Xu Fengjia departed and left Suzhou the very next day.

It was said that early in the morning, he bid farewell to the Grand Madam, then took Liao Xiangma and two hundred soldiers with him. They marched rapidly out the city gates at the crack of dawn.

“This is good—the more sudden it is, the more rushed those families with ideas in their heads will be,” the Grand Master chatted idly with the Grand Madam. “If anything truly happens on the road, with Fengjia’s talents, he’ll certainly be able to handle it.”

But the Grand Madam’s face was full of displeasure. “Who’s talking to you about this…”

She rarely showed impatience toward the Grand Master.

The Grand Master laughed bitterly several times in succession. “The child’s career comes first. What difference does it make whether he’s in Suzhou or not for such matters? Besides, this is actually better—otherwise, when the two families discuss the marriage, it wouldn’t be proper for him to stay at Drooping Willow Study anymore.” Though every word made sense, the Grand Madam still wore a sour expression all day. As it happened, both Fifth Miss and Seventh Miss had caught colds at the same time, and the main courtyard was extremely busy, so she simply took to her bed claiming illness as well.

It took several days before she collected her mood to visit her two daughters.

She went to Moon Arrival Pavilion first, but came out after less than half a shichen—conversations alone between mother and daughter with Fifth Miss always tended to end unpleasantly.

Only then did she enter Jade Rain Pavilion to inquire after Seventh Miss’s condition.

Seventh Miss had merely been caught in the rain and had a slight fever. After taking several doses of medicine, the fever had already subsided, though she still seemed somewhat listless. Seeing the Grand Madam enter, she made to rise in greeting, but the Grand Madam hurried forward several steps and pressed down on her shoulder.

“Silly child, why be so formal with your mother?”

Mother and daughter then exchanged a few courteous words of maternal kindness and filial devotion.

The Grand Madam gradually fell silent, only staring at her fingernails in a daze.

Watching this, how could Seventh Miss not know she had something to say?

“Lixia, go change Mother’s tea,” she casually dismissed Lixia from the room.

Lidong also tactfully followed behind Lixia and left.

Only then did the Grand Madam exhale a long breath and slowly lean closer to Seventh Miss.

“Your Second Uncle’s reply has arrived.” Her opening words were about something completely unrelated.

Seventh Miss had thought she wanted to pour out her bitterness about the marriage matter. Unexpectedly, the Grand Madam brought up this topic instead, which actually lifted her spirits.

“In my letter, I merely asked about this Miss Ouyang’s character, saying I’d heard some unpleasant words in Suzhou. Your Second Uncle’s reaction was quite strong. He wrote back saying this marriage was somewhat imprudent, but now he’s caught between a rock and a hard place…” The Grand Madam was rather curious, speaking with keen interest. “I wonder what exactly is wrong with this Miss Ouyang that one inquiry would make your Second Uncle regret it to this degree.”

Seventh Miss was also quite expectant and could only comfort the Grand Madam. “Once she marries in, she’ll be your niece-in-law. Whatever’s wrong, won’t you see it at a glance?”

The Grand Madam looked thoughtful. “Your Second Uncle also said he wants to send Concubine Xiang back to the northwest to serve your Second Aunt, and will elevate another concubine to manage the household himself. Unfortunately, there are no suitable candidates in the capital, so he wants to ask me for a capable maid to send over—one who can be elevated to concubine status to manage the household upon arrival.”

“Second Uncle is really…” Seventh Miss couldn’t help but laugh. “Should I say he’s perceptive and tactful, or overcorrecting?”

The three brothers were about to leave Suzhou for the northwest to take the examinations. Whether they passed or not, they wouldn’t be returning to Jiangnan anytime soon.

Second Master’s request at this time for the first branch to send over a capable maid—his intention was obvious without asking. Speaking frankly, his attitude was indeed good and quite cooperative, saving the first branch from much deliberation.

The Grand Madam consulted with Seventh Miss. “Who do you think we should give your Second Uncle? If it weren’t that Lidong’s marriage is already settled…”

Seventh Miss’s heart skipped a beat.

“Lidong isn’t particularly pretty—she really couldn’t make a proper showing,” she casually negated the Grand Madam’s meaning, instead changing the subject. “Mother should still ask Father’s opinion on this matter. Perhaps Father has a better candidate on hand—you never know…”

The Grand Master received over ten beautiful young women each year. Most he didn’t keep but sent out instead. This practice of noble families exchanging concubines was quite common in Great Qin. He certainly had some talented and beautiful young women on hand.

The Grand Madam nodded thoughtfully. “That’s true. If we really promoted someone from among the maids to send over, it would look rather improper.”

She then discussed the spring examinations with Seventh Miss. “After this year’s special spring examination, it will probably be difficult to hold another special examination for several years. I rather regret not sending Ninth Brother back to our hometown last year to test his skills.”

The two had only exchanged a few words about trivial matters when the Grand Madam took a deep breath. Just as the words “Xu family” left her lips, a commotion came from outside the room.

“Madam!” Nanny Liang’s expression was grave, and she brought in an uncharacteristic trace of panic as she rushed into the room. “Please return quickly to the main courtyard to change clothes. The Princess Consort of Minyue has personally come to call! The calling card just arrived at the gate, and they say she’s already halfway here!”

The Grand Madam jumped to her feet in shock.

Her expression changed several times as she muttered to herself, “This… when did the Princess Consort arrive in Suzhou, and why would she suddenly come calling in person!”

But Seventh Miss’s heart was a jumble of mixed feelings. After a long while, she looked at the Grand Madam with a smile. “Mother, rest assured—this matter is certainly good news, the great news you’ve been anxiously awaiting!”

The Grand Madam was half-believing, half-doubting. After pondering for another moment, she was pulled out of the main hall by Nanny Liang.

Only then did Seventh Miss’s expression change. She lowered her eyes and contemplated for quite a while before shaking her head in a distracted manner and lifting her face with a smile.

Lixia tiptoed into the room. “This servant has already sent Zhongyuan and Qiqiao to gather information. As soon as there’s news from the main courtyard, we’ll know.”

Seventh Miss was noncommittal, giving a slight nod.

She stared at the bedding with a smile. “Actually, whether we gather information or not doesn’t matter much. The Princess Consort of Minyue coming to call… it must be to act as matchmaker for the Xu family.”

#

Sure enough, by afternoon, everyone in the entire household knew that the Princess Consort of Minyue had come to call because she’d been entrusted by the Xu family to act as the principal matchmaker for the marriage proposal.

“What tremendous prestige! No wonder it was delayed so long—turns out the principal matchmaker was still on the road. She arrived just before and after Fengjia yesterday, as if it had been arranged!” The Grand Madam was already radiant. “The Princess Consort came to Suzhou to view the spring scenery, thinking to stay for a while. Who knew the Xu family would entrust such favor to this great noble personage? How could our family possibly deserve such prestige? We’re truly flattered beyond measure. I was saying I wanted to keep Little Fifth a few more years, but seeing this, I’ll have to part with her whether I want to or not…”

The several children who came to pay their respects all listened with smiling faces—though Fifth Miss hadn’t yet recovered and needed to avoid people, so she was excused from paying respects.

Sixth Miss smiled while watching Seventh Miss.

Seeing that Seventh Miss also wore an expression of sincere feeling and reflected glory, her smile paused slightly for a moment.

Then she armed herself again with a face full of joy.

“This is a blessing others couldn’t hope for! Fifth Sister truly has good fortune!” This envy was indeed genuinely heartfelt.

The Grand Madam was in high spirits and found everyone pleasing. Hearing Sixth Miss say this, she couldn’t wait to immediately claim her as a kindred spirit. “Isn’t that exactly right? Though Little Fifth’s fortune was shallow and she couldn’t… but having the Princess Consort as principal matchmaker—even in the capital, how many families could compare?”

It seemed this worldly-wise mistress of the household had already begun planning Fifth Miss’s post-marriage life.

The Xu family was currently at the height of wealth and nobility. The previous mistresses had all been legitimate daughters from prestigious families, and even concubine-born sons married legitimate daughters from superior families.

When Fifth Miss married over, the first few years she would certainly suffer some cold treatment. Even with Madam Xu protecting her, she wouldn’t be able to completely hold her head high before the Grand Madam and several sisters-in-law.

But having the Princess Consort come to propose the match made it an entirely different matter. After Fifth Miss entered the family, from appearance to substance, everything would be golden and genuine. Life would naturally be much easier.

To put it excessively, the Grand Madam probably hadn’t even devoted this much care to Second Miss.

Everyone present understood the Grand Madam’s subtext and all smiled along. “Madam can rest assured—with our family’s status, Fifth Sister won’t suffer much grievance at the Xu family!”

The Grand Madam’s face was full of smiles. “Things really don’t come until they all come at once—now we’ll be busy this year!”

She glanced at her two daughters but didn’t continue, instead changing the subject to ask them, “Is Nanny Tai teaching well? Is she strict with you? Nannies from the capital have more rules—if you have any grievances, just endure them yourselves, all right?”

Brother Min glanced at Seventh Miss, then unexpectedly met Ninth Brother’s eyes.

Both were startled.

Brother Min smiled slightly and cleared his throat. “Actually, we’ve also come to bid farewell to Aunt recently.”

The Grand Madam couldn’t help being somewhat surprised. “Why so soon—didn’t you say you’d leave after the fourth month?”

Brother Min cleared his throat and glanced at Brother Da.

Brother Da smiled and explained to the Grand Madam, “Eldest Brother feels we’ve been too comfortable in Suzhou. We have many classmates, and every few days someone arranges a literary gathering. They call them literary gatherings, but really they’re just drinking parties—very distracting from studies. Secondly, you know Brother Hong’s temperament…”

The Grand Madam was in high spirits, but hearing that her several nephews wanted to depart early, she felt genuinely reluctant. “After this parting, who knows when we’ll meet again!”

Though the nephews had previously claimed they’d return to Suzhou to study if they didn’t pass, now that the first branch was going to elevate a concubine to place in the second branch, many things would naturally change. This was something both parties understood without saying.

The three brothers Min, Da, and Hong hurriedly exchanged more courtesies with the Grand Madam, repeatedly saying they would write often to Suzhou.

But how could the Grand Madam truly care about this? After a few more polite words, she let it go. “Fine, fine—you’re all grown up now. I shouldn’t be fussy like an old woman and restrain your steps instead.”

She asked again, “Should we have Nanyin travel with you?”

Everyone’s eyes turned simultaneously to Brother Min.

Speaking of it, among the second generation, only Brother Min had a bed warmer. The younger brothers didn’t even have marriage arrangements yet.

Brother Min pondered for a moment and smiled apologetically. “The road to the northwest is really difficult. If we pass the provincial examination this round, we’ll still need to go to the capital next year. If we don’t pass, we’ll also go to the capital to visit Father. So I was hoping to trouble Aunt to arrange for people to escort her to the capital instead.”

Such a small matter—the Grand Madam naturally agreed readily.

But she also smiled at Brother Min with meaningful significance.

So young, yet such deep thoughts.

If Nanyin went to the capital, Brother Min would have an extra pair of eyes in the capital.

No wonder he valued this bed warmer maid so much—turns out he liked that she could read a few characters…

She couldn’t help exchanging a glance with Seventh Miss.

Ninth Brother’s eyes also flashed repeatedly. After thinking for a long while, he laughed and changed the subject. “Fifth Sister is so embarrassed she’s claiming illness to avoid people again. This habit isn’t good. In a bit, I’ll go to Moon Arrival Pavilion to tease her!”

This immediately provoked a hearty laugh from the Grand Madam. “Her skin is tender! Don’t you all go too far! If you make the child too embarrassed to see people, that wouldn’t be proper. In a few days, she still needs to accompany me to the Minyue Prince’s traveling palace to thank the Princess Consort for her special favor!”

She instructed Sixth Miss and Seventh Miss, “You two will also accompany us to the palace as guests. Pay attention to dressing properly—don’t lose face for the Yang family.”

Sixth Miss and Seventh Miss hurriedly rose and bowed their heads in acknowledgment.

The family was chatting idly when the Grand Master entered the room.

Though he was skilled at maintaining composure and not showing emotion on his face, he couldn’t help revealing some joy.

Given the depth of Prince Minyue’s imperial favor, his willingness to act as matchmaker for the Yang and Xu families carried political significance far deeper than the bit of prestige the Yang family gained. But no matter how one interpreted it, it was beneficial and harmless to the Yang family.

“Everyone’s here?” He sat down beside the Grand Madam and patted her hand with a smile. “Seeing Madam in such good spirits, you’ve all come to add icing on the cake, haven’t you?”

Everyone immediately burst into laughter, and the Grand Madam shot the Grand Master a reproachful glance.

But she couldn’t help smiling broadly.

She asked the Grand Master, “There isn’t much business today—you’ve entered the inner courtyard so early?”

“The spring examination results were posted yesterday. The news should reach Suzhou today,” the Grand Master also seemed quite content and rarely explained his schedule. “Apart from waiting for this list, there’s nothing else. The Salt and Iron Bureau matter has concluded. Local officials are busy with spring plowing. We’re only busy counting and depositing silver, balancing the accounts.”

Compared to the alarming storms of several months ago, the Yang family was now undoubtedly bathed in gentle spring warmth.

Brother Min also showed a relieved expression. “Uncle’s smooth official business is the blessing of the whole family.”

This child really knew how to speak.

The Grand Master glanced at Brother Min and smiled slightly. One could see he’d grown somewhat fonder of this child.

Brother Hong had a straightforward nature and didn’t bother flattering the Grand Master. Instead he asked, “Uncle, when the honor roll arrives, could we also see it? I wonder how many successful candidates this special examination produced.”

The court had been frequently holding special examinations these past years, so the talent reserve was limited. Sometimes they couldn’t even select three hundred names. Brother Hong’s curiosity was quite reasonable.

The Grand Master naturally wouldn’t be stingy about such small matters with his nephews. He readily agreed, then called to Sixth Miss, “I heard you’ve been learning etiquette with Nanny Tai and made considerable progress?”

Sixth Miss’s face immediately filled with trepidation. “Nanny Tai says this daughter is clumsy… she’s never praised me.”

Seventh Miss couldn’t suppress her amusement and laughed aloud.

The Grand Master had merely been finding a topic to examine her etiquette, but unexpectedly, with this casual remark, Sixth Miss took it seriously and defended herself.

A trace of smile appeared in the Grand Master’s eyes too.

Sixth Miss was born with this endearing, naive charm—so lovable.

Just as he was about to speak, Lidong announced that Nanny Tong had entered the inner room.

She presented a thick letter to the Grand Master. “You instructed us to bring it to you as soon as the honor roll arrived…”

The Grand Madam smiled and offered Nanny Tong a seat. “You rarely come to the main courtyard. Have Lidong pour you some tea.”

The Grand Master took the envelope, opened it, and extracted a roll of oiled paper. After casually glancing at it, he handed it to Seventh Miss. “The characters are quite small. Would you read it aloud for Father?”

Seventh Miss took the letter with keen interest and cleared her throat.

“Zhejiang Province, Shaoxing Prefecture, Shanyin County—Shen Mo, first rank, first place, granted the degree of Advanced Scholar!”

Everyone immediately buzzed with discussion. “How many top scholars has Shanyin County produced now?”

“Truly a land of literary elegance and refined culture!”

“The Jiangnan region is truly blessed with outstanding talent!”

The Grand Master stroked his beard with a slight smile. As Governor-General of Jiangnan, he naturally took pride in seeing Jiangnan’s literary culture flourishing greatly.

“Shanxi Province, Taiyuan Prefecture, Shouyang County—Liang Yichao, first rank, second place, granted the degree of Advanced Scholar.” Seventh Miss also smiled and continued reading.

Her voice suddenly halted.

After a pause, she softly continued, “Jiangsu Province, Suzhou Prefecture, Zhenze County—Feng Jin, first rank, third place, granted the degree of Advanced Scholar…”