Chapter 692

Chapter 700: Efforts (Part 2)

The Luo family had written in July to inquire about the exact wedding date, but Yingniang didn't marry until the twelfth month.

After the wedding ceremony and paying respects to the family elders, Xu Sijie and Yingniang went to greet the elder madam.

Seeing the newlyweds dressed in matching red wedding attire, the elder madam was overjoyed. She took Yingniang’s hand and nodded repeatedly, asking the Second Madam who was attending to her, “Doesn’t she look like Eleven Miss?”

In truth, the two didn’t resemble each other at all.

But since the elder madam was fond of Eleven Miss, and the Second Madam now treated the elder madam like a child, she smiled and carefully studied Yingniang’s features before saying, “I do see some resemblance!”

The elder madam’s eyes curved into happy crescents as she said to Yingniang, “When your aunt married into the family, she was about your age, but she never faltered in speech or manner. In that regard, you do take after her.”

Though Yingniang had a lively nature, she was still a bride and blushed at such praise from the elder madam.

“I’m nowhere near as good as Aunt,” she said modestly. “Aunt has such a kind and virtuous nature—there’s so much for me to learn from her!”

“Wrong, wrong!” Madam Huang, who had accompanied them, teased with a laugh. “You can’t call her ‘Aunt’ now—you must call her ‘Mother’!”

Yingniang flushed with embarrassment.

Everyone laughed.

Madam Du handed Yingniang the prepared gifts, and the elder madam slipped a tourmaline bracelet from her own wrist onto Yingniang’s. “This is for you too,” she said. “Live well and soon help our Xu family flourish with descendants.”

Both of them lowered their heads shyly and softly replied, “Yes.”

The Second Madam gifted a pair of pearl hairpins as a wedding gift.

Xu Sijie and Yingniang expressed their thanks, while Madam Huang added some auspicious blessings. Seeing that it was getting late, they bid farewell to the elder madam and the Second Madam and headed to the banquet.

The room quieted down, and the elder madam let out a long sigh, leaning back against the oversized bolster pillow behind her. “Well, now we just wait for Xin Jieer to marry,” she said, relieved, as though a great task had been completed.

The Second Madam smiled knowingly and handed the elder madam a hand warmer with fresh coals. “You’ve been waiting since morning, and now you’ve seen the newlyweds. Rest for a while.”

The elder madam nodded slightly and closed her eyes.

The Second Madam adjusted the quilt around her shoulders and quietly kept watch. Only when the elder madam’s breathing grew even did she pick up a book to read.

......

Jiang Shi changed into a rose-red, everyday robe with peony patterns and asked Bao Zhu, “Where’s Ting Geer?”

“He just fell asleep,” Bao Zhu replied with a smile, offering Jiang Shi a cup of hot tea. “The wet nurses are taking care of him, and he’s been playing happily. Don’t worry—you’ve been exhausted these past few days.”

Though there was a mother-in-law nominally in charge of Xu Sijie’s wedding, the actual responsibility fell to Jiang Shi. She had finally managed to successfully usher in the bride without any mishaps and could finally relax.

Jiang Shi nodded, sipping the hot tea and feeling tension leave her body. Just as she was about to ask after Xu Sizhun, he returned.

Xu Sizhun had been managing the affairs in the men's quarters for Xu Sijie’s wedding.

“Husband!” [to husband] Jiang Shi quickly stood to help him change his outer robes. “Have all the guests left?”

“Let me do it myself,” Xu Sizhun said gently. “You’ve been busy too these days.” He instructed a maid to assist him instead and told Jiang Shi, “The Marquis of Northern Prestige and the Yongchang heir are still here. They’re sharing wine with Father in the outer courtyard’s flower hall.”

Jiang Shi’s brow furrowed slightly, her words catching in her throat.

“What’s wrong?” Xu Sizhun asked with a smile. “Is something the matter?”

"It's nothing!" Jiang Shi smiled, then hesitated before adding, "Husband, Father-in-law hasn’t gone to bed yet. Isn’t it too soon for you to be back... Shouldn’t you be helping him?"

"I originally intended to stay," Xu Sizhun replied with a smile. "But Father told me to come back early to rest. Besides, Sixth Brother was there, so I came back early." His expression brightened as he recalled something. "You should have seen Sixth Brother—holding a wine jug, refilling anyone's cup the moment it was empty, whether they were speaking or eating. He had the Marquis of Weibei gripping his cup, afraid to set it down lest Sixth Brother refill it again..."

"Really?" Jiang Shi forced a smile.

Her father-in-law truly spoiled his youngest son rotten—not only personally overseeing his martial training but also indulging him in such settings.

Yet her own husband never knew how to charm people.

"You ought to be more thoughtful," she said helplessly. "Sixth Brother is still young. As his elder brother, shouldn’t you look after him?"

Xu Sizhun laughed sheepishly. "The Heir of Yongchang said that since he’s an heir and so am I, my presence made him uncomfortable. So Sixth Brother took it upon himself to serve the wine..."

You believe everything people tell you.

Even though you’re both heirs, Yongchang’s heir is older.

Jiang Shi sighed inwardly and said softly, "It’s late. You should rest early, Husband. Tomorrow, you’ll need to accompany those delivering the ceremonial meal from Bowstring Lane."

Xu Sizhun agreed cheerfully and began discussing the next day’s arrangements. "Eldest Cousin Luo Jiaxiu and Fifth Cousin Luo Jiageng were part of the bridal escort. They’ll depart for Yuhang the day after tomorrow. I thought we could throw them a farewell dinner for them tomorrow evening at Xichun Tower..."

"Will there be enough time?" Jiang Shi said mildly. "Tomorrow, Fifth Brother and his wife will be returning to her family. Bowstring Lane will probably have them stay for dinner before they come back."

"We’ll just bring Fifth Brother along," Xu Sizhun said dismissively before heading to the washroom.

Jiang Shi sat motionless for a long while.

---

When Xu Siyu heard that Jin Geer was playing waiter in the pavilion, he burst into laughter. Bending down, he patted his daughter Ying Ying’s head as she greeted him. "Ying Ying, your Sixth Uncle is a sly fox! The Heir to the Marquis of Yongchang clearly wanted to use him to get the Marquis of Weibei drunk. I wonder what he promised your Sixth Uncle in return?"

Ying Ying, already quite articulate, blinked her big eyes and mimicked her father’s tone. "Sixth Uncle is a sly fox!"

Xu Siyu laughed heartily.

Gan Shi entered and scolded lightly, "Ying Ying, don’t talk nonsense. How can you speak of your Sixth Uncle that way? It’s late—off to bed with you."

Her father was easygoing, her mother stern. Ying Ying naturally preferred her often-absent father.

She stuck her tongue out at Xu Siyu, quickly replied, "Yes," curtsied respectfully, and followed her nurse out.

Xu Siyu’s smile faded as he asked Gan Shi, "Is Mother in bed yet?"

"Not yet," Gan Shi replied. "She said she’d work on her embroidery, but it seemed she was waiting for Father-in-law, so I came back first."

Xu Siyu nodded. "Don’t meddle in household matters, but pay attention to Mother’s needs. Pitch in with sewing or gardening when you can."

Gan Shi obeyed meekly and attended to his washing.

---

Eleven Miss stayed up until midnight before Lord Xu returned, a little drunk.

"Jie Geer and Yingniang have the ancestral temple ceremony early tomorrow," she chided as she helped him inside. "Don’t sleep in with a hangover!"

"Won’t happen," Lord Xu chuckled, cupping her face. "I haven’t forgotten!"

The night-shift maid hastily lowered her head, pretending not to see anything.

Lady Eleven swatted Xu's hand away. "Go to bed already! Stop acting drunk here!"

"Call this acting drunk?" Xu glanced at her sideways, his large phoenix eyes bright and dazzling. "You haven't even seen me when I'm really drunk!" With that, he suddenly scooped Lady Eleven into his arms. "Today, I'll show you what it looks like when I'm drunk!"

Lady Eleven gasped in surprise and quickly wrapped her arms around his neck. "Xu Lingyi......" Her voice trembled slightly.

Xu laughed heartily and set her down on the bed. "Just teasing you!" He affectionately stroked her face. "I really did drink a bit too much today." Then he collapsed beside her. "Mo Yan, our Jin Geer is truly clever. Let’s take him to the palace this New Year!"

Lady Eleven was taken aback.

In previous years, Xu had always found excuses to avoid bringing Jin Geer to the palace.

"Does the Marquis feel Jin Geer’s temper has improved a lot?" she asked thoughtfully after a pause.

"Mmm," Xu responded lazily. "Ziqi wanted to get Marquis Weibei drunk but was afraid ordinary servants wouldn’t dare pour him wine, so he promised Jin Geer two hundred silver taels. Jin Geer refused and instead countered Ziqi, saying he hadn’t treated him like family. Ziqi was so delighted he kept praising Jin Geer for his maturity. When it came to pouring wine for Marquis Weibei, Jin Geer made sure everyone got their share, but he always found a way to refill the Marquis’ cup whenever he and Ziqi were competing. His witty and amusing remarks left the Marquis amused yet exasperated—he couldn’t refuse to drink! Now the Marquis is drunk, and Jin Geer, along with his personal servant, saw him to the guest room, helping fetch hangover remedy and serving tea......" His expression grew pleased. "I think even if the Marquis knew Jin Geer was pouring wine at Ziqi’s request, he probably wouldn’t blame him. Mo Yan," Xu turned onto his side and took Lady Eleven’s hand, "Jin Geer knows what he’s doing. He can handle himself!"

Besides, households like theirs couldn’t avoid the palace forever.

Lady Eleven agreed softly, "Alright. But you must properly teach him the palace etiquette."

Xu nodded.

After Xu Sijie and his wife returned from their three-day bridal visit and Luo Jiaxiu and the others had departed, the household busied itself with New Year preparations. Xu called Jin Geer over to his side, instructing him on palace protocols while explaining the palace hierarchy, which eunuchs attended to whom, their responsibilities, and even their temperaments......

Jin Geer listened with keen interest, treating it all like an engaging story.

On New Year’s Day, he eagerly accompanied Lady Eleven into the palace.