Chapter 117

Chapter 119: Visiting

The elder madam indeed looked more spirited than the last time they had seen her, her hair neatly combed, and her attire elegantly matched. Xu Mama was attentively serving at her side.

Upon hearing that they were going to visit Ten Miss, she pursed her lips, but her expression didn’t return to normal as quickly as before, making it seem somewhat odd.

"She's restless all day long; this can be considered a lesson."

Eleven Miss found it quite unpleasant to hear, but she smiled and sat there silently.

The elder madam asked about the people in her room: "...Three concubines. Qin Yi is getting on in years, and the lord mostly visits her for appearances. Lady Wen always brings up the Wen family's business whenever she sees the lord. You should be cautious of Qiao Lianfang. Do you know when her period is?"

"I haven’t inquired," Eleven Miss replied with a faint smile.

She arranged things based on respect, not on fertility. Lord Xu was no fool. Even Nan Yong's wife was aware; how could he not know? Even if he didn’t know, wouldn’t the elder madam know? Wouldn’t the third madam know? She didn’t want to become the laughingstock of the entire Xu household.

The elder madam's brow furrowed.

"Did Madam Tao not teach you?" Despite being ill, her gaze was still stern. "The distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children is fundamental. What if Qiao Lianfang bears a son?"

Eleven Miss smiled slightly. "Now that the lord has both sons and daughters, a few more children would just be the icing on the cake. Mother, you need not worry too much."

The elder madam glared at Eleven Miss and said, "You fool..."

At that moment, a young maid entered to announce, "The eldest daughter-in-law is here." The elder madam snorted coldly and stopped the conversation.

The eldest daughter-in-law had changed into a blue-gray squirrel fur jacket, with a light powder on her face, her long eyebrows and almond eyes adding a touch of charm. After asking if the elder madam had any messages, she and Eleven Miss bid farewell and took a carriage to Duke Mao's estate in Shishi Hutong.

A servant had already gone ahead to announce their arrival, and when the carriage stopped at the Chuihua Gate, a maid immediately came out to greet them, "The eldest daughter-in-law is here. The aunt is here!"

The eldest daughter-in-law casually gave a tip and was led into the inner courtyard by the maid.

On either side, green pines and cypresses reflected the white snow, creating a refreshing atmosphere.

Entering the room, a large basin of burning incense was in the center, and a ticking clock was placed on the incense table in the main hall. A young maid stood by the curtain with her head down, maintaining the dignity of a noble family.

A group of young maids and older women surrounded a gray-haired woman who came out from the inner room, "Is it the eldest daughter-in-law and Eleven Miss?"

Eleven Miss noticed that the woman had a pigeon-egg-sized tourmaline on her forehead, a red ruby ring the size of a lotus seed on her hand, and was wearing a stone-blue silk robe. She was secretly guessing the woman’s identity.

Someone beside her said, "This is our family's elder madam."

Unexpectedly, Wang Lang's mother was in Ten Miss's room.

The two hurriedly stepped forward to pay their respects.

Eleven Miss couldn’t help but take a closer look.

Her appearance was quite dignified, and Madam Jiang resembled her by seven or eight parts, but the corners of her eyes and brows carried a heavy gloom, like someone who had been ill for years, looking very haggard.

Madam Wang held the eldest daughter-in-law with one hand and Eleven Miss with the other, "Please rise quickly!" she said, tears already falling. "Ten Miss hasn’t eaten or drunk for two or three days, and we really had no choice but to send a message. Please help me persuade her!"

Both the eldest daughter-in-law and Eleven Miss were shocked.

They hadn’t expected the situation to have been going on for two or three days.

They nodded hastily and hurried into the inner room.

The red silk curtain was half-drawn, and Ten Miss lay pale, with her eyes closed, leaning on a large green pillow. The brightness that once bloomed like summer flowers was gone from her brow, replaced only by the sallow hue of autumn leaves.

"Ten Miss," the elder madam's eyes immediately moistened. She quickly walked to the bed and sat down, softly calling her, "Ten Miss, it's your sister-in-law. I've come with Eleven Miss to see you."

Wang elder madam and a group of people surrounded the elder madam and Eleven Miss: "Ten Miss, your family has come to see you."

Ten Miss's long eyelashes fluttered slightly, and her eyes slowly opened.

"Ten Miss," the elder madam called her with some emotion.

Her gaze lingered on the elder madam's face briefly, then settled on Eleven Miss's face.

"Ten Miss," Eleven Miss called her softly.

Ten Miss stared blankly at her, her eyes dull and lifeless.

Eleven Miss sensed something was amiss and called out again uneasily, "Ten Miss."

Ten Miss continued to stare blankly at Eleven Miss, as if she didn't recognize who was in front of her.

Everyone held their breath, watching Ten Miss, the tension palpable.

After a while, Ten Miss slowly closed her eyes and turned her face away.

It seemed as though she was refusing to see Eleven Miss.

Everyone was stunned, their eyes all falling on Eleven Miss.

For a moment, the room was deathly silent.

The elder madam quickly said, "Let's not all crowd here; it's too stifling." As she spoke, her gaze swept through the crowd, spotting Yin Ping, and instructed her, "Take Eleven Miss to the outer room to sit for a while."

Yin Ping hurried over to bow to Eleven Miss, and Wang elder madam also noticed something was wrong, personally accompanying Eleven Miss to the outer hall.

Amber smiled and said immediately, "Madam, it's getting late; the Marquis should be returning from his duties. Let's go back first! So you won't worry about being late."

Wang elder madam hurriedly said, "Ten Miss and Eleven Miss are sisters, and Ten Miss has a childlike temperament. I believe Eleven Miss understands. Please don't be offended." She apologized for her daughter-in-law to Eleven Miss, her smile somewhat awkward.

Eleven Miss smiled and said, "Madam, don't worry. We grew up together; I know her temper well." Then she said to Amber, "Since I came with the elder madam, I'll wait for her here."

Yin Ping quickly added, "Yes, yes, since Eleven Miss is here, have some tea before you go." She eagerly served tea to Eleven Miss, as though afraid of offending her.

Wang elder madam then asked about the elder madam: "...I last saw her during the New Year; I imagine she's still as spirited as ever."

"Thank you for your concern, Madam," Eleven Miss exchanged pleasantries with her but kept glancing towards the inner room, as though worried something might happen.

Eleven Miss remained composed.

After sitting for the time it took to drink two cups of tea, the elder madam emerged from the inner room with red eyes.

Wang elder madam immediately went up to her: "Elder madam, stay for dinner before you go."

The elder madam glanced at Eleven Miss, who appeared calm, and shook her head, "It's getting late; I'll come back to see her tomorrow."

Wang elder madam didn't press further and personally saw them out.

The elder madam gave Eleven Miss a meaningful look and loudly instructed, "Let's head back to Bowstring Alley."

They left the Wang family as dusk fell. Eleven Miss was in the Xu family's carriage, and under normal circumstances, she would exchange a few words with the elder madam before each heading home. She deliberately instructed Amber loudly, "We'll follow the elder madam's carriage." Then, with the help of the older women, she boarded the carriage.

Amber calmly instructed the driver, and the Xu family's carriage followed the Luo family's carriage out of Stone Lion Alley.

"You're too forgiving," Amber said as she closed the carriage door, her tone tinged with dissatisfaction. "What's wrong with Ten Miss? Even if she's upset, she shouldn't take it out on you! What does that do to your dignity?"

Eleven Miss smiled faintly, "Did I do something wrong?"

Amber was taken aback, "No!"

"Then there's nothing to worry about," Eleven Miss said with a smile. "Since I haven't done anything wrong, there's nothing to feel uneasy or resentful about." Her eyes held a touch of pity, "You don't understand, Ten Miss... whether it's love or hate, she needs something to keep herself going..."

Memories of Ten Miss's resentful look, her pushy attitude, and her frustration when the table was overturned at Green Bamboo Pavilion swirled in Eleven Miss's mind.

************

The carriage came to a halt at the West Street intersection.

Eleven Miss was confused when the older woman with her knocked on the carriage door, "Madam, your eldest sister-in-law has arrived."

She opened the door quickly, and the eldest sister-in-law, fighting the cold, lifted her skirt and got in.

"I think Ten Miss is not herself," she said, her whole body exuding coldness. "She won't say much when asked! If pushed, she just says 'good'."

Hearing this, Eleven Miss shared her concerns about being with Lady Wang.

The eldest sister-in-law nodded, "With your mother-in-law and sisters-in-law around, it's hard for you to move freely. I'll check on her tomorrow. If there's any news, I'll let you know." She added, "It's a short trip for you to Lotus Lane from here, so we'll say goodbye now. We don't want to keep the Marquis waiting."

Eleven Miss appreciated her kindness and wished her a safe journey before parting ways with the eldest sister-in-law at the intersection of West Street.

When she got home, Lord Xu was back from work, changed, and lounging on the kang by the window with a book. He looked up as she came in, said casually, "You're back," and went back to his book.

Eleven Miss nodded, let Amber help her change and freshen up, then sat by the kang and said, "Ten Miss miscarried. I visited her with the eldest sister-in-law."

Lord Xu nodded, "I'll go see Zi Chun myself. For Shandong, we'll send Manager Zhao. The snow's early and heavy this year, so the roads could be tough. We should leave soon."

Eleven Miss didn't expect him to personally visit Qian Ming, which would undoubtedly be beneficial for Qian Ming.

She smiled, "Fifth brother-in-law will be thrilled. He loves a lively family."

Lord Xu smiled.

He usually didn't mind helping relatives, as long as they stayed out of trouble.

He put down the book, "It's late, let's head to mother's."

Eleven Miss agreed right away, asked Xiayi for Lord Xu's cloak, and helped him into it herself. Just as she was about to put on her own cloak, a young maid came in to report, "Marquis, Madam, Mrs. Qiao is here to see you!"

Mrs. Qiao? Qiao Lianfang's mother?

Eleven Miss was somewhat surprised, not knowing why she came to see Lord Xu. Seeing Lord Xu's calm expression and no intention to refuse, she smiled and instructed the maid, "Please invite Mrs. Qiao in!" Then she went to help Lord Xu with his cloak.

Lord Xu stopped her with his hand, standing there quietly waiting for Mrs. Qiao, as if he was about to go out and wanted to say something quickly.

Eleven Miss stepped back a few steps and stood behind Lord Xu.