Chapter 362

Chapter 367: Drama (Part 1)

The lively commotion at Eleven Miss's quarters soon reached Elder Madam's ears.

"Quick, go and inform Yizhen," Elder Madam urged Sister Wei. "Tell her the Second Young Master has passed."

Sister Wei curtsied and left for *Shaohua Courtyard* (Blooming Splendor Courtyard), her face beaming with joy.

The Second Madam was bent over her desk, writing swiftly, when she heard the news of Xu Siyu passing the *Tongsheng exam*. She looked up, a hint of a smile on her face, and instructed Jiexiang to gather their things: "...Let's go to Elder Madam's place."

Jiexiang cheerfully agreed and accompanied the Second Madam to Elder Madam's quarters.

Upon entering, they saw Amber, Eleven Miss's personal maid, standing beneath the eaves.

"Fourth Madam’s already here," Jiexiang whispered with a smile, just as Amber respectfully stepped forward and curtsied to the Second Madam. "Second Madam!"

The Second Madam nodded slightly and entered the hall.

From the western chamber came Elder Madam's hearty laughter: "...As you say, as you say."

Who knew what scheme Eleven Miss had concocted this time to amuse Elder Madam so?

The Second Madam raised an eyebrow.

A young maid by the curtain announced, "Second Madam has arrived," and lifted the drape.

The Second Madam walked in.

Elder Madam and Eleven Miss sat side by side on the *kang* (heated brick bed), chatting warmly. Seeing the Second Madam enter, Elder Madam eagerly beckoned her over. "Our Yuge ranked ninth—ninth place!" she said, visibly delighted.

The Second Madam stepped forward with a smile and bowed. "Yuge truly encountered a master teacher—he only studied in Le'an for four or five months!"

"Exactly," Elder Madam nodded repeatedly. "All thanks to Mr. Jiang." Then she added, "Eleven Miss suggested that although this is just the *Tongsheng exam*, it's the first step toward a bright future and worth celebrating. But if we make too big a fuss, it might burden Yuge later when he takes the xiucai, provincial, and palace exams. Coincidentally, the *Shangsi Festival* (Double Third) is coming up—why not invite relatives and friends for a gathering without explicitly stating the reason? Those who know will understand, and those who don’t need not be told. What do you think?"

Having heard Elder Madam say "as you say" upon entering, the Second Madam already knew her stance. She smiled. "Fourth Madam’s idea sounds excellent to me as well."

Seeing them in agreement, Elder Madam was pleased and drew the Second Madam and Eleven Miss into planning the guest list.

By afternoon, the entire household had heard the news.

Qin Yi changed into clean robes, washed her hands and face, and reverently lit three sticks of incense before the Bodhisattva. She murmured prayers for a long time. Cui Er, standing nearby, only caught phrases like "smooth sailing in all matters" and "gilding the statue anew," realizing she was praying for the Second Young Master's success. Remembering how Qin Yi had been unable to sleep these past few nights, Cui Er couldn't help but smother a giggle. She turned to pour tea and returned to find Qin Yi rising from her prayers.

Cui Er quickly set the teacup on the kang table and helped Qin Yi up.

"The mistress ordered the kitchen to prepare extra dishes and even sent someone to fetch silver sycees for rewards!"

Qin Yi nodded slightly upon hearing this, but her face showed little joy.

Cui Er was puzzled and called out, "Madam?"

Qin Yi sighed deeply. "I feared he might fail and draw the marquis’s displeasure, but now that he’s passed... he’ll be bound for Le'an!" She sat down on the edge of the kang.

Cui Er knelt to help Qin Yi out of her shoes, recalling Wen Zhu's words that regardless of the results, the Second Young Master would have to go back to Le'an. She, too, felt reluctant. Softly, she said, "He wouldn’t leave before the festival, would he?" Her tone was uncertain.

"That depends on the marquis's decision," Qin Yi frowned, looking troubled. "We’ll have to devise a way to keep the Second Young Master home a little longer!"

Cui Er nodded vigorously.

No matter how good Le'an was, it was still the countryside—nothing compared to the luxuries of the Yongping Marquis’s mansion in Yanjing...

"We must find a way to keep the second young master at home a bit longer." She also began pondering. "After the third day of the third month... comes the Qingming Festival." Cui Er's eyes brightened. "The second young master passing the Tongsheng exam is a cause for celebration. Surely we must announce it to the ancestors, no?"

"Exactly!" Qin Yi brightened. "Why didn't I think of that? After the third day of the third month is Qingming, and after Qingming is the elder madam's birthday. These are all matters of 'filial piety'!"

Cui Er smiled, her eyes narrowing to crescents.

Meanwhile, in the study of Shaohua Courtyard, Xu Siyu—whom Qin Yi had been concerned about—stood respectfully before Second Young Master.

"Many spend their whole lives as mere shengyuan," Second Young Master said, sipping tea. "Your path is still long. Do not grow complacent over such a minor achievement. An inch of time is an inch of gold—do not squander it. I suggest you return to Le’an after the third day of the third month. Mr. Jiang’s reputation is well-earned; you must cherish this opportunity."

Xu Siyu bowed and assented, though a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes. "I had originally planned to return to Le’an right after the results were announced..."

Second Young Master nodded slightly, a hint of approval in his expression. "This was your mother’s wish. She wished to celebrate your success but didn’t want to burden you, so she suggested the third day of the third month as an occasion for festivity." His tone was measured, neither approving nor disapproving.

Xu Siyu’s face brightened. "Then I shall leave after the third day of the third month."

Second Young Master gave a soft murmur of assent and handed him a small black lacquered box. "This inkstone is fine. Use it well." Then he lifted his teacup in dismissal.

Xu Siyu accepted the inkstone with both hands and took his leave.

Back in his room, he found twelve stacks of Chengxin paper and four inksticks laid out on his desk.

Wen Zhu smiled. "The paper is from Eleven Miss, and the inksticks are from Lady Wen."

Xu Siyu nodded and set aside the inkstone from Second Young Master. "Store it carefully. We’ll depart after the third day of the third month."

Wen Zhu looked surprised.

Xu Siyu had already taken his seat at the desk. "Mother wants to celebrate for me on the third day of the third month!"

******

"It’s just a minor Tongsheng exam," Lord Xu remarked dismissively. "I think it’s unnecessary. He should return to Le’an sooner to resume his studies."

"Studying isn’t something that can be rushed," Eleven Miss said with a smile. "A delay of a few days is insignificant."

Just then, shrill, piercing flute notes pierced the air from the eastern chamber.

Lord Xu frowned slightly. "How much longer must he play?"

Xu Sijie was practicing the flute in the eastern chamber.

Eleven Miss glanced at the grandfather clock. "Another fifteen minutes."

A few more muffled, off-key notes followed.

Lord Xu hesitated but said nothing.

Eleven Miss pretended not to notice and continued planning the banquet. "We should probably invite Madam Jiang as well."

Two short, breathy notes interrupted.

"Naturally," Lord Xu replied, trying to ignore the noise. "Mr. Jiang was instrumental in Yuge’s success. We must express our gratitude."

Just then, Xu Sijie entered with his head hung low.

He dejectedly bowed to Lord Xu and Eleven Miss.

"What’s wrong?" Eleven Miss rose and crouched before him, gently patting his head.

"Still no good," Xu Sijie mumbled, his voice barely audible. "I still can’t play it properly." "You’re already doing so well!" Eleven Miss hugged him. "When I was your age, I couldn’t even produce a single note. That’s why I never learned to play the flute!"

"Really?" Xu Sijie looked up, his eyes shining like morning stars.

"Really!" Lady Eleven nodded with a smile.

Xu Sijie thought for a moment and said, "Then when I learn, I'll show Mother how to play."

"Great!" Lady Eleven replied cheerfully. "Then I'll be waiting for our little Jie to teach me how to play the transverse flute!"

Xu Sijie nodded very seriously.

Lady Eleven handed him over to Mrs. Nanyong. "Go wash your hands and face, and we'll have dinner at Grandmother's quarters."

Xu Sijie obediently followed Mrs. Nanyong.

Lord Xu couldn't help but say, "You mustn't deceive the child; he'll take it seriously."

He was referring to the matter of learning the transverse flute from Xu Sijie.

Lady Eleven laughed. "I'm not deceiving him. If that day really comes, I'll learn from him!"

But what about parental dignity?

Seeing Lady Eleven's smiling, unconcerned expression, Lord Xu thought for a moment and decided that since little Jie was still young, he'd likely outgrow it by then, so he ultimately said nothing.

Lin Bo requested an audience.

"My Lord, Chief Eunuch He has arrived."

Chief Eunuch He (the emperor's chief attendant and also the head eunuch of the inner court) had come unexpectedly—what could be the matter?

Lady Eleven gazed at Lord Xu with concern.

Lord Xu, however, remained composed. "Should I wear court robes or everyday clothes?"

"Court robes," Lin Bo replied, a hint of confusion in his eyes. "But it doesn't seem like official business."

After a moment's thought, Lord Xu said to Lady Eleven, "I'll go see," then headed to the outer courtyard study.

Lady Eleven held Xu Sijie and recited a few passages from *The Three Character Classic* before Lord Xu returned.

"Help me change into my court robes. I must enter the palace."

Lady Eleven had Mrs. Nanyong take Xu Sijie to the elder madam before instructing the maids to fetch Lord Xu's court robes and assist him in changing.

Lord Xu smiled at her. "You don't seem worried at all."

Lady Eleven was tying his sash when she looked up at his words. "If My Lord remains calm, why should I be concerned?"

Lord Xu paused momentarily, then chuckled heartily.

Lady Eleven straightened his robes and placed the seven-beam crown on his head.

"The Empress Dowager is mourning the previous emperor in the Imperial Ancestral Temple," Lord Xu said softly as he lowered his head for her to secure the crown. "The emperor has summoned me to console her."

Lady Eleven was stunned. "Why not summon Marquis Jianning or Count Shouchang instead? They're her own brothers!"

"The emperor has also summoned Marquis Jianning and Count Shouchang," Lord Xu replied calmly. "That's why I specifically sent someone to notify Princess Fucheng. The emperor's family matters are best handled by his own relatives."

Lady Eleven couldn't help but laugh. "How clever of you, My Lord. You don’t want to get involved yourself, yet you fear the emperor can’t handle the Yang family [a powerful clan related to the Empress Dowager], so you push Princess Fucheng forward as a shield. Be careful, Her Royal Highness might hold you accountable."

"They’ll have to find the time to settle accounts first!" Lord Xu tweaked her cheek fondly, then turned and left with a rich laugh.