“By Imperial Decree of the Emperor, in accordance with Heaven’s mandate. The Emperor hereby declares: The state, reflecting upon the grand achievements of its founding, must honor those of great merit with proper ceremony. Officials who have rendered service in assisting the nation ought rightfully to receive the grace of bestowed titles. This has been and always shall be the principle by which loyalty is encouraged and rewarded. Xu Lingyi, Marquis Yongping and Great General of the Western Expedition, has faithfully served for many years, his loyalty ever steadfast, his accomplishments ever shining — a talent truly worthy of trust and assistance, who has never betrayed the selection of the worthy and close. He is hereby elevated with the honorary title of Junior Second Rank Junior Tutor to the Crown Prince. His first wife, of the Luo Family, who attended her husband with harmony and was the exemplar of household virtue, is posthumously granted the title of Lady of Steadfast Virtue and Constancy. His second wife, of the Luo Family, whose nature is gentle and gracious, whose heart is ever respectful and careful, is hereby invested as a First Rank Lady…”

Eleventh Miss lay quietly prostrate, but her mind was turning with great speed.

The highest titles in the Great Zhou were the Three Excellencies and the Three Companions — the Three Excellencies being First Rank, and the Three Companions being Senior Second Rank… The Emperor had not bestowed any of those in one fell stroke, but had granted instead the title of Junior Tutor to the Crown Prince… Could this be interpreted to mean that the Emperor still intended to make use of Xu Lingyi? If he were given one of the Three Excellencies, then should war break out again, Xu Lingyi could no longer lead troops in the field. Moreover, once such a title was granted, there would be nothing left for future emperors to use as reward for Xu Lingyi…

She could not help but let out a long, slow breath.

The security of the Xu Family was, for now, what mattered most!

The collective punishment laws of the feudal system were nothing to take lightly.

As for the posthumous title granted to First Wife and the title of rank conferred upon herself… these were likely meant as compensation for not granting Xu Lingyi a more appropriate noble rank.

Eleventh Miss had no time to think further.

After expressing their gratitude, the gifts from the Empress arrived.

These were for her. A swaying hairpin and decorative flowers, one pair each; and four bolts each of palace silk bearing the patterns “Ten Thousand Affairs as Wished,” “Blooming Wealth and Honor,” “Year After Year of Abundance,” and “Children at Play.”

After seeing off the Empress’s eunuch courier, the gifts from the Empress Dowager arrived.

These too were for her. A bronze mirror engraved with the characters “Loyalty and Chastity, Passed Down Through Generations,” and a bronze ruler engraved with passages from the “Admonitions for Women.”

All of the Xu Family knelt a third time to offer their gratitude.

The eunuch courier then said with a smile to Eleventh Miss, “Let the mirror serve as a reminder, and the ruler as a warning. Madam would do well to bear the Empress Dowager’s teachings in mind.”

After all, marrying into this family had been something of an affront to the Empress Dowager’s dignity. Being sent merely a bronze mirror and an admonishing ruler was, in truth, being given considerable face already.

“Many thanks to the honored eunuch for this guidance,” Eleventh Miss replied respectfully. “This humble wife will remember the Empress Dowager’s teachings and conduct herself at all times with careful words, cautious deeds, and reverent adherence to propriety.”

The Grand Madam could not help but glance at Eleventh Miss.

So young, receiving an imperial edict for the first time, yet her every movement was without the slightest trace of fear or hesitation…

She raised her eyes, and caught sight of her son’s gaze passing briefly over his new wife.

The Grand Madam could not help the slight upward curve of her lips.

Seeing Eleventh Miss’s respectful and deferential manner, the eunuch courier lifted his chin with a touch of smugness and smiled.

Xu Lingyi personally saw to the gratuity for the eunuch who had delivered the imperial edict and gifts from the Empress Dowager — while the one sent by the Emperor and Empress was attended to by Xu Lingkuan.

The eunuch courier’s manner grew even more self-important. He said to Xu Lingyi with a smile, “My lord, when you have the leisure, you ought to visit the Palace of Compassionate Tranquility more often. The Empress Dowager has always kept you in her thoughts. She often speaks of you to this servant — of the time when you were young, how you used to trail after the Emperor and knocked down every bird’s nest in the Palace of Eternal Spring… Who would have thought that such a mischievous boy would grow to be a pillar of the state and a backbone of the court.” His tone carried a great deal of presumption.

By all appearances, though the Xu Family had managed to arrange this marriage with the Emperor’s support, the process had been far from easy — one might even say that the Xu Family’s success was not an absolute victory, but perhaps only an opportunity seized within a very narrow margin.

Eleventh Miss was lost in thought, and noticed that every member of the Xu Family stood with expressions as still as still water.

It seemed the eunuch’s manner toward Xu Lingyi had wounded the pride of the Xu Family.

But Xu Lingyi himself smiled with unhurried grace. “Youthful follies — I have made you laugh, honored eunuch.”

The eunuch appeared quite pleased with Xu Lingyi’s response. He laughed heartily a few times, spoke a few quiet, cordial words with Xu Lingyi, and then took his leave.

Xu Lingyi personally escorted him out.

The air in the courtyard seemed to relax.

Eleventh Miss quickly stepped forward to pay her respects to the Grand Madam and the others.

The Grand Madam received her greeting with a warm smile. Second Madam, being a widow, immediately withdrew out of propriety. “It’s quite late, and the path back to my quarters is not easy in the dark — I’ll take my leave first.”

No one could press her to stay, and they all saw her off.

Third Madam returned Eleventh Miss’s greeting and said, “Fourth Sister-in-law, congratulations and well-wishes to you — it seems that Fourth Brother could not wait for the formalities of filing with the Ministry of Rites and went ahead to petition for your official title directly.”

By custom, after the wedding, Xu Lingyi would submit a report to the Ministry of Rites, which would then formally present it to the Emperor for approval before her rank could be officially conferred. And First Wife, as the principal wife, would have been First Rank — while she, as the second wife, ought to have been Third Rank. But as it turned out, the Emperor had posthumously elevated First Wife, which in turn raised her standing as well, and she had received an official investiture of First Rank.

But how could such things be said aloud at a time like this?

Never mind that she had just entered the household — even the phrasing “Fourth Brother could not wait to file with the Ministry of Rites” was entirely improper. If word were to spread, Xu Lingyi would inevitably acquire a reputation for “indulging his inner quarters,” giving people the impression of a frivolous man. And she herself would fare far worse — she might well be whispered about as a bewitching and wanton creature…

Thinking of the swift and decisive hand the Grand Madam had shown in the matter of this marriage, Eleventh Miss felt a surge of unease and turned her gaze toward the Grand Madam.

Sure enough, the Grand Madam’s expression darkened. “We all came to receive the imperial edict together — and our guests have come to offer their congratulations as well. I trust they have all been properly attended to.” She had all the air of someone expecting Eleventh Miss to go and see to the guests at once.

Third Madam’s expression shifted to slight discomfort, and she said with a smile, “Everything has been arranged.”

Xu Lingning, who stood nearby, immediately spoke up: “Since there’s nothing more to be done here, you ought to go check on things in the inner courtyard. I should go to the front as well to attend to the guests. Today, four princes attended, along with two prince consorts — not to mention officials of the second and third rank and above… it must be that every name worth knowing in Yanjing has come today!”

The Grand Madam gave a nod. “Let us make sure no one can say we have been lacking in courtesy!”

Xu Lingning respectfully answered, “Yes,” and he and Third Madam paid their respects to the Grand Madam and left the courtyard together.

Only then did Eleventh Miss take in the full layout of the space. The courtyard sat between two halls — a seven-bay hall in front and a five-bay hall behind. Both were opened wide, bright with lights. Due to the angle, she could see the rear hall fairly clearly — it was set with long tables and official chairs, a place for receiving guests. The front hall was harder to make out, but she could hear from its left and right sides the cheerful sounds of laughter and conversation.

The outdoor banquets for the Xu Family’s outer courtyard must be laid there.

She was still thinking this over when the Grand Madam stepped forward and took Eleventh Miss’s hand. “Are you tired? Shall I have a maidservant take you back to your room first?”

Eleventh Miss didn’t know exactly where in the Xu Mansion she was at this moment, but that one word — “first” — made her immediately aware that Xu Lingyi might still return to this place. She lowered her gaze and replied with a touch of shy reserve, “I would rather wait and go back with my lord.”

The Grand Madam’s smile deepened several shades at that.

Fifth Madam laughed and said, “Would you be afraid to be alone in the bridal chamber? As it happens, I am with child, and the astrologers said that those born in the year of the Sheep must not enter the bridal chamber… Give me a few days, and I will come to visit you.”

“Oh!” Eleventh Miss’s eyes lit up with genuine delight as she looked Fifth Madam up and down. “You are expecting a little one? When is the child due?”

She was very fond of children.

Whether it was the loose cut of Fifth Madam’s clothes or simply that the months were early, there was not the slightest sign of it.

Fifth Madam’s cheeks flushed faintly. “Just four months…”

Xu Lingkuan stood to one side wearing a look of foolish happiness.

“Then you must take great care,” Eleventh Miss said warmly, genuinely glad for the couple. “You were kneeling so many times just now — did you feel any discomfort?”

Fifth Madam shook her head gently. “I had some difficulty earlier on. Things are better now.”

The Grand Madam, watching the easy rapport between Eleventh Miss and Fifth Madam, felt the warmth in her eyes deepen considerably.

After a brief exchange, Xu Lingyi came back.

Seeing that only the few of them remained, he asked in mild puzzlement, “Where are Third Brother and Third Sister-in-law?”

“Today they are responsible for attending to the guests.” The Grand Madam smiled. “I sent them on ahead.” Then she said, “You were both called out in such a hurry to receive the imperial edict — you haven’t drunk the nuptial wine yet, have you? Quickly, go back to the bridal chamber! The whole room full of people is still waiting for you to come and offer toasts!”

Xu Lingyi, hearing his mother say this, glanced at Eleventh Miss.

Eleventh Miss immediately bowed her head and lowered her eyes, the very picture of gentle compliance, and fell in behind Xu Lingyi.

Xu Lingyi bowed to the Grand Madam, then turned and made his way east along the covered walkway.

Eleventh Miss hastily curtsied to everyone, and hurried after Xu Lingyi back the way they had come, returning to the bridal chamber.

All of those who had come to watch the revelry had departed; only the two auspicious women invited by the Xu Family and the two lovely maidservants who had helped Xu Lingyi change his robes remained in the room. Seeing the two of them enter one after the other, the two auspicious women let out a quiet sigh of relief and moved forward in unison to greet them — one took Eleventh Miss by the hand and led her inside, while the other called out to the coarser-work maidservants outside, “Tell the kitchen to send up the wedding feast!”

Eleventh Miss had barely sat down when the kitchen’s dishes arrived.

Nothing out of the ordinary — chicken, duck, fish, and meat, all given auspicious names.

The fragrance of the dishes reached her, and she felt a sudden pang of hunger — from morning until now, she had eaten only three mouthfuls of a lotus seed, red date, and peanut sweet broth.

Fighting down her craving, she followed the guidance of the two auspicious women and drank the nuptial wine with Xu Lingyi.

And so the wedding ceremony was complete.

The two auspicious women beamed as they offered their congratulations to Xu Lingyi and Eleventh Miss.

Eleventh Miss presented each of them with a large red envelope, and the two women departed with cheerful smiles.

Xu Lingyi then instructed the maidservants in the room, “Go and summon Madam’s maidservants.”

One of the maidservants acknowledged and left at once.

“Bring me casual clothes to change into.”

The other maidservant stepped forward and with practiced ease helped him change.

The bridal chamber was set within a four-courtyard compound. On the western side of the outer row of rooms was a corner gate that opened directly onto the covered walkway that led to the courtyard where the imperial edict had been received. The central entrance hall was three bays wide, each bay flanked by two small side rooms; the main building was five bays wide, each bay flanked by one small side room. Their inner chamber was situated in the western bay of the main building.

Xu Lingyi changed his clothes in the western side room, while Eleventh Miss took her seat on the large kang by the window in the western inner room.

Before long, the maidservant brought him out dressed in a deep crimson robe embroidered with cloud patterns and rounded floral medallions.

At the sight of Eleventh Miss sitting bolt upright on the kang, he could not help but pause for a moment.

Eleventh Miss had already stepped down from the kang and dipped into a curtsy before him.

A trace of hesitation flickered in the depths of Xu Lingyi’s eyes. “I am going to offer toasts.”

Eleventh Miss replied softly, “Yes,” and then walked him to the entrance of the main building.

Returning to the room, she smiled and asked the maidservant, “What is your name?”

The maidservant replied deferentially, “This servant is called Xia Yi.”

Eleventh Miss gave a small nod. “What is the name of the other maidservant who serves alongside you?”

“She is called Chun Mo.”

Just as they were speaking, Chun Mo led Hupo and Dongqing in.

It had been no more than two hours since they had last seen each other, yet for Hupo and Dongqing, who had been worrying about Eleventh Miss all the while, it felt as though two years had passed.

Their eyes welled with tears at the same moment, and they said in unison, “Miss, you — are you all right?”

“All is well, all is well!” Eleventh Miss smiled brightly. But in her heart she said: I am absolutely famished! — which was why the words “Have you two eaten yet?” came out of her mouth before she could stop them.

Both of them nodded again and again. “We’ve eaten. We all ate. Nanny Tao personally brought the coarser-work nannies to bring us our meal.”

Eleventh Miss smiled and nodded, then said to Chun Mo and Xia Yi, “You two may retire for now. I have them to attend to me.”

The two hesitated for a brief moment, then curtsied and withdrew.

Eleventh Miss instructed Dongqing and Hupo, “Help me change my clothes, would you? This outfit is dreadfully uncomfortable.”

Both nodded and went to prepare bathwater and fresh clothes for Eleventh Miss. Eleventh Miss herself sat down at the table and ate a small bowl of rice.

By the time Xu Lingyi walked in carrying the scent of wine, Eleventh Miss had already washed her face clean, pinned up her hair into an ordinary bun, and changed into a lake-green outer robe. She was leaning against a large pillow on the kang, reading.

“My lord has returned!” she said quickly, setting down her book and stepping off the kang to curtsy before him.

Xu Lingyi’s face was very slightly flushed, yet his eyes showed not the slightest trace of intoxication — only a brightness somewhat sharper than usual.

But Eleventh Miss privately raised her guard.

There was a certain kind of person who, the more they drank, the brighter their eyes became — even when drunk, it was impossible to tell. But those who were drunk usually had weaker control over their own emotions… and she had no wish to provoke Xu Lingyi’s displeasure.

Yet Xu Lingyi did not so much as glance at her. He walked directly to the edge of the kang, picked up the book, held it close to the goat-horn palace lantern, and read aloud: “The Great Zhou Geographical Record of the Nine Regions!”

This fellow must certainly have had too much to drink — otherwise he would not be sounding out each word separately like that.

Eleventh Miss was just about to offer some explanation when Xu Lingyi tossed the book aside and headed toward the bathing room. “I want to bathe!”

—