Fifth Young Mistress’s funeral was much more elaborate than Yu Qiao’s had been.

Even with Seventh Miss’s exceptional shrewdness, she could never have anticipated how quickly events would unfold. One could say that in the blink of an eye, the matter had already reached a surface resolution. She had originally planned to return to her natal family that day to inform the Grand Madam of Fifth Young Mistress’s punishment, but naturally, once news of Fifth Young Mistress’s death spread, this notion immediately evaporated. She spent the entire day busily arranging Fifth Young Mistress’s funeral, dispatching people everywhere to announce the death, and sending word to the Zhang family. The commotion continued until late at night before things settled down. Early the next morning, the Grand Madam and others began arriving one after another to pay their respects.

Since Yu Qiao had died young from a sudden illness, most of the elders hadn’t come to pay condolences. But Fifth Young Mistress, after all, was a proper secondary daughter-in-law who had borne a daughter—she could be considered an adult. The Grand Madam’s personal attendance, though grand, given the relationship between the two families, couldn’t be called excessively attentive.

Seventh Miss was so busy rushing about that she didn’t have time to personally receive the Grand Madam. She only heard that the Grand Madam had made offerings before the spirit tablet before being invited by Madam Xu to Qingping Garden for conversation. After sitting for about half an hour, she took her leave.

The next time Seventh Miss saw the Grand Madam was after Fifth Young Mistress’s seventh-day ceremony had passed. She had already been placed in the outer coffin and was to be sent to Yangzhou for burial. Since both Fourth Young Master and Xu Fengjia had official duties, Duke Pingguo designated First Young Master and Fifth Young Master to travel together to escort Fifth Young Mistress back to the ancestral graves for burial. Because of the hot weather and the fact that Fifth Young Mistress had died of smallpox, only after the seventh day did everyone send her off. The men rode horses while the women traveled by carriage, escorting Fifth Young Mistress in grand procession to the funeral boat moored at the dock.

Ancient funeral rites were naturally far more complicated than modern ones. Madam Xu’s health was poor, and receiving the various family friends who came to pay condolences had already taxed her considerably. During these seven days, First Young Master, First Young Mistress, Fourth Young Master, Xu Fengjia, and Seventh Miss were all so busy their feet barely touched the ground. Working together with the stewards, they finally managed to send Fifth Young Mistress off, all thoroughly exhausted. Fortunately, everything proceeded smoothly without any disturbances or gossip. Everyone accepted that Fifth Young Mistress had “inadvertently contracted smallpox while caring for Yu Qiao, didn’t take it seriously herself, thinking it was just ordinary ringworm, thus delaying treatment. Once the high fever began it never broke, and in just two or three days she was gone.”

Given the medical conditions of the time, even a minor cold, with bad luck, could develop into pneumonia, then drag on into tuberculosis and become terminal. Not to mention a fierce disease like smallpox—two deaths from one outbreak was truly nothing remarkable. Everyone kept advising, “You should still hold several Buddhist ceremonies at the temple.” Moreover, all the Xu family members maintained normal expressions, the servants had all been strictly disciplined by Seventh Miss to the point of wanting to sew their mouths shut, and the few Zhang family members who came for the funeral, after reading Fifth Young Mistress’s suicide note, were filled with shame and fear, living in constant anxiety—how could they possibly gossip? Therefore, though the funeral was busy, it wasn’t chaotic. Not only were all the relatives and friends properly entertained, but when Seventh Miss later reviewed the accounts, the expenditures were all strictly proper with proper documentation—nothing more than a few broken porcelain pieces and some damaged gold and silver vessels, the usual losses.

Though according to custom, before the full forty-nine days had passed, the household was still in mourning, there were after all several generations of elders above, and Fifth Young Mistress’s funeral had been rushed. According to common practice, after returning everyone removed their white mourning garments. Though they weren’t exactly laughing and wearing red and green everywhere, they all resumed normal daily life. Only Hexian, as Fifth Young Mistress’s biological daughter, still wore white flowers in her hair—this mourning she would observe for a full three years.

The day after Fifth Young Mistress’s seventh-day ceremony, word from the Grand Madam inviting Seventh Miss home as a guest was delivered to the Xu household.

Seventh Miss had long anticipated this day. Not only she, but even the Grand Dowager and Madam Xu said, “You should indeed return to your natal family for a visit.” However, Xu Fengjia had accompanied the Emperor out of the city that day, and Fourth Young Master was already on duty, so she could only have Yu Ning escort her, taking a carriage back to the Grand Secretary’s manor.

This year, since the beginning of spring, the manor had been very unsettled. Yu Qiao’s and Fifth Young Mistress’s successive “deaths” seemed to have matured both Yu Ning and Yu Tai considerably. The youthful tenderness on the young man’s face had gradually been replaced by steadiness. He escorted Seventh Miss to the Grand Secretary’s manor gates, then said apologetically through the window, “Studies have been very demanding lately, and I’m thinking of taking the examinations next spring. Truthfully, I can’t afford to miss even a day of study. Could I have Elder Brother Shanjiu escort Sixth Sister-in-law back tonight?”

This was clearly avoiding the situation to allow the family to speak privately. Seventh Miss felt moved and readily agreed, saying softly, “Seventh Brother is thoughtful. Hurry back to your studies.”

While they were speaking, Ninth Brother had naturally already come out personally to receive her. After more courteous exchanges, Yu Ning rode away. Seventh Miss entered the ceremonial gate and changed to a sedan chair, then entered the second gate and alighted. When she walked shoulder to shoulder with Ninth Brother into the inner hall, the Grand Madam had already come forward supported by Second Miss, wiping tears while approaching. She grabbed Seventh Miss’s shoulders and pulled her into an embrace, tears falling freely. Before long, she had soaked Seventh Miss’s shoulder.

“The injustice is avenged, the injustice is avenged!” Though Fifth Miss had been dead for three years, the pain in the Grand Madam’s voice was still fresh. “My heart truly—for three whole years there hasn’t been a single moment of peace. Three years!”

Second Miss called out with reddened eyes, “Mother!” She too couldn’t quite control herself. Even Ninth Brother’s eyes reddened. Seventh Miss said softly, “Mother mustn’t be like this. If you cry yourself ill, what will we do?”

While comforting her, she gently extracted herself from the Grand Madam’s embrace.

The Grand Madam had invited Seventh Miss back not merely to hold her while crying. After this emotional release, she quickly and impatiently wiped away her tears and asked Seventh Miss, “What exactly happened with this matter? You must tell me in detail.”

After all, Madam Xu wasn’t directly involved. No matter how detailed her account, it couldn’t compare to what this daughter could explain, with the possibility for repeated questioning. Seventh Miss had to recount the entire sequence of events once more. Second Miss and Ninth Brother both listened intently. When the Grand Madam finished listening, she pondered for a while before asking with furrowed brow, “Your father-in-law isn’t planning to just let this matter slide, is he?”

Her dissatisfaction was already overflowing in her expression.

Seventh Miss said in a low voice, “Even when the waters are high during the journey to Yangzhou, the round trip takes at least two months. I expect it will be August before people return to the capital. Only then will Father-in-law raise the matter of punishing Fifth Brother again. This matter certainly cannot just be let go.”

For Fifth Young Master to escort the funeral to Yangzhou made sense both emotionally and logically. Even just to avoid suspicion, he still had to make this trip. The Grand Madam was reluctantly satisfied, though her brows remained deeply furrowed. After pondering a while longer, she asked Seventh Miss with hatred, “Which branch of the Zhang family does Zhang Shi come from? Are her parents still living? What brothers does she have?”

Seventh Miss was immediately speechless, yet not at all surprised. The Grand Madam’s displaced anger had long been within her expectations.

She looked toward Second Miss. Seeing Second Miss’s expression remain composed, apparently not finding the Grand Madam’s decision strange, she softly disclosed all of Fifth Young Mistress’s background. “Actually, speaking of it, the Zhang family could also be considered a distinguished family. Her branch has altogether…”

If one were to compare the political systems of later generations with the Great Qin’s political system, the difference in status between the Zhang and Yang families was roughly the distance between a current premier and a former ministerial-level official. Though this seemed like no great gap, just the difference between current and former already made a vast difference. Moreover, there was also the Empress’s sister-in-law presiding, and the currently favored Consort Ning in the palace backing them. For the Yang family to suppress the Zhang family meant they could do so at will. Though it hadn’t reached the point where the Zhang family would be utterly destroyed at the slightest move, with the Grand Secretary’s status, for the next twenty-plus years, as long as the Yang family didn’t fall, even if Zhang family descendants entered office, they would never have any outstanding performance.

Twenty-plus years of oppression—just this alone was enough to greatly trouble the Zhang family. Not to mention when a wall falls, everyone pushes. The Grand Secretary himself wouldn’t do anything too excessive, but what about his disciples? As long as there was one disciple eager to curry favor with his master who was willing to make things difficult for the Zhang family in various underhanded ways, could the Zhang family’s days ahead be easy?

And how could the Grand Secretary give up such a perfect opportunity to suppress an insignificant family gradually drifting away from the political center, thereby redeeming his image in his children’s hearts? Don’t look at how the Grand Madam was now asking Seventh Miss as if this idea had just occurred to her—in truth, from the day Fifth Young Mistress’s scheme failed, the entire outcome had been completely predetermined. The Zhang family members would at minimum gradually show signs of decline, at maximum face betrayal and abandonment. Wanting to live prosperously was now a dream.

Even though they too had been implicated by Fifth Young Mistress…

Seventh Miss’s lips moved, wanting to say something, but she quickly swallowed it back down.

She had never been someone who carried the world in her heart, taking the salvation of all people as her responsibility. Much of the time, she didn’t deny that she was selfish.

Personally ending the lives of three innocent young maids with whom she was even somewhat familiar in order to win Duke Pingguo’s favor was one thing. Speaking up for Zhang family members she’d never met and for whom she certainly felt no affection was quite another. From the moment they chose to raise Fifth Young Mistress into such a ruthless murderer, they were already destined to bear the price of their choice.

Unfair? Indeed. But often, life was simply this unfair.

She lowered her head and let out a light, weary sigh.

Second Miss immediately noticed Seventh Miss’s exhaustion. She patted Seventh Miss’s shoulder with concern and said gravely, “This matter finally has a resolution. From now on, your days at the Xu household will be much easier. During this period, you should rest well!”

Seventh Miss forced out a faint smile. The Grand Madam and Ninth Brother immediately also showed concern. “You must pay attention to your health…”

The Grand Madam even complained about Xu Fengjia, “He hasn’t accompanied you back to your natal family several times now. Is he really that busy, or—”

Before she could finish, Second Miss’s glare forced the words back into her mouth.

But Seventh Miss’s heart stirred slightly.

Discarding the millstone after grinding, putting away the bow once the birds are gone—her side had just uncovered Fifth Young Mistress’s guilt, and the Grand Madam was already concerned about her relationship with Xu Fengjia.

She revealed a helpless smile and said softly, “He’s very busy, especially with Fifth Branch’s matter coming to light recently. Who knows how many things need investigating privately. This time he truly couldn’t come—it’s not deliberate disrespect toward Mother.”

Since Xu Fengjia currently wasn’t attending to family matters, the Grand Madam naturally cared even less. After speaking a few more words with Seventh Miss, she asked, “Why didn’t Fourth Brother and Fifth Brother come?”

“Since the household incident, today is their first day back at lessons. Both children are very diligent and didn’t want to miss class without cause.” Seventh Miss explained with a smile. “I thought since we’re all in the capital now and the truth has come to light, there will be plenty of opportunities to come play in the future, so I didn’t have the children come along.”

Thinking of Fourth Brother and Fifth Brother, the Grand Madam looked at Seventh Miss with increased fondness. She patted Seventh Miss’s hand and said gravely, “To tell the truth, Mother thought you were living too comfortably at the Xu household and had forgotten about your Fifth Sister’s matter. I wanted to press you several times, but your father held me back, saying you weren’t having an easy time and were certainly making moves privately, just that until things were settled, it wasn’t appropriate to tell us…”

Thinking of what expression the Grand Secretary must have had when saying this, Seventh Miss felt a moment of surprise. Only then did she remember to ask, “Why haven’t I seen Father or Ruiyun today?”

“Oh.” A trace of blush appeared on Ninth Brother’s face. He said softly, “Ruiyun isn’t feeling well—we’re afraid there might be news, though we don’t know if it’s certain. Her second brother happens to be off today, so she’s gone back to her natal family to have Second Brother feel her pulse. Father was originally going to come in to see you today, but just now someone came to see him at the front, which delayed him.”

Perhaps because Fifth Miss’s death had been resolved, the Grand Madam was in good spirits. Mentioning Quan Ruiyun, her face rarely showed a smile. “I think it’s eighty or ninety percent certain. Ruiyun herself knows a bit of medicine but can’t quite be sure, so she simply went back to have the divine physician check her pulse. Now there can be no doubt!”

Second Miss and Seventh Miss both quickly congratulated the Grand Madam and Ninth Brother. “If it’s true, this is truly a wonderful thing!”

Though everyone was in the capital, opportunities to gather together like this weren’t frequent. They discussed the Grand Secretary’s birthday celebration this year for a while before Second Miss rose to take her leave first. “There are matters at home. Ninth Brother, please escort me back.”

The Grand Madam also pulled Seventh Miss aside for private conversation. “Last time I came to Mingde Hall to find you, you weren’t there. I glimpsed that maid I gave you back then—was it Yufang? How is she still acting like an untouched virgin? Her movements were full of resentment… Silly child, don’t give people grounds for criticism. Those who should be promoted must be promoted.”

Her tone was truly heartfelt, with nothing calculated in her expression. From Seventh Miss’s understanding of her, she could see that when the Grand Madam spoke these words, she was indeed sincere. She lowered her eyes and perfunctorily said softly, “That girl isn’t very obedient. I’ve disciplined her several times but she won’t submit to management. The one I’ve promoted instead is Nanny Mao, whom the Old Dowager bestowed—she’s much more docile…”

Deep satisfaction immediately flashed through the Grand Madam’s eyes. She gripped Seventh Miss’s shoulder tightly again and instructed her, “Before you’re pregnant, still don’t stop the contraceptive tea, lest in the future secondary sons be older than legitimate sons. Though you have Fourth Brother and Fifth Brother to look after things, it would still be troublesome…”

Seventh Miss acknowledged everything without revealing any pleasure or displeasure.

The Grand Madam murmured on for a long while, then suddenly fell silent. Looking at Seventh Miss’s serene profile, countless feelings welled up in her heart. She let out a long sigh and adjusted the silver hairpin at Seventh Miss’s temple.

Thinking back to when Fifth Miss married, how radiant she had been! At that time, Seventh Miss had been merely a budding flower, delicate and pretty.

Three or four years later, between Seventh Miss’s features, a certain indescribable charm was faintly emerging. She still couldn’t be called stunningly beautiful, but one could see that this flower had reached the moment when it would bloom. Her grace was gradually unfolding—her spring was about to arrive.

“Looking at you now, you seem even more mature than your Fifth Sister was,” she said softly, her throat again choking with a difficult lump. “When your Fifth Sister passed away, she was actually a year younger than you are now… That year she was only eight years old, picking flowers in Hundred Fragrance Garden. She selected the most beautiful green-calyx plum blossom for me and insisted on putting it in my hair. That moment—I will never forget it for the rest of my life…”

Some wounds remain fresh throughout a lifetime. Even though Fifth Miss’s features had blurred, this pain would forever be engraved in the Grand Madam’s heart, never forgotten for a moment.

Seventh Miss looked at the Grand Madam, her eyes like water.

Like sheared water, through the shimmering ripples, infinite thoughts emerged, impossible to fathom.

She spoke, “Yes, some things—barely off one’s brow, yet climb upon one’s heart.”

Her voice was also like water—like a cold, astringent icy spring.