Seventh Miss couldn’t help hesitating and stopping.

Wasn’t Xu Fengjia being a bit too bold?

In broad daylight, with Ninth Brother, the garden’s only male, having gone out to study, he was leaning against the corner gate like this. If someone saw him, word would spread and become another story.

Yet Xu Fengjia merely glanced at Seventh Miss before looking elsewhere.

Seventh Miss quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

Yuyu Pavilion and Yuelai Hall were close together, both on the southeast side of the courtyard. Perhaps Fifth Miss wanted to see her cousin—that wouldn’t be surprising.

She merely nodded slightly at Xu Fengjia, then quickened her pace without looking sideways.

Broad daylight, in public—this area had many servants coming and going.

If anything happened, her trouble would be enormous.

After just a few steps, she saw several sturdy servant women commonly employed in the Grand Madam’s courtyard walking briskly from Changqing Tower toward the south corner gate.

“Young Master Cousin.” The leader was precisely Nanny Li who usually guarded the gate. “We’ve already checked. Indeed there are some scrape marks on the wall top. Judging by the marks, they’re quite fresh—Seventh Miss.”

Seeing Seventh Miss, they hurriedly led everyone in bowing.

Seventh Miss’s heart stirred as she stopped.

“What happened?” She asked Nanny Li with a smile. “You’re all—”

Nanny Li’s face showed hesitation. She glanced at Xu Fengjia but didn’t speak for a moment.

Seventh Miss couldn’t help turning back to look at Xu Fengjia with puzzlement.

Xu Fengjia released his arms and slowly approached the group. He first reassured Nanny Li: “Thank you for your trouble, Nanny. Please also check the dock at the northwest corner. Not many people travel our waterway in winter, but you must carefully examine the rope marks on the dock…”

He glanced at Seventh Miss, lowered his voice, and gave Nanny Li a few more instructions.

Nanny Li’s expression was grave. She hurriedly bowed to Seventh Miss and Xu Fengjia, then led several sturdy servants away at a quick pace.

Only then did Xu Fengjia indicate for Seventh Miss to step aside with him to talk.

“During this period, you should also be careful coming and going.” His expression was solemn, his tone serious. “If I’m not mistaken, Suzhou city will likely see trouble during this time.”

Seventh Miss’s heart was already pounding like a drum.

Living cautiously at the Yang household all these years, she’d long hoped to live quietly after marriage.

But the closer to marriageable age, the more turbulence surrounded the Yang family. Now it seemed even personal safety was becoming an issue.

As a court official of the Grand Master’s stature, the household naturally had guards and escorts. When going out, martial masters accompanied him for protection. Normally, no one would dare disturb the residence—bandits in Jiangnan bold enough to oppose the Grand Master probably hadn’t been born yet.

The only possibility was that the First Prince’s faction had sent people to make things difficult for the Yang family…

“Hasn’t Cousin been—” She unconsciously asked aloud, then quickly bit her lower lip.

Many things went without saying and didn’t need discussion.

Xu Fengjia was startled.

He carefully examined Seventh Miss’s expression.

He slowly answered: “Yes, this past month, I truly haven’t been at Xukou… Do you know what I was doing?”

Beyond casual friendliness, these words faintly contained a trace of tension.

Seventh Miss couldn’t help glancing at Xu Fengjia’s face.

The young man was also gazing intently at her, countless thoughts in his eyes. For a moment, Seventh Miss couldn’t guess his thinking.

“The Hangzhou matter did cause quite a commotion.” She could only answer tactfully. “Cousin was even injured… A gentleman doesn’t court danger. Such dangerous work—Cousin must be more careful in the future…”

She ultimately couldn’t help revealing a trace of concern.

Xu Fengjia sighed softly.

“This matter was too important. If I didn’t personally lead the team, that person in the capital wouldn’t be reassured.” He paused, then continued: “That registered target was too cunning. As soon as the Hangzhou incident erupted, he immediately fled. I chased him for over ten days, even back to Suzhou city, but still lost his trail.”

Seventh Miss’s heart immediately rose to her throat.

“Is Cousin afraid?” She spoke softly, as if speaking louder would alert the enemy.

“A cornered dog will jump the wall. He exposed a vulnerability first, which I seized—following the Hangzhou lead. I traced it down, and over twenty strongholds across Jiangnan’s three provinces were completely uprooted. Without redeeming himself through merit, he’d have no face to return to Shandong for orders.” Xu Fengjia also showed worry. “I’m just afraid Fourth Uncle is a civil official. This residence is so large, housing mostly you young ladies. If something happens, no one can bear the responsibility.”

No wonder that despite having so much to do, he still returned to reside at the Governor’s residence, with every sign of staying several months—with the heir personally stationed here, even if someone wanted to move against the Yang family, they’d have to carefully weigh the consequences.

Xu Fengjia truly conducted affairs with a general’s bearing.

Seventh Miss’s heart gradually steadied, revealing a relaxed smile. “With Cousin stationed here, even if there are setbacks, surely there will be more alarm than danger.”

Xu Fengjia looked at her deeply, then leaned back against the red pillar at the corridor’s edge.

This person couldn’t break his dandy habits. Whenever there was a pillar, he loved leaning against it with crossed legs, arms folded, looking at people with a half-smile.

“Speaking of which, Yang Qi, how many months has it been since we’ve seen each other?”

Seventh Miss’s heartbeat paused.

She couldn’t help quickly glancing left and right. Seeing no one approaching, she forced a laugh: “Cousin, what are you saying? Didn’t we meet in the first month—”

“You know what I mean!” Xu Fengjia rudely interrupted her.

His burning gaze urgently circled her face, refusing to miss a single subtle expression. “If I hadn’t received news of that person right after the first month, would I have left you at peace so long? Yang Qi, what exactly did those words of yours mean? I’d like to hear your explanation!”

Seventh Miss immediately grew irritated.

Explanation—explain what? Not wanting to marry means not wanting to marry. Why must there be an explanation?

“What use is discussing this now?” She raised her head boldly to look at Xu Fengjia, openly displaying her disdain and irritation. “The Niu family has risen. The marriage between our families is settled. The proposal letter is probably already en route. The Yang family always arranges marriages by birth order. If Third Aunt mentioned anyone but Fifth Sister, the madam need only lightly say ‘Yang family rules’ to deflect—doesn’t Cousin understand this in his heart?”

Xu Fengjia immediately choked.

His originally relaxed manner tensed at once. The sharp light from his eyes swept back and forth across Seventh Miss’s face like a steel blade, scraping her heart to the core.

“If this matter were so simple to arrange, why would I endure family pressure and delay proposing until today? You think there’s no one pushing me? As long as you’re willing to marry me, these matters can ultimately be arranged, can be negotiated. I can see from Fourth Uncle’s words he’s somewhat willing. Fourth Aunt is ultimately just a woman…”

Seventh Miss, irritated, called out sharply to interrupt Xu Fengjia.

“Stop talking!”

She stared fixedly at Xu Fengjia, steeling her heart to slowly release coldness that enveloped her eyes and heart. “An unequal match—Duke Pingguo’s household is grand with great enterprises. I’m merely a concubine-born daughter. How could I reach so high? What isn’t mine ultimately isn’t mine. Even delivered before me, I won’t take it! Cousin, you should also learn to grow up. Who in this world gets everything they want? There are always some things you seek but cannot obtain!”

Xu Fengjia angrily straightened, his eyes cold and severe. “You—”

But urgent footsteps sounded in the distance.

Seventh Miss hurriedly composed herself, displaying a worried expression.

When Nanny Li approached, she inquired eagerly: “Nanny Li—Cousin told me everything—truly frightening. Did you find anything wrong?”

Nanny Li also wore forced composure, patting Seventh Miss’s hand before requesting Xu Fengjia speak with her aside. “…Lest we alarm Seventh Miss!”

Xu Fengjia glanced at Seventh Miss.

He too appeared unconcerned. “No matter. Seventh Cousin’s courage is quite large. Just speak here.”

The earlier turmoil seemed to have passed without a trace, though the undercurrents only the parties involved truly understood.

Nanny Li looked at Xu Fengjia, then at Seventh Miss.

Unable to worry about proprieties, she hurriedly reported in a low voice: “The old gatekeeper at the dock said that several nights ago, small boats selling cosmetics kept passing by. The boatmen often chatted with him and wanted to invite him drinking—something that hasn’t happened in years. Who doesn’t know our Yang household servants have strict rules? Drinking while on night duty means losing your position if caught… Nearby boatmen seeking favor all give gifts—none dare invite us drinking…”

Xu Fengjia’s expression suddenly sharpened.

Disregarding Seventh Miss, he strode toward Wanhua Liuluo with Nanny Li. “As expected, something’s amiss… I need to question him personally. Nanny Li, take people to Yijin Alley to inquire. Don’t alert the enemy. If anyone asks—say something was lost from Baifang Garden…”

Nanny Li’s expression was grave. She quickly followed behind Xu Fengjia. The two conversed while departing.

Seventh Miss also turned back toward Yuyu Pavilion.

But she walked with irritation, couldn’t help sighing along the way.

With matters on her mind, her face naturally showed signs.

Several senior maids from Yuyu Pavilion had been chatting and laughing in the pear grove, admiring the pear blossoms just forming buds. Seeing Seventh Miss’s expression, they all quieted and followed her into the inner room.

Seventh Miss forced down her vexation and asked Lixia with a smile: “Has Sister Bailu’s wedding date been set? When the time comes, I’ll give you half a day off to see her married.”

Lixia hurriedly replied: “It’s set for the third of the third month. I was just wanting to request leave… Earlier Fifth Miss sent over some candied figs. Would you like to try them?”

Since Seventh Miss slapped Fifth Miss, the two sisters remained unchanged in public, but privately rarely acknowledged each other—their relationship had abruptly cooled.

Previously the two sisters had quarreled before, but Seventh Miss naturally wouldn’t hold grudges against Fifth Miss. After a few days, estimating Fifth Miss had calmed down, she’d send something over. Upon meeting, she’d apologize with gentle words, and the minor quarrel would naturally dissolve into nothing.

But this time, Seventh Miss was unusually firm. Not only didn’t she send gifts privately, she didn’t even give Fifth Miss a pleasant expression when they met.

Instead, Fifth Miss yielded first, sending candied fruit as a peace offering.

Seventh Miss’s mood was precisely disordered. Hearing “Fifth Miss,” her irritation only increased. She casually instructed Lixia: “Just put it away. I’m not in the mood for snacks now.”

She rested her chin in her hands, lost in thought for half a day, before collecting herself to practice calligraphy, slowly pushing troubling matters to the back of her mind.

#

In the blink of an eye, half a month passed.

Even the young misses who never left the household knew that one battalion of Xu Fengjia’s personal troops was stationed at Yijin Alley. They rarely accompanied the heir when he went out, just idly wandered Yijin Alley. Over these days, who knew how much trouble they’d caused.

Xu Fengjia himself was quite busy, running about with the Grand Master—either going to the Governor’s office on business or being invited to drink by noble households. Every day leaving early and returning late, rarely having leisure time at the residence.

Fifth Miss maintained silence about this. Only Sixth Miss was inevitably curious: “Cousin isn’t someone who doesn’t know propriety. I truly don’t understand how he could let his troops cause such trouble…”

Seventh Miss knew the score: to draw out the snake, the act must be performed thoroughly.

Only now could one see the Grand Master couple’s depth.

Not just the Grand Master—even the Grand Madam acted as if nothing was wrong. If not for the worry between her brows and two asthma attacks this half month, Seventh Miss would truly think the Grand Madam was genuinely unaware.

The Grand Master acted even more carefree, coming and going without concern. His actions in Zhejiang Province were substantial. In just this half month, over a dozen officials had fallen, including households to whom he’d dictated warning letters for Seventh Miss to write.

Which household connected to salt and iron could keep clean hands? The accounts Master Nian’s team audited were crystal clear with ironclad evidence… In court, Prince Lu was being impeached for encroaching on civilian land and disturbing vassal residents—precisely when he couldn’t spare attention. This round of storm-like offensives had now reached the densest downpour.

At this time, the Emperor spread news of poor health, transmitting orders to Jiangnan to summon several physicians from the Ouyang family into the palace. Quan Zhongbai also re-entered the imperial quarters, staying close.

Within this month, court politics had changed dramatically, taking on the feeling of an approaching storm.

At this juncture, Fifth Miss happened to fall ill again. The Ouyang family’s physicians weren’t available. The Grand Madam made a fuss inquiring which doctor was good, solemnly inviting them to prescribe medicine. Inside and outside the residence, there was no peace daily.

Seventh Miss took the opportunity to visit Yuelai Hall.

These past months, Fifth Miss had indeed grown increasingly thin.

The peach-fuzzy adolescent freshness unique to young girls between her brows had vanished along with her full cheeks. She increasingly showed autumn-water eyes and distant-mountain brows, taking on a young woman’s charming allure.

Having tasted emotion, having matters on her mind, she naturally lost that taken-for-granted innocence and willfulness.

She just quietly reclined by the bed, hand absently stroking Banlan Tiger. Seeing Seventh Miss enter, she raised her eyes with a smile: “Seventh Sister has come.”

Compared to last time when she’d visited—that almost obsessive fervor—this time her behavior was much more normal.

Too normal.

Seventh Miss still harbored some wariness. She politely said: “Is Fifth Sister much better?” Then sat at a distance in the round-backed chair by the partition wall.

Fifth Miss lowered her eyes and laughed coldly without answering.

Only in this laugh remained a shadow of her habitual imperious manner.

“Much better?” The words carried cynical flavor. “Muddling through acceptably is enough. What ‘much better’? Who cares?”

Fifth Miss had never used such a tone before. The young girl in her youth, precisely at an ardent age, having grown up surrounded by boundless favor—though spoiled, she treated people with frankness, open and magnanimous with captivating charm.

Now having learned sorrow’s taste, her reckless arrogance was put away. Along with it vanished her excessive confidence and self-respect.

Seventh Miss frowned slightly, feeling slight regret, then accepting.

Every youth—who doesn’t experience such setbacks?

“If you don’t care about yourself, who else will care?” She frowned with gentle reproach. “Fifth Sister, have you forgotten the words ‘self-respect and self-regard’?”

Fifth Miss laughed coldly again.

She lowered her head, playing with Banlan Tiger’s ginger-colored fur. After a long while, she slowly spoke.

“Not long ago when Mother asked me again… I nodded.”

Threads of heartbreak finally showed initial signs.

Seventh Miss froze. “Fifth Sister means—”

“I told Mother that Cousin is an upright person. If he’s willing to come propose to me, I also—I’m also willing to marry him.”

Fifth Miss raised her eyes, gazing at her.

Her pupils were dark and bottomless, like two dim obsidian stones.

“Yang Qi, hearing this—do you regret it?”