The second son of Li Zhong, Military Commander of Fujian, was getting married, and by all accounts the occasion was grand. The first sedan chair bearing the bride’s dowry had already entered the new residence on Cassia Tree Lane belonging to the Li Family, while the last sedan chair had yet to depart from Princess Ancheng’s estate. The Li Family had further hosted five consecutive days of flowing banquet tables, each laid with four cold meat dishes as centerpieces, eight large bowls, and two great soup bowls, and they had invited the three great theater troupes of Yanjing to take turns performing at the banquet hall. Families of nobles and high officials went to Princess Ancheng’s estate, while officials of every rank made their way to Cassia Tree Lane. For a time, all of Yanjing was buzzing with talk of this wedding.

In comparison, Jin Ge’er’s full-month celebration seemed rather subdued.

Eleventh Young Mistress had invited only close family and friends. The outer courtyard opened some ten-odd tables, and the flower hall in the inner courtyard opened over a dozen more. In the afternoon, the troupe master of the Deyin Troupe, Zhou Dehui, and the troupe master of the Changsheng Troupe, Geng Changsheng, each performed one hall show in turn.

The Dowager Marchioness and Zheng Taijun and the others listened to the opera at Dian Chun Hall, while Madam Zhou and several others gathered in Eleventh Young Mistress’s room to chat.

“Even at the three-day bathing ceremony I thought something was off about you.” Third Young Madam Huang studied Eleventh Young Mistress carefully. “I thought to myself — you had just given birth, so there were some things better left unsaid. How are you now? Are you feeling somewhat better?” Her expression was one of genuine concern.

“Much better already.” Eleventh Young Mistress smiled. “At first, Imperial Physician Liu came every day to examine me. Now he comes once every five days.”

“That’s good then!” Madam Zhou laughed. “Imperial Physician Liu has overseen the Imperial Medical Bureau for twenty years — his skills are superb. Don’t be in a rush; take it slowly.”

First Young Madam Lin joked, “My sister-in-law is still wholeheartedly hoping to welcome a daughter-in-law home soon. She’s counting on you to take charge of everything — you really can’t afford to be careless.”

“Don’t worry, don’t worry.” Eleventh Young Mistress exchanged banter with her. “How could I possibly hold up the children’s happiness?”

In the midst of the light-hearted chatter, Nanny Gu came in carrying the baby, followed by Wan San’s wife, a servant of Nanny Wan. She was holding a red-lacquered crabapple-shaped tea tray heaped high with all manner of gold locks and silver locks, gleaming brilliantly.

“Oh, our little birthday star has arrived!” Madam Zhou smiled and went to meet them. “Let me have a look — how different does he look from when he was born?” Third Young Madam Huang and First Young Madam Lin also gathered around. “His features have filled out; he’s fair and clean — he looks more and more like the Marquis!”

Wan San’s wife carefully presented the tray: “Madam, these are the gifts from the various lords and masters.”

Xu Lingyi’s close friends had all clamored to see the child, so just now Nanny Gu had especially taken Jin Ge’er out to show him to the people in the outer courtyard.

Only then did Eleventh Young Mistress notice that nestled among the items in the tray were also several pieces of fine mutton-fat jade pendants, along with gold and silver bracelets and the like. She smiled and said, “Put all these things away. In a moment, have Zhuxiang tell you how to record them in the register. Since you are serving in the Sixth Young Master’s room, there are certain matters you must take charge of.”

Wan San’s wife quickly curtseyed and replied, “Yes, Madam.”

A young maidservant came running in: “Madam, First Young Madam Liang has arrived.”

Lanting!

Eleventh Young Mistress smiled and said, “Please show her in at once.” Before the words had fully left her mouth, Lanting walked in, dressed in a crimson figured-satin short jacket patterned with continuous swastika motifs and roundel brocade flowers.

Her complexion was radiant as snow, and her brow and eyes shone with a bright, clear vitality — she looked like an unmarried girl of some gentle, guileless innocence, not at all like a woman who had become a mother.

“You’ve come so late!” Eleventh Young Mistress smiled, and Lanting was already dipping into a graceful bow. “Please don’t fault me, dear sisters — I’ll drink three cups of wine as penalty.” With that one remark, she stopped everyone else’s words before they could be said.

Third Young Madam Huang was unwilling to let her slip away so easily, and laughed, “That’s what you said yourself — don’t look for excuses to back out later.”

“When has dear sister ever seen me go back on my word?” Lanting laughed and linked arms with Third Young Madam Huang. “Sister, rest assured — when the time comes, I shall sit right beside you and let you supervise me.” This so flustered Third Young Madam Huang that she turned to Madam Zhou and said, “This mouth of Lanting’s — it’s getting sharper and sharper.”

Lanting laughed and took Jin Ge’er into her arms: “This little fellow — he’s quite a handful to hold.” Then she smiled at Eleventh Young Mistress and said, “He’s younger than our little Tong Ge’er by one year and five months.”

Eleventh Young Mistress was just about to respond when a young maidservant came in to announce, “Madam Gan has arrived!”

Lanting’s brow furrowed ever so slightly, almost imperceptibly.

Madam Gan walked in. Her gaze landed on Lanting, and her expression softened a fraction. She smiled and exchanged greetings with everyone, then went to see Jin Ge’er: “This child — he’s so handsome.”

Lanting, still holding the baby, smiled faintly and passed the child to Eleventh Young Mistress.

Third Young Madam Huang asked, “Has the opera over there finished yet?”

“Not yet!” Madam Gan glanced at Lanting again. “Geng Changsheng has taken the stage — I don’t care for Kunshan-style opera.”

“I think Zhou Dehui sings rather better!” The topic of opera sparked a general discussion, everyone offering their opinions with great enthusiasm, like people debating their favorite singers and recounting the full repertoire of various works. Only Lanting seemed somewhat subdued, and Madam Gan seemed rather distracted.

After everyone had talked at length in a lively clamor, Nanny Song came to invite them to the flower hall — it was time for dinner.

Everyone smiled and took their leave of Eleventh Young Mistress.

Lanting, however, smiled and said, “I came late, so let me sit with Eleventh Young Mistress a while. You all go first — I’ll be right along!”

Madam Gan, hearing this, faltered in her step.

Third Young Madam Huang was not about to let her off, and laughed, “See, see — I said she’d find an excuse to avoid it!”

A flash of vexation crossed Lanting’s brow, but she quickly broke into a smile again. “Sister Huang, rest assured. If I don’t come later, you can send someone to drag me.” Yet the smile was a little forced.

Third Young Madam Huang was about to say something more when Madam Zhou gently tugged at her sleeve. “What kind of an elder sister squabbles with a younger one over such trifles?” She then rallied the others, “Let’s hurry along! We’ve been hiding here for half the day already — if we’re late to dinner on top of that, the Dowager Marchioness and the others will surely have us drink a penalty cup.” Third Young Madam Huang was quick-witted enough to understand the hint. She covered her smile with her sleeve and walked out with Madam Zhou.

Madam Gan was the last to leave. She looked at Lanting, who was talking with Eleventh Young Mistress, hesitated for a moment, then finally turned and departed.

“What has happened?” Eleventh Young Mistress asked Lanting with concern.

Lanting did not hide it from her: “My elder brother is doing business with people from the Gong Family of Bantang in Yangzhou, and wants my father-in-law to put in a word with the Maritime Trade Superintendency in Quanzhou. I sounded out my father-in-law’s position on the matter, and not only did he find it very difficult, he also gently warned me to stay out of Fujian affairs.” She gave a bitter smile. “I told my elder brother, but not only did he refuse to listen — he even said I hadn’t tried hard enough. Just now, the moment I stepped down from my sedan chair, my sister-in-law came to me about this very matter. No matter how I tried to explain, I couldn’t make her understand, so I had no choice but to slip away to your side.”

Eleventh Young Mistress could not help sighing as she listened, and she mentioned how Xu Lingyi had once used the Dowager Consort Gan’s words as a vehicle to caution the Marquis of Zhongqin: “…I don’t know what the situation is like in Fujian right now. Some people are desperate to avoid any connection to it, while others chase after it eagerly. It really is worrying.” As she said this, the Qu Family came to her mind.

Lanting leaned close and spoke softly into her ear: “Last time elder sister wrote, she said the Qu Family’s infighting has been very fierce. Virtually every family of any repute in Fujian has been drawn in. Some people have even fled to the Jiangnan region. As for the Jiang Family, they have warned their sons and nephews to keep to convention and behave themselves, not to act arrogantly or rashly, and that if any of them stirred up trouble, they would be immediately expelled from the family.”

Eleventh Young Mistress’s expression shifted subtly.

When dynasties change, only families are eternal anchors. To be expelled from the family is to be cast out into society with nothing.

But the Qu Family’s internal strife was good news for the Xu Family.

“I hadn’t realized things had grown this serious.” She murmured in thought. “Is Cao’e doing well over there?”

“How could she possibly be well!” Lanting said helplessly. “Third Elder Sister’s husband already has two illegitimate sons and one illegitimate daughter.”

“How could the Jiang Family allow this?” Eleventh Young Mistress’s brow furrowed slightly — for the legitimate wife to have not yet entered the household, yet to allow a concubine to bear illegitimate children.

“When Third Elder Sister married into the family, her husband was already in his mid-twenties. How could there be no one in his chambers?” Lanting said bitterly. “Those illegitimate children — the oldest is barely over a year old.”

Barely over a year old… counting the days, that was right around the time the Gan Family’s dispute over the division of property erupted, and the Jiang Family sent an etiquette matron over.

While the two of them were talking, Madam Gan came back: “Lanting, the Dowager Marchioness over there is asking for you.” She had actually come to fetch her.

Lanting looked at Eleventh Young Mistress with a helpless, beseeching glance.

Eleventh Young Mistress immediately smiled and said, “As it happens, I have a few things I’d like Lanting’s help with. Madam Gan, please go on ahead — we’ll be done with these few words in just a moment.”

Madam Gan had no recourse and left, somewhat awkwardly.

Lanting took Eleventh Young Mistress’s hand. “I’ve put you in a difficult position!”

“What difficulty is there in that!” Eleventh Young Mistress laughed. “I’m not overly fond of your sister-in-law either.”

Lanting burst out laughing.

Eleventh Young Mistress kept her for dinner, and the two of them talked for a long while more. By the time the lamps were lit, she sent a young maidservant to the flower hall to find out what Madam Gan was doing.

“She hasn’t left yet,” the maidservant reported. “She’s sitting with the Dowager Marchioness and Madam Huang in conversation.”

“It looks as though she’s firmly set on confronting you,” Eleventh Young Mistress said. “This standoff can’t go on indefinitely. I think you’d best slip out through the back gate — Tong Ge’er is still at home!”

A shadow of sadness passed over Lanting’s face, and she nodded softly.

That evening when Xu Lingyi returned, Eleventh Young Mistress told him what Lanting had said: “…Is the situation in Fujian truly this complicated?”

Xu Lingyi was clearly well-informed on the matter, and replied in an understated tone, “It’s not so much complicated as it is that no one wants to get entangled in it — everyone is sweeping the snow from their own doorstep.” Then he sat down at the edge of the bed and smiled. “I heard some good news today. Shao Zhongren has passed the military examinations.”

“Really!” Eleventh Young Mistress was delighted. “First Young Madam Lin came just now and didn’t even mention it.”

“I only just got the news,” he said — implying that his news naturally came faster than First Young Madam Lin’s.

Eleventh Young Mistress smiled brightly.

Xu Lingyi said, “You’re that happy?”

“Of course.” Eleventh Young Mistress said. “This way, when Zhen Jie’er marries, it will be with a bit more distinction.”

Xu Lingyi said, “In that case, we might as well arrange a post for him too — it would make the marriage even more distinguished.”

“No,” Eleventh Young Mistress said. “A person grows throughout their life — forcing their development is no good. I think Shao Zhongren is just fine the way things are. He passed the military licentiate examination, then sat for the military juren examination; now that he’s passed the military juren examination, he can sit for the military jinshi examination; once he passes that, he can then seek a post. One step at a time — doing what ought to be done at each stage. That way, the heart is also more settled. Besides, life is nothing but a journey, and the important thing is knowing how to appreciate the scenery along the way.”

“You really do have quite a lot of novel ideas,” Xu Lingyi said with a small smile, then asked after Jin Ge’er: “…Where is he? Has the wet nurse taken him to feed?”

The words were barely out before he suddenly recalled one of Eleventh Young Mistress’s peculiarities — she disliked watching the wet nurse feed Jin Ge’er, so whenever the wet nurse nursed him, she would step away to one side.

Eleventh Young Mistress made a sound of assent, and then saw Nanny Gu carry Jin Ge’er in.

* * *