Chapter 90

Chapter 92: Paying Respects (Part 2)

Lord Xu proceeded to quiz Xu Siyu on a few more topics, all of which Xu Siyu answered with ease.

A deeper sense of relief was evident in Lord Xu's eyes, and he offered some advice, such as "study diligently."

Xu Siyu nodded in agreement one by one.

Seizing the moment, Eleven Miss observed the expressions of Qin Yi and Qiao Lianfang.

Qin Yi watched the father and son with a gentle smile, while Qiao Lianfang sat rigidly upright, her gaze downcast, her posture somewhat tense.

She recalled Lady Wen, ever the flatterer... and herself, the detached observer.

Suddenly, the whole scene struck her as rather amusing.

Though the atmosphere was lively, each person harbored their own private thoughts. As this realization dawned on her, her gaze involuntarily shifted to Lord Xu. Bathed in the bright light, his serious profile radiated the composed and steady demeanor characteristic of a mature man.

In all fairness, Lord Xu was exceptionally handsome, with a striking appearance and a composed demeanor, instilling a sense of security, as though he could shoulder any burden. Her initial acceptance of him was largely due to this, wasn't it? Such a remarkable man, with his enviable status and position—had she been Qiao Lianfang's age, she too might have been swayed, right?

Lost in thought, her gaze inadvertently shifted to Qiao Lianfang.

She felt the piercing, icy stare of a blade directed straight at her.

Eleven Miss suddenly became aware that Qiao Lianfang had been watching her the entire time!

But before she could meet her gaze, Qiao Lianfang had already resumed her serene composure, eyes downcast and posture erect, as if the intense look she had just directed at Eleven Miss had never existed.

Eleven Miss couldn't suppress a bitter smile.

Everything had unfolded exactly as Eldest Miss had intended...

She sighed inwardly, then heard Lord Xu instruct Xu Siyu, "...It's getting late, you should go back and rest well! You have classes tomorrow."

Xu Siyu, Qin Yi, and Qiao Lianfang rose to their feet. Eleven Miss shot a glance at Amber.

Amber promptly tiptoed over to lift the curtain for them.

"I won't keep Father and Mother from their rest. I bid you goodnight," Xu Siyu said with a respectful bow to Lord Xu and Eleven Miss.

Qin Yi murmured, "This servant takes her leave."

Eleven Miss nodded and gently reminded them, "Take care on your way."

Qiao Lianfang, however, remained silent, trailing behind Xu Siyu and Qin Yi as they departed.

Amber saw the three out.

Lord Xu's spirits had visibly lifted, and he instructed Eleven Miss to summon Chunwei and Xiayi to help him prepare for his bath: "I have an early court session tomorrow."

Eleven Miss was somewhat surprised.

Didn't he have a foot ailment?

She thought Lord Xu would rest at home for a while!

But she said nothing.

When one doesn't fully trust someone, there is always selective speech. Lord Xu was like this with her, and she was the same with Amber and Dongqing.

She smiled and said "Yes," calling in Chunwei and Xiayi. She herself went to the east chamber and asked Binju to help her take off her hairpins and ornaments: "These are all from the elder madam, so be careful with them!"

Before moving into the Xu family's residence, she had reassigned the duties of several maids.

Amber officially became the head maid, Dongqing handled the night duties of the maids and older women in her room, Binju managed jewelry, clothes, monthly allowances, and dowry items, while Zhuxiang took care of food and laundry—both tasks involved dealing with the Xu family's staff. Zhuxiang, being quiet yet perceptive, was the most suitable for these roles.

Binju smiled as she looked at the hairpins and ornaments—the elder madam was very kind to her.

She carefully took the hairpins and ornaments off Eleven Miss's head.

On the second day after the wedding, when she went to pay respects to the elder madam, the elder madam had given her a red lacquered box with carved flowers and birds, which felt very heavy. She immediately knew the contents were valuable. Since Third Lady was there, she quickly gave it to Binju to keep. On the day she went back to her parents' home, she opened it and found it filled with rare gem-encrusted jewelry. In her husband's family, she had to honor her parents' family, and in her parents' family, she had to honor her husband's family—just like taking care of subordinates in front of superiors and maintaining the dignity of superiors in front of subordinates. She immediately put on the jewelry the elder madam had given her.

Lord Xu looked at her with a hint of satisfaction.

Eleven Miss softly instructed Binju, "Take good care of these; don't lose anything."

Though they were called gifts, she couldn't sell them or have them remade. It was more like they were lent to her. Losing borrowed items wouldn't be good...

Binju smiled and said, "Don't worry, madam. I'll be very careful! These were special gifts from the elder madam. If they were lost, it would hurt her feelings."

As they were speaking, Amber entered.

Binju stopped talking, quickly finished helping her tidy up, and then left.

Amber told the young maids to bring hot water and helped Eleven Miss with her bath.

Soaking in a cedarwood tub with rosewater, the fresh cedar and rich rose scents made her feel like she was in nature, refreshing her.

She couldn't help but take a deep breath, feeling as though the fatigue of the day had vanished.

This was another benefit of marrying Lord Xu—when preparing the dowry, the Xu family had sent cosmetics and perfumes for the wedding day, including two bottles of scented water, one rose and one jasmine.

Someday, she would ask if there were other scents available. Or perhaps she could try distilling some herself. The Xu family's back garden had many flowers, especially at the Lijing Pavilion, which was said to be vibrant with blooms all year round. She recalled the plants she had seen during her first visit to the elder madam's courtyard. The Xu family must have a dedicated greenhouse and skilled gardeners...

At this thought, she felt a surge of excitement.

Like all girls, Eleven Miss loved flowers and plants. Even when she was busy with work, she had grown a gardenia on her balcony.

Since Lord Xu wouldn't be home tomorrow, it would be the perfect opportunity to explore the surroundings and start decorating the house. The current setup, filled with jade bonsai, was luxurious but felt somewhat stiff.

However, since they were living together, it would be better to inform Lord Xu in advance.

Though she thought this, Eleven Miss had a vague feeling that Lord Xu wouldn't make a big deal out of it.

Was this another benefit of marrying Lord Xu?

Eleven Miss couldn't help but chuckle.

Wasn't marriage supposed to be a joint effort? Was she not managing her marriage but rather her freedom...

For a moment, she felt an unprecedented sense of joy.

"Amber, have you noticed anything?" Eleven Miss asked with a smile.

Seeing Eleven Miss in high spirits, Amber hesitated for a moment.

"What is it?" Eleven Miss asked.

"After leaving here, Lady Wen went straight back to her courtyard. Lady Wen only returned to her own courtyard after Second Young Master Song left," Amber pondered, "However, shortly after Qin Yi returned, a maid from Lady Wen's side brought something to Qin Yi's place."

This Lady Wen, she never gives it a rest!

Feeling the water was a bit cold, Eleven Miss got up and toweled off, with Amber helping her dress.

"Our courtyard is split into east and west wings."

Eleven Miss was puzzled at first. Amber whispered, "We are in the west wing, and there's also an east wing. The three concubines live in the east wing. The three courtyards are arranged in a row. Lady Wen lives at the southern end, Qin Yi at the northern end, and Qiao Lianfang in between."

Eleven Miss was taken aback.

She had been swamped these past two days and hadn't had the time or opportunity to notice where the concubines lived.

"Did they just move in, or have they been there for a while?" she pondered.

"They've been there for a while," Amber said. "They say there's supposed to be another courtyard behind Qin Yi's. When the second young master was a child, the elder madam decided to combine that courtyard with Qin Yi's, making it three courtyards. So, the front two courtyards are single-entry, but Qin Yi's is double-entry. Last year, after the second young master moved out to the outer courtyard, Qin Yi lived there alone."

To others, whether it's Qin Yi or Qiao Lianfang, they're part of Lord Xu's family and should live together. Did Eldest Miss move to Lord Xu's courtyard due to illness, or was there another reason?

Amber helped dry her hair, and Eleven Miss returned to the inner chamber.

Lord Xu had already gone to bed, still leaving her half.

Eleven Miss blew out the lamp, lay down, and started counting sheep in her head.

The person next door kept tossing and turning, like a pancake on a griddle.

He had to be at the Meridian Gate before 3 AM tomorrow, so he needed to get up at least an hour earlier. As his wife, she had to rise earlier to make breakfast, help him dress, and then greet the elder madam.

"My lord," she called softly to Lord Xu.

"Hmm," he responded casually.

"I can't sleep," Eleven Miss murmured as she sat up, "I think I'll read a bit..."

Did I disturb her sleep?

But he felt truly troubled inside.

Especially seeing how timid Xu Sizhen was and how smart and steady Xu Siyu was. For some reason, he suddenly recalled the fifth prince, who had taken his own life. Once, drunk, he stood at the Wanshou Pavilion on Jingshan, gazing down at the pavilions and towers below, and wept, "...I surpass him in every way, but just because of his birthright, he outshines me a hundredfold, a thousandfold, and can cast me into the abyss, never to rise again!"

Later, in the "Witchcraft Case," everyone knew it couldn't be the crown prince, but not a single prince stood up to say a word for him.

Thinking of these, he tossed and turned, unable to sleep, his mouth tasting as if it held a bitter gall.

"Did I disturb you?" Lord Xu's voice carried a hint of desolation, "Go sleep in the warm pavilion."

Why should I go to the warm pavilion? Why not you?

Eleven Miss couldn't help but grumble in her heart.

Finally, she saw what true male chauvinism is.

"No," she smiled, "I really want to sleep, but for some reason, I just can't. So I thought I'd read a bit."

"Maybe you're too tired," Lord Xu absentmindedly responded. Without objecting, Eleven Miss draped her clothes, got out of bed, lit the lamp, took the "Da Zhou Nine Domains Record" from the small table by the window in the inner chamber, then got back under the covers, leaning against the large pillow to read.

Her figure just blocked Lord Xu's head, so he didn't feel the discomfort of the light.

After a while, Eleven Miss asked him, "My lord, where is Miaojiang?"

"Why do you ask?" Perhaps because he was lying in bed, Lord Xu's voice lacked its earlier clarity, instead carrying a relaxed, unguarded laziness, with a deep, warm tone.

Eleven Miss smiled slightly, "I heard you fought a war there? But the book doesn't say where Miaojiang is?"