Both Fifth Miss and Seventh Miss were startled.

This covered corridor connected Juba Pavilion and Wanhua Liuluo—one could see through to the end at a glance. To avoid him, Juba Pavilion was too far away. Even running all the way, they might not escape Xu Fengjia.

Besides, for young ladies of great families to run in public would be far too improper.

Seventh Miss quickly pulled out the silk handkerchief from her bracelet, grabbing Fifth Miss to wipe away the traces of tears on her cheeks.

Fifth Miss first froze, then allowed Seventh Miss to wipe for her.

Yet her own gaze flickered, lost in thought.

In just moments, a young maid led Xu Fengjia around the corner path into the corridor.

“Fifth Miss, Seventh Miss.” When the two sides met, it was the little maid who proved clever, quickly kneeling to greet the two young ladies.

Seventh Miss glanced at the maid and smiled, saying, “Rise.”

Then together with Fifth Miss, she greeted Xu Fengjia. “Greetings, Cousin.”

Xu Fengjia thus turned sideways to accept half the courtesy.

His gaze briefly circled Seventh Miss’s face before withdrawing, his expression dignified.

“Just left the main hall? Such cold weather—don’t run about outside.” He showed concern for his two cousin sisters. “Be careful not to catch a chill. During New Year, it would be too troublesome.”

“Yes.” Both young ladies lowered their heads to hear their cousin’s admonition.

Great households had heavy rules. Sisters were one thing, but between brothers it was clearly defined as elder brotherly affection and younger brotherly respect. When an elder brother showed concern or admonished younger siblings, juniors must lower their heads and listen carefully.

Fortunately, Xu Fengjia only said this one sentence before signaling the little maid to continue leading the way forward.

Seventh Miss and Fifth Miss also dared not linger longer, hastily heading toward Wanhua Liuluo.

Seventh Miss’s heart was still savoring that glance from Xu Fengjia.

Though Ninth Brother had promised not to fan the flames regarding marriage matters.

The information revealed in his few words still left Seventh Miss quite alarmed.

If the Xu family changed their choice of marriage prospect… the Yang family wouldn’t rest without raising a storm.

The excellent situation she’d painstakingly cultivated over many years would surely overturn in an instant… Not to mention, even causing such a scene, the match might still not succeed.

The Grand Madam was after all the legitimate mother of several daughters. Even though the Grand Master had vaguely hinted to herself that if the Xu family decided to change their marriage proposal, he would be pleased to see it happen. But right now the Yang family was precisely when they should align with the Crown Prince. Imperial Tutor Qin was also the Eastern Palace’s teacher… However, seeing Xu Fengjia’s composed and indifferent attitude just now, he probably wasn’t unclear about the gains and losses involved.

Seventh Miss thus relaxed slightly.

After walking a few more steps, she checked Fifth Miss’s expression.

But Fifth Miss was biting her lip, her gaze flickering, not knowing what she was contemplating.

Seventh Miss didn’t dare ask more, lest she provoke another loss of composure like before.

Xu Fengjia hadn’t walked far yet…

Just as she thought this, Fifth Miss stamped her foot hard.

Turning around, she hurriedly pursued Xu Fengjia.

Seventh Miss couldn’t even stop her in time, only able to stare dumbfounded as Fifth Miss caught up with Xu Fengjia.

“Cousin!” This call of “cousin” was quick and urgent. Afterward, Fifth Miss’s voice lowered.

Xu Fengjia turned around, his face also showing traces of surprise.

Both families had tacit understanding about forming a marriage alliance. Fifth Miss was the Yang family’s daughter awaiting marriage. Even just out of self-respect, she should avoid Xu Fengjia more.

Setting that aside, for a fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl, it was also improper to speak privately with her cousin…

He looked at Seventh Miss again before lowering his head to listen attentively to Fifth Miss.

Seventh Miss bit her lower lip. After much consideration, she didn’t step closer. Instead, she beckoned to the astonished little maid.

“Come here.” She called softly.

The little maid thus tremblingly approached Seventh Miss. Though surprised, her steps were still fairly steady.

“How old are you this year?” Seventh Miss asked her softly.

“…Eleven years old.” Fear finally leaked into her voice.

No wonder.

If Fifth Miss’s private conversation with Xu Fengjia spread, her reputation would be irretrievable.

Though the Grand Madam was kindhearted and rarely caused deaths.

Still, being force-fed mute medicine and sent to work on an estate was unavoidable.

“Are you from Jidi Residence?” Seventh Miss asked her again.

She was familiar with the personnel at Jidi Residence. Coming and going, she’d never seen this little maid before.

“This, this servant just entered to sweep floors in the garden.” The little maid finally couldn’t bear it anymore, her voice taking on a crying tone. “Just now several elder sisters were all busy, so they casually called me to lead Young Master Cousin out…”

Eleven or twelve-year-old little maids mostly did odd jobs around the garden, observed coldly by supervising matrons. Only after selecting good ones and training them for several years could they serve young masters and misses.

Lichun had climbed from a broom-wielding little maid step by step to become the Grand Madam’s chief senior maid.

Seventh Miss looked at the little maid and smiled. “Hasn’t Young Master Cousin already come out? Why aren’t you going to sweep floors? What are you dawdling here for?”

The little girl first seemed incredulous, blinking her eyes, teardrops still about to fall from her lashes.

Seventh Miss smiled and patted her shoulder. “What’s your name?”

“…This servant is Lianyu.” The little maid blinked her large eyes while answering in a tiny voice.

She even deliberately looked back, deeply afraid Fifth Miss would hear her name.

“Lianyu, a good name.” Seventh Miss drew out her voice meaningfully. “If this matter spreads…”

Lianyu’s whole body shuddered alert.

She knelt down and kowtowed twice to Seventh Miss. “This servant knows how to speak, this servant knows how to speak!”

“Then why aren’t you quickly going to sweep?” Seventh Miss couldn’t help but laugh.

Such a small girl, yet remarkably clever.

Now her name was known to herself, her appearance also remembered by several masters. For survival, she probably wouldn’t speak carelessly.

Lianyu rose and ran hastily along the corridor.

The weather was cold, plus it was the afternoon hour when everyone rested. The west wing of Baifang Garden had had no residents these years, naturally even more desolate. Apart from Lianyu’s thumping footsteps, no other sounds could be heard.

Seventh Miss looked again at that pair of awkwardly related cousins.

Xu Fengjia was listening to Fifth Miss while frowning in contemplation.

Seeing Seventh Miss look over, he frowned and shook his head at her—she didn’t know what it meant.

Then he led Fifth Miss slowly toward the corridor’s red lacquered pillars.

This way, servants passing through the east wing couldn’t clearly see the two figures.

Seventh Miss simply also leaned against a red pillar, sitting on the corridor balustrade, thinking of her own concerns.

Using the red lacquered pillar’s concealment, she couldn’t see those two conversing people, and they couldn’t see her either—no need to worry about their conversation being overheard.

Fifth Miss’s marriage matter had reached this point—truly everyone had their own calculations.

The Grand Master had the Grand Master’s considerations, the Grand Madam had the Grand Madam’s wishful thinking, Fifth Miss had her own stubbornness, Ninth Brother had Ninth Brother’s arrangements.

Chaotic as a pot of porridge.

Seventh Miss couldn’t help but think of herself.

Though the Grand Madam had said several times that her future marriage would be her own choice.

But such words were always just for listening—impossible to take seriously. Even if the Grand Madam was willing to let her choose, there was still the Grand Master…

She became somewhat irritated.

Many things didn’t come about just as Seventh Miss wished.

Her legitimate daughter status back then was the Grand Madam’s initiative to elevate her. From every angle, it seemed entirely good.

Yet precisely obtaining this legitimate daughter status made marriage matters solemn.

Wanting to seek families like First Miss’s or Fourth Miss’s was already unattainable.

Even First Miss—was she truly so content at heart?

If truly content and at ease, there’d be no need to eagerly curry favor with her natal family, using methods to win over Ninth Brother and herself.

What did Father mean asking about Feng Jin back then?

Since going to the capital, that person had been without news. Two imperial examinations had passed without word, nor had Third Miss mentioned his contact with the Zhang family.

Probably youthful resentment… Growing awkward with the Yang family, he became even more unwilling to associate with the Zhang family, lest he fall into others’ mouths—saying he coveted Yang family wealth and power on one hand while claiming noble character on the other.

Also the integrity of youth.

But Father suddenly asking about him—could he have received some information?

Unknowingly, Seventh Miss drifted into abstraction.

Light footsteps paced to her front, yet she didn’t react.

After a long while, she raised her head and suddenly came to her senses.

Xu Fengjia was leaning against the red lacquered pillar across the corridor, smiling as he observed her.

His gaze so bright Seventh Miss dared not meet it directly.

“Where’s Fifth Sister?” She abruptly stood up, craning her neck to look.

She only saw Fifth Miss’s back disappearing at the corridor’s end.

Myriad sounds hushed—on this west wing side of the twisting corridor, only Xu Fengjia and herself seemed to remain.

“Fifth Cousin’s emotions are quite chaotic.” Xu Fengjia answered gently. “Afraid she didn’t think to call you.”

His low, rich voice seemingly containing laughter fell into Seventh Miss’s ears, adding three parts to her confusion.

She leaned against the pillar, slightly raising her head to look into Xu Fengjia’s eyes.

“Cousin…” She hesitated.

On one hand blaming herself for lacking backbone, on the other only feeling warmth throughout her body.

Damned adolescence!

Still, she opened her mouth. “About Chuiyang Studio…”

Xu Fengjia smiled while making an acknowledging sound. “What about Chuiyang Studio?”

Seventh Miss felt so embarrassed she could burn up.

The Chuiyang Studio matter was ultimately dishonorable. For a daughter, it was improper to bring up actively.

Could she directly say, “Cousin, please don’t come propose marriage because of the Chuiyang Studio matter”?

What if Xu Fengjia originally had no intention of proposing marriage—saying this would seem presumptuous.

She didn’t know whether Ninth Brother had actually conveyed her meaning…

Sigh, with that boy’s obstinacy, he probably not only wouldn’t honestly relay the message but privately was even urging Xu Fengjia to act first and ask permission later, writing to have Madam Xu send a marriage proposal.

The more Seventh Miss thought, the more confused she became.

Despite usually having clear thoughts and doing things methodically, at such times she inevitably lost composure.

The Grand Master, Grand Madam, even Ninth Concubine, Ninth Brother, Fifth Miss, Feng Jin, Gui Hanchun, Quan Zhongbai… One face after another cycled through her mind like a revolving lantern.

She couldn’t help but shake her head.

After contemplating a long while, she said tactfully, “Regarding Chuiyang Studio, Father already sent several servant women to the estate. Cousin needn’t worry this matter will leak out, affecting both families’ reputations.”

While she was lost in thought, Xu Fengjia surprisingly didn’t disturb her.

Those eyes bright enough to melt glass only stared at Seventh Miss’s face, examining inch by inch minutely, making her extremely uncomfortable.

Hearing these words, those startlingly bright eyes flashed once before turning away to look elsewhere.

Seventh Miss immediately breathed a great sigh of relief, only then daring to raise her head to look at Xu Fengjia.

“This isn’t a place for conversation.”

Unexpectedly, Xu Fengjia instead indicated she should walk deeper into the corridor. “Too close to Jidi Residence… Being seen wouldn’t be good.”

Seventh Miss would turn fourteen soon. Speaking privately with her cousin was indeed somewhat improper.

The concerns filling her heart bound her footsteps, allowing her only to follow behind Xu Fengjia, slowly walking a distance before turning into the desolate, empty Baiyujin Pavilion.

In deep winter, Baiyujin Pavilion only displayed a few potted landscapes, appearing especially cold and quiet.

This place backed against the artificial mountain—both secluded and not particularly ambiguous. After all, it was in an outdoor open space. Even if someone saw them, nothing could be fabricated.

Though Seventh Miss’s emotions were turbulent, she couldn’t help but admire Xu Fengjia’s conduct.

Having stayed at the Yang household how long, yet already knew Yang family terrain like the back of his hand, immediately thinking of this conversational spot.

He’d truly matured—his conduct in all matters showed propriety.

Xu Fengjia leaned against the red lacquered pillar outside the pavilion, slightly furrowing his brows in contemplation for a moment before asking Seventh Miss.

“From Fifth Cousin’s meaning, I gather… did she take a liking to a relative surnamed Feng from your birth mother’s family?”

This completely unrelated statement was like a basin of cold water poured over Seventh Miss’s head.

She immediately returned to reality.

Fifth Miss was truly too rash!

To prevent this match from succeeding, she’d even used such methods.

Any man hearing his possible fiancée’s heart belonged to another man naturally wouldn’t feel good.

With Xu Fengjia’s pride, even if he’d previously had some expectations for this match, now he’d seek another family.

Her thinking couldn’t be called wrong… but left herself no retreat.

Seventh Miss didn’t speak, only slowly nodding, tacitly accepting Xu Fengjia’s statement.

“For you and me, this is actually good news.” Xu Fengjia lowered his head for a long while before frowning and asking Seventh Miss, “But do you know that Young Master Feng’s current whereabouts? I see Fifth Cousin and him will have no result… No matter how much she pines, I’m afraid nothing can come of it.”

Seventh Miss’s heart stirred.

From Xu Fengjia’s meaning—could he actually know Feng Jin’s whereabouts?

She looked at Xu Fengjia, weighing each word. “The Yang family daughters’ marriages must still ask Mother. Just at Mother’s gate, Young Master Feng cannot pass. Cousin needn’t worry for Fifth Sister, fearing she’ll marry the wrong person…”

Her words vaguely carried probing intent.

Yet seemed to intentionally or unintentionally bypass Xu Fengjia’s first statement.

Xu Fengjia frowned slightly again.

After hesitating a long time, he said, “Truthfully, I don’t know very clearly either. These years campaigning north and south, capital matters aren’t as clear as before… This also involves others’ reputations—improper to speculate wildly. In any case, you’re also right—Fourth Aunt certainly won’t let Fifth Cousin marry beneath her station. Just keep this in your heart—don’t reveal it for Fifth Cousin to know.”

One could hear that he ultimately cared for Fifth Miss, bearing no grudge despite Fifth Miss’s blunt rejection of this match.

Also natural—having friendship since childhood, even if the marriage didn’t succeed, pure sibling affection remained.

Seventh Miss lowered her eyes, answering thoughtfully.

The atmosphere cooled again.

A thousand questions swirled in Seventh Miss’s heart. Which to ask first, even she herself wasn’t clear.

“As for matters between you and me, planning is still needed… I originally still had concerns about Fifth Cousin’s thoughts. Now it seems it coincidentally aligns perfectly.” Xu Fengjia raised his eyebrows again, showing a trace of a smile. “However, from your tone, Fourth Aunt has a stubborn temperament… How to explain before her elderly self must still be arranged by you, Yang Qi.”

These two characters “Yang Qi” spoken by him carried especially romantic flavor. Entering Seventh Miss’s ears, even her earlobes burned red.

Indeed, that little bastard Ninth Brother ultimately hadn’t dispelled Xu Fengjia’s intentions.

Seventh Miss secretly sighed.

Instead of answering, she asked, “Cousin’s right hand… is it truly because of that incident several years ago that it can no longer wield weapons?”