Seventh Miss had not noticed anything amiss with Xu Fengjia.

This was clearly meant to ensure Seventh Miss’s backing was solid enough, giving her added confidence—Grand Consort Xu was truly a woman of sentiment. Once enlightened with a single word, whether the favor was great or small, she was willing to look after her to this extent.

For a moment, she felt somewhat emotional, developing a trace of subtle gratitude toward Grand Consort Xu. After all, not everyone in this world was completely indifferent.

“Auntie dotes on me,” Seventh Miss said with a smile. “Stewardess Wang has worked hard too!”

She looked at Lixia, who immediately understood. She cordially pulled Stewardess Wang Yide aside to offer a few words of consolation. Shangyuan emerged from the inner room and hurried to slip a red packet into Stewardess Wang Yide’s hand. Stewardess Wang Yide felt it between her fingers and rushed to kneel in thanks. “This servant thanks Young Mistress for the reward.”

She spoke many more flattering words, warmly and tactfully expressing her loyalty before withdrawing from the room.

Only then did Seventh Miss turn around pensively, leaning against the edge of the kang lost in thought.

After a while, feeling Xu Fengjia’s gaze lingering on her face, she finally raised her eyes to look at her husband.

“What?” Seventh Miss asked with a smile. “Do I have flowers on my face?”

Xu Fengjia rarely rolled his eyes at her, his face carrying a trace of gloom. Seeing the maids had changed the tea and withdrawn from the room, he leaned back against the welcoming pillow, his bright eyes fixed on Seventh Miss with a trace of probing in his gaze.

“Why did Auntie suddenly think to reward you?”

This good fortune somehow failed to please His Lordship. His words instead carried a probing tone.

“If Auntie favors me, is that somehow my fault?” Seventh Miss couldn’t help feeling a trace of displeasure as well. She raised her voice. “If you want to ask something, just ask directly. You speak in endless circles when you’re outside, but in my own room, you still want to speak in riddles?”

Master Xu never responded to hardness, only to softness. When Seventh Miss’s attitude hardened, he became even angrier, snorting through his nose before straightening up and lowering his voice.

“For so many years, Auntie never asked or cared about Noble Consort Zhou’s affairs. Yet in the seventh month she suddenly brought up with us wanting to posthumously honor Noble Consort Zhou. Mother and Grandmother advised her that it’s better to avoid trouble, but Auntie insisted on not listening… Now as soon as this matter succeeds, she can’t wait to reward you with such fine things. What am I supposed to think? Even if I don’t think this way, won’t others have such thoughts?”

Seventh Miss was completely stunned.

Suddenly, cold sweat appeared on her forehead.

When she had decided to sell this favor to Grand Consort Xu without telling Xu Fengjia, it was because the incident with Qiqiao had given her the notion that “relying on anyone is not as good as relying on yourself.”

Later, when her relationship with Xu Fengjia had progressed, she felt that if she told Xu Fengjia, this matter would have to go through the Xu family’s upper echelons. If it wasn’t approved, going back to explain to Grand Consort Xu would truly raise suspicions of sowing discord…

A thousand thoughts, one oversight—she had never imagined the Grand Consort would be so enthusiastic. She had already leveraged this favor to make a difficult request, yet the Consort not only readily agreed but also bestowed extra favor to help her establish a firm footing in the Xu family. And with Xu Fengjia’s intelligence, he could naturally see something wrong in her unusual support.

Of course, there was no concrete evidence for this matter. Madam Xu was in poor health, the Grand Madam was elderly—the Xu family’s channel of communication with the Grand Consort was destined to be primarily through her. If she insisted it was only because the Grand Consort liked her very much, no one could confront the Grand Consort directly to verify.

Only…

She looked at Xu Fengjia again.

Under the lamplight, he was studying her expression. The bright glass lamp shade enveloped Seventh Miss within its light, naturally not sparing Xu Fengjia either.

This valiant young man’s face was shrouded in a faint displeasure. This displeasure was completely undisguised, actually achieving what Seventh Miss had just said—”in my own room, no riddles.”

She sighed and lowered her eyes to apologize softly. “It’s my fault. This matter is so significant—no matter what, I should have told you.”

Xu Fengjia immediately fell silent.

Seventh Miss waited a moment but received no reply from him, so she had to raise her eyes to look at him again.

Xu Fengjia’s gaze was like a candle flame in the wind—though still warm, it had dimmed somewhat. His eyes merely brushed lightly against Seventh Miss’s before turning away to look elsewhere.

Seventh Miss bit her lip, thought again, then said softly, “But not telling you was also because…”

She sighed and swallowed her words back.

Xu Fengjia turned his gaze back to Seventh Miss, silently urging her to continue.

Seventh Miss unexpectedly felt a trace of irritation. She looked seriously at Xu Fengjia and said word by word, “I didn’t think of this matter. If I had thought of it, I definitely would have told you.”

“Just told?” Xu Fengjia raised his voice slightly. “Such a major matter should absolutely be decided by both of us together. How could it be left to you, a mere woman—”

With a snap, a string in Seventh Miss’s mind nearly broke. She quickly took several deep breaths, consoling herself inwardly: Xu Fengjia was simply a product of this society. Having thoughts of male superiority over females was only natural.

“How could it be for you, a mere woman, to decide on your own!” Xu Fengjia snorted softly. “Once this matter is spoken, it will offend the Niu family. Even I cannot make this decision alone—I can only follow Father’s wishes… Where did you get the audacity to encourage the Grand Consort to make up her mind and drag the Xu family into these murky waters? If Father finds out about this, what will he think of you?”

Indeed, Xu Fengjia’s concern was not without merit. If Duke Pingguo learned that his daughter-in-law had offered this scheme to curry favor with the Grand Consort, putting the Xu family at risk of antagonizing the Niu family, his impression of Seventh Miss would naturally plummet.

But something vague and unclear in his words made Seventh Miss very uncomfortable.

In front of Xu Fengjia, Seventh Miss was never rational. She immediately raised her voice as well.

“Your Lordship, I understand the reasoning in what you say.” Seventh Miss tried to balance her tone. “You’ve thought of everything, but have you thought for the Grand Consort at all?”

Xu Fengjia was stunned.

“The Grand Consort has no children. The Emperor has that kind of temperament—impartial to both foster mothers. Speaking plainly, it’s all surface affection.” Seventh Miss lowered her voice. “During her lifetime, Noble Consort Zhou knew to place even eunuchs by the Emperor’s side… Weak mother-son feelings are inevitable.”

“Entering the palace at a young age, all these years the Grand Consort has done only one thing for the Xu family: maintaining the Xu family’s relationship with the Emperor and raising the Emperor. Isn’t this one thing enormously significant to the Xu family? When you calculated the pros and cons, did you think for your own aunt at all? If this matter succeeds, given the Emperor’s temperament, he will certainly reward the Grand Consort.” Seventh Miss grew angrier as she spoke. “But when all of you mention this matter—even Auntie herself feels it’s better to avoid trouble. Her dignity for the rest of her life is less important than the Xu family’s current stability. If you can’t even look after your own aunt, whose stability is the Xu family maintaining? Should the Grand Consort just never mention this matter and spend the rest of her life alone and lonely?”

Xu Fengjia turned his head away again, refusing to meet Seventh Miss’s eyes. His attitude remained cold, but a hint of panic appeared.

“By saying this, you’ve already presumed that Father would not agree to this idea.” He said flatly, “Why do you always see people in such a bad light?”

Seventh Miss carefully recalled Duke Pingguo Xu Heng’s usual conduct in her mind. She wasn’t familiar with this busy middle-aged man. Honestly, she wasn’t clear how Duke Pingguo would choose in this position.

But the Grand Master’s face and voice floated up in Seventh Miss’s mind, and traces of burning heat seemed to appear on her cheeks again.

“I don’t need to be familiar with them—I understand you men from these grand households all too well.” She said sincerely. “Even if it’s the Grand Consort, what does it matter? When weighing one woman against an entire family, which is more important—you would never hesitate.”

“I—you didn’t even ask me. How do you know what I would do?” Xu Fengjia gasped in shock. He turned to stare at Seventh Miss, then seemed intimidated by her bearing and turned away in confusion. “Besides, you said it very clearly yourself—weighing one woman against an entire family, we must learn to make choices!”

Accompanied by a piercing buzz, the string in Seventh Miss’s mind finally snapped.

“Exactly,” she agreed calmly. “Isn’t that how I was married into the Xu family?”

If Xu Fengjia had merely been stunned before, now he seemed instantly flash-frozen in ice, his breathing becoming barely perceptible.

This topic bore remarkable similarity to their argument in the bridal chamber.

Wasn’t Fifth Young Mistress also just one woman buried beneath an entire family?

“I don’t need to say it—you seem to have understood already.” Seventh Miss exhaled lightly. “The Grand Consort favors me so much perhaps because over these years, I’m the first woman who shares her plight. If she doesn’t help me, who will?”

As if not satisfied yet, she looked at Xu Fengjia and pushed forward another step. “Your Lordship has relied on the Grand Consort’s connections since childhood to enter and exit the palace and befriend the Emperor. Over these years, this relationship has brought you countless benefits. You’ve enjoyed all the Grand Consort’s glory, but have you ever considered the Grand Consort’s loneliness?”

Xu Fengjia suddenly stood up.

A flash of panic crossed his face, but was quickly covered by endless fury.

“Complete nonsense!” He slammed his palm heavily on the kang table. The tea set on the kang immediately jumped about chaotically, producing crisp tinkling sounds. “You think that being on good terms with the Emperor means glory and riches just fall into my lap? I went to battle and killed enemies at thirteen. The hardships I’ve endured—how could you—”

He swallowed his words again, rarely showing an embarrassed expression.

Xu Fengjia had visited the former residence of Ninth Aunt from Yang Family Village in the northwest.

Seventh Miss also stood up. She was not intimidated in the slightest by Xu Fengjia’s fury.

Just as she was about to speak, Xu Fengjia preemptively cut off her words. He seemed very afraid of hearing Seventh Miss’s rebuttal. “Moreover, the Grand Consort holds a high position and wields great power. What ability do you have to pity her? If this talk gets out, it’s a crime of great disrespect!”

“Great disrespect is great disrespect—so what?” Seventh Miss dismissively shook her head. “Why quibble with me, Your Lordship? You know very well in your heart that no matter how glamorous the Grand Consort appears on the surface, privately she’s nothing more than a pitiful person secluded in the palace… What’s unspeakable about that? The hardships you’ve suffered, she hasn’t experienced. But have you tasted the loneliness she’s endured?”

Xu Fengjia was speechless.

Multiple emotions played across his face—rage and helplessness making this young and handsome face flush red and white alternately. Only after a long while, under Seventh Miss’s quiet gaze, did he find his footing.

“Yang Qi, you’re truly not adorable at all!” Xu Fengjia angrily spat out this sentence.

Yet these words lacked much sharpness, like a weak arrow that fell to the ground halfway through its flight.

“I was never adorable to begin with.” Seventh Miss raised one eyebrow. “Your Lordship knows full well that I’m the least adorable.”

Xu Fengjia was again angered to the point his face contorted. His hands clenched into fists then released. Under Seventh Miss’s calm, water-clear eyes, he snorted loudly, turned, and slammed the door as he left.

Seventh Miss paid no attention. She turned back to sit at the edge of the kang, lit the glass lamp brighter, and pulled out the personnel files she had created.

But after staring for a long time, she hadn’t turned a single page. These neat small characters seemed to have learned to crawl about today, leaving her eyes nowhere to settle.

Seventh Miss propped her head up and persisted a while longer before sighing in defeat, slamming the large ledger shut and standing up to call out loudly, “Lixia, bring water for washing! Shangyuan, come in and make the bed!”

Then lowering her voice to mutter and complain, “Male chauvinist pig!”

She actually stamped her foot—a rarity—before suppressing her annoyance and going to wash and retire for the night.

#

The next day when she rose, Xu Fengjia had already left the inner courtyard and gone to Menghua Pavilion to talk. Seventh Miss didn’t wait for him either. She ate breakfast by herself, teased Fourth Young Master and Fifth Young Master with a few words, then went to Leshan Residence to pay respects to the Grand Madam.

Everyone’s attitude toward Seventh Miss was clearly much more courteous. Whether it was the young maids serving tea and water, the stewardess mothers who had standing before the Grand Madam, or First Young Mistress and Fourth Young Mistress—the looks they gave Seventh Miss all contained an extra trace of special respect. It seemed that receiving the Grand Consort’s favor had suddenly doubled Seventh Miss’s status in this household.

In this imperial era, the natives of Great Qin held a special reverence for anything connected to the imperial family—something Seventh Miss would never truly understand.

Even Fifth Young Mistress appeared especially compliant. Before finishing one cup of tea, she proactively brought up the matter of transferring household management.

“We said we’d settle the accounts before the autumn harvest. It’s nearly the eighth month now. The estates in Hebei have historically started harvesting around early eighth month. There’s still half a month—just enough time to clear the accounts and start fresh books when the harvest begins. What does Sixth Sister-in-law think?”

Seventh Miss smiled faintly, directing her gaze to the Grand Madam and answering humbly, “This must be for Grandmother and Mother to decide. We younger generation only need to obey and follow orders…”

Everyone then looked toward the Grand Madam, waiting for her response.

The Grand Madam sniffed and smiled kindly. “Little Seventh has been married in for nearly a year—it’s time to take over the accounts. I’ll speak with Duke Pingguo shortly. The master keys will be handed to you.”

This was within everyone’s expectations. First Young Mistress and First Young Master exchanged a glance, both smiling and nodding at Seventh Miss. Fourth Young Mistress glanced at Fifth Young Mistress, snorted lightly, and proactively congratulated Seventh Miss. “Sixth Sister-in-law will be busy from now on!”

Yu Ning and Yu Tai wore expressions of indifference. Among the concubine-born daughters, expressions varied—Yu Qiao darkened her face, glared at Fifth Young Mistress, and turned away without speaking further. The joy on Yu An’s face flashed by so quickly it was barely visible.

Fifth Young Mistress smiled slightly. She beckoned to a young maid beside the Grand Madam and whispered a few words. Before long, Little Fuchun entered the flower hall carrying a small red wood box. Fifth Young Mistress removed the small brass key from her side and placed it atop the box, then stood up to deliver it to Seventh Miss’s side.

“These are the keys and tokens for inside and outside the household—over a dozen…” Fifth Young Mistress explained softly.

Seventh Miss met her gaze with a deep smile and graciously accepted this weighty little box, placing it at her side.

“I’ll surely need to consult Fifth Sister-in-law shortly on how to review these accounts.” She said with a smile.

Fifth Young Mistress naturally nodded. “After visiting Qingping Garden, I’ll discuss it carefully with Sixth Sister-in-law.”

Their gazes met and held for a moment before separating. Both pairs of autumn-water-clear eyes were as still as a lake at high summer noon—no matter what currents surged beneath, the surface showed not a ripple.