The Fifth Young Madam’s letter contained little idle talk, not even the customary pleasantries—it was entirely a plain-spoken written message. Without needing any cultural refinement or scheming mind, any literate person could almost immediately understand the meaning contained within. This greatly exceeded Seventh Miss’s expectations and completely contradicted the Fifth Young Madam’s usual manner of conducting affairs.
The letter got straight to the point, already mentioning the matter of the Fifth Branch’s placement.
“The Grand Madam will certainly wish to keep the Fifth Young Master in the capital, or at least near the capital,” the Fifth Young Madam’s opening sentence had already seen through the Grand Madam’s thoughts. “Whether for the Sixth Branch’s sake or for the Fifth Branch’s sake, the Fifth Young Master should no longer remain in the capital. Even if Father-in-law is softhearted, you must not be softhearted. North, south, east, or west—the farther he goes, the better, and he should never return. This is the best outcome for everyone.”
She then spoke without reservation about the ship contract in Qiu Zhi’s hands. “This piece of paper will serve no purpose now, but although the contract bears Qiu Zhi’s name, it won’t be problematic for the Xu family to take it over. It was already agreed at the time that the contract would be recognized, not the person. The fleet will set sail soon. In the future, whether you keep the ship’s profits as your private funds or act virtuously and generously by contributing them to the public coffers, no one will say a word.”
One hundred fifty thousand taels of silver—the Fifth Young Madam had stirred up so many storms over it, yet now she relinquished it so readily. Seventh Miss couldn’t help but admire her straightforward decisiveness.
Then again, she thought, even she herself probably didn’t have the Fifth Young Madam’s courage to drink poison and end her life in a single night.
This person’s thoughts ran deep, her methods ruthless and decisive. If her talents could have been applied in the proper domain, her achievements would likely be no less than Xu Fengjia’s.
“In letting go this time, the only person I cannot rest easy about is Hexian. But even entrusting Hexian to that worthless father would be less effective than entrusting her to you. Now that I must exit the stage early, for the next several decades, yours will be the loudest voice in the Duke of Pingguo’s Manor. I hope Hexian can remain in the capital. When she comes of age, she need not necessarily depend on any particular branch—give her two nursemaids and she can grow up safely. When she reaches her teens, arrange a stable and simple marriage for her. The dowry need not be abundant, but it should not be less than her sisters’.” Only at this point did the Fifth Young Madam’s tone carry a trace of mockery. “I remember very clearly our conversation at Menghua Pavilion in the third month. Sixth Sister-in-law looks down on me from the bottom of her heart, considers me ruthless and conscienceless. Since you pride yourself on having a conscience, you should know that parental faults have nothing whatsoever to do with Hexian. Whether you truly have a conscience or not will naturally be revealed over the next decade or more.”
This Fifth Young Madam truly didn’t forget to needle her even unto death.
As Seventh Miss read, she couldn’t help but smile coldly.
Even without the Fifth Young Madam saying so, she had no intention of driving Hexian out of the capital to take up office with the Fifth Young Master. After all, her mother had committed offenses—following her father, she would lack the confidence of ordinary legitimate daughters. Without a birth mother from childhood, if the stepmother were the slightest bit harsh, this little girl’s days would be filled with gloom and misery. The Grand Madam clearly wished to keep Hexian by her side—why would she create obstacles?
The Fifth Young Madam’s provocation was truly deployed with a touch of desperation.
Having arranged matters concerning Hexian, the Fifth Young Madam seemed to feel that both her bait and hook had been cast. What followed saw her phrasing become even sharper.
“Regarding Yang Shanli’s death, you must harbor doubts in your heart. In my daily conduct, I always plan thoroughly before acting.” Here, the Fifth Young Madam’s handwriting finally showed a trace of disorder. “Harming her brought the Fifth Branch nothing but harm and not a single benefit—why would I do such a thing? You must also be very curious whether the Grand Madam and Fifth Young Master knew about the poisoning, and whether those two were aware of the usurious loans and Qiu Zhi’s activities at sea.”
She immediately answered her own rhetorical question.
“When a person dies, the lamp goes out—leaving behind so many regrets serves no purpose. I have no evidence, only whether you believe me or not. When I received the news, I happened to have a packet of wang bu liu xing on hand, so I instructed Little Songhua to mix it into the medicine packet. But the saffron wasn’t added by me. Saffron causes infertility—clever as Sixth Sister-in-law is, you should know I hoped Yang Shanli could bear many children. Who added that dose of saffron, even I don’t know.”
“Of course, I don’t know because I haven’t the slightest interest in knowing. Sixth Sister-in-law will certainly be different—who exactly this person is, after you investigate and clarify the matter, you can burn a stick of incense for me so I may know as well.” The Fifth Young Madam’s writing seemed to actually contain a trace of amusement. Seventh Miss could even see through the paper that faint, ethereal smile like that of a person in a painting, and that theatrical, winding, twisting tone. “However, this matter already has a conclusion on the surface. Whether investigating it will be more troublesome for Sixth Sister-in-law is hard to say.”
The woman was dead, yet before dying she still left Seventh Miss with a difficult problem. By taking responsibility for the saffron, the Fifth Young Lady’s death had already been completely resolved on the surface. If Seventh Miss now tried to reopen the case, not only would she provoke the Duke of Pingguo’s displeasure, but she would also face the predicament of insufficient evidence…
Turning to the end of the letter, Seventh Miss discovered that not only did this letter lack a salutation and signature, it also bore none of the Fifth Young Madam’s personal seals.
Using this letter as evidence was now impossible. Without signature or seal, with only similar handwriting, its persuasive power was far too shallow…
This Fifth Young Madam died so unwillingly, and even after death, she left Seventh Miss with a difficult problem.
A small smile couldn’t help but bloom at the corners of Seventh Miss’s lips—whether she was smiling because the Fifth Young Madam was the Fifth Young Madam to the end, or smiling because her own speculation hadn’t been wrong.
She continued reading.
“As for the poisoning matter, although the Old Madam never said anything, she knew in her heart.” When the Fifth Young Madam mentioned the Grand Madam, her attitude was unexpectedly indifferent. “What the old lady has feared most her entire life is Lady Qin gaining power. First she wanted to arrange the Da family, then later the Niu family—all for this reason. By the time you sisters successively married into the family, she already understood that Sixth Brother would absolutely never stand on her side, and from then on, many things became different. However, the old lady is still the old lady—in this matter, she didn’t lift a finger, and I have no evidence whatsoever… You may believe it or not.”
“Throughout this lifetime I’ve prided myself on my intelligence and never yielded to anyone. The only person who could defeat me is you. But I want you to know—the reason you won is merely because you had Yang Shanli as your stepping stone for advancement, you had the saffron as your variable and clue, you had the identity of Heir Apparent’s wife, you had your natal family as support. If it were merely a contest between you and me, Yang Shanheng, do you believe it or not—I wouldn’t necessarily lose!”
The letter ended abruptly here. The Fifth Young Madam hadn’t even left a signature, using only half a page of blank space as her closing statement.
When Xu Fengjia returned, Seventh Miss showed him the letter.
“Fifth Sister-in-law says my victory was dishonorable.” Her eyes and brows carried a hint of emotion. “Actually, she doesn’t know—the reason she lost is simply because although I scheme, in my heart I don’t like scheming. In the end, I’m still a person. But when it came to Fifth Sister-in-law’s stage, she had already…”
However, Xu Fengjia didn’t share Seventh Miss’s sentimentality. The more he read this letter, the angrier he became.
“What does she mean ‘no evidence’? Without evidence, what is she spouting!” He seemed ready to crumple the letter and throw it in the wastebasket. “This is just wonderful—in Grandmother’s presence, how should we speak from now on? Every time I see her, must I wonder in my heart whether she knows or doesn’t know, whether she was secretly instigating the Fifth Branch to poison Shanli…”
A smile couldn’t help but appear on Seventh Miss’s lips. “Fifth Sister-in-law hopes you’ll think exactly this way…”
Though the Fifth Young Madam’s move didn’t calculate against Seventh Miss, it certainly dragged Xu Fengjia into the water—she wasn’t at all concerned about exposing her intentions, deliberately planting another thorn in the Sixth Branch’s heart. Xu Fengjia could only fall into the trap.
“However,” before Xu Fengjia could complain further, Seventh Miss said lightly, “Regarding Grandmother acquiescing or even instigating it, I also believe Fifth Sister-in-law.”
The Grand Madam’s consistent behavior had indeed been thus. Even if Seventh Miss didn’t want to believe it, after two years of interaction, she had to believe it.
Xu Fengjia fell silent at once. After a long while, he said glumly, “So what if we believe it? Without solid evidence, how can you deal with her? After all, she’s still Grandmother!”
In ancient times, the words loyalty and filial piety both carried life-crushing weight. Xu Fengjia’s words indeed made sense—not to mention lacking solid evidence, even with solid evidence, what could Seventh Miss do to the Grand Madam? She was the Xu family’s highest-ranking and sole surviving elder of her generation. Even the Duke of Pingguo and Madam Xu could only privately reject the old lady’s wishes. To truly force her to suicide as they had the Fifth Young Madam—that was pure fantasy.
“Fifth Sister-in-law hopes you’ll think exactly this way…” Seventh Miss smiled again. “Only now do I understand—when she so readily took all the blame upon herself that day, she had this intention as well.”
She patted Xu Fengjia’s shoulder and said lightly, “Since we can’t do anything to the old lady, I think you should just forget this matter. In any case, Fifth Sister-in-law was definitely the mastermind. Now that Fifth Sister-in-law has already committed suicide, let bygones be bygones.”
Xu Fengjia’s face was full of anger. He was about to say something more when his expression suddenly shifted. This time, he remained silent for a long while.
“So you’re saying you plan not to pursue the past matters anymore?” After a long time, he finally asked Seventh Miss softly.
Exhaustion appeared on Seventh Miss’s face. She smiled but didn’t answer Xu Fengjia’s question, only summoned Lixia and gave her a few whispered instructions.
#
Several days later, Madam Xu summoned Seventh Miss to Qingping Courtyard to talk.
As soon as Seventh Miss entered Qingping Courtyard, she apologized. “These past few days the household has been in chaos. Apart from morning and evening attendance, I’ve rarely come to Qingping Courtyard. I’ve been remiss toward Mother.”
Madam Xu waved her hand with a smile. “I know you’ve been busy. It’s fine—I won’t trouble you either. But calling you here this time, there actually is proper business.”
Seventh Miss raised her eyebrows at Madam Xu, quietly waiting for her to continue.
Madam Xu’s preference for being direct remained unchanged. Without any preamble, she asked Seventh Miss directly, “Did that person from the Fifth Branch write you a letter before she died?”
It seemed the information she had Bailu spread had already taken effect.
Seventh Miss had no intention of denying it. She nodded lightly. “So Mother has also heard?”
Madam Xu gazed at Seventh Miss for a moment. Seeing her completely composed, she let out a soft breath and reminded Seventh Miss, “Since I know about this matter, it’s only a matter of time before everyone in the manor knows as well… However, it seems you’ve already prepared for this.”
Seventh Miss said softly, “Xiaoqi knows what to do about this matter.”
Madam Xu then changed the subject and asked Seventh Miss, “Fengjia told you about the household division, didn’t he?”
She surprisingly didn’t continue pressing Seventh Miss about what the letter actually contained.
If the First Madam could learn even a fraction of Madam Xu’s skills, she and the First Master probably wouldn’t have reached their current state.
Seventh Miss felt this emotion in her heart, but smiled on her face. “Yes, Fengjia told me. Xiaoqi actually feels now isn’t the right time to discuss this matter. Setting aside that Grandmother is still with us, you two elders are also both in good health. Dividing the household now—wouldn’t that make our Xu family a laughingstock among the capital’s great families?”
A flash of deep satisfaction immediately appeared in Madam Xu’s eyes. She said impassively, “Xiaoqi’s consideration is still more thorough. However, I still mentioned this matter to your father-in-law.”
Seeing Seventh Miss’s eyes widen in surprise, Madam Xu continued, “Your father-in-law naturally didn’t agree… However, the day before yesterday he told me he’s already found a position for your Fifth Brother in Yunnan.”
Seventh Miss immediately understood.
Ginger is spicier when old. Though Madam Xu usually didn’t manage many affairs, at critical moments she truly displayed surprising brilliance and veteran cunning. The absurd proposal of household division was actually meant to hasten the Fifth Young Master’s relocation. There might even have been the intention of testing her, wanting to know whether she was so eager to drive out the Fifth Branch that she no longer cared about the Xu family’s reputation.
With Madam Xu, this veteran general, sitting in command of the Sixth Branch, what was there to worry about?
She couldn’t help but smile slightly, rising to bow to Madam Xu. “Xiaoqi has learned much.”
Madam Xu couldn’t stop smiling. “Ah, with you in the Sixth Branch, I can truly rest easy.”
She went on to advise Seventh Miss, “This matter hasn’t received confirmation from Yunnan yet, so it’s not entirely certain—though of course, it’s nine parts certain out of ten. When Yunnan sends back word, your grandmother will likely have new tricks up her sleeve. You must be prepared in your heart.”
Seventh Miss nodded knowingly. She smiled with pursed lips. “Times have changed. Whatever moves Grandmother makes, Xiaoqi will simply counter them.”
At present, though the Sixth Branch certainly couldn’t do anything to the Grand Madam, neither would they suffer her grievances.
Madam Xu looked at Seventh Miss and wiped her eyes with relief. “Three years—these three years, I haven’t slept well a single night. Only now does my heart find peace. That matters can have today’s outcome is entirely thanks to Xiaoqi.”
Though Madam Xu had always liked Seventh Miss very much, this was still the first time she had so clearly praised her daughter-in-law. How satisfied she was with Seventh Miss went without saying.
Seventh Miss also smiled along with Madam Xu, though in her heart she couldn’t help thinking of those few lines from the Fifth Young Madam’s letter.
Indeed, even in death, the Fifth Young Madam had left her with a difficult problem: in this situation, if she still wanted to reopen the case, not to mention the Duke of Pingguo—even Madam Xu probably wouldn’t support it.