"April 8th is the Buddha's birthday, and all major temples will hold Buddha bathing ceremonies. We haven't been back to Yanjing for many years. April is a good time with sunny days and wind, and I want to take the children out for a walk to broaden their horizons. I wonder if the Madam will go out for a walk then?" Mrs. Xiang asked the Madam with a smile.

"April 8th?" The lady drew out the last line of the sentence and glanced at Eleventh Lady with an inquiring look. "Usually we go to the Medicine King Temple to worship. But this April, Yuan Niang's mourning ceremony will be held. I don't know if I will be able to find time by then."

The mourning ceremony was on April 19th, so no matter how busy she was, it would not affect the Buddha's birthday on April 8th. Besides, the Taifu was the elder, and it was absolutely impossible for the elders to participate in the sacrifice of the younger generations. The Taifu's actions were completely to ask for the opinion of Eleventh Lady.

Mrs. Xiang came with a bad face, and she actually wanted to bring up the marriage of the two families again, which inevitably made Eleventh Lady think biasedly. She felt that Mrs. Xiang was forced to do so because of Mr. Xiang's insistence. She didn't make the decision. Originally, the marriage of children should be decided by their parents, and even grandparents could only make suggestions and not intervene directly. However, out of filial piety to the elders, if grandparents decided on the marriage, parents would generally obey. The lady's behavior was clearly giving the decision-making power to herself.

She thought of the fact that the Madam had clearly expressed her wish to marry into the Xiang family, and thought of Xu Lingyi's attitude, so she decided to let the Madam and Xu Lingyi discuss it. After all, this was related to Xu Siyu's future, and which situation was better for Xu Siyu, they understood the situation, were thoughtful, and had more say than she did.

"I've been so busy these days. In two days, my fifth sister's eldest son will have his full moon ceremony..." Eleventh Lady apologized, "If Madam Xiang hadn't mentioned the eighth day of the fourth month, I would have forgotten about it." After that, she looked at the Madam, "Mother, if you have any arrangements, just let me know. The Marquis can also arrange a carriage for you."

The decision-making power was given to the lady.

After all, Mrs. Xiang had been with Lord Xiang in office for so many years, and she usually socialized with the families of Lord Xiang's subordinates and superiors, so she naturally understood the hidden meaning.

She lowered her head and sipped her tea in small sips. She looked calm and composed, but she was actually tense inside, listening attentively to what the lady had to say.

However, when the lady heard Eleventh Lady mention Xu Lingyi at this moment, she was slightly stunned.

You know, because of the Xiang family's repeated changes, they all thought that the marriage was over. Who would have thought that Mrs. Xiang would come to visit in person and take the initiative to ask for a date. Not only did the mother and son not sit down to discuss it properly, they didn't even know each other's views on the matter. Eleventh Lady was not someone who would bring up Xu Lingyi for no reason, which made the lady wonder - could it be that Xu Lingyi felt that the Xiang family was making trouble, so he changed his mind?

The thought flashed through her mind, and the lady could not express her opinion.

She smiled and said, "It's still early now. We'll make a decision based on the situation when the time comes!" Then she told Madam Xiang about Lord Xiang's appointment: "...Why didn't you tell me before you left? You know, your aunt has become more and more aloof in recent years. She didn't mention it at all. If I hadn't heard from the Marquis, I wouldn't have known that my uncle had already left!"

Mrs. Xiang was very upset to see that the Xu family had put the matter aside even though she had taken the initiative to bring it up. But when she thought of her eldest sister-in-law's instructions, she patiently smiled and responded to the old lady: "I was taking care of my sister-in-law in my natal family during those days. The old master was old and had returned to his hometown. Our master was busy looking for a master and making official uniforms. He was also very busy. He only went to the Marquis to ask about his well-being. Next time he comes back, I will let him accompany the old lady to have a good chat."

The lady laughed and said, "I will definitely listen to my uncle talk about the scenery of Huguang when the time comes!"

After everyone had a few words of gossip, Madam Xiang got up and went to the Second Madam: "My aunt even went to visit her specially. Now that my eldest sister-in-law is safe and sound, I have to tell my aunt so that she won't worry."

"Aunt, you are so polite!" The lady leaned over and didn't see the guest off. "Stay for lunch and it won't be too late to go back!"

Mrs. Xiang said a few polite words and went to the Second Lady accompanied by Eleventh Lady.

The second wife was very surprised to see Mrs. Xiang coming.

Mrs. Xiang smiled and said, "Last time, I troubled you to visit her. Now that my sister-in-law is well, I came to thank you. I also came to see if the Madam is free on the eighth day of the fourth month. We haven't been back to Yanjing for many years. I want to go to the temple to take a look and let the children see the richness of Yanjing. I don't know which temple in Yanjing is the most popular now, so I want to make a companion with the Madam."

The second wife frowned slightly after hearing this: "The madam always only goes to the Yaowang Temple to worship. If sister-in-law just wants to take the children to watch the fun, it's a bit remote. The most lively places are Xiangguo Temple and Baiyun Temple. Sister-in-law also went there in her early years. On the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, both families gave away incense and medicine for free, and there were a lot of people. Brother is not at home, if sister-in-law wants to go, I'm afraid she should bring more people with her."

Mrs. Xiang smiled and said, "You know, your eldest brother is not at home, so I want to keep the lady company."

The second wife said nothing, her face showing a hint of worry.

Seeing that the atmosphere was not right, Eleventh Lady immediately took the opportunity to leave.

The Second Lady said a few polite words and sent Eleventh Lady to the door.

Eleventh Lady went to the lady's place.

The lady was waiting for her.

"What's wrong?" She pulled Eleventh Lady's hand, "Do you feel something is wrong?"

Eleventh Lady relayed Xu Lingyi's words to the Madam Dowager, and then said, "...marriage is supposed to be a good relationship between two families, but now...I am afraid that the Xiang family will marry the young lady reluctantly. If there is a rift between the couple, they will feel even more resentful. I think the Marquis is a meticulous person, and he is the master who acts outside, so I am afraid that he is more thoughtful than I think. I want to ask the Marquis's opinion first!"

Nothing can make a mother-in-law happier than a daughter-in-law who respects her son in everything.

The lady smiled and narrowed her eyes into crescents: "You are right, you are right. You can discuss this matter with the fourth brother! When the time comes, you can decide which temple to go to for burning incense. Just let me know!"

Eleventh Lady is not prepared to compromise with the Xiang family.

The two families were originally relatives, and if the Xiang family was willing, they could meet anywhere, and even invite the women of the Xu family to their home as guests.

The eighth day of the fourth lunar month is a Buddhist festival, and you can imagine the grand occasion and the flow of people on that day. She didn't want the lady to run around and get tired for the affairs of the younger generation.

"If mother is also planning to go out and have a look this year, we will naturally go to Yaowang Temple." Eleventh Lady said with a smile, "Mrs. Xiang also said that she just wanted to take the children to see the excitement. In this case, it doesn't matter where we go. It also saves us from squeezing in with a large group of people!"

This is more in line with the Madam's wishes. But she looked at Shiyi Niang's calm expression and couldn't help feeling a little strange: "Don't you want to go and take a look?" As soon as she said this, she was surprised to find that Shiyi Niang was different from others - although she was married and in charge of the household affairs of the Yongping Marquis's Mansion, she was only a few years older than Zhen Jie'er after all, but she had never gone anywhere to join in the fun or see anything new.

Would it be too calm?

"How about we go to Xiangguo Temple this year?" The old man hesitated, "There will be a temple fair then..."

Eleventh Lady had seen too much of this excitement. Even if she hadn't experienced some of it in person, she had seen it in the media.

She said tactfully, "With so many people around, even the most beautiful scenery will look different. Besides, there are so many things going on at home."

The lady remembered that Yuanniang's mourning ceremony would be held in a few days, and thought that she was not in the mood, so she said, "Then we can go next year!"

Eleventh Lady smiled and agreed, and told Luyun to ask the kitchen to prepare a table of wine and food to entertain Madam Xiang. A little maid came in and reported: "The Second Madam and the eldest uncle and grandmother of the Xiang family are here!"

So fast!

The lady-in-waiting and Eleventh Lady looked at the clock in the room at the same time.

Less than half an hour.

Just as Eleventh Lady stood up to greet the guests, Second Lady came in accompanied by Madam Xiang.

"Sister-in-law just came back from her parents' home!" The second wife said indifferently, "There are still a lot of things waiting for sister-in-law to deal with at home. I will go back today and come to greet mother another day!"

Mrs. Xiang also smiled and bowed to the Madam, saying, "Come and pay your respects to the Madam in a couple of days!"

The Lady Dowager and Eleventh Lady tried to persuade Mrs. Xiang to stay, but seeing that she was determined to leave, Eleventh Lady and the Second Lady sent Mrs. Xiang to the Chuihua Gate together.

The two of them returned to the lady's room in silence.

The Second Lady did not mention the arrival of Madam Xiang, and she kept chatting with the Dowager about elegant matters like picking tea and planting flowers. Eleventh Lady guessed that she might have something to say to the Dowager alone, so she excused herself from the Dowager and the Second Lady and returned to her own courtyard on the pretext of being busy.

Mother Song had already taken back the small clothes for Wu Niang's son from the needlework.

Eleventh Lady picked up one at random and looked at it.

It's so small, yet it looks just like an adult's clothes, with sleeves, collar, and edges, just like a doll's clothes.

Eleventh Lady couldn't help but unfold them one by one and look at them.

As he was speaking, Xu Lingyi came back.

Everyone knelt and saluted her.

"What is this for?" He picked up the small dress. "Who is it for?"

Eleventh Lady smiled and said, "I made it for my fifth sister's eldest son!"

Xu Lingyi held the clothes and looked at them left and right for a long time, and asked curiously, "It's so small, how can I wear it?" He even gestured at it on his body.

Eleventh Lady didn't know either, so she smiled and said, "It was made by a needlework expert, so it should be wearable!"

Xu Lingyi nodded, held it and looked at it for a long time before putting it down.

Mother Song and others hurriedly put away the small clothes.

Eleventh Lady invited Xu Lingyi to sit on the kang by the window, served him a cup of warm tea, and told him the purpose of Mrs. Xiang's visit.

Xu Lingyi frowned slightly and asked, "What do you mean, mother?"

"Mother asked us to discuss it!" Eleventh Lady said, "But, I saw that mother was in favor of this marriage. Do you want to hear mother's opinion first?"

Xu Lingyi said, "Since mother asked us to make the decision, there is no need to ask her opinion on this matter. A daughter is like her mother. Mrs. Xiang is so disregarding of the occasion, I'm afraid that no matter how docile the second young lady of the Xiang family is, she can only be docile to a limited extent. I think we should put this matter aside for the time being! We are relatives, not enemies. Do they want mother to accompany them in their show-offs?" At the end of his words, his tone was cold.

It is indeed very troublesome when a couple disagrees.

Eleventh Lady nodded and asked for his opinion: "What about mother?"

Just as Xu Lingyi was about to speak, a little maid came in and said, "My Lord, Madam, the Second Madam is here!"

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PS: The update is a little late, please read it tomorrow!