This was Seventh Miss’s first time attending an internal banquet for the Yang manor’s womenfolk.

She properly sat down behind the small table next to Sixth Miss according to birth order, leaving the seat closest to Second Madam for Second Miss.

Third Miss sat at Second Madam’s right side below, Second Miss sat at Second Madam’s left side below, so Eighth Miss had to sit across from Seventh Miss. In past years Second Madam would sit together with the Grand Madam. With the Grand Madam absent, she generously sat in the横 cross-positioned seat at the head.

The Yang daughters exchanged meaningful glances.

This was the first branch—the Grand Madam had only temporarily left. By rights, the visiting second branch matron should leave an empty seat for the Grand Madam to show that although the Grand Madam was away, she as sister-in-law still respected her.

Every year when the Yang family ate New Year’s Eve dinner, they left a seat beside the Master for Second Master—it was the same principle.

Second Madam also came from a scholarly family—how could she conduct herself so improperly?

After everyone was seated, Nanny Wang and Lichun busied themselves serving dishes. Fourth Concubine entered the main hall from the side hall with a smile, curtsying to Second Madam. “Paying respects to Second Madam.”

Second Madam hurriedly nodded with a smile, her attitude quite warm. “With eldest sister away during this time, you’ve worked hard.”

Fourth Concubine quickly demurred. “I wouldn’t call it hard work—there hasn’t been much to worry about.” She asked again, “Second Madam has little company today. Shall I call for some female storytellers to relieve the boredom?”

The Grand Madam never listened to storytelling in front of the young ladies. With her household duties so busy, she rarely thought of the storytellers the Yang family employed even twice a year. Second Miss’s face showed displeasure, but she said nothing.

Second Madam smiled politely. “No need. I rose early today and am somewhat tired. I thought to finish eating early and rest awhile at Juba Immortals Hall.”

As she spoke, she nodded to Fourth Concubine as if thanking her for the kind thought.

Seventh Miss felt something was amiss.

Reading expressions and observing moods—she was quite skilled at this. In her past life she’d survived over three years in an office with complex interpersonal relationships, managing to please all sides, relying precisely on her solid ability to read people.

Second Madam and Fourth Concubine should have had considerable contact in previous years. When Fourth Concubine managed household affairs years ago, the two families had daily interactions. How could they now seem like strangers? So polite to each other, without a trace of warmth.

Overdoing it made it seem false. Especially someone like Fourth Concubine—she’d show three parts affection upon meeting anyone, and even if Second Madam didn’t take her seriously, she’d still come over to ingratiate herself.

Seventh Miss took note.

Fourth Concubine didn’t say any more polite words and returned to the side hall where the concubines were eating.

Not at all like her usual conduct.

This meal passed without incident. Because Second Madam claimed fatigue, everyone remained silent, merely ate some food in silence, then dispersed. The good idea Seventh Miss had devised played no role since Ninth Young Master wasn’t present.

After eating, Second Madam didn’t leave immediately but indeed went to rest on the beauty couch in Juba Immortals Hall’s inner room, instructing Eighth Miss to follow her sisters to walk around Juba Immortals Hall and digest their food.

Entering the third month, the weather had warmed. No one left—they stood in twos and threes inside and outside Juba Immortals Hall chatting idly and admiring the viburnum flowers.

Seventh Miss and Sixth Miss stood beside the most luxuriant viburnum, discussing embroidery matters in fits and starts. Sixth Miss had already finished making the sachet for Second Miss but felt it was too plain to present, worrying about what to add—sometimes complaining an embroidered screen was too ostentatious, other times that a handkerchief was too delicate. The two discussed back and forth without reaching a conclusion.

Third Miss and Fourth Miss stood distantly by the roadside picking the profusely blooming azaleas. Second Miss had taken Eighth Miss somewhere unknown.

The area around Juba Immortals Hall became quiet. The attending maids and servants had all gone to eat. Those still on duty also stood far from Juba Immortals Hall, laughing and chatting by the roadside—Second Madam liked quiet.

The concubines had left even earlier. Their status was awkward—with Second Madam present they felt very constrained. Better to disperse and each be comfortable.

Seventh Miss then saw a flash of water-red clothing at Juba Immortals Hall’s side door.

Fourth Concubine was wearing a water-red long jacket today.

Sixth Miss chattered on endlessly. Seventh Miss looked at her and smiled awkwardly.

“Sixth Sister, I need to use the washroom,” she said softly, somewhat embarrassed.

Sixth Miss laughed. “What’s there to be embarrassed about?” She didn’t offer to accompany Seventh Miss though.

Seventh Miss called Bailu and together they entered the washroom in the east side hall of Juba Immortals Hall.

Faintly, she could hear Second Madam’s voice coming from the back hall.

Seventh Miss pricked up her ears but couldn’t hear clearly. She whispered to Bailu, “Help me climb out the window!”

Behind the washroom was a large cluster of viburnum blocking prying eyes. Climbing out the window, she could circle around to the back hall window and listen to what Second Madam and Fourth Concubine were discussing.

If it were only Fourth Concubine, Seventh Miss would naturally be happy to watch tigers fight from the mountain, but now the Grand Madam wasn’t here… and Second Madam’s thoughts were entirely focused on Ninth Young Master alone.

She had to hear what Second Madam and Fourth Concubine were actually discussing!

Bailu’s face went white as a sheet. She looked at Seventh Miss hesitantly without speaking.

Seventh Miss gazed back at her calmly.

Whether Bailu could become her confidante would be decided in this moment.

She had no time to explain the causes and consequences, nor did she want to… If Bailu’s heart still leaned toward the Grand Madam and didn’t take her as a mistress seriously, she probably wouldn’t help with such unconventional, improper matters.

But if Bailu had her in her heart, that was different. Which woman surviving in a grand household didn’t have some unsavory matters in private? Never mind climbing out windows to eavesdrop—there were times when people crawled on the ground!

Hesitation flashed across Bailu’s face. She looked at Seventh Miss’s composed expression, bit her lip, and made a decisive choice. “I’ll go for you! You wait here!”

Seventh Miss relaxed all at once, her heart softening.

Bailu ultimately sided with her.

“You’re too tall,” she said with a smile. “It’s fine. When I was in the Northwest, I was wilder than this!” During their time in the Northwest, on the limited occasions she could gather with Yang family village relatives, the children would climb trees and roofs and the adults thought nothing of it. Though Seventh Miss couldn’t claim to be particularly agile, climbing through Juba Immortals Hall’s low window wasn’t difficult.

Bailu helped Seventh Miss climb out the window.

Her small figure was concealed by the viburnum cluster. Even someone as attentive as Bailu could only faintly see the top of her head.

Seventh Miss quickly flashed to beneath the back hall window.

This side of Juba Immortals Hall backed onto artificial mountains, surrounded by viburnum flowers. Ordinarily no one would come here when there was nothing happening.

Perhaps because of this, the window was only pushed closed, not shut tight. Faint voices drifted out through the window crack.

Fourth Concubine seemed quite reflective. “That may be so, but who knows what their household’s actual situation is. Last time at the Jin household I chatted with their thirteenth concubine, who only said that although their madam hasn’t managed affairs in recent years, things have actually become more chaotic. The newly elevated steward concubines aren’t very capable.”

Second Madam seemed somewhat displeased. “That’s what you say, but he’s still a Provincial Administration Commissioner! If you’re still not satisfied, I have nothing more to say. Let’s see how elder sister-in-law arranges things.”

Seventh Miss found it rather uninteresting: they were definitely discussing Third Miss’s marriage prospects.

Jiangsu Provincial Administration Commissioner Li Wenqing had been the Master’s long-time subordinate. The Master governed the three provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Fujian with busy military and administrative affairs. Li Wenqing managed all the matters in Jiangsu Province that the Master didn’t want to worry about—he was his capable assistant, coming over every few days to talk. Even the Grand Madam showed extra courtesy to Mrs. Li.

It wasn’t strange that the Li family intended to propose Third Miss as a wife for their legitimate son. The Li family differed from the Yang family—they had numerous offspring, having birthed over ten sons. Old Master Li had remarried three times. Legitimate sons ran wild everywhere—it wasn’t unusual at all.

If Third Miss were matched with a legitimate son as principal wife, that person would naturally be satisfied. With the Yang family as backing, when dividing the household assets in the future, openly or secretly, he’d always gain more advantages… On Third Miss’s side, for the sake of Old Master Yang’s face, no one would make things difficult for Third Miss. It could be called a good match.

But Fourth Concubine seemed somewhat hesitant. “Thank you for troubling yourself! It’s just this matter… please allow me to think about it further!”

Second Madam snorted without responding.

Seventh Miss sighed silently. She had no interest whatsoever in Third Miss’s marriage prospects. Though she didn’t like this sister, she wasn’t like the Grand Madam, determined to sabotage Fourth Concubine regarding Third Miss’s marriage… This concerned Third Miss’s entire life.

Fourth Concubine spoke again, her tone much more gentle. “You rarely come once. Go out and walk around, admire the flowers. I’ll take my leave first!”

Second Madam seemed somewhat puzzled. “Leaving so hastily? For us sisters to gather together isn’t easy—that matter you have in hand—”

“If Third Miss can’t secure a good match, how can I have the heart to think of other things?” Fourth Concubine sounded somewhat resentful. “The Grand Madam is about to return. In just these few months, after selecting someone, I still need to work on the Master…”

Second Madam sighed heavily, her tone becoming impatient. “I understand. The Li family—you don’t favor them!”

Fourth Concubine continued speaking, but Seventh Miss had already quietly retreated back outside the washroom, extending her hand for Bailu to pull her back inside. She straightened her wrinkled dress and tidied her hair.

Eavesdropping also required skill.

Even if others didn’t notice, Sixth Miss certainly knew how long she’d been gone.

Using the washroom for half an hour would be a huge joke… Besides, knowing what they were discussing, Seventh Miss had lost interest in continuing to listen.

While talking with Bailu, Seventh Miss exited the washroom.

She happened to run into Shuangjiang from Fourth Concubine’s side.

Both froze.

Seventh Miss recovered first, nodded to Shuangjiang, and turned out of the east side hall, leaving Juba Immortals Hall.

Sixth Miss was sitting on stone stools outside Juba Immortals Hall chatting with Eighth Miss. In the brilliant sunlight, Eighth Miss’s complexion seemed much better. Seeing Seventh Miss, they both came forward together.

Seventh Miss quickly suppressed her thoughts and smiled warmly at Eighth Miss, thanking her for the clothes she’d sent.

Compared to Second Madam, Eighth Miss was much more shy. Second Madam was always warm and amiable with people, generous and dignified, but Eighth Miss only smiled and said there was no need for courtesy before shyly hiding behind Sixth Miss.

The back hall door suddenly opened. Two or three maids came out to fetch water and carry it inside for Second Madam to wash up. Shortly after, Second Madam smiled and chatted with the sisters, then took Eighth Miss’s hand and left Juba Immortals Hall. Nanny Wang and Fourth Concubine emerged from somewhere, escorting her out of Baifang Garden on either side.

Everyone then returned to their rooms to rest.

When Seventh Miss returned to the west side courtyard, Ninth Young Master had already taken a nap. Xiaoxue was busy inside and out attending to his washing. Lichun and Nanny Wang hurried over to fawn. Seventh Miss took Bailu into the east inner room.

The few sentences she’d heard at Juba Immortals Hall still lingered in her mind, refusing to dissipate.

Fourth Concubine’s words always held profound meaning, and this time was no exception. The few sentences she’d exchanged with Second Madam—the more Seventh Miss pondered them, the more she felt something was wrong.

For two people to join forces, there must be some common goal or interests that could be exchanged.

Judging from Fourth Concubine’s tone, she wanted to find a satisfactory family within these five months, have Second Madam act as matchmaker, then work on the Master herself, so that by the time the Grand Madam returned, the rice would be cooked. No matter how angry the Grand Madam was, there would be no recourse.

The plan was good, but why would Second Madam help Fourth Concubine with this favor? Arranging Third Miss’s marriage would definitely offend the Grand Madam.

She had nothing she needed from Fourth Concubine. Ever since Fourth Concubine was removed from the household management position by the Grand Madam years ago, she’d relied entirely on the Master’s favor to maintain her dignity—nothing like her commanding presence when managing the household.

Could it be that Fourth Concubine held some leverage over Second Madam?

Second Madam had wanted to scheme against Ninth Young Master for so many years. If she wasn’t careful in her actions, having some leverage fall into Fourth Concubine’s hands wasn’t impossible.

What kind of leverage would make Second Madam work so hard for Fourth Concubine?

Seventh Miss thought for a long time without figuring it out. Fourth Concubine’s actions always contained infinite depth beneath a light touch.

Take one step and watch the next! She set the matter aside.

Whatever Second Madam wanted to do, as long as Third Miss’s marriage was truly arranged, she wouldn’t fear not knowing.

Whatever Fourth Concubine wanted to do would surely show signs. Though she was favored, she couldn’t cover the sky with one hand. Even with the Grand Madam away, Nanny Wang and Lichun could still contend with her. As long as she could protect Ninth Young Master, other matters weren’t hers to manage.

Seventh Miss set this matter aside and invited Lichun to the east inner room to chat for quite a while, obliquely inquiring about Ninth Young Master’s situation.

Though Ninth Young Master was the Master’s only son, the Grand Madam kept him on a tight leash and he rarely went to the outer courtyard. Following the Master to eat in the outer courtyard was a novel experience for him.

Reportedly the Master had asked Ninth Young Master some things from books. Ninth Young Master answered some and couldn’t answer others. The Master said nothing, and after eating let Ninth Young Master return to rest.

The Master had ranked third in the imperial examinations that year and always valued his children’s education highly. Among his children, those he especially doted on—Second Miss and Third Miss—were both diligent in their studies. Though Fifth Miss was also a legitimate daughter, because she’d never much liked reading, the Master regarded her somewhat less.

Though Ninth Young Master was currently the only son with all favor concentrated on him, if he had a younger brother in the future, he’d probably need to apply himself more to his studies.

Seventh Miss’s thoughts turned to Eighth Concubine’s pregnancy.

This Qingming ancestral worship, Eighth Concubine hadn’t even participated, resting in her Qilixiang residence. These past days she’d called for physicians several times and had Dahan ask Lichun’s permission to send Dahan to worship at Hanshan Temple to pray for blessings for the child in her belly.

Lichun naturally wouldn’t be the villain. Fourth Concubine not only agreed but personally took Dahan to Hanshan Temple. Who knew where else they’d stopped along the way.

Perhaps Eighth Concubine unintentionally paved the way for Fourth Concubine, but true masters could always use every opportunity to achieve their goals while currying favor with superiors. When the Master learned Fourth Concubine was so attentive to Eighth Concubine, he went to Xikeiang and sat for quite a while.

Seventh Miss had a premonition that in the coming months, Fourth Concubine would frequently go out.