Chapter 228

Chapter 232: Life and Death (Part 1)

The royal banquet was a grand and dazzling affair, with fireworks lighting up the night sky in a spectacular display. However, as a participant, Eleven Miss just wanted it to be over—she could neither be the center of attention like the Emperor and Empress nor receive special treatment like the elder madam. Standing in the cold wind, hungry and watching the fireworks, became a miserable experience, especially when she was also worried about Xu Siqin and his two brothers back at home.

Finally, by the beginning of the Xu period (7-9 PM), the Emperor and Empress retired to the inner court, and the guests were allowed to disperse. The streets were ablaze with festive lights and teeming with people, and it took them half an hour to make their way home. The elder madam and Eleven Miss were dead tired, but Xu Lingyi remained energetic and spirited.

Amber, following behind Third Young Master and Third Madam, greeted Eleven Miss and immediately stepped forward to support her, whispering, "Don't worry, Madam, the three young masters are resting in the elder madam's room."

Eleven Miss let out a long sigh of relief, mustering her strength to accompany the elder madam back to her room. After personally checking on the three boys, she finally felt at ease and returned to her room with Xu Lingyi.

She quickly told him about the Imperial Noble Consort being reprimanded and her encounter with Ren Kun's wife, Jiang Jinkui.

Regarding Jiang Jinkui, Xu Lingyi smiled and said, "This is unavoidable. Our families are interconnected, and we are bound to meet eventually. Just stay composed and dignified." As for the Imperial Noble Consort's reprimand, he added, "I've also heard about this. It seems the Emperor is hinting at the censors. However, the Lantern Festival (Yuanxiao Festival) won't end until the 17th of the first month. The Emperor likely won't make any statements before then. If anything happens, it will be three days from now."

Eleven Miss nodded, made the bed, and went to sleep with Xu Lingyi.

Early the next morning, she went to the elder madam's quarters and encountered Xu Siqin and Xu Siyu, who had come to pay their respects. She smiled and mentioned their plan to disguise themselves as servants to go out and see the lanterns: "...I was worried you wouldn't listen. But it turns out you are true gentlemen of your word. You actually stayed home yesterday." She didn't reveal that it was Xu Siyu's idea.

The elder madam was taken aback.

Xu Siqin's face turned red with embarrassment: "It was our fault. Auntie, you've made me feel utterly ashamed."

Xu Siyu simply smiled faintly.

Then Third Madam arrived with Xu Sijian to pay their respects. The elder madam suppressed her confusion and waited until they left before sending the children to Chun Ge's quarters to play. She then asked Eleven Miss, "...Such an important matter, why didn't you discuss it with me?"

Eleven Miss explained the whole situation: "...Since I had promised the children, breaking my promise would show a lack of sincerity. But not allowing them would seem too strict." She then detailed her arrangements at the time.

She had picked this moment to speak for a reason.

The Lantern Festival (Yuanxiao Festival) wouldn't end until the 17th of the first month, leaving two more days.

If Xu Siqin and the others had truly given up on their plan, her words would simply amuse the elder madam.

But if they hadn't abandoned their plan, the last two days would be the best opportunity—first, those keeping an eye on them might let their guard down after seeing them behave well; second, their agreement was for the Lantern Festival, not a specific day, so going out wouldn't break their promise. Conversely, Eleven Miss had also used this to her advantage. By ensuring they stayed home on the 15th and then revealing the plan, she had kept her word to the kids, the elder madam would see she hadn't indulged them, and she could shift responsibility if anything went wrong.

The elder madam gave a small nod.

Eleven Miss was still new to the family and couldn't be too extreme. This approach was just right—it preserved the children's dignity without spoiling them. Seeing Eleven Miss's careful consideration, the elder madam felt reassured.

"To recognize and correct one's mistakes is a great virtue," she thought, deciding to elevate Eleven Miss's standing. "Since they are so eager to go out..." she instructed Madam Du, "call Bai Steward in and have him arrange for servants to accompany the three young masters to the lantern market."

This outcome surprised Eleven Miss, who quickly told Amber to inform Xu Siqin and the others.

The children, upon hearing the news, rushed out excitedly, some bowing in gratitude, others laughing and jumping, while Chun Ge rolled into the elder madam's arms: "I want to go too, I want to go too!"

Xu Sijie tugged at Eleven Miss's skirt, giggling as he stood by her side.

While everyone else might go, it was almost certain that the elder madam wouldn't allow Chun Ge.

Eleven Miss pondered this as she held Xu Sijie, and then she heard the elder madam's firm voice: "You stay home and keep your mother and fifth brother company."

Chun Ge pouted in disappointment, his eyes darting toward Eleven Miss, but he didn't dare argue.

Eleven Miss acted like she didn't see it.

As she lowered her head, she caught a fleeting glimpse of a mocking smile on Xu Siyu's lips.

Upon learning of the decision made by the elder madam, Lord Xu did not object. After some thought, he only instructed Steward Bai to increase the number of attendants and to proceed with caution. The Third Young Master also nodded slightly: "For boys, traveling far is better than reading much. They should indeed go out more."

Third Lady, however, was very worried, her face pale: "The outside is so disorderly. What if they get hurt or bumped into? I think it's better to stay at home. Let fifth uncle buy fireworks for home, it’s just as good."

Xu Lingkuan volunteered to accompany them: "Don’t worry, I’ll be with them!"

Thus, Third Lady's concerns were naturally disregarded. Xu Lingkuan accompanied Xu Siqin, Xu Siyu, and Xu Sijian to the streets to see the lanterns, while Chun Ge and Xu Sijie stayed at home with Eleventh Miss to make tangyuan.

Xu Sijie was very happy, molding the tangyuan into various shapes, making one after another, unable to stop.

Chun Ge, however, remained sullen.

Eleventh Miss comforted him: "Sijian said, it’s his first time going out to see fireworks at his age. When he was as young as you, he didn't even dare to think about it—because it had never been done before. You’re different; your brothers have all gone out before, setting a precedent. When you're as old as them, you can go out too."

Chun Ge’s eyes brightened at this: "Yes, yes!" Then he happily went to make tangyuan with Xu Sijie.

"You’re doing it wrong. Tangyuan are supposed to be round!" He earnestly corrected Xu Sijie.

But Xu Sijie ignored him, shaping them as he pleased.

Children should think creatively. If it were Xu Siyu saying this, Eleventh Miss might have asked, "Who says tangyuan must be round?" But since it was Chun Ge, who was to inherit the title, it was better to err on the side of rigidity than cunning.

Eleventh Miss smiled and patted Xu Sijie's head: "He doesn’t understand yet; he’ll learn in time."

Seeing her speak up for him, Chun Ge's lips curled slightly, and he nodded heavily.

That afternoon, they cooked tangyuan in Eleventh Miss’s cozy kitchen. Eleventh Miss did not insist that the three concubines join, but everyone in her own room had a share.

Concubine Wen was clever, drawn by the scent, she brought her maid to request tangyuan. She also said: "It would be so lively if the eldest daughter were here."

Eleventh Miss immediately said: "The elder madam has already directed Steward Bai to send for Zhenjie tomorrow morning."

Chun Ge’s face lit up at the news.

Concubine Qin led her maid over: "I heard there’s tangyuan to enjoy."

Eleventh Miss didn’t mind, having Lv Yun bring a stool and serve tangyuan to Concubine Qin.

Everyone chatted and laughed, but Qiao Lianfang remained silent.

In the evening, when Lord Xu returned from Prince Shun, holding a sweet white porcelain teacup of Tieguanyin, he leaned tiredly on the large pillow and sighed lazily: "At last, the New Year festivities are over."

Eleventh Miss covered her mouth and smiled, helping him to bed.

But the next afternoon, news came that the emperor had dismissed Lord Xu from his position as the Grand Commander of the Five Military Commissions.

At that time, Third Lady was calculating the New Year's expenses with the elder madam, Eleventh Miss sat listening, while Fifth Lady was munching on an apple.

"...Fourth brother is currently handing over with that Jiang Fei!" Xu Lingkuan, who came to report the news, looked somewhat dejected.

The elder madam said nothing, silently sipping her tea.

"So fast," Fifth Lady looked shocked, still holding half an apple in her mouth, "Did the Imperial Guards accompany him?"

"No, they didn't," Xu Lingkuan said gloomily.

"What's the charge?" Third Lady asked cautiously.

Xu Lingkuan remained silent.

Fifth Madam quickly swallowed her apple, "Naturally, it's 'moral misconduct.' If it were 'releasing the enemy on the battlefield,' the Imperial Guards would have been waiting to arrest him and throw him in jail." As she spoke, she glanced towards Eleventh Miss.

Eleventh Miss pondered, "Only the position of the Grand Commander of the Five Military Commissions was dismissed. What about the Junior Preceptor of the Crown Prince? Was that also dismissed?"

Xu Lingkuan's face lit up with understanding, and he perked up, "No, no. Only the position of the Grand Commander of the Five Military Commissions was dismissed. The others remain untouched."

Eleventh Miss thought about the fireworks she saw in the palace during the Lantern Festival, and how the Imperial Noble Consort Qu was not invited...

She felt that Lord Xu's strategy had succeeded—the Emperor's favor had shifted towards the Xu family.

But this was still speculation, and she would only be certain after seeing Lord Xu and asking him directly.

Thinking this, a smile unconsciously spread in her eyes, "The Marquis had already planned to resign from the position of Grand Commander of the Five Military Commissions. Now, it seems his wish has been fulfilled. Fifth Young Master, there's no need to worry about the Marquis."

Elder madam listened and nodded gently.

Life is full of ups and downs, and it's good that Eleventh Miss could think this way.

Fifth Madam also breathed a sigh of relief, "That's good, that's good." The Marquis is still young, and the Emperor didn't completely destroy him. There will always be opportunities in the future. "It's a good chance to rest at home." She spoke tactfully.

Third Madam looked at everyone, hesitating to speak. Then, taking the opportunity when Third Young Master returned to change clothes in the afternoon, she said to her husband, "Could there be a change in our situation?"

"Don't worry!" Third Young Master comforted Third Madam, "Even if the Emperor doesn't remember the Marquis, he will surely remember the Empress!"

"I hope so!" Third Madam muttered, and Qiu Ling came in to report, "Madam, the eldest daughter has returned to the estate."

"Hurry!" Third Young Master urged Third Madam, "We can only stay at home for two or three months at most, so as not to upset elder madam before we leave."

Third Madam quickly tied the sash for Third Young Master, and they went to elder madam.

As soon as they entered the hall, they heard cheerful laughter coming from the inner room. Upon entering, they saw the large heated bed by the window piled with paper boxes of various sizes. Xu Lingkuan, Eleventh Miss, Fifth Madam, and Xu Siqin and his brothers were all sitting around elder madam's heated bed, smiling at Zhenjie, who was snuggled beside elder madam—she was wearing a small jacket in lake color, speaking with a beaming face.

Seeing them come in, Zhenjie quickly greeted, "Third Uncle, Third Aunt."

Third Young Master chuckled, stepped forward to pay his respects to elder madam, and before he could speak, a servant boy ran in and said, "The Marquis has come back!"

Everyone was startled.

The curtain was suddenly pulled open, and Lord Xu strode in.

Seeing his stern expression, everyone's hearts skipped a beat. Elder madam hurriedly moved to the edge of the heated bed to put on her shoes, saying, "Fourth Son, what happened?"

But Lord Xu's gaze swept across and landed on Eleventh Miss's face.

"Eleventh Miss," he said in a low voice, tinged with concern, "Wang Lang is dead!"