He had only meant to tease Lady Shiyi a little. Her free and easy laughter made Xu Lingyi feel somewhat small instead.

“I was merely broadening your horizons,” he said with a smile, taking Lady Shiyi’s hand. “Now — while I was away, was there anything of note in the household?”

Lady Shiyi looked at him and kept smiling.

Xu Lingyi carried himself the way he had commanded troops — often making unexpected moves that seemed to come from nowhere, yet always with a clear sense of propriety and an open, upright character.

She settled herself beside him, following his lead.

“The household has been fine. Nothing much happened. I’ve been busy with the year-end preparations.” Lady Shiyi’s tone had softened without her quite noticing. “I called on Jiang Shi to help. She is quick and clever — her mental arithmetic and abacus work are both very fast. You can tell she was trained in these things at home. She picked things up quickly, and that made things considerably easier for me.”

Xu Lingyi squeezed her hand and said quietly: “I know it hasn’t been easy for you, managing everything inside and outside the household these past few years. But they’ve only just gotten married — and this time next year, we might well be hosting another happy occasion in the family. There are certain things you’ll need to shoulder a while longer. Give it a few more years before you hand things over to Jiang Shi. After all, she has only just come into the household — some things are better observed a little longer before drawing any conclusions.”

Lady Shiyi had her own thoughts on the matter.

Even if Jiang Shi proved to be perfectly capable, was she really supposed to keep holding everything in her hands forever? If Jiang Shi was filial and well-intentioned, she would naturally know to keep to her place. And if Jiang Shi had ambitions, then even if she refused to let go, Jiang Shi would find ways to contend with her regardless. It was better to bring Jiang Shi close, keep her in sight, and observe her carefully — that way, she could stay ahead of things. Perhaps by showing a measure of generosity, the two of them might actually get along well.

In some matters, someone always had to take the first step.

“I think things are working out nicely as they are,” Lady Shiyi said, declining Xu Lingyi’s well-meaning suggestion. “Learning gradually by my side — when the time comes to take over, she won’t be caught flat-footed.” Then she shifted the subject: “From what Jin Ge’er was saying, it sounds as though my lord ran into quite a few people on this trip. Old friends in a foreign place — you must have been pleased to see them.”

Xu Lingyi noticed she had not taken his counsel, and understood that her mind was made up.

Lady Shiyi was, by nature, someone who treated others with kindness — yet she was never one to simply endure everything without her own principles. When it truly mattered, she had her own clear judgment.

Thinking of it this way, he found himself appreciating this person in front of him all the more.

He did not want to override her words, and went along with what she had said, sharing his account of the journey: “I hadn’t planned to see anyone in particular. Since Jin Ge’er was with me, I couldn’t be careless about food or lodging. Word spread that I was heading to Baoding, and some people came to meet up. I kept my guard up — those who have known me all these years have seen the shape of things, and they wouldn’t have come. The ones who did were those who hadn’t been following what’s happened with me — I had nothing particular to do, so I saw them.” As he spoke, his smile deepened: “Though it was Jin Ge’er who got the most out of it — he had a thoroughly wonderful time…”

Old friends who truly knew him would understand the situation. Those who didn’t, would gradually drift away regardless. And there was the ready excuse of “nothing particular to do” to cover it all besides.

Lady Shiyi set her mind at ease and listened to him recount the amusing mishaps their son had gotten himself into along the way.

Jiang Shi watched Xu Sizhun standing before the full-length dressing mirror, trying on the straw and rattan hat Jin Ge’er had given him, and let out a sudden burst of laughter. “What made Sixth Uncle think to give you a hat? Though I must say — looking at it now, it really does suit you quite well.”

Xu Sizhun handed the hat to Baozhu, who was standing nearby to help, and smiled. “Sixth Brother has always had a flair for unexpected ideas. You haven’t seen what he gave Fifth Uncle — a snuff bottle painted with a beautiful woman.”

Jiang Shi could contain herself no longer and burst into laughter.

Xu Sizhun’s heart stirred at the sight of her, and he took her hand. “Shall we go to Second Aunt’s?”

Just now they had left Jin Ge’er and Shen Ge’er here to play, and Jin Ge’er had mentioned he still needed to bring something to Second Madam and had taken his leave.

“Didn’t you want to see the ‘water-powered cart’?” Xu Sizhun said with a smile. “Isn’t this exactly the right moment? We can all go to Grandmother’s together with Jin Ge’er afterward. It won’t interfere with your helping Mother with the household affairs, and we won’t miss dinner at Grandmother’s either.”

Jiang Shi had once heard her father tell the story of the “wooden ox and flowing horse.” It was said that after Zhuge Liang, the technique had been lost entirely. Hearing the name “water-powered cart” with its similarity to “wooden ox and flowing horse,” she had been especially curious to see it. Hearing Xu Sizhun put it that way, she was naturally tempted.

“Should we not bring something with us?” she hesitated. “Sixth Uncle is going to bring a gift — if we go empty-handed, wouldn’t that seem a little impolite?”

“Didn’t the palace send us two boxes of pastries the other day?” Xu Sizhun said with a smile. “Why don’t we bring those? As for anything else, Second Aunt likely wouldn’t care much for it anyway.”

“That’s perfect!” Food made for a warmer, more personal kind of gift. Jiang Shi smiled, instructed Baozhu to bring the two boxes of pastries, and went with Xu Sizhun to Second Madam’s quarters.

Jin Ge’er and Shen Ge’er had not yet left.

One stood before Second Madam, brow furrowed and looking thoroughly put out. The other sat in a nearby armchair, watching Jin Ge’er and Second Madam with a look of bright curiosity.

“You’ve come!” When she saw Xu Sizhun and Jiang Shi, Second Madam lifted her teacup for a sip and smiled as she invited them to sit, though she made no move to ask Jin Ge’er to sit as well.

Both Xu Sizhun and Jiang Shi found this a little puzzling. They presented their gift, exchanged greetings with Jin Ge’er and Shen Ge’er, made a little small talk, and stated their purpose in coming.

“The piece is in the sitting room.” Second Madam instructed Jiexiang: “Take the Fourth Young Master and Fourth Young Mistress over to have a look.” Her gaze settled back on Jin Ge’er.

Jin Ge’er pressed his lips together in a look of resigned helplessness. Shen Ge’er pricked up his ears, tilting his head with an expression of keen interest.

The husband and wife exchanged a glance, then followed Jiexiang through to the sitting room beside the main hall. As soon as they stepped inside, they saw the little carriage sitting on the display shelf.

“So that’s what it looks like!” Jiang Shi stepped forward quickly to take a closer look.

From the main hall, Second Madam and Jin Ge’er’s conversation drifted faintly through.

“…Which constellations belong to the White Tiger?”

“The western ones!” Jin Ge’er said with a touch of uncertainty. “Kui, Wei, Shen, Bi, Lou, Mao… and one more… Zi.”

Jiang Shi’s attention was drawn away by the exchange.

“I have heard that you can read ten lines at a glance and memorize a whole page in the time it takes a stick of incense to burn.” Second Madam’s voice was measured and cool. “To stumble through it like this — you clearly never put your heart into it.” A note of disappointment entered her tone. “And here I had such high regard for you. I promised to make you another ‘water-powered cart’…”

“I… I…” Jin Ge’er’s voice carried a note of shame. “These past few days I’ve been traveling with Father — we were on the road every day, and the carriage jolted so badly — that’s why I haven’t memorized it properly.”

“Not having memorized it is not having memorized it.” Second Madam said with mild displeasure. “Making excuses only makes me think less of you.”

A long silence settled over the main hall.

“Should we go out and say something?” Xu Sizhun had heard it all too. Thinking of Second Madam’s strict manner, he murmured to Jiang Shi, uncertain what to do.

“Let’s wait and see,” Jiang Shi whispered back. “From the look of Second Aunt, she’s trying to motivate Sixth Uncle to study the stars. I don’t think Second Aunt would let Sixth Uncle leave in a huff like this…”

Her words had barely faded when Second Madam’s voice came again from outside: “Take this with you — it has the positions and arrangement of the twenty-eight lunar mansions written out. Next time you come, recite them for me.” A pause, then she added: “I think you had better come back in three days.”

Jin Ge’er answered with a dejected “Yes.” “Then… then I’ll take my leave now!”

Second Madam gave a quiet “Mm.”

Footsteps gradually approached and reached the sitting room doorway. “Fourth Brother, Fourth Sister, we’re heading back first!”

“Of course!” Xu Sizhun quickly said. “Be careful on your way. There was more snow overnight, and the wind started up again early this morning — the ground is slippery.”

Jin Ge’er responded with a downcast acknowledgment. Shen Ge’er, however, turned to Xu Sizhun with a cheerful grin. “Fourth Brother, Fourth Sister, we’re off!” looking every bit the picture of liveliness.

The husband and wife watched them go, feeling even more puzzled than before.

When they went to the Grand Madam’s for dinner that evening, Jiang Shi found a moment to ask Jin Ge’er: “Is Second Aunt teaching you about the stars?”

Jin Ge’er heard the question and nodded sluggishly.

Shen Ge’er, sitting nearby and happily wolfing down a dish of poria cake, leaned over eagerly: “Second Aunt said that if you learn to read the stars, you’ll never get lost. I want to learn too. Second Aunt said ‘alright.'”

Jin Ge’er was clearly unhappy with the topic. He shot Shen Ge’er a look and said: “Second Aunt stays at home all day — she has no idea how big the world is outside. We have post roads and relay stations wherever we go; you just follow the post road and you can’t get lost. There’s absolutely no use in learning this.” Then, all of a sudden, he seemed to feel fired up. “But since I promised Second Aunt, I’m going to learn it properly.” He said it with the conviction of someone making a solemn vow, raising a clenched fist and jabbing it through the air.

Shen Ge’er giggled beside him. He leaned toward Jiang Shi and whispered: “Sixth Brother lost a bet!” making not the slightest attempt to conceal his glee.

“Shen Ge’er!” Jin Ge’er stamped his foot.

Shen Ge’er laughed and ran off.

Jiang Shi was laughing so hard she could barely stand up straight.

That evening she told Xu Sizhun: “I’d like to learn stargazing from Second Aunt too. Father always said that once you know the stars, not only can you read fengshui — you can also determine auspicious dates. I’ve wanted to learn for a long time. It’s just a pity that Father doesn’t know it very well either. Second Aunt is remarkable! No wonder everyone says her scholarship is exceptional.” Her admiration was unmistakable.

“That’s a wonderful idea!” Xu Sizhun thought it was genuinely a good thing. “Second Aunt is always so quiet and solitary over there — if you study with her, she’ll have someone to keep her company.”

Jiang Shi was overjoyed.

“After the New Year, I’ll go and speak to Mother,” she said, sitting at the low table on the bed, cheek resting on her propped elbow, smiling as she made her plans. “Mother is very busy these days — it should settle down after the third month… Oh wait.” Her eyes went wide. “In the third month, Second Sister-in-law is nearly due to give birth… so that means…” She bit her lip. “We’d have to wait at least until the hundredth-day celebration in the sixth month…”

“We’ll learn at our own pace,” Xu Sizhun said with a laugh. “It isn’t like preparing for the imperial examinations to become a top scholar — why be in such a rush?”

He was right!

She would be spending the rest of her life here anyway.

At the thought of that, Jiang Shi’s cheeks turned faintly pink, and she stole a shy little glance at Xu Sizhun.

It was only at this point that Lady Shiyi learned Second Madam had been teaching Jin Ge’er astronomy.

“…It’s so difficult,” Jin Ge’er said with a furrowed brow. “There’s arithmetic too!”

Lady Shiyi had long felt that her son’s course of study was somewhat narrow — nothing but literature and physical training. Now that mathematics and astronomy had been added, she naturally thought it was all to the good.

She flicked a light chestnut off his forehead. “Something this wonderful, and instead of applying yourself, you’re complaining!”

Jin Ge’er just wanted to sulk a little in front of his mother.

“Mama,” he flopped against Lady Shiyi’s back, “on the third day of the New Year, are we going to Uncle’s house? Does that mean I’ll get to see Maternal Grandmother?”

Lady Shiyi was surprised. “Do you miss Maternal Grandmother so much?”

Jin Ge’er nodded. “She’s beautiful!”

Lady Shiyi couldn’t help laughing.

—