In the days that followed, Seventh Miss finally welcomed the peaceful life she had long desired yet long been deprived of.

Ever since that day when the Grand Dowager and Duke Pingguo had their unpleasant confrontation in Leshan Residence, the Grand Dowager had fallen “ill.” Though her condition wasn’t particularly severe, the old lady used the excuse of quiet recuperation to close her doors to visitors day after day. The morning and evening attendance that previously couldn’t be missed even for a single day was now conducted at Qingping Courtyard instead. If not for Hexian still coming and going from Leshan Residence daily, they would have gladly locked the main gate tight, not allowing even a single junior inside.

The argument between Duke Pingguo and the Grand Dowager naturally didn’t escape the notice of everyone in the residence. For a time, the maids of Leshan Residence showed extra caution on their faces as they came and went, while Madam Xu’s face gained more color, and she wore more smiles when facing anyone.

In this world, villains always make loyal subjects stand out. Even though Madam Xu’s own hands were probably not entirely clean, the Grand Dowager suffering such a severe blow was still good news for her. Duke Pingguo’s visits to Qingping Courtyard became noticeably more frequent.

With the Grand Dowager no longer causing trouble, and the residence still technically in mourning, Xu Fengjia and the others were, according to propriety, not even supposed to share beds with their wives and concubines. The pressure to produce heirs naturally became non-existent. The First Branch had always been sensible, the Fourth Branch was focused entirely on childbirth preparation, and having received favors from Seventh Miss, they would hardly cause her any trouble. Fifth Young Master hadn’t yet returned from Yangzhou, and Yu Ping and Yu An were both concentrating on embroidering their wedding clothes. Yu Ning and Yu Tai were devoted to their studies, rarely even stepping outside their rooms. Apart from handling some household trifles each day, Seventh Miss’s most demanding work was merely accompanying Fourth Young Master and Fifth Young Master in practicing calligraphy.

Since marrying into the Xu family, her days had been turbulent and fraught with danger at every step. The last time things were this calm was during that brief period after Fifth Miss’s marriage and before the Late Emperor’s death.

When Quan Zhongbai came to check her pulse in early August, he praised Seventh Miss: “After not seeing you for several months, Young Madam’s complexion has improved again. If things continue this way until next year, your health will surely reach an even higher level.”

Hearing this, Xu Fengjia’s face immediately brightened. Disregarding Quan Zhongbai’s presence, he boasted to Seventh Miss: “See, see! Having you practice martial arts was truly an excellent move. In just one year’s time, I can see more color in your face, and even your usual movements aren’t as delicate as before—as if a slightly strong gust could blow you over!”

Before Seventh Miss could retort, Quan Zhongbai was already laughing heartily. “Shengluan, you truly are amusing.”

The two men began exchanging witty remarks. Quan Zhongbai withdrew his hand and wrote out a prescription for Seventh Miss. “I’ve recently worked out several dietary supplement recipes. Young Madam, take these—eat them regularly if you like them, but don’t force yourself if you don’t.”

Seventh Miss thanked Quan Zhongbai softly, then lowered her voice to ask: “Speaking of which, Sixth Sister in the palace has also been under your care, Doctor…”

Sixth Miss had conceived last December. Since passing May this year, she had been focused entirely on nurturing the pregnancy. Now in August, she could give birth at any moment, and the palace was on high alert. This Mid-Autumn Festival, the Empress herself had decreed it wouldn’t be a grand celebration. The noble ladies would simply enter the palace on Mid-Autumn Day itself to pay respects to the Empress, and that would count as celebrating the festival.

“It’s probably just a matter of these few days,” Quan Zhongbai made no attempt to hide it. “Just yesterday when I went to Jingren Palace to check her pulse, I already detected signs of fetal movement. Several experienced midwives in the palace also say her pelvis is gradually opening. At the earliest today, at the latest tomorrow, there will likely be news. However, this is ultimately the midwives’ domain—in this matter, I truly cannot be of much help.”

Quan Zhongbai was too young to have developed any expertise in obstetrics. Seventh Miss nodded with a smile. “Still, we must thank Doctor Quan for always looking after her!”

Quan Zhongbai was unconcerned. He waved his hand and said enthusiastically: “This year has truly been full of happy events. Ruiyun’s pulse is also very strong and healthy. Your younger brother has been taking very good care of her recently. Even when we meet, we all feel genuinely happy for her.”

Quan Zhongbai’s straightforwardness, though often a flaw, could also be quite heartwarming at times.

Seventh Miss and Xu Fengjia exchanged a glance, both seeing the amusement in each other’s eyes.

Though Sixth Miss’s pregnancy was naturally a major event for the Yang family, it also had some connection to the Xu family. After seeing off Quan Zhongbai, Xu Fengjia asked Seventh Miss: “Are the midwives attending Sixth Sister all reliable?”

Seventh Miss nodded. “Father personally sought them out from Jiangnan. Whether their background, skills, or character, they’re all first-rate and reliable. They were only sent to the palace in July.”

Being sent to the palace only in late July made the possibility of bribery undoubtedly much smaller. Xu Fengjia couldn’t help but sigh: “Fourth Uncle-in-law truly does things flawlessly.”

How could the Grand Master not be formidable to sit in the position of Great Qin’s Chief Minister? Seventh Miss was noncommittal. “Sixth Sister’s matter is still being handled by the family itself, so everyone can rest assured. In this matter, even Second Sister hasn’t spoken up. Though we care, we should just care and that’s enough.”

These words were not without purpose, and Xu Fengjia naturally understood Seventh Miss’s meaning. He smiled. “Whether Sixth Sister’s child is male or female, I’m afraid the most concerned party is still the Niu family.”

Though the conflict between the Niu family and Xu family wasn’t as sharp as in years past, friction between the two sides remained, so open and covert struggles were naturally inevitable. Especially since the Xu family’s connection with Noble Consort Ning could be considered quite close, and Noble Consort Niu had given birth to the Second Imperial Prince… All these factors combined meant that if the child in Sixth Miss’s belly was a boy, the relationship between the Xu family and Niu family would likely cool again. On the other hand, the Yang family had no grudges between Grand Consort and Empress Dowager with the Niu family, so their relationship had always been relatively harmonious.

Seventh Miss stretched lazily and said contentedly: “This time it truly has nothing to do with us. Let them dress up in full costume and perform however they like. As for us, we’ll just sit in the audience, cracking melon seeds and watching the show.”

Xu Fengjia chuckled several times, then said thoughtfully: “Speaking of which, Fourth Sister-in-law is also due in these next couple of months, isn’t she?”

At that time, without advanced prenatal examination technology, even a divine physician like Quan Zhongbai couldn’t calculate pregnancy timing precisely down to a specific week. Fourth Young Madam’s pregnancy was slightly later than Sixth Miss’s. Having entered August, she could also give birth at any time. Seventh Miss had naturally prepared two or three stewardess matrons, though the Mo family had also sent seven or eight midwives. How Fourth Young Madam arranged things, Seventh Miss hadn’t inquired further.

After the young couple chatted for a bit, Xu Fengjia pulled Seventh Miss along. “Now that you have free time, when shall we go stay at Tanzhe Temple for a few days? The two children have been pestering me for ages, clamoring to go back and play polo!”

Seventh Miss couldn’t help but laugh. She thought for a moment, then felt somewhat regretful. “With Fourth Sister-in-law heavily pregnant now, I cannot go. Why don’t you accompany Mother there instead?”

Thinking that for First Young Madam and Grand Madam Min, Tanzhe Temple also seemed to hold special significance, she added: “Ruiyun cannot go now, but my sister-in-law from my natal family is also a devout person. If you’re willing to take a large group to Tanzhe Temple, I’ll send someone to ask her if she’d like to join and enjoy the blessing of going along for a couple days to offer incense. Otherwise, it’s not very convenient for a woman to go there by herself.”

For household matters, Xu Fengjia naturally followed her arrangements, but without Seventh Miss going, the young general lost interest. “If you’re not going, you want me to take the two children alone?”

“Naturally the nursemaids will handle it—who would dare expect you to watch the children?” Seventh Miss couldn’t help but laugh, then gently explained to Xu Fengjia: “After all, I’m the mistress managing the household. If Fourth Sister-in-law gives birth and neither First Sister-in-law nor I are present, what would outsiders think?”

“Then let Mother oversee things…” The son immediately turned his attention to Madam Xu.

“Mother’s health isn’t good and she can’t endure fatigue, as you well know. Labor can go on day and night—if she gets word in the middle of the night, she won’t get a good night’s rest.” Seventh Miss pushed Xu Fengjia and glared at him. “It’s just a matter of one or two months. You take our son first, and if all goes well, next time we’ll go alone!”

Seeing her becoming impatient, Xu Fengjia instead became happy. He said with a grin: “Alright, then I’ll teach you to ride a horse! Can you ride?”

Seeing Seventh Miss shake her head, he became even more excited. “Young ladies who grew up in the Northwest, even those from great families, rarely don’t know how to ride. In your Yang family village, I’ve seen several young girls who ride very well! I remember the other day someone from your clan came to see you—was it the young madam of the Gui family?”

“Oh, you mean her. Yes, we played together a few times when we were young.” Seventh Miss thought about how the Gui family had eventually married into the Northwest Yang family and couldn’t help but find it somewhat amusing. “I didn’t know she could ride.”

“She rides quite well!” Xu Fengjia sat up straight and critically surveyed the outfit Seventh Miss was wearing. “But to ride horses, you can’t wear clothes like these. You’ll need to get several sets of riding clothes. Looking at your exhaustive trousseau, there may not necessarily be any riding clothes in it.”

Seventh Miss’s dowry could indeed be called extremely lavish and generous. At the time, southerners often said that a daughter’s trousseau should provide “a lifetime of expenses from within.” Since marrying, whether for clothing materials, jewelry, or furniture, she hadn’t needed to purchase anything from outside—just the gifts from family elders and her own dowry were more than sufficient. Xu Fengjia had mentioned several times wanting to have some hair ornaments and jewelry made for her, but Seventh Miss had politely declined each time: “Given how lazy I am, I wouldn’t be able to wear out what I have in a lifetime. If you give me more, they’ll just gather dust.” Therefore, when he said this, there was a somewhat sour tone to it.

Seventh Miss laughed while calling out: “Lixia!”

Seeing Lixia respond and enter, she lazily instructed: “Open the cabinet and find two sets of narrow-sleeved robes for riding, along with thick silk pants, to show the Heir Apparent!”

“Yes.” Lixia smiled and indeed opened the cabinet in front of Xu Fengjia, then instructed the little maid following beside her: “Pay attention—Young Madam’s dowry items that aren’t frequently used are all stored in this large cabinet in the room…”

Seeing the little maid blinking her eyes, she put on a stern face. “Did you hear or didn’t you hear! Give me an answer!”

This was a little maid promoted from Seventh Miss’s dowry servants. Following the Xu family’s custom, she was called Little Huaxi. Since Seventh Miss had already arranged that after Lixia was the first to be released, next would be Shangyuan, and Zhongyuan was originally supposed to wait until next year, but with Little Fuquan’s strong encouragement, she would also be released early. Next, Duanwu would take the lead in serving for a year. She and Shangyuan were scheduled to leave next year—not only was the date already set, but Seventh Miss had even publicly announced in advance how much dowry each would receive.

With such arrangements, everyone was naturally reassured. Seeing that the personal senior maids beside Seventh Miss had such respectable futures, those below scrambled desperately to curry favor, hoping to fill the three positions that Lixia and the other two would vacate. Seventh Miss carefully selected several maids who were both clever and honest, with plain appearances, and handed them over to Lixia, Shangyuan, and Zhongyuan to train. This Little Huaxi was the disciple Lixia had chosen to mentor.

“This servant heard,” Little Huaxi quickly replied. “My eyes are small, so elder sister didn’t see—but I’m keeping my eyes open and listening carefully!”

At this remark, even Xu Fengjia laughed heartily, and the atmosphere in the room immediately became lively. Seventh Miss giggled and was about to speak when someone came from outside saying: “Fourth Young Madam has gone into labor. Please have Young Madam prepare all necessary items.”

Though everything was fully prepared, since the Fourth Branch was having their first child, it was still a major event. Seventh Miss quickly instructed Lixia: “Go find several matrons and handle what needs to be done.”

When Seventh Miss went to Qingping Courtyard to inform Madam Xu, she discovered First Young Madam was also there—apparently they had both received news of the Fourth Branch’s labor. So they gathered together as much as possible to facilitate messages from the servants below.

In the past, everyone would have certainly gone to Leshan Residence…

Seventh Miss smiled slightly and informed Madam Xu: “I’ve already sent people to the temple to scatter coins and pray for a safe delivery. The auspicious items are also being prepared and will be sent to Shendu Hall shortly. Fengjia has personally gone to the government office to inform Fourth Brother.”

Fourth Young Madam had gone into labor rather early. To accomplish this much on such short notice showed that Seventh Miss was quite capable at arrangements. Madam Xu nodded and smiled: “Why don’t we two play mahjong tiles together while waiting for news? Mo Shi is having her first child and is older now, so it won’t be that quick.”

Fourth Young Madam was only twenty-three years old—how could she be considered an older mother? Seventh Miss disagreed inwardly but showed nothing on her face, simply sitting down to play tiles with Madam Xu.

After dinner, there was still no news from Fourth Young Madam. Since Fourth Young Master had already returned and was waiting in the courtyard, Madam Xu dismissed Seventh Miss and First Young Madam: “Both of you go back and rest. A woman giving birth is unpredictable—don’t let Mo Shi be fine while you two are exhausted instead.”

The two sisters-in-law saw that Madam Xu looked tired, exchanged a glance, then both rose to take their leave and walked out of Qingping Courtyard side by side. As they walked, Seventh Miss said to First Young Madam: “This afternoon Fengjia and I were discussing taking the two children to play at Tanzhe Temple for a bit, and inviting Mother to go along and relax. At the time I was worried Fourth Sister-in-law hadn’t given birth yet and it wouldn’t be good to leave the household, but now it seems late August should work. My sister-in-law from my natal family, Ouyang Shi, is also extremely devout. I was thinking of inviting her to come offer incense together. Perhaps my younger brother’s wife might also come along. Would First Sister-in-law like to join us as well?”

First Young Madam’s eyes were profound. She glanced at Seventh Miss, then lowered her head. Only after the two of them had turned the corner and exited through the side door of Little Cuijin did she raise her head and say softly: “Then First Sister-in-law thanks Sixth Sister-in-law for the kind thought.”

Seventh Miss smiled and waved her hand dismissively. “It’s nothing much—even breaking down a wall disturbs the earth. If we can go, let’s all go together.”

After walking a few more steps, they had reached a fork in the path. First Young Madam let out a breath, and remarkably took the initiative to grasp Seventh Miss’s hand, then squeezed it tightly before saying in a low voice: “No matter what, First Sister-in-law appreciates your sentiment… Sixth Sister-in-law, you are an extremely intelligent and extremely kindhearted person. In the future, you will have your blessings!”

Coming from someone of First Young Madam’s character, to say such words was already extraordinarily rare.

Before Seventh Miss could respond, First Young Madam had already taken her maids and turned around the bend in the covered walkway.

After walking a few more steps, Lixia sighed softly beside Seventh Miss: “People in the residence who understand contentment as well as First Young Madam are actually quite rare.”

Today happened to be coincidental—Seventh Miss had only brought Lixia with her.

“First Sister-in-law is like Sixth Sister—both see things very clearly and are very content.” Seventh Miss let out a long breath. She said softly: “Though life is not easy, they can always find ways to live happily. I only regret that I cannot let things go as they can.”

Lixia smiled slightly and shook out the cloak in her hands. “Though it’s an autumn tiger, once night falls, there’s still a bit of chill. Let’s hurry back—the Heir Apparent is still in the room waiting for you!”

At the mention of Xu Fengjia, a smile couldn’t help but surface on Seventh Miss’s lips. She responded softly and quickened her pace.

As it happened, the morning after Fourth Young Madam gave birth to a boy, news of celebration came from the palace regarding Sixth Miss on the third day—

The day before Mid-Autumn Festival, the Third Imperial Prince was safely born, and both mother and child were well.