After seeing Madam Gao out, Second Madam closed her eyes and lay back in the chaise lounge in her study, a white jade armlet resting in her hand, which she slowly turned and smoothed — as though all her concentration were fixed on the raised and sunken cloud motifs beneath her fingertips.

Jiexiang came in carrying an autumn pear syrup served in a white sweet-glaze porcelain bowl on a red lacquer crabapple-shaped tray. Seeing Second Madam’s posture, a trace of hesitation crossed her face.

When Second Madam encountered something she found difficult to decide upon, she would lie on the chaise lounge and turn the white jade armlet — a relic left behind by the late Second Master, which had served as a paperweight — between her fingers.

Come to think of it, she had not seen Second Madam like this for some years!

Jiexiang wavered on whether to disturb her, but Second Madam had already opened her eyes. “Ah, it’s Jiexiang.”

Since Second Madam had already noticed her coming in, stepping back out would now be superfluous.

Jiexiang smiled in acknowledgment and carried the autumn pear syrup over.

Second Madam ate a few spoonfuls and then set it down, saying with a soft laugh, “Today’s flavor is a little different — it seems like hawthorn was added.”

“You noticed!” Jiexiang smiled. “I only added a tiny bit — I learned it from Fourth Madam. The Sixth Young Master has not been eating well lately, so Fourth Madam came up with this idea. But she was worried that too much would upset the stomach, so she uses only three hawthorn berries per pear. I noticed you haven’t had much of an appetite lately, so I tried it the same way Fourth Madam does.”

Second Madam gave a faint smile and set the barely-touched bowl of autumn pear syrup back onto the tray.

“Is it not to your taste?” Jiexiang wondered if she should go back to adding rock sugar as before.

“It tastes quite good!” Second Madam said. “I simply don’t want to eat right now. Take it and have it yourself.”

Jiexiang acknowledged this and bent to tidy away the bowl and spoon. Seeing Second Madam close her eyes again and settle back into the chaise lounge, she thought for a moment, then said, “Madam — was it something Madam Gao said when she came?”

Second Madam opened her eyes. Seeing the worry written plainly across Jiexiang’s face, she felt a warmth move through her.

Her mind went back to Madam Gao’s parting words.

“I know too that your sister-in-law was in the wrong when she broke her word — she went much too far. But she has some regrets about it now. If she did not, I would never have presumed to come and see you. Grown-ups’ matters are grown-ups’ matters — it would be a shame to let the children suffer for it. It will soon be the Double Ninth Festival. Your sister-in-law wishes to host a banquet at her home for the Grand Madam and Fourth Madam, and take the occasion to offer them an apology.”

She pointed toward a small stool nearby. “Come, sit down. Let’s talk.”

Jiexiang’s heart immediately rose into her throat.

Second Madam was not the sort of person who made casual conversation with those around her for no reason.

“Madam Gao came… hoping that I would step forward and reopen the matter of Rouner and Siyu’s marriage…” Second Madam gazed up at the green and blue checkered dust curtain above, her expression tinged with a kind of pensive sorrow.

Jiexiang had been fully aware of everything that had happened back then.

“How wonderful!” she could not help but exclaim, her spirits lifting at once. The matter of Young Master Xiang and the second young lady’s marriage had gradually become a source of quiet torment for Second Madam. “This way, it might also make up for the regret you’ve carried since then.” She allowed herself to imagine it: “The second young lady has such a gentle nature, and her needlework and embroidery are exceptional — surely she would win the favor of her mother-in-law.”

Second Madam said nothing, but a trace of bitterness showed on her face.

Jiexiang paused, genuinely turning the matter over in her mind. After a long moment she ventured carefully, “Are you afraid that Fourth Madam won’t agree?”

Second Madam shook her head slightly and sighed. “If it were only up to me, I would rather not become involved in this matter again. Yet thinking of Rouner, I find I cannot quite set my heart at ease. But given that my sister-in-law broke faith back then — how can I bring myself to raise this before Fourth Madam again?”

Which meant she still wanted to raise it before Fourth Madam.

Otherwise, why be so torn — so consumed by this air of helpless indecision?

Jiexiang offered a suggestion: “What about speaking with the Grand Madam? Did the Grand Madam not want this match to come together as well? And moreover, the Grand Madam has always been particularly fond of you…”

She had not even finished before Second Madam cut her off: “The Grand Madam is, after all, Siyu’s grandmother. How could she overstep the Marquis and Fourth Madam and make this decision about Siyu’s marriage on her own? Even if Fourth Madam were to agree out of filial deference, it would still be contrary to proper order — it would only put the Grand Madam in a difficult position. What is more, since Fourth Madam’s health has been gradually improving, the Grand Madam has ceased to involve herself in the inner household’s affairs. Partly because Fourth Madam has the ability to manage the household, and partly to allow the household to be run with proper standing. You must understand — we are all seniors in this family now. As above, so below. This must absolutely not be done.”

Jiexiang grew anxious. “Then — then Rouner’s marriage — are we just to let it go like that?” She couldn’t help but feel it was a pity.

Second Madam was quiet for a long while.

“Let me think on it a little more…” Her voice carried a note of helplessness.

Yet the very next day, on her way back from paying respects to the Grand Madam, she found herself walking, without quite realizing it, right to the gate of Shi’yiniang’s courtyard.

A little maidservant saw her and hurried inside to announce her. Shi’yiniang came out to meet her: “What brings Second Sister-in-law here for a visit? Please, come inside quickly!”

Little Jin Ge’er trailed after his mother like a small shadow, poking his head out to gaze at Second Madam with curious eyes.

Second Madam could not help but smile warmly, her mood lightening considerably.

She reached out to pat Jin Ge’er on the head — but Jin Ge’er dodged away and hid behind his mother.

“Please come in and sit, Second Sister-in-law!” Shi’yiniang said apologetically. “He is a little mischievous.”

It was unclear why, but Jin Ge’er always seemed a little wary of Second Madam — he was always somewhat reserved when he saw her.

“All little children are like that!” Second Madam said lightly, and went inside with Shi’yiniang.

The two sat over tea. Second Madam brought up the matter of Wang Jiubao’s execution, sighing and lamenting over it.

Zhuxiang, who was serving nearby, found the expression on her face a little odd.

What was there not to talk about — why bring up such things?

Fortunately, Shi’yiniang had often discussed affairs of the world with others in the past, and found nothing strange in it. Still, she quietly turned over in her mind what Second Madam’s purpose might be in coming. Yet even as Second Madam took her leave, she had still not been able to make it out.

That evening she brought it up with Xu Lingyi. “What do you suppose brought Second Sister-in-law here to talk about all this with me? Looking at her, she doesn’t seem to know about the children’s situation…” She looked at Xu Lingyi as she said this.

Xu Lingyi tweaked her nose. “With you already worrying on her behalf, why would I go and drag Second Sister-in-law into it?”

“So I’m the one with the hard lot in life, while Second Sister-in-law is the one living in ease!” Shi’yiniang traded jabs with Xu Lingyi.

“Whose fault is it that you married me!” Xu Lingyi laughed and drew Shi’yiniang into his arms. “You’re just going to have to toil alongside me!”

Shi’yiniang leaned against his chest, laughing.

Xu Lingyi said, “Second Sister-in-law has great ambitions, but she is a woman, and Second Brother passed away — she is confined to a corner, and naturally has moments of loneliness. If she seeks you out for conversation, whether you enjoy it or not, you should simply listen.”

“I know!” Shi’yiniang nestled in Xu Lingyi’s arms. “It’s just that it felt a little odd.”

Xu Lingyi then turned to the matter of Xu Siyu. “…The county school cannot compare to the Jinxi Academy. Once we have sent the one-month celebration gift to Zhen Jie’er, let Siyu return to Le’an. Aim for him to sit next year’s provincial examination. In the meantime, take these days to settle his marriage. Once he has established his own home, he can focus on his studies with a settled mind, and we can also give our full attention to preparing for Zhun Ge’er’s marriage!”

“There are quite a few people proposing matches, but finding a family that truly suits is not easy…” Shi’yiniang and Xu Lingyi murmured quietly together, and for the time being she set Second Madam’s visit aside.

Second Madam returned to the Shaohua Courtyard feeling rather regretful. She intended to find an opportunity to go back to Shi’yiniang’s rooms again — but before she could, Madam Xiang’s invitation card arrived first.

The Grand Madam glanced at it and passed the crimson gold-sprinkled invitation to Shi’yiniang. “You handle it as you see fit. I am old — allow me to be lazy. As for me…” She laughed cheerfully, gazing at Jin Ge’er, who was drawing on the polished blue brick floor of the inner chamber with chalk powder, and at Shen Ge’er, clumsy and stumbling as he toddled along behind Jin Ge’er. “…I shall stay at home with these two little treasures. Off you go — enjoy yourselves!”

Shi’yiniang had thought that, given the Grand Madam’s unusual closeness with Second Madam — more like friends than typical grandmother and granddaughter-in-law — the Grand Madam would most likely go when the Xiang family sent an invitation. That was precisely why she had brought the invitation for the Grand Madam to look over. She was therefore somewhat taken aback, and said, “That day, the Marquis has invited Elder Dou, Elder Liang, Master Wang, and others to climb the hills at West Mountain, and has asked me to help prepare the provisions. I am afraid I shall be rather occupied as well. How about asking Fifth Sister-in-law to accompany Second Sister-in-law instead?”

The Grand Madam agreed.

When Fifth Madam came to pay her respects, she was informed of this plan.

Fifth Madam’s face fell. “I promised Father I would take the children to visit him!”

The Grand Madam was roughly the same age as Old Marquis Sun and could understand how he felt — that the days were not many, and he wished to spend what time remained seeing more of his daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren. She had always been particularly lenient with Fifth Madam in this regard.

“Go, go!” the Grand Madam said warmly. “The military commander of Zhejiang is an old retainer of the Old Marquis — he must have sent a fine batch of crabs again this year. Remember to bring back two baskets for us to enjoy when you return.”

Fifth Madam agreed happily, then turned to Shi’yiniang. “Is there anything Fourth Sister-in-law would like? My father has a subordinate posted as a garrison commander in Jinhua, and every year without fail he sends up some of the finest Jinhua rice wine. I can bring a few jars back for Fourth Sister-in-law as well — for your own enjoyment, or for gifts, it’s all good!”

“Then I won’t stand on ceremony!” Shi’yiniang said, smiling, though in her heart she was fretting — could it really be that Second Madam would have to attend the banquet alone?

She could only instruct Zhuxiang to prepare an outfit and accessories. On the morning of the Double Ninth Festival, she rose early to get Xu Lingyi’s things in order, then carried Jin Ge’er over to the Grand Madam’s rooms. “I should be back after the midday meal!”

“Not to worry, not to worry!” the Grand Madam said warmly. “It’s rare for you to go out — drink a little wine, admire some chrysanthemums. Stay through the evening meal — there is absolutely no need to rush back. As for our Jin Ge’er, he can play with Grandmother just as merrily, can’t he, Jin Ge’er?”

These days Jin Ge’er had become utterly absorbed in drawing on the blue brick floor of the Grand Madam’s inner chamber. Sometimes Shi’yiniang would scold him a little and tell him that if he wanted to draw, he should go to his own room. The Grand Madam, however, thought nothing of it — she had assigned a maidservant to stand nearby with a cloth, wiping away the chalk powder so that Jin Ge’er always had a fresh surface to draw on. She was even discussing having the floor of the covered veranda replaced with the same blue bricks so that Jin Ge’er would have more room. Jin Ge’er grew more enthusiastic with every passing day. Hearing his grandmother ask him, he nodded at once. “I’ll play with Grandmother!” He could not have been more eager for Shi’yiniang to hurry up and leave.

Shi’yiniang didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She went with Second Madam to the Xiang household.

The moment she stepped down from the carriage, she saw Madam Xiang and Madam Gao standing in front of the second gate, all smiles.

“I’ve been waiting and waiting for you to come!” Madam Xiang said warmly, taking Shi’yiniang’s hand, then craning her neck to look past her. “Where is the Grand Madam?” Seeing that there was only one carriage behind, and the nanny accompanying it was helping Second Madam down from the carriage, she blinked. “Did the Grand Madam not come with you?”

“Mother is getting on in years, and the weather today is quite warm,” Shi’yiniang said with a smile. “The Marquis kept her at home.”

“The weather is rather warm today!” Madam Gao agreed pleasantly, and invited Shi’yiniang and Second Madam inside. Neither she nor Madam Xiang showed the slightest dissatisfaction over the Grand Madam’s absence.

Shi’yiniang found this quietly puzzling.

—