While Shiyiniang was busy sending Dragon Boat Festival zongzi, realgar wine, and mugwort sachets to various households, word came from Huzhou.

“…Both Fang Ji and Fang Shi spoke the truth.” A hint of satisfaction showed in Xu Lingyi’s expression. “That young man from the Huo Family was the sole heir across three generations. Huo Tai Tai became somewhat unhinged because of it. The rumor that Fang Shi was a husband-killing curse only grew stronger. Though there were some who did not believe in such superstitious talk, whenever the Fang Family considered a match, they found fault with the man’s learning or took issue with his character — and so, back and forth, fewer and fewer families came calling. Fang Shi’s marriage prospects were thus delayed in this manner. By the time Third Sister-in-law went to seek the match, the Fang Family felt the Xu household was not as distinguished as several earlier suitors. However, Fang Tai Tai feared that if they continued to be so particular, they would not even find someone of the caliber of Qin Ge’er in the end. And so she hastily accepted the match.”

Shiyiniang breathed a sigh of relief and took Xu Lingyi’s hand. “Let us go and tell Mother.”

Upon hearing the news, Grand Madam’s whole body seemed to relax.

In that moment, Shiyiniang understood — Grand Madam had also been hoping that Fang Shi had not lied.

“Since this is the case, the Dragon Boat Festival is in a few days. Send an invitation to Sanjing Hutong and have their whole family come for a meal.”

At that point, Grand Madam would only need to give a quiet hint, and a woman as shrewd as Fang Shi would surely pass word to Fang Ji immediately. The Fang Family’s elders would then come with Fang Ji to offer their apologies, the matter would be set aside, and everyone could go about their business.

Thinking this over, she could not help but ask Xu Lingyi on the way back: “What are the plans for Third Master?”

“My intention is to have Third Brother rest for a while, then pay visits to relatives and circulate the reasons for his resignation. Afterward, he would return to help us manage the household affairs as before.” Xu Lingyi smiled ruefully. “Mother disagrees. She says Third Brother is someone who has married off a son and become a father-in-law himself — rather than keeping him at home managing these trifling matters, it would be better to let him open a shop or run some business outside, so that he has something to stand on before his daughter-in-law and can hold his head up with dignity. I thought it over carefully, and I suspect Mother feels that Third Brother’s resignation has brought shame upon the Xu Family and wishes to let him feel the chill for a while. So I did not press the matter.” The implication being that, in time, he still intended to bring Third Master back to help manage the household.

Shiyiniang considered for a moment, then smiled. “My lord, could it be that you find dealing with these household affairs day in and day out rather tiresome?”

“On my official stipend alone, I could not support this entire household — I could not even keep you, let alone everyone else,” Xu Lingyi said with a laugh. “Were it not for the farmlands and shops, how would this family get by? I simply find it too tiresome and bothersome.”

A roundabout admission that he had no wish to manage the household affairs himself.

No wonder he had been so eager to hand it off to Third Master.

Shiyiniang pressed her lips into a smile.

On the day of the Dragon Boat Festival, Third Master arrived early, bringing his entire family to pay their respects to Grand Madam.

Grand Madam had just risen, and Nanny Du invited them to wait in the main hall with tea.

After a short while, Xu Lingkuan and Fifth Madam arrived with Xin Jie’er and Shen Ge’er.

After exchanging greetings, Fang Shi produced two five-colored sachets from her sleeve. “These were made by my elder sister-in-law. For you to wear and play with.”

Five-colored sachets were nothing uncommon, but the pair of solid gold little fish dangling from the sachets was quite something else.

Fortunately, Fifth Madam was a woman of the world and could afford to return the gesture. She smiled and had them collected, then had Xin Jie’er thank Fang Shi.

Third Madam’s expression was far from pleasant — she parted her lips as if to say something, then closed them again, let out a cold snort, and turned her face away.

Third Master was also somewhat surprised.

Sending a sachet made by Fang Shi’s own hands as a gift for the children to meet — Fang Shi had reported this to him beforehand. With many mouths to feed and little income now that he was idle at home, every bit saved mattered. He had been entirely in favor of it. But he had not expected the sachets to have solid gold little fish dangling from them. Even if they were hollow, at least five fen of gold would be needed to make them. If they were solid, perhaps two or three liang. It would have been more sensible to send over some good wine instead.

Third Master shook his head inwardly, feeling that Fang Shi did not know how to run a household.

But Fang Shi had her own calculations.

Her mother-in-law had been turned away when she tried to accompany Grand Madam to the Medicine King Temple, yet today they had all been invited to spend the Dragon Boat Festival together. She had been mulling this over in her mind — the Dragon Boat Festival was a time for married daughters to return to their maternal homes, and if Xu Family truly still bore a grudge over the husband-killing rumor, they could simply have invited only Third Master and Xu Siqin. Since they had also included her in the invitation, it meant that the Lotus Flower Lane residence did not harbor the same contempt toward her that she had previously feared.

If that was the case, then she ought to be even more respectful toward the Lotus Flower Lane household. Only, what did Lotus Flower Lane lack? She thought long and hard, and remembered that as a child, an elder had once gifted her several gold little fish — she had treasured them dearly back then. So she sketched the design from memory and had the managing nanny go to the silversmith’s to have them made.

She smiled as she looked over at Xin Jie’er. “Just a small trinket — as long as little sister likes it.”

The little fish were exquisitely crafted, with each scale and whisker rendered in clear detail. Xin Jie’er was delighted and nodded again and again.

Xu Lingyi and Shiyiniang arrived with the children.

Fang Shi followed Third Madam in paying her respects, and presented a sachet to each person.

“I have one too!” Xu Siyu said, looking rather abashed.

“Those who haven’t yet married are still children,” Fang Shi said with a smile. “All children get one.”

Fifth Madam heard this and covered her mouth with a laugh. “Our Second Young Master is already of an age to be discussing marriage.” She then said to Fang Shi, “Do you happen to know any young ladies — sisters or relatives — of outstanding appearance and character? Help us find a capable and accomplished match for our Second Young Master.”

Fang Shi smiled with modest reserve. “We grew up with our grandmother and knew few girls our own age, let alone anyone younger than myself. When the time comes, I shall ask my elder brother to make inquiries.”

At the mention of Fang Ji, Fifth Madam let out a “oh!” and said, “Won’t Fang Tan Hua be spending the Dragon Boat Festival alone? Why not invite Fang Tan Hua to join us for the meal as well? It would be more lively for everyone!”

Fang Shi started and glanced over at Shiyiniang.

Shiyiniang was busy helping Jin Ge’er out of his outer robe. “How is he this warm after being carried all this way!” She seemed entirely unaware of the exchange going on around her.

Fang Shi’s expression dimmed slightly. She was just about to politely decline when Nanny Du appeared. “Grand Madam invites everyone inside to be seated.”

The topic was cut off, and everyone filed into the inner chamber one after another.

Grand Madam reached out her arms and took the youngest Shen Ge’er, then laughed and teased Fifth Madam: “Coming to pay your respects so early — could it be you are in a hurry to return to your maternal home?”

Ever since carrying Xin Jie’er, Fifth Madam had put an end to her habit of splitting her time between the Xu household and her maternal home.

She pouted. “My mother-in-law becomes harder and harder to please. Come late, and she says you are unfilial. Come early, and she says you are eager to run back home…”

“Is that any way to speak to your mother-in-law?” Before Fifth Madam had even finished, Xu Lingkuan had already widened his eyes at her.

“All right, all right,” Grand Madam laughed. “There is no need for you to defend your wife — I shall not scold her.”

This left Xu Lingkuan not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

Fifth Madam smirked with delight.

Jin Ge’er, seeing Grand Madam holding Shen Ge’er and unwilling to let go, squirmed and called out “Grandmother!” and demanded to be held as well.

Grand Madam laughed merrily. “Yes, yes, yes! One on the left, one on the right — both are the flesh of Grandmother’s heart.”

Jin Ge’er climbed up onto Grand Madam’s left knee and at last settled down contentedly.

Grand Madam then handed Shen Ge’er over to Fifth Madam. “Go early and come back early. I will be waiting for all of you to return for the evening meal.” Then she raised her eyes and glanced at Third Master and Third Madam. “You may go as well,” then looked over at Fang Shi with a warm smile, “You, like your Fourth Aunt, were married here from the south. Even returning to your maternal home for a visit is not easy. Your Fourth Aunt is going back to Bow String Hutong today. Your elder brother, though he is in Yanjing, is not like your Fourth Aunt — he does not have his own residence in the capital. So today, you shall keep your Second Aunt company and stay here with this old woman of mine for the Dragon Boat Festival.”

Fang Shi started, then quickly bowed her head in acknowledgment.

Her voice carried the faintest catch.

Third Madam’s face cycled through shades of green and red.

She had barely called out “Mother” before Grand Madam waved her hand to signal there was no need for further words. “Off you go.” She turned her gaze away from Third Master and his wife, kissed Jin Ge’er again and again, and then instructed Xu Sizhun: “Come back early to keep Grandmother company.”

Xu Sizhun immediately answered respectfully: “Yes.”

Only then did Grand Madam reluctantly release Jin Ge’er.

Upon returning from Bow String Hutong, Fang Shi, Second Madam, and Nanny Du were all keeping Grand Madam company playing leaf cards.

“How is it that you are back so soon!” Grand Madam’s eyesight was poor, and she held the cards in her hands, but it was Yuban who was actually playing in her place. She simply lifted her head to speak to Shiyiniang.

“Wang Yiniang is with child,” Shiyiniang said. “It would not do to disturb her. We had the midday meal and came back.”

“Oh!” Grand Madam set the cards aside entirely and handed them to Yuban. “Wang Yiniang is with child — Luo Da Nainai is not in the capital, so you ought to send over some tonics.”

Shiyiniang smiled and answered “yes.” All the children except the elder Xu Siyu and Zhen Jie’er — who had grown increasingly composed as her wedding day drew near — swarmed around Grand Madam, clamouring “Grandmother!” in a cheerful clamor that made Grand Madam laugh so hard she could not close her mouth.

Just as they were chatting, Fifth Madam’s family returned.

“How are you back so early as well?”

“Was I not thinking of you?” Fifth Madam said with an endearing pout. “And here I find you merrily enjoying yourself!”

Xin Jie’er, seeing Xu Sizhun nestled beside Grand Madam, ran over as well, calling out “Grandmother! Grandmother!”

Grand Madam beamed and settled Xin Jie’er onto the edge of the heated bed beside her.

Fang Shi then quickly rose and gave up her seat. “Second Aunt and Nanny Du have both been complaining that I play too slowly. Please, Aunt, take my seat.”

Fifth Madam did indeed move over and nudge Fang Shi aside.

Xu Lingkuan went to pull her back. “You are an elder — how can you jostle with your nephew’s wife over a seat like that!”

“Oh, I did not jostle at all — it was the First Young Mistress who gave it up to me.”

On the other side, Xin Jie’er and Jin Ge’er were competing for Grand Madam’s embrace — one had her arms firmly wrapped around Grand Madam’s waist, the other had his arms locked around her neck. Grand Madam kept crying out “Oh, oh!” The room was alive with noise and laughter. They moved again to sit in the eastern side room and opened a table for mahjong. The children darted back and forth across the floor. Laughter and chatter filled the air. By the time Third Master and Third Madam returned, Nanny Du had the servants set out the evening meal. The first dish was longevity noodles.

Everyone offered their congratulations to Shiyiniang on her birthday.

Grand Madam presented a sapphire ring; Second Madam gave two bottles of fragrant dew; Third Madam gave a work of calligraphy and painting made by Xu Siqin; Fifth Madam presented a red coral hairpin; and the children each brought along a scatter of small odds and ends.

Fang Shi was surprised. She glanced at Xu Siqin and smiled. “Aunt did not say a word. Had I known, I too should have brought something. Gifts should have been prepared.” She rose and curtseyed to Shiyiniang. “Aunt’s birthday gift — I shall send it over first thing tomorrow morning. I hope Aunt will not take offense!”

—