Chapter 518

Chapter 524: The First Birthday Grab (Part 1)

The Third Young Master’s wife had finally achieved the comfortable life she’d always wanted—how could she be willing to come back? But since elder madam had spoken, no matter how unwilling she was, she didn’t dare contradict elder madam at the time.

Eleven Miss chuckled. "It seems Third Sister-in-law will have some drama in the coming days!"

Zhuxiang smirked and whispered, "I heard that yesterday, as soon as the Third Young Master’s wife returned to her room, she threw a fit over a maid serving tea that was too strong. Early this morning, she called for Old Gan’s wife and had Old Gan send a letter to Third Young Master in Shanyang."

Perhaps she was discussing with Third Young Master how to handle this matter?

Eleven Miss wondered as she saw Lord Xu emerge from the washroom.

She changed the subject and instructed Zhuxiang, "Go check if breakfast is ready."

After all, talking about the Third Young Master’s wife behind her back wasn’t entirely proper.

Zhuxiang curtsied and left.

Lord Xu smiled and sat by the kang, holding Jin Geer’s chubby hand.

Jin Geer immediately crawled into Lord Xu’s lap and sat there.

His cute behavior made Lord Xu laugh.

Xu Siyu came to greet them.

Eleven Miss hadn’t expected him to be so early today and hurried to take Jin Geer. But Jin Geer clung tightly to his father’s robe, babbling stubbornly as he fought Eleven Miss.

Happy his son wanted to stay, Lord Xu stepped in, "Let him stay here."

If Lord Xu later questioned Xu Siyu sternly while Jin Geer fidgeted in his lap, how would Xu Siyu feel being reprimanded in front of him?

Eleven Miss smiled and tried to peel Jin Geer’s fingers off. "Lord Xu and Yuge have serious matters to discuss."

Jin Geer’s face flushed with stubbornness, but he refused to let go.

Eleven Miss had never encountered such an awkward situation before, her face turning red.

Mother and son stared each other down.

Lord Xu found it amusing, and Xu Siyu’s lips also curled into a smile.

"Mother, let Sixth Brother stay there," Xu Siyu said, not wanting Eleven Miss to feel embarrassed. "He’s still young. He’ll grow out of it."

Lord Xu also dismissed Eleven Miss. "Go check if breakfast is ready." Then he asked Xu Siyu, "Have you eaten yet? Join us for breakfast later."

Xu Siyu had already eaten, but since his father asked, he respectfully replied, "Yes."

Meanwhile, Eleven Miss, seeing Jin Geer’s unyielding expression, knew that persisting would only escalate the situation. She murmured an acknowledgment, seizing the chance to step back, and turned to arrange breakfast.

Jin Geer giggled and threw himself into Lord Xu’s arms.

Partly annoyed, partly amused, Lord Xu held his youngest son and gave his bottom a light tap. "You can’t do this in the future!"

It didn’t hurt at all, so Jin Geer thought his father was playing with him. He twisted around to grin at Lord Xu, then wriggled free from his grasp, clambering over Lord Xu’s arm to his back, tugging at his clothes to climb up.

Xu Siyu was taken aback.

Jin Geer was becoming a bit too bold.

He hurried over, took Jin Geer’s small hand, and without daring to scold openly, said instead as he pulled the child into his arms, “Be careful not to fall!” Lord Xu realized this was a lingering habit from when he used to carry Jin Geer on his shoulders to play “horse.” Unsettled under his eldest son’s gaze, he simply turned to Xu Siyu and instructed, “Take him to his nurse.”

Xu Siyu respectfully replied, “Yes,” and handed Jin Geer over to Gu Ma.

Lord Xu then gestured toward a nearby armchair. “Please sit.”

Gu Ma quickly carried Jin Geer away.

Along the way, she ran into Eleven Miss.

“His Lordship is speaking with the second young master.”

Eleven Miss did not interrupt, smiling as she took Jin Geer to play by the window in the resting area.

About the time it took for an incense stick to burn, sounds emerged from the inner chamber.

Eleven Miss signaled a maid to bring in a small table and serve breakfast for father and son.

Lord Xu wore his usual solemn expression, while Xu Siyu maintained a respectful composure. They ate in silence, interrupted only occasionally by the clinking of dishes, making the atmosphere quite serious.

Eleven Miss couldn’t help but smile.

Later, concubines and children arrived one after another to pay their respects. Lord Xu exchanged a few indifferent words before leaving with Eleven Miss to visit the elder madam.

Jin Geer grew more adorable each day. Whenever Eleven Miss brought him to greet the elder madam, she would immediately take him into her arms, fussing endlessly over him. This time was no exception—she promptly had Gu Ma bring the child over and examined him carefully from head to toe. Seeing that his clothes were neither too thick nor too thin and that he appeared cheerful, she nodded slightly before holding Jin Geer and speaking with Lord Xu and Eleven Miss. “How do you plan to celebrate Jin Geer’s first birthday?”

In such circumstances, the right to speak naturally belonged to Lord Xu.

Eleven Miss remained silent.

Lord Xu responded according to their prior discussion. “We thought we’d follow the style of the hundred-day celebration, inviting relatives and friends for some joyful festivities.”

“That’s fine,” the elder madam mused. “The child is still young—going overboard might do more harm than good.”

Only then did Eleven Miss relax.

Eagerly, the elder madam began discussing plans for the zhuazhou (first-grasp) ceremony. “...We’ll bring out that sandalwood long table from storage... Ours is a military family, so aside from the classics, we should also place a sword and blade. I think the small ornamental dagger Little Five wore the other day would be perfect—let’s use that... And throw in an abacus—for luck.”

Just as she was happily talking, a page rushed in.

“My Lord, elder madam, madam—Eunuch Lei has arrived!”

Eunuch Lei oversaw the staff at Kun Ning Palace. Since the Empress Dowager’s passing, he often came on the Empress’s orders to inquire about the elder madam’s health or deliver gifts.

“Please show Eunuch Lei to the parlor,” Lord Xu said, rising. “Mother, I will go meet him and return shortly.”

The elder madam nodded, allowing Madam Du to assist her in changing, while Eleven Miss supported her to the reception hall. As they reached the eaves, they heard Eunuch Lei’s hearty voice. “...A humble gift—please don’t refuse again!” Clearly, he had brought something for Lord Xu. The elder madam and Eleven Miss exchanged glances before entering.

Eunuch Lei stepped forward to greet the elder madam.

Eleven Miss noticed a small vermilion box, gilded in gold, placed on the table in the hall.

Maintaining a neutral expression, she exchanged greetings with the elder madam and Eunuch Lei. Then, the eunuch smiled and said, “Congratulations, elder madam—the young master’s first birthday is approaching!”

After exchanging further pleasantries, Eunuch Lei revealed his purpose. “...Her Majesty regrets that she cannot attend the celebration in person, but she wishes for Madam to present the sixth young master at court for Her Majesty to see!”

They want to see Jin Geer?

Lady Eleven was quite surprised. She glanced at Lord Xu and saw him slightly furrow his brows, clearly not enthusiastic about the matter.

Yet Lady Eleven dared not neglect it—for others, this would be an unparalleled honor. She smiled and expressed her gratitude, then accompanied the elder madam to see Eunuch Lei off.

"The Empress still holds you in high regard!" On the way back, the elder madam said cheerfully to Lord Xu, "Tomorrow morning, have Jin Geer wear fine new clothes, and you escort them both to the palace." She seemed very pleased.

Lord Xu merely gave a terse reply: "Yes." Upon returning to their quarters, he instructed Lady Eleven, "When the time comes, hold Jin Geer yourself—don’t let anyone else touch him. Offer greetings, then excuse yourselves quickly. Don’t linger." Then he handed her the red-lacquered, gold-traced box:

"Eunuch Lei’s gift for Jin Geer’s first birthday."

Inside was a gold pendant.

They had always been the ones giving gifts to the palace eunuchs—this was the first time they had received one in return.

Lady Eleven smiled and accepted it. "Don’t worry, my lord. Even if I wished to stay longer in the palace, the strict rules would hardly allow it!"

She had no intention of making the child endure that either.

Lord Xu’s frown remained. He nodded grimly and went to his study.

Lady Eleven felt his reaction was excessive.

That evening, she soothed him: "Nothing will happen. I will follow your instructions—hold the child myself and not entrust him to anyone else."

Seeing her concern, Lord Xu sighed softly and pulled her close. "For the palace visit, I’ll arrange for trusted eunuchs to look after you." Then he paused, a rare hesitation crossing his face. "But that’s not what troubles me..."

Lady Eleven was taken aback. "Then what is it, my lord?"

After a long silence, Lord Xu finally spoke in a low voice, "Today, Yuge came to me and said that since he is still young, he wishes to focus on his studies for the imperial examinations and has no plans to take a chamber maid for now."

Though she had secretly wished for this, Lady Eleven was still astonished to hear Xu Siyu’s reply so soon. She bolted upright and asked urgently, "And what did you say, my lord?" Her voice carried a trace of tension.

Lord Xu remained silent.

Lady Eleven suddenly felt a surge of pity for him.

He had never expected Xu Siyu to make such a decision!

She gently stroked his arm.

Lord Xu sighed.

"I agreed," he murmured, gazing at the canopy. "I understand his feelings, more or less. Since he has reservations, I won’t force him."

Yet there was still some residual frustration.

Lady Eleven let out a long breath and nestled against him. Softly, she said, "Yuge is grown now, and having shuttled between Yanjing and Anle, he’s wiser than his years. Some matters should indeed be left to his judgment." Besides, the purpose of arranging a chamber maid was for his happiness—but only he can judge what would make him happy. If he believes this is best, we should respect it."

She hoped this would ease Lord Xu’s misgivings.

Lord Xu nodded. "That’s what I thought too." After a pause, he added,

"For him to speak to me like this—he’s not the same timid boy anymore!" His tone carried a faint hint of wistfulness. Was it because the child who had always meekly obeyed him now had his own convictions?

It seemed all parents faced such heartache as their children grew.

Only, Xu Siyu had forced this lesson on Lord Xu earlier than expected!

Lady Eleven smiled. "Our worries for our children are only because we hope they can thrive and steer the household even without our protection. Now that Yuge has his own opinions and the courage to act on them, and with Zhun'er having such a brother to rely on, the House of Yongping will surely be in good hands. You should be pleased, my lord."

Lord Xu considered this and finally broke into a smile.

"True," he mused. "It’s as if they sprang up overnight!"