Chapter 662

Chapter 670: Gaze (Part 2)

The Xu family was not lacking in beauties.

Second Madam, Fifth Madam, and even Lady Jiang and Lady Fang were all rare beauties. Yet Jin Geer singled out Fifth Concubine as pretty—was this not the bond of blood being thicker than water?

Eleventh Young Miss smiled and pulled Jin Geer into her embrace. Early on the third day of the new year, she dressed him in a crimson ramie silk robe and, together with Lord Xu, led Xu Sizhun and his wife, Xu Sijie, Lady Xiang, and others to Bowstring Lane.

The gate was adorned with scarlet couplets, and red lanterns hung under the eaves. Even an old plum tree in the corner had a bright red ribbon tied around its trunk.

After exchanging greetings, the children called out "Uncle" or "Aunt," and the adults responded cheerfully, distributing red envelopes. The children accepted them with smiles, filling the air with festive cheer. Only Xu Sizhun waved his hands repeatedly. "No need for me. Now that I'm married, I'm an adult. I should be the one giving red envelopes to my younger siblings." With that, he had Jiang Shi distribute red envelopes to Yingniang and the others.

Madam Luo the Elder, dressed in a bright red gold-patterned wide-sleeved jacket, not only insisted on giving Xu Sizhun a red envelope but also slipped one to Lady Xiang. "At your uncle's home, everyone is a child."

Fourth Madam, meanwhile, stopped Jiang Shi. "What are you doing? You must keep it! This is your first New Year with our family." She then took out the red envelope she had prepared for Jiang Shi.

Traditionally, it was customary for newlyweds to pay visits to relatives during their first New Year, and the relatives would give them red envelopes in return. Seeing her aunts' firm insistence, Jiang Shi did not want to spoil the festive spirit and accepted the envelopes with a grateful smile.

Twelve Miss's family and Fifth Miss's family arrived one after the other.

Everyone exchanged New Year’s greetings, chatting and laughing in high spirits. It was only when a biting cold wind swept through the courtyard that they finally moved into the hall.

Sixth Concubine and Fifth Concubine were directing maids to set out refreshments.

Sixth Concubine wore a rose-red brocade jacket, looking radiant. Fifth Concubine, in a pale green plain brocade jacket, had snow-white skin, raven-black hair, and gentle features, appearing no older than thirty—hardly like someone with a daughter as old as Eleventh Young Miss.

Young Master Jin immediately rushed over. "Grandmother! Grandmother!"

Joy overflowed from Fifth Concubine’s eyes to the corners of her brows.

"Young Master Jin!" She embraced him lovingly. "The north wind is blowing today. Are you cold?" She touched his hands.

"Not cold, not cold." Her soft, gentle voice made Jin Geer speak more quietly than usual. "Look, I'm wearing a fur-lined coat." He pulled back his lapel to show her. "It's lined with gray squirrel fur."

Fifth Concubine quickly tugged his lapel back. "Be careful not to catch a chill."

Jin Geer obediently let go and nodded repeatedly.

Fifth Concubine’s smile faded as she stood and curtsied to Lord Xu. "Marquis!" Her gaze then settled on Eleventh Young Miss. "Eleventh Young Miss."

"Auntie!" Eleventh Young Miss greeted her with a smile.

Lord Xu stepped aside politely to avoid accepting her full courtesy. "It's been a while. I hope you've been well?"

"By the Marquis’s grace," Fifth Concubine replied respectfully. "All is well."

Xu Sizhun and the others stepped forward to offer New Year’s greetings to Fifth Concubine, who handed out red envelopes in return. Wang Ze, Twelve Miss, and the children greeted Sixth Concubine, who also prepared red envelopes for the younger generation. Fifth Miss, however, shot Luo Zhensheng a displeased look.

Luo Zhensheng couldn’t meet her eyes and quickly lowered his head.

As soon as Fifth Miss returned to Yanjing, she had lashed out at Luo Zhensheng. "Aren’t you managing the family affairs? How is it that Sixth Concubine came, but Third Concubine was left behind?"

The times were different now—Third Concubine might not compare to Fifth Concubine, but was she even inferior to Sixth Concubine, who had borne no sons?

"Third Concubine chose to stay behind to care for Father," Luo Zhensheng mumbled defensively, but Fifth Miss wouldn’t hear a word of it. She berated him relentlessly. "What exactly have you been doing in Yuhang? Last time, I pulled strings to arrange for Eldest Brother to let you serve as a tax and grain clerk under your brother-in-law’s office, yet you refused? I thought, since the Luo family is prosperous and Third Concubine is in the household, it would be fine if you could secure a place for yourself here. But who knew you’d turn out completely inept..."

Luo Zhensheng had wanted to go.

But Fourth Madam Luo didn’t want her husband to go.

Their household wasn’t in need—why should he follow his brother-in-law to such a remote place just to rely on him for a living?

Seeing her husband scolded, Fourth Madam Luo tried to intervene, only to be rebuked by Fifth Miss several times.

Watching the scene unfold, had Fifth Miss been reminded of Third Concubine?

Fourth Madam Luo mused to herself, feigning obliviousness, and cheerfully linked arms with Xiang Shi. "You’re close to giving birth, aren’t you? How are you feeling?"

"Mother specially assigned an experienced maidservant to look after me," Xiang Shi replied with a self-deprecating smile, having taken a liking to this straightforward fourth aunt. "I just eat, sleep, eat again—my face has grown as round as the moon!"

Fourth Madam Luo laughed. "It will pass after the baby’s born."

Noticing everyone standing in the hall regardless of gender, Elder Madam Luo quickly urged them to take their seats.

The men remained in the main hall, while the women and children moved to the eastern side chamber for rest. The men discussed court affairs, the women chatted about household matters, and the children played together with laughter; the room buzzed with lively chatter.

Sixth Concubine observed, her heart full, helping the maids serve tea. Meanwhile, Fifth Concubine quietly slipped back to her room unnoticed. At first, no one paid much attention, assuming she’d stepped away briefly. But when she didn’t return for a long while, Jin Geer glanced about, asking, "...Where’s Grandmother? Why is she gone?"

Eleven Miss had noticed earlier but said nothing.

Forcing Fifth Concubine to mingle surely discomforted her.

"Grandmother was tired and went to rest," she said with a smile. "Go play with your brothers."

Jin Geer murmured an obedient "Oh" and ran off to join Xu Sijie.

As she spoke, Eleven Miss kept an eye on Luo Zhenhong.

When Jin Geer mentioned Fifth Concubine, Luo Zhenhong had lifted his head and glanced around, as if searching for her. But upon hearing she had retired to rest, his expression relaxed, and he returned to his cheerful conversation with Luo Jiahang beside him.

During lunch, Elder Madam Luo enthusiastically toasted everyone. For some reason, Fifth Miss suddenly joined in, pulling Elder Madam Luo into round after round of drinks. By the end, Elder Madam Luo was swaying unsteadily from intoxication. Hearing the commotion, Luo Zhenhong and Luo Jiahang, who had been drinking with Lord Xu and Wang Ze in the main hall, rushed in—one supporting Elder Madam Luo, the other ordering maids to prepare strong tea. Luo Jiageng and Luo Jiakang were slower to react.

Eleven Miss sighed at the sight. Seizing the moment while Jin Geer napped, she went to Fifth Concubine’s room.

The door was slightly ajar; pushing it, it opened easily.

"Were you expecting me?" she asked with a smile, taking the warm tea from Fifth Concubine’s hands.

Fifth Concubine simply met her gaze with tenderness.

After a moment’s thought, Eleven Miss broached delicately how Luo Zhenhong had helped Elder Madam Luo.

"Seventh Young Master was raised by Elder Madam Luo—she treated him as her own. It’s only right that he honors his elder sister-in-law as a mother figure," Fifth Concubine said softly, waving her hand to signal that such topics need not be raised again. "To have him near, where I may see him daily, is blessing enough." Her gaze grew even gentler. "I know you worry for me, but you needn’t. For your sake, Elder Madam Luo would never slight me." She sighed deeply. "I never imagined the elder madam would speak so familiarly with me in front of everyone or send Madam Du with so much fabric and medicine during the New Year." Her expression turned solemn. "Since the elder madam holds you in such high regard, you must honor her well and serve Lord Xu dutifully."

As the heart is, so appears the face. Was it because she always focused on others’ kindness and treated those around her with warmth that she grew even more beautiful in middle age than in her youth?

Eleven Miss looked at her serene, elegant face and quickly replied, "Rest assured, I shall honor the elder madam and serve Lord Xu well."

That day’s events had surprised even her.

Not only had the elder madam greeted Fifth Concubine warmly, but she had also engaged her in casual conversation. Even Elder Madam Luo and Fourth Madam Luo had been momentarily stunned. When Eleven Miss delivered New Year’s gifts, she noticed the servants in Gongxian Alley treating Fifth Concubine with new reverence.

Fifth Concubine then asked about her and Lord Xu: "...Before, it was because of the fourth young master. Now that he’s married and settled, shouldn’t you give Jin Geer a little brother? A home thrives with more children!"

"I don’t know why, but it just hasn’t happened," Eleven Miss said with a bitter smile. "I’ve consulted physicians, and they say there’s no issue. I even considered medicine, but Lord Xu says all medicines bear some poison—these things are best left to nature. He won’t let me seek further treatment."

Since it was Lord Xu's intention, Fifth Concubine didn't say much more.

She smoothed Eleven Miss's hair, which wasn't even messy, and said softly, "The wedding of the eldest young master and Miss Zhou is set for March. The eldest young mistress said we'll return to Yuhang after the Lantern Festival." She gazed at Eleven Miss earnestly, as if trying to imprint her in her heart, "You must be sure to take care of yourself from now on... Seeing you well in Yanjing this time has already made me very happy..." Her eyes grew moist, "You don’t need to worry about me, nor about the seventh young master..."

Are you leaving so soon?

Eleven Miss couldn’t help but tightly hug her arm.

They had waited ten years for this reunion. How many more years would the next one take?

**********

After seeing Fifth Concubine off, Eleven Miss became busy.

First, Jiang Shi became pregnant, then Xiang Shi gave birth to a daughter on the fourth day of February.

Truly proving the saying about close family ties.

Lord Xu was overjoyed at the arrival of this first granddaughter and wrote over twenty names in his study for Eleven Miss to consider: "Which one do you think is best?"

Eleven Miss glanced at them—all names like "Xian" (virtuous), "Shu" (gentle), "Jing" (quiet), "Ning" (peaceful), all rather predictable.

Thinking of the little baby, delicate as carved jade, she smiled and said, "How about Yingying? As the saying goes, 'A pearl of true quality, though submerged in deep waters, cannot conceal its luster.'"

"That’s a fine name!" Lord Xu nodded, "Let’s call her Yingying!" But before the words had fully left his mouth, his expression dimmed.

He had always wanted a daughter.

Eleven Miss knew what he was thinking and reached for his hand.