The next few days in the manor were peaceful.

Without Fifth Miss, the atmosphere was much improved in many ways. Every morning Seventh Miss would practice writing a hundred large characters, eat breakfast with Ninth Young Master, walk together to the corridor before separating to enter the family school. Though the teacher’s lessons were boring, she listened very attentively. Each day she copied Women’s Precepts and Inner Training for Women—her calligraphy was becoming increasingly beautiful, and the teacher had even praised her once.

Sixth Miss had no interest whatsoever in cultural studies, so naturally she had no desire to compete with Seventh Miss.

Fourth Miss, to put it nicely, was refined and reserved; to put it bluntly, you couldn’t beat three farts out of her with a stick. Ordinarily she could go two or three days without saying a word to these half-sisters. Even in the Grand Madam’s presence, she said nothing beyond paying respects. Whether Seventh Miss’s calligraphy was good or bad naturally had nothing to do with her.

Third Miss had always excelled in studies, just like Second Miss—both had rooms full of books. Though Seventh Miss’s progress couldn’t yet pose a threat to her, Third Miss’s mood wasn’t particularly good.

Seventh Miss paid no attention to Third Miss’s expressions, going to bed early and rising early each day, living a peaceful life.

Whatever small maneuvers Fourth Concubine might make during her period of authority had nothing to do with her. The person she needed to protect and the thing she needed to do could both be summed up in two words: Ninth Young Master.

Only if Ninth Young Master lived well and grew up healthy would Seventh Miss have the capital to continue climbing upward in the main courtyard.

Soon it was mid-March, the Qingming season when rain fell in profusion.

Fourth Concubine came to the west side courtyard very early to discuss ancestral worship with Nanny Wang.

Although the Yang family’s ancestral graves and ancestral hall were in Shaanxi, propriety could not be neglected. When the Grand Madam was home, everyone would gather at Nianxian Shrine to pay respects to the Old Master and Old Madam.

In past years after the worship, everyone would at least share a meal together.

Neither Nanny Wang nor Lichun wanted to host this meal.

It wasn’t about the money, but rather about maintaining stability. No one in the Yang household didn’t know Second Madam’s intentions. The Grand Madam didn’t even feel comfortable with Ninth Young Master and her under the same roof, let alone sharing a meal.

Fourth Concubine was in a difficult position. “The Master specifically instructed me that since Madam isn’t here this year, we should serve Second Madam well and not slight her.”

Nanny Wang and Lichun exchanged glances, and Nanny Wang’s face darkened.

The atmosphere became oppressively somber. Fourth Concubine looked at Nanny Wang, then at Lichun, and was about to speak when Seventh Miss and Ninth Young Master entered one after the other.

Everyone hurried to exchange greetings, then Seventh Miss and Ninth Young Master separated to enter the east and west inner rooms respectively.

Fourth Concubine watched the clearly demarcated scene between the two, her eyes like a fog-covered lake—hazy and murky, impossible to read. After a long moment, she smiled and said, “In past years we always ate at Juba Immortals Hall. Let’s keep it there this year. Though the Grand Madam is absent, Second Madam’s status is heaven and earth compared to ours. Should we still arrange three tables as in previous years?”

In past years, Second Madam always shared a table with the Grand Madam, the concubines had their own table, and the children had another.

Though Nanny Wang and Lichun were both somewhat displeased, there seemed to be no better solution.

Bailu suddenly lifted the curtain with a smile and strolled out from the east inner room.

“Concubine, Nanny, elder sister, please have tea.” She presented a small enamel cloisonné swimming fish teapot with perfect etiquette.

Fourth Concubine’s eyes flashed as she glanced at the curio shelf behind her.

Displayed there were a Qin kiln five-color glazed vase, a complete set of sweet white porcelain bottles and jars, a Chu kiln sky-after-rain beauty-listening-to-wind vase… none of them cheap items.

In less than three months, Seventh Miss had already taken on an entirely prosperous and wealthy air.

She looked again at what Bailu was wearing.

A half-worn water-red long jacket trimmed with crescent-colored edging, made of ordinary official satin… It seemed the Grand Madam had only made superficial gestures and hadn’t truly come to favor Seventh Miss.

Fourth Concubine inexplicably breathed a sigh of relief.

Neither of these twin siblings was an easy lamp to light. Never mind Ninth Young Master—Seventh Miss’s serene and gracious bearing, where did a perfectly ordinary seven-year-old child acquire such composure? The twists and turns in her mind were far more numerous than they appeared!

How had Ninth Concubine given birth to this pair of sprite-like jade figures?

Fourth Concubine smiled as she took a sip of the tea Bailu poured and praised, “This Longjing has a pure taste.”

“The Master specifically sent people to Weng Family Village to procure it.” A flash of satisfaction crossed Nanny Wang’s eyes.

The Jiangzhe region produced thousands of pounds of Longjing annually. As long as it was picked and roasted near West Lake, it was called authentic. But everyone in the Yang household knew that only the Longjing produced from the two acres surrounding Guangfu Temple northwest of Weng Family Mountain could truly be called green in color, fragrant in aroma, sweet in taste, and beautiful in form. Though Master Yang held the distinguished position of Viceroy of Jiangnan, he could only obtain two or three pounds of such authentic pre-Qingming Longjing each year.

No matter how favored or capable Fourth Concubine was, she could only drink pre-Qingming Longjing from Shifeng Mountain. Though Seventh Miss was a concubine-born daughter, simply being in the Grand Madam’s courtyard meant that what she casually brought out to serve guests was such excellent tea.

Nanny Wang developed a bit more favorable feeling toward Seventh Miss: this child conducted herself with propriety, and when it was time to show off, she didn’t hold back.

Fourth Concubine’s smile became somewhat strained.

Seeing this, Bailu interjected to change the subject. “Speaking of which,” she glanced somewhat embarrassedly toward the east inner room, “just now Xiaoxue from Ninth Young Master’s side came to ask me something. She said after Ninth Young Master read a few volumes of ‘The Golden and Jade Romance,’ he became somewhat obsessed. He wants to follow the book and have everyone sit separately with individual dishes, pouring their own wine… but he’s too embarrassed to tell Nanny Wang directly.”

Fourth Concubine looked at Bailu with an expression somewhere between a smile and something else. Bailu smiled faintly, looking perfectly at ease.

In grand households, many things worked this way—even ugly truths that everyone knew had to be covered with pretty excuses before they could be brought to the table for discussion.

Neither Ninth Young Master nor Seventh Miss was old enough to read ‘The Golden and Jade Romance,’ but this suggestion had to come from a young master or miss’s mouth to carry sufficient weight.

Ninth Young Master was naturally the best choice. For a boy to read such nonsensical storybook novels wasn’t a major transgression. Moreover, ‘The Golden and Jade Romance’ had been read and discussed by everyone throughout the great rivers and north in recent years—word had even reached the palace. It was understandable that Ninth Young Master, out of curiosity, might flip through it.

Lichun’s eyes lit up as she said excitedly, “Good idea! This way Second Madam won’t have to sit at a table alone.”

Indeed, the concubines always formed their own table in a side room. This way, Second Madam could sit with the young masters and misses. If they sat according to birth order, Ninth Young Master would sit at the very end, far from Second Madam.

Guarding against Second Madam to this extent could be considered one of the Yang household’s wonders.

A trace of mockery clearly flashed across Fourth Concubine’s face. “Fine. If Ninth Young Master wants to do it this way, then naturally that’s what we’ll do.” She stood up and looked inquiringly at Nanny Wang. “May I trouble Nanny Wang to handle the banquet arrangements?”

“Certainly.” Nanny Wang readily agreed. “Fourth Concubine need only accompany Second Madam in conversation when the time comes.”

Fourth Concubine nodded with a smile. “Ah, with eldest sister away, those of us left behind must muster twelve times our usual energy to avoid making any mistakes that would invite ridicule!” She stood up. “Yesterday when accompanying the Master to a banquet at the Jin household, several acquaintances among the wives competed to ask about eldest sister’s whereabouts, saying that without eldest sister presiding over matters these past months, they’ve been quite lonely!”

Master Yang held a high and powerful position, so naturally the Grand Madam was a leader in social circles. She ordinarily was quite close with several wives, often visiting each other’s homes.

Bailu and Lichun smiled as they saw Fourth Concubine off.

“Just because she was taken along to those frivolous and dissolute occasions to gain some worldly experience, she thinks she’s become a proper madam.” Nanny Wang said with a half-smile, a trace of severity at the corners of her lips.

Bailu smiled but didn’t pick up Nanny Wang’s thread, directly entering the east inner room instead.

In the Grand Madam’s quarters, factions were inevitable. Bailu was Nanny Liang’s goddaughter—being too close to Nanny Wang would have poor effects in various ways.

Nanny Wang pursed her lips and was about to make some sarcastic remarks when Lichun quickly pulled her into the small room where she herself usually stayed. “We can’t speak carelessly in front of Ninth Young Master.”

Though Nanny Wang was dismissive, she didn’t say more. But Lichun asked Nanny Wang thoughtfully, “Nanny, do you think Fourth Concubine’s recent outings might be to discuss Third Miss’s marriage prospects?”

For respectable women of great families, apart from proper madams and misses who could go out socializing, concubines going out too frequently would invite criticism.

Nanny Wang’s heart tightened.

As one of the Grand Madam’s right-hand women, how could she not know the Grand Madam’s opinion of Fourth Concubine’s two daughters?

If Fourth Concubine arranged a marriage match without anyone knowing, the Grand Madam would be furious!

She thought for a moment, then shook her head. “Matchmaking is a proper matter. No wife from any household would discuss such things with a concubine! If word got out, it would invite ridicule!”

Lichun felt Nanny Wang’s reasoning made sense.

“Nanny has experienced so much more and sees things more clearly.” She smiled flatteringly. “Regarding the Qingming arrangements, I’ll follow your instructions.”

The slight irritation in Nanny Wang’s heart dissipated into nothing.

The two discussed and agreed, then went their separate ways to handle matters.

When Seventh Miss entered Zhuying Pavilion that afternoon, Third Miss was chatting and laughing with Sixth Miss.

“How could an ordinary household let their daughter read ‘The Golden and Jade Romance’!” Her laughter was very pleasant, like a clear spring striking stones. “If people found out, they’d die of shame! If it were me, I’d want to go bash my head against a wall!”

Seventh Miss glanced at her and greeted with a smile, “Third Elder Sister.”

Her voice carried three parts more sweetness than usual.

Third Miss returned the greeting cheerfully. “Seventh Younger Sister, hello! Fourth Concubine just went to the main courtyard—did she disturb your afternoon rest?”

Though these were polite words spoken in a gentle tone, whether Third Miss was actually being polite was something everyone understood clearly.

Sixth Miss frowned and stopped paying attention to Third Miss, turning back to focus intently on separating threads.

But Embroidery Teacher Huang looked up from her embroidery screen with great interest at Seventh Miss.

Seventh Miss’s eyes darted as she feigned ignorance. “What ‘Golden and Jade Romance’? Third Sister, don’t make up stories about me… I don’t even know what it’s about!”

“Oh my, what? You haven’t read it?” Third Miss said while winking at Seventh Miss in a knowing, superior manner, her tone carrying several parts disdain. “Then how is it that your maid went to tell Fourth Concubine that you wanted to do things like in ‘The Golden and Jade Romance’—have everyone sit separately and eat the dishes they usually like?”

Third Miss’s greatest flaw was that she was very easily pleased with herself.

“I see!” Seventh Miss nodded. “Third Elder Sister is indeed learned and knowledgeable, knowing things so clearly! You even know that ‘The Golden and Jade Romance’ has such passages!”

Third Miss’s laughter caught in her throat.

Sixth Miss couldn’t help but giggle softly.

Fourth Miss frowned and looked at Third Miss deeply.

“You, you—don’t speak carelessly!” Third Miss became somewhat agitated, the cheerfulness disappearing from her round face, replaced by deep anger.

Seventh Miss glanced at Third Miss and smiled faintly.

Though she didn’t like causing trouble, she was by no means someone who could be bullied at will. In these deep manor households, if one couldn’t even maintain one’s own dignity, everyone would look down on you.

“Third Sister’s mouth is full of ‘The Golden and Jade Romance,’ all about romance and love…” She shook her head. “It’s not that I love wagging my tongue, but Third Sister is already thirteen years old this year… Unlike those of us who are still young, you must be careful with your words—disasters emerge from careless mouths.”

Sixth Miss pressed her face against the table, her face flushed red as giggles escaped her mouth one after another.

Third Miss was approaching matchmaking age while Seventh Miss was only seven years old—who loved reading such romantic storybooks was obvious at a glance.

Fourth Miss looked coldly at Seventh Miss, then glared at her own older sister.

“Everyone stop talking!” Her tone was stiff and cold. “Are we here to do needlework or wag our tongues? If you must learn something, why learn from those gossip-mongering old women!”

“Exactly!” Seventh Miss immediately chimed in. “People who don’t know might wonder what kind of place this is! All sorts of catching wind and shadow, spreading falsehoods—it can all be brought to Zhuying Pavilion to discuss.”

Sixth Miss’s laughter grew louder.

When it came to wagging tongues, no one could match Third Miss. Bailu had only mentioned ‘The Golden and Jade Romance’ at noon, and by afternoon she was using it to mock Seventh Miss.

Third Miss’s face flushed red as tears already swirled in her eyes. Fourth Miss was too angry to speak and slammed the table hard.

“Is that enough!” Embroidery Teacher Huang rebuked sternly.

The room immediately fell silent.

The daughters all rose to apologize to their teacher. The Yang household greatly respected teachers and learning—no one dared put on young lady airs before Embroidery Teacher Huang.

Embroidery Teacher Huang didn’t scold them further, and everyone sat back down to begin embroidering.

Sixth Miss wiped away tears of laughter while quickly and accurately stitching the bright red gold-trimmed Su velvet before her.

“Second Elder Sister will soon leave to marry. I want to make her a sachet,” she whispered to Seventh Miss.

Seventh Miss’s heart stirred.

Though Sixth Miss usually seemed carefree, her actions actually followed clear patterns.

Second Miss wasn’t particularly popular among the sisters and wasn’t as close to Fifth Miss as Third Miss and Fourth Miss were, but she was the Grand Madam’s treasure.

By giving her a sachet, Sixth Miss both pleased Second Miss and made a good showing before the Grand Madam.

Seventh Miss pondered for a moment, then abandoned the thought of imitating her.

Sixth Miss currying favor with Second Miss was Sixth Miss’s business. As a concubine-born daughter who hadn’t lived in the main courtyard, she always needed to find ways to show diligence before the Grand Madam.

The connection between her and Ninth Young Master was already enough to make the Grand Madam wary. If she eagerly rushed to get close to Second Miss and Fifth Miss on top of that, it would only make the Grand Madam think her greedy and insatiable—already having Ninth Young Master’s care yet still seeking more backers.

Each person had their own path. However clever Sixth Miss’s approach was, if it didn’t suit her, she couldn’t copy it.

Seventh Miss slowly embroidered a peony flower, her mind wandering in contemplation.

She wondered what Second Madam’s performance would be like on Qingming day?