Bai Lu sent off those matrons after exchanging pleasantries, then turned to call out to Lixia, “You stay here to attend to the young miss. I’ll take the junior maid to fetch the meal.” She left in a hurry, while Seventh Miss wanted to say something but ultimately let her go.

After all, she was curious too—she always wanted to know more about what was happening in the main courtyard.

While waiting for the meal, she called Lixia over, “Count how much silver is in the box.” She’d been thinking about doing this, but unfortunately when Bai Lu was around, Seventh Miss felt somewhat embarrassed. This bit of silver—what did it amount to in others’ eyes?

Lixia carefully counted it all, “Thirty-three taels in whole silver, about two more taels in loose pieces, and Sister Bai Lu also had a matron exchange three taels in copper coins, planning to use them for rewarding the junior maids—they’re all still here.”

Second Miss had originally given six taels of silver, two of which she had immediately returned to Bai Lu on the spot, leaving four taels. Adding the thirty-six taels sent by the Grand Madam, that was forty taels. With thirty-eight taels remaining in the box, that meant two taels had already been spent in these past two days.

Seventh Miss couldn’t help feeling the pinch. She stared at the box in a daze while Lixia clicked her tongue repeatedly, “The expenses of the main courtyard are much greater than the southern side courtyard.” In the southern side courtyard, Ninth Aunt only received two taels of spending money per month.

Seventh Miss asked Lixia again, “Are all the junior maids still obedient?” The four junior maids were respectively named Shangyuan, Zhongyuan, Xiayuan, and Duanwu. This batch of people bought into the Yang household were mostly named after seasonal festivals.

Lixia nodded, “They’re all well-behaved and not lazy.” A trace of hesitation appeared on her face as she said haltingly, “It’s just that the courtyard’s quota is full, and Qiufeng she…”

Seventh Miss gave a cold laugh. Back in the southern side courtyard, when mother and daughter struggled to survive, needless to say, though Lixia was somewhat naive, she never shirked or played tricks and knew shame very well—if a person knows shame, they won’t be a bad person. Qiufeng appeared obedient on the surface, but privately hoped to use Seventh Miss as a springboard into Ninth Brother’s quarters. If Seventh Miss hadn’t accidentally overheard this matter, she would have been completely deceived.

At that time, Ninth Aunt had said, “Lixia can be molded, but Qiufeng is cunning and opportunistic. That she’s so devoted to us mother and daughter—she must have ulterior motives.” Ninth Aunt was truly a clever person, just unfortunate in fate.

Seventh Miss suddenly recalled the expression on Ninth Brother’s face when he asked that question—his small face written full of helplessness and regret. Life in the main courtyard wasn’t easy for Ninth Brother either.

She thought again of Sixth Miss’s innocent, carefree smile, and sorrow suddenly welled up from within, reddening her eyes.

Lixia thought she had inadvertently touched upon Seventh Miss’s sensitive matters and quickly jumped up to apologize, “Seventh Miss, it’s Lixia who can’t speak properly, it’s me who can’t speak properly…”

Seventh Miss suppressed her feelings and smiled as she wiped her eyes, “The money’s being spent too quickly, it hurts.” With that, she closed the box and began calculating the monthly expenses with Lixia.

Lixia had originally been third-rank, but following Seventh Miss to the main quarters, she had leaped through the dragon gate to become second-rank. Bai Lu had also originally been second-rank. Both received one tael in monthly allowance. The four junior maids and two matrons all received five hundred coins. Seventh Miss herself received four taels according to regulations, so each month she could draw nine taels of silver from the Grand Madam.

In some courtyards, the young misses or aunts would embezzle monthly allowances. Fourth Miss’s quarters had seen such incidents. Her senior maid Mangzhong’s family wasn’t very well-off and relied on the money Mangzhong brought home. But Mangzhong only brought home five hundred coins per month, hemming and hawing about where the other five hundred coins went. When it finally came to a head, it was revealed that Fourth Miss had embezzled half. Because of this, Fourth Aunt lost tremendous face before Master Yang—the Yang family even embezzling servants’ money, those who didn’t know might think they were some nouveau riche upstarts to have such stingy practices.

The four taels monthly allowance was Seventh Miss’s net income. Beyond the rewards given everywhere when first moving in, normally if she wanted something special made in the small kitchen, she had to pay for it. Lixia had inquired and learned that Fifth Miss was generous, always giving three to five hundred coins as reward each time. With Seventh Miss’s monthly allowance, she could only afford special meals eight times. Besides this, during festivals, servants had to be rewarded. Though theoretically Seventh Miss didn’t need to pay, the people in her own courtyard naturally required extra grace.

There were also the prominent figures like Nanny Liang, Nanny Wang, and Lichun—they too needed tokens of appreciation during festivals. Otherwise, with no one at court, she’d be slandered before the Grand Madam with no one to speak in her defense.

The more Seventh Miss calculated, the more she felt she couldn’t save any money. She pushed aside the box and heaved a long sigh, finding some rough paper to carefully record: January 23rd, income six taels of silver… Then she tore it up in one motion—this wasn’t her previous life, and her money wasn’t yet so much that it needed accounting. Keeping it in her mind was far more secure than writing it on paper.

Bai Lu, carrying Shangyuan, brought two large boxwood trays and lifted the curtain, walking in with a smile.

“After rewarding them with money, the small kitchen’s attitude improved greatly.” She walked while laughing, “Tonight there’s deer tendon! Miss, I deliberately got an extra bowl of rice, knowing you probably didn’t eat your fill in the main quarters…”

Seventh Miss felt much more relaxed. She patted Lixia and stood up smiling, “Deer tendon is quite a rare delicacy.” Lixia hurried over to take the tray and arrange things on the table. Seventh Miss smiled at Shangyuan, “Go eat quickly, you’ve all worked hard.” The maids’ meals were delivered at mealtimes.

After Shangyuan left the room, Bai Lu turned to close the door, “Better to close it—the cold wind blowing will cool the food soon.” She also found a small brazier and set the pot of deer tendon on it, “It’s not as warm here as the hall, this way it’s more comfortable to eat.”

Seventh Miss stared at Bai Lu expectantly.

Bai Lu couldn’t help but smile. She glanced at Lixia, then leaned close to Seventh Miss’s ear and said in a low voice, “Xiaoxue, who attends Ninth Brother, suddenly had stomach trouble. She always eats lunch together with Ninth Brother—he rewards her with his leftovers. The Grand Madam was afraid Ninth Brother would also get diarrhea, so she had someone summon the cook to ask what ingredients were used at noon.” Her tone carried some disapproval, as if she found the Grand Madam’s concern over this trivial matter somewhat excessive.

Seventh Miss thought of the plate of cherries Xiaoxue had knocked over.

She remained composed and told Lixia and Bai Lu to sit together, “Eat with me.”

Lixia was about to sit when Bai Lu quickly said, “That breaks the rules—if Nanny sees, she’ll scold us.”

Seventh Miss sighed, “Then you two take turns eating. No need for both of you to attend me here.”

Bai Lu told Lixia to go first. Surprisingly, Lixia didn’t yield and hurried off. Seventh Miss hadn’t even finished half a bowl of rice when she returned to relieve Bai Lu.

Just reaching the doorway, she heard Seventh Miss and Bai Lu’s voices.

“Second Madam…” Seventh Miss’s voice came through the thick cotton curtain, somewhat muffled.

Lixia halted her steps. After a moment’s thought, she paced back to the room she shared with Bai Lu. Her steps were neither hurried nor slow, showing not a trace of disappointment or anxiety.

Inside the room, Seventh Miss was talking with Bai Lu.

“…Second Madam rarely comes over even once a year.” Bai Lu’s tone was very cautious. “By rights, she and the Grand Madam are also cousins—the Grand Madam was born to the stepmother, while Second Madam’s aunt was the first wife. To be this distant is rather improper.”

Seventh Miss seemed to understand. “Does Ninth Brother always fall ill several times a year?”

Bai Lu smiled faintly, “Ninth Brother usually has a very robust constitution. Perhaps it’s because he and Second Madam have conflicting zodiac signs—whenever they meet, he always develops some minor ailment.”

She spoke very tactfully, but Seventh Miss listened with a pounding heart.

To think Second Madam was actually this brazen… She was somewhat puzzled—Ninth Brother was the Grand Madam’s precious one, and as the eldest sister-in-law who was like a mother, why didn’t the Grand Madam reprimand Second Madam?

Before she could speak, Bai Lu seemed to be talking to herself, “The Grand Madam arranged this marriage with her own hands… and she’s someone who values face…”

Understanding dawned crystal clear in Seventh Miss’s mind.

For the sake of face, the Grand Madam simply couldn’t make a scene. Second Madam probably took advantage of this very point to act repeatedly, yet dared not go too far lest the Grand Madam truly tear off all pretense.

Ancient medical conditions were very poor. With bad luck, even diarrhea could kill someone.

“Go exchange places with Lixia.” Seventh Miss said. “Just now when she passed by here, her shadow was cast on the window—what a silly child.”

Bai Lu went down with a smile.

Seventh Miss sank into contemplation.

The next day, Seventh Miss woke very early. She truly did grind ink and practice one hundred large characters before going to pay respects to the Grand Madam. Her timing was perfect—the Grand Madam had just finished washing up and appeared with curved eyes and brows, showing no abnormalities. The brothers and sisters ate breakfast together, after which Ninth Brother went to the family school—only then did Seventh Miss learn that the three boys from the second household were in the capital with their father, and Ninth Brother was the only one learning characters at the family school.

So when Second Madam came yesterday, why didn’t she send Ninth Brother to the family school? After brief consideration, Seventh Miss understood: the Grand Madam only felt at ease keeping Ninth Brother under her watchful eye, in her own bedroom.

Fifth Miss’s attitude toward Seventh Miss had improved considerably. From constantly speaking harshly and full of disdain, it gradually changed to treating her as if she didn’t exist. Her eyelids were puffy and dark. During breakfast, Ninth Brother was still complaining that Fifth Miss only cared about practicing calligraphy and just let him play with the maids.

Seventh Miss developed respect for Fifth Miss: though everyone has felt jealous of others’ strengths, few people transform jealousy into motivation to improve themselves.

Sixth Miss remained carelessly happy, chatting cheerfully with every sister. Third Miss also exuded joy, but Seventh Miss knew that beneath the joy concealed a bellyful of schemes.

After lunch and an afternoon nap, Seventh Miss got up to attend embroidery class.

Embroidery class was always held at Zhuyingtai. Both Fifth Miss and Seventh Miss had to pass through the hanging flower gate behind the main quarters and walk through the long corridor of Baifang Garden.

The two unexpectedly ran into each other and walked slowly one behind the other. Third Miss, Fourth Miss, and Sixth Miss all lived in Baifang Garden. For this long stretch of road, there were only Fifth Miss and Seventh Miss.

At first, no one spoke. Seventh Miss finally couldn’t hold back and asked Bai Lu, “Was I a bit late finishing my large characters this morning?”

Fifth Miss’s ears perked up.

“Not late at all. Waking up in the middle of the mao hour each day is sufficient.” Bai Lu understood her meaning. “Did Seventh Miss sleep well last night?”

“Going to sleep at the beginning of the hai hour was early enough.” Seventh Miss said noncommittally. “Practicing calligraphy after dark always feels hard on the eyes. Sleeping early and rising early—after practicing characters, I can still embroider for a while.”

Mistress and servant chatted and laughed as they walked ahead of Fifth Miss, who stood in place, her expression uncertain.

Zhuyingtai was beside the small storage building in Baifang Garden, surrounded by chrysanthemums. It wasn’t yet the season for full bloom, and everything looked withered. Embroiderer Huang sat inside, needle flying through thread, showing no reaction to Fifth Miss and Seventh Miss arriving one after the other.

But Fifth Miss and Seventh Miss dared not be negligent. The Yang family tradition emphasized respecting teachers.

“Greetings to Master Huang.” They spoke in unison, bowing in courtesy.

Embroiderer Huang paused her hands and revealed a slight smile, though she still appeared quite rigid and stern. “Another day of delayed lessons.”

Bai Lu followed along, actually just to set up Seventh Miss’s embroidery frame and arrange her equipment. When the Yang family daughters were in class, the maids would each return to their rooms, coming back to escort them home when class ended.

While Bai Lu arranged the equipment, Seventh Miss stood in the room and surveyed the surroundings.

Large embroidery frames were scattered throughout the room, all stretched with Jiangnan tribute satin. Colored silk threads gleamed upon them, quite a riot of flowers and colors. Fifth Miss had already sat before an embroidery frame and begun threading her needle.

She was embroidering clustered flowers. Though just begun, the stitches were clearly very fine, only the color coordination was somewhat rigid, and the flowers’ posture rather lifeless.

On the embroidery frame beside Fifth Miss was a pattern of cats playing with butterflies, exquisitely embroidered with coloring that was both flamboyant and steady, showing the owner had put much thought into it. However, the cat-and-butterfly motif symbolized good fortune and was traditionally a gift for the elderly. Since Seventh Miss’s grandparents had passed away many years ago, she couldn’t help raising an eyebrow.

Fifth Miss spoke up, “This is Third Sister’s embroidered screen.” Though her tone was stiff and cold, her voice was quite calm.

Seventh Miss understood completely.

Fourth Aunt’s father was still living—none other than Master Yang’s uncle. There was a whole story behind this. Though Seventh Miss herself was hazy on the details, there was no doubt this embroidered screen was made by Third Miss for the old man.

Though Fifth Miss had no good feelings toward her, they were both from the main courtyard and should form a united front on the issue of Fourth Aunt.

It seemed that though Fifth Miss had a bad temper, she wasn’t stupid.

Seventh Miss smiled faintly without responding and walked to the third embroidery frame.

The embroidery on this one was nearly complete—a vivid goldfish frolicking in water, with red bodies, protruding eyes, and even two or three bubbles beside their seeming-to-open-and-close mouths. In Seventh Miss’s eyes, it was truly exquisite craftsmanship.

“Sixth Miss’s goldfish frolicking in water can indeed be considered quite good.” Embroiderer Huang spoke with a trace of pride.

It seemed that though Sixth Miss had once knocked the four treasures of the study all over her, Embroiderer Huang still very much liked this student.

Seventh Miss praised, “Sixth Sister truly has natural talent.”

However, Sixth Miss wasn’t good at reading and recognizing characters. Such a big girl, yet when called up by the teacher to read during the morning session, she still mispronounced characters. The teacher shook his head in exasperation, saying Sixth Miss had no talent for reading.

Fifth Miss had obviously also thought of what the teacher said that morning. A glimmer of amusement flashed in her eyes as she exchanged a knowing glance with Seventh Miss.

To befriend someone doesn’t necessarily require lowering oneself to curry favor. Sometimes one or two small jokes or secrets that only each other can appreciate can bring people closer together.

Seventh Miss hadn’t yet had time to see Fourth Miss’s embroidered screen when Third Miss and Fourth Miss entered the room, and Sixth Miss also walked in breathlessly—she lived in Xiao Xiangxue, the farthest from Zhuyingtai.

“Master.” The three Yang daughters greeted her in unison. Embroiderer Huang nodded, and everyone took their seats, threading needles and fiddling with the embroidery frames before them.

Seventh Miss sat dumbly before the embroidery frame, not knowing what to do. She looked at Embroiderer Huang, who remained impassive, continuing her own work.

Seventh Miss could only begin embroidering on the blue-gray tribute satin before her.