Within a few days, Dong Family’s Dani arrived at Yuyu Pavilion carrying a small bundle.

The transition between new and old maids always required a process.

The so-called “releasing” in the twelfth month merely meant deciding on the roster who would be released for marriage and who would remain to serve a few more years.

The actual departure and successive marriages of senior maids generally occurred in spring.

By then, the replacement maids would be trained, the masters would have assessed their character and abilities, the household servants would have finished New Year duties and had time for wedding celebrations—only then would Baifang Garden gradually release maids from the garden.

The maids at Yuyu Pavilion were all young. This year only Bailu’s position needed filling, yet it had been personally designated by the Grand Master for Nanny Dong’s eldest daughter. Naturally, people harbored some complaints.

Nanny Hang showed Dani no pleasant expression. When Dani entered the courtyard, her eyes were still slightly red.

Yet her movements remained quick and nimble. Apart from the faint redness around her eyes, her expression showed no abnormality.

She knelt to greet Seventh Miss, saying, “Greetings to Seventh Miss.”

This was quite a delicate-looking young girl. Her features resembled Nanny Dong’s, seemingly naturally carrying a hint of a smile.

Seventh Miss glanced at Nanny Hang.

Nanny Hang had wanted to arrange her daughter into Yuyu Pavilion for two or three years. This time, with the Dong family inserting themselves, the anger in her heart couldn’t possibly be directed at the Grand Master or Seventh Miss.

She was also an honest person unable to hide her feelings.

If not venting at Dani, at whom could she vent?

Specifically arranging for Nanny Hang to fetch the person was to test Dani’s temperament.

If she had a pampered young lady’s disposition, breaking into sobs after a few scoldings from Nanny Hang, then they might as well just raise her as a pampered young lady.

Fortunately, she hadn’t been spoiled by a small household’s indulgence.

“Rise!” She remained impassive.

She couldn’t help but carefully observe Dani’s expression.

If Nanny Dong’s mouth wasn’t tight and she’d told Dani about Chuiyang Studio, under her scrutiny this twelve or thirteen-year-old girl would surely reveal some clues.

However, though Dani’s expression showed restraint and shyness, it notably lacked evasiveness.

She assessed Dani’s appearance and smiled. “What a delicate-looking young girl.”

She asked Dani again, “What kind of name would you like?”

Dani spoke softly and gently. “Entirely at Seventh Miss’s command.”

Her pronunciation was clear, her speech refined—clearly, she’d had good upbringing.

Seventh Miss nodded with satisfaction.

Thinking that the garden’s maids were all named after seasonal markers and festivals, she casually asked Bailu, “Has anyone used the name Qiqiao before?”

The Seventh Evening was also called Qiqiao Festival, also a young ladies’ seasonal celebration.

Bailu smiled. “Originally there was a Qixi who served First Miss. After marrying out for a few years, she was matched locally. Since you’re using Qiqiao instead, it’s not really a conflict.”

She teased Dani. “You’re fortunate—of all the maids in the courtyard, only you received a name from Seventh Miss herself.”

Seventh Miss giggled, thinking indeed it was so. Of all the courtyard maids, only Dani had received a name from her own lips.

Looking at Dani again, she felt the girl was several parts more likable.

She casually instructed Bailu, “She’s in your hands now. The rules of Yuyu Pavilion, the rules of Baifang Garden, the rules of our Yang household—teach her them all. The sooner she can work independently, the sooner you’ll have a replacement and can escape suffering to achieve instant enlightenment.”

This amused the maids. “Seventh Miss’s mouth is hatefully teasing—we don’t know whether to laugh or be annoyed.”

While laughing, Bailu stepped forward to pull Dani up. “Come, I’ll take you to your quarters.”

Dani thus smiled timidly at Bailu, rose and first thanked her. “Troubling Elder Sister!”

Then silently followed Bailu down.

Her steps were steady, not at all chaotic.

This girl’s words and actions all seemed specially trained. Though young, she already possessed the refined bearing of a great household’s maid.

Seventh Miss watched Qiqiao’s departing figure, falling into contemplation.

She instructed Lixia, “Go to Nanny Liang and request some codonopsis—ours is nearly depleted. While you’re there, also inquire whose courtyard Qiqiao was originally meant to serve in.”

Lixia knowingly agreed.

With Bailu and Nanny Liang having a future mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship, it was inappropriate for Bailu to go alone to speak with Nanny Liang. She valued her reputation as a young woman and rarely left Yuyu Pavilion except for work.

Seventh Miss simply accommodated Bailu’s propriety, transferring all errands she’d previously assigned her to Lixia instead. Yuyu Pavilion thus had Bailu managing internal affairs and Lixia handling external matters—actually reversed.

These past months had truly trained Lixia in understanding human relationships, capable of handling both internal and external matters.

Before long, she returned with a packet of codonopsis. While registering it and opening boxes, she chatted with Seventh Miss.

“According to Nanny Liang, though Nanny Dong didn’t show obvious intentions, she believes that if the Grand Master hadn’t spoken, Qiqiao should have been assigned to serve at Jidi Residence.”

As expected.

Seventh Miss smiled faintly. “Quite the calculation.”

Lixia smiled accommodatingly. “Yet it can’t escape your notice.”

“Silly girl, with nothing to do, why are you flattering me?” Seventh Miss couldn’t help laughing, giving Lixia a look and tapping her forehead.

The master and servant had been together over six years. Often they were more like sisters or friends than master and servant.

Lixia locked the small medicine chest and consoled Seventh Miss. “Fourth Young Master has reached that age… It’s inevitable that household members have plans and expectations. In any case, it doesn’t concern us—don’t trouble yourself over it. Didn’t Divine Physician Quan say you should think less and worry less…”

“Enough, enough.” Seventh Miss got a headache whenever Lixia nagged. She quickly covered her ears in surrender. “I know, I know—can’t I just not worry about it?”

Yet she remained thoughtful. “Ninth Brother only turns fourteen after New Year—just when he’s growing. Daily studying already taxes his mind enough. If he gets involved in such matters, what will become of him? What if his constitution is drained—what then?”

A few days later, after paying respects to the Grand Madam, she didn’t return to Baifang Garden with Fifth Miss and Sixth Miss.

Her two sisters were long accustomed to her role as the intimate cotton-padded jacket. Seeing Seventh Miss make excuses to stay behind, they both understood.

Even the Grand Madam knew Seventh Miss had something to say.

“What is it?” She was somewhat surprised. “Could it be that Dong family girl is disobedient—”

Given Nanny Dong’s standing, if Seventh Miss couldn’t manage Qiqiao and wanted to report to the Grand Madam to have her expelled, she would indeed need to speak privately.

Seventh Miss went with the flow. “Not at all. This girl has clearly been trained—her conduct is extremely proper… At Yuyu Pavilion, her talents are rather wasted.”

The Grand Madam relaxed. “What wasted or not—being able to serve you is her good fortune from several lifetimes.”

Seventh Miss had such a good temperament, and though she didn’t slack in managing servants, she also frequently gave rewards. Serving her was more worry-free than serving Fifth Miss or Sixth Miss.

“Mother… the way you put it.” Seventh Miss took the opportunity to sit beside the Grand Madam. “I was thinking, Father specifically sent her to Yuyu Pavilion—there must be an intention…”

Conveniently patching another hole regarding the Chuiyang Studio matter.

The Grand Master rarely interfered in inner courtyard affairs, yet recently he’d acted consecutively—arranging Qiqiao into Yuyu Pavilion and sending those two households to the estate.

Though the Grand Madam wasn’t very attentive to mundane matters, she might still on a whim seize this suspicious point and investigate.

“Oh?” The Grand Madam indeed showed interest. “Little Seven’s thoughts are truly meticulous—tell me, what intention would your father have?”

“Nanny Dong is an old servant at Father’s side.” Seventh Miss spoke softly and gently, unraveling things for the Grand Madam. “Wanting to send her daughter into Baifang Garden shows her loyalty—Father would never refuse her face. However, this Qiqiao has a delicate face, gentle temperament, and moves gracefully. Your daughter observed coldly and felt… she’s actually material suited for Jidi Residence.”

Though euphemistic, the Grand Madam couldn’t fail to understand the implication.

Ninth Brother would turn fourteen after New Year.

They also planned to arrange his betrothal early.

Some great households, when young masters were fourteen or fifteen, would arrange chamber maids for them, lest when the new wife entered, the young master knew nothing of wedding night matters, causing embarrassment instead.

At the age of vigorous blood and energy, if led astray outside to learn bad habits and frequent brothels and pleasure quarters, it would disgrace the great household. Better to arrange one or two clear-browed, gentle, honest senior maids in advance. When the young master developed such inclinations, he’d have someone appropriate. With contraceptive decoctions, there was no fear of children before marriage.

After the principal wife entered and bore legitimate sons, these chamber maids would be elevated to concubine status and stop the contraceptive decoctions… These were all unwritten rules. Second Concubine of the Yang family had been elevated this way.

Hearing Seventh Miss hint thus, the Grand Madam’s heart stirred.

Given the Dong family’s standing, they hardly needed to send their daughter to serve in the garden anymore.

She’d been puzzling over why the master had interfered in internal affairs, personally arranging the Dong family girl into Yuyu Pavilion.

He’d also sent her dowry servants to the estate… She’d even planned to investigate what was behind it.

Viewed this way, Little Seven’s speculation wasn’t wrong. If the Dong family wanted to arrange their girl at Jidi Residence, forget the master—even she herself would need to carefully consider it.

With no proper wife yet entered, just when he should focus on studies—if he became infatuated with beauty, Ninth Brother’s entire life would be ruined.

Her gaze toward Seventh Miss immediately warmed.

Little Seven was still most considerate.

“Isn’t Yuban at Jidi Residence getting married out this year?” She asked Seventh Miss.

“I heard so.” Seventh Miss also smiled. “Ninth Brother rarely mentions Jidi Residence matters—he can’t manage so much, and we’re separated by distance. Little Seven isn’t very clear either.”

The Grand Madam nodded thoughtfully. “This matter truly needs discussing with your father.”

Seventh Miss felt composed and completely relaxed.

With the Grand Master’s intelligence, if he still couldn’t roll with this and patch up this slight flaw, he couldn’t have reached the position of Jiangnan Governor-General.

She chatted more household trivialities with the Grand Madam.

“After New Year, sending your three cousin brothers back to the Northwest, the household will be much quieter.” The Grand Madam sighed to Seventh Miss again. “Too few males. After being accustomed to lively New Years, by this time next year it will feel desolate. Perhaps by then your Fifth Sister will have married out too… With just a few people left at home, even New Year won’t be interesting.”

“Eldest Cousin Brother’s match is already settled.” Seventh Miss smiled with pursed lips. “By this time next year, Ninth Brother’s match will probably be settled too, won’t it? Before long, with the new daughter-in-law entering, you won’t feel lonely.”

The Grand Madam’s old heart greatly rejoiced. “That’s right, that’s right—with the new daughter-in-law entering, the household will soon add more people.”

She discussed Min’ge’s marriage with Seventh Miss.

“I don’t understand why they’d find an Ouyang family girl.” The Grand Madam showed considerable disdain.

“The Ouyang family is also a renowned household…” Seventh Miss didn’t understand.

The Qishan Ouyang family was also a prestigious clan of many years. Compared to Baoji Yang, their heritage was equally long-standing. Though this generation lacked someone as prominent as the Grand Master, Supervisor Ouyang was quite favored with signs of promotion, and was close friends with the Second Master…

From every angle, this match seemed decent.

The Grand Madam instructed Seventh Miss. “Marriage alliances are a great study. Though Supervisor Ouyang and your second uncle are good friends, with your second aunt away from the capital year-round, the two households’ inner quarters have little contact.”

No matter how favored Concubine Xiang was, she couldn’t act as principal wife. With the matriarch absent from the capital, naturally the Yang second branch wasn’t familiar with the Ouyang family’s inner quarters.

“Li family’s Eleventh Young Master is Supervisor Ouyang’s actual nephew, similar in age to Min’ge. After the young miss originally promised to him passed away, by rights Supervisor Ouyang could have substituted his younger sister for the marriage contract.”

Marriage alliances between families were very serious decisions. Once settled, they wouldn’t be easily altered. If either party died, some performed ghost marriages to memorial tablets, some substituted brothers of equivalent standing. Since the Ouyang family wanted another alliance with the Li family, they could well marry the younger sister to Li Eleventh Young Master.

With the Grand Madam’s analysis, things immediately seemed wrong.

“Why would the Ouyang family marry their daughter to the Li family? The Li family has risen to wealth and position following your father these years—they’re nothing like when the Ouyang family originally arranged the match. With one family soaring, naturally they’d elevate relatives. Now with Madam Li being such a meaningless person, the Ouyang family finally arranged a match with the Li family—it’s not like they lack daughters of appropriate age. Why, after one died, would they let the match lapse?”

Though the Grand Madam was muddled about inner quarters struggles, her analysis of interest exchanges between great families was extremely precise.

Seventh Miss felt her eyes opened anew.

“However, Eleventh Cousin is the Ouyang family’s actual nephew—presumably he’s not without understanding of the Ouyang family’s inner quarters…” She softly supplemented for the Grand Madam.

“Yes, Li Eleventh Young Master is after all a nephew. He must be familiar with several Ouyang cousin sisters. Supervisor Ouyang wouldn’t deceive anyone before him—couldn’t deceive him either.” The Grand Madam smiled coldly. “Just at this juncture, our Yang second branch’s eldest son presented himself. Speaking of it, he benefits from the Yang family connection. Why wouldn’t Master Ouyang be pleased? The Yang family has no matriarch in the capital. Though there are Wang family relatives, ultimately your second uncle quarreled with the Wang family—they may not handle matters wholeheartedly… Easy to be perfunctory! Just wait and see. Though not completely certain, this Miss Ouyang—either her birth or her temperament—seventy to eighty percent likely has something improper.”

She gloated. “With the eldest sister-in-law not chosen well, the two younger brothers’ matches will be questionable… Concubine Xiang after all isn’t a proper matriarch. Just wait and see—this minor star playing major roles, the second branch’s excitement is yet to come.”

Seventh Miss recalled that day when Min’ge had carelessly mentioned a few words in the main courtyard.

“Going to Huiqing Temple to view plum blossoms…”

And that fleeting glance toward herself.

She didn’t know what to feel in her heart.

She merely softly agreed with the Grand Madam. “The second branch is already in such chaos—it’s already chaotic enough…”

The Grand Madam laughed coldly repeatedly. “Deserved! Back then that Wang Xing’ai had the face to cause such a huge scandal, thinking separating the household would end it? Her retribution is yet to come!”

Seventh Miss looked at the Grand Madam.

Her eyes rippled with light, infinite thoughts swirling.

“Yes, anyone who commits evil deeds has retribution waiting ahead.” She sighed lightly, slowly agreeing with the Grand Madam.