Chapter 332

Chapter 337: Visiting (Part 2)

After lunch, Elevenniang had Song Mama escort Seventhniang back to the guest room where Zhu Anping had rested the previous day: "...Brother-in-law traveled nonstop with only two guards. Without someone to help him freshen up, he must be quite disheveled. It’d be best if Seventh Sister goes over early to help him tidy up."

In front of so many people, she didn’t mention Xiang Yun.

Seventhniang was clever and quick-witted. Earlier, she had been too unsettled by the matter of not having children, making everything seem unbearable, let alone calmly reflecting. Now that she had Zhu Anping’s reassurance, her anxious heart settled, and things she had previously overlooked came to mind. She grinned and nodded, then stood to bid farewell to the Old Madame: "...His Lordship has allotted us Congxiang Hall, and we’ll likely stay there until we buy a house. Once everything is settled, we’ll invite the Old Madame, the Fifth Madam, and the nieces and nephews—including Xin Jieer—over for a visit."

Now that the couple had reconciled, a tender atmosphere naturally followed. The Old Madame, being perceptive, cheerfully saw Seventhniang off, instructing Elevenniang to take good care of her before being assisted back inside by the Fifth Madam.

Seventhniang pouted: "I won’t keep Xiang Yun. What do you think I should do?"

This was her household matter, and Elevenniang wasn’t in a position to interfere. But recalling Xiang Yun’s kneeling and weeping, she fully supported Seventhniang’s decision. If it was unintentional, her behavior was utterly chaotic, and as a personal maid, if any conflicts arose between Zhu Anping and Seventhniang in the future, she wouldn’t be able to mediate—only stir up more trouble. If it was deliberate, then there was even less reason to hesitate.

She replied tactfully, "This matter is best discussed with Brother-in-law, don’t you think?"

Seventhniang had enough confidence in this. She grinned: "What’s there to discuss with your brother-in-law? I just don’t have a place to send her. I can’t very well dismiss her in your household! If the Old Madame found out, she’d think I’m intolerant. It’d unfairly damage your reputation." Then her eyes brightened: "Fourth Sister is ill, isn’t she? Naturally, the more attendants she has, the better. Since I’m staying with you as a guest, bringing too many people would be inconvenient. Why not send her to Fourth Sister? No one could fault that."

Yu Yiqing had relied on his wife’s family’s support to focus on his studies and earn the title of tanhua (third-ranked scholar). The Second Wife sometimes couldn’t help feeling smug about it, but Fourthniang treated her husband with even greater respect than before. Once, she even advised the Second Wife: "One shouldn’t expect repayment for kindness. Some things are better forgotten."

Whether the Second Wife took this to heart, Elevenniang didn’t know, but she herself remembered it well. Moreover, seeing how Yu Yiqing continued to treat Fourthniang with the same respect as before, never showing dissatisfaction despite her illness making her less attentive, Elevenniang grew increasingly convinced that this fourth cousin she barely knew was no ordinary woman. Since Seventhniang suggested sending Xiang Yun there, she must trust Fourthniang to handle it well.

"Then let’s discuss it with Fourth Sister," Elevenniang agreed, then remembered something else and asked, "Which shop in Shandong sells the most famous ejiao (donkey-hide gelatin)?"

Seventhniang smiled sheepishly: "We left in such a hurry this time that I didn’t think of it. I’ll send someone to Jinan tomorrow to buy some for you!"

"Yanjing has everything," Elevenniang laughed. "I need it as a gift for the Jiang family, and I’d like to leverage your connection."

Seventhniang was puzzled: "Leverage my connection?"

Since this wasn’t a secret among the Luo family, Elevenniang told her about Madam Jiang bringing Ninth Miss Jiang—who was intended to be betrothed to Zhun’er—to Yanjing: "...Since you’re here, we can use the excuse of sending ejiao to pay respects to Madam Jiang, giving them an opportunity to openly explain Madam Jiang’s visit to our family."

Seventhniang was intrigued: "Is Zhun’er getting betrothed soon?"

"Not so soon!" Elevenniang chuckled. "If we can settle it before autumn, that’d be good enough."

Seventhniang laughed: "Huaide Tang on West Street sells authentic Shandong ejiao. I’ve had it—it tastes just like the ones I had in Gaoqing."

Elevenniang had Yanrong fetch a token to ask Steward Bai to buy some, then had Seventhniang help repackage it in the customary Shandong style before sending Song Mama to deliver it to the Jiang family. Meanwhile, Seventhniang took Mu Fu to Amber to collect Xiang Yun.

By dusk, Song Mama returned.

The Jiang family seized the opportunity to clarify matters: "...Due to difficulties adjusting to the climate, we haven’t visited friends or relatives. These past two days, we’ve just started feeling better and were planning to pay our respects to the Old Madame. How fortuitous that you sent gifts and inquired after her and your well-being on our behalf!"

Just then, Lin Bo arrived: "Lord Xu says that with the fifth master accompanying Zhu Anping, he has some business at the Lin family and will be out afterward. He’ll return late and asks you not to wait up."

Business at the Lin family? Could it be to see that Shao Zhongran? And where was he going afterward?

Elevenniang pondered this.

But since Lord Xu hadn’t mentioned it, she couldn’t very well question his attendant, Lin Bo. She acknowledged with a smile, then went to the Old Madame to relay the Jiang family’s message. They settled on hosting the Jiang women on the sixteenth of May. Elevenniang returned to write invitations, instruct the kitchen to prepare a banquet, and arrange for an opera troupe to perform—she was busy well into the night. Lord Xu still hadn’t returned, so she retired by herself.

Early the next morning, Zhu Anping and Seventhniang went to Laojuntang Hutong. Elevenniang attended to household matters in the Western Flower Hall, inspected the summer clothes the needlework bureau had made for the servants, then returned to Chuilun Pavilion—only to bump into Lord Xu.

Except for his slightly rumpled clothes, he looked no different than usual. But based on past experience, Elevenniang was certain he hadn’t slept all night. She summoned a maid to bring ginseng tea and helped him change.

Lord Xu pushed up his sleeves to wash his face, smiling: "I went to see that Shao Zhongran you mentioned. He’s indeed a fine young man." His voice held a note of approval.

Elevenniang grew concerned again: "You didn’t disturb the Lin family, did you?"

As for Shao Zhongran's true character, further inquiries were still needed. She had merely mentioned him in front of Lord Xu to give him a chance to be considered. But if this led to any bias in Lord Xu's judgment, that was not what she wished to see.

"He would pretend not to know even if he did," Lord Xu said with a laugh. "But that lad is far inferior to the Li family's boy. Young Li remained perfectly composed when he met me, while this one actually stammered at first." His tone carried amusement, indulgent like an elder discussing juniors.

Eleventh Miss couldn't help but chuckle.

Considering that Shao Zhongran was just a teenager, if he had remained completely calm upon meeting Lord Xu, it would have suggested an unnaturally mature demeanor.

Suddenly, she felt curious about Li Ji.

He must be an exceptionally outstanding young man!

Lord Xu then asked about the Jiang family matter: "...What did they say?"

Eleventh Miss relayed the decision she and elder madam had settled upon.

By then, Lord Xu had finished washing up, and the two left the bathing chamber while talking.

A young maid entered to announce: "Manager Zhao from the reception office requests to see you!"

Lord Xu changed his clothes and met Manager Zhao in the hall. Upon returning, he told Eleventh Miss, "The Imperial Clan Court has formally proposed marriage to the Zhou family. The Imperial Astrologers have chosen a date—the betrothal documents will be exchanged in two days."

"Since the news is already out, what if the horoscopes don't match?" Eleventh Miss recalled how Lin Mingyuan's marriage proposal had been rejected before using this very excuse.

Lord Xu chuckled. "Don’t worry, the Imperial Astrologers will surely give His Majesty a satisfactory answer."

Quite right. Otherwise, how else would fortune-tellers earn their keep?

"Then I’ll visit the Zhou family this afternoon," Eleventh Miss said. "Best to wrap this up quickly."

"Good," Lord Xu nodded. "The sooner one matter is resolved, the better." He then instructed her, "I’ll take a nap—don’t bother waking me for lunch." He still didn’t mention where he had gone the previous night.

Eleventh Miss prepared his bed, helped him lie down, and instructed a maid to keep watch. She then sent someone to Huaide Hall to purchase some ejiao, arranged the carriage, and after lunch with elder madam, headed to Princess Fucheng’s estate.

The entrance to Princess Fucheng’s estate was as solemn and quiet as during her last visit. Lady Zhou, hearing of her arrival, met her at the moon gate. Before Eleventh Miss could speak, Lady Zhou smiled and said, "Marriage binds two families. Now that our Fang Jieer has the chance to serve the imperial eldest son, it still achieves the same purpose."

Eleventh Miss let out a relieved breath and exchanged a few diplomatic pleasantries about "fate bringing the two families together," then went to pay respects to Princess Fucheng.

Princess Fucheng was speaking with Fang Jieer.

Upon seeing Eleventh Miss, the girl’s cheeks bloomed pink. Though she greeted Eleventh Miss with dignified manners, her shyness kept her from chatting as freely as before. After the formalities, she excused herself.

Eleventh Miss paid her respects to Princess Fucheng, first congratulating her on Fang Jieer’s fortune, then offering the ejiao: "My Seventh Miss brought some local products from Shandong." After exchanging a few pleasantries, she made her farewells.

Lady Zhou escorted her to the moon gate.

Eleventh Miss explained that Seventh Miss had come to the capital seeking medical treatment and asked Lady Zhou to recommend a physician.

Lady Zhou promised at once, and Eleventh Miss returned to Lotus Lane.

Lord Xu had already woken and was deep in thought, leaning against the headboard. Hearing her enter, he looked up: "Well? Did you make things clear?" A faint smile quirked his lips.

"No explanation needed!" Eleventh Miss changed her clothes and recounted her visit to Princess Fucheng’s estate, then helped Lord Xu rise, and they joined elder madam for dinner.

That evening, as they were settling in, Lin Bo arrived.

He brought a letter for Lord Xu. After reading it, Lord Xu burned it to ashes in front of Eleventh Miss and said, "I have some business to attend to. If I’m not back by the Hai hour (9–11 PM), don’t stay up for me."

If even this didn’t signal the gravity of the situation, Eleventh Miss would have to be an utter blockhead!

Her eyes, clear as water, met his gaze as she bluntly asked Lord Xu, "Has something happened?"

Lord Xu's eyelids flickered briefly before lifting again. He answered offhandedly, "Nothing's wrong," then instructed her to rest early and turned to leave the waterside pavilion.

Lady Eleven couldn’t understand his strange behavior and felt uneasy. Just then, Lady Wen and Qiao Lianfang came to greet her. She asked Lady Wen to stay and talk.

Ever since Lady Wen had helped Lady Eleven with the accounts last time, Lady Eleven would call on her help from time to time.

Lady Wen guessed that Lady Eleven was battling wits with the estate's matrons and thus leveraging her strengths.

No reason not to curry favor when given the chance.

She remained silent both in public and private.

Qiao Lianfang, however, had her face cloud over.

Lately, Lady Wen had often avoided her to visit Lady Eleven alone—always when Lord Xu was away...

Now she understood why Lord Xu disliked Lady Wen!

Then, with a smile, she curtsied and withdrew.