Chapter 468

Chapter 475: The Blue Bird (Part 2)

Lord Xu stepped forward to pick up his son and said to Eleventh Miss with a smile, "Our Jin Geer was the star today!" His tone was full of paternal pride. "Lao Zhuo’s booming voice didn’t even make him stir, let alone wake him! Jiang Feiyun even praised him for being steady as a rock even if Mount Tai crumbled!"

Eleventh Miss laughed. "That’s just flattery!"

"I know it was polite," Lord Xu replied with a chuckle as he sat by the bedside. "But Jin Geer does have some courage—back at the barracks, everyone feared Lao Zhuo's voice the most. When he got excited and shouted, it was like thunder. Let alone sleeping—just hearing it was agony." He kissed the soundly sleeping Jin Geer and added, "So Jiang Feiyun's words do hold some truth."

Eleventh Miss burst into laughter.

In the end, Lord Xu still believed Jiang Feiyun's praise of Jin Geer had merit.

Was it that parents always had a soft spot for their own children?

"My lord, go change your clothes first! Be careful not to let the smell of alcohol bother the child."

Lord Xu gave a hum of acknowledgment but still held Jin Geer for a while longer before heading to the washroom.

Eleventh Miss had Nanny Gu bring warm water to gently wipe Jin Geer's face.

Nanny Gu smiled beside her. "The lord’s whole face lights up when he sees Jin Geer—he truly adores him!"

Eleventh Miss’s hand, holding the handkerchief, paused slightly. After a moment, she said softly, "Don’t say such things in the future—kids grow spoiled if you coddle them too much. We mustn’t let him grow up with a bratty attitude."

Nanny Gu, being a country woman, didn’t overthink it and cheerfully agreed. "Yes, madam." She then flattered Eleventh Miss, "Madam, you’re just like the Mother of Mencius. I heard she moved three times for her child’s sake!"

Eleventh Miss chuckled. "I can’t compare to the Mother of Mencius, but I should learn from her. None of you better spoil him behind my back. Otherwise, he’ll act one way in front of me, strict as I am, and another way in front of you, spoiled by your doting. In the end, he’ll never make anything of himself, ruining his life."

Nanny Gu quickly replied, "Don’t worry, madam. Whatever you instruct, I’ll never disobey."

Eleventh Miss nodded with a smile.

Now that she was out of confinement, the daily morning and evening greetings couldn’t be skipped.

At dawn the next day, Eleventh Miss, accompanied by Nanny Gu carrying Jin Geer, went to Elder Madam’s quarters.

Elder Madam chided her upon seeing her, "Silly girl, what’s the hurry? Focus on recovering first!" She took Eleventh Miss’s hand and led her to sit on the kang.

"It’s just from the main house to yours," Eleventh Miss said with a smile. "It’s no trouble. Besides, lying in bed all day makes me feel like I’m growing mold—it’s good to move around a bit."

"Even if you move around, you don’t have to come this early," Elder Madam said, gesturing for Nanny Gu to bring Jin Geer closer. "I know you’re filial, but there are a hundred ways to be filial. Morning and evening greetings are one way, but taking care of your health, looking after Fourth Son, raising your children, and managing the household so I can peacefully enjoy my later years—that’s another." She cradled Jin Geer in her arms. "Listen to me—rest well for three to five months first. Once you’re back on your feet, you can come greet me then."

Eleventh Miss felt a pang of shame.

While she had been ill, all household matters had fallen on Elder Madam. Upon reflection, her filial duty had been just for show.

Her cheeks pinked as she lowered her head. "You’re right, Mother."

Elder Madam smiled faintly in approval and looked down at Jin Geer, whose eyes were wide open. "Look at these eyes—so dark and bright, full of life!"

Nanny Du, seeing Eleventh Miss’s embarrassment, quickly chimed in, "Indeed! The more I look, the more he resembles the lord when he was little." Just then, a housekeeper came to seek Elder Madam’s orders.

Eleventh Miss rose to take her leave.

But Elder Madam wouldn’t let Jin Geer go. "...You go rest properly. Let Jin Geer keep me company." She was clearly over the moon.

Old folks dote on babies, and Jin Geer was the youngest in the family.

Eleventh Miss remembered Fifth Madam was with child...

Perhaps once the baby is born, elder madam may pay less attention to Jin Geer.

Though reluctant in her heart, she couldn’t bear to upset elder madam, so she kept reminding Gu Ma, Wan San’s wife, Hong Wen, A Jin, and the others to take good care of Jin Geer before bowing and leaving.

Outside, dark clouds gathered, and a cold north wind blew, cutting through the air.

"Looks like we might get snow," Amber remarked, glancing at the sky.

Eleven Miss adjusted her cloak and smiled. "Snow means good luck for the harvest. We’ll have the perfect chance to enjoy the snowy scenery." With that, she headed toward the rear courtyard. "Let’s visit Fifth Madam—she’s pregnant. I couldn’t visit her during my postpartum month, but now that I’m out, I really ought to pay her a visit."

"Right!" Amber replied, supporting Eleven Miss as they went to Fifth Madam’s quarters.

Fifth Madam looked surprised to see her but politely invited her to sit on the heated bench by the window, instructing a maid to serve tea and snacks.

Eleven Miss smiled. "Where’s Xin Jieer? I don’t see her."

Hearing her precious daughter mentioned, Fifth Madam’s expression softened. "She never sits still—Ding Mama took her out to play!" Eleven Miss then inquired about her health.

"This pregnancy is nothing like the last one," Fifth Madam said cheerfully. "Last time, I was constantly nauseous, but this time, I have no discomfort at all. I’m doing quite well." She added, "You should focus on your own health—don’t trouble over these matters. Focus on recovering."

After some pleasantries, Xin Jieer came back in a fuss for no reason, refusing to greet anyone and whining for Fifth Madam to hold her.

Eleven Miss took her leave and returned to her rooms.

Zhuxiang came out to meet her. "I was just about to look for you—Lady Lin is here. She knew you were at elder madam’s and has been waiting for nearly about fifteen minutes!"

Eleven Miss was surprised and hurried inside.

Lady Lin rose to greet her before she could speak, smiling. "I just had to come right away—as soon as I heard Zhong Ran made the provincial exam, I rushed to tell you!" So the Lin family already knew.

Eleven Miss smiled. "He’s both your nephew and our family’s son-in-law. We’re all celebrating!"

Lady Lin covered her sleeve with a laugh. "We’re like two boastful old women, bragging about our own."

The two exchanged a smile and sat on the heated bench by the window in the western chamber.

Lady Lin began speaking of what a good, dependable man Shao Zhongran is.

Eleven Miss understood her intention and followed her lead in the conversation.

Seeing Eleven Miss’s sincerity, Lady Lin felt slightly reassured.

Li Ji’s marriage affairs had become widely known. While others might not be aware, Lady Lin knew very well—had she not intervened back then, Li Ji might have become the Xu family’s son-in-law. Though she believed Shao Zhongran was no less impressive than Li Ji, Li Ji’s reputation now puts him ahead. Worried that Eleven Miss might feel discontent, she had come personally to share the good news, also to show goodwill.

Eleven Miss thought that if news of Shao Zhongran had reached them from Cangzhou, there should also be word of Huijie. After discussing Shao Zhongran, she shifted the topic. "…How is Huijie adjusting to life in Cangzhou?"

"The Deng and Shao families have long been close," Lady Lin said, her eyes brightening with joy at the mention of her daughter. "She’s done us proud—since arriving, she’s taken care of her in-laws, respectful to her husband, and gets along well with the aunts and sisters-in-law of the clan. The Deng matriarch dotes on her. Even Huijie’s uncles and aunts were astonished—they couldn’t believe she’d do so well."

"Parents always see their kids as kids," Eleven Miss remarked with a smile. "But once away from you, she’s proven quite capable."

"Exactly!" Lady Lin nodded emphatically, then brought up Zhenjie. "You need to let her grow up too." She added, "I’m hoping she marries soon—Huijie could use the company."

Eleven Miss’s main concern was Zhenjie giving birth too young—she herself had faced such difficulties. But she couldn’t explain this to Lady Lin. Most girls around her married at fourteen or fifteen, and speaking too much about it might make her seem odd. She smiled. "I’m just teaching her household management now!"

"You scold me, but you’re just the same!" The two laughed together.

A young maid entered: "Madam, the medicinal soup is ready."

Grandma Lin stood up at once: "Then you should take your medicine first! I’ll go to the Old Lady and chat with her for a while."

After running around like this, Lady Shiyi indeed felt a bit tired. She smiled as she saw Lin Dairen’s sister-off to the door, then instructed Zhuxiang to escort Grandmother Lin to see the matriarch. She returned to her room, took her medicine, changed into a fresh set of clothes, and fell into a deep sleep.

When she woke up again, Lady Shier caught a glimpse of Jingge’er sleeping beside her pillow.

She hurriedly sat up and said to Qiuyu, who was attending her by the bedside, "Why didn’t you tell me that Sixth Young Master has returned?" Qiuyu quickly replied, "Madam, seeing that you were sleeping soundly, the Old Lady did not allow us to wake you." As she spoke, a young maid called out from behind the curtain, "Madam, Mr. Gan Laquan has come to pay his respects!" Ever since Gan Laquan had secretly arranged for a residence for Third Young Master in Yanli, Niang Shiyi had been unsure whether he spent more time in Shanyang or in Yanjing.

"Please show her in!" Lady Shier said languidly from her reclining position on the couch.

The young maid responded with a "Yes," and lifted the curtain for Lady Gan Laoquan to enter. She bowed three times to Lady Shiniang: "With the New Year approaching, Third Lady has dispatched Aunt Nu and her husband to lead a group back to Yanjing to deliver the New Year’s gifts to the Grand Lady and the Marquis. Aunt Nu has come to pay respects to you and wish you peace and safety."

Lady Shiyi had the young maid bring over a stool for her to sit on, and then inquired about the situation with Lady Third and her husband.

"Master and the Third Lady are well," Gan Laoquan's family member smiled, "but thinking of the unresolved marriages of the Eldest and Second Young Masters, one can’t help but sigh and feel sorrow."

Lady Shier could not help but speculate that Mr. Gan Laoquan’s family visiting the inner courtyard to inquire after everyone’s well-being might have been at the behest of the Third Lady, urging them to expedite the marriage arrangements for the two Xu brothers.

While pondering, Mr. Gan's family member chuckled, "Fortunately, not long ago, the superior of the Third Young Master arranged for the eldest legitimate daughter of the magistrate of the neighboring county to be betrothed to our eldest young master!" Lady Shiyi was quite surprised.

If the third lady was not wholeheartedly seeking a wife of high lineage, why did she suddenly agree to the superior’s proposal to arrange a marriage between Xu Siquin and the daughter of a county magistrate?