Second Miss and Seventh Miss both froze.

“Xiaohan, go find out what’s happening.” Second Miss made an immediate decision, then called, “Leave the lantern.”

By moonlight, the garden scenery was faintly visible. Xiaohan could follow the bluestone path without needing the lantern.

Xiaohan turned and handed the lantern to Second Miss. Second Miss and Seventh Miss simply diverted to a long bench near Ju Ba Xian and sat down holding the lantern.

The moon was bright and stars sparse. In the heavy night, fireflies flickered faintly. In the distance, cicadas chirped continuously, and loud frog calls came from the direction of Wanhua Liuluo.

“You must have mostly figured out Fifth Miss’s temperament by now.” Second Miss pondered as she picked up the earlier topic.

Seventh Miss gazed at the flickering candlelight inside the cicada-wing gauze lantern, thinking as she slowly said, “Fifth Sister has a fiery temper, but her heart isn’t actually bad, and she’s quite resilient. As long as you don’t touch her sore spots and everyone coexists peacefully, no major mishaps will occur.” Unfortunately, Fifth Miss’s moods were unpredictable—who knew if she would turn hostile at the next word.

Such a person, if you could grasp her temperament, wasn’t difficult to get along with. At least she wouldn’t harbor malicious intentions to harm others.

Second Miss repeatedly raising this topic—if she continued hiding her abilities, she would disappoint her good intentions.

Second Miss looked at Seventh Miss with a gratified smile.

“I heard that a few days before the Dragon Boat Festival, Madam Feng visited.” She changed topics again.

Don’t think Second Miss’s thoughts seemed scattered, talking about whatever came to mind.

In reality, there were no superfluous words.

First mentioning the Grand Madam needed a strategist was hinting at the path Seventh Miss should take.

Then discussing Fifth Miss’s temperament was telling Seventh Miss that in the future main courtyard, Fifth Miss would be the weakest point, easily exploited by Fourth Yiniang to cause trouble. Seventh Miss should invest effort in improving their relationship so the Grand Madam could gain the upper hand in inner courtyard struggles.

Then mentioning Ninth Yiniang’s family…

“Ah.” Seventh Miss responded somewhat embarrassedly. “In previous years the Madam handled it. I didn’t appear. This year with the Madam absent, it wouldn’t be quite proper for anyone else to appear, so I took this favor for myself. Otherwise Madam Feng would have been indebted to Fourth Yiniang, creating entanglements.”

This was the excuse she had prepared long ago.

Second Miss was straightforward. “Don’t worry, I’ll help you manage this properly.”

Her directness was beyond Seventh Miss’s expectations.

Seventh Miss couldn’t help but turn her head in astonishment to look at Second Miss.

Second Miss’s gaze was frank and clear.

“One cannot forget the kindness of birth!” Her tone was very gentle. “Mother was a bit petty in this matter. If it were me…”

Children shouldn’t speak of their parents’ faults—for Second Miss to say such words counted as heartfelt confidence.

Seventh Miss’s eyes grew hot.

“Back then Elder Sister and I were both small, with no say in the matter…” Second Miss brought the topic back around. “Actually, after all these years, what can’t be forgiven? When Mother returns, I’ll help persuade her. From now on when Madam Feng visits, treat her as proper family. You can also see her from time to time, know about the Feng family’s circumstances. Consider it doing your part for Ninth Yiniang.”

This was Second Miss indeed.

Knowing that to use someone, you must capture their heart.

Ninth Young Master belonged to the main courtyard. For her own dignity’s sake, Seventh Miss would certainly consider the main courtyard’s interests.

But that was just reciprocal exchange of benefits, without emotional factors.

Yet giving the Feng family dignity would be purely for Seventh Miss’s sake. For Second Miss to get the Grand Madam to relent would certainly require considerable effort.

Even worldly-wise as she was, Seventh Miss couldn’t help being moved by Second Miss’s sincerity.

“Second Sister.” Her voice was already somewhat choked.

Second Miss smiled faintly and touched Seventh Miss’s hair. “How much silver did you give last time? I know you’re not well-off.”

After this exchange, the two had clearly become much closer.

Seventh Miss felt somewhat embarrassed, but truly didn’t have much money left… Nanny Wang had never sent over the silver rewarded to the Feng family. Logically, that should have been an expense from the public accounts…

“Thirty taels.” She lowered her head, her voice like a mosquito’s buzz.

“I’ll have Xiaohan send you some silver later. Which young lady from the main courtyard doesn’t have hundreds or thousands of taels on hand?” Second Miss laughed.

“How could I accept this!” Seventh Miss couldn’t help being polite.

“When Mother returns, she’ll reimburse you that thirty taels anyway!” Second Miss patted Seventh Miss’s shoulder. “Why has Xiaohan been gone so long without returning?”

Both knew in their hearts: if Qilixiang was in commotion, Eighth Yiniang was probably going into labor.

Only young ladies couldn’t hang these two words on their lips, so Second Miss didn’t say it explicitly.

Xiaohan had been gone so long… could something have happened to Eighth Yiniang?

Both grew somewhat anxious.

Seventh Miss couldn’t say clearly whether she hoped Eighth Yiniang would give birth to a son.

She had lived in ancient times for seven years now—how could she not know that in ancient times, families without sons were bullied everywhere.

Ancient medical conditions were poor. Though Ninth Young Master had safely reached age seven, he could die young at any moment from some small matter. If Eighth Yiniang could add another male heir to the Yang family, that would be additional insurance.

But that way, Ninth Young Master would no longer be an only son. Many things that seemed set in stone might become variable…

Both were full of worries.

After a while, Xiaohan came back breathless.

“It’s Eighth Yiniang going into labor… but she’s in terrible pain. The midwife says the fetal position is probably incorrect.”

Second Miss couldn’t help clenching her fists tightly.

Daughters about to marry always hoped their maternal home had more males—she would have more standing in her husband’s family.

“Seventh Sister should go back first! So Nanny Wang won’t worry.” She arranged with a forced smile. “I’ll wait here. Xiaohan will escort her back first, then come get me.”

Seventh Miss obediently stood. “No need, Second Sister, I know the way.”

“That won’t do.” Second Miss was very insistent. “You rarely come to the garden. What if you get frightened?”

But Seventh Miss was also worried about leaving Second Miss waiting in the darkness for Xiaohan.

“Why doesn’t Second Sister walk a bit further… see me to the garden gate, then you can go back via the path past Changqing Hall and Xiao Xiangxue.” She looked insistent.

Second Miss considered and agreed. “I originally wanted to see you back to the West Side Courtyard before we returned to Youhuang Cottage.”

Everyone’s footsteps clearly quickened.

Passing Xike Pavilion, Seventh Miss paid attention.

More lights were lit in Xike Pavilion than when they’d passed before.

Clearly everyone had heard the commotion.

Just past Xike Pavilion, a long agonized scream came faintly from the direction of Qilixiang.

Both sisters’ shoulders jumped.

Seventh Miss involuntarily moved closer to Second Miss.

Though distant and unclear, the sharpness and agony in that cry gradually spread through her ears.

Second Miss also unconsciously grasped Seventh Miss’s hand.

Her palm was full of cold sweat.

Xiaohan was more composed, murmuring, “Probably difficult labor…” before cutting off her words.

The three quickened their pace even more.

At the garden gate, the commotion from Qilixiang could barely be heard. Nanny Li had moved a bench to sit at the gate, her head nodding as she dozed.

Xiaohan called softly, “Nanny Li, Nanny Li.”

Nanny Li started, greeting them with a smile. “Seventh Miss is back!” She hurried to turn and open the gate.

Hearing the clamor from Qilixiang’s direction, she muttered to herself as she opened the gate, “Who’s making a disturbance in the dead of night…”

Seventh Miss felt like laughing, but her heart was heavy.

She recalled the look Eighth Yiniang had given her on the corridor toward Jieyu Pavilion.

Though frighteningly thin then, she had been lively and spirited.

From the West Side Courtyard, they couldn’t hear any sounds from Baifang Garden at all.

When Nanny Wang learned of Eighth Yiniang going into labor, she took it to heart.

“Master is sleeping in the outer courtyard tonight. After nightfall Baifang Garden locks its gates allowing no one in or out… we should inform him.” She dressed and left the West Side Courtyard, instructing a servant woman to go deliver the message.

She also sent Shangyuan to wait in the garden to report as soon as Eighth Yiniang gave birth.

“Fourth Yiniang prepared a full set of people in early seventh month, all on standby at Qilixiang day and night. We just need to go inquire for news.” She was casual. “None of my regular junior maids spend nights outside the courtyard, so I’ll have to borrow some of Seventh Miss’s people.”

Treating you as one of their own meant borrowing your people.

Seventh Miss smiled and gave Lixia a look.

Lixia stepped forward with a smile saying, “Just what we’d wish,” while leading the somewhat flustered Shangyuan out of the room.

Lixia was gradually growing up.

Seventh Miss was gratified, but this small joy was quickly diluted by information hidden in Nanny Wang’s words.

If Eighth Yiniang gave birth to a son… the midwives were all Fourth Yiniang’s people. Her life and death hung on Fourth Yiniang’s single thought.

No wonder though she wanted to stay neutral, she was repeatedly used as a front by Fourth Yiniang.

Couldn’t blame the Grand Madam for being cold either. In this matter, if the main courtyard made the slightest misstep, it might give Fourth Yiniang an excuse to create trouble.

She grew somewhat irritable: household discord truly made every move require caution.

Yet Nanny Wang seemed very composed. After coaxing Ninth Young Master to sleep, she urged Seventh Miss to bed quickly. “You still have school tomorrow morning! Could Seventh Miss also want to feign illness?”

This single remark disparaged Third Miss. The more familiar with Nanny Wang, the more Seventh Miss felt this person was cutting.

She smiled perfunctorily and blew out the lamp to sleep.

Tossing and turning, Eighth Yiniang’s agonized screams kept echoing in her ears like unformed wailing. Seventh Miss had nightmares all night.

The next morning when she got up to wash, Shangyuan came in carrying water.

The junior maid had faint dark circles under her eyes and looked rather unwell.

“Why aren’t you resting—when did you get back?” Bailu asked in surprise.

“There’s still no news. Several of Nanny Wang’s people came on duty, so they sent me back.” Shangyuan smiled. “I wanted to tell Seventh Miss before going to rest.”

Seventh Miss’s eyes flashed: this maid was also promising material.

“You’ve worked hard, go sleep quickly.” She said lightly.

Sometimes one needn’t show appreciation, letting subordinates easily fathom your thoughts.

Shangyuan showed no disappointment. After pouring the water into the basin, she left the room.

Ninth Young Master knew nothing of the inner courtyard’s complications. After breakfast he pulled Seventh Miss to family school, asking, “Do you want to attend class with me?”

Though the teacher taught well, attending alone was quite lonely for Ninth Young Master.

Lichun stood to the side with a smile, watching Ninth Young Master talk with Seventh Miss.

Seventh Miss shook her head with a smile. “Study attentively, don’t let your mind wander.” She instructed.

Ninth Young Master pouted and nodded.

Only after becoming familiar with this child could one see the childish innocence beneath his two-layered masks.

Everyone was distracted all morning. Sixth Miss kept rubbing her eyes and yawning.

Even Fourth Miss was unusually listless. Her normally straight back had sagged.

“Qilixiang was in commotion all night last night.” Sixth Miss complained to Seventh Miss during break. “…However, Eighth Yiniang still had sounds in the first half of the night. When I came to school this morning, there were no sounds at all.”

Counting up, it had been nearly seven hours already.

And this wasn’t even Eighth Yiniang’s first child.

Seventh Miss sighed.

During lunch, the Grand Master unprecedentedly entered the inner courtyard.

He first entered the main hall. Seventh Miss and Ninth Young Master quickly rose from the dining table to greet the Grand Master.

“Father.”

“Papa!”

The Grand Master touched Ninth Young Master’s head, glanced at the table, saw that most of the rice in Ninth Young Master’s bowl was gone, nodded, then turned to ask Lichun, “Where’s Nanny Wang?”

Though Fourth Yiniang managed Eighth Yiniang’s delivery, Nanny Wang also had many matters on her hands and had been busy until now without returning.

Lichun stepped forward to respond.

She wore a tender yellow double-silk soft silk shirt and silver-red cicada-wing vest, looking increasingly fair with red lips and white teeth, her figure graceful.

Already sixteen—a grown young lady.

The Grand Master scrutinized Lichun for a moment, then nodded, pondering silently.

Lichun bit her lip, a flash of pallor crossing her face. She couldn’t help turning to look at Seventh Miss as if seeking help.

Seventh Miss felt angry in her heart.

No matter how disrespectful the Grand Master was, he shouldn’t think such thoughts in front of Ninth Young Master!

Moreover, right now Eighth Yiniang had entered the delivery room, life and death uncertain. She carried the Grand Master’s flesh and blood after all—how could the Grand Master’s thoughts turn to such matters?

Simply contemptible!

She set down her chopsticks.

“If Nanny Wang hasn’t returned by mealtime, she’s probably arranging meals for Qilixiang.” She explained lightly. “This morning when Sister Lichun was seeing Ninth Young Master off to school, my Lixia happened to run into Nanny Wang returning and heard her say a few things.”

The Grand Master’s attention was indeed diverted.

He frowned.

“What exactly is happening at Qilixiang?” He asked Lichun. “From onset until now, it’s been six or seven hours?”

“Difficult labor is certain.” Lichun frowned. “However, we’re only at the West Side Courtyard, so we don’t know the current situation…”

After all, it was the Grand Master’s flesh and blood. The Grand Master sighed, instructed Ninth Young Master to eat more, then walked out of the West Side Courtyard toward the main courtyard’s back gate. Presumably heading into Baifang Garden to check on Eighth Yiniang.

Only then did everyone sit down to eat quietly. But Lichun was somewhat distracted. Seventh Miss saw it all and sympathized greatly.

The Grand Madam already had such intentions… now the Grand Master had also noticed her beauty. If someday he remembered to mention it to the Grand Madam, the Grand Madam might very well go along with it.

After the meal, she called Lichun to her room. Lichun also brought Ninth Young Master in, having him practice calligraphy by the window.

Now someone was constantly with Ninth Young Master—either Nanny Wang or Lichun.

“Nanny Wang has been staying at the West Side Courtyard recently. I wonder how things are at her home… I believe she has a son?” Seventh Miss whispered with Lichun at the bedside.

“Yes, serving at the outer courtyard gate.” Lichun lowered her head with some faint shyness. “He’s indeed concerned about his mother, sending several letters in asking after Nanny Wang.”

“You should also plan for yourself.” Seventh Miss left it at that. “When the time comes to speak, don’t be shy. If it’s inconvenient to speak directly… Lixia’s mother Sister-in-law Li has some family connections with Nanny Wang…”

Lichun bit her lip, gratitude flashing in her eyes.

She was a maid bought from outside. Her family had long since scattered. Coming all this way, she had recognized no godmothers. No one would arrange her marriage for her.

The Yang residence was her world. Wanting to marry out was hardly easy. She could only find someone suitable among the household servants, quickly arrange a match, and then serve before the Grand Master with peace of mind.

Though Nanny Wang was somewhat cutting, she had considerable standing. If… it wouldn’t be a bad match.

In the entire residence, only Seventh Miss thought so thoroughly for her.

“Seventh Miss cares for me.” Tears already welled in her eyes.

Seventh Miss quickly glanced at Ninth Young Master.

Ninth Young Master had long stopped practicing calligraphy, his eyes rolling about as he curiously watched Lichun.

Lichun hurriedly rose to go to the washroom under pretense.

“Write your characters.” Seventh Miss said irritably.

The heartfelt atmosphere she’d worked so hard to create was destroyed by this little brat again.

Ninth Young Master bit his brush handle, staring fixedly at Seventh Miss, myriad thoughts in his eyes.

When Seventh Miss and Ninth Young Master woke from their afternoon nap to prepare for school, news came from the garden: Eighth Yiniang had given birth to twin daughters, but both were born without breath.