After Xu Fengjia entered the room, the topic naturally turned to Bandit Liao, who had been captured after failing in Understanding Words Pavilion.

“Everything has been properly arranged.” Xu Fengjia’s face was calm as he spoke confidently. “Fourth Uncle and Fourth Aunt can rest assured—this person will definitely be safely returned to the capital… Assassinating a high court official is a grave crime that can implicate and destroy entire clans. Commander Xiao, Eunuch Liao and I all have memorials going up. The Ministry of Justice absolutely won’t dare be negligent.”

The Grand Master and Grand Madam both showed satisfied expressions.

If this Bandit Liao could be used well, the blow to the eldest prince would be even greater than now. It could be said he’d actually become a trump card in the hands of the Eastern Palace, the Xu family, and the Yang family.

Before this trump card was played, naturally it had to be protected impenetrably.

Seeing the natural self-confidence Xu Fengjia revealed between his words, they knew this heir also saw through this trump card’s importance. With the person still in his hands, he’d already greeted the Ministry of Justice in advance and arranged matters—he absolutely wouldn’t let Bandit Liao come to harm in his custody.

“Good.” The Grand Master rarely showed approval. “If one of our Yang family’s four children could compare with you, Fengjia, I wouldn’t need to worry about this vast family business in the future.”

The several boys exchanged glances, all smiling awkwardly.

At similar ages, the Yang family children were still studying while Xu Fengjia already had the bearing of a capable minister. This gap was undeniable to anyone.

Xu Fengjia’s expression didn’t change as he calmly accepted the Grand Master’s praise.

“Fourth Uncle is too kind—Fengjia is but a mere military man, this is all I understand.” He lightly brushed past the Grand Master’s praise. “Actually, I came this time also to bid farewell to Fourth Uncle and Fourth Aunt. This person is of great importance—if I don’t personally escort him to the capital, I truly cannot be at ease. I’ll leave matters at Xukou to Commander Xiao and Eunuch Liao to supervise…”

He’d actually come to say goodbye.

The Grand Madam couldn’t help but exchange a glance with the Grand Master.

The marriage had been discussed since last year. They’d even sent him to Jiangnan to see for himself.

He’d been here nearly half a year. Now he was about to leave, yet Madam Xu’s mouth still said “soon we’ll come to propose.”

How could they not feel anxious?

She’d already told Fifth Miss, telling her to prepare peacefully for marriage, waiting to marry into the Xu family to be the heir’s wife. This child had been single-minded since young. Recently over the Xu family’s marriage matter, she’d fretted until she couldn’t think of tea or rice and had truly fallen ill several times.

If the Xu family went back on their word and the marriage changed, what would they do?

She couldn’t help but glance worriedly at Fifth Miss.

The Grand Master’s eyes were deep, his expression neither quite smiling nor not.

However, both elders showed no abnormality—this bit of composure they both possessed.

“Originally we wanted to keep you in Jiangnan a few more days, but young people with promise—being busy is a good thing.” The Grand Madam’s social pleasantries came one after another. She also asked Xu Fengjia, “Have you prepared all the local specialties and gifts to bring back? These details absolutely cannot be neglected…”

Xu Fengjia also showed reluctance. “I just can’t bear to leave Fourth Uncle and Fourth Aunt…”

The two exchanged courteous words back and forth.

Though this performance was false, everyone understood: the show of deep filial affection still had to be performed.

Sixth Miss leaned over to speak privately with Seventh Miss. “Look, look—you only put in effort after people criticize you… Now that you’re dressed up, isn’t it much prettier? If you ask me, that pale blue water-sleeve outfit I saw in your room last time was excellent, matched with the gold-thread cord Siqiaoshang made…”

The two spoke privately, leaving Fifth Miss alone.

The young lady thoughtfully flickered her eyes, glancing once at Xu Fengjia, then once at the Grand Madam.

In the Grand Madam’s gaze toward Xu Fengjia was written genuine fondness.

She slowly became distracted, her face absent-minded.

The Grand Master took it all in, finding it quite interesting.

“The capital is right in the middle of the special examination spring trials.” The Grand Madam and Xu Fengjia had already reached the topic of the return journey to the capital. “Examination candidates are as numerous as oxen—Tongzhou will certainly be overcrowded and quite chaotic. On the road you must be extremely careful…”

Fifth Miss stood to take her leave. “I caught wind this morning and my head aches somewhat. Cousin, take care on your journey!”

Her attitude was poised and generous. Speaking with Xu Fengjia before the Grand Master showed a great family daughter’s propriety—not making a show or deliberately avoiding him because they were negotiating marriage, which would seem petty instead.

Xu Fengjia also smiled in acknowledgment. “Thank you for Fifth Cousin’s concern.”

Yet he had not one word of inquiry about Fifth Miss’s headache.

The Grand Madam’s eyes were already flickering like stars, yet this heir remained composed as ever, revealing not a trace of unease.

Several cousin young masters also showed thoughtful expressions. Ninth Brother’s face was full of words left unspoken.

Sixth Miss looked left and right, suddenly showing a smile.

“Most rare that Cousin didn’t even spend New Year in the capital. On New Year’s Day our family had many relatives visiting. This year for New Year, I’m afraid on the first day it’ll be cold and lonely again, embroidering flowers at home.”

The atmosphere immediately relaxed.

Sixth Miss truly had the flavor of a cheerful presence, especially with Seventh Miss abnormally silent, making her charming cleverness even more apparent.

The Grand Master smoothly took up the topic. “Fengjia, come with me to the outer side courtyard to talk.”

With court politics so chaotic now, the old gentleman naturally had countless matters to instruct Xu Fengjia about.

Xu Fengjia’s face became serious. “Yes.”

Rising, he swept another glance at Seventh Miss, slightly pursing his lips before turning his gaze away.

Seventh Miss forced a smile, murmuring in low tones with Sixth Miss about the makeup cases in her room.

“These years I haven’t paid attention to grooming—I truly lack some things. The rouge paste you made looks very good to me. Do you have more? Give me some…”

The Grand Madam paid no attention to the two young daughters. She spoke a few more pleasant words with the Yang family young men before sending them off, then darkened her eyes and slowly sighed.

Sixth Miss and Seventh Miss looked at each other. Neither opened their mouths to smooth things over.

#

Though he’d come to say goodbye, with Xu Fengjia’s status, he naturally couldn’t just say he was leaving here and immediately depart there.

When Xu Fengjia brought his large force over, he’d been quite low-key, just accepting the Grand Master’s invitation to come to the Yang manor for a welcoming banquet. But this time departing Suzhou, though with fewer people, the commotion was actually greater. Though Bandit Liao would be escorted to the capital by him, the man was already registered with the Ministry of Justice. Once this escort order went out, wouldn’t the entire provincial office know Xu Fengjia’s movements?

Immediately people came to invite him to farewell banquets. Though the heir seemed impatient with socializing, he couldn’t refuse propriety—he still had to select some families to accommodate. Thus he ended up staying at Drooping Willow Studio again.

“Having already caused such a big commotion in Jiangnan, if he still showed a proud face, impatient with socializing, I’m afraid it would hinder public opinion and invite unnecessary trouble.” The Grand Master chatted with the Grand Madam. “That move to lure the snake from its hole was beautifully executed. I see Fengjia has intentions to do it again.”

These words had deep meaning, but the Grand Madam had no mind whatsoever to ponder and guess. Somewhat irritably she made a sound of acknowledgment, then changed position on the pillow.

Spring weather changed quickly. Fifth Miss had caught cold again, and the Grand Madam suffered from asthma.

“Tell me, what exactly is the Xu family planning? Fengjia is about to leave, yet they still haven’t come to propose?”

What weighed on her mind was still Fifth Miss and Xu Fengjia’s marriage.

Only this time, even the Grand Master had to agree. “The Xu family’s movements are indeed somewhat slow.”

In past years, this couldn’t be called too slow. Great families negotiating marriages had many constraining factors. For one marriage proposal from being settled to having every detail finalized, taking two or three years was common.

Only now Master Niu had already departed for Xuande, Fifth Miss would turn sixteen after New Year, and His Majesty’s health was sometimes good, sometimes bad… No matter what calculations the Xu family was making, now was not the time to drag things out. Even more worrying was that Xu Fengjia showed no reaction at all in front of people, treating Fifth Miss with indifference, just like ordinary cousins, seemingly unaware of his purpose in coming to Jiangnan.

“I don’t care how many difficulties Third Sister has.” The Grand Madam, rarely having someone agree with her, immediately became energized, pulling the Grand Master to pour out her grievances. “The people to select Crown Prince consorts will come to Jiangnan in early fourth month. At this juncture not settling the marriage—should we send Little Five to participate in the selection or not? Not selecting means our family looks down on the Eastern Palace, unwilling to send a legitimate daughter in. Sending her means a marriage discussed with the Xu family for so many years—whether she’s rejected or selected, neither is easy to arrange! What century-old great family—I see their conduct isn’t even as good as nouveau riche. A perfectly good matter—they must make everyone unhappy before they’ll stop!”

Just speaking of it, she began wheezing and coughing again. After coughing several times she asked the Grand Master, “Have you found out which eunuch will oversee this selection in the palace?”

The Grand Master was also reminded of some concerns. “This matter truly seems undecided. Looking at the palace’s meaning, they want to select a few consorts from a limited number of families in Jiangnan. As for palace maids, that’s another matter entirely… Only because His Majesty’s health is poor, we don’t know if it will happen. We must see whether His Majesty improves after entering spring before the supervising eunuch can be determined.”

He asked the Grand Madam again, “How is the daughters’ etiquette study going?”

Some time ago, Second Master specially recruited from the capital an old nanny just released from the palace, sending her by swift horse to Yangzhou to teach the Yang family daughters etiquette.

“Palace veterans truly are extraordinary. Little Six’s every movement shows even more grace. Even Little Five’s speech has become more gentle and pleasant.” The Grand Madam couldn’t help but show a slight smile. “Even if this matter doesn’t succeed, learning palace etiquette won’t be a loss. The master arranged it properly.”

But the Grand Master didn’t follow the Grand Madam’s thread. Instead he stared and asked, “What about Little Seven?”

Then smiling, he answered himself, “Right, Little Seven’s deportment has always been proper. Learning palace etiquette is just icing on the cake… This child dresses too plainly still. Madam must carefully groom her, lest before the selection eunuch she makes our Yang family daughters seem inexperienced. That would be too shameful.”

The Grand Madam’s eyes flickered. After pondering a moment, she slowly agreed.

“Little Seven’s foundation isn’t as good as Little Six’s, but it’s not far off. Her conduct and manner of handling affairs are actually much better than Little Six’s.” She chatted absent-mindedly with the Grand Master.

The Grand Master smiled. “Little Six isn’t bad either! She’s cunningly clever, has her own ideas—only Little Five…”

Halfway through speaking, he couldn’t help but furrow his brow deeply. “Little Five’s temperament is really too stubborn!”

The Grand Madam was somewhat unconvinced, wanting to say a few good words for Fifth Miss to defend her. After thinking for a long while, she couldn’t say anything, only awkwardly stating, “A leopard can’t change its spots. This stubborn temper came from the womb. Without crashing headfirst into disaster, it seems it can’t be changed!”

#

While the couple leisurely spent their days here, the several daughters suffered unbearably. This Nanny Tai from the capital truly deeply understood the essence of capital noblewomen. Without showing emotion, she subdued Fifth Miss into complete obedience. Sixth Miss and Seventh Miss naturally didn’t dare be negligent either. All day they followed Nanny Tai relearning an entire set of etiquette for eating and walking. Practicing continuously for days without rest, every movement had to be refined and elegant—it tormented Sixth Miss, this delicate Jiangnan young lady, into shedding tears several times.

This day as usual they finished learning propriety at Vermillion Victory Terrace. Fifth Miss, having been ill a few days before, was already exhausted to dizziness. Getting on the sedan chair, she returned to Moon Arrival Pavilion. Sixth Miss also looked dispirited, feebly supported by Daxue into the long corridor, too weary to even speak a few more words with Seventh Miss.

Only Seventh Miss remained calm and composed—among these sisters, she was naturally the one most able to endure hardship.

As soon as class ended, both sisters ran off. She still forced herself to exchange a few pleasantries with Nanny Tai, making this old nanny whose face was like still water, who seemingly would never learn to smile, look at her several more times in surprise before she straightened her aching back and left Vermillion Victory Terrace. In her ears seemed to still echo Nanny Tai’s low voice: “The harder the young ladies study now, naturally the more benefits later. Never mind other things—when a daughter-in-law stands on ceremony before her mother-in-law, meeting a somewhat harsh mother-in-law, standing for one or two hours is ordinary. Would the young ladies still cry out in suffering like today? Your manor’s Second Miss had no such delicate young lady temper. Serving her mother-in-law before the Empress, she stood for over two hours as if it were nothing…”

Truly, not speaking of it one didn’t know—speaking of it was startling. When the Grand Madam married in, her mother-in-law had long passed away. First Miss, Third Miss, Fourth Miss were all married and treasured. Seeing them talk about it when returning to their maiden home, being a daughter-in-law seemed the most comfortable thing—the whole family, men, women, old and young, all coaxing and praising… Hearing Nanny Tai’s words, Seventh Miss finally understood why the Grand Madam valued Xu Fengjia so much—naturally she had her considerations.

Thinking of Xu Fengjia, she couldn’t help but furrow her brow again.

A fog-like gloom drifted into her heart.

This person’s temperament was intense, most loved taking risks. Though his conduct gradually became more proper, that stubborn, intense energy in his bones hadn’t changed one bit from childhood to now.

The first time taking risks succeeded, capturing Bandit Liao. The second time he wanted to take risks again. These days attending banquets everywhere, widely publicizing that he would escort Bandit Liao back to the capital—afraid people didn’t know this was a good opportunity to strike…

Yes, this was indeed a good opportunity to strike. In the wilderness, where royal law couldn’t reach, once the ambush began, it would be real blades and real guns. If they could truly silence him, afterward reporting it as bandit robbery—even knowing something was wrong, what could superiors investigate?

Those with intentions certainly wouldn’t miss this opportunity. Even knowing Xu Fengjia had other plans, they couldn’t let him bring Bandit Liao back to the capital. At most they’d prepare more thoroughly, determined to eliminate this young general in one strike…

Again using himself as bait in risky conduct. Even more frightening, vaguely, this strategy could only be targeting one person…

As soon as Seventh Miss entered Jade Rain Pavilion, she felt extremely stifled.

Changing into casual clothes, she left the main hall to stroll in the pear grove.

It was exactly flowering season. Tree after tree of pear blossoms bloomed filling the entire courtyard with spring. The further Seventh Miss walked in the pear grove, the more refreshed she felt. Slowly, all her worries were cast behind her.

Who cares about any Xu Fengjia, any Fifth Miss, Sixth Miss—none could compare to the jade rain of Yingzhou before her eyes, snow waves overturning the sky… Those vexing worldly matters—why think of them!

She slowly showed a smile, couldn’t help but reach out to caress a trembling budding flower on a branch.

Behind her suddenly another hand reached out, plucked this small, unopened spring intention, and inserted it by Seventh Miss’s temple.

Seventh Miss suddenly turned around.

Meeting directly Xu Fengjia’s pair of eyes.

This pair of originally extremely passionate eyes, hot enough to melt glass, were now ice-cold.

“The marriage can’t be delayed any longer.” As soon as he opened his mouth, it was straight to the point.

She knew the moment when the map was exhausted and the dagger revealed had arrived.