Before they knew it, February had arrived.

On the second day of the second lunar month, when the dragon raises its head, the Grand Madam went to Hanshan Temple every year to burn incense and pray for Ninth Brother’s health and longevity.

This was Ninth Brother’s first time going out. In previous years, though the Grand Madam prayed for his blessings, she had never been willing to take him out.

Ninth Brother was very excited. Wearing a brand-new tender yellow spring robe, he pulled Xiaoxue and Seventh Miss running all over Hanshan Temple until he was drenched in sweat. Second Madam smiled and rewarded Ninth Brother with a bowl of tea.

But it was Seventh Miss who ended up with stomach trouble afterward, taking a full two doses of medicine before recovering.

The Grand Madam was truly somewhat exasperated.

“What exactly does she want to do!” she conferred with Nanny Liang and Nanny Wang. Before these two, her hatred for Second Madam was completely undisguised. “Does she think that if something happens to Ninth Brother, Master will bring up adoption again? Eighth Aunt still has one in her belly!”

When Sixth Miss came to see Seventh Miss, she also disparaged Second Madam, “So vicious and ruthless—just seeing her is frightening. Who knows what she’s scheming!”

Seventh Miss could only smile.

Ninth Brother came to see Seventh Miss twice. Though he acted nonchalant on the surface, his red and swollen eyes couldn’t deceive anyone.

Seventh Miss was secretly alarmed but then calmed herself.

Ninth Brother was a kind child and very clever. He couldn’t fail to know that Seventh Miss had been harmed with diarrhea because she served as his substitute. Crying a bit was quite normal—it didn’t necessarily mean he was so distressed because of their twin bond.

Besides, whether the Grand Madam had the leisure to be suspicious of her was another matter entirely.

The Grand Madam was currently overwhelmed with troubles.

Second Miss would marry at year’s end. Though her dowry was mostly prepared, with the wedding approaching, there were many matters requiring the Grand Madam’s attention.

The Grand Madam’s father was about to celebrate his seventieth birthday. Since life at seventy has been rare since ancient times, the Grand Madam also had to prepare to take Fifth Miss to the capital for the birthday celebration. She hadn’t yet decided whom to entrust Ninth Brother to at that time—before Seventh Miss came, the Grand Madam didn’t even dare think about going to the capital!

These were all matters on the surface.

Beneath the surface, things were also chaotic.

Third Miss had reached the age for matchmaking, but Fourth Aunt had been locked in fierce battles with the Grand Madam for years. They appeared harmonious on the surface while at odds at heart. The Grand Madam intended to obstruct Third Miss’s marriage arrangements for several years to spite Fourth Aunt, but the Master showed strong intentions to personally arrange a good match for Third Miss, which displeased her even more.

First Miss Yang Yi had married into the Li family of Yuhang, one of the region’s largest landowners, as the eldest daughter-in-law—this was personally arranged by the Grand Madam. Though Yang Yi was a concubine’s daughter, her mother Second Aunt had died in childbirth, and she was taken to the Grand Madam’s quarters from birth. The Grand Madam regarded her as her own daughter. This match was one she had carefully selected from thousands. Yuhang wasn’t too far from Suzhou, and the Li family had a simple household. After First Miss went there, everything went smoothly. Even if her mother-in-law wanted to make things difficult, considering the Yang family’s face, she wouldn’t go too far.

First Miss lived very well after marriage and sent letters home every month to report her safety.

Second Miss Yang E was betrothed to Sun Liquan, the legitimate eldest son of the Dingguo Marquis Sun family in the capital. This was arranged through the mediation of the Grand Madam’s father, Old Imperial Tutor Qin. Though the Yang family was an established clan, Master Yang’s branch still felt somewhat inadequate compared to the old aristocratic Dingguo Marquis family. The Grand Madam agreed mainly because Second Miss had an upright character and understood propriety. After marrying into the Sun family, she would not only add strength to the Yang family but would also be competent as the legitimate eldest daughter-in-law. Moreover, the Dingguo Marquis was in poor health—after a few years of endurance, she would become the Dingguo Marquis’s wife, and her remaining days would only be for enjoying blessings.

Perhaps because the marriages of the previous two daughters had been arranged very properly, Fourth Aunt became envious. She whispered pillow talk to the Master—no one knew what she said, but the usually fair Master showed strong intentions to personally arrange Third Miss’s marriage.

As if any family the Grand Madam found for Third Miss would definitely be sweet on the outside but bitter within, causing Third Miss to suffer a silent loss.

Even if the Grand Madam originally had no such intention, she was now provoked by Fourth Aunt to develop it.

“Just a concubine’s daughter,” she said disdainfully to Nanny Liang, “Still raised under her aunt’s name. No matter how high the Yang family’s status, what does it have to do with her? Marrying a down-and-out scholar would be treating her well enough.”

Nanny Liang didn’t dare say much and could only hint tactfully, “Fourth Aunt’s heart burns like fire—she wants to find a perfect husband’s family for her.”

The Grand Madam pursed her lips. That evening, she pleasantly persuaded the Master to stay for dinner in the main quarters.

“I’ve already read the letter from the Xu family.” She used the Xu family’s letter as an excuse.

The Master paused, waiting for her to continue.

“That they want me to go to the capital this year—I’m afraid it’s not just about Grandfather’s birthday celebration, but also… about Fifth Miss’s marriage.”

Compared to the Dingguo Marquis Sun family, the Pingguo Duke Xu family’s power was even greater. Duke Pingguo himself was the current emperor’s childhood friend. The Xu family’s second daughter was made an Imperial Noble Consort after entering the palace, and because the Empress was weak and sickly, she had been helping the Empress raise the Crown Prince for years. The Xu family had maintained honor and favor through a hundred years of dynastic rule and had always been a pillar among the nobility.

The Grand Madam’s own elder sister was the Pingguo Duke’s wife. Among the sisters, this pair was the closest, having been very intimate even before marriage. Since Fifth Miss’s birth, talk of marriage alliance had always been on their lips.

The Pingguo Duke’s mansion’s only legitimate son, Xu Fengjia, was one year older than Fifth Miss. Speaking of it, it would indeed be a good match.

The Master pondered for a moment. “Fifth Miss has a spirited personality, I’m afraid… If you go to the capital for the birthday celebration this year, observe Fengjia’s temperament carefully before deciding.”

Since marrying into the Yang family, the Grand Madam hadn’t returned home for many years. This year was Imperial Tutor Qin’s seventieth birthday—as a daughter, it wouldn’t do not to return home to celebrate. Yet this whole mess of affairs truly couldn’t do without her as the mistress.

The Pingguo Duke was different from the Dingguo Marquis. The Dingguo Marquis family had strict household rules, few members, and fewer complications in the inner quarters. The Pingguo Duke’s mansion—Xu Fengjia alone had several brothers, not to mention countless relatives. Such a family had high requirements for the managing mistress. Fifth Miss might not be able to handle it smoothly.

The Grand Madam sighed. “Fortunately Fifth Miss is still young. After the two older sisters have arranged their marriages, it won’t be too late to bring it up.” She then turned the topic to Third Miss and Fourth Miss’s marriage matters. “Last time Master said you wanted to personally arrange a marriage for Third Miss. I wonder if that’s true.”

The Master’s hand paused as he raised his eyebrows, somewhat displeased.

The Grand Madam wiped her eyes. “All these years managing the household—though I can’t say I’ve done it perfectly… at least there haven’t been any major mistakes. The concubine daughters I’ve given birth to, I’ve also treated as my own.”

Now when it came to a concubine daughter’s marriage, to exclude her—wasn’t that slapping the Grand Madam’s face?

The Master softened his expression. “It’s not that. You usually manage such a large household—that’s already taxing enough. To also arrange Third Miss’s marriage would be time-consuming and laborious, and not easy to please everyone…”

“Why be so polite with me?” The Grand Madam smiled slightly. “A concubine daughter’s marriage doesn’t require troubling Your Lordship!” She lowered her eyes and added, “When it comes time to arrange Seventh Miss’s marriage, you can pay more attention then. After all, she’s Ninth Brother’s twin sister—the match can’t be too high or too low.”

Seventh Miss was also a concubine’s daughter, as was First Miss. Though raised in the Grand Madam’s quarters, she ultimately wasn’t born to the Grand Madam. Yet the Grand Madam was so attentive to their marriages—she wouldn’t do too badly by Third Miss.

The Master nodded with a smile.

Seventh Miss sat on the bed, holding several supernatural tale novels in her hands, reading with great relish.

Bai Lu quietly entered the room. Seeing Seventh Miss leaning peacefully against the pillow, she concealed her worried expression.

But Seventh Miss happened to catch that trace of concern she hadn’t managed to hide. “What’s wrong?”

Bai Lu could only sigh. “The money is somewhat insufficient.”

Seventh Miss’s illness had been quite expensive. Though the medicine costs were certainly paid from the public funds, all the matrons and women troubled by her illness needed some token of appreciation. The four taels of monthly allowance just distributed at the beginning of the month were spent in one go.

Seventh Miss smiled and pointed to the box. “Spend what needs to be spent—don’t scrimp.”

Bai Lu breathed a sigh of relief. She grabbed a handful of copper coins from the money box and went out to distribute them to the junior maids delivering medicine. “You’ve worked hard—take this to buy candy.”

The junior maids thanked her happily and left.

Seventh Miss set down her book and began pondering the Hanshan Temple incident.

She had tasted nothing wrong with the bowl of tea Second Madam gave her. It was freshly poured from the teapot, and Second Madam herself had drunk the same tea. Under everyone’s watchful eyes, it really wasn’t easy to do anything underhanded.

Besides, she had run around very vigorously that day and broken into a sweat. Coming back to be hit by the cold wind—catching a chill and getting diarrhea was quite ordinary.

When Second Madam called Ninth Brother to drink tea, she was the one who responded and ran over—true. But when Second Madam saw her, what clearly surfaced on her face was a trace of mockery—she could already tell her apart from Ninth Brother.

If Second Madam truly intended to do something, she could easily have rewarded “Seventh Miss” with another cup of tea.

Seventh Miss really couldn’t figure it out. But if Second Madam had no intention of harming Ninth Brother, why bear this false accusation? This wasn’t something pleasant to be known for.

She thought again of Fourth Aunt.

Yesterday when the Master spoke, returning Third Miss’s marriage arrangements to the Grand Madam’s hands, she had thought Fourth Aunt would surely be furious… After blowing pillow talk for so long, finally getting the Master to relent, yet the Grand Madam’s few light words put her back in a passive position.

But when Fourth Aunt came to visit her, her eyes sparkled with joy—clearly not the slightest bit unhappy.

Seventh Miss had always been good at reading expressions. Fourth Aunt truly wasn’t uncomfortable at all—her eyes and brows even faintly radiated happiness.

Seventh Miss really couldn’t understand it at all.

She sighed and stopped thinking about these vexing questions, instead calling over Lixia. “Bring the needlework.”

“It’s dark in the room…”

“Classes start again tomorrow. If my embroidery hasn’t improved, what will Master Huang say about me?” Seventh Miss insisted.

Lixia could only bring out a square brown handkerchief.

The handkerchief’s material wasn’t very good—just ordinary official silk. Two peach blossoms were embroidered on it. Though the workmanship wasn’t exquisite, it was much better than what she had first shown Embroiderer Huang.

Seventh Miss looked at it, smiled, and placed it by her pillow.

This was Lixia’s handiwork. Lixia wasn’t good at embroidery and hadn’t encountered a good teacher, so after studying these few years, she had only learned some superficial skills.

Lixia gave Seventh Miss the handkerchief she carried.

This was a pristine white silk handkerchief. Two plum blossoms were embroidered on it with bright red silk thread. At first glance, they seemed to be blooming right on the handkerchief. Only when touching it could one tell they were embroidered.

This was the handkerchief Embroiderer Huang had privately given Seventh Miss. Ninth Aunt’s signature raised embroidery technique that had once crowned Suzhou was condensed in this handkerchief.

Seventh Miss carefully studied the direction of the stitches, examining the stitch patterns over and over. After looking for a long time, she murmured half-believing, “Could it be that in the coloring, three or four colors of silk thread with very subtle differences were used?”

Lixia naturally couldn’t answer her.

Faint footsteps came from outside the room—having lived in the main courtyard for a while, Seventh Miss had also developed excellent hearing.

Lixia took the handkerchief from Seventh Miss’s hands and tucked it at her waist. Seventh Miss picked up the brown handkerchief and pretended to embroider.

Bai Lu entered the room carrying a small bowl and sat smiling by Seventh Miss’s bed.

“Just now I went to the small kitchen to talk with Sister Cao.” Sister Cao was the Grand Madam’s dowry and had managed the main courtyard’s small kitchen all these years—her position and power were considerable. “Sister Cao happened to be steaming yogurt… so I asked for a bowl. Would you like to try some?”

Seventh Miss had already smelled the rich milk fragrance. She smiled slightly, about to speak, when Third Miss’s laughter came from outside.

Third Miss laughed as she lifted the curtain and entered. “Seventh Sister, I’ve come to see you.”

She hadn’t come when the discomfort was worst, but now that recovery was mostly complete, here she was.

Seventh Miss put on a face full of smiles, smiling face to smiling face with Third Miss. “Third Sister is so thoughtful.”

Third Miss surveyed Seventh Miss’s bedroom. A flash of jealousy crossed her face, gone in an instant. “This is my first time at Seventh Sister’s place—it’s decorated so beautifully!”

Seventh Miss had to have Bai Lu place the yogurt on the bedside table. Lixia had already moved away to pour tea for Third Miss. She gathered her spirits and exchanged bland pleasantries with Third Miss.

Third Miss looked full of energy, not at all like someone worried about her marriage prospects. After chatting about this and that for a while, she reached up to touch her hair.

Before Seventh Miss noticed anything amiss, Bai Lu was already laughing. “Third Miss, what an exquisite bracelet.”

Seventh Miss couldn’t help but focus on Third Miss’s bracelet.

Of course it was a gold bracelet—finely carved into threads, twisted into several strands that interwove and crossed. Wherever they intersected, they were adorned with gleaming cat’s eye gems.

This bracelet alone was worth at least five hundred taels.

“Father bought it for me.” Third Miss couldn’t hide her pride.

Seventh Miss lowered her eyes. Though the Grand Madam treated her well, she truly didn’t have much valuable jewelry. The mutton-fat white jade double-fish pendant Second Madam had given her—she was afraid the Grand Madam would find it glaring, so she’d never dared wear it out. Every day when Bai Lu coordinated her outfits, she would frown bitterly before finally simply removing the jade bracelet from her own hand and placing it on Seventh Miss’s wrist.

“Father truly dotes on Third Sister.” She smiled like a spring breeze, suddenly having the impulse to probe Third Miss’s true situation. “Didn’t he even personally say he would arrange a good match for Third Sister?”

Third Miss’s joy broke slightly before she revealed an unnatural smile. “Our marriage matters are naturally Mother’s decision. Father just said it casually.”

Though the Master doted on the two daughters Fourth Aunt bore him, he also greatly respected the Grand Madam. Having promised the Grand Madam that Third Miss’s marriage would be her decision, he certainly wouldn’t go back on his word.

Why was Third Miss so happy? Didn’t she know the Grand Madam detested Fourth Aunt most? If Fourth Aunt didn’t rely on her blood relation to the Master, the Grand Madam would have long ago sent her off to the northwest.

Seventh Miss pondered while showing nothing on her face. Bai Lu smiled. “Third Miss is only thirteen this year—there’s no rush.”

Third Miss smiled, revealing a distinctive confidence and certainty. “This isn’t something for us young ladies to think about.”

Bai Lu and Seventh Miss both fell silent. Third Miss picked up the handkerchief Seventh Miss had draped over the bedding and examined it carefully, unable to help laughing like silver bells.

“Seventh Sister really doesn’t have much talent for embroidery!” She was rarely this direct.

Bai Lu’s face flushed red.

“Seventh Miss is still young.” She was like a mother hen before Seventh Miss. “Let me speak presumptuously—when Third Miss was six years old, I had just entered the household to serve. At that time, Third Miss…”

“Bai Lu!” Seventh Miss lightly reprimanded. Bai Lu resentfully stopped.

Third Miss’s face turned completely red. She mumbled a few words and stood up to leave.

Lixia thought Seventh Miss would immediately scold Bai Lu and stood up to leave the room, wanting to save Bai Lu some face.

Unexpectedly, Bai Lu’s clear laughter came from the room, along with Seventh Miss’s voice: “Now that I’ve entered the main courtyard, must I still suffer her airs?”

Seventh Miss’s voice carried a rarely seen abandon and joy.

Lixia couldn’t help but freeze in place.