Because Madam Xu had been sleeping poorly all spring, the old nanny came early to Leshan Residence to relay a message, asking everyone not to disturb her rest. Seventh Miss didn’t return to Mingde Hall either, but instead had Lixia explain the major and minor matters of recent days to Fifth Young Madam, lest Fifth Young Madam suddenly resume managing household affairs and be unable to keep up.

Fifth Young Madam smiled and exchanged pleasantries with Seventh Miss. “Ah, I’m only helping Sixth Sister-in-law manage the household for a few more days—I’ll muddle through somehow. Why is Sixth Sister-in-law being so polite? There are some matters you’ll need to take charge of too.”

First Young Madam had left early with First Young Master to return to Zhishan Hall. Fourth Young Madam hadn’t left yet. After emerging from the washroom, she planned to accompany the Grand Madam in sorting Buddhist beans, and was just walking to the entrance of the small flower hall.

Hearing Fifth Young Madam’s words, she couldn’t help but turn around, casting a scornful glance at the pair of sisters-in-law before turning and striding into the inner hall.

“Old Ancestor,” her coquettish voice could still be heard through the curtain. “Last time when I returned to the Mo family, my mother said…”

Fifth Young Madam’s expression immediately darkened.

Fourth Young Madam was a relative of the Grand Madam’s natal family—the relationship was quite close.

Previously, when she held the power of household management, no matter how favored Fourth Young Madam was, there wasn’t much conflict of interest with Fifth Young Madam. But now that management authority was about to be handed over, the Grand Madam’s favor had suddenly become fundamental to the Fifth Branch’s survival.

Seeing Fourth Young Madam competing for favor at this moment naturally displeased her.

Seventh Miss observed with a smile, taking in every nuance of Fifth Young Madam’s changing mood.

She thought for a moment but didn’t immediately provoke Fifth Young Madam. Instead, she changed the subject, making small talk with Fifth Young Madam. “Yu Qiao’s marriage prospects seem quite promising.”

Mentioning Yu Qiao’s marriage reminded Fifth Young Madam that in this matter, Seventh Miss was an ally.

“The Fan family is well-off after all, and the household is simple.” She smiled slightly. “Grandmother and Madam are both very satisfied. Third Aunt also thinks Yu Qiao is a good girl. Once we return to Yangzhou, this match should be settled.”

“Truly a marriage destined by fate.” Seventh Miss was also quite moved. “It’s good too—once Yu Qiao marries out, we can then arrange matches for Yu Ping and Yu An.”

After a few more polite exchanges with Fifth Young Madam, Lixia and Little Fuchun emerged hand-in-hand from the side room. Little Fuchun whispered a few words to Lixia with a grin before releasing her hand and murmuring to Fifth Young Madam.

But Little Luowen was again nowhere to be seen today…

Seventh Miss smiled as she rose and bid farewell to Fifth Young Madam, then left Leshan Residence with Lixia.

Before they even reached the main gate of Little Cuijin, a young maid from Qingping Garden came rushing up breathlessly and invited Seventh Miss to Qingping Garden.

#

When Seventh Miss entered the inner chamber, Madam Xu was leaning against the edge of the kang having breakfast. Though she looked quite haggard, her spirits seemed good.

“Little Qi has come.” Madam Xu beckoned. “Come, sit down and eat some more!”

Although Madam Xu had always treated Seventh Miss well, she had never been this warm before.

Seventh Miss naturally wouldn’t play at being aloof at such a time.

A faint smile crossed her face as she obediently sat across from Madam Xu, softly inquiring, “Did Mother sleep poorly again last night?”

“An old ailment.” Madam Xu waved her hand dismissively and, with a young maid’s assistance, took a spoonful of almond tea before smiling. “This morning your father-in-law came to see me and said a few words. My heart relaxed, and didn’t my spirits improve considerably?”

Madam Xu’s illness stemmed from years of worry, leaving her unable to sleep soundly. Now that Seventh Miss’s actions in the manor were exemplary, causing Duke Pingguo himself to propose transferring household management while the Grand Madam and the Fifth Branch couldn’t utter a word of opposition—how could her mood not improve? With an improved mood came improved spirits.

Seventh Miss smiled faintly, allowing Madam Xu to regard her appreciatively while she lowered her head and took a bite of date cake without saying much.

When criticized, she paid no mind; when praised, she remained equally calm, never showing joy on her face… The appreciation in Madam Xu’s eyes only deepened.

Between two intelligent people, there was never need for lengthy explanations of intentions or declarations of loyalty. Often, facts spoke for themselves. Not only had Seventh Miss accepted Fifth Young Madam’s challenge, she had responded perfectly. Her performance was already enough to astound Madam Xu.

What a pity that back then…

Her eyes couldn’t help but dim again, thinking of everything buried in the dust of the past.

“How are Shou’ge and Fu’ge doing lately?” Rather than mentioning household affairs, Madam Xu directly turned the topic to her two precious grandsons.

Though somewhat surprised, Seventh Miss answered quickly.

“Both are doing well. Fu’ge already recognizes several numbers, and his speech is getting clearer and clearer.” Thinking of Fifth Son’s performance, Seventh Miss couldn’t help but smile.

This child had been lively and outgoing from birth, truly endearing. Even his little schemes were adorable. Because Seventh Miss feared they would develop cavities from a young age, she strictly controlled sweets. Only when there were guests, or when playing at Grandmother’s, could they eat a few candies.

“Last time when their maternal grandmother came to visit,” Seventh Miss smiled as she told Madam Xu the story, “Fifth Son acted all coquettish and wheedling, coaxing over ten pine nut candies from his grandmother. But he wouldn’t eat them. Instead, he asked for a little box to store them in. Mother may remember—Fourth Son loves that little doll made by Little Zhujiang at your side, sometimes refusing to let go of it wherever he goes. Fifth Son loves teasing his brother, so with those pine nut candies, he’d eat one himself, and when Fourth Son wanted some, he’d trade with him—one pine nut candy to play with the doll for a while…”

Before she could finish the story, Madam Xu was already laughing heartily.

“What a little troublemaker!” The joy radiating from her face was unmistakable. “In a few years, when the children reach seven or eight years old, Mingde Hall will be in chaos!”

“Fourth Son is no slouch either,” Seventh Miss smiled with pursed lips. “This child can now say many words too. After he traded with Fifth Son, once the maids and nursemaids changed shifts to eat, he coaxed Chunfen who came in to serve: ‘Aunt Chunfen, want dolly’… Chunfen didn’t know what had happened and coaxed the doll away from Fifth Son to give to him. Didn’t he end up eating the candy and keeping the doll? Poor Fifth Son cried his heart out…”

Even the old nanny who had just entered couldn’t help but laugh. As for Madam Xu, in that instant she seemed to have grown several years younger, her eyes and brows radiating brilliance.

The pair of children brought endless joy to the elderly.

“How did Fourth Son suddenly learn to speak so quickly?” She enthusiastically discussed child-rearing with Seventh Miss. “Just a few days ago when they came to pay respects to me, he said ‘Greetings to Grandmother, may Grandmother be well’ perfectly clearly, not at all more mumbled than Fifth Son!”

Seventh Miss didn’t hide anything from Madam Xu. She recounted, with additions and omissions, how Fourth Son learned to speak, not even concealing the few words Fourth Son had said before Fifth Miss’s spirit tablet.

Mentioning Fifth Miss naturally prompted Madam Xu to sigh, though she was also gratified. “You always said Fourth Son understood everything—I thought that was just a mother’s bias toward her son and took it with a grain of salt. Hearing this, Fourth Son truly is perceptive inside, not confused at all in his heart, understanding everything clearly!”

Her gaze toward Seventh Miss held an added warmth.

Though Seventh Miss didn’t show it outwardly, she truly treated Fourth Son and Fifth Son well… Most precious was that she didn’t avoid mentioning their birth mother, allowing the children to remember their biological bond from a young age. Whether another stepmother could have such magnanimity was questionable.

Madam Xu slowly exhaled and reached out to pat Seventh Miss’s shoulder.

“Mother is getting old.” She leaned back against the pillow, signaling the servants to remove the small kang table covered with bowls and dishes and set it aside to be cleared. “My health isn’t good, my mind even less sharp—and I don’t want to use it anymore.”

She carefully observed Seventh Miss’s expression.

Seventh Miss still wore a faint smile, calmly waiting for her to continue, without the slightest excitement. Her bright eyes remained calm as an ancient well, as if she had neither expectation nor fear of what Madam Xu would say next.

Madam Xu took another deep breath, wistfully recalling the past.

Even when she herself was Seventh Miss’s age, she hadn’t possessed such serenity forged through a thousand trials… If her birth weren’t insufficient, this child would be qualified even to become Empress!

She hesitated no longer and frankly removed the ruby ring from her finger, placing it in Seventh Miss’s hand.

“You’re excellent.” She praised. “Previously I had to plan even while ill because the Sixth Branch truly had no one who could take charge. Now with Little Qi here, I can step down and rest.”

Seeing Seventh Miss looking at the ring in her hand, she personally took up the heavy gold ornament and slipped it onto those scallion-like fingers.

“This is the token of the Xu family’s mistress. Years ago, I also received it from your grandmother.” She smiled with a hint of mockery. “Of course, your grandmother wore it until she absolutely couldn’t wear it anymore before giving it to me.”

The implication of her words was clear to Seventh Miss: Madam Xu had endured until the death of the old Duke Pingguo before reluctantly obtaining this ring from the unwilling Grand Madam.

“When it’s time to let go, one should let go. I won’t learn from her—” Madam Xu smiled. “With this ring in hand, you are the legitimate mistress of the Xu household. Even I must follow your arrangements. When to take over household affairs and how—you decide. I’ll simply listen to your instructions.”

Seventh Miss tightened her fist, savoring the still-warm gold ornament pressed against her palm. For a moment, she felt genuinely dizzy.

She hadn’t expected Madam Xu to relinquish power so decisively.

Of course, Fifth Young Madam had also relinquished power readily, but that was after weighing the situation—fundamentally, she had no choice.

Madam Xu was different. With Duke Pingguo still alive, both emotionally and logically, she could keep this ring in her hand, evaluating and directing Seventh Miss’s course of action. Even Seventh Miss herself wouldn’t resent it. After all, she was the Duke’s wife—as long as she held that title, she was Seventh Miss’s superior, with the authority to guide and constrain her actions.

Yet Madam Xu had cleanly handed over all authority to her… For such a forceful person accustomed to being mistress, this relinquishment meant releasing decades of power held in her palm. Even if her physical condition no longer allowed her to fulfill the role of Xu family mistress, how many people could understand this and willingly let go?

In that moment, she felt a measure of respect for Madam Xu: this noblewoman certainly wasn’t perfect, but she was truly formidable.

She made no token refusals but instead gazed sincerely at Madam Xu.

“Little Qi will not disappoint Mother.”

Madam Xu nodded but then sighed.

“I’ve rarely made mistakes in my life.” Her tone dropped again. “Only in two marriage arrangements did I err gravely. The first was your Second Aunt, the second was your Fifth Sister.”

“Even though neither marriage was entirely my arrangement,” Madam Xu’s face darkened like water, “morally, I was wrong. Especially your Fifth Sister’s death—it’s my greatest regret in later years.”

In that moment, she finally revealed her grief over Fifth Miss.

And Seventh Miss already understood what Madam Xu would say next.

“I was your Fifth Sister’s third aunt, watched her grow up. Her temperament suited me well but wasn’t suitable for being the Xu family mistress.” Madam Xu raised her eyes, her sharp gaze piercing straight into Seventh Miss’s eyes as if to see through her. “A mistress of a great household must put the greater good first in everything. Nothing can be done according to one’s own temperament. Don’t I want to overturn the entire Xu household and investigate the whole matter thoroughly? When your mother, my own sister, broke with me, didn’t my heart ache?”

“But the court situation had just been overturned then, your sisters-in-law all had powerful backing, and if the matter became too big with another in-law family turning against the Xu family, it could very well have dragged the entire Xu household into unclear troubles.” Madam Xu’s tone grew cold. “Fengjia is in Guangzhou doing things you know aren’t without danger. Just for the children’s sake, we couldn’t take such a risk… However unwilling, this matter could only be left muddled, with stability as the priority!”

“When you take over household affairs and establish yourself firmly in the manor, you’ll certainly want to bring up that matter again.” Seeing Seventh Miss about to speak, she raised a finger to stop her. “I absolutely won’t prevent you. I also want the murderer brought to justice—even your father-in-law is not without anger in his heart.”

“But we are a great aristocratic family. If we can’t even handle our own family matters without causing a city-wide uproar, where is our dignity?” Madam Xu sighed. “Besides, there’s the Imperial Consort in the palace—that aunt cares about the Xu family no less than we Xu family daughters-in-law do. And your father-in-law is determined to treat his sons fairly. Little Qi is clever—you understand my meaning?”

Seventh Miss exhaled silently.

If Madam Xu’s earlier confession was still explaining her difficulties to Seventh Miss and the Grand Madam behind her, seeking reconciliation, her final words carried much deeper meaning.

When Seventh Miss rose to power, she would certainly investigate Fifth Miss’s death—this the Xu family knew well. Her performance in Mingde Hall back then hadn’t been forgotten so quickly.

But Duke Pingguo, the master of the Xu household, wouldn’t allow Seventh Miss to turn the Xu family upside down investigating Fifth Miss’s death, nor would he allow her to frame and persecute others using Fifth Miss’s death as pretext. Her steps must be steady, waiting until she could present solid evidence before discussing punishment of the true culprit with Duke Pingguo.

“I understand Mother’s meaning.” She spoke sincerely. “There’s always conflict between what should be done and what one wants to do… Mother can rest assured, Little Qi knows what to do.”

Madam Xu sighed with relief.

“From today on, I have nothing to worry about!” She looked at the ring on Seventh Miss’s finger with lingering attachment, then smiled again. “When entering the palace at month’s end, show your ring to the Imperial Consort… Listen to her opinions. The noble lady has nothing to do in the palace and inevitably talks at length. Don’t argue with her, just listen. If the noble lady can favor you more, you’ll have more face in the manor.”

She smiled self-deprecatingly. “Never mind—with Little Qi’s intelligence, how could you not know how to conduct yourself? Little Qi, tell me—how should the household affairs be transferred?”

Seventh Miss tilted her head and stated without hesitation, “Little Qi was thinking—we’re not short a few months anyway. We might as well wait until the accounts are settled before autumn this year before making the transfer. A few more months means more preparation time.”

Madam Xu looked at Seventh Miss with surprised delight, exchanged a glance with the old nanny, and smiled.

Seventh Miss was truly worthy of being Seventh Miss.