The news of the Wang family’s marriage proposal quickly spread throughout the Yang residence.

“I heard the Wang family’s garden in Fujian is even larger than Baifang Garden,” Sixth Miss whispered to Seventh Miss. “From the east end of the garden, it takes half a day to walk to the west end.”

Baifang Garden was already quite large. With the Wang family having few members yet living in a place even bigger than Baifang Garden, their wealth was clearly substantial.

“Third Sister is quite fortunate,” Seventh Miss said with a smile.

They were all concubines’ daughters—if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold. Though they weren’t normally friendly, she still hoped Third Miss could marry into a decent family.

With the Wang family asking the Li family to act as matchmaker for the proposal, even if Master Yang was thinking of the Grand Madam and delayed the matter until she returned, given the faces of both the Li and Wang families, could the Grand Madam still say no?

Nanny Wang had long since dispatched the second wave of messengers.

In ancient times, travel was inconvenient. From Suzhou to the capital, even the fastest horse would take over ten days.

Not to mention the Grand Madam would need to send a message back.

Round trip, nearly a month. If Fourth Yiniang could wear down the Grand Master into nodding his approval and exchanging the betrothal cards, then the marriage would be set in stone with no possibility of complications.

When Third Miss encountered people, she showed noticeably more shyness.

Though the sisters said nothing, the respectable senior servant women inevitably smiled and teased, “You’ve reached the age for marriage proposals!”

As this marriage proposal became known, the standing of Fourth Yiniang and Third Miss gradually returned to its former prominence.

After all, though Eldest Miss under the Grand Madam’s care had also married into a wealthy family, in terms of status, it was considerably lower than the Fujian Provincial Administration Commissioner. For Third Miss, as a concubine’s daughter, to have such standing was truly rare.

After several days of gloom, Nanny Wang’s smiles suddenly increased: though the Grand Master had frequently visited Xike Pavilion these past ten-plus days, he had never relented regarding the marriage.

That was only natural—how could such a major matter as a marriage alliance be decided without the mistress present?

“Fourth Yiniang thinks this marriage is foolproof, but she doesn’t consider that the Wang family is tyrannical in Fujian… acting like local emperors. Just last month, Zheng Changchun, the younger brother of Crown Prince’s Senior Scribe Zheng Changqing, committed only a minor offense, yet they made it into a huge scandal—claiming the Zheng family monopolized markets, claiming Zheng Changchun was lecherous and immoral, angering Master Zheng until he coughed up blood… Would Master, being so cautious, agree to this marriage so easily?”

When Nanny Wang said this to Lichun, there was a hint of pride.

Because Seventh Miss understood the struggles here clearly, Nanny Wang and Lichun would sometimes come to the east inner room to talk, avoiding Ninth Young Master’s eyes and ears while still staying in the same quarters with him.

Now whenever Ninth Young Master went in and out, Nanny Wang accompanied him. When Nanny Wang occasionally stepped away, Lichun was always there.

Neither Xiaoxue nor Chushu could touch Ninth Young Master’s food. The dishes Sister-in-law Cao made in the small kitchen were carried by Lichun’s own hands from the kitchen to the West Side Courtyard.

If Fourth Yiniang got her way with the marriage, she might reach toward Ninth Young Master. But the main courtyard had been managed by the Grand Madam like an iron fortress—reaching in wouldn’t be so easy!

It was already late June now. The Grand Madam could set off to return to Suzhou at any time. In her last message, she had hinted that Madam Xu, wife of Duke Pingguo, might travel with her down to Jiangnan, going to Yangzhou to pay respects at the Xu family ancestral tombs.

She had actually persuaded Madam Xu to come!

Though the Xu family was now rooted in the capital, their ancestral home was in Yangzhou. There were still clan fields and clan members in Yangzhou. Apart from several generations of Dukes Pingguo buried at Jing Mausoleum, whenever the family had births, deaths, illnesses, or other events over the years, they would return to Yangzhou for burial.

Since marrying into the Yang family, the Grand Madam had been far from the capital, without maternal family members to visit for many years. Now that Madam Xu was rarely handling business in Jiangnan, she would naturally stay in Suzhou for some time. Not only did the Grand Master write asking the Grand Madam to extend an invitation, he also personally wrote to Duke Pingguo himself, requesting that Madam Xu must visit Suzhou as a guest. Madam Xu stopping in Suzhou was a certainty.

With maternal family backing her, the Grand Madam’s confidence would be strong. Second Madam would probably suffer humiliation then. Who would have thought Madam Xu loved her sister so much—traveling a thousand miles just to support her sister.

So what if Third Miss’s marriage was arranged? From betrothal gifts to dowry… there were plenty of places to make Fourth Yiniang lose face!

Nanny Wang gradually stopped worrying about this matter. Inside and out, she focused on Ninth Young Master’s safety. Even when the Grand Master called Ninth Young Master to the outer study to teach him reading, Nanny Wang shamelessly followed him to the outer courtyard.

Ginger gets spicier with age.

Seventh Miss thought quietly.

If the Grand Madam were here, that would be better—there would be plenty of excuses to decline this marriage. Though the Wang family visited the Yang family frequently, Master Yang might not necessarily approve of the Wang family’s conduct. If the Grand Madam said a few words, the matter would be declined.

With the Grand Madam absent, no one in the main courtyard could speak on this matter.

Better to be gracious—just let Fourth Yiniang bustle about frantically. It would also earn favor before the Grand Master, showing him that the main courtyard never harbored ill intentions toward Third Miss.

Single-mindedly protecting Ninth Young Master meant protecting the Grand Madam’s lifeline.

Even protecting him before the Grand Master himself…

The Grand Master wasn’t a fool—wouldn’t he notice something amiss? Though the main courtyard watched Ninth Young Master closely, it had never been this intense.

This laid the groundwork for future action against Fourth Yiniang.

Nanny Wang had even privately uncovered evidence of Second Madam’s dealings with the Wang and Li families.

“In the second month when the Wang family passed through Suzhou, several salt merchants hosted banquets. Second Madam attended every invitation. The Li family was also there…”

“She held her composure well, waiting several full months before bringing this matter before the Grand Master.”

Lichun echoed Nanny Wang.

Seventh Miss raised her eyes and asked with a smile, “Nanny Wang, what do you think the Madam’s intentions will be regarding this matter?”

“That’s truly hard to say.” Nanny Wang’s attitude toward Seventh Miss had become more casual.

Though less formally respectful than before, this very casualness proved Nanny Wang had let down some of her guard around her.

After all, they had some connection—Nanny Wang was the one who had brought Seventh Miss to the main courtyard… These past months, having weathered these storms together, it was easy to feel they were in the same boat.

“Logically speaking, while in the capital, the Grand Madam would also be looking for a match for Third Miss. Though a concubine daughter’s marriage isn’t much, being able to marry into the capital would be better than marrying in Jiangnan.” Nanny Wang pondered as she analyzed for Seventh Miss.

Though Seventh Miss was young, she was clever and composed. Though sometimes still inappropriately naive, she could be trusted.

Teaching her more would help her know how to conduct herself before the Grand Madam.

“The Yang family’s connections in Jiangnan are already extensive enough. In the capital they only have a few relatives…” Nanny Wang stopped there.

Seventh Miss nodded thoughtfully.

The capital had no shortage of powerful nobles—plenty of high-ranking families with many concubine sons. Just casually find one with a more complicated family situation, marry Third Miss off, and what could the Grand Master say? The nobles in the capital all held titles!

Establishing a new in-law connection would benefit the Yang family, but with Third Miss far from her maternal home, the capital’s strict rules, and marrying a concubine son—suffering would be certain.

After all, as the legitimate mother, there were plenty of ways to control a concubine daughter. What did it matter how favored Fourth Yiniang was? For the Grand Madam to ruin Third Miss’s life would be as easy as turning her hand.

Seventh Miss could only comfort herself silently, “She’s soft-hearted after all. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have arranged such a good match for Eldest Miss.”

Seeing her look of understanding, Nanny Wang guided further, “If the Madam sends word at this time, also mentioning a capital match…”

Then even if the Grand Master favored Third Miss, he would have to consider the Grand Madam’s dignity. At the very least, he would wait for her to return home before arranging Third Miss’s affairs.

The Wang family’s proposal could only be called Fourth Yiniang’s sole opportunity in this power struggle.

She must have schemed exhaustively to arrange for someone to propose during the Grand Madam’s absence.

“Fourth Yiniang’s luck is also good,” Nanny Wang still sighed with emotion. “At this exact moment, the Madam happens not to be home! It’s fortunate she could arrange for the matchmaker to come at this time!”

Was it good luck?

Seventh Miss’s heart stirred.

In a flash of insight, everything became clear.

Fourth Yiniang’s particular diligence when Ninth Yiniang was gravely ill… had always puzzled her.

It turned out that from that time, Fourth Yiniang had already laid her trap.

Though the Grand Master still often sat in Xike Pavilion, he hadn’t spent the night there in quite some time.

Recently he rarely went to Huansha Harbor either. Most of the time, he slept in the outer courtyard.

Though Third Miss still wore that shy, timid yet joyful pleasing expression, when alone she would often drift into daydreams. Even during morning lessons, she would just lower her head and absently scratch at the paper.

Seventh Miss felt three parts sympathy for Third Miss.

Sixth Miss also whispered to Seventh Miss, “Though it’s supposedly a good match, whether it can be finalized after the Madam returns is still uncertain.”

She was also somewhat sympathetic. “Why doesn’t Fourth Yiniang push harder—this is a lifelong matter. Having come this far, does she still care about one more step?”

Though Fourth Yiniang still rarely left Xike Pavilion, everyone in Baifang Garden focused their attention on her.

With the Grand Madam absent and the yiniang all keeping to themselves, when Seventh Miss went to Xiao Xiangxue to swing several times, she encountered no other yiniang. Only two or three times on the way back to the main courtyard did she glimpse Fourth Yiniang’s figure—admiring flowers or watching fish, her face dazed and full of worries.

“Who knows who she’s performing for!” Nanny Wang was quite disdainful. “At her age, does she still think she’s a newly arrived chamber maid who can advance through beauty?”

Though Fourth Yiniang had a daughter of marriageable age, she indeed still possessed lingering charm with a particularly touching, pitiable manner. It wasn’t quite as presumptuous as Nanny Wang suggested.

However, the Grand Master had rarely entered the inner courtyard these days, so she was indeed casting flirtatious glances at a blind man.

Near the seventh month, the Grand Madam’s reply letter arrived.

The letter didn’t say much—only that she had set off homeward in mid-June, but would first accompany Madam Xu to Yangzhou to pay respects to ancestors, then return to Suzhou together.

Third Miss’s brow immediately became weighted with worry.

Nanny Wang also muttered anxiously. The Grand Madam hadn’t sent her a special message, which made Nanny Wang somewhat fearful she had lost the Grand Madam’s favor.

Seventh Miss had no other thoughts, only took even more careful care of Ninth Young Master.

Every morning she left with Ninth Young Master, and after school no longer walked home with Sixth Miss, instead waiting for Ninth Young Master to return together.

Ninth Young Master felt somewhat uncomfortable with such tight protection.

“I’m not a three-year-old child.” He grumbled, but tasted some meaning in it and rarely left the West Side Courtyard.

When Lichun was on duty, she would bring him to sit in the east inner room, chatting idly with Bailu while they did needlework together.

Seventh Miss and Ninth Young Master would practice calligraphy head-to-head.

“What exactly has happened?” Seeing Lichun sitting far away, Ninth Young Master asked Seventh Miss in a low voice. “Even Xiaoxue and Chushu can only serve inside the room. At night Lichun and Nanny Wang take turns on night watch?”

Seventh Miss could only smile without speaking.

“You won’t tell me anything!” Ninth Young Master was somewhat angry.

“You’re still young,” Seventh Miss replied helplessly.

Knowing too much wouldn’t benefit Ninth Young Master. Though he was also precocious and mature beyond his years, if a child had too many worries, he couldn’t focus fully on studies. Besides, even if Ninth Young Master knew about Fourth Yiniang and Second Madam’s affairs, he couldn’t do much. He was already distant enough from these two.

“You were born the same day as me!” Ninth Young Master puffed out his cheeks.

“But I’m still your older sister.” Seventh Miss remained calm and composed.

Ninth Young Master stared at her for a while, then dejectedly lowered his head to continue practicing calligraphy.

The Grand Master had always valued Ninth Young Master’s education highly. Not only did he frequently summon him to the outer courtyard for talks, recently he often came to the West Side Courtyard to check whether Ninth Young Master was studying properly.

“Though the Yang family is wealthy and noble, if you cannot pass the examinations and earn degrees, this wealth and nobility will ultimately be seized by others.” He admonished Ninth Young Master in the west inner room, his voice carrying to the east inner room. “Don’t rely on your mother’s indulgence to be ignorant of your limits, only thinking of play. When you have leisure, before the teacher lectures, first memorize the Four Books and Five Classics, lest the teacher complain to me again that you learn too slowly!”

Seventh Miss listened with secret alarm.

Though the Grand Master was severe, what he said was indeed profound truth. The Yang family only had Ninth Young Master as their sole heir. Though they appeared immensely wealthy now, if Ninth Young Master couldn’t enter officialdom in the future, keeping even three or four parts of this floating wealth would be considered good. The Yang family’s future rested entirely in Ninth Young Master’s hands.

But why had he suddenly become so concerned about Ninth Young Master?

It wasn’t that the Grand Master was cold—he just governed all of Jiangnan with countless matters in hand, rarely having thought to spare for the inner quarters. Especially these past years, with the First Prince and Crown Prince struggling fiercely at court, sitting in the Grand Master’s position required extreme caution and careful consideration in everything. Seventh Miss had been in the main courtyard four or five months now. In the previous months, the Grand Master had merely asked after Ninth Young Master’s health, occasionally calling Second Miss and Third Miss to his side to compose poetry and enjoy family happiness.

Yet Nanny Wang took this calmly, just continuously echoing the Grand Master, urging Ninth Young Master to study diligently.

She certainly hadn’t told the Grand Master what Seventh Miss overheard… Seventh Miss belonged to the main courtyard. Even if she told the Grand Master everything face-to-face, it would just be throwing mud on the Fourth Branch. Without solid evidence, no one would act rashly.

Seventh Miss also recalled how every time Second Madam entered the Yang residence, the Grand Master would take Ninth Young Master away…

She suddenly understood Fourth Yiniang’s sense of urgency.

Though the Grand Master was very generous toward Third Miss, fundamentally, the person he valued most in his heart was still Ninth Young Master.

Ninth Young Master was the main courtyard’s son. Discussing Third Miss’s marriage while bypassing the Grand Madam was undoubtedly making the main courtyard lose face.

Making the main courtyard lose face meant making Ninth Young Master lose face…

And Madam Xu would return by boat with the Grand Madam.

The Grand Master probably wouldn’t agree to Third Miss’s marriage so easily.

Third Miss’s expression grew increasingly gloomy, her temper increasingly bad. Though she didn’t lose her temper before her sisters, quite a few maids and servants in Baifang Garden had already been wronged—either beaten or scolded, greatly humiliated.

In early seventh month, she suddenly caught a cold. After several days of seeking medical treatment and medicine without improvement, by the third of the seventh month, she developed a high fever.