Chapter 318

Chapter 323: Bustling (Part 2)

Miss Eleven was taken aback.

She hadn’t expected the elder madam to tease her like this.

A warm feeling welled up inside her.

Miss Eleven gave a playful push to the elder madam. "Mother (Madame), I’m discussing serious matters with you!"

The elder madam chuckled and pulled her hand, gesturing for her to sit beside her. "Go on, go on, I’m listening!"

Miss Eleven smiled and told her about the conversation she had with Lady Zhou.

The elder madam listened and remarked with a smile, "Their means are somewhat limited."

Miss Eleven replied tactfully, "He's too far above her station. I think the Wang family's sixteenth son is quite a decent person."

"That’s true," the elder madam mused, considering the current state of the Luo family. "With capable people, there’s no fear of hardship."

Miss Eleven then discussed with the elder madam, "Then I’ll return to Gongxian Alley tomorrow."

"Mmm!" The elder madam narrowed her eyes and smiled.

Miss Eleven noticed Madam Du standing nearby with a smile, as if waiting for something, and realized she might have private matters to discuss with the elder madam. After making some small talk, she excused herself.

Back in her room, Binju had already left, while Zhenjie was lounging on the heated bed by the window in the inner chamber, reading. Lady Wen, Amber, and Xiulan were in the eastern room going over the accounts.

Seeing Miss Eleven return, Zhenjie immediately came forward to greet her, while Lady Wen stood up but then sat back down.

Naturally, some topics couldn’t be discussed in front of Zhenjie.

Miss Eleven nodded at Lady Wen and went into the inner chamber with Zhenjie.

Zhenjie helped Miss Eleven prepare wash water. "Mother, why did you suddenly decide to go to Ciyuan Temple?"

Fortunately, there was the matter of Twelve Miss.

Miss Eleven smiled. "Not just yet. I’ll let you know in a few days when there’s definite news." Then she asked about Zhenjie’s embroidery. "Are there any parts you don’t understand?"

"Sister Binju’s stitching is superb," Zhenjie replied cheerfully. "She carefully points out any mistakes I make!"

It was good to have Zhenjie’s approval.

After changing her clothes, a servant from the outer courtyard came to report, "Madam, Steward Bai is here to see you!"

Steward Bai had been tasked with investigating Second Young Master Li.

She asked Zhenjie to continue reading in the room and went to the waterside pavilion.

"...That Second Young Master Li is not only handsome but also surprisingly astute for his young age. He’s friends with all the well-off young masters in Yanjing, and they often ask him to settle disputes." His tone was full of admiration. "Lady Li favors her second son. Though she has arranged courtyards in Guishu Alley for both her eldest and second son, the second son’s residence is much more lavishly decorated than the eldest’s. This has caused some discontent from the eldest son. When Lady Li found out, she reprimanded him, saying, ‘If you also had to socialize with noble young masters like your brother, I’d furnish your courtyard the same way.’ That shut the eldest son right up." He added, "Though Lady Li indulges him, she keeps him on a tight leash. All his attendants are older women and male servants—no maids. And the second son has never once disobeyed his mother’s teachings in such matters."

Yet another unexpected revelation.

Only those with clear purpose in life can resist temptation!

This Young Master Li is surely someone special!

From an outsider’s perspective, she admired such a person. But as a mother, she felt that marrying someone like him might not bring happiness—such men often pursue their ambitions while neglecting those closest to them. [to reader]: (Chinese kang = heated brick bed common in northern homes)

That evening, while attending to the elder madam before bedtime, Eleven Lady repeated Steward Bai's message to her. The elder madam listened with great interest and remarked, "The Second Young Master Li is just fifteen or sixteen this year, isn't he?"

"He's fifteen!"

The elder madam smiled. "By the time Lord Xu was fifteen, he already understood propriety!" Her tone carried a hint of admiration.

Eleven Lady didn't offer an opinion.

Many years later, people would judge a person's character based on their social standing—especially nowadays!

Later, when she mentioned it to Lady Wen, the latter said, "A wife rises with her husband's status. If this Second Young Master Li truly has such qualities, other things can be overlooked to some extent."

Whether this would work out or not, Lord Xu had the final say.

Eleven Lady smiled and changed the subject to the household accounts.

"The books from the second year of Yonghe are nearly done. They should be finished by tomorrow," Lady Wen said, hesitating briefly before adding, "If the madam doesn’t object, I’d like to have Xiulan practice the abacus at my place for an hour every evening..."

Eleven Lady nodded with a smile and took a sip of tea.

Lady Wen curtsied and withdrew.

Lying in bed, Eleven Lady pondered Zhenjie’s marriage prospects.

She found fault with one candidate after another—worried that being too picky would tarnish their reputation and drive suitors away, yet also afraid of making a poor choice and settling for less. It took her a long while to fall asleep.

Early the next morning, after greeting the elder madam and arranging household affairs, she took some gifts and returned to Bowstring Lane.

Elder Madam Luo was surprised by her sudden arrival and quickly took her hand, leading her inside. "Why have you come back so suddenly? Has something happened?" She looked worried.

"Nothing’s wrong, nothing at all," Eleven Lady reassured her. "It’s just been a while since I last visited. Since I had time before the festival, I wanted to see Fourth Lady and the ladies. There’s also something I’d like to discuss with you."

Elder Madam Luo dismissed the servants and asked in a low voice, "What is it?"

Eleven Lady then told her about Wang Ze.

Elder Madam Luo's face lit up. "From a noble family and already with academic achievements—if this works out, it would be an excellent match." She then stood up. "I’ll go inform Mother right away."

Eleven Lady smiled and accompanied Elder Madam Luo to see the elder madam.

Sixth Lady was attending to the elder madam as she drank water and was equally surprised to see Eleven Lady.

After Eleven Lady greeted her properly, Elder Madam Luo explained cheerfully the purpose of her visit.

Sixth Lady immediately beamed, but the elder madam said nothing for quite some time, her eyes closed.

An awkward silence fell.

Sixth Lady shot Eleven Lady a meaningful look.

Seeing that this silence wasn't productive, Eleven Lady stood up with a smile. "Fourth Lady is expecting, and I haven’t yet congratulated her!"

Seizing the opportunity, Elder Madam Luo also rose with a smile. "Fourth Lady has been unwell these past few days. I’ll accompany you to see her!"

"This is a good thing," Elder Madam Luo murmured as she led Eleven Lady toward Fourth Lady’s quarters. "I’ll try to persuade Mother. As for the Wang family, you should test the waters."

Eleven Lady softly agreed and followed Elder Madam Luo to Fourth Lady’s room.

Upon seeing them enter, Fourth Lady hurriedly sat upright.

"Don’t trouble yourself, Fourth Sister-in-Law." Eleven Sister stepped forward and took her hand as she tried to get out of bed. "I only came to check on you—if I’m keeping you from resting, I’d feel terrible." As she spoke, she observed her closely. Seeing her complexion was good, with no trace of pregnancy weariness, she felt both curious and relieved.

Fourth Sister-in-Law looked somewhat embarrassed and said, "It’s all thanks to that Dr. Kong you recommended... I meant to thank him properly, but your brother-in-law thought it improper for me to visit in person, so we asked Elder Madam Luo to convey our gratitude instead." She added, "I’m perfectly well, but your brother-in-law won’t let me get up. I’m also afraid of any mishap, so I’ve been lying low. Don’t tease me."

Just then, a young maid rushed in carrying a blue-and-white china plate. Seeing Elder Madam Luo and Eleven Sister seated nearby, she hesitated and began to retreat.

Elder Madam Luo frowned at the maid’s flustered manner. "What is it? Why so flustered?"

The maid, too afraid to leave, timidly held out the plate. "The Fourth Young Master sent these plums for you, madam—said you’ve been craving sour things."

Everyone was momentarily stunned, then broke into smiles. Fourth Sister-in-Law flushed crimson. "Just set them down. Must you blurt it out?"

Elder Madam Luo burst into laughter, while the maid hastily set down the plate and fled.

Yi Liu, Luo Zhensheng’s maid, smilingly offered the plums to Elder Madam Luo and Eleven Sister.

Eleven Sister noticed Yi Liu wore her hair in a round bun, adorned with a small gilded ruyi hairpin.

"Fourth Sister-in-law had Yi Liu join the household as a concubine," Elder Madam Luo explained, seeing her observation.

Eleven Sister thought of Di Jin. She sighed inwardly but quickly composed herself, retrieving a purse and taking out four small silver ingots to give Yi Liu. "Here, for your trinkets."

Yi Liu blushed as she accepted, curtsying in thanks before stepping aside to serve tea.

After sitting with Fourth Sister-in-Law for a while, Eleven Sister headed to Fifth Aunt’s rooms.

Fifth Aunt was seated by the window, sewing small garments, her expression soft and serene, like a painting.

Eleven Sister paused before calling out, "Aunt."

"Eleven, dear!" Fifth Aunt’s face brightened like summer blossoms as she hurriedly rose, slipping on her shoes. "Come, sit here by the kang." She turned to put away her needlework, her movements slightly flustered and clumsy, which warmed Eleven Sister’s heart.

She took Fifth Aunt’s hand. "I just wanted to see you."

"I’m well!" Fifth Aunt smiled, guiding her to sit before turning to Elder Madam Luo. "Please sit too!" She then instructed a maid to serve tea.

"No need," Elder Madam Luo said with a smile. "I have other matters to attend to. You two sit and talk—I’ll take my leave." She excused herself and departed.

Fifth Aunt studied Eleven Sister closely. "Are you well, dear?"

Eleven Sister nodded. "I’m fine." She then chatted idly with Fifth Aunt.

Just then, Sixth Aunt burst in.

Her face was stormy, and without waiting for permission, she dismissed the maid. "Leave us."

The maid glanced at Fifth Aunt, who gave a slight nod, before withdrawing and carefully closing the door behind her. Once alone, Sixth Aunt clenched her teeth. "How can she not fear burning in hell?"

Eleven Sister understood but remained silent.

Fifth Aunt, however, hastily murmured, "Heavens, Sixth Sister! Don’t speak like that. Whatever it is, we can discuss it properly."

Sixth Aunt looked at Fifth Aunt, then at Eleven Sister, who stayed quiet, before suddenly bursting into tears.

"Oh dear!" Fifth Aunt handed her a handkerchief. "What’s wrong?" "Eleven, you have to help my Twelve!" Sixth Aunt sobbed, clutching the handkerchief. "A match this good won’t come again, yet the madam says... Twelve’s too young yet, and we ought to wait a few years to talk marriage."