Chapter 183

Chapter 186: The Firecrackers (Part 2)

"Not really!" Dongqing laughed. "Compared to before, now I eat, sleep, and pass the time doing needlework, living a life like that of the eldest daughter. How could I feel bored?" She then smiled and took out a bundle from the kang cabinet. "I made two skirts for you, Madam. See if you like them!" She opened the bundle, revealing rose-red and sky-red brocade.

"You’re always making things for me," Eleven Miss smiled as she unfolded the skirts.

One skirt was rose-red with dark blue bamboo embroidery, and the other was bright red with green plum blossoms.

"They are both beautiful," she said with a smile. "I prefer the rose-red one."

Dongqing smiled and put them away. "The elder madam is aging and prefers vibrant colors. You should also dress accordingly when the occasion calls for it." She spoke like an elder sister.

Eleven Miss showed a pleased smile, recalling how she often used to give her such advice. She glanced at Lv Yun, signaling them to leave, and then spoke intimately with Dongqing.

"By now, your youngest sister should be married, right?"

Last time when the elder master returned to Yuhang, Jiang Mama, from the elder madam’s household, accompanied him. Amber, Dongqing, and others had Jiang Mama take letters back. When the elder master returned, Jiang Mama also brought soybean paste made by Dongqing's mother. Back then, Eleven Miss devoured two big bowls of rice mixed with the paste, and even Lord Xu said it was delicious. However, the paste had to be made before the winter solstice. Missing the date, Dongqing, skilled as she was, couldn’t make it without the right ingredients. Eleven Miss had to keep all the paste originally prepared to give away.

Dongqing nodded. "She married into a respectable family." Jiang Mama had told her about each family's situation when she returned. "Her husband is the only son, owning over fifty acres of fertile land and running an oil press." She smiled. "In fact, it was all thanks to you, Madam... That family originally thought our family background was a bit weak, but after learning that I served you, they agreed to the marriage."

Eleven Miss smiled and nodded.

As long as it wasn't for evil deeds, she didn't mind her name being used by others.

"Time flies. Before you know it, after the New Year, you’ll be twenty-one."

Dongqing blushed upon hearing this, slightly lowered her head, and rubbed the copper thimble on her hand.

"I’ve always had your best interests at heart," Eleven Miss said in a lowered voice. "What are your thoughts on Wan Daxian?"

Dongqing suddenly looked up, her face panicked. "What are you talking about, Madam... I don’t understand!" She lowered her head again.

Eleven Miss found her expression strange. It wasn’t the usual shyness when marriage is mentioned, but rather surprise tinged with fear.

She remembered that she had specifically arranged for Dongqing to go to Goldfish Alley to see Wan Daxian in person. Could she have misjudged? Was there something wrong with Wan Daxian?

"I think he’s handsome, and you’re around the same age."

Eleven Miss spoke while carefully observing her expression. "He may not come from a wealthy family, but a good man doesn’t depend on his parents, and a good woman doesn’t rely on her dowry. I specifically assigned him to the accounts department. With his character, he could take charge in three to five years. I wonder who will have the fortune to marry him..."

Dongqing’s face flushed, then paled, her expression unreadable...

Eleven Miss was now certain—she wasn’t entirely comfortable with this idea.

She sighed slightly and changed the topic. "When I was ill, it was all thanks to you and Binju for taking such good care of me. Our bond is special. If you have anything on your mind, just tell me. No matter what, I will always be on your side..."

Dongqing's expression showed a hint of shyness.

Perhaps she had someone in mind...

Eleven Miss's heart stirred slightly, and she continued softly, "If you’re too shy to tell me, you can always confide in Amber or Binju."

Dongqing remained silent, slightly turning her face, her cheeks reddening even more.

Eleven Miss felt a bit regretful.

She thought Wan Daxian was quite a good young man.

After saying a few more words, she got up and returned to her room, calling Amber. "Go and see what Dongqing is thinking, find out what she really wants."

Amber smiled as she poured tea for her: "We’re limited to this small space. How can we match your keen judgment, Madam? Of course, we follow your lead."

"You shouldn’t say that," Eleven Miss replied with a smile. "If everything were about conditions, there wouldn’t be so many heartbroken people. I always hope to make your wishes come true and see everyone happy." This made Amber blush deeply.

"I will go and sound out Dongqing this evening. She can’t wait any longer. Otherwise, the mansion gossip will only get worse."

"Mansion gossip?" Eleven Miss was taken aback.

Amber hesitated, "It’s nothing serious! Just that Dongqing and Binju are getting older, and people are wondering why they’re still single. I just said there weren’t any good matches."

"Has anyone asked you about it?"

Amber nodded, "Nanny Shi from the fifth lady’s side."

"It’s true, there’s no one suitable," Eleven Miss sighed. "I always feel like no one’s good enough for you."

"What’s this about being good enough?" Lord Xu’s voice suddenly rang out in the room.

Amber hurriedly helped Eleven Miss down from the kang, while Lord Xu looked at the newly hung yellowish fine linen curtains: "You’ve cleaned up so fast."

Eleven Miss and Amber bowed to him. She invited him to sit on the kang and said with a smile, "Since the Marquis has spoken, who would dare to slack off?" Then she personally served the tea brought by the maid.

Lord Xu continued his earlier question: "What were you talking about?"

Amber, blushing, retreated.

Lord Xu looked puzzled.

Eleven Miss smiled, "We were just talking about Dongqing and Binju—they are both getting older, and we want to find them suitable matches, but there are none."

Lord Xu nodded, unconcerned, "Just let Steward Bai know. There should be some decent men around their age in the household."

If only marriage were so simple!

Eleven Miss was really afraid he would take an interest and arrange their marriages casually, so she quickly changed the subject: "It’s unusual for the Marquis to come early today. Why not call Yuge and Zhenjie and head to mother’s place earlier?"

Lord Xu thought for a moment, "Alright, let’s go early and talk to mother about Zhenjie’s trip to the Western Hills."

Eleven Miss sent a maid with the message, then sat down and chatted with Lord Xu about household affairs. When Xu Siyu and Zhenjie arrived, they all went to see the elder madam.

The elder madam was happy to see them arrive early. After Chun Ge paid his respects to Lord Xu and Eleven Miss, she pulled them into conversation: "...Little Five has brought back several large firecrackers," she gestured with her hands, "ready to set off in front of the ancestral hall on New Year’s Eve..."

Eleven Miss, thinking that Lord Xu would discuss Zhenjie’s matter with the elder madam, felt it would be awkward for her to stay. She signaled to Xu Siyu and Zhenjie, then took Chun Ge’s hand: "Mother, I’ll take Chun Ge to the hall to play shuttlecock." The elder madam nodded with a smile, "Go ahead! Go ahead!" Her look was full of affection and indulgence. Xu Siyu and Zhenjie naturally wanted to go too, so Eleven Miss led the three children out.

"After all, they’re family," the elder madam said, watching the swaying curtain. "Chun Ge, who is usually so shy, has been chatting and laughing with Eleven Miss in just three or four months."

Lord Xu was momentarily stunned.

He himself wasn’t the type to easily get close to people, but in just three or four months, he had grown accustomed to having Eleven Miss around... and even enjoyed teasing her...

Thinking this, he responded somewhat unnaturally, "Yes."

The elder madam, noticing his distracted look, glanced at the now still curtain and smiled.

Eleven Miss led the three children to the hall, where they watched Chun Ge play shuttlecock.

Chun Ge was very happy, showing off various tricks.

Did they call me out here just to watch Chun Ge kick the shuttlecock?

Xu Siyu was really confused.

Meanwhile, Zhenjie was a bit worried.

How would Dad bring it up with Grandma? If Grandma knew it was the stepmother who helped plead her case, would she blame her? At the time, seeing the house bustling with activity, she had only been worried about the second aunt and hadn’t considered the stepmother’s position… Her smile turned a bit strained.

Noticing his siblings' strange looks, Chun Ge stopped, his eyes filled with confusion. He tilted his little head and looked at them curiously: "What’s wrong with you? Am I doing it wrong?"

Hearing Chun Ge’s question, there was still a trace of bewilderment in their eyes.

Eleven Miss hurried over, patted Chun Ge’s head, and comforted him with a smile: "No, no. We’re just amazed at how good you are at shuttlecock!"

"Really!" Chun Ge’s smile immediately brightened.

"Yes!" Eleven Miss smiled and took his hand, "You’ve been at it for a while now, aren’t you getting tired? How about we go to the east chamber to rest for a bit? We can kick again later."

"I’m not tired," Chun Ge said with a smile, "I want to keep kicking." He seemed determined to keep going.

Seeing his little face flushed but without sweat on his forehead, Eleven Miss knew he really wasn’t tired. She let go of his hand and stood aside with a smile.

Chun Ge nodded eagerly and kicked the shuttlecock with even more enthusiasm.

Suddenly, loud clapping broke out.

Everyone looked up in surprise and saw Xu Lingkuan, the Fifth Master, and Xu Sijian, the Third Young Master, standing by the door curtain, applauding.

"Chun Ge, I had no idea you were this good at shuttlecock!" Fifth Master’s tone was sincere, clearly heartfelt.

Chun Ge ran towards Fifth Master with a smile: "Uncle, Uncle, are the big fireworks all set?"

Fifth Master scooped Chun Ge up, pinched his little nose, then put him down and greeted Eleven Miss.

Eleven Miss returned the greeting and chatted with him with a smile: "Fifth Master went to buy fireworks today."

Fifth Master politely replied: "Yes. I just went with Sijian to store all the fireworks in the warehouse… so the servants don’t accidentally set them off and cause a mess."

Eleven Miss nodded with a smile and explained her whereabouts: "The Marquis is having a chat with Mother in the inner room."

Thus, Fifth Master couldn’t go in either and stood with Eleven Miss, one to the east and one to the west. Xu Siyu and Zhenjie stepped forward to greet him, and Xu Sijian also stepped forward to greet Eleven Miss, then pulled Xu Siyu and asked: "Second Brother, have you seen my eldest brother? I was out with Fifth Master first thing this morning getting fireworks, and when I came back, he was nowhere to be found. His two attendants are nowhere to be found either, and Mother and Sister Autumn Silk are not in the room. When I asked others, they all said they didn’t know…"

Xu Siyu’s smile revealed a hint of teasing: "Oh, this afternoon Zhongqin Earl’s Mansion came to deliver New Year’s gifts. The maids came in to greet Grandmother and mentioned that their eldest daughter has been worshiping the Smallpox Goddess these days. Third Aunt was very worried and took eldest brother back to her maiden home. Who knows if they’ll stay for dinner at the Zhongqin Earl’s place!"