Chapter 467

"A Concubine Daughter's Strategy" Chapter 474: The Blue Bird (Part 1)

The wedding of Li Ji, the second son of Fujian Regional Commander Li Zhong, was said to be a grand affair. While the first dowry chest of the bride had already arrived at the Li family’s new residence in Osmanthus Tree Lane, the last one had yet to leave Princess Ancheng’s mansion. The Li family hosted five consecutive days of banquets, each featuring four cold meat dishes, eight large bowls, and two seafood bowls, while also inviting the three most renowned opera troupes of Yanjing to perform in turns. The nobility gathered at Princess Ancheng’s residence, while officials of various ranks flocked to Osmanthus Tree Lane. For a time, the entire capital buzzed with discussions about this wedding.

In contrast, Jin Geer’s one-month celebration seemed rather subdued.

Lady Eleven only invited close friends and relatives, setting up a dozen tables in the outer courtyard and over a dozen more in the inner courtyard’s flower hall. In the afternoon, Zhou Dehui, the leader of the Deyin Troupe, and Geng Changsheng, the leader of the Changsheng Troupe, each performed a private opera performance.

The elder madam and Zheng Tai Jun enjoyed the performance at the Spring Viewing Hall, while Lady Zhou and others gathered in Lady Eleven’s chambers to chat.

“I sensed something was off during the Third-Day Ceremony,” Madam Huang remarked, eyeing Lady Eleven. “But since you had just given birth, I held back. How are you now? Feeling better?” Her tone was full of concern.

“Much better,” Lady Eleven replied with a smile. “At first, Chief Physician Liu came daily for consultations, but now it’s only once every five days.”

“That’s good!” Lady Zhou said cheerfully. “Chief Physician Liu has overseen the Imperial Hospital for twenty years—his skills are unmatched. Don’t rush; take it slow.”

Lady Lin teased, “My sister-in-law is eagerly waiting to welcome her daughter-in-law and counting on you to handle the arrangements. You can’t slack off now.”

“Don’t worry,” Lady Eleven joked back. “I wouldn’t dream of delaying the youngsters’ happiness.”

Amid the laughter, Nanny Gu entered carrying the child, followed by Wan Mama’s daughter-in-law, Mrs. Wan San. She held a red lacquered crabapple tea tray piled high with gold and silver lockets, glittering and radiant.

“Ah! Here comes our little birthday star!”

Lady Zhou stepped forward with a smile. “Let me see how much he’s changed since birth.” Madam Huang and Lady Lin also crowded around. “His features have filled out, his complexion is fairer—he looks more and more like Lord Xu!”

Mrs. Wan San carefully presented the tray. “My lady, these are gifts from the various lords and masters.”

Lord Xu’s friends had clamored to see the child, so Nanny Gu had taken Jin Geer to the outer courtyard earlier.

Lady Eleven noticed the tray also held exquisite white jade pendants, gold and silver bracelets, and other treasures. She smiled. “Put these away. Zhuxiang will show you how to log them later. Since you’re serving in the sixth young master’s quarters, you’ll need to manage such matters.”

Mrs. Wan San promptly curtsied in acknowledgment.

A young maid hurried in. “My lady, Madam Liang (Lanting) has arrived.”

Lanting!

Lady Eleven beamed. “Show her in at once.” No sooner had she spoken than Lanting entered, dressed in a crimson silk jacket embroidered with an intricate repeating floral pattern.

Her skin was porcelain-fair, her expression bright and lively—she still carried the innocent charm of an unmarried maiden, she hardly looked like a mother.

“You’re late!” Lady Eleven teased. Lanting curtsied gracefully. “Forgive me, sisters. I’ll drink three cups as penance later.” With that, she preemptively silenced any further remarks.

Madam Huang, unwilling to let her off so easily, laughed. “You said it—no excuses later.”

“When have I ever gone back on my word?” Lanting linked arms with Madam Huang. “Rest assured, I’ll sit right beside you and submit to your supervision.”

Madam Huang turned to Lady Zhou, shaking her head. “Lanting’s tongue grows sharper by the day.”

Lanting chuckled as she took Jin Geer into her arms. “This little one’s quite the handful!” She then said to Lady Eleven, “He’s a year and five months younger than our Tong Geer.”

Before Lady Eleven could respond, another maid announced, “Lady Gan has arrived!”

Lanting’s brow furrowed almost unnoticeably.

Lady Gan entered, her gaze briefly resting on Lanting before she relaxed slightly and greeted everyone with a smile. She approached to admire the child. “What a handsome boy.”

Lanting, still holding the baby, smiled and passed him back to Lady Eleven. Madam Huang asked, “Is the opera over yet?”

"Not yet!" Lady Gan glanced at Lanting again. "Geng Changsheng is on stage—I'm not fond of Kunshan opera."

"I think Zhou Dehui sings better!" Once opera was mentioned, everyone began voicing their opinions, discussing the various pieces as if they were their favorite singers. Only Lanting seemed somewhat silent, and Lady Gan appeared distracted.

After much lively discussion, Song Mama came to summon them to the flower hall—dinner was about to be served.

Everyone said goodbye to Eleven Miss with smiles.

But Lanting said brightly, "I arrived late, so I’ll stay and chat with Eleven Miss for a while. You all go ahead—I’ll join you shortly!"

Lady Gan hesitated upon hearing this.

Madam Huang wouldn’t drop it and teased, "See, see! I knew she’d find an excuse to back out later!"

Lanting’s brow twitched in annoyance, but she quickly smiled again. "Don’t worry, Sister Huang. If I don’t show up later, you can send someone to drag me there!" But her smile was strained.

Madam Huang was about to say more when Lady Zhou gently tugged her sleeve. "As an elder sister, you shouldn’t be so petty with your younger sister." She then urged the others, "Let’s hurry! We’ve been hiding here long enough. If we’re late for dinner, the elder madam and others might punish us with drinks." Madam Huang, ever perceptive, took the hint and left with Lady Zhou, covering her sleeve with a laugh.

Lady Gan lingered at the rear, shooting a glance at Lanting, who was speaking with Eleven Miss. After hesitating a moment, she turned and left.

"What’s the matter?" Eleven Miss asked Lanting with concern.

Lanting didn’t mince words. "My elder brother is doing business with the Gong family of Yangzhou’s Bantang and wants my father-in-law to put in a good word with Quanzhou’s Maritime Trade Office. I sounded out my father-in-law, but not only was he reluctant, he also tactfully warned me not to meddle in Fujian affairs." She gave a bitter smile. "When I told my brother, he refused to listen and accused me of not trying hard enough. The moment I stepped out of the sedan chair earlier, my sister-in-law accosted me about this. No matter how I explained, she wouldn’t understand, so I had to take shelter here with you."

Eleven Miss sighed and recounted how Lord Xu had once used Lady Gan to caution Count Zhongqin: "...Who knows what the situation in Fujian is like now? Some shun it like the plague, while others flock to it. It’s truly worrying." As she spoke, she thought of the Ou family.

Lanting leaned in and whispered, "In my sister’s last letter, she mentioned the Ou family is locked in fierce infighting. Nearly every prominent family in Fujian has been dragged into it. Some have even fled to Jiangnan to escape. Even the Jiang family has warned their descendants to toe the line and avoid stirring trouble—anyone who causes trouble will be immediately disowned."

Eleven Miss’s expression darkened.

Dynasties may change, but family is forever one’s anchor. To be disowned is to be cut adrift from society.

Yet the Ou family’s internal strife was good news for the Xu family.

"I had no idea things were this serious," she murmured. "How is Cao E faring over there?"

"How could she be well?" Lanting said helplessly. "Third Brother-in-law already has two concubine-born sons and a daughter."

"How could the Jiang family allow this?" Eleven Miss frowned—permitting concubines to bear children before the primary wife even entered the household.

"When Third Sister married, Third Brother-in-law was already in his twenties. How could he not have women in his chambers?" Lanting said bitterly. "The oldest of those children is barely over a year old."

Just over a year old... Counting the time, it coincided with when the Gan family’s property dispute erupted and the Jiang family sent governesses over.

As they spoke, Lady Gan returned. "Lanting, the elder madam is asking for you!" She had come to hurry her along.

Lanting shot Eleven Miss a pleading look.

Eleven Miss immediately smiled and said, "I happen to need Lanting’s help with something. Please go ahead, Lady Gan—we’ll wrap up shortly and join you."

Lady Gan had no choice but to leave awkwardly.

Lanting took Eleven Miss’s hand. "I’ve made things awkward for you!"

"There's nothing difficult about it!" Elevenniang laughed. "I don't particularly like your sister-in-law either."

Lan Ting burst into laughter.

Elevenniang kept her for dinner, and the two chatted for a long while.

At dusk, she sent a young maid to the flower hall to check on Lady Gan's whereabouts.

"She hasn't left yet," the maid reported. "She’s still chatting with the elder madam and Madam Huang."

"It seems she's determined to meet you," Elevenniang said. "Dragging this out won’t help. Why don't you slip out through the back gate? Tong’er is still at home."

Lan Ting's expression dimmed slightly, and she nodded softly.

When Lord Xu returned in the evening, Elevenniang relayed Lan Ting's words to him: "...Is the situation in Fujian really that complicated?"

Lord Xu, who clearly knew the situation well, replied indifferently, "It's not so much complicated as people simply not wanting to get involved—you know, ‘every man for himself,’ each sweeping the snow from their own doorstep." Then, sitting by the bed, he smiled and said, "I heard some good news today. Shao Zhongran passed the provincial military exams."

"Really?" Elevenniang was delighted. "Lady Lin was here earlier—she didn’t say a word!"

"I just got the news." His tone implied that Lady Lin couldn’t have known as quickly as he did.

Elevenniang beamed.

Lord Xu asked, "Are you that happy?"

"Of course," she replied. "This’ll make Zhenjie’s marriage more respectable."

Lord Xu said, "Then why not arrange an official post for him? That would make the wedding even more impressive."

"No," Elevenniang objected. "Life is long—what good does rushing things do? I think Shao Zhongran is doing just fine. First, he passed the military county exam, then the provincial, and next, he can aim for the metropolitan exam. Take it step by step—do things when the time’s right. That’s more reassuring. Besides, life’s about the journey—what matters is learning to appreciate the scenery along the way."

"You’ve got quite the way with words," Lord Xu chuckled before asking about Jin Geer. "...Where is he? Is the wet nurse feeding him?"

As soon as he spoke, he suddenly remembered Elevenniang’s peculiar habits—she couldn’t stand watching the wet nurse feed Jin Geer, so the nurse always stepped aside during feedings.

Elevenniang gave a quiet "Hmm," just as Gu Shi brought Jin Geer in.

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[Translator's Note: Haha, finally caught up on the backlog—what a relief to be debt-free!]

[Translator's Note: For the May Day (Labor Day) bonus chapter, you’ll have to wait until tomorrow noon!]

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