“You have done your father proud!” The Grand Madam took Xu Siyu by the hand and looked him over from left to right and up and down, joy flowing from the corners of her eyes and the arch of her brows all the way down to the depths of her gaze.

Xu Siyu respectfully answered “yes,” his own happiness evident for all to see.

Fifth Madam called out to Luo Shiyiniang from beside her, “A celebration — for such a happy occasion, we simply must celebrate!”

Luo Shiyiniang pressed her lips together in a smile, her gaze falling on Xu Siyu.

She herself had no particular opinion, only that Xu Lingyi had made his feelings known — it was nothing more than passing the licentiate examination, not placing first in the imperial examinations. To make a great fuss about it would be frivolous and over-eager, inviting ridicule.

She understood Xu Lingyi’s concern.

Xu Siyu’s road ahead was still long. A modest measure of celebration was fine, but going too far would not serve him well. If he failed to pass the provincial and metropolitan examinations in due course, it would only become fodder for others to mock.

Xu Siyu had a very clear-eyed view of his own future. This was only the first step, and the truly difficult part lay ahead. Such was life — one only earned the right to laugh when one had endured to the very end. He was not yet in a position to claim that right.

Seeing Luo Shiyiniang’s gaze settle on him, he gave her a slight nod. He smiled and said to the Grand Madam, “Grandmother, it is a little too soon to speak of such things. I would rather wait until I have placed in the imperial examinations and attended the Qionglin Banquet before we celebrate properly!”

Second Madam, sitting beside the Grand Madam, nodded approvingly upon hearing this, and before the Grand Madam could speak, she said with a warm smile, “To remain composed in both glory and hardship — that is the bearing of a true gentleman. Passing the licentiate examination is proof that these years of effort and hardship were not in vain. Seeing this, we elders are glad for you too. Not arranging a little gathering would make it hard for us to feel at ease.” She smiled and looked over at the Grand Madam. “What if we simply invite the family relatives for a meal? Celebrate together in a lively fashion, without making too grand a show of it!”

The Grand Madam laughed happily at this.

“You may decide between yourselves,” the elder woman said, turning to Fifth Madam. “In any case, I had a fine feast at Shen Ge’er’s first birthday celebration. Now with Siyu passing his licentiate examination,” she turned to Second Madam, “my share of the festivities is not to be skipped either. As for me, at my age, to have things like this — that is a truly blessed life. I’ll simply eat my fill and be content.” She then affectionately patted Jin Ge’er, who was sitting nearby happily playing with Shen Ge’er, on the head and asked him, “Jin Ge’er, is Grandmother right?”

Jin Ge’er had not heard a word of what the Grand Madam had been saying. He looked up at her with an expression of complete bewilderment.

The Grand Madam laughed all the more cheerfully.

She scooped Jin Ge’er up and gave him a hearty kiss on the cheek.

Shen Ge’er saw this and toddled over to throw himself into the Grand Madam’s arms, clinging to her neck and refusing to let go.

“Oh my!” The Grand Madam feigned a scolding. “Grandmother is old — she can’t take you carrying on like this!”

Fifth Madam quickly stepped forward to take Shen Ge’er. He was unhappy about it, but the Grand Madam produced a sweet to coax him, and laughter filled the room, making it livelier than ever.

Luo Shiyiniang then said, “In that case, please let the Grand Madam choose an auspicious day. We will invite family and friends for a meal.” Remembering how Second Madam had just gently overridden Fifth Madam’s suggestion, she worried about leaving Fifth Madam feeling awkward, and asked her, “Fifth Sister-in-law, would you like to invite people for a theatrical performance as well?”

Fifth Madam glanced toward the Grand Madam.

“Why not!” The Grand Madam smiled. “I think we should invite Zhou Huide from the Deyin Troupe to perform The Golden Sable Record.”

Everyone of course agreed enthusiastically. Nanny Du brought out the almanac to select a date, Luo Shiyiniang and Fifth Madam discussed who to invite that day, what dishes to serve, and where the performance would take place. Second Madam asked Xu Siyu about his recent visits to the prefectural magistrate and his examination cohort. Xu Sizhun and Xu Sijie were murmuring quietly to each other, with Xin Jie’er chiming in from time to time. Jin Ge’er and Shen Ge’er played together, and the room was more clamorous than a New Year’s celebration.

Third Master and Third Madam arrived with their son and his wife.

“I hear Siyu has passed the licentiate examination,” Third Master said with an earnest smile. Third Madam’s expression looked slightly uneasy. “I ordered a set of the four scholarly treasures from Duobao Pavilion — consider it a gift of congratulation.” At his words, Xu Siqin came forward smiling, cradling a square box wrapped in sapphire-blue silk.

“Congratulations, Second Brother!” His eyes held a look of admiration.

Xu Siyu accepted the box and gave his thanks with a smile.

Xu Sijian immediately began clamoring for Xu Siyu to treat everyone.

“No one will be left out — that goes without saying!” The Grand Madam looked on with a smile. “You all come on the tenth of the eighth month. Everyone will drink and watch the opera together to celebrate your Second Brother!”

“That doesn’t count, that doesn’t count!” Xu Sijian protested. “That is Grandmother’s share. Second Brother still owes us his own celebration!”

“Fair enough!” Xu Siyu laughed generously. “Whatever you say, I’ll do!”

Xu Sijian’s eyes began turning like spinning tops.

Sitting nearby, Jin-shi grew anxious and quickly tugged at Xu Sijian’s sleeve.

Everyone had been holding their breath waiting to hear what Xu Sijian would say, and naturally they all saw her gesture clear as day.

Third Madam’s face flushed a deep red. She said quietly and sharply to Jin-shi, “What do you think you’re doing?”

Xu Sijian looked uncomfortable too, shook off his sleeve, and said in a muffled voice, “You go stand over there!”

Jin-shi was filled with shame and embarrassment, tears brimming in her eyes as she lowered her head.

Fang-shi quickly stepped forward and put her arm around Jin-shi’s shoulders.

Jin-shi looked up at Fang-shi, a glimmer of gratitude in her eyes.

The Grand Madam took this all in and curved her lips slightly, beckoning Jin-shi. “Good child, come here to Grandmother!”

Jin-shi hesitated. Fang-shi gave her a gentle push.

She walked haltingly to stand before the Grand Madam.

The Grand Madam took her by the hand and spoke to Xu Sijian. “What, your wife is not allowed to manage you? Have you been going off with those Imperial Guard companions to some pleasure house and coming home in the middle of the night?”

“No, no!” Xu Sijian waved his hands quickly. “The other day a colleague celebrated the birth of a son, and I had a couple extra cups to drink… That was all it was.” He then glanced at Jin-shi. “And she went on and on about it without stopping!”

Jin-shi bowed her head, her expression carrying a trace of quiet grievance, and said nothing.

The Grand Madam watched this and smiled, then said to Jin-shi, “That is where you are at fault. When a man is out and about in the world, drinking a little more at a social occasion is nothing unusual. You ought to tend to him well — how can you go on nagging endlessly without letting it go? You must not behave like this in future. If you do, Grandmother will be displeased!”

Jin-shi hurriedly made assurances to the Grand Madam, flustered. “I understand. I would never dare again!”

The Grand Madam replied with a sound of approval, then turned her head and began speaking to Third Madam. “For the Mid-Autumn Festival, I’ll be going to Lingqiong Mountain Villa to enjoy the moon. The weather hasn’t been good this year, so the osmanthus blooms aren’t as fragrant as in other years. Yizhen did not brew osmanthus wine, but she did brew green plum wine. Come and try some when the time comes.”

Third Madam answered “yes” with a touch of listlessness.

Since Xu Sijian had married, the Grand Madam had not once invited her into the residence outside of the Lunar New Year, Dragon Boat Festival, and Mid-Autumn Festival. Even on the occasions when she did come, she was sometimes kept for the midday meal but never for the evening meal. She had not so much as had the opportunity to spend a single night in the Marquis Yongping residence. Finding a pretext to stay was impossible.

Thinking of all this, she found herself turning it over in her mind.

It was clear the Grand Madam was resolved to send her out to live separately. If that was the case, she was also a mother-in-law in the making. It would be better for her to come pay her respects only on the first and fifteenth of each month. That way she would not have to rise early every morning and make her way through several streets to get to Lotus Lane, unable to manage things at home in a timely way, while the household servants still looked to Fang-shi for direction…

Third Madam made up her mind, and on the way home she discussed it with Third Master.

Before she even finished speaking, Third Master’s face had already darkened. “Is this any way for a daughter-in-law to speak? Are you suggesting that Qin Ge’er’s wife and Jian Ge’er’s wife should both follow your example?”

These words were spoken very harshly.

Third Madam’s expression shifted, and she said guiltily, “I was thinking that Qin Ge’er’s wife is nearly due to give birth…”

Third Master’s expression softened somewhat, but he still said sharply, “Never say such things again!”

Third Madam complied with repeated murmurs of assent. She stepped down from the carriage and glanced back without thinking — only to see her younger son standing at the carriage step with an ingratiating expression, speaking to someone inside the carriage.

She could not help feeling a surge of vexation.

Her eldest son was obedient to her face and defiant behind her back. Her younger son was all bluster with no backbone. Not a single matter in the household went the way she wanted.

She called out loudly, “Jian Ge’er!”

Xu Sijian was startled and, abandoning Jin-shi, hurried to his mother’s side in three quick strides.

“What are you doing?” Third Madam’s face was iron-grey. “And where is your wife? Why hasn’t she gotten down from the carriage? Has she sprained her ankle? Shall I send a matron to carry her down on her back?”

Even as she spoke, Jin-shi moved quickly and stepped down from the carriage. Hearing these words, she could not help trembling, her face awash with dismay.

Third Madam let out a cold snort, turned, and walked through the inner gate.

Xu Sijian stared at Jin-shi with a disgruntled expression and grumbled in a low voice, “Look at what you’ve done — you’ve made Mother angry again!”

Jin-shi was deeply ashamed.

If she hadn’t been petulant just now, how would it have come to this — making her mother-in-law angry and putting her husband in a difficult position!

The thought of it brought a reddening to her eyes. “It is all my fault!”

“Forget it!” Xu Sijian looked somewhat pained. “I shouldn’t have spoken to you like that in front of our aunts.” He sighed and turned to go inside.

Jin-shi stood where she was, stamping her foot.

A sound of muffled laughter came from nearby.

She startled and looked around.

She saw Fang-shi’s smiling face.

“Now I finally understand what it means to say one thing and mean another!” Fang-shi said with playful mockery. “I spent the whole journey home worrying, even thinking of coming over to have a word with the two of you. And it turns out you were already perfectly sweet with each other the whole time. Here I was pouring out all my concern for nothing.” She let out a long sigh. “It seems I was being altogether too sentimental and worrying myself over nothing!”

“Sister-in-law!” Jin-shi pouted and took Fang-shi by the arm. “How can you tease me like this!”

Fang-shi smiled and then grew serious, saying quietly, “Sister, that is just the way Mother-in-law’s temperament is. Don’t take it to heart.”

“I know!” Jin-shi nodded. “Father-in-law lost his post, and Mother-in-law has been unhappy all along. I won’t take it to heart.” Then she smiled and tugged at Fang-shi. “Let’s hurry to the main rooms! Otherwise Mother-in-law will lose her temper again!”

Fang-shi smiled and gave a sound of agreement, letting Jin-shi take her by the arm as they walked into the inner courtyard.

Xu Lingyi looked through the list of names on the red-and-gold paper carefully before raising his head. “You left out Jiang Yunfei’s invitation?”

Luo Shiyiniang set down her needlework. “This is a family gathering. I felt that inviting Jiang Yunfei was not quite appropriate.”

Xu Lingyi gave an approving nod, handed the red-and-gold paper back to Luo Shiyiniang, and said, “Proceed with this arrangement!”

Luo Shiyiniang accepted it with a smile.

Xu Lingyi patted the cushion beside him. “Come, sit here and talk!”

Luo Shiyiniang sat over. “What would the Marquis like to discuss?”