Chapter 7, The Lark

Indeed. This bird has been well trained. When Xie Baiyi teased it, it called out once with thirteen sounds. The thirteen sounds refer to the various calls learned by the lark, such as those of sparrows, hens clucking, cats meowing, sand martins or swifts, dogs barking, magpies, red-whiskered bulbuls, kites screeching, the sound of small cart axles, the ringing of water bells, and the calls of great reed warblers, ending with the call of the tiger shrike. Xie Moru found it amusing and couldn't help but smile, already vaguely guessing Xie Bai's intention, yet dared not confirm it, only saying, "Thank you, Second Uncle"

Old Madam Zhang brought in the tea, and Xie Bai took a sip and said, "This top-quality new tea, apart from my mother, is only here with you"

Xie Moru found the courtyard spacious, with wisteria flourishing along the corridor. In the courtyard, there was also a wisteria trellis extending along the corridor, providing a cool shade when the sun was strong. Under the wisteria trellis, there were rattan tables and chairs. Now, in the late afternoon of mid-spring, with the lingering chill of early spring just dissipating and the weather not too warm, the uncle and nephew sat down under the trellis. Xie Moru looked around and asked, "Is this a lark?"

Our Second Master has recently acquired a talented scholar, who dares to make things difficult for him outside. Mo Zhu lowered his voice, saying, "For some reason, after leaving the teahouse, Second Master went straight to the flower and bird market and bought a lark to give to the young lady. That place in the Cuckoo Courtyard, I wouldn't even dare to breathe loudly when I go there. I noticed that Second Master came out looking rather displeased.

Xie Bai stood up to take his leave, and Xie Mo Ru accompanied him to the door. After Mo Zhu attended to Xie Bai and he walked away, she finally breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Now that we are closer to the young lady, I dare not say much."

Wisteria was taken aback; in this courtyard, apart from the servants who came to deliver messages or items, there were usually no visitors. She was small and honest, and at this moment, upon seeing Xie Bai, she did not know what to say, her face flushed with urgency.

Mrs. Xie, unable to discern her emotions, said, "Serve your two masters well," and then sent Mo Ju away, instructing someone to call the young servant who had attended to her son when he left today

Xie Mo You could hardly sit still. She was originally embroidering when she heard her mother's confidant come to report this matter. Immediately, she could no longer continue with her embroidery, casually set the embroidery frame aside, and said, "I am going to my grandmother's. My second uncle will definitely come over for dinner soon, and I must ask him about it."

I know, I understand

The old woman in blue could not ask Master Xie Er to wait at the door, so she said, "The young lady has just returned from school and is resting in the Wisteria Courtyard."

There really isn't any

Xie Mo You hurriedly went to Mrs. Xie's room. Mrs. Xie was in a bad mood, and as Xie Mo You entered the room without having said a word, she heard Mrs. Xie say, "What urgent matter is causing such a panic? What kind of walking is that!" She then reprimanded the maidservants following her, saying, "What are you doing following the young lady? You should be advising her!"

Mrs. Xie is very concerned about her younger son and asks Mo Ju, "Have you been drinking outside?"

As it happened, Mo Zhu left the Cangbai Courtyard with the intention of bringing some fruit home for his younger brother. However, upon hearing a call from the Songbai Courtyard, he first went to the tea room to store the fruit for his mother before hastily making his way to the Songbai Courtyard. Indeed, Madam Xie inquired about the affairs of her second son, and Mo Zhu responded as usual. The Dujuan Courtyard had always been a taboo in the Xie residence; those newly appointed servants might have been excused, perhaps thinking that the Dujuan Courtyard was too desolate and engaging in some gossip. However, Mo Zhu was a born servant of the Xie family; his father was the steward of the Xie household, and his mother managed the tea room, both holding respectable positions, thus he was more knowledgeable than ordinary servants. Mo Zhu, however, did not dare to take advantage of the Dujuan Courtyard's lack of attention to speak ill of it. He was careful in his words before Mo Ju, and even more so in front of Madam Xie, not mentioning the Dujuan Courtyard at all. He simply said, "The second master went to the tea house early in the morning to attend a tea gathering with the Jinshi gentlemen, as they were all of the same year, and their conversation was quite amicable. After lunch, I accompanied the second master to the Flower and Bird Market, where he purchased a lark to give to the eldest young lady to play with. He did not stay long in the Dujuan Courtyard before returning to the Cangbai Courtyard, and the rest of the matters, I do not know."

Mo Ju originally intended to persuade him further, but upon seeing Xie Bai's pale expression, she did not dare to say more. She stepped forward to pull the thin blanket and cover Xie Bai properly, gave a slight bow, and then retreated with Huang Mei and Zi Gui. After exiting the room, she instructed Huang Mei to listen for any movements inside, and also sent the maid Cui Er to call for Mo Zhu, asking if there was anything displeasing the Second Master outside.

Mo Zhu quickly agreed, and Mo Ju packed some snacks and treats to send him off. After pondering for a moment, she then went to Songbai Courtyard to report back.

Xie Bo smiled and said, "If you like it, when I have something good, I will seek it out and send it to you."

Mrs. Xie suspected her son had something on his mind but would not confide in a servant. After asking a few questions and getting no useful answers, she sent Mo Zhu away. Mrs. Xie was also a clever woman; after some reflection, she managed to piece together a general idea, and could not help but let out a cold laugh

Xie Mo You learned countless clever tricks from her mother, which added some insights to her dealings with others. Moreover, after her mother offered such guidance, Xie Mo You felt that there was truly no need for her to compete with Xie Mo Ru. Her mother is virtuous and would never neglect the Cuckoo Courtyard, but who in the family would pay any attention to the Cuckoo Courtyard

Today, Xie Mo You truly did not consult the almanac before going out. Mrs. Xie appeared even more pale and said, "Your second uncle is tired, and I am also tired. You may go back and inform your aunt that there is no need to come over tonight"

Xie Bo did not know where the wisteria courtyard was, but the old woman led the way in front of him. He took the bamboo birdcage from the young servant's hands and followed the old woman inside, while the young servant waited outside

Xie Moru looked at Xie Bai without saying a word. Xie Bai originally intended to continue, "It is evident that mother holds Moru in good regard," but the quiet gaze from Xie Moru caused those words to remain unspoken. Xie Bai waved his hand to dismiss Zhang Mama, and then quietly said to Xie Moru, "As long as you have enough food and clothing here, your grandmother is getting older, and you are a good child. In everything, think broadly and generously."

Aunt Ning furrowed her brows slightly, her beautiful features tinged with a hint of melancholy. She said, "It's just a lark, is it really worth making such a fuss over it"

The maid Mo Ju, accompanied by Huang Mei and Zi Gui, approached to serve. Xie Bai changed into casual clothes, washed his face and hair, and lay down on the bed, appearing ready to sleep. Mo Ju said, "Madam has sent someone to inquire twice whether the Second Master has returned, it seems she is concerned about him. Since the Second Master is back, why not go and sit with Madam for a while? It would also be nice to accompany her for dinner."

Xie Bo's mood was not good; he closed his eyes and said, "I am not hungry today. Please tell my mother that dinner need not wait for me. You all may go now." He dismissed all the maidservants.

Mrs. Xie asked, "What on earth is Bai Er going to buy a lark for?"

It was mentioned earlier that the design of the Azalea Courtyard is quite extraordinary. Upon entering, one passes by the oil-white screen wall and arrives at the garden, which, even though the Azalea Courtyard is quieter now, still boasts a pleasant view. Moreover, there is the azalea tree that gives the courtyard its name, a renowned tree belonging to the Xie family, famous throughout the capital. Xie Bai recalls visiting to see the azalea flowers bloom during his childhood. At this time of year, it is still early, and the azaleas have yet to blossom. Seeing someone tending to the tree, Xie Bai cannot help but sigh again. The old woman turned a corner, following the cobblestone path, passing a cluster of forsythia, and after passing through the laurel gate, she saw wisteria drying in the courtyard and hurriedly said, "Wisteria, the second master has arrived. Where is the young lady?"

Xie Baixin sighed, thinking that although Xie Moru lived at home and shared the same surname, her relationship with the family members was distinctly separate and rather superficial. Moreover, she considered that a young girl like her, living with her mother in the seldom-visited Azalea Courtyard for many years, would naturally become indifferent due to the family's neglect. In fact, it could not be said that Xie Moru was truly indifferent; at most, she was just not very enthusiastic. However, Xie Moru had this reserved temperament, and anyone who could live in the Azalea Courtyard and still be lively would surely seem to Xie Bai to be lacking in sensibility. In truth, Xie Moru could not be described as indifferent; at most, she was just not very enthusiastic. Yet, Xie Moru had this reserved temperament, and anyone who could live in the Azalea Courtyard and still be lively would surely seem to Xie Bai to be lacking in sensibility.

In that case, why should one regard Xie Moru with any importance?

Xie Bai came over for the first time. In the past, he was not very familiar with Xie Moru. Seeing that she also liked this lark, they chatted for a while. Xie Bai said, "I am going to Songbai Courtyard for a meal, would you like to join me?"

Aunt Ning advised, "Do not rush..." Xie Mo You had already risen and called for the maid to assist her in changing her clothes. Aunt Ning said, "Once you leave, you are not allowed to speak of these matters of contention, do you understand?"

Xie Mo You has always hated the term "illegitimate child". After receiving guidance from his mother, he suddenly came to understand this matter, and a sense of clarity emerged within him. However, before Xie Mo You could fully embrace this newfound clarity, he heard some news that did not bring him much joy: Second Master Xie Bai had sent a lark to the Cuckoo Courtyard

"One is enough." Xie Moru glanced at the lark once more and then instructed Zitong to hang it down under the corridor

Mo Ju said softly, "Do not speak of this to others; you are well aware of the taboos of our masters."

A large group of maids hurriedly knelt down to plead for forgiveness, and Xie Mo You, feeling the brunt of this unwarranted anger directed at Madam Xie, was momentarily at a loss. She quickly said, "Grandmother, do not blame them. I heard that my second uncle's family had arrived, and I was anxious to come over and speak with my second uncle."

Mo Ju did not mention anything about the Azalea Courtyard, only stating, "I did not drink any wine; when I went out in the morning, I said I was going to have tea with my peers. The second master has had social engagements every day these past few days and is indeed somewhat fatigued."

"No need to be polite, just enjoy it." Xie Bai felt that his mother had gone a bit too far in her words yesterday. Throughout history, there have been various schools of thought, and in matters of scholarship, there is truly no absolute right or wrong. A piece of historical material, Xie Moru has his own insights, which cannot really be considered incorrect. Although his mother spoke so sternly, Xie Bai found it difficult to say that she was wrong, so he bought a lark to cheer Xie Moru up.

Xie Bo raised the birdcage in his hand and said, "I will buy you a bird to play with"

Although Xie Mo You's ability to read the room was lacking, he could still tell that Madam Xie was in a bad mood. Therefore, he dared not say more and, after bowing, turned to leave. The next day, Madam Xie ordered someone to send the lark to Concubine Ning. Concubine Ning's face turned pale and green, and it was only when her maid, Jiayin, supported her arm that she regained her composure. She propped herself up and instructed her maid to reward the woman who brought the lark, and after a long while, she finally let out a slow sigh from her chest.

After contemplating Mrs. Xie's unusual reprimand, she truly did not take Mrs. Xie to heart. Xie Bo specifically came for this matter, and Xie Moru said, "Uncle Er is overthinking; instead, I have gained a lark for nothing."

Xie Bo pondered aimlessly for a while and then returned to his own courtyard

Xie Moru said, "I have prepared everything here."

Xie Bo is nothing but a very proper younger brother-in-law to the Fang family, so it is naturally impossible for him to give such things to his elder sister-in-law; he is giving them to Xie Moru to play with

Xie Mo You was quite indignant upon hearing this matter and said to Aunt Ning, "My second uncle has always treated me the best, yet I do not understand why he would go out of his way to give her a lark. By the principles of fairness, since they are both my second uncle's nieces, each should have one."

Xie Baidao said, "Knock again." Where could he go if he is not at home? Besides visiting Songbai Courtyard to pay respects and going to Huazhang Hall to study, Xie Moru has no other places to go

The ink bamboo replied, "Second Master praises the lark for its clever tongue, capable of pleasing others"

Fortunately, Xie Moru was just in the corridor, observing the wisteria flowers that were about to bloom. She parted the clusters of wisteria and looked towards Xie Bai, calling out, "Second Uncle"

The attitudes of the father and the grandmother have already made everything clear, haven't they

Xie Bai had not visited the Azalea Courtyard for many years. He remembered that in his childhood, the Azalea Courtyard was the liveliest place in the Xie family, where laughter and merriment could be heard even through the walls. Standing outside the red-painted gate of the Azalea Courtyard, Xie Bai felt so lonely that he seemed to hear the sound of the spring breeze brushing through time. The young servant, Mo Zhu, gently knocked a few times on the door, but there was no response from within. Mo Zhu said, "Second Master, is the young lady not at home?"

After waiting for a while, the courtyard gate opened from the inside, and a woman in blue came out. Upon seeing Xie Bai, she quickly bowed and offered her greetings. Xie Bai asked, "Is Mo Ru here?"