going to the temple on the eighth day of the fourth month!’

These days Eleventh Young Mistress had not been sleeping well at night, and her midday naps had grown longer and longer, her sleep deeper. He had no wish to tire her out.

‘Mm.’ Xu Lingyi stroked her hair. ‘Go to sleep quickly.’

Eleventh Young Mistress was quite surprised.

What had come over him today? Not only had he not made a fuss, he was actually cradling her in his arms like one soothing a child.

Why this sudden change of heart?

She was not one to struggle against her own good fortune, and at those words, she did not dig any deeper — she simply closed her eyes and slept.

Xu Lingyi, hearing her breathing grow faint and even, smiled and kissed Eleventh Young Mistress’s cheek once more, then closed his own eyes.

The following day, when she discussed with the Grand Madam the matter of the eighth day of the fourth month, the Grand Madam’s inclination was still to go to the Medicine King Temple: ‘…At my age, high rank and generous stipend no longer hold much sway. The most important thing is that you are all safe and at peace.’

Praying before the Buddha was nothing more than seeking peace of heart. Eleventh Young Mistress felt that any temple would do — whatever the Grand Madam thought best was best.

She had Hupo bring out the household credentials and go to the outer courtyard to report to Chief Steward Bai, instructing him to arrange the carriages, horses, and attendants for the outing.

Fifth Young Mistress-in-law arrived.

The two sisters-in-law exchanged greetings. Fifth Young Mistress-in-law spoke only of small household matters. Eleventh Young Mistress, seeing the moment, rose and took her leave.

It was then that Fifth Young Mistress-in-law said: ‘Yesterday the Elder Madam Lin came to tell me that Mingyuan’s wedding day is inauspicious for those in mourning. This matter — what do you think…?’

She and Lin Mingyuan were cousins, and most likely the Lin family had found it difficult to raise the matter themselves, and had specially asked her to come in their stead.

‘Let me be the one to tell Eleventh Young Mistress,’ said the Grand Madam, who saw no difficulty in the matter. ‘She is not the sort of person who is unreasonable.’ That evening she gently mentioned to Eleventh Young Mistress that ‘Mingyuan’s day carries certain taboos,’ and Eleventh Young Mistress understood at once, smiling: ‘Then I shall stay at home to look after the children.’

Fifth Young Mistress-in-law breathed a quiet sigh of relief, feeling that the task Elder Madam Lin had entrusted to her had at last been carried out satisfactorily. On the fourth day of the fourth month, she accompanied the Grand Madam on a visit to the Marquis of Weiyuan’s household.

When Xu Sizhun heard the news, he promptly drew up a list of dishes for Eleventh Young Mistress: ‘Mother, I want to eat these!’

Eleventh Young Mistress looked it over and found there was a dish of roasted venison — she struck it out immediately: ‘This one will not do. Eating it is easy to provoke internal heat. Besides, spring is not the season for it. If you truly wish for it, wait until winter and I shall have it made for you then.’

Xu Sizhun pouted and tugged at her sleeve, seeking to coax her.

Eleventh Young Mistress held firm, without even offering a reason.

He was no longer a child of two or three years — he ought to be told what was right and what was not.

But Qiao Lianfang, who had come to pay her morning respects, stood at the side and said: ‘Fourth Young Master, the Madam does this for your benefit. If you were to harm yourself, none of us could bear the responsibility.’

Xu Sizhun grew a little sullen at that.

Eleventh Young Mistress could not help but draw her brows slightly together.

Qin Yiniang, seeing this, also chimed in from the side: ‘Fourth Young Master, the Madam is both your mother and your maternal aunt — she would never harm you. She does this because she wishes you well. You must be obedient. If you are not convinced, when the Grand Madam returns, you may ask her whether or not this dish may be eaten.’

Xu Sizhun knew very well that it could not.

The very reason everyone refused to let him have it was precisely why he craved it all the more. He had thought that since his mother always doted on him, and his grandmother was away from home, a little coaxing might allow him to taste what roasted venison was like. To his surprise, even his mother refused outright…

Wen Yiniang came forward to smooth things over: ‘I think we can simply make it tomorrow. Venison is not like chicken, duck, or mutton — the household has an ice cellar stocked with such things, and one can have it whenever one pleases…’

Xu Sizhun was still looking a little gloomy.

Yang Yiniang, who had been standing to one side without a word, suddenly let out a startled exclamation: ‘Fourth Young Master, the hour is growing late! If you do not set off for Twin Lotus Courtyard soon, I fear you will be late!’

The moment Xu Sizhun heard that, there was no further thought for the venison. He grabbed Xu Sijie and bolted for the door: ‘Mother, we are off to school!’ The maids and serving women trailing in their wake pattered along in a scrambling rush behind them.

The room fell silent all at once.

Everyone’s gaze came to rest on Yang Shi.

A flash of timidity crossed her eyes, and her smile became somewhat strained: ‘Madam, I — my younger brother sometimes acts just like the Fourth Young Master, which is why I…’ She wore the look of someone afraid of being reprimanded by Eleventh Young Mistress.

Eleventh Young Mistress, seeing this, smiled gently and said: ‘You meant well.’

Yang Shi let out a long breath at that, and visibly brightened, her manner becoming more composed: ‘As long as the Madam is not displeased.’

Eleventh Young Mistress said nothing, only smiled again — her manner quite warm and agreeable.

Qiao Lianfang, watching, quietly clenched her teeth.

When Eleventh Young Mistress raised her teacup as a signal for them to withdraw, Qiao Lianfang walked alongside Yang Shi and, in a voice pitched low enough to be private yet still audible to all, said to Yang Shi: ‘Sister Yang, a couple of days ago I saw a pair of socks with the chrysanthemum medallion pattern at Sister Wen’s quarters — I heard you made them. They were truly exquisite. When you return, could you perhaps copy the pattern out for me? I would like to embroider a pair for the Madam.’

‘Of course!’ Yang Shi answered with delight. ‘Sister Qiao, you are so thoughtful. I know the Madam’s needlework is quite accomplished — I would not dare show off in front of her. But I happen to have several patterns at my quarters that are even more intricate, refined, and handsome than the ones I embroidered for Sister Wen. If Sister Qiao likes them, I shall copy all of them out for you!’

Qiao Lianfang’s expression faltered.

Qin Yiniang and Wen Yiniang simultaneously glanced toward Eleventh Young Mistress.

They saw a flicker of cold sharpness pass through the depths of her eyes.

Wen Yiniang’s gaze then shifted to Qiao Lianfang.

With the way she was stirring up trouble, the Madam was surely quite displeased.

Qin Yiniang’s gaze, however, had come to rest on Yang Yiniang.

As long as she remained here, Qiao Yiniang would never settle down…

Both of them allowed a faint, barely perceptible smile to cross their faces.

* * *