Ying Niang got quite a fright, and quickly pulled the manservant aside. “Stop crying. What exactly happened?”

The manservant said between sobs: “We went to the Xianju Teahouse early in the morning. Once the storyteller had taken the stage, the Sixth Young Master left us several attendants in the private room and went out with Chang’an and Huang Xiaomao. He didn’t come back until past noon. Chang’an went to the spring banquet hall next door to order a few dishes to send over. We were eating perfectly well when a man with a goatee led over a dozen burly men and barged in. He pointed at the Sixth Young Master and said, ‘That’s the one’ — and those men surrounded him and started hitting…” He muttered on, then glanced guiltily at Ying Niang. “I was afraid the Sixth Young Master would be overwhelmed, so I ran back… hoping to find the Fourth Madam…”

“Did you all do something you shouldn’t have?” Ying Niang understood immediately.

“No, no,” the manservant said evasively, looking away. “We were just sitting there listening to the storytelling, drinking tea…”

Just sitting there listening and drinking tea, and yet someone came to attack them? They had also gone out with four or five household guards, and the Marquis Yongping household was both nobility and imperial relatives — they would be treated with deference by everyone from imperial kinsmen to high court officials. And yet this manservant had run back to seek aid from his mistress. Either the other party was no ordinary person, and Jin Ge’er genuinely had no leg to stand on — even if it came to a public scene, they weren’t afraid. Or the other party was not from Yanjing at all and simply didn’t know who Jin Ge’er was…

That thought made her heart jump.

“Tell me the truth,” Ying Niang said. She didn’t know how far this Xianju Teahouse was from Hehua Lane — but regardless of which situation it was, the sooner they got there the better, and even if Jin Ge’er was in the wrong, he shouldn’t be left to get hurt. She grew urgent. “If the Sixth Young Master comes away with so much as a scratch, and you knew and said nothing — even if the Marquis lets it pass, the Grand Matriarch certainly won’t. You’ll lose a layer of skin at the very least, even if your life is spared. Now, tell me everything.”

In a fight, of course someone might get hurt.

The manservant had already been frightened that Jin Ge’er might be injured and that he himself would be punished afterward. Now, hearing Ying Niang say this, he trembled all the more and didn’t dare conceal a single word: “From the way the goateed man spoke, they came from Huai’an — and their master is apparently some Commander-Adjutant. I don’t know how the Sixth Young Master offended them. Those men were all red-faced with rage, saying that even if he were Elder Chen’s son, they’d beat him first and answer to His Majesty later. The Sixth Young Master’s martial arts are exceptional and the guards he brought are all skilled fighters, but they have many men, and I was afraid he might be overwhelmed in the end…”

Huai’an was the seat of the Grand Canal Transport Commissioner’s office. Those who served there were mostly hereditary Lieutenant Commanders and Commander-Adjutants. With such an arrogant tone, these were clearly no ordinary people.

Ying Niang grew urgent. “Did you announce your names?”

“The Sixth Young Master heard the goateed man say that and told us not to announce ourselves,” the manservant said, crying again. “He also said: if we win, fine — but if we lose, announcing ourselves would only lose us face.”

Ying Niang stamped her foot. “How far is Xianju Teahouse from here?”

“Not far at all,” the manservant said. “No more than the time it takes to drink two cups of tea.”

“You wait here. I’m going to get help.” With those words, Ying Niang turned and hastened back into the courtyard.

Two young maids who had yet to put up their hair were playing a beanbag tossing game on the stone table beneath the grape arbor. They were laughing and lively. Seeing Ying Niang, they both greeted her: “Fifth Young Madam, where have you been? The Grand Matriarch had someone wash pears to bring in — if you’re too late, they’ll all be gone!” Their voices were clear and bright, their smiles pure and unclouded, and looking at them, Ying Niang’s heart lifted slightly and her scattered nerves steadied a little.

This matter could not be allowed to reach the Grand Matriarch or Second Madam — the Grand Matriarch was advancing in years and her health was growing more frail by the day; if she were frightened and something went wrong, Jin Ge’er would be responsible for that for the rest of his life. And Second Madam was strict with people, measured in her conduct, and deeply disliked anyone who was showy and reckless — Jin Ge’er’s escapade would only earn her disapproval, and might even make her feel that his mother had failed to raise him well.

But with something like this, an ordinary person would not be able to settle it.

Her mind immediately went to Xu Sizhun.

But the moment that thought arose, she shook her head.

Xu Sizhun was the heir of the Marquis Yongping household, but his temperament was magnanimous and his manner of handling things was moderate and even-handed. Even if Jin Ge’er were entirely in the right, Xu Sizhun would likely still urge him to let it go, smooth things over, reduce a major matter to a minor one and a minor one to nothing. And if Jin Ge’er were in the wrong — that would be even more problematic. He might well offer compensation for injuries on top of it, and personally go to make apologies.

If Jin Ge’er won the fight, fine — it would simply show magnanimity. But if he lost, he would only be laughed at as a coward. If word spread, how would Jin Ge’er face anyone after this?

Go to Steward Bai?

That would be the same as telling his father.

Ying Niang thought of Xu Lingyi’s cold, stern expression, his sharp and piercing gaze… and her heart went cold.

No — she could not tell Steward Bai.

If the Marquis found out Jin Ge’er had caused trouble outside, he would certainly fly into a thunderous rage. The scolding would be the least of it — if he brought out the family discipline rod… Shiyiniang would be heartbroken. And if that came to pass, it would be even worse than asking Xu Sizhun to intervene.

What was to be done?

Ying Niang turned this way and that in her mind.

Every moment of delay was another moment of difficulty for Jin Ge’er.

Thinking this, tears nearly sprang to her eyes.

Perhaps it was the intensity of her emotion, but the child in her belly gave her a kick.

Ying Niang startled. Her mind went to Xiang Shi, who was also with child — and then to Xu Siyu, who had only just returned to the household.

Her eyes lit up.

How had she not thought of Xu Siyu?

He had been traveling back and forth between Yanjing and Le’an all these years and must have weathered no small number of difficulties along the way. He was also a juren — a man of some standing — and his conduct was measured and steady. Even if he couldn’t resolve the conflict outright, he ought to be able to hold the situation long enough for her to get word to Shiyiniang…

The trouble was, everyone was gathered around the Grand Matriarch at this moment, and as a younger sister-in-law, it would be difficult to find a quick opportunity to speak with him privately.

In a flash of inspiration, Ying Niang suddenly had an idea.

She immediately called over a nearby maid: “Go tell Second Young Master that someone claiming to be his schoolmate is waiting at the gate and wishes to see him.”

Since it was Ying Niang who said so, the maid had no reason to doubt her, and ran inside with a cheerful smile.

In no time at all, Xu Siyu came out.

“Second Elder Brother — it’s me who called for you!” Ying Niang stepped quickly forward to meet him.

Xu Siyu, growing perceptive of the ways of the world, felt his gaze turn slightly grave at these words. “What has happened?”

Ying Niang gave him a brief and clear account of the matter: “…I thought it over from every angle, and could only come to Second Elder Brother for help.” She added, “That manservant is still waiting outside the gate!”

Xu Siyu said immediately, “You go back in. No matter who asks, don’t say a word. I’ll handle this matter.”

His calm, level-headed voice immediately won Ying Niang’s trust. She breathed a sigh of relief, then asked, “Should I also say nothing to Mother?”

“Say nothing to Mother either,” Xu Siyu said. “You said the man came from Huai’an, didn’t you? If things don’t seem right and I can’t handle it, I’ll find a way to reach Fourth Uncle by marriage or Prince Yong Wang. You needn’t worry.”

Only then did Ying Niang set down the full weight of her concern. “Clubs and sticks have no eyes — Second Elder Brother, please be careful.”

Xu Siyu gave a nod, and strode quickly out of the courtyard.

Ying Niang drew a long, deep breath, steadied herself, and walked back into the hall with a smile.

By dusk, Shiyiniang had returned to the household.

Everyone gathered at the Grand Matriarch’s to welcome Xu Siyu’s return. But the man of honor was nowhere to be seen. And Jin Ge’er, who returned at a set hour every day, had not come back either.

Ying Niang was frantic with worry but dared not show even the slightest sign of it. She mentioned only Jin Ge’er: “Yesterday he was telling me he wanted to go to some hutong near Xiangguo Temple for braised sheep’s head — I wonder if he actually went today?”

The Grand Matriarch heard this and was immediately reassured, telling Shiyiniang with a smile, “That would be Yangchang Hutong. The braised sheep’s head there is the finest you’ll find.”

Second Madam glanced at Xiang Shi, then smiled and said: “Then let’s not wait for Siyu — since he’s with a schoolmate, it’s likely someone who came all the way from Le’an. Coming from so far, Siyu would naturally want to be a good host.”

Her words had barely left her lips when a young maid came running in: “Second Young Master says a schoolmate has arrived from Le’an and is unfamiliar with the city — he’s settling his guest in and will return directly. He asks that the Grand Matriarch, Second Madam, Fourth Madam, and the young masters and young madams please not wait on his account.”

“Then we won’t wait,” the Grand Matriarch said, and instructed Second Madam, “Have them serve the meal.”

Second Madam smiled in assent. Everyone gathered around the Grand Matriarch and moved to the east side room.

Ying Niang ate the evening meal as if chewing on wax, summoning all her composure to see Shiyiniang home.

“Are you feeling unwell?” Shiyiniang took her hand. “If you’re not well, stay home and rest. You needn’t come for morning and evening greetings for the next few days — I’ll explain to the Grand Matriarch.”

“I’m alright,” Ying Niang said. Having spent enough time with her mother-in-law to know how observant she was, she neither dared say she was unwell nor dared pretend — and so spoke vaguely: “If I’m still not feeling well tomorrow, I’ll tell you then — there’s no hurry.”

Shiyiniang, seeing she wouldn’t say, didn’t press, only repeatedly reminding Ying Niang to come discuss anything with her.

Ying Niang assented, and parted ways with Shiyiniang at the rear garden gate.

Xu Sijie was holding her hand, his expression grave. “What has happened? Ever since Second Elder Brother went out, you’ve been in a daze — hiding it from Mother and not saying a word!”

Ying Niang felt that Xu Sijie was her husband, not someone else — she had never intended to hide it from him. She whispered the whole story to him.

Xu Sijie’s expression changed drastically. “This is terrible. If they’re not back by tonight, there’s simply no way to hide it any longer.” Then he said, “Why didn’t you also tell me at the time? An extra person would have been an extra hand — I could have gone to help Second Elder Brother pass word or run an errand.” He also clenched his fist. “What kind of people are they, this arrogant? Even if Jin Ge’er was in the wrong, he’s young — couldn’t they have shown some forbearance?”

“At that moment, how could I have told you?” Ying Niang said with exasperation. “And you absolutely cannot tell Fourth Elder Brother about this.”

“I know what matters are serious and what aren’t,” Xu Sijie said, quickening his steps. “I’ll walk you back — and then I’m going straight to Qingyin Residence. If it gets late, don’t wait up for me.”

Ying Niang pressed him on. “There are maids and women attendants with me — if you’re going, go now. When there’s news, have someone tell me, so I’m not left to worry.”

Xu Sijie thought for a moment. “Be careful then. As soon as there’s news I’ll have someone tell you.”

“Go quickly!” Ying Niang gave a nod.

Xu Sijie broke into a trot and went out through the ornamental gate.

—