Chapter 516

Chapter 522: Loss (Part 2)

Marquis Xu spoke with such ease, but Elevenniang was at a loss for how to respond.

What did it mean to be "obedient"? What did it mean to be "disobedient"? A person's fate might be altered forever because of this.

Seeing her silent for a long while, Marquis Xu assumed she was unsure whom to choose. He smiled and said, "There’s no hurry in this matter. No need to rush." Elevenniang agreed, but after pondering for several days, she decided to first ask Xu Siyu for his own opinion.

Xu Siyu had never expected Elevenniang to ask him such a question. No matter how composed and reserved he usually was, he was still just a fifteen-year-old boy. His face turned bright red, and he stammered, unable to form a coherent reply.

Elevenniang gave a faint smile and remarked meaningfully, "Young marriages are often the sweetest, mostly because those are the first stirrings of emotion. Your father also said there’s no rush—no need to rush. Think it over, and when you’ve decided, just send someone to let me know." Then she offered tea, a polite dismissal.

Xu Siyu left the courtyard in a daze. As he stepped out, he saw Zhenjie and her maid Xiao Peng approaching, chatting softly with smiles. He quickly composed himself and greeted Zhenjie.

Zhenjie seemed a little shy. "Mother mentioned that you won’t return to Anle until after the New Year, is that true?"

Xu Siyu nodded with a smile. "Yes, why? Do you have something you’d like me to bring to Anle?"

Ever since Ninth Miss Jiang visited their home, Elevenniang had sent clothes and food to her every year, and Ninth Miss Jiang would reciprocate with hand-sewn shoes and socks. Elevenniang had entrusted Zhenjie with the task of sending return gifts. Over time, as Ninth Miss Jiang grew older, the two had also begun exchanging letters.

Zhenjie’s cheeks turned slightly pink, and Xiao Peng chimed in, "On the tenth day of the tenth month is the sixth young master’s first birthday, the twenty-fifth is the second young master’s birthday, and by November, our young lady will be of age for her coming-of-age ceremony (ji li). If the second young master is also home, the young lady says it’ll be merrier than Mid-Autumn!"

After the coming-of-age ceremony, Zhenjie would be married. This might be her last birthday celebrated at the Xu household. Due to the mourning period, Xu Siyu had stayed in Yanjing, and with Xu Siqin and Xu Sijian returning from Shanyang, it would be a proper reunion for the siblings.

Xu Siyu felt a pang of melancholy but smiled and nodded. "I’ll be sure to give you a lavish gift then."

"Who needs lavish gifts from you?" Zhenjie looked at him earnestly. "I just hope you won’t forget about me, your younger sister. If you ever have the chance, come visit me..."

Xu Siyu nodded firmly.

A group of well-dressed household stewards approached, chatting and laughing. Occasionally, a louder voice could be heard discussing, "The sixth young master’s third-day, full-month, and hundred-day ceremonies were only attended by close relatives and friends. This first birthday probably won’t be a grand affair either..."

"The fourth madam prefers simplicity and dislikes lavish celebrations with music and fanfare, so she wouldn’t want a big event. But it still depends on whether the marquis agrees!"

"The marquis usually doesn’t interfere in household matters, so he’ll naturally defer to the fourth madam."

Someone laughed. "The fourth madam said the sixth young master is still young and only needs clean, warm, and breathable clothes. But what happened? When the eldest young master got married, the marquis insisted the sixth young master shouldn’t be dressed shabbily. He had four embroidered cloaks tailored, each a different hue. Though the fourth madam said nothing, what mother wouldn’t be happy to see her husband dote on their son? Haven’t you noticed how these days, the sixth young master insists on only drinking milk and refuses vegetable porridge, yet Nanny Gu doesn’t push him?"

Xu Siyu and Zhenjie shared a look.

The household stewards noticed them and hurried forward to pay their respects.

Having overseen household matters on Elevenniang’s behalf for the past two years, Zhenjie commanded even greater respect from the older women.

"Young miss, are you on your way to see the fourth madam, or have you just come from her?"

"I’m going to see Mother," Zhenjie replied, her smile poised with an air of poised authority that was unfamiliar to Xu Siyu.

His expression dimmed slightly as he exchanged a few more words with Zhenjie, watching as she was surrounded by the obedient matrons—many of whom were much older—and escorted into the main courtyard.

"Second young master..." His maid Xiangzhu, seeing him standing there hesitantly, said with a smile, "I just saw the eldest young madam accompanying the third wife to the elder madam’s quarters."

Xu Siqin lived behind the main house, implying that if Xu Siyu had nowhere else to go, he could visit him.

But thinking of the tender way Fang Shi looked at Xu Siqin, Xu Siyu suddenly felt it inappropriate to visit casually. Yet he didn’t want to return to his own quarters either.

Bringing in a concubine... But what would happen to her once his future wife entered the household? Would she end up like his birth mother? Or like fifth uncle’s two concubines, who were sent to the estates and wed to tenants?

His mind was a whirlwind. Yet he couldn’t linger here forever.

After a moment's thought, he said softly, "I'll go see Second Auntie."

Xiangzhu nodded with a smile and led the way ahead.

When they arrived at Second Madam's residence, they were stopped outside by Jiexiang: "Second Madam didn't sleep at all last night... Second Young Master, perhaps you could come back in a couple of days?" "What happened?" Xu Siyu asked in surprise.

"Second Madam has been observing the stars lately," Jiexiang explained with a smile. "Even when Eldest Daughter-in-Law came to see her the other day, Second Madam didn't receive her."

Relieved, Xu Siyu smiled and said, "If Second Auntie is in good health, that's what matters." Not wanting to leave just yet, he asked Jiexiang to prepare some tea and sat quietly in the bamboo grove.

A woman in a fuchsia vest and indigo skirt passed by on the small path beside the bamboo grove.

Xiangzhu, who had been idly standing by, remarked with a smile, "Second Young Master, that's Xiu Yuan, Qiao Lianfang's maid!"

Xu Siyu acknowledged absentmindedly.

Xiangzhu continued, "I heard Xiu Yuan, like Jiexiang, wants to become a home-practicing Buddhist. She begged Fourth Madam for permission, but Fourth Madam initially refused. So Xiu Yuan snipped a strand of her hair to show her determination. In the end, Fourth Madam allowed her to become a disciple of Ji Ning Shitai. Now she and Jiexiang are quite close..."

The woman they had just seen had striking almond-shaped eyes and peach-blossom cheeks—exceptionally beautiful.

Such looks would turn heads elsewhere, but in this household, it was nothing extraordinary.

Xu Siyu gazed vacantly at the rustling bamboo, lost in thought.

...

Meanwhile, Zhuxiang escorted the housekeepers out.

Zhenjie and Miss Eleven went to sit in the inner chamber.

", Mother, the celebration for Sixth Brother's first birthday..."

", as in the hundred-day ceremony," Lady Shier smiled and continued.

Sister Zhen couldn’t help but purse her lips, recalling how those managing mothers had all urged Lady Shiyi to go all out with the preparations.

Eleven's mother spoke these words with her mouth, but in her heart, she feared that Lord Xu might not approve. Therefore, she wasn't particularly keen on discussing the matter and, with a smile, steered the conversation towards Zhen's coming-of-age ceremony: "I've invited Master Jian to craft your ceremonial robes, which won't be finished until the end of October. Once they're ready, you can take a look and see if there are any adjustments you'd like to make..."

Sister Zhen knew that Lady Shiyi was preparing for her matters and had even heard vaguely that Lady Shiyi had been submitting requests to enter the palace to seek the Empress's favor on her behalf. Feeling somewhat uneasy upon hearing this, she whispered, "Mother, I will leave it to your decision!" "Even if I make the decision, it must still be something you like."

As they spoke, a young maid came in to announce, "Madam has arrived..."

After her marriage, Fang mostly served the Third Lady, and when we occasionally met, it was usually during my visits to pay respects to the Grand Lady. This is the first time she has come to see me alone.

Lady Shier quickly invited her to sit in the western reception room and had the maidservants serve tea and refreshments.

The Fang family and Zhenjie exchanged courtesies and then sat down on the Taishi chairs by the kang.

"Mother had something to discuss with Grandmother, so I came here to sit with Auntie Fourth on my own," she said, shyly smiling at Zhen and glancing at her. "I hope I’m not disturbing you and Younger Sister?" "We were just chatting idly," Eleventh Lady smiled. "Your presence adds more liveliness; how could it be a disturbance?" Then, she asked her affectionately if she was settling in well and what she usually did for amusement.

Ms. Fang only replied with “Still learning...” to the first question. Then, Eleventh Lady brought up the next topic: “At home, I mostly did embroidery, read books, wrote, and tended to flowers and plants. But my temper is rather impatient, so I didn’t do well at any of them. I’ve heard that Fourth Aunt’s needlework is exceptional and that she also has a green thumb. I was hoping for an opportunity to learn from you, Fourth Aunt. I wonder if you would find me too clumsy...”

Assume an amiable and neighborly demeanor.

As family, we should always reciprocate kindness and maintain a warm, close relationship.

"Qin Ge’s daughter-in-law is too modest!" Lady Shiyi laughed. "If you like it, just come over. I’m afraid that when you see my mediocre embroidery and ordinary flowers, you’ll be greatly disappointed..."

" Aunt, you are too modest! " Fang Shi smiled, "My mother keeps two pots of orchids in her room. I heard from the maids that they were moved from the greenhouse, which shows that you are a person who loves flowers and plants. I happen to enjoy growing orchids. Your words make me feel awkward to speak." Raising orchids in ancient times was not only an elegant hobby but also required a great deal of effort, resources, and money. The fact that the Fang family allowed their daughter to cultivate such a hobby took Lady Shier by surprise. She carefully examined Fang Shi for a moment.

Fang Shi allowed her to examine her freely and smiled, "It's just a pity that this trip was too rushed to bring a few pots of orchids for Auntie to see. I'll have to wait until next year when someone from home comes to Yanjing, then I can have them bring a few over..."

To say that after seeing her greenhouse suggests she must have some rare treasures in her collection.

Eleven Miss thanked her with a smile and exchanged a few more casual words with Fang Shi. Then an unfamiliar maid passed by outside the curtain, and Fang Shi rose to take her leave with a smile.

Zhenjie escorted the guest out for Eleven Miss.

Eleven Miss asked Qiuyu, "Was that the eldest young lady's maid outside?"

"Yes!" Qiuyu replied cheerfully. "She said she was afraid Third Lady might return without the eldest young mistress knowing, which would be discourteous, so she had her wait outside to inform the eldest young mistress when Third Lady came back." Eleven Miss nodded and instructed that if Fang Shi visited again, her maids should not be stopped if they needed to come in to deliver messages.

When Lord Xu returned in the evening, he discussed matters concerning the third branch with her.

"Third Brother has written to me," he said, lounging against the headboard, idly stroking Eleven Miss's hair. "He mentioned that he has no one to take care of him, so after Jin Geer's first birthday celebration, he wants me to arrange for Third Aunt to be sent to Shanyang. As for Qin Geer and Jian Geer, he has already invited a former Hanlin Academy scholar to tutor them at Sanjing Hutong. They'll move there then. Fang Shi will manage the inner household, so the brothers will have someone to look after them."

Wasn't this basically splitting up the household?

The suddenness of it all gave Eleven Miss a sense of unreality. "Does Third Aunt know about this?"