After the seventh day memorial, the sisters in the garden regained their freedom of movement.

Eighth Concubine’s coffin had barely left the garden when Sixth Miss sent Daxue to greet Seventh Miss and invite her to swing on the swings at Little Fragrant Snow.

Seventh Miss accepted with a smile.

Several senior maids cleaned together until noon, each exhausted and drenched in sweat. After Ninth Brother and Seventh Miss ate lunch, Ninth Brother rested as usual in the eastern inner room. The senior maids took turns bathing. By afternoon, Nanny Wang also entered the western side courtyard wiping away perspiration.

“I made a special detour to Youhuang this morning to pay my respects to Second Miss.” She said with a smile, “Second Miss will come over this evening!”

Second Miss usually visited the western side courtyard every few days, but due to Eighth Concubine’s funeral matters, she hadn’t come for over ten days.

Naturally she had to come see the western side courtyard.

Seventh Miss nodded imperceptibly.

After dinner, Second Miss indeed entered the western side courtyard with Xiaohan.

Perhaps because there had recently been a death in the family, she wore a bamboo-green lake silk skirt and a fragrant cloud gauze short jacket. She looked elegant yet carried a hint of charm, adding several shades of radiance to Second Miss’s refined features.

Upon entering the room, everyone first exchanged greetings. Lichun led Ninth Brother into the western inner room to work on his lessons, and only then did Second Miss close the door with Nanny Wang and Seventh Miss to speak privately in the eastern inner room.

“There’s a traitor in the western side courtyard.”

Second Miss was her usual self. With her very first words, she decisively set the tone of the matter.

A mouthful of blood could be made into something big or small. Small—it could just be glossed over with no one pursuing it further. Big—the entire main courtyard could be turned upside down without it being considered too excessive a commotion.

A traitor in the western side courtyard—in any case, it was just these few people. Investigate them, and it would be over. The disturbance would be neither too big nor too small.

“There are still some matters regarding Eighth Concubine that aren’t finished today.” Nanny Wang couldn’t hide her anxiety. “Tomorrow we’ll start investigating!”

Second Miss glanced at Nanny Wang, her demeanor calm.

“Ninth Brother is still in the courtyard. How do you investigate?”

Once again, straight to the core.

Right now, the most taboo thing was to throw oneself into disorder.

No matter who wanted to harm Ninth Brother, since this person had already endured this long, they certainly wouldn’t easily reveal their hand.

Second Miss then looked toward Seventh Miss. “Mother will be home soon. We must guard against desperate acts.”

Although Nanny Wang was right there, Seventh Miss clearly sensed that she was speaking to her, and only to her.

“What does Second Sister mean?” She responded cautiously.

In front of Second Miss, she simply couldn’t relax.

“Let Ninth Brother move to Youhuang!” Yet Second Miss dropped this unexpected suggestion.

Seventh Miss was startled.

But joy bloomed across Nanny Wang’s face.

“Second Miss thinks so thoroughly!”

Seventh Miss quickly understood as well.

Although moving into Baifang Garden seemed to bring him a bit closer to danger, as long as they brought Lichun along to serve him and he entered Youhuang, there would be nothing to worry about.

Second Miss had a tranquil temperament and rarely went out, seldom venturing beyond her quarters. The servants in Youhuang were also managed very obediently.

It was also a small place. Second Miss preferred quiet, so normally even junior maids couldn’t enter the main house—only two senior maids served inside, both part of Second Miss’s dowry. Second Miss was about to be married, so the maids the Grand Madam selected for her were certainly utterly loyal, and their families served in the residence, making them easy to control.

Once inside Youhuang, no matter how far the opposition’s reach extended, they would have no way to get to Ninth Brother.

Unlike the western side courtyard where Nanny Wang was present—normally Fourth Concubine could send people over using this or that excuse…

“Second Sister thinks so meticulously.” She couldn’t help but compliment.

Though Second Miss usually seemed not to invest energy in scheming and plotting, at the critical moment, this move was executed quite masterfully.

Seventh Miss felt somewhat alert: she still had a long road to travel, many things to learn.

Second Miss tugged at the corners of her mouth. “Leaving aside everything else, I can still protect him for this one month.”

She was about to be married. Fourth Concubine certainly wouldn’t plant anyone in Youhuang.

Of course, if time dragged on, with such proximity and convenience, who could say? But for just one month, Fourth Concubine wouldn’t have the opportunity to strike even if she wanted to.

“Xiaoxue, Chushu, and the remaining junior maids and matrons shouldn’t follow.” Second Miss continued idly. “Youhuang has limited quarters—even if they came, there’d be nowhere to house them. Let them go home to stay for a while. It counts as getting a few days off.”

Seventh Miss almost wanted to applaud loudly.

This move of removing fuel from under the cauldron, both eliminating and striking simultaneously, was truly brilliant.

Nanny Wang would certainly send people to monitor these individuals’ movements.

If the traitor lost vigilance… that would be the time to uproot them completely.

Honestly, Seventh Miss didn’t think the problem lay with people from her own quarters, but still, she had to be courteous.

“Second Sister, if we’re speaking this way, the people around me…” She proactively inquired.

Both Second Miss and Nanny Wang showed expressions of relief.

After all, they were Seventh Miss’s people. If Seventh Miss didn’t proactively speak up, it wasn’t proper for them to overstep their authority.

“Normally, Seventh Miss’s junior maids are all very proper. They never crowd into the western inner room.” Nanny Wang spoke first, exonerating the junior maids.

A flash of gratitude passed through Seventh Miss’s eyes.

Nanny Wang’s heart eased: it was good that she knew how to appreciate kindness.

“Bailu is Nanny Liang’s goddaughter. Her father passed away early. Her mother works in the needlework room and has always been honest and simple.” She continued, “Moreover, she’s served in the main house for four or five years.”

If nothing had gone wrong in four or five years, the possibility of problems arising later was small. As Nanny Liang’s goddaughter, Bailu would naturally be supported by Nanny Liang, so her heart naturally leaned toward the main courtyard… Her family had no unruly relatives either. She had almost nothing suspicious about her.

“Lixia’s father is the second steward of the stables, and her mother is a minor supervisor in the laundry room.” Seventh Miss also revealed Lixia’s background. “Since she entered the residence, she’s been serving at my side for a year or two now.”

If Fourth Concubine could calculate as far as Lixia, that would truly be thinking too far ahead. A year or two ago, whether Seventh Miss could even reach the main courtyard was uncertain. Moreover, Lixia was different from Bailu—taciturn and reticent, unfamiliar with the people in the western inner room, she wouldn’t go wandering in there without reason.

“Xiaoxue’s father is a steward on the estate, and her mother is a managing matron in the main kitchen.” Nanny Wang then spoke of Xiaoxue and Chushu. “Chushu’s father has been on duty at the side gate these past years. Her mother’s health isn’t good and hasn’t had duties these past years. Both are eldest daughters. Their younger siblings are still young and haven’t taken up duties.”

All said and done, Xiaoxue and Chushu were relatively the most suspicious.

As maids in Ninth Brother’s quarters, they were certainly Fourth Concubine’s key targets for subversion.

Xiaoxue’s mother worked in the main kitchen, making it very convenient to make contact with Fourth Concubine’s people. Chushu’s mother couldn’t work, losing that income, so the family circumstances were probably quite difficult, giving Fourth Concubine an opportunity to exploit.

Second Miss had clearly thought the same as Seventh Miss. “Although we’ve reviewed them several times, we still can’t relax… Nanny Wang, keep this in mind. This matter can be neither too light nor too heavy. You absolutely must assign discreet and tight-lipped people to pay attention. If it spreads and they’re innocent, that’s one thing, but what we fear most is arousing their vigilance—then it will be difficult to proceed.”

When she spoke to Nanny Wang, she used a commanding tone.

Nanny Wang didn’t dare put on any airs and responded deferentially.

Seventh Miss’s eyes dimmed slightly.

She sighed. “Without Mother home, the family truly lacks its pillar!”

Second Miss looked at her and smiled. “What a silly girl.”

But she didn’t explain what she meant by this. She merely gave Xiaohan a meaningful look.

Xiaohan then took out a small box from the basket at her feet.

In front of Nanny Wang, Second Miss opened it for Seventh Miss to see. The small case was neatly stacked with three or four rows of fine-threaded silver. “Keep it.”

Seventh Miss glanced at Nanny Wang and bit her lip.

If she truly meant to give it, why specifically let Nanny Wang see?

But Nanny Wang’s heart was crystal clear.

Before the Dragon Boat Festival when Madam Feng visited, Seventh Miss had certainly used her own private silver to send her off.

…At the time, she thought the Grand Madam might not be happy to spend that silver. Even if she were to reimburse, it would be after the Grand Madam returned home and gave approval. Otherwise, it would inevitably lead to being criticized before the Grand Madam, with both she and Seventh Miss suffering together.

That time was that time; now is now.

Seventh Miss was not only ice-bright and clever, she also had Second Miss’s support…

“Accept it quickly.” She also helped Second Miss persuade Seventh Miss, even taking the case from Xiaohan’s hands and firmly placing it on Seventh Miss’s table. “This is your elder sister’s consideration for you!”

Seventh Miss accepted graciously, lowering her head, her voice like a mosquito’s buzz. “Then I thank Second Sister…”

Second Miss rarely revealed a trace of a smile.

Watching this, Nanny Wang’s heart trembled again.

It seemed Second Miss truly valued Seventh Miss highly.

The next day, Nanny Wang sent fifty taels of silver to Seventh Miss’s room: “Last time when Madam Feng came…”

Who knew how Nanny Wang explained this matter to the Master—the Master had no objections to Ninth Brother moving.

The next day, Ninth Brother moved into Youhuang. Because Youhuang had limited quarters, he only brought Lichun along to attend him. The other maids were all sent home to stay.

After school, Seventh Miss would enter the garden with Sixth Miss, first playing at Little Fragrant Snow for a while, then going to Youhuang for dinner. After dinner, she would return to the western side courtyard to rest.

This way, her opportunities to come and go in Baifang Garden suddenly multiplied.

Regarding Ninth Brother’s move, Sixth Miss was very curious.

“Why is he living in the western side courtyard one moment, then moving into Youhuang the next?” She whispered to Seventh Miss, “Could it be he wanted to play in Baifang Garden, so he pestered Second Sister to let him move in?”

Seventh Miss smiled without speaking.

She didn’t want to deceive Sixth Miss.

Sixth Miss looked at Seventh Miss’s expression and stopped asking.

Fourth Miss was still cold as ice, showing nothing amiss. Even Third Miss was as usual, full of smiles and laughter.

Seventh Miss couldn’t help but wonder: either Third Miss knew nothing at all, or her shrewdness had deepened another layer.

However, when Third Miss wore out the gemstone bracelet the Master had given her to show off, Seventh Miss had her answer.

Fourth Concubine certainly hadn’t told Third Miss everything about this matter.

Second Madam had recently been frequently sending things to Ninth Brother, the sisters, and the concubines. Fourth Concubine also frequently sent gifts in return.

Hidden currents surged within Baifang Garden.

Lichun and Xiaohan took turns watching over Ninth Brother. Xiaohan wasn’t as busy as Nanny Wang. Second Miss relieved her of her duties, requiring only that she stay at Ninth Brother’s side without leaving for a moment. Entering the eighth month, they didn’t even let Ninth Brother attend lessons anymore. Publicly they said that when the guest monk from Hanshan Temple came to deliver the protective talisman, he conveyed a message that Ninth Brother shouldn’t leave the inner gates this month and shouldn’t meet with adult men.

This statement even kept the Master outside.

The Master was originally very angry, but after Second Miss personally went to Huansha Dock to explain, he surprisingly acquiesced.

Thus Ninth Brother didn’t even leave the doors of Youhuang.

At this point, even someone as oblivious as Sixth Miss could see something was wrong.

“Is Ninth Brother still staying in Youhuang? It’s practically imprisonment.” She teased Seventh Miss. “Look at you, just like someone visiting a prisoner.”

Seventh Miss laughed heartily.

She indeed was visiting a prisoner. Dinner each day was Ninth Brother’s exercise period. After dinner, he could walk with Seventh Miss on the small path outside Youhuang.

Ninth Brother now truly single-mindedly hoped for the Grand Madam’s return: if the Grand Madam didn’t return, his prison sentence would never end.

Entering the eighth month, a letter the Grand Madam sent from Yangzhou also arrived at the Yang residence.

It said she would depart from Yangzhou on the tenth of the eighth month, traveling by water through Suzhou.

From Yangzhou to Suzhou by water was only a two-day journey.

Everyone in the main courtyard breathed a sigh of relief: these days of living on tenterhooks would finally come to an end.

Privately, Nanny Wang felt somewhat anxious again.

“Madam will be home soon, but the traitor still hasn’t revealed themselves.” She complained to Seventh Miss. “I fear Madam will think this old woman handles matters poorly…”

“You’re not fighting the traitor.” Seventh Miss consoled her. “You’re fighting that person… How many years has she been fighting with Madam?”

If Fourth Concubine could be easily caught showing her hand, she wouldn’t be Fourth Concubine.

Nanny Wang’s mind eased slightly.

“I only hope Madam arrives home safely and peacefully, and the household waits safely and peacefully for that day… Once Madam is home, whatever commotion arises, I won’t care anymore.” She pressed her palms together, devoutly closing her eyes and chanting Buddhist sutras.

Seventh Miss could well understand Nanny Wang’s feelings.

Supporting the main courtyard’s affairs alone, handling matters large and small, while also guarding against Fourth Concubine’s schemes—she was probably mentally and physically exhausted.

“Everyone has done their utmost!” She comforted Nanny Wang. “Nothing major can go wrong.”

“Madam values face. I’m afraid Ninth Brother moving to Youhuang will also anger her.” Nanny Wang’s brow remained furrowed, only now revealing her true worry. “And arriving home together with Madam Xu…”

“Madam Xu is Mother’s blood sister. Between sisters, there aren’t so many formalities.” Seventh Miss could only say this.

Nanny Wang smiled, showing a bit more warmth toward Seventh Miss.

After all, she was still young and didn’t know that while sisters might be close at home, after marriage, some comparison was inevitable. Madam Xu’s success would make the Grand Madam seem somewhat lackluster by comparison. At such a juncture, to reveal signs of domestic discord… the Grand Madam’s face would not look good either.

She then spoke to Seventh Miss about Madam Xu.

“Madam Xu is the Grand Madam’s third elder sister. She married into Duke Pingguo’s Xu family many years ago. Duke Pingguo led troops in campaigns in his early years, which delayed things until Madam Xu was thirty before she bore a legitimate son. Young Master Xu is ten years old this year, though he has two or three elder half-brothers.” Speaking of it, every family had its difficult scriptures to recite. “The Xu family’s prominence is something the Yang family could never catch up to even on horseback. Of the two young ladies, one passed away so we won’t mention her, but the other is an Imperial Noble Consort in the palace… Though childless, she’s close to the Empress and has been helping raise the Crown Prince with her for many years.”

When the Crown Prince eventually ascended the throne, he would naturally respect the Imperial Noble Consort. The Xu family’s prestige would be beyond measure. Compared to an official family like the Yang household, they naturally had far more status and deeper roots.

No wonder the Grand Madam wanted to bring Madam Xu to support her.

“Second Master has been in the capital these past years, also relying heavily on Duke Pingguo’s care.” When Nanny Wang mentioned the Xu family, her face showed both admiration and a trace of pride. After all, this noble connection to the Yang family had been established through the Grand Madam’s relationship. “Madam Xu has always doted on Madam. This time, Second Madam won’t find it so easy to get through.”

Seventh Miss felt a trace of curiosity about Madam Xu in her heart.

On the twelfth of the eighth month, the Grand Madam and Madam Xu arrived as scheduled. The Master personally went to the dock to bring the two women back to the residence.