Chapter 140

Chapter 142: The Visit (Part 1)

On the way, the third wife explained in a low voice: "It’s late, so we let the children rest first. The fifth wife is unwell, so the marquis had the fifth brother accompany her back first."

The matriarch nodded and asked, "What did the children have for dinner?"

"Brother Qin and Brother Jian had the premium old duck hotpot, while Yuge, Sister Zhen, and Chun Ge had the vegetarian eight delicacies."

The matriarch gave a satisfied hum and was personally assisted by Xu Lingning, who held the curtain for her to enter the room.

Wei Zi, who had stayed at home, was already waiting with the young maids and older women. Seeing the matriarch return, she hurried forward to help remove her cloak and assisted her to the dressing room to change and freshen up.

The third wife smiled and asked Eleventh Miss, "Was it lively over there?"

Eleventh Miss smiled and said, "I heard there were one hundred and twenty-four dowry chests."

"Ah!" The third wife's eyes showed envy. "The Ouyang household is truly blessed to marry Miss Tang. Such a grand dowry is the first of its kind in all of Yanjing."

Eleventh Miss smiled slightly.

Xu Lingning, however, said, "When the fifth wife married in, didn’t she also have one hundred and twenty-four dowry chests?"

"That’s different," the third wife said. "Dan Yang is an only child, but Miss Tang’s family has thirteen daughters."

As they were speaking, the matriarch came out.

The third wife hurried forward to support her and helped her sit on the heated bed by the window. Eleventh Miss went to pour a cup of hot tea and brought it over.

The matriarch took a sip of the hot tea and said, "It’s late; everyone should disperse now! We all have things to do tomorrow."

The four of them acknowledged her, bowed to the matriarch, and then withdrew.

After leaving the matriarch’s courtyard, Xu Lingning hinted to Xu Lingyi, "Then we’ll head back first!"

Xu Lingyi smiled and nodded, and Xu Lingning led the somewhat puzzled third wife away first.

Eleventh Miss was also confused.

After all, both of them were heading east and shared the same path for a while. Why were they going separately?

Just as she was thinking this, she heard Xu Lingyi ask her, "Did you meet Madame Zhou?"

Eleventh Miss was slightly surprised, "How did you know, my lord?"

Xu Lingyi smiled, "I had dinner with Zhou Shizheng today. Oh, Zhou Shizheng is the third son of Princess Fucheng Chang."

It seemed that this Zhou Shizheng and Xu Lingyi were really close friends.

Eleventh Miss couldn’t help but smile, "I heard from Sister Zhou that you two are childhood friends!"

"What childhood friends!" Xu Lingyi’s expression showed a bit of disdain, but there was warmth in his eyes. "It’s just that when Empress Wu was around, we often went to play in the Kunning Palace with Prince Shun and the others." As he spoke, a hint of melancholy appeared, "I didn’t expect Empress Wu to be implicated by the Crown Prince and executed by the late emperor."

These old stories were unknown to her, so she naturally had no say in them. She smiled and changed the subject, taking the opportunity to tell Xu Lingyi what she had discussed with the matriarch.

Xu Lingyi listened silently, and they returned to their own courtyard together.

Lv Yun and Hong Xiu were waiting at the door with the maids and older women. Seeing them enter, they hurried forward to greet them.

Xu Lingyi walked straight to the main room without stopping.

Eleven Lady thought he had stayed at the elder madam's place yesterday... he likely had something to tell her.

She hurriedly followed him in. She called a young maid to attend to him and went to the washroom to freshen up and change clothes.

When she finished and came out, Lord Xu was sitting by the window on the heated brick bed, drinking tea.

Eleven Lady smiled and sat down opposite him.

The young maid brought hot tea, and she sipped it, her face showing contentment.

Lord Xu couldn't help but smile slightly.

Warmed by the tea, she felt a bit lazy.

Eleven Lady took the initiative to ask Lord Xu about yesterday's matter: "...How did the discussion with mother go?"

"Mother is not someone without foresight," Lord Xu said with a smile, taking a sip of tea. "She also thinks Third Young Master's matter is good. She only wishes to keep Qin Ge and Jian Ge here. With Third Young Master's wife's temperament, sending her to prosperous regions like Huzhou or Hangzhou would be detrimental. We need to find a more barren place. First, to temper her character, and second, since there's not much profit there, even if Third Young Master is easily swayed, it won't lead to major issues. I’ll also assign a capable advisor to accompany them. If she does something truly out of line, they will report to me. It’s beneficial for them, but my only concern is that such a place might lack good teachers, which might delay Qin Ge and Jian Ge's studies."

She didn't expect the elder madam to agree so readily...

Eleven Lady was deeply impressed.

She silently reminded herself to act with the same decisiveness and flexibility as the elder madam.

"What about Third Young Master's arrangement for the two children?"

"I haven't discussed the specifics yet," Lord Xu said. "I only briefly mentioned the idea of assigning him to a provincial post. He was very interested. I told him to discuss it with his wife and get back to me soon so I can make plans early."

Eleven Lady nodded.

It seemed that after discussing it with the elder madam last night, he had also discussed it with Third Young Master after work today... That’s why Third Young Master had hinted earlier and quickly took his wife back, probably to discuss this matter with her.

"I think even if Third Young Master's wife wants to take the two children to her new post, it wouldn't be a bad thing!"

Eleven Lady said, "Reading countless books is not as valuable as traveling far and wide. It's good for the children to go out and see the world. If it doesn't work out, we can always bring them back. In families like ours, children’s education focuses on character development. Even if they miss some schooling, it’s not a major concern. Moreover, as the saying goes, a child doesn’t resent their mother’s imperfections. Being with their parents, no matter how tough the conditions, is better than being separated from family." Lord Xu nodded slightly: "Let’s wait to hear what Third Young Master says before making any decisions. Perhaps we’re just overthinking things, and Third Young Master has no intention of taking Qin Ge and Jian Ge to his post."

Eleven Lady then thought of what Lady Lin had said about wanting to send Huijie to her to learn needlework: "...She mentioned it in front of so many people, and since our families are neighbors, it's hard to refuse. If Lady Lin brings Huijie over, our Zhenjie-er will have to help entertain them. At that time, Chun Ge-er might feel left out and uncomfortable."

Lord Xu was surprised: "Your embroidery skills are from the Immortal Silk Pavilion?"

Eleven Lady smiled: "I've only learned a little."

Lord Xu looked at her for a while without speaking.

Eleven Lady, not knowing his thoughts, naturally took a step back. She smiled and said, "If you find it troublesome, I can find an excuse to decline."

"No need," Lord Xu quickly said. "Since you've already agreed in front of everyone, it wouldn't be good to decline privately. If she comes, just bring Zhenjie-er along to entertain Lady Lin and her daughter. As for Chun Ge-er, I'll talk to mother."

That's not necessary, lest the elder madam thinks I've said something in front of Lord Xu, encouraging him to intervene. Although Lord Xu isn't that kind of person, it's better to be cautious...

Eleven Lady smiled and said, "As long as you agree, that's fine. As for mother, let's wait until Lady Lin actually comes. If she's just acting on a whim, it might make us seem overly cautious and nervous."

Lord Xu couldn't help but laugh: "There's no need to be so sensitive."

Eleven Lady, seeing his indifference, couldn't help but murmur softly: "Women are just naturally sensitive!"

Lord Xu laughed heartily, finding her quite amusing. One moment she was thoughtful and strategic like an adult, and the next she was anxious and indecisive like a child. He then called out loudly for Xiayi to come in and attend to his washing.

Eleven Lady was startled: "Lord Xu..."

Lord Xu responded with an "oh" and said nonchalantly, "It's late, let's rest here tonight!"

Eleven Miss's mind buzzed, and the discomfort from that day seemed to wash over her again. She blurted out, "No!"

Lord Xu's gaze deepened, as unfathomable as an ancient well.

Eleven Miss shivered and regained her composure.

"No!" she said, switching to a coquettish tone, "I just set the rules, and you're already breaking them. Who will respect me in the future?"

Lord Xu looked at her pouting, indignant, and couldn't help but laugh, thinking what she said made sense. Matters of the household were naturally managed by the wife, and she had just entered the household... He didn't want to trouble her, so he stood up and said, "I was hoping to have a chat with you..."

"I'll serve you breakfast first thing tomorrow morning!" Eleven Miss immediately smiled brightly.

It seemed she was genuinely worried about breaking the rules!

"Forget it!" Lord Xu laughed, "To spare you from getting up so early. The weather is quite cold."

Eleven Miss eagerly saw Lord Xu out and called Shuang Yu to carry a lantern and accompany him to Qiao Lianfang's place.

Dongqing couldn't help but scold, "Madam, really, there's no reason to send your husband away."

Eleven Miss lay down on the big bed, stretching comfortably, and murmured softly, "Only a fool would trouble themselves!"

Dongqing didn't catch it and asked, "What did you say, Madam?"

"Nothing," Eleven Miss didn't want to discuss the issue further and changed the subject, "Where is Amber?"

"After dinner, Yang Huizu's wife came to deliver osmanthus cakes to her," Dongqing smiled, "I heard she went with you to Zhongshan Marquis's residence and waited in the back room until now. Amber went to see her when she heard."

"I didn't expect her to be so in demand," Eleven Miss laughed, "Even Yang Huizu's wife came to bring her gifts. What did she do to help?"

"She first placed Fangfei in the back garden, then moved Taohua to the ancestral hall to manage the incense and candles, with a monthly allowance of three hundred coins. It made everyone in the household watch her closely, wanting to ask her for a job," Dongqing laughed, "Yang Huizu's wife is likely after the same thing!"

Eleven Miss laughed and went to take a relaxing bath. When she came out, Amber was waiting for her outside.

"Madam, I have something to tell you," she said with a serious expression.

Eleven Miss dismissed the servants in the room.

Amber whispered, "The second wife sent her steward and a servant to deliver an envelope to the Marquis. After reading the letter, the Marquis had the steward and servant hand it over to Steward Bai and asked Steward Bai to arrange a place for them to rest. Then he went to have dinner with Zhou Shizheng."

Eleven Miss's expression turned serious, "Yang Huizu said that!"

Amber nodded, "He was afraid of arousing suspicion, so he had his wife bring me osmanthus cakes."

Eleven Miss was thinking about the second wife.

A widowed sister-in-law and her brother-in-law... She wouldn't send her steward and a servant to deliver an envelope to Lord Xu for no reason. It was probably about Xu Siyu.

To shoot the horse first before the rider, to capture the leader first before the followers.

Is this the second wife's way of doing things?

Does Lord Xu have something to say to me, could it be related to this matter?