Over the next two or three days of spring wine banquets, everything was arranged quite respectably. The festivities inside and out were very lively, and the household had few mishaps. Even Yu Qiao, accompanied by Yu An, was quite well-behaved and didn’t play disappearing acts again.

Seventh Miss felt somewhat relieved: Yu Qiao was still fairly sensible and could read her unspoken warning.

Without needing to worry about Yu Qiao, by the last day of the spring wine banquet, Seventh Miss actually had time to attend the Grand Madam and Madam Xu, entertaining guests together while watching opera.

On the last day of the spring wine banquet, all the invited guests were aristocratic families connected to the Xu family. Of course, both the Grand Madam and Quan Ruiyun came as mother-in-law and daughter-in-law to honor the occasion. Though First Uncle Qin’s entire family had already taken up their posts, Second Uncle’s family who had returned to the capital to report to the ministry all came. The Grand Madam and Madam Xu led Seventh Miss to pay respects to them. Second Madam praised Seventh Miss: “In the letters Elder Sister-in-law wrote, she also praised Seventh Miss—so young in age yet very capable. She’s only been managing the household for a few months, yet it looks as if she’s been doing it for years. Third Sister is truly blessed!”

Before everyone, Second Madam had to give face to Seventh Miss, and Madam Xu naturally cooperated. She immediately grasped Seventh Miss’s hand, putting on a heart-to-heart appearance. “I’m not just being polite in front of Fourth Sister—Xiao Qi is truly satisfying. With so many matters inside and out of the house, she manages everything seamlessly, yet remains upright and peaceful. With her managing the household, I don’t know how much worry I’ve saved! Even Silang and Wulang have both been taught very well by Xiao Qi. Fengjia’s good fortune in marrying her doesn’t lie with him but with this old woman here. Otherwise, how would I have the peace of mind to go out for recuperation? Wouldn’t I have to honestly stay home serving my mother-in-law—though Mother-in-law loves me and is willing to let me go out.”

The Grand Madam laughed heartily. “You’re speaking incorrectly. After managing inside and out for over twenty years, shouldn’t you be allowed to slack off a bit?”

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law exchanged smiles, appearing extraordinarily harmonious.

The Grand Madam looked at Seventh Miss, feeling somewhat uncomfortable for a moment.

When she opened her mouth to say something with hidden meaning, Seventh Miss had already taken in her expression and hurriedly interjected, “How could Xiao Qi be as good as Uncle’s wife and Mother-in-law praise? If there’s even a little credit, it’s mostly thanks to Mother and Fifth Sister teaching me well at home. As for Silang and Wulang, I haven’t really taught them much—they were already very obedient.”

Only Seventh Miss would still constantly mention Fifth Miss.

The Grand Madam’s heart ached. The words didn’t leave her mouth; she only kept saying, “Xiao Qi was already good to begin with. Even without our teaching, she would be good.”

Perhaps because Seventh Miss mentioned Fifth Miss, everyone fell quiet. An aunt from a branch of the Xu family laughed, “Look, Cui Zixiu is taking the stage.”

The hall immediately became so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Even the Grand Madam straightened up, took out a pair of glass spectacles, looked out through the window of Liushang Hall, and squinted her eyes to carefully appreciate Cui Zixiu’s grace and bearing. Second Madam quietly laughed with Madam Xu, “These past few years, the Qilin Troupe’s Cui Zixiu has truly become famous throughout the capital. I see your household’s old matriarch seems extremely fond of him.”

Madam Xu also laughed quietly in response, “Originally Mother-in-law didn’t think much of him, but these past few days after watching several performances, she’s discovered his excellence.”

She was about to say more when the Grand Madam waved her hand, and the two stopped talking. Seventh Miss looked back and forth at several of the female relatives, then also collected her thoughts, focused her eyesight fully, and examined this person Cui Zixiu.

She didn’t understand opera watching. Naturally, she only half-understood the opera text being performed, vaguely knowing this was the “Sitting in the Palace” scene from “Fourth Son Visits His Mother.” Cui Zixiu was naturally playing Iron Mirror Princess. This was a sheng-dan performance where the dan role had the heavier, more brilliant part. As soon as Cui Zixiu appeared on stage, his singing voice was bright yet melodious, his movements soft and charming—truly possessing a voice that could pierce clouds and split stones, with the dancing posture of heavenly demons in chaos. Everyone watched in complete enchantment. However, Seventh Miss had no interest in Peking opera to begin with. She only focused on observing Cui Zixiu’s every gesture and movement but didn’t see anything particularly different.

With matters on her mind, she quietly stood up and left the main hall. Using an excuse to go to the side hall, she casually found a young maid and asked some idle questions while secretly observing Yu Qiao.

The side hall was filled with young ladies who had accompanied their family matriarchs as guests—all opera enthusiasts. Seeing this sheng-dan performer from the Qilin Troupe, they were all enchanted. Some with shallower composure were even slightly opening their mouths to silently recite along with the dialogue. Yu Qiao was naturally no exception. Her eyes shone with joyful light, staring fixedly at the opera stage, completely unaware of Seventh Miss’s observation. However, Yu An noticed Seventh Miss’s gaze, turned her head, and exchanged a smile with her.

Seventh Miss felt even more relieved: just looking at the expressions of the young ladies in the hall, one could tell that if given the opportunity, they would probably compete to see Cui Zixiu’s face without makeup. The phenomenon of ardent fans had existed since ancient times—even the most noble young ladies couldn’t resist these two words: human nature.

She felt somewhat self-mocking: living in a great mansion for so long, it seemed she had to view everything with some suspicion.

Seventh Miss then turned around and silently returned to the main hall, just as the “Sitting in the Palace” scene finished. Everyone was discussing with each other, “As expected, all-male troupe performances can withstand scrutiny. Especially Cui Zixiu—in dan roles, one could say he’s unprecedented and will never be surpassed.”

Even the Grand Madam instructed Seventh Miss, “Later give that dan role performer a few more taels of silver. Don’t let him think we’re stingy.”

Once she spoke, everyone followed with rewards to please the old lady. Some rewarded gold ornaments, some rewarded over ten taels of silver, some casually removed bracelets from servants’ hands to reward him—all giving face to the Xu family. The Grand Madam was naturally very pleased. Seventh Miss arranged for a tray of gold pearls to be sent down as reward. That evening when she returned, she sighed to Xu Fengjia, “Years ago, the pipa girl in the poem recounted countless red silk gifts. This Cui Zixiu isn’t doing badly either—for singing one performance, just the reward money was nearly three hundred taels, not counting the gold bracelets rewarded. Calculated, that’s half a lifetime’s expenses for an ordinary family.”

Xu Fengjia also laughed. “This is nothing. After all, we’re from great families with measured conduct—we would never be excessively extravagant. Those merchant households who regularly invite him to perform—I heard from Third Brother Lin that just the powder money for Cui Zixiu alone is five hundred taels, with other things calculated separately. How much silver do you think he can earn in a year?”

Seventh Miss calculated with her fingers and couldn’t help but be astounded. After thinking, she laughed. “There’s only this one Cui Zixiu in the entire country. With over a thousand opera performers in the capital, if they were all like him, that wouldn’t work. I truly have no talent for this—no matter how I watch him, I can’t see what’s good about him. I don’t know why so many people are infatuated with him! His makeup is so thick you can’t even tell what he looks like underneath. What are they infatuated with? A grown man putting on feminine airs—if one were to be infatuated, it should be you men who are infatuated. I don’t know what the female relatives are infatuated with about him.”

Xu Fengjia glanced at Seventh Miss and unexpectedly laughed. “Your cousin…”

Seeing Seventh Miss’s eyebrows rise, he changed his words with a laugh. “Your cousin said to come over early tomorrow and have lunch at his house. Tomorrow morning after paying respects, once we’ve informed Grandmother and Mother, we’ll leave the estate.”

How could Seventh Miss not understand Xu Fengjia’s subtext? After all, someone like Feng Jin who had an ambiguous relationship with the Emperor—regardless of what he himself was like, to outsiders it would always be an indelible stain for life. With Xu Fengjia’s temperament, asking him to compromise and cultivate some brotherly friendship with Feng Jin—though not completely impossible, he still had to gain some verbal advantage. This young general still had a young general’s pride.

She sighed helplessly and lectured Xu Fengjia, “This is my only biological cousin in this life. Most rare is that he wholeheartedly wants to help us. Before, you looked down on him—I said nothing. But now you want to use him while still looking down on him in your heart. Xu Fengjia, don’t you think you’re going too far?”

Xu Fengjia pressed his lips together and said lightly, “I don’t like him, but it’s not because I look down on him.”

Seventh Miss thought more carefully, then couldn’t help but laugh. “What, you’re still bothered about last year’s matter? I already told you—between Cousin and me, everything is completely pure and aboveboard, with nothing improper…”

Seeing Xu Fengjia turn his head away without speaking, she found it even more amusing. “Hey, Xu Fengjia, Xu Fengjia?”

The young couple’s playful banter, with its inherent intimacy, was naturally not for outsiders to know. After making a fuss for half the night, they naturally reconciled the next morning when they got up. The two went to sit with the Grand Madam for a while—rarely, Duke Pingguo was also there. Xu Fengjia again used the excuse of a small gathering at the Xiao family, wanting to bring Seventh Miss out for the day.

If it were any other family, the Grand Madam might not have let her go, but ever since Empress Xiao’an was enfeoffed, Third Master Lin had suddenly become a prominent figure in court and society. The Grand Madam not only immediately agreed but also instructed Seventh Miss in front of everyone, “You can get closer to Third Young Madam Lin.”

In powerful and noble families, though they had their own principles, seeking favor with the influential was also human nature. When the Grand Madam said this, everyone’s expressions remained normal. Fourth Young Madam even joked with Seventh Miss, “I wish I could go in Sixth Sister-in-law’s place.”

Seventh Miss curved her eyes, avoiding the important and dwelling on the trivial. “This also depends on whether personalities are compatible. Perhaps they won’t think highly of us, and we needn’t rush to fawn—that would be meaningless.”

The Grand Madam repeatedly agreed, “That’s right. What Sixth Granddaughter-in-law says makes sense. Though our family is only middle-ranking, we’re not without backbone.”

Since Seventh Miss took over household management, the Grand Madam’s attitude toward her had grown increasingly gentle. Not only had there been no more hidden barbs, but her words actually carried several portions of genuine appreciation. Dialogue like this had previously only been the treatment Fifth Young Master and Fifth Young Madam received. When the Grand Madam said this, others might be fine, but first Yu An couldn’t help but look toward Fifth Household. Even First Young Madam couldn’t help but curiously glance at Fifth Young Master.

Fifth Young Master showed some slight discomfort. He raised his voice and exaggeratedly discussed outside official business with Fourth Young Master.—Ever since last summer when Duke Pingguo personally made the decision to deal with Accountant Zhang’s family, and in the twelfth month when Wu Xun’s family also met with misfortune, Fifth Young Master often seemed to show some slight discomfort.

However, Fifth Young Madam was as calm as still water, seemingly not finding the Grand Madam’s favor toward Sixth Household strange at all. She even raised her eyes and smiled kindly at Seventh Miss, saying softly, “Sixth Sister-in-law truly has a natural talent for household management. This approach—neither soft nor hard, neither servile nor arrogant—is exactly the proper way for people of our status to conduct themselves.”

Seventh Miss’s pupils contracted as she also smiled back at Fifth Young Madam. “Fifth Sister-in-law is truly too kind…”

If she didn’t understand Fifth Young Madam so well, she might think this cold and ruthless figure had already been completely subdued by her, not daring to show a trace of rebelliousness.

She glanced at Duke Pingguo and couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

This Fifth Young Madam was truly a rare opponent in her life. For the past half year, she had kept a low profile and concealed her abilities, not opposing her in the slightest. At all times, she treated her politely and courteously. In Duke Pingguo’s heart, she had probably regained quite a few impression points.

Confronting such a person, it all came down to one word: patience. Whoever couldn’t endure and made the first move would probably fall to an inferior position. Fifth Young Madam had suffered loss last time from not enduring to the end. Whether she would make the same mistake this time was hard to say.

After leaving the Xu household, Xu Fengjia brought Seventh Miss to make a brief visit to the Xiao family, then took their leave. Accompanied by one or two trusted young servants and Lixia, they twisted and turned through the capital’s streets and alleys, quickly entering the small courtyard at the end of Jiaochang Alley.

This time, Feng Jin still personally came out to welcome them, though his attitude was much more casual. Toward Xu Fengjia, he was no longer as polite mixed with three parts distance as at their first meeting.

“Young Master,” his greeting carried a trace of casualness. “Cousin.”

Xu Fengjia, though he had few kind words about Feng Jin in front of Seventh Miss, was much more proper in public. He warmly took the arm of Feng Jin who was about to bow, laughing, “Cousin is too polite!”

He also instructed Seventh Miss, “It’s Yang Shi and I who should bow to Cousin.”

Seventh Miss pressed her lips in a smile and properly bowed to Feng Jin. “Cousin, may the new year bring you good fortune.”

Not having seen him for years, Feng Jin’s grace and bearing were still as always. Though his appearance was somewhat thinner, that gentle and refined air had been polished by the years to become even more soft and harmonious. He carefully examined Seventh Miss for a while before smiling. “Cousin also looks very fortunate.”

He glanced at Xu Fengjia and teased, “Surely because Cousin’s husband has been in the capital all year.”

Xu Fengjia immediately laughed heartily, his pride overflowing. He patted Feng Jin’s shoulder, laughing. “Cousin is rarely this humorous. How have you been? We’ve rarely seen you this winter. When asked around, everyone said Cousin’s health wasn’t good…”

He and Feng Jin walked shoulder to shoulder into the house first.

Seventh Miss felt slightly helpless. She shook her head and laughed to herself: given Xu Fengjia’s usual arrogance, that he could do this much already gave her plenty of face. Even if it still showed three parts falseness, she couldn’t demand more.

Though Madam Feng and Feng Ling couldn’t conveniently come out to greet them, they naturally sent maids to guide Seventh Miss into the house to meet each other. Madam Feng had Feng Ling help her look. “See whether Shanheng has gotten fatter or thinner!”

Her eyes were vacant—it appeared she was completely blind. Even her movements required Feng Ling and the maids to guide her. Though only fifty years old, more than half her hair had turned white. Seeing this, Seventh Miss felt somewhat saddened. She smiled and waved at Feng Ling, saying softly, “Please don’t worry, Aunt… The Young Master treats me very well. This past year, Xiao Qi’s health has also become much more robust.”

Madam Feng nodded repeatedly, “Robust is good, robust is good.”

She couldn’t help showing some melancholy. “When you have a fat baby boy, bring him to see your aunt, then your aunt will…” Halfway through her words, she swallowed them back.

Feng Ling and Seventh Miss’s gazes met. Both wanted to speak but stopped: though Madam Feng didn’t say it, she seemed quite bothered in her heart that Feng Jin had reached this age yet still hadn’t married.

But regarding this matter, no one dared urge Feng Jin. Seventh Miss naturally couldn’t touch this taboo. Looking at Feng Ling’s expression, she seemed to have no intention of urging her brother on their mother’s behalf either.

Seventh Miss quickly changed the subject. “When I visited last year, Master Huang had just left the capital not long before and probably hadn’t had much contact with Aunt and Cousin. If she didn’t return to the capital this year, she’s probably settled somewhere else. I wonder if any letters have arrived?”

These words indeed attracted Madam Feng’s attention. This middle-aged woman immediately turned her head, looking toward Seventh Miss with concern. “Is Shanheng so anxious to find Master Huang because of Xianxiu Workshop?”

When she mentioned Xianxiu Workshop, Seventh Miss felt somewhat ashamed: this past year she had too many matters and was terribly busy. The branch the Grand Madam gave her was in Jiangnan. Truth be told, she really hadn’t put much effort into managing this dowry.

“That’s not it.” She glanced at Madam Feng. So many thoughts turned round and round. In the end, she still told the truth. “There are some past matters I want to ask Master Huang about. But when our messenger arrived in Yuhang, we searched everywhere without finding her. The local people all said Master Huang hadn’t returned to her hometown and instead asked us back, thinking Master Huang was still in the capital.”

An unmarried woman like Huang Xiuniang—when not in the capital, everyone naturally assumed she had returned home. Unexpectedly, Yuhang also had no trace of her. The Great Qin wasn’t like later eras. Finding someone—simple was simple, difficult was difficult. A woman adrift like duckweed—even if she died halfway, there probably wouldn’t be anyone to collect her body. Now not just Madam Feng but even Feng Ling showed great concern. “Perhaps we could ask Brother…”

“Though your brother has some authority in his hands, it’s not a private instrument for us women of the inner chambers to command at will!” Madam Feng immediately changed her expression and sternly rebuked.

Feng Ling immediately lowered her head without speaking. Madam Feng let out a long breath before saying wearily to Seventh Miss, “I’m truly making a fool of myself before Shanheng… It’s precisely because Zixiu holds such weighty authority that his days are lived in constant trepidation. At this age, he doesn’t even dare to have a wife…”

Seventh Miss’s heart was crystal clear: Madam Feng was preemptively blocking her mouth, making it improper for Seventh Miss to suggest having Feng Jin investigate Huang Xiuniang’s whereabouts.

It seemed that regarding past matters, Madam Feng’s heart also held secrets. It was even very possible that Huang Xiuniang’s whereabouts were concealed with her help.

She calmly agreed. “Cousin Zixiu is indeed devoted to country and people, bending his back to exhaustion…”