The Great Master didn’t return to the Yang residence until dusk.

He went directly to the main courtyard to visit the First Madam and then saw the children who came to pay respects.

He naturally ate dinner in the main courtyard.

He seemed to have no intention whatsoever of going to the outer courtyard to see Second Master.

The First Madam held back and held back, but finally couldn’t help asking the Great Master: “Are you planning to just let Second Brother kneel outside?”

But the Great Master’s expression remained composed. “Do you think Suzhou is the northwest? In this weather, kneeling for a while won’t kill him.”

It was rare for the Great Master to dine in the main courtyard, so the children didn’t return to their own rooms but instead served their parents at the lower positions.

Ninth Brother couldn’t help but glance at Fifth Miss.

Although the Great Master rarely showed anger on his face, when it came to disciplining people, his methods exceeded the First Madam’s by quite a bit.

Seventh Miss was also secretly alarmed.

He was at least a Hanlin scholar… Yet the Great Master was leaving Second Master out in the cold like this, just as one would treat a servant who’d made a mistake.

The First Madam opened her mouth, then closed it again.

“Where does the Master plan to rest tonight?” she asked the Great Master.

The Great Master hadn’t rested in the main courtyard for many years.

Following past patterns, he would most likely rest in the outer side courtyard.

But now Second Master was kneeling in the outer side courtyard…

“I’ll just make do at Stream Guest Hall for the night!” The Great Master was calm and collected.

Presumably, he also needed to discuss Third Miss’s dowry with Fourth Concubine.

The First Madam showed no jealousy. After the meal, she personally stood and saw the Great Master to the door before turning back to keep Seventh Miss for a talk.

“I didn’t expect your father to be so heartless this time!”

It was as if she’d thrown the matter of elevating Ninth Concubine’s status to the back of her mind.

Seventh Miss was naturally happy not to bring up this disappointing matter.

“Perhaps… Father is somewhat disappointed in Second Uncle.” She said tactfully.

But her expression couldn’t help showing a trace of worry.

She’d originally thought the division between the First and Second Branches was settled, after all, those letters the First Madam had written were all penned by Seventh Miss.

But looking at the Great Master’s attitude toward Second Master, it didn’t seem like it…

A person only becomes emotional about another when they still hold expectations for them.

The longer the Great Master left Second Master out in the cold, the more it proved how deep his feelings for Second Master were.

Could it be that after giving Second Master a thorough scolding, that would be the end of it?

But the First Madam was thinking of something else.

“Do you think we should instruct Steward Zhang to look after your Second Uncle a bit?” She was half-hesitant.

Seventh Miss couldn’t help but widen her eyes.

The First Madam somewhat flustered tried to make excuses for herself: “After all, he’s quite old now… Going without food or water, kneeling until tomorrow morning—if something happens to him, it won’t be easy to explain.”

Her words carried a tiny bit of concern after all.

Seventh Miss suddenly understood: Second Master had been raised almost entirely by the Great Master and First Madam…

Their affection was different from ordinary families after all.

“Father making Second Uncle kneel is probably partly to vent his anger.” She lowered her eyes and spoke softly. “If we secretly instruct Steward Zhang to send food and water, when Father finds out, he’ll probably be even angrier and come up with more ways to torment Second Uncle…”

The First Madam indeed became hesitant.

After thinking it over, she finally sighed.

“Forget it. Their brotherly affairs—I’d better not interfere!”

Seventh Miss breathed a sigh of relief.

Even if the First Madam still had some family affection for Second Master, she was very clear in her heart that the First and Second Branches had reached a point where there was no more affection to speak of.

However, although she understood this, although her words were harsh, clearly her heart still couldn’t let go of Second Master.

After all, she’d raised him since childhood, and in recent years, Second Master had been far away in the capital, so it was Second Madam who’d been playing the villain.

Although she didn’t show it on her face, she still kept Seventh Miss there, chatting about this and that, unwilling to let Seventh Miss return to rest.

Clearly something was weighing on her mind.

But Seventh Miss also had her own guilty conscience.

She was afraid that if she showed the slightest sign of something wrong, the First Madam would think about Ninth Concubine and feel that ultimately they weren’t truly close.

She didn’t dare show impatience and talked with the First Madam about Second Miss’s situation in the Sun family, and then about First Miss’s situation in the Li family.

Since failing the last examination, First Son-in-law had been studying in the capital, preparing for next year’s spring examinations.

Second Son-in-law and Second Miss devoted themselves wholeheartedly to serving the critically ill Old Marquis, rising early and sleeping late every day, working extremely hard. However, the Old Marquis was quite satisfied with Second Miss as a daughter-in-law.

News came from the capital that Third Miss of the Da family had fallen seriously ill. Although her fiancé was the famous physician Quan Zhongbai, unfortunately the young divine doctor was at the border serving the garrison forces and couldn’t return to the capital for the time being. It was unknown whether Third Miss of the Da family could pull through and find another famous physician for treatment.

The maternal uncle of Li family’s Eleventh Young Master, Lord Ouyang, had received a promotion and was now a fourth-rank official, having become Junior Supervisor of the Crown Prince’s household… Eleventh Young Master’s status naturally rose with the tide. It was said Lord Ouyang intended to match his own daughter to Eleventh Young Master—adding kinship upon kinship…

The trivial matters in the households of relatives and old friends were truly endless.

Seventh Miss patiently accompanied the First Madam in conversation for most of the night. The First Madam also sent someone to ask Steward Zhang: Was Second Master still kneeling in the outer side courtyard?

Steward Zhang quickly reported back: Indeed, he was still kneeling ramrod straight in front of the small study.

Seventh Miss couldn’t help sighing inwardly: With this one act of kneeling, Second Master had softened the First Madam’s heart.

Although she still hadn’t met this Second Uncle, Seventh Miss already had the feeling that this Second Master who’d been residing in the capital was no simple character.

#

That night, the First Madam kept Seventh Miss to rest in her room.

“I’ve never slept in the same bed with you before.”

Seventh Miss naturally wouldn’t refuse this rare honor.

Speaking of it, the First Madam truly knew how to let go and move on.

Since writing Seventh Miss under her own name, she’d gradually come to treat Seventh Miss as truly one of her own.

The two washed up and changed into their inner garments, then lay down in bed head to head. Lidong rested on the beauty couch in the corner of the room. The heated floor was warm, so there was no discomfort.

The First Madam tossed and turned, only settling down after a long while.

Seventh Miss had an even worse problem with being particular about her bedding. With the First Madam tossing and turning, she couldn’t cultivate even a trace of sleepiness for the longest time.

She carefully turned over and gazed at the faintly visible grape pattern on the bed canopy, silently lost in thought.

Even with Ninth Concubine’s elevation, the Yang and Feng families still couldn’t truly be considered relatives.

A Second Wife was just a somewhat more noble concubine, nothing more.

Even if Feng Jin had been grateful in the past, now that his status had changed dramatically, he might not maintain his original intentions.

Moreover, back when the Feng family had fallen on hard times, Madam Feng had come to take advantage of them.

The relationship between the two families was very difficult to manage—too distant wasn’t good, but too close was even worse.

And the First Madam had such an unforgiving temperament…

The more she thought about it, the more worried she became.

The First Madam also sighed.

“Your Second Uncle has never been an easy-going person since childhood.” She spoke slowly. “When I married in, he was only eight… Born without parents, entirely raised by your father alone. Where was he like a young master from a great family? He was clearly a live monkey!”

Mentioning the past, traces of amusement appeared in her voice.

“Going into the river to catch fish, climbing trees to raid bird nests—he was expert at all that. As soon as he entered the study, he’d become like a fool, just short of drooling… Your father beat him so hard he broke several bamboo canes. Later, after he passed the metropolitan examination and we went to the capital, he gradually improved.”

Blood relatives—how could such bonds be severed just like that?

The First Madam’s voice gradually softened, taking on drowsiness.

“Looking back at the past, sometimes I truly feel like I’m dreaming. In the blink of an eye, over twenty years have passed. Since marrying into the Yang family at sixteen, everything has been like a dream…”

Seventh Miss’s nose couldn’t help but sting.

“Life is but a great dream, the world has seen autumn’s chill several times.” She recited softly. “Sleep, Mother. It’s getting late.”

The First Madam indeed gradually began to snore.

But Seventh Miss didn’t sleep all night. Only near dawn did she manage to doze off.

When she opened her eyes, sunlight filled her pillow. The room was quiet, and the First Madam had gone somewhere.

Seventh Miss was so startled she sat up abruptly.

“I didn’t miss paying respects, did I?” She murmured to herself.

A few light footsteps, and Bailu lifted the curtain and entered. “Seventh Miss is awake?”

“What time is it?” Seventh Miss asked hurriedly.

“Two quarters past the hour of the dragon!” Bailu smiled as she helped Seventh Miss dress. “The Madam said you probably didn’t sleep well all night and instructed this servant not to wake you—to let you sleep as long as you needed… Right now, the Master and Madam are both in the outer courtyard talking with Second Master. Even Ninth Brother and the young misses are there. We should wash up quickly and go over.”

Seventh Miss felt very embarrassed. “Being late to meet Second Uncle—that’s my fault!”

Bailu paused before smiling: “But it’s not to meet Second Master… The Master has opened the Memorial Ancestral Hall…”

Seventh Miss immediately jolted alert.

She quickly sped up her movements.

“You really should have woken me!” She complained to Bailu with some anxiety. “In this situation, how can I not be there…”

“This servant didn’t anticipate it either.” Bailu also showed some shame. “This morning when each branch came to pay respects, the Master was still perfectly fine…”

Seventh Miss couldn’t even bother with breakfast. She quickly washed up, donned her embroidered lotus and silver-threaded cloak, and supported by Bailu, hurried out of the hall. Turning right into the corridor, she entered the Memorial Ancestral Hall.

The area before the Memorial Ancestral Hall was indeed bustling with activity.

Led by the several cousins studying at Shantang Academy, the younger generation—sons in the east, daughters in the west—stood divided below the steps, all with solemn faces.

The Great Master and First Madam sat side by side before the Memorial Ancestral Hall, both with stern expressions. Behind them, the ancestral hall doors stood wide open, and the memorial tablets on the offering table could be faintly seen.

Seventh Miss waved for Bailu to leave first. She held her breath and quietly walked around Second Master and Second Madam kneeling on the ground, proceeding to the daughters’ line and standing beside Sixth Miss.

All the daughters kept their heads lowered, staring at their toes. No one showed surprise at Seventh Miss’s arrival.

Even the Great Master and First Madam seemed not to notice.

For a moment, no one spoke.

The scene fell into an eerie silence.

Seventh Miss couldn’t help stealing glances at Second Master.

Perhaps because he’d rushed back to Suzhou without stopping and then knelt all night upon arrival, Second Master looked extremely haggard.

His face was covered with stubble in disarray, his topknot was disheveled, a few stray hairs had fallen across his forehead, making the shocking dark circles under his eyes even more pronounced.

But the more so, the more his features appeared deeply carved.

They said the Great Master was a romantic scholar, a fair-faced gentleman. Looking at it this way, Second Master had the advantage of youth and was much more dashing than the Great Master. Even in this haggard and downcast moment, his eyes seemed to carry a faint smile.

Second Madam had noticeably lost weight, her face sallow and yellow. She wore the plainest blue silk jacket and knelt beside Second Master, looking like a washerwoman from the countryside.

Seventh Miss only caught a glance before withdrawing her gaze and focusing on her toes again.

But the four brothers opposite all looked toward her in unison.

The meaning in their gazes varied.

Min’ge only glanced once before turning his head to gaze impassively at the bluestone pavement before him.

Da’ge and Hong’ge carried a trace of hatred.

Ninth Brother’s eyes held pure concern…

The Great Master coughed lightly.

Everyone seemed electrified, straightening their backs, eyes on nose, nose on heart.

“Second Brother usually resides in the capital.” The Great Master’s tone was actually quite mild. “In the Suzhou residence, only Second Sister-in-law manages things inside and out. As a woman, when something happens, there are many situations where it’s inconvenient for her to come forward. Including with me, her elder brother-in-law, she must observe proper separation between men and women and cannot speak face to face openly.”

“Therefore, when Master Tongguang came to visit the other day, although our Yang family’s face was completely lost, with Second Brother not at home, I couldn’t very well bully you orphans and widow of the Second Branch.” The Great Master’s tone gradually grew colder. “After sending Master Tongguang away, I didn’t pursue this matter further.”

“Today, before our ancestors, with the Second Branch’s head of household present, let’s make everything crystal clear.” The Great Master glanced at the First Madam and coughed lightly. “Steward Zhang, you ask.”

Steward Zhang answered with hands lowered and stood beside the Great Master.

This was a middle-aged man in his forties or fifties with kind brows and gentle eyes. His fair face had only faint stubble, and he looked quite auspicious.

His tone was measured and unhurried.

“May I ask Second Madam, did you go to Huiqing Temple to worship Buddha last month, yes or no?”

“…Yes.” Second Madam’s response was so low it could barely be heard.

“At Huiqing Temple, did you write a debt note and apply your handprint, yes or no?”

“Yes.”

Steward Zhang smiled slightly and continued: “This handprint stated you owed Huiqing Temple twenty thousand taels of silver, yes or no?”

“…Yes.” Second Madam’s head lowered further and further.

Second Master’s expression also grew increasingly ugly.

“Do you truly owe Huiqing Temple twenty thousand taels of silver?”

“No.”

The Great Master and First Madam exchanged a glance, both showing some surprise.

They hadn’t expected Second Madam to admit it so readily.

“Then why was this debt note written?” Steward Zhang remained impassive, pressing step by step.

Second Madam slowly let out a long breath.

“I was possessed by demons. I heard that Master Tongguang of Huiqing Temple could nurture little demons to perform cursing rituals…” She admitted it frankly.

The First Madam could no longer sit still. Opening her mouth, she was about to sternly rebuke Second Madam. “It’s not just this one year…”

But the Great Master stared at the First Madam.

The First Madam immediately closed her mouth again.

The three cousins all had faces like still water.

“Reporting to the Master.” Steward Zhang knelt on both knees to report to the Great Master. “Second Madam confesses to this matter without denial.”

“Mm.” The Great Master waved his hand. “Rise and answer.—According to clan rules, how should this be handled?”

“This humble one has searched through the ancestral instructions exhaustively but found no explicit record.” Steward Zhang’s answer was very steady.

The Great Master slowly nodded and looked toward Second Master below the steps.

“Second Brother, you see—how should this matter be handled…”

He threw the ball to Second Master.

Everyone couldn’t help but look toward Second Master.

Second Master lowered his eyes, took several deep breaths, then tremblingly rose to his feet.

Turning around, he swiftly and viciously gave Second Madam two slaps.

“This wicked woman only relied on my being far away in the capital, unable to properly supervise her, and thus stirred up trouble, sowing discord, bringing our two branches to such an awkward situation. Even if clan rules have no explicit record, I, Yang Haixi, will not allow her to remain in our Second Branch ruining our family’s reputation! I ask Elder Brother to dispose of her as he sees fit. Younger Brother will have no objections whatsoever!”

Second Master’s face was ferocious as he began breathing heavily.

Even Second Madam was caught off guard. Covering her face, she stared blankly at Second Master, frozen there for a moment.

Second Master had come to the Governor’s residence as soon as he entered Suzhou.

He hadn’t sent any advance word to Second Madam.

In other words, today’s actions were entirely Second Master’s own idea—he hadn’t even given Second Madam any warning…

Seventh Miss glanced at her several cousins and felt a deep chill rise from the bottom of her heart.

This Second Master truly lived up to being the Great Master’s blood brother.