"This humble one was ordered by Consort Le to bring a birthday present for Fourth Madam." As he spoke, he took a tray covered with red silk from the eunuch behind him. "Today is Fourth Madam’s birthday, Her Ladyship cannot come in person, so she can only offer her distant wishes: may Fourth Madam enjoy long life and good fortune year after year."

She was not surprised that Le Xiu had sent a congratulatory gift. Hearing the eunuch’s words, she smiled and personally accepted it. "This concubine thanks Imperial Concubine for her grace." She paused, then said to the eunuch who had brought the gift, "Gonggong, please sit."

"Fourth Madam, you may just call me Xiao Dizi." Chief De had very fair skin, was small of stature, with a mole at the corner of his mouth, looking about eleven or twelve. His large eyes were very bright. He bowed his head and hunched slightly, smiling as he said, "This slave only runs errands at Consort Le’s side!" As he said this he still did not sit down. "Fourth Madam, you will crush this slave with such courtesy, I would not dare, I would not dare!"

"Gonggong, you are too modest." Xiqiu said with a smile, "Running errands is not a job just anyone can do."

Chief De’s eyes narrowed with his smile, and he nodded. "Fourth Madam is truly witty." Turning, he half‑sat at the lower seat by Xiqiu’s side. Bihuai came forward with tea, and Chief De repeatedly voiced his thanks as he received the cup.

"Gonggong, please have some tea. This is Da Hong Pao from Fujian. Have a taste, and if you like it, I will have some sent with you when you go back." Xiqiu said with a smile.

Chief De replied with a smile, "I wouldn’t dare trouble Madam with such expense." He lifted the cup, took a sip, drew in a breath and sighed, "This is truly fine tea, so delicate and fragrant in the mouth."

Xiqiu smiled faintly and glanced at Bihuai. "Go and pack some for Gonggong." Bihuai understood and withdrew. Hearing this, Chief De looked somewhat flattered and overwhelmed. In the palace he was merely a little eunuch who ran errands; compared with a big figure like Chief Chang, the difference was like cloud and mud. Yet Xiqiu treated him with such courtesy. With gratitude on his face, he said, "Many thanks, Fourth Madam."

"Gonggong, you are too polite." Xiqiu then asked with a smile, "I have not seen Gonggong before; may I venture to ask where you served previously?"

"I would not dare claim anything." Chief De replied with a smile, "Since entering the palace, this humble one has been in Le’an Palace, but has always been doing odd jobs in the back courtyard. Only this year, by Her Ladyship’s grace, I threw away the broom and took up the horsetail whisk."

So that was it. To become a steward of Le’an Palace at such a young age was already not something that could be done "just by someone’s grace." She nodded inwardly and said again, "Congratulations to Gonggong on your promotion."

Chief De waved his hands again and again and stood up. "Thank you, Fourth Madam!" He paused, then added, "This slave also wishes Fourth Madam may have this day every year, and blessings that last through the years."

Xiqiu chuckled softly. Chief De then said, "This slave must return to the palace to report, and will not wait for the Great Governor. Here I pay my respects to the Great Governor." Xiqiu took up his words and replied, "Gonggong has many duties; I will not keep you. Please go slowly." As she spoke, she looked outside. "Tiancheng, see Chief De out."

Tiancheng answered; he already had in hand the tea leaves and pocket that Bihuai had passed over. He escorted Chief De out. As Chief De walked out of the courtyard, he still could not help turning his head back to look once.

Biwu came in to clear away the tea things. She cast a curious glance at the tray set on the table and asked Xiqiu, "Madam, why were you suddenly so courteous to a little eunuch?"

"Being a little more courteous is never a bad thing." Xiqiu stood up with a smile and lifted the red silk covering the tray. Inside lay a Jade Buddha Hand of yellow‑and‑white mottled jade, bright and translucent throughout. The ten fingers of the Buddha Hand were slender and long; light flowed between the fingers, glimmering with a moist jade sheen. Viewed from a distance, it was like a real person’s hand, only that penetrating chill seeped irresistibly into one’s heart.

"It’s really beautiful!" Biwu craned her neck forward, her face full of amazement. Xiqiu replied with a light smile, "Put it away."

Biwu carefully lifted it up, walking off while still exclaiming in wonder.

Xiqiu held a cup of tea, her gaze falling beyond the courtyard. In these two years Le Xiu had sent a gift every birthday. This year it was not sent on the very day, yet the gift this year was the heaviest of all...

This year she had miscarried, and Min had entered the palace as a reading companion. Le Xiu was also avoiding suspicion by doing this, no doubt. Xiqiu let out a faint sigh and turned into the side room. Zhi was there with his backside sticking up, clutching his head, muttering something under his breath. Xiqiu went over and asked, "What are you doing here alone talking to yourself?"

"Nothing, nothing!" Zhi was startled, hurriedly stopped, and sat up. "I was telling a story, telling myself a story."

Xiqiu raised an eyebrow and straightened his clothes for him. "Why didn’t you go fishing today?" Zhi waved his hand in reply, "I have things to do, I don’t feel like going today." As he spoke he slid off the kang and ran toward the outside. "Mother, I’m going back to my room." He pounded off in a run.

Xiqiu watched his back and could only shake her head.

Bihuai came in carrying a food box. The moment Xiqiu smelled the fragrance her mood instantly brightened. As she picked up her chopsticks, she asked Bihuai, "Is there any of Nanny Cen’s pickled sour vegetables left?" Bihuai froze for a moment, then replied, "There’s none left. If Madam wants some, we can have Nanny Cen make more tomorrow."

"All right, have her make more later." With that, she took up her chopsticks and lowered her head to eat the noodles. Bihuai stood to the side, tilting her head as she looked at Xiqiu. "Madam, why have you been saying you’re hungry all the time these last two days?"

Xiqiu paused, then waved her hand. "Perhaps it’s just that the weather has cooled a little and my appetite’s better."

Bihuai moved her lips and asked, "Your little days... seem to be a day late." Xiqiu was unconcerned and shook her head. "It isn’t regular; being late by a day or two is nothing. Besides, in the fourth and fifth months they only came once in those two months."

"That’s true." Bihuai nodded, then said, "Shall we perhaps invite an Imperial Physician to have a look?"

Xiqiu put down her chopsticks and wiped her mouth. "No need, it’s nothing serious. I’ll write a prescription later; you can go to the pharmacy and have the medicine decocted. If we invite a Mrs. to come, people who don’t know what’s going on will start worrying along with us."

Bihuai answered and did not mention the matter again.

Early the next morning, Xing and Sheng, along with the Grand Dowager and First Madam Xiao Yanyi, all came over. Xiqiu welcomed everyone into the room with a smile. "It’s just a small birthday, yet I’ve made you all take a trip."

"How can birthdays be divided into big and small?" The Grand Dowager laughed, then bestowed her gift. "I happen to know someone has prepared a big present for you today."

Xiqiu was taken aback. Xing and Sheng immediately threw themselves into the Grand Dowager’s arms. "Grandmother, you promised you wouldn’t tell." The Grand Dowager burst out laughing and quickly nodded. "All right, all right, I won’t say, I won’t say!"

Xiqiu looked at the children suspiciously.

The family were chatting in the room when outside Nanny Cen called in with a smile, "Madam, Madam Ruan, Madam Qian, Madam Le and Madam Zhou have come." Xiqiu stood up. She had not invited anyone, yet these ladies had still come, and she could not help smiling as she went out to greet them. She saw Madam Ruan and the other sisters‑in‑law and sisters‑by‑marriage come in one after another. Madam Zhou was supported by Nanny Zhou; her spirits looked rather good. Beside Madam Ruan walked Ruan Pingrong, while Madam Le brought with her a young miss wearing a bright red satin jacket. The girl was plump and delicate, very lovable, looking about eleven or twelve, with a few points of resemblance to Madam Ruan.

"Fourth Madam, congratulations, congratulations!" The ladies all came in together. Ruan Pingrong and the young miss in the red jacket also stepped forward to salute Xiqiu. Xiqiu looked at her, and Madam Le had already smiled and explained, "This is Yao’er, my youngest girl. Of all my children, she is the most mischievous on ordinary days."