The pear blossoms at Jade Rain Pavilion were gradually budding, ready to bloom, and the peach blossoms at Answering Spring Breeze also had developed their fragrance.

The spring of the twenty-fourth year of Zhaoming came particularly late. Only after entering the third month did the weather warm up. The drizzling rain still carried winter’s gloomy cold.

In early third month, Prince Lu finally made his move.

The Censorate seemed to suddenly discover that the Grand Master’s work as Governor-General of Jiangnan was inadequate. Within just over ten days, more than a hundred memorials appeared at court impeaching the Grand Master for “monopolizing power and authority, wielding influence arrogantly,” also raising that the salt tax of Jiangnan had accumulated serious abuses over the years, claiming the Grand Master was lining his own pockets——

Yet the Qin family, Xu family, and Sun family all remained abnormally silent. The Grand Master also acted as if nothing was wrong, only busying himself with properly storing last autumn and winter’s tax revenues.

Though the Grand Madam couldn’t sleep night after night, her face showed nothing but sunny calm. She even proactively invited the Li family and various families to come enjoy spring wine.

In all of Jiangnan, only these two households could associate with the Yang family.

Madam Li gladly accepted the invitation, but Madam Zhu pleaded illness and didn’t come.

The Grand Madam simply set up two small tables in the Hall of Hundred Rains and Gold, having the concubines come out to accompany Concubine Liu and Concubine Ma that Madam Li brought along.

The two families showed quite the meaning of being close family friends—ordinary households would not have concubines come out to meet people when entertaining guests.

“I thought, after all it’s not some other family,” Madam Li said with a spring-like smile, chatting with the Grand Madam. “These two concubines are both famously virtuous in the manor. Being able to bring them to visit the Yang family gives our Li family face.”

The Grand Madam could only smile. “Isn’t that so? We’re family, no need to be so particular about empty formalities.”

She herself took Madam Li to drink wine and talk in the Gathering of Eight Immortals hall. The two madams opened a small table in the east inner room, while the young ladies were placed in the west inner room, each group having their own convenience.

Privately she also instructed Seventh Miss, “Your Fifth Sister has been melancholy these days. Today with young ladies from another family coming to chat, perhaps she’ll feel better. Don’t come to us to observe formalities. Take good care of Fifth Sister and enjoy yourselves today, all right?”

Her own daughter, naturally she watched closely. Even Fifth Miss’s occasional displays of loneliness couldn’t escape the Grand Madam’s notice.

That said, the atmosphere at the table was still quite oppressive.

Not just Fifth Miss—the Li family’s Ninth Miss and Tenth Miss both had faces full of worries. Even Sixth Miss, usually a source of cheer, sat stunned and unable to speak.

Not to mention that Seventh Miss herself had a bellyful of troubles.

The meal was eaten in heavy gloom. It was actually worse than the men drinking wine in Understanding Words Pavilion: the Grand Master’s laughter often carried across the water, reaching even the Gathering of Eight Immortals.

The young ladies looked at the table full of seasonal delicacies but only ate a few bites before stopping. One by one they either rested their chins in contemplation or lowered their heads to fidget with their skirt corners. Instead it was Fifth Miss who livened the atmosphere. “Everyone’s reached the age of having worries? Usually when coming to Hundred Fragrance Garden, you’re so excited you want to jump around, but today you’re playing refined ladies quite convincingly—I heard Ninth Miss got engaged?”

Miss Li Nine immediately showed a worried expression. “Ai, let’s not mention that matter anymore. This marriage would be better not happening!”

Seventh Miss glanced at Ninth Miss and softly explained to Fifth Miss, “Ninth Miss’s dowry——“

Fifth Miss immediately understood.

She swept a glance at the door curtain and silently let out a long breath, shaking her head.

Miss Li Nine was concubine-born. Speaking this way in front of outsiders—if it reached Madam Li’s ears, she would certainly not fare well.

So she and Seventh Miss together changed the topic, asking about Tenth Miss’s marriage. “Why is Tenth Miss unhappy?”

Tenth Miss was sad about a little cat in her room that had passed away.

The sisters immediately became lively, chattering back and forth, all praising that Fifth Miss’s spotted tiger and the lark in Seventh Miss’s courtyard were raised the best. Over the years they’d been safe and sound. Though the spotted tiger was old, it was still quite spirited. The lark in Seventh Miss’s room also loved to sing more the older it got.

Fifth Miss smiled and winked at Seventh Miss. “Of course Seventh Sister takes good care of that lark—it has significance!”

“A story?” Even Miss Li Nine perked up.

But Seventh Miss stared at Fifth Miss for a moment, distracted.

Fifth Miss smiled radiantly, nothing wrong visible in her eyes or brows, as if she’d only made the most ordinary joke.

She didn’t smile until after quite a while. “Don’t listen to Fifth Sister’s nonsense——it’s a living creature, of course it should be well cared for, right——“

The atmosphere in the room livened up. After exchanging quips for a while, they invited each other to Little Fragrant Snow to swing and play double-six.

The young ladies dispersed in a flurry. Fifth Miss pulled the two Li family guests ahead, while Sixth Miss deliberately slowed her step, asking Seventh Miss to accompany her to the washroom.

“What do you think Madam Li came for this time?” she asked Seventh Miss while washing her hands.

Her brow showed both a maiden’s shyness and some concealed worry. Without waiting for Seventh Miss to answer, she continued talking to herself. “Fifth Sister’s marriage isn’t settled. Surely she wouldn’t come to discuss Eleventh Young Master’s matter——“

Seventh Miss couldn’t help but smile and tease her. “What, so impatient already?”

Sixth Miss gave Seventh Miss a look.

Rarely, beyond her charming naivety, she showed a trace of outward shrewdness, making her delicate face suddenly gain an intimidating radiance.

“It’s not that I’m impatient.” At this moment, where was that innocent, carefree air? Her words and actions were decisive and straightforward. “Coming this time, I noticed Madam Li’s attitude toward me changed a lot. Usually when she sees me she’s affectionate and warm, wanting to embrace me, but today she was distant, didn’t even smile——“

Seventh Miss wasn’t omniscient. She hadn’t noticed Madam Li’s expression when meeting Sixth Miss.

Hearing Sixth Miss’s words, she was startled.

“Last time Father called me to the outer side courtyard and had me read several letters. He complained I didn’t know enough characters and actually read some wrong, also said I acted carelessly without propriety. He said he’d hire two nannies who understood etiquette to come teach me deportment.” Sixth Miss paid no attention to Seventh Miss’s expression, lowering her head to brush dust from her clothes. “Tell me, could it be that the Li family dislikes Seventh Aunt’s lowly birth——afraid I’ll embarrass their family, so——“

For a moment Seventh Miss didn’t know what to say.

Truly, concern creates confusion. With Sixth Miss’s intelligence, she too had days of being anxious about gains and losses, actually associating the Grand Master’s arrangements with completely unrelated things.

“These days our family is relaxed on the outside but tense within. The Li family is also forcing smiles. The two families are closely connected—the Li family doesn’t know how many behind-the-scenes things they’ve done for Father. Once something happens, both families will collapse. Madam Li has things on her mind, being a bit cold toward you is normal. Besides, you’re a Yang family daughter, a proper young lady. Even if the Li family ate a bear’s heart and leopard’s gall, they wouldn’t dare look down on your upbringing!” She could only gently explain.

Looking at Sixth Miss’s flower-like pretty face, her heart was full of sighs.

Being beautiful sometimes truly wasn’t a good thing.

Sixth Miss relaxed a bit. “I thought——“

Thinking it over herself, she couldn’t help but laugh. “Ai, I really was thinking nonsense. If she looks down on me, I look down on her too.”

She called to Seventh Miss, “Let’s go quickly, Fifth Sister will be anxious waiting!”

Seventh Miss looked at her retreating figure, bit her lip, but ultimately didn’t say more.

Before some matters were settled, it was better they didn’t come from her own mouth, lest they disturb Sixth Miss’s thoughts unnecessarily.

She left the west inner room and followed behind Sixth Miss out of the Gathering of Eight Immortals.

“Fifth Sister has been strange, but her spirits have improved lately.” Sixth Miss had already set aside her worries, becoming again that innocent, charming, stunningly beautiful young girl. “I was thinking when your Jade Rain Pavilion’s pear blossoms open, we could pick some to make dried flowers? And the peach blossoms at Answering Spring Breeze—before long, the jade flowers will bloom too——“

The wind carried voices from the east inner room of the Gathering of Eight Immortals to their ears.

“What you say also makes sense——lest we offend that person’s taboos and they think we’re not taking His Highness’s goodwill to heart——” Madam Li’s voice was somewhat muffled, but her tone was rarely serious and solemn.

Then came the sound of bowls and dishes clinking and the Grand Madam’s soft laugh.

“Your words make sense——“

It seemed the two madams were discussing court politics.

Sixth Miss and Seventh Miss exchanged a smile. Seventh Miss took Sixth Miss’s arm. “It’s been so long since we went to Little Fragrant Snow to swing——“

Chatting about domestic matters, they left the Gathering of Eight Immortals.

The southern-style musical troupe in the distance had somehow already stopped singing.

“Last time Seventh Aunt brought me rose fermented tofu——” Sixth Miss was excited.

Seventh Miss listened and responded, but gradually she sensed something was off.

Why had the direction of Understanding Words Pavilion suddenly gone quiet?

When several gentlemen sat together, there should be talking sounds, bowl and plate sounds, gong and drum sounds, the high-pitched voices of performers—all were inevitable.

How had the background noise from the Understanding Words Pavilion area suddenly all gone silent at once?

She couldn’t help but stop and look back toward Understanding Words Pavilion.

From this distance, she could only see that the people in the pavilion had all stood up. A mass of heads crowded in a corner, scrambling to move outward. In another corner something kept flashing, captivating the eye.

Sixth Miss also looked back with Seventh Miss, her face puzzled. “Hm? What happened? Does the person in front look like Father to you?”

Indeed, the middle-aged scholar running at the front had a face like still water and extremely quick steps——if not the Grand Master, then who?

Seventh Miss’s heart tightened. Reflexively she searched the crowd for Ninth Brother’s figure.

“I’m afraid something’s happened.” She gripped Sixth Miss’s hand tightly. “Let’s take shelter in the Gathering of Eight Immortals!”

No matter what happened at Understanding Words Pavilion, she and Sixth Miss, two young ladies, couldn’t possibly help—they’d only add to the chaos.

Sixth Miss had also sensed something was wrong.

“Let’s go.” She was actually calmer than Seventh Miss, pulling her in a quick run back to the Gathering of Eight Immortals.

The maids and matrons at the Gathering of Eight Immortals had also noticed something was wrong. Many stood at the door hoping and discussing. Coming forward to greet them, the two young ladies couldn’t be bothered with these servants. They knocked on the door one after another and entered the east hall.

The Grand Madam and Madam Li were also looking through the window at the scenery of the Gathering of Eight Immortals. Both madams had worried faces. The Grand Madam was better, maintaining a composed attitude, but Madam Li was already frightened to tears.

“Since you’re here, sit down!” Seeing the two young ladies, the Grand Madam casually settled them, then instructed Lidong at the door, “Close the door tightly!”

Lidong hurriedly added another bolt to the door, looking out the window with a frightened face, just staring blankly.

Sixth Miss and Seventh Miss thus flanked the Grand Madam on left and right, all looking through the window at the scene at Understanding Words Pavilion.

Looking out from here, through a plum blossom window on the long corridor, they could see Understanding Words Pavilion—originally a borrowed scenery design of Suzhou gardens, unexpectedly serving great purpose today. At a glance Seventh Miss saw that a gray-robed person stood in one corner of the pavilion, currently fighting with Xu Fengjia in the pavilion. The flashing light from before was emitted by the weapons in their hands. Xu Fengjia wore all black, looking like a large bat under the sunlight, advancing and retreating like a ghost. The gray-clothed man’s strikes were fierce and powerful, fighting evenly with Xu Fengjia. Only Xu Fengjia seemed to hold daggers in both hands, the offensive from his left hand especially fierce. The gray-clothed man was gradually falling into disadvantage.

Even bold Sixth Miss couldn’t help a small exclamation. “That—that is—”

“Just a desperate thief at his wit’s end, whose martial skills are slightly superior, that’s all.” The Grand Madam was unexpectedly stern. “Making such a fuss—what does that look like!”

The situation was urgent. The several outside gentlemen were all of age, so they didn’t avoid—they nodded to each other as greeting and all crowded to the window to watch the movement at Understanding Words Pavilion. Brother Min happened to stand beside Seventh Miss.

“How could——” Seventh Miss couldn’t help asking him softly.

Brother Min’s face was like still water. He shook his head and answered in a low voice, “This person seems to have swum in from under the pond. He suddenly pierced through the floor from beneath the pavilion and came up. If not for the heir’s quick reflexes immediately stepping on his blade, I’m afraid——“

The political storm evolving to this point, becoming a physical threat—Seventh Miss’s face couldn’t help but turn deathly pale. She stared fixedly at the window, not speaking again. Unfortunately with so many people at the window, she couldn’t see very clearly. She could only vaguely see that Xu Fengjia seemed to show signs of defeat, being forced back several steps. Everyone exclaimed again.

Madam Li was so frightened her voice trembled. “M-Master, this—this person, what’s his background? If that person has more like this under his command——“

She didn’t finish, but everyone understood her meaning. If Prince Lu had several more assassins like this under his command, Madam Li would certainly be unable to sleep peacefully.

The Grand Master glanced at Master Li with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile, not speaking for the moment. Mr. Nian opened his mouth, words on his lips but unspoken.

Master Li wiped the sweat from his face, his voice also tense. “Don’t talk nonsense! Our family’s pond has stagnant water—even if an assassin wanted to enter, he also—also couldn’t get in!”

The Grand Master and Mr. Nian exchanged several glances, both smiling slightly.

Brother Min lowered his face slightly, his eyes also showing some disdain. Ninth Brother’s voice was clear and bright. “Uncle and Aunt, please don’t worry. This person’s skills are top-tier—I’m afraid you couldn’t find a second one among ten thousand people. This time he also fell for Cousin’s plan to lure the enemy. Otherwise, with high walls and great gates, how could he have infiltrated so easily—Cousin knows what he’s doing and won’t come to harm.”

That last sentence was subtly comforting the Grand Madam.

Indeed, the Grand Madam showed some relief, then remembered to ask Lidong, “Have all the young ladies been settled?”

“We’ve already sent people to comfort them at Moon Arrival Pavilion, not allowing them to leave easily.” But it was the newly entered Shuxia who answered. This Twelfth Concubine’s face showed worry, yet her actions remained perfectly orderly. “The young ladies don’t yet know something happened—they all look very happy.”

The Grand Madam slowly breathed a sigh of relief, turning to mock herself. “I won’t watch anymore. Watching makes my heart panic. He’s bold with his superior skills—if anything happens to him, how will I face Third Sister?”

Madam Li also hurried to sit with the Grand Madam for tea, wiping tears while comforting her. “The heir knows what he’s doing. Someone who’s rolled through blade light and sword shadows—how would he care about this little scene?”

Since learning this was just Xu Fengjia’s plan to lure the enemy, she’d calmed down more than a little.

Seventh Miss stood silently in the corner, bright eyes like water, taking in all reactions.

Only she had no time to think, no mind to think. All her attention was on that distant, tiny figure in Understanding Words Pavilion.

Unknowingly, she gripped tightly the delicate soft hand in hers.

Sixth Miss looked at Seventh Miss in surprise, then looked toward Understanding Words Pavilion, pursed her lips, lowered her head in silent contemplation.

At this moment the situation in Understanding Words Pavilion changed dramatically. In the span of a startled hare and diving falcon, finally someone thunderously fell to the ground.

Everyone exclaimed. The Grand Madam stood to look, seeing the gray-clothed person advancing as if to swing his blade. Immediately her eyes rolled back and with a thud she collapsed to the ground.