The two fell silent again.

Wanhua Liuluo was particularly desolate in winter. Beyond the courtyard wall was the waterway. In summer, boat women selling river delicacies often passed by—the sounds of water and oars were constant. But in winter, with business slow, this area of Wanhua Liuluo often went an entire day without any movement.

After a long while, Min’ge slowly said: “Seventh Sister is a clever person. I’m sure you understand what I mean. This is a golden opportunity you couldn’t find even with a lantern… That Seventh Sister can receive this news before Fifth Sister and Sixth Sister—this favor can’t be called insignificant, can it?”

Seventh Miss quickly grasped Min’ge’s meaning.

What the Grand Master had always worried about was that the Crown Prince and the Yang family had little friendship, little connection.

The reason he was so anxious about the Xu family marriage was to establish a roundabout connection with the Crown Prince.

But now here was this opportunity to select a Crown Prince consort. Once selected, not only would the Yang family be reassured, but the Crown Prince would certainly trust the Yang family more than before.

This was why aristocratic families loved to form alliances through marriage. Many matters could only be trusted by both sides after marriage alliances were formed.

The Yang family would definitely not miss this opportunity.

In ancient times, being able to enter the palace to serve the Crown Prince was a tremendous honor. From then on, one would be below only a few, above countless thousands. Especially this time—being selected directly as a proper Crown Prince consort meant that when the Eastern Palace ascended the throne, the Crown Princess being made Empress was natural, and Crown Prince consorts traditionally were granted the rank of Imperial Consort.

Once granted Imperial Consort rank, that was a rank beyond official grades. No matter if you were a first-rank Duke’s wife or a prince’s consort… all would have to kowtow respectfully.

What honor was this? A carp leaping through the dragon gate—wasn’t this exactly such a wonderful thing?

That Min’ge would think Seventh Miss also valued this opportunity was only natural.

There was no need to let him know she actually had no interest whatsoever in this position.

Seventh Miss lowered her eyes and made a swift decision.

“Elder Brother,” she slowly began, “I’ll keep this favor in my heart. Regarding Aunt Xiang’s matter, I’ll also speak to Mother at an opportune time. But let me be frank—you also know Mother’s temperament. I’m afraid after the Huiqing Temple incident, she won’t have much interest in interfering with the second branch’s family affairs…”

Min’ge visibly relaxed.

He smiled slightly, his smile gaining several degrees of confidence.

“Seventh Sister can rest assured. As long as you’re willing to say a few words about the second branch’s matters, that’s more than enough kindness.”

With Min’ge’s shrewdness, he naturally wouldn’t stake everything on her alone.

Seventh Miss looked at Min’ge. Min’ge was also looking at her.

She suddenly felt an impulse from somewhere, wanting to know what Min’ge truly thought about the Huiqing Temple matter.

She immediately suppressed it.

Good or bad words came easily from moving lips… distance tests a horse’s strength, time reveals a person’s heart. Min’ge’s true thoughts would naturally be revealed by time.

At least at this stage, he was performing quite well.

“Elder Brother can rest assured.” She made a solemn promise. “What I’ve agreed to, Little Seven will definitely accomplish.”

Min’ge carefully examined Seventh Miss’s expression several times before breaking into a smile. “With Seventh Sister saying so, I couldn’t be more relieved… When you soar to great heights in the future, don’t forget to give us brothers a boost.”

Seventh Miss froze, then returned a perfunctory dry laugh.

#

After bustling about all afternoon—first getting angry, then matching wits with people—Seventh Miss returned to Yuyu Pavilion and collapsed exhausted into a chair, too tired to think about anything.

After barely resting a moment, she changed clothes and went out to pay respects to the Grand Madam.

Morning and evening attendance—she never neglected it.

Just entering the main hall, she heard voices coming from the eastern wing.

Seventh Miss hurriedly lifted the curtain to enter and apologize: “Little Seven is late!”

The Grand Madam’s face immediately broke into smiles upon seeing Seventh Miss. “Look at you, all out of breath. Sit down and talk.”

Sixth Miss and the three brothers were already seated beside the Grand Madam.

Seventh Miss had intended to sit beside Sixth Miss, but seeing the Grand Madam had already shifted over to make room beside her, she could only nestle into the Grand Madam’s embrace.

Had it not been for Min’ge’s words, she wouldn’t have felt uncomfortable with this exceptional warmth.

But thinking of the Crown Prince consort selection, Seventh Miss felt the smile in the Grand Madam’s eyes was directed at her.

This wasn’t Seventh Miss being presumptuous.

The first branch only had three unmarried daughters.

Sixth Miss’s birth was humble. Though beautiful, her background probably wasn’t sufficient for the position of Crown Prince consort. Fifth Miss’s marriage to Xu Fengjia had already progressed this far—it would be difficult to suddenly back out.

The Grand Madam’s letter had already been sent. To recall it and pretend nothing happened? That would be too shameless.

Seventh Miss’s status, though somewhat lower for a Crown Prince consort, was advantageous in having a gentler temperament than Fifth Miss and higher status than Sixth Miss…

They surely wouldn’t ignore Seventh Miss to promote Eighth Miss, that sickly girl, or Ninth Miss, born of a concubine and utterly unremarkable.

No wonder the Grand Master regarded her so favorably, continuously giving her special face, even sending those two households to the estate…

He probably received the news early and knew the Crown Prince intended to select a consort this year, right?

Major events like consort selection always required a period of preparation and groundwork. Not announcing it publicly beforehand was natural. It was normal for women inside the estate not to know. But with the Grand Master’s status and position, with his sources of information, he surely received advance word.

Seventh Miss absent-mindedly responded to the Grand Madam’s small talk, her mind already racing uncontrollably.

Could this matter already be decided?

The Grand Madam was only happy because Seventh Miss had arrived.

She also had several matters on her mind. Before long she dismissed the children, keeping only Seventh Miss to speak privately.

She sent Nanny Liang to check on Fifth Miss: “See if she’s better. Also ask Guyu what she’d like to eat, and have Sister Cao prepare it and send it over…”

She sighed to Seventh Miss: “So many matters in the household every day—if it’s not this one sick, it’s that one with some problem. I truly can’t attend to everything.”

Seventh Miss smiled faintly. “Mother has worked hard.”

“These past years, if Twelfth Aunt hadn’t been helping, I really couldn’t manage it all.” The Grand Madam was quite emotional. Leaning against the pillow, she casually picked up Seventh Miss’s hand to examine it closely.

This was a delicate, fair hand. Only the fingertips had one or two thin calluses—traces left from sewing and holding a writing brush. Without close inspection, they were completely invisible.

Now resting on the Grand Madam’s hand, the fingers slightly curved… like a lily flower, delicate yet revealing fragility, making one’s heart fill with tenderness at the sight.

This was a genuine jade hand that could only be cultivated through years of fine clothing, rich food, and pampered upbringing.

So many years had passed in the blink of an eye.

The Grand Madam slowly sighed.

“In a few years when you marry out, the household will be even more desolate. Not even someone to speak intimately with…”

Without waiting for Seventh Miss to respond, she casually instructed Lidong: “Go to the second drawer of the standing cabinet and look for two small crystal jars with Western beauties painted on them. Take one out for Seventh Miss and send one to Sixth Miss too.”

She explained to Seventh Miss: “Your Second Sister sent this Western ointment back from the capital a few years ago. They say it’s made from sheep fat—very fragrant and extremely moisturizing. I see your face is quite delicate, but your hands have calluses… Don’t do handwork for a while. Apply this sheep fat ointment daily, and within half a month, the calluses will surely fade.”

Such a rare item—only she and Sixth Miss were getting portions. Either Fifth Miss had already received hers, or the Grand Madam didn’t plan to give any to Fifth Miss.

Seventh Miss lowered her eyes slightly. “Little Seven thanks Mother for her care…”

She deliberately showed hesitation.

The Grand Madam couldn’t help but show concern: “What is it? Since entering, your face has been written with worries. Did someone upset you in the garden?”

“It was Elder Brother…” Seventh Miss then took the opportunity to relay Min’ge’s request to the Grand Madam verbatim.

Having promised someone, she had to take it seriously. Being perfunctory might gain temporary advantage but could lose more long-term benefits.

The Grand Madam showed great interest. “Didn’t I tell you? If this Miss Ouyang had nothing wrong with her, keeping good fortune in the family, she’d have been Li Eleventh Young Master’s long ago. When would it be Min’ge’s turn…”

She laughed lightly and stood up. “Let’s eat first. After eating, we can discuss this matter properly.”

Seventh Miss attended the Grand Madam through dinner, then returned to the eastern side room to sit facing each other, drinking tea and talking.

The Grand Madam’s interest remained on Miss Ouyang. “Do you think your Second Sister knows about the Ouyang family matter? Or your Third Aunt… Sigh, these past years your Third Aunt’s health has gradually weakened. She probably doesn’t have the energy to inquire about other families’ affairs…”

She clearly just wanted to gossip and had no intention of standing up for Min’ge.

Given the Grand Madam’s nature, having no interest in wading into the second branch’s murky waters was perfectly reasonable.

Seventh Miss secretly sighed, unable to help but admire Min’ge’s decisiveness.

With her background, she naturally knew how precious information was. Especially regarding one’s own lifelong fate—though knowing now might not enable her to do anything, knowing a day earlier was always better than being kept in the dark.

This favor, she had genuinely incurred.

“Mother.” She lowered her head and slowly began. “Little Seven thinks there’s great truth in this saying: with Buddha in your heart, you see everyone as Buddha. Though the second branch has gradually grown distant from us, in the future, Ninth Brother will still need his brothers’ help to establish a firm foothold in the clan.”

The Grand Madam’s expression shifted.

She fell into contemplation.

Many things couldn’t be decided by momentary impulse.

By Seventh Miss’s true feelings, she would only resent the second branch more than the Grand Madam herself, would only hope the first and second branches grew more distant.

But the first branch had few members. In the future, after the Grand Master passed, if Ninth Brother’s abilities were even slightly lacking, people might seize on pretexts to cause trouble.

At that time, naturally every additional ally would help. If these three brothers from the second branch could stand with the first branch, they would be a force not to be ignored.

“With enmity in your heart, everyone is an enemy. With goodwill in your heart, everyone is a friend.” Seventh Miss tactfully advised. “This favor can certainly be given or withheld… but precisely because it doesn’t concern our first branch, our first branch is in an invincible position and won’t be implicated. Giving Elder Cousin a hand in passing, letting him remember our kindness, is also not a bad thing.”

The Grand Madam looked at Seventh Miss, then turned toward the window.

After pondering for a while, she slowly said: “Once bitten by a snake, I fear ropes for ten years. Your Second Uncle’s ungrateful nature—you know it too… Helping the second branch’s three nephews is like seeking skin from a tiger. Who knows whether they harbor resentment or hatred toward our first branch!”

The Grand Madam’s words weren’t without reason.

Just somewhat narrow-minded.

“Mother’s concerns are naturally prudent.” Seventh Miss then smoothly analyzed for the Grand Madam: “But worldly matters aren’t simply black and white. Elder Cousin is a rare intelligent person. If we sell him a favor, we can also use it to test his character. If he knows gratitude and becomes closer to the first branch, that’s good. If he acts as if nothing happened and doesn’t appreciate the first branch’s kindness, at least we’ve done our utmost and are beyond reproach. Elder Cousin has rarely asked favors over the years. If this matter isn’t accomplished, even if he doesn’t harbor resentment, he’ll still grow distant from our first branch… In the future, he might be used by opportunists in the clan to cause trouble…”

The Grand Madam couldn’t help nodding repeatedly.

“Seventh Miss has considered this thoroughly.”

With Seventh Miss’s analysis, the path forward became quite clear.

Min’ge had already humbled himself to ask Seventh Miss, showing this matter was indeed difficult for him.

Helping him cost the first branch very little—just a word. Yet they could use it to test Min’ge’s character. If his character was upright and he knew gratitude, excellent. If his character was poor, they could distance themselves and suppress him early.

But if they refused Min’ge, they’d lose a potential ally… and this ally had two brothers below him.

“Very well.” The Grand Madam made her decision. “I’ll discuss with your father. Tomorrow I’ll write a letter to your Wang family uncles asking what exactly is wrong with this Miss Ouyang—I really can’t imagine what could be so outrageous as to make even Min’ge so angry that he insists on sending Aunt Xiang out of the capital!”

Seventh Miss thought otherwise.

The idea of sending Aunt Xiang back to the northwest had probably been circling in Min’ge’s mind for more than just a day.

Now he was merely taking advantage of the situation, letting things flow naturally.

“Whether Aunt Xiang leaves the capital is ultimately the second branch’s affair. As long as Second Uncle still has some sense, once the truth comes out, he’ll naturally punish accordingly.” She tactfully reminded the Grand Madam: “Mother needn’t say much about this matter. What’s important is the brothers’ and sisters’ marriages—they mustn’t be ruined by Aunt Xiang again.”

The Grand Madam nodded repeatedly. “Makes sense, makes sense.”

These past years, when encountering such troublesome household trifles, the Grand Madam was like a puppet—Seventh Miss had to pull the strings for her to move.

She looked at Seventh Miss with affection, eyes full of admiration. “So young, yet so worldly wise… Among our daughters, Little Seven is still the cleverest! With your temperament, Mother can feel at ease wherever you go. Not like your Fifth Sister…”

She began worrying about the Xu family’s reply again: “I wonder where that letter has gotten to. Sigh, I only hope your Fifth Sister marries smoothly into the Xu family. With Third Aunt watching over her, she won’t suffer her mother-in-law’s anger…”

Seventh Miss thought of Fifth Miss’s frantic state this afternoon.

“I… I just don’t want to marry into the Xu family!”

Her heart filled with mixed emotions. After a long while, she managed a smile. “Mother can rest assured. Things will work out when the time comes…”

#

Coming out of the main hall, Seventh Miss only then noticed the light drizzle falling outside.

Lixia was already waiting under the eaves.

“It started drizzling outside. This servant was worried, so I came to escort you back.” Her face bloomed with smiles.

Seventh Miss’s heart warmed. She quickly grasped Lixia’s hand and scolded fondly: “Why didn’t you wait inside? Your hands are so cold. You should have drunk a cup of hot tea to warm yourself.”

Lixia didn’t mind. “I only just arrived. Right after the first watch drum sounded, you came out.”

She handed the rain gear to Seventh Miss and hurried ahead to have Nanny Li open the small gate.

The two stepped into Baifang Garden.

The garden was paved with bluestone slabs. In the rain, embroidered shoes weren’t stable on them. Seventh Miss held onto Lixia, walking quite slowly.

Several lights could be seen faintly, and bird calls came from somewhere unknown, making the garden seem even more tranquil.

Seventh Miss walked while softly telling Lixia about the matter Min’ge had asked her to handle.

Fifth Miss’s affair ultimately involved a young lady’s secret feelings—she couldn’t spread it around.

But as her confidant, Lixia needed to know about many things.

Lixia listened with frequently flashing eyes. “Miss has sold Elder Young Master a great favor.”

Talking with Lixia was much more pleasant than talking with the Grand Madam.

“This can’t be called selling. Min’ge sold me a favor first. I’m merely returning his favor.” Seventh Miss’s gaze was profound. “It’s still the same saying—we’ll see whether this cousin is a dragon or a worm.”

She softly instructed Lixia: “Sister Bailu has come several times saying Nanyin still remembers my kindness. Tomorrow after Elder Brother leaves, go to Yurong Courtyard and tell Nanyin about tonight’s conversation with the madam. Say I’ve already spoken and Mother is interested. Then cultivate the relationship with Nanyin more, give her some gifts that aren’t too light or too heavy…”

Lixia smiled knowingly. “This servant knows how to handle it!”

Seventh Miss nodded, then added another reminder: “Remember not to let her show too much favoritism toward me in front of others, lest it invite jealousy instead.”

“Yes, yes, yes.” Lixia just smiled. “This servant knows how to handle things most appropriately!”

Seventh Miss gave Lixia a look. “The older you get, the less proper you become. How dare you talk back to me? Hmm?”

The master and servant bantered while crossing the small bamboo bridge.

Seventh Miss looked back at the two-story building beyond the artificial hill.

The building blazed with lights.

Ninth Brother was probably still studying late into the night.

She couldn’t help sighing and muttering to herself:

“All this arranging—I don’t even know if this young master will appreciate it…”

As she spoke, they passed by Yuelai Hall.

Though it was only the first watch, Yuelai Hall had already extinguished its lights.

The overlapping eaves and flying rafters rested quietly in darkness, like an enormous beast.