After entering the twentieth of the twelfth month, Great Madam sent people to Xukou Town, urging repeatedly until finally pulling Xu Fengjia back to the Governor’s residence.

“Coming to Jiangnan but not spending New Year at Fourth Aunt’s house—if word reaches the capital in the future, how will I have face to see your mother?” She held Xu Fengjia’s hand, looking more and more satisfied.

A young general naturally carried a spirited and vigorous attitude. Every gesture contained three parts noble bearing, yet he was also so steady and self-restrained…

He was also the Crown Prince’s childhood companion, having grown up together. This friendship was most precious.

Perhaps the future Great Qin military world would belong to him.

If the marriage with the Gui family could also succeed, with two brothers-in-law working together hand in hand, how could the Yang family ever worry about lacking support in the military?

Xu Fengjia showed some helplessness. “Fourth Aunt, the soldiers have also been away from home year-round. How can I, the commanding general for training troops, be absent during New Year…”

“That still doesn’t mean you need to soak in Xukou every single day!” Great Madam was determined to keep Xu Fengjia at the Yang family for New Year. “I know you have many matters. I’ll definitely release you back to Xukou on New Year’s Day, but you absolutely must eat New Year’s Eve reunion dinner at the Yang family.”

Xu Fengjia had no choice but to settle down in Chuiyang Studio.

He was positioned opposite the three brothers in Yurong Courtyard, filling the Yang family’s guest quarters completely.

The main courtyard hall welcomed long-missed liveliness. These cousins all observed proper etiquette—the morning and evening greetings were never missed.

At leisure, the brothers and sisters often gathered together to chat and play. The boudoir school had holiday in the twelfth month. Even Ninth Brother rarely devoted himself to hard study but instead went with Xu Fengjia, bringing several elder cousins to practice horseback riding and archery at Xukou daily. Great Madam felt sorry for her son and tried to restrain Ninth Brother several times but couldn’t control his steps toward the training grounds.

“Great men become generals or ministers. Ninth Brother may not necessarily serve as an official in peaceful places like Jiangnan in the future. Understanding some military matters isn’t bad at all.” But Great Master was very philosophical.

Ninth Brother rarely received such affirmation and grew even closer to Xu Fengjia. The two brothers stayed away from home all day. Sometimes they even slept in the military camp at Xukou.

Dage and Hongge were still young after all. Boys this age—there weren’t any who didn’t love playing. Drawing bows and shooting arrows, galloping on horses… all were more interesting than cold books.

Only Minge, after socializing a few times, made excuses not to go. Every day he kept a book in hand, only studying hard in Yurong Courtyard. Except for paying respects to Great Madam, he rarely left the courtyard otherwise.

Seventh Miss privately instructed Nanny Liang: “Don’t neglect the elder cousins. For clothing, food, and daily living—service must be refined.”

Nanny Liang was somewhat surprised at first.

Even Great Madam only kept up appearances.

When seeing the three nephews, her face was wreathed in smiles, full of concern.

Once they weren’t present, she let it go.

How the servants in Yurong Courtyard were arranged, how well they served—Great Madam never thought to inquire.

Unexpectedly it was Seventh Miss instead… caring for the elder cousins in every way, as if fearing they’d suffer any grievance.

“Servants inevitably also have eyes that favor power.” She measured her words carefully, drawing out her sentences to respond to Seventh Miss. “I’m afraid many take advantage of the young masters being far from home, so service isn’t attentive enough…”

Her mind spun rapidly, pondering Seventh Miss’s meaning.

Could this be speaking in reverse?

How could Seventh Miss not see Nanny Liang’s shock and doubt?

She couldn’t help but exhale deeply.

In deep courtyards and great households, even a simple matter had to be conducted in roundabout ways.

“The elder cousins are all capable people. At such young ages, they’ve already passed the xiucai examination.” She prompted Nanny Liang. “Especially Eldest Cousin—proper conduct, pure and bright… If he can pass the jinshi examination and enter official service, Ninth Brother will likely need to rely on his advancement in the future.”

The ancients valued blood connections most. In the unpredictable official world, none were more reliable than actual brothers.

Otherwise, even though Second Madam had made such a scene, why did Great Master still refuse to sever ties with the Second Branch? These years in official circles, hadn’t he still been looking after Second Master in subtle ways?

The First Branch only had Ninth Brother as a single seedling. They couldn’t let these small matters cause the elder cousins to become even more alienated from the First Branch.

Relationships were cultivated bit by bit. If these small matters weren’t sincerely managed well, even the best relationships would gradually fade. Conversely, even if the elder cousins had some complaints about the First Branch, as long as the First Branch’s own conduct was beyond reproach—hearts were flesh and blood—they would eventually gradually align with the First Branch.

Nanny Liang seemed to understand yet not quite.

But she grasped Seventh Miss’s meaning.

“Yes, yes.” She agreed readily. “We’re releasing a batch of people this month and adding a new batch. We might as well add more maids and boys to Yurong Courtyard, filling out the three small courtyards’ staff. Our Yang family can still afford to support these idle people.”

She also consulted Seventh Miss: “If you’ve taken a liking to any young maid, just tell this old servant. I’ll definitely bring her into Yuyu Pavilion…”

This was all easy favor to grant.

With Seventh Miss’s current status and dignity, if she took a liking to anyone and mentioned it to Great Madam, how could Great Madam refuse?

But Seventh Miss wore a sincerely smiling face. “Thanks to Nanny Liang’s care. If I take a liking to anyone, I certainly won’t be polite.”

After pondering a moment, she lowered her head and gently closed her delicate five-colored tea lid before smiling and asking: “I recall someone—does Nanny Liang still remember Xiaoxue who left previously? Bailu told me her family still has a younger sister who’s also reached the age to enter the household this year.”

Nanny Liang managed the household personnel. She had a clear count of all young maids in servants’ quarters who came of age.

Nanny Liang froze.

After thinking for a long time, she smiled. “There probably is one. Seems like… a girl child with the pet name Nuomi, she’s also thirteen this year. She’s born much more pleasing than Xiaoxue. Only this old servant thought that since her sister left under suspicion, it wouldn’t be good to serve in Miss’s room again, so I was thinking of placing her in the small storeroom to do miscellaneous work…”

Those placed in small storerooms for miscellaneous work were all low-ranking maids with meager monthly wages.

“Doesn’t Yurong Courtyard need people? Three small courtyards were suddenly separated out—they’re certainly short of maids.” Seventh Miss looked thoughtful. “Xiaoxue after all lived with me in the west side courtyard and had such a bitter fate… Having her sister be a low-ranking maid—I always feel I can’t bear it. I think, let her take a position in Yurong Courtyard. Anyway, the elder cousins study outside year-round. Though Yurong Courtyard’s work is more arduous, it’s also leisurely.”

In the Yang household, positions serving young ladies and masters were always competed for by everyone.

Especially the nephew young masters who were rarely home—aside from cleaning rooms, there wouldn’t be much work. The wages were generous. Speaking of it in the future sounded good—maids who served young masters and misses were certainly refined in conduct, capable and generous. Even marriage prospects were especially favorable.

Xiaoxue—a maid tainted with suspicion who caught a strange illness and was raving mad when she died—actually made Seventh Miss remember her like this?

Remember her to this extent, specially finding herself to speak, wanting to place her sister in such a good position?

Nanny Liang’s heart grew cold wave after wave. Looking at Seventh Miss, her eyes held something different.

Previously she’d only thought this child was generous and proper, her conduct reassuring.

Never imagined that as she grew older, her scheming depths became increasingly unfathomable…

Many things carried vague hints of suspicion. Upon close thought one couldn’t grasp a single bit of evidence. Between presence and absence, like snakes in grass leaving hidden trails for thousands of miles—in the end everything fulfilled Seventh Miss’s wishes.

“Nanny Liang?” Seeing Nanny Liang spacing out, Seventh Miss found it somewhat amusing.

Originally she wanted to place Xiaoxue’s sister in Little Fragrant Snow—that would fulfill her promise to Xiaoxue.

But the maids around Sixth Miss were all quite young. This round’s marriage list didn’t include their names. Forcibly inserting a young maid would be very difficult operationally.

Fortunately, Yurong Courtyard was a leisurely and respectable position, actually much more relaxed than Little Fragrant Snow.

She also brought up Lidong’s marriage.

Many things were like this—servants drew close because they had requests of you. Having received benefits, they also had to handle matters for others.

“I heard Lidong in Mother’s room has also reached marriage age this year. First-rank maids who served Mother all receive dignity when marrying—personally arranged by Mother herself. But things have been busy recently. I don’t know if Mother has a plan in mind.”

On personnel matters, Great Madam had many opportunities to consult with Nanny Liang.

“It’s been truly busy lately. With so many guests at home, Madam seems not to have thought this far yet.” Nanny Liang went with the flow, covering up her earlier spacing out. “Speaking of which, there’s something I’d like to ask Seventh Miss to help with… This Bailu…”

Seventh Miss showed slight surprise.

She turned her head and smiled at Bailu.

Bailu’s face reddened. Stamping her feet, she left the room without saying a word.

“I watched Bailu grow up too.” Nanny Liang also wore a smile. “Not afraid of you laughing—since childhood my second son has thought Bailu was a good child, only…”

She rambled on about the childhood sweethearts’ story between Bailu and her second son for Seventh Miss to hear.

How could Seventh Miss not understand Nanny Liang’s meaning?

“If Sister Bailu’s heart is also willing, I’ll certainly release her.” She agreed readily too.

Though Bailu had reached marriage age this year, if Seventh Miss insisted on keeping her to serve a few more years, no one would dare say anything.

However, Bailu’s greatest wish was a good destination. Such a mutually willing beautiful matter—naturally Seventh Miss wouldn’t obstruct it.

Nanny Liang immediately expressed thousand thanks, patting her chest in guarantee: “Nuomi’s matter is on this old servant…”

Seventh Miss personally rose to see Nanny Liang out but was pressed down repeatedly. She went with the flow and had Bailu see Nanny Liang out of Yuyu Pavilion.

Turning back, she smiled and asked Lixia: “If you’ve also taken a liking to someone, just tell me. When the time comes, I’ll ask Nanny Liang to matchmake and have you properly married off!”

Lixia remained extraordinarily composed, not moving an eyebrow. “Miss jokes. Lixia is still young and wants to serve Miss a few more years.”

Speaking of it, Lixia was only one year older than Seventh Miss. By Yang family rules, she still had five or six years before marriage. Speaking of this now was indeed premature.

Not comparable to Bailu who was already twenty-two this year—truly should marry.

Seventh Miss quite appreciated Lixia’s steadiness.

She asked Lixia: “Looking at the young maids in our courtyard, who can be promoted to fill Sister Bailu’s vacancy?”

Lixia looked thoughtful. “This should first ask Sister Bailu’s opinion…”

The two were deliberating when Bailu entered the room with a red face.

Immediately she went into the inner room to tend to needlework.

The young maiden’s manner made Seventh Miss smile knowingly.

Speaking of it, maids in this era were mostly more fortunate than young ladies.

Aside from those selected as bed-warming maids, most served until their twenties before being released for marriage.

At least they didn’t need to face childbearing pressure in their teens.

Like Second Miss—because Duke Dingguo was in poor health and anxious for a grandson—she married into the Sun family at only fifteen.

This year, barely past twenty, she’d already given birth twice.

The eldest son from the first birth didn’t survive…

Fortunately the second son Yanping was relatively healthy. This year he was also two years old—the most vulnerable first year had been safely passed.

Even Third Miss, not long after marrying, had sent back news of pregnancy.

In modern society, these would be little girls just attending middle or high school. In ancient times they were already mothers.

Even Fifth Miss—to Seventh Miss still looking childish—her marriage was already on the agenda…

Seventh Miss quickly shook her head, suppressing the surging thoughts.

She instructed Bailu: “Go ask Lidong which household she’s taken a liking to. If there’s someone suitable, have them choose a day to come petition. Send word beforehand—I’ll personally go say a few kind words…”

She also searched out needlework and stitched flowers desultorily.

“While it’s still not the first month, embroider more stitches to avoid rushing when Fifth Sister’s birthday arrives.”

While embroidering flowers, she chatted with the two maids.

In the afternoon, Great Master sent someone to summon Seventh Miss to the outer side courtyard to serve.

Inner and outer were separate. Several chief stewards sometimes entered the main courtyard to report but never stepped foot in Baifang Garden. Coming in to summon was Nanny Tong who specialized in managing message communication between inner and outer courtyards.

Seventh Miss didn’t dare delay. She entered the room herself to change clothes, sending Lixia and Bailu both to chat with Nanny Tong while serving guest tea to Nanny Tong.

The Governor’s residence servants were mostly dowry Great Madam brought from her natal family.

There were also those who sold themselves to join or were purchased on signed death contracts…

The old people around Great Master—speaking of it—were only Chief Steward Zhang and Nanny Tong.

Nanny Tong’s father was the chief steward beside the late Great Master back then. Speaking of it, she was an old-timer of seven or eight generations, uniquely senior in the entire Yang household.

Though these years she kept a low profile, only doing this idle position of relaying messages between inner and outer, Seventh Miss always showed her extra respect.

Nanny Tong also appreciated it, smiling as she drank the tea. Seeing Seventh Miss emerge from the room, she quickly rose to praise: “Seventh Miss is increasingly blossoming like a lotus flower. Look at this bearing, this character… No wonder Master and Madam increasingly favor you…”

The two conversed all the way out of Yuyu Pavilion.

Seventh Miss intended to exit the main courtyard through Huansha Cove, but Nanny Tong led her directly out the small south gate opened in the outer wall, entering the side corridor.

“Madam is seeing the Northwest estate managers in the front courtyard. The whole yard is full of things and quite a few young outside men.” Nanny Tong explained. “When entering earlier it felt chaotic. You, Seventh Miss, are made of water—mustn’t be offended. Going this way is actually shorter.”

Though Yuyu Pavilion’s servants often entered and exited through the side corridor, this was Seventh Miss’s first time walking this corridor personally.

She couldn’t help but curiously look around.

This inner side corridor and the outer side corridor between the main and outer courtyards stood opposite each other, sandwiching the main courtyard between. The outer corridor going left led to the family school where Seventh Miss had attended class for many years; going right was the small gate to Hanlin Manor. The inner corridor going left was Yurong Courtyard; going right was Chuiyang Studio. The small south gate opened on Chuiyang Studio’s outer side. Just turning a few steps reached the corridor gate which led directly to Yijin Ward. If the matron guarding the corridor gate was willing to grant convenience, Yuyu Pavilion’s servants entering and exiting would be quite convenient.

“I’ve never passed through here to the outer side courtyard before.” She chatted with Nanny Tong.

This outer side corridor also seemed quite desolate. On the entire road there were only Nanny Tong and Seventh Miss. In the distance at the corridor’s other end, one could still see the gate-watching matron.

Nanny Tong also smiled. “Before Chuiyang Studio was tidied up, I didn’t want to pass through here either. An entire courtyard sealed off—inevitably desolate.”

She pointed out to Seventh Miss: “The two willow trees in Chuiyang Studio have been half-dead for many years. Strange to say, after buying Hanlin Manor the year before last, Madam invited a Taoist to examine the feng shui and alter the layout. Once that side was altered, these two willow trees came alive. When Master learned of it, he laughed saying it was a strange occurrence.”

Seventh Miss also stopped to look into Chuiyang Studio.

Xu Fengjia never stayed at the Governor’s residence during the day, so there was nothing much to avoid.

Just then two servant women came from opposite, greeted Seventh Miss, then pulled Nanny Tong: “Having wedding wine in the first month this year…”

They were all lower servant women with loud voices. Nanny Tong glanced at Seventh Miss, saw she was still examining those two willow trees, and led several acquaintances to the moon gate leading to Chuiyang Studio, speaking a few words in low voices.

Seventh Miss could only continue her observation act while pondering the meaning in Nanny Tong’s words.

Just after separating the family, the Yang family’s earth energy flourished and the willow trees lived. This matter carried somewhat mysterious flavor.

Just as she was lost in thought, she saw Xu Fengjia laughing and chatting with Ninth Brother while coming around from the corner of the house into the courtyard.

In the bitter cold weather, he was bare-chested, exposing a body of long, tight muscles. Large drops of sweat continuously rolled down from his jaw, dripping onto his honey-colored chest, then rolling down his lean waist, disappearing into the pale gold-red lower garment.

Even Ninth Brother’s entire head and face was flushed red. Though not as bold as Xu Fengjia, he also only wore underclothes with his outer robe rolled in his hands.

Seventh Miss couldn’t help but gape, showing rare shock.

Xu Fengjia had originally been walking and talking without noticing the courtyard entrance. Casually turning his head, he locked eyes with Seventh Miss.