Ever since Seventh Miss returned from the banquet at the Xu household, First Madam had suffered from coughing and wheezing, unable to sleep well for several nights.

If Ninth Brother was the pearl in First Madam’s palm, these two biological daughters were the apples of her eyes.

Given Second Miss’s temperament, she wouldn’t suffer losses anywhere. Though she had indeed worked hard serving her mother-in-law these past few years, fortunately First Madam hadn’t witnessed it with her own eyes. Separated by thousands of miles, even if she felt distressed, she would likely become distracted and forget. Moreover, Second Miss had never been particularly close to her mother, and before First Madam, she often seemed more like an elder.

Only the spoiled Fifth Miss received First Madam’s greatest favoritism. Though First Madam also found her willful, her food, clothing, and expenses had always been provided according to imperial princess standards. The fact that Fifth Miss could casually produce five hundred taels in banknotes to give Feng Jin as traveling money showed how abundant her resources were.

Yet ironically, the most beloved youngest daughter had the most troubles after marriage. Originally, they had calculated that with a husband outside and mother-in-law inside, both would be her support. Unexpectedly, Xu Fengjia was too heavily relied upon, busy beyond measure and not even in the capital. Madam Xu’s health grew increasingly poor, unable to even control the household’s overall situation…

“Truly, man proposes but heaven disposes!” First Madam leaned against her pillow and complained to Seventh Miss. “Poor Fifth Miss, pampered and indulged since childhood, now must endure being squeezed from both sides, while pregnant… When I think of it, I can’t catch my breath!”

As she spoke, she began coughing. Lidong and several maids bustled about serving First Madam water and tea, then presented a charcoal box for First Madam to regulate her qi and expel phlegm.

Seventh Miss didn’t move, only thoughtfully tapping her tea lid. “Mother, about the midwife matter—though by rights I as a daughter shouldn’t be the one to bring this up, but—”

First Madam coughed for quite a while before catching her breath, wearily waving her hand. “Yes, I know about this. I’ve already asked your second sister to search for candidates. It would be best to have the nannies who attended her when she gave birth—that would be most reliable!”

She sighed to Seventh Miss again. “After all, being a daughter-in-law, doesn’t her thinking become more meticulous before our very eyes? In the past, how would she know that childbirth was the easiest time to sabotage someone… But from what your fifth sister implies, even the two households of servants I sent as part of her dowry can no longer be trusted?”

First Madam naturally hadn’t waited until now to think of preparing midwives for Fifth Miss. Among the dowry servants at the time, there were two households where both aunt and sister-in-law were excellent at delivering babies, originally intended for use during childbirth.

Seventh Miss pondered as she explained to First Madam. “From Fifth Sister’s meaning, she seems to have vaguely learned something and probably doesn’t trust the several midwives prepared by the Xu family…”

In this case, the four dowry nannies would be far from sufficient. The natal family would need to provide several more people to completely take over the childbirth arrangements before Fifth Miss could feel at ease.

First Madam’s brow furrowed with several more layers of worry. After thinking it over, she complained again, “Ah, if only your uncle weren’t such a rigid person, I truly wish I could go ask your fifth sister directly what exactly is happening, what grievances she’s suffered at Duke Pingguo’s estate!” As she spoke, she coughed a few more times, then mocked herself. “Forget it, the capital’s rules are truly strict. We’re in mourning and shouldn’t be convenient to visit Duke Pingguo’s estate anyway. Otherwise, your third aunt and your fifth sister would be criticized again.”

Now that Grand Madam Ni held power, First Madam couldn’t make even the slightest mistake in her conduct, or the daughters-in-law would be the ones who suffered ridicule. Seventh Miss understood this principle.

She could only console First Madam. “Mother should still take good care of yourself. When your health improves, going to the temple to burn incense for Fifth Sister and pray for a safe delivery charm would also be good.”

First Madam murmured acknowledgment, but her expression was quite distracted. After a long while, she asked Seventh Miss, “In your view, which of the three sisters-in-law is most detestable?”

Seventh Miss had only been a guest at the Xu household for half a day before returning to the Yang household. How could she have deep insight? For a moment she was at a loss for words and could only equivocate. “First Young Madam seems to protect herself wisely, isn’t favored by Grand Madam either, and maintains ordinary relations with Madam—essentially offending no one. Fourth Young Madam is domineering, but her actions still have limits. Fifth Young Madam appears gentle and quiet, but she controls household affairs and doesn’t get along well with Fifth Sister.”

First Madam frowned in thought. After a long while, she came back to herself and called Nanny Tai in to ask, “Nanny, besides the first and fifteenth of each month, is there no other way for us to send greetings to Consort Ning?”

Nanny Tai’s expression shifted. “The palace has strict rules. Being able to have an audience on the first and fifteenth is already the Emperor’s grace. I fear…”

First Madam made an impatient sound and discussed with Nanny Tai, “Then when Consort Ning bestows gifts…”

Finally they settled on a plan. When paying respects on the fifteenth of November, they would send word to Sixth Miss, asking her to bestow some things upon Duke Pingguo’s estate. Only then did she let Nanny Tai leave the courtyard.

Seventh Miss felt this was quite uncertain—Grand Consort Xu’s standing in the palace certainly couldn’t be compared to Sixth Miss, a consort who had only entered the palace a year ago. Grand Madam might not necessarily give Sixth Miss face, that was true.

However, given Fifth Miss’s natal family’s current prominence, Grand Madam certainly couldn’t manufacture grievances against her out of nothing. As long as both sides maintained peace and Fifth Miss could safely give birth to and raise a son, she would truly have a firm foothold in the estate. From then on, her words would carry more weight.

First Madam also seemed to understand this point. After being dazed for a long while, she sighed softly. “Forget it, forget it. In the end, she must walk her own path—the natal family couldn’t be more illustrious, and I haven’t given her any less than I should.”

Though she said this, she was ultimately concerned about Fifth Miss, wishing she could send someone daily to inquire after her. This coughing and wheezing ailment dragged on for over ten days without fully recovering.

First Master discussed with First Madam, “Now that we’re in the capital, there’s no need to continue consulting second-rate physicians. Should we invite Divine Physician Quan to prescribe some new formulas?”

Since Grand Tutor Qin’s death, First Madam had inexplicably become three degrees more humble before First Master. Receiving First Master’s concern now, she was somewhat flattered. “I don’t know if we can invite him. A few days ago, the First Imperial Prince fell ill again. Hasn’t Divine Physician Quan been kept in the palace by the Emperor, who refuses to let him leave?”

The First Imperial Prince had a weak constitution and fell ill constantly. Court and commoners had long grown accustomed to it. First Master smiled and explained, “No matter how much the Emperor values Divine Physician Quan, he couldn’t have him reside in the palace quarters year-round. Moreover, the First Imperial Prince has already recovered after the skilled physician’s treatment. Ziyin went to the Xiangshan villa yesterday for a short stay.”

Given the relationship between the Quan and Yang families, no matter how aloof Quan Zhongbai was, he certainly wouldn’t make excuses to avoid coming.

First Madam nodded meaningfully. “That’s good. That child Hanchun should arrive in the capital soon as well—Seventh Miss is truly blessed. These two young men are both outstanding choices. Had I known earlier, I would have picked one of them for Fifth Miss…”

First Master smiled ambiguously and didn’t respond.

First Madam had just spoken when she remembered that Quan Ziyin had had a wife, and Gui Hanchun was disfigured. The Ghost-Faced General’s reputation on the frontier grew more widespread—she awkwardly fell silent on her own.

#

Uncle Zhou’s “Survey Report on Xianxiu Fang Capital Branch Operations” came back slightly late. It wasn’t until late November that Lixia relayed it to Seventh Miss.

“Business these past few years has been neither great nor small. Monthly profits of five to six hundred are certain. The two capital branches do good business—there are many wealthy people here. According to my father’s calculations, these two branches alone can produce ten thousand taels in dividends annually. Add in several major northern cities—Taiyuan, Tianjin… Tianjin is also famously prosperous. Forty to fifty thousand taels a year would be easy.”

“However, Xianxiu Fang has a marquis estate behind it after all. If we also want to enter the embroidery business in the future, we absolutely couldn’t achieve such results initially.” Lixia continued to advise Seventh Miss with her chatter.

Seventh Miss smiled and shook her head. “That’s not what I meant…”

She suddenly became hesitant.

Given Feng Jin’s current wealth, a Xianxiu Fang branch producing over five thousand taels annually was probably like a minor character on stage to him—one more or less made no difference. He might not expand this branch or compete with Second Miss for business.

But for Second Miss and even First Madam, the dowry was only so much, to be used for a lifetime. Taking away a golden goose would naturally have a considerable impact, especially since selling a branch also meant selling Xianxiu Fang’s trade secrets.

It seemed this matter wasn’t as simple as she’d thought… Perhaps she should approach it through First Master instead.

Seventh Miss immediately fell into contemplation.

Unfortunately, Cousin had been away for over a year, and the Yang family had difficulty discerning his true situation—whether he was favored or not, how favored, how much authority he held… Given Father’s temperament, once he learned of Cousin Zixiu’s obsession with Xianxiu Fang, how he would use this leverage was hard to say.

She was deep in thought when Lidong’s voice came from outside.

“Lixia.” Her voice rarely carried a hint of playfulness. “Come out, good fortune has come calling!”

Lixia exchanged a surprised glance with Seventh Miss before rising briskly and leaving the inner room.

“What is it…” Her voice disappeared behind the crystal beaded curtain, becoming muffled background noise.

Before long, a string of laughter rang out from outside. Lixia also laughed loudly, which was rare for her. “Is this really true? You mustn’t deceive me! If it’s true, I’ll tell Miss right away…”

Light footsteps quickly entered the inner room.

Lixia’s face couldn’t hide her smile. “Miss, Divine Physician Quan is coming to take Madam’s pulse—Madam is calling you to the front courtyard so the Young Divine Physician can also prescribe a preventive formula for you!”

Before the words had fully left her mouth, laughter filled the room inside and out.

When she was younger years ago, prescribing formulas truly meant just prescribing formulas. But now Seventh Miss would be sixteen after New Year—no longer a little girl. This “prescribing formulas” was no longer just prescribing formulas.

However, Seventh Miss immediately thought of the residual poison in her body.

First Madam was rarely so generous, but this fulfilled her heart’s desire—having taken the preventive formula prescribed by Quan Zhongbai for many years, whether the residual poison in her body had been cleared or not, she had worried about for several years.

Having this opportunity to verify it now was good.

She smiled with pressed lips and gave Lixia a look, then led her out of the outer room and tapped Lidong’s forehead.

“Silly girl, all the kindness to you is wasted—you only know how to tease me.”

Whether it was Shangyuan, Qiqiao, Lidong, or Lixia, all wore ambiguous smiles.

“Sister Lidong has been good enough to Seventh Miss. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have called Seventh Miss to the front courtyard. If she’d waited until after the physician left to come deliver the message, how would Seventh Miss have vented her temper?”

The four maids laughed all the way as they escorted Seventh Miss out of the courtyard. Lixia took out a large gray squirrel cape fully embroidered with silver lotus patterns and added it over Seventh Miss. “Miss, be careful not to catch cold.”

She was about to retreat back into the room.

Seventh Miss pulled Lixia back. “Come with me.”

She swept a glance at the remaining two maids.

Shangyuan had a completely bewildered expression—just joining in the excitement.

Qiqiao’s face was full of eager anticipation, practically shouting that she also wanted to come along.

Seventh Miss’s heart stirred, but she said nothing more.

She only pulled Lixia along and entered the front courtyard with Lidong, entering the main hall through the back door.

“You’re not too late.” First Madam also teased Seventh Miss. “Ziyin is still talking with your father in the front courtyard. A bit slower and you wouldn’t have been able to enter.”

The capital’s rules were strict. Unmarried daughters over thirteen couldn’t meet outside men. Even though Quan Zhongbai was a physician who could disregard common etiquette, Seventh Miss still couldn’t step into the room unscreened and face Quan Zhongbai directly in his presence.

Seventh Miss was also somewhat nervous. She merely smiled at First Madam’s teasing.

Just like every patient about to see a doctor, she feared both that she hadn’t taken good enough care of herself and would be scolded by the physician, and that the physician would deliver bad news—that she hadn’t fully recovered.

First Madam saw this but naturally had another interpretation.

She couldn’t help but smile inwardly: young ladies’ vanity was truly the same throughout the ages. She said she preferred the Gui family’s stability, but thinking about seeing Quan Ziyin, she still couldn’t sit still.

Forget it, forget it. After New Year she’d be sixteen—time to marry. Keep her a few more years and resentment would build.

She rarely felt a trace of maternal affection, patting Seventh Miss’s shoulder. She was about to say something when her thoughts shifted and she smiled as she swallowed the words back.

Better to wait until the marriage was settled, then tell Seventh Miss. Only then would she truly understand how good her mother had been to her.

Before long, someone came from the courtyard to announce the visitor. Nanny Tai arranged for two light gauze screens to shield left and right. Only four or five young maids and old nannies served before First Madam’s bed. Seventh Miss sat peacefully behind the screen, watching through the hazy gauze as Quan Zhongbai “floated” into the room.

This young master with Wei-Jin Dynasty elegance always carried a special charm in his steps, as if his feet trod not on gold brick floors but on clouds.

By calculation, Quan Zhongbai was twenty-four this year—a man’s most graceful and elegant age. Though his features hadn’t changed much, his temperament was clearly more subdued than before.

If he had been stirred ink and water back then—unrestrained elegance splashing freely—today’s Quan Zhongbai was a deep, tranquil pool. Even if undercurrents surged, to outsiders the surface maintained an elegant stillness.

“Greetings to Madam.” He properly paid his respects to First Madam, every gesture still carrying that natural elegance.

First Madam seemed quite satisfied with Quan Zhongbai’s character. She smiled kindly, asked after Madam Quan’s well-being, then placed her hand on the small reclining pillow.

Quan Zhongbai then focused with lowered eyes, taking her pulse.

Two jade-like long fingers rested on First Madam’s slightly yellowed wrist, making the fingertips appear even more slender. These two fingers seemed light as swan feathers, rising and falling gently with First Madam’s pulse.

After a moment, Quan Zhongbai withdrew his fingers, eyes contemplating deeply.

“Madam and the wife of Duke Pingguo are sisters, correct?” he inquired softly.

First Madam started. “That’s correct. What does Young Master mean—”

“When I took the pulse of Duke Wenjing, I detected this root cause. I fear it’s inherited. When Madam has worries, sleep will certainly be disturbed. After three to five days of this, the coughing and wheezing symptoms must occur. Is this so?” Quan Zhongbai explained slowly.

Wenjing was Grand Tutor Qin’s posthumous title. Using the character for “refined” to honor Grand Tutor Qin, the new Emperor had given the Qin family considerable face.

Just from First Madam’s expression, one could tell Quan Zhongbai had guessed perfectly.

“The wife of Duke Pingguo also has this problem, as did Duke Wenjing. When troubled in mind, they cannot eat or sleep. When they cannot eat or sleep, the liver meridian becomes blocked. Your symptoms are mild—presumably household affairs are simple with few vexations. But the wife of Duke Pingguo is much worse. Years of recurring illness have now become chronic.” As he spoke in low tones, he rose and sat at the table, bowing his head to write the prescription. “Madam hasn’t reached that stage yet. In the future when troubled, take these two formulas and you’ll be able to sleep. Sleep well and the coughing and wheezing won’t easily occur—the coughing and wheezing are symptoms, but sleep is the root.”

Seventh Miss narrowed her eyes slightly behind the curtain.

Compared to nine years ago, Quan Zhongbai had matured, but also seemed to have lost something.

This once unrestrained and carefree youth, elegant as flowing ink, was now a subdued young man.

Subdued and melancholic.

The former exasperation with patients had vanished. He was a qualified physician, but had lost his concern for patients.

As she pondered, the old nanny had already removed one screen, revealing one of Seventh Miss’s arms. She brought over a round stool and placed Seventh Miss’s wrist on the small reclining pillow.

Quan Zhongbai then came over to take Seventh Miss’s pulse—he didn’t even ask who it was.

The moment his fingertips touched the pulse point, his brow raised.

Seventh Miss’s heart immediately leapt to her throat.