This time the Elder Master was exceptionally swift and decisive. The day after revealing his intention to send the three young masters to Shantang Academy, he dispatched Manager Niu, who served closely at his side, to personally escort Min, Da, and Hong into Shantang Academy.

Although the academy required entrance examinations, with the Governor-General of Jiangnan’s reputation weighing on them, plus these being three young masters from a Hanlin family, the headmaster could show some flexibility.

Thus the Second Madam could only wipe her tears as she packed bundles and sent the three young masters into the academy.

The Elder Master even had someone relay a message to the Second Madam: “The headmaster and I have frequent dealings. He will certainly take proper care of the nephews, so Second Madam need not worry excessively. Several children from the Li family are also at the academy—all proper, well-behaved scholars who rarely leave the premises. With them there, they will surely help elevate the three nephews’ studies.”

How could the Second Madam not understand the meaning of these words?

This was telling her not to send people to the academy to bring her sons home without good reason.

Even the sons of Jiangsu Provincial Administration Commissioner Li Wenqing were properly being students—how could the sons of a mere Hanlin compiler play at special privileges?

The Elder Master truly didn’t make a move lightly, but when he did, it was such a masterstroke. Without a trace of worldly harshness, like a spring breeze brushing past, he made the Second Madam taste his formidability.

The Seventh Miss privately muttered to Bailu, “If Father had acted earlier, perhaps Second Aunt would have extinguished those inappropriate thoughts.”

Though she had close sisters in the Yang family, the Seventh Miss couldn’t be completely open with the Fifth Miss and Sixth Miss.

They weren’t her servants—if they heard your words and turned around to report to the First Madam, you would have no recourse whatsoever.

Only Bailu made her living under her direction and was perceptive, tactful, and worldly-wise. Some things could only be said to her.

Bailu recalled, “The Master is just like that. I’ve been serving in the main courtyard for five or six years and have never seen him lose his temper once. Except, well, that time he slapped the Fifth Miss…”

Dogs that bite don’t bark.

The Seventh Miss pondered, “I wonder why Father didn’t deal with Second Aunt sooner these past years.”

With the Elder Master’s methods, making the Second Madam retreat in the face of difficulty would be a matter of minutes.

Bailu had no words. “This servant cannot fathom that…”

Lixia seemed thoughtful, yet somewhat hesitant to speak.

The Seventh Miss smiled encouragingly. “Go ahead and say it. No one will laugh at you if you’re wrong.”

Lixia muttered carefully, “Perhaps the Master wanted to give Madam something to occupy herself with…”

Back then, the First Madam hadn’t yet had thoughts of adoption.

Wasn’t she wholeheartedly focused on protecting Ninth Young Master?

Naturally she had no energy to oppose the Elder Master…

The Seventh Miss thought for a moment, noncommittal. “Would he really use Ninth Young Master’s safety as a bargaining chip?”

But Bailu looked at Lixia with new respect. “To tell the truth, the main courtyard really is impenetrable. Apart from that one time Xiaoxue had diarrhea, Ninth Young Master himself has never had an incident.”

The Seventh Miss’s heart stirred.

She thought of that plate of cherries Xiaoxue had brought.

And remembered that bowl of iced yogurt.

That girl Xiaoxue… her whole being carried an indescribable quality.

What if that plate of cherries had no problem, but Xiaoxue herself was the problem?

Even if that girl Xiaoxue had issues, it would be because the Fourth Concubine had bought her off—nothing to do with the Second Madam… Looking at it this way, the Elder Master’s calculations weren’t unreasonable. He knew well that the First Madam would absolutely not let anything happen to Ninth Young Master, so he was happy to watch the First Madam and Second Madam clash while he enjoyed the peace.

That’s also why once the First Madam left, the Elder Master became concerned about Ninth Young Master’s safety and never let him meet with the Second Madam.

Now that the First Madam had thoughts of adoption, he acted once more, arranging the young masters into Shantang Academy…

Understanding it from this angle, the Elder Master’s actions had a clear thread.

He was the birth father after all—though he didn’t show it on the surface, in his heart he deeply loved Ninth Young Master.

The Seventh Miss let out a soft sigh.

Looking at Lixia, her eyes held an additional measure of appreciation.

“Even if not entirely correct, you’ve probably gotten seventy or eighty percent right.”

The human heart could never be fully understood. Being able to guess seventy or eighty percent was already quite remarkable.

Lixia pressed her lips together without showing any joy.

“Serving Miss and sharing her worries is a maid’s duty.” Her answer was proper and measured, revealing nothing.

This girl was slowly becoming enlightened.

The Seventh Miss nodded with satisfaction.

Then she asked Bailu, “Do you know which day the Third Concubine passed away?”

Bailu was stunned.

For a moment, she truly couldn’t fathom the Seventh Miss’s intention.

Lixia was even more confused, lost in fog.

Bailu answered carefully, “Around early February! When the Third Concubine passed away, the peach blossoms hadn’t yet bloomed.”

The Seventh Miss calculated the dates in her mind.

Shuxia’s pregnancy was now about three months along.

Abdominal heaviness was a precursor to miscarriage—the Seventh Miss knew this.

After all, she was still quite young, only seventeen this year… Even her menstrual cycle was irregular. It was delayed over ten days before the pregnancy was discovered, and during this time the Elder Master had stayed several nights at Huansha Cottage—who knew if Shuxia had attended to him.

Having relations during the first three months of pregnancy was inherently harmful to the fetus. Looking at Shuxia’s complexion, the possibility of miscarriage was quite high.

She wondered if the pregnancy could be maintained until February…

She sighed again.

This would depend on whose side luck favored.

#

Soon it was the twelfth lunar month.

Madam Li sent someone to ask the First Madam if she wanted to travel together to Xiangxue Sea for a brief stay.

The First Madam happily agreed and solemnly entrusted the Twelfth Concubine to the Fourth Concubine. “I’m leaving her in Fourth Concubine’s care. Twelfth Concubine’s health isn’t very good—don’t let her leave Huansha Cottage casually… Heirs are of utmost importance. I’m sorry to trouble Fourth Concubine with this concern.”

The Fourth Concubine’s eyes brimmed as she accepted this heavy responsibility. “With Madam away from home, I must shoulder this burden.”

Behind her bright black eyes lay a mist, concealing her thoughts.

Speaking of which, the Fourth Concubine had been quiet for some time.

During the First Madam’s vacation in the twelfth month, the Seventh Miss wondered if she could seize the opportunity to find a match for the Third Miss.

However, if the Elder Master had no intention of arranging marriages now, even if she found a suitable candidate, it might not pass through the Yang family’s upper echelons.

The Seventh Miss pondered absentmindedly.

Inadvertently, she met the Fourth Concubine’s eyes.

Both were startled.

The Seventh Miss nodded to the Fourth Concubine with a slight smile, then lowered her head to gaze at her own toes.

Though the Elder Master had exclusively favored the sisters at Huansha Cottage these past years, he hadn’t ceased visiting Creek Guest Quarters.

Creek Guest Quarters now housed only the Fourth Concubine and the chamber maid Shuangjiang… Shuangjiang rarely even left her room these years, not at all appearing favored.

The Fourth Concubine’s honor remained undiminished.

Such a power player could turn things upside down at any moment. Though the Seventh Miss had the First Madam as her backing, she didn’t want to antagonize the Fourth Concubine.

The Elder Master didn’t accompany them to Guangfu this time.

The situation at court grew increasingly turbulent with storms every day. Though by the time news reached Jiangnan it had lost timeliness, the Elder Master still didn’t dare take it lightly.

The First Madam and Madam Li simply settled together at Chonghan Lodge.

Tenth Young Master didn’t accompany Madam Li this time.

“The child is older now. Last year he passed the xiucai examination, this year he entered Daonan Academy to study and works very diligently! I won’t distract him.” Madam Li explained to the First Madam.

The First Madam couldn’t hide her envy. “Madam Li is blessed. Of your dozen-plus sons, more than half are sensible.”

“Plenty are failures too!” Madam Li was full of bitter complaints. “I don’t even want to mention it. Though the Master disciplines strictly, there are still dissolute ones. Take Fourth Son—who in all of Suzhou doesn’t know his background? Sigh, with many sons come many troubles!”

The two women mutually admired and praised each other.

The children found it boring and exchanged glances, slipping out together to play in the woods.

Eleventh Young Master was already fifteen. He and Twelfth Young Master, this pair of brothers, didn’t look very alike—one resembled Madam Li, the other the late Madam Li. Twelfth Young Master’s features were rounder, while Eleventh Young Master’s face had more angles.

“When does Eleventh Brother plan to attend the academy?” the Sixth Miss asked. She was quite familiar with Eleventh Young Master, and after many years, spoke without such formality.

Eleventh Young Master paused, his gaze at the Sixth Miss involuntarily warming.

He smiled slightly. “After the new year, I’ll be going to Donglin Academy in the capital!”

The Seventh Miss and Fifth Miss were both somewhat surprised.

The Sixth Miss only reacted after a moment.

With the current treacherous situation in the capital, many families were busy sending their children back to their hometowns—why would Eleventh Young Master go against the tide to study in the capital?

All three young ladies revealed astonishment.

Twelfth Young Master was also reluctant. “I wish elder brother could stay in Suzhou!”

The Seventh Miss changed the subject. “The green-calyxed plum blossoms we saw last year—I wonder if they’ve bloomed yet. Shall we all go look?”

The Fifth Miss still wanted to pursue the topic, but the Sixth Miss tugged her and she fell silent.

Master Li must have his own reasons for such arrangements. Perhaps it involved the Li family’s internal power distribution. In front of Twelfth Young Master, asking too detailed questions would make answering awkward for Eleventh Young Master either way.

Several people slowly strolled out of the building toward the green plum grove.

Ninth Young Master also hurried out from inside.

“Why didn’t you wait for me!” He complained a few words, then whooped with Twelfth Young Master as they chased through the woods.

The Seventh Miss pulled the Fifth Miss, also moving ahead of the Sixth Miss.

The Sixth Miss had no choice but to make casual conversation with Eleventh Young Master.

After all, the Li family were guests—it wouldn’t do to neglect Eleventh Young Master.

The Sixth Miss was already ten this year. Though still young, her features were already picturesque, showing hints of becoming a little beauty.

Her clear, delicate voice echoed through the woods.

“Eleventh Brother, do you know about Lin Bu, who took plum blossoms as his wife and cranes as his children?”

Eleventh Young Master’s voice carried a trace of laughter. “Of course I know.”

The fifteen-year-old youth had entered his voice-changing period, his voice low and husky with an indescribable quality.

“Teacher just taught about him a few days ago, saying he lived as a recluse in Hangzhou, planting plum trees and raising cranes.” The Sixth Miss’s tone held an indefinable charming naivety. “I thought, for plum groves to grow well, they need fertilizer. Even if he didn’t fertilize himself, living in a plum grove, wouldn’t he smell the stench?”

Eleventh Young Master laughed loudly, then seriously said, “Very true. I think Scholar Lin certainly didn’t plant the trees himself.”

“Exactly! And raising cranes—are cranes so easy to raise? One peck on the hand leaves a bloody hole!” The Sixth Miss, as if finding a kindred spirit, grew happier as she spoke.

The Fifth Miss looked back, then at the Seventh Miss, somewhat enlightened. Her eyes rolled and she showed a trace of knowing smile.

“You mustn’t say such things in front of teacher.” Eleventh Young Master admonished the Sixth Miss again.

The Fifth Miss then pulled the Seventh Miss a few more steps, catching up with Ninth Young Master and Twelfth Young Master.

#

That evening, the Sixth Miss quietly told the Seventh Miss, “It’s Eleventh Brother’s uncle who wants to bring him to the capital!”

The Seventh Miss was somewhat amused. “Eleventh Brother told you?”

“Mm, he told me privately when others weren’t around.” The Sixth Miss was a little excited. “Eleventh Brother’s uncle is actually Second Uncle’s good friend… They say the headmaster of Donglin Academy rarely takes disciples, and he’s very fond of Eleventh Brother’s portfolio. Such an opportunity can’t be missed.”

Eleventh Young Master also had xiucai honors. If he could receive education in the capital, of course it wouldn’t be inferior to his brothers studying at Shantang Academy.

The Seventh Miss sincerely congratulated the Sixth Miss. “Seems Eleventh Brother will distinguish himself. Our Sixth Sister’s luck isn’t bad.”

The Sixth Miss was very confused. “What kind of talk is that… Seventh Sister, don’t speak nonsense!… Eleventh Brother is a legitimate son, and his family status isn’t much lower than ours…”

The Seventh Miss just looked at her with a smile.

The Sixth Miss shyly lowered her head and spat. “I can’t be bothered with you!”

The Fifth Miss, however, teased Eleventh Young Master. “You said you’d find rubbings for us. It’s been three years and you still haven’t found them. Eleventh Brother is truly biased.”

Eleventh Young Master became somewhat flustered. “If Fifth Sister says so, I have nowhere to hide! I’ll go down the mountain right now to find them for you!”

No matter how the Fifth Miss regretted and apologized, for the next several days he refused to mingle with the girls, either visiting Situ Temple to explore antiquities or staying inside to read.

The Fifth Miss was very regretful. “It’s all because of my quick tongue. Now Sixth Sister will be angry with me.”

The Sixth Miss, upon hearing this, actually did get angry. “You all only know how to gossip about me! I just exchanged a few more words with Eleventh Brother! Didn’t Fifth Sister also talk endlessly with Cousin Xu?”

She was pretty, and now with her eyes wide and glaring, she had a certain vivid charm. The Fifth Miss was actually left speechless.

The Seventh Miss couldn’t help laughing aloud, sitting to the side contentedly cracking melon seeds and watching the show. After the Fifth Miss and Sixth Miss bickered for a bit, they tried to pull the Seventh Miss to take sides. “Seventh Sister, tell me, am I right or not? Eleventh Brother…”

“Seventh Sister, Fifth Sister clearly…”

The Seventh Miss was greatly amused. “Fifth Sister gets along well with cousin, Sixth Sister gets along well with Eleventh Brother. Everyone gets along well, everyone gets along well.”

The Fifth Miss and Sixth Miss rarely shared the same mind, both huffing in unison. “Just wait until we catch you in something!”

The little girls giggled and chattered their quarrel in this room, while the two madams discussed matters between men and women in that room.

“Eleventh Young Master has become increasingly steady.” The First Madam was very satisfied with Eleventh Young Master. “He knows he’s grown and maintains propriety. Truly a Li family child—well-mannered.”

Madam Li smiled as she praised Ninth Young Master. “How is Ninth Young Master not increasingly clever and adorable? Twelfth Young Master is the same age, yet not half as sensible…”

The two exchanged pleasantries for a while. Seeing that when the First Madam mentioned Eleventh Young Master her tone held only fondness, Madam Li tentatively inquired.

“Did your eldest son-in-law pass the examination this time?”

“Though his ranking wasn’t high, he did pass.” The First Madam was very pleased and praised her eldest son-in-law. “You know, the Zhejiang Provincial Administration Commissioner Liu family and we have surface harmony but inner discord—they watch for chances to trip us up… Last examination, my son-in-law’s papers were praised even by the Master, and the Education Commissioner promoted him to the top ranks, yet somehow he was still rejected. My eldest son-in-law wasn’t angry at all, studied hard for another year, and this examination wasn’t he steady and successful?”

“In managing a household, steadiness is still best.” Madam Li agreed. “Not to boast, but our Eleventh Young Master, though young in years, is as well-mannered as an adult… This time he’s also received promotion from his late elder sister’s family. I imagine his name being inscribed in the golden palace won’t be far off!”

“Eleventh Young Master is steady,” the First Madam also acknowledged. “Just observing his conduct, he’s actually more to my liking than your Eldest Young Master and Third Young Master.”

At the mention of the Li family’s eldest and third young masters, a shadow fleetingly passed through Madam Li’s eyes.

Both these young masters had been promised excellent matches… If Eleventh Young Master didn’t secure a good match, how would Twelfth Young Master establish himself in the future?

“Given how close our two families are, I won’t go through the trouble of hiring a formal matchmaker.” Madam Li smiled as she grasped the First Madam’s hand. “Elder Sister, I think your Seventh Miss is quite good—though young in years, she’s steady… Don’t let fertile waters flow to outsiders’ fields—why not favor our Eleventh Young Master?”

Volume Two: Spring Winds Have Arrived, Smiling at Luxuriant Growth with Hand Supporting Chin