Seventh Miss ultimately had a robust constitution. Though she appeared delicate, her foundation was good. After taking three doses of medicine, she recovered as before and resumed her usual routine.

The household finally quieted down for a while.

Recently, the Master had been greatly favoring the triplet sisters sent by the King of Minyue. Though by the Yang household’s rules, without pregnancy they couldn’t be elevated to proper status, he still arranged for them to live in Huansha Wu, which had the best scenery in the Yang estate.

Suzhou had many gardens, and the Yang family occupied a large area with running water throughout the estate… Huansha Wu was right behind the main courtyard. Entering through the hanging flower gate and turning a corner along the corridor, one would arrive. When the Master spent nights there, it was also convenient for him to rise early for his official duties and court hearings.

These triplet sisters usually kept to themselves and hadn’t formally presented themselves before the Grand Madam. Speaking of it, the Master had favored many women, most of whom hadn’t conceived. As time passed, they gradually disappeared without trace.

Only First Aunt and Fifth Aunt, though they had never been favored or borne children, were given special face and made aunts because they were the Grand Madam’s dowry maids.

The Master had also slept with several maids from Fourth Aunt’s quarters. Apart from Eighth Aunt who was elevated after becoming pregnant, the others were all sent away by the Grand Madam under various pretexts—out of sight, out of mind.

Having lived in the main courtyard for a month or two, Seventh Miss gradually heard quite a bit about the Yang family’s past.

Fourth Aunt was the Master’s own maternal cousin. Her family were also proper scholars—several brothers held minor seventh and eighth-rank official positions in Jiangnan. Fourth Aunt had been betrothed to a decent match in her youth, but unexpectedly, before the wedding, her fiancé died. She kept a waiting-widow’s faithfulness, and life at her natal home became very difficult.

So the Master’s uncle, the late Great Uncle, decided to bring Fourth Aunt into the household as a concubine. Given the Yang family’s status and Master Yang’s official position at the time, it wasn’t really wronging Fourth Aunt. At that time, Master Yang was already Provincial Administration Commissioner of Jiangsu, yet had only First Miss and Second Miss under his knee—he was approaching thirty. The Grand Madam couldn’t hold firm and nodded to let one concubine after another enter the Master’s quarters. One more Fourth Aunt didn’t make much difference.

Fourth Aunt was greatly favored after entering the household and successively gave birth to Third Miss and Fourth Miss. Despite the Grand Madam’s exhaustive efforts, after giving birth to Fifth Miss, her vitality was severely damaged and she could no longer conceive. Temporarily disheartened, she stopped concerning herself with rear courtyard matters, and Fourth Aunt enjoyed several proud years.

At that time, it was widely rumored that the Master would choose one of his three nephews for adoption. During those years, the Master indeed paid great attention to his nephews’ affairs.

Before long, Ninth Brother was born. Second Master Yang also passed the presented scholar examination and went to the capital with his sons to serve in the Hanlin Academy. Talk of adoption was thus forgotten.

The Grand Madam could be said to have achieved her goal. She took Ninth Brother under her care and raised him like the apple of her eye, also resuming management of rear courtyard affairs. Her first order of business was arranging a good marriage family for First Miss.

First Miss was born to Second Aunt, who had originally been the Master’s personal maid. After serving loyally for many years, when the Grand Madam hadn’t conceived after five years of marriage, she finally stopped the contraceptive decoctions for the concubines, and Second Aunt became pregnant.

Unexpectedly, she had a difficult birth. After struggling to deliver First Miss, she breathed her last.

First Miss grew up in the Grand Madam’s courtyard—clever, lively, and generous, always earning the affection of both the Grand Madam and Master. By arranging a nearly perfect marriage family for her, the Grand Madam regained the Master’s favor.

Needless to say for Second Miss, Third Miss, Fourth Miss, and Fifth Miss—Second Miss and Fifth Miss were legitimate daughters who had received the Master’s special attention from childhood. Their education was carefully managed, and dowry silver prepared early. Though Third Miss and Fourth Miss were concubine-born, Fourth Aunt was after all the Master’s own cousin, so they too were raised in honeypots.

Sixth Miss was somewhat inferior.

Among the Master’s several aunts, First Aunt and Fifth Aunt were the Grand Madam’s dowry maids, Second Aunt was the Master’s maid, and Third Aunt had once been a famous courtesan who was elevated to aunt upon entering the household—the Grand Madam exhausted all schemes to eliminate her. Fourth Aunt need not be mentioned. Sixth Aunt’s fate was even more bitter—originally just a spinning maid, the Master took a fancy to her for one spring night and she actually conceived. But it was another difficult birth resulting in two deaths. When the son was born, he had already stopped breathing.

The Master truly had difficulties with offspring.

Seventh Aunt was also a gift from someone else. After the Master took her in, she surprisingly bore Sixth Miss. Over these years, mother and daughter, though not as miserable as Ninth Aunt and Seventh Miss, remained obscure with little voice in the household. If Sixth Miss’s pleasant nature hadn’t won the Grand Madam’s favor, they would have been even more dim.

Eighth Aunt was a maid brought by Fourth Aunt. She had been favored years ago and gave birth to a daughter who died before being formally named. This pregnancy was quite coincidental—when the Master thought to rest in her quarters for a night, she actually conceived.

Though she was Fourth Aunt’s person, the Yang family had too few offspring. If it was a son, the Grand Madam would certainly take him under her care. Therefore, Eighth Aunt hadn’t suffered any difficulties and peacefully resided in Qilixiang to nurture her pregnancy.

Entering February, Eighth Aunt’s belly gradually grew larger, yet she still vomited everything she ate each day.

The Grand Madam was very irritable.

“Father turns seventy this year,” she discussed with the Master. “Ten years ago I couldn’t get away to celebrate. Ten years later, the household is still such a mess—how can I leave?”

The Grand Madam’s father, Imperial Tutor Qin, had once taught the Emperor and now taught the Crown Prince. Highly respected with students throughout the realm, the old man had contributed greatly to the Master’s current prospects.

“You should go,” the Master said decisively. “Household matters can be set aside temporarily. For the old man’s seventieth birthday, if you, his youngest daughter, don’t appear, how can it be justified?”

The Grand Madam thought of the plate of cherries and bowl of tea Second Madam had offered.

The Grand Madam was born to Imperial Tutor Qin’s second wife. The late Madam Qin had only given birth to this one daughter her whole life and raised her as a precious pearl. Her older brothers and sisters from before also cared greatly for their little sister.

Duke Pingguo’s wife, Madam Xu, had always been close to her. Second Master and Second Madam’s marriage was actually arranged by the Grand Madam at Madam Xu’s suggestion.

The original intention was to prevent Second Master from becoming estranged from his brother and sister-in-law after marrying.

Look what it had become now!

To untie the bell, one must find the person who tied it. For Second Madam’s matters, only Madam Xu’s intervention would help. But these affairs couldn’t be explained in one or two letters. Without explaining face-to-face with Madam Xu, her sister would think she was bullying Second Madam.

She made up her mind.

“Second Miss will marry soon, so I won’t bring her,” she said hesitatingly. “In any case, marrying into the capital, there will be plenty of opportunities to see these relatives… I’m thinking of bringing Fifth Miss with me. As for Ninth Brother, let him stay home to study in peace.”

No matter how much the Grand Madam doted on Ninth Brother, he ultimately wasn’t her birth son.

Bringing a concubine’s son to celebrate her father’s birthday—no matter how one looked at it, it seemed somewhat inappropriate. It would also be awkward when brothers and sisters asked about it.

The Master pondered, “As for Second Madam…”

The Grand Madam’s face burned!

The Master had always greatly respected her and never said much about this unreliable Second Madam, precisely to save her face. This was his first time mentioning those unseemly things Second Madam had done.

“I’m thinking of leaving Nanny Wang behind and having Ninth Brother move to the western side courtyard to stay with Seventh Miss for mutual support,” the Grand Madam explained softly. “It’s only two months at most—counting from start to finish, I’ll be back by August at the latest!”

Among the steward wives by the Grand Madam’s side, Nanny Wang managed financial affairs while Nanny Liang managed social relations. Keeping Nanny Liang at her side while leaving Nanny Wang at the estate was very appropriate.

There was also Sister Cao from the small kitchen… For Second Madam to reach her hands into the first branch’s inner courtyard wouldn’t be so easy!

The Master nodded. “Then who do you think should manage household affairs?”

If the Master hadn’t mentioned Second Madam’s matters, the Grand Madam might not have been willing to let Fourth Aunt manage.

Now she felt embarrassed to suggest anyone else—First Aunt and Fifth Aunt were living dead with no spirit, Seventh Aunt came from a dancing girl background, and Eighth Aunt was pregnant. If not Fourth Aunt, then who?

“Let Nanny Wang and Fourth Aunt oversee things together,” she still left herself an out. “Eighth Aunt came from Fourth Aunt’s quarters, so naturally she’ll be devoted in her care. As for the children’s trivial matters, Nanny Wang has always handled them.”

The Master didn’t say much more.

He still greatly respected the Grand Madam.

The Grand Madam slowly sighed.

Imperial Tutor Qin’s birthday was in mid-May. In March there would be peach blossom floods—who knew when they might be delayed on the road. Having decided to go to the capital for the birthday celebration, the Grand Madam busied herself from the next day.

Packing luggage was the maids’ work. The mistress of the house had other matters to attend to.

The Grand Madam gave the account books to Nanny Wang. “Follow established practices. No matter what, I’ll definitely be home by August.”

Five months—not long, not short. Whether Nanny Wang could maintain control of the household situation remained to be seen.

Nanny Wang bowed her head in thought, not answering immediately.

Satisfaction showed in the Grand Madam’s eyes.

As a great Jiangnan family, what the mistress managing the household dealt with went far beyond trivial matters like firewood, rice, oil, and salt.

Though the Grand Madam would be away, social obligations between prominent families probably wouldn’t come calling, but managing for even one day involved many thorny matters to handle.

Fortunately, the Grand Madam’s family training was strict and her household management methodical. As long as Nanny Wang could follow the rules the Grand Madam left behind, major chaos was unlikely.

“If Second Miss could come forward to manage affairs, that would be best,” Nanny Wang pondered for a moment before speaking candidly.

Second Miss was a legitimate daughter, high in birth order, with a serious and proper temperament—even the several aunts somewhat feared her.

With her backing Nanny Wang, even if the aunts tried to cause trouble while the Grand Madam was away, Second Miss was after all a daughter—if she acted coquettishly with her father, the Master wouldn’t easily refuse her.

Relief showed on the Grand Madam’s face. “You think thoroughly as always.”

Nanny Wang smiled modestly without speaking.

“During these months, just keep a close watch on Fourth Aunt’s side. Don’t let her stir up trouble and cause incidents,” the Grand Madam’s face showed disgust. “I’m taking Fifth Miss with me. Second Miss and Sixth Miss are both untroubling. If Third Miss and Fourth Miss are very annoying, don’t be polite.” She paused. “Most important is still Ninth Brother…”

“This old servant will definitely watch Ninth Brother well and not let anything happen to him!” Nanny Wang quickly said.

The reason for leaving her behind while taking Nanny Liang was precisely because Nanny Wang had a stern face and could suppress those of all colors who were ready to make trouble.

The Grand Madam nodded with satisfaction and asked, “Why hasn’t Seventh Miss arrived yet?”

Nanny Wang smiled. “Still embroidering at Zhuyingtai—class doesn’t end that early.”

“In the blink of an eye, Seventh Miss has already lived in the main courtyard for two months,” the Grand Madam raised her teacup, blowing on the foam atop the tea. “What do you think of her?”

Nanny Wang hesitated slightly. “Quite good—a quiet, cautious child.”

Quiet meant she was calm and compliant, causing no extra trouble. Though Fifth Miss always had some complaints about her, under Seventh Miss’s restraint, the two sisters hadn’t erupted into any conflicts.

Cautious meant she hadn’t run wild relying on being Ninth Brother’s twin sister, maintaining a moderate distance with Ninth Brother… showing no intention of winning him over.

The Grand Madam nodded. “She’s worry-free,” she concluded. “I feel at ease entrusting Ninth Brother to her.”

Some people, though one hadn’t spent much time with them, simply inspired confidence. Since entering the main courtyard, Seventh Miss had handled several matters very well. At such a young age, she had a composed temperament and knew when to advance and retreat. Second Miss was after all older and it wouldn’t do for her to live under the same roof as her younger brother. Though placing Ninth Brother in the western side courtyard was a helpless measure, the Grand Madam didn’t feel it was inappropriate.

Nanny Wang took the opportunity to show loyalty. “Still, have Second Miss visit from time to time.” Ninth Brother and Seventh Miss were twins. While the Grand Madam needed to use Seventh Miss as Ninth Brother’s shield, she also didn’t want them to become too close. During these months with Fifth Miss away from the estate, the Grand Madam naturally hoped Ninth Brother would grow closer to Second Miss.

The Grand Madam nodded with a smile. “That’s not necessary. I’ll leave Lichun behind to look after Ninth Brother.”

Lichun was the Grand Madam’s capable assistant and also her eyes and ears. With her there, if Seventh Miss acted one way to faces and another behind backs, the Grand Madam would naturally deal with it upon her return.

Nanny Wang showed a relieved expression.

But inwardly she looked down on the Grand Madam’s pettiness.

Seventh Miss was Ninth Brother’s twin sister, connected by blood. Even if they became somewhat close, what of it? Ninth Brother would still depend on the Grand Madam’s cultivation to inherit the family business. Compared to Seventh Miss, Fourth Aunt, Eighth Aunt, Second Madam… were far more worthy of vigilance.

Just as she thought this, the Grand Madam sighed. “In my life, I’ve only had Second Miss and Fifth Miss as birth daughters. Second Miss has found her match… but I don’t know which family Fifth Miss should be promised to!”

Nanny Wang’s heart softened again.

She had grown up with the Grand Madam from childhood.

The Grand Madam was the youngest daughter, doted on by father and mother from childhood, with brothers and sisters also spoiling her. Yet Imperial Tutor Qin promised her to the Master as his wife.

At that time, the Master was only a provincial graduate. Though his family was also from the gentry, this branch of the Master’s family was quite poor.

When the Grand Madam learned of her marriage, she shut herself in her room and cried for three days and nights—her sisters had all married into powerful families in the capital, yet she had to go to the barren northwest to manage household affairs.

From then on, the Grand Madam remained cool toward Imperial Tutor Qin, determined to build up an estate to show him.

Now the estate existed, respectability existed, but beneath lay infinite bitterness.

After working hard half her life and accumulating such a large family fortune, yet having only two birth daughters—how could she not want to dote on them? Ninth Brother was someone she had poured her heart and soul into cultivating to support his two sisters at their natal home.

Naturally she didn’t want his heart to place Seventh Miss before Second Miss and Fifth Miss.

Nanny Wang wiped her eyes. “Doesn’t the Pingguo Duke’s wife often mention…”

The Grand Madam’s expression was indifferent. “We still need to see what kind of child Fengjia is.” She sighed. “When Fifth Miss was born, Sister only joked about it. These past couple years, she’s brought it up again, each time more serious. Without even seeing Little Five in person, she speaks as if it’s already settled. I’m afraid…”

Outside, someone called crisply, “Fifth Miss and Seventh Miss have arrived!”

The Grand Madam quickly sat up straight with a smile, looking kindly at the two daughters stepping over the threshold one after another.