Time flowed like water, swiftly washing over the riverside stones, quietly carrying away the first year of Chengping, leaving everyone with only a hazy silhouette.

Major events occurred frequently at court. From the fifth month onward, there were constant upheavals with not a single day of peace. The harvests in Guangdong and Guangxi had been poor for consecutive years, and the two provinces had to support the navy drilling southward. The local customs had always been fierce, and no one knew who started it—throughout the entire first year of Chengping, uprisings rose and fell endlessly without rest. Fortunately, General Zhaowei Xu Fengjia deployed troops everywhere, and by year’s end, he finally managed to barely suppress the situation, preventing it from becoming completely unmanageable.

The capital was not peaceful either. Since the sixth month when the new Grand Secretary Yang Haidong submitted a memorial requesting the implementation of the land-poll tax consolidation policy to reform the tax system, the Cabinet had never been quiet again. The Emperor’s attitude was ambiguous—neither approving nor rejecting. This memorial was retained without response, leaving behind mad arguments between Grand Secretary Jiao and Grand Secretary Yang—if not for Grand Secretary Jiao’s advanced age, bloodshed nearly broke out in the Wenyuan Pavilion several times. This wasn’t without precedent—in the previous dynasty, there had been several group brawls in the Huagai Palace!

The two sides attacked each other, naturally seizing on each other’s weaknesses. The Censorate was unprecedentedly busy. Led by the Yang family, the Xu family, Qin family, and Sun family—all were households with powerful backgrounds and deep foundations. Grand Secretary Jiao was no easy lamp to light either, having been Chief Grand Secretary for many years with high virtue and prestige… Though the Emperor maintained silence throughout, this great drama of the first year of Chengping was performed lively from mid-year to year’s end without any sign of stopping.

Rather than endless disputes over tax policy, discerning people could all taste the flavor beneath this conflict—this Grand Master of the Yang family had always had smooth career advancement. Starting as a Hanlin scholar, he rose rapidly, becoming the Administration Commissioner of Jiangsu in just a few years, then moving up to serve as Governor-General of Jiangnan for over ten years. Now with the new reign, he was summoned into the Cabinet…

The Emperor’s meaning couldn’t be clearer—Yang Haidong was the next Chief Grand Secretary in his eyes! Letting him contend with Grand Secretary Jiao was probably to test his capabilities.

Achieving such success in his early fifties, while Grand Secretary Jiao was already ancient, having reached the age to request retirement…

Perhaps also due to these undercurrents, though the Yang family fought fiercely with the Jiao family, in the capital they actually became increasingly well-connected. The Grand Madam had just completed one year of mourning when female relatives began visiting more and more frequently. Invitations flew into the Yang residence’s gatehouse like snowflakes. But the Grand Madam almost never went out to socialize, spending all day in a small Buddhist hall newly established in the main courtyard chanting sutras, showing some intention of withdrawing from worldly affairs. Unless the Grand Master gave the word, she almost never stepped outside. Only when she went monthly to Dingguo Marquis Residence and Minister Qin’s residence to visit her several grandsons could she rarely show a few threads of smile.

The second year of Chengping’s New Year was much livelier for the Yang family. On the morning of New Year’s Day, the Xu family sent several concubine-born sons to pay respects and greet the Grand Master. Together with the three young masters from the second branch, two or three examination candidates from the northwestern main family who came to the capital to prepare for the spring examinations, and so on—all came to pay New Year respects. The Grand Master and Ninth Brother were also in high spirits, joking with the men in the outer courtyard.

The inner courtyard was more desolate. Apart from Eldest Sister-in-law Min paying the customary New Year visit, there were no other female relatives visiting. The Grand Madam was preoccupied with reciting the *Lotus Sutra* one hundred eighty times. After exchanging a few auspicious words with Eldest Sister-in-law Min, she had Seventh Miss receive guests and retreated into the Buddhist hall herself. Seventh Miss simply invited Eldest Sister-in-law Min to her own small courtyard to talk.

Eldest Sister-in-law Min had spent years at her natal family serving her frequently ill mother, so this past year she rarely had opportunities to visit. Entering the inner courtyard, she first examined Seventh Miss carefully, then swept her eyes over the room’s furnishings and couldn’t help but smile slightly.

“A grown young lady now.” Though her age wasn’t great either, her tone was quite old-fashioned. “It’s not even past the second month yet—why is the courtyard already filled with trunks and boxes?”

This was teasing Seventh Miss about already eagerly preparing her dowry.

Yet Seventh Miss’s face showed none of the usual shyness of young ladies. “Did Elder Sister-in-law forget? After the Lantern Festival, we’re moving to the new house.”

Only then did Eldest Sister-in-law Min remember: with Ninth Brother coming to the capital, even the Grand Master couldn’t endure this three-courtyard small residence anymore. Before the year’s end, he had purchased a large mansion with a garden near the Confucian Temple in Chongjing Ward. It had already been cleaned and prepared—after the Lantern Festival, they would move.

She couldn’t help but laugh at herself in embarrassment, making a self-deprecating remark. “The family has been terribly busy lately—I misspoke.”

Then she took Seventh Miss’s hand and asked, “But you must be aware in your heart—the Xu family isn’t an ordinary household. If the dowry isn’t impressive, you won’t be able to control the situation… Has your aunt said anything?”

Though the two rarely met, Eldest Sister-in-law Min’s attitude toward Seventh Miss had never been distant, always carrying three parts heartfelt sincerity.

Seventh Miss smiled faintly. “Fifth Sister’s first death anniversary hasn’t even passed yet. Mother hasn’t mentioned this matter.”

After his wife’s death, Xu Fengjia had to observe one year of mourning in the first degree. As a military general fighting wars, national practice made it impossible for him to actually observe mourning, but the mourning period still existed. Before completing mourning, marriage negotiations naturally couldn’t be discussed. At the very least, they had to wait past this year’s second month before the Xu family would formally come to propose marriage.

But this preparation of dowry—many families began preparing from when daughters were four or five years old… Seventh Miss’s nine months of greater mourning had also passed for a month or two. Both emotionally and logically, the Grand Madam should begin preparing Seventh Miss’s dowry, so that after entering the household in the future, she could suppress sisters-in-law and quickly establish firm footing. Whether managing household affairs or raising two nephews, her confidence would be much stronger.

Eldest Sister-in-law Min wanted to say something. She glanced at Seventh Miss, pursed her lips, then swallowed her words back.

“As long as you’re aware in your heart—but in any case, your aunt won’t shortchange you!”

Eldest Sister-in-law Min’s speech was still this straightforward.

Seventh Miss changed the subject. “Little niece must be five or six months old now? When I saw her last time, she was quite fair and plump. Why didn’t you bring her today?”

Nanyin had given birth to Elder Brother Min’s eldest daughter last June. Now in the second branch she had gained some face, though Eldest Sister-in-law Min managed her strictly. Seventh Miss had only seen her a few times in the second branch’s own residence—she seemed to have gained some noble bearing, taking on the appearance of a concubine in a wealthy family.

Mentioning this daughter under her name, Eldest Sister-in-law Min’s face filled with smiles. “She’s doing well. Last night she stayed up with us for the New Year’s Eve watch until midnight. This morning no matter how we called, she wouldn’t get up, so I let her stay with her birth mother. Before the first birthday, taking a child out is just troublesome.”

Then she chatted with Seventh Miss about a pile of child-rearing experiences. After two or three rounds of tea, seeing it was nearly lunchtime, she tugged at Seventh Miss’s sleeve and lowered her voice to ask, “Do you know when the Heir Apparent will return?”

Though the disturbances in Guangdong and Guangxi showed signs of settling, Xu Fengjia had delayed returning to the capital. He was someone with mourning obligations—strictly speaking, the court still owed him several hundred days of leave. At that time with Fifth Miss’s funeral affairs, he was busy fighting and couldn’t personally preside. But if he couldn’t even make the first death anniversary, it would inevitably be rather inappropriate.

Seventh Miss shook her head. “Not a bit of news—normally we don’t have much contact with the Xu family.”

The Grand Madam’s lingering anger hadn’t dissipated. Though she agreed to the marriage with the Xu family, naturally the two families’ interactions decreased. This past year, they only exchanged courtesies on festivals and holidays. Madam Xu’s health grew increasingly poor. These recent months she had been bedridden with illness and didn’t have much energy to reconcile with the Yang family. Thus though the engagement was set, Seventh Miss remained completely ignorant of Xu Fengjia’s movements.

Eldest Sister-in-law Min became somewhat vexed on Seventh Miss’s behalf. “Ai, this aunt of yours—her heart only holds Fifth Sister…”

Halfway through speaking, she herself found it tasteless and simply stopped, stood up to take her leave. “This year I’ll still go back to eat, to avoid adding trouble for you all.”

Seventh Miss smiled as she saw Eldest Sister-in-law Min off.

From beginning to end, she showed not a trace of anxiety.

#

This past year, the Yang family’s life had actually been quite peaceful. After seeing off Fifth Miss, the Grand Madam plunged herself into the Buddhist hall, seeking comfort in boundless Buddhist teachings. Someone who previously didn’t believe in ghosts and gods at all now believed more devoutly than anyone. Household affairs were mostly handed over to Twelfth Aunt to manage. Normally she rarely even came out to see people, so even Seventh Miss seldom saw her legitimate mother, let alone ordinary household servants.

Fortunately, Shuxia was indeed capable. She served the two great deities inside and out properly and appropriately, and handled everyday matters of firewood, rice, oil, and salt in an orderly fashion. Whether the Grand Madam as main wife managed affairs or not seemed to make little difference. This time when Ninth Brother came to the capital, tidying the house and settling into the new residence—all these trivial matters were managed by Shuxia. Seventh Aunt helped when she had leisure, and when indifferent simply left it alone. It was admirable how she could be thorough inside and out.

After the Lantern Festival, the Yang family was busy moving. The Grand Master didn’t manage anything, and the Grand Madam was a hands-off manager. They had no choice but to borrow Eldest Sister-in-law Min from the second branch to help. With Ninth Brother and others managing outside comprehensively, entering the second month, the Yang family settled into their new residence. However, they had no intention of selling the old residence—an imperially bestowed mansion was the Yang family’s foundation for a hundred years. The Grand Master had already spoken: after Ninth Brother passed the imperial examination and married, when the new daughter-in-law learned to manage the household’s large and small affairs, he and the Grand Madam would move back to Little Shiyong Ward. This mansion was actually prepared for the grandchildren’s generation.

After Fifth Miss’s death, the Yang family betrothed Seventh Miss to Pingguo Ducal Residence. The Gui family and Quan family couldn’t find fault with this—after all, whether Fifth Miss’s pair of young grandsons could safely grow up related to the future relationship between the Yang and Xu families. Both families understood the Yang family’s intention in marrying Seventh Miss there.

The political situation at court was unstable, so the Gui family gradually distanced themselves from the Yang family. Gui Hanchun returned to the capital before long and thereafter had no news. The Quan family quickly found a marriage match for Quan Zhongbai—judging by birth, this Second Young Madam barely qualified as a second wife.

It happened that Ninth Brother passed the provincial examination. The Grand Master discussed with his fellow examination graduates for a long time, then asked the Grand Madam’s opinion, and proposed Quan family’s Fourth Miss Ruiyun as Ninth Brother’s wife. Quan Ruiyun’s status as a legitimate daughter of a renowned family qualified her to match Ninth Brother. Though she was one year older than Ninth Brother, which gave the Grand Madam some criticism, Ninth Brother would be seventeen after the New Year—also of marriageable age. To wait until the Qin family completed mourning to discuss marriage would inevitably be too late. The Grand Master was eager to hold grandchildren and couldn’t wait that long.

The Quan family was rushing to arrange marriage for the Little Divine Physician Quan Zhongbai. Though they had a tacit understanding with the Yang family, marriages always followed birth order. A younger sister shouldn’t precede an older brother. So the date for wedding ceremonies and marriage would probably be after Seventh Miss’s departure.

After the second month entering the third month, the Grand Madam personally found a purple-vested matchmaker to visit, and invited a colleague of Imperial Tutor Qin from years past to serve as chief matchmaker to discuss the marriage.

It was also at this time that the matchmaker sent by the Xu family also arrived. The Grand Madam swept away a year’s coldness and actually personally received the matchmaker, putting on no airs at all. Smiling broadly, she agreed to the marriage. Seventh Miss and Ninth Brother’s marriages were thus both on the agenda, beginning to operate methodically.

High-ranking families’ marriages involved numerous ceremonies. Whether in status or ability, Twelfth Aunt was insufficient to shoulder the main beam. The Grand Madam had eaten vegetarian food for a year and her spirit grew increasingly poor. She had no choice but to borrow Eldest Sister-in-law Min to help frequently. Privately, she couldn’t help but sigh.

“Having many sons is truly advantageous. Look at Da Ge—this year as soon as he passed the provincial exam, he was matched with the Wu family’s Third Miss. Relying on our family’s influence, these several marriages were all arranged quite well! Three brothers all examination candidates—speaking of it is truly glorious. If next year one or two pass the imperial examination, this branch will visibly become illustrious… Unlike our family—to arrange Ninth Brother’s marriage, we still need to find an old miss who’s best able to bear children immediately upon entering the household!”

She complained to Seventh Miss quite rarely.

This past year, the Grand Madam greatly showed intentions of observing mourning for Fifth Miss, living reclusively and devoting herself to Buddhist devotion. Unknowingly, her relationship with Seventh Miss had grown somewhat distant.

Unexpectedly, just after the first death anniversary, she again adopted her previous attitude. Speaking of others’ family affairs, she was very concerned. Yet toward her own family’s daughter-in-law, she was dissatisfied with this and dissatisfied with that—finding fault everywhere.

“Capital people consider daughters precious—keeping them longer isn’t considered unusual.” Seventh Miss felt somewhat awkward: she had also met Ruiyun from the Quan family at the time. Being only one year older than herself, calling Ruiyun an old miss was equivalent to saying Seventh Miss’s age was too advanced.

The Grand Madam’s reactions were much duller than several years ago. Hearing Seventh Miss’s neither soft nor hard response, she still muttered to herself, “Entering the household at eighteen—if there’s no childbirth in another two years, wouldn’t she be over twenty? Keeping her long isn’t this kind of keeping—”

Seeing Eldest Sister-in-law Min frowning deeply and constantly glancing at Seventh Miss, she suddenly realized and hurriedly smiled to smooth things over. “But the Quan family can’t delay either—first the reign change, then several elder brothers’ joyous occasions delaying the younger sister is also normal.”

She then shifted to discussing the dowry list the Quan family sent over.

“Though the Quan family has many children, Madam Quan is still generous to her own daughter.” Even if the Grand Madam still had half a portion of sourness, she had to admit this dowry list was truly impeccable.

“Just this furniture is prepared in excess—how can their young couple’s courtyard hold it all!”

Seventh Miss couldn’t help but purse her lips but didn’t respond. Eldest Sister-in-law Min smiled as she looked at Seventh Miss, then replied to the Grand Madam, “Didn’t Uncle say that Chongjing Ward’s mansion will eventually be for Ninth Brother’s young couple to live in? Madam Quan is probably meticulous, fearing trouble at that time, so she simply prepared all the furnishings for an entire mansion.”

Then she boldly reminded the Grand Madam, “The Quan family’s marriage was only proposed half a month earlier than the Xu family’s. Great Aunt must be aware—in half a month, our family must also send the dowry list to the Xu family!”

Only then did the Grand Madam seem reminded, letting out an “Aiya” and coming to her senses.

“Isn’t that right?” She grasped Seventh Miss’s hand, examining Seventh Miss’s features. “Mother has been busy lately and hasn’t attended to your matter—Little Seven, are you anxious?”

This suspicious aspect of the Grand Madam was truly annoying.

Seventh Miss simply spoke the truth.

“Mother won’t shortchange Little Seven.” Her attitude carried three parts genuine resentment. “Why should Little Seven be anxious?”

It appeared Seventh Miss still harbored some discontent about marrying into the Xu family as this ready-made stepmother.

The Grand Madam was instead very satisfied. She patted Seventh Miss’s hand and smiled. “Little Seven still understands Mother’s heart—those ten shops at Xianxiu Ward were transferred to your name half a year ago, but I always forgot to give you the deed. Additionally, your father is adding several dowry items for you. Tomorrow I’ll write it out for you to examine carefully, then send it to the Xu family!”

Eldest Sister-in-law Min knew well how to flatter. As soon as the Grand Madam finished speaking, she sucked in a sharp breath of air.

“Great Aunt’s generosity is truly grand!”

The Grand Madam’s features couldn’t help but take on some smile. She waved her hand lightly and dismissively. “It’s nothing much.”

Then she grasped Seventh Miss’s hand and dropped the second bombshell. “Your Fifth Sister’s thirteen shops at Xianxiu Ward—though by custom they should be left for Fourth Young Master and Fifth Young Master, the children are still small after all, and the Xu family is wealthy. How could they shortchange them?—I think, for the next fifteen or sixteen years, let these thirteen Xianxiu Ward shops remit their accounts to you!”

Eldest Sister-in-law Min’s sharp intake of breath this time held some genuine feeling.

Xianxiu Ward’s annual income of over a hundred thousand taels carried considerable weight in any city. Though divided by the Grand Madam into three portions, an annual sum of fifty or sixty thousand taels was already enough to make ordinary official families gasp in amazement.

According to the Grand Madam’s meaning, before Fourth Young Master and Fifth Young Master married, the profits from Fifth Miss’s thirteen Xianxiu Ward shops would all belong to Seventh Miss—this compensation was truly not light. At least for the next decade or more, Seventh Miss would have a steady annual income of one hundred thousand taels…

This dowry item alone could be called genuinely magnificent!

Yet Seventh Miss immediately furrowed her brows with some trepidation. “Mother, I—don’t need so much silver!”

The Grand Madam and Eldest Sister-in-law Min immediately exchanged glances and smiled. “Still speaking like a young girl.”

Naturally followed another round of explanation. Seventh Miss declined repeatedly, but the Grand Madam wouldn’t permit it. With Eldest Sister-in-law Min fanning the flames, after such token gestures, Seventh Miss could only accept with shy reluctance.

This performance exhausted all three people. Eldest Sister-in-law Min felt she had already helped Seventh Miss considerably and stood to take her leave, no longer beating the drum for Seventh Miss. Seventh Miss also showed a face full of gratitude and trepidation, standing to bid farewell and returning to the inner courtyard to rest.

She was about to marry out soon and wouldn’t live in her natal family much longer. She hadn’t put effort into tidying this small courtyard—the east and west wing rooms were filled with trunks and boxes. Only the main hall remained refined and tidy, bearing Seventh Miss’s usual aesthetic. Lixia and several other maids were tidying the room. Seeing Seventh Miss return, they all smiled and came forward to greet her. Qiqiao’s cheeks were especially flushed red as she repeatedly described to Seventh Miss, “Such large coral landscape ornaments… truly rare in the world!”

She spoke of the pair of coral, gold, and jade landscape ornaments the Xu family sent Seventh Miss to “anchor the dowry chest.”

Seventh Miss merely dismissed it with a smile, then entered the room and sat alone at the table lost in thought. After thinking for quite a while, she called Lixia. “Bring the writing implements.”

She personally took up the brush to write a letter, handed it to Lixia, and whispered instructions. “Tomorrow ask Uncle Zhou to deliver it to Anfu Ward. Though Cousin hasn’t returned yet, but… showing it to Aunt is the same.”

Feng Jin had been frantically busy for consecutive years. Like Xu Fengjia, he was nowhere to be seen. Only last year mid-year did he return to the capital. Learning indirectly that Seventh Miss was safe and content, he again had no news, apparently leaving the capital again.

Lixia’s expression stirred. She received the letter and carefully stored it in her bosom. Seventh Miss asked her again, “Have you set your eyes on anyone… If he’s from our household, speak early so I can request him from Madam.”

This immediately caused Lixia’s face to flush bright red. This maid with plain features and simple clothing hesitated for a moment, then softly spoke a name. “If Madam won’t release him… Miss needn’t feel troubled.”

“Madam will definitely release him.” Seventh Miss smiled as she interrupted Lixia’s confession.

Just as she was about to say more, Nanny Liang’s laughter already transmitted from outside. “Madam sent me to deliver the pear blossom cakes newly bestowed from the palace… And here are several medicinal ingredients mentioned in the tranquility prescription Young Master Quan prescribed. When Miss finishes them, just tell me…”

Compared to usual, her laughter was slightly more high-pitched, revealing fine tension.

Seventh Miss’s heart stirred.

She immediately thought of the Grand Madam’s promise today.

She smiled as she instructed Lixia, “Thank Nanny Liang on my behalf. I won’t go out.”

After dismissing Nanny Liang, she selected a piece of pear blossom cake and a small package of medicinal ingredients, signaling Lixia to store them well. “Find a physician to taste them—see if anything was added or removed…”

Lixia’s expression became serious. She solemnly agreed in a low voice.

After five or six days, she requested leave to visit relatives and brought back two reply letters for Seventh Miss.

Seventh Miss read while smiling.

After another three months or more, Xu Fengjia finally set out to return to the capital. The Xu family and Yang family negotiated and settled—the wedding date was set for the third day of the ninth month. Two months later on the third day of the eleventh month, they would hold the joyous occasion for the Yang family and Quan family.