Chapter 399

**Chapter 404: News (Part 2)**

Lady Eleven was completely unaware of Lord Xu’s state of mind.

After the second day of the second lunar month, she first summoned Chang Jiuhe to discuss matters concerning the farmland estate and then called on Wan Yizong to inquire about the orchard.

When the official business was concluded, Wan Yizong said, “Jiang Bingzheng has gone to work as a shopkeeper at another store, and Liu Yuanrui and his wife often help out at the wedding shop. My orchard is usually quiet except during harvest season. If my lady thinks it suitable, perhaps our second son, Erxian, could assist you in looking after your estates?”

Lady Eleven had indeed been troubled by this very matter.

Both of her dowry estates were somewhat old and, without proper care, had fallen into disrepair. Last winter, a notably heavy snowfall had even collapsed the roof of the east wing.

“We’ll speak of this again in a few days,” she said with a smile, dismissing Wan Yizong. Later, when Lord Xu returned, she consulted him: “…I’m thinking of having Steward Bai help sell both dowry estates and pooling the money to buy a better residence.”

Lord Xu thought for a moment. “The property in Goldfish Alley is quite good—spacious and quiet. I think we should sell the other one and completely refurbish the house in Goldfish Alley. It would be more cost-effective than purchasing a new home.”

Now that she was Madam Xu née Luo, even if she wanted to stay at a separate residence now and then for relaxation, the Xu family had plenty of properties to choose from—it wouldn’t come to staying in Goldfish Alley. Setting aside the distance, it was indeed a fine location. Moreover, since Liu Yuanrui’s household had taken over night-watch duties at the wedding shop, the place was practically vacant.

“Then I’ll speak to Steward Bai tomorrow,” Lady Eleven smiled. “We’ll have Goldfish Alley fully renovated before summer comes.”

Lord Xu nodded, then brought up the topic of Xu Siqin and Xu Sijian: “…By my calculations, they should arrive by mid-March at the latest. Both are grown now and can no longer reside in the inner quarters. I’ve arranged for the Distant Fragrance Pavilion in the outer courtyard to be prepared for them. For now, they’ll study with Chun Ge and Jie Ge under Mr. Zhao.”

“Chun Ge has just begun his studies, and Jie Ge is only tagging along,” Lady Eleven hesitated. “But Siqin and Sijian are different—they’ve already studied the eight-part essay with the tutor from the family school. I’m afraid you and Third Young Master will need to have a serious discussion. We must understand what plans he has for the boys. If they’re meant to take the imperial exams, reading casual texts with Mr. Zhao would waste their time—it would be better for them to join Yuge at the Jinxi Academy. If they’re to rely on hereditary appointment instead, then it wouldn’t matter.”

“That’s exactly what I think!” Lord Xu replied with a wry smile. “But Third Brother keeps beating around the bush without giving a clear answer, so I’ll have to settle the boys in first and see how things go.”

They chatted about household matters for a long while before extinguishing the lamp and turning in for the night.

As usual, Lord Xu drew Lady Eleven into his arms, his hand sliding under her robe several times to caress her gently before pulling back.

Longing for that blissful intimacy yet fearing he might be too forward… he felt deeply conflicted.

Pressed tightly against him, Lady Eleven could clearly sense his arousal and found it strange.

There was no particular reason—why was Lord Xu suddenly holding himself back?

As she pondered, his movements grew increasingly bold, the atmosphere thickening with unspoken tension… Her body softened, soft moans slipping out involuntarily… yet she did not receive the tenderness she expected. Flushed with indignation, she threw off the covers and sprang from the bed.

Lord Xu quickly caught her from behind.

“Why such a temper?” he chuckled, drawing her back against him and pressing his cheek to hers affectionately.

Lady Eleven turned her face away, ignoring him.

“All right,” Lord Xu murmured, kissing her hair, forehead, and lips—his touch tender and cautious, filled with subtle affection. “Don’t sulk.”

With this small concession, Lady Eleven felt slightly better but still pouted. “Does my lord find it amusing to tease me like this?”

Like a petulant child.

At the sight of her expression, Lord Xu felt a warm ache in his chest.

“Silly,” he whispered, his voice softer and more indulgent than he intended. “I tease you because I like you.” The words hung heavily in the air, startling them both.

For a moment, the room was silent save for the ticking of the clock.

In the awkward stillness, Lord Xu tightened his hold on Lady Eleven, then worried it might seem cold, stopped himself and murmured awkwardly, “It’s late, and you’re prone to spring lethargy. Let’s rest early.”

Lady Eleven’s thoughts were in disarray, afraid he might say something else difficult to respond to. With a faint murmur, she hurriedly shut her eyes.

The room fell silent again, with only the faint sound of each other's breathing.

As if by mutual agreement, they turned their backs to each other and lay on their sides.

Before long, a draft that wasn't particularly cold seeped in from behind.

Elevenniang clutched the corner of the quilt tightly, mentally counting sheep on repeat.

...One thousand two hundred eighty-four... No, it should be one thousand three hundred eighty-four... No, it should be one thousand two hundred eighty-four. She had just counted one thousand one hundred eighty-four not long ago, so the next should be one thousand two hundred eighty-four...

Her thoughts were tangled.

She decided to start counting again.

Just as she reached forty-eight, warmth pressed against her back.

It was Xu Lingyi moving closer.

The thought flashed through her mind, and her stiff body gradually relaxed.

******

Elevenniang opened her eyes wide, staring at the faint outline of a sachet hanging on the bed canopy, unsure of when she had fallen asleep.

In the following days, though they chatted and laughed together as before—discussing the sale of Elevenniang’s dowry house, selecting timber and bricks, hiring craftsmen, and setting a date in April to begin construction—once night fell and they lay together in bed, awkwardness hung between them.

They resorted to small talk.

They talked about how Xusi Yu had been studying diligently behind closed doors and was sure to pass the upcoming academy examination, or how Xusi Zhun was thrilled to hear that Xusi Qin and Xusi Jian were returning, or whether they should raise Tutor Zhao’s stipend... Worn out from talking, they would eventually fall asleep. The next morning, sometimes Elevenniang would wake with her head resting on Xu Lingyi’s shoulder, her pillow flung away; other times, Xu Lingyi would lie on his side with his arm draped over her.

At such moments, Xu Lingyi wanted to tease her playfully as he used to.

But Elevenniang had become hyper-aware. The slightest movement from him would wake her. She would ask, “What time is it?” before hurriedly rising to wash and dress, receive the concubines and children who came to pay their respects, see to his breakfast, greet the dowager lady, and give orders to the housekeepers in the main hall… There was never a moment of rest. She even sent Wan Erxian to oversee the renovation of the house in Goldfish Lane, worked with Amber and Zhuxiang to plan the layout, pored through her dowry trunks for porcelain and screens, summoned Ji Ting’s wife to discuss whether to plant magnolia trees or build a wisteria trellis in front of the main house… On top of that, Fifth Madam consulted her about Xin Jieer’s birthday celebration, Fifth Miss invited her to Fourth Corner Alley for a longevity noodle meal on Brother Xin’s birthday, and she was asked to act as a matchmaker between Elder Madam Gan’s niece and Fourth Miss’s eldest son, Yu Cheng. She was constantly on the move.

Xu Lingyi couldn’t help but frown slightly. Saying nothing, he spent his days handling estate matters in the outer courtyard, catching up with old friends, and gradually spent less time at home.

Others didn’t notice, but Amber and the other close attendants sensed the change in Xu Lingyi and grew apprehensive. Every morning, they served his breakfast with extra caution.

Elevenniang saw it all and suddenly felt a twinge of sorrow.

So this was the nature of “affection.”

She lowered her head and ate her breakfast in silence, speaking even less than before.

Xu Lingyi noticed her downcast look—how she took a spoonful of bland rice porridge and held it in her mouth for a long time before swallowing. Unless he spoke first, she wouldn’t say a word. She seemed to be sulking. The thought crossed his mind, and his hardened heart softened again, making him feel petty.

Xu Lingyi sighed to himself and pushed the plate of fresh chilled dressed cucumbers toward her. “You usually love this. Why haven’t you touched it today?”

Elevenniang looked up in surprise and saw the helpless yet doting smile on Xu Lingyi’s face.

“Eat up,” he said, picking up a piece of cucumber and placing it on her gold-trimmed saucer. “We still have to go greet Mother later.”

Elevenniang was awash with emotions but murmured, “Mm,” and put the cucumber in her mouth.

The cucumber was crisp, tossed in vinegar—sour, sweet, and refreshing. She ended up eating several more bites.

Xu Lingyi chuckled and shook his head.

A maid came in and reported, “My Lord, My Lady, Manager Zhao from the outer courtyard has sent a servant to ask whether this year’s Spring Banquet on the third day of the third month should follow last year’s guest list.”

It was a tactful nudge.

Her face grew hot.

She had been so preoccupied these past few days with arranging a match for Yu Cheng that she had completely forgotten about this matter.

Lady Eleven rose to her feet. "I'll give him the guest list right away." Before she finished speaking, the world began to spin and everything went black.

"What's wrong?" Lord Xu, seated across from her, saw her sway suddenly, her face turning as pale as paper as she clutched the kang table for support. Sensing something was wrong, he quickly stood and steadied her.

Lady Eleven closed her eyes for a long moment before slowly opening them again.

"It's nothing," she said with a faint smile. "Perhaps I stood up too quickly."

Lord Xu felt a pang of worry.

Only someone very weak would feel unwell from standing up too fast. Remembering that she had been in a quarrel with him, he wasted no time and scooped Lady Eleven into his arms.

Lady Eleven gasped, another wave of dizziness washing over her. Her limbs went weak, and she clung to his waist, burying herself against his chest.

The servants quickly filed out of the room.

"Eleven, Eleven!" Lord Xu asked anxiously. Normally, she was too reserved to lean against him like this—she must be feeling terribly unwell. "What's wrong?" Without waiting for her reply, he called out, "Amber, get some ginseng!" Then he instructed Lü Yun, "Call the doctor!" Carefully, he laid Lady Eleven on the bed and gently stroked her forehead as he softly asked again, "Where does it hurt?"

Everywhere.

Lady Eleven lay weakly on the bed but answered distractedly, "My lord, please have Yanrong come in and help me take off my jacket."

Lord Xu couldn't decide whether to laugh or scold. "Even at a time like this, you're still thinking about such things." Even as he spoke, he helped her remove her jacket as he knew she usually liked, then covered her with a light quilt.

Amber returned with the ginseng.

Lord Xu helped Lady Eleven sit up slightly. "Here, chew on this. The doctor will be here soon and you'll feel better."

Lady Eleven nodded, chewing the ginseng. But before she could lie back down, she suddenly pushed Lord Xu away and leaned over the edge of the bed, vomiting violently.