Eleventh Lady pondered for a moment and then asked, "Then do you know that the Second Madam has a box of money for deposit?"

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 about some things would be an act of presumption from her position.

She changed the subject: "The Dragon Boat Festival is coming soon. Tomorrow morning, the people from the huishi office 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 Madam Jiang, and then feel out when Mr. Jiang's wife and daughter will arrive in Beijing."

Everyone knew about Zhun Ge's marriage. When Shiyi Niang said this, Song Mama naturally knew what she meant. She smiled and said "yes".

Eleventh Lady went to the lady's place.

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 May is your coming-of-age day, and it's also the Dragon Boat Festival. Why is he running around everywhere?"

Xu Lingyi did not tell the old lady, of course he had his considerations. Eleventh Lady could not say much, and smiled, "The Marquis has always been cautious 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 arrive in Beijing, so that I could help Yu'er pack his bags." Then he told the old lady that Mother Song would go to the Jiang family to inquire about the news tomorrow, and discussed with her, "Since Mr. Jiang is not interested in a career in politics, he must have a high moral character. Yu'er is going to study, and I think if we are too extravagant, Mr. Jiang might 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 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 Butler Bai help pick someone older and more knowledgeable, who will know what to do if something happens. Send two strong men, so there will be people to do the rough work." Then she asked Eleventh Lady, "Have you started packing up Brother Yu's things?"

"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 these days. Let him take a break!"

Ever since Xu Lingyi and Xu Siyu talked, Xu Siyu no longer went to the clan school. Instead, he followed Xu Lingyi's instructions and prepared for the trip to Le'an at home.

"Yes." Eleventh Lady smiled, "But Yu'er has always been very attentive in his studies. If you leave him idle, he will be uneasy. So let him be."

As she spoke, the lady thought of Zhun Ge: "...Today is the first day of school, let's go and take a look secretly later!"

Xu Lingyi arranged for Zhun Ge to go to school before he set out, and handed over 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.

"Let's go 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 Zhun Ge carrying a dark blue felt bag.

"Grandma!" He smiled and threw himself into the arms of the old lady. After rubbing against her twice, he stood up straight and saluted respectfully to Eleventh Lady.

When the lady saw that there was still a thin layer of sweat on his head, she hurriedly asked Yao Huang to fetch water for him to wash his face. After he was clean, she hugged him in her arms and asked him about his schooling.

"What did you say, sir?"

"The class will start in the afternoon." Zhun Ge said with a smile, "In the morning, I was only asked to tell me 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." Zhun Ge said, "We don't go to school on the 10th, 20th, and 30th of every month. We have holidays on Dragon Boat Festival, June 6th, Zhongyuan Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, Double Ninth Festival, Winter Solstice, Spring Festival, Tomb-Sweeping Day..." Zhun Ge counted them one by one on his fingers, "They are all holidays."

The lady was stunned. After a long while, she looked at Eleventh Lady and said, "Isn't this too much?"

Eleventh Lady also felt it was a bit too much.

Unexpectedly, Zhun Ge 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 during Spring Festival, and go hiking on Qingming Festival." He raised his little face and looked at the lady, his eyes and eyebrows filled with happiness, "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!" Zhun Ge held his head high and puffed out his chest. "Teacher said that if there is anything, the disciple will do the work. When the time comes, I will help you carry the book basket." He added, "Grandmother, where can I watch the dragon boat race in Yanjing?"

The lady smiled and said, "There are dragon boat races on the Xiyuan Canal."

Zhun Ge listened and nodded seriously: "I will go and tell the master later. In case he can't find the place."

Mr. Zhao once worked as a consultant at the Zhongshan Marquis Mansion. How could he not know that there is a dragon boat race on the Xiyuan Canal on the fifth day of May every year!

Eleventh Lady smiled and said, "Did the master ask you to ask this?"

After hearing this, Zhun Ge hurriedly said, "No, no. I was thinking that you are not from Yanjing. What if we go to the wrong place to watch the dragon boat race?" His tone was very protective.

The Lady Dowager 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 wait for Zhun Ge to take a nap, but Zhun Ge wanted to go to Shuangfuyuan. "...The master is making a flute. He said he made it for me."

He pulled at 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 Zhun Ge to take good care of him, and asked Yao Huang to escort him out. She turned around and put away her smile, saying to Shiyi Niang, "Let's go and take a look this afternoon!"

Do you think Zhun Ge is too close to you, sir?

He was worried that Mr. Zhao would use Zhun Ge to interfere in the Xu family's affairs, and he was also afraid that Xu Lingyi would lose his fatherly authority in Zhun Ge's heart over time.

Eleventh Lady said implicitly: "The Marquis is a father, so he should be a strict father. But Zhun-ge 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-in-waiting woke up from her lunch break, Eleventh Lady accompanied her to Shuangfuyuan.

They took a detour from Xu Lingyi's outer courtyard to the backyard of the main house in Shuangfuyuan.

The black lacquered sunflower pattern lattice was half open, and Zhun Ge 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, Zhun Ge sat up straight with a smile.

Eleventh Lady supported the Madam and walked a few steps to the left along the corner of the wall. She saw a slender figure in a green Hangzhou silk dress standing with his hands behind his back, looking at Zhun Ge. Seeing that Zhun Ge 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 gestures.

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 maidservant came in and reported: "Mrs. Zhuo's wife has come in person to give Madam the Dragon Boat Festival gift!"

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 lady dowager, and met Madam Zhuo in the flower hall.

Mrs. Zhuo brought a few round fans of novel designs and some fresh peaches and plums.

"It's just a token of my appreciation."

Eleventh Lady accepted it with a smile.

Mrs. Zhuo asked, "Why don't you see the eldest lady?"

"She's sewing in the house!"

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 Chui Lun 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 there is anything I did inappropriately, 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 am just a few years older than you, madam." Madam Zhuo laughed, "Even our master often complains that I am impatient and imprudent. 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 master is right. I just hope that our eldest master can marry a capable wife as soon as possible. Then I can unload the burden on my shoulders and concentrate on raising the two little ones." Her tone was very sincere.

Eleventh Lady only believes in terms written in black and white, not verbal promises.

"Mrs. Zhuo is really blessed." Eleventh Lady greeted her, "In two years, you will be able to enjoy a peaceful and comfortable life."

As they talked, the two of them entered the Diao Lun Water Pavilion.

Zhen Jie'er was embroidering the door curtain 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 Zhen Jie'er for a long time before she and Shiyi Niang went to pay their respects to the lady dowager.

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?"