Chapter 504

Chapter 511: Domestic Life (Part 2)

Lady Zhou knew Eleventh Miss had something to say to her but did not turn around, remaining composed. She took advantage of the commotion during the Third-Day Ceremony to quietly stand beside Eleventh Miss.

Eleventh Miss whispered Lord Xu and the Empress’s intentions to her. Lady Zhou visibly eased. When they left Fang Jieer’s place, even Princess Fucheng nodded at Eleventh Miss with a faint smile.

The elder madam, who had remained silent, now had a smile that deepened in her eyes.

She patted Eleventh Miss’s hand, which was supporting her, and went to the side hall with the fifth madam and Madam Huang, chatting and laughing.

By the time they returned to Hehuali (Lotus Lane), it was already mid-afternoon. Not only Lord Xu but also Luo Zhenxing had come to greet them.

"Brother..." Eleventh Miss was overjoyed.

Luo Zhenxing’s eyes crinkled with warmth as he nodded at his sister and stepped forward to pay his respects to the elder madam.

"We’ve been waiting for you!" the fifth madam greeted Luo Zhenxing with a smile. "Fourth Sister-in-law has been talking about you every day, wondering when you’d arrive..."

The elder madam also smiled. "Why did it take so long this time?"

"Forgive me for worrying the elder madam, the county princess, and my sister," Luo Zhenxing replied politely, though his gaze lingered on Eleventh Miss as if offering an explanation. "There were some delays on the road. I set off a full half-month later than planned..."

The elder madam and the fifth madam refrained from pressing further. Standing at the gate wasn’t the place for lengthy conversation, so the elder madam led the way inside, chatting casually with Luo Zhenxing. "What matters is that you arrived safely. Let Old Fourth host a welcome for you—you’ll have to drink your fill later!" She then asked, "How is everything at home? I heard your wife is pregnant—how is she doing?"

"By your grace," Luo Zhenxing replied respectfully, "everything is well at home. My wife is under Fifth Concubine’s care, so there’s nothing to worry about..."

Sixth Concubine had stayed in Yanjing and never returned.

Eleventh Miss thought of Fifth Concubine’s submissive air and wondered whether Luo Zhenxing’s words were polite or sincere.

After sitting briefly at the elder madam’s place, she excused them, knowing that one was reuniting with family and the other was pregnant—there was no need to keep them for tea.

The fifth madam returned to her quarters, while Eleventh Miss and Lord Xu accompanied Luo Zhenxing to the study.

Before Eleventh Miss could speak, Luo Zhenxing took the initiative. "Don’t worry. There’s nothing wrong at home. It’s just that a merchant who used to do tea business with our family suddenly moved his entire household to Hangzhou and pleaded for my help to resettle there."

Eleventh Miss’s pulse quickened. "Is the situation in Fujian that dire?"

This wasn’t something women were supposed to concern themselves with.

Luo Zhenxing glanced at Lord Xu.

Lord Xu, however, replied calmly, "Far worse than we’d assumed. Fujian officials only report good news. The massacre in Da’an Village couldn’t be concealed, so they had to report it..." His tone was unfazed, as though this were routine.

"So, Commander Li’s efforts there aren’t stabilizing the situation as we thought..." Eleventh Miss mused aloud.

If that was the case, then Li Wu’s military position... She had a vague sense of unease.

Lord Xu gave a dismissive ‘hmph’ and turned to Luo Zhenxing. "Your timing is perfect. I was just about to write to Yunfei. Tell me more about that tea merchant..."

Eleventh Miss was about to listen intently when she noticed Luo Zhenxing glance at her again. Realizing her impropriety, she quickly stood. "I’ll pour tea for His Lordship and Brother..."

Lord Xu waved it off. "Have a maid see to it. If you’re tired of listening, go rest in your room."

Jin Geer grew heavier, yet Eleventh Miss often carried him—and the boy never sat still. Lord Xu worried she might drop him in exhaustion.

"I understand..." Eleventh Miss smiled but still took her leave.

Luo Zhenxing was stunned into silence.

The people in the Hanlin Academy often spoke of Xu Lingyi, describing him as reserved and taciturn yet exceptionally astute and meticulous in his actions. However... he allowed Lady Eleven to remain by their side as they discussed court affairs.

He lowered his head to sip tea, hiding his expression, though his eyes kept darting toward Lady Eleven.

She was turned slightly, instructing a young maid.

Her slender figure swayed gracefully like a willow, her complexion as fair as freshly bloomed magnolia blossoms. Despite her delicate beauty, there was a striking allure that made people do a double take.

Luo Zhenxing couldn’t help but glance at Xu Lingyi.

Xu Lingyi was speaking, "...It’s all thanks to—or blamed on—Xiao He. Regional Commander Li excels at interpreting the emperor’s intentions but has misunderstood His Majesty’s will. Remember, all under heaven belongs to the sovereign. What the emperor needs is a commander capable of securing Fujian. Yet Li repeatedly fixates on trivial disputes with the Ou family—he’s got tunnel vision..." He did not spare Lady Eleven another glance.

For some reason, Luo Zhenxing felt an inexplicable relief. He quickly composed himself and responded to Xu Lingyi, "Truly putting the cart before the horse!"

Lady Eleven, having listened, stepped out and instructed a maid to have Cook Wu from the small kitchen prepare a feast for the two men. She then returned to her chambers to clean up, changed into a casual lined robe, and rested for a while.

When she awoke, the sunset had painted the sky.

From outside came Xu Sijie’s voice, "Don’t eat that—it’s a toy!" followed by the sound of a rattle being shaken.

Lately, Jin Geer had been putting everything he grabbed into his mouth. Worried he’d choke on buttons or other tiny things, Lady Eleven had ordered the maids to clear away all tiny household items and specifically instructed A’jin to keep a close watch.

Realizing that Xu Sijie had returned from his studies and was amusing Jin Geer outside, she smiled.

After Xu Sizhun moved to the outer courtyard, the two brothers still followed their usual routine—paying respects to the elder madam and Lady Eleven each morning before attending classes together at Shuangfu Academy. At noon, they would either dine and nap at the elder madam’s quarters or with Lady Eleven. However, after classes, Nanyong’s wife would politely brush off Xu Sizhun’s invitations and escort Xu Sijie back to the main residence, while Tutor Zhao would drill Xu Sizhun for another hour of lessons. Over time, the two no longer spent every moment together as before. Fortunately, Xu Sizhun’s heavier academic load demanded more study time, and Xu Sijie, who played with Jin Geer daily, never lacked company.

By the time Lady Eleven had tidied herself and entered the western chamber, Xu Sijie was playing the flute for Jin Geer.

Though not deeply versed in folk music, she could tell from the sweet, smooth, and rich notes that Xu Sijie’s mastery of the flute far surpassed that of Xu Sizhun, who was three years older and had begun learning at the same time. Xu Sijie was lost in the music, and Jin Geer, unusually still, watched his elder brother with big, round eyes.

Lady Eleven stood at the door, listening to Lord Xu’s son finish his tune before clapping her hands.

"Brother Shi's flute playing is getting better and better!" "Mother..." Xu Sijie ran over to embrace Lady Eleven's waist, his eyes and brows filled with joy, somewhat bashfully saying, "Master said I still need more practice!" Lady Eleven patted his head and took Jingge from Gu Mama who was holding him, bouncing in her arms: "Go do your homework. Then we'll have dinner. And go to pay respects to Grandmother!" Xu Sijie respectfully responded, then climbed onto the kang bed, sitting upright at the kang table to recite "The Primer."

This year, Master Zhao officially began Xu Sijie's education.

Jingge naturally grew impatient, making sounds and grabbing Lady Eleven's earring.

Lady Eleven laughed and gently patted her son's bottom. After A Jin and the others pulled Jingge’s little hands away, Lady Eleven handed Jingge to Gu Mama: "Fifth Young Master needs to study. Don’t let Sixth Young Master disturb him."

Gu Mama smiled and replied, "Yes," carrying Jingge to the warm pavilion.

After checking Xu Sijie's homework, Lady Eleven instructed the young maid to set up the evening meal. After paying respects to the Dowager Lady, she accompanied Xu Sijie to trace characters on the kang table in the western secondary room.

When Lord Xu returned, it was already late, and the courtyard was quiet, with night-duty maids and old women taking over.

In the brightly lit window of the western secondary room, the graceful silhouette of Lady Eleven doing needlework and the small figure of Xu Sijie practicing calligraphy were reflected.

Lord Xu stopped the young maid from announcing his arrival, standing there quietly watching them for a while before entering the room with light steps.

"The Marquis has returned..." Lady Eleven got off the kang bed.

Xu Sijie turned his head and called out, putting down his brush to bow to Lord Xu.

Lord Xu smiled and nodded, but his gaze fell on a large red brocade quilt beside the kang table—Jingge's rosy face was sleeping soundly.

"Have you finished your homework?" he asked Xu Sijie with a smile, sitting next to Jingge and tucking the quilt around him.

"Just one more character..." Xu Sijie said, blushing.

He was afraid his father would scold him.

Lord Xu, however, smiled gently and said, "Then hurry up and finish so you can go to sleep."

Xu Sijie perked up, answering with a soft "Mm-hmm," and cheerfully climbed onto the kang.

Eleven Miss came in with tea.

Lord Xu took a sip, his gaze drifting to the small wicker basket nearby, and asked with a smile, "What've you got there?"

Eleven Miss sat beside Xu Sijie and tidied the basket. "I wanted to make you a pair of summer socks, my lord."

Lord Xu raised his eyebrows in surprise.

Eleven Miss had never made anything for him before—especially since she still had an unfinished screen embroidery of *Gufeng*—but now he was curious. "Let me see."

Eleven Miss handed him the socks with a smile.

They were made of delicate, pale-yellow ramie fabric, with black cloud patterns embroidered at the cuffs, giving them a refined look.

Lord Xu liked them very much, holding them in his hands and running his fingers over them appreciatively before returning them.

Eleven Miss inquired about Luo Zhenxing. "Did Elder Brother leave already?"

"No," Lord Xu replied. "He had a bit too much to drink, so I let him stay over." He then added, "Zhenxing has taken a concubine. Pick out some jewelry tomorrow as a gift for the new concubine."

Eleven Miss was startled. "How did this happen?" Realizing her reaction was too abrupt, she softened her tone. "When did this happen? Elder Brother never said a thing about this in his letters."

"It was just these past few days," Lord Xu said with a smile. "How could he mention something like that?"

Eleven Miss fell silent.

With the elder madam now deceased, Elder Madam Luo would become the head of the household. She would have to attend to Elder Master Luo at home, manage household affairs, oversee daily matters, and raise the children—she couldn’t possibly accompany Luo Zhenxing to the capital, and he couldn’t be left without someone to care for him...

After the first surprise faded, though she understood the necessity of the arrangement, she couldn’t shake a twinge of irritation.

The room grew quiet.

Lord Xu, observing Eleven Miss's serene expression darken slightly, thought for a moment and reassured her, "Don’t worry. The decision was made by your sister-in-law, and the concubine is a distant relative from her maternal family. Her ancestors were scholars—she comes from a respectable and decent family."