“It is only a modest, unannounced birthday,” Shiyiniang said with a smile. “Besides, your Qin Ge’er not only sent me a piece of calligraphy, but also two palace fans.” She then urged Fang Shi, “Eat your longevity noodles!”

Fang Shi said no more and lowered her head to eat.

Over at the other end of the table, Grand Madam had eaten a small half-bowl and then called over Xu Sijian, who had already slurped up every last drop of noodle broth.

“These past days studying with your tutor — how have your lessons been going? Will you be ready to sit the examinations next year?”

Xu Sijian laughed awkwardly. “How could I possibly match Second Brother’s ability!”

Grand Madam smiled faintly and asked him, “Then what plans do you have for the future?”

This was something Xu Sijian had never thought about before.

He was silent for a long while, then said, “I will follow whatever Father decides.”

Everyone laughed.

Grand Madam raised her head and addressed Third Master: “Each family’s children are treasured in their own hearts. In my observation, Jian Ge’er has a lively temperament — his studies may not be on the same level as Yu Ge’er’s, but he is upright and forthright in manner, and honest and sincere in his dealings with others.” She paused, then continued, “Qin Ge’er is your firstborn son — I shall not interfere with his affairs. But in the Imperial Guard, the Banner Commander’s unit has an opening that I think looks rather suitable. Once the Dragon Boat Festival has passed, let Jian Ge’er go and take up the post.”

A Banner Commander — that was a post guarding the palace gates.

With the exception of Xu Lingkuan, everyone in the room was stunned. Third Master and Third Madam exchanged bewildered looks.

“Mother spoke to me about wanting to find Jian Ge’er a post,” Xu Lingkuan said with a smile, “so I invited the people from the Bureau of Military Appointments to dinner. Seeing it was me, they brought out the register for me to choose from. I saw that the Banner Commander’s post in the Imperial Guard was a senior sixth rank, with a good path afterward into the Five City Military Inspectorate — a full fifth rank promotion, so I settled on it.” He smiled with a measure of pride. “The Bureau of Military Appointments told me to reply quickly, as several other families were also eyeing it. If our family did not want it, they needed to inform the others promptly — their superiors are waiting on them to submit the roster.” He turned to look at Xu Lingyi.

Xu Lingyi’s expression was calm, yet a trace of surprise lingered in his eyes — clearly he, too, had known nothing of this matter.

Third Master and Third Madam were at a loss.

Grand Madam’s expression cooled. “What is the matter? Do you find this post unsuitable? Have you made better arrangements of your own?”

After that teacup from Grand Madam a few days ago, Third Master still felt a lingering apprehension. He did not dare dwell on it for long. Hastily he said, “No, no. I have made no arrangements, and I do not find the post unsuitable. I simply did not expect…” At that very moment, a realization struck him. Though this had been Grand Madam’s idea, without Xu Lingyi’s prestige behind it, even Xu Lingkuan stepping forward would likely not have moved those haughty men at the Bureau of Military Appointments to so readily hand over a register for him to pick from. He quickly tugged at Third Madam’s sleeve, and knelt first. “Mother, thank you for finding Jian Ge’er such a fine post.” He then rose and bowed to Xu Lingyi: “Fourth Brother, thank you,” then bowed to Xu Lingkuan: “Many thanks to Fifth Brother for his help.”

Third Madam’s side, too, had come to her senses.

The future prospects of both her sons had long been a deep worry in her heart.

From the time of the founding ancestor, from the first to the seventh rank, each household was permitted to grant hereditary privilege to one son to inherit the same official position. There were also those who, by meritorious service to the state or by enjoying the Emperor’s special favor, had several sons granted such hereditary honors. To outside eyes, given Xu Lingyi’s achievements and the Emperor’s great affection for the Empress, the prospects of their family’s younger generation were simply not a concern. Yet she knew their own family’s situation better than anyone. Xu Lingyi had said long ago that the Xu Family, having become an imperial family by marriage, must not only abide by the law but conduct themselves with strict discipline and self-restraint. They must not cause difficulty for the Empress, and must not cast a shadow over the Imperial Princes. He had even voluntarily declined the Emperor’s offer of hereditary privilege for the eldest son, allowing him instead to pursue the scholarly examination path… This had left them in an impossible position on both sides — if the eldest son received the hereditary honor, what of the second? If the second received it, what of the first? She had also murmured to her husband about finding a way, but her husband was timid and faint-hearted, not daring to use Xu Lingyi’s name to approach anyone, and had even said things like “Fourth Brother is a man of measure, he will have his own arrangements in due course” — which had made her furious on several occasions.

She had never expected that after Grand Madam had unleashed her fury on the two of them, she would suddenly take the initiative to arrange a post for Xu Sijian… Xu Lingyi could hardly object to this now, could he? When the time came for the Ministry of Personnel to grant hereditary honors, she would report Xu Siqin’s name. After that, she would have nothing left to regret!

At this thought, Third Madam’s smile could not be contained.

She hastily kowtowed to Grand Madam. “Mother, what would our Jian Ge’er do without you! How could we manage?” She then quickly beckoned Xu Sijian over. “Foolish child, what are you still standing there for? Come here and kowtow to your grandmother.” Then she looked up and spotted Fifth Madam seated on the heated bed. “And thank your Fifth Uncle!”

Xu Sijian was still somewhat stunned. Only when his mother pulled him did he come to his senses. He could not help but break into a wide grin.

“Thank you, Grandmother. Thank you, Fifth Uncle.” Then, thinking that he had thanked everyone else but not Fourth Uncle, which might seem a slight, he kowtowed to Xu Lingyi as well. “Thank you, Fourth Uncle.”

Xu Lingyi smiled and nodded.

Xu Lingkuan clapped his arm around the nephew who stood only half a head shorter than himself. “Work hard in the Banner Commander’s unit, strive to rise to senior fifth rank, and from there transfer to the Five City Military Inspectorate — at that point you’d be at full fifth rank at minimum. Your days will be much easier.”

Xu Sijian beamed from ear to ear and nodded again and again. “I’ll do as Fifth Uncle says.” The corner of his eye caught a glimpse of his elder brother and sister-in-law standing nearby, and he could not help but hesitate. He stumbled over his words and called out a quiet “Elder Brother,” puzzled in his heart: if Elder Brother has now taken a wife, by all reasoning, Elder Brother’s affairs should have been settled first before his…

But Xu Siqin was genuinely happy for Xu Sijian.

For the sake of Xu Sijian’s marriage prospects, their mother had spent no small amount of worry. When all was said and done, it came down to the fact that Xu Sijian was the second son — by convention, it was always the eldest who received the hereditary privilege. And yet he did not have Xu Siyu’s scholarly talent to sit for even a basic examination… Now that his younger brother had secured a post, finding a good match for him would be far easier.

“You must apply yourself diligently,” he said, giving his younger brother a light punch on the shoulder. “When there is anything you don’t understand, ask Fifth Uncle for guidance. Fifth Uncle has served in the Imperial Guard — from Commander-General Ouyang at the top all the way down to the men guarding the palace gates, there is no one he cannot reach.”

Xu Sijian, seeing that his elder brother bore no ill feelings, was even more pleased. “Don’t worry, when the time comes I will definitely follow Fifth Uncle’s lead.”

Fang Shi, for her part, breathed a long, quiet sigh of relief.

Xu Sijian’s future having been settled meant, by extension, that Xu Siqin’s future had been settled as well — she had truly feared Third Madam might stir up trouble and redirect the household’s hereditary privilege to the younger son. But for reasons she could not quite explain, there was an odd feeling she could not shake.

Why had no one helped Xu Sijian find a post earlier, and not later — why was it happening now, right after the master had resigned, and under circumstances that were not altogether honorable… Could it be that Xu Family was not planning to help the master find another post?

The thought flickered through her mind, and she shook her head.

Perhaps she was overthinking things.

Xu Sijian was already sixteen this year. Among the children of distinguished military households, a young man that age should generally have his future already in consideration.

Watching the cheerful, congratulatory scene unfolding before her, Fang Shi put all these thoughts aside, reminding herself to send someone to inform Fang Ji when there was a moment. Grand Madam’s conduct today had made things perfectly clear. The Xu Family was not troubled by the husband-killing rumor. If that was the case, then there was no avoiding it — her elder brother would have to lower himself and come to offer an apology to the Xu Family’s elders.

Noticing Jin Ge’er’s breathing gradually grow steady, Shiyiniang stopped patting him.

Xu Lingyi, who had been leaning against the head of the bed reading, leaned over and looked at his son’s peaceful sleeping face. “He is asleep.”

Shiyiniang nodded, moved her son’s hand out from under the blanket to keep him from overheating, then finally said quietly, “He is asleep,” and gently rose, leaning against Xu Lingyi’s shoulder. “You see, what has gotten into Mother? Without a word to anyone, she had Fifth Master quietly arrange a post for Jian Ge’er…” She felt a vague unease in her heart, as though something were about to happen.

Xu Lingyi thought for a moment and said, “Do you feel that Mother did not consult us first, and so…”

“That is not it,” Shiyiniang said with a smile. “By the look of Second Sister-in-law and Fifth Sister-in-law’s faces, they were just as astonished as I was. Mother must have spoken privately to Fifth Master… It is only that I cannot quite make sense of it. In every other respect, it is a fine thing — so why did Mother go about it all so secretively?”

Xu Lingyi, seeing the utter bewilderment on her face, smiled and turned to kiss her gently, speaking low: “Let us not talk about these things anymore. Today is your birthday — have you thought of anything in particular you would like? I will buy it for you.”

“Nothing!” Shiyiniang said with a laugh. “Did my lord not already give me a gold hairpin? I think it quite lovely. There is nothing in particular I am wanting.”

Xu Lingyi considered for a moment. “In that case, shall we do as Fifth Brother and his family do — take the children to Jinyu Hutong for a few days? You have not yet seen Jinyu Hutong since it was renovated. It is a bit out of the way, but there are advantages to that — hills and water nearby, the air is fresh and clear…”

But morning greetings would still be required of the children each day — especially Xu Siyu, who at fifteen or sixteen was already a strapping young man, and every time she saw him she had to inspect his clothing and adornments with great care, anxious lest a piece of jewelry be too ornate or a robe too thin, or that some inadvertent impropriety might arise. What was more, unlike the present day, one could not simply step out the door with a single bag. Every habitually used vase would have to be brought along — to say nothing of the maidservants and older servants. In this summer heat, it would be more trouble than it was worth.

“I think we had better forget it,” Shiyiniang said with a laugh. “The weather is so hot — I feel too languid and sluggish to stir. Let us wait until it is cooler before we discuss it.”

Xu Lingyi thought for a while longer and said, “In that case, why not leave Jin Ge’er at home and return to your maternal home for a few days? Take the opportunity to visit Fourth Aunt and Fifth Aunt. Zi Chun has been appointed to the post of Magistrate of Wendeng County and will be leaving the capital at the end of the fifth month. You do not know when you will meet again — the two of you sisters surely have a great deal of private talk to share…”

With Wang Yiniang presiding at Bow String Hutong, Shiyiniang would be received there as an honored daughter returned home and naturally given every consideration — and Shiyiniang too could rest easy for a few days.

“My lord, please stop trying to send me out the door,” Shiyiniang could not help but laugh. “I cannot bear to be parted from Jin Ge’er.” Catching sight of Xu Lingyi about to open his mouth, she quickly added, “I am grateful for my lord’s thoughtfulness. But I have grown accustomed to being at home and have no wish to go out. If my lord finds the heat too oppressive, then let us speak to Grand Madam and move to the Drooping Line Waterside Pavilion for the summer.”

Xu Lingyi, thinking to himself that Shiyiniang on ordinary days was quite content to stay home without occasion to go out, smiled and said no more.

Shiyiniang then asked him: “Was it not said a few days ago that he had been appointed Deputy Magistrate of Chun’an? Why has it now changed to Magistrate of Wendeng County?”

Today Fifth Lady had not returned to her maternal home, saying that Qian Ming had a group of classmates coming over to visit, and she needed to receive them.

“Wendeng, though poor and remote, is after all a county to govern in one’s own right — it does not compare to going to Chun’an, where, prosperous as it is, one would be serving under another man’s authority.” Xu Lingyi explained. “Zi Chun has always been on good terms with the people in the Ministry of Personnel’s Bureau of Selection, and was willing to spend money. So naturally it was settled with a single conversation.”

“When Nanny Song went to deliver the Dragon Boat Festival gifts, Fifth Sister made no mention of it. I had been planning to go and visit after the festival.” Shiyiniang nodded. “Since she is leaving the capital at the end of the fifth month, I will go over tomorrow.”

—