In the twenty-third year of Zhaomin, several joyous events occurred in succession at court.

Since the Emperor’s serious illness in the twenty-first year of Zhaomin, over these two years his condition had alternated between better and worse, showing signs of lingering ailment. However, this spring, Duke Pingguo finally achieved great victory over the Northern Rong, driving them west of Kunlun Mountain and expanding Great Qin’s territory by a considerable area at once.

For a time, Great Qin showed strong signs of resurgence.

Such a feat of territorial expansion naturally greatly invigorated the Emperor’s spirits. On the day the victory report arrived, he not only drank several extra cups of wine but personally entered the Imperial Ancestral Temple to report this excellent news to the ancestors.

Since the Northern Rong had risen over a hundred years ago, gradually encroaching inch by inch, a vast expanse of northwestern land had in fact long ceased to belong to Great Qin. Now with the Western Regions returning to Great Qin’s rule, this achievement alone would enable the Emperor to account to his ancestors in the afterlife.

Come the sixth month, good news followed one after another: Crown Princess Sun Shi announced she was with child.

Having only entered the household at the end of the twenty-second year of Zhaomin, within half a year the Crown Princess already had joyful news…

With the imperial family’s descendants flourishing, the Emperor naturally had nothing but happiness.

Additionally, the Princess Consort of Lu also gave birth in the seventh month to the First Prince’s second legitimate son…

Joyous events followed one after another, adding several streaks of fair weather to Great Qin’s skies.

Entering the seventh month, the Young Divine Physician Quan Zhongbai returned once more from the Western Regions.

The court had only just pacified the Western Regions when he took medicine farmers and followed the border troops into the Kunlun Mountains and Tianshan area, traveling for over a year, all to seek medicines for the Emperor.

In ancient times with inconvenient transportation and shipping, superior medicinal materials were truly worth their weight in gold.

Especially cordyceps from the Kunlun Mountain area and fritillary bulbs from Tianshan—these were fine medicinal materials that had been extinct in the Central Plains for many years. Under Northern Rong rule, there were only herdsmen who couldn’t herd, so medicine farmers were merely burdens to them. With no one gathering medicine, no matter how capable the imperial family, where could they find medicinal materials?

Finally the borders were pacified, but the provincial administration commissioner still had countless matters to attend to…

Setting boundary markers, surveying maps, relocating nomadic peoples, stationing border troops.

Each task was more urgent than finding medicine for the Emperor. Without these preliminary preparations, there was also no way to find medicine for His Majesty—what about supplies? What about transportation?

The Young Divine Physician repeatedly pressed for information, but everyone below had their own excuses.

He simply took several medicine farmers along with several highly skilled personal guards and went directly into Kunlun Mountain.

Half a year later, he truly managed to obtain superior cordyceps, fritillary bulbs, and Tianshan snow lotus…

With these medicinal materials more valuable than gold, silver, pearls, and jade in hand, the Young Divine Physician no longer lacked ingredients. After a few doses of medicine, combined with his exclusive acupuncture techniques, by the ninth month the Emperor felt greatly improved, and in his movements again displayed the bearing of a dragon and tiger.

He could not help but be greatly pleased, looking about with pride. Though he did not exempt this year’s taxes, he did grant a general amnesty throughout the realm and additionally opened a special imperial examination.

With the court at peace and the Emperor’s dragon body in great health, none were happier than the hundred officials. Immediately there arose continuous songs of praise and merit, searches for auspicious omens, extolling the Zhaomin era of Great Qin as a golden age rarely seen in a hundred years.

Suzhou city was naturally no exception. This month, Jiangsu Provincial Administration Commissioner Li Wenqing made several trips to the Governor-General’s residence to discuss with the Grand Master what auspicious omens Jiangsu Province should present.

The Grand Master turned and complained to the Grand Madam, “Auspicious omens, auspicious omens—they’re only called auspicious because they’re rare. Now it’s becoming increasingly absurd—white deer count as auspicious omens, white lions count as auspicious omens, even old trees sprouting buds count as auspicious omens…”

The Grand Madam could only smile. “These things come in waves. When in Rome, do as Romans do. If Minister Li doesn’t present anything, others will think him unsociable, and privately it will be difficult for him to get along.”

The Grand Master worried, “If you put it that way, naturally we must present something too. On such short notice, where am I to find auspicious omens?”

In the end, he still dispatched his secretaries to search everywhere, locating several white carp to send to the capital as auspicious omens.

This actually brought good fortune—in his delight, the Emperor personally inscribed a plaque reading “Pillar Supporting the Current” and bestowed it upon the Governor-General’s residence. For a time, the hundred officials of Jiangnan were filled with envy.

The Grand Master, however, felt somewhat apprehensive and fearful.

“His Majesty has not bestowed plaques upon his ministers for many years,” he discussed with heavy heart with the Grand Madam. “These past few years, he has only bestowed them upon the Prince of Minyue, the Quan family, and the Xu family…”

The Prince of Minyue had guarded Qianqing Palace in the twenty-first year of Zhaomin with utmost loyalty, never leaving his post. After the Emperor gradually recovered and could attend to affairs, he returned to Hangzhou. Before long, the Emperor bestowed upon him a great garden in Hangzhou and conferred the plaque “Virtuous Prince of a Generation.”

Duke Pingguo and his son had opened new territories and established tremendous military merit. Though Duke Pingguo’s heir Xu Fengjia at a tender age had strategized brilliantly and taken the Northern Rong khan’s head among ten thousand troops, he received only the position of Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guards at正四品 rank, along with a plaque reading “Tiger Cub of a General’s Household.” Beyond that, there were only the rewards due for his achievements.

The Young Divine Physician Quan Zhongbai, to seek good medicine for the Emperor, had risked life and limb going directly into Kunlun. Besides wealth, he received only the scattered honor of Junior Administrator of Capital Governance at从三品 rank, not even granted an actual official post, plus a plaque reading “Heart of Benevolent Parents.”

And the Yang family?

These past years, though the Grand Master had been diligent and conscientious, compared to the above households, his achievements were not at all remarkable.

Even for these auspicious omens, he had merely casually found several rare white carp, had his secretary compose an elegant memorial to send up, and considered the matter discharged.

Yet the Emperor had specifically bestowed upon him the “Pillar Supporting the Current” plaque.

“Truly the imperial mind is unfathomable…” the Grand Master and Grand Madam sighed. “This reward makes one break out in cold sweat.”

These past years, though the Yang family’s first branch showed no obvious signs, the Second Master had gradually grown closer to Duke Pingguo’s household.

When the Crown Prince selected his consort, he chose the daughter of Marquis Dingguo Sun’s family.

Second Miss was the legitimate eldest daughter-in-law of the Sun family—in the future, the title would certainly fall to the Young Marquis.

The Crown Prince’s adoptive mother was from the Xu family, his principal consort from the Sun family, his teacher from the Qin family…

Even if the Yang family said nothing, invisibly more than half had naturally aligned with the Crown Prince’s side.

Yet after the Emperor’s great recovery, he frequently elevated the Da family and elevated the First Prince…

This “Pillar Supporting the Current” plaque was likely an unspoken warning to the Grand Master.

Though the couple had received such distinction, neither felt the slightest joy.

A faint chill arose in their hearts.

“Since this year, the Xu family has again raised old matters, wanting to form a marriage alliance with our family…” the Grand Madam sighed, bringing up Fifth Miss’s marriage prospects. “Speaking of which, Fifth Miss is already fifteen this year, of age to discuss marriage, and that child Fengjia is a young general—”

At the mention of Xu Fengjia, the Grand Master’s brows took on a faint shadow.

“When I observed him years ago, he already showed signs of arrogance,” his tone was flat. “Now achieving fame at a young age, he’s likely even more proud and self-absorbed… With Little Five’s temperament, gaining such a noble son-in-law may not be a blessing.”

The incident before Huansha Wu, though it had hidden circumstances, still left Xu Fengjia unable to escape the charge of frivolous impropriety. He was already born to high station, and at just over ten years old had established military merit and been granted high office at正四品 rank, plus he was the heir of a Duke’s household.

Such a young man likely possessed tremendous pride, looking down on everyone, no?

And Fifth Miss’s temperament was not gentle…

Should the couple prove incompatible, not to mention the awkwardness when the Yang and Xu families met, Fifth Miss’s entire life would be ruined.

The Grand Madam also found this reasonable.

However, mothers-in-law viewing sons-in-law could always find good points.

“Arrogant and domineering? If he were arrogant and domineering, he couldn’t possibly have established such military merit. Even if he once showed dissolute tendencies, after brother-in-law took him to the border for three or four years of tempering, he’s likely reformed.” She couldn’t help defending Xu Fengjia slightly. “Besides, his mother is her own aunt, so mother-in-law and daughter-in-law won’t easily have conflicts…”

In the end, she still felt that the Xu family’s status was high, Xu Fengjia was young and accomplished, and Madam Xu was Fifth Miss’s own aunt—this match already constituted an excellent alliance.

“The Gui family has also grown close to us these years,” the Grand Master viewed it from the court situation’s perspective. “His Majesty just bestowed such a plaque, so rashly forming a marriage alliance with the Xu family may not be good. At the very least, we’ll receive a few strikes of warning.”

For important ministers like the Yang family, the Emperor naturally wouldn’t easily replace them over minor dissatisfaction, but subtle indirect warnings would already be uncomfortable enough.

“As for the Gui family, they’ve always been neutral, concentrating on guarding the border… Their second son Hanchun also established some merit this time.”

The Grand Master set his sights on the Gui family.

The Grand Madam was quite displeased. “When the Gui family came to view potential matches, they were somewhat interested in Little Seven. This smacks of mismatched matchmaking.”

The couple spoke a few more words. In the end, the Grand Madam could not prevail against the Grand Master and had to agree to write to Madam Xu later to delay Fifth Miss’s marriage further.

Then it was time for the daughters to finish lessons.

Fifth Miss and Sixth Miss’s cheerful laughter and voices already transmitted through the glass window into the east side room.

The Grand Madam and Grand Master stopped their conversation, rose and entered the main hall, sitting in seats of honor on the left and right to receive the three daughters’ greetings.

The Grand Master was busy with official duties and hadn’t entered the inner courtyard for half a month. Suddenly seeing three daughters beautiful as flowers and jade, he couldn’t help sighing with emotion. “It’s only been half a month, yet Sixth Miss has grown even more beautiful.”

Everyone looked at Sixth Miss with smiles.

Sixth Miss was already fourteen years old this year.

*Graceful and slender at thirteen-plus years, like buds on cardamom branches in early second month.*

This was precisely the age when childhood features gradually gave way to the fresh charm of young womanhood.

Sixth Miss’s radiant beauty now fully unfurled thread by thread.

Among the Yang family daughters, Sixth Miss was the most outstanding in appearance.

Even Fifth Miss’s charming brightness and Seventh Miss’s serene elegance could not compare. She possessed Seventh Concubine’s grace, and in her every gesture displayed the Grand Master’s elegant refinement.

Even the Grand Madam had sighed more than once, “With such beauty, who knows which young man will have such fortune in the future.”

At this moment, showing just a trace of shyness on her face, she displayed infinite charm, like an exotic flower first budding, like snow piled on a thousand trees.

Yet she remained so innocent—when speaking or acting, that endearingly naive manner added several parts of adorability.

“Father only knows how to tease people!” Sixth Miss, embarrassed by everyone’s attention, hid behind Fifth Miss.

Everyone laughed again.

“Now that the daughters are growing up, Madam mustn’t be stingy—frequently summon Qianxiu Workshop to the house to tailor new clothes for them,” the Grand Master’s interest was piqued, and he casually instructed the Grand Madam. “Our Yang family only has these few daughters—don’t shortchange them.”

Two of these three daughters were legitimate daughters of the main courtyard, and the remaining one was also a concubine-born daughter the Grand Madam had always favored.

How could the Grand Madam be unwilling?

She smiled. “When you say it like this, it makes me seem harsh in daily matters, unwilling to make them new clothes.”

Everyone laughed. “If Mother were harsh, there wouldn’t be a single un-harsh matriarch in the world.”

The Grand Madam was indeed generous with money.

Since Third Miss and Fourth Miss married out and the concubines moved to the small garden, and the Second Madam returned to the northwestern ancestral home, over these two years there had been no more disturbances within the Yang household.

Siblings were harmonious with each other, the Grand Madam handled matters fairly on the surface, and even the Grand Master, when free, loved to visit the main courtyard, summoning his children to sit around him and enjoy familial happiness.

This swept away the miasma of previous years, making life increasingly clear and comfortable.

Even the Grand Madam’s health improved day by day—it had been quite some time since she’d had an asthma attack.

After everyone paid their respects, they all entered the east side room. The Grand Master and Grand Madam reclined on the couch while Fifth Miss and Sixth Miss took turns telling jokes for amusement, and the Grand Master asked Seventh Miss to recite a few poems for him to hear.

The happiness of family harmony went without saying.

At evening time, accompanied by the rumbling of carriage wheels, Ninth Brother entered the main courtyard.

“Father, Mother!”

Ninth Brother was also thirteen years old this year.

His height had grown considerably taller than Seventh Miss, his appetite was enormous like a bottomless pit, and even his voice had grown hoarse.

He had the appearance of a young man now.

The Grand Master looked at his son’s composed and dignified expression, unable to suppress his pleasure.

Yet he deliberately put on a stern face. “That essay of yours—what did Master Zhang say?”

This spring, Ninth Brother had also tested for the xiucai degree. Since beginning his studies, he had been taught by renowned masters and regularly associated with learned scholars. A xiucai credential naturally came easily to him.

A thirteen-year-old young xiucai was indeed something to boast about—when the Grand Master had achieved xiucai, he too had been only thirteen.

Yet the more accomplished he was, the more the Grand Master feared he’d become proud and reckless. Toward Ninth Brother, he never showed a pleasant face, finding fault even in eggs if necessary.

With Ninth Brother’s newly written essays, no matter how busy with official duties, the Grand Master read every one. After reading, he’d pick out problems and have Ninth Brother revise before giving it to Master Zhang for another critique. One essay would be revised in turns three or four times before he was satisfied.

The sisters were all accustomed to seeing the Grand Master discipline his son. They exchanged glances, made faces at Ninth Brother, and laughed at how this essay had been revised three times yet the Grand Master still appeared unsatisfied.

Ninth Brother maintained a dignified expression.

“A letter arrived from Guanlong—Master Zhang’s father has passed away. The master is very grieved and is preparing to take the entire household to attend the funeral, so he didn’t hold class for us.”

The entire family was shocked.

Master Zhang’s ancestral home was in the Guanlong area. For many years he had traveled alone studying abroad, only taking root in Jiangnan over the past decade or so.

Now encountering his father’s death and taking the entire household to the funeral was only proper.

“Then won’t Third Miss also have to depart?” The Grand Master couldn’t help asking.

Ninth Brother nodded. “From the master’s meaning, he’s already sent word to Jiangxi for Third Brother-in-law to observe mourning, and he’ll go directly with Third Sister from Jiangxi back to the ancestral home to observe mourning and study.”

Second Young Master Zhang was quite accomplished, having passed the jinshi examination in the eleventh year of Zhaomin. Currently he held office in Jiangxi. Third Miss naturally accompanied him to his post.

“And just abandon such a large estate in Jiangnan without managing it?” The Grand Madam was concerned about something else. “The Zhang family’s landholdings are considerable.”

For families who had established households away from home like this, when encountering funerary matters, they often didn’t take the entire household to the funeral.

If Master Zhang merely took his eldest son home for the funeral and instructed household members to observe mourning behind closed doors in Jiangnan, that would still be reasonable. After all, the Zhang family’s estate was not small.

Taking the entire household back to the ancestral home to observe mourning and study made people unable to fully comprehend it.

The Grand Master and Grand Madam exchanged glances, both finding it somewhat strange.

“Is Weiting doing this because…” The Grand Master looked thoughtful.

Seventh Miss seemed about to speak but hesitated, showing a contemplative expression.

The Grand Master asked Seventh Miss, “What is it? Have you thought of something?”

Compared to two or three years ago, his manner of speaking to Seventh Miss had become much more casual.

“What this daughter was thinking,” Seventh Miss hesitantly began, “is that although Master Zhang has not entered government service, his brothers all have more or less connections to official circles. Since they’re near the capital, perhaps they’ve also received some wind of information…”

This statement revealed the Grand Master’s suspicions.

Both the Grand Master and Grand Madam took on contemplative expressions.