Chapter 465

The Rise of a Concubine’s Daughter Chapter 472: Recuperation (Part 2)

The Dowager was overjoyed upon hearing the news. After sitting briefly with Eleventh Sister, she rose and went to Fifth Madam’s quarters.

A young maid entered and announced, "Fourth Madam Luo has arrived!"

Qiuyu lifted the curtain to welcome her in.

"Thank goodness we had Eleventh Sister step in," Fourth Madam Luo said with a smile as she stepped inside. "The concubine came to me yesterday on her own, saying she had never been educated and didn’t understand propriety. She admitted all past mistakes were hers and begged me to set aside my pride and not hold it against her."

Eleventh Sister smiled and instructed a maid to bring an embroidered stool for Fourth Madam Luo. "The concubine acted for Twelfth Sister’s benefit, and so did you, Fourth Sister-in-law. Now that everything’s been cleared up, all is well!"

Fourth Madam Luo sat down, and a maid served tea and snacks.

Eleventh Sister told her about the letters she had written to Zhu Anping and Fourth Miss, as well as Lord Xu agreeing to help: "...Ultimately, it’s up to you and Fourth Brother to decide."

That settled the biggest problem.

Fourth Madam Luo sighed. "Eleventh Sister, you’ve saved us. I’ll have your fourth brother visit the marquis tomorrow!" She added apologetically, "I truly had no other choice but to set aside my pride and come to you."

"We’re family, Sister-in-law. No need to stand on ceremony."

As they spoke, Jin Geer stirred awake.

Eleventh Sister quickly called for Gu Shi to tend to him.

Fourth Madam Luo watched and began talking about Fifth Miss’s son, Brother Xin. "...He’s so mischievous. Two maids can’t even keep him in check. Thankfully, there’s Zhuotao—otherwise, no one could calm him down."

"Zhuotao!" Eleventh Sister smiled, recalling the young girl in her pale green cotton jacket. "She’s about eleven or twelve now, right?"

"Twelve," Fourth Madam Luo replied with a nod. "She’s blossomed into a beauty."

"She was always pretty, even as a child," Eleventh Sister remarked. "Last year, Sui'er also married. Of those who followed Fifth Sister from Yuyao, only Zhuotao remains."

"No wonder the girl is so clever at everything," Fourth Madam Luo said with a laugh. "When Brother Xin clamored for noodles, she was afraid they’d be too hot, so she fanned them cool before feeding him." She added, "Brother Xin doesn’t take after his father but is the spitting image of Brother Rui instead."

"Cousins often look alike," Eleventh Sister said with a smile, then asked about Qian Ming. "Is Fifth Brother-in-law at home?"

"No," Fourth Madam Luo replied. "He’s gone to a monastery outside the city called Tieshan Temple to study. When he’s home, friends come and go constantly. It’s awkward to refuse anyone, and once they meet, there’s inevitably eating and drinking, which distracts from his studies. So he holed up in the temple to focus."

Let’s hope he means it.

Eleventh Sister gave a slight nod.

Fourth Madam Luo’s smile faded slightly. "I also visited Ten Miss." Her eyes glistened with tears. "She’s wasted away to nothing, just skin and bones, but her spirits are good. With efficient maids like Yin Ping and Jin Lian by her side, household affairs are well managed—a far cry from Madam Wang’s days."

The Xu family’s older women and the Wang family’s servants often interacted, so some news reached Eleventh Sister. Since Wang Chengzu had been adopted under Ten Miss’s name, Madam Jiang (née Wang Lin) only returned to her maiden home to visit her mother and pay respects to her late father, no longer involving herself in family matters. Ten Miss, as the mother of Duke Mao, now managed the Wang household. Though unfamiliar with practical affairs, she knew how to cut costs. She sold several unused Wang properties in Yanjing, dismissed excess servants, and lived frugally—no more robbing Peter to pay Paul. Life had become more stable.

"Honestly, all you sisters are quite capable," Fourth Madam Luo said with a smile. "I hope our Yingniang grows up to be like her aunts."

Mention of Yingniang made Eleventh Sister smile. "Bring her by sometime when you have time."

"Now that we’re in Yanjing, we’ll surely trouble you often," Fourth Madam Luo replied cheerfully. After chatting a while longer about the children, she rose to leave. "Once things are settled, I’ll come back to report to you."

Feeling weary, Eleventh Sister didn’t press her to stay and had Qiuyu escort Fourth Madam Luo out.

Physician-in-Charge Liu arrived.

Without Lord Xu present, even if she was willing to accept acupuncture from Imperial Physician Liu, he likely wouldn’t dare to perform it on her.

She instructed Qiuyu to summon Lord Xu.

Lord Xu, who had been in the outer courtyard, entered carrying a large red invitation card with gold flecks.

"What kind of year is this?" he said with a laugh. "Yesterday, Regional Commander Li’s family held a wedding, and today Count Zhongqin’s family is giving their daughter in marriage."

"Is it Xian Jie'er?" she asked. For her marriage, Count Zhongqin had rushed to marry off Cao E’s son.

Lord Xu didn’t know the name of Count Zhongqin’s daughter and replied, "Probably. They said it’s the eldest daughter." Then, sitting by the bed, he asked softly, "Would you like to go? The date is set for the fourth of December."

Lady Eleven took off her short jacket. "In my condition, where could I possibly go?"

Lord Xu’s eyes dimmed slightly as he instructed Amber to bring in a charcoal heater. "Be careful not to catch a chill later."

"Better not light the charcoal heater," Lady Eleven said softly. "Jin Geer is still young. With the heated floors and a charcoal heater in the room, he might get overheated."

"Then let the nurse take Jin Geer to rest in the heated side chamber of the main house," Lord Xu suggested, helping Lady Eleven remove her underrobe. "You shouldn’t have to worry about this and that."

Lady Eleven lay down on the bed. "Being in confinement after childbirth isn’t fun either. Having him stay with me keeps me from getting too bored."

Lord Xu had Amber summon Imperial Physician Liu. Seeing that Lady Eleven had fallen asleep, Amber tiptoed over to cover her with a blanket.

That evening, Lord Xu still rested in Lady Eleven’s room, with Jin Geer sleeping beside his father’s pillow.

"Do you think he’s uncomfortable being swaddled like this?" Lord Xu asked, reclining against the bolster pillow as he spoke with Lady Eleven.

Lady Eleven also felt Jin Geer might be uncomfortable, but Tian Ma and Wan Mama, both experienced, insisted that Lord Xu had been swaddled the same way growing up… Seeing how tall and strong Lord Xu was, she really had no grounds to object.

"Tian Ma said it’s only until the first month," she replied. "It’s to prevent the baby’s legs from becoming bowlegged."

"He’s quite well-behaved," Lord Xu remarked with a smile. "He doesn’t cry like this."

As they chatted idly, Lady Eleven drifted into a hazy sleep. When she suddenly awoke, it was already full daylight.

Lady Eleven was startled.

How had she slept so soundly, she thought? Jin Geer usually woke twice at night. She didn’t even know who had been taking care of him—had he cried?

Wondering, she turned her head to look for the child.

The bed was empty—even Lord Xu was gone.

She sat up in a slight panic.

The ebony screen blocked her view, so she couldn’t see what was happening on the other side. "Gu Ma!" she called out loudly.

Gu Shi and Amber both came around from behind the screen.

"My lady, you’re awake," Amber said cheerfully. "The Marquis said you were sleeping deeply and told us not to disturb you."

Gu Shi added with a smile, "The young lord just finished nursing. The Marquis is playing with him now!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Lord Xu walked in carrying the child. "I don’t know how he can sleep so much. I talk, and he just drifts off to sleep." Sitting by the bed, he bent down and gently placed the child beside Lady Eleven’s pillow. "Did you sleep well last night?"

Lady Eleven gazed into his kind eyes and nodded slowly. "Last night… were you the one taking care of Jin Geer?"

Unlike her usual lively expression, her eyes now held a deep, almost solemn cast.

Lord Xu looked surprised: "What's wrong?"

"Nothing!" Eleven Miss's lips quirked slightly, her face lighting up. "I just slept very well!"

Lord Xu found his wife's attitude a bit odd today, but upon closer inspection, she seemed no different than usual. He couldn't quite pinpoint what was strange.

"That's good!" He smiled and stood up. "I'll wait until Physician Liu examines you before heading to the outer courtyard."

With the New Year approaching, the Xu family's shop managers and the stewards of their estates had either returned to Yanjing to settle accounts or delivered holiday gifts. Lord Xu had been busy meeting with them these past two days.

Eleven Miss nodded with a smile and, supported by Amber, slowly made her way to the washroom to freshen up.

Yang Shi looked surprised: "His Lordship has been staying in the side room these days?"

"I heard the mistress hasn't been feeling well!" Mama Yang whispered. "Physician Liu has been coming to examine her for five days straight. The medicine in the side room hasn’t stopped either." She added, "His Lordship feared the wet nurses and maids wouldn’t take good care of Young Master Jin, so he’s been personally looking after him these days."

After all, it’s his son—that makes all the difference!

At this thought, Yang Shi felt a pang in her heart.

She bit her lip and asked quietly, "Do you know what His Lordship has been doing these days?"

"He’s been in the outer courtyard during the day," Mama Yang replied. "He leaves after seeing off Physician Liu in the morning and returns around eight in the evening. After paying respects to the elder madam, he goes straight back to the main quarters."

Yang Shi nodded slightly and fell deep in thought.

When Lord Xu returned to the room, Eleven Miss and the child were already asleep.

After coming out of the washroom, he slipped quietly into bed.

Eleven Miss still stirred awake, her eyes still bleary with sleep. "You're back, my lord!"

"Mmm." Seeing Jin Geer sleeping soundly, Lord Xu pulled her into his arms.

Eleven Miss gave a soft murmur, shifted slightly to find a comfortable position, and fell back asleep.

Lord Xu glanced at Jin Geer by the pillow and then at Eleven Miss in his arms, recalling what Physician Liu had said that morning: "Acupuncture combined with the tonifying decoction will greatly benefit the mistress’s condition."

At the time, he had felt relieved. But then Physician Liu abruptly added, "Even so, for the mistress to fully recover, it will likely take three to five years at the very least."

Thinking of Physician Liu’s evasive manner, Lord Xu had wanted to tease him, but he saw an unusually grave expression in the physician’s eyes.

In other words, he meant every word.

The thought flashed through his mind, and Lord Xu couldn’t help sighing softly. He rested his face against her pale cheek and instinctively drew her closer.

"Mo Yan, you may seem soft and gentle, but you’ve always been resilient. This time, you’ll surely pull through this too!"

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My home computer broke down, so while getting it repaired, I borrowed a laptop to write.

It’s been a scramble—please forgive me!

P.S.: Here’s a draft first. An extra chapter will be posted tomorrow at noon!