Madam Xu pondered for a long while before summoning a maid beside her with instructions: “Go to the Duke and pass a message—ask him to come when he has time… There are many matters I need to discuss with him.”

She then dismissed Seventh Miss: “You’ve thought carefully. You’re tired today—go back and rest.”

Seventh Miss didn’t move.

In the past, when she was by the Grand Madam’s side, she was too lazy to think about many things. After all, once she married out, she wouldn’t have to endure the Grand Madam anymore.

But the relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law was different. Though Madam Xu was frequently ill, she was only just past fifty. If she lived a bit longer and made it another twenty years, Seventh Miss would have to serve her for twenty years. If they couldn’t speak openly from the start, conflicts would certainly pile up later.

Though she was quite skilled at intrigue, she didn’t want to play mind games with her mother-in-law.

“The heir is my husband, after all.” Her words revealed some grievance. “Even Fifth Sister-in-law knows about the heir’s assignment…”

Madam Xu seemed to only then notice Seventh Miss’s dissatisfaction.

She immediately fell silent. After quite some time, she sighed.

“Xiao Qi is a clever person.” Madam Xu’s words held weariness, yet were also candid. “There’s no need to spell everything out… Many matters should be told to you by Fengjia himself. If he doesn’t say, he has his reasons.”

Seventh Miss immediately pressed her lips together tightly.

It was almost laughable. Over these years, though she had always been careful and cautious before the Grand Madam, she felt far less constrained when speaking with Madam Xu. Yet this tactful explanation from Madam Xu gave Seventh Miss a wounded feeling.

But she had to admit Madam Xu had a point.

For many things, the in-laws’ favor alone wasn’t enough. No matter how much the in-laws liked the new daughter-in-law, it was only a general appreciation that could never surpass the affection of their own son.

Xu Fengjia leaving for Guangzhou the day after the wedding was truly a major obstacle. This matter had hindered Fifth Miss from establishing her footing in the Xu family, and it equally hindered Seventh Miss’s development in the Xu family.

Perhaps Madam Xu would fully support her taking over household management, but topics like Xu Fengjia’s secret mission—she wouldn’t easily discuss these with her. It was like an entry invitation. No matter how much Madam Xu liked her, this invitation had to be issued by Xu Fengjia.

She didn’t let her wounded expression surface, instead straightening her spine.

“The details needn’t be mentioned.” She smiled slightly. “I just want to know whether the heir can return safely from this trip.”

Madam Xu’s gaze turned to Seventh Miss’s face, as if searching her expression, probing her thoughts.

“Fengjia is a man, after all.” Her words surged with deep weariness again. “To lead the Xu family forward, he must do even dangerous things. This trip to Guangzhou—if he’s lucky, he can return completely unharmed. However, it is after all a risky and difficult undertaking. We women of the inner quarters can only pray in our hearts and hope for his safe return.”

Saying this was the same as saying nothing…

Seventh Miss suppressed a helpless sigh and could only rise to take her leave: “Mother is right. I’ll go back now to pray and hope the heir returns soon.”

Though not without sarcasm, these words she spoke quite willingly.

Madam Xu looked at her with a smile but didn’t respond.

As Seventh Miss rose to leave, she absent-mindedly pondered Fifth Young Madam.

Fifth Young Madam’s move was indeed brilliant. Even though Seventh Miss clearly knew her intention, she still took the bait.

#

Early the next morning, Seventh Miss dressed up again and reported to her two superiors that she was returning to the Yang family to meet the new bride.

This was capital custom. The new bride’s family recognition was also a good day for aunts to return home. If Imperial Consort Xu, the Xu family’s only aunt, weren’t restricted from leaving the palace, and if Xu Fengjia had unmarried sisters, the family recognition day would naturally be even livelier.

Neither elder had any intention of making things difficult. Grand Madam Ni only made a few bland remarks before sending Seventh Miss to pay respects at Qingping Courtyard.

When Seventh Miss paid attention to Fifth Young Madam, she found Fifth Young Madam’s expression still as water, with no intention of causing trouble at all.

She couldn’t help but feel more irritated: Though her days were currently peaceful, the initiative was always in others’ hands. Until Xu Fengjia returned and they consummated the marriage, she couldn’t legitimately take charge of household management as the heir’s wife.

Throughout the journey, Seventh Miss rarely showed irritation, her face gloomy. Even when Lixia tried to tease her several times, she didn’t respond.

Watching this, Lixia sighed somewhat.

Over these years by Seventh Miss’s side, even during the most difficult years, she had rarely seen Seventh Miss display her emotions so openly.

Yet after meeting with Nanny Liang, shadows repeatedly appeared in her expression…

She wanted to comfort Seventh Miss with a few words, but when the words reached her lips, she swallowed them back.

No one could have everything go smoothly at all times. Even with all Seventh Miss’s schemes and calculations, countless vexing matters awaited her resolution.

Right and wrong—many times these couldn’t be clearly explained with mere words.

The Yang family had many people the previous day. Seventh Miss had only chatted with the Grand Madam briefly before helping to receive guests. With the auspicious hour being late, she hadn’t managed to attend the bridal chamber teasing, so only today did she finally meet the eldest Miss Quan.

Compared to one or two years ago, Quan Ruiyun had clearly matured more transcendently. Next to Ninth Brother, she truly had the bearing of an older sister. Her movements originally resembled Quan Zhongbai somewhat—ethereal and unworldly, quite detached from mortal concerns. But after the wedding night, her face unexpectedly bore a layer of radiance, delicate and charming. Both Second Miss and Seventh Miss couldn’t help but look a few extra times before accepting the new bride’s gifts and each giving meeting gifts in return—all capital customs.

No matter what, Madam Xu was Ninth Brother’s aunt. Though her health was poor, she couldn’t fail to show her regard. She rewarded the new Fourth Young Madam and Ninth Brother with a pair of enamel gold pocket watches. Seventh Miss then smilingly slipped a pair of flawless mutton-fat jade bracelets onto Fourth Young Madam’s wrists: “Mother-in-law’s gift is hers, mine is mine.”

Fourth Young Madam only glanced at the bracelets on her wrists before smiling slightly, raising her eyes to thank Seventh Miss frankly: “Elder Sister dotes on me.”

The two understood each other but said nothing more. Fourth Young Madam turned to take her seat. Her movements ultimately showed some stiffness. After walking a few steps, she paused again before slowly sitting down.

Seventh Miss looked at Ninth Brother again. Seeing him constantly glancing at his new bride, she couldn’t help but smile knowingly. Without sitting long, she pulled the Grand Madam aside: “The young couple has much to attend to. Let them go back and rest. We can keep Mother company.”

The Grand Madam looked at Quan Ruiyun and opened her mouth. Just as she was about to speak, Second Miss smiled: “Seventh Sister is right. Since you married, we haven’t seen you!”

So she pulled the Grand Madam into the inner room to talk. Even after entering, they could still hear the Grand Master dismissing Ninth Brother: “You don’t need to attend school these few days. You can keep your wife company, but don’t neglect your studies!”

Though the tone was stern, everyone could hear the expectation within.

The Grand Madam couldn’t help but feel somewhat sour: “Alas, he’s grown up after all. Any time off, and he thinks of accompanying his wife!”

Second Miss and Seventh Miss exchanged glances, both smiling.

“Things in the palace are busy now. The Empress is troubled, and His Majesty also has matters on his mind. When I last entered the palace, I didn’t bring it up. After New Year palace audience, I’ll ask the Empress to receive you for a chat.” Second Miss didn’t follow the Grand Madam’s thread, instead getting straight to the point and discussing palace visits with Seventh Miss.

Seventh Miss felt grateful to Second Miss: “Thanks to Second Sister’s support, both openly and behind the scenes…”

Being able to interact with palace ladies was naturally a valuable asset. However, the Great Qin palace was strictly regulated. Titled ladies rarely had permission to freely enter the palace for audience—only close relatives like Second Miss could frequently enter to see the Empress.

The Grand Madam also remembered to ask Second Miss: “These past few palace visits, have you seen Imperial Concubine Ning?”

“Imperial Concubine Ning has been serving by the Empress’s side recently, so I see her every time. Though she still lacks favor, her days aren’t too difficult.” Second Miss maintained her usual unshakeable calm. “His Majesty is also busy, spending entire nights consulting with ministers on government affairs—this is inevitable during the first years of diligent rule.”

The Grand Madam couldn’t help but sigh: “The Late Emperor was far too lax in governing, causing undercurrents to surge throughout the court with fierce factional struggles. The current Emperor is diligent, but over this past year, the struggles up and down the court have been even fiercer than during the previous reign.”

The Yang and Jiao families had fought evenly these past months. The Grand Madam couldn’t withdraw and hide in leisure—every few days she had to go out for social engagements, working hard behind the scenes for the Grand Master. This exhaustion had added several white hairs at her temples, making her look even more aged.

Second Miss and Seventh Miss exchanged glances, neither picking up this thread.

After all, married daughters were no longer Yang family members. Many times they also had to consider their husband’s family’s position. Giving full support was one thing, but standing unreservedly on the same battle line was another matter entirely.

“Mother needn’t worry. His Majesty knows what he’s doing.” Second Miss vaguely comforted the Grand Madam with a few words. Seeing the Grand Madam growing drowsy, she quickly stepped forward to help her lie down to rest.

The Grand Madam had risen early today. Her eyelids kept closing, yet she still forced herself to stay alert and instruct Second Miss: “Next time you come, bring the young heir too…” Only then did she slowly close her eyes, soon beginning to snore softly.

Second Miss then pulled Seventh Miss along: “Let’s take a walk in the garden!”

This new residence was more spacious than the imperially-granted Grand Scholar’s residence. Though it couldn’t compare to Baifang Garden’s elegant tranquility, it still had a small garden.

“I haven’t asked you yet—are you happy living in the Xu family?” It was the dead of winter. The two simply sat in a small pavilion warming themselves by the fire. Second Miss, characteristically direct, took a sip of tea and straightforwardly expressed concern for Seventh Miss.

She truly resembled Madam Xu in some ways, yet was far more straightforward than Madam Xu.

Seventh Miss couldn’t help but show a sincere smile.

“I haven’t yet thanked Second Sister for speaking on my behalf and bestowing the gold-jade ruyi on my wedding night… With that recognition, the Xu family hasn’t dared to make things too difficult for me.”

Second Miss raised her eyebrows and smiled slightly before saying: “About the gold-jade ruyi—I heard about it. However, the ruyi wasn’t the Empress’s idea. The Empress is filial by nature. At that time, the Sun family hadn’t yet removed mourning, so she remained indifferent to all celebratory events in ministerial households… The ruyi was bestowed by His Majesty’s order through Eunuch Lian—though Imperial Consort Xu didn’t intervene in this matter.”

Since she was willing to actively bring up Imperial Consort Xu, Seventh Miss naturally couldn’t ask for better. Grand Madam Ni had no biological sons her entire life. Duke Pingguo only enjoyed the advantage of being the eldest son, and through brave fighting and accumulated military merit, obtained his current title. But both biological daughters had married well. Imperial Consort Xu had once raised His Majesty—how she was regarded in the palace naturally had great influence on Seventh Miss’s actions.

No one existed in isolation from society, especially in such a narrow upper-class social circle. Many times, connections were more important than individual ability.

“I rarely hear Imperial Consort Xu’s voice in the Xu family.” She told Second Miss candidly. “Palace ladies all seem to keep low profiles…”

“This is only natural. Even the Empress Dowager devotes herself to Buddhism, so Imperial Consort Xu naturally must make a show of it too.” Second Miss wasn’t surprised. “Second Master Niu has done well in Xuande these years. The Empress Dowager is pleased in her heart, so she must appear even more subdued on the surface—after all, she understands His Majesty’s temperament. How could Imperial Consort Xu make any moves at this time?”

It seemed His Majesty didn’t like being manipulated by palace ladies. Therefore, both foster mothers didn’t dare be conspicuous, lest they violate taboos and lose favor instead.

Seventh Miss suddenly grew curious. She very much wanted to know what this highly skilled Emperor was like: climbing step by step from a palace servant’s illegitimate son to his current position. The harem had no voice, the eunuchs had no voice, and even the Cabinet would probably soon have no voice. This person of great talent and bold vision seemed to want to treat the realm as his own canvas, beginning to paint bold and dramatic strokes.

Could she move with the current, riding political waves to seek some small benefit for herself?

Her thoughts drifted far away.

“Imperial Consort Xu keeping a low profile can only be good news for you.” Second Miss’s words broke through Seventh Miss’s reverie again. “Even Imperial Consort Xu must be reasonable… You need to think patiently about how to investigate the case clearly and neatly without leaving openings for criticism. How to take over household management cleanly and completely.”

She seemed not to notice Seventh Miss’s distraction, instead sighing herself: “Alas, being the mistress of a household in the capital—there are truly too many matters to worry about.”

She patted Seventh Miss’s shoulder encouragingly: “If anything comes up, just send someone to tell me. If your elder sister can help, I certainly won’t stand aside.”

Though this promise was brief, the weight it contained warmed Seventh Miss’s heart.

“I’ll still need Second Sister’s guidance.” She smiled and changed the subject. “When will Second Sister also bring the young heir to visit the Xu family, let Fourth Young Master and Fifth Young Master recognize their brother—Fourth and Fifth Young Masters are now settled in Mingde Hall…”

She rambled on, reporting Fourth and Fifth Young Masters’ recent situation to Second Miss. Seeing Second Miss listen attentively, Seventh Miss felt comfortable: There must be give and take—this was the proper way for relatives to interact.

She sat a while longer. Seeing Second Miss ready to leave, she escorted her into the main hall before turning back to find Ninth Brother.

Just entering the courtyard gate, she heard hearty laughter from the bridal chamber. Though faint, it was clearly Ninth Brother’s voice. Indistinctly, there was also a young woman’s voice tinged with playful reproach.

Seventh Miss stood in place, listening for quite some time before smiling at Yuban who came to receive her, saying softly: “Just tell Ninth Brother I’m leaving. Tell him not to forget to study well—nothing else matters. Wait until I’ve left before passing the message, so he doesn’t feel obliged to see me out.”

She then boarded the green-canopied oil carriage with Lixia and the Bailu couple, surrounded front and back, and returned to the Xu family.

On the return journey, Seventh Miss was even more silent. After returning to the Xu family and paying respects to both elders, she casually instructed Steward Xin to arrange accommodations for the Bailu couple before entering the bathing room to wash and change clothes.

Seeing she had matters on her mind, Lixia didn’t dare go far. After eating dinner, she prepared needlework and accompanied Seventh Miss reading under the lamplight.

Outside, the winter wind blew tiles with crisp sounds, and distant water-clock sounds drifted over.

Seventh Miss suddenly set down her book and sighed.

“Lixia.” Her tone rarely showed hesitation.

Lixia quietly raised her eyes to look at Seventh Miss.

“Where do you think the heir is right now?” She seemed to murmur to herself, yet also seemed to be conversing with Lixia. The pages in her hand already had several dog-eared corners.

“Probably in Guangzhou.” Lixia replied softly.

Seventh Miss hummed in acknowledgment, then fell silent again.

After a long while, she let out an almost inaudible breath.

“I was once very glad he went to Guangzhou—I enjoyed the peace.” Seventh Miss’s voice was mosquito-thin. “But now I hope he can return soon, yet also don’t want him to return soon… This person—I wish he would go far away. Alas, I’d rather have married someone else, never caring from the start. That would be cleaner…”

For some reason, Lixia felt somewhat amused.

“Miss is anxious because you care.” She rose to sit beside Seventh Miss. “The heir is your husband. How could you not hope for his early return to the capital for a lifetime together?”

Seventh Miss glanced at Lixia.

Only before Lixia would her eyes resemble two turbulent seas, dark as an approaching storm.

“Have you never been afraid?” She asked softly. “What if—just what if—you open the door, but what comes in isn’t what you wanted…”

“Then Miss simply doesn’t open the door yet.” Lixia seemed rather confused, only following Seventh Miss’s thread: “First see what the heir is—is… what kind of thing he is!”

The room immediately filled with the soft laughter of two young women. Seventh Miss pushed Lixia, annoyed: “Stop joking around. I won’t talk to you anymore!”

She paused, then sighed: “It would be good if he stayed away forever… Alas, it’s better if he returns soon!”

Lixia couldn’t help but smile: This was the first time Seventh Miss had been so incoherent, losing her composure.

“Miss, everything must be judged when it arrives.” Her voice couldn’t help but carry threads of amusement. “I think you truly do hope the heir returns soon. Without the heir’s return, we can’t accomplish anything.”

Seventh Miss seemed to suddenly grasp something: “That’s exactly what I mean!” She gave Lixia a look, then frowned and sighed.

“But I can only think this way. I can only hope he returns safely soon… He said to let me choose. When have I ever had a choice?”

Lixia was suddenly confused, blinking: “Miss, these words—I still have times when I don’t understand Miss’s words, even after all these years.”

Seventh Miss smiled and shook her head: “It’s nothing! Just random thoughts.”

She then asked Lixia with great interest: “When do you want to marry? It’s entirely up to you. After marriage, if the Qian family gives you any trouble, just come find me! Is your dowry ready? Remember to show me the list. I think an April wedding next year would be good—the weather is warm, and you’ll have passed your eighteenth birthday. If you want to wait a few more years and marry after twenty, that’s also up to you…”

The murmured voices in the room gradually faded. At some point, new snow had fallen. The candlelight shining from a corner of Mingde Hall grew increasingly warm. The second year of Chengping drew to a close.

After New Year, news of Xu Fengjia finally arrived.