Third Master could not linger long outside the Grand Madam’s rooms. He sat with Xu Lingyi for a while and spoke about Xu Sijian’s wedding. As the hour of Wei drew near, thinking the Grand Madam might be awake by now, he sent a page boy to inquire — but the page boy returned to report that the Grand Madam had taken Jin Ge’er to Eleventh Miss’s rooms. He took Xu Lingyi with him to the main hall, only to find the Grand Madam had already gone to Fifth Madam’s rooms.

Xu Lingkuan was still on duty at the palace and had not returned.

Third Master’s expression showed hesitation.

Eleventh Miss understood that the Grand Madam was avoiding him. She sighed inwardly and smiled: “Mother and Fifth Sister-in-law are discussing arrangements for Shen Ge’er’s first birthday celebration. Besides visiting the reception hall to check on the layout, she’ll also be listening to the performers from the De’yin troupe sing a passage or two later. Third Brother, if you have nothing pressing, why not stay and listen to an act as well?”

To barge in at this moment and ask about who would manage the accounts for Jian Ge’er’s wedding — wouldn’t that simply ruin the mood?

“If that’s the case, I’ll come another day!” Third Master smiled, chatted with Jin Ge’er for a little while, and then rose and took his leave.

Xu Lingyi asked Eleventh Miss: “What has happened?”

“Mother is upset with Third Brother.” Eleventh Miss told him the whole story. “…We’ll just have to wait until Mother’s temper cools before anything can be said.”

Xu Lingyi listened in silence for a moment, then said quietly: “It’s not such a serious matter. When the occasion arises, say a few words to Mother on Third Brother and Third Sister-in-law’s behalf.” His expression, however, was thoughtful.

Eleventh Miss smiled and agreed.

But the Grand Madam’s displeasure lasted far longer than anyone had anticipated.

Third Master and Third Madam could find no opportunity to raise the matter with the Grand Madam even after Shen Ge’er’s first birthday had passed. Third Madam grew anxious. She made a point of coming to pay her respects to the Grand Madam on the day of the small betrothal gift presentation for the Jin family — but the Grand Madam had gone to Second Madam’s rooms. Third Madam rushed over, only to stand in Shaonhua Courtyard for nearly half a day without catching even a glimpse of the Grand Madam.

This sudden coldness stung Third Madam’s pride, and she nursed her resentment quietly. On the day of the formal betrothal gift presentation to the Jin family, she claimed a headache and lay in bed unable to move. When Madam Huang arrived, the tea leaves were still scattered and unpacked, the geese were still cooped in the kitchen cage without their decorative ribbons, the maternal aunt from Third Madam’s family who had been agreed upon to go and present the gifts was nowhere to be seen.

Madam Huang was furious enough to turn pale, and turned to go straight to Lotus Flower Lane. It was Fang Shi who caught her by the sleeve: “If we go back and forth now, we’ll likely miss the auspicious hour. If Madam Huang doesn’t mind my slow hands, I’ll have a few people help me pack the items. As for the ceremonial hairpin — I have several new ones in my room. Whichever one looks good to Madam Huang, use it first. About the person to present the gifts: we can send someone to Third Madam’s family to fetch her aunt at once, while asking Fifth Aunt to come at the same time. We can say Fifth Aunt is being invited because she is a person blessed with both fortune and longevity, and ask her to come help pack the items. If the aunt arrives in time, we can smoothly ask Fifth Aunt to help with the packing. If the aunt doesn’t make it in time, we ask Fifth Aunt to go to the Jin family to present the gifts. That way, no one is offended, the situation is resolved, and the Grand Madam is not alarmed, so as to spare everyone discomfort.”

Madam Huang nodded along, and her gaze at Fang Shi shifted somewhat: “We’ll do as the Eldest Madam says.”

Fang Shi summoned all her personal attendants to help.

Third Madam lay in her room listening to the sounds outside. Just as the auspicious hour arrived, a few resounding honks of geese rose from outside.

She sat bolt upright. Just as she was about to call a young maid to go and ask, Xingjiao came in: “Madam, Madam — the Eldest Madam invited Fifth Madam to come and had her own attendants pack the items. Madam Huang has taken everything to the Jin family!”

Third Madam’s teeth clenched with fury.

Another young maid came running: “Third Madam’s maternal aunt has arrived!”

Xingjiao quickly helped Third Madam put on her shoes.

Third Madam’s sister-in-law from her maternal family had already lifted the curtain and stepped inside.

“Venting your frustrations is one thing, but you truly cannot let the auspicious hour for Jian Ge’er be delayed.” Her face was full of anxiety. “Quick — where are the gifts? I’ll go with Madam Huang at once.”

Third Madam had only intended to make the Grand Madam anxious — she had arranged for her maternal sister-in-law to come early and settle her in the rear annex room for just this moment. She had never expected things to turn out this way.

Her face flushed a deep, blotchy purple. She murmured the whole story haltingly: “…The entire household is full of her people. I refuse to believe that with my sister-in-law resting in the rear annex room, she had no idea what was happening.” Her expression had turned openly indignant.

Her sister-in-law understood perfectly well who “she” referred to. She dismissed the servants attending in the room and spoke in a low voice: “The way I see it, what you need to do right now is weed out those maids who won’t do as they’re told — either drive them away or sell them off. Strike the mountain to frighten the tiger. Once those old hands know who holds the power, they’ll fall in line. Without claws and teeth, how can she throw her weight around? When the time comes, you say she gets a meal, and only then will the kitchen give her a meal. You say she gets a sip of water, and only then will she have a sip of water…”

Third Madam hesitated: “But what if the Grand Madam finds out?”

“You’ve already divided off into your own household — even if she finds out, can she reach across and override you?” Third Madam’s sister-in-law was exasperated by her timidity. “Don’t forget — she is also a mother-in-law now. If the Grand Madam interferes with how you manage your own daughter-in-law, is the Grand Madam going to start managing you again too?”

Third Madam’s eyes lit up at those words. She called Xingjiao to help her change and do her hair: “Let’s get through Jian Ge’er’s wedding first. Then we’ll give the new bride a taste of authority from the start.”

“Exactly!” Third Madam’s sister-in-law let a faint smile show at last. “Speaking of the accounts for Jian Ge’er’s wedding — since the ceremony is being held in your courtyard, once the new bride has come through the door, set out a banquet, invite the people at the accounts table to the wedding feast, and have Gan Laoquan take his men to pack everything up. It’s that simple. Only you would be so flustered, insisting on getting every detail settled in advance!”

“Sister-in-law, how did I not think of that?” Third Madam seized on this like a lifeline — but then her expression faltered for a moment. “Doing it so openly — won’t people laugh at us?”

“What is there to laugh about!” Third Madam’s sister-in-law lowered her voice. “Back when the old Marquis passed away, our own dear, virtuous sister-in-law used exactly this method. How do you think I came to know it?”

Third Madam, hearing this, grew bolder still, and gave a slight nod. “Sister-in-law, you must be there to stand by me when the time comes.”

“Of course, of course!” Third Madam’s sister-in-law quickly said. “This is your private property — not in Lotus Flower Lane!”

Word of this little episode naturally reached the Grand Madam.

The Grand Madam only smiled and nodded. But at dinner that evening she ate barely half a bowl of rice.

Nanny Du went to invite Second Madam over.

“Third Master has always been a straightforward, uncomplicated man,” said Second Madam, fanning the Grand Madam. “How could he be expected to follow the twists and turns of your thinking? I’d say — you’re sitting here fuming, and he still has no idea what for. It’s like making eyes at a blind man…”

“You’re the one making eyes at a blind man!” The Grand Madam was clearly displeased at those words — but the heaviness sitting on her heart lifted considerably.

Second Madam and Nanny Du were unperturbed and laughed along.

“It was I who misspoke!” Second Madam helped the Grand Madam to her feet and took the mung bean soup from Nanny Du’s hands to give to her. “Boiled for only one quarter of an hour after the water came to a boil — no sugar added.”

The Grand Madam rose, took it, and drank a sip, then sighed: “I am his stepmother — even if I were in the wrong, he is the son, and he ought to yield. Just look at the things he’s been doing!” She let out another long sigh.

“Then just call Third Master in and give him a good scolding!” Second Madam laughed as she helped the Grand Madam knead her legs. “You’re carrying on like this — haven’t you also stopped treating him like a son? Besides,” she added, “if it were Fourth Master or Fifth Master who had done something like this, I expect you’d have already given them a firm slap by now, wouldn’t you?”

Words like these — only Second Madam would dare to say them.

Nanny Du shrank slightly and cast a sidelong glance at the Grand Madam.

The Grand Madam sat there in a daze, her expression vaguely blank.

The next day, the Grand Madam summoned Third Master into the household.

“You came looking for me several times the past few days — what was it about?”

“Nothing in particular!” Third Master smiled. “The new rooms have been decided and the craftsmen have come to replaster them. I just wanted to let Mother know.”

The Grand Madam looked at him for a long moment without speaking.

The attendants in the room all withdrew. From the west side room came the steady tick-tock of the tall standing clock, and it was loud enough to make Third Master’s heart grow uneasy.

“Mother…” His smile was beginning to stiffen.

“Third Son, do you know what it is about you that I find most unsatisfactory?” The Grand Madam sighed quietly.

Third Master was taken aback.

“What I find most unsatisfactory about you is that you have no consistency in how you speak and act.” The Grand Madam said frankly. “You wanted to establish your own household — so I allowed it. But a single stroke cannot write two characters of ‘Xu.’ Jian Ge’er grew up before my eyes. My wanting your Fourth Sister-in-law and Fifth Sister-in-law to help was meant to add some grandeur to the occasion and give you face before your in-laws. As for the gift money and the gift register — Fourth Son has been managing your household expenses all these years, and besides, families like the Loyal and Diligent Earl’s, the Marquis Weibei’s, and Elder Councilor Liang’s households — the gifts they give will also need to be reciprocated by him in the future. Even if those gifts went to Fourth Son, you should be able to work out that accounting. You have had years of managing household affairs alongside Fourth Son. You know better than anyone how he has treated you during that time. If you handed him every last coin of that gift money, he might not even want it. This is a good act of brotherly kindness that you, as an elder brother, are in a position to extend. Why not do it? Your wife is uncomfortable — but did you stop to think that he also has a wife? You know to fight for face in front of your wife; did you think that he also needs to have face before his own wife?”

“Mother…” Third Master’s face had gone crimson. “I… I…”

Now that the words had been spoken, the Grand Madam had no intention of letting them pass lightly.

“In some matters, I did not make myself clear to you. But in others, you simply have no backbone at all. Gan Shi does not understand — you should be the one to teach her. How can you let her say whatever she likes, and without a moment’s thought, simply follow along and get yourself tangled up in it? Does a woman confined to the inner household know better than a man who has been out in the world and seen something of it?” The Grand Madam spoke with measured gravity. “Third Son, there are things you need to think on carefully. Fourth Son found you an opportunity for an outside posting and even went out of his way to introduce a capable adviser to you — yet not only did you fail to make use of the opportunity, you slunk back to Yanjing with nothing to show for it. The sages said it well: to cultivate oneself, regulate one’s family, and bring peace to the realm. If you cannot even regulate your own family, how would you bring peace to the realm? I’ll speak plainly. When you returned this time, Fourth Son wanted to find another post for you — and it was I who, in one word, put a stop to it. I was angry at how little you strive, and I wanted to leave you to cool your heels for a while. But then came Jian Ge’er’s wedding, and you wavered back and forth, again and again… If you defer to a woman’s counsel in everything, then no matter how good a position you’re given, she’ll bring it to ruin with a few words — and in that case, it would be better to simply go and be your contented farmer in peace.”

“Mother…” Third Master lowered his head in shame.

The Grand Madam sighed softly: “Say a thousand things, tell ten thousand — it still comes down to whether you yourself can think it through.” She then took up her tea. “I am tired as well. In half a month it will be the joyous occasion for Jian Ge’er. Everyone else is busy writing invitation cards right now — with Fourth Son’s estate office to help, you have plenty of leisure. Why not put it to use: sit down and carefully think through everything that has happened from the time the match was proposed to the formal betrothal gift. That would be satisfaction enough for me.”

Third Master’s face was full of shame. He could not say a word. He bowed deeply and took his leave.