Shiyiniang was immediately alarmed upon hearing this. “What happened?”

Among the young guests, the oldest was fourteen and the youngest no more than ten. All of them came from illustrious noble families, carefully cultivated heirs of their clans. Not only had they received a fine education, they had also grown up alongside fathers who served at court, living in the capital at Yanjing — by osmosis, they had acquired a worldliness beyond that of ordinary children. Even when Xu Lingyi spoke of them, he would offer a word of praise. Three men walking together, each has something to teach the others. This was part of why Shiyiniang had encouraged Xu Sizhun to spend more time in their company — hoping he might learn from their strengths in character and conduct. Boys of such breeding, coming as guests to someone’s home, would not, in the natural order of things, cause a scene even if something displeasing occurred. Besides, Xu Sizhun had always looked after Xu Sijie — if something had truly gone wrong, Xu Sizhun could not possibly have stood by and done nothing!

Thinking this through, her expression grew sharp.

“At first, things were perfectly fine,” Zhuxiang said. “Everyone was talking and laughing. Young Master Zhuo even borrowed Fourth Young Master’s qin and played a piece. Fifth Young Master heard this, and thinking of how everyone had praised his flute playing, took out his flute and joined Young Master Zhuo in playing the second half of the piece…”

Before she finished speaking, Shiyiniang’s expression had already cooled slightly. “Was it Young Master Zhuo who invited Fifth Young Master to join, or did Fifth Young Master join Young Master Zhuo on his own?”

“It was Fifth Young Master himself who took out his flute and joined Young Master Zhuo.” As Zhuxiang said this, her own expression shifted. Then, seeming to think it over, she went on. “But afterward, Young Master Wang painted a picture on the spot. Young Master Dou saw it, and said that a painting without a poem was like fine tea without a good spring — a pity — and volunteered to compose a poem. But as he was finishing the final stroke, a drop of ink fell on the paper.”

Shiyiniang’s expression grew gradually more grave.

“Young Master Dou cried out in dismay and bowed in profuse apology, full of embarrassment. The other young gentlemen, though disappointed, all laughed and teased Young Master Dou about his great carelessness. Young Master Zhuo even suggested that since the ink had fallen just below the lotus leaves, they might paint two golden fish there, which would actually give the painting an unexpected finishing touch. Young Master Wang stepped closer to take a look. But Young Master Dou said that since he had caused the damage, he should be the one to make it right. He then produced a name card, asking Fifth Young Master to send someone with it to Duobao Gallery, requesting the master craftsman there to mount the painting immediately and bring it back. Young Master Wang felt a little uncomfortable about this, saying it was only a rough painting and did not warrant troubling a craftsman from Duobao Gallery. Young Master Dou said that he ought at least be given the chance to make amends. Fourth Young Master, seeing the situation, laughed and called for Wang Shu, asking Wang Shu to take it over. But Young Master Dou looked a little awkward at that and asked whether Wang Shu knew the way to Duobao Gallery. Fifth Young Master then took the painting of his own accord, saying it would be better for him to make the trip himself — to avoid Wang Shu wasting time on the road.”

“So everyone simply let Fifth Young Master go to deliver the painting?” Shiyiniang said thoughtfully.

“Fourth Young Master tried to stop him, but Fifth Young Master said he was idle anyway and had nothing to do. Duobao Gallery has always prided itself on its refined reputation, so sending Wang Shu there really was not quite appropriate. He said he would have a steward take it over.” Zhuxiang continued. “Without paying any attention to Fourth Young Master, Fifth Young Master turned and left. He gave the painting to Steward Bai, but did not return to the Draped Line Water Pavilion — instead, he went back to his own courtyard alone. I asked Xi’er, and Xi’er said that when Fifth Young Master returned to his room he shut the door, saying the weather was hot and he was a bit tired and wanted to rest. If anyone came, they were to be turned away. He also gave instructions that when the mounted painting came back, he was to be informed immediately, so he could send it to the Draped Line Water Pavilion in time. If it was late and people suspected the Xu household’s servants were incompetent, that would not be good.”

Shiyiniang listened in silence for a long while before saying, “Don’t go spreading word of this. Let’s watch and see for now.”

Zhuxiang respectfully acknowledged this. After the evening meal she came to report: “The painting has been brought back. Fifth Young Master sent it to the Draped Line Water Pavilion straight away. Young Master Dou thanked Fifth Young Master, and even said he had not expected Fifth Young Master to handle things so capably — that in the future, when there were more such trivial matters, he hoped Fifth Young Master would not turn him away.”

Shiyiniang’s brow furrowed. “What did Fifth Young Master say?”

“Fifth Young Master only smiled.” Zhuxiang’s expression dimmed slightly. “He helped pass along the evening meal, served the tea, saw the guests out…”

Just as they were speaking, a small maid came to announce, “Fourth Young Master and Fifth Young Master have arrived!”

Shiyiniang gave Zhuxiang a look, signaling her to say no more, and stood up and stepped into her shoes.

Xu Lingyi was sitting on the wide kang by the window in the western side chamber, teaching Jin Ge’er to draw chicks. Seeing Xu Sizhun and Xu Sijie come in, Jin Ge’er grabbed his brush and jumped up from Xu Lingyi’s arms, calling out “Fourth Brother!” and “Fifth Brother!” at the top of his voice, as though about to climb down from the kang. Xu Lingyi pressed a hand to Jin Ge’er’s shoulder — “Finish this stroke first” — then looked up and gave the two sons standing before him a cool, level look. “The guests have all left?”

Jin Ge’er sat back down in Xu Lingyi’s arms with a small pout, head lowered, continuing where he had left off.

Xu Sizhun quickly said, “All gone. Dou Jing also invited us to his home as guests in a few days.”

Xu Lingyi gave an approving “Mm,” and said, “The weather is hot, and it’s hard to settle one’s mind to study. This is a good opportunity to spend more time with friends…”

“Father, I’ve finished!” Before he could finish, Jin Ge’er was on his feet again. His movements were so quick and nimble, and Xu Lingyi was not paying attention, that if Xu Lingyi had not reacted swiftly and raised his chin, Jin Ge’er’s head would have collided with Xu Lingyi’s jaw.

He laughed and patted his son on the bottom, then looked at the table on the kang.

Where three short strokes and one long stroke should have depicted the chick’s feet, Jin Ge’er had taken a shortcut and simply pressed the brush down to leave a blob of ink.

Xu Lingyi could not help but laugh. “Is this a chick’s foot?”

“It is!” Jin Ge’er stared at him in complete seriousness, pointing at the blob with his chubby little finger. “The chick stepped in a mud puddle, so that’s what it looks like. If Father doesn’t believe me, he can ask Xiaomao. Our Huajin stepped in a mud puddle and looked exactly like this!”

Huajin was a pheasant Jin Ge’er kept.

Gazing at his son’s expression — utterly earnest, utterly guileless — Xu Lingyi could not hold back his laughter.

The sound rang out, filled with undeniable delight.

Xu Sizhun and Xu Sijie stared at Xu Lingyi with wide eyes.

Xu Lingyi then realized he had let himself go.

He slowly composed his expression.

Jin Ge’er had already tugged at his sleeve. “Father, Father, I’m done — can I get off the kang now?” He twisted and squirmed in his small body, looking up at Xu Lingyi with his face full of anticipation.

Xu Lingyi’s heart completely melted. How could he refuse him? He stroked his head. “What do you want to do?”

“I want to go see my worms — see if they’ve grown!”

Xu Lingyi laughed and set him down on the ground. “Let Ah Jin take you. It’s getting dark — don’t run around on your own like last time, or you’ll scrape your knees again.”

Jin Ge’er gave a perfunctory “Mm” and was gone in an instant.

Xu Sizhun could not help but tilt his head and look out the window.

The sky was ablaze with color, the sunset arrayed across it like bright silk scarves, tinting the whole room crimson.

Was this late?

The thought passed in a flash. He saw Shiyiniang smiling as she came out from the inner chamber.

“Where has Jin Ge’er run off to this time?” Her voice carried a note of fond indulgence.

“To see the worms he’s raising!” Xu Lingyi said, smiling.

“Marquis, really.” Shiyiniang’s brow furrowed lightly and her voice carried the gentle, playful reproach of a wife. “It’s nearly time to go pay our respects to the Grand Madam — he’ll come back covered in mud and dirt and need another half-day of cleaning up, and then we’ll be late.”

Xu Lingyi said nothing, tacitly accepting Shiyiniang’s scolding.

With the children present, Shiyiniang could not very well say much more. She instructed Zhuxiang to go bring Jin Ge’er back, then turned to ask Xu Sizhun and Xu Sijie with a smile, “How was it? The gathering was lively today, wasn’t it?”

“Quite lively!” Usually the most eager to chatter away with her, Xu Sizhun was unusually terse today, looking somewhat listless. “Everyone had a good time.”

Shiyiniang’s gaze moved to Xu Sijie.

Xu Sijie quickly said, “Young Master Dou’s learning is very thorough, and he is easy to get along with…” His voice was slightly higher than usual, as though he were covering something up.

Shiyiniang’s heart was a clear mirror. Thinking of Xu Lingyi still sitting nearby, she asked no further, and smiled as she told the two of them, “When Jin Ge’er has washed his hands, we’ll go pay our respects to the Grand Madam.” She then went out herself, brought Jin Ge’er back, tidied him up, and they went to the Grand Madam’s rooms.

The Grand Madam was also very interested in the gathering, and smilingly pulled Xu Sizhun to her and asked him about it.

Xu Sizhun spoke of it in detail for the Grand Madam. Xu Sijie sat quietly to one side in silence.

The next morning, when Xu Sizhun and Xu Sijie came to pay their respects to Shiyiniang, she kept Xu Sijie back. “Why did you suddenly go back to your own courtyard yesterday?”

Her directness made Xu Sijie flush scarlet. The fact that he always answered Shiyiniang without reserve made him bow his head. “Young Master Dou and the others are all very clever… and very capable… They spoke about things I have never heard of. The people they mentioned I did not know… When something went wrong, they sent the name card to Duobao Gallery, and the craftsmen there immediately dispatched their most skilled master to restore the painting flawlessly — not a trace remained…” His voice grew smaller and smaller, his tone carrying a faint note of discomfort.

Shiyiniang could not help but let out a long sigh.

She knew there was a difference between legitimate sons and those born of concubines, but she had not imagined that even in the world of children, the division was this sharply drawn.

Reality was harsh. In some matters, she had been overly naive.

Shiyiniang fell into thought.

Xu Sijie felt a little sad.

Fourth Brother had said his friends were all easy to get along with. In his own experience, that was not the case.

When everyone saw him, they would nod politely at him — not the way they were with Fourth Brother, clapping him on the shoulder, teasing him in slang, outwardly rough but in every gesture carrying a warmth of true familiarity. He envied that, and wanted to be that close with them as Fourth Brother was. When they were talking, he tried his best to join in. When he saw Young Master Zhuo playing the qin, thinking of how everyone had praised his flute playing, he had taken out his flute and joined in with Young Master Zhuo… But the more he tried to please them, the more their gaze toward him grew distant and cold. The harder he worked to show his strengths, the more they withdrew from him. When he opened his mouth to speak, they would all fall silent and watch him talk alone. His voice in the silent pavilion sounded so out of place, so awkward… And then later, Young Master Dou had even ordered him about like a servant boy…

He had already tried his very best to please them. Why did they still not like him?

Seeing his mother sitting there without a word, Xu Sijie quickly pushed down the unhappiness in his heart.

“Mother.” He moved quietly to her side. “I will study hard. I will learn painting and poetry from Teacher Zhao, and then next time I go out with Fourth Brother, people won’t laugh at me!”

Shiyiniang looked at his grave, earnest expression, and her heart ached.

Some things could not be resolved by learning to paint or write poetry.

The respect and acceptance of others could not be won through flattery and compliance.

But if he could, like Xu Siyu, earn himself a place through his own character and ability — that would not be a bad thing!

She smiled and extended her hand. “Those are your own words, Jin Ge’er — let us seal it with a handshake.”

Xu Sijie smiled, and clasped hands with Shiyiniang three times. “Mother, don’t worry — I will work hard from now on.”