Chapter 464

The Strategy of a Marginalized Daughter Chapter 471: Recuperation (Part 1)

Lady Eleven touched her sweatless forehead and stammered, "Th-there’s no need. With Gu Ma’s help..." Before she could finish, Xu Lingyi calmly yet firmly interrupted, "Then it's settled."

Qiuyu dared not delay and immediately called in a young maid to assist Xu Lingyi with his washing up.

Tian Ma urged with concern, repeatedly admonishing Lady Eleven, "Your health comes first. Some matters, Madam, must not be indulged according to the Marquis’s whims. If it truly becomes difficult, calling in Lady Wen to serve would be just as well."

Lady Eleven had no reply. Yet, she faintly sensed that Xu Lingyi wouldn't act so... Raising her head, she noticed Gu Ma spreading bedding on the daybed and hurriedly instructed Fangxi, "Set up a screen to block the view."

In noble households, it was customary for the mistress to have her personal maids attend during intimate moments. However, Lady Eleven had an odd preference—whether Xu Lingyi stayed in her chambers or not, she disliked having maids on night duty sleep in the same room. Everyone had grown accustomed to this. Fangxi directed a few older women to bring over the sandalwood-carved Four Seasons Blessings screen from the eastern chamber.

Amidst the room's black-lacquered furniture, the screen appeared somewhat out of place.

"I recall a black-lacquered ivory screen depicting 'Walking Off the Hundred Illnesses' in the storeroom," Lady Eleven said. "Have it brought out tomorrow for replacement."

Fangxi acknowledged with a smile. Just then, Xu Lingyi emerged from the washroom, asking, "What are you fetching for replacement?"

*Why so many questions today?*

Lady Eleven smiled. "This sandalwood screen doesn’t fit here. I’ve asked them to find a black-lacquered one from the storeroom."

Xu Lingyi nodded slightly and sat by the bed to look at Jin Geer. "Don’t you think he’s getting fairer every day?"

Lady Eleven studied him carefully.

His features had indeed relaxed compared to birth, but fairness? She couldn’t quite see it.

"Perhaps because I see him daily, I haven’t noticed," she said diplomatically.

"Exactly why I say he’s getting fairer," Xu Lingyi affirmed, stroking the child’s hair before undressing and sliding into bed. "Let Jin Geer sleep between us," he suggested, clearly pleased.

"What if we accidentally crush him at night?" Lady Eleven objected gently. "Better let him sleep beside me."

"Then he’ll sleep beside me," Xu Lingyi murmured. "No wonder you’ve grown thinner—you worry too much. Likely, you haven’t slept well at night." Without waiting for her consent, he moved the child to his side.

Lady Eleven propped herself up on an elbow. "Be careful!"

"Rest assured," Xu Lingyi replied, copying her, by placing Jin Geer near his pillow. "On campaign, I slept armored with my sword beneath the pillow, waking at the slightest stir." He gently pressed her down. "Just sleep peacefully tonight."

Still uneasy, Lady Eleven repeated, "Then stay alert."

"Just sleep," Xu Lingyi chided, tucking her in. "No overthinking."

Reluctantly, she closed her eyes.

Xu Lingyi glanced sideways at his son by the pillow, finding him fascinating. He turned fully to watch him—delicate skin, faint brows, a straight little nose... The more he looked, the more enchanted he became. Quietly, he sat up.

Lady Eleven, never truly asleep, opened her eyes instantly. "What’s wrong?"

"Nothing," Xu Lingyi chuckled, meeting her drowsy gaze. It was hazy, like a dawn moon veiled in mist, serene and lovely. His heart settled into calm. "Just find Jin Geer fascinating." Suddenly awake, he realized how long it had been since they’d spoken so quietly. He casually propped himself against a large pillow. "Why place Jin Geer by the pillow? Wouldn’t under the covers be warmer?"

Lady Eleven wasn’t sure either.

Visiting friends or colleagues with newborn babies, she’d always seen babies placed this way—assuming there must be a reason, she’d followed suit. Now questioned, she hesitated. "Perhaps... so the child sees parents upon waking and feels secure?" Her voice wavered slightly.

Lord Xu chuckled.

No matter how sensible or decisive a mother might be, when it comes to her child, she always reveals a tender side.

He recalled the older woman he had encountered while seeing off Physician Liu and said softly, "What exactly happened at Gongxian Hutong? If it’s nothing urgent, I’ll have Steward Bai assist you. You’re in confinement now. I’ve heard that if you neglect your health during this time, it’s hard to recover later. Especially in your current condition. It’s best to take it easy."

Eleveniang hadn’t expected her condition to be so severe either. She turned onto her side, resting her head on her hand, and explained the whole matter in detail to Lord Xu: "...I was just making the introduction. Fourth Sister-in-law is a capable woman. The final decision rests with her."

"Even as a go-between, it’s impossible not to worry." Lord Xu gently tucked a stray lock behind her ear. "Leave this matter alone. Tomorrow, I’ll write to the Shandong Regional Commander and have our man Zhensheng take the letter directly to Shandong. As for the house," he lowered his voice, "the best shops and residences in Yanjing are mostly held by long-time residents. Everyone knows each other, and they must save face. Even if they sell, they’d never go through a broker—they’d quietly inquire among friends, and the price wouldn’t be high. Prince Shun is well-connected and sociable. A few years ago, when Princess Changning and Count Zhongqin’s families sold their estates, he acted as the intermediary. With the New Year approaching, this is the peak time for property sales." He smiled. "In a way, this is Twelfth Aunt’s luck."

Connections truly are a resource.

"Thank you, my lord," Eleveniang said with a smile. "But asking the Shandong Regional Commander to help purchase land... isn’t that using a sledgehammer to crack a nut?"

Lord Xu laughed. "There are no battles to fight at present, so it’s good to give him something to do."

Then he remembered something. "The Li family sent me a wedding invitation this afternoon—the ceremony is on the twenty-sixth day of the tenth lunar month."

With so many people sharing the same title, Eleveniang took a moment to recall. "The Fujian Regional Commander, Lord Li’s family?"

Lord Xu nodded. "I figured you wouldn’t have left confinement by then, so I instructed Manager Zhao to attend on our behalf."

"Last time I heard from Sister Zhou, the Lis had wanted to hold the wedding sooner, but Princess Ancheng felt Li Ji’s position in Fujian made arrangements difficult, so they postponed it until next spring. Why the sudden change to before the New Year? Did something happen?"

Lord Xu smiled. "This summer, Li Ji led a campaign against pirates, defeating over five thousand of them. The Emperor issued an imperial commendation and promoted him to Quanzhou Vice Regional Commander. He’ll return to the capital soon to express gratitude. Princess Ancheng then urged them to hold the wedding, so the decision was rather rushed."

Quanzhou Vice Regional Commander—a fourth-rank position.

"Young Master Li is only nineteen this year, isn’t he?" Eleveniang remarked, sounding somewhat impressed.

Lord Xu pinched her nose playfully. "When I was nineteen, I was already leading three armies!"

He was probably trying to comfort her, fearing she might feel uneasy.

Eleveniang laughed. "How many can compare to you, my lord?"

"Exactly!" Lord Xu teased. "Standing in the Golden Chancery, looking around—I was the youngest there..."

As they chatted and laughed, Jin'ge woke beside them. His dark eyes darted around, but when no one paid him attention, he let out a loud wail.

Lord Xu hastily picked him up, flustered. "Is he hungry or needs to pee?"

Gu Shi, who had rushed over at the noise, called from behind the screen, "My lord, our sixth son needs to nurse!"

"Oh!" Lord Xu acknowledged. Eleveniang moved to take the child. "I’ll bring him to the wet nurse."

"Let me," Lord Xu said, stepping into his shoes. "You rest." He handed the child to Gu Shi.

After the child was fed, Lord Xu carried him back to bed. "How many times does he eat each night?"

"Twice," Eleveniang replied. "Once around 9 PM, and once around 1 AM."

Lord Xu memorized this and, imitating the wet nurse, soothed the child until he fell asleep. Placing him by the pillow, he said, "Get some rest now. Fourth Madam Luo will visit tomorrow morning. Don’t push yourself—if you’re tired, just lean on the backrest pillow."

"I understand," Eleveniang said with a smile, thinking about Physician Liu’s treatment the next day. "...Will you be present tomorrow, my lord?"

"Of course," Lord Xu assured her. "There’s no need to worry. Physician Liu is exceptionally skilled with needles."

That much, Eleveniang had already noticed.

"Only Amber will assist you during the acupuncture," he added in a low voice. "I only told elder madam it was a consultation... When you see Mother, don’t let it slip."

"Understood," Eleven Miss’s voice was soft, warm as a spring breeze.

The next day, elder madam and the second wife came to visit.

"Just focus on resting," elder madam said, patting Eleven Miss’s hand. "Leave the household to me. Focus on getting well—that’s what’s important."

The second wife added, "The worst thing in illness is a misdiagnosis. Now that we know the root of the problem, we can treat it properly. Don’t worry too much."

Eleven Miss thanked the second wife with a smile.

Nanny Shi came in.

"Elder madam and the second wife are here!" She greeted them with a curtsy and handed a red-and-gold lacquered box to Amber. "When she heard the fourth madam was unwell, the fifth madam asked me to bring two hundred-year-old ginseng roots from our family’s stores to help nourish her." She continued, "Our fifth madam woke up early this morning, planning to visit in person, dressed formally, but she happened to feel unwell, so I had to come alone. She sends her apologies!"

Elder madam immediately looked worried. "What’s wrong with Danyang?"

Nanny Shi’s eyes and smile were full of joy. "Our madam is expecting."

"Oh!" elder madam exclaimed happily. "This is truly wonderful news!" She pressed eagerly, "When did this happen? Has a physician confirmed it?"

"It’s been some time," Nanny Shi replied with a smile. "But this time’s different—last time she had a rough time, but this pregnancy’s been quiet. The doctor only confirmed it this morning—we wouldn’t have said anything otherwise!"

This is a draft!

Supplementing the update from the 23rd of April.

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