Seventh Miss immediately frowned slightly.

Of course, Xu Fengjia might have other channels to contact Eunuch Lian and arrange a meeting. But he wasn’t familiar with Eunuch Lian at all, and refusing Feng Jin in this matter didn’t seem wise.

Was it because of Fifth Miss?

She couldn’t help but look at Xu Fengjia searchingly, sighing deeply in her heart.

Though both could avoid mentioning many things, they wouldn’t fade because of it. Fifth Miss had after all been Xu Fengjia’s wife. He might have already adjusted his mindset to regard her as his wife, so naturally lacking fondness for Feng Jin seemed quite natural.

But Xu Fengjia didn’t avoid Seventh Miss’s gaze. He looked back at her, explaining candidly and solemnly, “Feng Zixiu currently manages intelligence. Eunuch Lian’s status is sensitive after all. If we contact him privately, it would be awkward whether he reports it upward or not… I think it would be much better if you personally spoke to Eunuch Lian yourself.”

Seventh Miss instead grew curious. She questioned, “Even if he sent me the jade ruyi, how can you be certain this was his own idea? Perhaps it was Cousin—I don’t think he’d enter Jingren Palace to speak just because Consort Ning requested it. Even if they met, that doesn’t mean I could ask Eunuch Lian to arrange a meeting…”

Xu Fengjia suddenly smiled. He raised his hand to his lips and gently shushed.

“Yang Qi, you truly disappoint me.” Rather than a reproach, this sounded more like teasing. “I thought you would have guessed it.”

Seventh Miss took a step back, squinting at him suspiciously.

She of course understood what Xu Fengjia implied. In fact, this had also been her suspicion these past days.

If he dared place the work of contacting Eunuch Lian on Seventh Miss’s shoulders based solely on a jade ruyi, not to mention Duke Pingguo, even Seventh Miss herself would lower her evaluation of Xu Fengjia somewhat.

But how did Xu Fengjia know? This episode from Eunuch Lian’s past should be his most shameful secret. But if even the Xu family knew… could the Yang family also know?

“Tell me.” She demanded softly. “Don’t talk in circles with me about this!”

Only after speaking did Seventh Miss realize her tone was rather too intense—this certainly wasn’t good. Now she’d exposed how much she cared about the Eunuch Lian matter.

Xu Fengjia’s eyebrows immediately rose. He smiled.

“Beg me?”

See, once she didn’t properly disguise herself, the consequences immediately surfaced.

Seventh Miss sighed in frustration.

From childhood to adulthood, this man truly hadn’t changed!

“Stop fooling around!” She frowned. “This isn’t something to joke about!”

“Oh, fine.” Master Xu obediently nodded, grew serious in expression, sat up straight, and demanded in a solemn tone, “Beg me.”

For the first time in her life, Seventh Miss felt the impulse to strangle someone with her bare hands.

“You’re insufferable!” She grabbed a small pillow from beside her and threw it at Xu Fengjia. “If you’re going to talk business, talk business properly, don’t act like a scoundrel—ah!”

Xu Fengjia casually caught the pillow, scooped her entire body up horizontally, and pressed her directly onto the kang. Though Seventh Miss struggled with all her might, what use was it?

Military officers were such trouble! If he were a scholar, forget scooping her up and tossing her on the bed—even lifting her horizontally would probably take some effort. How could he be like Xu Fengjia, grabbing and tossing her like a little chicken so easily?

Not long after their first night, her monthly cycle had come. Xu Fengjia had been extremely busy, often returning to their room after she’d already fallen asleep…

“It’s still daylight!” Seventh Miss struggled and shouted. “I still have to pay respects to Mother later… Ah! Go—go to the bed…”

Before the exposed kang without any cover, Seventh Miss didn’t have that kind of courage—especially since the curtains weren’t even drawn. Through the bright glass windows, if someone outside paid attention, they could easily discover what was happening inside.

Low laughter accompanied her all the way to the mother-of-pearl canopy bed. The hundred-treasure inlaid jade beauty painting at the headboard seemed even more lustrous in daylight. Seventh Miss stared at the beauty’s eyes, absentmindedly pondering the many difficult problems in her mind.

What kind of person was Eunuch Lian? Did he also know the truth about past events? Would he…

Her thoughts drifted, gradually fragmenting into pieces. Under Xu Fengjia’s advance she turned and protested, but ultimately, all resistance was still forcefully crushed by this young overlord.

“This time was much more comfortable, wasn’t it?” After a long while, Xu Fengjia asked lazily. He rolled off Seventh Miss and lay at the pillow’s edge, combing through her disheveled long hair.

Seventh Miss blinked, struggling to recover from her intense panting. Without thinking carefully, she complained, “Not comfortable at all! It still hurts…”

In her hazy vision, she noticed the white gauze on Xu Fengjia’s shoulder had been removed. Her hands seemed to move of their own accord, brushing aside the long hair to carefully examine Xu Fengjia’s body.

The wounds had mostly closed. Xu Fengjia hadn’t lied—these weren’t serious injuries to begin with. Only the scrape on his right chest still left a trace. The several wounds on his shoulder and back had already faded even in scarring.

“It healed so quickly.” She said softly, her reason returning bit by bit. Unfortunately, her original anger had somehow dissolved away.

Xu Fengjia smiled languidly.

“With this path through Eunuch Lian, things will proceed quickly.”

It seemed he’d only thought of the method of contacting Eunuch Lian through Seventh Miss after returning to the capital. Previously, Xu Fengjia probably intended to use his injuries as an excuse to avoid the Nanyang trip.

Seventh Miss narrowed her eyes. Her vision, blurred by pleasure, gradually cleared. She turned her head to meet Xu Fengjia’s eyes, bit her lip, and still urged, “When did you learn about… the matter between Uncle Lian and my mother?”

This “mother” of course didn’t refer to the First Madam.

Xu Fengjia showed no surprise—this further confirmed Seventh Miss’s guess: he had more or less already guessed about the past between Eunuch Lian and Ninth Concubine.

“Though Eunuch Lian keeps a low profile, he’s absolutely not some mysterious figure.” His voice was mellow and smooth, like a warm ribbon winding around Seventh Miss’s ear. “After the jade ruyi incident, Father made some private inquiries into past events. Our Xu family has operated in the capital for many years after all. We have some information sources that other families can’t match.”

Seventh Miss’s eyes immediately grew somber.

For Seventh Miss, Xu Fengjia knowing about Ninth Concubine’s private affairs versus Duke Pingguo himself knowing were two completely different matters.

No matter how unwilling to admit it, women of Great Qin’s upper class never remarried. Xu Fengjia was already the only man in her life. In many matters, his involvement was proper and justified.

But Duke Pingguo was different. To her, he was a complete outsider. Having him dig into Ninth Concubine’s past privacy made Seventh Miss feel nauseated.

“Eunuch Lian’s fondness for embroidered goods over the years is famous in the capital.” But Xu Fengjia seemed not to notice Seventh Miss’s displeasure, continuing to narrate leisurely. As he spoke, he reached out to smooth Seventh Miss’s disheveled long hair, removing the scattered hairpins to play with them in his hand. “With a little attention, Father discovered he had a particular fondness for the embroidered works of the previous Lady Ru. Over the years, almost all the raised embroidery small pieces in the capital have been collected by Eunuch Lian himself.”

“However, Father has never personally traveled south of the Yangtze.” His tone softened, like whispers beside her ear. “Do you know how many of the men I brought to Jiangnan were elite members of the Yanyun Guard? Yang Qi, you probably can’t even imagine—these people’s capabilities are far greater than you think. When I went to Guangzhou, I deliberately stayed two extra days in Suzhou. I only needed to make some inquiries near Lady Ru’s old residence, and naturally things became much clearer.”

It was he who had deployed Yanyun Guard members throughout Jiangnan, also serving as their former superior. On the surface, this matter only looked like concern for his new bride. The Yanyun Guard had no reason not to do this favor. And since Eunuch Lian had abandoned his old surname, connecting these past events to Eunuch Lian was somewhat difficult. Even if Feng Jin knew, he probably wouldn’t do anything to Xu Fengjia—after all, between the two of them stood Seventh Miss.

Seventh Miss once again admitted to herself: though the man beside her had countless flaws, he was by no means incompetent.

“Does Father know about this?” She also lowered her volume, then frowned and shook her shoulders. “Goodness, that tickles.”

Xu Fengjia chuckled softly while withdrawing the long fingers that had been roaming around her neck and shoulders.

“I’ve already established my own household and even have my own children.” But his gaze was profound. “Our Sixth Branch must also have our own trump card.”

The Xu family had seven or eight sons after all, unlike the Yang family where even if the Elder Master was dissatisfied with Ninth Young Master, he had no other choice.

Seventh Miss’s gaze also grew deeper.

Duke Pingguo was the unquestioned master of the Duke’s mansion. Though he didn’t participate in many matters, the decision-maker and arbiter could never be anyone else. Fifth Miss’s death, succession of the heir apparent position, even Xu Fengjia’s own future conduct—ultimately all required his approval.

She’d always thought Xu Fengjia and Duke Pingguo had a harmonious relationship. After all, from age thirteen he’d followed his father to war. So Seventh Miss didn’t want to say much.

But hearing Xu Fengjia’s implications, he and Duke Pingguo were absolutely not completely open and forthcoming with each other.

“Have you met Eunuch Lian?” She changed the subject.

Closest yet most distant are husband and wife. Though the two shared aligned interests in many matters, Seventh Miss would never casually discuss Duke Pingguo or Lady Xu’s faults with Xu Fengjia.

“Met a few times.” Xu Fengjia also didn’t dwell on the previous topic. “You can rest assured—to guess the connection between him and Lady Ru requires being very familiar with both the Yang family and him. Such people can’t be found throughout the capital. Lady Ru’s privacy won’t be casually dug up and discussed, causing the deceased to have no peace even underground.”

Seventh Miss immediately bit her lip, turned her head away, and wouldn’t meet Xu Fengjia’s eyes.

Regardless of how rights and wrongs should be calculated, Ninth Concubine’s life was undoubtedly extremely tragic, extremely destitute and disgraceful. Whatever the reasons, Seventh Miss didn’t want her death to become gossip after so many years.

This most delicate sentiment—probably only she could understand her own insistence. Xu Fengjia… how could he speak of it so calmly!

She took a deep breath before letting this topic pass as if nothing had happened.

“That’s good then.” She answered in a low, hoarse voice, glaring at the bare honey-colored shoulder and neck before her, watching the gentle rise and fall of Xu Fengjia’s chest. “What kind of person is he?”

“Very amiable, also very refined. Well-read in poetry and books, not one of those ignorant palace eunuchs. He shows everyone a smiling face, rarely giving anyone cause for offense.” Xu Fengjia’s long fingers found Seventh Miss’s chin again, gently lifting. “Look at me.”

Seventh Miss wanted to dodge, but her fingertips still burned with the weariness after passion, and Xu Fengjia’s grip was so gentle. She could only let herself be captured by Xu Fengjia’s gaze, enveloped beneath that burning warmth.

This wasn’t comfortable at all.

“The Emperor never shows good favor toward palace eunuchs.” Xu Fengjia’s volume remained low. “Only toward Eunuch Lian is he extremely respectful, even more candid than with his ministers. State affairs are endlessly complicated, family matters also worrisome. Many things inconvenient for us ministers to do are all arranged by Eunuch Lian for the Emperor. The bond between them—even I must step back several paces. Feng Zixiu has been very prominent these years, seemingly the Emperor’s only confidant, but privately speaking of trust, Eunuch Lian still ranks first. Feng Jin merely benefited from his beauty, but also suffered from it.”

Mentioning Feng Jin, a note of bitterness appeared in his words again.

Seventh Miss’s heart immediately thought of Fifth Miss.

She lowered her eyes, only feeling her thoughts tangled beyond measure, like a ball of hemp, difficult even to find a thread.

“Sounds like an amiable elder.”

She pushed all the tangled thoughts deep into her heart, refocusing her attention on the conversation with Xu Fengjia.

“The amiability is real, but the means and schemes aren’t lacking either.” Xu Fengjia’s tone lightened. “He was the only attendant Consort Zhou placed beside the Crown Prince back then. Without some capability, he’d have been eliminated long ago. All these years, not only standing firm but also completely winning the Emperor’s heart… there’s more than a little skill hidden in that.”

Seventh Miss responded softly, sketching Eunuch Lian’s appearance in her mind. So far, what emerged was a kindly old eunuch. Aside from his face still being blank, his conduct and movements seemed to have a preset impression.

“Then… what about the Dowager Consort?” She rolled over to lie on the pillow alongside Xu Fengjia, wearily smoothing the stray hair at her temples. “This time entering the palace, no matter what I must pay respects to the Dowager Consort…”

Xu Fengjia seemed to temporarily let her go, with no intention of continuing their eye contact. He turned over to gaze at the bed canopy, pondering for a moment before saying softly, “Since I went to the northwest, I haven’t entered the rear palace to pay respects to the Dowager Consort in years. My impressions from years ago are already blurred. Mother’s health hasn’t been good these years so she can’t enter the palace, and Grandmother is advanced in age. If you want to know the Dowager Consort’s temperament, you’ll still need to ask the sisters-in-law.”

He thought for a moment, then added, “Perhaps Eldest Sister-in-law knows. She entered the family early after all. In previous years Mother brought her to the palace a few times. Only after Fifth Sister-in-law took over household affairs did they switch who went out for social obligations. When you have time, you can also visit Zhishan Hall more. Eldest Brother has a gentle temperament and has always had a good relationship with me.”

Xu Yufei only had a purchased title and had shown no intention of taking office over the years, so naturally his relationship with Xu Fengjia couldn’t be bad.

But thinking of First Young Madam’s lifeless demeanor made Seventh Miss somewhat uneasy. She responded softly, “I understand. I’ll visit Zhishan Hall tomorrow.”

Xu Fengjia made a satisfied sound, then softly instructed, “The Dowager Consort is after all Grandmother’s biological daughter. Though she also gets along well with Mother, in many matters she’s not so easy to talk to… If she gives you grievances, just endure them. You only see her a few times a year anyway—bear it if you can.”

Seventh Miss already understood—Xu Fengjia spoke politely, but the Grand Madam and Consort Xu probably both knew about the marriage candidate matter back then. Perhaps the Dowager Consort therefore had a prejudiced view of her from the start.

She couldn’t help but glare at Xu Fengjia reproachfully before agreeing, “I know what to do—look what time it is already, hurry and get up to change clothes! We should go see Fourth Young Master and Fifth Young Master… Ah! You—you’re starting again…”

She’d just lifted half the bed curtain when it was lowered again. The sounds from within the curtains quickly grew muffled.