Shiyiniang nodded inwardly.

Among the Xu brothers, Xu Sijie was the one who received the least attention. A wife’s standing rises with her husband’s. To be married to him would mean that while she would live more comfortably in terms of food and clothing than most households, she would always be overshadowed by the other sisters-in-law. Without a heart at peace with a quiet life, it would be very difficult for a husband and wife to live in true harmony.

She had not told Luo Zhensheng her true purpose in inviting Yingniang to Yanjing. The letter she had sent to Yuhang had been taken at face value, without a single hint beyond the literal words. Even if the family in Yuhang might guess something along those lines, it was still only speculation — and how could they have told the child? If they had guessed wrong, it would have been a great embarrassment.

With no desire comes a kind of unshakeable integrity.

And so this was Yingniang’s true character.

The next time Shiyiniang saw Yingniang, there was an additional warmth in her manner: “…The eighth day of the fourth month is the Buddha’s birthday. Come and accompany me to the Temple of the Medicine King to burn incense with the Grand Madam!”

Hearing there was an outing, Yingniang’s smile lit up with particular brightness. “What should I prepare?”

“Nothing at all!” Shiyiniang said with a smile. “The incense and everything else will all be arranged.” Thinking of the small trinkets the temple sells — sandalwood bead bracelets and the like — she had Hupo fill a small purse with five taels of loose silver and give it to Yingniang.

Yingniang waved it away several times. “When I came, Mother gave me fifty taels.”

“This is from me.” Shiyiniang smiled, and Hupo pressed the purse into Yingniang’s hands.

Yingniang brought the purse back to her room and handed it to her wet nurse. “Remember to bring it along when we go.”

The wet nurse hesitated as she accepted the purse. “Young Miss, Eleventh Aunt’s moods seem a little… unpredictable. I think it would be better to set this silver aside — after all, Madam gave you spending money before you left too.”

Yingniang knew she was referring to the way Shiyiniang’s attitude toward her had seemed to blow hot and cold, and smiled. “You needn’t read anything into it. She is my aunt.” She then said, “These past days there was the third-of-the-third Spring Banquet, then Fifth Cousin Brother’s birthday, then Princess Fucheng falling seriously ill and needing visits, and the Grand Madam being unwell and needing company… so many things at once, and the Marquis isn’t even home. Even with Fourth Cousin’s Wife helping, Aunt still has to be the one to make the final decisions on everything. Never mind that she couldn’t find time to attend to me just now — even if she could, I’m her niece, and I should not be pushing to have my share of her attention. You must never speak this way again. Back in Yuhang, even the smallest bit of gossip gets spread far and wide — and this is a Marquis’s household, with so many people above and below. If a rumor were to start, those without a discerning mind would watch for the spectacle; but those with a thoughtful one would say we were mean-spirited and petty, that we would begrudge even an aunt her own peace, that we were contentious and overbearing. It would be unpleasant for us, and it would bring Aunt no credit either.”

“It was wrong of me!” the wet nurse said, her face flushed with shame.

Seeing she had acknowledged her error, Yingniang said no more, and asked her instead, “What do you think I should wear that day?”

The wet nurse promptly opened the trunks. “Since it’s something Aunt gifted you, I think you should wear what Aunt gave you!”

“I think I’ll wear my own,” Yingniang considered. “The sisters-in-law from Si Xiang Alley will likely be there that day as well. If I wore clothes Aunt gave me, they might not say anything, but it would reflect poorly on the Luo family’s name.”

The wet nurse nodded again and again, and reopened the trunk.

Shiyiniang had deliberately arranged a few sharp-eared people in Yingniang’s quarters, so these words very quickly reached her ears.

She was, after all, a child who had learned to survive in the cracks of things. Young as she was, she considered everything with care.

Shiyiniang was further pleased in her heart. She spoke of it quietly to the Grand Madam, who was absolutely delighted: “Good, good, good — nothing could be better. Quickly go and say something to your Elder Uncle. Once Old Fourth comes home, we’ll send the matchmaker to their door at once.” She was even more impatient about it than Shiyiniang, who pressed her lips together trying not to laugh.

That evening when Yingniang came to pay her respects to the Grand Madam, the Grand Madam took her hand and talked with her for a long while. Fortunately the Grand Madam was always in the habit of chattering away with the young ones, otherwise the Grand Madam’s particular enthusiasm might have aroused suspicion.

Shiyiniang took advantage of Luo Zhensheng’s rest day to go to Bowstring Alley.

Luo Zhensheng was at home sorting through his books. When he heard why she had come, he laughed. “When you first said you wanted Yingniang to come to Yanjing and keep you company, I already had a suspicion. I thought you’d wait until the Marquis came home before raising the matter — I didn’t expect you to come this quickly.” He then added, “Jie Ge’er grew up before my very eyes, and he was raised at your side on top of that. I have no reservations at all about letting Yingniang be matched to him.”

The way he spoke — as though this matter had already been discussed.

Shiyiniang was a little surprised.

Luo Zhensheng gave a hearty laugh and offered no explanation. He spoke instead of Yingniang: “Only now that it’s come to this, it’s not quite fitting for her to stay at your place. I think we should pick a day and have her come back to Bowstring Alley.”

“Nothing is finalized yet,” Shiyiniang felt it would be better to wait until word came back from Yuhang. “There’s no rush to move her before it’s settled.”

“Fair enough!” Luo Zhensheng said with a smile. “Yingniang has only just arrived, and if she suddenly moves to my side so soon, a sharp-eyed person might think she came to Yanjing specifically for this match.”

Brother and sister talked for a long while; Luo Zhensheng even kept Shiyiniang for the evening meal before she returned home.

Shiyiniang then began to think about Xu Sijie’s marriage arrangements.

The outer court was out of the question. In the inner court, Third Madam’s side housed Xu Siyu and his wife; Xu Sizhun and his wife lived in the former residence of Yuanniang; and Fifth Madam’s family lived beside Dian Chun Hall. She could hardly put them in the small courtyard next to Dian Chun Hall either — that place was too cramped.

Shiyiniang wandered about the back garden.

Yingniang was puzzled: “Is Aunt thinking of planting something?”

Shiyiniang was caught off guard.

Yingniang smiled. “I noticed you kept looking for the spots where the plants grew most abundantly, so I thought you were planning to grow something.”

Shiyiniang laughed.

In her heart, she had probably unconsciously assumed that both Yingniang and Xu Sijie would love a place with flowers and greenery.

“Which part of the garden does Yingniang like best?” A thought stirred within her.

“I think it’s all quite lovely,” Yingniang said with a smile. “But what I like most is Nong Xiang Courtyard. You can grow vegetables and fruit there.”

Because it was more practical than simply growing ornamental flowers and plants?

Shiyiniang smiled and drew Yingniang close.

A small maid came running breathlessly toward them: “Madam, Eldest — Eldest Young Miss — the Marquis — the Marquis and Sixth Young Master are back!”

Shiyiniang was overjoyed. She took Yingniang’s hand and hurried toward the hanging flowered gate.

Yingniang was also very pleased. “Didn’t they say mid-April at the earliest? It’s only the beginning of the month!”

“They must have set out ahead of schedule,” Shiyiniang said, her thoughts already elsewhere. Someone was running toward them.

“Mother, Mother, we’re back!” Before Shiyiniang could react, a flash of blue darted straight at her.

It could only be Jin Ge’er.

Shiyiniang instinctively opened her arms and gathered the figure into an embrace.

“You child, always so reckless!” she scolded gently, her eyes scanning the area around her.

Not far away, Xu Lingyi, wearing a half-worn raven-blue Hangzhou silk robe, stood quietly with a smile, watching her. His bright eyes were like spring sunlight — warm, gentle, and intoxicating.

Shiyiniang’s throat tightened, and for a moment she could not find any words. Her arms, acting of their own accord, tightened around the person in her embrace.

“Mother, not so hard!” Jin Ge’er protested. “You’re squeezing the breath out of me.”

Shiyiniang laughed and released her son, reaching out to ruffle his hair. “You little Xu Sijin — a few days away and you’re already complaining about your mother!” She then suddenly realized she had to stretch up her arm to touch the top of his head.

“Jin Ge’er…” Shiyiniang looked at him intently.

He had not only grown taller, but was considerably leaner too. Fair skin, defined features, clear phoenix-shaped eyes, an upright bearing — a spirited, soaring confidence between his brows where once there had been only round, endearing chubbiness. Now there was the vigorous dash of a young man coming into his own.

What had she missed during all that time?

Shiyiniang’s tears began to fall unbidden.

“Don’t cry, don’t cry!” Jin Ge’er, now the same height as her, quickly gathered his mother in his arms. “I’m back now, aren’t I? I brought you loads of things — robes and sashes from the Western Regions people, and clothes and jewelry from the Miao people… You’re going to love them.” He said this softly, coaxing her.

“Where did you get Miao clothes and jewelry?” Shiyiniang’s eyes were still wet, but her gaze had already sharpened into a look of strict inquiry.

“Oh!” A flicker of unease passed across Jin Ge’er’s face, but he recovered his composure at once. “Someone gave them to me — as a gift,” he said, then caught himself and added, “Everyone knows Father campaigned in Miao territory, so someone wanting to please Father gave us Miao women’s clothing and jewelry as a gift.” He said this while wrapping an arm around Shiyiniang’s shoulder. “Mother, let’s go look at the Miao ornaments. You’ve never seen anything like them — they’re beautiful.” He put on an air of wanting to smooth everything over and move on.

“You and your smooth talk even in front of me…” Shiyiniang was amused and exasperated at once. Only before she had finished speaking, Jin Ge’er was already loudly protesting his innocence: “I’m not! I really wouldn’t talk nonsense in front of Mother. The things really were gifts. If you don’t believe me, ask Father.” Then he tugged at Shiyiniang’s sleeve, wheedling, “Mother, we’ve been on the road for days on end and haven’t had so much as a cup of hot tea. The moment we entered the city, Father was asking where you were. And once we came through the gate, he didn’t even stop to change or rest before coming straight to find you.” He said this and then pointed to himself. “If you don’t believe me, just look at me — I’m covered in dust.” Then he wrapped his arm around Shiyiniang’s shoulder again and steered her forward. “Mother, I’m thirsty and hungry right now. Even if you want to lecture me, at least let me wash up first — please?”

He wore an expression of pitiful suffering, yet managed to be simultaneously impudent and wheedling. Yingniang, standing nearby, couldn’t help but laugh.

Only then did Jin Ge’er notice Yingniang.

His eyes brightened.

With Eldest Cousin Sister here, his mother would have to keep at least some appearances regardless.

“Eldest Cousin Sister, when did you arrive?” he called out in an affectionate, easy manner.

Yingniang held back her smile. “I arrived at the end of the second month. You had just left with the Marquis at the time.”

“No wonder I didn’t know.” He cast about for something to say. “Eldest Cousin Sister, where are you staying? I’ll come and find you later. I brought back all kinds of head wraps from the Western Regions — every color imaginable. Tell me what color you like, and I’ll have some sent over…” He played at misdirection, drawing everyone’s attention elsewhere.

Shiyiniang didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

Two warm hands lightly pressed her and then let go, and a gentle voice sounded near her ear: “Moyan, the child has been thinking of you this whole journey. Let it go.”

—