“With the young madam’s foundation, ultimately you still cannot overwork yourself. Many matters—the young madam should simply not take them to heart.” Quan Zhongbai glanced at Seventh Miss and spoke without emotion. “However, after all, living in this world, there are many unavoidable circumstances. Quan’s words—the young madam can just let them pass after hearing them. Whether you can actually do it, don’t worry about too much either.”

Compared to when he had righteously reproached Seventh Miss years ago for excessive worries, Quan Zhongbai’s words today could be called gentle and kind.

Thinking of how at such a young age she had already been full of anxieties, Seventh Miss couldn’t help smiling gracefully. “Master Quan has become increasingly magnanimous.”

Nostalgia also shone in Quan Zhongbai’s eyes—yet he seemed to look through Seventh Miss’s face toward distant places. He murmured softly, “Many things ultimately cannot be changed by human effort.”

Without waiting for Seventh Miss to respond, he rallied his spirits again and said thoughtfully, “Given the young madam’s current pulse, tonics like ginseng and deer antler already need to be used cautiously, lest overdoing it have the opposite effect and instead cause excessive internal heat. I’ll prescribe several formulas for the young madam… In the future, still focus primarily on gentle supplementation. Most importantly, your heart still cannot be too melancholic. With everything, you must think broadly.”

Seeing him already standing, Seventh Miss quickly said, “Master Quan, please wait a moment—”

She felt somewhat embarrassed, biting her lip and glancing at Lixia and the others. Finally gathering her resolve, she asked in a low voice, “Three years ago when Master Quan examined my pulse, you once said that with my constitution, bearing children would likely be very difficult… I wonder if my current condition means I can, can…”

Quan Zhongbai’s expression shifted. He couldn’t help scrutinizing Seventh Miss’s features carefully. After pondering for quite a while, he smiled faintly, showing a trace of genuine joy. “It seems the young madam’s days have truly been quite good.”

Seeing Seventh Miss raise one eyebrow in surprise, he sat down again and extended his hand to her pulse gate. While taking her pulse, he said softly, “When I examined the young madam’s pulse years ago and spoke those words, even your manor’s madam showed alarm. Only the young madam remained calm and unperturbed, unconcerned—yet now, having entered the household merely two years, you already worry about having children. It seems the young madam and the heir apparent must be harmonious… Good, good. If the young madam can be genuinely happy from the heart, that’s the best medicine.”

Seventh Miss hadn’t expected that Quan Zhongbai had taken in all of her reactions back then. Thinking of when they had discussed Xu Fengjia before, Quan Zhongbai himself had said he didn’t particularly like Xu Fengjia—yet at that time, she had been full of agreement.

The blush on her face deepened several shades as she stammered her thanks to Quan Zhongbai. “Thank you for Master Quan’s physician’s heart, remembering even such small matters.”

“Patients like the young madam who can improve or even gradually recover are truly one in a hundred.” While taking her pulse, Quan Zhongbai chatted casually with Seventh Miss. “Not to mention others, even your manor’s Fifth Young Madam habitually suffers from chest pains. This is because inner-chamber women have the most worries, and over time, rarely avoid developing chronic illnesses. But the young madam has consistently maintained her health, and over these years, your worries seem to have lessened somewhat, which is why the illness has eased considerably.”

He hesitated. “However, illness strikes like a mountain collapsing but departs like silk being drawn. For the young madam’s constitution to be completely restored still requires time. If you can completely set aside worries and focus single-mindedly on recuperation, in about a year or so, conceiving will be easier. If you cannot, it depends on how carefully the young madam manages herself. If you worry excessively, your body will ultimately remain weak, and even if you conceive, I fear…”

Seventh Miss’s brow darkened. “Xiao Qi understands Master Quan’s meaning.”

Quan Zhongbai smiled and withdrew his hand, then consoled Seventh Miss. “No matter. Even continuing at the current pace, in another two or three years, the young madam’s constitution will be more robust. These matters cannot be rushed. The young madam is intelligent and should understand Quan’s meaning.”

He prescribed two tonic formulas for Seventh Miss, then smilingly stopped her from seeing him out. “I just came from Shendu Hall, and shortly I still need to go to Shensi Hall to examine Fifth Young Madam’s pulse. I won’t trouble the young madam to see me out.”

With a renowned physician like Quan Zhongbai rarely making house calls, naturally those in the manor with ailments sought treatment while the healthy also wanted him to prescribe preventive formulas. The Grand Madam and Madam Xu held high seniority, so the juniors dared not compete. Fourth Young Madam relied on her pregnancy to forcibly intercept Quan Zhongbai’s attention. Thus though Xu Fengjia had invited Quan Zhongbai, he only reached Mingde Hall as the fourth stop. Seventh Miss smiled knowingly and instructed Lixia, “See Master Quan properly to the door for me.”

She watched Quan Zhongbai’s flowing gait, maintaining a smile on her face. Only after Quan Zhongbai left the room did her face fall as she slowly sighed.

Speaking of it, Seventh Miss was only nineteen this year. She wasn’t anxious about having children—never mind two or three years, even four or five years she could afford to wait.

It was just that this matter wasn’t something she alone could delay simply by not being anxious.

#

Quan Zhongbai’s visit added considerable work for Seventh Miss—his visit after two or three years meant he prescribed new supplementary formulas for everyone, with medicinal ingredients all requiring some changes. For a time, masters from various quarters sent people to ask Seventh Miss about procuring ingredients, and some that weren’t stored at home had to be purchased from pharmacies. Fourth Young Madam was the most precious person—Quan Zhongbai not only prescribed daily tonics for her but also several pregnancy-stabilizing formulas, instructing Fourth Young Madam to summon Mr. Zhong for pulse examinations at any sign of trouble and take medicine accordingly. Fourth Young Madam took this very seriously. Just the next day, she sent people to Mingde Hall several times to press for medicinal ingredients. Seventh Miss had no choice but to instruct Lei Xianqing’s wife to prioritize urgently purchasing a large package of ingredients to distribute to each quarter. After such chaos for two or three days, she finally managed to accommodate all the immortals in the manor.

Because the weather had warmed, Madam Xu had also returned from Xiaotang Mountain for a brief stay. When Seventh Miss had leisure, she naturally needed to visit Qingping Courtyard to chat casually with Madam Xu. On this day, Fourth Young Master and Fifth Young Master happened to have no school. After breakfast, she personally brought the two children for a stroll into Xiaocui Embroidery Hall, intending to let the two children bond with Madam Xu.

Since attending school for three months, Fourth Young Master and Fifth Young Master both looked like little adults. After sitting obediently in Guyu and Chunfen’s arms for just a while, Fourth Young Master began twisting his body and acting coy. “I want to walk myself!”

Seventh Miss couldn’t help exchanging smiles with Guyu and Chunfen. “Alright, Fourth Young Master can walk himself.”

Fifth Young Master immediately imitated him, twisting his body and sliding to the ground. After walking just a few steps, they began chasing each other, darting through the corridors. Seventh Miss called from behind, “Be careful not to fall! If you do, no crying allowed!”

The two children were somewhat more intimidated by Seventh Miss than by Guyu and Chunfen. Hearing her words, they dared not run too fast. Fifth Young Master rolled his eyes, then rushed to Seventh Miss’s side and said sweetly, “Mother, want hug!”

At some point, he had quietly dropped the ‘Seventh’ from his address.

Seventh Miss looked at the two children and said helplessly, “You’re both too heavy—I can’t carry you… See, even Auntie Guyu and Auntie Chunfen can only carry you for a few steps.”

Fourth Young Master was quite proud. “I’m a big child now, I don’t need Mother to carry me.” Fifth Young Master immediately tried to hit him. “Big Brother is bullying me!”

Just as the group was proceeding merrily, a soft laugh suddenly came from around the corner. When Seventh Miss looked back, Fifth Young Madam had caught up from behind.

Though animosity already existed between them and they had even torn off all pretense, in front of children and servants, it wouldn’t do to go too far. Both Seventh Miss and Fifth Young Madam were quite courteous, exchanging greetings. Fifth Young Madam then smiled and teased Fourth Young Master and Fifth Young Master. “You two big children, why don’t you go to Shensi Hall to play with Sister Hexian?”

Fifth Young Master said innocently with a smile, “Sister Hexian is so delicate, she cries at the drop of a hat—”

Fourth Young Master smacked Fifth Young Master and first greeted Fifth Young Madam. “Good day, Fifth Aunt!”

Only after Fifth Young Madam smiled and patted Fourth Young Master’s head did Fifth Young Master wake as from a dream and properly greet Fifth Young Madam. “Good day, Fifth Aunt.”

Then he chattered, “Last time when we played with Sister Hexian, we accidentally lost one of her building blocks and Sister Hexian cried! We’re afraid Sister Hexian is angry, so we haven’t dared invite her out to play recently.”

Fifth Young Madam covered her mouth and laughed. “Hexian just loves to cry. No matter—after you finish school, still invite her to Zhishan Hall to play. She misses you too.”

Though undercurrents ran between the adults, the fourth-generation children had no awareness of factions. Because the Zhishan Hall children were older, over these months Fourth Young Master and Fifth Young Master often went to Zhishan Hall to play with their older cousins after school, and Hexian and Hewen, the two little girls, frequently joined in. The children quickly grew close. Neither Seventh Miss nor Fifth Young Madam showed any intention to interfere.

The two groups walked together, with Fourth Young Master and Fifth Young Master asking Fifth Young Madam questions about Hexian. As they approached a fork in the path, Seventh Miss smiled and asked Fifth Young Madam, “Is Fifth Sister-in-law going to Leshan Residence?”

Fifth Young Madam smiled sweetly. “Yes. Sixth Sister-in-law is going to Qingping Courtyard?”

Their gazes met, both crystal clear in understanding: each branch had its backers, and both were clinging tightly to their respective supporters’ legs.

Seventh Miss smiled and nodded, then instructed Fourth Young Master and Fifth Young Master, “Why don’t you bid Fifth Aunt farewell?”

Fourth Young Master and Fifth Young Master said in unison, “We’re going to Qingping Courtyard now. Goodbye, Fifth Aunt.”

These two little boys resembled both parents somewhat—truth be told, Fifth Miss and Xu Fengjia were cousins after all, so their features naturally bore some resemblance—and were dressed neatly and cleanly. Combined with their courteous manners and articulate speech, even Fifth Young Madam couldn’t help patting their heads and praising Seventh Miss with a smile. “Sixth Sister-in-law truly knows how to raise children. Both boys are very well-mannered!”

Her face was full of warmth. She then teased Seventh Miss in a low voice, “However, you yourself should also pay attention. Look, it’s been several years since you entered the household. Even if Sixth Sister-in-law isn’t anxious, we sisters-in-law are all anxious for you.”

Seventh Miss felt somewhat puzzled. She fluttered her lashes. Seeing Fourth Young Master and Fifth Young Master had already walked far ahead, she lowered her voice and smiled. “Fifth Sister-in-law can rest assured. You still can’t manage your own affairs!”

Speaking of not having sons, Fifth Young Madam and Seventh Miss were truly equally matched. From each branch’s perspective, at least Sixth Branch still had two male heirs, while Fifth Branch only had daughter Hexian. That Fifth Young Madam would use this point to attack her was something Seventh Miss hadn’t anticipated.

A flash of fire lit in Fifth Young Madam’s eyes. She smiled and nodded, that Beijing opera-like affected tone rising again. “Sixth Sister-in-law is right! I misspoke.”

She apologized readily.

Seventh Miss’s heart grew increasingly clouded with doubt. Fifth Young Madam wasn’t like Fourth Young Madam, who couldn’t hide anything. Why was her behavior so unusual today, as if deliberately arousing suspicion?

She suppressed her doubts and exchanged a few more pleasantries with Fifth Young Madam before catching up with the two children ahead. She smiled and asked Fourth Young Master and Fifth Young Master, “What flower is this? This is a peach blossom. Do you know how to write the character for peach?”

The group proceeded with laughter and conversation. When they entered Qingping Courtyard, Madam Xu was strolling in the courtyard. Seeing her two golden grandsons, her spirits naturally lifted. She smiled and received everyone’s greetings, then tried to pick up Fourth Young Master, but after bending and making the motion for quite a while, couldn’t lift him. Seventh Miss also worried that Madam Xu bending too long might make her dizzy, so she smiled and said, “Mother, let the maids hold them!”

“They’ve truly grown so much! When they were one or two, though plump, I could lift them without any effort.” Madam Xu straightened up naturally, placing her hand on Seventh Miss’s shoulder and sighing. “In a few more years, who knows—they might be getting married!”

Seventh Miss laughed heartily. “That’s still many years away.”

She felt a trace of regret in her heart. Clearly Madam Xu’s intention was to marry the two children early and have them produce heirs to continue the family line—if they were her own children, she would wait at least until they were twenty before arranging marriage. That way they would be more mature and the couple could be more harmonious.

But Fourth Young Master and Fifth Young Master ultimately weren’t her biological sons. In many matters, it wasn’t her place to speak…

The mother and daughter-in-law talked about the children for a bit before Madam Xu tugged at Seventh Miss’s sleeve and rose to enter the room first.

“What do you think about the Fan family match?” Madam Xu still had her straightforward temperament. “I heard Yu Ping herself looks down on the Fan family quite a bit. Now the Duke is very troubled, afraid of repeating Yu Qiao’s situation—that would be too disgraceful.”

Though they had kept Yu Qiao’s disappearance from Madam Xu initially to spare her worry, as Yu Qiao’s legitimate mother, she had to preside over the funeral, so ultimately Madam Xu learned the truth of Yu Qiao’s elopement. Mentioning her name now, her tone was full of cold mockery. Seventh Miss found it somewhat grating, but thinking it over, given Madam Xu’s temperament, feeling disappointed and angry at Yu Qiao was entirely natural.

She suddenly understood Yu An’s meaning even better: for Yu Qiao, even if she returned in the future, neither father nor mother would be her strict father or loving mother anymore.

“I’ve also observed coldly these years and feel Yu Ping has considerable ambitions.” She suppressed the ineffable melancholy in her heart and began slowly. “Her heart is set on becoming a titled lady. I fear even if she’s willing to obediently marry into the Fan family, harboring resentment in her heart, she won’t get along well with Second Young Master. If she speaks carelessly one day and reveals Yu Qiao’s matter…”

Madam Xu’s expression immediately shifted.

Though Yu Ping wasn’t exactly loose-lipped, her temperament truly wasn’t meticulous and cautious. Marriage was a matter of decades—if she and Fan Second Young Master quarreled frequently, she might very likely reveal in anger that Yu Qiao had refused to marry Fan Second Young Master and preferred to elope rather than go through with it.

“Then in your view, what about Yu An?” She asked Seventh Miss. “This girl is quite well-behaved around me. From what I’ve observed, she also has a cautious temperament, at least better than Yu Ping. I just don’t know if her ambitions are also great…”

Seventh Miss’s spirits immediately lifted.

In this lifetime, she had witnessed countless instances of fate toying with people. Those around her mostly couldn’t achieve their heart’s desires, always having to compromise themselves to accommodate their elders’ arrangements. Someone like Yu An who had desires and could smoothly realize them seemed to be the first.

She smiled with pursed lips and said softly, “To tell you the truth, thinking that Yu Ping’s temperament likely wouldn’t be satisfied with the Fan family, I privately sounded out Yu An. The young lady wholeheartedly wants to marry into a simple and prosperous family. Whether titled or handsome doesn’t matter—what’s most important is that the person is good and treats her well—”

Satisfaction spread across Madam Xu’s face. She said slowly, “Someone like Yu An is truly intelligent.”

After a pause, she sighed. “Only she could recognize how good this Fan family match is.”

With just this one sentence from Madam Xu, Yu An’s matter was seventy or eighty percent settled.

Seventh Miss was in an excellent mood. After flattering Madam Xu with a few more homely words, Madam Xu asked seemingly casually, “By the way, a concubine in Fifth Branch is recently with child. Your fifth sister-in-law says she wants to elevate her to concubine status. Has she told you about this?”

Now that Mingde Hall managed household affairs, if Fifth Branch wanted to elevate a concubine, first the personnel records needed changing, second they should bestow some things, and third with a pregnancy, various arrangements needed to be made in the manor. Fifth Young Madam naturally needed to inform Seventh Miss before she could proceed.

However, these were all minor details.

Seventh Miss glanced at Madam Xu and detected the trace of dissatisfaction hidden beneath her calm exterior.

Everyone was a daughter-in-law, all temporarily without their own heirs. Fifth Young Madam knew to elevate concubines—what about Seventh Miss?

She suddenly understood Fifth Young Madam’s behavior today.

No wonder her mood had been so good, even proactively showing concern for Seventh Miss’s childbearing… This was to blatantly tell Seventh Miss that this move was aimed directly at her.

But responding to this move wasn’t so easy. This sort of thing couldn’t be faked—what had happened had happened, what hadn’t hadn’t…

Even Madam Xu’s relationship with her couldn’t help showing a trace of anxiety. At Duke Pingguo and the Grand Madam’s places, her impression score would drop again. This time, Fifth Young Madam had won without deploying a single soldier.