Under the devoted care of her son and daughter-in-law, the Grand Madam’s illness gradually improved. By mid-February, she was able to get out of bed and walk again.

Eunuch Lei, who had been ordered to visit and inquire after her health every other day, let out a long sigh of relief. He smiled at Xu Lingyi, who had grown noticeably thinner: “If the Grand Madam’s condition hadn’t improved, we simply wouldn’t have been able to hold Her Highness the Empress back!”

During this period, the Imperial Medical Academy had treated the Xu Mansion as a second imperial clinic. Precious medicines such as ginseng and lingzhi mushrooms flowed in continuously from the palace. Not only the Empress, but even the Emperor himself had sent people every few days to inquire after the Grand Madam’s condition — to say nothing of the various imperial relatives, princes, and high officials who came and went. Shiyiniang always felt that Xu Lingyi had not grown thin from caring for the Grand Madam, but from the exhaustion of receiving all these visitors while the Grand Madam lay ill.

“I must trouble Eunuch Lei to convey a message to Her Highness the Empress.” A rare smile broke through Xu Lingyi’s usually solemn expression. “The Grand Madam’s health is gradually recovering. Please ask Her Highness not to worry.”

“Rest assured, Marquis Yongping — I will deliver your words without fail.”

After a brief exchange, Xu Lingyi escorted Eunuch Lei to the courtyard gate before turning back toward the Grand Madam’s quarters.

The Second Madam was seated at the bedside. Shiyiniang and the Fifth Madam sat side by side on small stools placed before the bed, while the Third Madam sat on a small stool at the foot of the bed. Jiang Shi, Fang Shi, Jin Shi, and Xiang Shi all stood before the hanging flower partition.

“The spring banquet on the third day of the third month — it should be held…” The Grand Madam’s voice was still weak from her recent illness. “This sickness of mine has left everything so gloomy and heavy. We should hold a spring banquet, liven things up a little…”

“Then let’s hold it!” The Second Madam glanced toward Shiyiniang. “With so many people in the household, it’ll be lively and festive. When Mother sees that cheerfulness, her spirits will lift, and she’ll recover all the faster.”

Everyone followed the Second Madam’s gaze toward Shiyiniang, waiting for her to speak.

The Grand Madam’s illness this time had been a matter of the heart. If the atmosphere around her improved, her mood would improve; and when her mood improved, her spirits would follow, and she would gradually come back to life.

“I think Second Sister-in-law makes a good point.” Shiyiniang looked at the Grand Madam. “Mother, shall I send out invitations according to the same arrangements as previous years?”

The Grand Madam smiled, nodded, and wearily closed her eyes.

Shiyiniang rose and exchanged a look with the others in the room. Except for the Second Madam, who would remain to tend to the Grand Madam, everyone else quietly followed Shiyiniang out of the inner chamber.

“Let Zhun Ge’s wife handle this matter,” she instructed Jiang Shi. “You managed last year’s spring banquet, and everyone spoke well of it. However, this year’s circumstances are different — the Grand Madam cannot be put through too much strain, so the arrangements for the banquet should be kept simple and restrained.”

Jiang Shi murmured her assent. Shiyiniang turned and let her gaze pass over everyone present in the room.

“Third Sister-in-law, Fifth Sister-in-law,” she said, “these past days we have taken turns attending to Mother during the day, while Second Sister-in-law has served her through the nights. Were it not for that arrangement, with all these visitors coming and going, we would have been run ragged from morning till night and likely collapsed long ago. Mother is gradually recovering now, but she is, after all, advanced in years, and someone must always be at her side. Yet it is not right to keep relying on Second Sister-in-law in this way. I would like to ask Zhun Ge’s wife to take sole charge of the spring banquet, while we take turns attending to Mother so that Second Sister-in-law may rest. What do you all think?”

Not a single person raised any objection.

“Then it’s settled.” Shiyiniang assigned the schedule according to seniority among the sisters-in-law. “…Everyone has worked hard these past days. Let’s all retire early tonight and get a proper rest, so we may come and tend to Mother again tomorrow with renewed energy.”

With the Grand Madam’s health on the mend and rest finally within reach, the relief on everyone’s faces was plain to see.

The Fifth Madam had spent these days assisting Shiyiniang in receiving guests, and her brow was etched with deep fatigue. At these words she said, “Fourth Sister-in-law, then I’ll take my leave now. I’ll come first thing tomorrow morning to take over from you.”

According to Shiyiniang’s arrangement, Shiyiniang would be responsible for tending to the Grand Madam that evening, and the Fifth Madam would take over the following morning.

Shiyiniang nodded.

The Third Madam said she would follow the assigned schedule for caring for the Grand Madam, then took her leave with her daughter-in-law.

Xu Lingyi returned after seeing Eunuch Lei off.

“How is Mother?” he asked with concern. “Is anyone with her?”

Before Shiyiniang could answer, a young maid lifted the curtain of the inner chamber and stepped out.

“My Lord, My Lady!” she said softly. “The Grand Madam wishes to speak with the Fourth Madam.”

Hadn’t she just fallen asleep from exhaustion a moment ago?

Shiyiniang was quite surprised. She entered the inner chamber together with Xu Lingyi.

The Grand Madam lay with her eyes closed, as if asleep.

Her hair had gone entirely white, her skin was sallow and without luster, and the lines of her face stood out in sharp relief.

Xu Lingyi’s heart clenched. He knelt at the bedside.

Seeing him, the Second Madam quickly rose to her feet.

“Mother.” Xu Lingyi gently took the Grand Madam’s hand.

The Grand Madam opened her eyes. “You’re here. Where is Shiyiniang?” she asked, looking past Xu Lingyi.

Shiyiniang hurried forward and knelt beside Xu Lingyi before the Grand Madam.

“Shiyiniang,” the Grand Madam said, her trembling hand reaching out to grasp Shiyiniang’s, “I want you — in the next couple of days — send someone — to Yuhang — to propose to Jie Ge’er in advance.”

Shiyiniang was taken aback.

Though this matter had been decided upon, the Grand Madam’s illness had caused it to be delayed.

“Jie Ge’er is sixteen this year. In two more years he will be eighteen. He has nothing to occupy himself, but can Ying’er really be left to wait like this? If people start to talk, that child will also lose face. Rather than making things difficult later, it’s better to settle the betrothal early.”

This time, the Grand Madam spoke with unusual urgency, the words coming out rapid and rushed.

The old lady feared that if she were to pass away, the children would be bound by mourning and the matter would drag on until they were too old…

“Mother, please don’t think like that.” Shiyiniang hastened to comfort her. “Once you’re better in a few days, we’ll go and propose the match.”

“No!” the Grand Madam said with absolute firmness. “Tomorrow — you will go tomorrow to propose!”

Shiyiniang was about to try again to persuade the Grand Madam not to be so pessimistic, when Xu Lingyi spoke: “Then tomorrow we’ll make a trip to Bowstring Lane.”

At these words, the tension eased from the Grand Madam’s expression. “You must remember! You must remember!” Her voice grew gradually faint, and she closed her eyes.

Xu Lingyi was given quite a fright. Shiyiniang’s heart lurched as well, and the Second Madam gently placed her fingers beneath the Grand Madam’s nose. After a long moment, she looked toward Xu Lingyi and Shiyiniang and gave a slow shake of her head.

Only then did all three of them let out a collective breath of relief.

Shiyiniang and Xu Lingyi stepped out of the inner chamber to speak.

“I think it’s best to settle this matter sooner rather than later,” he said thoughtfully. “If Zhensheng is posted away, it will be even harder to arrange.”

“Alright,” Shiyiniang said. “I’ll go to Bowstring Lane tomorrow.” Then she turned and headed to Xu Sijie’s quarters.

The classes at the study hall had all been suspended.

Xu Sijie was seated upright at his writing desk, practicing his calligraphy. When he saw his mother, he quickly set down his brush.

“What brings you here?” He helped Shiyiniang to the large kang by the window and personally brewed her a cup of tea. “Has Grandmother gone to rest?”

Shiyiniang nodded and took a sip of tea. “What tea is this? It tastes quite good.”

“It’s Huangshan Maofeng,” Xu Sijie replied. “If you like it, Mother, I’ll have some sent over to you later.” He added, “Wang Yun gave it to Fourth Brother.”

“I’m not particular about tea,” Shiyiniang laughed. “I can hardly tell the difference anyway. You keep it for yourself.” As she spoke, a fleeting hesitation crossed her expression.

He could always see it clearly when it concerned someone he cared about.

Since his mother seemed reluctant to raise the matter herself, he would bring it up first.

“Mother,” Xu Sijie smiled, “is there something you’d like to tell me?”

“There is something!” Shiyiniang looked at Xu Sijie’s still-youthful face and chose her words carefully. “If I were to have Ying’er stay by my side permanently from now on, how would you feel about that?”

“That would be wonderful!” For some reason Xu Sijie couldn’t quite name, his heart lifted at the words. “First Cousin is cheerful and warm, and she understands flowers and plants — having her by your side, you’d have someone to keep you company…” He trailed off suddenly and fell silent.

A young woman, once she came of age, would naturally marry. For his mother to want to keep her by her side forever seemed rather impossible… And yet his mother was not the sort of person to speak thoughtlessly or without purpose…

The thought flickered past in an instant, and a bold notion suddenly leapt to the fore.

His face turned a deep crimson.

“Mother…” He stared at Shiyiniang for a long moment, unable to find words.

Seeing that he had understood her meaning, Shiyiniang smiled and nodded, then asked again: “Well? Is it a good idea?”

Xu Sijie’s face turned so red it looked ready to bleed.

He lowered his head, tongue-tied, not daring to meet Shiyiniang’s eyes. Then, abruptly, he blurted out, “I — I’ll go brew more tea for you” — picked up her teacup and fled out the door.

Shiyiniang couldn’t help but press her lips together to hide her smile.

The next day she went to Bowstring Lane.

“How are things going for the eldest?” Wang Yiniang respectfully ushered Shiyiniang into the study.

“Still waiting for an opening in the Ministry of Personnel.” Luo Zhensheng was dressed in a half-worn grey Hangzhou silk long robe, which suited his fair, slightly rounded face — the composed steadiness particular to a man in middle age. Shiyiniang found herself suddenly recalling Luo Zhensheng’s appearance on the day he had met her at the Tongzhou wharf, the very first time she came to the capital.

Upright and handsome…

She suddenly understood completely why Luo Zhensheng had sought a posting away from the capital.

“What do Second Uncle and Third Uncle say?” This was a significant matter for the Luo Family, and the two uncles still serving in officialdom would certainly need to be consulted.

Luo Zhensheng, however, had not noticed the subtle shift in his younger sister’s emotions. “Second Uncle thinks we should be more cautious. Third Uncle thinks the opportunity is good.” Unaccustomed to discussing such things with a woman — even if that woman was his own younger sister — he kept it brief and changed the subject. “I hear the Grand Madam has been well enough to walk again?”

Seeing that he was unwilling to continue, Shiyiniang did not press further. She took the opening to exchange a few words with Luo Zhensheng about the Grand Madam’s condition, then raised the matter of the betrothal the Grand Madam had been so anxious about.

“Have your matchmaker come and propose,” Luo Zhensheng said. “It would be best to have the engagement settled before the end of the third month. Even if I’ve already left by then, you can go directly to Yuhang to fetch the bride.”

Shiyiniang smiled and thanked him, then left and went straight to the Marquis Yongping’s estate.

“Surely you haven’t come to ask me to play matchmaker for nothing?” The Third Young Madam of the Huang family looked at her with a teasing smile.

Shiyiniang couldn’t help but laugh awkwardly.

“You really do want me to be the matchmaker?” The Third Young Madam of the Huang family couldn’t help but exclaim, then burst out laughing. “Well, it’s agreed this time — you’ll owe me double the pair of shoes!”

“Sister, you truly do drive a hard bargain!”

“Surely I’m worth at least that much?”

The two of them bantered back and forth for a while before Shiyiniang told the Third Young Madam of the Huang family the full details of the matter.

“Wonderful!” the Third Young Madam of the Huang family laughed. “A marriage that draws two branches of the same family even closer — nothing could be better.” She and Shiyiniang settled on a date for the formal proposal visit, after which Shiyiniang rose and took her leave.

Once outside Princess Lane, she immediately sent someone to inform Luo Zhensheng, so he could arrange for a matchmaker on his end.

Within a few days, the two families formally exchanged the birth date documents. Three days after that, the marriage contract was written and the small betrothal gifts were presented. The Grand Madam’s health also improved day by day, and by the Dragon Boat Festival, she even went with the children to release river lanterns. Only then did everyone dare to offer their heartfelt congratulations. The Xu household recovered its former air of warmth and joy.

—