After the Ghost Festival on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, the eighth month arrived in the blink of an eye, and families began sending Mid-Autumn Festival gifts to one another. The matter of dividing the Weibei Marquis household had finally been settled. Lin Da’nainai took this opportunity to come in person to deliver gifts — partly to thank Shiyiniang, and partly because she simply wanted to talk with her.

“…Absolutely unreasonable. It’s a good thing the Marquis came over regularly to keep our lord company with some conversation — otherwise our lord would have been driven to his grave with anger.” She then brought up various matters at home.

Shiyiniang had heard Xu Lingyi mention fragments of the situation from time to time.

The Weibei Marquis heir apparent, seeing that his brothers had united into a solid front, yielded some concessions and then moved to break the alliance by dealing with them one by one — and in short order the deadlock was broken. The brothers agreed to wait until after the mourning period was complete before formally dividing the household. Lin Da’nainai had consequently been busy alternately suppressing and winning over her sisters-in-law, and her days were even less peaceful than before. She spent every day longing for the mourning period to be over.

The two women talked about this and that, household matters and family affairs. Lin Da’nainai’s mood improved considerably, and it was not until midday that she finally took her leave.

In the afternoon, Shiyiniang was accompanying Jin Ge’er through his calligraphy practice when Jian Shi came to visit.

“We’ve finally managed to purchase the adjacent shop.” She was visibly elated. “From now on, I’ll never have to worry again about business going well only for the landlord to take the shop back.”

They had always intended to run the bridal shop for the long haul. Jian Shi especially had not only poured her heart and soul into it, but also felt a responsibility toward the embroiderers who had followed her all the way from Jiangnan to help build the business — and toward Qiuju, who looked after her in her old age. She was the last person who could bear any setback to the shop.

“Then I’ll go speak with Grand Madam Gan tomorrow. It’s a good time to send the Mid-Autumn Festival gifts.”

After Jian Shi shared her plans with Shiyiniang, Shiyiniang found a free moment to pay a visit to the Loyal and Diligent Earl’s residence. Grand Madam Gan thought it over carefully and immediately understood the full reason behind the request, feeling a deep sense of remorse: “It’s all my fault for not…” Then she said, “Why don’t I just give you the shop outright? I can’t hold on to things anyway.” Then, thinking of Shiyiniang’s and Jian Shi’s characters, she realized her words might not have been fitting and quickly added: “Or perhaps you could just buy the shop from me for a little less!”

Even if the bridal shop’s business had been poor, they still couldn’t take advantage of Grand Madam Gan this way. And Grand Madam Gan’s situation was complicated. If it were simply a matter of reducing the rent a little, that would be one thing — but if it came to Grand Madam Gan trying to give away or sell the property, not just the Earl and his wife, but even Grand Madam Gan’s own brother would likely refuse to allow it.

“Before, the shop didn’t have the means. Now that it does, it’s only natural to want to acquire some property.” Shiyiniang did not want Grand Madam Gan to feel any undue pressure, and smiled: “That way, you gain another asset as well.”

Grand Madam Gan knew this was meant to comfort her, but she also knew that when it came to managing assets, she had no absolute authority over them herself. Even if her heart was willing, it would be very difficult in practice. She couldn’t help but feel a wave of quiet sorrow.

Hearing that Shiyiniang had brought Jin Ge’er to deliver Mid-Autumn Festival gifts, she hurried out joyfully to receive them.

Jin Ge’er jumped down from the carriage and greeted Grand Madam Gan with a respectful bow. Grand Madam Gan’s face overflowed with delight as she took his small hand and led him inside.

Maids, serving women, and matrons all curtseyed and called out “Sixth Young Master,” while the kang table had already been laid out in advance with all the pastries and fruits Jin Ge’er was most fond of.

“When I heard you were coming, I had the kitchen prepare these especially first thing this morning.” Grand Madam Gan personally spooned some red bean cake and offered it to Jin Ge’er. He thanked her quietly, then asked to feed himself: “Mother said I’ve grown up now and shouldn’t let people feed me.” Then he tilted his little head and asked Grand Madam Gan: “Grand Madam, do you prefer osmanthus cake or chestnut cake? Our family made both osmanthus cake and chestnut cake. They’re both very good.”

“Oh my goodness!” Grand Madam Gan was overjoyed beyond measure. She pulled Jin Ge’er into her arms. “It’s been barely a whole summer since we last saw each other, and our Jin Ge’er already knows how to think of others.”

Jin Ge’er glanced over at Shiyiniang, a small, proud smile on his face.

In the past, Jin Ge’er would help himself to food but wouldn’t explain himself, would give gifts but wouldn’t think to ask what someone liked. Grand Madam Gan couldn’t help asking Shiyiniang: “It’s only been a few months — how has he changed so suddenly, like a completely different child?”

Shiyiniang sipped the Iron Goddess of Mercy tea Grand Madam Gan had brewed, and smiled: “I told him: ‘Treat others the way you wish to be treated.'”

Grand Madam Gan listened with a warm, approving nod, patted Jin Ge’er’s head, and pulled him back into her arms.

“You’re making my hair messy,” Jin Ge’er muttered, yet there was a flicker of his old bright spirit in it. The two adults couldn’t help but look at each other with shared amusement.

Shiyiniang took the opportunity to raise the reason for her visit.

Grand Madam Gan thought for a moment, then said: “Then let’s have it written in your and Jian Shi’s names. If it’s written in the bridal shop’s name, I’m afraid there could be complications later.”

Shiyiniang had been thinking the same thing. The money would be advanced by the bridal shop for the time being, then gradually deducted from Jian Shi’s dividends. In the event of any trouble on Grand Madam Gan’s side, the money would still represent an income, and it would ensure a steady, lasting arrangement.

“All right!” Shiyiniang smiled. “Then I’ll go tell Jian Shi. I’ll have Jian Shi draw up the debt note and find a broker to transfer the deed on the shop.”

Grand Madam Gan gave a wistful sigh.

Shiyiniang had not come to make her sad. Smiling, she took Grand Madam Gan’s hand and led her over to look at the potted plants she had brought from the Xu Mansion: “There’s a pot of ink-black chrysanthemums — keep them for a few days and they should bloom. There’s also an osmanthus tree about a foot tall, grown in a large jar, and it’s flowering right now… I honestly have no idea how Ji Ting manages these things. I asked him whether he could grow an apple tree in a jar — if he could, in winter one could sit on the heated kang and lean down to pick an apple. Just thinking about it seems charming.”

Grand Madam Gan found this delightful, and together with Shiyiniang led Jin Ge’er out to the courtyard.

Ji Ting’s wife was there with several matrons, arranging the pots.

Jin Ge’er ran over and pointed to a chrysanthemum plant sitting on a stone table nearby — all leaves and no buds yet. “Grand Madam, Grand Madam — look, this is the ink chrysanthemum! Ji Ting’s wife says when it blooms, it will be black!”

Grand Madam Gan chuckled warmly and walked over. “Has Jin Ge’er seen them before? What color chrysanthemum do you like best?”

“I have!” Jin Ge’er said brightly. “Ji Ting grew black chrysanthemums last year. But the flowers died within a few days of being put on the table. Ji Ting worked very hard at it, and this year’s chrysanthemums can finally survive on the table.”

The two of them were deep in cheerful conversation when a woman came over, surrounded by a cluster of maids.

“Marchioness Yongping, you came without stopping by my quarters!” she said with a pretend pout. “If I hadn’t come to serve my mother-in-law for the midday meal and seen for myself, I wouldn’t even have known you were here!” Then she bent down with a smile and greeted Jin Ge’er: “Sixth Young Master, you’re here as well!”

Jin Ge’er gave Gan Furen a respectful bow.

Shiyiniang smiled and explained: “I paid my respects to the Grand Madam first and was just about to come to you, but here you are already!”

Grand Madam Gan’s tone was quite cool: “I won’t need you to serve the midday meal today. Go and rest.”

“How could that be? You have an honored guest — if I were to rest the whole afternoon and the Earl found out, he would surely reproach me for not taking proper care of my mother-in-law’s daily needs…”

“If he reproaches you, tell him I said so.” The Grand Madam said with detached indifference. “And if he doesn’t believe you, tell him to come and ask me!”

“How would the Earl dare!” Gan Furen said a few more words of social courtesy, then departed with evident dissatisfaction.

Grand Madam Gan’s expression was wistful: “Ever since I started giving her money to use, she’s been like this…”

Shiyiniang felt a pang of unhappiness for her as well.

Of course, when family relationships are reduced to nothing but money, one can’t help but feel that the world grows colder and colder.

“You still haven’t told me whether you prefer osmanthus cake or chestnut cake!” She tried to lighten the mood. “When I get home, I’ll have Nanny Xu send some over for you.”

“Either is fine!” Grand Madam Gan appreciated her kindness and let herself be steered away from the topic. “These past few years I’ve developed quite a fondness for sweets…”

The two chatted and laughed together, quietly setting the subject of Gan Furen aside.

Grand Madam Gan warmly insisted they stay for the midday meal. Jin Ge’er napped for a while in Grand Madam Gan’s warm room, and only then did Shiyiniang go to take her leave of Gan Furen and head home.

Xu Sizhun and Xu Sijie were at home waiting for them.

“Mother, at Mid-Autumn Festival we’d like to go out to see the lanterns. We want to bring Jin Ge’er along too!”

“Yes! Great!” Jin Ge’er immediately jumped up with glee the moment he heard it. “And Shen Ge’er — Shen Ge’er has to come too!” Then, realizing his mother hadn’t yet spoken, he quickly ran to tug at Shiyiniang’s sleeve. “Mother, I want to go too. I want to go!”

For people in ancient times, when entertainment was comparatively scarce, a spectacle like this held enormous appeal.

“Of course!” Shiyiniang smiled. “But it will be very crowded that evening, so you’ll need to have a proper plan in place.” A thought suddenly occurred to her, and she turned to him: “Zhun Ge’er, you are the eldest. With all your brothers going out together under your charge, think carefully first about how things should be managed that evening, then work out a plan with Steward Bai. That way there’s no risk of anyone getting separated or being caught too close to fireworks. What do you think?”

“Me?” Xu Sizhun was surprised, but his eyes quickly lit up with enthusiasm. “All right, all right — I’ll go talk to Steward Bai right now!” He pulled Xu Sijie along as he moved to leave.

Shiyiniang smiled as she saw the two brothers off, then her eye happened to fall on Xu Sijie’s shoes as he walked away.

Her expression shifted almost imperceptibly.

She immediately called over Siji and asked quietly: “Those shoes the Fifth Young Master is wearing — where did they come from? Even the sewing room here doesn’t turn out work that rough.”

Siji looked somewhat puzzled. “When the Fifth Young Master went out, he was wearing the shoes I made for him. Black silk satin, embroidered with bean-green cloud motifs…”

Xu Sijie was wearing a very plain, ordinary pair of black cloth shoes.

“I understand.” Shiyiniang dismissed her.

That evening when Xu Sijie came to pay his respects, she checked his feet — he had changed back to a pair of plain black silk satin shoes.

“Oh!” Shiyiniang feigned surprise and smiled: “Why did you suddenly change your shoes?”

Xu Sijie shifted his feet uncomfortably toward the wall, as if trying to hide them behind the hem of his robe. “When I got back, Fourth Brother immediately called me to discuss the lantern-viewing plans. I didn’t have time to change.” His gaze was a little evasive.

Shiyiniang smiled and made a sound of acceptance, as though she had taken his explanation at face value, then asked about the plans for Jin Ge’er at the lantern festival: “Steward Bai said he wants to assign six or seven guards…”

She listened attentively, and finding the arrangements sound, encouraged him with a smile: “Go and tell your father. That way he can set his mind at ease too!”

Xu Sizhun hesitated briefly, then smiled and agreed.

After seeing the two brothers off, Shiyiniang immediately called Hupo in: “Go and tell Xiulian’s husband that I need him to quietly find out what the Fifth Young Master has been doing at the bookshop these days. Has he made any new friends? And today in particular — what did he do this afternoon?”

Hupo went off to carry out the errand.

—