Chapter 398

**Chapter 403: News (Part 1)**

Since that was the case, things would be much easier to handle.

Taking advantage of Wen Zhu coming to collect the New Year’s bonuses, Lady Eleven kept her for a private conversation.

"...You're older than the second young master and, being a girl, more attentive. There are some matters I can only entrust to you." She dismissed the servants in the room. "Wherever one goes, one leaves a mark. The second young master is in Le’an, with Mr. Jiang above him and schoolmates around him. You must watch carefully to ensure he doesn’t go astray. Otherwise, his future will be ruined—and those who serve him will suffer as well."

Wen Zhu’s face flushed crimson, and she immediately knelt before Lady Eleven. "My lady, I swear—"

"I trust you," Lady Eleven interrupted, taking her hand. "That's why I'm speaking to you in confidence. As long as things are done properly and justly, you can stand firm. You’re clever—you understand what I mean."

Wen Zhu’s thoughts were a jumble, and she could only nod blankly. A gust of cold wind hit her face, and she suddenly realized she had already left the courtyard without noticing.

Seeing that Wen Zhu was sensible, Lady Eleven sighed in relief and turned her full attention to preparing for the New Year.

On the twenty-fourth day of the twelfth lunar month, they made offerings to the Kitchen God, replaced the couplets and peachwood charms, swept away the dust, and hung festive lanterns and streamers to welcome the New Year.

Lady Eleven enlisted Lady Wen’s help, having her assist Amber in distributing the lucky red packets to each household.

When Lady Wen saw Lv Yun preparing a hot brown sugar drink for Lady Eleven, she sighed softly and later said to Qiu Hong, "No matter how strong a person is, they can’t defy fate. Look at my lady—she excels in everything, yet has trouble bearing children. In the end, she must feel somewhat insecure."

Amber was also secretly anxious.

On New Year’s Eve, while paying court at the temple, she quietly vowed to fast on vegetarian meals on the first and fifteenth days of the new year.

Lady Eleven simply felt exhausted.

First came the preparations for the New Year. Then, on the first day of the year, she had to rise early to pay court at the palace. Madam Huang, the Marquise of Yongchang, and Madam Lin came to keep company with the dowager. Though she didn’t have to stand and serve, she couldn’t hide in her room either. It wasn’t until evening that she finally had a chance to bathe.

Lord Xu ordered four or five charcoal heaters to be lit at once.

"Do you care more about cleanliness or your life?"

Though the room was warm as spring, it was stifling.

Lady Eleven coughed and laughed. "Cleanliness!"

Lord Xu had no choice but to have the heaters removed and replaced them with heavy blankets, holding her close as they slept.

"At least you don’t have to go out these next few days. The Luo family is in Yuhang, so there’s no need to visit relatives on the second and third days. Just rest well at home. If Mother asks, say you’re feeling unwell."

Lady Eleven nodded and soon fell into a deep sleep.

On the second day, Lord Xu went alone to visit Yu Yiqing and Qian Ming. Starting from the third day, he entertained guests who came to pay New Year’s respects in the outer courtyard.

Lady Eleven was glad for the rare leisure and roasted broad beans with Xu Sizhun and Xu Sijie over premium silver charcoal. By the fourth day, she felt more energetic and changed into a crimson brocade jacket to receive guests at home. Amidst the comings and goings, laughter and chatter, the Lantern Festival soon arrived.

After viewing the lanterns and taking down the festive red lanterns, Lady Eleven visited the Zhongqin Count’s estate.

Elder Madam Gan had a maid bring out two jars of preserved garlic.

"I used to make this best when I was a girl. After Old Master passed away, he disliked the smell, so I hadn’t made it for years. This year, with nothing else to do, I made over a dozen jars. One for you and one for Mistress Jian. Let me know how you like it."

Lady Eleven smiled and had Lv Yun take them.

"The shop is scheduled to open on the eighteenth day of the first lunar month," she discussed with Elder Madam Gan. "Mistress Jian wants to hire a few more experienced hands to specialize in rank insignia embroidery."

"You ladies decide these matters," Elder Madam Gan said cheerfully. "Over the New Year, my elder brother visited. When he found out we’d made money, he treated me with new respect." She chuckled. "I felt immensely proud. A few days ago, my sister-in-law even sought my advice on my niece’s match, as though I’d gained newfound competence overnight."

Elevenia laughed heartily.

Madam Gan then asked Elevenia, "My niece is twelve this year, with a fine appearance and temperament. If you come across any suitable matches, please keep her in mind."

Elevenia thought of Lady Lin: "The Shao family has many eligible sons, but unfortunately, they're far away in Cangzhou." Then she considered Lady Zhou: "The Wang family also has many eligible sons."

"Please help inquire around. My sister-in-law will review any candidates later."

The two exchanged pleasantries for quite some time, and Elevenia stayed for lunch at Madam Gan's before returning home.

To her surprise, Lady Zhou was already waiting inside her chambers.

"I'm not comfortable at home, yet I have nowhere else to go," she said, wearing a sapphire brocade overdress with intricate floral patterns, her large ruby earrings sparkling brilliantly, casting a joyful glow over her face. "I'm afraid people will ask me questions."

She didn't seem to be in mourning or distressed.

Elevenia invited her into the inner chamber for a private conversation: "What’s really going on?"

Lady Zhou smiled coyly.

Though no one else was present, she still lowered her voice: "Our lord actually tried to bribe my maids. I turned it to my advantage, letting her get close to him freely. Yesterday, she was confirmed to be with child." Her eyes gleamed with triumph. "Now the princess knows. His Lordship's reprimand is inevitable. I’m avoiding home to spare him embarrassment."

Elevenia was surprised; she hadn’t expected Lady Zhou’s “long-standing plan” to be this.

"And the child..." she mused aloud.

"That depends on the princess’s wishes!" Lady Zhou said indifferently, sipping her tea. "This Tieguanyin is excellent!" She praised the tea first, then continued, "If the child is disposed of, she’ll never conceive again!" A cold glint flashed in Lady Zhou’s eyes. Childbirth was perilous in ancient times, especially after a forced miscarriage, which often led to fatal complications. "If the child is kept but the mother removed," her lips curled slightly, "I can raise it however I please!"

Elevenia sighed inwardly and changed the subject: "My hometown sent some game geese. Stay for dinner, sister!"

"Gladly!" Lady Zhou, in high spirits, agreed cheerfully. "Let’s greet the elder madam first, then we sisters can chat properly."

Elevenia accompanied her to visit Madam Gan, and upon returning, mentioned Madam Gan’s niece of marriageable age. Lady Zhou readily promised to help look for prospects. After dinner, Elevenia saw her off at the inner gate, watching her carriage depart before returning inside.

A few days later, news came from the Zhou household.

Yang Shi had suffered a miscarriage with fatal bleeding.

"Who told you this?" The Yang Shi of the Xu family went ashen, gripping Nurse Yang’s hand tightly.

"One of Lady Wen’s chambermaids mentioned it," Nurse Yang replied, tears welling in her eyes. "A maid from the Zhou family came by while Lady Wen was assisting the mistress with household accounts."

"How could this happen?" Yang Shi murmured dazedly, her voice hollow. "Fifth sister was so clever... How did she end up like this..." Suddenly, Qiao Lianfang’s blank stare flashed in her mind, and Yang Shi jumped up in panic. "Nurse, nurse, where’s that Hundred Playing Infants embroidery design? Find it quickly. I must embroider a jacket for the mistress..."

Elevenia paused her embroidery, yawning sleepily as she asked Lord Xu, "What did Third Young Master say?"

"He mentioned Brother Qin and Sijian," Lord Xu replied, folding the letter. Seeing Elevenia’s barely concealed exhaustion, he added, "There are no good tutors in Shanyang, and their education has lagged these past two years. He wants to send them back to Yanjing for schooling." Then he touched her forehead gently. "What’s wrong? Are you unwell?" His tone was tender.

Elevenia yawned again. "I don’t know why, but I’ve been feeling so tired since the New Year."

"Springtime weariness, springtime weariness," Lord Xu chuckled. "It’s natural to feel more fatigued in spring." Softly, he added, "Delegate tasks to your maids and rest early."

Elevenia nodded, curling up in his arms, and soon fell asleep.

Lord Xu gazed at her peaceful face, smiling fondly before kissing her cheek and blowing out the lamp.

At noon the next day, Doctor Liu arrived.

"The marquis said the mistress seemed unwell and asked me to examine her." Through the bed's silk curtains, he took her pulse with a handkerchief over her wrist. "The mistress’s pulse is steady and strong. Perhaps it’s just spring lethargy," he declared cheerfully.

Lord Xu set his mind at ease.

Taking advantage of the fine weather, Eleven Miss had the maids tidy up the exam satchel, privacy screen, and snack pouches that Xu Siyu had used the previous year. Seeing this, Lord Xu smiled and said, "His exam isn't until April. It's a bit early to prepare these now."

"The weather has been nice these days," Eleven Miss replied, unperturbed by his skepticism. "Besides, he took these items into the exam last year and passed the county exams smoothly. So I deliberately kept them to use again this year—to carry over last year’s good fortune."

The couple stood chatting in the spring breeze for a while before Xu Sizhun and Xu Sijie arrived.

After respectfully greeting Lord Xu, the boys immediately crowded around Eleven Miss.

One said, "Our tutor says spring is when you make plans for the year. So tomorrow, he’s taking us hiking on West Mountain and we’ll talk about what we want to do this year."

The other chimed in, "Mother, since we’re going to hike West Mountain, we need to bring food. Will you make us some fragrant toon cakes?"

Eleven Miss hugged the younger one and smiled at the elder. "Both of you, make a list of what you need to bring, and I’ll prepare everything according to it."

The two cheered and ran inside.

Lulled by the spring breeze, Eleven Miss covered a yawn with her hand.

Lord Xu felt a flicker of emotion.

It was already early February, and Eleven Miss still showed no signs...

The thought set him on edge, though he maintained his calm. Was her monthly course late? Or...

"Go rest inside," he said, resisting the urge to support her. "This constant sleepiness isn’t healthy."

Eleven Miss laughed. "It’s barely past sunset—how can I go rest now?"

Lord Xu pondered for a moment. "Why don’t we go sit with Mother awhile? We won’t join her for dinner later, and you can retire early tonight." Though phrased as a suggestion, he didn’t wait for her agreement before calling Amber to look after Xu Sizhun and Xu Sijie and heading toward Elder Madam’s quarters. Eleven Miss, recognizing his good intentions, followed and sat with Elder Madam for a while. Upon returning, she ate dinner and fell asleep immediately, not waking until dawn. Surprisingly, she drank a bowl of millet porridge and ate two meat buns; she was back to her lively self.

Lord Xu sighed to himself.

It seemed he had guessed wrong...