The twelfth month passed peacefully without incident.

After the twenty-fifth day of the twelfth month, the Grand Master treated his secretaries to year-end wine, released them to go home for New Year, and returned to Baifang Garden to stay at Huansha Wu. Each day he either enjoyed soft fragrant embraces, or read and wrote, or called his children to chat and laugh, or discussed this year’s harvest with the Grand Madam—rarely passing several leisurely days.

Seventh Miss no longer needed to attend at the outer side courtyard, so she stayed behind closed doors, fearing that going anywhere she might encounter someone she shouldn’t and invite trouble upon herself.

Xu Fengjia also rarely stayed at the Governor-General’s residence.

By now, the naval camp had over ten thousand sailors rotating through training. With so many people gathered together, there were over a hundred matters to handle daily. With New Year approaching, camp business multiplied. Commander Xiao couldn’t manage alone—even Eunuch Liao had to personally handle affairs. As a fourth-rank general, how could Xu Fengjia have the face to idle about in Suzhou?

Thus, though he still returned to Chuiyang Studio to sleep at night these days, during the day he was at Xukou Camp, sometimes only returning to Suzhou in the middle of the night.

The Grand Madam felt quite distressed. “Having you stay in Suzhou was originally because we worried you wouldn’t eat or sleep well in the military camp. With things this exhausting, when you’re too busy in the future, you might as well sleep at Xukou. When you have leisure, come back to Suzhou to visit us.”

Xu Fengjia smiled. “It’s fine—not too exhausting.”

The several males present all showed admiration. Even Fifth Miss’s coldness showed slight cracks. She quietly discussed with Sixth Miss, “Though Xukou is close, it’s still an hour’s journey. Fortunate that Cousin has such capability.”

Seventh Miss couldn’t help but raise her eyes to briefly glance at Xu Fengjia.

He was family after all. When he came to pay respects daily, the Grand Madam didn’t particularly require the daughters to withdraw.

Fortunately, Xu Fengjia never showed anything improper, always dignified and proper, never deliberately examining his cousin sisters.

The Grand Madam increasingly liked Xu Fengjia the more she saw him.

Noble birth, proper conduct, plus a young fourth-rank general and ducal heir… With so many matters at Xukou Camp daily, fortunate he had the patience to handle them conscientiously, yet remained so vigorous and energetic, showing not a trace of fatigue.

“Though you young people all have endless energy, you must still be careful to maintain your health.” She was increasingly amiable. “Don’t rely on youth to toil day and night without regard for exhausting yourself.”

She smiled and instructed the nephews, “This applies to you all as well. Though studies are important, don’t be too rigid.”

Min’ge quickly led Da’ge and Hong’ge in agreeing.

The Grand Madam asked Min’ge again, “Has there been word from home about when the wedding will be?”

“Probably this autumn.” Min’ge calmly informed the Grand Madam, then smiled. “Father told us not to head northwest until after the fourth month, saying last year’s official road to the northwest was damaged in many places by heavy rain. They’re currently organizing laborers to repair roads—the journey from Jiangnan is quite difficult.”

The Grand Madam nodded thoughtfully.

“Second Uncle’s letter said the same.”

Such household trivialities naturally couldn’t stir the younger generation’s interest.

The daughters were fine, but Ninth Brother could no longer restrain himself, repeatedly signaling Xu Fengjia with his eyes.

Xu Fengjia rose to take his leave. “There are still many matters…”

The Grand Madam quickly said, “Go to your business, go to your business.”

She smiled as she released Xu Fengjia and Ninth Brother, then kept the nephews by her side to inquire about their studies.

Fifth Miss sat awhile longer before also growing bored. She tugged at Sixth Miss and Seventh Miss’s sleeves, rising to take her leave. “The plum blossoms in Sixth Sister’s courtyard are blooming so beautifully… With fewer matters these days, I plan to paint several plum blossom pictures.”

The Grand Madam surprisingly didn’t stop Fifth Miss. Instead, she also sent Da’ge and Hong’ge out, keeping only Min’ge. “You two brothers study all year—go with your sisters to the courtyard for some fresh air.”

The siblings had no choice but to leave the east side room together.

Through the glass curtain, they could still hear the Grand Madam’s low conversation with Min’ge.

Min’ge said something that made the Grand Madam laugh.

Seventh Miss couldn’t help but wonder about it.

After thinking, she felt that since the succession rights had been settled, even if Min’ge wanted to overturn the Huiqing Temple matter, he couldn’t stir up much.

That stratagem from years ago was her masterpiece. Min’ge could attack motives, could slander Fourth Concubine and herself, but however he slandered, he couldn’t exonerate the Second Madam.

Besides, he’d also witnessed Father’s affection for herself… Any intelligent person wouldn’t speak carelessly.

Seventh Miss was genuinely quite curious: if it wasn’t about Huiqing Temple, then what was the Grand Madam keeping Min’ge in the east side room to discuss?

#

Since that day’s quarrel, Hong’ge and Fifth Miss had remained at odds with each other.

Having just entered Baifang Garden and walked a few steps, several times their words nearly clashed directly. One said winter green plum blossoms bloomed best, the other countered that Xiao Xiangxue’s white plum blossoms were prettier.

With Min’ge absent… Da’ge was comparatively weaker and couldn’t control Hong’ge at all.

The atmosphere grew increasingly awkward.

Sixth Miss was nearly jumping with anxiety: these sisters and brothers were all heading to Xiao Xiangxue to play. If they quarreled, she as hostess would inevitably be implicated.

She could only desperately signal Seventh Miss with her eyes.

How could Seventh Miss not know Sixth Miss’s anxiety?

It was just that Fifth Miss these days was probably deeply troubled by her marriage prospects. Though Hong’ge’s words that day were unintentional, they had struck precisely at this young lady’s wound.

Just seeing how she’d even distanced herself from Xu Fengjia recently showed Fifth Miss’s heart was probably being fried in oil and roasted over fire.

Yet Hong’ge felt wronged from that day, finding it inexplicable. Recently whenever he faced Fifth Miss, his eyes and brows particularly carried three parts stubbornness…

She could only keep changing topics along the way. At the end, she even proactively proposed, “I’d actually like to walk around Juba Pavilion and play on the artificial mountain. Will Fifth Sister accompany me?”

This clearly meant to separate Hong’ge and Fifth Miss.

Before Fifth Miss could answer, Sixth Miss’s eyes already brightened as if receiving an imperial edict.

She looked at Fifth Miss with hopeful pleading.

Fifth Miss was actually amused. “Fine, Second Brother. I’ll accompany Seventh Sister for a walk. You all view plum blossoms properly at Xiao Xiangxue.”

All surnamed Yang, all grandchildren of the same grandfather, with so many maids and matrons surrounding them—even if Sixth Miss entertained two cousin brothers alone, nothing was improper.

Da’ge was very polite, repeatedly agreeing, pulling Hong’ge to follow behind Sixth Miss toward Xiao Xiangxue.

Fifth Miss and Seventh Miss simply stood in the covered corridor, watching the three depart into the distance. Only then did Fifth Miss dismiss Guyu at her side. “Go back. I want to walk alone with Seventh Sister.”

Guyu still hesitated. “The artificial mountain has much moss—it’s very slippery. Better let this servant…”

Shadows gradually gathered between Fifth Miss’s brows.

Seventh Miss quickly smiled to smooth things over. “It’s fine. Fifth Sister and I are just walking casually—we won’t climb high.”

She also casually instructed Shangyuan, “You go back too. Tell your Sister Lixia not to let the oriole freeze. If the weather gets colder, hang the birdcage inside. Also, tonight I want to eat something sour. If the main kitchen can’t think of anything, go ask Sister-in-law Cao at the small kitchen.”

Shangyuan quickly stopped to listen, agreed, then turned back with Guyu toward the west side of the garden.

Fifth Miss had been coldly observing throughout. Only now did she sigh.

Indescribable melancholy surged across her face.

Seventh Miss watched, finding it somewhat amusing.

In girlhood, who hadn’t experienced this gloomy mood?

Even in modern times, surging hormones could make a budding young girl temperamental and strangely withdrawn.

Much less in ancient times.

These unspoken concerns most troubled people. Moreover, Fifth Miss’s temperament hadn’t been particularly gentle to begin with.

No wonder these days her emotions swung like riding a swing, constantly verging on collapse.

“Let’s not climb the mountain after all.” She smiled, settling Fifth Miss. “Let’s just walk in the covered corridor. Later we’ll stroll by Wanhua Liuluo pond—that area is quietest, rarely any servants visible. Would that suit Fifth Sister?”

Girls this age with concerns on their minds disliked everyone, most enjoying wandering in quiet places.

Fifth Miss also nodded melancholically.

Head lowered, she walked with Seventh Miss in the corridor.

Neither spoke.

After a long while, she finally exhaled deeply.

“Simply vexing to death.” She complained to Seventh Miss without preamble. “Wish I never had to mention those two characters my whole life! Once you reach fifteen, everyone who sees you asks about marriage, marriage, marriage! Vexing to death!”

Seventh Miss nearly couldn’t restrain her laughter.

Fifth Miss truly was a marvelous person.

However, among Great Qin’s upper classes, being sixteen without betrothal was somewhat late.

It was only because Fifth Miss’s status was too precious, and court winds had changed dramatically these years—they couldn’t attend to Fifth Miss for the moment.

“After New Year it will improve,” she consoled Fifth Miss. “After New Year, the Xu family should send word… You and Cousin—”

“Yang Qi!” Fifth Miss stamped her foot angrily. “Even you provoke me!”

Her face flushed red to her neck. “Hong’ge is one thing, but now even you say such things… As if besides Cousin, I can’t arrange any other marriage this lifetime!”

Seventh Miss couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

Fifth Miss’s infatuation was entirely invested in Feng Jin alone—the siblings all knew it clearly.

It was just that after Feng Jin went to the capital, there was no news. From the Grand Master’s tone, even he had no information about Feng Jin. Presumably contact with the Zhang family had also been lost.

Yet a daughter’s youth most couldn’t afford to wait.

She looked at Fifth Miss again.

Winter sunlight was pale and white. Falling on Fifth Miss, it somehow added several degrees of warmth.

She and Xu Fengjia resembled each other considerably—whether eyes or facial structure, they showed three parts similarity.

This pair of cousins both had very warm gazes.

It was just that in Xu Fengjia’s eyes, besides heat that could melt metal, there was also unfathomable contemplation… To Seventh Miss, his gaze was inscrutable.

Yet through years together, she could easily discern Fifth Miss’s emotions.

In these distinct black-and-white eyes had once been written pride and willfulness, gradually transforming into inexplicable longing, now reduced to anxious焦灼.

Seventh Miss could no longer restrain herself, sighing aloud.

The softest part of her heart seemed pulled by Fifth Miss.

Suddenly she thought of that period in her own youth.

Back then she was still a previous life’s orphan, without money, without even excess energy to invest in romance. Yet at that time, she could at least face her own feelings honestly in her heart, not needing to bury them layer upon layer beneath propriety and reality.

Despite fine clothes, fine food, and privileged comfort, Fifth Miss’s life still overflowed with too much helplessness.

“Fifth Sister.” She slowly murmured. “Past matters—let them pass.”

Even wanting to counsel, she dared not pierce that layer of window paper.

“After all, in this life, who has no regrets?” She sighed softly again. “You and that person…”

Fifth Miss abruptly turned around.

Biting her lip, she looked directly at Seventh Miss without evasion, slowly raising her chin.

“I simply don’t believe this evil fate!”

Though tears already glistened at her eyes’ corners, her bearing remained proud. “Could it be that besides Cousin, I have no one else to marry? Yang Qi, I’ve always felt that though you’re honest and dutiful, your heart is quite clear. Now it seems you’re the most moralistic person under heaven.”

Seventh Miss choked.

Instantly, indescribable fury surged in her heart.

Countless hurtful words were about to pour forth.

Looking at Fifth Miss’s stubbornness, the fury receded as quickly as it came.

On this matter, what qualification did she have to reproach Fifth Miss?

In matters of feeling, there was never right or wrong. Though Fifth Miss’s feelings came strangely and lasted too long, this was ultimately her persistence.

She pressed her lips together, not picking up Fifth Miss’s words, merely turning her eyes toward the shrubs and flowers outside the corridor.

Fifth Miss also fell silent, leaning against a pillar, head lowered gazing at the gleaming blue brick floor.

After a long time, she spoke softly. “Actually I also know… the thoughts in my heart mostly cannot come to be…”

Seventh Miss sighed along with her.

Feng Jin had fallen out with the Yang family. The first person he offended was the Grand Madam. In the Grand Madam’s heart, she probably long ago came to hate this young jieyuan.

Even without falling out, how could the Grand Madam possibly marry Fifth Miss to the Second Madam’s relative? Even the Grand Master wouldn’t agree.

For families like the Yang, the marriages of legitimate sons and daughters were always handled with utmost care. Fifth Miss must marry into a family of equivalent status as managing young mistress. If the Xu family didn’t work out, other families would come seeking—not to mention others, Li family’s Twelfth Young Master, Qin family cousins, Gui family’s Second Young Master… all suited her better than Feng Jin.

But knowing in one’s heart was one thing. Hearing others outright deny that faint thread of hope—how could Fifth Miss’s heart possibly feel well?

“It’s just I… I truly feel…” Fifth Miss’s eyes already showed tears. “Worldly matters truly toy with people too much. When I heard he’d passed the jieyuan examination, my heart was so happy…”

“I knew he’d been studying with Master Zhang for several years, then suddenly Ninth Concubine was elevated… Speaking of it, the two families became relatives, naturally opportunities to interact would increase… Never imagined…”

She ultimately couldn’t restrain her tears.

Yet without waiting for Seventh Miss’s consolation, she fiercely wiped them away with the back of her hand.

“Without receiving word from him, I absolutely will not agree to any match.” Fifth Miss sniffled while raising her head. “Unless I know he’s already married, personally see Madam Feng come visiting… Unless he’s dead, unless he… he entered the palace as a eunuch—otherwise I won’t give up!”

Seventh Miss was momentarily speechless.

After a long while, she murmured: “Fifth Sister…”

She suddenly realized she seemed to have underestimated Fifth Miss’s determination.

Perhaps precisely because this was ancient times where men and women couldn’t freely interact, an era where propriety exceeded heaven itself, suppressed feelings burned more intensely.

Thus Romeo and Juliet only appeared in ancient times.

Only now did Seventh Miss realize that in Great Qin, at this very moment, Liu Lanzhi and Jiao Zhongqing would both commit suicide, Zhang Qianniang’s soul would separate for her cousin… In such an era, to pursue love, young women paid everything they possessed as the price.

Yet even so, people pressed forward one after another, disregarding everything for that thread of infatuation in their hearts, even delaying their own youth without complaint or regret, only wishing to know whether their beloved was well in that distant place.

She suddenly felt her own life quite meaningless.

In the distance, rhythmic footsteps sounded again, accompanied by a young maid’s tender voice.

“This year’s plum blossoms are blooming beautifully. Our young master says even Guangfu’s white plum blossoms are merely comparable to Xiao Xiangxue’s… Cousin Young Master, you’ve also been to Guangfu, haven’t you?”