On the morning of the first day of the second month, Seventh Miss was carefully awakened by Lixia.

This girl was too afraid of Xu Fengjia. She actually went around the headboard and extended a finger through a gap in the canopy bed to tug at Seventh Miss’s braid. If Seventh Miss weren’t always a light sleeper, she would have been hard to wake.

She opened her eyes, yawned lightly, rubbed her eyes, and after a long while saw Lixia at the bedside smiling apologetically at her.

Truly spoiled and arrogant. Seventh Miss was both annoyed and amused, but had no heart to quibble with Lixia. She blinked again. When the sleepiness receded, she discovered her waist felt very heavy—at some point Xu Fengjia had shifted his entire body to her side, covering more than half of her, wrapped in the brocade quilt, pressing down half the bed curtain, sleeping soundly.

No wonder Lixia didn’t dare pull open the bed curtain to wake her.

Seventh Miss was both annoyed and amused. She struggled, wanting to get out of bed quietly, but the moment she moved, Xu Fengjia woke.

His awakening was very swift, without the usual confusion. Almost the instant he opened his eyes, he was already sitting halfway up, stretching with full vigor.

“What time is it?” Though his words still carried a somewhat languid tone.

He usually spoke standard Mandarin without any regional accent. Only at times like this would he drag out a lazy Beijing accent, particularly displaying the style of a young rake. Just this one question scared Lixia into retreating several steps, respectfully answering from outside the curtain, “The chiming clock just struck four.”

Xu Fengjia responded lazily. Seeing Seventh Miss preparing to get up and climb down from the bed, he intercepted her with one hand, asking, “Leaving so early?”

Seventh Miss was stunned. Just as she was about to respond, she suddenly became aware of something beneath her waist… that shouldn’t have been so alert.

Her face immediately flushed crimson. In a few swift movements she broke free of Xu Fengjia’s grasp, slid off the bed and scolded him, “Didn’t we just last night—I don’t care about you!”

“I didn’t ask you to care about me.” Xu Fengjia’s teasing tone followed her off the bed. Seventh Miss couldn’t be bothered with him. She hastily had Lixia and Shangyuan help her put on her inner garments, then changed into an everyday outer robe. After washing up in the bathing chamber, she came out and sat before the glass mirror, hurriedly finishing breakfast while having Qiqiao style her hair. Qiqiao was skilled, especially at creating tall coiffures. As she applied hair oil to Seventh Miss, she told jokes, her voice melodious as an oriole’s, one joke after another, making the room quite lively.

Before long, Xu Fengjia simply got out of bed too. After washing up in the bathing chamber, he naturally had maids come forward to help him dress. He sat brazenly on the kang edge, eating breakfast while watching Seventh Miss put on makeup.

The sky-high coiffures seen in period dramas were novel to watch, but sitting before a glass mirror herself, combing hair oil through her hair, tightening the coiffure until her scalp ached, then inserting ornamental hairpins—that was absolutely no pleasant task. Watching Xu Fengjia’s comfortable manner, Seventh Miss couldn’t help feeling particularly envious, frowning. “Don’t you practice a set of boxing exercises every morning? Why aren’t you practicing today?”

Every morning before eating, Xu Fengjia would practice a set of boxing to loosen his muscles and bones.

Master Xu flashed a toothy smile. “Watching you put on makeup looks more arduous than my boxing practice.”

Before Seventh Miss could respond, Qiqiao laughed first, unable to suppress her amusement. She lowered her head again, picking up an ornamental flower and carefully inserting it at the back of Seventh Miss’s head before standing. “We’ll put on the formal headdress before departure. Madam can do her makeup now.”

Seventh Miss looked at Qiqiao thoughtfully with a slight smile and nodded.

Qiqiao busied herself with the makeup while Zhongyuan assisted. Shangyuan and Lixia prepared the complete set of formal attire for the Heir Apparent’s wife. Before long, two wet nurses carried Fourth Young Master and Fifth Young Master in to pay respects. Mingde Hall was quite lively early in the morning. After half an hour, when the sky was dimly bright, Seventh Miss was fully dressed and went with Xu Fengjia to Leshan Residence to pay respects.

They arrived early today. Only Fifth Young Madam stood in Leshan Residence’s outer hall. She nodded at the Xu Fengjia couple, then swept like a whirlwind into the side room. Through several layers of curtains, her clear and steady voice could still be heard: “Everyone keep watch—as soon as Duke Liangguo’s gifts enter the inner court, we immediately dispatch the carriage.”

“Where’s Zhang Pozi from the small kitchen? The Grand Madam had some indigestion last night. This morning she wants some hawthorn pastries—the sour kind, not sweet ones…”

Seventh Miss explained softly to Xu Fengjia, “Although the steward matrons all come in after eating breakfast, some matters must be assigned early in the morning.”

Xu Fengjia nodded with an ambiguous smile. “Though I left home young, I grew up at Mother’s side.”

Seventh Miss was stunned, realizing she’d judged him by her own measure, treating Xu Fengjia as a guest in the Xu household like herself. She rarely made such mistakes and couldn’t help feeling somewhat embarrassed, blushing without speaking.

Xu Fengjia looked at her with a grin, lowering his voice. “Yang Qi, oh Yang Qi, even you have foolish days?”

When he was about to say more, Seventh Miss, embarrassed and angry, lightly pushed him once, saying angrily, “Quiet, I’m listening to how Fifth Sister-in-law manages the household.”

“Oh my, daring to push me.” Master Xu feigned anger, pinching her nose. “Let’s see if you hear more clearly with your nose pinched.”

Such a grown person, still acting like a child!

Just as Seventh Miss was about to swat away his hand, light footsteps sounded—Fourth Young Madam entered the flower hall.

Seeing the young couple’s intimacy, her eyes contracted. For an instant, she revealed a desolation remarkably similar to First Young Madam’s yesterday.

This time, without Seventh Miss needing to swat, Xu Fengjia himself felt somewhat embarrassed. He sheepishly released his hand, eyes looking at nose, nose at heart. He coughed lightly and just drank tea without speaking.

After paying respects to the Grand Madam, then going through the motions before Lady Xu, Seventh Miss, escorted by two old nannies and a crowd of attendants, boarded a carriage and left the Xu household. They went straight out through Chongwen Gate Inner Street, along Anding Gate Boulevard, around the back of the Imperial City to the entrance of Marquis Dingguo’s mansion in Mingyu Ward’s Stone Tablet Alley to meet Second Miss.

Second Miss had also dressed formally according to her rank and changed into ceremonial robes. Seventh Miss only went in to pay respects to the Grand Madam once before exiting Marquis Dingguo’s mansion one after another with Second Miss. She took out her pocket watch to check—even at this time, it was barely past seven in the morning.

What followed was a long series of tedious rituals. The Empress’s birthday was a major event in the rear palace. Though not as elaborate as the Longevity Festival, titled ladies from the capital entering the palace by rank to offer congratulations still had to follow protocol. Because the Grand Madam was nearly seventy and Lady Xu was in poor health, Seventh Miss alone represented the Xu family, surrounded by the matriarchs of first and second rank households—all quite advanced in age. Occasionally one or two young daughters-in-law appeared, but they only flashed past the edge of her vision.

She followed beside Second Miss. Everyone was naturally courteous to her. Some old acquaintances exchanged pleasantries, while new acquaintances nodded in greeting. Since they were waiting in a side hall of Kunning Palace, no one dared talk and laugh freely. Everything was indeed as First Young Madam said—proceeding according to routine. Seventh Miss waited throughout until the Empress ascended the hall, everyone filed into the hall in succession, kowtowed to wish the Empress a blessed birthday, then sat cross-legged on the floor to solemnly appreciate the refined musical dance performance of “In clouded imperial city, twin phoenix towers; in rainy spring trees, ten thousand homes.” They received the palace banquet bestowed by the Empress, then rose to congratulate the Empress with “ten thousand years,” before filing out in succession. Thus concluded this grand performance.

Second Miss and Seventh Miss sat briefly in the side hall. The various titled ladies departed in small groups. Only a few were invited by the Empress Dowager and various dowager consorts to speak. Before long, two palace attendants came in to invite Second Miss and Seventh Miss: “Would the two madams please proceed to the rear hall for conversation.”

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Seventh Miss had met the Empress before—an amiable young married woman five or six years older than Seventh Miss, currently twenty-three or twenty-four. Her face was somewhat round, appearing thoroughly genial. Though wearing the Empress’s ceremonial robes, she still didn’t inspire awe.

Though previously she’d only performed the routine obeisance with the crowd without private contact with the Empress, the Empress remained very amiable toward Seventh Miss. Before Seventh Miss could pay respects again, she smiled and exempted her. “Getting up and kneeling down—half the day already. I have no patience for this.”

She smiled while carefully examining Seventh Miss. “Compared to Consort Ning, you look more delicate, but also a beauty! Just not as charming and naive as Consort Ning!”

Second Miss laughed. “Our Yang family already sent our most beautiful Sixth Daughter into the palace—we dare not hold anything back!”

She seemed to have a good relationship with the Empress, speaking with considerable freedom, even telling jokes rarely.

The Empress immediately smiled. “Elder Sister-in-law is in high spirits today. How long has it been since I heard you tell jokes?”

She was also courteous with Seventh Miss. “Don’t be constrained. I’m most easygoing and get along well with both your sisters. Just treat me as a sister—there’s nothing wrong with that.”

The words were thus, but how could Seventh Miss take them seriously? Naturally she was very careful, accompanying Second Miss in conversing with the Empress for a few sentences—but Second Miss and the Empress talked animatedly while she didn’t rashly interject. In the end she just played companion for half the day.

The Empress was quite satisfied with Seventh Miss’s prudence. After carefully inquiring about the old madam, brothers and sisters, and asking in detail about the married sisters’ lives and the family estates’ harvests, she invited the two to stay for lunch.

“Invite Consort Ning as well!” She instructed the female official beside her. “This child—her sister rarely visits, yet she’s still too shy? Just hiding away and not coming to see me! She came this morning for a brief appearance, then disappeared to who knows where!”

Just hearing the Empress’s tone when mentioning Consort Ning, one knew that at least on the surface, their relationship was quite warm.

Rustling sounds came from outside. In a moment, Sixth Miss entered the room with a grin. “Your Majesty summoned me? What a coincidence, I was just thinking of Your Majesty!”

Seventh Miss’s eyes immediately brightened.

Previously in Jiangnan, Baifang Garden was full of fresh beauties. Though Sixth Miss was lovely, dwelling in a fragrant orchid room one doesn’t notice the scent. After Seventh Miss came to the capital, surrounded by tall and robust northern girls, the romantic and spirited quality from Jiangnan that Sixth Miss possessed became particularly striking. Upon entering the room, she outshone all the other women.

The Empress was indeed quite ordinary-looking, at most moderately attractive. Before Sixth Miss, she’d have to kneel to find her self-respect. Yet watching Sixth Miss’s smiling appearance, she showed not a trace of jealousy.

Watching this, Seventh Miss felt the Empress was truly no simple character either.

“Sixth Sister!” She stood up with a smile to greet her, temporarily putting away her thoughts, just immersing herself in the joy of reuniting with Sixth Miss.

Counting up, since the sisters parted that year, they hadn’t seen each other in two or three years. Communication was inconvenient in ancient times, and Sixth Miss was in the palace—only now could they finally communicate.

Sixth Miss was nineteen this year, at the age when beauty first blossoms. The spiritual air between her brows could practically scatter forth. She also possessed an indescribable charming naivety. A daughter this beautiful could indeed only find her place in the imperial court.

As Seventh Miss examined her features, she was slightly stunned.

She was an experienced person now. This past half month, when looking in the mirror, though she didn’t sigh aloud, she knew that for young women, whether or not one had experienced intimacy made an obvious difference. A young woman who had experienced intimacy would naturally have a lustrous flowing quality between her brows, and her bearing in all aspects would have more charm.

But though Sixth Miss was beautiful, this beauty still belonged to a maiden’s, clearly different from the temperament of Second Miss and the Empress.

“Finally I see Seventh Sister!” Sixth Miss spoke joyfully, actually embracing Seventh Miss and spinning her in a circle before releasing her hands.

Both the Empress and Second Miss laughed. “This Consort Ning—the older she gets, the more innocent she becomes!”

Seventh Miss also felt somewhat dizzy. Though she and Sixth Miss had been close before, they rarely had such improper behavior.

Moreover, Sixth Miss had never been the type to lose her head from joy to the point of impropriety before others.

“Your Majesty is teasing me!” Sixth Miss immediately pouted in protest. “Even Your Majesty teases me—Consort Ning won’t survive.”

She immediately made the Empress laugh until she swayed back and forth. “You little ray of sunshine!”

Thus lunch was set in the rear hall of Kunning Palace. Everyone sat facing each other to finish the meal. Sixth Miss cast Seventh Miss a meaningful glance and smiled. “Your Majesty, the Dowager Consort will come asking for her shortly. Why don’t you send her to my Chongkang Palace? I haven’t seen Seventh Sister in so long—I have so much to tell her!”

“Oh?” The Empress teased her. “Don’t want your Second Sister anymore?”

Sixth Miss lowered her head, stammering, “Second Sister enters the palace all the time…”

Kunning Palace erupted in laughter again. The Empress stroked her chest while waving her hand. “Go, go, little ray of sunshine. Have a good talk with your sister. You needn’t come for evening attendance tonight. Come keep me company tomorrow!”

Sixth Miss was immediately overjoyed. She paid respects to the Empress before pulling Seventh Miss out of Kunning Palace.

A small warm palanquin was already prepared outside Kunning Palace. The two boarded in succession. Following the long street for about a hundred paces, turning several corners, Seventh Miss felt the palanquin sway slightly—Chongkang Palace must have arrived.

The two sisters entered Chongkang Palace hand in hand. Sixth Miss smiled and instructed several palace attendants, “The palanquin bearers came out in such cold—reward them with a bowl of warm wine. Seventh Sister and I will talk in the eastern warm chamber. After you bring tea, withdraw!”

The several palace attendants immediately responded with smiles, ushering Seventh Miss up to sit on the warm kang. Seeing her rubbing her knees, they found a back-scratcher to massage Seventh Miss. When Sixth Miss removed her outer garments and entered the warm chamber, they closed the glass door, lowered the outer curtain, giving the two sisters a small private room.

Sixth Miss immediately dropped her smile, revealing a face full of weariness. She tiredly rubbed her forehead, then collapsed on the kang, sighing deeply.

“My cheeks hurt from smiling!”

Seventh Miss immediately felt relieved—behind this brand-new mask, Sixth Miss was still that Sixth Miss after all.