Chapter 569

Chapter 575: Misunderstanding (Part 2)

"Auntie!" Xu Siyu bowed respectfully to Fifth Madam.

Fifth Madam looked at her nephew, whose face had thinned but still carried an elegant and handsome demeanor, and couldn't help but silently admire him, regarding Xu Siyu with fresh eyes.

"Yuge’s all grown up now," she said with a smile. "I thought you wouldn’t be taking the provincial exams this year, but here you are, coming back in this sweltering heat!"

Xu Siyu replied respectfully, "Mr. Jiang kept me longer to catch up on my studies. That’s why I returned late."

Fifth Madam smiled faintly and teased, "No wonder you seem so sure of yourself!"

Xu Siyu chuckled. "In scholarly arts, no one’s indisputably best; in martial arts, no absolute second. Until the end, no one knows the outcome." His tone was humble yet self-assured.

She looked impressed as she turned to the elder madam. "Yuge is getting better and better with words. It seems children truly need to go out and see the world as they grow up!"

"Said like someone who hasn’t endured it," the elder madam chided. "Yuge has been traveling back and forth these years—it must have been exhausting." Then, to Xu Siyu, she said, "Don’t listen to your Fifth Aunt. Go and rest! You’ve gotten so thin!" Her voice carried a touch of concern.

Xu Siyu bowed, about to take his leave, when Second Aunt arrived.

"I also thought you wouldn’t be taking the exams this year," she said, though her tone was calm, worry showed. "Did something happen?"

Xu Siyu’s face warmed with gratitude as he quickly repeated his explanation. "...I was planning to come greet you later, Second Aunt."

"Come tomorrow morning," Second Aunt said. "I have some questions for you as well."

Xu Siyu lowered his head and respectfully replied, "Yes."

The elder madam laughed. "Alright, alright, go and rest!" She instructed Eleventh Sister, "Don’t ask him anything else. Whatever you have to say, wait until tomorrow! Let the boy rest properly!"

Eleventh Sister agreed with a smile and had Song Mama escort Xu Siyu out of the inner courtyard. She then discussed with the elder madam, "Shall we gather all the children here for lunch tomorrow? It could be a welcome-home for Yuge."

"Good idea!" the elder madam said cheerfully. "Invite Siqin and Xu Sijian and their wives too. Let’s have some fun!"

"Why not go to the Heron Pavilion?" Fifth Madam suggested. "It’s cooler there! The children can fish or boat, and we can play cards."

The elder madam laughed heartily. "Like husband, like wife. After all these years with Little Five, you haven’t learned much, but when it comes to fun and games, I’d say you’re the best among your sisters-in-law."

"Mother..." Fifth Madam tugged at the elder madam’s sleeve—she pouted.

The elder madam chuckled and said to Eleventh Sister, "Then it’s settled—we’ll hold the family banquet at the Heron Pavilion!"

Eleventh Sister nodded with a smile, chatted with the elder madam for a while, then excused herself to arrange the next day’s banquet.

But just as she stepped out of the elder madam’s courtyard, someone called from behind her, "Sister-in-law!"

In this household, aside from Second Aunt, who else would address her as "sister-in-law"?

Eleventh Sister turned and saw Second Aunt hurrying across the courtyard toward her.

She smiled and greeted, "Second Sister-in-law."

Second Aunt gave a faint smile. "There’s something I’d like to ask of you..." She glanced toward the main courtyard. "My place is too far. Let’s talk at yours."

Eleventh Sister was surprised. Knowing Second Aunt’s standoffish manner, she wasn’t one to casually ask for help. Smiling, she accompanied Second Aunt to the main courtyard’s parlor, where they sat. She had the maids serve iced mulberry tea and shooed the servants away before asking, "What is it, Second Sister-in-law?"

Second Aunt took a sip of tea and said softly, "You’ve heard what happened with my nephew Yi Jia, haven’t you?"

Eleven Lady was quite surprised, unsure why she brought this up, and replied tactfully, "Just rumors I’ve picked up here and there."

Second Sister-in-Law sighed softly and said, "I'd like to ask you, my sister-in-law, to help find a match for our Yi Jia."

Eleven Lady stared at Second Sister-in-Law, unable to hide her astonishment.

Second Sister-in-Law continued, "I know this isn’t an easy task!" Her expression darkened slightly. "My sister-in-law has worn herself out over Yi Jia’s marriage. Seeing how well you arranged matches for Zhenjie and Twelve Lady, I thought to ask for your help in finding one for Yi Jia."

Eleven Lady looked hesitant.

Madam Xiang had spent years agonizing over her son’s marriage without finding a suitable match, clearly indicating high and picky standards. Such a person would be difficult to make decisions for...

She recalled the time Second Sister-in-Law had acted as a matchmaker for Xu Siyu.

Was this Second Sister-in-Law’s own idea, or Madam Xiang’s? If it were the latter, it would be easier to handle—helping relatives find suitable matches was common courtesy. But if it were the former...

Seeing her hesitation, Second Sister-in-Law misunderstood it as concern over Yi Jia’s reputation for being "a curse on his wives." She said firmly, "If there’s a suitable family, don’t hide the truth from them. I don’t believe everyone swallows such nonsense!" Her tone grew resolute by the end.

Eleven Lady gave a dry smile.

With such an uncompromising attitude, even if a suitable match were found, it might still prove difficult.

She cautioned Second Sister-in-Law, "I’m only afraid I won’t find someone Madam Xiang approves of, which might disappoint her."

Second Sister-in-Law was quick on the uptake and caught her meaning. After a moment of silence, she said, "You know Yi Jia was once engaged to the second daughter of the Han family. After their second young lady passed away, he was betrothed again, but the girl died suddenly after the preliminary betrothal gifts were exchanged." Her voice was heavy. "That’s how the rumor of Yi Jia being 'a curse on his wives' spread. My sister-in-law was so upset she needed half a year to pull herself together. Knowing his marriage prospects were now slim, she decided to see to Rou Ne and Rou Jin’s marriages first. After much effort, she found a family she liked, but when they came to meet the girls, they set their sights on the spirited Rou Jin instead."

Arranging a match for the elder sister, only for the suitors to prefer the younger...

Eleven Lady straightened slightly, her expression turning solemn.

"Of course, my sister-in-law refused," Second Sister-in-Law said. "Rou Jin was also filled with guilt. Thankfully, Rou Ne is a sensible girl and said it was the family’s lack of discernment, not her sister’s fault. That comforted Rou Jin somewhat." A faint smile touched her lips.

Eleven Lady nodded slightly.

For the second Miss Xiang to think this way was truly commendable.

"But this left a splinter in my sister-in-law’s heart," Second Sister-in-Law continued. "She settled Rou Jin’s marriage first. By the time she turned back to Rou Ne, the girl was already sixteen! With Yi Jia’s marriage troubles mixed in, my sister-in-law has been pulled in all directions these past two years, her hair going gray from the strain."

"Rou Jin was also concerned for her sister. Last time I returned for her wedding, she had her maid seek me out privately and explain the situation, asking me to help find Rou Ne a good match. That’s how I learned of all this."

"After returning, I thought it over carefully. Rou Ne is a girl, and for a woman, marriage is a second life. My sister-in-law would surely be meticulous in her choice. Yi Jia is a man, and with such rumors, as long as the girl’s family is respectable and her character outstanding, my sister-in-law likely wouldn’t be too picky." Here, Second Sister-in-Law sighed helplessly. "I’ve kept to myself these years—how would I know about the young people in various families? Mother is also getting older, and I hate to burden her with this. After much thought, I decided to ask for your help. If you could arrange a match for Yi Jia, it would ease my sister-in-law’s burden, allowing her to focus on Rou Ne’s marriage. As for whether it succeeds, that is in fate’s hands." Her voice was tinged with melancholy by the end.

Was Second Sister-in-Law someone with a tough shell but a soft center?

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have stepped in to help Fang Shi without fanfare!

With Second Sister-in-Law’s last words, Eleven Lady smiled and agreed, "...I can’t promise you’ll be pleased, but..."

When Eleven Lady promised something, she would do her best. Success or failure sometimes depended on fate.

Second Sister-in-Law smiled, lifting her teacup in a small toast. "I’ll thank you in advance, my sister-in-law."

Eleven Lady smiled and took a sip from her cup, accepting her gratitude.

Setting the cup down, she asked after Xiang Yijia’s situation when a sudden noise came from outside the door.

Both turned toward the entrance simultaneously.

They saw the bamboo curtain slam open with a bang against the frame as a little figure burst in.

"Mother, mother," Young Master Jin threw himself into Lady Eleven's arms, "my oriole! My oriole!"

He must have run all the way here, his forehead covered in sweat, his little face flushed red with urgency and frustration.

Lady Eleven signaled to the maid beside her to fetch a damp cloth to wipe Young Master Jin’s face, then said gently, "Your Second Aunt is here. Why don’t you greet her?"

Young Master Jin pouted and reluctantly called out, "Second Aunt."

Seeing that Lady Eleven had household matters to attend to, the Dowager smiled and nodded at Young Master Jin, preparing to take her leave. But before she could rise, Lady Eleven turned to Hong Wen and A Jin, who had followed breathlessly, and asked sternly, "What happened?"

Hong Wen and A Jin exchanged a glance before Hong Wen replied softly, "Earlier in the garden, we met the Second Young Lady. Her maid was carrying a birdcage with two orioles inside..." Her voice trailed off as she cautiously observed Lady Eleven’s expression. "They looked exactly like Young Master Jin’s..."

Lady Eleven froze.

Young Master Jin jumped up and down beside her. "Mine, mine... Grandmother gave them to me..."

Lady Eleven understood.

"Silly boy!" She laughed softly, wiping the sweat from Young Master Jin’s face. "Why don’t you go check if your birds are still there?"

No sooner had Lady Eleven spoken than Young Master Jin pushed her hand away and bolted outside.

Hong Wen and A Jin hurriedly curtsied to Lady Eleven before hurrying after him.

The Dowager smiled and took her leave.

Lady Eleven saw her out.

Turning back, she saw Young Master Jin racing down the covered walkway toward her.

"Mother, mother!" he exclaimed excitedly. "My oriole! My oriole!"

Hong Wen, who had followed, quickly added, "Young Master Jin’s orioles are still hanging under the eaves of the back house!"

Lady Eleven patted Young Master Jin’s head and scolded Hong Wen and A Jin, "Young Master Jin’s birds are under Sui Feng’s care. How could they be given away so casually? Young Master Jin is still young and isn’t old enough to understand. Sometimes you need to use your judgment for him. Luckily, he came to me about this. If he had gone to the Dowager instead, imagine what a scene it would’ve caused if the Fifth Madam found out! In the future, you must think more carefully before acting."

Hong Wen lowered her head and replied, "Yes, it won’t happen again!"

The younger A Jin, however, couldn’t help but murmur defiantly, "But the Second Young Lady said those orioles were a gift from the Fifth Lord... She even said that since they were hers now, Young Master Jin had no right to reclaim them..."