Qiao Lianfang wore a rose-red jacket with a swastika-patterned flowing cloud pattern and a dark green skirt embroidered with plum, orchid and bamboo. Her jet-black hair was tied up in a bun with a jade hairpin inserted in it. Her posture was still as straight and her expression was still as calm, but there was a hint of weariness between her brows, as if she had not slept well.

It seems that Qiao Lianfang and Aunt Qin both slept uneasily!

Qiao Lianfang likes Xu Lingyi, so it's understandable that she can't sleep well when she hears that he still misses a concubine who died more than ten years ago. But why does Aunt Qin have a problem?

Recalling the deep sisterly love you had in the past?

Or are you pitying her early death?

Or, is he just worried about the impact of Xu Sijie's arrival on Xu Siyu?

While she was thinking, a maid came in and said, "Madam, the Marquis and the Fifth Master are getting up!"

"Oh!" Eleventh Lady quickly collected her thoughts and told Amber with a smile, "Go and ask where the breakfast is."

Amber responded and left.

Then Eleventh Lady instructed Aunt Qin: "Today is New Year's Eve. The Fifth Young Master's residence has not been cleaned up yet, and the people in the house cannot be gathered together at the moment. I have to trouble Aunt Qin."

Aunt Qin immediately stood up and said, "Don't worry, Madam. I'll ask my people in the room to help clean up the place."

Eleventh Lady nodded and served tea: "Everyone, go away! Remember to come early in the afternoon so that we can have the New Year's Eve dinner at the Madam's house together."

Everyone stood up and responded.

Madam Wen smiled and came close to Eleventh Lady: "Madam, I have nothing to do anyway, why don't I help Fifth Young Master clean up the house with Sister Qin."

There was also a housekeeper, a maid, two second-class maids, and two little servants in Madam Wen's room.

"Sure!" Eleventh Lady said with a smile, "There's strength in numbers. There will be fireworks to watch in the evening. If we can get this done sooner, we can celebrate the New Year in peace!"

Madam Wen smiled and said "yes", and went to Xu Siyu's old residence with Madam Qin, while Qiao Lianfang took Xiu Yuan back to her room.

Xiu Yuan smiled and brought a cup of hot tea to Qiao Lianfang: "Miss, you should be relieved now! The Marquis went to Shiyi Niang just to fulfill his promise."

Qiao Lianfang only brought Xiu Li with her, and the others were all from the Xu family. So on weekdays, she only kept Xiu Li around. There was no one else in the room.

Hearing Xiu Li teasing her like this, she blushed, smiled and took the handkerchief to throw at Xiu Li: "What nonsense are you talking about?"

Xiu Yuan dodged, hid her sleeves and laughed, and simply said jokingly: "Miss, take care of yourself!"

When Qiao Lianfang heard this, her face darkened and her hand subconsciously rested on her abdomen.

The smile on Xiu Li's face gradually faded. She walked quietly to Qiao Lianfang's side and whispered, "Don't worry, Miss. You will definitely be able to have the joy of Dream Bear this time."

Qiao Lianfang's eyes turned red as she listened: "I have taken the medicine, put on the tools... I have done everything I can. But my body is..." As she spoke, she put her hands together and bowed to the west: "Merciful Guanyin Bodhisattva, if you can fulfill my wish this time, I will make a golden statue for you and offer incense to you day and night."

* * * * * *

As soon as the three concubines left, Amber came back and said, "The Marquis said that breakfast is in the study."

Eleventh Lady took Xu Sijie and Bin Ju, who was holding him, to the study.

At the door, they met Luyun who was escorting out two maids from Madam Five.

The three of them knelt and saluted her. Lu Yun hurriedly explained, "The Fifth Madam sent someone to bring clothes to the Fifth Master."

The Fifth Lady has always been very caring towards Xu Lingkuan.

Eleventh Lady smiled and nodded to the two maids, then became a little hesitant.

Could it be that I arrived too early and they were still washing up?

Just as she was about to ask Luyun, Hongxiu came out from behind the curtain and said, "Madam, the Marquis invites you in."

Eleventh Lady walked into the study with a smile.

Xu Lingyi and Xu Lingkuan were sitting on the big kang by the window, one wearing a half-new royal blue brocade gown, the other wearing a white mink coat with a Buddha head carved in blue silk. They looked calm and relaxed, and it was obvious that they were both in a good mood.

Seeing Eleventh Lady bringing Xu Sijie in, Xu Lingkuan hurriedly stepped forward and saluted: "Fourth sister-in-law!" His attitude was very respectful.

Could it be because of what Xu Lingyi said last night...

Eleventh Lady pondered secretly and returned the greeting with a smile. When she stood up, she saw Xu Sijie, who was held in Bin Ju's arms, looking at Xu Lingyi with his pair of sparkling black eyes, and joy overflowed from his brows.

Look at Xu Lingkuan again—he turned his face slightly.

She couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Maybe this child really has no destiny with Xu Lingkuan.

While thinking about it, he asked Xu Sijie to greet the two of them.

Xu Lingyi asked Xu Sijie: "...Have you arranged everything?"

"Arrange for him to live in Yu Ge's old residence. As the New Year is approaching, it is not easy to find people to be around him. For the time being, he will be looked after by a few maids around me. After the Lantern Festival, I will find a few honest and reliable people from home to serve him." Eleventh Lady said briefly.

Xu Lingyi listened and nodded continuously, revealing a very satisfied expression, which was very inconsistent with his usual low-key and reserved demeanor.

Was it done for Xu Lingkuan to see?

Thinking of what he said to Xu Lingkuan yesterday, Eleventh Lady couldn't help but think in this direction.

"Please pay more attention to this matter." Xu Lingyi spoke to her in a polite tone, "Tell the maid to prepare breakfast! We still have to go to the ancestral hall to arrange the utensils for ancestral worship later."

According to the rules, only men can place items used for ancestor worship; women are not allowed to touch them.

Eleventh Lady smiled and replied "yes", asked the maid to serve the meal, served the two of them breakfast, and then took Xu Sijie to the lady's place.

The Third Master, the Third Madam, the Fifth Madam, Xu Siqin, Xu Siyu, Xu Sijian, and Zhun Ge have all arrived.

Seeing them come in, Mrs. Wu immediately walked towards Xu Lingkuan and asked, "Did you rest well yesterday, Master Wu?" But her eyes were looking at Xu Sijie in Binju's arms. Her expression seemed very serious, and there was also a hint of inquiry.

Eleventh Lady couldn't help but smile bitterly.

Xu Lingkuan nodded to his wife, whispered "Let's talk about it when we get back", then smiled and walked forward to greet everyone.

The Fifth Lady did not look carefully yesterday, and when she wanted to look later, she did not have the chance. This time, when she took a closer look, she felt that he looked three or four points like Xu Lingyi. Thinking of what Mother Shi said yesterday, she felt relieved and walked forward with a smile to greet Eleventh Lady.

Eleventh Lady returned the gift, greeted the Third Master and the Third Lady, and brought Xu Sijie, followed by Xu Lingyi and Xu Lingkuan to pay respects to the Grand Madam.

Xu Lingyi took the Third Master, Xu Lingkuan and a group of younger generations to the ancestral hall. The Third Madam was going to prepare the New Year's Eve dinner, and the Eleventh Lady was going to see how Xu Sijie's residence was being tidied. The Fifth Madam was left to talk to the Grand Madam, and the Third Madam and the Eleventh Lady said goodbye together and went their separate ways.

* * * * * *

The courtyard of Concubine Qin was arranged in the same way as that of Concubine Qiao Lian, but it was more spacious. The center of the courtyard was not planted with flowers or plants, but with a rockery made of Taihu stones. From the courtyard gate facing west, there was a corridor facing north, leading directly to Xu Siyu's old residence. The courtyard where Xu Siyu lived was more spacious than that of Concubine Qin. The main house faced north and south, with three side rooms on each side. There was a bluestone rain alley between the back house and Concubine Qin's main house. It was a proper quadrangle.

Aunt Wen accompanied Eleventh Lady into the courtyard and pointed to the west wing: "This was originally the Ruyi Gate."

This means that if a door is opened here, there is no need to pass through Aunt Qin's courtyard and one can go directly to Xu Siyu's old residence.

Eleventh Lady did not comment.

Let’s wait until next spring!

When the time comes to renovate my own yard, I can also renovate the yard here as well.

As soon as I entered the room, I saw Aunt Qin directing several maids to hang up the curtains, and several other maids were wiping the floor-length shades with rags.

Hearing the noise, everyone stopped what they were doing and bowed to Eleventh Lady.

Eleventh Lady was quite surprised to see that everything in the house had been almost packed up.

"Because it's New Year's Day, we just cleaned the house a few days ago, so it's more efficient." Aunt Qin explained, "After we move the mattress and bedding in this afternoon, the fifth young master can move in."

Eleventh Lady smiled and nodded, asking the maids to continue cleaning. She walked around the house with Madam Wen and Madam Qin, discussing what to add, what to subtract, and what to put where. In the blink of an eye, it was noon.

A servant from Xu Lingyi's side came over and said, "The Marquis and the Fifth Young Master are having lunch in the outer courtyard. Tell Madam not to wait for them."

Amber gave the boy ten coins. Eleventh Lady smiled and said, "Since the Marquis is not coming back, let's just eat something casually - there will be delicious food in the evening anyway. Let's clean up the Fifth Young Master's residence as soon as possible, and we can go to the Taifu earlier."

Madam Wen and Madam Qin agreed with a smile, ate something in Eleventh Madam's room, and prepared the room before the end of the day. They made an appointment to go to the lady's place together at three o'clock in the afternoon, and then sent someone to tell Qiao Lianfang, and then went back to their rooms to wash and dress.

Xu Lingyi and others went to the ancestral hall, where those who were responsible for sacrifices had already prepared all the items. They arranged the items according to the ritual and were busy until noon, when they quickly ate lunch in the outer courtyard. Then they returned to the ancestral hall to report to their ancestors. Xu Lingyi wrote the name of Xu Sijie in the family tree, and then they dispersed.

* * * * * *

The Fifth Lady finally waited for Xu Lingkuan to come back.

As she helped him change his clothes with a smile on her face, she said nonchalantly, "What did you say? You talked all night. I was worried that the Marquis would get angry with you, and I was also worried that you would be wronged... I didn't sleep well all night."

Xu Lingkuan's eyes flashed with guilt: "It's all my fault. I made you worry!"

"Look at what Master Wu said." Madam Wu said coquettishly, "I just like to let my imagination run wild." As she spoke, she took the tea from the maid and handed it over herself, smiling, "But, I am really curious, what did the Marquis say to you?"

Xu Lingkuan did not tell his wife about the child because he had always thought that the matter had been resolved long ago - he paid Liu Huifang money and Liu Huifang was responsible for raising the child.

I never expected that so many troubles would arise.

Especially after listening to his fourth brother's heartfelt words yesterday, he realized how big a disaster he had caused and how much danger he had brought to the Xu family.

When his wife asked him, he really wanted to talk to her.

But when he thought of the promise he had made to his fourth brother, "Forget about the child. Just pretend it never happened. Even if you ask yourself, you must insist that it is fourth brother's child," he forced himself to endure it.

"Nothing!" Xu Lingkuan took a deep breath and straightened his back unconsciously, "Fourth brother asked me to help him!"