The first pregnancy of the eldest daughter-in-law — and the one sent to announce the news was Fang Shi’s own personal nanny.

Eleventh Young Miss gave nothing away in her expression and called Nanny Fang in to ask. “…When was the happy pulse detected? How has the First Young Mistress been these past days? Is there anything in particular she has been craving?”

Nanny Fang proved to be a woman of considerable wit, and her answer was most entertaining. “She hadn’t been quite herself since the New Year — but with so much happening in the household, and her always in attendance at the Third Madam’s room, she hadn’t paid it much mind. Two days ago she suddenly began vomiting in the morning, and only then was a physician called in. That was when the happy pulse was confirmed.” Her smiling face was radiant from brow to eye-corner. “The Third Master was overjoyed — he was ready to come at once and bring the news to the Grand Madam in person. It was the Third Madam who said that what is spoken can be hard to take back — she urged the Third Master to steady himself, have two more physicians come to confirm the diagnosis, and only then report to the Old Ancestor, so that there would be no mistake. That is why we have delayed until today to bring the news.” She smiled and gave Eleventh Young Miss a curtsy. “This servant congratulates the Fourth Madam on being about to become a great-aunt by marriage.” Then she added, “The First Young Mistress is generally of robust constitution, and the child is well-behaved — aside from some discomfort in the mornings, there is nothing else amiss. It is only that she has been craving dried fish and dried shrimp. As it happened, some arrived from Huzhou as a gift during the New Year, but the First Young Mistress gave it all away to guests as local delicacies. Now that she wants it, there is none left. That said, the First Young Mistress has already sent word to Huzhou asking them to send some dried fish and dried shrimp.” She then added with a touch of amusement, “I told our First Young Mistress — by the time that dried fish and dried shrimp makes the journey from Huzhou, the little young master may well be born already! The First Young Mistress is usually such a restrained and composed person, but at a time like this, she has turned almost childlike — giving in to sudden cravings. It just goes to show that even the most sensible woman, when carrying a child, will sometimes do a few things that make no sense at all!”

Eleventh Young Miss held back a laugh with considerable effort. She instructed Zhuxiang, “Go and send some of the dried fish and shrimp that arrived from Bowstring Alley over for Nanny Fang to take back. And wrap up some of the ginseng, bird’s nest, rock sugar, and red dates — the kind that replenish blood and strengthen the constitution — and send those along as well.” She then turned to Nanny Fang. “I also came over as a bride from the Jiangnan region. My family, fearing I would miss the tastes of home here in Yanjing, always includes a large assortment of such things when they send festival gifts. Items like these are hard for others to come by, but I have quite a supply. There is no need to go to the trouble of writing all the way to Huzhou.”

Nanny Fang immediately laughed. “Our First Young Mistress was only giving them out to entertain relatives and neighbors — ten baskets of dried fish and shrimp were gone in a flash. Though we knew the Fourth Madam’s family would send some as well, we dared not presume upon something set aside for your own table.” She curtsied deeply to Eleventh Young Miss three times. “I thank you in advance on behalf of our First Young Mistress. Once I return and report to her, she will come personally to express her gratitude.”

Nanny Fang’s true purpose had been simply to convey a few messages. Whether Fang Shi genuinely craved dried fish and shrimp or not was beside the point.

Eleventh Young Miss spoke with her a little longer, then led her to give the news to the Grand Madam.

The Grand Madam was naturally beside herself with delight and asked things such as “How far along is she? Is the pregnancy going well?” Nanny Fang answered without a single misstep. She not only relayed to the Grand Madam what she had told Eleventh Young Miss — rephrased in an entirely different way — but also seized the opportunity to mention the matter of attendants. “…All of us here have served in the Fang household for generations. We are not familiar with the rules of your household and often feel fearful of making mistakes.”

The Grand Madam gave a soft sound of acknowledgment and took on a thoughtful expression. She pondered for a moment, then asked Eleventh Young Miss, “Are Nanny Tian and Nanny Wan still in Danyang serving?”

Nanny Tian and Nanny Wan were the household’s dedicated specialists in the care of expectant and new mothers, highly experienced in all such matters, and among the nannies the Grand Madam trusted most.

Nanny Fang had not anticipated the Grand Madam thinking in this direction. She could not quite suppress the flash of delight that crossed her eyes as she listened.

Whether or not this came to anything, now that the Grand Madam had such intentions, their circumstances would surely not remain as difficult as they were now.

She held herself still and quiet, listening intently to the Grand Madam and Eleventh Young Miss speak.

“They are still there!” Eleventh Young Miss, the longer she spent in the Grand Madam’s company, the more she came to appreciate how the old woman seemed to take no hand in things — yet whenever she did act, there was always a deeper purpose behind it. “Little Brother’s youngest has not yet been weaned — the Fifth Sister-in-law kept both nannies with her.”

“Then do let her know,” the Grand Madam said. “The First Young Mistress is with child now, and all those serving by her side came from the Jiangnan region. The climate and the food are quite different here — without someone experienced to guide them, there will be gaps. Have Nanny Tian go and attend to her for a period of time.”

Eleventh Young Miss smiled and answered, “Yes.” Nanny Fang bit her lip, barely managing to hold back her smile, bent her knees, and gave her thanks to the Grand Madam.

When the Fifth Madam learned of this, she immediately sent Nanny Shi to accompany Nanny Tian to Sanjing Alley and brought generous parcels of medicinal herbs for Fang Shi as well.

Fang Shi was resting quietly at home, not convenient for outings. By the third month, when the pregnancy was stable, Fang Shi came in person to offer her thanks to the Grand Madam, Eleventh Young Miss, and the Fifth Madam.

The Grand Madam took Fang Shi’s hands and looked her over from head to toe, then said to Jin Shi, who stood beside her with a cheerful smile, “You ought to learn from your sister-in-law!”

Jin Shi did not come to Lotus Flower Pavilion as frequently as Fang Shi did. Each time she came, she followed behind the Third Madam, and both Eleventh Young Miss and the Fifth Madam had little personal familiarity with her. But since her marriage had been arranged by the Grand Madam, the Grand Madam naturally felt a warm closeness toward her, and the people of Lotus Flower Pavilion, from top to bottom, showed her no neglect.

Hearing the Grand Madam say this, her face turned bright red and she ducked behind the Third Madam.

The Third Madam immediately came to her defense. “She has only just arrived in the household. Our First Young Mistress was not with child right away either.” She did not glance at Fang Shi once.

The Grand Madam smiled and nodded, then went on to instruct Fang Shi on various matters to be careful about.

Xin Jie’er came running over and tugged at Jin Shi’s sleeve. “Third Sister-in-law, didn’t you say last time that you wanted to see my Baibai and Lvlv? I tied red hair ribbons for Baibai and Lvlv — they look so pretty. Do you want to see?”

Jin Shi glanced at the Third Madam with eyes that blinked and shone with longing.

Never mind the Third Madam — even the Grand Madam’s heart melted at the sight of her, and with a smile she waved her hand. “Go! Go!” Then she instructed those around her, “All of you be careful — do not let the Second Young Miss or the Third Young Mistress bump or fall.” And to Xin Jie’er and Jin Shi she said, “Don’t just play — come back early for the midday meal.” She treated Jin Shi with the same warm affection she showed Xin Jie’er and Jin Ge’er.

The Third Madam was greatly pleased and quickly urged, “Since Grandmother has said so, go quickly and come back soon!”

Jin Shi gave a cheerful “Yes!” and took Xin Jie’er’s hand happily as they headed out together. “Why did you tie red hair ribbons on them? Will Baibai and Lvlv be hurt?”

Xin Jie’er’s voice rang out clear as a bell: “Jin Ge’er tied red hair ribbons on his dog too, and had Yumei and the others make little flower coats for the dog. I’m planning to make flower coats for Baibai and Lvlv too…”

The two figures — one tall, one small — went skipping off into the distance.

The Grand Madam laughed warmly.

The Third Madam spoke from beside her. “We are so grateful that you arranged such a fine match for Jian Ge’er — though the father-in-law and mother-in-law are quiet people, they are honest and sincere through and through. Jin Shi has a child’s sunny ways about her, yet she is genuine and warm-hearted with everyone. That is also Jian Ge’er’s good fortune!”

The Grand Madam, however, did not pick up the thread and continue the conversation. Instead she took a sip of her tea and turned to Fang Shi, who stood to one side smiling with gentle composure. “If there is anything you do not understand, ask Nanny Tian.”

Fang Shi quickly inclined her head. “Yes.”

The Third Madam saw this, and the smile on her face faded perceptibly, the brightness dimming from her expression.

After that, quite a few rumors made their way to Lotus Flower Pavilion.

First it was said that the Third Madam took Jin Shi everywhere with her, and used the pretext of the First Young Mistress’s pregnancy to have her hand over her management token to Jin Shi. Then it was said that the First Young Mistress had indeed handed the token to Jin Shi, and though Jin Shi accepted it, the very first time she was reconciling accounts with the dried-goods shop clerks, she overpaid them by more than twenty taels of silver. The Third Madam was so furious she took to her bed for two days, and then took the token back into her own hands.

These were after all matters internal to the Third Madam’s household. Those in Lotus Flower Pavilion heard the talk and let it pass. But Lotus Flower Pavilion had affairs of its own.

The day before the Grand Madam’s birthday, the Fifth Madam was found to be with child again. The old woman’s smile had scarcely had time to fade before a letter arrived from Cangzhou, reporting that Zhen Jie’er was expecting, with a due date at the end of the tenth month or the beginning of the eleventh. Close on its heels came word that the Twelfth Young Miss had given birth to her eldest daughter; that Lanting’s wife had given birth to their second son; that a grandchild had been born to Elder Dou’s family; that a daughter had been married off from Elder Dou’s family; that the Fifth Young Miss had given birth to her eldest daughter — and all of this was punctuated by the Dragon Boat Festival in the middle. Invitations to banquets came one after another. By the time a moment of quiet arrived, it was already the early days of the seventh month.

The summer that year was hotter than any in recent memory. A few rains had fallen in the early fifth month, and then it had been unrelentingly clear skies ever since. Every gust of wind brought nothing but a wave of heat. The trees drooped their branches listlessly. Jin Ge’er’s six white Pekingese dogs were lined up in a row, lying in the shade of the eaves with their tongues hanging out.

The Fifth Madam came in and was startled by the sight.

“How did he end up with so many?” She was five months along and visibly showing. She had come all this way and despite the covered walkways, arrived in a great sweat, her delicate face flushed red as a sunset cloud. “Fourth Sister-in-law, you really ought to keep Jin Ge’er in check. It gives anyone who sees them a fright.”

Zhuxiang, hearing the commotion, quickly lifted the curtain and welcomed the Fifth Madam inside.

A rush of cool air swept forward, and the Fifth Madam let out a long, grateful breath.

“In heat like this, whatever it is, just have one of the maids pass a message.” Eleventh Young Miss came out from the inner chamber in a white three-thread Songjiang cloth jacket. Her ink-black hair was pinned up loosely with a small silver hairpin into a low chignon. Her sleeves were rolled up to the elbow, revealing the jade bracelet on her wrist — luminous and clear green, making the arm it encircled look all the more frostlike and white. The sight of it made one feel a few degrees cooler.

“Sitting at home is just as hot,” the Fifth Madam said. She and Eleventh Young Miss went into the inner chamber — every corner was packed with blocks of ice, making it considerably cooler than the outer hall.

Jin Ge’er wore a pale blue bellyband embroidered with the pattern “abundance year after year,” lying on his side on the heated platform. The maid A’jin sat beside him, fanning him slowly. His plump little hand was curled tightly into a fist by his cheek, and he was sound asleep.

The Fifth Madam slowed her steps involuntarily, and she and Eleventh Young Miss settled into the armchairs nearby.

Zhuxiang brought out watermelon that had been chilled in well water.

The two of them ate watermelon and chatted.

“Women carrying children feel the heat especially,” Eleventh Young Miss said with a smile. “Why not ask Nanny Wan — see if it would be all right to have a few more blocks of ice put in your room?”

“I already asked.” The cool sweetness made the Fifth Madam reach for another slice. “She didn’t dare make the decision herself.” Then she brought up Fang Shi. “…Apparently Magistrate Fang has resigned from his post, and Madam Fang is coming north with her son to see the First Young Mistress. They will arrive at the start of next month!”

—