Though Seventh Miss had learned some rudimentary skills following Ninth Aunt, she was still young after all. The flowers she embroidered were clearly inferior compared to her sisters’.

Though Fifth Miss said nothing, the smugness in her eyes quickly showed through. Sixth Miss looked at the work in Seventh Miss’s hands with a smile but made no comment.

At some point, Embroiderer Huang had clasped her hands behind her back and walked behind Seventh Miss to watch her embroider. After watching for a bit, she walked away to Fourth Miss’s side and gave her quiet instruction.

Seventh Miss wasn’t anxious. After working for half an hour, she stopped to rest and walked to the corner to pour herself some tea.

After embroidering for over an hour, Embroiderer Huang set down her needle and thread and glanced at the sky. The Yang daughters all stood up and took turns paying respects to Embroiderer Huang before being escorted back to their rooms by their maids.

Fifth Miss moved very slowly with her hands. She had already tidied up, yet Seventh Miss was still concentrating intently on embroidering a plum blossom in her hands. Fifth Miss couldn’t help growing impatient.

“Are you leaving or not?” she asked urgently.

Seventh Miss smiled.

“Fifth Sister, I’m not good at embroidery—I need to practice more.” She spoke earnestly. Fifth Miss looked at the plum blossom and shook her head.

“It doesn’t look like one at all.” She turned and beckoned Guyu over. The two left together without waiting for Seventh Miss.

Seventh Miss examined the plum blossom in her hands and also felt it was poorly done.

In embroidery, not only must the handwork be good, but the pattern must also be good. Behind each sister’s tribute satin was a backing pattern, but she was embroidering randomly based on fragmentary images remaining in her mind. This plum blossom was crooked—it really couldn’t be considered attractive.

Embroiderer Huang then walked up behind her with hands clasped.

Third Miss and Fourth Miss had left earliest, Fifth Miss had long since disappeared, and only Sixth Miss remained in the room, chatting and laughing with Dongzhi while winding thread. She seemed very relaxed at Zhuyingtai, her expression subtly confident.

“Back in the day, Ninth Aunt never needed patterns for embroidery,” Embroiderer Huang said slowly. “My signature technique of raised embroidery—I learned it secretly from her.”

Ninth Aunt and Embroiderer Huang had originally been old acquaintances. When they entered the household together as embroiderers years ago, people throughout Jiangnan spread word that the Yang household was generous. Of all Suzhou, there were only these two presentable embroiderers, yet both had been recruited to the Yang family. Xianxiu Workshop’s reputation soared for a time.

Seventh Miss smiled with pursed lips, “I’m slow—I haven’t learned much of Aunt’s expertise.”

Ninth Aunt had shown no enthusiasm whatsoever regarding Seventh Miss’s embroidery. In her words, if a young lady’s skills were too refined, it actually brought no benefit. Seventh Miss was a Yang family young miss who properly should be well-provided for in fine clothes and good food. No matter how well she learned embroidery, what use was it? She had no intention of passing on her so-called signature techniques to Seventh Miss.

Embroiderer Huang nodded and went to the desk to find some pattern paper. “Take a few sheets back to embroider. When you have time, look at flowers more—you must see the real thing to embroider beautifully.”

Sixth Miss said with a laugh, “Master is right. If I hadn’t raised several goldfish, how could I have embroidered such lively fish?” She looked appreciatively at her work, then stood and bowed to Embroiderer Huang, calling to Seventh Miss, “Seventh Sister, I’m leaving first. Don’t work too hard.”

After Sixth Miss and Dongzhi’s figures had disappeared outside Zhuyingtai, Embroiderer Huang turned around. “Now, embroider another plum blossom for me to see.” Her expression was calm.

The Yang daughters’ embroidery curriculum was very systematic and never deviated from patterns. To embroider a plum blossom freehand without distortion required more than a little embroidery skill. Seventh Miss nodded, stretched the pattern behind the tribute satin, and threaded her needle to begin embroidering.

Her movements were neither hurried nor slow, revealing a subtle sense of rhythm and beauty. Watching her movements, Embroiderer Huang’s eyes gradually misted.

She was Ninth Aunt’s daughter after all…

In less than a meal’s time, Seventh Miss had finished embroidering two plum blossoms. Though they couldn’t be called lifelike, the workmanship was presentable.

“This level of skill—it’s not quite at the point where you need to hide your abilities, is it?” Embroiderer Huang raised an eyebrow.

Seventh Miss sighed, “Earlier in calligraphy, after receiving a word or two of praise from the teacher, Fifth Sister became competitive and privately asked Second Sister to teach her calligraphy.” Though her level couldn’t compare to Third Miss, it happened to be on par with Fifth Miss.

But she was only six years old this year, while Fifth Miss was nine.

To surpass someone in one thing—there was no right or wrong. Everyone had strengths.

But if she surpassed Fifth Miss in everything, even if Fifth Miss said nothing, the Grand Madam would inevitably feel uncomfortable.

Embroiderer Huang nodded thoughtfully but said nothing more about inner courtyard matters.

“You still need to practice more!” she concluded. “However, you’re only six this year. You do have some talent.”

Seventh Miss glanced outside the window. Lixia stood there with a serene expression. Faintly, she could see Sixth Miss and Dongzhi stopped in the corridor, chatting and laughing endlessly.

Sixth Miss had stayed all along, probably worried that Embroiderer Huang, based on her colleague relationship with Ninth Aunt, would pay special attention to Seventh Miss.

Everyone had selfish concerns. Sixth Miss couldn’t succeed in reading and only had embroidery skills to show. It wasn’t excessive for her to guard against Seventh Miss.

Seventh Miss lowered her eyes. “Thank you for Master’s praise. Little Seven can’t compare to Sixth Sister.”

Embroiderer Huang smiled slightly. “Sixth Miss is very dedicated, but you two need not compete over this matter.”

Seventh Miss felt relieved.

Third Miss had a bellyful of schemes, Fourth Miss was very arrogant, Fifth Miss had an unforgiving personality, and Second Miss—well, she was hard to get close to. If even Sixth Miss wasn’t friendly toward her, wouldn’t life in this household be difficult at every step?

Seventh Miss thanked Embroiderer Huang again before leaving Zhuyingtai. Lixia came forward and said softly, “Sixth Miss invites you to sit at Xiao Xiangxue.”

Sixth Miss stood in the corridor, smiling at Seventh Miss from afar and waving to her—she looked very welcoming.

Seventh Miss felt warmth in her heart, along with some shame.

In such a grand estate, she received so little warmth that she approached people and matters with the worst expectations.

She looked at the sky, calculated for a moment, then walked quickly to Sixth Miss’s side. “I’ll be imposing on Sixth Sister.”

Sixth Miss smiled happily. “It’s no imposition!”

Xiao Xiangxue was in a corner of Baifang Garden, surrounded by dozens of white plum trees. Within the interweaving branches sat a small courtyard with blue tiles and white walls, appearing very refined.

Seventh Miss silently calculated in her heart. Excluding the side rooms, Seventh Aunt and Sixth Miss only had five or six main rooms. This was much smaller than Seventh Miss’s entire small side courtyard in the main quarters. No wonder Sixth Miss envied her.

Though the space was small, Sixth Miss’s dwelling was arranged very warmly. The small three rooms included an eastern chamber with a small, delicate ironwood canopy bed. Beside the bed were two or three beechwood chairs arranged in a scattered yet orderly fashion, not at all rigid. In the eastern corner stood a large ironwood wardrobe with one drawer still open, revealing bright fabrics inside. In the western corner sat a coral bonsai—though not very lustrous, it was hung all over with various pouches, necklaces, and earrings, draped everywhere, very fresh and bright. By the bed stood a small marble screen with a red lacquered chamber pot behind it, creating an atmosphere both lived-in and adorable.

Seventh Miss sat briefly in the eastern chamber, watching Sixth Miss tidy the room with Dongzhi and Daxue. Finding it quite amusing, she said to Sixth Miss with pursed lips, “Sixth Sister, shall we sit in the western chamber?”

Sixth Miss breathed a sigh of relief and pulled Seventh Miss into the western chamber. “I’m always oversleeping in the morning. Dongzhi and Daxue attend to me while also serving breakfast—they’re very busy, so the room is always messy.”

The western chamber was much quieter. By the window sat a small desk scattered with Elementary Learning, The Four Books for Women, poetry collections… It looked very neat and orderly.

The embroidery frame beside the desk, however, was quite messy. Various colored silk threads were piled chaotically on it. A half-embroidered handkerchief was stretched on the small frame, and an embroidered screen with just a few stitches was on the large frame… Where Sixth Miss’s interests lay was obvious without asking.

Sixth Miss explained, “Normally I eat with Seventh Aunt. I only come in here when embroidering or reading. They don’t have time to tidy up, so it’s also messy.”

Seventh Miss couldn’t help but smile.

As they spoke, Daxue came in to tidy the embroidery frame. Sixth Miss quickly cried out, “Don’t touch it! If you move things, I won’t be able to find my needle and thread!”

“Miss is always like this—complaining about the mess on one hand, yet not letting us clean on the other.” Daxue teased with a smile.

Watching Sixth Miss’s sheepish expression, Seventh Miss could no longer hold back and burst out laughing.

The two then went to chat with Seventh Aunt.

Seventh Aunt was very beautiful, yet her manner toward people carried no trace of arrogance. She chatted cheerfully with Seventh Miss about household matters for a few moments, then sent them off to swing in Xiao Xiangxue.

The white plum blossoms’ season hadn’t passed yet, and Xiao Xiangxue was filled with a faint fragrance. On one particularly robust old plum tree, two thick ropes held a small wooden plank. Sixth Miss stood on it and began swinging, her laughter echoing through the clouds.

She then let Seventh Miss swing. Seventh Miss was somewhat afraid.

At first, she had Lixia push slowly, but later they swung higher and higher. The wind stirred by the two young girls scattered plum blossoms all over the ground, and the fragrance suddenly intensified.

When Seventh Miss went to pay respects to the Grand Madam, she still carried the scent of plum blossoms.

“Did you play at Sixth Miss’s place?” The Grand Madam was in a good mood, holding her tea lid as she asked slowly.

Ninth Brother pouted, “Seventh Sister went to play with Sixth Sister but didn’t call me!”

Sixth Miss giggled, “Next time I’ll definitely call Ninth Brother.”

With family harmony, Master Yang was in a good mood. He patted Ninth Brother’s head, “You should also learn from Fifth Sister and practice calligraphy diligently. You’re six years old—you can’t be like an infant anymore, confused and muddle-headed.”

Ninth Brother pursed his lips and buried himself in the Grand Madam’s arms without speaking.

Fourth Aunt’s gaze flashed as she glanced at Seventh Aunt. Seventh Aunt smiled, unconcerned.

Third Miss spoke up, “All that affection for Sixth Sister was wasted—only inviting Seventh Sister to play but not taking me along.” As she spoke, she pretended to be sad, wiping at her eyes.

Seventh Miss couldn’t help wanting to see how Sixth Miss would respond.

Sixth Miss said with a laugh to everyone, “Usually I only worry about having no one to play with. So it turns out sisters are all fun-loving! Good then, whenever you’re free, come play at Xiao Xiangxue!”

Fifth Miss laughed heartily, “All you know is playing!”

Though Sixth Miss was of concubine birth, her relationship with Fifth Miss didn’t seem too bad. Hearing Fifth Miss’s reproach, she retorted, “Isn’t Fifth Sister also constantly playing with Ninth Brother?”

Fifth Miss looked embarrassed and mumbled, “I should settle down and apply myself too.”

“Good, good.” Master Yang was very pleased. “Let’s dine at Xiao Xiangxue today and keep Sixth Miss company for a while.”

Sixth Miss went to Master Yang’s side to act coquettish. The Grand Madam watched with a smile, appearing very virtuous. Even Fourth Aunt didn’t speak to break this moment’s harmonious atmosphere.

Soon, Sixth Miss pulled Master Yang away. The various aunts paid respects to the Grand Madam, then scattered. First Aunt went to the washroom first to draw water, carrying it out for the Grand Madam to wash her hands, and only then did the younger ones queue to enter the washroom.

“I thought when you stayed behind, you really were going to do more embroidery work. I didn’t expect you actually went to Xiao Xiangxue to swing!” Fifth Miss said to Seventh Miss. Though her tone was still stiff, her eyes and brows already showed some pleasure.

This was like a new sheep joining the flock—if she was too diligent, others would always feel an invisible pressure. Now knowing that Seventh Miss also had moments of slacking off, Fifth Miss relaxed.

Seventh Miss curved her eyes without speaking. Even Ninth Brother joined Fifth Miss in reproaching, “I love swinging the most, yet Seventh Sister didn’t call me!”

The younger ones chatted and laughed as they exited the washroom. First Aunt was just coming out carrying the water basin, her expression somewhat unpleasant.

Seeing this, Fifth Miss exchanged a glance with Ninth Brother. The two of them sneaked to the doorway leading to the eastern secondary chamber.

This type of architecture had no doors between inner rooms, only bead curtains as dividers. Standing at the doorway, it was easy to hear movement inside.

Seventh Miss was somewhat curious but didn’t move. Instead, she followed Second Miss into the western chamber.

Before long, Fifth Miss and Ninth Brother also came in, both looking dejected. Seventh Miss secretly laughed—they must have been discovered.

Soon, the Grand Madam also entered the western chamber. After everyone finished the meal, Seventh Miss returned to her western side courtyard.

The Grand Madam sent Ninth Brother to Fifth Miss’s courtyard and went herself to the eastern side room to speak with Nanny Wang. “How did Second Madam know that Ninth Brother has been enjoying cucumbers lately?”

Ninth Brother’s tastes had changed this year—he particularly liked eating vegetables. In winter, the fresh tender cucumbers grown in the Yang family’s greenhouse mostly ended up in his stomach. And the physician treating Xiaoxue said that eating cherries and cucumbers together would cause diarrhea.

Xiaoxue’s diarrhea only stopped before tonight’s dinner—she’d lost a whole ring of weight. If Ninth Brother had eaten it…

Nanny Wang shook her head, a flash of fierceness crossing her face. “Should we go through the people attending Ninth Brother again?”

The Grand Madam sighed wearily and instructed, “Don’t make too much commotion, lest Master finds out and everyone loses face.”

Nanny Wang hesitated somewhat. “Master probably has some idea in his heart…”

For Master Yang to rise from an ordinary presented scholar to Governor-General of Jiangnan, he naturally wasn’t a simple character. Otherwise, why had he been avoiding the Grand Madam these past days by going straight to the aunts’ quarters after entering the second gate?

The Grand Madam closed her eyes and shook her head.

Nanny Liang and First Aunt entered the room side by side. Nanny Liang gently and quietly began massaging the Grand Madam’s shoulders.

“What family doesn’t have difficult scriptures to recite?” Her voice was pleasant. “Second Madam has also been idle at home year after year, breeding problems from idleness. How about writing a letter to Second Master asking Second Madam to go to the capital to manage household affairs?”

This was simply the best solution at present. Second Master held office in the capital—Second Madam should have been managing the household there all along.

The Grand Madam sighed, remembering when she first married in. Second Master was just a reckless youth, stealing chickens and dogs every day, making the whole village restless. Yet toward her, his elder sister-in-law, he was very filial. Even when climbing mountains to raid bird nests, he remembered to save her a few fledglings to raise for fun.

In the blink of an eye, so many years had passed.

“If Second Master were unwilling, why would he leave Second Madam behind?” she said exhaustedly. “I only hope Eighth Aunt’s pregnancy is also a boy to keep Ninth Brother company… Ah.”

The sky had turned completely dark. In the eastern side room, candlelight slowly kindled.