Chapter 413

Chapter 418: Hidden Currents (Part 1)

Tao Cheng had come to Yanjing to visit his mother, but that evening on his way back, his carriage overturned and plunged into a ditch. He remains unconscious to this day. Madam Tao hurriedly returned to the manor, and even her trunks and the gifts bestowed by the Elder Madam, Eleventh Miss, and others were later sent to the manor piece by piece with the help of Lu Yonggui.

Madam Tao had not been in charge for many years, so her departure caused only a brief stir among the maids and serving women at Eldest Miss’s former residence. First, Eleventh Miss dispatched Zhuxiang to take over management of the estate’s property there. They busied themselves for a while cross-referencing ledgers and storing furnishings in the warehouse. Just as things began to settle down, Wang Ma, who had previously served as an assistant steward under Auntie Yu in the storeroom, was assigned to oversee matters there. Everyone scrambled for favor, seeking connections or pulling strings, fearing they might lose their positions. After another period of chaos, when things finally stabilized, news came from the outer courtyard that the Second Young Master, Xu Siyu, had passed the prefectural exams. Several of those usually close to Concubine Qin could not resist going to offer their congratulations.

Concubine Qin forced herself to entertain them and finally managed to see them off. Left alone with Concubine Yi, she remarked, “With Madam Tao gone, these people have lost their former arrogance and actually come to me seeking rewards. In the past, they wouldn’t have spared us a glance. Truly, ‘Fortune ebbs and flows like the tide.’”

Concubine Yi sipped her tea and chuckled. “The world is full of those who add flowers to brocade but few who offer help in times of need. After all these years, haven’t you come to terms with it?” Then she shifted the topic to Xu Siyu. “I heard he’ll be returning to Le’an in a couple of days. Why not push through and take the academy exam as well? The Second Young Master isn’t getting any younger. With the title of scholar, arranging a marriage would be easier.”

“Scholars are common as dirt—nothing special,” Concubine Qin replied dismissively. She disliked this topic, as her son had grown increasingly distant since leaving for Le’an to study.

Concubine Yi, aware of her feelings, smoothly changed the subject to the Elder Madam’s birthday. “...This time, it should be a grand celebration, right? The Fourth Madam is pregnant!”

“They say only a few close friends will be invited on the day itself,” Concubine Qin shook her head. “The madam has been unwell ever since she became pregnant. The Elder Madam originally didn’t plan to celebrate, but the Marquis summoned the Fifth Master to discuss arrangements.”

Concubine Yi made a sound of surprise. “Counting the days, it’s been four months already. Why is she still unwell? Is it genuine or feigned? I noticed the Marquis said nothing when Madam Tao left—likely because she’s carrying his heir.”

“Who knows if it’s real or fake?” Concubine Qin laughed. “As long as she professes discomfort, both the Marquis and the Elder Madam will treat her like a goddess. If I were her, I’d wish for time to slow down. Otherwise, if she gives birth to a daughter, the Elder Madam and the Marquis might not be so kind.” Her tone carried a hint of mockery by the end.

Concubine Yi chuckled. “The only one suffering is Lady Yang, rushing to finish that ‘Hundred Playful Children’ jacket for the madam. She’s working day and night, nearly blinding herself.”

Wang Ma urged Yang Shi, “You should rest a little.”

Yang Shi stared at the barely twenty embroidered children, disheartened. “I didn’t expect it to be so laborious.” She took the chrysanthemum and mulberry drink from Wang Ma and sipped it with a frown.

“Why not switch to the Tenfold Brocade design?” Wang Ma suggested quietly as she tidied the tangled embroidery threads. “Adding auspicious plants, brushes, and inkstones would make a lovely baby wrap.”

Yang Shi was tempted.

“The Fourth Madam has been pregnant for over four months. By June at the latest, she should recover fully,” Wang Ma continued. “By then, the Marquis will relax. If you don’t seize this chance to connect with the madam now, once the child is born—whether a son or daughter—she’ll likely arrange for attendants rather than concubines to serve him. Besides, we’ve only told outsiders you’re making small gifts for the madam, not specifically the ‘Hundred Playful Children’ jacket. It’s not cutting corners.”

After a moment’s thought, Yang Shi decided, “As you say. The priority now is to establish a rapport with the madam.”

Wang Ma quickly fetched tracing paper, and Yang Shi began redrawing the pattern.

Meanwhile, Lady Wen was overjoyed with the “Perennial Abundance” waistband she had embroidered. She said to Qiu Hong, “At this rate, by the time the eldest daughter marries next year, I should have two sets of children’s clothes ready!”

Qiu Hong covered her mouth, laughing.

Ignoring her, Lady Wen cheerfully instructed Dong Hong to put the items away and brought out the “Lotus Pair” waistband pattern she had requested from Binju earlier. She had Qiu Hong start the embroidery so she could follow along.

Wan Yizong’s eldest son and younger daughter both worked in the manor. Wanting her children to have someone nearby to rely on, Wan Daxian had Binju live with her grandson in a rented house near the Yongping Marquis’s residence. Since Binju had in-laws above her, younger brothers- and sisters-in-law below, and had given birth to a son first, everyone considered her blessed. Families often invited her to assist with weddings or funerals. With her cheerful disposition and skillful hands, she gradually became popular among the manor’s maids and young wives, who sought her out for stitching guidance. She also took on tasks from bridal suppliers and distributed them among the maids, helping them earn pin money. Over time, she gained a reputation among the manor’s female servants.

When Lady Wen decided to learn needlework, Qiu Hong immediately thought of her and asked her to draw patterns.

Binju agreed with a smile, sitting on a small stool beside Lady Wen. As she worked the needle over the tracing paper, she whispered, “When I went to see Sister Binju earlier, I ran into Sister Amber and Sister Zhuxiang. The three of them were closed up inside, talking in hushed voices.”

Qiu Hong wouldn’t mention this without reason.

Lady Wen leaned closer. “What did you hear?”

Qiu Hong also moved in. “From what I could gather, Madam Du wanted to arrange a marriage for Amber, so the madam asked the steward Wan to make discreet inquiries. But Amber refused, and Binju and Zhuxiang were trying to persuade her.”

“What nonsense,” Lady Wen laughed. “Explain clearly. Who was Madam Du proposing for Amber? Why did Amber refuse?”

“I don’t know why she refused,” Qiu Hong pouted. “But I vaguely heard Steward Bai mentioned—something about someone related to him.”

Lady Wen’s thoughts whirled.

Truth be told, Qiu Hong isn’t getting any younger. It’s just that Lady Wen, having watched her grow up, always finds one suitor unsuitable and another unsatisfactory, worried she might be mistreated, which is why she has stayed single all this time.

With Madam Du involved, and the match concerning Steward Bai, even someone not particularly outstanding would still be far better than a common servant. Since Binju and Zhuxiang are trying to convince Amber, it likely has nothing to do with the man's character but rather the fear of being associated with Steward Bai, which might invite wariness.

After pondering for a moment, Lady Wen slipped off the heated bed platform and put on her shoes: "Have Dong Hong accompany me. I’m going to visit Eleven Miss."

Qiu Hong quickly knelt to help Lady Wen with her shoes, saying, "But it’s barely past the hour!"

Without a word, Lady Wen took Dong Hong to Eleven Miss’s rooms.

Eleven Miss had just woken from her nap and was in high spirits.

Xu Sizhun and Xu Sijie were gathered around her, chatting.

"...Second Brother passed the prefectural exam, and Eldest Brother suggested climbing a mountain to celebrate. Father probably won’t agree to let me and Fifth Brother tag along. Even if we do go, they’re so much bigger and faster—once they get excited, we’ll be left behind again." Xu Sizhun tugged at Eleven Miss’s sleeve, half-pleading and half-coaxing, "Can you talk to Father? Mountain climbing is too dangerous. Why don’t we just have a cookout in the backyard instead?"

Xu Sijie nodded eagerly beside him: "Mother, let’s have a cookout!"

Eleven Miss burst out laughing.

"So, do you just want to go out, or do you want to go with Eldest Brother and Second Brother?"

Xu Sizhun blushed: "We want to go out too."

"Then let’s go to the Western Hills estate," Eleven Miss said with a smile. "While Eldest Brother and the others climb the mountain, you can stay at the estate and have your cookout."

Xu Sizhun cheered at the idea.

Eleven Miss laughed even harder: "Hurry off to school now, or Master Zhao will punish you by making you stand."

The two little ones greeted Lady Wen before happily following the wife of Nanyong to Shuangfu Courtyard.

Eleven Miss told a maid to bring a stool for Lady Wen to sit on.

As usual, Lady Wen shared a few jokes to amuse Eleven Miss before coming to her request: "...I beg you to find her a good match. I'm not particular about his background, as long as he’s honest and dependable—someone she can build a life with."

Eleven Miss was surprised. She recalled what Madam Du had said to her a few days prior: "There’s a steward under Steward Bai, just twenty years old. He’s good-looking and quick-witted, and Steward Bai thinks highly of him. He asked me to arrange a marriage. You know the elder madam hasn’t been involved in household matters for some time, and I’m too old to know the young maids anymore. After much thought, I could only come to you for help." As she spoke, her eyes kept darting to Amber.

Eleven Miss had understood Madam Du’s implication but hadn’t given a definite answer. Instead, she had privately asked Amber for her thoughts.

Amber, blushing but suppressing her embarrassment, said, "A married couple can’t both serve as stewards in the outer and inner courtyards. I wish to stay by your side, Madam."

It was Eleven Miss who hesitated: "I’ll have Wan Daxian make inquiries. If the man is truly suitable, don’t dismiss him immediately."

Before this matter could be settled, Lady Wen came seeking her help.

Eleven Miss smiled faintly at Lady Wen.

Lady Wen was forthright: "I’ve heard some things. If you think Amber isn’t suitable, you could propose Qiu Hong instead. Whether it’s Madam Du or Steward Bai, they simply wish to be closer to you."

There was truth to her words.

But the issue was, for Qiu Hong to be accepted, she would need Madam Du and Steward Bai’s approval.

"Don’t rush this," Eleven Miss said with a smile. "Besides Amber and Hong Xiu by my side, and Qiu Hong by yours, there’s also Xiu Yuan by Qiao Lianfang’s side—all about the same age."