Since marrying Seventh Miss last year, Xu Fengjia nominally held no official position. As Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guards, when there were no military campaigns, he should naturally report daily to the Imperial Guard Command. However, this busy man was constantly occupied with affairs. Having returned home for barely half a month, he’d only made one circuit of the Command. Now, having fallen out with the Emperor, he simply claimed illness and stayed home, not even attending court sessions.
Though idle at home, he was by no means leisurely. Not only was his small study crammed with historical maps, military texts, and military histories from successive dynasties, but the west third room had also gradually accumulated numerous bound collections of palace gazettes and travelogues of the Southern Seas from the previous dynasty. Every day after breakfast and paying respects to the two elders, Seventh Miss would sit in Leshan Residence watching Fifth Young Madam manage the household. When she rarely returned with free time, Yu’an and her two sisters would occasionally visit for idle chat. Though the couple lived under one roof, Seventh Miss sat in Leshan Residence for a full three hours daily. Exhausted, she would go to bed before the second watch, while Xu Fengjia read late, often not entering the room until the third watch. Over these days, they’d only exchanged a few bland pleasantries.
Early on the morning of February eleventh, Seventh Miss crawled out of bed. Supporting her drowsy eyes, she was dressed like a doll by several maids, changing into formal attire and adorning herself with jewelry. After Xu Fengjia rose, practiced martial arts, and bathed, the two together entered Leshan Residence and Qingping Garden to bid farewell to the two elders. They encountered Duke Pingguo conversing with the Grand Madam in Leshan Residence. Xu Fengjia inevitably received some admonishment—stern father, loving mother being the common dynamic between Qin fathers and sons.
After all this elaborate fuss, by the time the sun climbed high, Seventh Miss finally boarded the carriage. Xu Fengjia escorted her on horseback while Lixia and other maids followed in a small cart behind. Servants announced their passage as they left the Duke’s mansion, heading toward Guangfu Temple by the Shichahai lakeside.
Though Guangfu Temple couldn’t compare to White Cloud Temple, its incense offerings weren’t sparse. Because February was the birthday of the Daoist patriarch, and Guangfu Temple was Laozi’s largest temple in the realm, from the first of February onward, great households held ceremonies and altar rituals there. The actual day of February fifteenth had already been claimed by the Sun family, so the Xiao family selected February tenth. Near the temple’s main gate on Yandai Oblique Street, the area had long been cleared of crowds, with several personal guards standing at the entrance. Though General Xiao’s official rank wasn’t high, having managed well in Jiangnan these years, like other regional commanders he was a powerful official controlling troops in the provinces. His family’s status in the capital far exceeded that of impoverished capital officials.
The Xu family carriage naturally drove straight through the main gate. Seventh Miss alighted in the carriage hall. Several young servants with topknots followed a middle-aged steward forward, faces full of smiles as they cautioned, “Young Master, Young Madam, mind your step—these stone paths are quite old.”
Guangfu Temple stood by Shichahai lake. The early spring scenery held some appeal. Seventh Miss followed Xu Fengjia’s unsteady steps along the moss-covered stone path, entering the temple’s rear courtyard with its two-story open pavilion. Sure enough, she saw a young couple emerge from the building together, both wearing smiles. She knew these must be the Xiao family’s eldest young master, Xiao Shiyu, and Xiao’s eldest young madam.
The Xiao family had followed the Xu family for many years with regular festival visits. Seventh Miss had met Xiao’s eldest young madam before, but during New Year’s when Xu Fengjia was absent, Xiao Shiyu hadn’t entered the inner courtyard to pay respects to Lady Xu. Now casually glancing at him, she saw his features were clean and fair. Though not handsome, he possessed a rare scholarly elegance. She nodded inwardly—Xu Fengjia himself was a little tyrant, but the young gentlemen he associated with were all well-bred.
“Shenping!” Seeing his friend, Xu Fengjia seemed very pleased, sweeping away days of vexation and gloom. He stepped forward and clapped Xiao Shiyu’s shoulder, laughing loudly. “Your trip to Jiangnan to visit relatives has fattened you by several pounds!”
He turned to instruct Seventh Miss, “Come meet Brother Xiao.”
Seventh Miss curtsied. Xiao’s eldest young madam also exchanged courtesies with Xu Fengjia, then stepped back to pull Seventh Miss along with a smile. “During New Year’s, I meant to tell my younger sister-in-law that our eldest was going to Jiangnan to visit relatives. If you wanted any local delicacies, you need only say the word—having him bring back a whole cartload would be most convenient. Who knew there were so many matters and people that I forgot!”
She was a smiling young capital matron. Though she had her careful moments, her manner was extremely amiable. Perhaps due to the status difference between the Xiao and Xu families, she was very warm toward Seventh Miss, seemingly unconcerned about her status as a second wife and concubine-born daughter. Seventh Miss smiled slightly, reciprocating the goodwill. “Elder sister-in-law, don’t be so formal. I’m seventh in my family—just call me Yang Qi.”
Using one’s birth order directly counted as a term of endearment among women. Xiao’s eldest young madam immediately beamed with delight. “Good, good, good! I was just thinking, we’re all young people—why be so constrained…”
She led Seventh Miss into the rear hall where the two sat opposite each other drinking tea and conversing. Shortly after, Third Young Master Lin Zhongmian of Earl Yongning’s household and Vice Minister of War Tang Qing arrived together. Seventh Miss inevitably went out to exchange courtesies, thus completing the new wife’s introduction to her husband’s close friends. Only then did they separate by gender to converse in the front and rear halls. The men’s laughter and conversation in the front hall never ceased. After a while, someone suggested ordering opera performances.
Holding ceremonies was ostensibly for prayers and blessings, but also served as an excuse for great households to enjoy themselves and relax. The Xiao family held ceremonies at Guangfu Temple every year without exception, even when the General and his wife were stationed elsewhere. Now with all idle persons cleared from inside and outside the temple, only these few young men and women remained at leisure—how could the atmosphere not be relaxed? But Seventh Miss felt somewhat puzzled.
“Third Young Madam Lin…” she asked Xiao’s eldest young madam with a trace of doubt.
Xiao’s eldest young madam smiled slightly, her smile tinged with mischief, clearly very familiar with Third Young Madam Lin. “Her… she’s probably suffering from her old problem again.”
She lowered her voice and gestured toward the outside with her lips. “Third Master Lin loves beauty. According to my husband, Third Young Madam had just become pregnant when he elevated two more concubines, achieving perfect completion! Naturally, the tigress’s roar had to sound. Third Young Master was so frightened he stayed at our house for several days, infuriating Third Young Madam into confronting him there. The couple is still quarreling, so naturally Third Young Madam has no mood to go out today!”
Though they were both women, when mentioning Third Young Madam’s fierce temperament, Xiao’s eldest young madam’s expression held some disdain.
Seeing this, Seventh Miss felt even more depressed.
In great households, everything concerned face. Marital quarrels were normally common, but being known as a shrew damaged one’s reputation. Even Xiao’s eldest young madam, with her gentle temperament, showed such an expression—one could see how difficult it was to be a young madam in a great household.
“But Third Young Master is too…” Since Third Young Master was right outside, Seventh Miss also lowered her voice, assuming a gossipy manner. “So young yet already has ten concubines—”
“Exactly!” Xiao’s eldest young madam slapped the armrest, her face showing exasperation at his incorrigibility. “Speaking of it, Third Young Madam feels aggrieved inside, but who told Third Master to have—” She gestured upward. “The one wearing the dragon robe as his backing? No one in the entire Lin household can control him! And he’s wealthy—his willingness to humble himself already shows he cares for Third Young Madam!”
Seventh Miss didn’t know what Lin Zhongmian did for a living. For a moment, her expression didn’t connect. Seeing this, Xiao’s eldest young madam hastily explained. “You know about the Imperial Weaving Bureau, right? I’ve heard that in Jiangnan, it’s one of the richest places—ordinary people can’t even get in. But when the Bureau comes to the capital, it must answer to the Imperial Household Department’s Manufacturing Office. Third Young Master heads the Manufacturing Office—how could the income be small? In the entire Lin household, even the young earl can’t compare to their third branch’s comfortable life. Isn’t it all relying on Third Young Master’s…”
She suddenly stopped, her face showing regret. Seeing Seventh Miss’s expression pure and unblemished, and having already spoken this far, she continued. “This position relies entirely on Third Young Master’s birth mother being distantly related to that personage. Otherwise, relying on his own merits, who knows where he’d be struggling!”
Seventh Miss cooperatively covered her mouth. “I didn’t know the Emperor and the Lin family…”
“Not many people know this matter.” Xiao’s eldest young madam was somewhat self-satisfied—after all, given Seventh Miss’s status, her current deferential posture was quite flattering. “I also heard it from my mother—she’s distantly related to the Lin family too. You know the late Noble Consort Zhou came from humble origins. She was a legitimate daughter, yes, but also had a concubine-born sister who entered Earl Yongning’s household as a replacement wife for their deceased Fourth Master. Fourth Master was also concubine-born and died young. Without a companion to rely on, Fourth Madam got along well with the Countess as sisters-in-law. The Countess, seeing Third Young Master was concubine-born but clever and intelligent—found him an eyesore! She simply had Third Young Master adopted into Fourth Madam’s line, where he was raised until age fifteen. When Fourth Madam died, the Earl felt Fourth Branch’s assets were too meager and brought Third Young Master back to the main branch. I heard Noble Consort Zhou had no other siblings—only this one sister. During the Zhaoming years, the Crown Prince and Third Master maintained a neither-close-nor-distant relationship. Though they could occasionally meet through your family’s connections, they had little to say to each other.”
“But as soon as the New Year bells of Chengping’s first year finished ringing, Third Young Master prospered. The Emperor forcibly promoted the original head of the Manufacturing Office and had Third Young Master purchase a provincial graduate title to become Director. In less than three years, hasn’t he built such vast family wealth? Third Young Master’s hands aren’t very clean either—several times people tried to report his wrongdoing, but the Emperor personally protected him. Over time, who in the entire household dares raise their voice to him? He’s grown increasingly presumptuous these years, pulling every beauty he sees into his quarters! What can Third Young Madam say?”
She sighed. “Alas, she’s also pitiable. The two bed-warming maids Third Young Madam brought find no favor, while Third Young Master prefers the concubines bestowed by the Countess…”
She rambled on at length with Seventh Miss, saying things like “bed-warmers brought from one’s natal family are more devoted and understanding,” and “such matters require early preparation to firmly hold a man’s heart, letting him know your virtue, then life becomes comfortable.” Seventh Miss’s head grew large when Xu Fengjia sent someone to fetch her, claiming, “There’s a matter at home, so we’re leaving first.”
After another round of polite farewells, the Xu couple again departed amid fanfare from the open pavilion. Xu Fengjia didn’t ride his horse, complaining loudly of cold. Before the Xiao couple who’d come to see them off, he dove into the carriage first. Xiao Shiyu couldn’t help teasing with a laugh, “Shengluan, since when do you fear cold?”
He glanced at Seventh Miss inside the carriage and said no more. Xiao’s eldest young madam squeezed her eyes at Seventh Miss, then pinched Xiao Shiyu and mock-angrily said, “Say less!”
Xu Fengjia laughed heartily, completely unconcerned. “If Shenping went out with his wife, he’d probably no longer have the bold spirit of riding horses in the snow from years past!”
Seventh Miss couldn’t restrain herself. She shot Xu Fengjia a glare and also angrily said, “Will saying less make you mute?”
Amid everyone’s laughter, the young servant bowed and closed the carriage door. The wheels rolled forward as the group again surrounded the vehicle, escorting it out of Guangfu Temple.
After traveling a short distance, Xu Fengjia opened the window to instruct the young servant. “Lead my horse back first. Leave just one servant and one maid in attendance. I told the abbot of Shichahai Temple at Jishui Pond that today I’m bringing Young Madam to offer incense.”
Once he spoke, naturally no one had other responses. Shortly after, Lixia sat on the carriage shaft wearing a veiled hat to conceal her features, curiously looking left and right all along the way at the market scenes around the Bell and Drum Towers. Looking through the door, Seventh Miss felt she seemed far more comfortable than herself inside the carriage.
She shifted back further to make space for Xu Fengjia, then lowered her head in contemplation, pondering Xiao’s eldest young madam’s earlier words.
Though Noble Consort Zhou had died many years ago, her shadow seemed never to have completely dissipated. First was the connection between Eunuch Lian and her, then Third Master Lin’s extraordinary fortune—all seemed to suggest the Emperor hadn’t forgotten his birth mother.
Combined with his neither-close-nor-distant attitude toward his two foster mothers, Seventh Miss gained more understanding of this noble consort she’d never met: this person was probably another Ninth Brother. Or rather, in the heart of every adopted heir, there remained an unresolved complex about their birth mother.
“Ah, I just remembered something,” she chatted idly with Xu Fengjia. “The Emperor bestowed honorific titles on the Empress Dowager and Dowager Consort—how is it I’ve never heard him posthumously ennoble Noble Consort Zhou?”
Xu Fengjia had been looking contemplative. Hearing Seventh Miss’s words, he came back to himself and answered absentmindedly. “The Crown Prince was moved to separate palace quarters for rearing at age three. His two foster mothers were better than birth mothers—he probably forgot Noble Consort Zhou long ago. Actually, the Ministry of Rites should have memorialized about this… but the Ministry has been quite chaotic these years, and the Minister is a Niu family in-law, so this matter was simply shelved.”
Seventh Miss nodded thoughtfully.
If she weren’t Ninth Brother’s twin sister, she probably wouldn’t be so confident about the Emperor’s psychology. Of course, this was only speculation, but judging from Ninth Brother’s thoughts—precisely because he wasn’t raised by his birth mother and carried the regret of not fulfilling filial piety, as he aged, he would brood over this regret even more.
The Emperor didn’t proactively request posthumous ennoblement of Noble Consort Zhou probably because, having ascended the throne not long ago with both the Xu and Niu families still useful, he couldn’t risk cooling his relatives’ hearts. Whoever could articulate this sentiment for the Emperor would earn no small favor. For Jing in the future, it could very likely be a weighty emotional bargaining chip.
She mentally reviewed her various relatives.
Though First Master desperately needed this potential favor, he was a pivotal politician—discussing emotions with the Emperor would seem too naive.
The Sun family was currently at the height of prosperity—one more favor wouldn’t help much, one less wouldn’t hurt. With the Empress’s noble status, rashly speaking up might easily create discord with the two palaces of the Empress Dowager and Dowager Consort.
Sixth Miss was too insignificant—now wasn’t the time for her to raise her voice.
She propped her head on one hand, looking toward Xu Fengjia.
This favor might be precisely what Xu Fengjia needed. Having grown up together with the Emperor since childhood, their bond was naturally deeper than most. Having just fallen out with the Emperor over the Southern Seas matter, his heart likely harbored anxiety. Presenting this favor might move the Emperor to restore former favor, perhaps even surpassing past grace.
But…
She thought of Qiqiao’s extremely frightened sobbing, Xiao’s eldest young madam’s disdainful expression, and that phrase countless people had repeated to her:
“Bed-warmers brought from one’s own family are best!”
Seventh Miss’s gaze gradually grew cold.
“What is it?” Xu Fengjia asked absentmindedly. He affectionately pinched Seventh Miss’s nose. “What are you thinking about so intently?”
“I’m thinking,” Seventh Miss murmured softly. “Better to rely on oneself than on others. Many things require standing on one’s own before having the right to demand from others…”
Her gaze gradually focused on Xu Fengjia’s face as she offered him an intimate smile.
The carriage gradually slowed. This plain blue-canopied carriage turned a corner and disappeared into Jiaochang Alley in Anfu Ward. Seventh Miss lifted the curtain and looked through the mist-covered glass window, vaguely making out the simple characters “Feng Residence” on a small wooden plaque beside the auspicious gate.