It was late afternoon by the time Xiqiu finally saw the First Master. She brought the two children to offer him birthday congratulations. The First Master was in high spirits and nodded again and again, but when he saw Min his expression still couldn’t help but stiffen, especially when Min called out a clear "Grandfather." Xiqiu clearly saw the corner of the First Master’s mouth twitch several times.

She quickly lowered her head, hiding away her smile. When she raised it again she saw Tong Shen Zhi looking at her with a probing gaze. She immediately straightened her expression and handed over the congratulatory gifts sent by Xiao Yanyi and the Grand Dowager to the First Master.

They only returned with the two children after supper. Fourth Master Xiao had drunk a little wine; his eyes were half closed as if dozing. Zhi was asleep, leaning against Xiqiu, while Min sat cross-legged to one side, lost in thought, gaze distant. When the carriage entered the side gate and had just stopped under the Yimen, Tiancheng came up, lifted the curtain, and reported, "Fourth Master, the Jiang Family has just struck the mourning watch. I went out to inquire—Lord Jiang passed away this afternoon."

Xiqiu almost lost her footing and nearly fell. Fortunately Fourth Master Xiao steadied her with his hand. "Be more careful," he said, and had Chunliu help her down from the carriage. Frowning slightly, he asked, "Has anyone from the Jiang Family come to report the death?"

Tianjing only shook his head. Fourth Master Xiao frowned and looked toward Xiqiu. "Have them prepare the three sacrificial offerings and send them over tomorrow." Having said this, he picked up the sleeping Zhi into his arms and waited for Xiqiu and Min to return to the inner courtyard together, his face showing no other emotion.

Xiqiu came back to herself and answered, "Yes!" She boarded the blue-roofed sedan chair somewhat dazed. Min reached out to support her, and whispered in comfort, "...I heard that Lord Jiang was badly injured years ago and his body ruined. After he was suspended from duty his old illness relapsed and he never recovered."

"I understand." Xiqiu understood in her heart, yet when she heard the news of Jiang Shilin’s passing she still couldn’t help but be stunned. In her mind appeared the scene in that long alley behind the East Cross Courtyard where she had first met Jiang Shilin—his refined, breeze-like scholar’s bearing, a presence that put people at ease.

He had lived a legendary life as a poor scholar: from placing third in the imperial examinations and becoming famous throughout the land, to resigning his office and, without thought of reward, opening a private school; then going off alone to Fujian and returning grievously wounded; then being parachuted into the court and entering the Ministry of Personnel as an official... until now, when his reputation ruined and his body dead... Every episode seemed earthshaking and unexpected, impossible to forget even if one tried.

She sighed, thinking of that time at the Jiang Family, of the way Old Madam Jiang had driven Tong Xiyan out. She did not know why Jiang Shilin’s condition had suddenly worsened, did not know whether it had anything to do with Tong Xiyan. If it did, what would Old Madam Jiang’s reaction be at this moment?

All at once she felt a bit worried about Tong Xiyan. She shouldn’t do anything foolish, should she?

Thinking of this, she lifted the curtain and said to Chunliu, "Go to my room. I remember I have a few bolts of Suzhou cotton-linen—take them and send them to the Zhou Residence. Say that this cloth is soft and absorbent, most suitable for making undergarments for children."

Chunliu froze for a moment, then nodded. "This servant will go at once." She turned and said to Tiancheng, "Go have the carriage prepared. I’ll come out to find you in a moment."

Tiancheng answered her.

Tong Xiyan stood there in a daze, listening to Zhou Bohan and the servant inside the study chatting, while her mind was utterly blank, with only that sentence left ringing in it: "Lord Jiang passed away this afternoon..."

Lord Jiang? There were few officials in the court with the surname Jiang; it could only be Jiang Shilin.

She couldn’t help stepping back, until she leaned against Daiju. Daiju held her and called out anxiously, "Madam!"

Tong Xiyan did not respond. The images of Jiang Shilin’s former voice and smile flashed past in her heart one by one. She pressed a hand to her chest and felt a hollow there, yet no pain... She found it somewhat absurd, as if in a dream.

That man had left just like that, without warning.

The man she had once loved with a mad passion and then hated with all her strength, the man who had been part of her ignorant, tender girlhood, had left without even a word of farewell.

She clenched her fists tight, her nose aching sourly, yet she realized she could not cry.

She was stunned.

Just then the door suddenly opened. Zhou Bohan stood in the doorway, a hint of surprise in his eyes as he looked at Tong Xiyan. But when he saw her expression he immediately understood why she was like this, and the surprise on his face slowly faded away. A touch of loneliness slid into his eyes. He spoke lightly, asking, "Why have you come over so late—is something the matter?"

Daiju anxiously tugged at Tong Xiyan’s sleeve. "Madam." Then she smiled toward Zhou Bohan and said, "Master, Madam was worried you hadn’t eaten enough this evening and came to invite you to have some supper."

Zhou Bohan’s gaze paused and he looked toward Tong Xiyan. Tong Xiyan was still in a daze and did not respond. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"I’m not hungry." He said this quickly. "See Madam back to her rooms. Be careful on the way." Then he instructed the servant behind him, "Escort Madam back."

Daiju was so anxious that tears nearly sprang out. Desperate, she pinched Tong Xiyan’s arm. Tong Xiyan started and came back to herself, looking toward Zhou Bohan, but she no longer had any appetite for supper. She bent slightly in a curtsey and said, "Then, husband, rest early. I will take my leave." She left the study with Daiju.

Zhou Bohan watched the receding figure of Tong Xiyan leaving, his gaze dropping, a little forlorn.

"Madam." As soon as they entered the room, Daiju hurriedly said, "What’s wrong with you? You clearly came to invite the Master to eat supper, how could you just stand there, not saying a word?" Daiju’s eyes were red as she said, "Madam, allow this servant to speak something improper. Whether that man is alive or dead, he has nothing to do with you anymore. You shouldn’t keep dwelling on the past; you must think more of the Master’s feelings."

Tong Xiyan gave Daiju a blank look and said nothing.

Daiju stamped her feet in anger, but she didn’t dare speak too harshly. That look the Master had given earlier was clearly one of disappointment in Madam.

If, because of this, a rift grew in his heart, what would they do then?

Suddenly, a maid outside called, "Madam, the Fourth Madam of the Governor Mansion has sent her mammy to deliver something, and she says she has a message for you as well."

Daiju started, then immediately broke into a smile. "Quick, invite them in." She turned to Tong Xiyan. "Madam, Sixth Lady has sent something over." Sixth Lady must have heard about Lord Jiang and feared that Madam would take it too hard, get trapped in a dead end, and do something that would damage the marital bond.

Tong Xiyan slowly raised her head and looked toward the doorway. She saw Chunliu enter with two older women, each holding several rolls of fabric. They saluted her. Chunliu smiled and said, "Our Lady remembered that there are a few lengths of Suzhou cotton-linen in the mansion, and sent this servant to bring them to Madam. She says that if they’re made into little garments, they will be soft and absorbent, most suitable for the child."

At these words Tong Xiyan trembled, and her hand moved of its own accord to rest on her belly. She immediately understood Xiqiu’s intention. No matter what, the Zhou Residence had a few such bolts of cotton cloth; they weren’t anything particularly precious. Xiqiu had no need to send them specially, and even if she were going to, she would not have rushed to choose this specific moment.

She was reminding her that she and Zhou Bohan already had a child, that her future was bound up with Zhou Bohan and had no longer the slightest connection to Jiang Shilin. No matter what she felt in her heart—whether pain or numbness—she had to put the child first and not let new disturbances arise.