Page 19 of Silk and Sensibility

Meilin walked around the bed to observe it more closely. She had not thought about this question before and was annoyed they had to consider the issue at all. Meilin mentally cursed Fulan. “Ailin wouldn’t have written something on the list if she didn’t mean to include it. Perhaps we could disassemble the bed and put it back together once we get to Suzhou.”

“Disassemble?” Mama rubbed her temples, as if the move was suddenly a reality. She looked older than her forty-some years. “Maybe I’ll get your Uncle Meng’s opinion once he arrives. It should be any day now.”

The sound of a child wailing drifted in from the courtyard outside. A tear-streaked Heli ran into Mama’s room with an exasperated Ming­ming and a worried-looking Enze trailing behind.

“Grandma! Auntie Ming­ming said you’re all leaving Nuolan Garden. It’s not true, is it?”

“Oh dear.” Mama pulled Heli into an embrace and dabbed at his red face with a handkerchief. “Why are you crying, little one? Suzhou is not so far away, and Grandma will love you all the same no matter where she is.”

“But if you’re not here, who will play with me and give me sweets when Mama says no?”

Ming­ming fumbled with the untrimmed hems of her hemp sleeves. “I’m sorry. It slipped out when we were playing wéiqí, and Heli burst into tears. I couldn’t get him to stop.”

“Are you really leaving Nuolan Garden, Madame Duan?” Enze asked. “I heard whisperings, but I didn’t think the news could be true. At least, I had hoped it wasn’t true.”

Meilin looked at Mama to see how she would respond. Mama had told them all to keep their move secret until she informed Junyou, but perhaps word had already spread to Fan Fulan and Enze through the servants. Meilin would be glad if that was the case. While she had promised Ailin not to argue with Fan Fulan, if Enze knew about the situation, then maybe he would say something to his sister.

“Are you leaving Nuolan Garden because my presence here has made things uncomfortable?” Enze asked.

“Of course not, dear boy,” Mama protested warmly. “You have nothing to do with this decision at all.”

Meilin held her breath. How would Enze respond? With Heli present, they couldn’t say anything negative about Fan Fulan. She was still the boy’s mother even if they disliked her as much as they liked him.

Enze’s brows knitted together. “If there is anything I could do to prevent you all from leaving, would you tell me?”

“Are you going to miss us, dear boy?” Mama asked. “You know, just because we’re leaving does not mean that we don’t want to see you again. We will welcome you in Suzhou anytime you choose to visit us.”

Heli sniffled. “Can I come visit too?”

Meilin wondered about the likelihood that Enze and Heli would be able to visit Suzhou while Mama’s eyes lit up in delight. “Of course, dearest. Perhaps your Uncle Enze can bring you. I daresay, Enze, you are very familiar with the environs of Suzhou, are you not?”

“Yes. I grew up in the city because Teacher Pang’s school was there.”

Meilin’s spirits lifted slightly.

Mother seemed to feel the same way. “How wonderful. If you come visit, it will feel just like home.”

“You wouldn’t find it a burden if I came to see you?”

The hint of disbelief in Enze’s voice made Meilin’s ears perk up. There was more to his question than mere politeness.

“Of course not. We all love you like family,” Mama said matter-of-factly.

“But will you all be there if I come?” Enze’s voice was even shakier than before.

“What do you mean?” Mama asked. “Why would we not all be there?”

“The young ladies—Miss Duan, for instance—she wouldn’t be . . . already married?”

Meilin’s jaw dropped open, and she quickly covered her face with her sleeve and looked away. How bold Enze was acting for once!

“If Ailin was not married by the time you visit, would you ask to marry her?” Though Mama’s eyes held a trace of teasing, her hands were clasped in a dignified manner, showing that she was very serious about her question. Meilin didn’t understand how someone usually so sentimental could maintain her composure so well after such a momentous moment.

“I . . . I don’t mean to be so bold.” Enze stumbled over his words. “I’m not even worthy to ask. It’s just that I—”

“Do you care for my eldest daughter?” Mama asked directly.

Enze straightened. “Most definitely.”