Chapter 448

The Schemes of a Concubine's Daughter Chapter 455: Ripples (Part 2)

When Xu Siqin and Xu Sijian arrived at Luoye Mountain, Xu Siyu was reading.

Upon seeing them, he came out happily to greet them.

Xu Siqin noticed the books piled on his desk and the brush resting on the inkstone, feeling a pang of discomfort.

Since Xu Siyu had come to Luoye Mountain, Xu Siqin had visited several times. Each time, Xu Siyu was either reading or writing. Compared to their relaxed routine of small breaks every five days and longer breaks every ten days, Xu Siyu's life seemed much more demanding. Yet it also gave a sense of steady progress toward a goal. Meanwhile, the gap between him and this younger brother, who had grown up alongside him, was growing wider.

Unable to hold back, he said, "Second Brother, what are Master Jiang's requirements for accepting students?"

Xu Siyu was slightly taken aback but thought for a moment before saying, "It seems there aren't any strict conditions. As long as you can afford the tuition and follow the academy's rules." Then he reconsidered, "Though there are some who can't pay - Master Jiang allows them to owe it." That didn't sound quite right either. "There are also those who never repay, and Master Jiang simply has the ledgers of debt burned." Sensing Xu Siqin's intention, he said softly, "Does Eldest Brother also wish to study at the academy?"

Xu Siqin nodded quietly. "You're so diligent. If I continue muddling along, I'd be unworthy of being your elder brother."

Xu Sijian quickly interjected, "Eldest Brother has always been good to us, always looking out for us. How could you say you're unworthy?" Then he turned to Xu Siyu. "Second Brother, why don't we all go study at Jinxí Academy together? Who knows - maybe we could even pass the imperial exams to become xiucai and juren!"

"Honoring the family comes before all other duties," Xu Siyu nodded slightly. "If Eldest Brother and Third Brother are willing to go, having companions would be wonderful. But it's best to first discuss this privately with Third Uncle."

Xu Siqin agreed, feeling that even sitting here was wasting precious time (as this handwritten copy first appeared on 55ab community). Borrowing Xu Siyu's writing tools, he penned a letter to Third Young Master and sent it to Shanyang as soon as he returned home.

Meanwhile, Eleventh Miss (11th daughter) received a visit from Lady Zhou.

"If I recall correctly, your late mother's memorial rites will be held next month?"

Eleventh Miss instructed a maid to bring out some persimmons recently gifted from the palace and said, "The memorial rites will conclude in mid-next month."

Lady Zhou wore an awkward smile and murmured over her teacup, "I know I'm coming rather early. But Wang Ze's mother has been ill since catching a cold at New Year's. Originally, we had planned for the hair-pinning ceremony (ji-li)..."

Eleventh Miss immediately understood.

Though the mourning period for the late madam would only end next month, Yuhang was thousands of miles (approximately) from Yanjing. Arranging a wedding would take at least a month, and if they didn't discuss it early, the earliest the marriage could take place would be next summer or autumn.

"Is Mr. Wang's mother seriously ill?"

Wang Ze was five years older than Twelfth Miss - already nineteen (considered late for marriage). If they had to delay another two years due to mourning... Moreover, there would still be the Yu and Daxiang rites to observe, requiring relatives to gather for offerings. The Wang family was a prominent clan - without someone managing the household, things would surely fall into chaos.

"She just hasn't been getting better," Lady Zhou said with a somber expression. "My sister-in-law has been overworked these past few years."

The Wang family needed help now. Stubbornly clinging to past agreements would be unreasonable.

"Don't worry, Sister Zhou. I'll send someone to Yuhang with a letter right away."

The matter was rather improper, after all.

Lady Zhou visibly relaxed. After paying respects to the elder madam and exchanging a few pleasantries, she took her leave.

Eleventh Miss sent Song Mama with some Chinese medicinal tonics to visit Wang Ze's mother and wrote two letters to Yuhang - one to Luo Zhensheng about Twelfth Miss's situation, and another to Elder Madam Luo, urging her to teach Twelfth Miss some household management skills, even if it was last-minute.

She also instructed Zhuxiang to prepare a thousand taels in silver notes (about $50,000 today): "This will be added to Twelfth Miss's dowry. With careful budgeting, it should last her a few years."

Zhuxiang acknowledged with a smile and was about to leave when Yang Shi arrived.

"I went to the greenhouse today and saw these golden globemallow flowers blooming beautifully, so I cut two stems."

She held a red-glazed flower vase with golden-yellow chrysanthemums, their vibrant colors matching Eleventh Miss's preference for lively decorations - clearly a thoughtful gesture. "They'd look perfect on your kang table (heated platform-table) for admiration," she said.

Here is the edited translation incorporating all expert suggestions:

Eleven Lady had Qiuyu place the flower along with its vase in the eastern chamber's resting area: "I still have two branches of interlocking rings on my windowsill." Then she instructed a young maid to bring a small stool for her to sit on.

Lady Yang smiled and perched lightly as she inquired about the embroidery shop: "Recently, we’ve been rushing to finish the young master’s swaddling blankets, so I didn’t ask much. After the Mid-Autumn Festival comes the Double Ninth Festival—I wonder if the shop’s workload can keep up."

Eleven Lady’s embroidery shop had now taken over the production of embroidered insignia for the Imperial Household Department. Not only that, but its reputation had spread far and wide—people praised the shop’s exquisite embroidery, and officials newly assigned to the capital or returning from posts outside all placed orders for insignia there. This even boosted the business of nuptial drapes. In spring and autumn, ten more embroiderers were hired, and by summer, another twelve were added. Just the other day, Mistress Jian came to discuss adding fifteen more. By this count, not including the work taken on by the matrons of Yongping Marquis’s household or consignment sales, their bridal shop already had over fifty embroiderers. At mid-year accounting, they had earned over two thousand silver taels, startling Elder Madam Gan. She immediately insisted on repurposing the neighboring shop for embroidery work. Mistress Jian, however, wanted to buy a residence not far from the bridal shop to house the embroiderers who had come from Jiangnan. This would require additional funds. Both Eleven Lady and Elder Madam Gan were willing, each contributing five thousand taels. Mistress Jian was now busy with estate agents looking at houses.

"It’s been a while since I last visited," Eleven Lady said with a smile. "Mistress Jian has been managing everything. From what I hear, business is doing well."

Lady Yang took out a few embroidery patterns: "I drew these in my spare time over the past couple of days. Do you think they’ll be useful, Madam?"

One set featured a "Lotus-Filled Pond," another "Joyful Reunion," and the last "Ten Varieties of Brocade"—all quite festive. Eleven Lady accepted them with a smile just as Lord Xu returned.

Lady Yang quickly rose to greet him.

Lord Xu nodded, noticing the embroidery patterns on the table. "Didn’t you say you wouldn’t be doing needlework these days? Why are you starting again?"

"These are just patterns," Eleven Lady replied, taking Lord Xu’s official robe from him and handing it to a maid. She then instructed a young maid to bring iced mung bean tonic. She wanted to ask why the Empress had summoned him to the palace, but seeing Lady Yang humbly assisting the maid with the water, she swallowed her words.

Lord Xu went to the ablutions chamber to freshen up, changed into a casual robe of fine linen, and sat by the window on the heated brick bed. Taking a sip of the tonic brought by a maid, he unexpectedly initiated the topic: "Guess why Her Majesty summoned me to the palace today?" Eleven Lady glanced at Lady Yang and remained silent.

Only then did Lord Xu sense something amiss. He looked at Lady Yang and said, "All of you, leave."

The maids, hearing the Marquis mention the Empress, assumed it must be an important matter and quickly curtsied before filing out of the inner chamber.

Lady Yang pressed her lips together and had no choice but to follow them out.

Eleven Lady then smiled and asked, "What instructions did Her Majesty have?"

Lord Xu chuckled as he looked at her. "She summoned me to the palace specifically to bring back two midwives and a physician."

Was it that Auntie Peng from before?

Eleven Lady quickly asked, "Have they arrived at the estate yet?"

Lord Xu replied, "They still need to collect their tokens of authority from the Imperial Household Department. They should arrive shortly." Eleven Lady called for Matron Song and instructed her to arrange their lodging in the east annex of the front courtyard: "Their meals and provisions should match those of Madam Du, who serves the elder madam."

Matron Song, hearing that the Empress had bestowed servants, was overjoyed. Stepping outside, she saw Lady Yang standing there chatting with two newly arrived young maids, Xiu Lian and Yu Mei. Her gaze darted, and she approached with a smile. "Her Majesty has granted two midwives and a physician to serve the Madam. I’m short-handed in preparing their quarters..."

Lady Yang paused briefly before smiling. "If Matron doesn’t mind my slowness, I’d be happy to help."

Matron Song grinned. "I was just thinking of borrowing Lady Yang’s assistance!" She then instructed Xiu Lian, "Go and fetch Dong Hong from Lady Wen’s quarters and Xiu Chuan from Qiao Lianfang’s. Those from the palace aren’t like ordinary folk—untrained girls won’t do. We’ll need these capable maids from the ladies’ quarters to guide you."

Xiu Lian, realizing she too was a newly arrived maid, blushed and curtsied before hurrying to the eastern courtyard.

Matron Song then beamed at Lady Yang. "Lady Yang, shall we head to the east annex of the front courtyard?"

Lady Yang inwardly scoffed.

This talk of untrained girls needing the personal maids of the concubines to supervise was clearly just a show to flaunt the Empress’s favor toward the Madam in front of the concubines.

Yet her expression betrayed nothing as she took Matron Song’s arm. "Our Madam truly enjoys Her Majesty’s favor—not only gifting servants but also providing midwives and a physician, attending to every detail."

When it was time to be humble, one should be humble; when it was time to boast, one should boast. Matron Song wore a proud expression. "Of course. Moreover, Her Majesty said that once the child is born, the Madam may choose a wet nurse from the Royal Lactarium. The Royal Lactarium—that’s where wet nurses for the imperial consorts and princes are selected..."

Lady Yang listened with a smile, her mind racing.

Meanwhile, the elder madam, upon hearing the news, personally came to meet the three imperial deputees. The two midwives were stout and seasoned, appearing very experienced. The physician, Auntie Peng, had an elongated face, dark and thin, and wore an aubergine jacket that gave her a country demeanor. The elder madam drew Eleven Lady aside and advised, "That Auntie Peng must either be exceptionally fortunate or formidable. Either way, her presence in our household is fate. You must treat her with respect."

In fact, the elder madam had also found two midwives for Lady Eleven.

Lady Eleven smiled and said, "Don’t worry, Mother. Since they were bestowed by Her Majesty the Empress, I’ll instruct the maids and older women to treat them with courtesy."

The elder madam nodded. "I think the delivery chamber should be set up in the side chamber (a small adjacent room)."

In ancient times, childbirth was considered an impure event, so well-off families would prepare a separate room for it.

Lord Xu, recalling Lady Eleven’s usual attention to detail, asked her, "What do you think?"

Lady Eleven felt the side chamber arranged by the Ant Handcraft Guild was a bit crude, but with some decoration, it would do just fine. "Mother is experienced—following her advice can’t be wrong."

Lord Xu nodded, the next day however, he discovered Lady Eleven had opened the storeroom to outfit the side chamber. After a brief moment of surprise, he couldn’t help but laugh.

[Author's Note: Posting a draft first—typos will be fixed tomorrow!]