Reckoning it up this way, each child would need nearly ten thousand taels set aside as private property, plus the costs of the wedding itself. Xu Sijie’s wedding was the simpler matter. But Xu Siyu, being the eldest son and the first child in the Fourth Household to be married, could hardly cost less than four or five thousand taels. As for Xu Sizhun, being the heir, his expenses would likely be double that — three children, at a minimum of fifty thousand taels, and then there had been Zhen Jie’er before, and Jin Ge’er still to come… It seemed this man truly had some considerable means!

Shiyiniang grumbled inwardly, then had Zhuxiang draw up a list of all the items needed for Xu Siyu’s new rooms and handed it to Steward Bai. Steward Bai dispatched a steward to purchase everything, and by mid-sixth month, the new rooms were fully furnished. Thinking that the wedding was still some time off and the weather was stifling, leaving everyone somewhat listless, she would intermittently discuss the details of Xu Siyu’s wedding ceremony with the head nannies, without any great urgency.

Jin Ge’er, ever since he had fallen in love with rowing on the third day of the third month, badgered everyone to take him every few days. Once the weather gradually grew hot, they could only go in the early mornings and evenings. By the time the sixth month arrived, even mornings and evenings were sweltering. Jin Ge’er would often come back drenched in sweat, his fair skin flushed red, yet he insisted with great stubbornness on going rowing. Shiyiniang’s heart stirred, and she asked Xu Lingyi to teach Jin Ge’er to swim.

Xu Lingyi readily agreed.

Shiyiniang kept on only a few of the older servants at Liufang Grove to handle sweeping and such tasks, while she herself attended the father and son with tea and refreshments.

A breeze passed over Biyi Lake, carrying with it threads of refreshing coolness. She would sit in the pavilion reading, or stitching a few lines of needlework.

In no more than three or four days, Jin Ge’er had learned to swim. Seizing a moment when Xu Lingyi let go and allowed him to swim on his own, he struck out toward the tree-shaded waters of Lingkong Villa on the other bank.

Xu Lingyi was badly startled, and it took him the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea before he managed to haul the boy back.

Once on shore, he shook his head at Shiyiniang. “This won’t do. Jin Ge’er is far too daring. We need to find a couple of young attendants to stay by his side.”

Shiyiniang quickly wrapped Jin Ge’er in a large cloth. “If they’re too old, it wouldn’t be fitting for them to stay in the inner courtyard. If they’re too young, they may not be able to manage him.”

“I have something in mind.” Xu Lingyi was unconcerned. Within a few days he had found two young attendants, twelve or thirteen years of age, to accompany Jin Ge’er.

Shiyiniang saw that the two boys had dark complexions and stocky, round builds — as sturdy as young calves — yet their eyes were clear and guileless. She quietly approved.

Steward Bai, who had brought the boys in, knew that Shiyiniang watched over Jin Ge’er very closely and took personal care in every matter of his upbringing. Fearing she might find the two boys rough and unpolished, he quickly explained. “The Marquis said they are to be companions for play only. When Jin Ge’er reaches the age to begin his studies, two more boys who know propriety and are literate will be found to accompany him. These two, though raised on a farming estate, are extremely nimble and have honest, guileless natures. Their great-grandfathers served in the Xu household — their parents are also steady, reliable people. They will certainly look after Sixth Young Master well.”

Perhaps it was a natural reaction, going too far in the opposite direction. Shiyiniang herself had attended enrichment classes from a very young age, and her childhood memories were entirely filled with classrooms bright as eternal spring and teachers of gentle, patient countenance. With Jin Ge’er, however, she hoped he could enjoy life free of worry. Though she kept a close watch on him, her attention was directed mostly toward cultivating good habits in his daily life.

“Thank you for Steward Bai’s trouble.” Shiyiniang accepted the two boys with a smile. “When Jin Ge’er begins his schooling, I’m afraid we’ll have to trouble Steward Bai again to help find two more young attendants.”

Steward Bai let out a breath of relief.

Even though it had been the Marquis’s instruction, if the Madam did not agree, this matter had every likelihood of becoming complicated.

He smiled and acknowledged this, said a few polite words, then rose and took his leave.

Shiyiniang called the two boys over and spoke with them.

One was named Huang Damao, the other Liu Erwu. Their guilelessness carried in it a childlike alertness — unlike some of the young attendants who entered households to serve, who though small in years already carried with them a certain adult steadiness.

She quietly approved, had Jin Ge’er called in to be introduced to them, and soon all three were playing together, leaving Shen Ge’er off to one side.

Nanny Gu, worried that Huang Damao and Liu Erwu did not know their manners, stayed close by without moving.

Jin Ge’er grew more and more happily absorbed in his play. Swimming, rowing, picking lotus pods, climbing trees, spinning tops, digging up worms, playing in the mud… he was constantly tearing his clothes or coming home covered in mud and grime. Yet Shiyiniang, beyond carefully washing Jin Ge’er’s hands each time, said nothing at all. This made Nanny Gu sweat with anxiety. Seeing Shen Ge’er playing along contentedly, she quickly called Shen Ge’er’s wet nurse over. “Our Young Master has the Madam’s permission. As for Seventh Young Master, I’m afraid it will need to be reported to Fifth Madam first. Otherwise, coming back covered in mud and sweat, it won’t be easy to explain.”

Shen Ge’er’s wet nurse gave a helpless smile.

Xu Lingyi had been teaching Jin Ge’er to swim. Upon returning, Shen Ge’er had clamored to learn as well. But Xu Lingyi could not teach two children at once, and Xu Lingkuan was not patient enough — after two lessons he gave up. Fifth Madam had no solution, and since she could not bring anyone else into the inner courtyard, she had sent the child to Red Lantern Hutong. The Elder Marquis of Sun himself presided over things there, and the heir of the Marquis of Dingnan personally taught Shen Ge’er to swim. Shen Ge’er had been having such a wonderful time there that he lost all thought of coming home. Fifth Madam, missing her son, had brought Cheng Ge’er and stayed there for half a month, and had only just brought Shen Ge’er back to the estate.

The two children often played together, and naturally the two wet nurses were in frequent contact. Both were on open-term contracts, so they were naturally closer than ordinary servants. Shen Ge’er’s wet nurse spoke frankly to Nanny Gu. “…The last time Seventh Young Master called Fourth Madam ‘Mother’ along with Sixth Young Master, Fifth Madam was a little displeased about it. Then there was the matter of learning to swim, and Fifth Madam had a few words with Fifth Master about it too. And now hearing that the Marquis specially found two young attendants to play with Sixth Young Master, she had ideas of finding the same for Seventh Young Master — which would also keep Seventh Young Master from trailing after Sixth Young Master every single day. She even sent Nanny Shi on a special trip back to Red Lantern Hutong for that very purpose. Only that kind of person is hard to find. Too playful a type, and it’s feared he’ll run around getting tangled up with the little maids and spoil the household’s rules. Too sedate a type, and he may not have the knack of making Seventh Young Master happy. The Elder Marquis is in a bit of a bind over it himself. If you ask me to go say something, wouldn’t I just be adding fuel to the fire?”

Nanny Gu stared wide-eyed, and pointed to Shen Ge’er, who was crouched under the tree with Jin Ge’er hunting for worms for the birds. “What are you going to tell them when you get back?”

“Fifth Madam knows Seventh Young Master has been keeping company with Sixth Young Master again lately. She just doesn’t know they’ve been playing so wildly.” Shen Ge’er’s wet nurse said helplessly. “As long as Seventh Young Master is cleaned up properly before he goes to pay his respects to Fifth Madam — with Fifth Madam’s thoughts all occupied by Eighth Young Master these days, she won’t notice for the time being.” She added, “I can only hope the Elder Marquis finds two young attendants for Seventh Young Master soon, so I won’t have to live in dread every single day.”

Just as they were talking, Xu Sizhun and Xu Sijie came walking in, chatting and laughing.

Both wet nurses quickly stepped forward to pay their respects.

Xu Sizhun gave a nod, then crouched smilingly beside Jin Ge’er. “Hunting worms for your bird again?”

Jin Ge’er looked up. His face was streaked with dirt, lines crossing every which way.

“Fourth Brother,” he grinned broadly, glanced at Xu Sijie, called out “Fifth Brother,” then stood up, a plump earthworm dangling from his grubby hand, and reached out his dirty little hand to take hold of Xu Sizhun.

Shen Ge’er’s wet nurse cried out in alarm and looked over at Nanny Gu, silently signaling her to stop Jin Ge’er.

But Nanny Gu gave her a slight shake of her head.

She then saw Xu Sizhun take Jin Ge’er’s hand without the slightest concern.

Jin Ge’er then pulled Xu Sizhun and ran toward the overhang where the green flagstones were laid.

“Look, look!” He was bursting with excitement as he placed the earthworm on a flagstone, then ran to Huang Xiaomao’s side to retrieve half a pair of scissors, and cut the worm right down the middle.

The earthworm writhed and coiled on the stone, curling up on itself.

Xu Sizhun and Xu Sijie simultaneously let out a soft exclamation, both going slightly pale.

“Liu Erwu said earthworms don’t die,” Jin Ge’er announced proudly, looking up at his two brothers. “They’ll come back to life in a moment. And each piece turns into a separate worm. I’m going to cut all the earthworms into lots and lots of pieces, keep them in pots, and then I won’t have to catch worms to feed the bird every single day.”

“Is that so?” Xu Sizhun could not bring himself to look at the earthworm on the ground, and turned his face aside. “Jin Ge’er is so clever!”

Xu Sijie, however, was genuinely puzzled, and asked Liu Erwu, “Is that really true?”

Liu Erwu nodded. “How would I dare lie to Young Master? It’s what Doggy from our village told me. I even tried it once myself. They really do all survive. That’s why I told Sixth Young Master. The Madam gave us special instructions — if Sixth Young Master asks us something, we say we don’t know if we don’t know, and if we do know, we say we know. If we don’t know something and talk nonsense and deceive Sixth Young Master, and the Madam finds out, she’ll drive both of us out of the household.”

Just then, Qiuyu lifted the door curtain and came out.

“Fourth Young Master, Fifth Young Master!” she smiled and curtsied. “The Madam heard you had come, and invites you inside for iced mung bean soup.”

The two young men quickly straightened their clothing.

Jin Ge’er clutched his two pieces of worm and charged straight inside.

Xu Sizhun laughed at this, turned to Qiuyu, cupped his hands, and said with a smile, “Thank you for your trouble, Sister,” before he and Xu Sijie entered the hall one after the other.

Shiyiniang was seated on the luohan daybed in the hall, with a young maid standing beside her to fan her.

Jin Ge’er had already nestled into her arms, dangling his two pieces of worm and talking away. “…Then there can be very, very many.”

Shiyiniang took the fan from the small maid and fanned Jin Ge’er, showing no trace of distaste or irritation but smiling gently as she chatted with him. “You can’t keep them in a cage, can you? Who keeps earthworms in a cage? It should be in a flowerpot, shouldn’t it? Don’t they live in the ground?”

Xu Sizhun watched, a look of surprise on his face.

Jin Ge’er tilted his head, looked at his mother, then at the squirming, wriggling, fleshy worms in his own hand, and went thumping off. “I’ll go ask Erwu!”

Shiyiniang watched her son’s retreating figure, the smile in her eyes brimming with warm indulgence.

She smiled and greeted Xu Sizhun and Xu Sijie. “You’ve come!” Then, curious, “What brings you at this hour?” Usually they came into the inner courtyard in the evening after supper to pay their respects to their parents and the Grand Madam.

Xu Sizhun and Xu Sijie settled into the grand master chairs nearby and smiled. “A few days ago, Han Jian invited us to go fishing at his family’s newly built courtyard. I saw the lotus flowers in Biyi Lake in full brilliant bloom, and wanted to invite them to come to our house and admire the lotuses…”

Before he had finished, Shiyiniang already understood.

To admire the lotuses at Biyi Lake, they would naturally be in the rear garden. And since the rear garden was within the inner courtyard, the maids and servants would need to keep their distance. As the mistress of the Xu household, Shiyiniang’s permission was required.

Shiyiniang looked at Xu Sizhun, seated before her with composed, easy confidence, and felt a warm sense of pride. She said at once, “Of course! When were you thinking of hosting? What do you need? Have Ge Jin write up a list and bring it to me — I’ll have the nannies arrange everything.”

Xu Sizhun had known it all along. His mother would support him without reservation.

His face broke into a pleased smile. He rose to bow to Shiyiniang. “Mother, I’m sorry to trouble you!”

Quite the little gentleman.

Shiyiniang smiled. “There is no need to be so formal with your mother!” Then she asked him, “It was Teacher Zhao who suggested this, wasn’t it?”

Xu Sizhun rubbed the back of his head, smiling with just a hint of sheepishness.

In an instant, that old shy, diffident air of his was back.

—