Seeing that Zhao Huanxi had calmed down, Xu Nian’an continued the earlier conversation, “Don’t worry about whether Mother agrees or not. Just tell me, do you want to invite her?”

Zhao Huanxi thought for a moment and nodded, “I do.” If he could invite Miaoyin Niangzi, wouldn’t Qian Ming and Huo Qingzhe be thrilled? If the guests were happy, it would bring honour to him as the host.

“If you want to invite Miaoyin Niangzi, what preparations do you need to make first?” Xu Nian’an asked him.

Zhao Huanxi was confused, “What preparations should I make?”

Xu Nian’an, annoyed, hit him lightly. “I already told you, Miaoyin Niangzi performs for a living, not anything else. Yet your friends look at her with such lustful intentions. If you invite her over and they try something inappropriate, especially on a boat where there’s nowhere to escape, wouldn’t that be putting her in harm’s way?”

Zhao Huanxi finally understood and quickly said, “When I invite them, I’ll first prepare a written agreement, requiring them to promise not to engage in any inappropriate actions or words towards Miaoyin Niangzi on the boat. If they do, we’ll throw them into the Bian River. Then, I’ll have them sign and seal it. Would that be acceptable?”

Seeing that this young man was still teachable, Xu Nian’an nodded in approval.

Zhao Huanxi propped himself up on the bed with both hands, leaned closer, and asked softly, “Dong’er, are you planning to help me invite Miaoyin Niangzi without telling Mother? If that’s the case, then I’d rather not invite her. If Mother finds out later, she’ll blame you.”

“Why would I hide it from Mother? I’ll just convince her,” Xu Nian’an replied, unconcerned.

Zhao Huanxi leaned back, his eyes widening as he said, “You really shouldn’t. My mother will never agree, and it’ll only upset her.”

Xu Nian’an glanced at him and said, “How about we make a bet? If I can convince your mother to let you invite Miaoyin Niangzi, you owe me fifty taels of silver. If I can’t, I’ll owe you fifty taels of silver.”

Zhao Huanxi furrowed his brow and said, “The money isn’t the issue. I’m worried Mother will scold you.”

Xu Nian’an replied, “If Mother scolds me, I’ll lose a hundred taels to you.”

Zhao Huanxi hesitated, “…Alright then.”

Xu Nian’an looked at him and asked, “You agreed at a hundred taels, are you short on money or something?”

Zhao Huanxi shook his head and said, “I just figured that since you’re such a money-grubber and dared to make such a big bet, you must be pretty confident that Mother won’t scold you.”

Xu Nian’an was momentarily speechless, then, embarrassed and annoyed, reached out and hit him again.

✦

At the Lu Residence, Vice Minister Lu returned home and, upon hearing that Lao Taitai was looking for him, went straight to her courtyard without even changing out of his official robes.

“Mother, did you have something to ask?” After paying his respects, Vice Minister Lu stood in the room and asked Lu Lao Furen, who was seated on the Luohan couch.

“Sit down, let’s talk,” Lu Lao Furen said, gesturing towards a nearby chair. After the maid had served tea, she waved her hand to dismiss her.

Nanny Zhang led the maids out of the room.

Lu Lao Furen turned her face slightly, looking at her son, and said, “Regarding Feng’er’s marriage, I’m not satisfied with it. Find an opportunity to speak with Jing Guogong, and have the engagement between our families called off. Just say that Feng’er is unworthy, and let them be the ones to propose breaking off the engagement.”

Vice Minister Lu was shocked and quickly asked, “Why is that?”

Lu Lao Furen said, “Some time ago, I heard that Er Guniang of Zhao Family’s Fifth Brach is arrogant and domineering at home, stirring up trouble and even bullying her newly married Tangsao. I was skeptical, so I took the opportunity today, with Zhang Lao Taijun’s birthday celebration, to visit Ying Guogong Residence and take a look at this Zhao Guniang. But what I saw today was truly something. The Emperor gifted the Jing Guogong Residence with two bolts of peacock feather zhuanghua gauze. The Guogong Residence’s eldest legitimate daughter-in-law (Yin Furen) didn’t wear it, nor did her older sister-in-law, but this girl had a piece made into a dress and was flaunting it proudly.

“Later, when the Cheng Guogong Family provoked Jing Guogong eldest granddaughter-in-law, do you know how Zhao Guniang reacted? She actually watched with a gloating expression. How can you tolerate a woman who seeks attention without understanding basic manners and doesn’t even grasp the concept of family unity? Can you really bear to match her with Feng’er? Is your friendship with Jing Guogong more important, or is Feng’er’s future more important?”

Vice Minister Lu was taken aback and stammered, “Ah, this… I didn’t realise. I’ve met that young lady a couple of times, and she seemed polite and gentle.”

“Of course she would put on a respectful and gentle front when meeting her future father-in-law,” Lu Lao Furen replied. “But it’s often the unguarded moments that reveal one’s true nature. Look at how well Jing Guogong has chosen a wife for his grandson. Sigh, the daughter of the Xu family is truly excellent!” Lu Lao Furen glared at her son in frustration and continued to express her disappointment.

Vice Minister Lu, holding his teacup, looked deeply conflicted.

Lu Lao Furen, after reflecting for a moment and seeing her son’s expression, said with frustration, “I only have this one grandson, and I won’t allow you to make him suffer in his future. If you find it difficult to approach Jing Guogong, then I’ll go speak with the Zhao Family’s Lao Taitai myself!”

Vice Minister Lu quickly responded, “No, no, I’ll find a solution. I’ll think of a way.”

✦

The next morning, Xu Nian’an went to Jiaxiang House, estimating that Yin Furen would be finishing up her matters soon.

When Yin Furen saw her, she asked, “Where are Huanxi and Luochen?”

“They’re playing in the garden,” Xu Nian’an replied.

Yin Furen said, “Canglan Academy should be on ‘Granting of Clothes’ Holiday as well. After your fourth sister’s wedding is over, why not invite your younger brother and fifth sister to stay at the residence for a few days?”

Xu Nian’an smiled and said, “My sister can come, but my brother can’t.”

Yin Furen asked in confusion, “Why not?”

“Although the academy is on ‘Granting of Clothes’ Holiday, those who don’t need to travel long distances home to fetch their autumn clothes and don’t wish to waste their time still go to listen to the academy’s masters lecture every day. However, it is not held at the Canglan Academy, but in Yang GeLao’s private garden, the Jiyuan Garden,” Xu Nian’an explained.

阁老 (Gélǎo): Grand Secretary. This was a prestigious and powerful title for the highest-ranking officials in the Ming and Qing dynasties who served in the Grand Secretariat (the Emperor's inner cabinet).

Yin Furen remarked with some envy, “That is what true scholars are like, continuing to study even during a break.”

Xu Nian’an said softly, “Mom, I was thinking of letting Sanlang attend as an auditor.”

The word she used was 旁听 (pángtīng): To audit a class; to listen in on a lecture without being an officially enrolled student.

Yin Furen was momentarily stunned, then, realising what Xu Nian’an meant, she was both surprised and hesitant. “If… if we want him to, can it really be arranged?”

Xu Nian’an said, “Although it’s not as difficult as getting into Canglan Academy, the teachers there usually only allow their own top students to attend their lectures. My brother mentioned that currently, only Yang GeLao’s two grandsons are attending as auditors. This is because Yang GeLao has given the Jiyuan Garden for their lectures in exchange. So, if we want to send Huanxi and Biao Ge to audit the classes, we’ll need to do some groundwork and build relationships with the academy’s teachers first.”

“Give them gifts?” Yin Furen suggested.

Xu Nian’an waved her hand, “If gifts alone could gain entry, the Fifth Branch would have gotten in long ago. My brother told me that there’s a highly esteemed teacher at the academy, his mentor, named Chen Ji, courtesy name Yanmei. Yanmei Xiansheng has only two great loves apart from studying: beautiful women and fine wine. For women, he desires those of unmatched beauty; for wine, his favourites are Songling wine and Baiyu liquor. I already have a candidate for the beauty, but these two types of fine wine are rare in the market and will require Mom’s help to find.”

Yin Furen frowned slightly after hearing this, “With both beautiful women and fine wine involved, can such a person really be upright?”

Xu Nian’an replied, “Throughout history, many scholars with great talent who didn’t want to enter officialdom had their eccentricities. Besides, appreciating beauty and enjoying fine wine, aren’t these perfectly normal pastimes for a man?”

Yin Furen glared at her daughter-in-law, teasingly, “You actually have an open mind.”

Xu Nian’an smiled gently.

Yin Furen continued, “Those two types of fine wine you mentioned aren’t too hard to come by. I recall that Guogong Yé has a jar of Baiyu liquor that’s been aged for many years in his wine cellar. For Huanxi’s sake, Lao Yézi would likely be willing to part with it. But even if we have both the beauty and the wine, we can’t just present them directly to him. What should we do instead?”

“Isn’t Sanlang planning to host a gathering for his friends? I was thinking of renting a decorated boat for him. We can place the beauty and the fine wine on the boat, and anyone who wants to board would need an invitation from us. Then I’ll have my brother request leave from Yanmei Xiansheng, telling him he’s going to attend Sanlang’s gathering on the Bian River, and he can casually mention what’s on the boat to Yanmei Xiansheng.”

“If all goes as expected, Yanmei Xiansheng will want to accompany my brother. When that happens, my brother can propose a condition: if Yanmei Xiansheng wants to attend, he must agree to let Sanlang and Biao Ge audit the lectures afterwards. If Yanmei Xiansheng refuses, we’ll have only lost a bit of silver and a jar of Baiyu liquor. But if he agrees, Sanlang will have the chance to audit the lessons by the teachers of Canglan Academy and experience how true scholars study. Mom, what do you think?” Xu Nian’an laid out her plan in full and sought Yin Furen’s opinion.

For Zhao Huanxi, Yin Furen was willing to spend any amount of money. She immediately made a decision, “Let’s do it! By the way, who is the beauty you mentioned? Are you sure she can attract Yanmei Xiansheng?”

Xu Nian’an asked, “Have Mom ever heard of a woman named Miaoyin Niangzi?”

Yin Furen thought for a moment, then said with some surprise, “Miaoyin Niangzi? How did you think of her? I’ve heard she’s very difficult to invite. Since she’s not registered as a performer and isn’t bound by any obligations, even noble families can’t compel her to attend if she doesn’t want to. She keeps to herself and doesn’t have many friends, are you sure we can invite her?”

Xu Nian’an replied, “We can at least try.”

Yin Furen nodded, “If we can invite her, I’m willing to pay her generously. After all, what respectable woman would willingly show herself in public unless forced by circumstances? Since she holds herself with such dignity, it must have been out of desperation.”

Xu Nian’an agreed and then cautioned Yin Furen, “Mom, please don’t mention this to Sanlang just yet. First, there’s no guarantee it will work out. Second, if he knows, he might get nervous and behave inappropriately in front of Yanmei Xiansheng, which would be counterproductive. If we don’t tell him, he’ll think Yanmei Xiansheng is just my brother’s teacher, and he’ll act more naturally.”

Yin Furen, filled with hope, said, “I’ll follow your lead.”

After finalising the plan with Yin Furen, Xu Nian’an returned to Yifang Garden. As she was walking near Lan Lake, Zhao Huanxi and Yin Luochen suddenly leapt out from the flower bushes beside the path, blocking her way and startling both Xu Nian’an and the maidservant behind her.

Both of them had flushed faces and slightly disheveled hair, presumably they had been engaged in quite a bit of sparring.

Zhao Huanxi, with a bamboo branch slung over his shoulder, tilted his head and struck a proud pose as he said, “This mountain was opened by me, this tree was planted by me. If you want to pass through here, leave some money to buy your way through!”

“Ei, are you stupid?” Yin Luochen, coming up from behind, slapped him on the head and said, “Such a pretty girl, why bother with money to buy one’s way through? It would be great if you could just kidnap her and make her the chief wife!”

Zhao Huanxi spun around sharply and swung the bamboo branch, “Who are you planning to abduct as the chief wife? Who are you going to abduct?”

Yin Luochen replied, “We’re just pretending to be bandits, why are you getting worked up? Ouch, are you serious? If you hit me again, I’ll fight back!”

“Come ah, afraid you won’t make it!”

The robbery wasn’t achieved, and instead, the two people responsible for it started to quarrel among themselves, one chasing and the other fleeing far away.

The maidservants couldn’t help but cover their mouths and snicker, and Xu Nian’an also couldn’t help but laugh.

Watching the two figures running farther away, Xu Nian’an secretly sighed. If Zhao Huanxi had had such a brother accompanying him since childhood, he would never have been the person he was before.

However, he’s quite fine the way he is now.

After the three of them had dinner at Yifang Courtyard, before Zhao Huanxi went to practice martial arts, Xu Nian’an whispered to him, “Mother has agreed to invite Miaoyin Niangzi.”

Zhao Huanxi suddenly turned his head to look at her, his expression as if he had seen a turtle swallowing a tortoise and then giving birth to a snake.

“This is impossible!” he said instinctively.

“If you don’t believe it, you can ask Mother yourself. You’re going that way anyway,” Xu Nian’an said, giving him a sideways glance before turning and crossing the threshold to go back inside.

Dazed, Zhao Huanxi walked with Yin Luochen to the main courtyard and stopped at the fork leading to Dunyi Hall and Jiaxiang House. After hesitating for a moment, he said to Yin Luochen, “You go to Dunyi Hall first. I have something to discuss with my mother. I’ll be there soon.” Without waiting for a reply, he dashed off.