Chapter 469

Chapter 476: The Blue Bird (Part 2)

Eleventh Miss couldn’t fathom what Third Lady was scheming, so she refrained from commenting further. She smiled and said, “That’s wonderful. Just the other day, the Dowager was asking about the eldest young master’s marriage. Now that it’s settled, she must be overjoyed.” She added, “You should go and inform the Dowager at once—let her rest easy.” Beyond that, she asked no more.

Old Gan’s wife recalled Third Lady’s instructions before her departure: “…Make sure to explain the Fang family’s background to the Dowager, Second Madam, Fourth Madam, and Fifth Madam, so no one thinks we can’t survive without them. What kind of families were they even suggesting for our Jin’er?”

She replied with a dutiful “Yes,” but didn’t hurry to leave. Instead, she said, “The Fang family is a prominent household in Huzhou. Magistrate Fang’s uncle is none other than the former Censor Fang Sui, Lord Fang. This young lady is the magistrate’s eldest trueborn daughter, raised by her aunt. Not only does she write beautifully, but she’s also skilled in music.” Here, Old Gan’s wife couldn’t hide her pride. “Since Fourth Madam hails from Jiangnan, surely you’ve heard of Fang Sui? He resigned in the 46th year of Jian’an! And the young lady’s aunt’s husband is none other than the former Deputy Minister of Rites, Jiang Huaiyang.”

Eleventh Miss had no idea who they were. But since Old Gan’s wife spoke of them with such reverence, they must have been renowned officials or scholars.

She replied mildly, “I was cloistered in Yuhang and never heard of these gentlemen. Still, allying with a prominent Jiangnan house is certainly a good thing.”

Old Gan’s wife was visibly disappointed by Eleventh Miss’s indifference. But since Eleventh Miss had already picked up her teacup—a polite signal to end the conversation—she could say no more. Forcing a smile, she rose to take her leave and headed to the Dowager’s quarters.

That evening, when Marquis Xu returned, Eleventh Miss relayed the news to him.

Marquis Xu frowned. “Why did they agree to this match?”

“Is it not a good one?” Eleventh Miss asked. “From the way Old Gan’s wife spoke, Fang Sui and Jiang Huaiyang seem quite distinguished.”

“They do have some renown,” Marquis Xu admitted. “In the 46th year of Jian’an, Fang Sui impeached Princess Ancheng’s consort for smuggling salt. The man was sentenced to forty lashes and still walks with a limp to this day. As for Jiang Huaiyang, he’s a renowned Jiangnan literatus, known for his poetry and music. He resigned after being implicated in the ‘Sorcery Case’—” He paused, then added, “But why would their family agree to this marriage?”

Eleventh Miss shook her head lightly. “I don’t know.”

Marquis Xu thought for a moment. “Never mind. Since the engagement is settled, there’s no use discussing it further. Besides, this is Third Brother’s affair—we shouldn’t interfere.” He continued, “At any rate, Third Brother will return to the capital next spring. We can talk more when we meet.”

Then he sat by the bed, gazing at the sleeping Jin and murmuring, “Now that the child is a month old, I think it’s time for you both to move back to the main chambers. It’s more convenient there, with the heated side chamber and bathing chamber.”

Eleventh Miss had been planning to move as well—she wasn’t used to having Nanny Gu sleeping just beyond the screen. She smiled. “Shall we move tomorrow, then?”

“Tomorrow it is,” Marquis Xu agreed with a smile. “I’ll have Lin Bo and Zhao Ying assist you.”

“No need,” Eleventh Miss declined gently. “They’d only be in the way—after staying in the side chamber for nearly a month, I’ve accumulated quite a few personal belongings.”

Marquis Xu said nothing more. After washing up, he retired for the night.

The room was silent, save for the occasional crackle of the lamb-shaped palace lantern in the corner, deepening the tranquility.

Marquis Xu turned over, his hand slipping habitually into Eleventh Miss’s robe.

Her waist was so slender it felt fragile—her breasts a mere handful—yet against her delicate frame, they appeared fuller.

The thought flickered through his mind, and his thumb instinctively sought the peak of her softness, toying with it gently. The warmth of his breath against her neck grew hotter.

“My lord…” Eleventh Miss fidgeted restlessly, her voice a soft protest as she pushed at him.

“I know,” Marquis Xu murmured with a low chuckle, pressing a kiss to her cheek before withdrawing without hesitation. “Rest now.” His hand slid back to her waist, though his body’s response was slower to subside.

For some reason, Eleventh Miss felt a twinge of sadness.

She pressed her face into Marquis Xu’s chest.

There were things she couldn’t erase, yet she didn’t wish to encourage them either.

She wanted to say something, but words failed her.

After a long pause, her hand tentatively slipped into Marquis Xu’s robe—only for him to catch it.

“Don’t provoke me,” he chided, amusement lacing his voice. “Rest. We have to move tomorrow.” Eleventh Miss flushed hotly.

She didn't withdraw her hand but instead grasped Marquis Xu's hand gently, whispering, "Marquis."

The atmosphere turned charged.

Marquis Xu hesitated for a moment.

He still remembered the tense reluctance she had shown out of shyness during their first time... He placed her hand around his waist, forming an embrace. "Go to sleep," he said, patting her back lightly as if soothing a child.

Lady Eleven secretly sighed in relief.

She always felt clumsy, especially when Marquis Xu's piercing phoenix eyes gazed at her with deep intensity—she was utterly flustered... Better to keep things unforced...

Yet why did she feel uneasy inside?

Lady Eleven bit her lip.

Suddenly, her shoulder was nudged.

She turned her head and saw Jin Geer, who had been freed from his swaddling clothes and changed into a small coat, his tiny hands near his mouth, staring at her with onyx-dark eyes.

"Jin Geer!"

She'd missed the moment he woke...

Guilt pricked her, and Lady Eleven was about to sit up when Marquis Xu, beside her, picked up the child. "Gu Ma, Gu Ma..."

Gu Ma rushed in, her robe hastily thrown on.

"Marquis," she said, taking Jin Geer. Efficiently, she removed his diaper, checked his diaper, then carried him behind the screen to breastfeed.

Silence settled over the room again.

Lady Eleven cringed.

How could she have forgotten Gu Ma was there? If not for Jin Geer waking up... she'd have died of embarrassment!

Her face burned scarlet as she turned over, lying with her back to Marquis Xu.

Marquis Xu was puzzled.

He leaned over to look at her.

Lady Eleven's face was as red as a peony, her long lashes trembling like petals trembling in a breeze.

Recalling her shy nature... Had she taken his hesitation as rejection?

The idea almost made him chuckle.

Just as he considered teasing her, Gu Ma slipped back in quietly with the child.

Remembering how this little rascal sometimes fell asleep after a few pats but other times stayed awake half the night, Marquis Xu got up and took his son. As usual, he paced the room, softly patting him to sleep.

Hearing the movement, Lady Eleven turned her head.

In the dim lamplight, Marquis Xu's tall figure loomed tall, his shadow stretching. He cradled Jin Geer tenderly, his face calm.

The next day, Lady Eleven returned to the master bedroom.

At noon, Xu Sizhun and Xu Sijie dropped by to visit their baby brother.

"Mom, are you better now?" Xu Sizhun held Jin'er's little hand. "Can we eat lunch with you every day like we used to?"

Xu Sijie also chimed in, "Mother, can I move back here then?"

Lady Eleven wasn't fully recovered yet. Physician Liu still came every five days to administer acupuncture, and she continued taking her herbal medicine.

"Of course!" She didn't have the heart to disappoint the children, especially since both Xu Sizhun and Xu Sijie had their own nurses and maids to attend to them. "But we'll need Grandmother's permission first!"

The two boys cheered excitedly.

Meanwhile, Jin'er, lying on the bed, struggled to bend his arm, trying to bring his tiny fist to his mouth. Unfortunately, swaddled in too many layers, his efforts were in vain. Frustrated, he pouted and burst out crying.

Xu Sizhun hurriedly tried to soothe him, "Don't cry, don't cry! I'll call the wet nurse for you."

But Jin'er, too young to understand, only cried louder.

Xu Sijie miraculously produced a piece of candy from somewhere, "Here's some candy for you! Please stop crying!"

This made Lady Eleven break out in a cold sweat. Just as she was about to reach for Jin'er, Hong Wen swiftly picked him up first. "Young Master Five, Young Master Six is still too young. He can only nurse from Wet Nurse Gu. He can't eat anything you eat." As she spoke, she gently rocked Jin'er.

Lady Eleven sighed in relief, silently approving of Hong Wen's quick action.

"Then... when can little brother start eating food?" Xu Sijie asked disappointedly.

Before Hong Wen could answer, Xu Sizhun interjected, "At least until he's three!"

"Why three?" Xu Sijie asked like a curious child. "Can he eat everything at three?"

Xu Sizhun nodded, "Because when you came to our family, you could eat everything—I even gave you all the crystal candies given by the empress."

Lady Eleven was surprised. Xu Sizhun had only been six years old when Xu Sijie joined the family, yet he remembered it so clearly!

Xu Sijie, however, seemed a bit hazy about those early memories. He looked at Xu Sizhun with a puzzled expression.

Changing the subject quickly, Lady Eleven said, "Zhun'er, Jie'er, didn't you make little red lanterns for Jin'er? Go have Qiuyu get them and play with your brother."

Hearing this, the two boys raced out and soon returned, each waving a hand-sized red lantern in front of Jin'er to amuse him.

Jin'er's eyes followed the lanterns back and forth, momentarily forgetting his tears.

Just then, a young maid announced, "My lady, a wedding invitation has arrived from Bowstring Lane."

By the calendar, it was already mid-November—Lady Twelve's wedding invitation should have been delivered by now.

"Bring it in," Lady Eleven called the maid inside. "Has the elder madam been informed?"

The maid replied smartly, "The elder madam, Second Lady, and Fifth Lady have all received their invitations."

Lady Eleven nodded, and soon the elder madam arrived.

Lady Eleven quickly rose to welcome her in.

Seeing the three children playing together, the elder madam smiled approvingly with a slight nod. "What are your plans for Aunt Twelve's wedding?" she asked, then reminded her, "Sister Xian's and Sister Twelve's weddings are barely two days apart!"

"For Sister Xian, I'll personally go to contribute to her trousseau," Lady Eleven mused. "As for Sister Twelve, I'll need to attend as well."