Word had spread that on the fourth of the eighth month, the Grand Madam was to attend a Taoist rite at the Temple of National Protection, with all the lords, ladies, and young misses of every household branch accompanying her. The maids and matrons were all in a state of great excitement.

Such an occasion was truly rare.

First there was the scramble to be chosen among those who would attend and serve. Once the selections were made, those chosen were elated, rummaging through their trunks for clothing, debating hairstyles and what jewelry to wear. Those who had not been chosen could not help but feel deflated, lingering on the sidelines with discontented mutterings.

Among those in Eleventh Miss’s household, Yan Rong voluntarily stayed behind.

“The ones left behind are all young maids who don’t know what they’re doing. Someone has to keep an eye on things,” she said, though her gaze drifted toward the direction of the eastern side courtyard.

Eleventh Miss was moved.

This Yan Rong was no ordinary person.

Whenever there was a task that involved offending people without earning gratitude, she did not shy away — she stepped forward to meet it. Among the senior maids in her household, everyone thought Hupo was formidable, Zhuxiang easy-going, Lvyun steadfast, Hongxiu timid, and Yan Rong cold-natured. But at this moment, Eleventh Miss was beginning to understand something of Yan Rong’s deeper intention.

She had originally been left behind by First Madam and had no one backing her. By some twist of fate she had ended up at Eleventh Miss’s side. She had neither the bond of feeling that Hupo and Zhuxiang shared with her, nor the advantage of early positioning that Lvyun and Hongxiu possessed. If she wanted to distinguish herself, she had to take a path that set her apart from the rest.

Yan Rong had forged herself into a blade — and moreover, a blade that Eleventh Miss found fit naturally to her hand.

“Then you shall stay behind,” Eleventh Miss said, regarding her with a glance that held a measure of admiration.

To place oneself in a desperate position and then rise from it — not everyone in the world of duty and service was capable of that.

Yan Rong showed neither surprise nor pleasure. She dipped into a respectful curtsy and quietly withdrew to one side.

Eleventh Miss went to Xu Sijie’s quarters.

“The mornings and evenings have grown cool — did you pack a cape?” She looked over the things Nan Yong’s wife had laid out for the journey.

“I did.” Nan Yong’s wife followed two steps behind her, eyes downcast and manner meek. “Tea cups, covered bowls, sachets of medicinal herbs, handkerchiefs — all packed as Nanny Song instructed.”

Eleventh Miss nodded and said with a smile, “Bring Niu’er along as well. It is a rare chance to go out.”

Nan Yong’s wife was momentarily taken aback, then a pleased smile spread across her honest face. It faded just as quickly, and she hesitated. “Thank you, Madam. But Niu’er is still very young…”

“It is fine,” Eleventh Miss said. “There is Shuangyu and Xiu’er to help.”

Chang Jiuhe’s daughter Xiu’er, after completing her training in household etiquette, had been promoted by Eleventh Miss to serve in Xu Sijie’s quarters.

Nan Yong’s wife could not help but be tempted. She wavered for a moment before the lure of going out won over, and she agreed.

On the day of their departure, the gates of the Marquis Yongping’s mansion were thrown wide open. The Grand Madam was attended by Nanny Du and rode in the lead carriage; senior maids Ge Jin and Yu Ban, together with a few other personal attendants, followed in a slightly smaller carriage. After them came Eleventh Miss’s carriage, then Second Madam’s carriage, then Fifth Madam’s carriage. Xu Lingyi and Xu Lingkuan rode alongside on horseback, with Master Zhao. The escort formed layer upon layer around the procession, with a ceremonial guard opening the way ahead, and the whole party set off in magnificent array for the Temple of National Protection.

The Xu household had sent a manager the previous day to make arrangements at the Temple of National Protection. Well before dawn, powerfully built monks had been posted at the mountain gate to turn away any who sought to enter. The abbot, robed in a cassock of black scattered with gold, carrying a gilded Zen staff that gleamed brilliantly, had been waiting with the Xu household’s manager at the temple archway. When word came from a leading attendant that the carriages were nearly at hand, the abbot stroked his silver-white beard and walked forward together with the manager to receive them.

They dismounted and alighted, exchanged greetings, and paid reverence before the statue of Shakyamuni in the Great Hall of the Buddha. They donated oil money for the lamps. By then the sun had gradually risen and the light had begun to grow sharp and bright.

The abbot personally escorted the Grand Madam and the other ladies to the side chambers of the monastery’s rear courtyard to rest, leaving two young novice monks of only seven or eight years to attend inside the room, while he himself accompanied Xu Lingyi, Xu Lingkuan, Master Zhao, and the other men for tea.

With her advancing age, the Grand Madam showed signs of weariness. The children, however, were more spirited than ever, chattering animatedly about what they had seen along the way — recounting stories of the Heavenly King of Broad Vision and of Ananda Buddha — and were tremendously excited.

Eleventh Miss reminded Zhen Jie’er to look after her younger brothers and not let the children wander off, while at the same time helping Nanny Du attend to the Grand Madam’s toilette and rest, keeping herself quite occupied.

Fifth Madam, seeing the situation, hesitated briefly, then leaned in and said softly, “Fourth Sister-in-law, shall I take the children to sit in the nearby pavilion for a while? Here at the Temple of National Protection, only the area by the release pond has any water.”

Eleventh Miss was mildly surprised, and gave her a warm smile. “That would be most helpful, Fifth Sister-in-law.”

“Not at all!” Fifth Madam visibly relaxed and smiled. “I was just looking for a reason to take Xin Jie’er out for a walk anyway.”

Eleventh Miss looked at Xin Jie’er squirming and wriggling in the wet nurse’s arms and gave an understanding smile.

Second Madam, who had been seated at the edge of the carved wooden daybed peeling a mandarin for the Grand Madam, exchanged a small smile with her. The Grand Madam’s eyes curved into crescent moons.

After a rest, a vegetarian meal, and a brief midday nap, the female members of the Xu household prepared to go to the release pond to free the animals.

An attendant boy came running in: “My lord summons the two young masters to come and meet the guests.”

“Oh?” The Grand Madam asked with curiosity. “Which family’s lord has come?”

“Deputy Commander Liu of the Western Mountains Camp and several of his colleagues.” The attendant boy smiled. “Hearing that my lord is here, they came especially to pay their respects.”

Eleventh Miss quickly summoned Xu Sizhun and Xu Sijie, looked them over carefully from head to toe, and satisfied that both were dressed neatly and cleanly, their hands and faces fresh and spotless, she allowed them to be accompanied to Xu Lingyi’s presence. She then instructed the young maidservants to go notify the accompanying managers to prepare for the release of the animals.

Second Madam and Fifth Madam attended to the Grand Madam’s toilette.

By the time everyone was ready and had waited the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Xu Sizhun and Xu Sijie returned.

The two of them were each carrying an armful of gifts they had received.

“Mother, Mother,” Xu Sijie rushed to Eleventh Miss and showed her golden locks and jade pendants, “Deputy Commander Liu praised me for being clever.”

Xu Sizhun quickly pulled him back. “Neither puffed up by good fortune nor dejected by misfortune — why are you being so boastful? What sort of manner is that for a scholar of a good family! If you must say it, say it later when no one is around.”

This made everyone break into laughter.

Xu Sijie flushed red and lowered his head.

The Grand Madam then asked Xu Sizhun, “Were there many people with your father?”

Xu Sizhun nodded, looking puzzled. “They were all speaking very loudly. But when Father spoke with them, they all lowered their voices, as if they were quite afraid of Father.”

The Grand Madam listened and let out a soft sigh.

Second Madam quickly offered comfort. “My lord has kept a low profile these past two years and is seldom seen — a chance to meet him is not easily come by. And as they are all old subordinates, it would be difficult to dismiss their good intentions entirely.”

“I know.” The Grand Madam said with a sigh. “I only grieve that it is not easy for him. We come out to take our minds off things, and even here he cannot be at peace.”

Eleventh Miss then smiled and changed the subject. “Mother, it is getting late — shall we head to the release pond?” She turned to the children. “There are four little red carp — specially prepared for you. Remember to release them into the release pond with your own hands!”

The moment Xu Sizhun and Xu Sijie heard this, they leapt up with delight, clasped hands, and ran out the door.

Zhen Jie’er, remembering that Eleventh Miss had asked her to watch over her two brothers, felt a pang of anxiety and lifted her skirt to follow after them. “Zhun Ge’er, Jie Ge’er, slow down! Watch your step.”

The maidservants and matrons attending the three of them dared not be lax, and with a great swirl of movement they all hurried after them, leaving the room suddenly quiet.

Xin Jie’er, still in the wet nurse’s arms, let out a wail, crying out in the direction the children had gone: “Brother, brother…”

The wet nurse hurried to soothe her. “We are going to find young master and miss right now, going right now…” she said, and quickened her pace to follow after them.

The Grand Madam watched all this with a delighted chuckle. “These children are even more of a handful than their father was at their age!”

The words were a mild rebuke, but her tone was full of comfort and contentment, and an expression of deep satisfaction spread across her face.

Second Madam stepped forward with a smile and took the Grand Madam’s arm, and the whole party followed, surrounding the Grand Madam as they made their way to the release pond.

The children were already gathered around the bucket of red carp, heads bent together in whispered discussion. When they saw the adults approaching, some called out “Grandmother,” others called out “Mother,” and it was a delightfully lively scene — the kind that made the heart lighten just to look at.

The attendants then lifted the bucket and released the fish into the pond.

Splashing water and leaping fish sent the children into another round of cheerful noise.

After the release, the group strolled and paused their way back to the side chambers.

The Grand Madam reclined against the cushions on the carved wooden daybed and chatted with everyone. “…When we were setting out I was all eagerness to come, but now that we are here, it is not as comfortable as being at home. I do not know whether it is that my body is no longer up to it with my age, or whether it is that when one grows old, nothing holds much appeal anymore.”

Fifth Madam and Nanny Du attended to the children, offering them tea and refreshments.

“In this world, most things are less than what one imagined them to be when first heard of,” Second Madam replied, picking up the thread of the Grand Madam’s remarks with a smile. “And yet if one does not go and see for oneself, the heart keeps longing. That is why it is said there is no such thing as perfection in this world!”

Presently a young maidservant came in to refill the tea, and gave Eleventh Miss a meaningful look.

Eleventh Miss did not change her expression. She drank a few sips of tea before rising. “I will step out for a moment.”

As the household’s mistress, with such a large party on this outing, there were naturally many small matters she would need to tend to.

The others answered with a casual sound of acknowledgment and thought nothing of it.

Eleventh Miss stepped out of the side chamber.

Coming toward her was one of Xu Lingyi’s attendant boys, standing beneath a large tree.

Seeing her, the attendant boy hurried over.

“Madam,” he said in a low voice, “my lord asks you to go to the monument pagoda.”

“The monument pagoda?” Someone had once discovered a stone stele from a former dynasty in the vegetable plots beside the Temple of National Protection, and the temple had built a monument pagoda in the rear courtyard’s bamboo grove to house it, making it one of the scenic attractions of the Temple of National Protection. Eleventh Miss pondered this and said, “Did my lord say anything else?”

“Nothing else, Madam.” The attendant boy spoke respectfully.

Eleventh Miss was quiet for a moment. “Has the group of guests on my lord’s side dispersed?”

“The commander of the capital garrison and Deputy Commander Liu are still there.”

Eleventh Miss could not fathom why Xu Lingyi would ask her to go to the monument pagoda.

She called for Nanny Song and Hupo to accompany her, and set off for the monument pagoda.

The bamboo in autumn was at its most green and upright, and as a gentle breeze passed through, the stalks swayed and rustled, filling the air with their sound. Walking among them was like passing through an oasis, and the heart grew light and expansive.

When she arrived at the monument pagoda with its sweeping eaves and corner brackets, there was not a soul to be seen.

The attendant boy who had led the way was equally puzzled, and kept saying, “Madam, it truly was my lord who sent me with the message…”

“I know.” Eleventh Miss smiled. “Just stand watch to one side.”

The attendant boy retreated respectfully.

Thinking that the stele at the Temple of National Protection was usually thronged with viewers and that she had never had the chance to examine it properly, Eleventh Miss took the opportunity to study the ancient stone stele from the former dynasty.