Over the past two months, Young Master Deng frequently visited the Xu residence. Because Xu Zhihe was a female of the inner chambers, it was inconvenient for her to go out. She could only listen to Fang Li talk about when Young Master Deng had come calling again and what fine things he had brought.
Things like rare gemstones seldom seen in Nanjing city, or the currently fashionable silk flowers from Bianjing city… When Fang Li spoke of these, her descriptions were so vivid and colorful it was as if she had seen them with her own eyes in Da-niangzi’s main hall.
After Xu Yingzhang finished speaking, he realized he had misspoken. Staring at Xu Zhihe with a pair of wet eyes, he said guiltily, “Third Sister, I misspoke.”
Xu Zhihe said, “It is fine to just say these things in front of me, but absolutely do not let Da-niangzi and the others hear them… As for your studies, in two days it will be New Year’s Eve; have your Xiaoniang bring it up to Father then.”
On New Year’s Eve, for the sake of harmony in the coming year, Magistrate Xu was the easiest to talk to.
Furthermore, although Xu Yingzhang was a mere concubine-born son, the Emperor valued personal talent and learning, and did not look down on the origins of capable officials.
Magistrate Xu wouldn’t truly pin all his hopes exclusively on his legitimate eldest son. Although a concubine-born son was slightly lesser in standing, if he truly passed the exams and gained official rank, it would also bring glory to Magistrate Xu’s face.
Once Magistrate Xu spoke up, when the spring came next year, even if Madame Lü was reluctant, she would still make arrangements for this matter.
Xu Yingzhang’s eyes flickered slightly, feeling suddenly enlightened. “Many thanks, Third Sister.”
Xu Zhihe smiled and nodded at him, watching Xu Yingzhang leave.
Only after he left did Xu Zhihe relaxed and sat casually on the bed.
Fang Li walked behind Xu Zhihe and kneaded her shoulders, asking softly, “Miss, what idea is the Fifth Brother plotting?”
Xu Zhihe let out a small yawn. “Xu Yingzhang will be able to take the exams in three more years. With Eldest Brother ahead of him, he is certainly anxious in his heart.”
Concubine Du had no way to empathize with the impatience in his heart. Unable to hold back, he needed to find someone to talk to. It just so happened that Xu Zhihe, who had lost her own Xiaoniang and was fond of reading, fit the bill, which was why he sought her out.
To tell the truth, Fang Li didn’t really understand, but seeing Xu Zhihe’s calm expression and clear sense of planning, Fang Li also relaxed her heart. She changed the subject and pulled Xu Zhihe to continue chatting and laughing.
On the day of New Year’s Eve, just past the hour of Yin, the footsteps of the mamas and older female servants outside rang out incessantly.
Xu Zhihe heard the rustling footsteps in her sleep. Muffling herself in her quilt, she rolled over. When she woke up again, the daylight was shining through the window lattice and spilling onto the floor.
It was already nearing the hour of Chen (7-9 am).
Vaguely in her sleep, she had heard the sound of the main kitchen calling Fang Li to go help.
Xu Zhihe sat on the bed for a few minutes. After her sleepiness dissipated, she changed into her everyday clothes and sat before the mirror to tidy her makeup and hair.
Her skills were not as good as Fang Li’s, so it took a bit longer than usual.
No water had been fetched for the room. Xu Zhihe poured cold water from the kettle on the now-cold brazier to rinse her mouth. After drying her face with a handkerchief, she walked out.
The servants outside were busy with their own tasks; some were pasting paper window cutouts, some were sweeping the floor, and others were carefully counting the purchased festival gifts and fireworks one by one.
Madame Lü and Sun Mama were busy reviewing the lists. Madame Lü’s headache had flared up again; after just two glances, she handed it over to Sun Mama.
Sun Mama had followed behind Madame Lü and toiled for many years, so she was very familiar with these procedures in her heart. She handed down orders methodically and systematically, and in passing, also inquired about today’s New Year’s Eve dinner.
Xu Zhihe stood at the door. Only after the voices quieted down did she step inside.
“I hope Mother is well.”
Xu Zhihe bowed and paid her respects to Madame Lü.
Madame Lü was propping up her head with her hand. Seeing Xu Zhihe approach, she straightened her posture and asked, seemingly casually, “Why did you wake up so early today?”
After the Laba Festival, she had exempted the children from their morning and evening greetings. Without this constraint, even Eldest Brother Xu, who unfailingly woke up at the beginning of the hour of Mao every day, couldn’t help but slack off, sleeping in until the sun was high in the sky for several days.
Xu Zhihe was always toward the back when paying respects. She was different from the other sisters; she slept later at night and loved to sleep in more in the mornings. Madame Lü knew all of this in her heart. However, because Xu Zhihe, despite not waking up early among the children, had never missed the appointed time, Madame Lü had never voiced any reprimand.
At Madame Lü’s signal, Xu Zhihe sat down on a stool.
“I slept early last night, so upon waking today, I came to pay my respects to Mother,” Xu Zhihe said, carefully weighing her words.
Madame Lü had only asked in passing. Hearing Xu Zhihe’s perfectly proper greeting, she gave a noncommittal nod. Suddenly, as if remembering something, she said to Sun Mama, “Bring some pastries for the Third Miss to eat.”
Sun Mama gave an acknowledgment, went through the side door, and brought over two plates of pastries. She also brought a pot of hot tea, pouring a cup and placing it in front of Xu Zhihe, curling with steam.
Xu Zhihe: “Many thanks, Mother.”
Only after thanking her did she reach out to pick up a pastry, placing it in her mouth to bite off a small piece.
The pastry was still warm. It was mixed with candied dates and raisins. One bite down, it was sweet but not cloying.
Xu Zhihe ate very quietly, taking small, unhurried bites until she finished two pieces. Then she picked up the tea; just as it neared the tip of her nose, she smelled a light, elegant fragrance.
Such fine tea leaves—only on festive days like the New Year would Madame Lü be willing to bring them out for guests.
Seeing her sit quietly to the side after setting down the teacup, a bizarre sense of peace washed over Madame Lü’s heart.
These past few days, she had to worry about the matters of the Eqiao County officials’ wives, Xu Yuyan’s matters, and the gift lists prepared for their in-laws in their hometown for the New Year… She was overwhelmed and battered every day, and it had been a long time since she had been able to eat a proper meal.
Madame Lü glanced at Xu Zhihe without changing her expression. Reaching out, she pinched a pastry, placed it in her mouth, and took a tiny bite. Then, covering her lips with her sleeve, she spat it out.
Too sweet.
She was no longer used to eating things this sweet.
Sun Mama watched from the side, her heart aching a bit. These days, she had tried every possible method to adjust the food for Da-niangzi, but Da-niangzi’s appetite had been poor lately. She could only hurriedly eat a few bites just to go through the motions.
With great difficulty, Madame Lü had been influenced by the Third Miss to proactively pick up a pastry, yet she still couldn’t finish a single piece.
Madame Lü used a handkerchief to wipe the pastry crumbs off her fingertips. Gathering her thoughts, she opened her mouth to speak to Xu Zhihe: “Your eldest brother and fourth sister woke up late, and I still have matters to attend to. Go stroll around the courtyard on your own.”
After speaking, she propped her forehead up with one hand again, as if pondering something.
With the conversation reaching this point, Xu Zhihe didn’t stay any longer. In any case, her etiquette had been thoroughly fulfilled.
Xu Zhihe stood up, bowed to Madame Lü in respect, and left the main hall.
Separated by a single door, the cold wind outside rustled bitterly. Scattered leaves fell to the ground un-swept, getting trampled flat and mashed into the snow.
Exhaled breath turned into white mist, swirling before her eyes.
Xu Zhihe hadn’t fully recovered her senses when she suddenly heard a full-bodied, resonant voice.
“You, come here.”
Xu Zhihe looked in the direction of the voice, only to see Xu Lanshu standing with her hands on her hips, her brows and eyes arrogant, acting as if it were only right and proper.
Today was New Year’s Eve, and Xu Lanshu had changed into a crimson short jacket. The edges were sewn with fine fluff, making it look warm and endearing, just like a New Year’s doll from a painting.
Xu Yuyan liked gauze skirts, graceful and elegant, while Xu Lanshu preferred this kind of charmingly naive and cute clothing. The two’s likes and dislikes were always exact opposites; it was unknown whether this was intentional or unintentional.
“What are you still standing there blankly for? Hurry up and come play pitch-pot with me.” Seeing that she had heard but was standing in place without moving, Xu Lanshu immediately raised her voice.
In previous years, Concubine Yao would personally play with Xu Lanshu. However, Concubine Yao was now over five months pregnant and it was not suitable for her to move around too much.
The maids under her command had been replaced with a new batch. The previous maid, Yinxing, actually knew a bit of pitch-pot, having been taught by her. However, no one knew what Yinxing had done to offend the Xiaoniang, but her contract had been sold off.
Xu Lanshu felt a bit of pity in her heart, but her attention was quickly diverted by the newly arrived maids.
The new maid, Dangui, knew how to weave flowers. Freshly picked flowers were strung together into a crown and placed on the head, making one look like a flower fairy. She pestered Dangui to learn, and it was only after the several pots of chrysanthemums placed in the main hall to entertain guests were entirely used up that she reluctantly gave up.
Xu Lanshu took brisk steps, walked to Xu Zhihe’s side, and reached out to pull her sleeve, dragging her toward an empty clearing on the other side.
Xu Zhihe’s pitch-pot skills were average; she didn’t practice much. Second Sister Xu Yijin, on the other hand, was an expert at pitch-pot. In the past, these small activities in the residence were mostly organized by Xu Yijin.
Xu Lanshu also liked pitch-pot, but on occasions where Xu Yijin was present, she was mostly absent.
Xu Zhihe was idle anyway, so she didn’t refuse. The two walked to the empty clearing, which had already been swept clean by the maids nearby.
After handing a quiver of feathered arrows to Xu Zhihe, Xu Lanshu picked up a feathered arrow on her own, aimed with one eye, made two fake throwing motions in the air, and then sharply tossed the feathered arrow out.
The feathered arrow traced an arc and landed securely into the pot.
Xu Lanshu’s tightly knit brows suddenly relaxed, and she let out a string of silver-bell-like laughter. The spectating Dangui and mamas nearby all laughed supportively, repeatedly praising Xu Lanshu for being “amazing.”
Xu Lanshu had been fawned over by the whole family since childhood and was long accustomed to the praises of those around her. However, being young after all, upon hearing compliment after compliment, her fair face immediately dyed with a faint layer of rosy red.
She was happy in her heart, but deliberately restrained it. Raising her chin to look at Xu Zhihe, she said in a crisp voice, “You go!”
Xu Zhihe knew in her heart that she was only here to serve as a foil, so her mood was extremely peaceful. Hearing Xu Lanshu’s voice, she reached into the quiver and took out a feathered arrow.
She didn’t gesture repeatedly like Xu Lanshu. Instead, seeing that it was roughly aimed, she reached out and tossed the feathered arrow.
The feathered arrow fell one or two inches away from the pot.
Everyone couldn’t help but feel a bit of pity… By all rights, this arrow had a good chance of going in.
Xu Lanshu knew Xu Zhihe could play pitch-pot. Seeing she hadn’t hit the mark, she walked to her side and said, “It’s fine. You’ll definitely be able to throw it in next time. Try again.”
She used a declarative tone.
Seeing her chubby, flushed face, Xu Zhihe went along with her. “Alright, then I will try again.”
She tried two more times. The final arrow brushed the edge and went in at a slant.
Xu Lanshu let out a cheer, her eyes igniting with fighting spirit, and immediately returned to her position.
Seeing that she had hit the mark, Xu Zhihe also grew a bit interested.
During the gap when the two paused, the maids picked up the feathered arrows scattered outside the pot.
Xu Lanshu’s touch was very good today. Out of ten feathered arrows, she could hit six or seven. Throwing smoothly, her mood was obviously great, and consequently, she smiled much more at Xu Zhihe.
Xu Zhihe threw for a while until her hand felt a bit sore. She then shook her head slightly at Dangui, rubbing her wrist as she stood beside Xu Lanshu to watch her play.
Xu Yuyan had just woken up. Passing by the clearing and seeing this scene of joyful laughter, she took an extra glance before quickly looking away.
Two concubine-born daughters whose futures and destinations were still completely unknown—she had no idea what they were so happy about.
Unlike her, who was able to find such a good man as Deng-lang… Thinking of Deng-lang, a trace of hidden joy flashed in her heart, and she promptly quickened her pace.
She needed to quickly tell her mother the news that Deng-lang was preparing to visit their home. Her mother would definitely be very happy once she knew.
T/n: The New chapter is up! Enjoy the ride and do join us on this adventure 😍🎉🎊. If you want to support me, do check my other novels on my Translator’s Page🫶. You can support the original author here. Please vote on NU here. If you’re interested, you can also buy me a Ko-Fi. Happy Reading 🤓 💅.