Chapter 532

Chapter 538: Ceremony Concluded

"Lady Li doesn’t pay visits without cause."

Eleven Miss, recalling that Marquis Xu had gone to the palace, instructed a young maid to invite Lady Li to the flower hall and summoned Manager Zhao from the affairs office. "Has anything happened in Regional Commander Li's household...?"

Manager Zhao replied respectfully, "Rumors say that Regional Commander Li mistook civilians for *wokou* (Japanese coastal raiders) and reported them as military achievements to the Ministry of War. Lord Jiang discovered this, and the Emperor was furious. A few days ago, an imperial envoy was sent under secrecy south to escort Regional Commander Li back to the capital. By now, the envoy should have already reached Fujian..."

Regional Commander Li had acted far too boldly.

Eleven Miss frowned involuntarily.

Li Ji’s prospects looked grim.

With the picture clear, she went to the flower hall to meet Lady Li.

Lady Li made no mention of Regional Commander Li's troubles. Instead, she spoke only of the approaching New Year, mentioning that since Eleven Miss had grown up in Fujian, she had brought some Fujian delicacies. Then she inquired about Xu Siyu's marriage prospects: "...With his outstanding character and a mother-in-law like you, I imagine matchmakers must be flocking to your door..."

The Li family had always emphasized their stance against taking concubines. While mothers might wish to marry their daughters into such households, mothers-in-law might balk at such brides. Thus, the Li family's eldest son had quickly married a girl from a wealthy family before Li Wu's own marriage, while the eldest daughter of the Li family remained unmarried despite much deliberation.

Recalling this and Manager Zhao's earlier words, Eleven Miss immediately grew wary and cut her off preemptively: "Many have indeed proposed matches, all from close friends. We’re in no hurry and wish to take our time selecting the best..."

Lady Li smiled and nodded. "Of course. After all, the second young master [Xu Siyu] is the marquis’s firstborn son—this cannot be taken lightly..." Then she added candidly, "Since we’re well acquainted, you know I prefer straightforwardness. May I ask if your second young master’s marriage has been settled yet?"

"Not yet..." Eleven Miss admitted, knowing such matters couldn’t be hidden. "There are three potential families, and we must wait for Marquis Xu to carefully consider before deciding..."

Lady Li leaned forward eagerly. "Since no decision has been made, allow me to propose—what do you think of my eldest daughter...?"

So, she was indeed pushing for a marriage alliance!

Eleven Miss thought with a silent sigh but maintained a polite smile. "Miss Li is as accomplished as she is lovely. If she were to match with our Yuge, it would be ideal. However, as you know, such matters are decided by Marquis Xu. I must discuss your proposal with him first..."

"Naturally, such an important matter requires careful deliberation..." Lady Li, aware this wouldn’t be resolved immediately, chuckled and said, "Then I shall await your reply..." before taking her leave.

When Marquis Xu returned from the palace, he brought two baskets of mandarins and handed a small box to Eleven Miss. "A gift from Her Majesty the Empress..."

Eleven Miss opened the box to find five agarwood hairpins—four carved with bamboo motifs and one with a lotus. She instructed Zhuxiang to distribute the mandarins equally among the households, sent the lotus hairpin to Zhenjie, and allotted the rest to Xu Siyu and his brothers. Then she relayed Lady Li’s intentions to Marquis Xu.

"Out of the question," Marquis Xu replied without hesitation. "A regional commander today, a vice-minister tomorrow, then a minister... With relatives like these, we’d never know peace and might even be pulled into their ruin..."

"I understand perfectly," Eleven Miss said, helping him change his clothes. "I merely wished to inform you so you’re aware..."

Marquis Xu pondered briefly. "The eldest daughter of the Li family—isn’t she older than Yuge?"

Eleven Miss nodded. "By two or three years..."

"Then tell Lady Li that we’ve had Yuge’s fortune told—he cannot marry a girl older than him," Marquis Xu instructed. "Turn her down flat."

Eleven Miss agreed with a smile.

Marquis Xu continued, "You’ve been busy lately. After the New Year, we’ll properly discuss Yuge’s marriage..." Then he shifted the topic to Zhenjie: "Next year is the year of the Dragon, and the imperial examinations will be held. Our son-in-law will come to the capital for the military exams. Prepare clothes and supplies in advance so we can send them later..."

Eleven Miss thought of Qian Ming. "We should also visit Fifth Brother-in-law..."

The couple continued discussing household matters. The next day, when Lady Li returned, Eleven Miss firmly declined her proposal as Marquis Xu had directed.

Lady Li appeared deeply disappointed and grasped Eleven Miss’s hands, weeping. "To be honest, I fear that once news of my husband’s troubles spreads in the capital, my daughter’s marriage chances will dry up entirely..." She then tearfully recounted Regional Commander Li’s misdeeds. "Marquis Xu recommended him initially—could he now intervene with the Ministry of War...?" She fixed her with a pleading look.

Eleven Miss felt Regional Commander Li’s actions didn’t deserve their aid.

She refused directly: "His Lordship detests women meddling in these affairs. I'm afraid I won't be of much help..."

Lady Li had been seeking help everywhere these days, facing rejection at every turn, but Eleven Miss was the first to reject her outright. She stiffened briefly before weeping even harder.

Eleven Miss stood her ground and refused to budge. In the end, Lady Li left with a trace of resentment in her eyes.

Uneasy, Eleven Miss confided in Lord Xu, "Even if you help someone a thousand times, the one time you can't, they not only remember it but also hold a grudge..."

"Don’t dwell on such matters," Lord Xu consoled her. "If she chooses to resent you, so be it. It’s only a shame for Li Ji, dragged down by his father’s misdeeds."

Eleven Miss disagreed, "Whether he’s merely tainted by his father or complicit himself is still debatable..."

"A father’s actions greatly influence his children," Lord Xu explained, citing the saying, "A crooked beam above means a crooked beam below."

That made sense.

Eleven Miss sighed.

A few days later, word of Regional Commander Li’s misdeeds spread, with various rumors circulating. Many ridiculed the Li family’s "no concubines" rule as mere hypocrisy, saying, "They were just putting on an act to gain reputation."

Eleven Miss’s attention, however, was fixed on Shandong.

Seventh Miss wrote, saying she had followed Fifth Miss’s advice—identifying the family most eager in the succession dispute and adopting their son as heir. The adoption ceremony would be held on the 24th of December, Little New Year’s Eve. She requested Eleven Miss relay the message to Fifth Miss.

The adoption was finally settled.

Even if Seventh Miss later bore a child, the adopted heir’s rights would take precedence.

Eleven Miss showed the letter to Fifth Miss.

Fifth Miss chuckled, "Seventh Miss better not change her mind halfway, or else she’ll have to rely on this child for ancestral offerings after her passing..."

As they chatted, a maid hurried in, "Madam, the matron delivering New Year’s gifts from Cangzhou is here to greet you..."

Eleven Miss bid farewell to Fifth Miss. Between sacrifices to the Kitchen God, hanging new charms, and sweeping away the old year’s dust, New Year’s Eve arrived in the blink of an eye. After the reunion dinner, Lord Xu, Xu Siqin, Xu Siyu, and Xu Sijie gathered indoors to talk, while Second Madam and Fang Shi kept Elder Madam company. Eleven Miss and Fifth Miss held Jin Geer and Shen Geer under the eaves, watching Xu Sijian, Xu Sizhun, and Xu Sijie set off fireworks in the courtyard with their personal attendants.

The crimson lanterns bathed everything in a red glow, and the dazzling fireworks bloomed in the night sky. The Xu estate mirrored the scene—prosperous, tranquil, and harmonious.

On New Year’s Day, they visited the palace to offer New Year’s greetings to the Emperor and Empress. That afternoon, they started making New Year’s calls, a tradition that lasted until the tenth day of the new year.

Xu Siqin’s uncle on his mother’s side arrived unexpectedly.

"...The child is grown now and should plan for his future," he said calmly, sipping tea while seated in the grand chair. "His father wants me to secure him a proper tutor so he can focus on studying at Sanjing Hutong, aiming to pass the imperial exams and bring honor to the Xu family. We hadn’t found a suitable tutor before, and by the time we did, it was nearly New Year. Hence the holdup. I’ve come today to discuss with His Lordship when the children should move. As their uncle, I’ll naturally bring some servants to assist..."

Xu Siqin could move out, but Lord Xu couldn’t be the one to suggest it, lest people assume he was being forced out. Lord Xu had been waiting for an opportunity, and now the Gan family had provided the perfect excuse.

"If it’s for studying, moving out is acceptable," Lord Xu mused. "Perhaps we can finalize the arrangements after the Lantern Festival on the 15th..."

It was all just for show.

Xu Siqin’s uncle, unimpressed, agreed to discuss the matter again on the 19th. After some small talk, he took his leave.

Only then did Fang Shi learn of her mother-in-law’s plans. Mortified, she forced a wry smile and began packing. Luckily, as a recent bride, most of her things were still boxed, making the task manageable. By the tenth day of the new year, she was ready.

Her older cousin, Fang Ji, showed up unannounced in Yanjing from Jiangnan.

Lord Xu hosted him personally.

Fang Ji, nearing thirty, looked strikingly like Fang Shi. Side by side, they could only be brother and sister.

He carried himself with grace and spoke with neither arrogance nor humility: "...I came to participate in this year's imperial examinations. Holding to the saying that experience is the best teacher, I arrived early in the capital to experience the local customs of Yanjing..." Then he had attendants present local specialties brought from Huzhou, "Aunt missed my cousin dearly, so she made her favorite treats for me to bring."

Lord Xu found Fang Ji to be a strikingly handsome and refined man, taking an immediate liking to him. He introduced Xu Sizhun to Fang Ji and had Xu Siyu escort Fang Ji to meet Fang Shi.

Fang Shi’s face lit up with delight. She brought out the "Eight Beijing Delicacies" (a famed assortment of pastries) that had been bestowed upon the elder madam by the palace and later gifted to her, serving them to Fang Ji. She also personally brewed the Da Hong Pao tea given by Eleven Miss.

Noticing that Fang Shi seemed much more cheerful than before her marriage, and though the room's furnishings appeared unremarkable at first glance, they exuded elegance in every detail, with the tea and snacks being of exquisite quality, Fang Ji felt reassured: "It seems Aunt was right to insist on marrying you into the Xu family despite all objections..."

Fang Shi blushed and chided him, "Big Brother only knows to tease me—why not talk about yourself? In your last letter, didn’t you say you wouldn’t arrive in Yanjing until mid-February? Why so early? Did your collector’s itch strike again, making you sneak off early?" The eldest Fang lord had only survived Fang Ji as his sole son, while the other children belonged to the second branch, County Magistrate Fang. Somewhat spoiled, Fang Ji had developed a passion for collecting rare artifacts, often trading his own jade pendants for coveted items, much to his mother’s exasperation.

Caught by his sister’s remark, Fang Ji grew slightly uncomfortable and glanced around, deflecting, "Yanjing’s weather is brutal, and the food’s downright bland. I think I’ll return to Jiangnan right after the exams..."