Under such circumstances, Fang Shi naturally could only say as much. Who could have anticipated that the Fifth Madam would glance around and simply sit herself down: “Since that’s the case, then I won’t stand on ceremony.”
Fang Shi had thought that, since Eleventh Young Madam was the Marchioness of Yongping, and the Grand Madam had dismissed the Third Madam, she must surely have some arrangement in mind — so she had come to sound things out. Now that the Fifth Madam had settled herself into a seat, Fang Shi naturally could not broach the subject anymore. But to chat about domestic matters with these two aunts-by-marriage in such a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere — she felt this was a rare opportunity in itself. Her expression grew all the more gentle and gracious.
The Fifth Madam could not help but regard Fang Shi with heightened respect.
The few of them then began talking about Zhen Jie’er’s coming-of-age ceremony. Presently, Nanny from Lin Da’nainai’s household arrived bearing red-dyed eggs: “Our eldest young mistress has given birth to a daughter.”
“Oh my,” the Fifth Madam laughed, “Lin Da’nainai has become a grandmother already.”
Fang Shi asked, “Is this the eldest young mistress who married into Cangzhou?”
The Fifth Madam nodded and began speaking in a low voice of Hui Jie’er’s circumstances.
Meanwhile, Eleventh Young Madam had Qiuyu fetch a tael of broken silver to send the nanny on her way, and she asked after matters such as “Was the delivery smooth?” and “How much did the child weigh?” — then together with the Fifth Madam and Fang Shi, she went to the Grand Madam’s quarters to report the news. So Fang Shi’s question went unasked after all.
Over on the other side, Gan Laoquan’s wife was quietly asking the Third Madam: “Should we not at least say a word to the eldest young master as well?”
The Third Madam wavered.
Gan Laoquan’s wife urged her: “The eldest young madam doesn’t know any better — you can simply set her straight yourself. But the eldest young master is flesh of your flesh. How could you let him be left confused along with everyone else? There’s no shortage of men who forget their mothers the moment they take a wife. Yet look at our eldest young master — not only does he pay his morning and evening respects without fail, rain or shine, but when the young madam sprained her hand that day and couldn’t come to you first, he didn’t even dare summon a physician on his own. And they are still newlyweds! How can you bear to leave the eldest young master’s heart muddled?”
The Third Madam listened, let out a sigh, and murmured: “Then go and ask the eldest young master to come in.”
“Yes!” Gan Laoquan’s wife replied with a beaming smile and went to call Xu Siqin inside.
“It is your father’s intention that after I leave, you brothers move to Sanjing Hutong to live. For one thing, it is our own property, and leaving it unoccupied for long will cause the house to fall into disrepair. For another, Hehua Lane has too many social obligations; Teacher Zhao’s energies are now entirely devoted to Zhun Ge, and he cannot give you brothers adequate attention. The plan is to engage a private tutor to come and instruct you both at home, so that you can study in peace over there.” Madam Gan spoke in a low voice, instructing her son. “After I leave, simply follow your Fourth Uncle’s arrangements. When you are at Sanjing Hutong, remember to come and pay your respects to the Grand Madam and the Marquis on the first and fifteenth of each month.”
Xu Siqin had long envied Xu Siyu for being able to go to Le’an to study, and hearing that his father had already made arrangements for him, even his usual composure could not conceal his delight — joy rose unbidden to his brow. “I will keep Mother’s instruction firmly in mind,” he said happily.
The Third Madam, seeing her son’s genuine happiness, was gladdened as well. She said a few things along the lines of “you must take good care of your younger brother” and “your brother is still young, do not tell him of these matters for now,” all of which Xu Siqin acknowledged one by one. Only then did the Third Madam have someone fetch Xu Sijian in to give him his instructions. Seeing that the hour was growing late, she kept both sons in her room for supper.
Xu Sijian was taken aback. “Sister-in-law hasn’t returned yet?”
The Third Madam let out a cold laugh: “She went to your Fourth Aunt’s. She said she’d be back in a moment — I hadn’t expected her ‘moment’ to last quite this long.”
Xu Siqin’s expression grew subtly grave.
The Third Madam laughed quietly to herself.
A son I carried for ten months and raised to be filial and obedient — do you think, Fang Shi, that you can cling to Eleventh Young Madam’s coattails for the rest of your life?
With that thought, she smiled and called the maids to set out the meal: “Your Fourth Aunt is the most hospitable of all. Since no maid has been sent over to report, she has no doubt kept her there for dinner. We needn’t wait…”
Before she had finished speaking, Fang Shi returned.
Walking in to find the mother and her two sons sitting warmly together on the heated kang, she saw that her mother-in-law regarded her with a somewhat icy gaze, her husband’s expression carried a hint of dark clouds, and her young brother-in-law looked at her with something of urgency — she understood at once that it was on account of her late return. She could only pretend not to notice, smoothing things over with a bright smile: “Mother, the eldest young mistress of the Marquis of Weibei’s household has given birth to a daughter…”
Fang Shi spoke with smiling warmth until she saw Xu Siqin’s expression relax — only then did the anxiety she had been holding in her chest settle at last.
A flash of disdain flickered across the Third Madam’s brow.
When paying respects to the Grand Madam, she asked her to select a departure date.
The Grand Madam did not even reach for the almanac. She smiled and said: “A chosen day is no better than a timely one. I think — the day after tomorrow. The sooner you go, the sooner my mind will be at ease, and you won’t miss the New Year either.”
The Third Madam choked slightly, managed a stiff smile, responded with a “yes,” and returned to instruct Gan Laoquan to begin packing the trunks and cases.
The following day, Eleventh Young Madam and the Fifth Madam served as hosts, with the Second Madam as honored guest, to hold a farewell gathering for the Third Madam.
The Third Madam rose at the table to toast each of her three sisters-in-law, asking them to look after the brothers Xu Siqin and Xu Sijian. The Fifth Madam readily agreed, and everyone talked and laughed with great warmth. On the day of departure, Eleventh Young Madam and the others each brought gifts of medicinal pills or provisions, and together they accompanied the Third Madam to the main gate, watching the carriage gradually recede into the distance before going to report to the Grand Madam.
With no mother-in-law to supervise her, Fang Shi thereafter paid her morning and evening respects to the Grand Madam each day, spent her hours at home with needlework, reading, or visiting Eleventh Young Madam and the Fifth Madam, and settled into the leisurely life of a woman of the inner courtyard.
In the blink of an eye, it was Xu Siyu’s birthday.
Following custom, Eleventh Young Madam personally went to the kitchen to make a bowl of assorted noodles and invited everyone to eat together with Xu Siyu, while Xu Lingyi called Xu Siyu to the study.
Xu Sizhun glanced over with a look of sympathy.
Eleventh Young Madam found this amusing, and had a little maid brew West Lake Longjing tea for him: “This is what your eldest maternal uncle brought over. Have a taste!”
Xu Sizhun’s eyes lit up with delight: “What has eldest maternal uncle been up to lately? How come we haven’t seen him dropping by?”
“They say General Jiang from Fujian is about to return to the capital in triumph.” Eleventh Young Madam smiled, picking up her needlework basket from the low kang table and casually knotting a decorative cord. “He has been busy these days with the Ministry of Rites, preparing the welcoming ceremony for the return of the troops. He won’t have any time off until the beginning of the twelfth month.”
Zhen Jie’er sat close beside Eleventh Young Madam, helping her sort the threads.
“Mother, I know General Jiang!” Xu Sizhun exclaimed with excitement. “His name is Jiang Yunfei. He wears a beard this long.” He gestured at his chest. “Everyone privately calls him ‘The Fine-Bearded Duke.'”
Xu Sijie was using a mirror case that Jin Ge’er had recently pilfered from the Grand Madam to tease Jin Ge’er into walking, while the maid A’jin followed close behind Jin Ge’er.
Hearing this, he turned to look at Xu Sizhun.
“Fourth Elder Brother, I never knew you were acquainted with such a formidable person.” His voice carried a note of admiration. He felt his elder brother had become quite different since moving to the outer courtyard — not only did he know people he himself had never met, but the way he spoke had gradually taken on a grown-up air. “I heard Teacher Zhao say that General Jiang is a late bloomer, and that his future prospects are limitless — second only to Father in renown as a military leader.”
As they spoke, Jin Ge’er had already grabbed hold of Xu Sijie’s lapels, standing on tiptoe to snatch at the mirror case in his hand.
Xu Sijie hastily raised his arm high.
Xu Sizhun nodded: “Everyone says Father is the most formidable!”
Knowing only this much was not enough.
Eleventh Young Madam gently tried to guide Xu Sizhun toward deeper reflections. Smiling, she said: “I hadn’t realized Zhun Ge’er was also acquainted with General Jiang.” Then she adopted a curious expression. “What sort of man is General Jiang?”
“He keeps a stern face and is quite strict with people.” Xu Sizhun recalled this with a small smile. “But he treated me very well. He even asked if I was tired. Wang Yun was quite envious of me.”
Xu Sijie was drawn in by Xu Sizhun’s words, stood up straight, and spoke to him: “Who is Wang Yun? Is he a new friend of Fourth Elder Brother’s?”
“Yes.” Xu Sizhun smiled. “He is the son of Lord Wang Li. He studies very well. He is also good with people — knows both archery and riding, and even plays the zither. Last time Lord Wang came to our house, he brought him along. Father told me to learn well from him.” As he reached the end, his tone carried a trace of dejection. But he quickly rallied, raising his voice a little and putting on a cheerful air: “I mentioned you to Wang Yun. He was very interested and said that the next time he comes, he wants me to introduce him. If he comes again, I’ll have a little maid fetch you. We’ll definitely get along well.”
Jin Ge’er clung tightly to Xu Sijie’s sleeve, now stretching up on tiptoe, now bouncing, yet unable to reach the mirror case — he grew so frantic that he kept making urgent little cries and shouts.
Xu Sijie, upon hearing he might make a new friend, forgot all about the little one entirely — his eyes curved into crescents with delight, and he agreed with repeated “yes, yes!” replies: “That would have to wait until my day off!”
Barely had he finished speaking than Jin Ge’er, receiving no response, let out a wail and burst into loud tears.
The sound was lusty and thunderous, enough to shake the very stones.
Xu Sizhun and Xu Sijie both gave a great start, their expressions momentarily blank.
Eleventh Young Madam and Zhen Jie’er hurriedly slipped on their shoes and climbed down from the kang.
They saw someone dart in from behind the door curtain and scoop Jin Ge’er up in his arms: “Don’t cry, don’t cry!” And then, in a gentle voice: “What’s the matter? Who dared bully our Jin Ge’er?”
Eleventh Young Madam looked more closely — it was actually Xu Siyu.
His expression was warm and tender as he coaxed Jin Ge’er in a low voice. Jin Ge’er immediately stopped crying and, still hiccupping with sobs, pointed at Xu Sijie.
Xu Sijie’s face was already flushed crimson: “Second Elder Brother, I — I was playing with Sixth Younger Brother!” He hastily handed the mirror case over to Jin Ge’er.
Jin Ge’er immediately clutched the mirror case to his chest and burst into smiles through his tears.
Xu Siyu hesitated a moment, then said quietly: “Sixth Younger Brother is still small and doesn’t know any better. You are the elder brother — you should yield to him in such matters.”
Xu Sijie hung his head and murmured a soft “yes,” then shot a glance at Eleventh Young Madam. Seeing her looking at him with a gentle smile, the corner of his mouth curved upward, his expression lightened, and he called out a second, more spirited “yes!”
A faint trace of amusement appeared in the depths of Xu Siyu’s eyes.
“Have you finished your conversation with the Marquis?” Eleventh Young Madam smiled and moved to take Jin Ge’er in her arms. “Why haven’t I seen the Marquis return?”
Perhaps because Xu Siyu had just come to Jin Ge’er’s rescue, Jin Ge’er squirmed and nestled himself against Xu Siyu’s chest instead.
Both Eleventh Young Madam and Xu Siyu were caught off guard, and their eyes met in the air.
Xu Siyu’s expression took on a hint of unease. He said quickly: “Lord Wang has arrived — Father has gone to the outer courtyard.” As though concealing something, he added with haste: “Father has given me a full set of writing implements from the Scholar’s Curio Cabinet, to wish me success in passing the prefectural examination next year.” As he spoke, he gently patted Jin Ge’er’s back.
Jin Ge’er lifted his head and waved his mirror case at his mother with little cries, as if to say, “Look what I have!”
Eleventh Young Madam smiled and stroked her son’s head.
“That’s wonderful!” She looked at Xu Siyu. “You’ve been studying diligently behind closed doors all these days — I’m certain you’ll pass the prefectural examination without difficulty.”
Xu Siyu nodded with conviction.
A little maid came in to report: “The eldest young master, the eldest young madam, and the third young master have arrived!”
—