After her afternoon nap, Seventh Miss circled out of Yuyu Pavilion again, winding along the bluestone path, slowly strolling toward Zhuying Terrace.

Along the way, she happened to encounter Fifth Miss.

“Today I’ll probably be scolded by Master Huang again.” Fifth Miss seemed quite downcast.

In needlework, the differences in talent and interest among these daughters were quite pronounced.

The most talented and interested was naturally Sixth Miss. Fifth Miss and Seventh Miss merely made perfunctory efforts, just enough not to fall too far behind.

Fifth Miss’s true interest lay in calligraphy.

Back then, she had only started practicing large characters out of spite toward Seventh Miss, but over these years her writing had improved steadily. Her regular script was upright and dignified, earning the Grand Master’s praise many times.

As for Seventh Miss, her embroidery, reading, and calligraphy were all mediocre. Apart from being particularly understanding and considerate, she had few presentable talents.

“With me at the bottom, what does Fifth Sister need to worry about?” Seventh Miss was well aware of her own shortcomings.

Fifth Miss couldn’t help but laugh. “The large white pears you sent today were so sweet and crisp! I mixed them with lotus root, watermelon, and water chestnuts, poured on honey water flavored with fruit syrup—it tasted wonderful, even more refreshing than cheese. You should make it that way, chill it with ice—it’s extremely cooling.”

“The weather is gradually cooling down—it’s only midday that’s still somewhat sweltering. I feel there’s no need to eat chilled things, otherwise by evening my lower back feels slightly sore. The other day in Madam’s room, I greedily ate a few extra mouthfuls of chilled fruit syrup, and my back ached for half the night…”

The two young ladies walked while discussing these trivial household matters.

Fifth Miss quietly asked Seventh Miss, “Have you… had your first moon blood yet?”

Seventh Miss was taken aback. “Not yet…”

“This lower back soreness is likely also a precursor to menstruation.” Fifth Miss spoke softly and carefully about women’s matters. “Pay attention, so you don’t embarrass yourself in front of others when the time comes…”

Seventh Miss felt somewhat grateful and nodded.

“Fifth Sister is truly thoughtful.”

She really hadn’t thought about her first period.

Speaking of it, Seventh Miss was already thirteen this year, about the age for menstruation to begin.

As the two sisters talked, they entered Zhuying Terrace.

Sixth Miss had arrived early.

She smiled brightly while speaking with Embroiderer Huang, her hands quickly and accurately stitching the bright red spring silk before her.

“Teacher.” Fifth Miss and Seventh Miss together greeted Embroiderer Huang.

Over these years, Embroiderer Huang had increasingly aged. The lines between her brows had deepened, making her appear even more rigid.

Embroiderers were like this—the older they got, the worse their eyesight, requiring them to squint when doing needlework, naturally deepening the wrinkles between their brows.

To the two daughters’ greetings, she merely nodded faintly.

Then she began criticizing Fifth Miss’s needlework.

Seventh Miss quickly slipped to Sixth Miss’s side, threading her needle, quietly embroidering peony flowers.

Sixth Miss turned her head slightly to smile at Seventh Miss. “Coming so late?”

Her smile was radiant, her eyes truly like twin pupils of water, her dimples like flowers.

Seventh Miss sighed. “Not like you, who can’t wait to come early and leave late.”

Sixth Miss laughingly scolded Seventh Miss. “Annoying.”

Embroiderer Huang cast a cold glance their way. Both sisters sat up straight, not daring to slack off again.

Seventh Miss embroidered while observing everything around her and listening in all directions, not concentrating at all.

An hour flew by in an instant. When class was nearly over, Embroiderer Huang paced over to examine Seventh Miss’s embroidery, shook her head, and sighed.

She kept Seventh Miss behind alone. “It’s time to give you some remedial lessons!”

Fifth Miss and Sixth Miss made faces and signals at Seventh Miss, laughing and chattering as they left Zhuying Terrace for the main courtyard to pay respects.

Only then did Embroiderer Huang close the door.

“Now, embroider a lotus flower for me to see.”

Her tone revealed a trace of urgency.

Seventh Miss took a deep breath, threaded her needle, her ten fingers dancing as she concentrated wholeheartedly on embroidering the silk before her.

She used no pattern, had no picture book beside her, relied entirely on imagination, freely choosing colors and techniques as she pleased.

In just the time of a few incense sticks, a lifelike, vivid lotus with dewdrops on its petals appeared on the red silk.

Embroiderer Huang’s eyes dimmed slightly as she watched Seventh Miss slowly exhale.

“What a pity, what a pity you have such talent yet ultimately don’t love the art of embroidery.” She murmured to herself.

Seventh Miss merely smiled.

All these years, Embroiderer Huang had been privately teaching her two needle techniques rarely seen in the marketplace.

Though never explicitly stated, how could Seventh Miss not guess the mystery within?

Plus Feng Jin’s words, the Grand Madam’s delirious ramblings…

In those times there was no concept of intellectual property. Skilled artisans all had the habit of keeping a secret technique to themselves.

The relief embroidery method Ninth Concubine had taught her through word and deed differed subtly from Qianxiu Workshop’s relief embroidery.

Whether the pearl-stitch embroidery Embroiderer Huang privately taught was authentic or not, Seventh Miss had no way to compare.

She had never compared.

Embroiderer Huang was right—though Seventh Miss wasn’t without talent in embroidery, she had no interest whatsoever in the art.

Whenever she picked up needle and thread, Seventh Miss’s mind would flash to the dim candlelight on the northwestern kang.

With just that tiny bean-sized candlelight, Ninth Concubine could embroider marvelously crafted flowers and grass… relying on the two characters of “spirit and vitality” in the Feng family embroidery technique.

Though Seventh Miss had received the true transmission, she couldn’t help but doubt—even if she embroidered heaven and earth, what of it?

To change one’s fate had never depended on craftsmanship.

Embroiderer Huang didn’t lecture Seventh Miss further.

She turned the piece over and over, carefully admiring this pale pink lotus, finally sighing with satisfaction.

“Next month I’ll request resignation from Madam Yang and return to my hometown to retire.” Her tone remained flat.

Seventh Miss couldn’t help but raise her head. “Teacher…”

With Embroiderer Huang’s contributions to Qianxiu Workshop, even if her eyes grew dim and she could no longer embroider, she could still receive Qianxiu Workshop’s stipend in retirement, occasionally instructing new embroiderers—that would suffice as her work.

Which of Jiangnan’s embroidery houses, large or small, didn’t respectfully treat their retired masters this way?

“Great households are full of treacherous winds and clouds.” Embroiderer Huang remained indifferent. “Rights and wrongs, tangled involvements—the silver I’ve saved over these years is already sufficient for comfortable living. I have nephews and nieces at home to provide care, so I won’t lack for someone to look after me.”

Seventh Miss seemed about to speak but hesitated.

Yet Embroiderer Huang seemed to see through her thoughts.

“Rest assured, no matter what, I’m an old servant who came out of your noble household.” She rarely showed a trace of a smile. “Your eldest sister is also my student.”

Embroiderer Huang’s hometown was in Yuhang.

Seventh Miss suddenly felt relieved: Embroiderer Huang was merely not continuing as the Yang family’s retained master, not severing ties with the Yang family. With the Yang and Li families’ kinship relations, having Embroiderer Huang become a retained master for the Li family would be no problem.

With local power Li family’s care, how would the Huang family nephews dare neglect her?

This single woman had thrived in the Yang household for many years. The minor troubles in rural Yuhang could be smoothed over with a mere raise of her eyebrows, surely?

“Though reluctant to part, Teacher has indeed already served the Yang family for many years.” She sincerely thanked Embroiderer Huang. “Receiving secret teachings privately is even more Little Seven’s good fortune…”

But Embroiderer Huang turned away, her shoulders slightly trembling.

Seventh Miss froze.

Due to circumstances, over these years she and Embroiderer Huang hadn’t had much private contact.

Embroiderer Huang was also such an unsmiling person.

The slight friendship between them was merely the acquaintance of gentlemen, light as water.

“Teacher…” She softly called out.

The helplessness in her words went without saying.

Only then did Embroiderer Huang slowly turn around.

The handkerchief clutched in her hand was already wet through.

“In this life I’ve sought nothing, earned my living by skill,” she averted her eyes again, “the only one I’ve wronged is your birth mother… entangled grievances, she harmed me, I harmed her…”

“Teacher…”

Embroiderer Huang took several more deep breaths before gradually evening her breathing. “The Huang family pearl-stitch embroidery has always been kept secret, not shown to others. Even at Qianxiu Workshop, what they learned was merely superficial. I’ve taught you everything completely, hiding nothing. The most valuable thing in my life is this skill. If ghosts and spirits know, I’ve hidden nothing… Your birth mother always wanted to obtain the pearl-stitch technique. Now that it’s transmitted to you, she should be able to rest peacefully in the underworld!”

She reached into her bosom and pulled out a yellowed embroidered handkerchief to give to Seventh Miss.

“This is a handkerchief your birth mother gave me as a keepsake when she first entered the household. I have nothing good to give at parting, so I’ll pass it on to you. The trace of an ancestor’s hand—don’t lose it.”

The handkerchief itself was fine drawn-thread white satin. With the passage of years, it had yellowed slightly.

On it, with extremely exquisite technique, were embroidered two lifelike mandarin ducks.

There were also several lines of small characters done in red thread.

“Fragrant heart secretly meets with skillful heart’s promise. On the tree of conjugal bliss, branches intertwine. Under twin flowers, where two hearts unite, a pair of reborn children.”

Seventh Miss carefully savored the meaning in the poem, unable to help but freeze in place.

She wanted to ask more but couldn’t bring any words out.

#

After paying respects to the Grand Madam and Grand Master, entering Baifang Garden, she still wore a contemplative expression.

Fifth Miss and Sixth Miss’s laughter and banter—Seventh Miss heard none of it.

She also paid no mind to her two sisters teasing her, saying she’d been scolded into distraction by Embroiderer Huang…

Entering Yuyu Pavilion, she propped her chin in contemplation.

Embroiderer Huang and Ninth Concubine had been recruited to Qianxiu Workshop together.

What past events, what grievances could there be that made Embroiderer Huang remember them all these years, even teaching herself the Huang family’s secret pearl-stitch embroidery…

After dinner, Seventh Miss finally set aside her concerns.

Regardless of what had happened back then, Seventh Miss had no desire to investigate.

At least now, even if she knew more, what would be the point?

An unmarried young lady’s dignity in the inner quarters depended entirely on her parents’ favor. Without even her marriage settled, if she truly angered anyone above, with a flip of the hand Seventh Miss would be beyond redemption.

Though the events of those years remained shrouded in fog, without sufficient weight, acting rashly would only be inferior strategy.

She rummaged out a hundred-tael bank note.

Instructing Lixia, “Tomorrow go out through the corner gate and quietly deliver this to Master Huang’s hand. Just say it’s a small tuition gift from me…”

Entering the tenth month, Embroiderer Huang indeed requested resignation from the Grand Madam.

Though the Grand Madam was surprised, with Embroiderer Huang’s determination unshakeable and attempts to retain her unsuccessful, she could only generously gift silver, send Embroiderer Huang back to Yuhang, and order the steward to run errands for her, purchasing land and property… helping Embroiderer Huang settle down.

Afterward, she discussed the children’s education with the Grand Master.

“The daughters are all grown now. Little Seven is thirteen this year—there’s no need to hire someone to come teach. They can quietly embroider at their own residences.” The Grand Madam first arranged the daughters’ education. “Zhuying Terrace has been used as an embroidery room all these years. Now it can be tidied up—in autumn we’ll have another place to admire chrysanthemums.”

The Grand Master naturally had no objections. “It’s not enough for daughters to just read and embroider. When you have leisure, also teach the three daughters household management and accounting… all things they’ll need after marriage.”

“As for Ninth Brother, since Master Zhang took his entire household away, two or three months have passed without you hiring a new teacher.” The Grand Madam nodded in agreement, then brought up Ninth Brother’s education. “At this age, boys most fear becoming lazy at home, going wild… Master must keep this in mind.”

The Grand Master smiled bitterly. “Good teachers aren’t so easy to find. Poor ones would be worse than none. I naturally have arrangements—at worst entering Shantang Academy is also an option.”

The Grand Madam drew a sharp breath.

“Since Ninth Brother was born, he’s never spent a night away from home alone…”

Her face showed clear anxiety.

A thousand acres with one seedling—no wonder she treasured him so.

How could the Grand Master’s heart be any more willing to see Ninth Brother live at the academy?

The couple discussed a bit more but couldn’t come up with a solution.

They set aside this topic and spoke instead of the marriage between the Li and Yang families.

“I did hint at it—Madam Li was naturally willing a thousand times over…” The Grand Madam felt this match was well-matched, and her enthusiasm for facilitating it was keen. “I said we had to wait for Fifth Sister’s betrothal first before arranging matchmaking and rites. Madam Li was even more anxious than us, repeatedly pressing, wishing she could settle Sixth Miss tomorrow.”

The corner of the Grand Master’s mouth showed a trace of a smile.

“Wenqing is a man of the world of fame and profit—naturally he won’t pass up this marriage opportunity.” He tapped the table, asking thoughtfully about Xu Fengjia. “That child Fengjia should be arriving in Suzhou soon, no?”

“They’re bringing troops south, so their pace is inevitably slow, but speaking of it, it’s just a matter of this half month.” The Grand Madam already showed a face full of smiles. “Tsk tsk, speaking of it, he’s also a fourth-rank general—by rank, even more distinguished than Second Uncle.”

The Second Master was still only a fifth-rank Lecturer to this day. Though prestigious, his rank was actually inferior to his nephew Xu Fengjia’s generation.

“Besides the Xu family, what other marquis and noble households in the capital have written saying they want to form a marriage alliance with our family?” The Grand Master asked again.

The Grand Madam was somewhat displeased.

This still suggested not favoring Xu Fengjia.

“Speaking of it, the Xu family’s sincerity in forming a marriage alliance with us is genuine…” She first grumbled.

The Grand Master smiled. “That’s not what I meant. Our family still has Little Seven unbetrothed, doesn’t it?”

The Grand Madam couldn’t help but pause.

With the Yang family’s current status and position, forming marriage alliances with meritorious nobles and marquis households was entirely sufficient.

However, that referred to legitimate daughters matched with legitimate sons.

With Seventh Miss’s status, like Third Miss Da of those years, matching her to legitimate sons of capital nobility would inevitably invite gossip.

Matching with concubine-born sons seemed like legitimate daughter to concubine-born son, as if lowering the Yang family’s status.

Thus, the Grand Madam had always been thinking of the Gui family in the Northwest…

“Master wants to form another capital marriage? But speaking of it, with the Sun and Xu families, our connections in the capital are already quite solid…”

The Grand Master’s eyes were deep.

Yet he didn’t pick up this thread again.

“Let’s wait until we’ve observed Fengjia’s character!” He turned the topic to the matter at hand. “Little Five has a stubborn temperament. If Fengjia is also that type, it may not be a good match.”

The Grand Madam repeatedly agreed, her heart full of anticipation to personally see whether this highly accomplished young general was suitable as a son-in-law.

#

The naval force party entered Suzhou city on the fifth day of the eleventh month.

“Originally we arrived in Suzhou at the end of the tenth month, but we still had troops then, so we thought to settle the soldiers first before paying respects to Minister Yang…”

The palace eunuch’s slightly shrill voice rang into Zhuying Terrace.

It happened to still be chrysanthemum season. With over a hundred pots of chrysanthemums blooming beautifully inside and outside Zhuying Terrace, the Grand Master simply set up a banquet in Baifang Garden to entertain Supervising Eunuch Liao.

Great Qin’s system of eunuch military supervision was established as permanent regulation. That Eunuch Liao could come supervise naval training meant he might well lead troops south as escort in the future. Even the Grand Master dared not slight such a favored eunuch.

“Not at all,” the Grand Master’s voice was full of spring warmth, his laughter transmitted through the screen into the women’s section, “Eunuch Liao and our family’s third brother-in-law have an old friendship. Speaking of it, our two families are close friends…”

The Grand Madam was entertaining the accompanying military commander’s wife on the other side of Yuanyang Hall. “Coming from afar must be truly exhausting…”

This was a typical Jiangnan aristocratic family banquet with only a few relatives and friends accompanying. On the women’s side, there were only Madam Li and Madam Zhu as guests.

After three rounds of wine, the atmosphere relaxed.

The front hall arranged for people to come sing pingtan ballads with the wine.

The Grand Madam couldn’t help but feel anxious. “How is it that at this point, that child Fengjia still hasn’t entered the banquet?”

She sent someone to the front hall again to inquire.

After some time, word came back: there were still some security procedures to coordinate with Commander Zhu. The two were in the front courtyard stamping seals, not yet having entered Baifang Garden.

Just seeing Eunuch Liao hand the seal to Xu Fengjia showed their intimate relationship exceeded the ordinary.

Though the Grand Madam was anxious, she was also gratified: eunuchs had strange temperaments. Being able to maintain good relations with Eunuch Liao showed that child Fengjia’s impetuous energy had considerably restrained itself.

She laughed and chatted with the guests again.

After a few more cups of wine, the Grand Master sent someone in requesting the unmarried daughters withdraw: Xu Fengjia had entered Baifang Garden, was greeting the master in front, and was about to come in to pay respects to his aunt.

The daughters of the Yang, Li, and Zhu families all rose like a swarm to withdraw behind the screen.

The Li family’s young ladies whispered and laughed together.

Their words clearly showed intense curiosity about this young General Xu Fengjia…

Seventh Miss couldn’t help but glance at Fifth Miss.

Fifth Miss’s face indeed faintly showed anticipation.

She lowered her eyes, exhaled slightly, and clenched her fists.

Light footsteps sounded into the rear hall.