The children all waited in the main courtyard for the guests to arrive.

Yurong Courtyard had been arranged several days ago. Nanny Wang had personally led people to inspect it two or three times, picking out many flaws, fearing Madam Xu might be dissatisfied. She had even specially opened the side gate of Yurong Courtyard leading to Guanmao Alley on the right side of Second Yang Street, to facilitate the coming and going of the Xu family’s servants.

Ninth Brother also didn’t have lessons today. Everyone sat properly in order of seniority in the main courtyard hall, waiting to welcome the mistress of the house.

The Grand Madam and Madam Xu had probably disembarked around early afternoon. Just past mid-afternoon, they heard the Master’s voice faintly carrying through from outside the hanging flower gate.

Before long, the Grand Madam and a middle-aged noblewoman entered through the hanging flower gate hand in hand, surrounded by a crowd of matrons and maids, walking gracefully toward the hall.

Nanny Wang had already raised a smile. Together with Nanny Yao from the small storeroom, she descended the steps side by side to welcome the Grand Madam and Madam Xu into the house.

The Yang daughters all rose to greet them.

The Grand Madam wore a light blue buttoned dark-patterned silk long jacket. Perhaps due to the bumpy journey, she looked somewhat thinner and dressed very plainly. Aside from the mutton-fat jade bracelet on her hand and the bright pearl hairpin in her hair, she had no other adornments. She nodded and smiled at the children, then sat with Madam Xu in the two armchairs placed across from each other as host and guest. She said gently, “This is the Duchess of Pingguo, your Third Aunt.”

“Greetings to Third Aunt!” Everyone greeted her in unison. The Grand Madam then beckoned to Second Miss. “Third Sister, she’ll be going to the capital at the end of this year. From now on, you’ll need to look after her.”

A matron had already brought over a cushion and placed it before Madam Xu.

Second Miss slowly knelt down. Her movements were very elegant, like an orchid swaying in the wind.

“Greetings to Third Aunt.”

Madam Xu was also dressed plainly, in a dark red lake silk cloud-patterned jacket and brown tribute satin plain skirt, with a South Sea pearl gold hairpin in her hair. Compared to the Grand Madam’s kindly round face, her features were much sharper—arched brows, phoenix eyes emanating authority, inspiring awe in those who beheld her.

“Rise quickly.” She was very courteous to Second Miss, personally bending to help her up. “You look very much like Fourth Sister!”

After the Grand Madam and Madam Xu exchanged courtesies for a while, they had Third Miss come forward to pay her respects.

Madam Xu only nodded slightly and smiled at Third Miss, accepting her courtesy without saying much.

Upon seeing Sixth Miss, her eyes brightened. “What a beautiful young lady.” She gave special praise.

Sixth Miss’s cheeks flushed red, but she was still fairly composed. “Thank you for the praise, Aunt.”

Seventh Miss then stepped forward with a smile and paid her respects to Madam Xu. “Greetings to Third Aunt.”

Madam Xu asked the Grand Madam, “This must be Ninth Brother’s twin sister!”

The Grand Madam looked at Seventh Miss with neither warmth nor coldness. “Yes, she only just came to be raised in the main courtyard this year. Before, she lived with Ninth Concubine in the southern side courtyard.”

Madam Xu nodded without saying much more.

Ninth Brother stepped forward and paid his respects to Madam Xu steadily and properly.

When the Grand Madam saw Ninth Brother, it was as if she saw a living treasure. As soon as Ninth Brother rose, she pulled him into her embrace. “You’ve grown taller!”

Ninth Brother laughed merrily, leaning against the Grand Madam. “But Mother has gotten thinner.” His tone was very concerned.

Madam Xu smiled and shook her head. The look she gave Ninth Brother softened somewhat.

“Fengjia,” she called. “Come meet your cousins.”

At this call, no one responded.

The Grand Madam and Madam Xu exchanged glances. The Grand Madam asked Nanny Liang beside her, “Where is Young Master Xu? He was still nearby when we got off the carriage.”

Nanny Liang looked around, then said with a smile, “Perhaps he went with Fifth Miss to the eastern side courtyard to play.”

“Your fifth younger sister gets carsick.” The Grand Madam said to Second Miss with a smile, her tone carrying a hint of explanation. “She vomited several times in the carriage. As you know, she likes cleanliness.”

For Fifth Miss to return to the eastern side courtyard to wash up with Young Master Xu following at her side didn’t seem entirely proper.

Madam Xu frowned.

Nanny Liang quickly withdrew from the hall. The sisters here paid their respects to the Grand Madam. After a while, Nanny Liang returned.

“Young Master Xu is with the Master in the outer courtyard.” She smiled with her eyes crinkling. “The Jiangsu Provincial Administration Commissioner, Official Li, happened to come calling, so he stayed to pay respects to his elder. He’ll be sent in shortly.”

Madam Xu’s face showed relief.

“During the Western Campaign years ago, Li Wenqing managed provisions and had much contact with your Third Brother-in-law.” She said to the Grand Madam with a smile.

“Since he’s an old friend of Duke Pingguo, he should indeed pay a visit!” The Grand Madam said nothing more. “Third Sister, why don’t you settle into Yurong Courtyard first? When it’s time for dinner, we can have Fengjia meet the sisters then.”

Madam Xu nodded. “That’s good. After sitting on boats and in carriages these past days, I feel sticky all over.”

Everyone then rose to see Madam Xu off. Third Miss, Fourth Miss, and Sixth Miss all returned to their own quarters.

The Grand Madam had also just arrived and needed to wash up. There wasn’t much point in them staying to make small talk.

Neither Second Miss nor Ninth Brother showed any intention of leaving. Seventh Miss thought for a moment, then followed behind Sixth Miss out of the hall.

“Not staying to speak a few words with Mother?” Sixth Miss teased Seventh Miss with some surprise.

Seventh Miss smiled and pinched Sixth Miss. “Say less—you won’t go mute.”

Sixth Miss laughed and parted ways with her, entering Baifang Garden through the back gate of the main courtyard.

Seventh Miss also returned to the western side courtyard, closed the door, and went to practice calligraphy and embroidery. Ninth Brother’s things had all been moved back to the main house yesterday. The western inner room was now free to serve as Seventh Miss’s study.

Lixia was somewhat curious. “What does Madam Xu look like?”

“If you’re so eager to know, then accompany me to pay respects this evening.” Seventh Miss smiled and tapped Lixia’s nose.

Lixia shrank back in fright. “How would I dare? Better to let Sister Bailu go!”

Serving Seventh Miss in the hall had always been Bailu’s responsibility. She came from the main house, knew many people, and understood proper etiquette—she wouldn’t make a fool of herself.

Bailu smiled and shook her head. “What’s there to be afraid of?”

“Madam Xu seems very amiable.” Seventh Miss lied with her eyes wide open. “However, Second Household was indeed rather discourteous.”

Madam Xu was her cousin. Even without the family connection through the Grand Madam, Second Madam should have sent a few matrons over to pay respects. Moreover, there was the Grand Madam, the elder sister-in-law who had just returned home.

Second Household’s complete silence—if word got out, it would be utterly laughable.

“Second Madam is naturally peculiar in temperament.” Bailu showed slight disdain. “She probably needs to be urged three or four times before she’ll deign to come.”

Seventh Miss wrote while chatting idly with the two maids.

After a while, a junior maid came knocking at the door. “The Grand Madam requests Seventh Miss to come to the main house to speak.”

Seventh Miss was not surprised.

In ancient times, information transmission was inconvenient, and many matters couldn’t be explained clearly in letters.

After the Grand Madam arrived home, Nanny Wang, Lichun, Second Miss, and Ninth Brother would naturally report to her clearly about all the major and minor matters that had occurred throughout the Yang household during this time… Even if the Grand Madam overlooked everything else, upon hearing about the Juxian incident, she would certainly summon her to ask about it thoroughly.

Moreover, with the Grand Madam’s temperament, it would be rather difficult for her to overlook other matters.

Even though she was already prepared, when Seventh Miss approached the eastern end room, she was still startled.

Nanny Wang knelt on the ground, her face covered in tears, with Lichun kneeling beside her.

The Grand Madam had changed into a bamboo-colored linked-pattern jacket and skirt, sitting by the window with frost covering her face, with Second Miss and Nanny Liang attending on either side.

Nanny Liang’s eyes darted about, looking at the Grand Madam one moment and at Nanny Wang kneeling on the ground the next.

Second Miss’s expression contained hints of anger.

Seventh Miss exercised twelve parts of caution, yet was not afraid.

All matters could not overcome the principle of reason.

Throughout these months, Nanny Wang and Lichun had devoted themselves wholeheartedly and couldn’t be faulted for much.

The Grand Madam was simply angry and displacing her anger onto them.

“Greetings, Mother.” She paid her respects.

The Grand Madam’s expression softened slightly. “Sit.” She stiffly indicated the armchair in the room.

“With Second Sister standing, this younger one dares not sit.” Seventh Miss said, pressing her lips together.

The Grand Madam looked toward Second Miss.

Second Miss took the opportunity to speak. “This has been arranged bit by bit over many years… And the western side courtyard only has Lichun and Nanny Wang who can be relied upon. That’s why I had Ninth Brother move to Youhuang—if she dares make a move, why can’t we counter it?” By the end, a trace of anger still showed through.

It seemed the Grand Madam was angry about Ninth Brother moving into Youhuang.

Seventh Miss was somewhat surprised.

Among the noteworthy events in the Yang household these past months, there were only the Juxian eavesdropping incident, Eighth Concubine’s difficult labor, Third Miss’s marriage matter, and Ninth Brother’s move.

The Juxian eavesdropping and Eighth Concubine’s difficult labor hadn’t touched upon the Grand Madam’s interests. She had thought the Grand Madam would care more about Third Miss’s marriage matter…

Ninth Brother’s move was Second Miss’s idea. For the Grand Madam to punish Lichun and Nanny Wang for this—at its root, it was Second Miss who lost face. With Second Miss’s temperament, she would naturally be displeased.

“What kind of prestige does your Third Aunt command in the capital! She says she’ll come south, and she comes south!” The Grand Madam grew angrier as she spoke. “In the entire Duke Pingguo residence, not a single person can say no! From the Grand Dowager down to the various concubines, who dares give her even a bit of grief! That the Yang family can’t match Duke Pingguo’s prestige is one thing, but you’re slapping my face in front of Third Aunt? Letting her know I can’t even manage the main courtyard?!”

So she felt humiliated.

Beneath the frost on the Grand Madam’s face hid deep resentment. Her usual loving smile had long since vanished without a trace.

Second Miss turned her head away without speaking.

Madam Xu was already coming south to support the Grand Madam—did the Grand Madam’s incompetence still need concealing?

Seventh Miss looked at Nanny Wang and Lichun kneeling on the ground.

Both were somewhat at a loss. The look in Nanny Wang’s eyes involuntarily revealed traces of pleading.

She gritted her teeth. “Mother.” She lowered her eyelids, speaking gently and softly. “Madam Xu manages Duke Pingguo’s residence. Her private sufferings can only be more than yours, not less. Young Master Xu still has several concubine-born elder brothers. Which family doesn’t have its difficult scripture to recite? You’re sisters—Madam Xu can understand your difficulties however they are.”

Although she didn’t know Madam Xu or understand Duke Pingguo’s residence, just looking at Xu Fengjia’s concubine-born brothers, she knew Madam Xu had also suffered.

From the Grand Madam’s words, she still seemed reasonable. Even if displeased about Third Miss’s marriage, she showed no intention of punishing Nanny Wang. It was simply that she was angry, and because of Ninth Brother’s move, felt she had lost face before her sister, which caused her to lash out. At such a time, one couldn’t argue with her—a few soft words of persuasion would dissipate the Grand Madam’s anger.

The Grand Madam’s expression indeed eased considerably.

“Moreover, it’s because Second Household’s people are truly excessive, even…” Seventh Miss didn’t continue, but glanced vaguely at Nanny Liang. “Lichun and Nanny Wang had to both watch over Ninth Brother and manage household affairs…”

Lichun and Nanny Wang had already done their best—no faults could be found.

In front of Nanny Liang, it wouldn’t do to make Nanny Wang lose too much face.

The Grand Madam changed her tone. “I also got too angry.”

Seventh Miss quickly gave Nanny Wang a meaningful look.

Nanny Wang then wiped her tears and declared her loyalty. “It’s this old servant who is useless, unable to keep watch over Fourth Household’s movements…”

“Enough!” The Grand Madam was very dispirited. “What can you, a mere servant, say? Fourth Household has been laying groundwork for this day for who knows how long!”

The matter of Ninth Brother’s move was thus glossed over.

Nanny Liang stepped forward with a smile to help Nanny Wang up. “Elder Sister, really, at your age, you still can’t bear a bit of grievance… Come, quickly wipe your tears.”

“Sit down and speak.” The Grand Madam nodded again at Seventh Miss.

Only then did Seventh Miss and Second Miss sit down.

Lichun brought tea and placed it before Seventh Miss.

Their eyes met, and gratitude flashed through Lichun’s eyes.

As soon as Seventh Miss arrived, she had resolved the predicament for her and Nanny Wang…

Everyone fell silent for a moment. Seventh Miss lowered her head and sipped her cold tea.

“Your second sister told me that at Qingming, Second Madam and Fourth Household were whispering about something at Juxian…” The Grand Madam indeed brought up the Juxian matter.

Seventh Miss had no choice but to recount the events again.

The Grand Madam, Second Miss, and Nanny Liang all listened very carefully.

The Grand Madam asked Nanny Wang again, “Second Madam has been frequently sending food and drink over lately?”

“Since entering the eighth month, there are always some melons and fruits every two or three days.” Nanny Wang lowered her brows and eyes. “Fourth Household also often sends things over.”

Rather than sending melons and fruits, it was more like sending messages.

“What did your father say?” She asked Second Miss again.

As long as the Master wasn’t a fool, he could see the connection between Second Madam and Fourth Household.

“Father said Fourth Household is only asking Second Madam about the Wang family’s situation.” Second Miss’s tone was calm and unruffled.

A flush of deep red crossed the Grand Madam’s pale face. “He intends to play deaf and dumb to the end?” She seemed to be asking herself.

Though sunlight shone brilliantly outside the window, inside the room was an oppressive chill. Years of accumulated grievances had actually led the husband and wife to such mutual suspicion.

The Grand Madam looked toward the dazzling sunlight in the courtyard. Whether it was the sunlight stinging her eyes or heartbreak, two lines of clear tears slowly flowed down her cheeks. “All these years of hard work—he hasn’t noticed any of it at all… If it were just directed at me, that would be one thing, but now they’re even plotting against Ninth Brother, and he still covers for them…”

Seventh Miss sighed inwardly.

Second Miss suddenly gave her a meaningful look.

On this matter, Seventh Miss had the most authority to speak, since she was the one who had overheard Fourth Concubine and Second Madam’s conspiracy.

“Mother, please don’t grieve too much and harm your health.” Seventh Miss had no choice but to speak carefully.

Her clear, cool voice was like a mountain spring, crystalline and crisp. Hearing it was like drinking a cup of refreshing tea.

“This is, after all, only our main courtyard’s side of the story. Being in the midst of it all, Father is inevitably blinded.”

From the Master’s standpoint, perhaps the main courtyard was overreacting. After all, with the Grand Madam not at his side, they might very well see everyone as trying to harm Ninth Brother.

“If something happens to Ninth Brother, in the future Third Miss will have no support in her husband’s family.” Second Miss continued following Seventh Miss’s train of thought. “Perhaps Father thinks this way, which is why he insists on not believing…”

The Grand Madam sighed and dejectedly wiped away the tears on her cheeks.

“I expect nothing now, only hope that Ninth Brother grows up safely!” She said lightly, her tone still carrying sadness.

But compared to the earlier grief, she was much calmer now.

Second Miss couldn’t help but look toward Seventh Miss.

Seventh Miss was watching the Grand Madam, her gaze calm yet carrying some concern.

When she herself spoke a few words, she couldn’t help but quarrel with Mother, but as soon as she arrived, a few words had persuaded the Grand Madam.

And she was still so young…

Second Miss smiled faintly.

“Third Sister’s marriage is already settled.” She spoke up. “Seventh Sister, what do you think we should do next?”

No matter how precocious or deep Seventh Miss was, as long as Ninth Brother existed, she could only exert herself for the main courtyard.