Seventh Miss felt Lixia was truly a marvelous person.

These past years, not only had she been tempered into increasing composure, but occasionally discussing household matters large and small, her witty remarks were like pearls, her perspectives uniquely insightful.

This statement was truly wonderful. Even Seventh Miss couldn’t help but contemplate it. After a long while, she muttered to herself, “Forget it. Whether dragon or insect, I can’t control that much. As long as he lives well and doesn’t stick his hand into the first branch, naturally I’m happy to see the second branch stand on its own.”

Still, she instructed Lixia, “Bailu will marry soon—many things are inconvenient to entrust to her. Observe the little maids coldly to see who is steady and perceptive. Take her to privately interact more with Xiaoxue’s family. In any case, the small side gate is right near Yuyu Pavilion—coming and going is extremely convenient. If that girl Nanyin has wits, naturally she’ll understand our meaning.”

Speaking of it, Nanyin’s position was indirectly arranged by Seventh Miss. Though Xiaoxue died young, her family could still safely serve in the inner courtyard—truthfully, they owed gratitude to Seventh Miss’s protection.

As long as Nanyin was clever, these principles wouldn’t escape her understanding. When the time came, toward whom to gravitate, she’d naturally know the proper measure.

Lixia understood and agreed.

“These maids have all served for years. Xiayuan and Duanwu are both honest people. Shangyuan is still acceptable… Zhongyuan has a clever temperament but is inevitably scattered…”

After consulting with Seventh Miss for some time, Seventh Miss decided, “After Bailu marries out after New Year, let Shangyuan serve in the inner chamber.”

Shangyuan was purchased from outside, having few backers in the household. Purely through her own steadiness and propriety had she climbed to serve in Seventh Miss’s quarters.

Any master loved using such people. Seventh Miss naturally couldn’t avoid convention either.

“Sister Bailu first asked me what work I planned to have Qiqiao manage in the future. I said I didn’t know—still had to ask Miss.” While tidying the embroidery frame for Seventh Miss—after entering the first month, boudoirs didn’t work with needle and thread; silk threads and satin had to be sorted and stored by category—Lixia chatted with Seventh Miss. “She seems capable in everything—senior maid material. However…”

Seventh Miss also smiled.

“Isn’t she called Qiqiao? With Shangyuan serving in the inner chamber, Yuyu Pavilion’s needlework will lack someone to manage it. I think let Qiqiao take over.”

She couldn’t help but examine Lixia more closely.

The Chuiyang Studio matter—she’d kept it bottled in her heart, never revealing even half a hint to anyone, including the reason for Qiqiao entering Yuyu Pavilion, which she hadn’t disclosed to Lixia either.

Yet Lixia purely through her own observation had grasped Seventh Miss’s thoughts quite accurately, guessing that behind Qiqiao’s entry there must be a story.

If this girl trained a few more years, probably even entrusting Yang family household affairs to her hands, she could handle everything smoothly.

She consulted with Lixia, “I’m thinking, Sister Bailu after all came from Madam’s courtyard. These years she’s been dedicated and loyal. Though she can’t compare to our intimacy, the affection is still deep. If I privately give her fifty taels as dowry and reward a set of silver hair ornaments, that should be appropriate…”

#

The next day, Xu Fengjia ultimately still went to Xukou Camp.

“Commander Xiao brought his entire household to Jiangnan. During New Year with family nearby, it wouldn’t be right to trouble the old gentleman to hold the fort at Xukou. I already agreed with him—today I’ll go replace Uncle Xiao so he can return to Suzhou for New Year.” He explained somewhat apologetically to the Grand Madam. “On the first morning of New Year I’ll definitely come pay respects to Fourth Uncle and Fourth Aunt.”

The Grand Madam felt regretful. “Sigh, speaking of it, Commander Xiao came to Jiangnan precisely to support you…”

Commander Xiao was merely a fifth-rank commander, while Xu Fengjia was a fourth-rank general. Whether by position or duty, naturally Commander Xiao was the deputy. What reason was there for the deputy to go home for New Year while the chief commander remained at Xukou?

Xu Fengjia only smiled. “Fourth Aunt, your nephew is still young. Many matters rely on Uncle Xiao’s guidance. Though I hold the nominal fourth-rank position, if I truly put on airs, even Father wouldn’t let me off. Uncle Xiao has followed Father for over twenty years—his contributions are immense. As heir nephew, naturally I should be respectful… On the first morning I’ll definitely come pay you respects!”

Seventh Miss couldn’t help but silently nod.

One could see Xu Fengjia had truly matured. His analysis of worldly affairs was methodical. Though achieving success young, he hadn’t become arrogant or forgetful.

Such a person could walk far and high on the official path in the future—this was what an heir inheriting family enterprise should look like.

She glanced at Ninth Brother again.

She sighed inwardly.

Comparing people kills people. Without seeing Xu Fengjia, it wasn’t apparent, but compared to Xu Fengjia, Ninth Brother showed his inexperience.

With Xu Fengjia saying this, though the Grand Madam felt regretful, she could only let him go.

The Grand Master quite admired Xu Fengjia.

“Previously I didn’t notice—this child’s conduct now truly has method and order.”

When Seventh Miss came to the outer side courtyard to attend him, he casually remarked to her.

“Your mother is also thoughtless. Originally everyone surnamed Yang, between siblings there’s no need for excessive avoidance. On New Year’s Eve sitting together would be lively and warm. If that child Fengjia stayed, should Little Five avoid him? Should you sisters avoid him? One family forced to separate into two tables, coming and going inconvenient. With few people already, making such a fuss would embarrass everyone… At her age, her consideration of matters still isn’t as thorough as Young Master Cousin’s.”

While speaking, he watched Seventh Miss grind ink.

Seventh Miss remained impassive. Her slender, pale fingers held the Hui ink, slowly circling in the inkstone, her movements showing no stiffness.

“Cousin after all trained several years in the Northwest. Compared to ordinary youths, he has more experience.” She responded gently to the Grand Master’s words, her manner natural and generous.

The Grand Master couldn’t help but silently nod.

Only his praise for Seventh Miss, he didn’t speak aloud.

Seventh Miss ground a pool of ink, washed her hands, then held the brush waiting for the Grand Master to speak.

After replying to these last few letters, with the secretaries going home for New Year, the Grand Master would officially set aside official business and begin New Year leave.

Busy all year until the end, resting only five or six days—this frontier official looked to others to have comfortable prestige, but those in fame and fortune’s arena knew their own bitterness.

The Grand Master stroked his beard, contemplating for some time before slowly opening his mouth.

“Esteemed teacher, your inspection…”

Seventh Miss paused before slowly putting brush to paper, making herself a human typewriter, writing whatever the Grand Master said.

These letters were all written to friends and relatives in Jiangnan and other regions. Distant letters couldn’t be sent during New Year anyway.

Mostly polite New Year greetings, though at the end lightly mentioning that Jiangnan’s salt tax accounts hadn’t been cleared for three or four years. The Grand Master planned to review accounts after spring, requesting these gentlemen pay attention. Otherwise if problems arose when reviewed under their jurisdiction, the Grand Master would have difficulty explaining to everyone.

While writing, Seventh Miss wondered.

Investigating salt tax was actually the Salt and Iron Bureau’s duty. The Salt and Iron Bureau was enormously profitable, also concerning major livelihood matters. Master Nian usually specifically managed official correspondence between the Salt and Iron Bureau and the Governor-General’s office.

Only the old gentleman was still recuperating at Guangfu, not even by the Grand Master’s side. Why did the Grand Master suddenly think of reviewing accounts at year’s end?

The Grand Master saw Seventh Miss’s expression of wanting to speak but hesitating, and couldn’t help but smile.

He guided Seventh Miss, “Next spring, we’ll pull out several thorns in Zhejiang and Jiangsu. The action won’t be small.”

Seventh Miss understood immediately.

If the action wouldn’t be small, it would certainly draw attention from above.

Without a passable excuse, how could it work?

Starting with the Salt and Iron Bureau’s duties severed the tightest connection between the First Prince and Jiangnan finances.

Heaven above, Suzhou and Hangzhou below—with Jiangnan’s three provinces’ finances losing connection to the First Prince, this would surely be a heavy blow to Prince Lu’s private treasury.

Truly the Jiangnan King—when he didn’t act, he rested, but when he acted, he struck directly at vital points.

“Father truly leaves nothing to chance.” She sincerely flattered the Grand Master. “This move is masterfully executed. Even if the First Prince becomes aware, finding a counterstrategy will be quite difficult.”

But the Grand Master smiled bitterly.

“Merely petty tricks.” He sighed to Seventh Miss. “Old hands who’ve mixed in official circles—anyone in my position could employ these methods.”

“Only now His Majesty again shows attitude of supporting Prince Lu. We’re precisely going against the current at this time—how the imperial mind will react is hard to guess.”

This lean, refined middle-aged scholar’s face also showed traces of fatigue and aging. “Unfortunately, having reached this step, even wanting to turn back and be a pure minister is impossible. Can only take one step and see the next.”

Seventh Miss had nothing good to say.

Who could have imagined Divine Physician Quan’s medical skills reached such godlike levels? A person gravely ill unto death could be saved to the current state.

She could only console the Grand Master. “His Majesty’s health gradually recovering is also good… Originally our family’s foundation in the Crown Prince’s heart wasn’t deep—we were worrying about having nowhere to curry favor. Now is precisely the time to provide timely assistance in snow, to cultivate relationships. No matter how skilled Divine Physician Quan, doesn’t he also sigh at powerlessness? His Majesty’s vitality was originally weak… After a serious illness, how could it not consume one’s essence? Moreover, the deep palace with six courts…”

She quickly stopped her words.

Deep palace with six courts—most women were unsatisfied. Even if the Emperor wasn’t licentious, he’d be led to licentiousness. Male-female relations originally most depleted vital energy. Quan Zhongbai could pull the Emperor back from death’s door once, but depleted vitality might not be recoverable. If Seventh Miss were to say, when the Yang family decided to align with the Crown Prince, even now this decision appeared wise.

Though the Grand Master didn’t say much, his expression clearly relaxed considerably.

Often, certain principles weren’t incomprehensible—just inevitably came with hesitation and melancholy. Even an old official hand like the Grand Master who’d weathered many storms couldn’t avoid convention, still needing consolation.

“What His Majesty is thinking, I’m not unable to guess.” He rarely revealed some inner thoughts to Seventh Miss. “After all, monarch and minister have gotten along well for many years. His Majesty can still sympathize with our difficulties as ministers. Only… the Eastern Palace is still young but extremely deep in thought. These years toward our Yang family neither warm nor cold. Your father worries not about the present but about after His Majesty… Otherwise, why consider the Xu family match? Our connections with the Qin and Xu families are already tight enough, yet now we fear they can’t be tighter!”

Seventh Miss’s heart stirred.

She simply took advantage of the Grand Master’s rare truthfulness, slowly asking, “Little Seven has always felt strange—our family wanting to form marriage alliance with the Xu family, the intention is obvious. But what use does the Xu family have for our Yang family that they’d rush to dispatch Cousin to Jiangnan…”

After establishing the great merit of territorial expansion, Duke Pingguo naturally differed completely from ordinary nobility. If the Duke Pingguo’s heir wanted a wife, would he need to hurry to Jiangnan? Capital nobility households were numerous—surely only Fifth Miss Yang was precious? The Xu family’s actions truly aroused suspicion.

The Grand Master’s expression also showed reaction.

He closed his eyes in contemplation.

Seventh Miss didn’t dare say more.

Speaking too much invites mistakes. Today’s few words already exceeded her appropriate knowledge level.

A young lady raised in deep courtyards—being masterful at inner quarter struggles showed her intelligence.

But also having insight into political struggles approached the monstrous.

She carefully tidied the four treasures of the study on the desk, organizing the dried letter paper sheet by sheet before checking the Grand Master’s expression.

Unexpectedly, the Grand Master’s eyes were tightly closed, emitting soft snoring sounds—he’d fallen deeply asleep.

A year’s hardship—at year’s end, chatting with his daughter, ultimately he showed fatigue.

Seventh Miss smiled with pursed lips, rising to fetch a light blanket from the west inner room for the Grand Master.

The Grand Master lived year-round in the outer side courtyard. In terms of refinement, the west inner room wasn’t inferior to the east inner room where the Grand Madam resided.

Small-leaf rosewood tables and chairs, yellow rosewood multi-colored glass kang screen, sky-blue-after-rain tribute satin wave-patterned quilt neatly folded at the kang head. Inside on the kang table lay two or three letter papers—letters the Grand Master hadn’t finished reading before sleeping last night.

Under the kang table was folded a broken-branch chrysanthemum pile-velvet small warm blanket. The east side room had floor heating—when the Grand Master napped, covering with the small warm blanket was warm enough.

She couldn’t help but glimpse several lines on the letter paper.

“Regarding the Feng family’s whereabouts…”

Seventh Miss’s movements suddenly froze.

She lightly looked back toward the east inner room’s activity.

She could faintly hear the Grand Master’s soft snoring.

She simply sat on the kang and picked up the entire letter to read.

This was a letter from the capital. The signature had no name, only a courtesy name.

Seventh Miss had never read this person’s letters for the Grand Master.

This confirmed her guess: the Grand Master naturally had more secretive information sources privately, and some information even the younger generation wouldn’t easily know.

The entire letter discussed capital trivialities—which noble family’s son caused trouble, whose student received promotion… Judging from the dates narrated, this letter discussed events from over half a month ago.

It also mentioned several small matters about Marquis Dingguo’s household. Before New Year, Second Miss had elevated two concubines for the Young Marquis—one concubine was the Young Marquis’s personal maid before marriage, another was reportedly Second Miss’s dowry maid.

Seventh Miss’s mind conjured Xiaohan’s appearance… Among the maids Second Miss brought as dowry, she was only familiar with Xiaohan.

It also mentioned Second Young Master Quan receiving imperial reward—His Majesty granted him a small villa at the foot of Fragrant Hills that would begin construction at year’s start. It said since Second Young Master Quan cured the Emperor’s illness, these years entering and leaving the palace, imperial favor grew heavier…

She flipped through several pages, finally seeing a passage mentioning Feng Jin.

“Regarding the Feng family’s whereabouts, your younger brother inquired many ways but obtained no news. Apparently after meeting with Eunuch Lian two years ago, there’s been no word since. Two examination sessions—candidate rosters show no such person. In the vast sea of people, searching isn’t easy. Moreover, Eunuch Lian’s status is noble—inconvenient to inquire too closely lest it invite taboo instead…”

Below discussed completely unrelated matters.

Seventh Miss quickly scanned the remaining letter sheets, then reorganized them back on the kang table before returning to the east inner room carrying the small warm blanket.

After covering the Grand Master with the warm blanket, she lowered her eyes and left the small study, instructing the servant boy in the gatehouse, “Master is sleeping—attend carefully with tea.”

She summoned Nanny Dong. The two entered Baifang Garden together, heading toward Yuyu Pavilion.

Nanny Dong was all smiles. “Qiqiao hasn’t caused you trouble, has she? If that girl has anything that doesn’t suit you, just discipline her freely…”

Seventh Miss casually replied, “Very sensible. After New Year, have her take Shangyuan’s position managing Yuyu Pavilion’s needlework.”

She no longer engaged Nanny Dong in conversation. The two silently walked from the path before Chuiyang Studio, turning through the small gate into Baifang Garden.

Seventh Miss contemplated all the way.