Chapter 614

Chapter 621: Studies (Part 1)

Lady Eleven didn’t wait for Xi Er and instead summoned Mrs. Nanyong.

“What happened?” Lady Eleven asked anxiously, recalling that since moving to the outer courtyard, Mrs. Nanyong had never entered her room without reason. She dismissed the servants and whispered her question.

“Just now, Young Master Sijie came to me and asked about his childhood…” Mrs. Nanyong replied nervously.

The Old Madam had instructed her to monitor Xu Sijie’s movements, fearing he might be mistreated in the outer courtyard and needing someone to report back—not to gossip. Though her words today were well-intentioned, she had overstepped. She didn’t know whether the Old Madam would scold her for it. However, since this matter involved the relationship between the Old Madam and Young Master Sijie, she gathered her courage and recounted everything that had just occurred.

Lady Eleven was startled. Recalling Xu Sijie’s unusual behavior earlier, she couldn’t help but feel touched.

She had never found the right opportunity to bring up the past with Xu Sijie, never expecting Mrs. Nanyong to help her out of this predicament.

Back then, she had favored Mrs. Nanyong not only because of her honesty and loyalty but also because of her practical approach to people and matters. She had hoped Xu Sijie would be influenced by Mrs. Nanyong and live pragmatically. Now, it seemed her choice had been correct. If not for Mrs. Nanyong’s genuine care for Xu Sijie, he wouldn’t have turned to her first in his distress, and she wouldn’t have been able to comfort him with meaningful words, nor would Xu Sijie have recovered so quickly.

“Thank goodness you were there to guide him.” Seeing Mrs. Nanyong’s unease, Lady Eleven immediately affirmed her actions. “I’ve been troubled over this matter.” She then told her about Lord Xu’s plan to have Xu Sijie pay respects to Lady Tong with incense during the New Year. “We never mentioned it before, and now suddenly asking him to acknowledge Lady Tong—I fear he might take it hard. I wanted to prepare him beforehand but worried he’d ask about the past… Thanks to you, he’s had a chance to process it, and now I can speak to him about it.”

Mrs. Nanyong relaxed slightly, a faint smile appearing on her face, though it soon faded, replaced by a trace of worry.

This would clarify the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate. Once the household understood Lord Xu’s stance, there might be matters that neither the Old Madam nor she could forestall. Xu Sijie’s situation might grow far more difficult than it was presently!

But then again, perhaps this was for the best.

Only by knowing one’s limits can one understand their own strength and what they’re capable of.

This way, Young Master Sijie could live a quiet, steady life.

Her expression softened as she tactfully said, “The New Year is approaching. Families will be sending gifts, the housekeeper will come to greet you, and the fourth young master will have guests to entertain. The household will likely be too busy to even take a sip of tea.”

When the housekeeper came to greet Lady Eleven, they would naturally bring small gifts for the children. Since Xu Sijie had been raised under Lady Eleven’s care, his gifts had always matched Xu Sizhun’s. Moreover, if Xu Sizhun hosted a spring banquet at home, he would surely invite his brothers to accompany him. Xu Siyu, being older, usually steered clear of such gatherings and wouldn’t attend. If Xu Sijie went without understanding the situation and another Dou Jing incident occurred, not only would the Xu family lose face, but it would also hurt Xu Sijie—everyone craves acceptance.

Lady Eleven sighed.

When Lord Xu returned, she brought it up with him: “Perhaps I should talk to him in the next few days.”

Lord Xu thought Lady Eleven was worrying too much and casually replied, “Sure,” before asking about the next day’s banquet for Madame Xiang: “How many guests are coming?”

“About two tables for the men and one for the women,” Lady Eleven said with a smile. “I heard the uncle who sent us Huiquan spring water will also attend.”

“Then I’ll prepare some good tea for him,” Lord Xu said. Just then, Xiang Shi came to serve Lady Eleven with dinner.

“No need to wait on me here,” Lady Eleven said warmly. “From now on, dine in your own courtyard and come join me when it’s time to pay respects to the Old Madam.”

Xiang Shi was surprised.

Lady Eleven smiled. “Go ahead. In winter, I usually leave at a quarter to six, and in summer at a quarter past six. Just come around that time.”

Seeing her firmness, Xiang Shi curtsied and excused herself.

Lord Xu chuckled. “Not even letting your daughter-in-law serve you?”

“It’s awkward to talk with others around,” Lady Eleven replied lightly. “No need to make everyone uncomfortable.”

Lord Xu didn’t press further. Lady Eleven had someone fetch Jin Geer, who had been playing with Shen Geer in the back garden, and instructed the maids to serve dinner.

Jin Geer devoured two bowls of lion’s head meatballs from a clay pot and was asking for a third when Lord Xu couldn’t help but ask, “What did you eat for lunch?”

“Fried quail,” Jin Geer said before shoveling another meatball into his mouth.

Lord Xu looked towards Lady Eleven.

Lady Eleven took a few bean sprouts with her chopsticks from the pork tripe soup and placed them into Jin Geer's bowl, sighing helplessly, "For lunch, we also had drunken duck liver, steamed minced meat with eggs, crystal shrimp, braised yellow croaker... but he only ate the fried quail."

As she spoke, Jin Geer hid the bean sprouts under his rice with his chopsticks and continued eating the braised pork meatballs (lion’s head) with the plain rice on top.

Lord Xu found it both funny and frustrating. "You ought to try a bit of everything," he said.

"Yes," Lady Eleven agreed, placing a piece of tofu into her son's bowl.

Jin Geer gave Lord Xu a look. "Father, Grandmother says no talking at the table."

Lord Xu burst into laughter.

Xu Siyu and Xiang Shi came to greet them.

Lady Eleven invited them to sit in the main hall and only escorted them to the western chamber after the meal.

Lord Xu then asked Xu Siyu about his plans.

Xu Siyu replied, "I intend to depart for Le'an in early November."

Leaving right after the wedding? That soon? Not even staying for the Lunar New Year?

Lady Eleven glanced at Xiang Shi, whose expression remained calm—clearly, she had already known about this.

Lord Xu also thought it was too early and said after a moment's consideration, "There's no need to rush. You can leave after the Lantern Festival."

Xu Siyu hesitated but ultimately bowed and complied with a respectful "Yes."

Lady Wen and Qiao Lianfang came to greet them.

"Our Second Sister-in-law is here too?" Lady Wen, ever warm and enthusiastic, remarked. "That bracelet you’re wearing is gorgeous!"

Xiang Shi quickly curtsied to Lady Wen and Qiao Lianfang, addressing them as "Madam."

Xu Sizhun and Xu Sijie showed up.

Lady Eleven observed Xu Sijie carefully.

As usual, he stood behind Xu Sizhun, smiling, but the usual spark in his eyes was missing.

Lady Eleven sighed softly. After a brief chat, she headed to the elder madam’s rooms.

Coincidentally, Xu Lingkuan had also brought Fifth Madam and their children to pay respects to the elder madam, livening up the place immediately.

Xu Sizhun seized the opportunity to ask Lady Eleven about the musical score.

"Your uncle’s still looking for it," Lady Eleven whispered to him. "Has Wang Yun promised when he'll return it?"

"No," Xu Sizhun replied in a low voice. "But after this incident, I wrote to Wang Yun, saying I accidentally dropped the book into water. I asked for some time to transcribe a copy to return. Wang Yun told me not to bother—he’d just borrow and copy one from Scholar Han at the Hanlin Academy. But since we damaged it, even if Wang Yun doesn’t want it back, we can’t just not return it!"

Lady Eleven nodded. "So, Scholar Han at the Hanlin Academy has a copy?"

Xu Sizhun’s eyes gleamed with pride. "We could borrow it to transcribe one too!"

"I’ll ask your uncle to try," Lady Eleven said, smiling. Just then, Lord Xu’s gentle but firm voice reached her ears:

"...No need. Our families are very close. Let Zhun'er come with me—it’ll be good practice for his manners." He then instructed Xu Sizhun, "Tomorrow, go to the accounting office and prepare the New Year’s gifts for the Yongchang Marquis’ family. In a few days, we’ll pay a visit to the Yongchang Marquis."

Hearing about the outing, Xu Sizhun lacked enthusiasm. He acknowledged with a nod and went to the administrative office early the next morning to request the gift list. Only after bidding farewell to the Xiang family in the evening did he take the list to report to Xu Lingyi.

The New Year's gifts exchanged between the two families consisted merely of items like tea leaves and candies, totaling no more than fifty taels of silver.

Xu Sizhun, carrying a paper gift box, accompanied Xu Lingyi to the Yongchang Marquis's residence.

Meanwhile, Eleven Miss received the New Year's gifts from Cangzhou.

As in previous years, the Shao family sent a cartload of Cangzhou specialties.

Entering the inner courtyard to pay respects to Eleven Miss were not only the maidservant who delivered the annual gifts to the Xu family but also Xiulan.

She had her hairline shaped, her hair styled into a matron's bun, adorned with new silver ornaments, and appeared visibly excited. Upon entering, she kowtowed three times to Eleven Miss.

Eleven Miss smiled and inquired, "Who did you marry?"

Xiulan blushed. "My husband serves as a personal attendant to the eldest young master."

The "eldest young master" referred to Shao Zhongran.

It seemed Zhenjie had already integrated well into the Shao family.

Eleven Miss nodded with a smile and rewarded Xiulan with two silver lotus hairpins. "Consider this a congratulatory gift."

Xiulan hurriedly expressed her thanks and relayed Zhenjie’s message:

"...After hearing from the eldest young master that the sixth young master wanted a martial arts instructor, we learned of a Master Pang in Cangzhou. He is related by marriage to the Shao family. Though his left foot is slightly lame, his equestrian archery skills are exceptional. Many Shao family disciples studied under him, and he once ran a martial arts school. Recently, his wife passed away, and with no children, Master Pang lost interest in teaching and closed the school. The young mistress wondered if the marquis had already found an instructor for the sixth young master. If not, she wished to recommend Master Pang for the position."

Eleven Miss was surprised and asked with a smile, "What did your eldest young master say?"

The accompanying maidservant chuckled and replied, "Our eldest young master also trained under Master Pang for two years in equestrian archery and holds him in high regard. When the marquis mentioned this matter earlier, our eldest young master immediately thought of Master Pang. However, he feared a rural instructor might not meet the marquis’s standards, and Master Pang, having his school in Cangzhou, might not be willing to travel north. So he kept the thought to himself. Only after learning of Master Pang’s loss did he reconsider. We were sent to inquire." She added with a brighter smile, "Our young mistress instructed us to first seek your opinion. If you approve, we would then present the eldest young master’s recommendation letter."

What kind of reasoning was this? These matters were beyond her understanding.

"Hand me the letter," Eleven Miss said with a smile. "I’ll discuss it with the marquis first and then give you a reply."

Both respectfully agreed, just as the Jiang family's New Year's gifts arrived.