After Dahan finished attending to Eighth Concubine’s dinner, she came to the west side courtyard with a delicate face still bearing traces of fatigue.

“Haven’t eaten dinner yet, have you?” Lichun asked with a smile. “Why not have a bite here at the west side courtyard?”

Although Dahan was a second-rank maid, her food and provisions were comparable to those of young ladies in ordinary households, but Lichun’s meals and supplies were obviously more refined.

“Eighth Concubine goes to bed early these days!” Dahan said, somewhat breathless. “In another half hour she’ll be ready to sleep, so after chatting with elder sister for a bit, I’ll need to return to Qilixiang to attend to her washing up.”

“It’s already been five months,” Lichun couldn’t help but ponder. “Why is she still so restless? What did the physician say?”

“The physician said Eighth Concubine has something weighing on her mind.” Dahan glanced at Lichun somewhat timidly.

Lichun usually served at the Grand Madam’s side like her right hand, and truth be told, she had more standing than even Eighth Concubine normally did. Her accumulated authority was formidable, so even though Eighth Concubine now had a protective talisman, Dahan still harbored some fear toward Lichun.

Lichun’s smile faded as she lowered her head to look at the tea bowl in her hands without speaking.

Since Ninth Young Master had moved to the west side courtyard, the main courtyard’s hall had lost its liveliness. The Master never spent nights in the hall anyway—he either stayed at Huansha Wu or simply passed the night in his outer study. Naturally, Lichun and Nanny Wang couldn’t presume authority and receive Dahan in the main courtyard.

The main hall of the west side courtyard was borrowed as a place for Nanny Wang and Lichun to conduct business and converse, making it seem as though Seventh Miss was the one borrowing lodgings instead.

Seventh Miss sat at the writing desk, tilting her ear to listen to the movements in the outer room.

Dahan seemed somewhat guilty yet also hinting at something as she murmured her defense: “Eighth Concubine didn’t mean any harm. These days she keeps to herself and hasn’t been in contact with anyone, precisely because she fears that if anything happens to the child in her belly, she won’t be able to face the Madam’s concern…”

In other words, Eighth Concubine’s sudden stomach pain wasn’t something Fourth Concubine had sent someone to tell her to fake.

Dahan was the most prominent maid at Eighth Concubine’s side—if Fourth Concubine had sent a message, it certainly wouldn’t have escaped her notice.

Lichun looked up with a smile and grasped Dahan’s hand. “You’re also someone who came out from the main household… During this time, work hard and take care of the child in Eighth Concubine’s belly. Once the child is born—Eighth Concubine will have even more standing!”

Dahan’s face brightened as she happily acknowledged this. Lichun then removed a rather nice quality azure stone bracelet from her own wrist and put it on Dahan. “Such a grown person, yet you don’t know how to adorn yourself. When you were in the main household, the Madam’s rewards never stopped!”

When Dahan was in the main household, she was only a third-rank maid. Although the Madam rewarded people frequently, her turn came rarely. Now receiving this exquisite bracelet, she was quite delighted. Lichun smiled and exchanged a few more pleasantries with her before instructing: “Although Fourth Concubine now manages affairs on the concubines’ side, if Eighth Concubine has any problems, it’s still better to come inform the main courtyard.”

“We know that,” Dahan smiled. “Today Eighth Concubine also instructed me to interact more with the elder sisters in the main courtyard.”

Anyone who could become a concubine in the Yang household wouldn’t be very foolish.

Although Eighth Concubine came out from Fourth Concubine’s household, she wouldn’t necessarily stand unconditionally on Fourth Concubine’s side.

Lichun’s smile deepened as she warmly saw Dahan off, then entered the west inner room to chat with Ninth Young Master for a while before emerging from the west inner room.

A lamp still glowed faintly in the east inner room.

Lichun’s heart stirred. She quietly lifted the curtain—Seventh Miss indeed hadn’t gone to bed yet and was reading by lamplight, chin propped on her hand.

Seeing Lichun arrive, Lixia hurried forward to greet her. “Elder sister, please sit!”

Seventh Miss smiled at Lixia and said, “Brew some of that Mingqian Maofeng tea the Madam rewarded us the other day.” Since entering the main courtyard, the Grand Madam had never shorted her on these small amenities.

Lichun demurred for a while before finally sitting down at an angle beside Seventh Miss with her body half-turned. Only after Seventh Miss urged her repeatedly did she relax slightly.

“Elder sister has a place to sit even in Grand Madam’s quarters, so why become so formal when you come to my room?” Seventh Miss spoke very pleasantly—if she could sit in the Grand Madam’s quarters, why stand on ceremony when visiting the young masters’ and misses’ rooms?

Lichun relaxed and looked at Seventh Miss appreciatively.

Although Ninth Concubine wasn’t particularly beautiful, these twin siblings were as endearing as a golden boy and jade maiden.

Ninth Young Master was like an unpolished jade—his brilliance restrained and understated. At first glance he merely seemed handsome with clear features, but the longer one spent with him, the more one felt he possessed an elegant bearing.

Originally they thought this refinement came from being raised in the Grand Madam’s quarters, but who knew Seventh Miss was no less remarkable? Her delicate beauty held a touch of fragility, like a budding flower, trembling and inviting tenderness.

Her conduct was both steady and warm… Such a person could live well anywhere and win affection. Befriending her would bring no harm.

Seventh Miss closed her book and inquired after Lichun with concern. “This large household with its countless affairs all rests on elder sister’s and Nanny Wang’s shoulders.”

“We don’t have to manage affairs on the concubines’ side, so really half the work is gone,” Lichun smiled. “Third Miss’s and Fourth Miss’s matters don’t reach us either. Second Miss, Sixth Miss, and you are all untroubled, so there isn’t much to worry about… It’s just Ninth Young Master, this little ancestor, who causes trouble every day. We still need Seventh Miss to discipline him more.”

Seventh Miss’s expression dimmed slightly. Lichun understood: Seventh Miss was sharp—she was crystal clear about the Madam’s taboos!

She felt a wave of sympathy.

These close twin siblings were now both living in the main courtyard. If they didn’t grow closer to each other, whom else could they rely on? Second Miss would soon marry out, and in a few years it would be Fifth Miss’s turn for marriage. Would Seventh Miss only be able to emerge then?

But seeing the faint smile at Seventh Miss’s lips, she dismissed the thought of persuading her: though this child was young, she knew no less than Lichun herself.

Sometimes when favorable conditions hadn’t arrived, one indeed should deeply conceal oneself.

“That girl Bailu is quite obedient, isn’t she?” She changed the subject.

Tonight wasn’t Bailu’s night duty—she had gone to rest after dinner and wasn’t currently in the room.

Seventh Miss was about to praise Bailu when her heart suddenly stirred.

Someone like Lichun had no idle chatter in her mouth.

If it were a necessary social occasion, it might be out of polite small talk. But today she had taken the initiative to come chat…

She recalled how she had helped Lichun save face at Qinghong Pavilion a few days ago.

“Sister Bailu is very perceptive!” she praised. “She’s quite clever. I think she has the makings of a first-rank maid. Having her in my quarters, I worry I’m underutilizing her talents.”

Lichun’s eyes curved with her smile. “Serving Miss is her good fortune—how could there be any question of underutilizing her?” She paused and took a sip of tea. “Originally the Grand Madam also intended to cultivate her as a first-rank maid, but unfortunately, her pride grew somewhat, and as she’s gotten older these past few years and learned shame… she’s unwilling to attend upon the Master.”

The Master was a romantic man of letters. Over the years, more than ten maids from the Grand Madam’s quarters who had their faces unveiled and became concubines, most with no results. Bailu was indeed a pretty girl—not wanting to take that path was understandable.

Seventh Miss assumed a listening expression.

“Nanny Liang is also her godmother and spoke a few words for her before the Grand Madam, so the Madam lost interest. Just as you came to the main courtyard, she was sent to serve at your side… She’s quite proper really. Though very clever, she’s not prone to crooked thoughts.” Lichun sighed meaningfully. “I wish I too had the good fortune to acknowledge a good godmother.”

These words sounded superficially like she was being sour about Bailu, but if Lichun wanted to speak ill of her, she wouldn’t have laid so much groundwork or pointed out Bailu’s backing.

In these deep manor households, using someone required consideration. What Lichun had just said was mostly truth—after all, lying about such things was meaningless, as asking someone else would immediately reveal the facts.

Bailu didn’t want to be a concubine, which was why she came to her quarters, hoping to serve for a few years before being sent out to marry. Fortunately she worked very diligently without any intention of being perfunctory, so she could be cultivated as a confidante. As long as it didn’t infringe on Nanny Liang’s interests, she could be trusted with some private matters. Even matters that slightly infringed on the Grand Madam’s interests could be entrusted to her—just by her tactfully declining the Grand Madam’s desire to make her a concubine, one knew this girl had her own ideas.

Why then did Lichun envy Bailu? She naturally was also quite beautiful—otherwise the Grand Madam wouldn’t compare her to Third Concubine, the former number one beauty of Jiangnan.

Seventh Miss smiled and patted Lichun’s hand, giving her a knowing look.

“Where there’s a will, there’s a way,” she said sympathetically.

The Master was already forty-five this year. Though romantic and elegant, handsome and graceful, in ancient times he was already considered quite old. That Lichun didn’t want to take the concubine route was quite understandable—even marrying a steward would be better than becoming a concubine.

The attrition rate for concubines in the Yang manor was too high.

Lichun knew that Seventh Miss understood her meaning.

Strange—though Seventh Miss was only turning seven after the New Year, her words and actions were like a little adult. Talking with her was like conversing with a grown-up; many things didn’t need to be spelled out.

Lichun became even more attentive. Just as the small kitchen sent the late-night snack, she rushed out to receive it, first delivering Ninth Young Master’s portion to the west inner room, then bringing Seventh Miss’s bowl of clear-stewed white fungus to the east inner room.

“Has the small kitchen been attentive these days?” she asked with a beaming smile. “Aunt Cao is reliable and keeps a close eye on ingredients, but she has a tendency to treat people differently. The Grand Madam has spoken to her several times, but relying on being favored, she still hasn’t changed.”

The person managing the Grand Madam’s meals was naturally someone she trusted most—they could have flaws and lack ability, but must be absolutely loyal.

Seventh Miss wanted to casually say a few nice words to brush this off, but thinking of the plea implicit in Lichun’s words, she changed her mind.

Sometimes to close the distance between people, having them do you a favor was the best method. To show she’d taken Lichun’s words to heart, the best way was to find something she could help with.

“I won’t hide it from elder sister.” She glanced at Lixia, who had entered to serve the late-night snack, her face showing some bitterness. “I’ve never had much silver on hand, yet living in the main courtyard, the expenses aren’t small.” She paused, saying somewhat embarrassedly, “Because Ninth Young Master moved in, Aunt Cao now prepares an extra late-night snack for me every evening, and I don’t even know how much to reward her.”

Lichun understood immediately. “This wasn’t something you asked for—you can’t very well watch Ninth Young Master eat while you swallow your saliva, can you?” She laughed behind her hand. “Don’t worry, leave Aunt Cao to me!”

The two chatted for a while longer before Lichun went to Ninth Young Master’s quarters to settle him in bed. Seeing the west inner room’s lamp extinguished, Seventh Miss also washed up and went to sleep.

In the darkness, she noticed Lixia tossing and turning, and couldn’t help but smile inwardly.

This girl was honest but quite capable of keeping things to herself. Though she didn’t understand the conversation between her and Lichun, she’d managed to hold back from asking.

“Sister Lichun is a clever person,” she said softly.

Among the current maids, the most trustworthy was naturally Lixia. Back in the south side courtyard, she had served her for over a year—they knew each other thoroughly. Lixia was quite trustworthy. Though somewhat slow-witted, with some guidance she could still grow.

“Seventh Miss, I don’t understand…” Lixia finally spoke up.

Seventh Miss prompted her: “How old is Ninth Young Master?”

“Seven years old.”

“And the Grand Madam’s age?”

Lixia fell silent.

The Grand Madam was already forty. To wait until Ninth Young Master grew up, married, and had children would take at least another ten years.

Ancient times weren’t like modern times—past forty was already the tail end of middle age; by fifty, one was already considered elderly.

The Yang household was so large with so many affairs inside and out—the Grand Madam managed everything herself. It was fine for now, but in a few years she would inevitably find it beyond her strength.

Then naturally she would elevate a concubine to manage the household while she herself enjoyed leisure. But First Concubine and Fifth Concubine, though they came out from the Grand Madam’s quarters, were chosen when the Grand Madam was still young—she’d selected honest people who lacked capability in household management.

Lichun had followed the Grand Madam for seven years and was extremely familiar with Yang manor affairs. Though having her marry a steward would also be useful, it wasn’t as proper and justified as elevating her to concubine.

The Master was considered old by Great Qin standards—that Eighth Concubine could become pregnant was already a pleasant surprise. The possibility of Lichun conceiving was even lower. Without her own son, she could only wholeheartedly curry favor with the Grand Madam.

No wonder Lichun was unwilling. The Grand Madam’s calculations were quite loud, but unfortunately, always too ruthless. When one schemed too precisely, even those loyal to you would eventually grow distant.

Seventh Miss said softly: “Lixia, you must remember—in the main courtyard, we have no foundation. Connections must be cultivated bit by bit. When someone like Sister Lichun shows us goodwill, we must seize the opportunity to establish a relationship…”

“Why would Sister Lichun seek you out though?” Lixia still didn’t quite understand. “As you said, we have absolutely no foundation in the main courtyard…”

“Besides me, whom else could she turn to?” Seventh Miss laughed coldly. “If she were like Bailu with a godmother as backing, she wouldn’t need to seek me out. Second Sister and Fifth Sister would never concern themselves with her affairs—they’re legitimate daughters and she can’t ask them for help. Only us—nominally we’re also young ladies, but we need to rely on her in many ways, so she dares to broach this topic, doesn’t she?”

“Then how do you plan to… help her?” What Lixia least understood was this. “You should know, you…” In front of the Grand Madam, you probably don’t even have as much standing as Lichun!

“The Grand Madam does mete out rewards and punishments clearly,” Seventh Miss’s voice grew somewhat heavy. “During these five months, if Second Madam still won’t give up and causes more trouble but I block it before reaching Ninth Young Master, when the Grand Madam returns, I’ll naturally have an opportunity to speak.” Lichun was actually just betting on her as a potential stock. After all, Second Miss would soon marry far away, and Fifth Miss had that personality. With First Miss’s successful precedent, the possibility of her becoming the Grand Madam’s advisor and taking the opportunity to rise in status was quite high!

Lixia couldn’t help but sigh.

Though the Yang household was wealthy and prestigious, those residing in the Yang manor were mostly quite unhappy.

Even Fifth Miss and Ninth Young Master had their own troubles.

“Why is life in this world so difficult!” she lamented.

Seventh Miss also smiled bitterly. She didn’t speak, only turned over and pulled the blanket tighter around herself.