Chapter 520

Chapter 526: The First Birthday (Part 2) 526

This wasn’t exactly a cheerful subject.

Eleven Miss gestured toward the pea cakes on the kang table, shaped like begonia flowers, and smiled. "Sister, you must try these. They're made with fresh pea flour this year." She added, "You must come early in a couple of days."

In two days, it would be Jin Geer’s first birthday.

"Of course, of course..." Lady Zhou replied. Seeing the golden, translucent hue of the pea cakes, her mouth watered, and she took a bite. The sweet, refreshing taste lifted her spirits, and a faint smile appeared on her face.

"I’ve brought something for Jin Geer this time," she said, then pulled out a red pouch embroidered with a white crane in flight from her sleeve. "For his grab during the first birthday ceremony."

In front of Lady Zhou, Eleven Miss couldn’t open it, but it felt heavy in her hand. She smiled her thanks and chatted with Lady Zhou about the recent weather. "...There are even late-blooming osmanthus flowers. It’s as warm as a spring day. At this rate, who knows if we’ll even get snow this year?"

"Some winters pass without snow before..." Lady Zhou, a native of Yanjing, chuckled. "I’ve heard the elders say that in the third year of Jianwu, there was no snow at all."

"Then the harvest must have been poor," Eleven Miss commented casually as they continued their casual conversation.

Fang Shi soon arrived.

Eleven Miss quickly had a maid invite her in and introduced her to Lady Zhou.

"Your family’s daughters-in-law are truly each lovelier than the next," Lady Zhou praised, holding Fang Shi’s hand warmly. Though a little flustered, Fang Shi replied with grace, earning approving nods from Lady Zhou, who then asked in detail about the books she read and her pastimes. The two conversed pleasantly.

Several times, Fang Shi’s personal maid lingered outside the doorway, but Fang Shi paid no attention. Eleven Miss pretended not to notice as well.

Realizing she’d overstayed her welcome, Lady Zhou rose to take her leave.

Eleven Miss walked her out to say goodbye to the elder madam.

Fang Shi came along as well.

After seeing Lady Zhou off, Fang Shi walked back with Eleven Miss to the main house.

"Since Mother-in-law hasn’t been home these past few years, there’s been much to handle, and I haven’t had time to visit. Now that Sixth Uncle’s first birthday is approaching, I finally have a moment to come by," she said with a smile, signaling her maid to bring over an unvarnished sandalwood box. "This is a little something from my husband and me. I hope Aunt won’t find it too humble..."

Eleven Miss accepted it with a smile. "We’re family—no need to stand on ceremony."

"Just a trifle for Sixth Uncle’s special day," Fang Shi demurred before taking her leave.

Eleven Miss sent Zhuxiang to see her off and then called for Qiuyu. "What was the matter with the maid from the eldest young mistress earlier?"

"She said the third madam had sent someone to ask why the gift delivery was dragging on."

Eleven Miss was surprised—she hadn’t expected the third madam to be so harsh with Fang Shi. Yet judging from Fang Shi’s composure earlier, she didn’t strike her as the type to let the third madam boss her around. This mother-in-law and daughter-in-law clearly still had some tension. It would be best to keep her distance from the third household from now on.

Having made up her mind, she opened the box Fang Shi had given her.

Inside was a copy of *The Primer for Children*. The blue cover, yellowed pages, and slightly curled edges gave it an aged appearance. Flipping through it, she saw the text was written in clerical script—sturdy yet fluid, dignified and elegant, exuding a rustic charm. It was clearly the work of a master calligrapher.

Eleven Miss was moved.

This was unmistakably an antique book.

Money could be counted, but ancient texts were beyond value!

Was the third madam aware of this book’s worth? If she did, how could she bear to part with it? If she didn’t, how had Fang Shi managed to present it as a gift?

Meanwhile, seeing Eleven Miss lost in thought over the book, Qiuyu guessed she was unimpressed by Fang Shi’s gift and softly suggested, "Madam, would you like to see what Lady Zhou brought?" Eleven Miss snapped back to attention. "Ah, yes," she said, brightening. "Let me take a look!"

Qiuyu handed the pouch over with a smile.

Inside was a solid gold statue of the God of Wealth.

No wonder it felt heavy. It looked to be about twenty-some taels.

Eleven Miss chuckled and told Qiuyu to put it away: "Save it for the sixth young master's first birthday grab ceremony!" Then she whispered a few instructions to Qiuyu.

Qiuyu acknowledged and left, returning at dusk to report: "...The third wife said she would send a gift for the sixth young master's first birthday, but since the eldest daughter-in-law is a recent bride, there's no need for her to send a separate gift—she can just attend the banquet with her. However, the eldest daughter-in-law argued that now that the eldest young master is married, he’s an adult, and since they live under the same roof as you, merely accompanying the third wife might make others think the eldest young master was uncouth. After some thought, the third wife relented, saying that if they must send a gift, they should follow tradition: for a hundred-day celebration, gold or silver lockets are appropriate, while for a first birthday, simple toys or treats would suffice. She suggested sending something like a rattle drum. But the eldest daughter-in-law countered that since the sixth young master already has plenty of toys, such gifts might seem insignificant. Since it’s his first birthday, she proposed sending items for the grab ceremony instead, reasoning that Elder Madam would appreciate the gesture. She then discussed with the third wife whether to buy a set of Four Treasures of the Study from Duobaoge (a prestigious shop) or select two books from her dowry. The third wife immediately chose the latter, so the eldest daughter-in-law sent a book over..."

Eleven Miss was stunned.

Was this a battle between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law?

That evening, when she went to pay respects to Elder Madam and encountered Fang Shi, Eleven Miss subtly expressed her gratitude: "...I originally intended to use it for Jin Geer’s grab ceremony, but I’m afraid the child might carelessly damage it. I’ll save it for when he’s older and has his own study. For the grab, we can just pick any book from the marquis’s study."

The third wife frowned at this and said, "It’s just a book. If it gets damaged, Jin Geer can always pick another from his eldest brother’s collection. There’s no need to overcomplicate it—just use the book Siqin sent! It’s a gesture of brotherly affection."

The more exquisite the grab items, the better. Using gifts from relatives and friends signified their generosity, which reflected well on the givers. The third wife clearly wanted everyone to know her son had given a lavish gift for Jin Geer’s first birthday.

Elder Madam, who valued familial harmony, perked up: "Siqin sent something for the grab ceremony?" She seemed intrigued.

A flicker of hesitation crossed Eleven Miss’s face.

If the third wife learned the book’s true value, would she take it out on Fang Shi?

Reluctantly, she replied, "He sent a book..." but offered no further details.

Elder Madam, sharp as ever, didn’t press and shifted the topic to the banquet arrangements, instructing the third wife: "Since you’re home, you’ll help host the guests. Your fourth sister-in-law is unwell, and your fifth sister-in-law’s Shen Geer is still too young to leave..." She added, "Siqin’s wife should also accompany you to meet everyone..." before discussing the banquet menu.

The third wife wanted to revisit the earlier topic, but with Elder Madam changing the subject and assigning tasks, she had no choice but to focus on the matters at hand.

Meanwhile, Fifth Madam, noticing the lively exchange, tugged at Eleven Miss’s sleeve and whispered, "What’s going on between you two?"

Eleven Miss pretended not to understand.

"What’s the deal with the book?" Fifth Madam smirked slyly. "Don’t tell me you’re trying to diminish Siqin and his wife’s gesture to overshadow others?"

Seeing Fifth Madam’s mischievous delight in stirring trouble, Eleven Miss did not dare elaborate and merely pursed her lips and stayed silent. Unfazed, Fifth Madam’s eyes darted mischievously as she privately urged Elder Madam to inquire further.

Elder Madam laughed. "I already asked. Eleven Miss said Fang Shi sent a priceless antique book for Jin Geer—it’s too precious to risk damaging."

"Brothers in harmony, like flowers on one stem," Fifth Madam cooed, nestling closer to Elder Madam. "Such a fine gesture should be flaunted, not hidden! No wonder Third Sister-in-law was upset—I’d be too."

Elder Madam wasn’t fooled. "Your fourth sister-in-law suspects Third Sister-in-law may not realize the book’s true value. Let them settle their differences behind closed doors—no need for outsiders to laugh."

Fifth Madam tittered behind her sleeve.

If Elder Madam knew of their discord yet spoke of letting them "settle it behind closed doors," she clearly intended to watch the spectacle play out.

The thought perked up Fifth Madam, making the days ahead seem far more entertaining.

On the day of Jin Geer’s first birthday, Eleven Miss rose early, dressing him in a crimson kesi silk jacket embroidered with five bats and clouds. After Elder Madam led them in offering incense to the three household deities, they headed to the main hall.

She had just settled in when Lady Zhou arrived.

Accompanying her was Miss Twelve.

Miss Eleven was somewhat surprised.

Lady Zhou smiled and said, "I’m here on behalf of my sister-in-law."

The sister-in-law she referred to was Miss Twelve’s mother-in-law.

For her mother-in-law to show such care indicated that Miss Twelve had firmly established herself in the Wang family.

Miss Eleven was also delighted for Miss Twelve. She took Miss Twelve’s hand with a smile, "This is truly a blessing for Miss Twelve..."

"Indeed..." Lady Zhou chuckled, "Now my sister-in-law praises her to everyone, saying I made an excellent match for my nephew. Now even I’m in high demand—several sisters-in-law have sought me out to arrange marriages for their nephews."

Miss Eleven laughed, "At least I didn’t let you down, sister."

Miss Twelve listened with flushed cheeks as Madam Huang arrived, escorted by Madam Huang.

Everyone stepped forward to greet them, and soon Madam Du entered, chatting and laughing with Madam Tang and her daughter-in-law, Madam Tang.

The room soon buzzed with chatter.

Then Lady Lin, her daughter-in-law Lady Lin, Lady Gan, and others arrived one after another.

The housekeeper, noticing the auspicious hour nearing, brought out the ornate rosewood table the elder madam had chosen from the storeroom and arranged the Four Treasures of the Study, an abacus, a food box, a general’s helmet, a spinning top, a wine game tube, and other items around it.

Miss Twelve tugged at Miss Eleven, who was speaking with Madam Huang, and whispered, "Eleven Sister, why hasn’t Miss Four arrived yet?"

With so many guests, Miss Eleven hadn’t noticed until it was mentioned. Now she grew slightly concerned. Miss Four was always dependable—if she couldn’t come, she’d have sent notice. For her to be this late was unheard of.

"I’ll have someone check on her!"

The moment she said it, Miss Four appeared.