Chapter 478

Chapter 484: Court Greetings (Part 2)

The warm midday winter sunlight bathed the eastern palace gates. Most of those who had come to pay their respects at court had already left. The few palace guards on duty stood stiffly at attention, though their expressions had relaxed into boredom as they watched Xu Lingkuan chatting animatedly with several colleagues not far away.

When they noticed someone approaching, their expressions immediately tightened, and they resumed their usual disciplined stance.

The elder madam and Eleven Miss, however, were filled with suspicion.

Xu Lingkuan beamed as he exchanged pleasantries with his companions, while the fifth madam and Gu Ma, holding Jin bundled in a gray squirrel-fur cloak, stood by the palace gates. But Lord Xu was nowhere in sight.

The elder madam and Eleven Miss exchanged puzzled glances. Just as the elder madam turned her head to say something to Eleven Miss, Xu Lingkuan—who hadn’t noticed them yet—murmured something to his colleagues.

His colleagues looked toward the elder madam, bowed respectfully, and then departed together.

Xu Lingkuan walked briskly over.

The fifth madam, following the gaze of Xu Lingkuan’s colleagues, finally noticed that the elder madam and Eleven Miss had emerged from the eastern gate.

"Mother!" She rushed to greet them.

Gu Ma, seeing this, also followed with Jin in her arms.

The fifth madam took the elder madam’s arm. "Are you alright?"

A flicker of worry crossed the elder madam’s eyes, but when she noticed the eunuchs accompanying them, she relaxed her brows and smiled warmly, her expression kind and gentle.

"Where is your fourth brother?" Her voice was steady and unhurried, perfectly composed.

"The Emperor gifted Jin many presents," Xu Lingkuan said with a smile as he approached. "Fourth Brother went with the eunuchs to the Imperial Household Department to finalize the gifts."

Eleven Miss and the elder madam visibly relaxed. The elder madam’s smile grew even more serene, while Eleven Miss glided over to Gu Ma and asked softly, "How is Jin?"

Gu Ma quickly replied, "He’s fast asleep!"

Eleven Miss lifted a corner of the cloak to peek at her son.

Jin’s little face was rosy, his expression peaceful. Only then did her restless heart settle slightly.

Meanwhile, the eunuchs bowed respectfully to Xu Lingkuan and the fifth madam. "Lord Xu, Your Highness, what a fortunate coincidence! The Empress and Crown Princess have also bestowed many gifts upon the Sixth Young Master… Despite the cold, we must ask the elder madam, Lord Xu, the Lady of Yongping Marquis, and Your Highness to wait a little longer. Once the Marquis arrives, we can proceed to the Imperial Household Department to finalize the gifts before leaving the palace."

Xu Lingkuan cupped his hands toward the eunuchs. "Apologies for the wait, honored eunuchs." As he spoke, he retrieved two embroidered pouches from his sleeve and discreetly pressed them into the eunuchs’ hands.

The eunuchs’ smiles grew even more deferential. One of them even struck up a conversation. "The Sixth Young Master is truly delightful. Her Majesty the Empress was overjoyed to see him. I still remember when your household sent the joyous news—Her Majesty clasped her hands together and repeatedly chanted ‘Amitabha Buddha!’ She even instructed Lady Huang to light three sticks of incense in the family shrine."

"You flatter us too much, honored eunuch," the elder madam chuckled in response. "He’s decent-looking and fairly well-behaved. He eats when full, sleeps when tired, and never fusses at night…"

Just as they were chatting, the other eunuch suddenly exclaimed, "The Marquis is coming!" Everyone quickly turned toward the palace gates and saw Lord Xu striding toward them, wearing a seven-ridged crown and a grand crimson python robe.

His expression was stern, his gaze sharp—utterly devoid of celebration, almost grim.

"Fourth Brother!" Xu Lingkuan called out hesitantly.

Lord Xu’s gaze settled on the elder madam and Eleven Miss.

His expression softened slightly.

The two eunuchs hurried forward to bow and explain their purpose.

Lord Xu gave a slight nod, exchanged a few words with the elder madam, and then followed the eunuchs to the Imperial Household Department. Eleven Miss and the others waited for over an hour, their stomachs growling with hunger, before Lord Xu finally emerged.

The Elder Madam immediately said, "Fourth Son, ride in my carriage!"

Lord Xu then helped the Elder Madam out of the palace gate.

The Xu household's black lacquered carriage with a flat roof was already waiting at the entrance. The Elder Madam and Lord Xu boarded the first carriage, Eleven Miss and Gu Ma took the second, while Xu Lingkuan and the Fifth Lady entered the last one. Surrounded by guards, the procession clattered off toward Hehuali.

Eleven Miss asked Gu Ma in a low voice, "When you carried Young Master Six to see the Emperor, did you hear what was said?"

"I don’t know!" Gu Ma’s legs had been trembling the whole time, and now, sitting in the carriage, she felt utterly exhausted. "The palace eunuch had me wait outside the hall. Young Master Six was carried in and out by Eunuch He."

Eleven Miss pondered, "Then why didn’t you go to bid farewell to the Empress?"

Gu Ma recalled, "I stood outside waiting for a long time. The Third Prince and the First Princess arrived. After about as long as an incense stick burns, Eunuch He brought Young Master Six out. A while later, His Lordship and Fifth Master emerged, followed by two eunuchs." She paused slightly. "His Lordship’s expression was very grim, but Fifth Master was grinning and even pinched Young Master Six’s nose, calling him a little fortune. Young Master Six, who had been sleeping, woke up, frowned, and cried a little. Hearing this, His Lordship's expression grew even darker and told Fifth Master to fetch the Elder Madam."

"Fifth Master hesitated and said, 'The Elder Madam is with the Empress. Should we bid farewell?'"

"His Lordship didn’t say a word and strode off."

"I had no choice but to follow him out."

"The two eunuchs called after His Lordship twice, but when he ignored them, they followed us to the east gate."

"His Lordship found me a sheltered spot and told me to stand there with Young Master Six. The two eunuchs, seeing His Lordship’s stern expression, stood by meekly."

"After a long while, Fifth Master and the Fifth Lady arrived. They said the Empress was still speaking with the Elder Madam and that they had sent a young eunuch to inform her."

"Upon hearing this, His Lordship instructed the Fifth Lady to watch over me and Young Master Six while he went to the Imperial Household Department with the two eunuchs."

Eleven Miss grew even more confused.

What exactly had happened? It seemed Lord Xu was even displeased with the Empress.

Finally returning to the manor and disembarking from the carriage, Lord Xu appeared composed, but the Elder Madam’s expression was grave.

Eleven Miss thought this strange but kept silent. Together with the Fifth Lady, she helped the Elder Madam into the carriage with green curtains and returned to her quarters.

"You must all be tired. Go and rest," the Elder Madam said, having Madam Du assist her in changing clothes. "Tomorrow, you’ll have to visit relatives." Then she instructed Yu Ban, "Go and fetch the Second Lady! During the New Year's celebrations, she’s been waiting all alone in Shaohua Courtyard. We can keep each other company!"

"Mother, that’s not right," Xu Lingkuan said with a grin, sitting beside the Elder Madam. "The more people, the livelier it is. Just you and Second Lady would still be too quiet."

Eagerly, he added, "Why don’t we stay and play a round of cards with you?"

Before the Elder Madam could respond, Lord Xu interjected, "Mother has had a long day. Let's all take our leave now and allow her to rest properly."

Xu Lingkuan looked rather sheepish.

The Fifth Lady pulled at his sleeve. "Mother, we'll come back to see you later."

The Elder Madam nodded with a smile.

Everyone bowed and took their leave.

The Fifth Lady then asked Eleven Miss, "When are you planning to leave?"

This year, Luo Zhenxing and Fourth Madam were celebrating the New Year in Yanjing, so Eleventh Madame planned to take the children to Gongxian Hutong to pay New Year's greetings.

Eleventh Madame smiled and said, "I'll set off right after paying my morning respects to the Dowager Madame."

Since marrying into the Xu family, regardless of wind or rain, she always paid her morning respects to the Dowager Madame a quarter before 8:45 AM. The Fifth Madam didn’t ask about the exact time and just smiled, "Good, I’ll also pay respects to the Dowager Madame early. Let’s go back together."

"Great!" Eleventh Madame nodded with a smile and returned to the main house with Lord Xu.

As soon as Lord Xu entered, his expression darkened.

He sternly ordered Amber, "Go, bring Jin Geer here!"

Amber didn’t know what had happened and hurried to the heated side room.

Eleventh Madame was about to help Lord Xu change his clothes when she noticed the situation and felt a sudden unease. "Lord Xu, what’s wrong?" Her heart tightened with worry. Lord Xu remained silent, but his expression was severe.

Eleventh Madame grew more anxious and was about to ask again when Gu Ma came over carrying the sleeping Jin Geer.

Without a word, Lord Xu took Jin Geer, placed him on the *kang*, and began undressing him.

Startled awake, Jin Geer began wailing loudly.

Eleventh Madame rushed over. "Lord Xu, what are you doing? Be careful not to chill the child!"

But Lord Xu remained unmoved. His face was tense as he swiftly stripped the child bare, then carefully examined his body.

Eleventh Madame quickly took off her inner quilted jacket to wrap around the child and said sharply, "Lord Xu, if you have something to say, just say it properly. The child is still young—if he takes chill, it could be serious..." Meanwhile, Gu Ma, watching nearby, hurriedly draped the cloak Eleventh Madame had just taken off over her shoulders.

Only after Lord Xu examined Jin Geer’s bare legs did he finally stop.

Eleventh Madame frowned deeply, about to demand an explanation, when she noticed Lord Xu let out a heavy sigh of relief. Recalling his unusual behavior in the palace, Eleventh Madame couldn’t help but grab his arm and address him gravely, "Lord Xu!"