When Xu Lingyi and the others entered, Xu Sijin was sitting close beside the Grand Matriarch, whispering something in her ear. The Grand Matriarch was smiling warmly, nodding repeatedly with an expression of wholehearted approval. The atmosphere was harmonious and warm — not the slightest trace of the earlier tension remained.

Seeing them come in, the Grand Matriarch’s smile gradually faded. She gave Xu Sijin’s sleeve a gentle tug, signaling that someone had arrived and he should stop talking.

Xu Sijin quickly dropped the subject and, smiling, stepped forward together with Shen Ge’er and Cheng Ge’er to bow to Xu Lingyi and the others.

Everyone took their seats according to rank.

The maids served tea.

The Grand Matriarch asked Eleventh: “Has Jin Ge’er’s clothing all been packed?” — clearly a sign she had relented.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, exchanging glances — some surprised, some amused, some helpless — as they stole a look at Xu Sijin.

Everything had been packed according to Xu Lingyi’s instructions: no maids were to accompany him, all utensils and tin ware were to be left behind, and even his everyday changes of clothes were nothing but coarse and plain garments. “…Don’t forget — he’s going to the garrison post as the son of a commoner. The details cannot give him away.” For this reason, Eleventh had specifically sent Qiuju to the market to buy him a few rough short jackets.

But none of this could be said to the Grand Matriarch.

If the Grand Matriarch suddenly took it into her head to inspect Xu Sijin’s trunks, would that not stir up trouble all over again?

“Still being packed,” said Eleventh, keeping a step in reserve. “It will be done within the next two days.”

“That place is remote — there are things money can’t buy out there. As for maids… A’jin and Yingtao can go along, but bring a few capable older serving women… Bring Master Pang too. He’s skilled — if you run into someone as blind as Chen Bo, at least you won’t come off the worse for it…”

Eleventh smiled and said, “Yes.”

The Grand Matriarch then turned to Xu Lingkuan: “I remember you’re quite close with someone at the Ministry of Personnel — what was his position? Go tomorrow and have a word with him. Ask him to put in a good word with the Guizhou Provincial Administration Commissioner. That way, when our Jin Ge’er arrives, he can call on the man. The roads are long and the mountains are high — if he runs into difficulties, at least he’ll have someone to consult.”

Fourth Brother is well-acquainted with people at both the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of War. Why ask me instead of Fourth Brother?

Xu Lingyi grumbled inwardly, catching a glimpse of Xu Lingkuan’s somewhat awkward expression. He quickly smiled and said, “It’s a secretary at the Ministry of Personnel. I’ll go first thing tomorrow morning.”

The Grand Matriarch gave a satisfied nod. Her gaze then settled on Ying Niang.

“Still no movement?” she asked with some concern. “What does the midwife say?”

“She says it’s a first birth — a little early or a little late is perfectly normal,” Eleventh replied with a smile.

The Grand Matriarch then asked after Madam Xiang… and throughout the entire exchange, she did not glance at Xu Lingyi even once.

Fifth Madam returned home laughing so hard she doubled over: “Fourth Brother-in-law has grown up so big, and I doubt he’s ever been this embarrassed before!”

“What are you saying in front of the children?” Xu Lingkuan was laughing just as hard himself, but seeing Shen Ge’er and Cheng Ge’er watching, he forced a stern face and scolded Fifth Madam.

“You’re right, it was wrong of me!” Fifth Madam offered her apology without the slightest sincerity, still smiling as she drew both sons to her side. “What did Jin Ge’er say to your grandmother? How did he make her change her mind so quickly?”

Cheng Ge’er blurted out: “Sixth Brother said he wanted to go to Guizhou to find a gold mine or go into the medicinal herb trade, but he had no money. He asked Grandmother to give him some funds once he’d decided what to do, and promised that when he made money, he’d have a full set of gold jewelry made for her. The moment Grandmother heard that, she was delighted. She even quietly asked Sixth Brother how much silver he needed — and said that if it wasn’t enough, she had gold ingots too.”

Xu Lingyi could no longer hold back. He burst into laughter, clutching his sides.

That Jin Ge’er — he really knew how to make the old lady happy!

Fifth Madam felt a pang of sourness and couldn’t help glancing at Shen Ge’er.

Cheng Ge’er was still young — there was no comparing them. But Shen Ge’er was only a year younger than Jin Ge’er, and by any other family’s standards he was already sharp and clever. Yet somehow, set beside Jin Ge’er, he seemed to lack that extra spark of quick-wittedness.

Shen Ge’er, however, misread his mother’s look, thinking she was asking him to confirm whether what Cheng Ge’er had said was accurate.

“Mother, don’t listen to what little brother says,” he laughed. “What made Grandmother happy was that Sixth Brother told her the reason Fourth Uncle agreed to let him go to Guizhou was because there are tribal peoples there — good opportunities to earn military merit. Fourth Uncle himself made his unparalleled achievements back then by campaigning against the Miao tribes in Huguang. It was only after saying that that he brought up finding a gold mine and going into the medicinal herb trade.”

Think of it: if a gold mine were found, with Xu Lingyi’s connections it would be a simple matter to have it turned into a private mine — that was a business with no starting capital, and the profits would overflow. And even if no gold mine materialized, the medicinal herb trade under the protection of the Guizhou Military Commissioner would be lucrative — if nothing else, just the money saved on bribing inspection officers along the road would be no small sum…

Turning these thoughts over, once the children had been sent off to wash up, Fifth Madam asked Xu Lingkuan: “My lord, what do you think — would it be good to have Shen Ge’er assigned to a post away from the capital as well?”

“Shen Ge’er is still too young!” Xu Lingkuan shook his head. “Besides, he can inherit my position. Our family is not lacking in food or clothing — why make him go out and suffer in some remote place? If anyone should go, let it be Cheng Ge’er.” He said this with a smile: “By the time our Cheng Ge’er is grown, Jin Ge’er will likely have made his mark. Cheng Ge’er can just go and attach himself to him then.”

Fifth Madam couldn’t help but frown.

Cheng Ge’er had a timid and retiring nature — a posting away from the capital simply wouldn’t do for him!

“Rather than relying on Jin Ge’er, we’d be better off relying on Shen Ge’er,” she mused. “Cheng Ge’er and Shen Ge’er are born of the same mother, after all!”

Xu Lingkuan did not like the sound of that. His expression darkened slightly: “The family is still Fourth Brother’s to manage!”

But a great tree eventually spreads its branches, and grown men eventually set up their own households. That was simply the nature of things.

Fifth Madam was about to say more when a young maid came rushing in: “Fifth Madam, Fifth Young Mistress — she’s started!”

“Oh!” Fifth Madam was quite taken aback. “At this hour—” She glanced at Xu Lingkuan. “I’ll go see to her at once!”

Xu Lingkuan gave a soft cough.

Fifth Madam changed her clothes and, surrounded by her maids, made her way to Ying Niang’s quarters.

Nong Xiang Courtyard blazed with lamplight. Eleventh and Jiang Shi had already arrived and were seated in the main hall accompanied by Xu Sijie. Maids and matrons bustled about — some boiling water, others preparing the infant’s clothing and swaddling — the coming and going was brisk yet unhurried.

Seeing Fifth Madam enter, Xu Sijie rose and called out, “Fifth Aunt.”

Fifth Madam gave a nod and asked Eleventh: “How is she?”

“It’s only just begun,” said Eleventh, guiding Fifth Madam to a nearby armchair. “Still a long way to go!”

As they spoke, Xu Sijie craned his neck and peered toward the inner chamber.

Eleventh found it amusing: “There’ll be no birth tonight. Go find somewhere to rest — we’re here.”

Xu Sijie, who had never once defied Eleventh, did not dare linger — yet his heart was too full of concern for Ying Niang to leave. He stood waiting beneath the eaves.

Madam Xiang had only just retired when she heard the news and rose again, supported by her maid as she came over. She almost ran into Xu Sijie pacing beneath the eaves, and called out in surprise, “Fifth Uncle.”

Xu Sijie quickly explained: “Mother and Fifth Aunt are both in the main hall — I’m just waiting out here.”

All the brothers treated their wives well.

“It’s cold outside,” Madam Xiang said with a smile, inviting him in. “You might catch a chill.”

“I’ll just put on a cloak,” Xu Sijie replied, unwilling to go in.

Eleventh heard the exchange and couldn’t help smiling.

She had been remiss in that regard.

She had Hupo call Xu Sijie inside: “From the look of things with Ying Niang, she probably won’t deliver until tomorrow evening at the earliest. I’m afraid if you stand guard like this the whole time, you’ll have no strength left when it truly matters… Since you want to stay near her, stay here then.”

Xu Sijie smiled sheepishly and was about to say something when a soft, low moan from the inner chamber reached them. His expression tightened at once, and he darted to the door curtain: “I — I’m right outside…” He looked utterly frantic.

Everyone burst out laughing.

Eleventh reassured him: “It’s all right, it’s all right. The midwife just came out and said Ying Niang is doing well.”

Xu Sijie laughed, embarrassed.

A young maid came in: “The Marquis has sent someone to ask how Fifth Young Mistress is doing.”

“She’s doing well,” Eleventh said with a smile. “Tell the Marquis not to worry — it looks like the birth won’t happen until tomorrow.”

The maid acknowledged the message and went to report to Xu Lingyi.

Xu Lingyi, thinking Eleventh likely wouldn’t be back tonight, went to Xu Sijin’s room.

Xu Sijin was practicing his calligraphy by lamplight.

After Xu Sijin bowed, Xu Lingyi settled onto the kang across from him and picked up the practice sheet to look it over.

Neat and precise, not a stroke out of place.

Xu Lingyi gave a slight nod, then leaned in and spoke quietly: “Gong Dongning is eleven years older than I am. When you arrive, simply address him as Worldly Uncle. He appears hot-tempered and rash, with no apparent method to his ways, but he is in fact a man of hidden precision beneath the bluster. When dealing with him, do not judge by appearances. I have already arranged things with him — he will place you at the Pingyi Thousand-Household Post under Pu’an Garrison. The post originally fell under the Sichuan Regional Military Commission, later transferred to the Guizhou Regional Military Commission. The tribal peoples make up the majority there, and the land is poor. You will rotate in as an ordinary military household. Once you’re there: observe more, think more, do more, and handle whatever arises as best you can yourself.” He paused and smiled. “Of course, if you can’t endure it, you can write home, and our agreement is cancelled. Or you can find a way to accomplish something quickly — win the wager, and you can be transferred somewhere better.”

“Father, you don’t need to goad me,” said Xu Sijin, closing his fist. “I will definitely win.”

Xu Lingyi looked at his son’s face — brimming with confidence — and couldn’t help ruffling his hair. “You rascal!”

Xu Sijin grinned and asked, “So Chang’an and the others… will they come with me or not?”

“They can go, or they can stay — it’s up to you,” said Xu Lingyi, with a meaningful air. “Steward Bai has served at my side since he was young. When I led troops in the field, the entire household was entrusted to him. Now that you’re going to Guizhou, how you arrange the affairs of your quarters is your own decision. Once you’ve decided, let me know. Those who go with you — I’ll get them entered into the military register. In the future, when you earn military merit, they’ll have a chance to build a future of their own as well.”

Xu Sijin’s eyes lit up.

With a military registration, one could secure a foothold at a garrison post. And with military merit on top of that, if fortune smiled, it was even possible to earn a hereditary thousand-household rank.

His father, in arranging all this for him, had truly put great thought and care into it.

He looked at Xu Lingyi earnestly and gave a single firm nod.

The next day he summoned all his personal attendants.

“Father has arranged everything. I am going to Pingyi Post at Pu’an Garrison in Guizhou, going as an ordinary military household — it wouldn’t be convenient for you to accompany me. Stay here in Yanjing.”

“Sixth Young Master, how can that be!” Suifeng immediately cried out. “Just from the name, that place must be buried deep in the mountains and ravines. If you’re there alone with no one to even pour your tea, how will that work? Why don’t we go speak to Fourth Madam about it?”

—