Chapter 417

**Chapter 422: Turbulence (Part 2)**

"Visited Eldest Sister’s former residence?" Lady Eleven lay restlessly on the kang, her heart troubled.

Yanrong nodded slightly. "Elder Madam's maid, Madam Tao, came later to fetch the fourth young master back."

Lady Eleven nodded slightly. "If the fourth young master comes with the fifth young master later, call me."

Yanrong nodded in agreement.

Lady Eleven lay down wearily and soon fell into a deep sleep.

In the evening, when Xu Sijie returned, Yanrong smiled and asked him, "Where is the fourth young master? Why didn’t he bring the fifth young master back?" Xu Sijie replied with a smile, "Fourth brother said he was tired and only ate half a bowl of plain rice porridge for dinner."

Yanrong saw Xu Sijie to his quarters to rest and then went to inform Lady Eleven. Entering the eastern side room, she found only a small melon-shaped palace lamp flickering faintly; Lady Eleven was sleeping soundly. After a moment’s hesitation, she quietly withdrew.

The next day, Xu Sizhun came to greet Lady Eleven and seemed his usual composed self again.

Thinking about yesterday’s events, Lady Eleven smiled and asked, "Since Madam Tao can’t spend the Dragon Boat Festival at the manor, would you like to send someone to deliver some eight-treasure rice dumplings to the country estate? It would be a kind gesture."

Xu Sizhun’s eyes lit up joyfully. "That sounds good!" He turned eagerly to Biluo. "Take Yuhua to the country estate and deliver the rice dumplings to Madam Tao."

Biluo smiled and agreed, but Lady Eleven suggested, "Let Chaxiang and Yuhua go instead. She’s a senior maid and more experienced." Xu Sizhun didn’t mind and nodded cheerfully. At noon, he asked Chaxiang, "Are the dumplings ready?"

"The fourth young master is so thoughtful toward Madam Tao!" Chaxiang said with a smile. "Madam has arranged for Steward Cao to take us to the country estate early tomorrow morning. The kitchen staff said they’ll start steaming the dumplings at three in the morning, so they’ll still be warm when we arrive!" Xu Sizhun was very pleased. He first spent a long time talking before Eldest Miss’s memorial portrait, then went off to take his afternoon nap.

When Elder Madam heard of this, she sighed. "It’s admirable how considerate Lady Eleven is in every way!" She inquired about Lady Eleven’s health. "Is she still vomiting badly?"

Madam Du smiled. "She only feels nauseous in the mornings and evenings now—it’s much better than before." She added, "Thanks to Lady Xu. No matter how unwell she feels, she makes sure to eat properly. Anyone else would have collapsed by now." Elder Madam nodded and instructed Madam Du to send the remaining boxes of blood bird’s nest from the storeroom to Lady Eleven.

"You’re getting on in years too. You should keep some for yourself," Madam Du advised with a smile.

"These are gentle tonics that must be taken daily—stopping means they lose their effect," Elder Madam shook her head. "Send them all over."

Then she added, "Keep an eye on things. If supplies run low, let me know. I’ll use my connections at court to get more for her."

Madam Du hid a smile behind her sleeve but still set aside a small portion for Elder Madam’s emergencies.

When Chaxiang delivered the dumplings to the country estate, Madam Tao was both surprised and deeply moved, immediately ordering a young maid to light the stove and personally preparing Five Poisons Festival cakes for Chaxiang to bring back.

Yanrong tasted one without waiting for Lady Eleven’s instruction.

"Fragrant and crispy, even better than those sold outside," she said. Lady Eleven had Chaxiang take them to Xu Sizhun.

Xu Sizhun was delighted and had Chaxiang share them with Xu Siqin and Xu Sijian. He also specially invited Xu Sijie to join them and gave treats to the household staff in his quarters. Remembering he hadn’t yet informed his mother, he took Xu Sijie to offer the cakes before Eldest Miss’s memorial portrait.

Lady Eleven breathed an inward sigh of relief.

Everyone enjoyed a happy Dragon Boat Festival.

The Yu family began discussing marriage arrangements with Lady Gan’s mother’s family. With Lord Xu away, Lady Wen made frequent visits under various pretexts to Lady Eleven’s chambers, while Madam Du also dropped by often to keep her company.

Lady Eleven spoke privately with Amber, "...It’s hard for a woman to manage a household alone. You must think carefully."

"What do I have to offer?" Amber lowered her head slightly. "Others seek me out only because of you, Madam. I’ve thought it through. As long as you are here, I will remain. Rather than preparing others’ weddings and serving them humbly, I’d rather step forward and serve as a household manager under your guidance—free and independent, not subject to any man’s will."

Lady Eleven always respected others’ choices.

"Alright then!" She smiled at Amber and let out a long sigh. "I'll find someone you can handle."

Amber's face turned crimson.

Lady Eleven had Song Mama relay a message to Madam Du: "...I want to keep Amber with me. Hong Xiu has family, so she’ll be sent home in a few days. I think Qiu Hong is quite suitable—if they also approve, let Qiu Hong marry him."

Madam Du promptly replied, "As you wish, my lady." She then suggested someone: "Steward Bai mentioned a man named Guan Qing in the storeroom, around twenty-two or twenty-three. His family was lost in a flood, and he was adopted by a childless uncle who brought him into the household. If you find him suitable, we can arrange for you to meet him someday."

Lady Eleven was surprised but first discussed Qiu Hong’s matter with Lady Wen.

Lady Wen, having gotten her wish, was overjoyed and thanked Lady Eleven repeatedly. Fearing gossip might derail the arrangement, she badgered Lady Eleven every day, eager to finalize the betrothal immediately. Oddly, Lady Qin began hovering—whenever Lady Wen arrived, she would appear shortly after, bringing handmade baby socks, hats, or clothes, claiming they were for your unborn son.

Lady Wen grew suspicious.

If Lady Qin was currying favor, why did she leave with Lord Xu as soon as he returned? If not, why bring these embroidered items piece by piece instead of all at once?

Unaware of Lady Wen’s suspicions, Lady Qin always asked Lady Eleven, "How have you been feeling lately? Is the sixth young master still as active as before?" She seemed genuinely concerned.

Most mothers-to-be welcome such talk, but Lady Wen dared not interrupt and could only sit through it uneasily.

"Well enough," Lady Eleven replied mildly. "With Tian Mama and Wan Mama taking care of me, I feel much better." She then turned to Lady Wen, "How is your embroidery coming along?"—seeming indifferent to Lady Qin’s remarks.

Glad for the change of subject, Lady Wen seized the opportunity: "My embroidery is just passable—just something to pass the time. It’s hardly presentable." Leaning in confidentially, she added, "My lady, do you think it’s too early for me to order dowry items from the bridal shop these days?"

Lady Eleven, following the custom of the bride’s family playing hard to get, had planned to delay Qiu Hong’s matter until autumn. She hadn’t expected Lady Wen’s impatience.

After a moment’s thought, she smiled. "Not at all. Place your orders now—the seamstresses need lead time, and the items will be ready by autumn."

Lady Wen was delighted. "Then I’ll follow your advice!" The news soon spread.

Everyone praised Lady Wen’s tact.

Xiu Yuan found a chance to tell Qiao Lianfang, who paused for a long moment before silently resuming her copying of Buddhist texts.

With a sigh, Xiu Yuan gifted Qiu Hong a gold-inlaid agate hairpin she had once received from Qiao Lianfang as a congratulatory present.

When the betrothal was finalized, Lady Wen was ecstatic, returning the courtesy with eight outfits as gifts for the groom’s family.

Lady Eleven teased her, "You're trying to show me up."

With Hong Xiu already sent home, only Amber remained eligible for marriage beside her.

Lady Wen curtsied again and again. "Let me handle Amber’s dowry!"

Having already managed Zhenjie’s dowry and now taking on Qiu Hong and Amber’s, Lady Eleven laughed. "At this point, you might as well specialize in managing such household affairs!"

"If you trust me, I’d gladly take charge," Lady Wen replied readily.

Just then, Steward Bai sent Guan Qing with a detailed list of repairs needed for the Goldfish Lane residence.

Lady Wen was taken aback to see a pale, delicate-looking youth in his early twenties. When she saw Lady Eleven scrutinizing him closely, she joined in, making Guan Qing flush and squirm under their scrutiny.

After he left, Lady Wen eagerly offered, "My lady, allow me to make inquiries. I won’t let Amber get a raw deal."

Lady Eleventh also worried that Amber might place her trust in the wrong person. Considering Lady Wen’s usual well-informed nature, she carefully instructed her on what to inquire about and how to go about it.

As a result, when Xu Lingyi returned, he saw Lady Eleventh and Lady Wen whispering with radiant smiles.

"What has you so pleased?" That evening, Xu Lingyi propped on his elbow, lying on his side, and habitually touched her belly as he asked with a smile.

The warmth of his palm against her belly made her feel drowsily lazy. "It's about Amber..." She yawned and recounted the whole matter to him.

"There's no rush for this," Xu Lingyi stroked her forehead. "We can wait until you've regained your strength."

"I won't feel at ease until this is settled," Lady Eleventh replied, then asked him, "Has the date for Young Master Cheng's betrothal been set?"

"It's set!" He smiled. "It's on the fourteenth of May. Fourth Aunt specifically inquired after you, hoping you could join the celebration. I didn’t dare promise. You haven’t left the house since New Year’s. The weather’s been nice lately—maybe you could take this chance to go out. Yi Qing’s place isn’t like others. Bring additional maids and matrons. Fourth Aunt has two children herself. She would know to attend to you if anything comes up... What do you think?"

There was no response from her side.

Xu Lingyi looked over in surprise.

Instead, he saw Lady Eleventh’s peaceful sleeping face.

He couldn’t suppress a soft chuckle.

Gently, he tucked her blanket around her, hesitated for a moment, then kissed her temple before blowing out the lamp and settling down to sleep.

Lady Eleventh was unaware that Xu Lingyi had suggested they attend Fourth Aunt’s son’s betrothal ceremony together. Her focus was entirely on investigating Guan Qing’s character and disposition.

Lady Wen took the matter very seriously.

She felt that only if Amber found a good match could Qiu Hong’s marriage proceed smoothly and happily.

Previously, the two had rarely met outside of morning and evening greetings. Now, they were seeing each other several times a day, which inevitably caused some concern.