Chapter 664

Chapter 672: Subtle Stirrings (Part 1)

Mrs. Yuan made a valid point. Jiang Shi had only recently married into the family and would surely face many future occasions requiring thoughtful gestures. Using that white fox fur to make hats for her father-in-law and sixth uncle was indeed a special touch—but then what would she have left for the Dowager’s milestone birthday or her parents-in-law’s future celebrations?

Jiang Shi grew anxious. Yet every time she pressed Xu Sizhun about it, he merely smiled and told her not to worry. No matter how insistently she questioned him, she couldn’t extract another word. She discreetly sent her maids to inquire, only to learn that Xu Sizhun hadn’t been seen in the outer courtyard lately, leaving all household affairs to Steward Bai—who also had no idea what his young master was up to.

What exactly was he doing?

Jiang Shi grew increasingly uneasy. Just then, the Dragon Boat Festival approached, bringing with it the custom of exchanging gifts. She volunteered to Eleven Miss: "Shall I take care of delivering the gifts to Six Elephant Lane?"

Third Lady had fallen ill again.

Eleven Miss had visited once but hadn’t gone back.

Even patience has its limits. Since everyone knew the illness wasn’t genuine, they either pretended not to notice or made only perfunctory visits.

“You’re pregnant,” Eleven Miss refused without hesitation. “Let your second sister-in-law handle it.”

“It’s quite all right,” Jiang Shi smiled. “I’m perfectly healthy! Second sister-in-law still needs to visit Bowstring Alley and pay respects to the Fourth and Fifth Concubines…”

*Jiang Shi thought to herself,* she probably just wanted some fresh air.

Ever since Jiang Shi became pregnant, Xu Sizhun had forbidden her from doing anything or going anywhere. Had it not been for Wan San’s wife warning that such strict confinement wasn’t good for childbirth, he might have insisted she stay in bed all day.

“All right then,” Eleven Miss relented with a smile. “But be careful not to overexert yourself.”

Jiang Shi cheerfully agreed and set off for Six Elephant Lane.

Jin Shi was in the courtyard entertaining two children, with maids and matrons smiling nearby. Though no one laughed loudly, there was no trace of gloom—clearly, no one took Third Lady’s illness seriously.

When Jin Shi saw Jiang Shi, she quickly had the children greet their aunt and invited her inside.

“First sister-in-law is attending to Mother right now. She’ll be out soon,” Jin Shi said, personally serving her a cup of hot tea.

Whenever Third Lady felt slighted by Fang Shi, she would “fall ill” and demand that Fang Shi nurse her back to health. The household all tacitly understood this was an open secret, though no one spoke of it outright.

“Then I should still pay my respects to Third Aunt,” Jiang Shi said, rising.

“You’re pregnant—better wait until Mother recovers,” Jin Shi urged her to stay.

Even if the illness was feigned, propriety had to be observed. A pregnant woman shouldn’t visit the sick.

Jiang Shi didn’t insist and instead chatted with Jin Shi. “I heard from my husband that Third Brother has been transferred to the Five-City Military and Police Office? Has he already taken up his post?”

“He’ll start after the Dragon Boat Festival,” Jin Shi’s eyes curved into crescents. “As Southern District Commander. Though it’s only a sixth-rank position, at least he’ll have real authority. Unlike in the palace, where titles sound impressive but everything is dictated by others.” She beamed with pride, then remembering Jiang Shi’s status as the principal daughter-in-law of the main branch, added modestly, “In truth, my husband only got this opportunity because of Fourth Uncle’s influence. Without that connection, why would his superior pick him out among so many candidates? But these days, he’s overwhelmed—busy with handover procedures and thanking colleagues. Since Fourth Uncle’s family is like his own, he plans to visit them last. He’ll pay his respects to the Dowager and Fourth Aunt in a couple of days.”

Jiang Shi knew Jin Shi was being polite.

Though Xu Sijian’s superior had considered Lord Xu’s face, if Xu Sijian hadn’t proven himself capable, the favor wouldn’t have been granted. When the news reached the Yongping Marquis’s household, even Lord Xu had been surprised, smiling as he remarked, “That boy’s not bad.”

“Third Brother is truly talented,” Jiang Shi replied. Just then, someone lifted the door curtain and entered, laughing, “Who’s talented?”

Jiang Shi looked up to see a tall, graceful young woman in a ginger-yellow silk jacket and dark green surcoat.

“First sister-in-law!” Jiang Shi stood and curtsied. The three sisters-in-law sat together for a while. When Jiang Shi mentioned delivering the festival gifts, Fang Shi accompanied her to the rear courtyard to check the gift list.

Didn’t Mother say the matrons who came with the gifts could handle this?

Was this yet another of Third Aunt’s schemes to make First Sister-in-law’s life difficult? Jiang Shi pondered as she followed Fang Shi toward the rear courtyard.

Fang Shi pulled her into a side chamber.

"Well? What brings you here?" She smiled, sitting beside Jiang Shi on the daybed.

Jiang Shi stared at Fang Shi in surprise.

Fang Shi smirked, pressing her lips together. "You're pregnant, yet you still came to deliver the New Year gifts to our household. Surely there's something you need from me? Spit it out—what’s going on?"

Jiang Shi couldn’t help but let out an awkward chuckle.

Ever since Fang Shi had helped Xu Sizhun out of a tight spot that day, Jiang Shi had taken a liking to her. After a few more encounters, she realized Fang Shi was frank and easygoing, a temperament that suited her well, and the two gradually grew closer.

She’d only meant to take a stroll and clear her head. But with Fang Shi being so direct, not speaking up now would seem insincere.

Jiang Shi carefully explained what had been happening.

Fang Shi hid a laugh behind her sleeve. "That’s easy. Since even Fourth Uncle doesn’t want Fourth Aunt to know, Second Uncle must have gotten the news from elsewhere. And it’s only a possibility that he’ll return in winter. There’s no need for you to worry so much. Might as well wait and see."

"Ah!" Jiang Shi’s eyes brightened. "I must’ve lost my head." Her expression relaxed. "Even if Father-in-law returns in winter, I can always send some medicinal herbs later to replenish his and Sixth Uncle’s health. It’s not too late!" She took Fang Shi’s hand gratefully. "Thank heavens you set me straight, Eldest Sister-in-law."

"I was just saying." You’ve got to find the right balance—cling too close, and you’ll annoy them; stay too far, and they’ll resent you. Fang Shi smiled and changed the subject. "Have you decided how to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival this year?"

"I heard they plan to set up a feast in the flower hall." Some things were better left unsaid. Jiang Shi chatted lightly with Fang Shi about household matters.

A maid hurried in and announced, "Eldest Young Madam, the eldest young master said he’ll return in a couple of days. He sent a servant to bring you something."

Jiang Shi was surprised. "Eldest Brother’s away?"

Fang Shi smiled. "Your Eldest Brother doesn’t have much to do at home. Last spring, I handed over my dowry estate for him to manage. He goes out four times a year to collect rent. Occasionally, he trades southern goods in the north or northern goods in the south, just small ventures to supplement the household income." She downplayed it, but given how freely Fang Shi spent, these ventures must be quite profitable.

Jiang Shi smiled as a servant boy presented a red lacquered box adorned with gold tracery.

"The eldest young master said this is for you. The master, mistress, third young master, third young madam, and others will return with the carriage."

Fang Shi asked the servant, "Why didn’t the eldest young master come back with you?"

The servant grinned. "The eldest young master still has two accounts to settle. But he didn’t want you to worry, so he sent me ahead to inform you."

Fang Shi relaxed and rewarded the servant with silver. When she looked up and saw Jiang Shi grinning at her, she blushed and explained, "Your Eldest Brother has always been like this."

Jiang Shi chuckled, eyeing the box.

Fang Shi flushed, unable to hide her embarrassment.

"Oh, how can he compare to Fourth Uncle making lanterns for his wife with his own hands every day?"

Jiang Shi’s face also turned crimson.

After teasing each other for a while, seeing that it was getting late, Jiang Shi took her leave and returned to Lotus Lane.

Xu Sizhun was deep in conversation with Wang Shu. When he saw her enter, he shooed Wang Shu off with a "Go get a thousand bolts" and stepped forward with a smile. "You’ve been cooped up in the carriage all day—feeling alright?" He looked her over carefully.

"I’m all right," Jiang Shi replied, her gaze landing on Wang Shu, who was holding a roll of pale yellow gauze. "What’s got you back so early today? Is there nothing to attend to in the outer courtyard?"

Xu Sizhun had been returning early these past few days.

"Oh, Steward Bai handles the outer courtyard affairs." Xu Sizhun brushed it aside, helping her sit by the window. "I told Wang Shu to pick up some gauze."

"Why so much gauze?" Jiang Shi laughed. "I’ve got plenty in storage. If you need it, I can have Mother Yuan fetch it all. That way, you won’t need to buy as much."

"That won't be necessary!" Xu Sizhun scratched his head, looking somewhat troubled. "The sheer silk I need has to be light yet strong—only Han's on East Street can custom-make it. Ordinary gauze is too thick," meaning none in her stores would do.

"What's my husband need that special silk for?" she asked, puzzled.

"Oh, just a little project," Xu Sizhun replied vaguely. Then he added, "By the way, Uncle sent someone over to say they’ll deliver cooling fans tomorrow. Have some tip money ready for the courier."

This was Jiang Shi's first Dragon Boat Festival after marriage. According to custom, her maiden family would send fans and bamboo mats.

Jiang Shi nodded with a smile, then called Wang Shu over. "What does the fourth young master need the gauze for?"

Wang Shu grinned but kept silent. "All in good time, madam."

Jiang Shi raised an eyebrow. "Is it for lanterns?"

Wang Shu gave an uncomfortable chuckle.

"The fifth day of the fifth month is both the Dragon Boat Festival and Mother-in-law’s birthday. Is my husband planning to make a special lantern for her?" she pressed.

With the cat out of the bag, Wang Shu could no longer hide it. Mumbling, he said, "The fourth young master told us not to tell anyone... He wants to surprise everyone... It’s not just one lantern—he’s making nine thousand nine hundred ninety-nine of them. They’ll be hung in the back garden, and the elder madam and Fourth Madam will be invited to Qiongling Villa to admire them..." His voice grew excited. "The gauze costs three taels per bolt, and he even ordered special white candles from Wan County in Sichuan. The fourth young master says it’ll be brighter than the stars in the sky... The whole courtyard will be filled with lanterns, the garden will glow like the Milky Way come down to earth—the elder madam and madam will surely love it..."

Jiang Shi fell silent for what felt like ages before finally murmuring, "You may leave." Her voice was low, carrying a hint of weariness.

Such extravagance would undoubtedly please the elder madam and madam. But why did the fourth young madam seem displeased?

Wang Shu wondered silently, then bowed and withdrew.

Steeling herself, Jiang Shi thought of Xu Siqin’s diligence, Xu Siyu’s travels, Xu Sijian’s efforts, Xu Sijie’s dedication... and then of Xu Sizhun...

When her father-in-law returned and asked, what would Steward Bai say?

She was overcome with helplessness. She sat frozen in the carved mahogany chair until twilight swallowed the room.