Chapter 240

Chapter 244: Undercurrents (Part 1)

Eleven Miss was taken aback.

This was the first time Lord Xu had flown into such a rage in front of her.

The ink-painted gauze curtain, which had been brought back from Xuantong.

Lord Xu knew about it.

There were several such curtains in the Xu family's storeroom.

They had been specially made by the Immortal Silk Pavilion for the Gong family of Yangzhou's Bantang. Due to their limited quantity, they were considered quite precious.

Yet, the typically opportunistic Qiao Madam had sent such a curtain.

Moreover, Qiao Lianfang had been feeling unwell at the Cheng State Duke's estate since yesterday, but it wasn't until today, when the Qiao family's maid came, that Eleven Miss found out...

All these details made him ponder.

He and Eldest Miss knew all too well how Qiao Lianfang had entered the household. To put it bluntly, she was merely the final result of their power struggle. Whenever he thought about it, a surge of resentment would rise within him. After Qiao Lianfang entered the household, she had almost completely severed ties with the Qiao family, which is why he had overlooked some obvious issues. For example, why was it Qiao Lianfang who had barged into that small courtyard? Why hadn't the Qiao family retaliated in any way, and why had they still sent her into the Xu family despite having other choices?

Qiao Lianfang had been feeling unwell at the Cheng State Duke's estate since yesterday, but it wasn't until today, when the Qiao family's maid came, that Eleven Miss found out...

Why hadn't Qiao Lianfang informed Eleven Miss, or even himself, when she felt unwell? And why had Qiao Madam, who usually had no contact, suddenly become so attentive when the "good news" was still unknown...

All these things made him reflect.

But what he wanted more than anything was to talk to someone.

"Eleven Miss..." Lord Xu looked up, his eyes meeting his wife's startled face, his ears hearing the sound of water droplets falling. Thinking of his earlier outburst... all words stuck in his throat.

He didn't know how to start.

He could only gaze at the mess on the kang table and smile bitterly, "I'm not talking about you!" After a prolonged silence, he added in a low voice, "I'm talking about myself!"

But he couldn't say more.

Seeing his bitter smile and hesitant expression, and recalling his questions before his outburst, Eleven Miss started to comprehend.

He wasn't wrong.

His anger was truly directed at himself.

She was also involved in how Qiao Lianfang had entered the Xu family.

Beautiful, young, and the legitimate daughter of the Cheng State Duke's estate, she had ended up in such a predicament because of their marital affairs. How could Lord Xu not feel a pang of guilt? Coupled with Qiao Lianfang's deep affection, how could he not develop some affection for her? Naturally, some issues would be overlooked. For example, among so many noble ladies, why was it her who went to the small courtyard? Could it be said that Qiao Lianfang's own behavior was also at fault? The skirt that Eldest Miss had grabbed as evidence, if the Luo family had presented it, would have been a double-edged sword—shaming the Qiao family while also embarrassing the Xu family. Yet, the Cheng State Duke's estate, an old political family, chose to swallow their pride. Could it be understood that the Qiao family was quite willing to send Qiao Lianfang in? And after Qiao Lianfang entered the household, her attitude towards him couldn't have been completely unknown to Lord Xu.

Usually, without careful thought, life would go on in a seemingly perfect manner. But today, Qiao Lianfang's actions had crossed Lord Xu's bottom line, and upon careful consideration, he couldn't simply let it pass.

No matter how much grievance or injustice Qiao Lianfang had, there was one thing she wasn't wrong about.

Her current situation was entirely due to her own misconduct.

If you don't bend, who can ride on your back?

Thus, his anger could only be directed at himself.

Knowing was one thing, but discussing it with Lord Xu was another. This topic might be suitable for others, but it was quite sensitive when it came to herself. She decided to skip over it directly, lest he ask and she wouldn't know how to answer—that "degree" was too hard to grasp. Going too far to the left would make Lord Xu feel like she was tattling, while going too far to the right would condone Qiao Lianfang. He had to figure it out himself.

She called a maid over with a smile to clean the kang table, saying, "The marquis's temper is quite short-tempered." She then prepared a fresh pot of tea for Lord Xu.

Before the teacup could reach Lord Xu's hands, a maid came in to announce, "Steward Bai is here!"

Lord Xu let out a long sigh of relief.

Facing Eleven Miss, he felt as if he were on edge.

Steward Bai's arrival was perfect timing.

He immediately stood up, saying, "I'll go handle the stone materials in the outer courtyard first." His tone carried a hint of apology.

Eleven Miss also felt that Steward Bai's arrival was perfect timing.

This was a good opportunity for both of them to put this behind them.

She smiled as she escorted Lord Xu to the door. Just as she sat down in the inner room, a maid came in to report, "My lady, Hang Mama from Bowstring Alley is here."

With the concubine's pregnancy, Wang Lang's death, and the Wang family's adoption arrangements... it was a turbulent time over there. Eleven Miss quickly invited Hang Mama in.

"Eleventh Miss," Hang Mama curtsied to her, "The elder madam is unwell. The lady of the house asked you to come back and see."

Eleven Miss was stunned.

Everything was piling up today.

She immediately stood up, "I'll go back with you right away!"

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

Returning to her parents' home, she naturally had to inform the elder madam.

Hearing that the elder madam was unwell, the elder madam immediately sent someone to fetch Lord Xu from the outer courtyard, saying, "...A son-in-law is half a son (a traditional Chinese saying implying close familial ties). You should accompany her back to see!" [Note: This phrase reflects the cultural importance of a son-in-law in Chinese tradition.]

Lord Xu nodded, instructing a servant to prepare the carriage, and had Lin Bo withdraw two thousand taels of silver notes from Steward Bai, then called Manager Zhao from the affairs office to accompany them to Bowstring Alley.

"In case... let's make preparations first."

Eleven Miss didn't know the situation. She thought that if it really came to her final moments, having Lord Xu present would comfort the elder madam.

She didn't refuse, thanked the elder madam, and rushed with Lord Xu to Bowstring Alley.

Unexpectedly, Bowstring Alley was calm, everything as usual. There was none of the sorrowful atmosphere they had anticipated.

Lord Xu and Eleven Miss couldn't help but look at each other in surprise. Luo Zhenxing, who greeted them, was dumbfounded by the Xu couple's sudden arrival.

"Marquis, what is this..."

"Isn't mother unwell?" Eleven Miss asked anxiously.

Luo Zhenxing couldn't help but put his hand to his forehead, "Mother complained of discomfort and wanted to see you..." But seeing Eleven Miss so anxious and Lord Xu also present, he was pleased and couldn't help but show a big smile.

Eleven Miss was at a loss for words.

She thought of the story of "The Boy Who Cried Wolf"... [Note: A fable about a shepherd boy who repeatedly tricks villagers into believing wolves are attacking his flock, leading to distrust when real danger comes.]

The lady of the house quickly came out to smooth things over, "Come in, come in. The marquis is an honored guest."

Seeing it was a misunderstanding, Lord Xu sent Manager Zhao back and went with Eleven Miss to pay respects to the elder madam and the elder master.

The elder master was taken aback to see them both return. Luo Zhenxing explained in a whisper to the elder master, who nodded repeatedly, his gaze towards Lord Xu filled with approval. He immediately had Luo Zhenxing bring out his treasured Jinhua wine (a famous type of rice wine) to entertain Lord Xu, and had Eleven Miss accompany the elder madam in conversation. [Note: Jinhua wine is a traditional Chinese rice wine known for its quality.]

The Madam was unable to speak at all.

Xu Mama was the one doing all the talking.

"The Madam has a few questions for you. She asked me to relay them. Please bear with me, Miss Eleven."

"Mama, you have served at my mother's side, and we sisters have also been well cared for by you at home. Moreover, you are entrusted by my mother, so please don't stand on ceremony."

Xu Mama smiled and gave a gentle nod.

"The Madam asked me to inquire, is Qiao Lianfang pregnant?"

The news traveled so fast. Other than Madam Tao, who else could it be? No wonder her eyes were darting at that time.

"Yes!" Eleven Miss responded, sitting upright on the stool in front of the bed.

"What are your intentions, Miss Eleven?"

The shoe that was hanging in the air finally fell.

Eleven Miss sighed and said, "As the legitimate wife, I have the duty to care for the concubines. Please rest assured, mother, I will not fail your teachings and will properly care for Qiao Lianfang."

Xu Mama was taken aback.

The Madam, who had been lying in bed with her eyes closed, suddenly opened them.

Like a sword unsheathed, cold light radiated.

Eleven Miss smiled bitterly.

The Madam hasn't changed a bit. Despite her poor health, she still desires to control everything.

The eldest daughter-in-law, sitting by the Madam's bed with Eleven Miss, quickly smiled and said, "Miss Eleven, mother is merely concerned about you, which is why she specifically called you back and asked Xu Mama to offer you some advice. You know, we are all your kin. Naturally, we support you. It's all for your benefit."

"Please teach me, mother!" Eleven Miss said respectfully, but there was determination between her brows.

Xu Mama looked at the fierce Madam, then at the calm Eleven Miss, and then at the eldest daughter-in-law who was smiling sweetly beside her. She gritted her teeth and said, "Miss Eleven, when you were at your maiden home, you were the most favored by the Madam. Otherwise, she wouldn't have married you to the Yongping Marquis before you came of age. You know, under normal circumstances, this would be unthinkable. A few days ago, the Madam was worried about you and specially called Madam Tao to ask. It is said that the Marquis often just makes a token appearance in your room. Now that Qiao Lianfang is pregnant, it is very unfavorable for you."

Eleven Miss sat there smiling at Xu Mama.

Xu Mama saw that the gaze carried a hint of mockery and a hint of disdain, which flashed by like a thorn in her back, but she had to continue.

"That Qiao Lianfang is not only of noble birth, but also very beautiful. Now that she is pregnant, if she gives birth to a son, I'm afraid the Marquis will value her even more. How she entered the mansion, Miss Eleven, you also know. Now that she is favored, I'm afraid the first one she won't let go of is you, Miss Eleven. What will you do then? You know, without children, a woman is like duckweed, always unstable. But to have children, the Marquis must enter your door! But you are young, and having a child at this time is like stepping into a coffin. The Xu family only wants prosperous descendants, but our Luo family wants safe children!"

Eleven Miss lowered her head and took a sip of tea: "What does mother mean?"

"The Madam means that you should take a maid in your room."

Eleven Miss gently blew on the floating leaves in the teacup.

"Firstly, it can help you keep the Marquis. Secondly, it can give Qiao Lianfang a lesson, so she won't be so self-important. Thirdly, you can take care of your health and wait for a couple of years to have children for the Marquis. Moreover, this maid is kept in your room, not someone with a formal title. You can do whatever you want with her. If she doesn't obey, you can send her back to the Luo family at any time. Our Madam will stand up for you. Even if she has a child, under whose name will the child be raised? Whether to promote her to a concubine? It's all up to you..."