After Mid-Autumn, several days passed peacefully.

Xu Fengjia seemed to have exhausted his mischief and obediently entered the family school together with Ninth Young Master.

Third Miss’s illness also recovered. Children constantly coming and going inevitably met, and when she saw Xu Fengjia, she showed no excessive fear.

The large spider in Xu Fengjia’s hands, after being returned by Seventh Miss, had starved to death.

“Things given away cannot be taken back.” The young master cousin had considerable pride.

Lichun had no choice but to hand it to a maid beside Madam Xu. No one knew what it used to eat. After more than half a month like this, Third Miss finally no longer needed to fear pulling a spider from her drawer.

Madam Xu, the First Madam, and Second Madam spent their days socializing with prominent families around Jiangnan—today your house, tomorrow my house, the day after her house—so busy their feet didn’t touch the ground.

Years ago, Duke Pingguo had been stationed in Jiangnan and had countless connections with local military commanders.

Imperial Tutor Qin was a civil official, imperial tutor for many years—how could he not have his own network?

Both civil and military figures could somehow connect to Madam Xu, so they came calling in a revolving stream, none daring or willing to lag behind.

Madam Xu also visited frequently. The First Madam had to accompany her out every day without break.

Over time, she inevitably complained to the Old Master. “Aunt-Madam seems possessed—accepting every invitation, rather impolite.”

The Old Master’s gaze dimmed slightly.

“The Crown Prince is ten years old this year.” He said in a low voice, looking somewhat aged. “Yet he still hasn’t left the palace to study.”

Not leaving the palace to study meant being kept in the deep palace, making it difficult to interact with court officials.

Which also meant no way to cultivate his own power base.

The First Madam’s heart tightened.

The First Prince was eighteen this year and had already begun handling affairs for the Emperor. Though never enfeoffed as a prince, precisely because of this, he hadn’t left the capital.

Madam Xu’s aunt had no children of her own and was half a foster mother to the Crown Prince. The Xu family naturally could only stand with the Crown Prince.

“Could she be planning a petition by thousands?” The First Madam murmured softly.

The Old Master sighed.

Though Fourth Concubine had countless virtues, being from a small household, she couldn’t match the First Madam’s acuity in such matters.

“The previous dynasty had precedents.” He said quietly. “When the Emperor himself was invested, it relied on Imperial Tutor Qin forcefully advocating…”

History repeated itself. Years ago, the Emperor also had an extremely favored younger brother. Though he was the eldest son and the Empress had no children, the harem’s winds and clouds were treacherous—the Crown Prince position nearly changed hands several times.

Had it not been for Imperial Tutor Qin’s unwavering support as Imperial Tutor…

Now history was repeating. The First Prince was powerful, yet the Crown Prince held the legitimate birth advantage. The Empress and Consort Hui—one the first wife, one the current favorite—were deadlocked. Not content with fighting in the capital, they wanted to spread the conflict to the provinces.

Master Yang held dual positions as a northwestern clan leader and Jiangnan Governor-General. He was a trusted minister in the Emperor’s eyes. His opinion naturally carried great weight.

Madam Xu being so conspicuous probably partly meant to drag the Yang family into the fray!

Though the Yang and Xu families had been on good terms these years, they had always remained noncommittal toward the Crown Prince’s overtures.

The First Madam sighed deeply.

“When an official reaches this level, every step is like walking on thin ice…” She seemed to be muttering to herself yet also reminding the Old Master. “The Wang family just embarrassed the Crown Prince’s Chief of Staff, then we arranged a marriage match with the Wang family. I’m afraid the Empress won’t have no other thoughts.”

The Old Master began to feel alarmed.

Was this marriage with the Wang family arranged too hastily?

At the time, he only thought that Fourth Concubine finding such a family showed a birth mother’s devoted efforts.

The Wang family had substantial means. Though the other party was also a concubine-born son, Third Miss wouldn’t suffer much marrying in.

But he hadn’t expected that the Wang family had clashed with the Crown Prince’s Chief of Staff in Fujian.

When this news arrived, the Old Master felt something was off.

Now with Madam Xu’s behavior…

He couldn’t help but think more deeply.

Could the Empress suspect he intended to align with the First Prince?

Thinking of Second Master Yang’s actions in the capital, the Old Master broke out in cold sweat.

All coincidences, all unintentional, but in these unintended moments, one link led to another. Now even Madam Xu had personally come to Jiangnan to test the Yang family!

“This Wang family marriage must be delayed!” He decided immediately.

A trace of satisfaction flashed in the First Madam’s eyes.

She hadn’t said a single extra word.

Second Madam and Fourth Concubine lacked foresight in choosing such a family.

Though the Old Master didn’t say it aloud, he deeply valued Imperial Tutor Qin’s opinion. The old man’s willingness to come out of retirement to serve another term as Imperial Tutor must have moved the Old Master. At this juncture, first Second Brother took the wrong side, then Second Sister-in-law introduced an inappropriate family. Second Master was far away in the capital where the Old Master couldn’t control him directly, but the marriage was in their hands.

“If we had waited until I returned to Suzhou, it wouldn’t be so awkward now.” The First Madam’s tone carried reproach. “They’ve already consulted fortunes at Hanshan Temple. The Wang family is just short of sending betrothal cards. When they truly arrive, how will you respond?”

Both families had reached tacit understanding on the marriage. Without a proper reason, the Old Master truly couldn’t refuse the Wang family.

“Just say we thought the marriage proposal was for a legitimate son!” The Old Master pondered slowly. “Though Third Miss is concubine-born, she’s very dear to me, so I want to match her with a legitimate son.”

Though this excuse wasn’t bad, when arranging Third Miss’s marriage in the future, they’d need to find a legitimate son.

“If the Wang family immediately presents betrothal cards for Fourth Young Master or Fifth Young Master, what then?” The First Madam cleanly refused the Old Master.

The Old Master’s brow darkened slightly.

Third Miss’s marriage still couldn’t be left to the First Madam’s involvement…

In the end, didn’t she just not want to find Third Miss a satisfactory match?

“Let’s delay for now!” He said indifferently. “Third Miss lost face before the Li family a few days ago. Now it seems, that may not be a bad thing.”

Having been seen in such an embarrassing state by the Li family, though word wouldn’t immediately reach the Wang family, the Li family would certainly weigh whether Third Miss was worth their personal matchmaking.

If the matchmakers withdrew midway, this marriage would be difficult to complete.

The First Madam breathed a long sigh of relief.

“Fourth Sister raised Fengjia and Little Fifth’s marriage match again.” She was slightly hesitant. “I said the children are still young, no need to rush…”

“Fengjia’s temperament is too unruly!” The Old Master frowned.

Fifth Miss was a legitimate daughter after all. No matter how much she didn’t suit the Old Master’s taste, he unconsciously cared more.

The First Madam sighed.

“After arranging Third Sister’s and Fourth Sister’s marriages, then discuss Little Fifth’s matter!” She seemed weary. “This time, even if we don’t want to wait, we must wait!”

Between great families, one must leave the other party some face. Even if the Yang family regretted and didn’t want to marry the Wang family, they couldn’t hastily arrange another match for Third Miss. Wouldn’t that be slapping the Wang family’s face?

They’d need to wait at least a year or so, until the matter faded, before raising it again.

The Old Master nodded.

Looking through the glass window at the sky, “The children should come pay respects soon.”

Morning and evening greetings—it was now the first quarter of the 申 hour. The children had finished classes and would come to the First Madam’s room to pay respects.

The Old Master saw two or three young ladies gracefully entering the main courtyard.

“Seventh Miss looks somewhat similar to Ninth Young Master.” He became interested, carefully observing Seventh Miss in yellow clothes through the window.

The First Madam also followed his gaze.

Seventh Miss’s lips held a faint smile, like a gentle spring breeze.

Seeing her made one feel soft inside.

She was listening to a conversation between Fifth Miss and Sixth Miss.

Fifth Miss gestured proudly about something while Sixth Miss held her sister’s hand, speaking rapidly and urgently.

Legitimate and concubine-born in harmony.

The Old Master’s gaze toward the First Madam softened involuntarily. “Placing Little Seventh in the main courtyard must have been hard on you.” He consoled the First Madam.

The First Madam’s lips curved in a smile.

“Little Seventh is also very sensible!”

She didn’t stint on praise.

Since coming to the main courtyard, Seventh Miss not only never caused trouble but also achieved great merit, handling everything properly.

Even the high-minded Second Miss had unprecedentedly praised her several times.

She had also told the First Madam two or three times that in the future, she could consult Seventh Miss.

Since First Miss married, the First Madam did indeed feel somewhat overwhelmed.

Managing such a large family required mental effort ordinary people could hardly imagine. One careless moment could lead to mistakes in the rush.

Let’s see! The First Madam thought.

If she truly could be cultivated, she wouldn’t shortchange her.

The Old Master’s thoughts went deeper.

Ninth Young Master was visibly growing up.

Though raised at the First Madam’s knee, the First Madam had her own blood children. In the future, interactions with the Qin family would be somewhat awkward for Ninth Young Master.

When opportunities arose, he should support birth mother Feng’s family!

#

Seventh Miss’s heart was full of irritation.

Anyone would be unhappy after three consecutive days of finding various insects in their desk.

Xu Fengjia seemed determined that she must fear some insect, varying them daily—from longhorn beetles to ladybugs…

The family school had become a small zoo.

Before going to school each day, she had to have Lixia clean her desk.

Xu Fengjia even blatantly recruited Fifth Miss as his informant.

“Cousin seems fixated on you!” Fifth Miss was frank, looking like she was watching a show. “But Yang Qi, you really are quite bold.”

Learning nothing good, learning Xu Fengjia’s rudeness.

All the “elder sister” and “younger sister” disappeared. Except for some respect toward Second Miss, Fifth Miss went around calling everyone by name.

Seventh Miss was secretly annoyed.

It wasn’t that she hadn’t considered making peace, simply finding something to pretend to fear.

But then again, these insects were all swept away by Lixia first—she had little room to be afraid.

A girl who could place a spider in her palm surely wouldn’t scream at a longhorn beetle on the ground.

The male and female family schools were very close. Coming and going, Xu Fengjia and she always encountered each other.

The way he looked at Seventh Miss made her very uncomfortable.

As if looking at an interesting animal!

Yet Madam Xu was so indulgent, and the First Madam showed no intention of restraining him.

She didn’t even know to whom she should complain.

Even Second Miss had been targeted—who could be Xu Fengjia’s match?

With worries on her mind, Seventh Miss was especially taciturn.

She didn’t even notice the First Madam’s frequent smiles today.

“In a few days it will be Double Ninth Festival.” The First Madam spoke warmly. “This year let’s ascend the artificial mountain behind Ju Ba Xian!”

Double Ninth Festival required climbing high and wearing dogwood, drinking chrysanthemum wine.

The Old Master smiled. “On that day, set up several tables at Zhu Ying Pavilion to invite Aunt-Madam to admire chrysanthemums.”

Outside Zhu Ying Pavilion grew fields of chrysanthemums, now in full bloom.

Xu Fengjia, who had come to pay respects to the Old Master and First Madam, rose to thank the Old Master for his kindness on Madam Xu’s behalf.

Before adults, he always conducted himself properly.

As soon as he sat down, he again looked thoughtfully at Seventh Miss.

Seventh Miss felt annoyed and simply turned to talk with Fifth Miss.

“…Fifth Sister, whose calligraphy are you copying now?”

Today at family school, the teacher had unprecedentedly praised Fifth Miss’s characters.

Though still somewhat rough, compared to six months ago, they were worlds apart.

A trace of pride flashed across Fifth Miss’s brow. “These past months I’ve been copying ‘Duobao Pagoda Stele.'”

Duobao Pagoda Stele was Yan Zhenqing’s masterpiece. Unexpectedly, even Fifth Miss’s calligraphy copying followed the powerful and vigorous path.

Laughter flickered in Seventh Miss’s eyes. “Did the teacher also have you copy texts?”

The teacher was now teaching “Master Zhu’s Family Instructions.” In her leisure, Seventh Miss had to copy sentences from the book.

“Ah, now after writing a hundred large characters first thing in the morning, I must copy another page—exhausting.” Fifth Miss pouted in complaint, yet with a trace of joy.

The two sisters smiled at each other.

Yet Seventh Miss’s irritation wasn’t eliminated by this conversation.

Xu Fengjia was still watching her!

What are you looking at! Can you see flowers?

For the first time in several years, Seventh Miss wanted to rise and throw her teacup in Xu Fengjia’s face.

She suddenly thought of Ninth Concubine.

Actually, her temperament wasn’t naturally this stable.

In the first few years after “becoming sensible,” hearing gossip or slander, she would always retaliate immediately.

Ninth Concubine would invariably grasp her hand at the instant words were about to leave her mouth.

The icy palm would immediately calm Seventh Miss down.

How could she ruin the steady persona she’d worked so hard to establish over Xu Fengjia’s provocation?

No matter how wrong Xu Fengjia was, she couldn’t follow suit.

Otherwise, in the First Madam’s eyes, she would always be partly at fault.

Seventh Miss could only sigh lightly and lower her eyes.

Everyone rose to take their leave. Several children of the main courtyard filed into the washroom to wash hands.

The Old Master couldn’t help asking, “Why has the maid attending Ninth Young Master been changed?”

“Oh!” The First Madam’s laughing voice carried into the washroom. “They’ve reached marrying age. After the twelfth month starts, we’ll release a batch for marriage—might as well rotate in two new ones to serve now.”

Just that mouthful of blood had sent two maids from the envied main courtyard tumbling back to their small courtyards.

Seventh Miss felt somewhat sorrowful.

Then felt fortunate.

At least their lives were spared! Already fortunate.

Lichun smiled as she washed Ninth Young Master’s hands.

Yet the corners of her eyes and brows clearly showed worry.

She was already sixteen. If she missed this time, who knew when the next would be?

Recently, Lichun avoided the Old Master as if avoiding plague.

Even so, whenever the Old Master and First Madam exchanged words, her heart jumped.

Fearing the First Madam would casually initiate her and send her to the concubine pile.

Seventh Miss observed her distraction.

Truthfully speaking, given Lichun’s current relationship with her, if she could become a concubine, it would only benefit Seventh Miss with no drawbacks.

After all, both would then be figures in the main courtyard with no foundation, relying solely on the First Madam for survival.

Lichun would also be the Old Master’s concubine.

They wouldn’t have much conflict of interest but could form an alliance, sharing information.

But thinking of the faint wrinkles visible on the Old Master’s face, Seventh Miss felt nauseated.

No matter how well the Old Master maintained himself, he was over forty. Lichun was barely sixteen!

Imagining the Old Master and Lichun together made Seventh Miss want to vomit.

She washed her hands in a daze, ate dinner, and was about to rise and withdraw.

But the First Madam suddenly beckoned to Seventh Miss. “Don’t leave yet. I have something to tell you.”