Nanny Wang didn’t say much about Xiao Xiangxue asking Seventh Miss to stay for a meal.

Since she didn’t speak up, Lichun naturally wouldn’t say anything inappropriate either.

Seventh Miss was young, and going to Xiao Xiangxue to swing on the swing wasn’t particularly taboo. Seventh Yiniang and her daughter had always been uncontentious. Though they weren’t as close to the Grand Madam as First Yiniang and Fifth Yiniang, they had never caused the Grand Madam any trouble, so the Grand Madam still regarded them kindly.

It was Ninth Young Master who complained, “Coming back so late—where did you go running wild? Making me eat dinner alone again.”

Lixia’s heart skipped a beat, though her face showed nothing. Her eyes involuntarily darted toward Seventh Miss.

What they had done today could no longer be simply described as betraying their household… If anyone found out, returning to the South Side Courtyard would be nothing but a pipe dream!

Seventh Miss felt a twinge of guilt: Ninth Young Master had always been accustomed to liveliness. Now with the Grand Madam and Fifth Miss away, he was indeed much lonelier.

“Next time I’ll just go to swing on the swing and won’t stay for dinner at Xiao Xiangxue,” she promised with a beaming smile, appearing no different from usual—still calm and composed.

Hearing mention of the swing, Ninth Young Master’s eyes lit up.

Before he could speak, Nanny Wang cut in, “When the Grand Madam is home, you can go swing whenever you want. When the Grand Madam isn’t home… don’t even think about it!”

Ninth Young Master’s mouth turned down, about to make a fuss.

“Does Ninth Young Master want to wait until Xiao Xiangxue’s swing is torn down before he’ll give up?” Nanny Wang’s face darkened as she spoke with measured severity.

Though Nanny Wang had always been courteous toward Ninth Young Master, her temperament was well-known, and he was still quite afraid of her.

Seventh Miss glanced around, smiled slightly, then turned and entered the east inner room.

Bailu was leaning against the rosewood armchair by the window doing needlework.

“Seventh Miss.” Seeing Seventh Miss enter, she quickly stood with a smile to greet her, reaching out to touch the teapot to test the water’s temperature. “Seventh Miss has returned.”

“Yes.” Seventh Miss’s eyes curved into crescents, rarely displaying her smile so openly on her face. “I swung on the swing at Xiao Xiangxue and worked up quite a sweat.”

“Shangyuan, Zhongyuan, go to the small kitchen and fetch water for Seventh Miss’s bath.” Bailu set down her needlework and went outside to call two junior maids to work.

Returning, she smiled as she showed Seventh Miss the needlework in her hands.

“I made you a dudou (embroidered undergarment).”

It was very vibrant work—bright red silk embroidered with large peach blossoms. Both the composition and craftsmanship were outstanding.

“Sister Bailu is so thoughtful.” Seventh Miss exchanged smiles with her, an unspoken understanding flowing between them.

Lixia didn’t notice.

Ordinarily, she would have felt somewhat displeased.

After all, she was the one who had struggled alongside Seventh Miss from the South Side Courtyard.

And Bailu had so quickly gained Seventh Miss’s trust and favor…

But today, her thoughts were entirely focused on that handful of qionghua flowers.

If—if this matter got out…

Lixia was rather distracted. Seventh Miss called her twice before she came to her senses.

“What does Seventh Miss need from me?” She quickly produced a faint smile. “I was thinking about the delicious dishes in Seventh Yiniang’s room and couldn’t help spacing out.”

She had already learned to dissemble!

Seventh Miss said with a smile, “I’m asking you to help me wash my hair.”

Bailu glanced at Lixia, shook her head slightly, then moved closer to the lamp to carefully thread her needle.

When Lixia was helping Seventh Miss dry her hair, her hands trembled slightly.

This child was only now beginning to feel afraid.

“She’s just an old nanny!” Seventh Miss said softly.

That familiar fearlessness surfaced again in her eyes.

Lixia recalled a few months ago, when they had just arrived at the West Side Courtyard. After lessons, they had waited for Fifth Miss at the corridor entrance.

At that time, Seventh Miss had also spoken to her in the same soft, gentle voice: “She’s just a young girl!”

Though Fifth Miss didn’t like Seventh Miss, in the end she still hadn’t managed to make her suffer any hardship.

She straightened her back. “Yes!”

The Fourth Branch remained completely calm. That handful of qionghua flowers seemed to have been blown away by the wind, causing no ripples whatsoever.

Fourth Yiniang actually reduced her outings, spending her days just staying in Xike Pavilion, tending to her canal of lotus flowers.

Seventh Miss saw Third Miss and Fourth Miss every day during morning and evening lessons.

Third Miss’s face still wore that joyful expression, but during embroidery class, she would often pause her needlework and drift into daydreams.

The forced quality of her three-part smile was evident to anyone.

In contrast, Fourth Miss remained consistently cold, showing no signs of anything amiss.

In the morning enlightenment class, the teacher finally finished the Four Books for Women and began teaching “Enlightenment in Sound and Rhyme.”

The lessons were much more interesting than the Four Books for Women.

Third Miss, Fourth Miss, and Seventh Miss all became noticeably more attentive.

Only Sixth Miss continued yawning constantly.

Seventh Miss was still copying Lady Wei’s calligraphy. The teacher had her imitate Lady Wei’s style while copying out the Enlightenment in Sound and Rhyme.

This was a major undertaking. During and between classes, Seventh Miss listened while concentrating intently on writing.

Sixth Miss found it even more boring. Usually she could at least chat idly with Seventh Miss, but now she could only sleep.

When Third Miss had free time, she would often come to look at Seventh Miss’s calligraphy.

“Tea pairs with wine, prose pairs with poetry, swallows pair with orioles. Planting flowers pairs with growing bamboo, falling catkins pair with floating silk. Four-eyed Jie, one-footed Kui, mynah pairs with egret. Half a pond of red lotus flowers, one arbor of white Cherokee roses. Several autumn winds fulfill the season, one plow of spring rain knows its time perfectly.”

Seventh Miss had already copied up to the zhi rhyme section.

After reading it, Third Miss asked Seventh Miss with a smile, “Seventh Sister surely hasn’t only just now started reading Enlightenment in Sound and Rhyme in private?”

The question seemed casual, but her eyes stared intently at Seventh Miss, revealing tension.

Seventh Miss was somewhat puzzled. “I’ve also read poetry, song lyrics, and strange tales—all for entertainment.”

“You should read more books.” Third Miss smiled as she gestured toward Fourth Miss. “Besides embroidery, Fourth Sister spends her time reading the Complete Song Lyrics. She’s already reached Zhang Xian.”

Then she called to Fourth Miss, “What was that poem you read yesterday? It was quite lovely—recite it for me.”

Fourth Miss completely ignored Third Miss. Third Miss wasn’t bothered either. After thinking for a moment, she recited it for Seventh Miss.

“White duckweed on the shore, green waters of Shao. At every flower we pause to feast, everywhere joyous gatherings. When parting we held hands watching fireflies. Now fireflies fly through autumn evening. The dry river flows, narrow as a belt. Though my body is light as a leaf, how can I find my way back? Broken clouds, lonely wild goose, green mountains at their limits. Upstairs pacing back and forth, endless longing.”

Hearing them discuss poetry and song lyrics, Sixth Miss had long since grown drowsy.

Seventh Miss’s heart stirred as she looked at Third Miss, merely smiling without speaking.

Third Miss also smiled at Seventh Miss. In her curved eyes, the joy gradually faded, revealing an indescribable melancholy. “When Seventh Sister has nothing to do, you should read more.” She glanced at Sixth Miss. “Father most appreciates people with bellies full of poetry and books.”

When Seventh Miss returned, she borrowed the Complete Song Lyrics from Ninth Young Master’s room. After searching for a long time, she finally discovered that this poem by Zhang Xian was actually titled “Remembering Qionghua (Viburnum).”

One day in the sixth month, Xiaohan from Second Miss’s side came to the West Side Courtyard looking for Nanny Wang.

The two of them murmured together for quite a while.

After Seventh Miss finished writing one hundred large characters, she went to the washroom to clean her hands, then came out and sat facing Ninth Young Master for breakfast.

Breakfast was simple—just eight kinds of small dishes and two or three types of congee. Ninth Young Master chose the black date and milled rice congee, drank half a bowl, and looked at Seventh Miss with great envy.

“Seventh Sister, how do you manage to get up so early every day!” His face was full of admiration.

Ninth Young Master was young and still loved sleeping in. Every morning Xiaoxue and Chushu had to coax him up by every means possible, and then he would just eat breakfast before having to go to school.

Seventh Miss looked at Ninth Young Master with a smile.

“Because I’m diligent.”

Though Seventh Miss still had a child’s body, the willpower belonging to an adult in her mind had never been lost.

Nanny Wang finished her conversation with Xiaohan and entered the room with her usual expression.

“Ninth Young Master should learn more from Seventh Sister too.” She began her smiling instruction. “You can’t keep fishing for three days and drying the nets for two. When the little brother in Eighth Yiniang’s belly is born, you’ll need to set an example for him even more!”

Ninth Young Master pursed his lips without responding.

Though his temperament wasn’t too spoiled, he certainly wasn’t easy-going either.

Nanny Wang didn’t mind.

She raised her head and gave Seventh Miss a meaningful look.

Seventh Miss took another sip of clear soy milk, then stood up and picked up her handkerchief to wipe her mouth.

“Ninth Young Master, take your time.” She said with a smile, “I need to change clothes for school.”

With that, she entered the east inner room.

Lixia and Bailu had already prepared her clothes for changing. As the weather gradually warmed, the maids had long since changed into gauze garments. Seventh Miss also removed her everyday crepe silk clothes and trousers, changing into a pale yellow jacquard poplin short jacket and dark purple ramie silk pleated skirt. She casually opened a book, reading while waiting for Nanny Wang to enter.

When Nanny Wang walked into the room and saw Seventh Miss, she couldn’t help but narrow her eyes in appreciation.

Her long hair was braided into two plaits hanging by her ears. Though young, she was dressed impeccably—understated yet elegant. She looked more like a legitimate daughter from the main courtyard than the spirited Fifth Miss…

“Seventh Miss,” she began with a smile, though her tone clearly carried some urgency. “There are some matters I’d like to ask you about.”

Bailu and Lixia exchanged glances and withdrew from the east inner room one after the other.

Seventh Miss set down the book in her hands and raised her eyebrows at Nanny Wang with slight astonishment.

“Please speak, Nanny Wang.”

Her voice was clear and tranquil, like cold stream water at the end of March, conveying coolness.

Nanny Wang gazed at Seventh Miss and slowly said, “Seventh Miss probably doesn’t know… Last night Master Li came to visit.”

The Master Li she mentioned was naturally Li Wenqing, the Provincial Administration Commissioner of Jiangsu.

Li Wenqing and the Grand Master had always been close. He visited the Yang residence more than ten days each month. Seventh Miss didn’t speak, only quietly staring at Nanny Wang.

Nanny Wang continued, “When leaving, he brought up Third Miss’s marriage prospects to the Grand Master.”

According to Great Qin custom, two families involved wouldn’t discuss marriage proposals face to face. They would always use a matchmaker to visit, so they could speak properly. Otherwise, if things didn’t work out, both sides would be embarrassed, affecting their friendship instead.

Seventh Miss was very surprised.

“That doesn’t follow propriety!” She couldn’t hide her confusion. “How can two families discuss such matters face to face!”

Nanny Wang saw the undisguised surprise in Seventh Miss’s eyes and softened her gaze.

Such a young child couldn’t possibly act this convincingly.

As soon as she spoke, surprise flooded Seventh Miss’s eyes. If she had even the slightest knowledge of this matter, she wouldn’t have reacted so quickly or so genuinely.

Come to think of it, if not for Seventh Miss, the main courtyard would probably still be kept in the dark by Fourth Yiniang and Second Madam!

Whoever informed them, it couldn’t have been anyone from Seventh Miss’s household… Lixia’s parents worked in the laundry, honest and simple folk who barely said an extra word. Though Bailu wasn’t part of her faction, she was Nanny Liang’s goddaughter—no matter what, she wouldn’t lean toward Fourth Yiniang.

So who exactly tipped off Fourth Yiniang?

Nanny Wang’s concerns suddenly deepened.

“Master Li wasn’t proposing for his own son. He was proposing the third son of the Wang family—the Provincial Administration Commissioner of Fujian…” She said casually, her thoughts already shifting away from Seventh Miss.

Seventh Miss couldn’t help frowning slightly.

The Grand Master governed the Jiangnan region, overseeing the three provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Fujian. Though his office was in Suzhou, that didn’t mean he would neglect Fujian and Zhejiang. Whether it was the Liu family of Zhejiang, the Li family of Jiangsu, or the Wang family of Fujian—none dared slight the Grand Master. They often sent people to pay respects, and Master Liu and Master Wang visited Suzhou annually to see the Grand Master. Therefore, the Yang family was well acquainted with the Wang family.

The Wang family was a Fujian aristocratic clan. Though Fujian couldn’t match Jiangsu’s prosperity, it was still a wealthy southern region with harmonious customs. Over the years, the Wang family’s circumstances had become quite comfortable… However, unlike the Li family, the Wang family’s offspring were also sparse. The eldest and second sons had both died young. Now the oldest was actually the third son from a concubine. The legitimate fourth and fifth sons were still very young. The third son was only sixteen or seventeen this year and had no scholarly achievements yet.

Young Master Wang the Third and Third Miss were indeed well-matched in terms of status, prospects, and degree of favor.

Though Young Master Wang the Third had no scholarly achievements, he was currently the oldest son in the Wang family and naturally valued by Master Wang. He had previously accompanied Master Wang on visits multiple times, and both the Grand Master and Grand Madam had met him. His birth mother had died early, and he had always been raised by his legitimate mother. Supposedly, the Wang family maintained strict household standards and familial harmony, and his legitimate mother cared for him no less than for her own sons.

Though the Wang family’s rank couldn’t compare to the Yang family, Third Miss was merely a concubine’s daughter who hadn’t grown up under the Madam’s care. Therefore, in terms of status, Young Master Wang the Third and Third Miss could be considered well-matched.

This marriage proposal might not be the best possible, but it was certainly much more practical than the match the Grand Madam had arranged for Third Miss.

Third Miss’s first few years after marriage would be difficult, but as long as Young Master Wang the Third could pass the examinations, with the Wang family’s influence securing him an external posting in the future, her days would become easier.

For the Yang family’s sake, Madam Wang couldn’t possibly treat her too harshly.

Seventh Miss lowered her eyes and silently sighed.

Fourth Yiniang must have expended considerable effort for this marriage arrangement.

The Wang family was far away in Fujian. This year they had merely passed through Suzhou at the beginning of the year. How she managed to contact the Wang family and arrange for them to have the Li family propose the marriage was truly a mystery.

Nanny Wang couldn’t figure it out either.

“Originally we thought it was the Li family… From this perspective, you might have misheard a few things, which is understandable.” Worry appeared in her brow. “But the Wang family has already asked the Li family to propose, so Fourth Yiniang’s preparations must run deep. Even if the Madam were home, she probably couldn’t come up with a response immediately.”

Though Nanny Wang herself had no particular fondness for Third Miss, she bore no deep grudge either.

Thanks to Seventh Miss’s eavesdropping, Nanny Wang not only bore no fault in this matter but actually had merit.

The Grand Madam couldn’t punish her for anything.

That was enough for Nanny Wang.

She just hadn’t expected Fourth Yiniang to move so quickly…

Nanny Wang couldn’t help frowning.

Before her eyes, the qionghua flowers blooming round as fans in Ju Ba Xian seemed to appear again.

Who exactly leaked the information, causing most of her calculations to come to nothing…

As for Third Miss’s marriage… With the Li family involved and the matter brought before the Grand Master, it seemed to be a done deal.

Seventh Miss couldn’t help but secretly admire Fourth Yiniang’s decisiveness.

However, now that Third Miss’s marriage had prospects…

Seventh Miss couldn’t help looking toward Ninth Young Master.

Nanny Wang followed her gaze, turning her head toward the doorway.

Xiaoxue was bending down whispering to Ninth Young Master. His small figure was mostly shrouded in shadow.