Fifth Madam’s idea had struck at the very thing Seventh Sister most wanted to hear. She ought to be able to take it to heart.

Shiyiniang felt her spirits lift. “And what did Seventh Sister say?”

“Seventh Sister naturally agreed with me.” Fifth Madam smiled. “As I see it, there are only two ways to resolve this — take a concubine, or adopt an heir. But if Seventh Sister agrees to take a concubine now, in the eyes of others, she will have lost Zhu Anping’s favor, and with it any footing in the Zhu family. Taking a concubine is absolutely out of the question.”

This, too, had gone straight to the heart of what Seventh Sister felt.

Shiyiniang nodded slowly.

Fifth Madam’s smile took on a brighter quality. “Since Zhu’s old matriarch is making such a desperate fuss about adoption — very well, let’s adopt. And whoever the old matriarch wants to adopt, let’s adopt that child. We feed him well, clothe him well, deck him out in silver and gold. If you’re so eager to send your son into someone else’s household, I refuse to believe his own parents won’t have a few thoughts about that. And even if they don’t, we can always give them something to think about. Then, when the time comes, we bring a charge of filial impiety against the adopted heir — with connections in the yamen, it would all be settled easily enough. That old matriarch can choke on her own cleverness and have nothing to say. Once we have her in hand, and Zhu Anping is already feeling guilty toward Seventh Sister over all of this — the Zhu household will be whatever Seventh Sister says it is. What’s the point of fighting with Zhu Anping right now? He is the one she will rely on for the rest of her life.”

Shiyiniang felt cold sweat prickle across her.

When she thought back to what Seventh Sister had said as they were leaving — she was nearly certain Seventh Sister had already decided to follow Fifth Madam’s advice.

Fifth Madam, noticing that Shiyiniang had said nothing, asked, a note of displeasure in her voice, “What’s the matter? Does Fourth Sister-in-law think my idea is no good?”

When she thought about it, this was a solution of sorts — and more importantly, it was one Seventh Sister could actually accept. Adopting Siniang’s youngest son: even though Second Master Luo’s words had played a key role, the final decision still rested with Seventh Sister. If Seventh Sister was willing, even bringing the elder Luo master to intervene would do little good. And if Seventh Sister dug in her heels, Second Master Luo could come all the way to Yanjing to find Yu Yiqing himself and it still wouldn’t matter.

Fifth Madam had, without even intending to, accomplished exactly the plan Shiyiniang had hoped for.

“It’s an excellent idea,” Shiyiniang said with heartfelt admiration. “With this, my Second Uncle will have nothing more to say about the matter.”

A clap with one hand makes no sound — perhaps both Zhu’s old matriarch and Seventh Sister bore some fault. But they only knew Seventh Sister, had heard only Seventh Sister’s side of things, and it was Seventh Sister’s interests they were protecting.

She said a genuine word of thanks to Fifth Madam. “We really don’t know what we would have done without you stepping in. Thank goodness you were willing to come.”

“We’re family — no need to stand on such ceremony.” Fifth Madam laughed behind her sleeve. “Fourth Sister-in-law was simply too close to the situation to see it clearly for a moment.”

As they talked, the carriage came to a stop — they were home.

Fifth Madam reminded her, “Tomorrow, Fourth Sister-in-law, you should still go to Bowstring Alley. Seventh Sister has made up her mind, but Second Master is her father, and he may not come around so quickly. And there’s also Madam Yu to consider. Having someone to help smooth things over will make it easier for everyone to step back from the situation with their dignity intact.”

“I’ll remember that.” Shiyiniang spoke, and the two of them stepped down from the carriage. Shiyiniang then took a small blue-curtained oil carriage over to the Grand Madam’s quarters.

“Oh, you actually remembered to come home!” The Grand Madam teased the two of them warmly. “Is Seventh Sister all right?”

They had told the Grand Madam that Seventh Sister’s reason for coming to Yanjing was to see a doctor.

“Her heart is in pain.” Fifth Madam sat down beside the Grand Madam. “She said she would come to pay her respects first thing tomorrow morning — I stopped her.” She spoke up on Seventh Sister’s behalf.

“You were right to stop her.” The Grand Madam nodded. “Her mind is probably all in a tangle right now — no need to add to her burden. Let her wait until there’s some word on her illness, and then come see me when she’s in better spirits. I’ll enjoy that visit far more.” She then asked them, “Have you two eaten?”

Shiyiniang was about to answer when Fifth Madam spoke first. “Yes, yes, we have. Madam Yu kept us for dinner. That’s why we came back late.”

“Then go on home, both of you.” The Grand Madam laughed. “Shen Ge’er and Qin Ge’er haven’t seen their mothers all day!”

The two of them curtsied and withdrew.

Shiyiniang said apologetically, “I’ve put Sister-in-law to so much trouble on my account, helping me in front of the Grand Madam. Why don’t you come to my rooms and have dinner? I’ll cook a couple of dishes myself for you.”

“You’re thinking of Jin Ge’er, and I’m thinking of Shen Ge’er. Let’s save it for another time,” said Fifth Madam, and made to part ways. Just then, Third Madam and Madam Fang came walking toward them.

“Coming to pay your respects to Mother?” Fifth Madam called out in greeting, and they all exchanged bows.

“Yes,” Third Madam said with a smile. “I hear you two were visiting Madam Yu today?”

Fifth Madam smiled and nodded, then said, “I heard from Mother that Third Sister-in-law feels our eldest young mistress is well-read and proper, filial and virtuous, and doesn’t need to be taught a thing — so does that mean Third Sister-in-law can go back to Shanyang now? And if Third Sister-in-law goes back to Shanyang, will our eldest young mistress go along?”

Third Madam blinked, and answered vaguely, “That depends on Mother’s wishes.”

Fifth Madam gave an exaggerated gasp, half playful, half earnest. “I won’t get involved in all of that. But I’ll say this — for Jin Ge’er’s first-year celebration, the eldest young mistress gave him a priceless ancient book as a gift. When our Shen Ge’er’s first-year celebration comes, she had better give him an equally precious ancient book — otherwise I’ll follow you all the way to Shanyang to demand it!”

Third Madam, Madam Fang, and Shiyiniang all shifted almost imperceptibly in expression.

“A priceless ancient book?” Third Madam murmured, turning to look at Madam Fang.

Madam Fang looked slightly ill at ease. “It was part of my dowry from my great-uncle,” she said quietly. “It just happened to be useful.”

Shiyiniang’s brow furrowed. She pulled at Fifth Madam’s arm. “We’ve been away from home all day. Third Sister-in-law and her party still need to go and pay their respects to the Grand Madam.” Then she urged Third Madam, “The little maidservant has already gone in to announce you — if you don’t go in soon, the Grand Madam will send someone out to ask.” And with that, she drew Fifth Madam away.

Third Madam stood watching their retreating figures for a long moment, then turned and cast a searching look at Madam Fang before stepping inside to the main hall.

Madam Fang’s eyes dimmed. She let out a quiet sigh, and tiptoed in after her.

Shiyiniang couldn’t help but remonstrate with Fifth Madam. “We who are the elders — why make things difficult for a young one just starting out?”

“Those who plant the trees provide shade for those who come after.” Fifth Madam was entirely unbothered. “Who told Third Sister-in-law to be so harsh with people? That’s why I single her out to needle.” Then she added, “Though, that said, what I did was for Eldest Young Mistress’s own good as well — Third Sister-in-law praised her extravagantly in front of others just now. But in private, she’s been extremely strict with her. Not only the morning and evening greetings — at all three meals, Eldest Young Mistress has to stand in attendance throughout. Has Mother ever treated us that way? Third Sister-in-law is putting on airs with no sense of proportion at all. That’s exactly why Mother has reined her in, again and again. This time I went ahead and said it outright. Knowing Third Sister-in-law’s temper — under normal circumstances, she would certainly have punished Eldest Young Mistress afterward. But now that she wants to go to Shanyang, she can only swallow her temper. And not only swallow it — she’ll have to keep praising Madam Fang in front of the Grand Madam. So Madam Fang will know how to keep her in check, and won’t have to go on tiptoeing around her like a timid new bride. And even if Eldest Young Mistress makes some misstep down the road, Third Sister-in-law, having praised her daughter-in-law to the heavens, will be hard-pressed to deal with her openly.” She continued, “The Fang family is an old and respected family in Huzhou, with a fine reputation in literary and scholarly circles. If word of anything untoward got out, it would reflect badly on all of us as elders. Fourth Sister-in-law, don’t forget — our Xin Jie’er and Shen Ge’er, and your own…” She paused, her voice wavering slightly. “Jie Ge’er and Jin Ge’er haven’t even been betrothed yet.”

Shiyiniang smiled, helpless.

Clearly she had been spoiling for a fight with Third Madam all along, and yet here she stood, perfectly righteous about it.

And since the words were already out, reproaching her would do no good. She would simply have to watch for chances later to help smooth things over between Third Madam and Madam Fang.

Back in her rooms, Xu Lingyi was reclining against the large kang by the inner-room window, reading. Jin Ge’er lay beside him, his small face flushed and rosy with sleep.

“Was Jin Ge’er good? No fussing?” Shiyiniang stepped quietly to the edge of the kang and bent down to press a kiss to Jin Ge’er’s small cheek.

Xu Lingyi set his book aside, and gently smoothed Jin Ge’er’s hair with a fond hand. “He fussed a little in the evening,” he said softly. “I came and kept him company the whole time. He wore himself out playing and fell asleep.”

Shiyiniang was overcome with remorse, and kissed her son’s cheek again. “I won’t do this again.”

Xu Lingyi laughed. “He’s a boy. He can’t be tied to your apron strings forever. Let go when it’s time to let go.”

Still, Shiyiniang’s heart ached. She sat there for a long while, holding Jin Ge’er’s little hand in hers.

“Go change your clothes,” Xu Lingyi said. “It’s late, and you’ve been out all day. Get some rest.”

Though she hadn’t eaten dinner, she didn’t feel particularly hungry — but she still told a little maidservant to make her a bowl of noodles, and added, worried Xu Lingyi might grow suspicious, “I didn’t eat enough at Fourth Sister’s house.”

“Then have a bowl of bird’s nest congee made,” Xu Lingyi told the maidservant. “Eating too much this late at night leads to indigestion.”

He was right. From a nutritional standpoint, bird’s nest congee was far better for her.

Shiyiniang smiled and went to the washroom to freshen up.

In the dead of night, she was woken by hunger.

She hesitated over whether to reach into the porcelain jar at the head of the bed and take out a couple of pastries, when Xu Lingyi beside her suddenly spoke. “What’s wrong? Can’t sleep?” His voice was drowsy — clearly her tossing had woken him.

“Nothing.” Shiyiniang said quickly. “I just woke up suddenly. You go back to sleep, my Lord — don’t mind me.” She decided to wait until he was asleep before getting up.

In the darkness, she rustled softly and nestled closer.

A slender, supple body, yielding as a spring willow, pressed against him — and all at once his drowsiness was gone.

“Don’t tell me you’ve been lying awake thinking of me.” Even as he spoke, his hand slid downward.

“What are you saying!” Shiyiniang said with a soft, petulant rebuke.

Her days had come a few days ago, and had only just ended yesterday.

Xu Lingyi’s hand found nothing where he had expected, and he let out a low laugh in the dark.

Then he caught her hand and guided it beneath him.

“I’ve missed you,” he breathed against her ear. “What am I to do?”

Shiyiniang flushed from head to toe, and in retaliation gave him a soft pinch. “Then go on missing me.”

Xu Lingyi bit her ear with a soft laugh, and pressed her down beneath him.

—