Chapter 317 Selection (Part 2)
Eleventh Lady pondered for a moment and then asked, "Then do you know that the Second Madam has a hidden stash of money?"
Mother Song was startled and whispered, "I'm not sure." Her eyelids drooped, as if she was avoiding something.
Eleventh Lady didn't ask any more questions.
Mother Song was a servant after all, and speaking out some things would be presumptuous for her.
She changed the subject: "The Dragon Boat Festival is coming soon. Tomorrow morning, the people in charge will go to the home of Mr. Jiang in the Hanlin Academy to deliver Dragon Boat Festival gifts. When the time comes, you should take two maids, some incense, five-colored purses, etc., and go with them to greet Mrs. Jiang and test her mood to see when Mr. Jiang's wife and daughter will arrive in Beijing."
Everyone knew about the marriage of the brother. When Eleventh Lady said this, Song's mother naturally knew what she meant. She smiled and said "yes".
Eleventh Lady went to see the lady dowager.
Xu Lingyi left in a very low profile. He only told the lady that he had something to do and would be away for a few days. He did not even ask his wives, concubines, and children to see him off.
The lady couldn't help but worry: "Where is the fourth son going? The fifth day of the fifth month is your coming-of-age day, and it's also the Dragon Boat Festival. What is he doing running around?"
Xu Lingyi did not tell the old lady, of course, he had his considerations. Eleventh Lady did not say much, and smiled, "The Marquis has always been steady in doing things, and he should have made arrangements long ago. When he left, he asked me to find out when Mr. Jiang's wife and daughter would come to Beijing, and help Yu'er pack his bags." Then she told the old lady that Song's mother would go to the Jiang family to inquire about the news tomorrow, and discussed with her, "Since Mr. Jiang is not obsessed with official career, he must be a man of high moral character. Yu'er is going to study, and I think if we are too extravagant, Mr. Jiang will think that we are reluctant to let our children suffer, and Yu'er can't bear the hardship."
The lady nodded and said, "What do you mean?"
"My opinion is that Wenzhu is the most dedicated among the maids, and Xiaoluzi is the most dedicated among the servants. Why not take these two personal servants, plus an older one and two strong followers to accompany Brother Yu to Le'an? What do you think?"
"Well!" said the lady, "Then let's do as you say. Let Chief Steward Bai help pick someone older and knowledgeable, who will know what to do if anything happens. Also send two strong men, so there will be people to do the rough work." Then she asked Shiyi Niang, "Have you started picking up all the things from Yu'er's place?"
"Not yet!" Eleventh Lady laughed, "The Marquis said that he would discuss the specific departure date with the Jiang family after he returns."
"It's not like being at home in Le'an," the lady said, "you have to study very hard. Don't let him review his lessons for a few days. Let him take a break!"
Ever since Xu Lingyi and Xu Siyu had talked, Xu Siyu no longer went to the clan school. Instead, he followed Xu Lingyi's instructions and stayed at home to prepare for his trip to Le'an.
"Yes." Shiyi Niang smiled, "It's just that Yu'er has always been very diligent in his studies. If you let him idle, he will be uneasy. So let him be." As she spoke, the lady thought of Yu'er. "... Today is the first day of school. Let's go and take a look secretly later!"
Xu Lingyi arranged for his brother to go to school before he set out, and handed the lunch reception for Mr. Zhao to Xu Lingkuan. Xu Lingkuan not only invited Luo Zhenxing to accompany him for this matter, but also took a day off to stay at home.
"In the afternoon!" Eleventh Lady said tactfully, "The master will talk about the rules in the morning and then it will be time for dinner."
The lady thought for a moment and sent Wei Zi to the Chuihua Gate: "Bring the fourth young master to me as soon as he finishes school."
Wei Zi went with a smile.
Eleventh Lady accompanied the lady to talk. At noon, Wei Zi came in with a dark blue felt bag.
"Grandma!" He smiled and threw himself into the old lady's arms, rubbed her twice before standing up and bowing respectfully to Eleventh Lady.
When the lady saw that there was still a light sweat on his head, she hurriedly asked Yao Huang to fetch water for him to wash his face. After he was clean, she held him in her arms and asked him about his schooling.
"What did you say, sir?"
"The class will start in the afternoon." Brother Zhuo laughed, "In the morning, I was only told when to go to school, when to leave school, and when to rest."
"Rest?" The lady was slightly startled. "There is still half a month until the Dragon Boat Festival!"
"We have holidays on Dragon Boat Festival, and we also have holidays on other days." Brother Zhe said, "We don't go to school on the 10th, 20th, and 30th of every month. Dragon Boat Festival, June 6th, Zhongyuan Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, Double Ninth Festival, Winter Solstice, Spring Festival, Tomb-Sweeping Day..." Brother Zhe counted them one by one on his fingers, "We have holidays all the time."
The lady was stunned. After a long while, she looked at Shiyi Niang and said, "Isn't this too much?"
Eleventh Lady also thought it was a bit too much.
Who knew that Brother Xie said, "Not much, not much. The master said that we should wash our hair and face on the 10th, 20th and 30th of every month, watch dragon boat races on Dragon Boat Festival, dry books on June 6th, worship ancestors on Zhongyuan Festival, admire the moon on Mid-Autumn Festival, climb mountains on Double Ninth Festival, eat hot pot on Winter Solstice, rest on Spring Festival, and go outing on Qingming Festival." He raised his little face and looked at the lady with joy in his eyes and eyebrows. "The master also asked me where I can watch dragon boat races in Yanjing, and he will take me to watch it when the time comes."
Eleventh Lady was moved when she heard this and said with a smile, "Then will the gentleman also take you to climb mountains and go hiking?"
"Of course." Brother Zhe held his head high and puffed out his chest. "Teacher said that if there is anything, the disciple will do the hard work. I will help you carry the school basket when the time comes." He added, "Grandmother! Where can I watch dragon boat racing in Yanjing?"
The lady smiled and said, "There are dragon boat races in the Xiyuan Canal."
After hearing this, Brother Zhe nodded seriously and said, "I'll go tell the gentleman later. In case he can't find the place."
Mr. Zhao once served as a guest at the Zhongshan Marquis Mansion. How could he not know that there is a dragon boat race in the Xiyuan Canal on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month every year!
Eleventh Lady smiled and said, "Did the master ask you to ask this?"
After hearing this, Brother Zhe hurriedly said, "No, no. I was thinking that you are not from Yanjing. What if we go to the wrong place when we go to watch the dragon boat race?" His tone was very protective.
The lady and Eleventh Lady both laughed when they heard this.
Just then a maid came in and asked where the meal was, so everyone dropped the conversation and went to the east room to eat.
The lady asked Yao Huang to take care of Zhege to take a nap, but Zhege wanted to go to Shuangfuyuan. "...The master is making a flute. He said it was made for me."
He pulled the lady's sleeve and twisted her around, looking as if he had to go.
The lady agreed with a smile, told the maids and old women around Zhe Ge to take good care of him, and asked Yao Huang to see him out.
He turned around and put away his smile, saying to Yi Niang: "Let's go take a look this afternoon!"
Did he think that Brother Zhe was too close to Mr. Zhao? He was worried that Mr. Zhao would ask Brother Zhe to interfere in the affairs of the Xu family, and he was also afraid that Xu Lingyi would lose his father's authority in Brother Zhe's heart over time.
Eleventh Lady said implicitly: "The Marquis is a father, so he should be strict and behave like a father. But Brother Chen is still young after all, and is at an age of innocence. With a teacher and friend like Mr. Zhao by his side, I think his temperament will be more cheerful. In a few years, when he is sensible, he will know what is right and what is wrong..."
The lady was still a little worried: "It's better to go and take a look!"
After the lady had her lunch break, Eleventh Lady accompanied her to Shuangfu Courtyard.
They took a detour from Xu Jinyi's outer courtyard house to the backyard of the main house of Shuangmeiyuan.
The black sunflower-patterned partition was half-open, and Brother Zhe was painting with his head tilted. A gentle voice reminded him: "Sit up straight. Otherwise, you will become hunchbacked. You will be shorter than others wherever you go."
After hearing this, Brother Zhe sat up straight with a smile.
Eleventh Lady supported the Lady Dowager and walked a few steps to the left along the corner of the wall. She saw a slender figure in a blue silk dress standing with his hands behind his back and looking at Brother Zhe. Seeing that Brother Zhe was writing very seriously, he smiled and turned back to his desk, which happened to be seen clearly by the people outside.
He is in his thirties, with fair skin, delicate features, and gentle and graceful movements.
The lady looked at him and nodded slightly, then returned to the inner courtyard with Eleventh Lady.
"It looks good."
After hearing this, Eleventh Lady smiled and served tea to the lady.
A maid came in and reported, "Mrs. Zhuo has come in person to deliver the Dragon Boat Festival gift to Madam Shi!"
Eleventh Lady and the Lady Dowager couldn't help but exchange glances.
"Most likely he's here for Sister Zhen's matter!" the lady said in a low voice.
Eleventh Lady nodded, said goodbye to the role of Lady Dowager, and met Lady Zhuo in the flower hall.
Mrs. Zhuo brought a few round fans of novel designs and some fresh peaches and plums.
"It's a token of my appreciation."
Eleventh Lady accepted it with a smile.
Mrs. Zhuo asked, "Why don't you see the eldest lady?"
"Inside the house, sewing."
Mrs. Zhuo asked to see it for herself: "I heard that you were very skillful when I arrived in Yanjing. Since the eldest daughter follows you, I think she must be an extraordinary needleworker." She was very persistent.
Eleventh Lady smiled and went to the Chuilun Water Pavilion with her.
On the way, Madam Zhuo smiled and said, "The person our master admires most is the Marquis. He often told me that if it weren't for the Marquis, our family wouldn't be where it is today. He asked me to spend more time with Madam. But I am not very knowledgeable. If I have done anything inappropriate, please give me more advice."
Keep a very low profile.
"Madam, you are too polite!" Eleventh Lady said modestly, "I am young, I should ask you for advice more."
"I'm just a few years older than you, madam." Mrs. Zhuo laughed, "Even our old man often complains that I'm impatient and indecisive. I used to be a little unconvinced, but after coming to Yanjing, I realized that I was looking at the world from a narrow perspective, and our old man was right. I just hope that our eldest master can marry a capable wife as soon as possible. Then I can put down the burden on my shoulders and concentrate on raising the two little ones." Her tone was very sincere.
Eleventh Lady only believes in the terms written in black and white, not verbal promises.
"Mrs. Zhuo is truly blessed." Eleventh Lady greeted her, "In two years, you will be able to sit back and enjoy the blessings."
As they talked, the two of them entered the pavilion with hanging silk threads.
Sister Zhen was embroidering the curtains in the east room of the waterside pavilion. Seeing Shiyi Niang bringing guests, she hurriedly stood up to greet them.
Mrs. Zhuo looked at the embroidery and praised Sister Zhen for a long time before she and Shiyi Niang went to pay their respects to the lady.
The lady invited her to have dinner.
Mrs. Zhuo declined again and again and went back home.
The lady asked Eleventh Lady, "What did you say?"
Eleventh Lady told the Lady Dowager what Mrs. Zhuo had said.
The lady was silent for a while, then said, "Look, how sincere is Madam Zhuo?"