With both the Grand Master and First Madam agreeing to hold ritual ceremonies, the Yang household immediately became lively.

Baifang Garden invited nuns from Guanyin Mountain to chant sutras for seven times seven—forty-nine days. The outer courtyard also invited eminent monks from Huiqing Temple and Hanshan Temple to chant sutras and expel evil. Even Ninth Brother stopped attending school, following his master in chanting sutras, and received an opened and blessed jade pendant to wear at all times.

The Yang residence underwent a thorough cleaning inside and out. Everyone received several new sets of clothing. Donations of silver, rice, and medicinal materials were made to several renowned charitable halls, including the charity medical clinic operated by the Ouyang family. This expenditure was quite substantial.

However, it was ultimately worthwhile. Since these masters took up residence in the Yang household, Third Concubine never haunted again. The Yang family became clean inside and out. Even Ninth Brother claimed his mind was clear, and he was more absorbed when reading.

The First Madam looked deeply gratified.

“Fortunately we discovered it early and didn’t let her continue haunting Ninth Brother.”

She sighed to the Second Madam, “Our Ninth Brother has truly suffered many disasters. Previously we didn’t know the reason, but now we know something was haunting him!”

The Second Madam’s face showed displeasure. After a long while, she forced out a smile. “Yes, so something was haunting him from behind!”

The First Madam felt she had no common topics with the Second Madam. After a few more words, she showed fatigue.

The Second Madam had no choice but to take her leave.

Standing in the courtyard watching the monks and nuns coming and going, an inexplicable anger rose in her heart with no outlet. She stamped her feet and returned resentfully to Hanlin Residence, not coming to pay respects for several days.

Seventh Miss felt her state of mind gradually calm down. Life also became increasingly comfortable.

The ceremonies continued vigorously for over a month. Near the fifth month, the last group of nuns finally withdrew from Baifang Garden, and the garden returned to its previous quiet leisure.

Qinghong Pavilion was also renamed with a changed plaque. The entire second floor was thoroughly demolished. The first-floor main hall was renovated into an open pavilion with ventilation on all sides. The east and west side rooms on both sides were converted into lodging places for night-duty matrons.

The First Madam finally felt at ease.

“Don’t know why we didn’t invite people to hold ceremonies earlier!” she sighed to Seventh Miss. “Let our Ninth Brother suffer hex suppression for nothing!”

The First Madam’s knot in her heart regarding Ninth Brother had quietly dissolved.

Seventh Miss only smiled. “Even now it’s not too late!” She asked the First Madam, “Wonder how the war situation in the north is going?”

“Oh!” Worry appeared between the First Madam’s brows. “Though we can’t say it’s constant defeats, overall it’s not very good… According to your father’s private calculations, the grain supply will only last a few months. If the Northern Rong came prepared, by this autumn our grain supplies won’t keep up. They say grain must be transferred from Jiangnan… This year’s peach blossom floods were especially fierce.”

Seventh Miss also frowned in silence.

After all, she had lived in Yang Village for several years. Though she was still young with no friends, she wasn’t without feelings for Yang Village.

After talking for half a day, Seventh Miss took her leave and returned to the Western Side Courtyard. “Master Huang said this afternoon she’ll test us on pearl needle embroidery…”

The First Madam smiled knowingly.

Though Ninth Concubine was renowned for embroidery skills, Seventh Miss’s needlework could only be called mediocre.

“Go quickly and cram.” She patted Seventh Miss’s shoulder. “Even I’m somewhat afraid of Master Huang’s temper, let alone you all.”

Embroiderer Huang mastered two families’ skills. Ninth Concubine’s relief embroidery method and her own flower and bird needle technique were both famous techniques in Jiangnan. Working as a supplier at Xianxiu Workshop and teaching several young ladies needle techniques could even be said to be giving face to the First Madam. With her skills, she could have long since established her own business. Every year during festivals, both Duotiangong in Jiangbei and Siqiaoshang in Jiangnan sent gifts to Embroiderer Huang.

Seventh Miss smiled and left the main hall.

She happened to encounter the triplets.

Both sides quickly smiled in greeting and exchanged courtesies.

“Coming to pay respects to Mother?” Seventh Miss said politely.

Shuxia nodded. “Madam is busy with household affairs. We happen to know a few characters, so we came to help.”

The First Madam always needed several capable assistants for household matters.

Some things were not convenient for servants like Nanny Liang and Nanny Wang to handle.

Lichun had also been given to Ninth Brother…

The three sisters gradually began frequently entering and exiting the main house, serving as the First Madam’s assistants.

Especially Shuxia—capable and meticulous. The First Madam increasingly relied on her. Although the Grand Master still hadn’t entered her room, she already had an air of contentment.

The personal relationships and exchanges here were mutually understood.

#

Shortly after entering the Western Side Courtyard, Fifth Miss arrived.

“This year’s heat came so early!” Before the person entered, her voice came first. “Bailu, quickly brew some of your young lady’s pre-Qingming Shifeng tea for me to drink!”

Seventh Miss hurriedly jumped up. “Don’t listen to her—Fifth Sister, you have your own. Why come to drink my good tea?”

Fifth Miss lifted the curtain and entered, smiling as she gave Seventh Miss a knuckle rap on the head. “Just that little bit gets drunk up right away. You have more, spare me a few taels. I won’t take it for free! Stingy!”

“I don’t have more either.” Seventh Miss rolled her eyes at Fifth Miss. “You also know—one household only gets that little bit!”

Fifth Miss began playing around with Seventh Miss.

After the two young ladies roughhoused for a while, they sat down to drink tea and talk. Fifth Miss counted on her fingers. “This year’s Dragon Boat Festival, Second Sister definitely can’t return. Having just married a few years ago, there’s no reason to return home. Besides, it’s nearly her due date!”

“Speaking of it, Elder Sister also hasn’t sent word yet.” Seventh Miss couldn’t help but think about it.

These past years, First Miss also didn’t return home every year. Last year, to let her husband study at ease, she stayed home caring for the young and old. During Dragon Boat Festival she only sent someone with festival gifts and inquired after the First Madam and Grand Master’s well-being.

This year, however, her husband was still in the capital waiting for the spring examination results… She didn’t know if First Miss could spare time to return to her natal family.

After talking for a few sentences, Fifth Miss mentioned again, “Don’t know what matter Madam Li wanted to discuss with Mother. Earlier when I came out from Baifang Garden, I ran right into Madam Li entering the main hall, so I went directly to the Western Side Courtyard to find you.”

Fifth Miss was twelve years old this year… Though Madam Li knew that with Fifth Miss’s status, her own Twelfth Young Master couldn’t match her, whenever she saw her, she still smiled broadly, grasped Fifth Miss’s hand, and praised her endlessly, practically wanting to devour Fifth Miss with her eyes.

Seventh Miss couldn’t help but smile. “Even just seeing Madam Li is nothing. She can’t really eat you up.”

The two continued chatting.

Since the household chanted sutras for these seven times seven—forty-nine days, the First Madam quietly shifted toward Ninth Brother again. Seventh Miss was in very good spirits. Even when discussing this family and that household with Fifth Miss, her face showed constant smiles.

Fifth Miss found this somewhat strange. “Thought you’d be scared out of your wits by recent household events, like Sixth Sister… Didn’t expect your courage is quite strong! Third Concubine was targeting Ninth Brother in her haunting!”

Seventh Miss couldn’t help but smile.

This talk of Third Concubine haunting might deceive the First Madam, but how could it deceive Fifth Miss, an eyewitness?

At such a young age, she already knew how to fish for information…

“Seeing Second Aunt’s terrified appearance, I couldn’t stop laughing.” Seventh Miss explained. “Don’t know how she raised such a daughter. The Wang family is also a renowned scholarly clan, right? Second Aunt’s behavior really doesn’t resemble what a young miss from a great family should be like.”

Speaking ill of the Wang family made Fifth Miss happy.

“Those so-called famous clans in the capital are quite filthy privately,” she animatedly explained to Seventh Miss. “Take the Wang family—Second Aunt and her stepmother fought fiercely… It’s also pitiful, losing her mother young. This shameless, brazen temperament—wasn’t it raised by her stepmother? When we visited the capital, the Wang family’s several young misses were each more refined than the next, nothing like Second Aunt. The Old Madam had such dignity—move too much and her gaze would sweep over… Hah, Second Aunt must have suffered plenty at her hands!”

Seventh Miss also felt some sentiment.

“Everyone has their difficulties. Children without mothers suffer much hardship in childhood.”

The two young ladies gossiped about this family and that household, then were invited by Lidong to the main hall.

The First Madam was talking with Madam Li.

“I do feel the masters from Guanyin Mountain chant sutras well.” The First Madam was very concerned. “Silkworm droppings and pig tails are all prepared?”

“All prepared. Still want to select some good masters to chant sutras.” Madam Li looked somewhat weary. She hastily nodded at the two young ladies, then rose to take her leave. “Afraid the maid couldn’t explain clearly, I simply came around to ask. Since you think the Guanyin Mountain masters are good, I’ll go to Guanyin Mountain to invite them… Alas, don’t know how this child broke out with it. This is my first time worshipping the Smallpox Goddess. If there are any taboos, I must rely on your guidance.”

The First Madam smiled. “Yes, yes, actually there’s nothing seriously improper. Our Ninth Brother had it when young. The younger they have it, the more reassuring.”

Madam Li left with profuse thanks. Only then did the First Madam instruct Fifth Miss, “Didn’t expect this year the main family sent the clan head’s second brother to collect accounts. Can’t treat him casually like an ordinary relative. Go back and tidy up, dress properly, and come out this afternoon to meet your uncle.”

Fifth Miss and Seventh Miss answered in unison. The First Madam sighed again. “Little Five won’t attend school these few days. The main family has many other matters to instruct this time. First Miss wants to return home. The Li family’s Twelfth Young Master has smallpox—we must send gifts. Several close madam friends also have quite a few matters, and it’s near the festival… I fear several concubines will be overwhelmed. Time to learn household management too. Just assist me!”

While speaking, the First Madam casually scratched her cheek.

Seventh Miss’s heart stirred.

She herself had had smallpox… At that time this body hardly remembered anything, only vaguely recalling Ninth Concubine going nearly ten days without sleep or rest, holding her hands, afraid the infant would unknowingly scratch somewhere and leave scars.

According to the First Madam’s meaning, Ninth Brother also had it.

What about the other sisters? Had Fifth Miss had smallpox?

#

After the midday meal, while dressing and grooming, Seventh Miss asked Bailu, “Have all the sisters had smallpox?”

Bailu tilted her head thinking, then shook her head with a smile. “None have had it yet. Only heard First Miss and Ninth Brother had it in the same year.”

Seventh Miss thoughtfully hummed, then asked Bailu, “Have you had smallpox?”

Bailu shook her head. “Entered the main courtyard from childhood, rarely returned home.”

That also meant few opportunities to contact the outside world, making infection difficult.

Seventh Miss asked Lixia, “What about you?”

Lixia had already had smallpox before entering the Southern Side Courtyard to serve.

The two managing matrons rarely left the courtyard. The Western Side Courtyard had few matters. Whatever came up, Seventh Miss was accustomed to dispatching maids to handle, so she only asked the four junior maids.

The four junior maids happened to be split—Shangyuan and Zhongyuan had both had it, but Xiayuan and Duanwu had not.

Seventh Miss instructed, “During this period, those who haven’t had smallpox shouldn’t go out unnecessarily. Stay properly in the Western Side Courtyard.”

Bailu was somewhat dismissive. “Haven’t heard anyone in the main house has smallpox.”

“Madam Li is also somewhat thoughtless.” Seventh Miss sighed. “Twelfth Young Master has smallpox, yet instead of staying home worshipping the Smallpox Goddess, she ran to our house! Fifth Sister happened to encounter her, and they even held hands and talked. This illness spreads quickly—perhaps it passed to Fifth Sister!”

“Always better to be careful.” Lixia chimed in.

Bailu and the two junior maids had no choice but to follow orders.

That afternoon, several young ladies met their uncle under the Grand Master’s guidance.

This uncle from the main family had a weathered appearance. Though only in his thirties, he looked even more aged than the Grand Master.

After all, they were close relatives. The First Madam didn’t avoid them. After the Grand Master and uncle exchanged courtesies, both families sat separately as host and guests to talk, inquiring about the northwestern situation.

Unexpectedly, the uncle instead wanted to ask the First Madam about the northwestern war situation. They had set out just after the new year. With communications blocked along the way, they knew even less than the First Madam. At most they could only tell the First Madam that when they departed, the northwest was still peaceful… The Xu family’s heir was also well, appearing to be a steady and capable young man…

The Grand Master found this very dull. After a few words, he sent the uncle off to collect accounts and shut himself in the room with the First Madam to discuss matters.

The young ladies thus scattered to return to their rooms, all finding it boring. This Second Uncle was taciturn, looking wooden, not an interesting person.

Fifth Miss pulled Sixth Miss and Seventh Miss to her room to play backgammon.

Third Miss, however, smiled radiantly while pulling Seventh Miss. “Father procured an excellent tung wood Tang zither for me. Seventh Miss, come to my room to see?”

Since Third Miss’s marriage prospects became troubled, this showing-off habit had intensified.

Jewelry could be worn out to show off, but large items—one couldn’t very well carry them around everywhere, right?

Fifth Miss sighed, revealing impatience.

Seventh Miss’s heart stirred.

The matter of Third Concubine haunting had always been accompanied by mysteriously appearing mouthfuls of black blood.

But Fourth Concubine couldn’t be unaware of this mouthful of black blood’s original source. Even if she wasn’t certain, she could at least guess somewhat.

Perhaps Third Miss’s “showing off” wasn’t on a whim?

She smiled slightly. “Third Sister, I think not! I don’t know how to play the zither… Having me appreciate it would be genuine playing the zither to a cow.”

Fifth Miss and Sixth Miss both laughed.

Third Miss bit her lower lip, looking at Fourth Miss as if seeking help.

Fourth Miss also showed slight anxiety.

Seventh Miss understood now.

The young ladies walked and talked. Unknowingly, they had already reached the entrance to Huansha Pavilion.

To go to Xike Residence, they needed to turn right.

Fifth Miss and Sixth Miss were already laughing and talking while turning left onto the small bamboo bridge.

Seventh Miss stood on tiptoe and whispered a few words in Third Miss’s ear.

“Fifth Sister, Sixth Sister, wait for me!” Having finished speaking, she took quick steps to catch up with Fifth Miss and Sixth Miss.

Third Miss stood in place, her expression shifting between light and dark. After a long while, she stamped her feet resentfully and pulled Fourth Miss toward Xike Residence.