Seventh Miss was still blushing and heart pounding when she entered the outer side courtyard.

When reading letters for Great Master, she carelessly read the wrong line in one inattention, skipping two sentences.

She hurriedly apologized to Great Master with a red face. “It’s Little Seven who was distracted.”

Great Master gave Seventh Miss an extra look. “Our Little Seven has something on her mind today?”

His words carried rare interest.

Seventh Miss immediately broke out in cold sweat.

Before Great Master, she had always been proper and measured, never daring to relax.

Compared to this old fox, this Jiangnan King, her little tricks were only the most elementary… With one sweep of his eyes, it seemed he could see through all the twists and turns in her heart.

She quickly collected herself and smiled as she deflected. “After entering the twelfth month, there are many household matters, and Yuyu Pavilion’s personnel also had changes. Your daughter became distracted…”

“Oh.” Great Master didn’t know whether he believed her or not. He smiled and drew out a long sound, then paid no more attention.

Seventh Miss quickly found the skipped line and resumed reading for Great Master.

“Consecutive years in the Northwest the harvests haven’t been very good. Now Jiangnan also has grand affairs. Your untalented younger brother hopes to appreciate Jiangnan scenery, having wished this for many years…”

This person’s writing wasn’t good—the letter was written straight as vernacular speech, the meaning repetitive and tedious. Reading it, Seventh Miss couldn’t help but become distracted again.

She recalled Xu Fengjia’s astonished expression.

Unknowingly, she skipped reading another line. The opening couldn’t connect with what followed.

Great Master couldn’t help but lift his eyelids, examining Seventh Miss with three parts solemnity.

This daughter had always been refined and quiet. Her meticulousness in handling matters was no less than the most valued batch of secretaries in the yamen. No matter what work was assigned to her, she was always conscientious, applying twelve parts effort, almost never making mistakes.

Otherwise he wouldn’t value her so highly, testing her repeatedly, frequently having her come serve in the outer side courtyard.

How was it that today she acted against character, frequently becoming distracted…

Could Yuyu Pavilion’s personnel changes really occupy her so much?

He lowered his eyes again, pondering without revealing emotion.

It was Seventh Miss herself who, after reading a few more sentences, discovered something wrong.

She couldn’t help but redden her face and murmur an apology. “Your daughter’s mind is unsettled, making Father laugh.”

She bit her lip and lowered her head, looking at her toes, her face full of guilt.

Seventh Miss would be fourteen after the New Year.

Though she couldn’t compare to Sixth Miss’s beauty, she also had her own outstanding qualities. Now biting her lip again—clean white teeth lightly sinking into petal-like lips…

She also possessed a gracefully moving, delicate maiden’s charm.

Great Master’s heart stirred.

For a moment, truly a myriad of thoughts arose.

But his face revealed nothing. He gracefully rose, personally taking Seventh Miss’s hand to walk to the desk, warmly comforting her: “People all have moments when their minds float and grow restless. Making mistakes is also unavoidable. Reading letters for Father—even if you read wrong a few times, it’s nothing serious.”

He personally began organizing the various colored letters scattered before the desk.

Seventh Miss silently assisted Great Master.

“Only after you marry and go to your husband’s family, you can’t be as free as in your natal home. Whatever matters arise, you must suppress them in your heart and only express them after returning to your own room.”

Great Master personally held the ink stick. Seventh Miss quickly held the vessel and poured a little clear water onto the inkstone. He pinched the pine soot ancient ink with one hand and slowly traced circles on the Duan inkstone.

“You must know that cultivating character and nurturing nature relies on patient grinding work.” He watched the ink gradually spreading thread by thread in the clear water while slowly speaking. “When young, your father also had a fiery temperament. After so many years of cultivating composure, when have you ever seen a trace of anger? Daughters of great households value composure most. Today Father will give you a small scroll. In the future hang it at your desk. Whatever vexing matters arise, think more on these two characters… Generally, worldly matters that can’t be understood when anxious can often be understood when composed. What can’t be comprehended when greedy can often be comprehended when composed.”

Seventh Miss’s chaotic thoughts, following Great Master’s low-voiced counsel, actually truly dissipated thread by thread.

She lowered her eyes and softly acknowledged assent.

Great Master then selected a fine large brush of wolf hair, dipped it full of concentrated ink, held his breath, and on Xuanzhou cicada wing paper white as jade, slowly wrote the two characters for “composure.”

Only after the ink dried did he carefully roll it up and smile at Seventh Miss. “I can’t give it to you yet. After mounting, I’ll send someone to deliver it to Yuyu Pavilion.”

Throughout the entire household, Seventh Miss was the first to receive a gift of Great Master’s calligraphy.

“Your daughter first thanks Father for his kind intention.” She smiled with pressed lips.

She then picked up the letter and softly read it for Great Master again.

The cool voice transmitted steadily and unhurriedly into Great Master’s ears, making him contentedly close his eyes again.

Near dusk, he finally sent Seventh Miss back to the inner courtyard.

“It’s almost time for you to pay respects to your mother. Take my message—tell her I won’t enter the inner courtyard tonight. There are still some trivial matters in the twelfth month. I’ll take advantage of tonight’s good energy to arrange everything in one go.”

After Seventh Miss left the inner courtyard, he instructed the old attendant beside him: “In a while when Nanny Tong returns from seeing someone back, have her come see me.”

#

Great Madam was also in a good mood today.

Seventh Miss had just entered the main room when she heard her laughter.

“Now the world belongs to you young people… Fourth Aunt is already old!” Through the bead curtain, Great Madam’s voice was somewhat muffled—only the general meaning could be vaguely heard.

But Seventh Miss had just understood the words “Fourth Aunt” when she had the impulse to turn around and leave.

But Lidong had already happily raised the glass curtain for her, her face full of solicitude. “Seventh Miss has arrived.”

She could only turn and enter the eastern side room, smiling as she paid respects to Great Madam. “Paying respects to Mother.”

She also examined Great Madam’s face before smiling. “Mother said she had a headache this morning. Looking at you in the evening, your complexion is much better.”

Speaking, she naturally sat beside Great Madam.

Everyone was present tonight. Fifth Miss and Sixth Miss sat in order on Great Madam’s left lower side. The three nephew young masters sat on Great Madam’s right lower side. Xu Fengjia and Ninth Brother sat one left and one right at the plum blossom table’s edge, turned sideways laughing and chatting with everyone.

Seventh Miss should properly sit below Sixth Miss—the seat neighboring the plum blossom table.

Great Madam detected no abnormality at all.

When Seventh Miss sat beside her, she gathered Seventh Miss into her embrace and also examined Seventh Miss’s complexion. “Did your father call you to the outer side courtyard to read letters again?”

“Yes. Father said he won’t come in tonight. There are many matters outside. Taking advantage of good spirits today, he’ll simply give instructions all at once.” Seventh Miss took the opportunity to relay Great Master’s message.

Great Madam didn’t pay it much mind.

Great Master’s official duties were busy. Sometimes for over half a month straight, he only moved between the outer side courtyard and the small garden. Though physically at the Governor’s residence, he rarely entered the inner courtyard.

“Making you read characters all afternoon—did he reward you with a few sips of good tea?” She joked with Seventh Miss.

You could see Great Madam was in quite a good mood.

Seventh Miss couldn’t help but feel somewhat surprised.

The court situation was dark. Great Madam hadn’t been so cheerful in a long time.

“Actually he didn’t reward tea.” She smiled. “He rewarded me with calligraphy.”

Everyone was somewhat surprised.

Great Master’s calligraphy was famous throughout Great Qin.

Back when still serving as a Hanlin, his regular script had already received personal praise from the then-Crown Prince, now Emperor Zhaoming. Later upon ascending to the position of Jiangnan Governor, in a moment of inspiration he left inscriptions for several Buddhist temples, also earning unanimous praise from Jiangnan literati.

But Great Master had always treasured his calligraphy. Ordinarily he wouldn’t easily bestow calligraphy on people.

Unexpectedly among the children at home, it was Seventh Miss who received such honor.

Great Madam’s gaze at Seventh Miss became somewhat deep.

Thinking back, she felt relieved.

Probably also sympathizing with Seventh Miss’s hard work attending to brush and ink during this period.

“Good! Even Ninth Brother hasn’t received your father’s calligraphy. Unexpectedly Little Seven takes first place. What did he write?” She also became happy for Seventh Miss.

Seventh Miss couldn’t help but glance at Xu Fengjia.

Xu Fengjia was already properly dressed, having changed into everyday dark cyan hundred treasures pattern straight robe.

The older he got, it seemed he increasingly favored deep-colored garments.

This increasingly made his eyes appear bright as melted glass. Seventh Miss truly feared that anything he looked at long enough might spontaneously combust.

His expression was natural, seemingly not concerned with the earlier awkwardness. He properly looked at the black porcelain rabbit-hair tea cup at hand, his gaze not improper at all.

But Ninth Brother was furtive—his pair of eyes looking at herself, then at Xu Fengjia, then at Fifth Miss, then at Great Madam…

“The two characters for ‘composure.'” She lowered her eyes to look at her toes and answered softly.

Great Madam froze.

Generally speaking, characters bestowed by elders contained their own beautiful wishes.

Just as Great Master would never write the two characters for “indifference” for Ninth Brother, the “composure” written for Seventh Miss certainly meant he hoped she could strive toward these two characters in her future days.

“Seems your father has high expectations for you.” She found it amusing. “Is our Seventh Miss still not composed enough?”

Everyone laughed along. “Exactly. If Seventh Miss still isn’t composed, then Fifth Miss truly wouldn’t know what to do.”

Fifth Miss snorted and turned her face away. “Won’t bother with you all.”

Great Madam became even happier. Even Minge couldn’t help but smile slightly, not to mention Dage and Hongge.

Xu Fengjia also looked at Fifth Miss and smiled but didn’t say much.

After sitting a while longer, he rose to take leave of Great Madam. “It’s nearly mealtime. Time to return to Chuiyang Studio.”

Ninth Brother jumped up. “Elder Cousin, eat dinner at Jidi Residence tonight!”

He also pulled the cousin brothers. “Elder brothers come too—lively and companionable. Sitting in this pile of female relatives all afternoon has made me uncomfortable all over…”

Minge then led his two younger brothers in taking leave of Great Madam.

As soon as the young men left the eastern side room, they began laughing and joking. Though the laughter transmitted through the glass curtain wasn’t that loud, the youthful vigor unique to young men contained in that laughter couldn’t be concealed.

Only then did Seventh Miss breathe a sigh of relief.

She truly feared either Xu Fengjia or Ninth Brother couldn’t keep the impropriety hidden.

In modern society, never mind semi-naked—even full frontal nudity, seeing it was seeing it.

But in ancient times… if this matter spread, her reputation would be completely finished.

Though there was also Xu Fengjia’s rash handling—stripping in broad daylight—she herself peering into the courtyard where male relatives lived could also be said to lack propriety.

How could she know he wouldn’t be at Xukou today but instead at Chuiyang Studio sparring with Ninth Brother for amusement?

Seventh Miss leaned in Great Madam’s embrace and exhaled a deep breath.

Then she rallied again, smiling as she listened to Great Madam concernedly ask Fifth Miss: “Why are your words so few today?”

Fifth Miss was indeed strangely well-behaved today.

Usually during greetings, in such a large room, often only her voice could be heard.

“Elder Cousin though a relative is after all grown.” Fifth Miss’s tone when mentioning Xu Fengjia had changed from intimate casualness to distant coldness. “It’s not good to say much in his presence. We daughters have our own reserve to maintain.”

Sixth Miss couldn’t help but giggle. Just about to tease Fifth Miss a few sentences, Seventh Miss quickly straightened and gave her meaningful looks.

But Great Madam didn’t notice the back-and-forth between the two younger daughters, only finding it amusing. “Never expected Little Five also understands maidens’ reserve—that’s right, after the New Year you’ll be sixteen, a sweet sixteen young beauty!”

Fifth Miss turned her head away, pressing her lips coldly, just not speaking.

Seventh Miss quickly changed the subject. “I heard estate managers delivered New Year goods today…”

She managed with great effort to smooth over the situation without letting Great Madam notice anything wrong.

Great Madam was truly happy. She rarely kept the three daughters for dinner together. During the meal Seventh Miss learned that this year saw great harvests everywhere—none of the estates suffered famine.

“With the once-in-a-century grand affair about to commence and good harvests… perhaps you’ll truly be blessed to witness the spectacular sight of the previous dynasty’s treasure ships putting to sea!”

She also thought about the eldest son-in-law serving as official in Putian. “Though Putian is in Fujian, it’s still by the sea. I’m thinking that next year your eldest brother-in-law’s three-year performance review will be due. I should speak with your father about maneuvering him to the coast, preferably as a minor official in Quanzhou—the fleet will certainly dock at Quanzhou for resupply. What rare excitement that would be! When the fleet returns, we can conveniently have servants do some small business… This windfall might be ten-plus万 taels of silver in profit.”

Fifth Miss finally mustered her spirits to echo Great Madam. “Even without hoping for ten-plus万, Quanzhou is far more prosperous than Putian. Serving as official there would be much easier. Eldest Sister has written several times saying Putian is remote with serious bandit troubles, making her constantly anxious…”

The mothers and daughters discussed the movements of the sisters.

First Miss had followed her husband to Putian’s post for two years already—that aside, Second Miss last year gave birth to Duke Dingguo’s legitimate eldest son—the previous one who died young was too small to be counted in the sequence. Now she often wrote home to report safety, saying in letters only that life was peaceful and parents needn’t worry.

Third Miss had originally followed her husband to his Jiangxi post. Now she should have returned to Guanlong for mourning—this mourning would last three years. Guanlong was also far, so news naturally lessened. But the last letter said though her son was young, he was already quite sturdy, not falling ill throughout the journey. It was Third Miss herself who suffered from vomiting and diarrhea, making quite a fuss.

Fourth Miss was serving as eldest young mistress in Yuhang. Her days were comfortable. Just this year’s Mid-Autumn she brought Fourth Brother-in-law back to Suzhou once. She’d become much more cheerful. Seeing her sisters, her face carried smiles. Though still without pregnancy, the Gu family cherished her like their eyes—she hadn’t suffered any grievances.

“Your Fourth Sister is still the most blessed.” Great Madam was quite moved. “Fourth Brother-in-law’s mind isn’t very sharp. He only purchased a Student status but has no intention of entering official service, planning to live out his life in Yuhang. He has land, house, and servants. He regards your Fourth Sister like an immortal. His conduct couldn’t be better—actually more blessed than Eldest Sister.”

Since giving birth to little Cuancuan, First Miss had had no further developments. In the blink of an eye, she’d been married nearly ten years. Even if the Li family said nothing, she herself felt embarrassed. Last time writing home, she mentioned carefully selecting candidates, wanting to promote a bed-warming maid for Eldest Brother-in-law.

Perhaps from shared suffering, Great Madam particularly understood First Miss’s difficulties. Since First Miss’s letter arrived, she’d been selecting among Yang household servants, keeping it in mind, wanting to find a beautiful yet honest girl for First Miss, lest purchasing locally in Putian without knowing backgrounds made them difficult to control.

“Eldest Sister after all has our Yang family as backing, and Brother-in-law serves as official in Jiangnan.” Seventh Miss subtly comforted Great Madam. “She’s also extremely blessed.”

As long as Eldest Brother-in-law always lived under the Yang family’s wings, First Miss would absolutely not suffer much grievance.

Great Madam also understood this principle and smiled again. “Still Little Seven understands Mother’s heart.”

Fifth Miss and Sixth Miss took advantage of Great Madam not watching to make faces at Seventh Miss.

If it were usual, Seventh Miss would definitely make faces back, but today she lacked such inclination.

Reluctantly speaking a few more words with Great Madam, just after finishing dinner, she took her leave to return to Yuyu Pavilion.

“Perhaps didn’t rest well during afternoon nap. Always feel drowsy…”

Fifth Miss and Sixth Miss also left the main courtyard together with her. Sixth Miss also pulled Fifth Miss to come sit at Little Fragrant Snow with her.

Seventh Miss then went straight back to Yuyu Pavilion first.

Just entering the room, her expression fell.

After pondering back and forth several times, she called Lixia to her side.

“This afternoon outside Chuiyang Studio I encountered two lower servant women. One seems to be from the main kitchen specifically managing vegetable washing, always wearing a gray jacket with hair coiled up wearing a black forehead band. And another one…” She quietly questioned Lixia. “These two people—do you recognize them?”