Though she had been mentally prepared, when the news arrived, Eleventh Madam was still somewhat taken aback.

“Gone so quickly…”

“She had already seen the one she needed to see.” Nanny Song said quietly. “Naturally she passed in peace.”

While they were still speaking, the Grand Dowager sent her personal attendant Yu Ban to invite Eleventh Madam for a talk.

“…She died of illness, and moreover she is laid out over there. I think it would be best to hold the funeral rites on that side as well.”

Eleventh Madam assented and went back to consult with Nanny Song on how to arrange the funeral.

“…She was, after all, a concubine who had been entered in the clan registry and borne a son. Other households may pay no heed, but the near and distant relatives still need to be informed.” Nanny Song spoke of the customary proprieties. “The Grand Dowager and the Marquis are still above her. As I see it, a litter of eight bearers, inviting the monks of Ci Yuan Temple to come and chant the Rebirth Sutra — and burial after the first seven days have passed. What do you think?”

Eleventh Madam gave a slight nod.

Nanny Song continued: “As for the mourning period — by custom, since the First Madam is no longer living, the Second Young Master should observe the three-year mourning rites in coarse hempen sackcloth. But with you here, he may observe the one-year mourning period with a hempen staff and sackcloth. There are also the Fourth Young Master, the Fifth Young Master, and the First Young Miss… all depends on how the family wishes to arrange it.”

Eleventh Madam had someone send word to Xu Lingyi in the outer courtyard.

Lin Bo came back: “The Marquis says it would be best for the Second Young Master to observe the one-year mourning period with a hempen staff and sackcloth.”

Eleventh Madam was pregnant and could not take direct part in any of this. She sent Wen Yiniang to make the trip to Fallen-Leaf Mountain: “…No matter what, Zhun Ge’s older brother is just a half-grown boy. For certain things, it is better to have an elder present to lend some weight.”

Wen Yiniang had shared a courtyard with Qin Yiniang for over ten years; there had never been any direct conflict between them. Now that the person was gone, she felt a measure of sorrow. She sighed and nodded, changed into plain clothing, and took along Xu Sijie — who was an illegitimate son — and Zhen Jie’er — who was an illegitimate daughter — to pay their respects before the spirit tablet.

Xu Siyu was there keeping watch over the spirit. The daily life of the household was largely unaffected, yet with one person gone, a low mood settled over everyone.

The wailing, the scripture chanting, the funeral procession — the first seven days passed, and Xu Siyu returned to the household in plain mourning clothes.

“…I have already sent a letter to Teacher Jiang.” He had grown much thinner, yet his gaze was steadier than before. “I told the teacher about the matters at home and asked him to draw up a reading list for me. I intend to build a thatched hut at Fallen-Leaf Mountain to observe mourning for Yiniang and take the opportunity to read extensively during this period.”

Xu Lingyi looked at that face — so similar to his own, its features now beginning to show their angles — and gave a quiet sigh, then nodded his assent.

Xu Siyu respectfully took his leave of his father and went to the inner courtyard.

He first called on Eleventh Madam and told her of his intention to build a hut at Fallen-Leaf Mountain and study there.

Those who succeed have an iron will. A year of secluded reading was no small trial for Xu Siyu either.

Eleventh Madam gave a slight nod and, gazing at his young face, could not help but counsel him: “Now that you have made your decision, when you encounter difficulties hereafter, do not forget the intention with which you began.”

Xu Siyu’s gaze flickered faintly; he gave a small nod and sat there quietly drinking his tea with his head lowered.

The air in the room began to feel a little heavy.

Eleventh Madam always felt Xu Siyu was like a maze — full of winding turns and hidden secrets. She herself was the same sort of person, and yet, precisely because of that, she did not care for those of a similar nature; she much preferred the gentle and guileless Xu Sizhun and the sincere and open-hearted Xu Sijie.

She smiled, breaking the quiet: “I am told Fallen-Leaf Mountain has been uninhabited for quite some time. I have not been there myself and do not know what condition it is in. Though you will only be living there for one year, that is no reason to be careless. Whatever needs to be added, simply send someone back to tell me.”

Xu Siyu listened, thought for a moment, and said: “There is something I would like to ask of you.”

Eleventh Madam listened attentively.

“I would like to bring two young manservants, two little maids, two matrons, and two hired men.” Xu Siyu said slowly. “It would be best if the matrons and hired men were husband and wife — that simplifies matters.” He named no one specifically, speaking in a tone that invited Eleventh Madam to arrange things anew.

Eleventh Madam thought of Lian Jiao, of Xiao Luzi… and a vague understanding came to her.

“Of the people already in my room, I would like to bring Wen Zhu. She has served me the longest and has been with me in Le’an all along — the affairs of my room she knows best of all. With her along, the maids, manservants, and matrons will have someone to keep them in order, and my mind will be at ease for studying.”

Very well — let it all begin anew.

Eleventh Madam nodded: “I understand.”

She then saw Xu Siyu let out a long breath of relief.

They spoke a few more sentences; then Xu Siyu rose and took his leave.

Eleventh Madam accompanied him to the Grand Dowager’s quarters.

The Grand Dowager, upon learning he intended to build a hut at Fallen-Leaf Mountain, gave a nod and instructed him: “You ought to go and say a word to your Second Aunt as well.”

Xu Siyu assented and went to see the Second Madam.

The Grand Dowager kept Eleventh Madam to speak further: “…Well then, before Zhun Ge’s older brother leaves for Fallen-Leaf Mountain, let us have the maids and matrons changed over. Fresh faces, fresh start — wherever there are lingering things in corners and crevices, have them all cleared out.”

Eleventh Madam assented and had Zhen Jie’er and Nanny Song help with selecting maids for the various households.

Nanny Song understood that Eleventh Madam wished to give Zhen Jie’er some practice, and guided her carefully throughout; it took four or five days for them to select over ten maids, who were distributed to the various households. Some of the older maids were sent out to positions, some were dispatched to the farm estates; others had died of illness or met with accidents — but all of that is a matter for later telling.

Xu Siyu gave the newly arrived maid a name after Wen Zhu’s fashion, calling her Xiang Zhu; the two young manservants he called “Mo Zhu” and “Si Zhu.”

“I hope all of you will be as Wen Zhu — unbroken after winter’s snows, greener still in the cold.”

The three of them — each with a father or mother who was but a low-ranking household servant — had been so delighted at being chosen that they all answered “yes” in unison, their faces shining with joy.

Xu Siyu studied each of their faces in turn, then reclined on the large heated platform by the window and idly picked up a book to leaf through.

Wen Zhu hastily led the newly arrived attendants out.

Xu Siyu set the book down and gazed out at the lushly verdant camphor tree beyond the window, his thoughts drifting.

When Yiniang had passed, she had been in great pain.

Throughout the night she had moaned without cease, spitting large mouthfuls of blood, calling his name over and over…

He did not dare examine it too closely.

Whether Yiniang’s spitting of blood was the natural progression of her illness to its final stage, or something else entirely.

He could only hold Yiniang tightly and let the tears stream down freely.

Xu Siyu closed his eyes.

The Second Madam’s words echoed in his mind: “Bonds between people depend on fate. You and Yiniang — perhaps fate allowed you only these few years together. As for Xiao Luzi — I sent him to your side originally hoping that if anything befell you, he would carry word back to me. Who could have known that he would entangle himself in it of his own accord? This too is a matter of fate between master and servant. You need not take it to heart. All things in the world have their own cycle of turning. Like the blooming and falling of flowers. There is a time of full blossoming, and a time of withering. Only some blossoms have a long season, and some a short one…”

Xiao Luzi had been his closest companion — so what if he had come to know those things?

If he had served not at his own side but at his father’s, or at Fifth Uncle’s, the outcome would surely have been different.

At this thought, something in his heart felt blocked.

Soft footsteps came from within: “Second Young Master, the First Young Master and the Third Young Master are here to see you!”

“Show them in!” Xu Siyu turned his face aside and stealthily wiped the corners of his eyes before sitting up properly.

“Why go to Fallen-Leaf Mountain?” Xu Sijian was as blunt as ever. “Is it not the same at home? Why confine yourself to such a formality?”

“Mainly for some peace and quiet.” Xu Siyu gestured toward the tea bowls before them, indicating they should drink. “I also want to settle my mind and think over what direction to take in the future.”

“You are being entirely overcautious.” Xu Sijian was quite dismissive. “If even you must worry, then what are the rest of us to do?” He sighed. “Old Man Gan this time, under Father’s orders, returned to Yanjing to prepare sacrificial gifts for the old lord of the Zhongqin Marquis Household — from the way he spoke, Father’s situation is growing exceedingly difficult right now. Mother had him carry a letter to Maternal Grandfather and the uncles, asking them to help arrange a small house in Yanjing so that some of the more valuable family belongings can be transported back, lest there be a panic later and things get left behind.”

Xu Siyu was taken aback: “Is it really that serious?”

Xu Sijian sighed: “I truly do not know.”

Both of them looked toward the older Xu Siqin.

Xu Siqin had no wish to speak of these matters and smiled: “Mother has always been cautious — this time as well it is nothing more than her worry showing.” He then changed the subject and asked Xu Siyu: “Will Fallen-Leaf Mountain be convenient? May we come to see you often?”

“Of course!” Xu Siyu had always shared a tacit understanding with Xu Siqin, and naturally could see his intent; he followed his lead. “It is quite remote, which makes it an excellent place for reading.” He paused. “I am already fourteen years of age this year — after one year of mourning, I will be fifteen… I do not wish to still be sitting for examinations when I am of an age to know Heaven’s will.”

Having set upon this path, without placing first in the imperial examinations, there was no way to establish an independent household.

Xu Siqin understood Xu Siyu’s meaning and said: “That is wise — there are far too many affairs to manage at home.” Thinking also of his younger brother Xu Sijian, whose manner of speaking was always offhand, and fearing that if the conversation went further, Xu Sijian might speak carelessly in front of others and give someone with ill intent cause to make trouble for Xu Siyu, he said: “When do you plan to leave? When the time comes, we two brothers will see you off!”

“The monks of Ci Yuan Temple will come on the second seven-day to chant the Rebirth Sutra for Yiniang the whole day through. I will go over tomorrow.”

As they were speaking, Zhen Jie’er came in.

“That place is quite remote — mosquitoes are surely plentiful.” She had brought several boxes of insect-repelling incense, along with clothing and footwear. “Second Brother, please make do with these for now. If they suit you, I will have more made.”

Xu Siyu was greatly grateful; but as the inner and outer quarters must observe their separation, he only had her stay for a cup of tea.

Xu Siqin was very warmly attentive in seeing Zhen Jie’er to the door.

“I hear that Elder Sister has been helping Fourth Aunt manage the household affairs these days?”

Zhen Jie’er smiled: “One could hardly call it ‘managing.’ Mother has not been at her best energy these days, and Nanny Song is, after all, a female servant — she merely borrows my name to give her instructions some authority.” Her tone was modest.

Xu Siqin gave a somewhat absent-minded nod and said: “Has Elder Sister… accompanied Fourth Aunt to call on the Grand Madam Gan?”

Zhen Jie’er was startled.

Xu Siqin had already said: “I mean — has Elder Sister gone with Fourth Aunt to visit Grand Madam Gan?”

There were matters Zhen Jie’er had vaguely come to know something of.

Xu Siqin’s maternal grandfather was again at odds with the current Zhongqin Marquis over the division of family property, and the two families now had less affinity than neighboring households.

Hearing him ask this, and recalling how just yesterday in Eleventh Madam’s room, she had heard Eleventh Madam and Teacher Jian speak of how the old lord of the Gan family was due to complete mourning next month, and how the Zhongqin Marquis and his wife were quarreling over the dowries for the Third Miss Cao E and the First Miss Xian Jie’er…

She replied tactfully: “Mother has not gone out since she fell with child. However, I have heard Teacher Jian mention that the Gan family intends to first arrange the marriage of the Third Miss, and then the First Miss. As for the Fourth Miss Yuan Jie’er’s marriage, that will likely have to wait until next spring.”

Xu Siqin nodded in thoughtful silence and did not speak again until he had escorted Zhen Jie’er all the way to the hanging flower gate.

* * *