Chapter 428

**Chapter 434: Boundless (Part 2)**

“No need,” said Lady Eleven. “The Old Mistress is there; she will naturally take charge.”

Zhuxiang said no more.

Lady Eleven dismissed the others, keeping only Amber to speak with her privately. She relayed Lord Xu’s plans in detail: “…Originally, we wanted to delay the date to make the marriage more dignified, but who knew it would only make things more urgent?”

Amber flushed, but considering this was a major matter for the household and that Lady Eleven had confided in her sincerely, she suppressed her embarrassment and said, “Being able to serve as a ward against illness for the Fourth Young Master is already an honor for me. For you to say this makes me uneasy.” She paused, lowering her voice slightly. “But with Yanrong gone, who will take her place by your side?”

Lady Eleven gently tapped the lid of her teacup against the rim, the crisp sound lending a chill to the quiet room.

“Let Yanrong help choose one.”

Amber thought this over and realized it was indeed an act of kindness, allowing Yanrong to leave with dignity. She then asked, “Should I convey your intentions to Yanrong?”

The Cao family needed a discreet hint. No matter who delivered the message, it would leave a trail, so it would be better for Yanrong and the Cao family to discuss it themselves.

Lady Eleven considered this and nodded lightly, motioning Amber closer and whispering, “As for Cui Er, pass on a message to her. Lord Xu said that in a few days, her family will be sent to the estate in Jiangnan. If she agrees, she should persuade Qin Yiniang to stay quietly at home and not wander around or gossip. As long as the Second Young Master remains, there’s still a glimmer of hope. But if the truth comes out, even with the Second Young Master, given Lord Xu’s temper, there’ll be no good outcome.”

This matter was better handled sooner rather than later. Amber agreed and went to Qin Yiniang’s quarters.

As for what exactly had happened that night, the maids and serving women in the house weren’t entirely clear.

Lord Xu had suddenly entered, and all the servants were sent out to the courtyard, with Lin Bo and Zhao Ying guarding the door. From a distance, they only heard Qin Yiniang crying. When Lord Xu emerged, his face was dark as he asked who Qin Yiniang’s personal attendants were. He then instructed Cui Er, “No one is allowed inside. You keep a close watch on your mistress. When she comes to her senses, report to me.” The servants in the courtyard, recalling the earlier inspection, naturally kept their distance. When word spread that Yi Yiniang had been wandering the house at night and disturbed Xu Sizhun, they realized Qin Yiniang, being Yi Yiniang’s close ally, was likely implicated. They also worried about Xu Sizhun’s condition—if anything happened to him, Qin Yiniang wouldn’t fare well either.

Some in the courtyard, who had received Qin Yiniang’s kindness, mourned her bad luck. Others, who usually fawned over her, weighed whether to curry favor now. Still others, who had suffered under her, hoped she would fall from grace soon. But with no definite news about Xu Sizhun’s condition, everyone hesitated, waiting to see.

When Amber arrived, a quick-witted matron stepped forward to greet her.

Amber whispered to her, “I have a few private words for Cui Er.”

The older woman, recalling how Cui Er always fawned over Amber as “sister” this and “sister” that, assumed Amber was here to offer guidance during this uncertain time. If Cui Er benefited, so would Qin Yiniang, and everyone else might gain something too.

The older woman beamed and said eagerly, “Don’t trouble yourself, miss. Wait a moment, and I’ll quietly fetch Cui Er for you. My quarters are humble, but there’s a draft at the door. Please come inside to shelter from the wind…”

Lady Eleven summoned Song Mama to speak with her: “…Lv Yun is of marriageable age. Help her find a good match.”

Song Mama, having experienced much in the Xu household, turned the matter over in her mind but asked no questions. She curtsied and agreed. Lady Eleven then returned to the Old Mistress’s quarters, accompanied by Zhuxiang.

Yuban stood under the eaves, holding the curtain aside for Lady Eleven and smiling. “Madam Tao just arrived and is speaking with the Old Mistress in the inner chamber.”

Lady Eleven nodded to her and entered.

The sound of Madam Tao’s suppressed, grief-stricken sobs greeted her.

Lady Eleven saw Madam Tao kneeling beside the heated bed, clutching Xu Sizhun’s small hand and weeping bitterly. The Second Madam and the Old Mistress stood behind her—the latter dabbing her tears with a handkerchief, the former frowning slightly and murmuring comforting words. Xu Sizhun’s wet nurse had been pushed aside, hiding in a corner and crying silently.

When Lady Eleven entered, the Second Madam visibly relaxed and urged, “Mother, Fourth Sister-in-law is here. If you carry on like this, she’ll be heartbroken too…”

Before she could finish, a glare as venomous as a snake’s strike flicked toward Lady Eleven, startling her into instinctively covering her belly.

When she looked again, the gaze had vanished behind drooping eyelids, replaced by an expression of sorrow.

“Fourth Madam,” Madam Tao rose, swallowing her sobs as she curtsied to Lady Eleven. “A few days ago, thanks to your kindness, the Fourth Young Master rewarded me with a big hamper of sticky rice dumplings. I was endlessly grateful. But living in the countryside, I had nothing good to offer in return. The banana trees behind my house were thriving, so I had Tao Cheng pick a few leaves and make some palm fans to bring to the manor for you, the young masters, and the young ladies to enjoy as curiosities. But the moment the messenger entered the city, he heard the Fourth Young Master had fallen ill. Without delay, he raced back to tell me. I hurried here overnight. Madam…” Her face was streaked with tears. “When I left, he was perfectly fine. How could he have become like this in a heartbeat?”

Lady Eleven was at a loss for words.

In the end, she had only herself to blame.

This whole incident could’ve been avoided.

She couldn’t help feeling gloomy.

She had always assumed that with Xu Sizhun by the elder madam's side, with someone as experienced as Madam Du keeping an eye on him, nothing would go wrong. Yet she failed to consider that Madam Du was already over fifty—having to care for the elder madam, look after Xu Sizhun, and manage all the affairs of the elder madam's household—how could she handle everything around the clock?

If only she had been more meticulous back then and assigned a reliable, honest, and devoted nanny like Nan Yong’s wife to Xu Sizhun’s quarters.

But what good did it do to say this now?

Watching this, Madam Tao’s heart, which had been searing with anxiety since hearing of Xu Sizhun’s illness, didn’t calm—it only flared up worse.

Now she’s putting on a guilty face and acting all kind—what was she doing back then?

Zhun’er was the treasure she cradled in her hands, afraid he might fall, held in her mouth like she might swallow him—she would rather endure all hardships herself than let him suffer even the slightest scratch. Yet Eleven Miss had treated him so carelessly. This hurt her more than killing her outright.

Thinking of this, she couldn’t help but turn her gaze toward Xu Sizhun, lying on the kang.

Morning light poured through the window, illuminating his face—his skin sallow, dark circles under his eyes like a man on death’s door.

If she hadn’t planted a few informants in the household, would they have even bothered to tell her if Zhun’er died?

The thought flashed through her mind, and Madam Tao’s heart ached as if stabbed by a knife.

Eleven Miss had dragged her name through the mud—even if it wasn’t foul, it stank now. For Zhun’er’s sake, for Tao Cheng’s sake, she’d better choke down her longing for Zhun’er, watch him from afar, and reassure the ladies of the household… Yet even as she thought this and acted accordingly, what was the result?

It felt like a promise had been broken—she had been betrayed.

Madam Tao shook with rage.

But she knew Eleven Miss’s blade hung over her head—the moment she made any move, it would strike down without mercy.

All she could do was grit her teeth and take it…

This thought only deepened her sorrow.

Tears rolling down her cheeks, Madam Tao slumped by Xu Sizhun’s kang and wept quietly once more.

The elder madam’s heart ached too.

Among all her sons and grandsons, none had needed her attention as much as Xu Sizhun. Yet in the end, this child still seemed destined to slip away from her.

Seeing Madam Tao’s grief, the elder madam couldn’t help but feel a pang of sorrow, her vision blurring.

The second madam quickly supported her. “Mother, please don’t grieve. Didn’t Physician Liu say that Zhun’er will be fine? He’ll recover soon…” As she spoke, she gave Eleven Miss a pointed look, urging her to stop Madam Tao from weeping like this. Yet inwardly, she scorned the Luo family’s attendants—every last one of them had no manners.

Eleven Miss sighed to herself and stepped forward, speaking softly, “Madam Tao, please don’t cry. Zhun’er has suffered a fright and needs quiet to recuperate. What if you wake him up like this?”

Hearing Eleven Miss mention "fright," Madam Tao’s heart was boiling over.

Fright? How dare you even mention fright! If not for you, would Zhun’er have been frightened like this?

In the inner courtyard, at the height of midsummer, during the hour of Xu—how could Zhun’er have been frightened like this? Who’d buy that it was an accident? And now you say I’ll wake him? Who is the one truly disturbing his peace…

Madam Tao was seething.

Remembering the elder madam’s fondness for Eleven Miss, and that Xu Sizhun would still need the elder madam’s favor in the future, she forced herself to rise. But as she turned, she saw Eleven Miss standing four or five steps away from Xu Sizhun, her hands resting protectively over her abdomen.

Her head spun.

Why did this happen?

Simply because she was carrying that ill-begotten child, thinking she could do as she pleased, growing to despise Xu Sizhun—even wanting to do away with him—had she forgotten how she entered the household in the first place? Or how the elder madam had treated her?

You ungrateful snake!

Pity the elder madam, a woman of such standing, who, if not for untimely circumstances, would never have brought such a viper into the house.

If the elder madam knew of this in the afterlife, she would never find peace.

Madam Tao’s face twisted, her expression turning savage.

"Eleven Miss, you vile concubine—I’ll take you down with me!"

Better we both go down than be toyed with like this. At the very least, I can tear that ill-begotten child from her womb—let her taste real pain, let her understand hatred that burns to the core...

Blinded by rage, she lunged at Eleven Miss without hesitation.

Eleven Miss stood stunned.

In all her years, no one had ever dared lay hands on her.

By the time the elder madam and the second madam realized something was wrong, Madam Tao’s hands were already inches from Eleven Miss’s throat.

Horrified, they cried out in panic, "Eleven Miss!"

Xu Sizhun’s wet nurse stood frozen in shock at the sudden turn of events.