Chapter 553

Chapter 559: Bowing Down

"The key point is only inviting Brother Qin and his wife, along with Xu Sijian..."

Lady Eleven responded with a smile and had Song Mama deliver the invitation.

Song Mama returned and said, "Third Mistress kept asking whose idea it was to invite the eldest son’s wife. I told her that since all the young masters and misses were going, naturally the eldest young master and his wife would attend as well. Third Mistress wanted to press further, but Third Young Master was about to leave, and she had to help him change clothes, so she finally let me go."

Just as they were speaking, Zhuxiang came in: "The steward’s office asked how many attendants we’ll need to bring along to Yunju Temple. I’ve prepared a list—might you review it, madam?"

Seeing that Lady Eleven was occupied, Song Mama retreated quietly. As she stepped out, she noticed a group of young maids, their hair not yet pinned up (signifying their junior status), huddled together in the courtyard, whispering. When they spotted her, they scattered like startled birds, calling out, "Song Mama!"

"What’s going on here?" she frowned.

A maid on duty at the door quickly explained, "They heard that the madam is going to the temple, and since they’re playful, they’re all hoping to tag along and serve."

Song Mama nodded, then saw Jin Geer wobbling over the high doorstep and running toward the main hall, followed by a crowd of maids and older women.

She hurried forward to meet him.

"My little rascal, slow down!" Song Mama scooped him up. "What if you trip and hurt yourself?"

Jin Geer giggled and wriggled out of her arms to stand on his own.

Song Mama followed him into the main hall.

Jin Geer had already thrown himself into Lady Eleven’s arms. "Mama, mama, brother, play ball!"

Xu Sijie was in class.

Lady Eleven knew he wanted to play with Xu Sijie but feigned ignorance. Setting aside her thoughts, she patiently asked, "What about your brother? If you want to play ball, you can just play with him, right?"

Hongwen, standing nearby, tried to explain, "Fifth Young Master is—" but Lady Eleven waved her off, signaling her not to interfere.

Jin Geer grew frustrated. "Brother, play ball!"

Lady Eleven smiled and patted his head. "Go ask your brother to play ball, then!"

Jin Geer’s face flushed red, and after a long pause, he managed, "Brother no play ball."

Five words!

Lady Eleven couldn’t help but beam with joy.

She hugged her son tightly. "Your brother is at school and can’t play ball with you, is that it?"

Jin Geer nodded like a chick pecking grain.

"Then wait until he comes home, and he’ll play with you," Lady Eleven said, carrying him to the heated brick bed (kang) by the window in the eastern chamber. "How about Mama tells you a story?"

Jin Geer thought for a moment, then nestled into his mother’s embrace.

Lady Eleven asked her son to pick out a picture book, but her mind was preoccupied with finding a way to train the servants around Jin Geer. Otherwise, if he remained so spoiled—never lifting a finger while others strained to interpret his half-formed phrases—it would greatly hinder his character development...

For some reason, she suddenly thought of the late Eldest Lady.

Back then, Xu Sizhun had even more attendants than Jin Geer, and the late Eldest Lady had been ill, her strength waning. Yet despite that, Xu Sizhun hadn’t grown into a brash, entitled nobleman. She must have invested just as much care into raising him as I am now.

Lost in reflection, she fell into deep contemplation.

◆◆◆◆◆

On the sixteenth day of May, as the first rays of dawn streaked across the sky, the gates of the Yongping Marquis's residence creaked open one by one. Under the escort of guards clad in blue-green silk robes and riding chestnut horses, a procession of over a dozen carriages rolled out.

The residents of Lotus Lane were both noble and wealthy, and the streets were usually quiet with little foot traffic. It wasn't until the carriages reached West Street that they drew the attention of passersby.

The bustle occasionally reached Lady Eleven's ears.

Jin’er pressed his face against the green gauze window, gazing outside eagerly.

"Mother, so many people, so many people!"

His eyes sparkled with excitement.

Lady Eleven laughed heartily and joined him at the window, listening to his childish chatter.

Once outside the city, the crowd thinned, and the people changed—West Street was mostly populated by residents of the capital (Yanjing), dressed in fine attire with attendants in tow, while shopkeepers under colorful signs were equally well-dressed. Now, the sights were different: farmers carrying chickens and ducks to sell, travelers with dusty packs from distant lands, and merchants hauling carts of goods. Jin’er's eyes widened even further.

"Mother, chicken, chicken!" He pointed at a farmer by the roadside and shouted.

Lady Eleven kissed his cheek with a smile. "Jin’er is so clever! That’s indeed a chicken!"

He had only seen them in picture books before.

Before she could finish, Jin’er jumped up again. "Mama, a cow! A cow!"

"Yes!" she replied cheerfully. "That one with horns is a cow."

Jin’er spent the journey identifying things, and even after arriving at Yunju Temple’s gate and stepping out of the carriage, his excitement hadn’t faded.

He darted to the elder madam, who was exchanging greetings with the abbot. "Grandmother, Grandmother! I saw chickens, and white ‘chickens’, cows, and horses too..."

He couldn’t yet tell the difference between chickens, ducks, and geese, so he called the geese "white ‘chickens’."

Elder madam chuckled warmly.

The abbot, a monk in his fifties of average build, slightly stout as was common for his age but not overly so, had piercing, alert eyes that spoke of shrewdness.

He immediately bent down with a kind smile. "This must be the young master of the house! With such a broad forehead and square jaw, he is surely blessed with great fortune!"

"You honor him too much," elder madam demurred, though her beaming expression betrayed her pride. She instructed Jin’er, "Quickly greet Abbot Zhenghe."

Jin’er called out loudly, "Abbot Zhenghe!"

The monk’s whiskers quivered with delight as he praised him, "Such confidence and poise! A future leader, no doubt!"

Elder madam, still smiling, took Jin’er’s hand and led him through the temple gate. With her daughters-in-law, grandsons, and granddaughters, she paid respects at the Mahavira Hall before retreating to a guest chamber with Abbot Zhenghe.

Worn out from the adventure, Jin’er soon fell asleep in Gu Ma’s arms.

Meanwhile, Xu Siqin took Xu Sijie, Xu Sizhun, and Xu Sijie to the Sutra Cave, accompanied by the abbot.

The Fifth Lady wished to visit the Mercy Pond, and Fang Shi and Zhenjie’s eyes gleamed with anticipation. Since Jin’er rarely had such outings, Lady Eleven wanted to explore with him later.

"Why not let Shen’er stay with me?" she suggested. "You can take Zhenjie with you."

Elder madam, reclining on the bed as the second madam massaged her legs, added, "You should go too! It’s rare to get out—take a stroll and relax!"

The second madam smiled. "Fourth Sister-in-law has the children to tend to. If I leave, who’ll look after you?"

"Look at what Second Lady is saying," Madam Du teased from the side. "Though I may be old, when it comes to serving others, Second Lady might not be as meticulous and thorough as I am."

The elder madam laughed heartily and called out to Fifth Madam, "Invite your second sister-in-law along as well."

Fifth Madam then linked arms with Second Lady. "If you don’t go, none of us can go!"

Second Lady had no choice but to set down the massage hammer and leave with Fifth Madam, Fang Shi, Zhenjie, and Xin Jieer.

Madam Du took over massaging the elder madam’s legs, while Eleven Miss fanned Jin Geer and Shen Geer, who were lying side by side on the heated brick bed, fast asleep.

A novice monk came running in, panting. "Elder Madam, the wife of Deputy Commander Jin from the East City Military and Police Office has come to the temple with her daughter to fulfill a religious vow. Hearing you are here, she wishes to pay her respects to you."

The elder madam let out an "Oh" and said, "Please invite Madam Jin in." Then she turned to Eleven Miss. "This Lord Jin’s ancestors once served as a lieutenant general, and through hereditary privilege, he entered the Western Mountain Camp. Later, he followed the Fourth Master on the campaign to Miaojiang and earned military merits. After returning, he obtained a post in the Five City Military and Police Office. Though he is only a lower-ranking official now, he oversees standard weights and measures on East Street. He is honest and diligent, and over the years, his family has grown quite prosperous."

Even so, given the elder madam’s status, and considering that the Jin family had no particular favor with the Xu family, wasn’t her knowledge of them a bit too detailed? Moreover, today the elder madam had brought the younger generation to the temple to offer incense. Lord Xu, fearing any mishap, had sent people to the temple as early as the tenth to make arrangements. Even the drinking water was tasted by Xu family servants before being sent to the kitchen, much less permitting outsiders to visit the temple. Wasn’t it too coincidental that Madam Jin and her daughter arrived just then?

When Madam Jin entered, Eleven Miss couldn’t help but study Miss Jin closely.

Miss Jin appeared to be about twelve or thirteen years old, with porcelain-fine skin and round, rosy cheeks. When she smiled, her eyes curved into crescents, and when others spoke, she listened with wide-eyed attentiveness, her expression earnest. She was as endearing and lovely as a younger sister, instantly winning people’s affection.

While the elder madam and Madam Jin conversed, Jin Geer and Shen Geer woke up. Jin Geer rubbed his sleepy eyes and called out for his mother, while Shen Geer rolled over and immediately burst into loud cries.

Miss Jin was startled, looking at the two children with obvious discomfort.

It was clear she had never encountered such a situation before.

Madam Jin hurriedly explained to the elder madam, "She is the youngest in our family."

The elder madam smiled kindly. "It’s not like we’re a humble family where the older ones must care for the younger."

Hearing this, Madam Jin finally relaxed.

Eleven Miss couldn’t help but wonder to herself.

Could it be that the elder madam had taken an interest in Miss Jin?

Madam Jin and Miss Jin stayed for a short while before taking their leave.

Shen Geer was taken by his wet nurse to be fed, while Eleven Miss gave Jin Geer some water to drink.

The elder madam then asked Eleven Miss, "What do you think of this Miss Jin?"

It was clear that Miss Jin came from a happy family—otherwise, she wouldn’t have such a cheerful smile.

Eleven Miss thought she was quite lovely.

The elder madam nodded slightly but said nothing more about Miss Jin.

After the monastic vegetarian meal at the temple, the elder madam rested in the monastery's side chamber with Second Lady accompanying her. Xu Siqin and the others went to see the memorial stupas, while Eleven Miss took Jin Geer around the temple. Fifth Madam and the others, seeing this, joined Eleven Miss in exploring the grounds.

Fearing the ferocious deity statues might frighten Jin Geer, Eleven Miss only played with him outside the halls.

Outside, there were spacious flagstone courtyards and long corridors adorned with bas-relief carvings of various Buddhist stories. Stone carvings of auspicious animals like cranes and turtles stood beside the steps. Jin Geer and Xin Jieer ran around, touching everything with delight.

When they returned home, Jin Geer babbled excitedly to Lord Xu and didn’t fall asleep until long past midnight. Only then did Lord Xu have the chance to ask his wife, who had been silently smiling while listening to their son, "Did something happen?"