Madam Zhou knew that Shiyiniang had something to say to her. She did not turn around and gave nothing away, waiting until everyone was tossing coins into the washbasin during the bathing ceremony before casually moving to stand beside Shiyiniang.

Shiyiniang quietly conveyed both Xu Lingyi’s and the Empress’s intentions to her. Madam Zhou’s expression visibly relaxed a great deal. By the time they emerged from Fang Jie’er’s room, Princess Fucheng even smiled and gave Shiyiniang a small nod.

The Grand Madam, who had not said a word throughout, allowed a deep warmth to settle into her eyes.

She patted the hand Shiyiniang had extended to support her, then went off to the side hall chatting and laughing with Fifth Madam and Madam Huang.

By the time they returned to Lotus Lane, it was early evening, around the first quarter of the rooster hour. Waiting to receive them were not only Xu Lingyi, but also Luo Zhensheng.

“Elder Brother!” Shiyiniang cried out, overjoyed.

Luo Zhensheng’s eyes and brows were all smiles. He nodded to his younger sister, then stepped forward to pay his respects to the Grand Madam.

“We have been longing for your arrival!” Fifth Madam greeted Luo Zhensheng cheerfully. “Your Fourth Sister-in-law has been mentioning every day at home, wondering why you still hadn’t come!”

The Grand Madam also smiled. “Why have you arrived only at this hour?”

“I have made the Grand Madam, the County Mistress, and my younger sister worry!” Luo Zhensheng replied with a smile, yet his gaze fell upon Shiyiniang as though he were explaining something. “There were some matters along the road that caused a delay. I set out more than half a month later than originally planned.”

The Grand Madam and Fifth Madam could see it was not proper to press further. And standing before the ornamental gate was no place for a proper conversation. As the Grand Madam walked inside, she chatted casually with Luo Zhensheng: “As long as you arrived safe and sound, that is all that matters. Let the Fourth Master host a welcome banquet for you — you must drink a couple of cups tonight.” She then asked, “Is everything well at home? I heard your wife is with child. How is she? Is she keeping well?”

“Thanks to your blessings,” Luo Zhensheng replied respectfully. “Everyone at home is doing very well. My wife has Fifth Yiniang looking after her, so there is nothing to worry about.”

Sixth Yiniang had come to Yanjing and had not yet returned home.

Shiyiniang thought of Fifth Yiniang’s meek and submissive manner and could not tell whether Luo Zhensheng’s words were merely polite or spoken in earnest.

The group sat briefly in the Grand Madam’s quarters. Seeing that a brother and sister were reuniting, and that one of them was with child, the Grand Madam did not keep her daughter-in-law at her side to attend her, but raised her teacup to signal that her guests could take their leave.

Fifth Madam returned to her own rooms, while Shiyiniang accompanied Xu Lingyi to the study to sit with Luo Zhensheng.

Before Shiyiniang could even open her mouth, Luo Zhensheng took the initiative. “Don’t worry. Nothing is wrong at home. It was that wealthy merchant who used to do the tea trade with our family — he suddenly packed up his entire household and came to Hangzhou, asking me to help him establish his household register there.”

Shiyiniang’s heart gave a small lurch. “Is the situation in Fujian very dire?”

Such matters were not something a woman ought to concern herself with.

Luo Zhensheng could not help glancing at Xu Lingyi.

But Xu Lingyi spoke instead: “Even worse than we imagined. The reports coming from Fujian only carry good news and conceal the bad. The massacre at Da’an Village was simply too impossible to hide, which is why it was finally reported.” His manner was one of calm composure, unsurprised by any of it.

“That is to say, with General Li stationed there, the situation in Fujian has not been gradually brought under control as everyone previously believed,” Shiyiniang said, falling into thought.

If that were truly the case, then the military merits attributed to Li Ji…

She had a vague and uneasy feeling.

Xu Lingyi gave a sound of assent, then turned to Luo Zhensheng. “You have come at just the right time — I was about to write to Yunfei. Tell me the details about that tea merchant’s affairs.”

Shiyiniang had been about to lean in and listen carefully, when she noticed Luo Zhensheng glance at her again. Only then did she realize how improper her conduct had been.

She rose quickly. “This concubine shall go pour a cup of tea for the Marquis and Elder Brother!”

Xu Lingyi paid it no mind. “Have one of the little maids pour it. If you find this tiresome to listen to, go back to your room and rest awhile.”

Jin Ge’er was growing heavier by the day, yet Shiyiniang was always holding him, and Jin Ge’er was never a still child either. He was always worried that Shiyiniang, worn out for a moment, might drop Jin Ge’er onto the floor.

“This concubine understands!” Shiyiniang smiled and rose to withdraw.

Luo Zhensheng was quite astonished.

The men at the Hanlin Academy spoke of Xu Lingyi as someone who, though reserved and sparing of words, was exceptionally shrewd and conducted himself with great care. Yet here he was… allowing Shiyiniang to sit beside them listening as they discussed affairs of the imperial court.

He lowered his head and sipped his tea to conceal his expression, yet his gaze could not resist stealing a glance at Shiyiniang.

She had turned slightly to one side and was giving some instructions to a little maid. Her slender figure was as graceful as a willow, her complexion a soft pink-white like a magnolia just bursting into bloom — a woman of such delicate beauty, yet from the very core of her being emanated a certain captivating allure that struck all who beheld her with involuntary wonder.

Luo Zhensheng could not help but look toward Xu Lingyi.

Xu Lingyi was speaking: “…Success and failure both owe to the same cause. General Li is skilled at reading the Emperor’s intentions, yet he has misinterpreted the Emperor’s true meaning. One must understand that all lands under heaven belong to the Emperor. What His Majesty desires is a commander capable of holding Fujian for him — yet General Li repeatedly entangles himself with the Qu family over petty matters. His vision remains too narrow.” He did not spare Shiyiniang so much as an extra glance.

For reasons he could not quite name, Luo Zhensheng felt a quiet sense of relief settle over him. He gathered his thoughts and replied to Xu Lingyi: “He has truly lost sight of what is fundamental and what is secondary!”

Shiyiniang listened as she walked out and instructed Nanny Wu of the small kitchen to prepare a proper feast and drinks for the two men. She then returned to her room, freshened up, changed into her casual quilted jacket, and rested for a while.

When she awoke again, the evening sky was already painted with rosy clouds.

From the outer room came the voice of Xu Sijie: “That thing cannot be eaten — it’s for playing with!” Then came several sharp knocking sounds from a rattle-drum.

Jin Ge’er had recently been stuffing anything he could grab into his mouth. Shiyiniang, afraid he might swallow the buttons or other small objects, had instructed the maids to put away all the small items in the household, and had especially reminded A’jin to keep a close watch.

Knowing it was Xu Sijie who had come back from his lessons to play with Jin Ge’er outside, she smiled.

After Xu Sizhun had moved to the outer courtyard, the two brothers still followed the same routine as before — every morning they would greet the Grand Madam and Shiyiniang together before heading to the Shuangfu Courtyard for lessons. At noon they would eat and nap either at the Grand Madam’s quarters or at Shiyiniang’s. But after lessons ended, Nan Yong’s wife would politely decline Xu Sizhun’s invitations and escort Xu Sijie back to the main rooms, and Master Zhao would also keep Xu Sizhun behind to give him an additional half hour of instruction. Over time, the two brothers were no longer joined at the hip as they once had been. Fortunately, Xu Sizhun’s coursework had grown heavier, demanding more of his time, and Xu Sijie spent time each day playing with Jin Ge’er, so neither felt lonely.

By the time Shiyiniang had freshened up and made her way to the western side chamber, Xu Sijie was playing the flute for Jin Ge’er to hear.

Though she was not well-versed in folk music, from the melodious, flowing, and richly rounded tones of Xu Sijie’s playing she could tell that his mastery of the flute had long since surpassed that of Xu Sizhun — who was three years his elder and had begun learning the flute at the same time.

Xu Sijie played with great absorption, and Jin Ge’er, too, had set aside his usual liveliness, gazing up at his elder brother with his round, bright eyes.

Shiyiniang stood at the doorway and listened until Xu Sijie had finished his piece, then clapped her hands together.

“Jie Ge’er’s flute playing grows better and better!”

“Mother!” Xu Sijie ran over and threw his arms around Shiyiniang’s waist, his face alight with smiles, yet a little bashful. “My teacher says I still need much more practice!”

Shiyiniang ruffled his hair, then took Jin Ge’er, who was bouncing eagerly in Nanny Gu’s arms. “Go finish your lessons. Then we will eat. And go pay your respects to your grandmother!”

Xu Sijie respectfully answered “yes,” climbed onto the kang, and sat up straight at the low table, reciting passages from the *Elementary Learning* aloud.

This year, with the academy reopened, Master Zhao had formally begun Xu Sijie’s foundational studies.

Jin Ge’er naturally grew impatient listening, babbling and reaching for Shiyiniang’s earrings.

Shiyiniang laughed and gave her son a light pat on his bottom. Once A’jin and the others had pried Jin Ge’er’s little hands free, Shiyiniang passed him to Nanny Gu. “Fifth Young Master is reciting his lessons — don’t let Sixth Young Master disturb him.”

Nanny Gu smiled and answered “yes,” then carried Jin Ge’er off to the warm inner room.

Shiyiniang checked over Xu Sijie’s lessons, then instructed the little maids to set out the evening meal. After paying her respects to the Grand Madam, she sat with Xu Sijie at the low kang table in the western side chamber to practice calligraphy tracing.

By the time Xu Lingyi returned, the night had grown late. The courtyard was quiet, with the night-watch maids and matrons already at their posts.

Upon the brightly lit western side chamber window, the graceful silhouette of Shiyiniang at her needlework and the small figure of Xu Sijie practicing his characters were reflected side by side.

Xu Lingyi waved off the little maid who moved to announce him, and stood there for a quiet moment watching them, then lightened his footsteps and entered the room.

“The Marquis has returned!” Shiyiniang stepped down from the kang.

Xu Sijie turned his head and called out “Father,” set down his brush, and stepped forward to bow in greeting.

Xu Lingyi smiled and nodded, but his gaze had already fallen on a large red brocade quilt spread beside the low kang table — Jin Ge’er’s rosy little face flushed with sleep, deep in peaceful slumber.

“Have you finished your lessons?” he asked Xu Sijie with a smile, then sat down beside Jin Ge’er and tucked in a corner of the quilt for him.

“One more character to go!” Xu Sijie replied, his face reddening.

He was afraid his father would scold him.

But Xu Lingyi simply smiled gently and said: “Then finish it quickly, and when it’s done you can go to bed.”

Xu Sijie brightened at once, gave an eager sound of assent, and scrambled happily back up onto the kang.

Shiyiniang brought in a cup of tea.

Xu Lingyi took a sip, and his gaze passed lightly over the small rattan basket set to one side. He smiled. “What are you making?”

Shiyiniang settled herself beside Xu Sijie and tidied the small basket. “I was thinking of making the Marquis a pair of summer socks.”

Xu Lingyi was somewhat surprised.

This was the first time Shiyiniang had ever made something for him — and moreover, she still had an embroidered screen panel of *Gu Feng* that was not yet finished. He grew at once quite interested. “Let me see.”

Shiyiniang smiled and passed the socks over.

Turmeric-yellow fine kudzu cloth, with black cloud patterns embroidered at the cuffs. Dignified and elegant.

Xu Lingyi was very pleased. He held them and examined them closely for a moment before handing them back.

Shiyiniang asked about Luo Zhensheng: “Has Elder Brother left?”

“Not yet!” Xu Lingyi replied. “He drank a fair bit, so I’ve kept him for the night.” Then he added: “Zhensheng has taken a concubine. Prepare some hairpins and rings — tomorrow you can give the new Yiniang a gift when you meet her.”

Shiyiniang was greatly startled. “How did this come about?” Then, feeling her own words had come too abruptly, she drew a breath and steadied herself. “When was this? Elder Brother’s letter the other day made no mention of it whatsoever.”

“It only just happened these past few days.” Xu Lingyi smiled. “This sort of thing — how could he bring it up in a letter?”

Shiyiniang said nothing.

The First Madam had passed away. From here on, the First Young Madam would be the one managing the household — attending to the First Master, overseeing the domestic affairs, managing the household accounts, raising the children. She could not possibly follow Luo Zhensheng to Yanjing, and Luo Zhensheng could not be without someone to look after him…

The initial shock had passed. Though she could understand the reasoning behind such an arrangement, she still felt a quiet displeasure in her heart.

The room fell silent.

Xu Lingyi looked at Shiyiniang — serene in expression just a moment ago, her eyes now dimming — and after a pause said: “Don’t worry. It was your Elder Sister-in-law who arranged it herself, and the woman is a distant relative from your Elder Sister-in-law’s own family. Her ancestors once passed the provincial examination. She comes from a clean and decent family.”

—