Chapter 479

Chapter 485: Gathering (Part 1)

The attendants in the Old Lady’s chamber had all moved outside, and the Old Lady was reclining on a large ink-patterned cushion, speaking softly to the Second Lady: "… The Emperor is going to deal with the Yang family. From what the Fourth Son said, it seems this time many will be implicated."

The Second Lady was not surprised, massaging the Old Lady’s calves with a beauty hammer: "The more the Emperor indulges the Yang family, the heavier the punishment will be when he acts. Besides, these past years, the Emperor has been determined to implement new policies. The Yang family’s issues provide him with a good excuse. Otherwise, how could someone like Elder Lin, a trusted minister of the previous emperor, be dismissed just for opposing the lifting of the maritime ban? Speaking of which, Elder Liu has a keen eye.

He retired early, at least ensuring a peaceful twilight years."

The Old Lady sighed: "I’m afraid this matter will involve too many people, causing unrest in the capital again." The Second Lady laughed: "I think you’re worried that someone might come to you for help, putting you in a difficult position, whether you help or not." "You’re such a clever one," the Old Lady smiled at the Second Lady, her eyes and brows filled with affection.

"It’s because you’ve spoiled me." The Second Lady put down the beauty hammer, got up, and added some hot water to the Old Lady’s slightly cool teacup. "Do you want me to send a message for you?" The Old Lady hesitated.

"The Young Master of the Huang family has made a fortune these past two years," the Second Lady sat beside the Old Lady and whispered, "If he doesn’t know when to be content, even if you help him this time, there’s no guarantee he won’t ask for more next time."

The Old Lady nodded slightly: "Then go to the Huang family for me!" The Second Lady smiled and agreed, covering the Old Lady with a light blanket: "Rest now! Don’t worry about these matters. There’s the Marquis outside, and he understands well!"

The Old Lady’s face showed relief upon hearing this.

After finally getting Brother Jing to fall asleep, Eldest Miss was visibly exhausted. She instructed Qiuyu: "I’ll rest for a while. If anything happens, come and wake me!" On New Year’s Day, although everyone only sent name cards to each other’s gatehouses, it was still possible for close friends to visit.

Qiuyu responded softly, "Yes," and helped Eldest Miss to rest.

When she woke up, the room was already lit.

Eldest Miss hurriedly sat up, "What time is it now? Has Brother Jing cried again? Has the Marquis returned to the room yet? Is there any news from the Old Lady’s side?" Qiuyu, who was attending to her at the bedside, saw her asking urgently and quickly replied: "It’s just past the third watch of the hour of the Rooster. Sixth Young Master just woke up, had his milk, and went back to sleep. During this time, Imperial Physician Wu came to check his pulse and said that Sixth Young Master’s pulse is steady and strong, he’s doing well! He prescribed a formula to strengthen his stomach and spleen. Since he hasn’t seen you yet, the medicine hasn’t been collected. The Marquis hasn’t returned to the room yet.

There’s no news from the Old Lady’s side." At this point, her expression became slightly serious, and her voice lowered,

"However, not long after you rested, the Second Lady went out. According to the stable hands, she went to Yongchang Marquis’s residence and just returned."

"And Lord Xu called Lady Wen to his outer study this afternoon." Lady Eleven paused in surprise.

The Dowager went to the Huang family on New Year's Day and stayed there for quite some time. Now Lord Xu had summoned Lady Wen to his outer study...

She recalled the unusual behavior of Lord Xu and the Dowager earlier today.

What exactly was happening?

It must be related to Lord Xu's meeting with the Emperor this year!

"Have Xiu Lian bring in some water," Lady Eleven mused as she slipped on her shoes. "Also, send someone to the outer courtyard to check when Lord Xu will return—it's almost dinnertime!" She then instructed Qiuyu, "Any medicine can be harmful. Since Jin Geer is fine, there's no need to fill the prescription."

Qiuyu responded with a smile, "Yes," while Yu Mei brought over the clothes warming near the heater and helped Lady Eleven dress with the assistance of a young maid.

Lord Xu returned: "Imperial Physician Wu said Jin Geer is fine. Did he cry or fuss this afternoon?"

"Qiuyu said he just had milk and fell asleep," Lady Eleven replied, quickly putting up her hair. "I was just about to check on him!"

Lord Xu waited for her to finish dressing, then accompanied her to the nursery to see the child.

Wan San's wife sat nearby doing needlework while Jin Geer slept soundly.

Only then did Lord Xu give a satisfied nod and return to the inner chamber.

Qiuyu came in to ask where to serve the meal.

The couple dined in the east sitting room before moving back to the inner chamber for tea.

Lady Eleven smiled and asked him, "What gifts did the Emperor, the Empress, and the Crown Prince give you?"

"Just some gold, silver, jade, fabrics, and spices," Lord Xu replied dismissively. "Nothing new to speak of." As he said this, his hand, which had been skimming the tea leaves with the lid of the cup, paused slightly. "Steward Bai will bring the bestowed gifts to you in a couple of days."

Eleven Miss nodded with a smile. A young maid entered and announced, "My lord, madam, the concubines have come to pay their respects!"

"Invite them in," Eleven Miss said, glancing subtly at Lord Xu. She noticed his lips tightening slightly, his face clouded. When Lady Wen entered, her brows were furrowed with unease, and she spoke sparingly. In contrast, Yang Shi was lively in conversation... "It was snowing just a few days ago, but now, as the New Year approaches, the skies have cleared. This unworthy one noticed the wintersweet flowers in the back garden have all bloomed. My lord and madam might enjoy admiring them in your leisure. I even painted a wintersweet scene myself."

Lord Xu remained silent, his stern expression unchanged as he sipped his tea, not sparing a glance at the concubines. Lady Wen grew increasingly uneasy.

Eleven Miss maintained her composure, exchanging a few polite words with the concubines before lifting her teacup in dismissal. She noticed Lady Wen visibly relax, her expression softening as she curtsied and withdrew.

The next day, Eleven Miss took the children to Gongxian Lane. Qian Ming and his wife had not yet arrived. Fourth Madam Luo, dressed in a bright red full-sleeved *ao* embroidered with seasonal motifs, welcomed them warmly.

Wang Ze and Twelve Miss had already arrived—one in a dignified sapphire-blue Hangzhou silk robe, the other in a charming red peony-patterned jacket. Standing side by side, they looked like a pair of celestial children, a delightful sight.

Eleven Miss nodded inwardly in approval.

Twelve Miss stepped forward, blushing, to greet her.

Meanwhile, Fourth Madam Luo had the children call out "Fourth Uncle" and "Twelfth Aunt," handing out red envelopes. The exchange of gifts filled both adults and children with joy. The only slight awkwardness came from Luo Zhensheng, who was overly deferential in Lord Xu's presence. Fortunately, little Yingniang, lively and adorable, chattered like a sparrow with Xu Sizhun and Xu Sijie. Even Lord Xu couldn't help but smile and tease her, "If oleander resembles pomegranate flowers, which flower resembles the hosta?"

Yingniang retorted matter-of-factly, "Of course, the white crane flower!" ('white crane flower' is another name for hosta.)

Lord Xu burst into laughter, and Wang Ze also smiled broadly.

Luo Zhensheng, however, flushed crimson and scolded Yingniang, "What nonsense are you spouting? Who told you that? The white crane flower is the hosta!"

Yingniang ducked timidly behind Fourth Madam Luo.

"For a child, knowing this much is already impressive!" Lord Xu, seemingly fond of Yingniang, defended her with a smile. "She takes after her Eleventh Aunt—both love flowers and plants." He then turned to Yingniang, "We have a large greenhouse at home with many flowers. You should come visit sometime."

Yingniang glanced at her father but didn’t dare respond.

Fourth Madam Luo shot Luo Zhensheng a look and said cheerfully, "In a few days, for Jin Geer’s hundred-day celebration and Jie Geer’s birthday, we’ll surely come to join the festivities." Hearing his birthday mentioned, Xu Sijie whispered proudly to Xu Sizhun beside him, "I was born on the third day of the third lunar month!"

The adults were talking, so Xu Sizhun quietly signaled Xu Sijie to hush.

Noticing the children’s restraint, Fourth Madam Luo remarked, "Why haven’t Fifth Miss and her husband arrived yet? I’ve prepared my specialty—crystalized pork tripe slices—and want everyone to try my *zuanhe* snack box, a partitioned Jiangnan delicacy tray!" Eating assorted snacks during grand festivals was a Jiangnan custom.

A grand vermilion-gilded box with a black lacquered interior, divided into twelve compartments, held various side dishes to accompany noodles for the morning meal.

In the capital, there were restaurants specializing in Jiangnan cuisine, so this was nothing unfamiliar. While waiting for Qian Ming and his wife, the conversation drifted to the differences between Jiangnan and Yanjing cuisine.

Lord Xu, worldly and knowledgeable, and Wang Ze, cautious and reserved, became the focal points of discussion—especially since Luo Zhensheng was too nervous around Lord Xu to speak much. Lord Xu, usually reticent, unexpectedly became the focus. Eleven Miss found this amusing.

Finally, Qian Ming and Fifth Miss arrived with Brother Xin. Qian Ming wore a deep red jade silk robe embroidered with five roundels of longevity motifs, looking every bit the cultured scholar. Brother Xin, in a red gourd-patterned jacket, was as lively as usual, immediately taking Yingniang’s hand. Fifth Miss, however, though dressed in a red endless knot patterned *beizi* over-garment and adorned with a solid-gold *manjiao fenxin* hair ornament, her complexion was ashen. When she saw Eleven Miss, her smile was strained.

It seemed Qian Ming had likely reprimanded her.

Eleven Miss and Fourth Madam Luo exchanged a glance before stepping forward to greet Fifth Miss with smiles.

Twelve Miss, somewhat embarrassed, took Fifth Miss’s arm and said, "Fifth Sister, your *fenxin* hair ornament is truly beautiful. Which craftsman made it? It looks like it must weigh at least five or six taels!"

"Five or six taels?" Fifth Miss scoffed. "Even if it were hollow, five or six taels couldn’t make such a large *manjiao fenxin*—it cost twelve taels of silver in total."

"I knew it, it's so beautiful!" Twelve Miss carefully flattered Fifth Miss, "I’m new to Yanjing since my marriage and don’t know my way around. Unlike Fifth Sister, who has lived in Yanjing for a long time—which fabric shop has the best patterns, which shoemaker does the finest work... these everyday matters—you must guide me in the future!"

Fifth Miss's lips twitched slightly, about to say something, when Qian Ming, who was handing out red envelopes to the children, shot her a sharp glance. Fifth Miss pressed her lips together, shook off Twelve Miss's arm, and took Brother Xin's hand instead. "...Why haven’t you greeted your cousins properly?"

Fourth Madam tugged at Eleven Miss's sleeve and whispered, "Our family’s ladies are each one sharper than the next." Eleven Miss smiled and nodded.

At Twelve Miss's age, if not for having been reborn, even she couldn’t have done better than Twelve Miss.