Early on the morning of the first of the eighth month, Seventh Miss was pulled from her bedding by Xu Fengjia. He forced her to follow him to the courtyard to practice a set of Taiji boxing before Young Master Xu finally released her back to the room to dress and groom herself. After washing up, she sat down for breakfast.
“Since Miss began learning boxing, never mind anything else, her appetite has certainly improved.” Lixia arranged dishes while joking with Seventh Miss. “She can even eat most of a bowl of rice in the morning now. I’d say this boxing practice is beneficial.”
Seventh Miss gave Lixia a withering look. “You wretched girl, you only know how to side with the Heir against me.”
Xu Fengjia was true to his word. Having said he would find a health-building boxing technique for Seventh Miss, he really did consult Dr. Zhong. Learning that Seventh Miss could withstand the exertion of boxing practice, he personally took time to go to Cangzhou, where he learned from an old boxing master a set of Taiji specifically designed for strengthening the bodies of women and the elderly. He came back and taught it to Seventh Miss. After only five or six days of practice, Seventh Miss, accustomed to laziness, sometimes found herself gasping for breath after completing the set. Every day she schemed for ways to sleep a bit longer. Unable to resist Xu Fengjia’s determination, whenever she was dragged out to practice boxing each day, she always complained.
“After practicing, I have no energy left for work!”
Young Master Xu played dumb with her. “I see you’re not that busy all day long anyway!”
Indeed, although household authority was about to transfer to Seventh Miss’s hands, she had been planning since the day she married into the Xu family. By now she showed no sign of strain—everything had someone to handle it. This made Seventh Miss herself seem idle, unable to find any excuse to escape Xu Fengjia. She could only sweat profusely following Xu Fengjia through boxing practice every morning.
Though she complained with her mouth, there seemed to be some amusement in her eyes. Lixia and the others didn’t take it seriously, just giggled, bowed to Xu Fengjia—”Greetings, Heir”—then retreated from the room like a tide, leaving space for the couple.
Now that Seventh Miss rose early, after practicing a set of boxing she returned to wash and groom. By the time Xu Fengjia finished his own boxing practice and bathed, the couple could sit down to eat together. After the meal, they would say a few words to Fourth Young Master and Fifth Young Master, then go pay respects together.
While drinking almond tea, Seventh Miss discussed with Xu Fengjia, “Though they won’t begin formal studies until next year, the two children are older now. At least when they meet people, they should know how to bow. From now on, every few days, could we bring them to Leshan Residence to pay respects to Grandmother and play with their cousins?”
Xu Fengjia thought for a moment before saying, “Forget it. I think we should wait a bit longer. The children are still young after all, and the weather is getting cold. If you let them go out regularly now, when winter comes they’ll also clamor to go pay respects—should we let them go or not?”
His words made sense. Great Qin wasn’t like later times—medical conditions were poor. If the two children frequently demanded to go out in winter and caught cold, it would certainly become a thorny matter. Seventh Miss nodded, accepting Xu Fengjia’s reasoning, but still couldn’t help sighing. “Last time when I took them to the Sun family, the two children were so affectionate with Yanping, calling ‘Cousin’ so sweetly. After all, at this age they yearn for playmates… Sigh, once they begin formal studies next year, things will be better.”
Xu Fengjia responded with a faint sound, his gaze casually sweeping over Seventh Miss’s fingers before suddenly stopping. “Hmm? This is—”
He took Seventh Miss’s hand and examined it carefully in his palm for a long while before raising his eyes with a half-smile. “Yang Qi, you’re quite capable. After just a few years, you’ve already coaxed this ring away?”
Seventh Miss withdrew her hand and smiled slightly. “That’s Mother showing her affection, giving me a front to put up. Do you really think obtaining the ring makes one the Xu family matriarch?”
The gold and ruby ring Lady Xu had given her—since receiving it, Seventh Miss had treasured and hidden it away, never showing it to anyone. Today she wore it, her intention obvious. Xu Fengjia touched her forehead and reminded her, “Don’t exhaust yourself too much either. If Fifth Branch’s matter doesn’t work out, then forget it! Spending too much effort and ruining your health wouldn’t be worth it.”
Whether Second Young Madam or Lady Xu, though their expectations of Seventh Miss weren’t high, they mostly still considered the big picture, hoping Seventh Miss could maintain stability within the mansion.
In all the world, only Ninth Brother and Xu Fengjia would place Seventh Miss’s health above inner household struggles.
Seventh Miss smiled faintly and tore off a small piece of milk-fragrant steamed bun to put in her mouth. She nodded. “Don’t worry. This performance won’t require me to expend much effort.”
Everyone arrived early that day. Fifth Young Madam was dressed quite formally—though it was only Mid-Autumn season, she already wore a dark blue tribute satin jacket that looked rather solemn. Only the smile on her face still carried a trace of faint celebration.
Even Eldest Young Master, Eldest Young Madam, Fourth Young Madam, Yu Ning, and Yu Tai all entered the small flower hall early. On the contrary, the young ladies were most casual, arriving quite late—after all, they were all to be married off and weren’t so invested in household affairs. Only Yu An quietly gave Seventh Miss a smile, as if cheering her on.
Seventh Miss returned a small smile. She turned her head and quietly teased Xu Fengjia, “Those who know understand that I’m taking over household management today. Those who don’t might think some disaster is about to happen… Look at Eldest Brother, his face drawn so tight his eyebrows are twisted into two worms.”
To avoid being overheard, she leaned close to Xu Fengjia’s ear to speak. Their intimate manner further irritated Fourth Young Madam’s eyes. She wanted to say something but swallowed her words, turned to walk to the window, and stared vacantly at the sky outside.
A hint of amusement spilled from Xu Fengjia’s lips, but he didn’t respond. Instead, he spoke with Fifth Young Master about personnel changes in the palace, then pulled in Eldest Young Master. “I heard a new restaurant recently opened at Zhengyang Gate. Has Eldest Brother tried it…”
Though he usually didn’t smile readily and had a fierce, frightening face, when he actually made the effort to put on appearances, he was no less adept. Now when he smiled, his face full of spring breeze, he had the air of a Chang’an noble young master—having stayed home for half a year in comfort, his soldier’s iron and blood aura had gradually receded. Looking at him now, he seemed more like a dissolute youth of the capital, his face full of romantic charm. Only when his gaze shifted did hints of deep calculation show.
Eldest Young Master and Fifth Young Master both gave Xu Fengjia face. Both showed smiles, and as they talked, they arranged to go eat roast meat at Zhengyang Tower. Fifth Young Master pulled in Yu Ning. “You and Yu Tai should come too. Let Eldest Brother host and treat us younger brothers to a meal!”
Seventh Young Master and Eighth Young Master’s faces both showed delight. “Is Eldest Brother serious?”
The atmosphere in the room immediately became lively. When Grand Madam entered, everyone quieted and greeted her in unison.
“Good, good.” Grand Madam smiled as she settled into the grand master’s chair. “I was washing my face and could already hear your laughter. What are you all so happy about?”
Fourth Young Madam, all smiles, told Grand Madam about the brothers arranging to eat roast meat. “…They want to squeeze Eldest Brother for a treat!”
Everyone laughed again. Grand Madam glanced at Seventh Miss meaningfully before saying, “No good—Fengjia should be the one treating.”
She paused to explain. “He’s the heir and should naturally look after his younger brothers. Besides, all these years he hasn’t had anyone capable of managing the household. Now that the heir’s wife can finally take over household duties—it’s a joyous occasion! You all go out and drink and eat meat. We women will open a table inside to celebrate Yang Shi taking charge!”
Worthy of being seasoned ginger—though her dislike of Seventh Miss was obvious to perceptive people, when it came time to perform, she played all seven emotions perfectly without any perfunctoriness.
Seventh Miss and Fifth Young Madam exchanged glances, both showing smiles.
“Grandmother, how can you say that? It’s just that your granddaughter-in-law matured late and can only now barely take over household duties…”
“Grandmother speaks correctly. I must also drink a cup to share in Sixth Sister-in-law’s good fortune!”
One echoing, one yielding—they stirred up the atmosphere to even greater liveliness.
“What’s so lively?” Duke Pingguo Xu Heng also entered the flower hall. He stepped forward to pay respects to Grand Madam. “I haven’t come to see Mother in several days.”
After he rose, everyone left their seats to greet him. “Father, you’ve worked hard.”
Duke Pingguo had been sent by imperial decree to Xuande for troop inspection, away from home for five or six days. Last night his sons personally welcomed him back from outside the city.
Grand Madam laughingly told Duke Pingguo what had just been discussed. “I see Duke Pingguo has returned at just the right time. It’s been a long while since mother and son drank together. Perfect—one table for the granddaughters-in-law, one for us. Using this occasion, let’s have a good meal at noon.”
With her so enthusiastic, Duke Pingguo naturally wouldn’t spoil the mood. He glanced at Seventh Miss—just as Seventh Miss was touching her ear—his gaze paused on her fingers for a moment before he smiled. “Good, but I must enter the palace at noon and don’t know when I’ll emerge. Why not celebrate tomorrow evening instead, and also mark Yu Qian’s birthday.”
Fourth Young Madam quickly rose to decline. “What status does Yu Qian have that Father would value him so…”
Grand Madam’s eyes flashed as she agreed with a smile. “Don’t you know your father? He dotes on the younger generation most. Tomorrow evening it is. Yang Shi, arrange it properly—but don’t make it too grand.”
See—this was Grand Madam. Even when making things difficult, she did so with such propriety. Those who didn’t know would think she adored Seventh Miss, so delighted that she was taking over the accounts that she wanted to celebrate.
Seventh Miss exchanged a glance with Xu Fengjia and smiled gracefully. “Grandmother, rest assured. Little Qi knows how to arrange it.”
Almost imperceptibly, she turned the gold ring on her finger again.
Fifth Young Madam looked as if something had stabbed her eyes, slightly turning her head away.
Leaving Leshan Residence, Fifth Young Madam didn’t linger. She went directly back to Shensi Hall with Fifth Young Master.
Seventh Miss also didn’t stay long in the small flower hall. She left Zhongyuan there and brought Duanwu back to Mingde Hall.
Of the dozen or so rooms in Mingde Hall’s west wing, fewer than five were normally in use. Xu Fengjia nominally had a small study and his own sleeping chamber, but since he forbade Seventh Miss from working after dinner, the small study had become virtually unused. That private bedroom had long gathered dust—even that night when he quarreled with Seventh Miss, it was already unusable. Among the remaining seven or eight rooms, Seventh Miss selected a sunny room to clean out, placed several writing desks, planning to use it for future document processing. Now when the maids weren’t on duty, they often went in to rest and drink tea.
She sat in this new office. After a while, the managing matrons entered Mingde Hall one after another. When the dozen or so managing matrons who usually came on duty had all arrived, Zhongyuan also slipped into the flower hall and closed the door behind her.
Seventh Miss smoothed her bangs again, unintentionally causing sunlight to refract off the gold ring, casting a brilliant spot of light in the room that dazzled everyone’s eyes.
She smiled apologetically and lowered her hand, saying softly, “From today on, Seventh Miss will manage the household for Grandmother and Mother.”
Everyone’s gaze seemed magnetically drawn to her index finger, not moving for quite some time.
Seventh Miss remained silent, slowly sipping some warm water before continuing. “In great aristocratic families, everything has its own rules. Little Qi naturally won’t make arbitrary changes. Even when changing management, we follow established practices. In future management, I ask all the matrons to honor me with your cooperation. Let’s help each other and live peacefully.”
These formalities had to be addressed. Everyone wasn’t surprised. A few diligent ones murmured in response, “Young Madam speaks correctly. This servant will certainly serve diligently.”
She nodded. “However, new officials light three fires. Anyone working under me must develop the habit of keeping records. This habit—Seventh Miss cannot change it. I must ask all the matrons to be understanding. Whatever happens, write it down.”
In a few words, she explained the record-keeping rules clearly. Without giving everyone time to react, she continued. “From now on, as before, assemble at Mingde Hall at the first quarter of the hour of the Snake. I’ll be here working until lunch. Urgent matters can be brought to me at any time, but non-urgent matters—wait until morning to discuss them all at once for greater convenience.”
“All matrons should temporarily continue following the original rules. This record-keeping practice—Seventh Miss is also implementing for the first time. How to do it still needs exploration. In any case, notebooks will be distributed shortly. Everyone record things, and when needed, someone will naturally come to collect them.”
Seventh Miss paused and swept her gaze over everyone before saying casually, “If anyone is illiterate and cannot record, or doesn’t want to record, you can speak up now. Don’t wait until later when records are requested and you can’t produce them—that… would be awkward.”
At the last sentence, her tone turned cold. Though her expression didn’t change, the atmosphere in the room seemed to stiffen because of Seventh Miss’s tone. Everyone looked at each other, all feeling this new matriarch seemed far from kind. Someone started, and voices overlapped as all said, “Young Madam is correct. This servant understands.”
Seventh Miss nodded and smiled again. “Matron Cai and Matron Wu—you two accountants can begin auditing the accounts starting today. If anything is improper, speak up anytime. I’ll naturally ask Fifth Sister-in-law. These few days, accounting office matters will be handled by…”
Her gaze circled the room for a moment. Seeing those under her scrutiny all perk up, Seventh Miss couldn’t help smiling inwardly. Finally, her gaze settled on the old matron. “Old Matron, would you manage things for a few days? What do you think?”
The old matron said solemnly, “If Young Madam commands, this old servant naturally has no objection.”
Cai Le’s wife and Wu Xun’s wife exchanged glances and also said obediently, “Then we’ll trouble Old Matron.”
Seventh Miss broke into a smile and casually assigned a few trivial matters before saying, “Li Geng’s wife, please stay a moment. If there’s nothing else, the rest of you may go.”