Chapter 488

Chapter 494: Unease (Part 1)

"After all, it's the eldest son's wedding. Third Young Master not only arranged a residence in Yanjing but also plans to give the eldest young master a shop and a six-hundred-acre estate," Madam Huang chuckled, her tone tinged with surprise. Clearly, she hadn’t expected the third branch to have such means.

Eleven Miss remained unfazed.

With Third Madam’s years of savings and the family assets she received during the family division, these things were well within her means.

"Regardless, we’ll still need to trouble you, Sister, to handle this matter," she said politely.

Madam Huang smiled in response. "Since I’ve been entrusted by the elder madam, I’ll naturally give it my all!"

As they spoke, the two stepped through the courtyard gate.

Madam Huang waved Eleven Miss off. "Jin Geer is still waiting for you to coax him to sleep!"

Eleven Miss didn’t insist. She watched as Madam Huang climbed into the small green-canopied carriage before returning to the main house.

Jin Geer was still awake, his bright, curious eyes darting about. When he saw his mother enter, he beamed a toothless grin.

"What a little rascal!" Eleven Miss chuckled, giving his bottom a playful swat.

Jin Geer thought his mother was playing with him and bubbled with laughter.

Eleven Miss couldn’t help but laugh.

Lord Xu was back from the palace.

Eleven Miss hurried out to greet him.

"Where’s Jin Geer?" Lord Xu asked as soon as he entered, asking about their son.

"In the inner chamber—Gu Ma is watching him!" Eleven Miss replied, calling for a maid to assist him in changing and washing up while carefully observing his expression.

Seeing that he looked as composed as usual, her worries eased slightly.

Lord Xu, aware of his wife’s concern, quickly said, "Everything’s fine. I discussed some matters with the Emperor. The Huang family will inevitably face reprimand, but there’s no danger to their lives."

"That’s good!" Eleven Miss sighed in relief.

With this matter brought to light, even if the Yongchang Marquis’ heir had some leverage over Marquis Jianning, Lord Xu’s actions were now above reproach.

Lord Xu went into the inner chamber to hold Jin Geer.

Jin Geer giggled happily.

Lord Xu’s gaze softened considerably.

Eleven Miss nodded and asked about his visit to the palace. "…Was the Emperor displeased?"

Lord Xu’s reply, however, was vague. "The Emperor was in a hurry to discuss matters with Minister Chen!" With that, he passed Jin Geer back to Gu Ma and went to wash up.

Since the matter wasn’t yet settled, all they could do now was wait for news.

Ten Miss mused as she cradled her son, coaxing him to sleep.

In the following days, Madam Huang frequently visited the Yongping Marquis’ estate to prepare for Xu Siqin’s wedding, always stopping by Eleven Miss’s quarters before heading out.

Lady Shier knew that she was trying to probe Lord Xu’s thoughts through her, but this matter was too complicated. Not only for her, even Lord Xu had no clear idea about it. Without any substantial progress, comfort seemed hollow, so Lady Shier decided to talk about the marriage of Xu Siquin.

The wife of Minister Liu said that the Fang family had prepared ten thousand taels of silver as dowry for their eldest daughter...

Third Lady thought that although the fourteen acres of land in Huzhou were valuable, they were too far away and of little practical use to their family: “We usually buy land in Wanping or Daxing. If it’s too late, Shandong would be acceptable.”

Minister Liu’s wife told Grandma Huang that buying land in Wanping or Daxing was too late, and they agreed to buy land in Tongdong...

Third Lady requested several servant quarters and a few young maids: “... No one is managing the residence in Sanjing Alley!”

Minister Liu’s wife asked if two servant quarters and four young maids would be enough...

Third Lady preferred the young maids to be six or seven years old: “They can learn the rules properly. When the lady’s personal maids are released, these people will be ready to take over.”

“The Fang family has agreed,” Grandma Huang sipped her tea and sighed, “If only I could find such an agreeable matchmaker!”

“Third Sister-in-law is wholeheartedly planning for Qingen,” Lady Shier listened and was somewhat amazed—she had only heard of brides setting conditions that grooms fully accepted, rarely of grooms making such demands. However, she had heard that the Fang family in Huzhou was not only a prominent clan but also wealthy. The Fang family might think that Third Lady’s requests were not significant, but it couldn’t be entirely ruled out that they wanted to finalize the marriage of their eldest daughter quickly. But she could only play mediator, “Madam Fang is a reasonable person; upon careful consideration, she would understand.”

"Everyone knows the truth, but few can truly understand and act upon it." Lady Huang smiled as she chatted with Lady Shier for a while, noticing it was already dusk, she got up to take her leave.

Yu Ban from the matriarch’s quarters came over: "Fourth Lady, the matriarch asks you to bring Young Master Six to see her!"

On the fourth day of the second month, Mr. Zhao returned home. Lord Xu and Mr. Zhao had a long conversation behind closed doors, then decided that on the sixth day of March, Xu Sizhen would move to the outer courtyard.

The matriarch couldn’t help but hesitate when she heard this.

Xu Sizhen, however, was eager and instead persuaded his grandmother: "Eldest Brother, Second Brother, and Third Brother all moved to the outer courtyard at my age. Besides, Eldest Brother and Third Brother will be there to keep me company."

The matriarch had no choice but to agree, though she remained concerned and arranged for Ge Jin to accompany him to serve in the outer courtyard. In recent days, she had been busy packing Xu Sizhen’s belongings and overseeing the furnishings and decorations for Dabozhai, where he would soon reside, so she hadn’t seen Jingge’er for a couple of days.

Lady Shier smiled in response, changed into new clothes herself, and had Jingge’er do the same before heading to the matriarch’s quarters.

Xu Sizhen had already started his lessons and hurriedly paid his respects to Lady Shier after class before dragging Xu Sijie to Dabozhai. When Lady Shier entered with Jingge’er in her arms, they were just returning from Dabozhai.

"Mother, Mother," he tugged at Lady Shier’s sleeve, looking up at her with bright eyes, "I’ve reserved a side room for Fifth Brother at Dabozhai. During the bathing and resting period, could you let Fifth Brother stay with me?"

Xu Sijie, clearly swayed by Xu Sizhen’s words, also pulled at Lady Shier’s sleeve: "Mother, Fourth Brother’s courtyard is so large and beautiful." His eyes sparkled with envy.

Serenity Hall was the residence of the Yongping Marquis's heir. After Xu Sizhun moved there, he would officially begin his education as the heir. There would naturally be an adjustment period at first, and having the bright and spirited Xu Sijie occasionally keep him company might offer some comfort.

Lady Eleven thought for a moment and smiled. "You can go play with your brother during breaks, but no staying the night. That would interfere with his studies."

After all, it was the heir's residence, and staying overnight would be inappropriate—more likely to invite gossip!

"No, no, we won’t!" Xu Sizhun hastily promised. "We won’t neglect our studies."

Xu Sijie added, "I’ll only visit when brother isn’t in school!"

"Good!" Lady Eleven smiled and pulled both children close. "Remember what you promised your mother!"

Xu Sizhun and Xu Sijie bobbed their heads eagerly.

Everyone entered the room cheerfully.

The Third Lady was sitting by the elder madam on the heated platform bed by the window, engaged in talk.

Lady Eleven only caught half of it: "...if they set up their own household like this, and we’re not even in Yanjing, wouldn’t it be shameful if the eldest grandson’s wife didn’t even recognize you?"

Seeing Lady Eleven enter, she quickly stopped and stood up to greet her with a smile.

The elder madam didn’t even glance at the Third Lady. Instead, she chuckled and clapped her hands, calling out to Jin Geer, "Come here, sweetheart, to your grandmother!"

The next day, when Lady Eleven went to greet the elder madam, they spoke.

**********

"...wanted to renovate the small courtyard next to the Hall of Spring Blossoms for Qin Geer’s bridal suite," the elder madam said, with rare disapproval. "I didn’t approve. Told her to manage her own affairs."

He would tidy up the courtyard for Brother Qin’s wedding room. As for the small courtyard beside the Spring Dotting Hall, it was originally prepared for the ladies to rest after watching plays. This level of respect, our Xu family must maintain!"

Lady Shier couldn’t help but feel embarrassed.

Third Lady really knows how to make demands!

"The small courtyard is connected to the Spring Dotting Hall," she smiled, "with frequent family gatherings and performances, it can get quite noisy, indeed not very suitable as a wedding room."

As Lady Shier and the Dowager were talking, Third Lady arrived.

She wore a bright red brocade robe with a continuous pattern, her face beaming with joy: "Mother, the Fang family’s dowry list has arrived." She took out a large red sprinkled gold invitation from her sleeve, walked eagerly to the Dowager, and opened the invitation for her to see, "Look, look, from the eight-step bed to the chamber pot, everything is lacquered in red." After saying this, she glanced at Lady Shier with a hint of pride.

Lady Shier followed her words with some praise, saying things like, "The Fang family is truly meticulous."

Hearing this, Third Lady’s pride grew even more, pointing at the items on the list and chattering away to the Dowager, who listened absentmindedly, while Lady Shier sat beside her smiling.

A young maid ran in, "Dowager, Lady Huang San has arrived."

The Dowager perked up, smiling, "Let her in!" It seemed she was glad that Lady Huang San’s arrival could interrupt Third Lady’s talk.

However, there was no trace of joy on Lady Huang San’s face.

She hurriedly paid her respects to the Grand Dowager, her voice trembling as she said, "Grand Dowager, the Yang family has been raided!" Her expression was one of great fear.

The warm sunlight of February gently filtered through the glass window, filling the air with the bright promise of spring.

Though both the Grand Dowager and Eldest Miss had mentally prepared for this, when it truly happened, thinking of the uncertain future of Yongchang Marquisate, they couldn't help but shiver simultaneously. Unaware of their reaction, Third Lady was more shocked, tightly gripping Lady Huang's hand: "Sister, who told you? Is it true or false?"

Lady Huang looked at the Grand Dowager, "His Excellency has been keeping an eye on the Yang family these past few days. This morning, right after breakfast, a servant came back to report that people from the Supreme Court led the Imperial Guard to surround Jianning Marquisate and Shouchang Earl's residence... Mother sent me to inform you!" Her tone carried a hint of pleading.

Third Lady's face was full of confusion. She glanced at the silent Grand Dowager, then at the somber Eldest Miss, and loudly asked Lady Huang, "What does the raid on the Yang family have to do with us?"

Her voice was unusually shrill, piercing the silence of the room like a needle.

Lady Huang's face turned even paler, her lips quivered, but she remained speechless.

The Grand Dowager gave Eldest Miss a meaningful look.

Eldest Miss understood and softly said to Third Lady, "This incident happened so suddenly; Lady Huang must still be in shock. Let's go and make her a cup of tea!" Without waiting for her consent, she pulled her out of the door.