Chapter 416

**Chapter 421: Rising Tides (Part 1)**

The wife of Nan Yong hurried forward to persuade them, “Fourth Young Master, Fifth Young Master, why don’t you rest a bit before playing again?”

The two were indeed quite tired and followed Nan Yong’s wife to sit in a nearby pavilion. Chaxiang and Xiuer rushed over to tend to them—some poured warm water for them to quench their thirst, while others fetched handkerchiefs to wipe their backs.

Xu Sizhun needed to relieve himself.

The privy was beside the flower wall. To get there from Biyi Sluice, one had to pass through a cobblestone path flanked by towering trees so thick it would take two people to wrap their arms around them.

A young maid ran ahead to burn two sticks of orchid incense, and Chaxiang accompanied him to the privy.

As Xu Sizhun sat on the chamber pot, he could hear the rustling sound of sweeping gradually approaching.

Two women were making small talk.

“…So, apart from Ji Ting’s wife, everyone else went?”

“Mm-hmm!” another replied. “The one who took the lead was Auntie Yu, the one in charge of the storeroom.”

“Really?” The first speaker’s tone was full of surprise. “Hasn’t she always been haughty? Why would she take the initiative this time to gather everyone to celebrate the fourth madam’s birthday?”

“She’s not haughty—she just plays by the rules,” the other chuckled. “Now that the fourth madam is pregnant and has openly sent Madam Tao to the countryside estate, how could she dare act superior in front of her? Let me tell you, of all the senior maids, young wives, and stewardesses in this household, the one I admire most is Ji Ting’s wife. Back then, when everyone was vying for favor with the second madam, someone suggested to Ji Ting’s wife that she take advantage of the second madam’s love for flowers and plants to help Ji Ting secure a steward position. But she remained calm and unhurried, saying Ji Ting only knew how to tend flowers—anything else, even if given to him, he wouldn’t do well. So she never breathed a word about it from start to finish. Later, when the late fourth madam took charge, everyone flocked to her side. Yet Ji Ting’s wife remained neither servile nor overbearing, just doing what she was supposed to do…”

It was as if a swarm of bees was buzzing in Xu Sizhun’s ears, making it impossible for him to focus. He couldn’t remember anything else the two women said afterward.

“Chaxiang!” He tugged at her hand. “Is what they said true?”

Chaxiang was a second-rank maid from the elder madam’s household, specially assigned to serve Xu Sizhun. Hearing his question, she quickly replied, “Don’t be silly. Fourth Young Master, don’t listen to their nonsense. Didn’t they say Tao Cheng broke his leg? Madam Tao had to go take care of him for a while…”

“No!” Chaxiang’s answer was too rehearsed, making Xu Sizhun instinctively feel it was somewhat insincere. “One winter, Tao Cheng nearly drowned after falling into the river. Madam Tao scolded him harshly in the house but never said she’d go take care of him…” His eyes were full of confusion. “Why would she go take care of him this time?”

Chaxiang was taken aback. “When we serve in the household, we belong to the household. How can personal matters interfere with our duties? Now, the fourth madam, out of consideration for Madam Tao’s past service to the late fourth madam, has granted her leave to go see her son…”

Xu Sizhun frowned. “When Mother was here, she treated Madam Tao very well too. She even told me to call Madam Tao ‘Mama’…”

Chaxiang hadn’t expected the usually easygoing Xu Sizhun to fixate on this topic. Before he could finish, she smiled and said, “That’s why the fourth madam also treats Madam Tao with special respect.” Afraid he might ask more questions she couldn’t answer, she quickly changed the subject. “Fourth Young Master, let’s hurry back to Biyi Sluice. Fifth Young Master is still waiting there! April evenings get chilly fast after sunset, and you’re only wearing a lined jacket. Your cloak is still with the fourth madam!”

Xu Sizhun remained unmoved. He listened carefully again, but outside, there was only the rustling of wind through the treetops—no other sounds could be heard.

With a sigh, he straightened his clothes and slowly followed Chaxiang back to Biyi Sluice.

The pavilion was empty, leaving only red silk cushions and a messy stone table behind. The attendants who had been with Xu Sijie were nowhere to be seen. Instead, the previously empty clearing was now surrounded by maids, wives, and older women. As the colorful cuju ball soared high into the air, cheers erupted from the crowd, making the scene far livelier than before.

Xu Sizhun was astonished.

Chaxiang caught sight of a tall figure.

“Fourth Young Master, it’s Fifth Master!” She beamed. “Fifth Master is playing cuju!”

She grabbed his hand and pulled him through the crowd.

When people saw them, they parted for them.

Xu Sizhun watched as Xu Lingkuan pulled off a “Buddha’s Pearl,” using his head to send the ball soaring. Glancing at Xu Sijie, he saw him gaping in awe, completely dumbstruck.

Xu Lingkuan heard the commotion and glanced over, spotting Xu Sizhun execute a deft kick that sent the cuju ball soaring into the air. He waved at him: “Come here. I’ll show you how to play.” Normally, Xu Sizhun would have bounded over eagerly, but now, still stewing over the gossip he’d just overheard, he paused before finally walking over.

Xu Lingkuan reached out with a light flick of his wrist and caught the falling cuju effortlessly.

“What’s wrong?” He bent down, smiling at Xu Sizhun. “You don’t seem happy today.”

“Nothing!” Lying to an adult made Xu Sizhun uneasy. “I’m just a little tired.”

Xu Lingkuan didn’t press him. With a chuckle, he tossed the cuju to a nearby page boy. “You should head back and rest up! Uncle Lingkuan will play with you tomorrow.”

Xu Sizhun managed a faint smile and nodded.

He took Xu Sijie’s hand and headed toward their mother’s quarters.

The onlookers naturally dispersed.

Xu Sijie was still marveling at what he’d seen. “Elder Brother, let’s play cuju again tomorrow! Uncle Lingkuan is amazing. You weren’t there earlier—I saw him flick his elbow, and the ball flew high into the sky!”

Xu Sizhun responded absentmindedly as they entered the courtyard.

Several housekeepers were stepping out of the main hall in small groups. Seeing the two brothers, they beamed and greeted them warmly.

Xu Sizhun’s eyes dimmed slightly as he looked at their faces before suddenly tearing off toward the main house.

Everyone was startled.

Someone laughed, “Still just a child, after all!”

Another chimed in, “It’ll take at least ten years before he learns to steady himself!”

They left the courtyard, still chatting and laughing.

Eleven Lady had the maids open all the windows in her room—some of the matrons smoked long-stemmed pipes, leaving behind a lingering odor.

Xu Sizhun burst in. “Mother, let’s bring Nanny Tao back!”

“What?” Eleven Lady was taken aback. “Why the sudden thought of bringing Nanny Tao back?”

“I miss her!” Xu Sizhun insisted. “If Nanny Tao stays at the country estate, she won’t get to eat the Eight-Treasure sticky rice dumplings from home!”

Eleven Lady smiled. “They’ll make Eight-Treasure zongzi at the estate too…” She didn’t finish the sentence, already covering her mouth.

Lv Yun and the other maids swiftly fetched basins and poured warm water, looking after Eleven Lady efficiently but unhurriedly.

Xu Sizhun had so much on his mind, yet no one in the bustling room seemed to notice him.

Quietly, he slipped out.

Outside, he ran into Xu Sijie. “Elder Brother, where are you going?”

“If anyone mistreats you, be sure to tell the Dowager and the Marquis so they can set things right…” For some reason, Xu Sizhun suddenly recalled Nanny Tao’s parting words.

“I’m going to see Grandmother!”

“Oh!” Xu Sijie scratched his head. “I… I haven’t greeted Mother yet. Hold on, Brother!” Usually, the two would visit their mother together before heading to the Dowager’s for dinner.

Xu Sizhun gave a distracted nod.

Xu Sijie rushed to greet his mother.

Elevenniang was feeling unwell.

Xu Sijie stood worriedly by her side, barely daring to breathe.

Xu Sizhun waited outside for a while, his anxiety growing by the minute. After giving instructions to Xiu’er, Xu Sijie’s maid, he hurried off to the elder madam’s quarters. “Grandmother! Let’s bring Madam Tao back!” He threw himself into the elder madam’s arms, whining playfully. “I miss her!”

The elder madam chuckled. “We should wait until Tao Cheng recovers before bringing Madam Tao back. Think about it—the Dragon Boat Festival is coming soon. We should let Madam Tao and Tao Cheng spend the holiday together as mother and son.”

“Then can Madam Tao come back after the festival?” Xu Sizhun fixed the elder madam with his clear, pleading eyes.

The elder madam’s expression faltered slightly. “She’ll only return when Tao Cheng’s leg heals!”

“Grandmother, please send someone to bring Madam Tao back!” Xu Sizhun pleaded. “Just summon her back—she wouldn’t dare disobey!”

The elder madam’s brows furrowed briefly before smoothing out again. “Now Chun Ge, what's all this about? Why aren’t you listening to your grandmother?” Her tone carried an unintentional sternness. “Madam Tao won’t return to the estate until Tao Cheng recovers. You’re a schoolboy now—you’re no longer a child. You must act more composed.”

This tone and reprimand were something Xu Sizhun had never heard before.

He froze in shock.

Has someone been filling Chun Ge’s head with nonsense? I should call Chaxiang over and find out.

The elder madam pondered this while coaxing Xu Sizhun. “Alright, go wash your hands. We’ll have crispy duck later!” An alert maid stepped forward, gently guiding Xu Sizhun away to wash up.

Water was poured into the cloisonné washbasin decorated with floral motifs in sapphire blue. The previously indistinct lilies, honeysuckles, and hostas suddenly became vivid.

Xu Sizhun clenched his hand lightly in the basin, breaking the floral patterns into shimmering fragments that rippled outward.

Should I tell Father?

He hesitated.

The image of his father’s stern face and piercing gaze flashed through his mind… Xu Sizhun shuddered involuntarily, his lips pressed into a thin line.

After washing his hands, the elder madam was still speaking with Chaxiang. Yuban and the others didn’t presume to lead Xu Sizhun into the inner quarters, so they brought out some string figures and invited him to play on the heated brick bed by the window in the eastern side room.

But Xu Sizhun shook his head. “I’ll go see why fifth brother hasn’t arrived yet.” With that, he went tearing out.

Biluo, Yuhua, and the other attending maids scrambled after him.

Yuban stared at the red tassel in her hand. “What’s come over the fourth young master today?”

Xu Sizhun didn’t stop running until he reached the entrance of Eldest Miss’s old quarters.

He took several deep breaths to steady himself before slowly walking toward Eldest Miss’s chamber.