Chapter 382

Chapter 387: Green Hills (Part 2)

Elevenniang massaged her forehead.

Lady Zhou, however, was beaming with joy. "Let’s have a good drink today," she said.

Elevenniang smiled and walked with her through the moon gate.

"The Princess once mentioned that she was worried something might happen to the Grand Empress Dowager in the Imperial Ancestral Temple, making it difficult to explain," Lady Zhou whispered. "But now that they’ve left the Imperial Ancestral Temple, even if the Grand Empress Dowager behaves improperly, what does it have to do with us? Or with His Majesty? If anyone is unfilial, it’s the Yang family—knowing the Grand Empress Dowager is unwell yet still provoking her with irritating words."

As she spoke, she winked at Elevenniang.

Elevenniang couldn’t help but laugh.

Lady Zhou then asked, "Has that disgraced noblewoman come to visit you?"

"She sent a matron to pay respects," Elevenniang replied. "I didn’t receive her."

Lady Zhou was slightly taken aback.

Elevenniang added, "I told the matron that if it wasn’t urgent, I had plans to visit the Loyal Diligence Count’s residence."

Lady Zhou scoffed. "I doubt she understood the implication of your words!"

"Then there’s nothing to be done!" Elevenniang chuckled. Just then, a page boy from Lady Zhou’s household came running over. "Madam, madam! Wonderful news, wonderful news!"

Those allowed to accompany them outside were usually clever and sharp-eyed, so such unseemly excitement made both Elevenniang and Lady Zhou pause in surprise.

The page boy, his face alight with excitement, announced loudly, "The Crown Princess Consort is pregnant!"

"What?" Elevenniang’s heart surged with joy. "Where did you hear this?"

Lady Zhou swayed on her feet. Had her maidservant not steadied her in time, she might have stumbled.

"The palace attendant from the Crown Princess Consort’s household came to deliver the news," the page boy said, grinning until his eyes disappeared. "The Princess sent me to inform you, Madam, and to ask you to relay the news to the elder madam and the Household of the Marquis of Yongping, so they needn’t worry about the Crown Princess Consort anymore."

Lady Zhou, having regained her composure, pointed at the page boy and instructed her retinue, "Give him a reward—ten taels of silver."

Elevenniang also smiled and ordered Amber, "Give him a reward of ten taels as well."

The page boy grinned until his eyes disappeared as he bowed and kowtowed repeatedly.

Lady Zhou barely noticed, taking Elevenniang’s hand instead.

"Let’s hurry and tell the elder madam—it will delight her!" she said. "I won’t stay for dinner. I must return home to ask for details." She turned back to the page boy. "Has the palace attendant left yet?" Her excitement made her words tumble out in a rush.

"He hadn’t left when I came!" the page boy quickly replied with a bow.

Lady Zhou nodded hastily and hurried off with Elevenniang to the elder madam’s quarters.

Upon hearing the news, the elder madam immediately went to the ancestral shrine to offer three incense sticks.

"Now I can finally rest easy!"

Not only did she not detain Lady Zhou, she urged her to leave quickly. "How many months along is she? Is she well? What does she crave to eat? Ask everything and report back to me."

Lady Zhou nodded repeatedly before departing with her retinue of maids and matrons in full state.

Returning to her chambers, the elder madam picked up Xin Jieer, who was playing with puppets on the *kang*, and chuckled warmly. "The imperial house gains another descendant!"

Xin Jieer was in the middle of playing when suddenly interrupted, twisting her body and pointing at the puppet that had fallen on the kang, crying out excitedly. Eleven Lady hurried over to pick up the puppet and handed it to her, after which she obediently settled into the elder madam's lap, clutching the toy.

All the servants in the room dropped into half-curtsies, smiling as they congratulated elder madam.

Elder madam was overjoyed and instructed Eleven Lady, "Give each one a silver ingot."

Eleven Lady responded with a smile, "Yes," and made the arrangements. Upon returning, she overheard elder madam instructing Madam Du, "...begin fasting tomorrow!" Noticing the movement, elder madam turned and saw Eleven Lady, quickly changing the subject with a smile. "You should also inform Yizhen and Lady Dan."

When had elder madam made such a vow?

Seeing elder madam's attempt to conceal the matter to avoid worrying the younger generation, Eleven Lady decided to inquire about the details from Madam Du later. She smiled and said, "I’ve already sent someone to inform them." She added, "Lord Xu has also been notified."

The elder madam opened her mouth slightly as if to say something, but just then, Xin Jieer bumped into something, setting off a loud clatter. Several small ornaments on elder madam’s kang table fell to the ground, scaring Xin Jieer into crying.

Eleven Lady quickly stepped forward to comfort Xin Jieer, patting her back gently. "Don’t cry, don’t cry."

The elder madam chuckled in amusement, "I haven't even complained, yet the culprit is the one crying."

The servants promptly stepped forward to clean up the mess.

Lord Xu arrived.

His eyes went straight to Eleven Lady, who was soothing Xin Jieer.

Her fair complexion and serene expression made him think of peaceful moonlight.

He paused briefly.

Elder madam laughed, "You arrived quickly!"

Breaking his train of thought, he smiled. "Good news makes the steps lighter."

Soon after, Xu Sizhun and Xu Sijie returned from school, and the second madam arrived too. The room filled with laughter and joy as everyone enjoyed a cheerful dinner together.

When they returned, Xu Sijie had already fallen asleep on Mrs. Nanyong’s shoulder.

Eleven Lady glanced back, thinking of Xin Jieer’s delicate health but monkey-like energy, and remarked with a smile, "Sijie is as gentle as a girl, while Xin Jieer is as active as a boy. They're complete opposites."

Images of Eleven Lady playing with the children flashed through Lord Xu’s mind. Recalling that they had been married for nearly two years without any sign of children, he sighed inwardly but smiled at her.

Within days, news of the Crown Princess’s pregnancy spread. Families close to the Xu household sent people to ask, and Eleven Lady found herself giving the same reply multiple times a day. It was during this time that the Lady of Jianning Hou came calling.

After some thought, Eleven Lady received her in the main hall.

The Lady of Jianning Hou was all smiles, though her demeanor couldn't hide her arrogance.

After tea was served, she requested to pay respects to elder madam.

Eleven Lady politely declined, "...the weather is too hot, and elder madam is taking refuge in the waterside pavilion in the rear garden. She is not receiving relatives or friends these days. Thank you for your thoughtfulness and I will convey your regards when I see her."

The Lady of Jianning Hou was taken aback.

She hadn’t expected Eleven Lady to refuse, let alone so confidently.

Had elder madam already entrusted all household affairs to Eleven Lady?

She recalled rumors in Yanjing City that the Yongping Marquis’s elder madam valued the second wife most, favored the fifth wife, but relied most on the fourth wife.

With that thought, it was no surprise that Eleven Lady had taken charge of the household.

Even so, this Eleven Lady was overreaching herself somewhat, wasn’t she?

A flicker of irritation passed through Lady Jianning’s expression. But recalling the marquis’ instructions before her visit and that unfortunate matter at Princess Fucheng’s… she forced a gentle smile and changed the subject: “I heard you visited Dowager Gan at Count Zhongqin’s residence. How is she? It’s been a while since I last saw her.”

“Dowager Gan is doing well.” Eleven Lady exchanged pleasantries with her for a while, but Lady Jianning eventually steered the conversation toward Lady Yang: “Why isn’t she here attending to you? Before coming, I specifically instructed her to regard you as an elder sister—to be respectful in all matters and diligent in every task. She must not act arrogantly just because she hails from the Yang family of Marquis Jianning, lest it displeases you.” Her tone carried a probing note, though she spoke of what a proper concubine ought to do.

Eleven Lady was somewhat surprised but did not show it. Smiling, she lifted her teacup and lightly brushed away the floating leaves. “Servants can handle serving tea. With so many children in the household, and the concubines being creatures of habit, it’s better for them to occupy themselves with stitchery indoors. There’s no need for them to act like maids.”

Lady Jianning was inwardly startled.

Lady Zhou made her other niece observe formalities before her every day. Eleven Lady, however, did the exact opposite. Yet, observing formalities in the mistress’ presence at least allowed one to see Lord Xu occasionally. Being confined indoors doing needlework all day—aside from scheduled nights—left little opportunity to meet him!

This Eleven Lady was indeed formidable.

With this in mind, her gaze shifted slightly, and she smiled. “I came chiefly to check whether my niece has been behaving properly. If you need anything made, feel free to assign it to her. My niece learned her needlework from the palace’s embroidery instructors, so her work is presentable.”

Eleven Lady was famously fond of dressing well and knew how to do so.

If she took a fancy and had Lady Yang embroider something for her, catching Lord Xu’s eye in the process, it would be a favorable outcome.

“How remarkable that Lady Yang is so skilled at embroidering lotus motifs,” Eleven Lady replied with a smile. “If there’s ever a need, I’ll be sure to ask her.”

Lady Jianning, seeing her refined demeanor, felt somewhat appeased. She smiled. “The reason for my visit today was to check whether my niece has been behaving properly. If she’s done anything amiss, you need only tell me, and I’ll reprimand her!” Her tone carried a subtle hint of goodwill.

Eleven Lady quickly understood.

The Yang family merely sought Lord Xu’s full support, and having a favored concubine could achieve that. There was no need to antagonize her.

Yet, Lady Jianning’s words presumed too far.

“Thank you for your concern,” Eleven Lady said with a smile. “But I couldn’t possibly impose upon you with my household affairs.” She politely declined Lady Jianning’s overture.

Lady Jianning’s expression darkened.

After all her efforts to ingratiate herself, Eleven Lady still declined the overture… At this point, she could no longer maintain her composure. With a mirthless smile, she stood. “In that case, I’ll take my leave.” She gave a slight nod and departed.

Eleven Lady stood there, stood in silent contemplation of her retreating figure for a long moment before finally turning back to the main house.

Meanwhile, Nurse Yang was speaking with Lady Yang.

“The mistress has arrived,” she said anxiously. “What should we do now? If she finds out you’re still…”

“Why the rush?” Lady Yang lowered her head, working on lotus-embroidered hose—her fifty-sixth pair. (Footnote: This systematic exclusion of Eleven Lady implies deliberate effort.) Lady Wen had received some, so had Qin Yi, Xu Sizhun, even Qiao Lianfang. Only Eleven Lady had none. “The mistress won’t let me meet Lady Jianning.”

Nurse Yang was surprised.

Lady Yang smiled. “Since when do concubines receive guests?”

“But…”

“No buts,” Lady Yang said lightly. “Unless the mistress disregards the dignity of her position as the principal wife.”

Nurse Yang fell silent.

That evening, when making her evening obeisance to Eleven Lady, Qiao Lianfang hid a smirk behind her sleeve and said, “Madam, I heard Lady Jianning visited today? Why didn’t you let Lady Yang meet her? After all, she is her relative!”