Chapter 445

*Strategies of a Secondary Wife* Chapter 452: Mourning

Though mentally prepared, Lady Eleven was still somewhat surprised when the news arrived.

"So soon..."

"She had already seen those she needed to see," Song Mama said softly. "So she could pass away peacefully."

Just then, the Dowager Madam sent her attendant Jade Slip to summon Lady Eleven for a talk.

"...She died of illness and her body was placed there. I think the funeral should be held there."

Lady Eleven agreed and returned to discuss the funeral arrangements with Song Mama.

"...After all, she was a concubine recorded in the family register who bore a son. Even if other families don’t care, we must inform the relatives." Song Mama explained the funeral customs. "With the Dowager Madam and Lord Xu above, I suggest a bier carried by eight men, monks from Ciyuan Temple to chant the *Rebirth Mantra*, and burial after the first ten days. What do you think?"

Lady Eleven nodded slightly.

Song Mama continued, "As for the mourning period, by law, since the first wife is no longer here, the second young master should observe the three-year *zhan cui* (the most severe mourning). But since you are now the primary wife, he could instead undertake the one-year *qi cui* mourning with a staff. Then there’s the fourth young master, fifth young master, and eldest daughter... It all depends on the family’s arrangements."

Lady Eleven sent word to Lord Xu in the outer courtyard.

Lin Bo returned with the reply: "Lord Xu says the second young master should undertake the one-year *qi cui* mourning with a staff."

Being pregnant, Lady Eleven couldn’t participate directly. She asked Lady Wen to go to Luoyeshan instead: "...Yuge is still a youth. Some matters require an elder’s presence to maintain order."

Lady Wen had lived in the same courtyard as Qin Yi for over a decade. Though they had no direct conflicts, she couldn’t help feeling melancholic now that Qin Yi was gone. Sighing, she agreed, changed into plain clothes, and took Xu Sijie (the secondary son) and Zhenjie (the secondary daughter) to pay respects before the coffin.

Xu Siyu stayed there to keep vigil. Though daily life in the manor remained largely unaffected, the mood was subdued with one less person around.

After the mourning, *sutra* chanting, and funeral, the initial seven-day mourning period passed, and Xu Siyu returned to the manor in unadorned mourning garments.

"...I’ve already sent a letter to Mr. Jiang," he said, noticeably thinner but with a more composed gaze. "I informed him of the family matters and asked him to recommend a reading list. I plan to build a mourning hut in Luoyeshan to mourn my aunt and take this chance to study seriously."

Lord Xu gazed at the young face, now more angular and resembling his own, sighed softly, and nodded in agreement.

Xu Siyu bowed respectfully to his father and went to the inner courtyard.

He first visited Lady Eleven and told her of his plan to build a mourning hut in Luoyeshan and study there.

Successful people possess strong willpower. Three years of mourning would be a test for Xu Siyu as well.

Lady Eleven nodded slightly and, looking at his youthful face, couldn’t help advising him, "Since you’ve made this decision, don’t forget your original purpose when facing difficulties later."

Xu Siyu’s eyes flickered slightly as he nodded quietly, sitting there and sipping tea.

The room fell into an uneasy silence.

Lady Eleven always felt Xu Siyu was like a labyrinth—full of winding paths and concealed depths.

Being such a person herself, she disliked those with similar temperaments, preferring the mild-mannered and straightforward Xu Sizhun and the open-hearted, lively Xu Sijie.

She smiled, breaking the silence: "I hear no one has lived in Luoyeshan for a long time. I’ve never been there either, so I don’t know the state of the place. Though you’ll only stay a year, we can’t be careless. If anything needs adding, just send someone to let me know."

Xu Siyu thought for a moment and said, "There is something I’d like to ask of you."

Lady Eleven listened attentively.

"I’d like to take two young manservants, two maids, two matrons, and two elderly retainers from the household staff," Xu Siyu said slowly. "Preferably husband-and-wife pairs among the matrons and retainers, to keep things simpler." He didn’t specify names, leaving it to Lady Eleven to make the arrangements.

Here is the revised translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

Eleven Niang thought of Lian Jiao, of Xiao Luzi... and began to grasp a hint of understanding.

"I'd like to take Wen Zhu from my former quarters. She has served me the longest and followed me to Anle. She knows everything about my affairs. With her managing the maids, servants, and matrons, I can focus on my studies in peace."

So be it—a new beginning.

Eleven Niang nodded. "I understand."

She saw Xu Siyu let out a long, relieved breath.

After exchanging a few more words, Xu Siyu rose to take his leave.

Eleven Niang accompanied him to the elder madam’s residence.

Upon learning of his plan to seclude himself at Luoyeshan, elder madam nodded and instructed, "You should inform your Second Aunt."

Xu Siyu acknowledged and went to see the Second Madam.

Elder madam kept Eleven Niang for a conversation. "Then have the maids and matrons replaced before Yuge leaves for Luoyeshan. New beginnings demand new faces—purge whatever needs purging."

Eleven Niang agreed and had Zhenjie and Song Mama select maids for each household.

Knowing Eleven Niang intended this as practice for Zhenjie, Song Mama carefully guided her. Over four or five days, they picked over a dozen maids and distributed them among the households. Some senior maids were dismissed, while others were sent to the estates. Some fell ill or met untimely ends—but those were matters for later.

Xu Siyu gave the new servants bamboo-themed names—one Xiangzhu, and the two young servants Mozhu and Sizhu.

"May you persevere like winter bamboo—unbroken by snow, greener in the cold."

The three, whose parents were low-ranking servants in the household, were overjoyed at their selection and eagerly chorused their assent, faces glowing with joy.

Xu Siyu scrutinized them briefly before reclining by the window with a book.

Wen Zhu promptly ushered the newcomers out.

Alone, Xu Siyu set the book aside and stared vacantly at the lush camphor tree outside.

His mother’s suffering had been acute at the end.

Groaning through the nights, vomiting blood, calling his name repeatedly...

He couldn’t bear to dwell on it.

Whether her illness had been terminal or something else—he could never know.

All he could do was hold her tightly as tears streamed down his face.

Xu Siyu closed his eyes.

The Second Madam’s words echoed in his mind: "Connections are fated. Your bond with your mother may have lasted only these few years. Take Xiao Luzi—I sent him to you so he could keep me informed. Yet he entangled himself instead. That, too, was a bond that wasn’t meant to last. Do not dwell on it. All things in this world follow cycles—blossoms bloom and wither. Some endure longer, others shorter..."

Xiao Luzi had been his closest companion. What did it matter if he had known those things?

Had he served not him, but father or fifth uncle instead—would the outcome have been different?

The thought left him breathless with emotion.

Light footsteps drew near. "Second Young Master, Eldest Young Master and Third Young Master are here to see you." "Show them in." Xu Siyu turned away, quickly dabbing his eyes before sitting up.

Here is the edited translation incorporating all expert suggestions:

"Why go to Falling Leaves Mountain?" Xu Sijian asked bluntly as usual. "Can't you do that at home? Why bother with formalities?"

"Mainly for some peace and quiet," Xu Siyu pointed to the teacups before them, signaling them to drink. "And to collect my thoughts, to figure out what to do next."

"You're borrowing trouble," Xu Sijian said dismissively. "If even you have to worry, what about us?" He sighed. "Old Gan was sent back to Yanjing by Father to prepare for the memorial rites for the late Count Zhongqin. From what he said, Father's situation is quite difficult now. Mother had him bring letters to Grandfather and Uncle, asking them to help buy a small house in Yanjing, planning to move some important family heirlooms back to avoid last-minute scrambling."

Xu Siyu was slightly stunned. "Is it that serious?"

Xu Sijian sighed. "Your guess is as good as mine."

Both looked toward the older Xu Siqin.

Xu Siqin didn't want to dwell on this and smiled. "Mother is always cautious. This is just her being worried." He changed the subject, asking Xu Siyu, "Is Falling Leaves Mountain convenient? Can we visit you later?"

"Very convenient!" Xu Siyu, who always understood Xu Siqin, followed his intent. "And it's quite secluded—a good place for studying." He paused. "I'm already fourteen. After a year of mourning, I'll be fifteen... I don't want to still be taking exams when I'm middle-aged."

Once on this path, without passing the imperial exams, independence would be impossible.

Xu Siqin understood Xu Siyu's meaning. "That's good. There's too much socializing at home." Worried that Xu Sijian, who often spoke carelessly, might inadvertently reveal something sensitive and cause trouble for Xu Siyu, he added, "When are you leaving? We brothers from the Ant Manual Team will see you off!"

"The monks from Ciyuan Temple will come during the second week of mourning to chant the 'Rebirth Mantra' for Auntie. I'll leave tomorrow."

Just then, Zhenjie arrived.

"That place is remote. I imagine there must be many mosquitoes." She brought several boxes of insect-repellent incense, along with clothes and shoes. "Second Brother, please use these. If they work, I'll make more."

Xu Siyu was very grateful. Following propriety between inner and outer quarters, he only had Zhenjie stay for tea.

Xu Siqin warmly escorted Zhenjie out.

"I heard Eldest Daughter has been helping Fourth Aunt manage household affairs lately?"

Zhenjie smiled modestly. "I wouldn't call it managing. Mother hasn't been feeling well lately, and Song Mama is just a servant. They're just borrowing my name for convenience."

Xu Siqin nodded absentmindedly. "Then... does Eldest Daughter still often accompany Fourth Aunt out?"

Zhenjie paused.

Xu Siqin continued, "I mean, has Eldest Daughter visited Elder Madam Gan with Fourth Aunt?"

Zhenjie had heard some rumors. Xu Siqin's grandfather had had a falling out with the current Count Zhongqin over property division, and their families were now barely on speaking terms.

Hearing his question, Zhenjie recalled Eleven Miss and Teacher Jian discussing how the Gan family's late elder's mourning period would end next month, and how the Count and his wife were quarreling over the dowries for Third Miss Cao E and Eldest Daughter Xianjie...

She replied diplomatically, "Mother hasn't gone out since her pregnancy. But I heard Teacher Jian say the Gan family plans to marry Third Miss first, then Eldest Daughter. Fourth Miss Yuan Jieer's wedding might have to wait until next spring."

Xu Siqin nodded thoughtfully and remained silent all the way to the moon gate.

The update is a bit late.

You can read it tomorrow morning!