Chapter 424

Chapter 430: The Crossroads (Part 1)

Amber was taken aback and hesitated before asking, “Lady Eleven, are you saying that Yi Yiniang didn’t tell the truth?”

“Truth or lies don’t matter,” Lady Eleven replied calmly. “As long as it helps the Marquis find the evidence, that’s enough.”

Amber nodded. “Lady Eleven, you should rest now. It’s almost dawn. The Dowager has been up all night, and tomorrow you’ll likely need to help look after the Fourth Young Master. If you’re worried about Lady Qin’s situation, I’ll stand guard here. If anything happens, I’ll wake you immediately.”

“You should rest too,” Lady Eleven said as she lay down. “The Marquis is cautious and meticulous. Since he’s taken the Fifth Young Master to Lady Qin’s place, he must be fairly confident. We’ll just wait for news from there.”

Amber was exhausted but dared not sleep, insisting on keeping watch.

Lady Eleven thought that if Lady Qin’s witchcraft was exposed tomorrow, there would be countless matters to attend to. Besides, since Amber had stayed up all night, she could recuperate by resting well the next day. So she said no more, closed her eyes, and fell asleep.

Meanwhile, Lady Wen had been listening intently for any movement in the front courtyard. Only when she heard a commotion did her anxious heart finally find peace.

She had always been keen about financial matters. Yi Yiniang’s expenses were covered by the household, and she had no children, yet she relied on Lady Qin for support. Lady Wen’s first thought was that Lady Qin had been deceived by Yi Yiniang. So whenever she saw Yi Yiniang, she paid closer attention than usual. When she noticed that Yi Yiniang’s lifestyle had become far more lavish than she presented publicly, she became even more convinced of her suspicions and began observing discreetly.

But the more she looked into it, the more shocked she became.

Not only had Yi Yiniang introduced Zhu Daopo to Lady Qin, but Lady Qin had also been bestowing Zhu Daopo with lavish gifts beyond her means.

As the saying goes, anything unusual must signal trouble.

Some things simply troubled her deeply…

As she pondered, the noise in the front courtyard grew louder.

Lady Wen muttered to herself, “It seems I made the right move. For Lady Eleven, this must count as help in time of need.” With that, her mind was finally at ease.

She nudged Dong Hong, who was fast asleep by her bedside. “It’s late. You should go and rest.”

Dong Hong rubbed her bleary eyes and stood up.

Ever since she had passed along a message from Lady Wen to Lady Eleven, Lady Wen had seemed restless, as if waiting for something, and refused to sleep. As a result, Dong Hong had stayed up with her, chatting until she drifted off unintentionally.

Dong Hong gave a drowsy “Oh,” mustered her energy, spread out bedding on the bedstep, and immediately fell asleep.

Lady Eleven felt as if she had only just closed her eyes when Amber gently shook her awake.

“Lady Eleven, the Marquis and the Fifth Young Master have returned!” she whispered in her ear.

Lady Eleven snapped fully awake. “Where are they?”

“They’ve gone to the Dowager’s quarters.”

Probably to discuss how to handle the situation.

After all, Lady Qin was Xu Siyu’s birth mother. If she was involved, no matter how they dealt with it privately, they would need a proper face-saving explanation.

Lady Eleven pondered this, yawning as she asked Amber, “What time is it now?”

Amber hurried to check the standing clock. “Almost maoshi (5–7 am), three quarters remaining.”

Lady Eleven exclaimed in surprise, “They returned so quickly!”

Thinking she was uneasy, Amber offered, “Should I go and check?”

“No!” Lady Eleven firmly stopped her. “At this moment, the Marquis is discussing matters with the Dowager. If you go prying around, it would seem like spying—that’s most improper.” After a pause, she added, “I’ll catch some more sleep. Wake me when the Marquis arrives.”

Amber assented, and as she was about to tuck in Lady Eleven’s blanket, Lord Xu’s voice bidding farewell came from outside: “…Then I’ll take my leave first.”

Had they resolved everything so soon?

Lady Eleven was surprised and sat up.

Outside, Lord Xu’s tone was unreadable as he called out a parting word: “Be careful on your way!”

Xu Lingkuan acknowledged, and with the sound of the door closing, Lord Xu entered the eastern chamber.

He wasn’t surprised to see Lady Eleven still awake. Even the unflappable elder madam would be awaiting the outcome—let alone Lady Eleven. He instructed Amber to fetch water for washing and changing clothes, his expression as stern and authoritative as ever.

Amber curtsied swiftly and retreated.

Lord Xu took a seat beside Lady Eleven’s daybed.

Lady Eleven had barely said, “My lord,” when Lord Xu waved her quiet with a hand and spoke gravely: “Everything has been found. She cannot remain. As for how to handle it, we’ll decide tomorrow.” Those few words made him appear years older in an instant, as if he had been holding himself together until this moment, now suddenly revealing his true state.

After all, it was someone who had been with him for over a decade. How could he not grieve over this?

Lady Eleven reached for his hand without thinking. “You’ve been up all night, my lord. Rest now. We can think about everything tomorrow.” Her voice came out gentler than she’d meant.

This was the first time Lady Eleven had actively taken his hand.

Lord Xu looked at the small, delicate hand resting in his palm. For some reason, he felt a little better. His thumb brushed over her jade-smooth skin before he lightly squeezed her hand. “You should rest too. Mind that the baby doesn’t fuss at you again.”

At his words, the realization struck her—since yesterday’s incident, the child hadn’t stirred once.

The thought passed through her mind, and an irrepressible smile touched the corners of her eyes. “This child—whether timid or simply good—seems to know we’re occupied and hasn’t made a peep.” As she spoke, her hand rested gently on her abdomen.

Her smile was tender as a spring blossom, delicate and faintly shy.

Perhaps it was the difference between men and women, but Lord Xu remained far more composed and rational than Lady Eleven.

His first thought was of Xu Sizhun’s kick. A sharp pang pierced his heart, and he gently drew his wife into his arms.

“Truly,” his hand covering hers, “it’s most likely like its mother—well-behaved and sensible.” As he spoke, his mind couldn’t help conjuring an image of a tiny figure resembling Lady Eleven. His expression softened abruptly. He imagined the little one being as sweet and charming as she was, sitting on his knee at three or five years old learning to write, then tugging at his sleeve with teary eyes to whine about her hand being tired… His heart softened like warm butter, melting over and over. He nuzzled her cheek and murmured, “Let’s have a daughter first… a little sweetheart, then a son…” His earlier gloom vanished like mist, and his mood brightened suddenly.

Lady Eleven covered her mouth and laughed.

Lord Xu gave her hand a playful pinch.

Lady Eleven’s body was accustomed to waking early. Though she had barely slept the night before, she still opened her eyes at dawn.

Amber sat on a low stool beside the daybed, stifling a yawn.

Since they were staying at the elder madam’s quarters, the couple felt it improper to share a bed, so Lord Xu had slept in Xu Sizhun’s room.

Smiling, Lady Eleven called, “Amber,” and asked her to bring water for washing and dressing, adding, “Later, go back to the main house and have Zhuxiang prepare fresh clothes for both me and His Lordship. You may rest there—you don’t need to come back.”

Though uncovering the truth behind Xu Sizhun’s fright had been difficult, managing the aftermath would be even harder. Lady Eleven was pregnant and had only managed fitful sleep during the night, so she needed someone energetic to care for and assist her. Amber didn’t refuse. After helping Lady Eleven wash and dress, she was replaced by Zhuxiang and Lüyun.

Zhuxiang sent Lüyun to deliver Lord Xu’s clothes while she helped Lady Eleven change, whispering, “Yanrong is still confined to her room. Last night, although His Lordship and the fifth master searched Qin Yi’s courtyard again alone, they left no one to guard it. The people in Qin Yi’s quarters are still free to come and go as they please.” Her voice held unmistakable worry for Yanrong.

“Don’t worry,” Lady Eleven reassured her. “Yanrong is one of ours. His Lordship won’t let anyone from our household get entangled in this matter.”

Only after hearing this did Zhuxiang fully relax. She was about to say more when a sharp cry suddenly came from the elder madam’s inner chamber.

Elevenniang turned pale: "It's Zhun'er."

Without bothering to properly tie her outer robe, she hurried into the inner chamber.

The Dowager was holding the struggling Xu Sizhun and soothing him: "Good child, your grandmother is here!" Jade Slip was helping by holding Xu Sizhun's legs.

The elderly lady had combed her hair but was still in her inner robes, clearly having rushed over upon hearing the commotion before finishing her morning routine.

Elevenniang quickly approached but stopped three steps away from Xu Sizhun: "Mother, should we call Zhun'er's wet nurse back to the household?"

After Xu Sizhun started his education, Lord Xu, fearing that those around him might spoil the boy, had replaced all the servants who previously attended him, including sending the wet nurse away from the estate.

The Dowager nodded and immediately instructed Madam Du to fetch Xu Sizhun's wet nurse, then turned to Elevenniang: "You don't need to concern yourself with this. Go rest properly." As she spoke, Lord Xu arrived.

He had donned the robe Zhuxiang brought for him, his expression grave as he stepped forward and took Xu Sizhun into his arms: "Mother, let me take him."

The Dowager sighed in relief and sat at the end of the kang.

Gejin entered carrying the medicine.

Lord Xu pinched Xu Sizhun's jaw while an experienced maid in the room helped administer the dose.

Xu Sizhun writhed for about half an incense stick's time before gradually calming down and falling into a deep sleep.

Both Lord Xu and the Dowager looked deeply worried.

Xu Sizhun's condition was clearly far more serious than anyone had imagined.

In the silence, Lord Xu stood up: "We should eat first. There will be much to deal with afterward."

Though concern still showed in the corners of his eyes, his demeanor had regained its usual composure.

The Dowager sighed and was escorted into the inner chamber by Jade Slip.

Zhuxiang hurried forward to fasten Elevenniang's robe ties.

A young maid cautiously entered and announced: "My lord, my lady, the Second Wife has arrived!"