Chapter 547

Chapter 553: Marriage (Part 2)

Xu Siyu remained composed, answering with a firm gentleness. Even if it were him, he might not have responded better.

Lady Eleven cast an approving glance and smiled, "What did Fang Ji, the Tanhua, say then?"

Xu Siyu averted his gaze somewhat sheepishly.

"Fang Ji, the Tanhua, bowed deeply to me and said that he had spoken and acted rashly out of momentary anger. Looking back, he felt ashamed. But as the elder brother of my sister-in-law, he couldn’t stand by when his sister was wronged. Moreover, the rumors about her being a 'jinxed bride' were all groundless accusations from the Huo family, who hadn’t even seen the astrological chart of the late Young Master Huo."

He relayed Fang Ji’s words.

"Young Master Huo died young, and Lady Huo, overwhelmed by grief, was misled by gossip into blaming my sister for his death. Lady Huo vented her anger on my sister, obstructing her marriage prospects and spreading malicious rumors. It wasn’t until our grandmother personally visited the Huo family’s matriarch that the matter settled. But the damage was done—my sister was branded with that terrible reputation. The Huo family is a prominent clan in Huzhou, with ties to half the city. Relatives hesitated to cause rifts, and my aunt refused to let my sister suffer further, so her marriage was repeatedly postponed."

"Yet destiny binds with a red thread. My sister and brother-in-law were destined to be together. When your family proposed the match, my uncle, fearing it might harm your son, had their birth charts analyzed by several renowned monks and diviners. All declared it an auspicious union, so we agreed. If you doubt this, you may ask Third Lady. While others took three days to match horoscopes, our family deliberated for five or six days before responding. But such personal matters are hardly fit to discuss before Lord Xu. If the Dowager or Lord Xu misunderstood, it’s entirely my fault for not explaining clearly. I must apologize and ask Brother Siyu to convey my regrets."

Not only did he provide a graceful exit, but he also thoroughly dispelled the rumors about Fang Shi being a "jinxed bride."

"Seeing his sincerity, and since my elder brother wished to avoid escalation, I said a few words about how, as the elder brother of the wife and the younger brother of the husband, we ought to mediate and reconcile them. Now that misunderstandings had arisen, it was only right to clarify matters before the elders. I invited him to visit the day after tomorrow, and he agreed at once. He even insisted on hosting me for a meal and personally saw me out."

As long as they hadn’t reached the point of signing divorce papers or filing for separation, they remained family and couldn’t afford to burn bridges.

Xu Siyu’s calm and steady handling of the matter impressed Lady Eleven.

"You’ve done well!" she smiled. "Yu’er has grown up."

Xu Siyu turned crimson.

He stood up. "Mother, if there’s nothing else, I’ll excuse myself now."

Lady Eleven also had to visit the Dowager, so she nodded with a smile, asked about his progress in collecting examination papers, and had Qiuyu escort him out.

Meanwhile, Lady Wen, seeing Xu Siyu leave, entered with a betrothal inventory.

Lady Eleven, holding Jin Geer, went with her to the Dowager’s quarters.

She first reported Xu Siyu’s visit to the Fang family.

"Yu’er is becoming more and more sensible," the Dowager sighed, though her melancholy was fleeting. She quickly shifted the topic to Lady Eleven’s upcoming meeting with Fang Ji. "This Fang Ji—humble yet firm—is no simple man. The Fang family is in a position to advance or retreat as needed. You must be sharp when you meet him tomorrow..."

Lady Eleven had initially thought Fang Ji reckless, given his outburst about divorce and charging into the Ministry of Rites. But hearing Xu Siyu’s account, she realized his actions—whether his earlier confrontation with Lord Xu or his later remorse—were strategic to dispel the rumors. He was clearly a man who knew when to advance and when to retreat.

Reasonable people fear the unreasonable, and the unreasonable fear the desperate. Since the Fang family had clear intentions and Fang Ji acted with restraint, the matter was manageable.

Lady Eleven smiled. "If I can’t handle it, I’ll ask for your help. After all, he’s a junior, and while I’m the head wife, above me are Lord Xu and the Dowager."

The Dowager, reassured by her steady approach, nodded slightly and cheerfully picked up Jin Geer, who was playing on the heated brick bed. She had a maid summon Lady Wen and listened as she detailed Zhenjie’s dowry, occasionally interjecting with questions. The morning passed quickly.

Lord Xu joined them for lunch—an uncommon event.

The Dowager was delighted and had additional courses prepared, while Lady Wen assisted Madam Du in setting the table.

Jin Geer scattered food everywhere.

The Dowager fussed, "He’s too young to eat by himself!" She called Yu Ban, "Fetch water to clean the young lord’s hands and face," and instructed Madam Du, "Bring my silver spoon engraved with ginkgo leaves. I’ll feed Jin Geer myself." She then chirped to the child, "Let’s use the special spoon and eat lots!"

Lord Xu looked on with amusement.

Elevenniang felt herself breaking into a sweat.

Jin Geer, however, clutched a firwood spoon in his hand and kept bobbing his head at the elder madam, making her chuckle with delight.

When Madam Du brought the silver spoon, the elder madam tried to feed him, but he snatched the spoon from her and started eating on his own. After a couple of bites, perhaps unused to it, he flung the silver spoon away and went back to his wooden spoon, sending rice grains flying everywhere.

The elder madam exclaimed in surprise, "Oh? Why the sudden change of heart, won't take my things now?"

The silver spoon was quite beautiful—round with a long handle and a ginkgo leaf design at the tip.

Madam Du chuckled, "The sixth young master likes bright things," implying that the silver spoon was too plain for his taste.

"That’s where you’re wrong," the elder madam laughed. "For eating, a silver spoon is naturally the best." Still, she had Madam Du fetch gold-leafed double-longevity spoons instead. In the end, the feeding didn’t go as planned—Jin Geer simply grabbed the spoons and refused to let go.

"Don’t tell me you’re only fierce at home!" The elder madam laughed so hard she nearly doubled over. "In a few months, when your eldest sister gets married, remember to wheedle plenty of red packets from your brother-in-law!"

"Our future son-in-law is a thoughtful man," Madam Du said with a smile. "No need for reminders—I’m sure the red envelopes are already prepared!"

Amid the laughter and chatter, they moved to the western chamber for tea.

Seizing the cheerful atmosphere, Lord Xu brought up the matter of the Third Master: "I told him that health is the foundation. If his body fails, no official position, no matter how high, can be held steady, and no amount of money earned will be of any use. He might as well resign and return home. After all, he’s already served in office—his three-year evaluation even earned a 'good' rating. That’s enough to account for himself before our ancestors!"

The elder madam’s expression shifted from shock to bewilderment, then settled into calm.

The old lady lifted her teacup and took a few delicate sips before saying softly, "I see." Setting the cup down, she added, "I’m tired now. Everyone should go and rest." With Madam Du supporting her, she retired to her inner chamber.

Lord Xu inwardly cursed the situation. Returning to Elevenniang, he said, "When you visit this afternoon, take Jin Geer with you."

Elevenniang also sensed something unspoken in the elder madam’s words. When she went to discuss Zhenjie’s matters, she obediently brought Jin Geer along.

The elder madam’s ominous calm from noon had vanished without a trace. The old lady had returned to her usual cheerful and optimistic self, doting on Jin Geer and making no mention of the Third Master.

＊＊＊＊＊＊

Fang Ji came to see Elevenniang clearly prepared.

He opened with congratulations on the Third Master’s resignation from office: "Though it’s a testament to imperial grace, after three years, the Ministry of Personnel’s evaluation still rated him 'excellent.' Just when he could have soared to great heights, he resigned without hesitation. Truly, we younger generation can only marvel!"

He hinted pointedly that the Third Master’s excellent evaluation had owed much to the Fang family’s influence.

Elevenniang was equally quick-witted. Smiling, she replied, "Speaking of governance, I’ve heard from our eldest daughter-in-law that your family patriarch has long wished to escape the burdens of officialdom. Yet, weighed down by familial duties, he had no choice but to endure, always hoping his nephew would soon pass the imperial exams so he could finally lay down his heavy load. Who could have foreseen that, just before the exams, news would arrive of your nephew making a scene at the Ministry of Rites? At the time, we were all deeply concerned—especially our second young master. Lord Xu has always been strict with him, never permitting him to abuse his status. Yet, he rushed about overnight for your nephew’s sake. Thankfully, he emerged unscathed. Now, not only has he passed the exams at such a young age, but he’s also placed as Tanhua (Third Rank Graduate), with a bright future ahead. Your patriarch can finally resign and return home to enjoy a leisurely life." She added, "Now that you’ll be serving in the Hanlin Academy, we’ll all be in Yanjing together. There should be plenty of opportunities to meet."

Though the Xu family could help, Xu Siyu’s timely warning and efforts had been indispensable.

Fang Ji couldn’t help but think Elevenniang was cautioning him—while the Fang family had only him in office, Lord Xu might not assist him but could easily trip him up in matters concerning the Ministry of Rites.

Pressing this topic would only leave him more disadvantaged.

He could only say, "Your second young master and I hit it off from the start," before shifting the subject: "Might I ask why you asked to see me today?" Hoping to regain the initiative.

Since Fang Ji didn’t press, Elevenniang saw no need to corner him.

She smiled. "I’d initially heard you demanded your sister’s divorce outright. Given your youth, I feared you might be hot-tempered, so I was worried. But after hearing your conversation with our second young master, I realized the thoughtfulness behind your actions. As you said, marital matters often involve private matters. Just as you, as her brother, couldn’t speak too openly to Lord Xu, I, as her aunt, shouldn’t lecture you either. Now that you’ve agreed with our second young master to have your family elders mediate the situation, my mind is at rest. Still, I’ll add one more thing—if our eldest daughter-in-law feels wronged, she should consider her mother-in-law’s well-meaning ways, empathize, and be more forbearing. That’s a daughter-in-law’s duty. Why summon her brother at the slightest grievance?"

She chuckled teasingly. "Thankfully, you’re in Yanjing. If you weren’t, would she have had to dispatch someone all the way back to Huzhou to fetch you?"