Chapter 744

Chapter 751: Watching and Waiting (Part 2)

"Quick, call them in!" Before Lord Xu could even give the order, Eleven Lady had already urged anxiously.

The young manservant dashed away.

"Yu Ge'er must have guessed that Jin Ge'er would be setting off in the next few days," Eleven Lady said with a smile. "A few days ago, when Yu Ge'er's wife sent someone to deliver water caltrops and lotus seeds, she didn’t mention anything about sending gifts for Jin Ge'er."

Brothers should live in harmony and support each other.

Lord Xu nodded.

The young manservant led in two matrons, one of whom was Xiang Shi’s personal maid, Nanny Xiang.

The two matrons bowed respectfully and congratulated Lord Xu and Eleven Lady with great joy.

"Just a few days ago, we learned that the sixth young master had become the Governor of Guizhou. Our second young master was overjoyed. He sent us to the capital overnight, and we finally made it into the city just before sunset," Nanny Xiang said with a smile, holding out a blue silk-wrapped box with both hands. "This is a travel gift from our second young master to the sixth young master. He also sends his wishes for a prosperous future and smooth sailing." She then presented a bundle. "These are a few autumn clothes made by our second young mistress for the sixth young master. She said they were made in a hurry and hopes the sixth young master will overlook any shortcomings."

Leng Xiang stepped forward to receive the items. Eleven Lady had Han Xiao bring small stools for the two matrons to sit and chat, asking them about everyday matters.

Learning that Xu Siyu’s family had settled well into life in Jiaxing, and that during the heavy rains in June, Xu Siyu had organized laborers to protect the embankments, earning the Prefect’s growing trust, she felt delighted. "It’s getting late. You should rest here tonight and go pay your respects to the Elder Madam and Second Madam tomorrow morning. Let them share in the joy as well."

The two matrons smiled and agreed, then followed Leng Xiang out.

Lord Xu asked about Xu Sijin. "Why hasn’t he returned yet? I have something to discuss with him."

Although the Ministry of Personnel had granted some extra time, if he didn’t depart soon, he might not make it to Guizhou in time. Xu Sijin was scheduled to leave for Guizhou early the next morning after paying respects to the ancestors. Eleven Lady was about to check on the luggage preparations when she replied, "Chang'an sent word earlier. He said Jin Ge'er would be meeting up with Duoxun and the others tonight and would return late. What did you need to discuss with him? Why not come with me to take a look?" As she spoke, she instructed Han Xiao to bring along the gifts from Xu Siyu and his wife.

"Very well," Lord Xu said after a moment’s thought, and he went with Eleven Lady to Qingyin Ju.

A Jin and Sui Feng were checking the inventory of the items. When they saw Lord Xu and Eleven Lady, they quickly put away the ledger and stepped forward to bow.

"Are the belongings not yet packed?" Lord Xu asked.

"Everything is packed!" A Jin replied with a smile. "I was worried we might have missed something, so Sui Feng and I are double-checking the list."

This time, A Jin and Sui Feng would also be accompanying Xu Sijin to Guizhou.

Seeing the trunks and cases, Eleven Lady thought of her son’s imminent departure, and her mood suddenly sank. "Who knows when he’ll be back?"

Lord Xu comforted her, "He’s now a third-rank official. He’ll have to return to the capital for annual evaluations. It’s much better than when he was last in Guizhou."

Thinking of it this way, Eleven Lady let out a long sigh, and her spirits lifted slightly.

Lord Xu sat with her on the large kang bed by the window to wait for Xu Sijin.

"Old Marquis Sun discussed with me today. He wants Cheng Ge'er to accompany Jin Ge'er to Guizhou!"

If it were her, she would make the same choice. Eleven Lady had already guessed as much. After a moment’s thought, she asked, "What about Qiao Ge'er? Will he stay at home?"

"Old Marquis Sun wants him to go to the Henan Regional Commander's office," Lord Xu said. "Old Marquis Sun once managed the Central Military Command and still has some old connections in Henan. Plus, the Henan Regional Commander and I have some acquaintance… He’ll go there to train for a few years, learn some real skills, and then join the Western Hills Battalion."

That would be for the best.

Eleven Lady nodded slightly.

Xu Lingkuan and his wife arrived.

Lord Xu and Eleven Lady couldn’t help but exchange a glance.

"I suspect they've come about Cheng Geer's matter!" Lord Xu said with a smile as he and Eleven Lady headed to the main hall.

"I didn't expect to find Fourth Brother and Fourth Sister-in-law here too!" Lord Xu greeted his brother and sister-in-law cheerfully. Everyone sat down with smiles, and A Jin brought tea and snacks with the young maids. Fifth Madam tactfully asked about Jin Geer: "Why isn't he home? Isn't he leaving tomorrow?"

Eleven Lady explained the situation.

Fifth Madam was about to ask more, but Xu Lingkuan felt there was no need for such formality between brothers. Before his wife could speak, he got straight to the point with Lord Xu: "...Cheng Geer isn't like Shen Geer. He's only twelve this year—even when staying in the outer residence, he keeps running back to the inner residence every couple of days. Jin Geer is just settling in Guizhou and will have his hands full; how can he keep an eye on Cheng Geer every day? I think it would be better for Cheng Geer to go after the Spring Festival. That way, Jin Geer will be more settled, Cheng Geer can prepare properly, and we can also take care of Shen Geer's matters first."

Lord Xu naturally agreed over tea.

Fifth Madam let out a long sigh. "...The older generation says that suffering is one’s lot in life, and so is enjoying blessings—it’s all destined by heaven. These two children insist on taking the hard path instead of the easy one. What can I do? I can only pray to the gods that heaven rewards diligence and that their efforts won’t be in vain!" Her tone carried a mix of helplessness, dejection, and sorrow.

Eleven Lady, recalling how she and Lord Xu had once hesitated over Jin Geer’s future, found Fifth Madam’s feelings all too familiar. She comforted her: "Absolutely! I, too, was reluctant back then. But now, seeing the child grow day by day, not only able to take care of himself but also look after the family, I feel grateful we made that decision. You needn't worry, Sister-in-law—Shen Geer and Cheng Geer are both clever and sensible children. With more experience outside, they’ll only become more understanding and obedient."

"Let’s hope so," Fifth Madam nodded, a glimmer of expectation finally showing on her face. "...When Cheng Geer goes, he’ll need Jin Geer’s guidance." Her words were heartfelt.

Eleven Lady was moved to reflection.

Fifth Madam had always had a proud streak; if not for her son, she would never have lowered herself like this. It just goes to show—mothers are the same everywhere!

Xu Lingkuan thought his wife was worrying over nothing. Before Eleven Lady could respond, he laughed and said, "Jin Geer is his older brother—of course he’ll guide Cheng Geer properly. There’s no need for all this fuss."

Fifth Madam was left speechless with frustration.

Eleven Lady, worried the two might start arguing in her room, quickly said to Xu Lingkuan with a smile, "Fifth Uncle, are you free tomorrow? If you have nothing else, Lord Xu would like to ask you to help escort Jin Geer!"

As a father, Lord Xu wasn’t supposed to see his son off. Thinking that since his son had managed to capture Duoyan, a trip to Guizhou was nothing to worry about, he hadn’t planned to escort him either. Hearing Eleven Lady take the initiative like this, he couldn’t help but shoot her a meaningful look.

Xu Lingkuan was originally scheduled for night duty tomorrow. The Imperial Guard commander, knowing his nephew had been named Earl of Wujin and appointed as Guizhou Commander, had specially given him a few days off to handle family matters.

He was delighted, feeling that his sister-in-law was showing him respect. After all, Xu Sijin was now a third-rank official, a high-ranking minister governing a region. As an elder seeing him off, those above and below his own rank would have to pay their respects and defer to him—the very thought made him giddy with excitement.

"I’m free, I’m free!" He didn’t even notice the minor details, replying with a laugh, "I’ll come by first thing in the morning, at mao hour [5-7 a.m.], to accompany Jin Geer to the ancestral hall."

Lord Xu, seeing how such a small matter could make Xu Lingkuan so happy, felt his heart soften toward him.

If Fifth Brother had been properly guided, he might have made something of himself too.

He treated Xu Lingkuan with more patience than usual, joking with him, "Don’t oversleep when the time comes!"

"How could I!" Xu Lingkuan, seeing his brother joke with him, grew animated. "I may be a bit muddled in major matters, but I’ve never slipped up on the small things."

Everyone couldn’t help but laugh.

The atmosphere was not only cheerful but also harmonious.

"You're a grown man, but you still don't know how to be serious," Fifth Madam chided Xu Lingkuan with a smile just as Xu Sijin returned.

"What's all this?" he asked, having had a bit too much to drink, rubbing his head. "I—I’ve been out since early morning today. I haven’t done anything!"

This sparked another round of laughter.

Fifth Madam went up to take Xu Sijin’s hand and said to Eleven Lady, "This is just at home. Who would believe our Guizhou Commander Lord Xu Sijin acts like this if word got out?" She then called for A Jin to quickly brew some strong tea to sober up Jin Geer and explained their purpose for visiting.

Jin Geer breathed a sigh of relief and thumped his chest in assurance: "As long as Seventh Brother and Eighth Brother need me, just say the word!"

Fifth Madam was very pleased with his attitude and nodded with a smile. After Jin Geer drank his tea, the group went to see the elder madam.

The elder madam had already prepared sobering soup and hurriedly ordered Luzhu to bring it in.

Xu Sijin had already been forced to drink his fill of tea, and now there was a large bowl of soup. He managed to drink it down with some effort. The Grand Madame took his hand and asked him everything from who would see him off to when he had returned to the residence. Xu Sijin answered each question one by one.

Seeing that it was getting late, Lord Xu suggested everyone should head back for now.

Under the lamplight, the Grand Madame looked at the dashingly handsome Jin'er, thinking he would be leaving for those rough, remote borderlands tomorrow, without even a proper wife to look after him. She had spoken to Eleven Miss about it before, but Eleven Miss always said his martial arts weren’t yet perfected and they should wait a while longer. The thought made her heart ache. "You'll stay with your grandmother tonight," she said. "I’d like to have a good talk with you!"

Seeing how his grandmother had aged what looked like ten years in just a few, Xu Sijin felt a pang of sadness. He feigned cheerfulness and threw an arm around the Grand Madame’s shoulders. "I’d love to chat with you, Grandmother, but I’m afraid Father might stop me..."

"He wouldn't dare!" The Grand Madame glared sternly at Lord Xu.

Lord Xu was delighted to see his son cheering up his mother; stopping them was the last thing on his mind. He put on an expression of helplessness and rose and excused himself.

The Grand Madame broke into a happy laugh and whispered to Xu Sijin, "Don’t be afraid. If he dares to scold you, just come and tell me. I’ll punish him by making him kneel in the ancestral hall!"

"Great! Wonderful!" Xu Sijin chuckled, already considering whether to seize the chance to tell on his father to his grandmother...

Once back home, Eleven Miss tiredly asked Leng Xiang to bring in warm water for a foot soak.

Lord Xu dismissed the attendants, brought over a small stool, and sat down beside her to massage her feet.

"Are you all right? Your legs look a bit swollen to me."

"Really?" Eleven Miss had Lord Xu bring the lamp closer and examined her legs carefully for a long while but found nothing unusual. "Maybe your eyes are playing tricks on you?"

Lord Xu still advised cautiously, "Don’t go to see Jin'er off tomorrow. He already knows you’re pregnant!"

Eleven Miss’s expression froze.

"What’s wrong?" Lord Xu asked with concern.

"I... I haven’t told him yet," Eleven Miss murmured. "I never found the right opportunity..." She was actually a bit embarrassed.

Lord Xu was stunned.

"How about you tell him tomorrow when you take Jin'er to the ancestral hall to pay respects to our ancestors?" Eleven Miss looked at Lord Xu.

Aren’t such matters usually the mother’s responsibility? Lord Xu murmured noncommittally in response.