“Madam!” Zhuxiang smiled and gave Shiyiniang a small curtsy. “Fourth Young Master and Fifth Young Master are accompanying the Grand Madam and listening to the opera. Ge Jin and Xi’er are both attending them.”
As long as they were not mingling with those performers, that was all that mattered.
Overcorrecting would only invite suspicion.
Shiyiniang gave her instructions. “There are many guests today, and I cannot keep an eye on everything. Tell Ge Jin and Xi’er to attend carefully and make sure neither young master bumps or jostles anything.”
Zhuxiang smiled and acknowledged this, then returned to the main hall.
The Grand Madam of the Gan family laughed gently. “Children grow up; you have to let go eventually. You are being overly cautious.”
“I understand that perfectly well!” Shiyiniang laughed. “It’s just that Jin Ge’er has only just moved out — I’m still not quite used to it. I’m sure I’ll be able to gradually let go as time passes.”
“That’s true!” the Grand Madam of the Gan family said with a smile. “After all, he’s been at your side for so many years. Never mind a lively little soul like him — even a cat or dog that suddenly isn’t there anymore will be missed.”
“Indeed.”
The two of them chatted and laughed together, watching as the sun gradually weakened. A chill had crept into the air there in the pavilion. Shiyiniang quickly called for Xu Sijian and had the children brought ashore.
Jin Ge’er was the first to jump off the boat, his cheeks rosy and flushed. “Mother, I want to row more, I want to row more!”
Shen Ge’er followed close on his heels, mimicking Jin Ge’er as he ran to Shiyiniang, echoing him, “Mother, I want to row more, I want to row more!” Clutching the hem of Jin Ge’er’s clothes, copying everything Jin Ge’er said, he was like a little tail — so utterly natural and endearing that words could not express it.
Everyone burst into laughter.
Xin Jie’er, standing at the prow of the boat waiting for Xu Sijian to lift her down, stamped her feet. “Shen Ge’er, I’m going to tell Mother on you, and then you’d better watch out for getting your bottom smacked!”
Shen Ge’er had no idea what he had done wrong. He turned to look at Xin Jie’er, pouting, his expression thoroughly innocent.
Everyone laughed again.
Xu Sijian teased Xin Jie’er. “Oh my, we have a fierce young miss here!”
Xin Jie’er was furious. She pushed Xu Sijian aside, lifted her skirts, and jumped off the boat herself.
Madam Jin quickly stepped forward to take Xin Jie’er’s hand, quietly scolding Xu Sijian. “You’re always like this — perfectly fine, and then you’ve made someone cry!”
Xu Sijian laughed awkwardly.
Madam Jin put her arm around Xin Jie’er. “We won’t pay any attention to your Third Uncle. In a moment, Third Sister-in-law will go with you to change your clothes. We’ll dress you up beautifully and go pay our respects to all the ladies.”
Xin Jie’er nodded, her expression considerably improved.
The Grand Madam of the Gan family watched them, then smilingly took Jin Ge’er by the hand. “Come, let’s go eat.”
Jin Ge’er stood there and didn’t budge. “I want to row, I want to row.” He pursed his lips, squirmed, and pouted.
The Grand Madam of the Gan family’s heart softened completely. A flicker of hesitation passed through her eyes, and she looked over at Shiyiniang. “Why not let him row a little longer? It’s still early. Just have the maids add a layer of clothing for him!”
Once a decision has been made, one ought not reverse it — especially not in response to a child’s wheedling or tears. Children are exceptionally adept at reading expressions. If it happens enough times, it gives them the mistaken impression that whatever they dislike can be overcome simply through pouting or crying. Once they learn that, whenever they encounter something they do not like, they will pout or cry until they get their way.
Shiyiniang crouched down and gently coaxed her son. “Let’s go eat first, and come row again tomorrow. All right?”
Jin Ge’er, usually quite amenable to reason, was unusually contrary today. He nestled against the Grand Madam of the Gan family and gripped her hand tightly, shaking his head with stubborn determination. “I want to row!”
Shen Ge’er, seeing this, pressed himself against the Grand Madam of the Gan family in the same way. “I want to row!”
The onlookers found it amusing, and all broke into laughter.
Shiyiniang noticed that Jin Ge’er’s expression was growing more resolute.
This child — he was entirely too clever for his own good!
“Jin Ge’er!” She darkened her expression and stretched out his name in a warning tone. “If you listen to Mother now, you may continue rowing tomorrow. If you do not listen to Mother, do not expect to row tomorrow. Mother always means what she says. Think carefully about whether you will listen to her or not.”
A look of uncertainty crossed Jin Ge’er’s face.
The Grand Madam of the Gan family felt Shiyiniang was being too strict with the child. Her lips parted slightly, and she was about to say something, but then saw Shiyiniang shake her head at her and swallowed her words back. Everyone else present was either a junior or a child who did not understand — they were even less in a position to speak.
Jin Ge’er looked around at everyone, then lowered his little head. “I’ll listen to Mother.”
Shiyiniang let out a breath of relief and, as a reward, leaned in to kiss Jin Ge’er’s small cheek. “Good boy. Tomorrow we’ll come rowing again!”
Jin Ge’er nodded, still a little unhappy inside.
The Grand Madam of the Gan family quickly moved to spare his feelings.
“All right, all right, let us go eat.” She took Jin Ge’er’s hand and walked away. “Jin Ge’er, are my green rice cakes good? There are also ones with crabapple filling, osmanthus filling, and rose filling. I’ll make a few of each kind and bring them for you to try tomorrow — how does that sound?”
Jin Ge’er made no reply, his expression somewhat sulky.
Shen Ge’er ran to the Grand Madam of the Gan family’s side and quickly grabbed her other hand. “I want some too, I want some too!”
Everyone burst into laughter again.
The mood lightened considerably.
Jin Ge’er had already forgotten about his earlier unhappiness; his brow and eyes smoothed out, and he called out cheerfully, “I want to come to your house and swing on the swing — I don’t want to eat green rice cakes.”
Whenever Shiyiniang brought Jin Ge’er to visit the Grand Madam of the Gan family, the Grand Madam always had much to say to Shiyiniang, and fearing that Jin Ge’er would grow bored, she had specifically had a swing erected in front of the rear courtyard building. She could chat with Shiyiniang while accompanying Jin Ge’er on the swing at the same time.
Hearing this, she immediately laughed. “Very well — whenever you come to visit, I will accompany you on the swing.”
Jin Ge’er brightened up, craned his head to look up at the Grand Madam of the Gan family. “I also want to eat five-colored fish.”
“Good, good, good.” The Grand Madam of the Gan family smiled down at him warmly. “I’ll cook it myself — five-colored fish for Jin Ge’er. And not only five-colored fish, but also peanut brittle.” Her expression and tone were wholly indulgent.
Jin Ge’er was satisfied. He happily followed the Grand Madam along as they walked out. “A’Cai is not allowed to serve me. She dropped my spoon on the floor last time.”
A’Cai was a young maid in the Grand Madam of the Gan family’s service.
“She won’t serve you.” The Grand Madam replied at once. “I’ll feed Jin Ge’er myself!”
Jin Ge’er burst into delighted laughter.
Shen Ge’er said, “I want to eat too, I want to eat too!”
“Of course!” the Grand Madam of the Gan family laughed. “When the time comes, Shen Ge’er and Jin Ge’er will both come visit me.”
Shen Ge’er broke into a smile.
The Grand Madam of the Gan family held one child in each hand and slowly departed Liufang Grove.
Shiyiniang and Xu Sijian walked behind them. Listening, Shiyiniang’s brow furrowed slightly. Xu Sijian, however, found it all amusing and smilingly teased Jin Ge’er. “Can I come along?”
“Of course!” Jin Ge’er immediately said. “Third Brother can come and push our swings!”
“So I only get to push the swings!” Xu Sijian laughed heartily. “I want to eat five-colored fish and peanut brittle too!”
Jin Ge’er declared imperiously, “If you push the swing, you can eat. Otherwise, no food for you!”
“Our Jin Ge’er is quite the little tyrant!” Xu Sijian laughed as he and Jin Ge’er carried on their banter. The group went together to the Grand Madam’s rooms.
“Grandmother, Grandmother!” Jin Ge’er immediately ran to the Grand Madam’s side.
The Grand Madam gathered Jin Ge’er into her arms at once. “My precious darling! Was rowing fun?”
“Fun!” Jin Ge’er nodded, his eyes bright and glittering, visibly excited. “I want to row again tomorrow.”
The Grand Madam naturally agreed readily.
Madam Huang, seated nearby, smiled. “It’s only been two or three months, and Jin Ge’er seems to have grown taller again.”
“Indeed he has,” Madam Tang also laughed. “At this rate, he’ll likely grow to be a seven-foot-tall man.”
“The late Marquis was seven feet tall,” said Madam Zheng, looking at Jin Ge’er with his bright, darting eyes and brilliant smile — she was very fond of him. “I think Jin Ge’er has taken after the late Marquis in height.”
“Those phoenix eyes are the late Marquis’s as well.” Madam Huang nodded.
The Grand Madam’s expression could only be described as radiant with joy. She held Jin Ge’er and would not let go. “His appetite takes after the late Marquis’s too.” She gestured to illustrate. “Slabs of steamed pork belly this thick — he could eat several pieces at a sitting. Has always slept soundly from a young age. Come time, pat him a few times, and he falls asleep instantly. Doesn’t wet himself in the night, sleeps right through until dawn. Such a vigorous constitution! Of all the children I’ve raised, I’ve never seen one easier to look after than Jin Ge’er…” She praised Jin Ge’er again and again, then invited the Grand Madam of the Gan family to sit beside her.
“That’s true!” The Grand Madam of the Gan family joined in praising Jin Ge’er as well. “The first time Shiyiniang brought him to my house, he was exactly half a year old. Such a tiny little thing — I don’t know how, but he had such strong little hands. I gave him a jade pendant as a first-meeting gift, and he grabbed it and would not let go…”
The attention of all the elderly ladies was drawn in, and they listened with great delight, chuckling and chatting. Shiyiniang could not get near for a moment.
Her gaze traveled around and settled on Xu Sizhun and Xu Sijie, who were seated in the front row listening to the opera with full concentration.
“Neither young master has gone wandering off?” Shiyiniang asked Ge Jin quietly.
Ge Jin quickly said, “Madam, please be at ease. Fourth Young Master and Fifth Young Master have been sitting here listening to the opera the entire time and have not gone anywhere.”
Shiyiniang gave a small nod and quietly watched Xu Sijie from time to time.
At Cheng Ge’er’s hundredth-day celebration and at the Grand Madam’s birthday, he had sat quietly in the audience watching the opera each time. After the Dragon Boat Festival had passed and the summer recess began, invitations to gatherings at various families all ceased. Nan Yong’s wife, however, came regularly to pay her respects to Shiyiniang and told her various things about Xu Sijie.
Seeing that Xu Sijie had settled into the outer courtyard and continued his reading and calligraphy as he had in the inner courtyard, still studying music with Teacher Zhao, her heart was temporarily put at rest. She turned her attention to renovating the new rooms for Xu Siyu.
The roof tiles were replaced with fresh green glazed tiles; the standing pillars were repainted; the brackets were touched up; the walls were freshly plastered.
Xu Lingyi smiled. “Are you planning for him to live here for the rest of his life?”
“A half-hearted effort would show a want of sincerity!” Shiyiniang laughed, and discussed with Xu Lingyi the matter of settling private property on Xu Siyu. “It would also give us something to say back to the Xiang family.”
When a child married, families of means customarily set aside some private assets for the newlyweds. The bride’s dowry would increase or decrease in proportion to the groom’s private holdings. For instance, if the groom possessed five tiled houses, the bride’s family would need to prepare at least forty-eight bridal boxes to fill them. The Xiang family had specifically sent Madam Huang the Third to sound out Shiyiniang’s intentions.
Xu Lingyi thought it over. “I think this would be best: buy them a three-courtyard house outside, and also purchase two farming estates. One hundred thousand taels. As for the Xiang family’s dowry — whatever they choose will do.”
He had no expectations from the Xiang family.
Nor was Shiyiniang the sort of woman to fix her eyes on another family’s bridal goods.
“Might it be a little too little?” she hesitated. “When Zhen Jie’er married, you made up additional funds afterward!”
“They cannot be compared to Zhen Jie’er,” Xu Lingyi said. “Zhen Jie’er is a daughter — her personal savings depend entirely on her family’s dowry. These are sons. A capable man does not rely on his parents’ wealth. Let them find ways to earn it themselves.” He added, “Going forward, Zhun Ge and Jin Ge’er will follow the same arrangement as Yu Ge.”
He made no mention of Jin Ge’er.
—