Lichun casually placed the bottle under the covered corridor. By mid-afternoon, the spider had wilted halfway from the heat.

Still fearing the young master cousin would pursue the matter and she’d get into trouble herself.

Lichun carried the bottle to the western side courtyard.

Mid-Autumn was a major festival. For three days before and after, young masters and misses had no classes. After his afternoon nap, Ninth Young Master read in the eastern secondary room with an appearance of total concentration, earning the First Madam’s favor.

The western side courtyard was also quiet, unlike the eastern side courtyard where laughter occasionally rang out.

Seventh Miss had moved a chair to do needlework beneath the glass window of the western inner room.

Bright sunlight fell on her face. Even through the glass, one could see the concentration on her face.

Truly Ninth Young Master’s twin sister—both siblings were so endearing.

Seventh Miss looked up and saw Lichun.

She smiled slightly at Lichun, then turned to give some instructions. Bailu immediately came out to greet her.

“Sister Lichun, please sit inside.” Very warmly.

When Seventh Miss smiled, she had more mischief than Ninth Young Master. Her half-narrowed almond eyes revealed a hint of cunning—very cute.

Lichun showed Bailu the glass bottle in her arms.

Even through the thick glass, one could hear the spider scratching the bottle walls.

Bailu was greatly startled.

“Young Master Cousin asked me to deliver the spider to Seventh Miss.” Lichun couldn’t hide her helplessness and curiosity. “I don’t know how he thought of this.”

Bailu was about to complain casually about the young master cousin when she remembered Seventh Miss’s words and hesitated.

However, Lichun’s relationship with the western side courtyard was quite good.

“Young Master Cousin is really…” She shook her head and let Lichun into the western inner room.

Lichun immediately felt coolness throughout her body.

Young misses who entered the main courtyard truly lived more comfortably than concubine-born daughters in side residences.

Though the daily summer allowance on paper was the same for all young misses—one small ice mountain and one watermelon per day, with each household sending for them from the official storehouse when needed.

But Nanny Yao from the small storehouse sent things to the main courtyard every few days—sometimes ice mountains, sometimes melons and fruits. These were beyond the allowance, taken from the small storehouse.

The western inner room had two small ice mountains side by side. In cracked-glaze yellow-brown Chu kiln plates rippled clear water with a slight muddy tint.

The Yang family’s ice was transported from the north in winter and stored in ice cellars for over half a year before being brought out for summer use.

Each small piece of ice embodied vast wealth.

“Sister Lichun.” Seventh Miss set down her needlework on the embroidery frame and rose to greet her.

On the desk was also spread a scroll of bamboo paper, densely covered with tiny characters. Lichun glanced at it—it was “Sounds and Rhythms Enlightenment.” In the inkstone was松烟 ink that had not yet dried.

Seventh Miss was truly diligent.

“Young Master Cousin at noon in the covered walkway…” Lichun recounted the entire incident in detail, then placed the glass bottle on the desk. “He said you played with it for a while this morning.”

As she spoke, she carefully observed Seventh Miss’s expression.

Seventh Miss couldn’t help revealing slight helplessness.

This morning, Xu Fengjia, Ninth Young Master, Fifth Miss, and she had whiled away an hour or two in the eastern side courtyard.

They merely played with clay figures, solved linked rings, drew a few strokes, and played several games of chess.

Xu Fengjia had been thoughtfully paying attention to Seventh Miss. Later, even Fifth Miss noticed.

Everyone could guess what he wanted to do.

Fifth Miss curved her lips but didn’t interfere. However, she also showed no intention of speaking up for Seventh Miss.

The atmosphere in the room gradually turned tense. By nearly lunchtime, Seventh Miss could hardly breathe.

Ninth Young Master also noticed Xu Fengjia subtly.

Finally, taking advantage of Ninth Young Master going to the washroom, Xu Fengjia pulled out the spider from his breast and threw it right onto her.

Then he stared intently at Seventh Miss, as if anticipating something.

His demeanor was very subtle, nothing like an ordinary child who after mischief would be both proud and flustered.

Xu Fengjia was quite composed… as if this large spider was merely testing Seventh Miss’s mettle.

Seventh Miss looked at the spider sprawling on her and froze.

Of course she didn’t like this thing either. However, with Seventh Miss’s experience, she wouldn’t cry and make a fuss over this small spider.

In Yang Family Village in the northwest, she had encountered countless insects… She had lived through days with rats running on the kang—would she fear this small thing?

Seventh Miss hesitated and glanced at Xu Fengjia’s expression.

Xu Fengjia instead seemed somewhat pleased, stroking his chin, his eyes seemingly saying: I knew you wouldn’t be frightened by the spider.

Sounds came from the washroom.

Seventh Miss sighed.

If Ninth Young Master weren’t present, she wouldn’t mind playing the frightened little girl.

But siblings were connected at heart. Though Ninth Young Master wasn’t close to her, seeing her bullied would certainly upset him.

Seventh Miss had no choice but to slowly pick up the spider and place it in her hand.

Fifth Miss gasped in shock, looking at her with both admiration and unwillingness to submit.

“I’m not afraid of this, Cousin.” Seventh Miss smiled naturally. “However, it does look frightening—five-colored and mottled, as if poisonous.”

She held the spider before Xu Fengjia’s eyes.

Looking at Xu Fengjia without yielding.

He had very beautiful eyes—slightly upturned phoenix eyes with flowing light, as if harboring countless thoughts.

Xu Fengjia raised his eyebrows and accepted the spider with an ambiguous smile.

“Only looks frightening? Hmm?” His voice held thick interest.

Seventh Miss smiled with difficulty without answering.

Ninth Young Master entered the hall and looked at Xu Fengjia with some puzzlement.

“Why did Cousin take out the spider?” He came over to touch the spider’s back, laughing. “So fuzzy!”

After all, a boy—naturally bold.

Someone from the main courtyard came to invite everyone to dinner.

Everyone filed out of the room.

Ninth Young Master walked at the very front. Seventh Miss followed behind him. Xu Fengjia quickened his pace and brushed past Seventh Miss.

“You’re quite bold.” He murmured slowly with a hint of hidden excitement.

…Xu Fengjia had set his sights on her.

That made sense. Among the sisters, she was the only one Xu Fengjia hadn’t targeted yet.

Given Xu Fengjia’s temperament, it was natural he would lock onto her.

“Cousin’s temperament is unpredictable.” Seventh Miss deliberated carefully and spoke slowly. “Sending me this thing naturally has his considerations. However, I don’t know what to feed it… In the western side courtyard, the spider can only starve to death.”

She picked up the bottle again and placed it in Lichun’s hands, saying apologetically, “Could Sister Lichun have a little maid make a trip and convey a message for me?”

Worry flickered in Lichun’s eyes.

Xu Fengjia’s status was noble, and Madam Xu doted on him so.

If she engaged with him in confrontation, Seventh Miss would suffer.

However, being from a great family, his actions probably wouldn’t be too improper… Seeing Seventh Miss so composed, Lichun felt somewhat reassured.

#

The next evening, the Old Master entered Bai Fang Garden to celebrate Mid-Autumn with his family.

Though Madam Xu and Second Madam were relatives, they were all family. Given their age, they didn’t separate into men’s and women’s tables. Instead, three round tables were set up outside Bai Yu Jin’s courtyard—one for the parents’ generation, one for the children’s generation, and the concubines also had their share.

The Old Master also discussed with the First Madam, “Let the three sisters from Huan Sha Wu also come out to meet people!”

The three sisters at Huan Sha Wu were always very low-key. Though they were beauties sent by the King of Minyue and favored, they never relied on that favor to act arrogantly. The few times they encountered the First Madam, their attitude was very respectful.

The First Madam initially wanted to refuse, then thought of what Seventh Miss had said that day.

“If being magnanimous, might as well be magnanimous to the end.” Though Seventh Miss was small, her words made some sense. “Some unimportant matters… aren’t worth going against Father over.”

“As you wish.” She said indifferently. “Aunt-Madam brought some messages.”

Last night the Old Master celebrated Mid-Autumn with Li Wenqing and other subordinates, drinking until half drunk, then slept in the outer courtyard without entering the inner courtyard.

The Old Master’s brow twitched. “What did she say?”

The First Madam repeated Madam Xu’s words verbatim. “…Second Brother really went too far. Such a major matter, yet he dares to casually side with the First Prince.”

The Old Master was also greatly shocked and very angry.

“This is no child’s play!”

The couple was discussing when the children and concubines had already come to pay respects, all waiting in the main hall for the Old Master and First Madam to come out.

They could only suppress the matter in their hearts.

As they walked out, the Old Master remembered to ask, “I heard this child Fengjia is somewhat mischievous? Has he been making such a commotion that none of his sisters have peace?”

The First Madam glanced at the Old Master with an ambiguous smile. “He’s somewhat like Second Brother.”

The Old Master immediately shut his mouth tightly.

When the First Madam first married into the Yang family, the Old Master devoted himself to studying hard to pass the imperial examinations. All household affairs were managed by the First Madam. Second Master at that time was at his most mischievous age, climbing roofs and causing trouble every day, annoying everyone.

The First Madam didn’t disdain Second Master. When he caused trouble, she would say a few words and let it pass.

Xu Fengjia would stay in Suzhou at most half a year. No matter how much trouble he brought, could it compare to Second Master in those days?

The Old Master recalled those years. Though the couple was somewhat impoverished then, they were perfectly matched with few disagreements.

When did it become like today… every word had to be said in roundabout ways.

The Old Master felt somewhat melancholy.

Everyone sat briefly in the main hall. When the sky darkened, they went together to Bai Yu Jin and sent people to invite Madam Xu and Second Madam.

By the time everyone had gathered, it was nearly the first watch. The indigo sky pressed low on the treetops. The moon had revealed half its yellowish face. Bai Yu Jin had been tidied spotlessly clean. Over thirty lanterns hung by the pavilion, illuminating everyone’s faces with candlelight.

Sixth Miss couldn’t even eat, raising her head to admire the lanterns, almost drooling.

The sweet osmanthus fragrance wafted from Qi Li Xiang all the way to Bai Yu Jin. Everyone sighed, “Good thing it’s far away. If we were set up at Qi Li Xiang, we’d be nauseated by the fragrance.”

Xu Fengjia sat beside Second Miss as if nothing had happened, chatting and laughing with her, his manner composed.

From the moment they took their seats, he hadn’t looked at Seventh Miss once.

Seventh Miss felt slightly relieved: It seemed Xu Fengjia was quite wary of the Old Master.

The three sister flowers from Huan Sha Wu moved between tables serving the masters.

These three were not delicately beautiful, only passably pretty, but all had round faces and an air of pure innocence.

Though wearing only middling Hangzhou gauze clothes, their swaying hips and graceful movements of pouring wine and arranging dishes inadvertently outshone several noblewomen in fine garments.

Youth was a woman’s best weapon.

Fourth Concubine’s expression was also somewhat dim.

Though the Old Master hadn’t believed the main courtyard’s words, he had rarely visited Xi Ke Residence these days.

Though the First Madam didn’t quite greet Second Madam with smiles, her expression had softened considerably. With Madam Xu mediating, the sisters chatted on about events from many years ago.

The Old Master chatted and laughed with the three sisters while drinking alone. After three rounds of wine, his worries finally eased slightly.

“My humble home has no fine dishes.” He was polite to Madam Xu.

Madam Xu smiled and returned a few pleasantries.

“Come, Ninth Young Master, recite a poem for Third Aunt to accompany her wine.” The Old Master beckoned to Ninth Young Master with a smile and instructed.

At wealthy families’ banquets, having children come out to recite poetry or paint was partly to measure their talent, and partly to pursue elegance.

Coming from the Qin family, how could Madam Xu not understand this custom? She immediately smiled. “Very well, Ninth Young Master, recite ‘Spring River on a Moonlit Night’?”

“Spring River on a Moonlit Night” was a poem by Zhang Ruoxu. Though not difficult to recite, it was very long.

Seventh Miss watched Ninth Young Master with some concern.

Ninth Young Master stood up unhurriedly.

“Third Aunt, ‘Spring River on a Moonlit Night’ depicts spring scenery, which doesn’t quite suit Mid-Autumn. May I recite ‘Seeing the Moon on Mid-Autumn and Harmonizing with Ziyou’ instead?”

His tender voice rang out clearly amidst the osmanthus fragrance.

Madam Xu raised her eyebrows—her expression somewhat resembling Xu Fengjia’s. Even at this age, this eyebrow raise revealed charm. “Oh? That poem is rather obscure.”

Ninth Young Master seemed embarrassed. “I’ve only read it once. There may be errors or omissions.”

Then he began reciting.

“The bright moon has not risen above the mountain peaks, auspicious light shoots forth a thousand zhang of white brilliance…” His voice was quite similar to Seventh Miss’s—clear and bright with a hint of coolness.

Everyone stopped their chopsticks to listen attentively.

The First Madam’s eyes were full of gentleness.

Second Miss also revealed a faint smile.

Fifth Miss was somewhat unconvinced, rolling her eyes as she pondered.

Third Miss revealed a trace of disdainful smile, turning to speak with Fourth Miss.

But Xu Fengjia happened to see this and glared at her coldly.

Third Miss shrank in fright, nearly dropping the small wine cup in her hand.

This was an ordinary official family’s young miss… Xu Fengjia glanced at Seventh Miss.

Seventh Miss gazed attentively at Ninth Young Master, a faint smile at her lips.

The rising moonlight cast pale luminescence on her hair and shoulders, making Seventh Miss look especially serene.

Xu Fengjia slightly narrowed his eyes and contentedly sipped the fragrant osmanthus wine.

The more troublesome the opponent, the more interesting.

Even Fifth Miss had to be scared into screaming by the spider before he would praise her courage with interest.

This Yang Qi, from beginning to end, showed no panic—only helplessness…

Interesting, interesting.

People as shallow as Third Miss were like a shallow stream—without much effort, one could see through to the mud and filth beneath the pebbles at the bottom.

Always circling with such people would make even one’s bones rust.

Yang Qi was different.

She was a pond whose depth could not be fathomed—calm and waveless, yet of unknown depth.

This aroused Xu Fengjia’s interest.

He thought of Seventh Miss’s gaze.

When looking at the spider, in that instant, it seemed disgust flashed through, but when she raised her head again, there were only two pools of clear water—neither pleased nor angry.

Truly an unfathomable concubine-born daughter!