Duke Pingguo’s decision regarding the Wu family quickly spread throughout the entire Duke’s household.

Wu Xun’s wife was one of the chief accountants in the internal accounting office. Wu Xun himself had little accomplishment, only relying on his father’s reputation to hold a light position at the second gate. Once the matter came to light, the Wu family desperately pulled connections and called in favors, even going so far as to seek help from Cai Le’s wife. In the end, they only managed to avoid the fate of having the entire family force-fed muting medicine and sold off. Wu Xun’s wife was given the medicine, had her hand tendons severed, and was sent far away to work on the Xu family’s estate in the northeastern provinces. The rest of the Wu family couldn’t escape either—all were sent to accompany Wu Xun’s wife on the journey. Word was passed the previous night, and the next day everyone was already on the road. The methods were cold and swift, clearly Duke Pingguo’s handiwork.

Once this happened, everyone felt endangered: Given Wu Xun’s wife’s standing in the household, Duke Pingguo had dealt with her so mercilessly. The household atmosphere immediately became solemn. Even the old women who loved to gossip most didn’t dare speak, spending all day honestly doing their work, deeply afraid of offending the Heir Apparent’s wife. If she reported to Duke Pingguo, thunderous measures would follow immediately. Never mind their positions—whether they could even keep their lives was questionable.

After this battle, Seventh Miss’s words naturally carried even more weight. The steward mamas were all shrewd people. After a day or two, they gradually understood. Thinking carefully, something seemed off: as for the incident in August, everyone had a pretty good idea who leaked the information. Judging from the household’s actions, the masters didn’t want the account book problems discovered. Of the two steward mamas who examined the accounts, Cai Le’s wife was still doing fine as the chief accounting steward, while Wu Xun’s wife, caught with such a minor error, was so severely sent to the bitter cold lands of the northeast to work under supervision. When Accountant Zhang’s wife made a bit of a fuss, she also got a bowl of muting medicine…

On the surface, these all seemed to be the old Duke’s actions, but the master normally never managed household affairs. How he dealt with things—wasn’t it all based on what the Heir Apparent’s wife told him?

Though the Heir Apparent’s wife appeared gentle and delicate, when it came time to be ruthless, she would never show mercy. Even more frightening was that this person’s patience was truly exceptional. When Wu Xun’s wife didn’t follow her wishes and leaked the information, she could wait half a year before striking back. And when she struck, she implicated the entire family—each of these steward mamas had a whole clan behind them, didn’t they?

Yet of the four people involved in this matter, Lin Shan’s wife and Peng Hu’s wife not only came to no harm but were transferred and promoted to stewards at Qingping Garden. Being close to the Duke’s wife was both respectable and easy. Duke Pingguo didn’t say a word: how could such methods not make people tremble from the depths of their hearts?

Therefore, over these ten-plus days, everyone carefully attended to their duties, afraid Seventh Miss would catch the slightest error and unleash a storm of fury right after the New Year. Knowing that Seventh Miss was meticulous and nothing escaped her notice below the surface, they became especially diligent. Before doing anything, they would consider all aspects thoroughly before making the decision most favorable to Seventh Miss’s household management. Some particularly ambitious mamas didn’t even wait for Seventh Miss’s instructions—they privately inquired about formats and submitted long work reports and personnel situation reports. Some even sent in thousand-word letters pledging loyalty. The various displays were laughable.

Though Seventh Miss found it amusing, she wouldn’t clarify or correct such matters. She simply borrowed this favorable wind to handle all New Year affairs smoothly. By the Kitchen God Festival on the twenty-third of the twelfth month, the servants truly moved harmoniously and diligently, quiet and respectful, arranging everything properly according to established rules. Even First Young Master, seeing this, couldn’t help but privately praise Xu Fengjia: “Sixth Sister-in-law truly has a way with household management. The household has been lacking precisely such a person to suppress the servants’ arrogance.”

When Xu Fengjia went back and repeated this to Seventh Miss, he pinched her nose and smiled. “First Brother never praises people lightly. In the entire household, you’re the only managing mistress he’s praised. Aren’t you going to be flattered?”

Men don’t worship the moon; women don’t worship the Kitchen God. Seventh Miss naturally didn’t join the Kitchen God worship festivities. She was taking advantage of the time before dinner to embroider a few stitches, making a purse as a return gift for Quan Ruiyun. While rubbing her sore neck, she smiled. “I can’t be bothered with you.”

After a pause, she asked Xu Fengjia, “Speaking of which, First Brother—I always feel he lacks some human warmth. Always so silent, seemingly without any hobbies normally. When there’s nothing to do, he never leaves the house, just quietly passing his days like that. It’s rather frightening.”

Generally, sons of wealthy families, even if they had no hope in the civil examinations, still had some hobbies—whether learning opera as amateur performers, raising pigeons, patronizing actors, or even trading antiques. Though they absolutely weren’t allowed to visit brothels or touch anything related to gambling, some still secretly fought crickets to pass the time. Only First Young Master truly had never been heard to have any hobbies. His greatest satisfaction in life seemed to be managing the family business and living those plain days with First Young Madam.

“First Brother was raised by his birth mother to have this kind of temperament. I don’t know how Concubine Cui taught him, but he developed a personality unmoved by the eight winds. If you ask me, I also don’t know what he likes.” Xu Fengjia waved his hand indifferently. “But over the years he’s handled matters without ever making mistakes or giving anyone cause for criticism. That’s enough—why do you care so much about other people’s business?”

Perhaps because Xu Fengjia had been sheltered from wind and rain by Madam Xu since childhood, and within a few years of reaching understanding he went to the battlefield with Duke Pingguo, when he spoke of it, his feelings for his brothers weren’t particularly deep. He got along better with Seventh Young Master and Eighth Young Master.

Seventh Miss couldn’t help but secretly be on guard: if Fourth Son and Fifth Son were raised too indulgently, they might very well turn out like Xu Fengjia—little demon kings from childhood. Now that the world was at peace, where would there be battlefields to temper them?

If they were raised too dissolute, never mind whether she’d have the face to see Fifth Miss in the afterlife—ten or twenty years from now, the family would have endless troubles…

She smiled and discussed with Xu Fengjia. “Since First Brother and First Sister-in-law are both so undemanding… speaking of which, Third Son is only five this year, just the right age to begin his studies. Second Son also hasn’t entered the family school yet. I think, why not have Fourth Son and Fifth Son begin their education together with their brothers? It would be good for them to keep each other company.”

Only then did Xu Fengjia remember. “Oh, the two children are beginning their studies after New Year’s—sure, you decide!”

When it came to Fourth Son and Fifth Son, he still had this air of detachment…

Seventh Miss sighed but didn’t say anything more.

#

Early the next morning, she personally went to Lütian Hermitage to see Yu An.

Though Xiao Cuijin wasn’t large, it had several elegant courtyards. Yu An, Yu Ping, and Yu Qiao lived together in Lütian Hermitage, which was full of vines and tall trees. Even entering in winter, there were still one or two pine and cypress trees here, adding a touch of green to the icy, snowy landscape.

This was Seventh Miss’s first time entering the concubine-born daughters’ residence. Standing in the courtyard, she looked around and first spotted Yu Qiao sitting by the back window with a book in hand. Looking through the glass window, she couldn’t make out what book it was. Yu Qiao was reading with intense concentration, her mouth opening and closing continuously as she muttered something. Only when Seventh Miss waved at her did she suddenly come to her senses, give Seventh Miss a slight smile, then lower her head to continue reading.

Lixia had actually been here several times, delivering things from Seventh Miss to the three younger sisters. She led Seventh Miss into the east wing of the back courtyard. Yu An had already come out to meet her, her face showing a warm smile. “You’ve worked hard, Sister-in-law. I haven’t yet gone to Mingde Hall to thank you, and you’ve troubled yourself to come see me.”

Seventh Miss said with concern, “How are you? All better now? This kind of illness most fears cold wind. If it’s not cured properly and leaves lasting effects, it will inevitably be awkward later. You’d best not go out for several days.”

Yu An blushed and nodded, saying softly, “Thank you, Sister-in-law.” She then complained, “I don’t know what I ate—I felt uncomfortable at the time. Then Second Sister and Third Sister quarreled, and in her anger she ran off. I searched for her in the cold wind for quite a while—I probably caught it then.”

She truly knew how to speak appropriately to the situation. Seventh Miss smiled with pursed lips. “No matter, this little illness can’t compare to your getting to see the Qilin Troupe’s performance.”

The entire Xu household were opera enthusiasts with sharp ears and good appreciation. Yu An immediately smiled upon hearing this. “Indeed, it’s a pity Sister-in-law didn’t go. Cui Zixiu of the Qilin Troupe truly sang wonderfully—his Wang Baochuan was perfection!”

As they spoke, the two sat down as host and guest. Yu An personally brought tea for Seventh Miss to drink, then demurred, “I don’t have anything good…”

“Is Yu An complaining that I don’t send you good tea to drink?” Seventh Miss teased her a few words. Yu An blushed and smiled. “Sister-in-law always knows how to tease me.”

The two chatted some more. Yu An showed Seventh Miss several embroidered handkerchiefs she’d made in her leisure, then said, “I also made two pairs of tiger-head shoes for my little nephews. Sister-in-law can take them with you in a bit, so they don’t have to pass through others’ eyes.”

She was so careful and cautious in her actions, it truly made one feel pity—she was afraid First Young Madam would know and think Yu An was showing favoritism.

Seventh Miss sighed with a smile. “Good, I know you care for your two little nephews.”

She had no intention of beating around the bush with Yu An. Seeing the atmosphere had warmed up, she got straight to the point. “Speaking of which, I came this time because there’s something I want to ask you.”

She revealed Doctor Zhong’s words without any concealment, then said softly, “Doctor Zhong is getting on in years and isn’t familiar with the household people. He only remembers running into you face-to-face at the time. I was thinking, though it’s been two or three years now, if you think about it, you might still remember who was around you then—”

Yu An’s face went deathly pale with shock. She stood up abruptly. “Sister-in-law, I—I truly didn’t hear clearly—I didn’t know—if I’d known earlier, I definitely would have—”

Seventh Miss quickly smiled. “I understand, I understand. If you’d heard clearly, you definitely would have reminded Madam. I’ll explain this matter to Madam, so you needn’t worry.”

Given Yu An’s status, such concern was understandable. After Seventh Miss’s repeated assurances, the young lady finally felt relieved. She bit her lip, thinking hard for a long while before saying dejectedly, “I really can’t remember clearly… Events from two or three years ago—if Sister-in-law hadn’t mentioned it like this, I’d already almost forgotten even when I went to visit my sister-in-law that day.”

Seventh Miss also felt it was somewhat unreasonable to ask Yu An to remember events from two or three years ago out of thin air. She bit her lower lip and pondered for a moment, then asked Yu An, “Do you still remember what emotions you felt when Fifth Sister had her accident?—Close your eyes, don’t overthink it, just answer me directly.”

Yu An obediently closed her eyes, thought for a moment, then said, “I felt it was a great pity, and also very… very alarmed, not knowing who was scheming behind the scenes.”

“When you heard that everyone who visited Fifth Sister the day before was under suspicion, were you worried for yourself?” Seventh Miss immediately followed with another question.

Yu An’s brow immediately tightened. “Yes… I had also visited Sister-in-law the day before. At the time Sister-in-law’s spirits were still good. I was outside the room and heard her talking with Doctor Zhong. Their tones both sounded happy, and I was happy for her too…”

Seventh Miss paused, then said, “You didn’t hear clearly what they were saying—was it because someone was talking to you at the time?”

Yu An’s brow suddenly relaxed.

“Yes,” she said as if in a dream. “Someone was talking to me, it was—it seemed to be one old and one young, a steward mama, asking… asking Sister-in-law’s maid Xiao Songhua! Asking her how the two children were nursing, whether they cried loudly. That steward mama was—”

She frowned again, thinking for a long while before opening her eyes. With a trace of uncertainty, she looked at Seventh Miss, tears already brimming in her eyes. She bit her lip hard before saying, “Sister-in-law, Yu An may truly not remember clearly.”

Seventh Miss’s heart couldn’t help but surge with excitement. She forced herself to suppress this agitation at the mystery about to be solved, gently patted Yu An’s hand, and said softly, “Rest assured, without real evidence, just a few words of conversation cannot convict anyone. I only need a name. Whether it’s true or not, you won’t be implicated.”

Only then did Yu An relax, though she still looked troubled. She gazed at Seventh Miss, closed her eyes again, then said, “If it weren’t Sister-in-law—I, I wouldn’t say… If it weren’t that Sister-in-law has been so kind lately—Yu An truly is…”

Seventh Miss’s appetite had been whetted to the heavens. She worked to even out her breathing, only patiently and kindly watching Yu An without speaking.

She believed her relationship with Yu An was worth this young concubine-born daughter taking a small risk. It was precisely because she understood Yu An’s state of mind so well that she could comprehend and empathize with her current anxious mood—every name Yu An spoke risked offending that name’s owner.

Yu An’s expression changed repeatedly. She gazed at Seventh Miss, then suddenly turned her head sharply to look out the window, took several deep breaths, stood up and paced rapidly, finally stopping abruptly and turning back to face Seventh Miss.

Seventh Miss looked at her, patiently waiting.

After another while, she finally heard a reply as soft as a sigh.

“It was the old mama…”