Chapter 507

Chapter 513: The Heat (Part 2)

Upon hearing this, the Fifth Madam smiled warmly and said softly to Xu Lingkuan, "Fifth Lord, why don’t you choose a name for the child?"

The Fifth Lord fell into thought.

The Third Madam chuckled, "Why the hurry for a newborn? We can wait until our Qin-ge gets married before naming him."

It was customary for newborns to first be given a pet name, with their formal name chosen later when they were older, lest excessive blessings overwhelm the child. However, the Third Madam’s remark displeased the Fifth Madam.

Her child was born into nobility—how could he be unworthy of anything?

Besides, Eleven Miss’s Jin-ge had been given a name at birth as well.

Xu Lingkuan also felt slightly uncomfortable, but upon reflection, he found some truth in the words. Just as he was about to lighten the mood with his wife, he noticed her aggrieved expression and immediately changed his mind. "How about 'Lian' or 'Shen'?" he suggested. "As one of the brothers, he will bring more siblings in the future—'Shen' signifies abundance."

The Grand Madam glanced at the Third Madam and smiled, "That’s a fine name." Then she turned to the Fifth Madam, "What do you think?"

Among the cousins, this child ranked seventh, but within their own household, he was the eldest son. The Fifth Madam felt Xu Lingkuan should have chosen a more distinguished name, but since the Grand Madam approved and the Fifth Lord’s suggestion implied hopes for more children, she nodded with a smile. Taking the child in her arms, she kissed his cheek and said tenderly, "Our Shen-ge now has a name!"

Nurse Shi quickly chimed in, "Congratulations to the Seventh Young Master on receiving his name!"

The Fifth Madam beamed with pride.

The maids and matrons in the room hailed, "Young Master Shen-ge!"

The Third Madam couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.

She had birthed two sons and never acted so frivolously.

But the Grand Madam, delighted by the birth of her grandson, saw nothing frivolous in it. Smiling, she advised the Fifth Madam, "Take good care of yourself. Nurse Shi can handle household matters. Though the weather is hot, don’t give in to the temptation of opening windows for a draft..." The Grand Madam spoke, and the Fifth Madam responded dutifully until the Grand Madam noticed her weariness and stopped, saying cheerfully, "I’ll visit again tomorrow..." before being escorted back to her quarters by Eleven Miss and the Third Madam.

On the day of the Washing Third Day ceremony, a large group arrived from Red Lantern Lane. Likely distant relatives, the Fifth Madam only introduced Eleven Miss and the others to Lady Mu, consort of the Dingnan Heir.

Lady Mu was in her late twenties, of average height, with fair skin and delicate features—though she was quite shy, blushing the moment she spoke.

"Look at her," Madam Huang ribbed, "compared to Lady Sun, the rest of us seem shameless."

Lady Sun was startled and quickly replied, "It’s just that I’ve never seen such grand company before. I’m flustered in the presence of so many noble ladies. How could such grace be called shameless?"

"Elder sister, don’t take Madam Huang seriously," the Fifth Madam spoke up for her sister-in-law. "She’s only joking with you!" Then she added, "Elder sister, haven’t you met Princess Fucheng yet? She’s in my mother-in-law’s room speaking with her."

The other ladies, wives, and madams in the room were all familiar with one another, chatting about matters beyond Lady Sun’s ken.

Relieved, Lady Sun said hurriedly, "I’ll go pay my respects to Princess Fucheng then!" With that, she bid farewell to Madam Huang, Lady Lin, and the others, and followed Nurse Shi to the Grand Madam’s quarters.

Lady Lin teased the Fifth Madam with a laugh, "Danyang, you’ve spoken all your sister-in-law’s words for her."

The Fifth Madam protested playfully, "I don’t talk that much, do I?"

Everyone’s gaze then turned to Lady Zhou, who had remained silent since entering.

Since Fang Jieer gave birth to her second daughter, Lady Zhou had rarely gone out.

Noticing their looks, she smiled and said, "If I speak, you say I talk too much. If I stay quiet, you say I don’t talk enough." She pretended to sigh in exasperation. "Poor me—neither left nor right is right... Even standing here earns me your disdain."

Her words sent everyone into laughter.

Madam Tang, the Fourth Lady, stepped forward and took Lady Zhou’s hand. "Ignore these scamps. Let’s chat over here." She led her to a nearby armchair and began discussing her daughter’s dowry. "...The Grand Madam left a two-strand pearl bracelet, each pearl exquisitely round and matched. But my girl’s wrists are too slender—it slips right off. If strung as a necklace, it’s too short. To make it into hairpins would be a waste. I’m quite vexed!"

Lady Zhou smiled and said, "You’ve asked the wrong person. You should seek Madam Xu (Fourth) for this matter." She showed little interest in the conversation.

"You are well-traveled and knowledgeable, while Madam Xu (Fourth) is clever and skilled," Madam Tang the Fourth spoke sweetly. "With both of you advising our daughter, what more could I worry about? But both of you are of noble status, and I didn’t dare consider it." She then took Eleven Miss by the hand. "Please, both of you, help me plan this so our daughter can have a dignified wedding!"

Ever since learning that Mr. Zhao had resigned from the Tang family due to dissatisfaction with their attitude, Eleven Miss had been wary of the Tangs and didn’t want to get too close to them. She smiled and said, "I’m only good at dabbling at home. How could I possibly advise on your daughter’s behalf? It’s better to ask Sister Zhou for advice!"

But Madam Tang the Fourth insisted, tugging Eleven Miss to sit beside Lady Zhou.

Lady Lin observed and murmured to Madam Huang, "I heard the Tang family wants the Third Young Master Tang to divorce his wife. It seems they’re focusing their efforts on the Zhou family now."

Madam Huang pursed her lips but stayed silent.

Lately, she had been visiting the Xu family frequently. Madam Tang the Fourth had once sent four century-old ginseng roots, claiming Eleven Miss was unwell. Eleven Miss, finding the gift too extravagant, passed them on to the Empress. Later, Madam Tang sent fabrics and clothing materials intermittently, all of which Eleven Miss recorded and reciprocated with gifts of equal value. Madam Tang had only recently ceased.

Just then, a young maid lifted the curtain, and the Third Madam entered, flanked by maids and matrons. "The banquet is ready. Please, everyone, come and take your seats!" She had volunteered to help arrange Huan Geer’s Thirdday Ceremony for the elder madam and the Fifth Madam the day before.

An acquaintance exclaimed, "Oh, when did you return to the capital?"

"I came back in the first month," the Third Madam replied with a smile. "Our Qin Geer is getting married on the sixteenth of the ninth month. We’ll handle this major event before returning to Shanyang. You must join us for a modest toast then."

"Of course, of course." She then invited Lady Lin, Madam Huang, Madam Tang the Fourth, and others, saying, "You must all come." She also reminded Madam Tang the Fourth, "Sister, if you happen to see Madam Tang the Ninth from the West Courtyard, please let her know. I’ll personally deliver the invitation in a few days."

Madam Tang the Fourth smiled. "I’ll be sure to pass on the message." Madam Huang quietly asked Eleven Miss, "Does your family have dealings with the Tangs of the West Courtyard?"

The Tang family’s West Courtyard was home to a distant branch of the Zhongshan Marquis’s clan.

Eleven Miss thought for a moment and said, "Perhaps the Third Sister-in-law has personal connections with them."

Later, when writing the invitations, she learned that the Third Madam had once attended a Tang family wedding and, coincidentally, sent two bolts of satin as a gift for the hundred-day celebration of Madam Tang the Ninth’s daughter from the West Courtyard.

The Fifth Madam flushed with anger. "I knew it! She suddenly became so enthusiastic, rushing to help with Shen Geer’s Thirdday Ceremony and full-month celebration. Turns out it was all to invite guests for her own Qin Geer’s wedding!" She added to Eleven Miss, "Fourth Sister-in-law, you might not know this yet—she even invited two distant sisters-in-law from my maiden family. Once she leaves her children at home and goes to Shanyang, how can I possibly force my nieces-in-law to repay the favors for any future weddings or funerals in their families? Behaving so crudely—what does that say about my standing?"

Shen Geer had a mild stomachache, and Eleven Miss had come to visit. She hadn’t expected the Fifth Madam to confide in her like this.

Neither the Fifth Madam nor Eleven Miss would ever behave this way.

Eleven Miss gently patted Shen Geer and smiled. "Sometimes I envy those common women who weep, fuss, or threaten to hang themselves—they seem less restrained than we are."

The Fifth Madam was taken aback, then burst into laughter.

Her gaze toward Eleven Miss softened.

"September’s brisk air is ideal for chrysanthemum viewing and crab feasts. I originally planned to invite Seventh Miss to the capital for a short stay during Huan Geer’s hundred-day celebration." She frowned. "But now, I think I’ll wait until after Qin Geer’s wedding to write to her. Otherwise, she might hurry over and land right in the middle of this."

Eleven Miss laughed. "Write to her anyway! The Third Sister-in-law has already invited my fourth sister, twelfth sister, and even my seventh sister!"

The Fifth Madam was speechless for a long moment before finally saying, "We’ve sorely underestimated her!"

Eleven Miss laughed again.

Swaddled, Shen Geer frowned.

Eleven Miss quickly stifled her laughter. "I almost woke Huan Geer!"

The Fifth Madam caught the tender, adoring look in Eleven Miss’s eyes as she gazed at Huan Geer—just like when she looked at Jin Geer—and couldn’t help but smile.

"Fourth Sister-in-law, you’re not in the best health. You should hand him to the wet nurse."

The Fifth Madam always put the children first, so Eleven Miss didn’t hesitate, smiling as she passed the baby to the wet nurse. The Fifth Madam then turned the conversation to Seventh Miss.

"There's been no progress at all. Old Lady Zhu keeps making snide remarks at home every day. Even Master Zhu doesn't know what to do. A while ago, Seventh Miss even went back to her parents' home and stayed for over half a month before returning."

Seventh Miss never mentioned any of this to Eleven Miss.

"How is she doing now?"

"Though she hasn't said anything, I imagine her life must be quite difficult." Fifth Lady sighed. "That's why I wanted to invite her to the capital for a visit—to see if we could find a good doctor to examine her properly."

Eleven Miss felt ashamed.

Though she and Seventh Miss were sisters, she wasn’t as close to her as Fifth Lady was.

"I’ve advised her before—why not just let him take a concubine?" Fifth Lady said. "But she wouldn’t hear of it. She’d rather get divorced than settle. I don’t know what else to say. When she comes, Sister-in-law, perhaps you could reason with her."

Eleven Miss faintly understood Seventh Miss’s feelings.

To her, Zhu Anping wasn’t just a husband—he was her beloved. That’s why she couldn’t bear to endure it, preferring separation over forcing herself to accept the situation.

Once back in her room, she asked Lord Xu, "Could you look into whether Zhu Anping has had any children before?" Lord Xu chuckled. "Wouldn’t it be easier to just get him a concubine? At least her background would be clear."

"That’s not what I meant!" Eleven Miss mused. "Seventh Miss has sought out physicians everywhere, but there’s been no progress. If it truly is her issue, knowing would help her decide." After a moment’s thought, Lord Xu readily agreed.