Chapter 427

**Chapter 433: Boundless (Part 1)**

The words, “Then let him come back. It would also be a good opportunity for him to meet Qin-shi,” sent a chill through Eleven Miss.

She couldn’t help murmuring, “My lord…” When she looked again, Lord Xu’s face was like still water, his hands resting on his knees clenched tightly into fists.

This was clearly a dangerous topic.

Eleven Miss changed the subject. “After you left, Yi Yiniang insisted on seeing you.” She recounted the situation to Lord Xu.

Lord Xu listened and gave a cold laugh. “Nothing but excuses. But no matter how much she says, the fact remains—she introduced Zhu Daopo to Qin-shi, knew what Qin-shi was doing, and did nothing to stop it. Given that she acted in a way that was gravely harmful to the Xu household, her crimes are unforgivable. No amount of pleading will help!” He added, “If I didn’t need her to divert attention, I would have dealt with her long ago. I wouldn’t have waited until now!” As he spoke, a flicker of hesitation crossed his brow.

Eleven Miss observed him thoughtfully. “Is something troubling my lord?”

Lord Xu pondered for a moment before speaking in a low voice. “Tomorrow morning, return to change your attire. When the other concubines see you, they will likely pay their respects and inquire about Zhun’er’s condition. You should assign them tasks to keep them from meddling.”

That would also prevent them from getting entangled in this matter.

“Rest assured, my lord,” she replied solemnly. “I understand.”

Lord Xu nodded.

Eleven Miss always understood his thoughts. If not for her involvement in this matter and her current pregnancy, he would have entrusted her with certain tasks long ago.

“As for Qin-shi,” Lord Xu continued slowly, “she knows best what she has done. Having served by my side for so many years, she knows my temper well enough. If I scold her, once my temper cools, the matter may pass. But if I say nothing at all, then this matter won’t be so easily resolved. However, given that I’ve often tolerated her for Yuge’s sake, she may still be holding onto hope. Leaving her in suspense for a day is one thing, but if it drags on, she might grow desperate and start causing trouble.” He paused briefly. “Right now, the household is spreading the rumor that Yi Yiniang frightened Zhun’er. When you see Qin-shi, you might as well cite her friendship with Yi Yiniang as an excuse to reprimand her for poor judgment in choosing friends… People are like that—as long as they think there’s a glimmer of hope, they won’t easily give up. Keep her calm for a few days. Once this matter settles, we’ll see.” He added, “Doesn’t she have a personal maid named Cui Er? Pass a message to that maid. Once this is over, I’ll send her family to the southern estates.”

This meant Cui Er’s fate was sealed.

Eleven Miss stiffened. “I’ll handle it appropriately.”

Lord Xu gave a slight nod of approval before asking about Amber. “…When is the wedding set?”

Eleven Miss shuddered.

Could Amber also be…?

“What are your orders, my lord?” Her tone carried a faint wariness.

Lost in thought, Lord Xu didn’t notice. He said quietly, “Have Amber married off soon. And Qiu Hong as well. Once she’s married, the younger ones like Yanrong and Lüyun can also be matched. When the time comes, replace those around you as needed.”

Eleven Miss breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, Yanrong already had a marriage agreement with Cao An. A word to the Cao family to propose earlier wouldn’t seem abrupt.

She nodded gently. “I’ll settle the wedding dates in the next couple of days.”

Just then, Amber’s voice came softly from behind the curtain. “My lord, madam, I’ve brought water for washing.”

Unsure if Lord Xu had finished his instructions, Eleven Miss glanced at him. Lord Xu gave a slight nod, and only then did she call Amber in.

After washing their hands and faces, Lord Xu went to see Zhun’er, with Eleven Miss following behind.

Zhun’er was asleep. No sleep incense burned in the room. His wet nurse stood watch by the kang, while Elder Madam and the Second Madam sat side by side in armchairs, whispering.

When Lord Xu entered, the Second Madam quickly stood.

“Zhun’er is fine,” Elder Madam said. “He slept peacefully this afternoon.”

Lord Xu acknowledged with a quiet hum and walked to the kang, studying Zhun’er intently. A shadow of sorrow crossed his eyes.

"Since Zhun'er's condition aligns with Master Changchun’s prediction of calamity, I suggest we invite Master Changchun to perform some rituals."

Everyone in the room was surprised. The second wife looked pleased. "An excellent idea, my lord! We should act swiftly—let’s send for Master Changchun first thing tomorrow to conduct the rites." She then turned to the elder madam. "Mother, what do you think? Should we go to the temple and pray?"

"Of course," Lord Xu’s words reminded the elder madam. "We must go—and keep it quiet!"

Early the next morning, Lord Xu first sent Manager Zhao to Le’an to summon Xu Siyu, then went to the outer courtyard to discuss with Steward Bai how best to invite Master Changchun and arrange for the elder madam, Eleven Miss, and others to burn incense at Ciyuan Temple. Meanwhile, Eleven Miss returned to the main house.

Amber helped her change clothes and took the chance to whisper, "At noon yesterday, I sent a maid to check on Yi Yiniang’s quarters, only to find all the servants from the third household had disappeared."

"All of them?" Eleven Miss stiffened.

Amber nodded.

Lady Wen, who had been closely monitoring the situation, was the first to visit Eleven Miss upon her return. "How is the fourth young master?"

Eleven Miss was frank. "Still unconscious, but off the sedative incense—he’s slowly improving."

Lady Wen sighed in relief.

Seizing the opportunity, Eleven Miss discussed Qiu Hong’s matter with her. "If Zhun'er doesn’t recover soon, I think we should hold a few auspicious ceremonies. Your household could also use some new additions."

Lady Wen, likely the most informed, immediately agreed. "I’ll discuss it with them and have an answer by afternoon."

As they finalized details, Yang Shi and Qiao Lianfang came in succession.

Upon hearing of Xu Sizhun’s dire condition, Yang Shi wiped her tears. "The fourth young master is so gentle—why must he suffer like this?"

Qiao Lianfang remained silent, sipping tea nearby.

Qin Yi arrived, visibly nervous.

Eleven Miss informed them of Xu Sizhun’s lingering illness. "The elder madam is elderly, so I’ll be tending to Zhun’er at her place these days. For any household matters, consult Lady Wen."

The concubines looked at each other. Lady Wen, unexpectedly entrusted with responsibility, was taken aback. "Madam—"

Eleven Miss cut her off with a glance.

Lady Wen suddenly straightened up.

She had studied household management before—surely she could handle this temporarily?

With that thought, she rose gracefully and acknowledged, "Understood."

Qin Yi, anxious, sat quietly without a word. Qiao Lianfang remained indifferent, while Yang Shi smiled knowingly at Lady Wen when Eleven Miss lowered her head to sip tea. Eleven Miss then dismissed everyone but Qin Yi.

"I heard you said you were ill and wanted to see the second young master?"

Qin Yi wore a plain dark-red Hangzhou silk jacket. As Zhuxiang had described, her face was sallow, with herbal plasters on both temples. Her evasive gaze made her look wilted, a far cry from her usual composure. She hastily waved her hands. "N-no, not at all!" Realizing her mistake, she quickly corrected, "Just a slight headache—these plasters will suffice."

Eleven Miss frowned. "First you say one thing, then another—are you ill or not?"

Such aggressive questioning was unheard of from Eleven Miss. Combined with recent events, Qin Yi panicked. "Just a minor ailment, truly. Please don’t trouble yourself, madam."

Ignoring her, Eleven Miss instructed Amber, "Fetch my calling card and have the steward in the outer courtyard summon a physician for Qin Yiniang." She added coldly, "If you’re sick, seek proper treatment. Don’t act like some ignorant village woman haphazardly applying plasters!"

Qin Yi flushed crimson. "Madam, with the fourth young master unwell, wouldn’t calling a physician add to the household’s troubles? That’s why I resorted to plasters. No need for a doctor!"

"Since you know the household has so many matters to deal with, you should properly consult a physician," Eleven Miss's expression did not soften at her words; on the contrary, it grew even more serious. "Now tell me, what exactly is going on between you and Aunt Yi?"

Qin Concubine trembled like a startled rabbit, fear flickering in her eyes as she stammered, "I don't know which matter the Madam is referring to."

"Wasn't it said that she was closest to you?" Eleven Miss replied. "She's unwell and wandered about the courtyard in the middle of the night, frightening Zhun’er. Since you two have always been close, surely Aunt Yi must have shown some signs of being unwell before?"

Upon hearing this, Qin Concubine felt as if she had just drunk a bowl of chilled mung bean soup on a sweltering summer day—suddenly relieved. She hurriedly said, "Madam, although I am on good terms with Aunt Yi, our interactions are only casual, mostly over needlework. There is absolutely nothing more to it. I beg the Madam to investigate thoroughly."

Seeing that she had achieved her purpose, Eleven Miss picked up her teacup and took a sip. "Aunt Yi is now confined to her room, awaiting Third Master’s return for judgment. You should stay at home these next few days and not wander about. Don’t bring shame upon the Second Young Master..."

Before she could finish speaking, the curtain fluttered slightly, revealing Zhuxiang’s anxious face.

Eleven Miss remained composed and, after uttering a few more scoldings, dismissed Qin Concubine.

Zhuxiang entered and whispered into her ear, "Madam, Madam Tao has arrived!"

Only a day and a night had passed since the incident, yet Madam Tao had already rushed here.

"Where is she now?" Eleven Miss’s voice turned colder.

"Outside, people only know that the Fourth Young Master is ill," Zhuxiang explained. "She came overnight, muttering vague excuses. The gatekeepers saw that the Fourth Young Master’s wet nurse was brought into the estate yesterday morning, and today at dawn, word spread that the Marquis would invite Master Changchun to perform rituals while the Dowager Lady would personally visit the temple to pray for the Fourth Young Master. Assuming his condition was serious and that Madam Tao had been sent with orders, they let her in. She’s now on her way to the Dowager Lady’s quarters."

Eleven Miss lightly furrowed her brows. Zhuxiang asked, "Madam, shall we go see her?"