Chapter 405

**Chapter 410: More Than That (Part 2)**

Eleven Lady listened thoughtfully for a moment before discussing with Lord Xu, "The ancestral hall is separated from us by several courtyards. Even if there were noise, we would only hear faint echoes. If Mother remains uneasy, perhaps we could ask Abbot Changchun to hold a few more days of the Water and Land Ceremony at Ciyuan Temple."

Lord Xu considered this and replied, "Let’s hold a seven-day ceremony at home instead. This year isn’t a significant anniversary—it's neither even nor round."

Eleven Lady understood his meaning.

First Lady had passed away while her elders were still alive, so according to custom, her memorial rites couldn't be held on a grand scale. Even if they enlisted Ciyuan Temple’s help, it would only extend to seven days, with restrictions on offerings and feasts. To make it more elaborate would require an excuse—but this was the fifth anniversary of First Lady’s death, not a double or a round number, leaving no suitable pretext.

"Please help persuade Mother, my lord," Eleven Lady pleaded with Lord Xu. "Young Master Chun is grown now and can preside over the memorial rites."

Lord Xu nodded. Not long after, Taohua, who served in the ancestral hall and was the younger sister of Wei Zijie—the former head maid of Dowager Madame—came to inform Amber, "...We will hold a seven-day Water and Land Ceremony at home after all."

Eleven Lady exhaled in relief. When Xu Sizhun came to pay his respects, she adjusted his collar and whispered instructions: "I cannot attend your mother’s memorial, but you should tell Mr. Zhao and ask if he thinks you should consult the steward in charge of the ancestral hall about the rituals. If Mr. Zhao suggests that, keep it quiet and come tell me—I’ll handle it discreetly."

Xu Sizhun nodded earnestly and asked, "Mother, are you still indisposed?" His expression showed deep concern.

Smiling, Eleven Lady patted his shoulder gently and murmured, "I expected to recover by now, but I still feel weak." She sounded resigned.

Amber added, "Madam, shall we summon Imperial Physician Liu to examine you?"

"He’d only prescribe medicine," Eleven Lady shook her head, thinking of Fifth Concubine far away in Yuhang. "...If only she were here. I’ve heard daughters resemble their mothers—was she like this during her pregnancy with me? Yet when she carried Seventh Master, I don’t recall any discomfort."

Amber chuckled. "Back then, Dowager Madame was still alive. Even if she felt unwell, she likely dared not show it."

Eleven Lady paused, her curiosity growing. She had someone set up the inkstone and wrote a letter to Yuhang.

By dinnertime, news arrived from the palace: Fang Jieer had given birth to a daughter.

This was the Emperor’s first grandchild.

In an ordinary family, this would be a great joy. But in the imperial household, the celebration was somewhat muted.

"...If the Empress had borne a prince earlier, things might have been different," Lady Zhou confided in Eleven Lady, her eyes red and puffy. "Instead, she gave birth to a delicate princess. Now the Crown Prince’s Consort has also had a daughter. The Emperor may be pleased, but surely his happiness is limited."

Eleven Lady had Amber bring a cold compress for Lady Zhou’s eyes. "That much more reason for you to appear cheerful."

Lady Zhou blinked back tears again. "I know. But thinking of our Fang Jieer—before marriage, everything went smoothly. Even when she had pox, she recovered quickly. Who could have guessed that once chosen as the Crown Princess, she'd face nothing but trials? Does this fulfill the saying, ‘Honeyed start, bitter end’?"

"Who said that?" Eleven Lady smiled.

"It was Abbot Changchun," Lady Zhou sighed, interrupting. "When she was little, she met him by chance. He studied her face and said she had the destiny of ‘a phoenix revered by all birds.’ I dismissed it then. But now, it seems to carry some truth."

Abbot Changchun again!

Eleven Lady frowned slightly but tried to comfort Lady Zhou with her own words: "What does ‘a phoenix revered by all birds’ mean? You understand its significance better than anyone. If that’s truly her fate, then this too shall pass harmlessly."

Divination and physiognomy were often just ways to soothe oneself. It was only because of Fang Jieer’s situation that Lady Zhou recalled it now.

"Even with such a fate, one must be strong enough to bear it," Lady Zhou said, her brow shadowed. "There are things you don’t know. In the past, the late Emperor chose His Majesty as Crown Prince not only for his virtuous character, but also because the Empress bore him three legitimate sons..."

That must be the Zhou family’s true anxiety.

After seeing Lady Zhou off, Eleven Lady mentioned it to Lord Xu.

Lord Xu laughed. "Lady Zhou actually told you this? You’re the imperial sister-in-law."

Eleven Lady had never really seen herself that way, so she hadn’t found Lady Zhou’s words inappropriate. Now that she thought about it, she found it amusing. Smiling, she said, "That’s because I don’t gossip and know what is proper to see and say."

Lord Xu looked at her with teasing amusement: "Oh!"

Pretending not to gossip, yet she had gone and repeated Lady Zhou’s words to Lord Xu.

Eleventh Miss flushed crimson, then a strange expression flickered across her face.

Did she subconsciously feel secure—safe enough to trust Lord Xu?

The thought crossed her mind, stirring her heart, when Lord Xu pulled her tightly into his arms.

"Husband and wife should discuss everything together," he murmured, kissing her earlobe. "Keep doing this from now on. Understand?"

His gentle voice carried a hint of firm authority, leaving Eleventh Miss even more flustered.

When no reply came, the arm wrapped around her tightened, and he gently bit down on the soft earlobe between his lips—part demand, part persuasion—as he whispered, "Did you hear me?"

Eleventh Miss felt her face burn, but she pressed her lips together in silence.

"Did you hear me!" He nipped slightly harder at her slender neck, sending a tingling sensation through her. She squirmed with laughter, and hearing her giggle, he trailed kisses downward, loosening the ties of her robe. Flushing scarlet, she protested with a coquettish cry, "Milord!"

He hummed in response, lowering his head to capture the rosy bud beneath her golden-yellow chemise embroidered with green plum blossoms...

Just as they were lost in each other, Amber called from beyond the door curtain, "Madam, Qiuyu has come to report."

Qiuyu was the servant Amber had sent to Ci Yuan Temple to inquire about the blessing talisman.

Eleventh Miss hastily adjusted her robe and shot Lord Xu a glare.

Seeing her cheeks flushed like morning clouds, and the alluring glimmer in her almond-shaped eyes, Lord Xu felt his heart stir. He kissed her cheek before stepping aside to give her privacy.

Eleventh Miss grabbed the cup of cool boiled water meant for rinsing her mouth and drank it all in one gulp, willing the heat in her face to fade before summoning Qiuyu inside.

"Abbess Jining said that upon learning of your pregnancy, Concubine Qin sincerely sought a blessing talisman for you. The abbess specially blessed it, painting a small vermilion lotus on each corner. It doesn’t necessarily need to be hung at the door—it can be kept in a pouch, tucked under a pillow, or placed before the Bodhisattva altar just the same."

As Qiuyu spoke, Amber retrieved the talisman, which indeed bore a small lotus in vermilion at each corner.

The talisman itself posed no issue—Eleventh Miss wasn’t surprised. What struck her was Abbess Jining’s unusual care in handling it.

"Why would Qin Yi want it hung at the door?" Amber mused, examining the charm closely after dismissing Qiuyu.

"Probably to show off her goodwill," Eleventh Miss replied lightly. "Otherwise, such a small charm tucked under a pillow—who would know it was her doing?" She added with a smile, "Since Abbess Jining said it was sincerely sought, let’s place it in Grandmother's prayer hall for blessings."

Amber nodded and departed with a smile.

Suddenly, the Crown Princess summoned Eleventh Miss to the palace.

Eleventh Miss was startled.

One child had just undergone the third-day bathing ceremony, and another was recently conceived—neither was an ideal time for receiving guests.

"Don't worry," Lord Xu reassured her, patting her hand. "I’ll handle the palace arrangements. Unless you meet the Emperor himself, there’s no need to bow to anyone."

"And if I do see the Emperor?" Eleventh Miss instinctively covered her abdomen.

"You won’t," Lord Xu replied with a cunning smile. "I’ve already sent word to the Imperial Household Department requesting an audience with him myself."

Only then did Eleventh Miss relax. She donned her formal court robes, grateful it was spring—summer would’ve been torture.

Fang Jieer and the Crown Prince resided in the Fragrance-Gathering Pavilion in the Northern Five Compounds. A eunuch led her through the Divine Might Gate, past the Gate of Obedience and Purity, the Gate of Receiving Light, and the Pavilion of Blessed Jade, all the way to the Fragrance-Gathering Pavilion. Along the way, they encountered only minor eunuchs and maids—no need for formalities, let alone conversation. The Fragrance-Gathering Pavilion was compact, facing south with a main hall flanked by two side chambers. The eunuchs and maids stationed outside wore stoic faces, and the interior was immaculately clean, decorated with fresh blooms. Had she not known beforehand, she wouldn’t have known this was where Fang Jieer was recovering from childbirth.

Seeing Miss Eleven about to curtsy, Fang Jieer, who was leaning against the pillow at the head of the bed, quickly asked the lady-in-waiting beside her to support Lady Yongping: "Lady Yongping is expecting."

The lady-in-waiting noticed that Miss Eleven still had a slender waist and hadn't begun to show, so she knew the pregnancy was in its early stages. Not wanting to take any chances, she rushed forward to help Miss Eleven up before she could kneel into the curtsy.

"Please don't be so formal with me," Fang Jieer said, directing the eunuch to place the embroidered stool for Miss Eleven beside her bed. Then she told the servants in the room, "You may all leave now. I have something to discuss with Lady Yongping."

The eunuchs and palace maids responded respectfully with a collective "Yes" and quietly left the room. As soon as they were gone, Fang Jieer's tears began to fall like raindrops.

"Aunt, I wanted you here because I needed to talk to you," she said.

Miss Eleven hurriedly pulled out a handkerchief to wipe her tears. "Then don't cry. You're still in recovery after childbirth!"

Fang Jieer nodded and took the handkerchief to dab at her eyes. "I know, but I just can't help it."

"Then have a good cry!" Miss Eleven replied, tucking the blanket more securely around her. "But remember, once you've had your fill of crying, no more tears afterward."

Fang Jieer hesitated slightly, then her eyes welled up again as she threw herself into Miss Eleven's arms, resting her head on her shoulder and sobbing softly.

Miss Eleven went rigid for a moment.

In both this life and her previous one, it was the first time someone had depended on her with such closeness and trust.

After a long while, her body gradually relaxed, and she started gently rubbing Fang Jieer's back, comforting her like a child.