Chapter 339

Chapter 344: The Formal Engagement (Part 2)

After seeing Xu Siyu off, Steward Bai began tidying up the Virtue Bathing Hall in the outer courtyard.

It had been the residence of successive family heirs. Since Xu Ling'an's marriage, it had remained vacant. Although it was regularly cleaned, no one had lived there for over a decade. Upon entering, one was met with a pervasive chill, and some furnishings needed repairs or replacements. Steward Bai specifically discussed the matter with Lady Eleven.

However, the elder madam sent Madam Du to summon Lady Eleven.

"I think moving isn’t something that needs to be rushed," the elder madam said hesitantly, watching Chun Ge, who still looked pale as he sat on the heated brick bed being fed lotus seed and lily congee by Sister Wei. "At the very least, we should wait until after summer. Right now, I don’t even dare give him warm mung bean soup."

Ever since he had suffered dizziness and vomiting, and then followed Lord Xu to toast at the heir’s banquet, where the Marquis of Yongchang teased him into eating braised pork belly, he had been unwell, claiming no appetite for anything. It took four or five days of restricted diet before he improved slightly.

This child was being raised with too much coddling!

Lady Eleven was also concerned and naturally agreed.

The elder madam then asked about Lady Eleven’s moving plans: "The Water Pavilion is a great place to escape the summer heat. Why don’t you wait until after summer to move?"

Xu Sijie lived alone in the Li Jing Pavilion, and Zhenjie made four trips daily between the Shao Hua Courtyard and the Water Pavilion. Without the corridor to shield her, her face had turned red from the sun...

"It’s better to follow Lord Xu’s suggestion and move in a couple of days," Lady Eleven politely declined.

"Since you’ve already discussed it, then pick an auspicious day to move," the elder madam said without pressing further, though a flicker of disappointment crossed her eyes.

Lady Eleven noticed it clearly. She knew the elder madam wanted her and Lord Xu to spend more time together, but she couldn’t bring herself to make that decision yet. Like an ostrich burying its head, she avoided the elder madam’s gaze.

After she left, the elder madam sighed to Madam Du, "I thought there’d be good news by now. But they’re just moving back like this!"

"These things can’t be rushed," Madam Du said with a smile, handing the elder madam peeled melon slices on bamboo skewers. "Besides, moving back is good too. At least they won’t be so disorganized."

The elder madam nodded slowly and said no more. On the day Lady Eleven officially moved, she even went over to take a look.

Lady Eleven had already discussed the arrangements with Lord Xu. His study would be set up in the eastern side room next to the main quarters, while the western side room would be for Xu Sijie. Zhenjie would move to the Li Jing Pavilion. If Xu Siyu returned, he would stay in the outer courtyard.

The elder madam smiled upon hearing this. "Zhenjie is grown now and should have her own courtyard. You’ve thought this through well." Seeing the maids and older women moving about busily yet without chaos, she looked satisfied. After exchanging a few pleasantries with Lady Eleven, she returned to her own courtyard with Madam Du.

Lady Eleven directed the maids in arranging the rooms and organizing the trunks. Coinciding with the sixth day of the sixth lunar month (a traditional day for airing clothes), they took the opportunity to air out winter clothes, keeping them busy for four or five days before things settled.

By the twelfth, it was Chun Ge’s birthday. Since he had only recently recovered from his fright, the elder madam worried that hosting guests would be too noisy. She instructed the kitchen to prepare longevity noodles with mixed ingredients, planning for the family to gather and eat a simple meal. Unexpectedly, uninvited guests arrived.

First, Magistrate Jiang sent two thread-bound editions of *The Great Learning* and *The Doctrine of the Mean* from the previous dynasty as birthday gifts for Chun Ge. Then, Elder Madam Luo sent a set of unpatterned cotton robes and a pale blue linen Taoist robe. Seventh Miss sent a half-foot-tall jade carving of five bats holding a peach (symbolizing longevity and good fortune), and Fourth Miss sent a pair of gauze pouches embroidered with seed pearls. Madam Huang sent a boxwood brush pot carved with a farming scene.

The elder madam smiled helplessly. "They've shown us up in courtesy!"

"Our household has been busy, and these are all close relatives. They’ll surely understand," Lady Eleven reassured her before turning to Amber to arrange thank-you gifts for each family.

Then, Li Ji’s mother, Lady Li, paid a visit.

Lady Eleven was surprised.

If she had come to celebrate Chun Ge’s birthday, her sources were remarkably well-informed—ancient people considered birthdates and horoscopes closely tied to fate and rarely disclosed them. If it was a coincidence, her sudden visit suggested something else. If she was anxious about Li Ji’s marriage prospects, she should have approached Lady Eleven indirectly rather than coming in person, leaving no room for negotiation...

Puzzled, Lady Eleven instructed Amber, "Please escort Lady Li to the main hall in my courtyard." She then changed clothes and went to meet her.

Lady Li had brought a birthday gift for Chun Ge.

"My husband is a simple man, only familiar with crude matters. He’s long remembered the heir’s birthday, but with your sister unwell before, we hesitated to intrude. This time, hearing that you, madam, are exceedingly kind and gracious, he personally selected this item and repeatedly insisted I deliver it. Though I find it unworthy, considering he had it specially sent from Shanxi, I couldn’t refuse his earnestness. So, I’ve mustered the courage to bring it. Please, madam, do not decline it out of respect for my husband’s sincerity."

Lady Eleven stared at the three-inch solid gold tiger statuette, a light sweat breaking out at her temples. "The kindness of Magistrate Li and yourself is most gratefully received..."

She had barely begun to speak when Lady Li interrupted her, "My lady, please listen to me—"

"Lady Li, please listen to me," Eleventh Miss slightly raised her voice, cutting off Lady Li's words. "For the heir's birthday, our family did not host any guests. The reason is simply that the young lord has suffered from a weak constitution from birth and is frail in health. We dare not forcefully invite good fortune for him. This gift—I absolutely cannot accept it. Lord Li and our Lord Xu were once colleagues, and Lord Li is well aware that our Lord Xu has few heirs. If you convey these words to him, I believe Lord Li will understand my sincere intentions."

Eleventh Miss's refusal was impeccably justified, leaving Lady Li with little room to insist.

A hint of irritation flashed in Lady Li's eyes.

Noticing this, Eleventh Miss smiled and glanced at the vermilion-lacquered box containing the small golden tiger. "This box is perfectly square and would be ideal for storing seals or ink sticks. The young lord asked me just the other day if I could help him find one. Lady Li, why not gift this vermilion-lacquered box to him? It would serve its purpose well!" She then shot Amber a meaningful look, instructing her to return the golden tiger to Lady Li while keeping the box.

Lady Li's gaze at Eleventh Miss grew more serious.

"It was my thoughtlessness in the first place. I am already grateful that you do not blame me. If you fancy this box, please take it without hesitation," she replied with a forced smile. "When my husband asks, I can at least say I redeemed myself!"

"The best gifts are those that suit the recipient perfectly," Eleventh Miss said warmly. "You've given the young lord exactly what he wanted—what could be better? Even if Lord Li hears of it, he can only praise your thoughtfulness." After exchanging a few more polite words, Eleventh Miss stood and took Lady Li's hand. "Since you and Lord Li have our young lord in your hearts, and you've come all this way, why not stay for a bowl of long-life noodles before leaving?" She then accompanied Lady Li to elder madam's quarters.

Elder madam was also surprised by Lady Li's visit but remained composed upon seeing the vermilion-lacquered box. She warmly invited Lady Li to share the long-life noodles. Amid the assembly of the Xu womenfolk, Lady Li showed no sign of restraint. After finishing the noodles and chatting with elder madam for a while, she finally took her leave.

Eleventh Miss escorted her to the moon gate archway.

Along the way, Lady Li inquired with concern, "My husband mentioned that Lord Xu recently traveled to Shandong and encountered bandits on the road. Several guards lost their lives before he managed to escape with his life. The world is truly unsettled these days!"

Bandits in Shandong?

Eleventh Miss's heart lurched.

Lord Xu had not said a word of this upon his return!

No wonder Seventh Miss had mistaken him for a bandit when they met. She had assumed he wore commoner's garb to avoid drawing attention and looked weary from the journey...

But under Lady Li's scrutinizing gaze, Eleventh Miss dared not reveal a hint of her shock.

That Lord Li would share such matters with his wife—she couldn't shake the feeling that Lady Li's visit today was far from coincidental.

Eleventh Miss replied tactfully, "As a woman, such matters are not for me to discuss."

Lady Li couldn't hide her surprise at this.

Eleventh Miss's composure was unnerving.

Either she already knew about the incident, or she was exceptionally calculating.

As Eleventh Miss had said, this was not something a woman was meant to know about. If she did know, there was only one explanation—Lord Xu had been injured! If she didn't... Lady Li's smile stiffened before she forced it back into place.

"Indeed. I was unaware myself until recently..." She suddenly stopped mid-sentence, glancing around cautiously before stepping closer to Eleventh Miss and lowering her voice. "My husband told me that first Lord Xu encountered trouble in Shandong, and then the heir of the Marquis of Jinghai... disappeared without explanation!"

Eleventh Miss's head spun, and she could no longer suppress her shock.

Seeing this, Lady Li nodded gravely, her voice dropping even further. "Not a trace of him, alive or dead."

Eleventh Miss took a deep breath before she could speak again. "How could this happen?"

Her voice came out hoarse.

"That's why Fujian has been thrown into chaos," Lady Li added, scanning their surroundings once more. The maids and older women accompanying them stood at a respectful distance. "The Marquis of Jinghai has not only torn Fujian apart searching for him but also sent men to Shangrao, Lishui, and Meizhou, causing alarm among the locals. The Emperor is furious and plans to remove the Fujian Regional Commander."

What a coincidence!

Eleventh Miss's mind was racing.

First, Lord Xu fell into an ambush, then the Marquis of Jinghai’s heir died.

She recalled how Lord Xu had stayed away from home for two consecutive nights recently... A chill ran down her spine... She replied perfunctorily to Lady Li, "No wonder His Majesty is furious. This matter has too many implications!"

"Exactly, exactly." Lady Li nodded repeatedly. "That Fujian Regional Commander is also to blame for allowing the Qu Clan to act so recklessly. It seems his position won’t be secure for long." As she spoke, she sighed softly. "I wonder whom His Majesty will entrust with the task of restoring order in Fujian?"

In this era, women were expected to adhere to the virtues of obedience. Discussing political affairs was as improper as a hen crowing at dawn...

Eleven Miss felt a silent alarm and chose not to respond.