After seeing the Sixth Yiniang off, Eleventh Young Lady sat in a daze for a while.

Sometimes, looking at the Sixth Yiniang would make her think of the Fifth Yiniang. Though their approaches differed and their temperaments were unlike, the wish for their daughters to live well was the very same.

Luo Zhensheng had put up five thousand taels of silver and arranged to have the person brought to Yanjing. However capable the Fourth Young Master’s wife might be, without connections she could accomplish nothing. In some matters, it was feared that she herself would still need to step forward and help smooth things over.

Eleventh Young Lady was thinking that today the Fourth Young Master’s wife had gone to call on Fifth Young Lady and Tenth Young Lady, so she had Hupo send a maidservant to Bowstring Alley to leave word, asking the Fourth Young Master’s wife to come by the following day. After rising from her midday nap, she had a small writing table brought over and, bending over it, wrote two letters. One was to Seventh Young Lady, asking Zhu Anping to help purchase land in Shandong. The other was to Fourth Young Lady, asking Yu Yiqing to help inquire about housing.

Setting down her brush, she found that her eyes had grown rather blurry.

Ever since giving birth, her health seemed to have taken a sharp turn for the worse.

Eleventh Young Lady thought for a moment, then had someone bring her a mirror.

A pallid white face, large eyes, a delicate pointed chin — the color of her lips was faint, pale as pear blossoms. Only her pair of gracefully arched brows remained as dark and smooth as ever, making them stand out in particular.

She gently turned the hand mirror face-down onto the embroidered coverlet. What met her eyes was a pale hand, lying quietly against the deep crimson coverlet, holding the bronze-handled mirror, the faint blue veins slightly raised — a still, fragile kind of beauty.

Eleventh Young Lady was silent for a long while, then called for Nanny Wan to come in.

She quietly described to Nanny Wan how her body had been faring these past days: “…Tell me, is this normal?”

It had already been seven or eight days, and yet the discharge of foul blood kept increasing.

Eleventh Young Lady’s health was quite frail, and she had spoken of it in rather vague and roundabout terms. They had all assumed it was the toll of the birth itself, and had focused only on careful nourishment through food and diet. They had not thought… Nanny Wan’s expression shifted slightly, and she said at once: “I think we ought to have Imperial Physician Liu come and take her pulse!”

That is to say — it was not entirely normal.

Eleventh Young Lady had Fangxi fetch the token of authority. “Go and ask Imperial Physician Liu to come.”

Fangxi replied in acknowledgment and went to lift the curtain — only to run headlong into Xu Lingyi.

Seeing the token in Fangxi’s hand, he asked with casual ease: “What’s the matter?”

“I’m feeling a little unwell. I’ve sent Fangxi to ask Imperial Physician Liu to come and have a look.” Eleventh Young Lady wore an expression that suggested she had no wish to discuss it further, and said it lightly in passing. Then she smiled and asked him, “My lord, how is it you’ve returned so early today? Did you find anything of interest?”

Xu Lingyi had been in excellent spirits these past few days. For several days running, he had taken a manservant to browse the antique and painting shops in Panlou Alley off East Main Street, never returning before the you hour. Today he had come back a little earlier than usual.

“Nothing much,” said Xu Lingyi, smiling as he sat on the edge of the bed. “Only imitation goods, nothing more.” Noticing Jin Ge’er sleeping soundly inside Eleventh Young Lady’s quilt, he said with a smile, “That little fellow — of the twelve double-hours in a day, eleven of them he spends sleeping.” His tone carried a faint undercurrent of tenderness.

“Young children are all like that.”

The two of them were talking when a little maidservant came in: “My lord, my lady — Wenzhu from Fallen Leaves Mountain has arrived. She says she has come on behalf of the Second Young Master to bring something for the Sixth Young Master.”

Xu Siyu was at Fallen Leaves Mountain observing mourning, and had not returned to the residence to see Jin Ge’er.

Thinking of the gift Zhen Jie’er had delivered on Xu Siyu’s behalf, Eleventh Young Lady could not help smiling, and instructed the maidservant: “Let Wenzhu come in!” She was wondering privately whether Xu Siyu knew… whether he had also sent a gold bracelet…

She tilted her head toward Xu Lingyi and said: “I wonder what he’s sent.”

Her eyes sparkled with bright curiosity.

A warm smile settled in the depths of Xu Lingyi’s eyes.

The birth had been fraught with complications. Though in the end both mother and child had come through safely, Eleventh Young Lady seemed to have depleted her vital energy. She was pale and thin, and her spirits were poor — often in the middle of conversation a look of weariness would steal across her brow. It was rare to see her in such good cheer. He said gently: “What would you like?”

“What?” Eleventh Young Lady did not quite catch his meaning.

Xu Lingyi lightly stroked her hair, and smiling softly, asked again in a low voice: “What do you like?”

Was he going to give her something?

Eleventh Young Lady was quite taken aback. She gazed at Xu Lingyi in a daze, momentarily at a loss for words.

Xu Lingyi reached over and took her hand.

Eleventh Young Lady’s hand was slender and soft. Before, it had always been warm. Now, her fingertips were a little cold. He clasped her hand, and it was enveloped in his palm.

“I saw quite a few interesting things in Panlou Alley,” he said quietly. “There was a wooden fish carved from birch, strung on a braided cord, meant to hang beside the bed as an ornament. There was a narrow-necked bottle blown from colored glass — blow gently into it, and it makes a soft woo-woo sound. There were little ceramic chickens pecking at grain — when a chicken pecks down at the grain, it makes a cluck-cluck sound. And another bottle of blown glass — blow air into it and the base vibrates, making a low gurgling sound. I also saw a rouge box made of painted glass, being sold as cloisonné enamel work. It wasn’t quite that, but still quite lovely…”

Eleventh Young Lady gradually came back to herself: “Then — whatever my lord finds amusing, bring one back.”

It was kind of him to think of it.

Xu Lingyi gave a nod. Wenzhu came in.

“My lady, my lord.” She curtseyed respectfully, then presented the gift Xu Siyu had sent. “The Second Young Master carved this himself — a Luohan figure. He says it is to wish the Sixth Young Master a life of laughter and good cheer.”

It was a bare-chested, round-bellied Luohan carved from bamboo. The carving was bold and vigorous, yet the expression of cheerful optimism on the Luohan’s brow leapt vividly to life. It was plain to see that Xu Siyu had considerable skill in carving.

“How beautifully carved!” Eleventh Young Lady offered her praise, then accepted the Luohan with a smile. She set it at the head of the bed and asked after Xu Siyu: “…Now that winter has arrived, is there enough silver-frost charcoal over there for heating? Were the Second Young Master’s ear warmers and fur coat sent over? Fallen Leaves Mountain is remote — I’ve been having people send fresh vegetables and provisions every three days. Are the stewards attending to their duties conscientiously?”

“In reply to my lady’s question,” Wenzhu answered with proper deference, “the needlework department had the Second Young Master’s winter clothes fully prepared by the first of the ninth month. Since winter set in, Steward Cao has been going over every three days without fail — vegetables and eggs arrive fresh each time. Every visit, he checks the woodshed to make sure there is enough charcoal for the heating walls. The Young Master himself has said, ‘When Heaven is about to confer great responsibility upon a person, it first tests his resolve, puts strain upon his sinews and bones.’ So beyond the warming brazier for the inkstone, he rarely uses the silver-frost charcoal. Not only is there enough — there is even some to spare.” She spoke clearly and with composure.

Xu Lingyi looked at her a moment longer.

After Wenzhu withdrew, he asked Eleventh Young Lady: “What is that little maidservant’s name?”

“Wenzhu,” Eleventh Young Lady smiled. “She was personally selected by the Grand Lady, and has been serving at Yu Ge’er’s side for three or four years now. She currently draws a second-class maidservant’s monthly stipend.”

The highest rank available to maidservants in the young masters’ and young ladies’ households was one that drew a second-class monthly stipend.

Xu Lingyi said: “I found that maidservant’s bearing to be quite poised and composed.”

Eleventh Young Lady smiled: “She followed Yu Ge’er to Le’an and has seen something of the wider world. Naturally she is not like an ordinary maidservant.”

“No wonder she even knows the Mencius.”

While the two of them were discussing Wenzhu, Wenzhu herself, having left Eleventh Young Lady’s courtyard, turned and went to find Zhen Jie’er.

“The Second Young Master said that when I entered the residence, I must be sure to convey his thanks to the First Young Lady on his behalf. I did not know how to express gratitude without giving offense.” So saying, she knelt on the ground. “I can only offer the First Young Lady a proper bow.”

As she went to kneel, Xiao Li had already stepped forward to help her up.

“What are you doing?” Zhen Jie’er said with a touch of reproach. “You make it seem as though I am some petty, small-minded person.”

Wenzhu quickly said: “Please do not misunderstand the Second Young Master on my account. This was entirely my own idea.” The corners of her eyes grew a little moist. “Hardship reveals true feeling. Who but the First Young Lady would have kept the Second Young Master’s difficulty in mind and thought to send a congratulatory gift for the Sixth Young Master on his behalf?”

“Since you have accepted my goodwill, say no more about it.” Zhen Jie’er was rather moved. “Is Second Brother getting on well at Fallen Leaves Mountain?”

“Quite well!” Wenzhu smiled through her tears. “He rises early and retires early, reading and writing each day. On the first and fifteenth of each month, and on days ending in seven, he goes to the grave of Qin Yiniang behind the farmstead to burn incense.”

After her death, Qin Yiniang had not been buried in the Xu family’s ancestral graveyard, but rather had been laid to rest in a plot found near the Fallen Leaves Mountain farmstead.

Zhen Jie’er let out a quiet sigh.

At dusk, Imperial Physician Liu arrived.

He took her pulse, reviewed the medicines she was currently taking, and said pensively: “My lady’s condition is one of spleen deficiency with sinking qi. I will prescribe some medicines to tonify the qi and raise the yang. Let us try a few doses first and see.”

Let us try a few doses first and see — which is to say, he was not particularly confident.

Eleventh Young Lady gave nothing away, and said: “Then what exactly is my illness?”

“Postpartum depletion of vitality,” said Imperial Physician Liu. “Being tonified and having the fundamental qi secured ought to be sufficient.” He then swiftly wrote out a prescription, rose, and took his leave.

Eleventh Young Lady had no choice but to quietly instruct Hupo: “Go to the outer courtyard later and have the medicine-fetching manservant ask clearly what exactly Imperial Physician Liu has prescribed.”

Hupo had served Eleventh Young Lady for five or six years, attending closely at her side, and knew her well. The calmer and more composed Eleventh Young Lady appeared, the worse the situation actually was. A jolt went through her heart, and her expression shifted slightly. She quickly answered “Yes” and went to the outer courtyard.

A step ahead of Hupo through the decorated gate, Imperial Physician Liu was escorted by Linbo to the study in the outer courtyard.

“What illness does my lady have?”

Imperial Physician Liu saw in Xu Lingyi’s expression a flicker of anxiety that the marquis could not quite conceal. He inwardly drew a quiet breath, and said in a low voice: “It is most likely postpartum hemorrhage.”

Xu Lingyi’s expression changed dramatically. He rose to his feet with a start: “How can it be hemorrhage? Is that not something that occurs during childbirth itself? She is now already seven or eight days along!”

Imperial Physician Liu hesitated: “Men and women are different. There are certain symptoms which it is not convenient for me to inquire about directly… Judging by the pulse pattern, it does resemble it very closely.”

Xu Lingyi stood there in stunned silence, his expression shifting through several emotions.

After a long while, he said quietly: “If it truly is hemorrhage… how confident are you?”

Who would dare to make such a promise?

Imperial Physician Liu replied diplomatically: “We will begin with a few doses of medicine, then attend to gradual recuperation afterward. Given three to five years, as my lady’s vital energy slowly restores itself, she should recover well.”

Xu Lingyi lowered his eyelids.

Imperial Physician Liu gave a quiet shake of his head and bowed in farewell: “If my lord has no further matters, this official will take his leave. I will return tomorrow for a follow-up examination of my lady.”

Xu Lingyi abruptly raised his head, his expression cold and stern: “Come with me.” So saying, he strode out through the door, head held high.

Imperial Physician Liu had no idea what he intended, and hastened to follow.

They left the small study. Xu Lingyi mounted the covered walkway on the eastern side, passed through a narrow lane, and there came into view the black lacquered ruyi-patterned gate of the main hall.

Imperial Physician Liu was taken aback.

Xu Lingyi said in an even tone: “Whatever you need to ask presently, tell me directly — I will put the questions to my lady.” His voice gradually grew stern. “Get to the bottom of this illness. Enough with the ‘seemingly’ and ‘probably.'”