In the end, Grand Consort Xu didn’t inquire about the details of Fifth Young Madam’s death, but instead spoke with Seventh Miss about Prince An’s studies. “This child has been very clever since he was young, but now it seems he’s become enlightened and instead doesn’t like studying—only has interest in miscellaneous subjects. Recently he’s been clamoring to study medicine with Quan Zhongbai. I told him to properly study a few classics of the sages, but he went to beg his brother, saying studying books wasn’t much use for him. He’d rather study medicine with Quan Zhongbai and, like that prince from the previous dynasty, compile works like ‘Famine Relief Materia Medica’ or ‘Records of Life Preservation’—that would count as doing merit for the world.”

Seventh Miss pursed her lips. “That was Prince Zhou Ding of the previous dynasty, known then as the Medicine Buddha reincarnate, with very high prestige among the common people. It seems though Prince An is young, he has great ambition.”

For a prince of Prince An’s background, he naturally couldn’t get close to the center of power for his entire life. If he could succeed in studying medicine, that wouldn’t be a bad lifelong career—better than being like other princes with nothing to do, raised into useless people. Though Grand Consort Xu was ostensibly criticizing Prince An, in reality she didn’t know how pleased she was. Hearing Seventh Miss say this, her face immediately showed a smile. “Ever since last time you said you’d take him out of the palace, he’s been thinking about it constantly. Today he went to school, but when he returns and learns you came, I’m afraid he’ll start going on about this matter again.”

Seventh Miss quickly said: “There have been many matters at home recently. In a few days I’ll definitely have Shengluan come fetch Prince An out.”

She smiled somewhat embarrassedly. “Actually, with so many things happening, I forgot. Otherwise, we could have taken Prince An to play at Tanzhe Temple.”

The two chatted about trivial matters for a bit more. Grand Consort Xu acted as if she knew nothing about the storms in the Xu household, only discussing Prince An’s daily life with Seventh Miss. “Don’t look at how young the child is—he’s very considerate. A few days ago when I had a cough, he eagerly found many lung-moistening recipes to show me, saying, ‘Mother Consort, pick a recipe to eat—they’re all delicious, not bitter at all. Look, crystal sugar stewed with snow pear—this sounds so nourishing just hearing it’…”

As she was speaking, Fourth Young Madam emerged from the inner hall holding a tray. She smiled as she showed Seventh Miss the crystal pearl flower ornament in her hand. “I picked one that looks somewhat like a wild rose. I heard from people at Aunt’s side that this is registered as Western Region black gold rose—it does look quite novel.”

Seventh Miss folded up the letter and put it away while smiling. “Oh, it does look quite different from Central Plains craftsmanship.”

She also picked one, then put away the remaining three. “I’ll take these back to give to First Sister-in-law and the two younger sisters.”

Grand Consort Xu smiled. “Actually they’re not valuable—just the craftsmanship is novel. You all wear them for fun. The Empress saw the design was ingenious and has already arranged for craftsmen to learn it. Another day when jade ones are carved, she’ll reward you with those.”

Fourth Young Madam beamed with joy. “Every time we enter the palace, we enjoy Aunt’s good things.”

The three chatted about household matters for a while more. Seventh Miss smiled and pulled Fourth Young Madam up to take leave of Grand Consort Xu. “We still need to visit Jingren Palace and speak with Consort Ning—”

Grand Consort Xu smiled knowingly. “Jingren Palace must be very lively today. When you see Consort Ning, convey my words—if she’s busy today, don’t come to pay respects. Don’t overexert herself—she’s just finished her confinement month, don’t fall ill from sitting too long.”

Just seeing Grand Consort Xu willing to give Sixth Miss such face showed their harmonious relationship. Seventh Miss nodded. Seeing a trace of hesitation on Fourth Young Madam’s face, she quickly added: “Fourth Sister-in-law, you also need to learn to socialize with the palace nobles. At least become familiar with them… After Fourth Brother is promoted in the future, you’ll likely need to enter the palace even more frequently.”

Fourth Young Madam thought about it and smiled. “Then I’m taking advantage of Sixth Sister-in-law again!”

After the two performed their courtesies to Grand Consort Xu, she removed a bright yellow small pouch from her person and handed it to Fourth Young Madam with a smile. “This is a longevity talisman I requested before Buddha for Sixth Young Master at the beginning of the month. Take it back and tuck it under the child’s pillow—that way this great-aunt hasn’t doted on him in vain.”

Fourth Young Madam’s eyes lit up. After thanking Grand Consort Xu repeatedly, she affectionately took Seventh Miss’s arm and whispered in her ear as they left the room. “What did Aunt say? She didn’t lose her temper at you, did she? While I was inside picking things, I was worried and frightened, afraid the scene would become unmanageable and I wouldn’t know what to say to smooth things over…”

Her words contained some genuine concern—these past months, the pressure both had faced regarding the servant girl issue had created some sense of solidarity between them. Though Fourth Young Madam wouldn’t say she confided everything in Seventh Miss recently, she had always been quite friendly.

Seventh Miss didn’t know quite what to feel. She glanced at Fourth Young Madam and said indifferently: “Aunt didn’t say much—after all, with Prince An here and having been in the palace so many years, Aunt knows in her heart what natal family matters to manage and what not to manage.”

These words had actually pointed out Grand Consort Xu’s possible thinking quite transparently. Fourth Young Madam was silent for a moment, then said: “Adopting Prince An—that was your idea for Aunt, wasn’t it? That move was truly brilliant!”

If Prince An hadn’t diverted Grand Consort Xu’s attention and made her focus more on managing her own life, whether today’s hurdle could have been passed so easily—Seventh Miss had no confidence in her heart either. She smiled slightly and urged Fourth Young Madam to quicken her pace. “Sixth Sister must have been waiting for us a while—we can’t keep a noble lady waiting too long.”

#

Second Miss and Sixth Miss had indeed been waiting in Jingren Palace for Seventh Miss’s party for some time.

These two young noblewomen—one was the Empress’s sister-in-law who had been deeply trusted by the noble lady for many years, with her shadow behind many of the Empress’s actions in the palace. The other was a palace favorite who had just given birth to an imperial prince and gained the Empress’s favor, with momentum in the inner palace to compete with Noble Consort Niu for the position of second-in-command. Though the Xu family was powerful, Grand Consort had already withdrawn from the power center. Facing Second Miss and Sixth Miss, Fourth Young Madam didn’t dare be negligent at all. Though Sixth Miss smiled sweetly, she still properly performed the full ceremonial bow before rising to apologize: “I’ve disturbed the sisters’ reunion.”

Sixth Miss’s eyes flowed with light as she smiled sweetly. “Fourth Sister-in-law of the Xu family must never say that. Actually, speaking of it, both families are relatives. It’s just that Fourth Sister-in-law rarely enters the palace to visit, so we don’t have many chances to meet.”

Residence changes one’s temperament, nourishment changes one’s body. These past few years, Sixth Miss had lived above others. Especially since becoming pregnant last year, she had been showered with favor both inside and outside the palace. Gradually she had developed an ineffable graceful nobility. Especially after giving birth, her bearing had become even more magnanimous—the coquettish childish manner of years past had gradually disappeared. With this smile, she actually had the feeling of surpassing all beauties.

Looking again at Second Miss, though she also smiled at people, her brow exuded authority. Though not enough to inspire fear, when her eyes looked at someone, Fourth Young Madam felt as if she’d been seen through completely, with a chill rising even at the back of her head.

She looked at Seventh Miss again.

Seventh Miss was the most moderate of these sisters. In beauty she naturally couldn’t compare to Sixth Miss; in authority, she also had some distance from Second Miss. Her delicate face seemed to perpetually carry an absent-minded smile, and at this moment she was falling into contemplation. Only when she received Fourth Young Madam’s meaningful look did she smile: “Fourth Sister-in-law should sit too. Sixth Sister is right—we’re all relatives, no need to be overly formal.”

Though Fourth Young Madam was rough around the edges, she had some finesse in her roughness. She immediately noticed that though these three sisters each had their strengths, Seventh Miss’s manner of speaking faintly revealed command—as if though she was the youngest of the three sisters, she controlled the atmosphere.

Truly a dragon or phoenix among people… Just a concubine-born daughter, now merely the Xu family’s heir apparent’s wife, with who knows how many elders above her head managing her, yet she was popular wherever she went. Whether legitimate or concubine-born sisters, they all gave her such face…

With such an heir apparent’s wife in the Xu family, even if Sixth Brother was an incompetent fool, the ownership of the heir apparent position probably couldn’t change much.

Suddenly, Fourth Young Madam felt a desire to leave. The idea of encouraging Fourth Young Master to seek an outside posting flashed through her mind, then disappeared due to the inconvenient occasion.

“I heard this winter, the Emperor intends to arrange for consorts to gradually return home to visit their parents.” Fourth Young Madam smiled and congratulated Consort Ning. “If this comes true, it will be a great honor not seen in decades. Our Xu family will also benefit from Consort Ning’s glory.”

Sixth Miss quickly smiled: “How can you say that? Actually, though the Emperor has this thought, he’s afraid that if we return to visit, our natal families will inevitably be anxious and make arrangements everywhere for ceremony and spectacle. This isn’t a small expense. Besides, the Niu family alone has two consorts—if they have to receive them one after another, won’t it drain their family silver dry? So he’s still hesitating.”

Second Miss also said: “If the Sun family were to receive an imperial visit, I’m afraid not only would two or three years of income be invested, but the next two or three years’ income would have to go in too. Her Majesty says we won’t chase this empty show—throwing silver into a pond at least makes a splash. So I think this matter probably won’t come to pass after all.”

Everyone discussed the matter of visiting parents for a bit. Seventh Miss then said to Second Miss and Sixth Miss: “Speaking of it, in the family Fourth Sister-in-law and I are closest. When Fifth Sister-in-law was still around, First Sister-in-law was like a wooden person, uninvolved with anything. Only Fourth Sister-in-law and I were both equally oppressed by Fifth Sister-in-law, unable to breathe!”

Fourth Young Madam quickly said: “Goodness, wasn’t it Zhang Shi’s own perverse actions—wicked schemes one after another! Sixth Sister-in-law and I suffered the same misfortunes!”

The topic naturally turned to Fifth Young Madam’s matter. Since Sixth Miss was meeting Xu family members for the first time since the incident, she asked about many things quite carefully. With her current status, even if Fourth Young Madam had thoughts, she wouldn’t show them on her face. She occasionally supplemented a few things Seventh Miss found inconvenient to say. The two sisters-in-law, speaking one after another, quickly told Sixth Miss the causes and consequences of Fifth Young Madam’s exposure.

“Speaking of it, it’s also karmic retribution. Who could have thought that when Doctor Zhong was speaking, Yu An—that careful child—was still standing outside! She was worried about her sister-in-law in her heart. After the incident, she thought for a long time, wanting to know who exactly was suspicious. Otherwise, it would have taken much longer to investigate Little Songhua!” Fourth Young Madam helped Seventh Miss explain a few things, then smiled: “Of course, if not for Sixth Sister-in-law’s keen perception and superior methods, whether Little Songhua could have confessed is another matter.”

Second Miss and Sixth Miss both smiled at Fourth Young Madam. Sixth Miss then asked Seventh Miss: “I heard that after your Fifth Sister-in-law passed away, she still left you a letter. This matter even alarmed Grand Consort. Last time when I went to pay respects, I heard her mentioning it. This letter—does Seventh Sister still have it?”

At the mention of this letter, Fourth Young Madam’s heart immediately jumped.

Just now when she emerged from the rear hall of Cishou Palace, she had also seen Seventh Miss putting away a letter…

Seventh Miss smiled slightly and took out a letter from inside her robe, handing it to Sixth Miss. “I already guessed Sixth Sister would want to see it.”

Even with Fourth Young Madam’s scheming, seeing this situation, her complexion couldn’t help but darken. She assessed Seventh Miss with another glance, then slowly relaxed her brow, lowering her eyes in thought, no longer speaking.

Her displeasure and panic, though deliberately concealed, still clearly revealed themselves through body language.

Second Miss and Sixth Miss exchanged a glance. Sixth Miss opened the letter to read, then also lowered her head in contemplation.

The atmosphere in the hall immediately became somewhat solemn and heavy.

After a while, Sixth Miss said softly: “This Zhang Shi’s intentions were truly malicious. She told you the safflower wasn’t what she put in the medicine—nothing more than hoping you’d construct a murderer in your heart who, though having administered the drug, had no evidence whatsoever pointing to her identity, and you wouldn’t know who it was… This was to plant a thorn in Seventh Sister’s heart.”

Fourth Young Madam’s face tightened. She glanced at Seventh Miss again.

If Consort Ning continued reading, she would reach the part where Zhang Shi accused her and told Fourth Young Madam about that servant girl matter from years ago.

How hateful that she had been somewhat careless in handling things then—she had only listened to Sixth Sister-in-law describe the letter’s contents but hadn’t personally seen how the letter was written! And Yang Shi’s mind—who knew what she was scheming? She had clearly destroyed that letter in front of her, but now somehow produced another one from somewhere…

Suddenly, Fourth Young Madam felt the power of this move by Seventh Miss: as long as everyone knew she had received a letter from Fifth Young Madam, the letter’s contents—wasn’t it whatever she said it was? If she wanted, even a closed case could be reopened—it wasn’t impossible.

But what did this mean? Logically speaking, given Yang Shanheng’s character, she shouldn’t make such a huge mistake—destroying the letter in front of her, then turning around to produce another one. Wasn’t that clearly fooling people?

Seventh Miss seemed to sense Fourth Young Madam’s displeasure. She glanced at Fourth Young Madam apologetically, acknowledged her with her eyes, then said: “Fifth Sister’s matter is, after all, something we sisters all need to worry about. Though the outcome was handled by me, the loose ends of this matter should be reviewed by several sisters as well.”

Seventh Miss spoke entirely reasonably. Fourth Young Madam immediately felt some relief: Consort Ning and Madam Sun were, after all, both Yang Fifth Miss’s sisters. Whether the destroyed letter then was real or fake, if Consort Ning wanted to see a letter, Sixth Sister-in-law definitely needed to have one to show her.

Seventh Miss continued: “At the time, the testimony obtained by both Mother-in-law and myself was the same anyway. Both sisters know Nanny Hu who prepared the medicine—she was an old hand at Fifth Sister’s side. Her loyalty and seniority, we all witnessed. For her to act was absolutely impossible. Unless Nanny Hu herself was careless…”

This still set a baseline: to define this matter Fifth Young Madam raised toward “no evidence.” After all, what Seventh Miss emphasized most to her was always these four words: no evidence.

Fourth Young Madam’s dissatisfaction with Seventh Miss lessened a bit more—Seventh Miss wasn’t having it easy either. That she was willing to explain in front of her could be considered open and aboveboard.

Second Miss and Sixth Miss’s expressions both eased. Sixth Miss said slowly: “If it was Nanny Hu’s nature, for her to be careless, that’s also…”

Seventh Miss gave Fourth Young Madam a meaningful look.

Fourth Young Madam didn’t think much of it. She immediately followed Seventh Miss’s lead, with some self-defensive meaning. “Though Nanny Hu did go to the privy, which gave Zhang Shi an excuse to stir up trouble, but…”

She felt some things were hard to continue saying, so she looked at Seventh Miss again, hoping to kick the conversation back to her. This glance still contained some displeasure—though Seventh Miss discussing this matter in front of her was helping clear her name, it still forced Fourth Young Madam to prove her innocence. Fifth Young Madam’s accusation against her was written in the letter. Consort Ning might not have seen it now, but when she saw it later, things would be quite awkward for her.

Unexpectedly, when she looked over, Seventh Miss’s attitude was quite strange.

Her gaze at her was remarkably calm—within that calm seemed to be mixed with slight pity.

Fourth Young Madam immediately froze.

Before she could figure out Seventh Miss’s subtext, Second Miss placed her teacup on the table with deliberate weight.

“This matter of Nanny Hu going to the privy… how did Fourth Sister-in-law of the Xu family know about it?”

After Sixth Miss looked at the letter, Second Miss had maintained silence. Her first question immediately covered Fourth Young Madam in cold sweat.

How did… how did she know?

“It was Sixth Sister-in-law who told me that Zhang Shi slandered me in the letter, saying I took advantage of Nanny Hu going to the privy to enter the small room and add a drug!” Fourth Young Madam had no choice but to disclose her conversation with Seventh Miss at that time.

Suddenly, she felt a deep shudder run down her spine. She couldn’t help glancing at Seventh Miss again.

Seeing Seventh Miss calm as water, merely looking back at her, Fourth Young Madam’s heart immediately sank in spirals, understanding dawning: today’s matter seemed premeditated and unlikely to end well.

“Oh? If it was merely slander, why did Fourth Sister-in-law of the Xu family treat it as fact?” Consort Ning slowly spoke.

This consort of outstanding appearance and favor had always maintained a kind attitude. Even at this moment, she was like asking a friend about something she didn’t understand in a story—her tone carried not a trace of harshness.

Before Fourth Young Madam could answer, Seventh Miss spoke first.

“Sixth Sister.” She frowned slightly. “Fifth Sister-in-law’s account in the letter still wasn’t accurate. She claimed that when Fourth Sister-in-law entered the room to administer the drug, she left her personal maid outside to keep watch—but Fourth Sister-in-law told me…”

“Exactly!” Fourth Young Madam seemed to grasp a lifeline. She said almost urgently: “When I went to visit Sixth Sister-in-law, I didn’t bring any maid with me!”

As these words left her mouth, the hall immediately quieted again.

Sixth Miss closed her eyes, seemingly deep in thought. Her lovely jaw visibly tightened, as if forcefully restraining something. Seventh Miss sighed softly and lowered her head to look at her own toes. Only Second Miss took a deep breath and said softly:

“Fourth Sister-in-law of the Xu family. The accusation is that you entered the room to administer drugs and left your personal maid outside to keep watch. You don’t deny entering the room to administer drugs, but you won’t admit leaving your personal maid outside. Does this mean the first two parts are true?”

Fourth Young Madam’s breathing immediately grew heavy. She looked around at everyone’s expressions. A trace of panic crossed her face. Suddenly she stood up and pointed angrily in accusation: “So you sisters have conspired to conduct a three-court trial and force a confession? This is pure slander, I—”

Sixth Miss’s brows suddenly raised. She abruptly stood and frowned as she shouted: “Audacious! What place is Jingren Palace that a mere outside noblewoman dares be so presumptuous? Someone! Slap her twice!”

Her originally kind face had instantly been covered with deep menace. Fourth Young Madam was even startled by her. When she tried to speak, she was already restrained by two sturdy palace attendants on either side. A grim-faced middle-aged matron came forward, put on leather gloves, and without a word delivered two resounding slaps to Fourth Young Madam.

Fourth Young Madam had truly never been treated so humiliatingly in her life. She clutched her face and collapsed to the ground. For a moment, angry, ashamed, and somewhat afraid, her heart was in chaos—she couldn’t even speak.

Second Miss gave low instructions to several palace attendants: “All of you go out! Your service isn’t needed here.”

Accompanied by light, orderly footsteps, she turned to Fourth Young Madam and said word by word: “Fourth Sister-in-law of the Xu family, I’m too lazy to go through any more tangled analysis or so-called evidence one by one. I can tell you—Nanny Hu did indeed admit she went to the privy once midway. The specific time she recalled coincides exactly with when you and Zhang Shi were at Mingde Hall. However, verbal testimony is still without proof. Plus Zhang Shi is already dead—this matter has no evidence whatsoever. We three sisters just hope you’ll give us a straight answer. Whether or not you administered the safflower, please swear on your son’s longevity and give me an answer: yes or no?”

Fourth Young Madam took a deep breath. As she was about to speak, Second Miss added: “Look at me!”

This young noblewoman full of authority seemed at this moment to become an authoritative deity—every word and sentence carrying irrefutable authority. Fourth Young Madam’s whole body trembled. She involuntarily raised her head and met Second Miss’s gaze.

She was startled by the pure fury in those eyes. When she tried to look away, she discovered Consort Ning and Seventh Miss had somehow also stood up. These three flower-like beautiful faces showed different expressions, but with her prolonged silence, they gradually gained a trace of certainty—

Fourth Young Madam suddenly came to her senses.

She understood at once—she was finished.

How could a truly innocent person maintain such long silence at this moment? How could a truly innocent person be so weak after being slapped by Sixth Miss…

How could a truly innocent person reveal such obvious guilt under Second Miss’s gaze?

After being slapped, she had ultimately lost her composure. Being pressed by Madam Sun like this, she had indeed exposed a flaw…

Whether she admitted it now or not made no difference—these three sisters had already determined the safflower was administered by her. What difference did speaking or not speaking make?

Fourth Young Madam revealed a trace of gloom. She said in a low voice: “So what if it was me? Do you have evidence? Verbal testimony without proof, no physical evidence—even if you have power reaching the heavens, what can you do to me?”

She straightened her body defiantly. “Could you possibly distort truth and call a deer a horse, fabricate physical evidence to prove I administered drugs?”

Having reached this point, Fourth Young Madam left no room for maneuver. She glanced at Consort Ning grimly. “Though our Mo family cannot compare to the distinguished Yang family, we’re not so easily bullied!”