Chapter 305

Chapter 310: End of Mourning (Part 2)

Hong Xiu's startled cry made everyone drop into half-curtsies, while Qin Yi was so frightened that she slid off her stool and knelt on the floor.

"My lord..." Her face was deathly pale, her lips trembling, but her voice seemed stuck in her throat, unable to utter a single word.

Lord Xu strode in with a grim expression.

"My lord!" Eleven Miss welcomed him to the heated platform by the window, though her gaze flickered toward Yanrong, who had stealthily positioned herself behind Amber.

"Sending Yuge to Le'an was my decision."

Lord Xu's voice, cold and measured, echoed through the room.

"Raising children, however, is the duty of the mistress of the household." His face darkened. "You are a longtime member of this household—do you not even understand such basic rules? Or do you consider yourself above them, thinking you can disregard them at will?"

His voice grew sharper with each word, his tone increasingly cutting.

Face is as important to a person as bark is to a tree. After all, Qin Yi was Xu Siyu's birth mother. Though she was hardly more than a servant in Lord Xu's eyes, to Song Mama and others, she was still something of a mistress.

Eleven Miss quickly signaled to Amber and quietly rose, leading the maids and older servants out of the room.

As she lifted her gaze, she saw Qiao Lianfang and Lady Wen standing in the hall.

Qiao Lianfang stood frozen in shock.

Lady Wen maintained a smile, but her eyes darted nervously.

"Madam!" As soon as she saw Eleven Miss emerge, Lady Wen immediately curtsied and then stepped forward to gently support her, as if Eleven Miss were a respected elder she deeply admired—her deference tinged with admiration and intimacy.

Eleven Miss calmly took a few steps forward, evading her assistance.

Lady Wen paused briefly but quickly regained her composure.

"If you have nothing better to do, stay in your room and do more embroidery. Don’t go around sticking your nose where it doesn't belong..."

By the first day of the fourth month, the Xu household had already replaced the double-layered curtains with light blue silk ones.

Despite the curtain, Lord Xu's voice was perfectly clear.

"The mistress manages the household, busy inside and out, yet still finds time to sew a small garment for the elder madam. And you? Have you ever offered her so much as a shoe, a sock, a thread, or a strand? In the past..." He hesitated, swallowing half his words. "...Now, with the mistress setting an example, can’t you at least follow her lead?"

This was a full-blown reprimand!

Eleven Miss smiled at the two concubines. "It’s rather warm today. Shall we sit in the waterside pavilion?"

Qiao Lianfang stood speechless, while Lady Wen chimed in eagerly, "Yes, yes! I’ve noticed the lotus buds on Biyi Lake these past few days. When they bloom, Madam should host a lotus banquet! We could all enjoy the feast..." As she spoke, she reached out to assist Eleven Miss again, then seemed to remember something and smoothly raised her hand to smooth her already immaculate hair instead.

They lifted the curtain to leave—only to find Xu Siyu standing frozen beneath the window frame.

What a complete assembly today...

Eleven Miss mused as Xu Siyu, hearing the movement, slowly lifted his head to look their way.

His once-shining dark eyes now seemed as lifeless as cold ashes.

In the courtyard, where you could hear a pin drop, a short, mocking laugh suddenly rang out.

So abrupt, yet crystal clear.

Lady Eleven frowned as she scanned the room, only to be met with faces either gloating, indifferent, or sympathetic—impossible to tell who had let out that derisive snort.

She turned her gaze back to Xu Siyu.

His face burned with shame as he stood there, eyes brimming with fear and unease, the helpless fragility of a twelve-year-old boy laid bare.

Lady Eleven beckoned him over.

"His Lordship is reprimanding Lady Qin!" Her voice was slightly louder than usual, ringing clearly in the silent courtyard. "You must understand, His Lordship is the Junior Preceptor of the Crown Prince. Even provincial governors of the third rank must submit name cards to the reception office and await a reply for an audience. If he were truly displeased with someone, a mere lift of his brow would suffice to dismiss them. Why would he need to lose his temper like this?" As she spoke, her gaze swept slowly across the courtyard.

Xu Siyu's eyes brightened. "Mother," he called, his voice trembling slightly with emotion.

"Second Master, come with me to the pavilion," Lady Eleven said with a faint smile. "Even I made myself scarce... In case His Lordship cooled off only to emerge and see the courtyard crowded, reigniting his temper!"

The maids and matrons lowered their heads.

Xu Siyu cast a grateful look at Lady Eleven, murmured an assent, and followed her to the waterside pavilion.

Lady Eleven strolled with him by Emerald Ripple Lake.

"What do you think about His Lordship sending you to Le’an?"

This was the first time Xu Siyu had ever spoken to an elder in such a manner. He shifted uncomfortably.

"I’ll follow Father’s arrangements."

No reluctance, no forced compliance... If so, why had he been standing beneath the window eaves, listening?

Lady Eleven halted and studied him, arching a delicate brow.

Xu Siyu pressed his lips together, hesitating before finally speaking. "Second Aunt said much the same."

Second Aunt?

Lady Eleven was taken aback.

Xu Siyu lowered his head. "Second Aunt echoed your words. She said a worthy man should win glory on the battlefield, even if it means returning in a horsehide shroud. Those who merely sit and lecture are often examination failures—how can they teach well when they themselves faltered in the imperial exams? But Principal Jiang of Jinxi Academy is different. A former top scholar, he moved from government to education. His scholarship, integrity, and vision are beyond compare. Father went to great lengths to secure my place there—his expectations of me are high." Lifting his head, his lips curved into a smile, his eyes alight with youthful ambition. "She also said, of the three forms of unfilial conduct, blind obedience that leads parents into wrongdoing is the easiest to avoid with an upright nature. Failing to marry and bear heirs can be remedied through adoption. But the hardest is failing to secure an official post while one’s parents grow old in poverty. She exhorted me to study diligently, achieve scholarly distinction, and bring honor to the Xu family."

Achieving scholarly distinction... How difficult. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be tales like Fan Jin’s madness upon passing the provincial exams.

Yet at this moment, no encouragement could be more fitting than Second Aunt’s words.

Lady Eleven nodded, offering an encouraging smile. "Then Yuge must study diligently."

Xu Siyu nodded earnestly.

Meanwhile, leaning against the pavilion railing and gazing distantly at Emerald Ripple Lake, Lady Wen's smile never touched her eyes.

Lord Xu’s scolding of Lady Qin lingered in her mind.

Was this what His Lordship truly valued?

Her mind drifted back to her maiden years.

When she won first place in the abacus tournament, her grandfather had lifted her joyfully overhead—only to sigh, "Pity she’s a girl." Disguised as a servant boy, she had accompanied her brother to inspect cotton cloth, identifying the loom type at a touch. He rewarded her with a piece of suet-white jade, then whispered in relief to the steward, "At least she’s a girl." Later, when her family arranged her marriage into the Xu household, she'd raised no objection. Back then, she’d thought—finally, her grandfather and brothers wouldn’t resent her for being a girl.

Yet who could have foreseen? If the Wen family was a fishbowl, the Xu family was the riverbank. And she—a fish tossed from bowl to shore—gasping for air, graceless and exposed... still found wanting.

Absentmindedly, she looked up and saw Qiao Lianfang's slightly impatient face.

"Lady Wen," the wind blowing from the water still carried a chill, and she pulled her jacket tighter, "are we just going to stand here waiting?"

Lady Wen, recalling how even her smiles had carried a hint of condescending disdain before, couldn't suppress a laugh. "Why don’t you go take a look? His Lordship has been scolding for so long, his throat must be dry by now!"

As she spoke, she saw Qiao Lianfang's eyes light up.

Yet Qiao Lianfang smiled and said, "Since Madam and you are both waiting outside... I’ll wait with you here."

Lady Wen nodded, her eyes flickering with disappointment.

A young maid came running over and, not seeing Eleven Miss, asked curiously, "Ladies, where is Madam?"

Qiao Lianfang pointed toward the lakeside.

But Lady Wen took a few coins from her sleeve and handed them to the maid. "What does His Lordship want with Madam?"

The maid hesitated to take the money.

"It’s nothing, nothing," Lady Wen said with a smile. "Buy yourself some sweets. If you can’t say, then don’t." Then she added, "Madam is speaking with the second young master."

The maid hesitated for a moment before replying, "Well, you’ll find out soon enough... His Lordship sent for Madam to say that from now on, Qin Yi will serve under Madam and learn proper etiquette first!"

"Why didn’t you tell her it was my idea?" Lord Xu leaned against the headboard, watching as Eleven Miss brought the lamp closer.

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The soft light gave her face a serene glow.

"We're husband and wife," Eleven Miss set the lamp down and sat on the edge of the bed. "Not only did I agree when you first mentioned this to me, but even if I hadn’t, if someone questioned your decision, I wouldn’t pass it off as your doing."

Lord Xu paused, surprised.

Eleven Miss had already taken off her shoes and climbed into bed, leaning against the headboard to talk with him.

"But please don’t lose your temper like this again!" She told him how someone had sneered in front of her today, how she had spoken with Yuge by the lake, and how he had responded. "...Yuge is no longer a child. In a few years, he’ll be taking a wife. If you berate him so harshly, not only will he lose face in front of the servants, but even his future wife might suffer the consequences!"

Lord Xu remained silent.

"You should get some rest too," Eleven Miss said with a smile, drawing the bed curtains. "I heard they'll be raising the beams in the courtyard tomorrow. When can we move back?"

Lord Xu laughed and drew her close. "We should be able to move back by June!"

Eleven Miss adjusted her position in his embrace for a while before finding a comfortable spot.

"My lord, could we get a smaller lamp? One to place in the corner. It would provide enough light without being too harsh, so I can fall asleep easier."

"Of course!" Lord Xu replied. "I’ll speak with the Household Office tomorrow."

Eleven Miss then brought up Qin Yi. "...I think you’ve made your point. She doesn't need to learn etiquette under my supervision anymore."