Eleventh Lang looked toward Sixth Lady.

Without waiting for anyone to question her, Sixth Lady obediently offered her answer.

“I only love embroidery, not reading,” she said with a smile. “Though rubbings aren’t particularly rare items, asking for too many at once would be inconvenient, so I won’t trouble Eleventh Cousin.”

Sixth Lady’s frankness was endearing.

Yet a trace of faint disappointment flashed through Eleventh Lang’s eyes.

Seventh Lady seemed to understand something.

Thinking back to Madam Li’s behavior in the main hall, a faint smile curved at the corners of her lips.

As the saying goes: marry daughters to higher positions, take wives from lower stations.

Though the Li and Yang families had a superior-subordinate relationship in terms of official positions, their statuses weren’t vastly different. A Provincial Administration Commissioner could advance one small step further to become a Minister internally, or a Governor-General externally… The two families could only be considered partners, not subordinates.

If the Li family’s legitimate son sought to marry a concubine-born daughter of the Yang family, first, it could make the relationship between the two families more harmonious; second, a concubine-born daughter lacked the confidence of a legitimate daughter and would be easier to control than one.

Not every family had the courage like First Lady’s in-laws, the Li family of the member of the gentry, to form marriage alliances with families of vastly different status.

The Yang family had many daughters, and the Li family had many legitimate sons… Madam Li’s calculations were quite shrewd! This intention probably wasn’t just a day or two in the making. Seventh Lady glanced again at Twelfth Lang, who was singlemindedly eating preserved plums with great mouthfuls, and a serene smile gently curved at the corners of her lips.

When it came to her own biological son, she couldn’t bear to settle for a concubine-born daughter… Twelfth Lang was merely here to keep company this time.

Of course, for Eleventh Lang, marrying a concubine-born daughter of the Yang family wouldn’t exactly be wronging him.

The Li family had so many legitimate sons—if Eleventh Lang were matched with the legitimate daughter of a minor official’s family as his primary wife, the assistance gained might not be as great as from a Yang family concubine-born daughter.

Everyone said Madam Li didn’t really manage affairs, but she was clearly quite capable!

Killing several birds with one stone—both suppressing Eleventh Lang while earning his goodwill…

In the deep courtyards of great households, there truly were no genuinely simple people.

However…

Sixth Lady was determined to marry a capable man so she would never again have to live watching others’ expressions. She might not necessarily look favorably upon Eleventh Lang.

Seventh Lady glanced at Sixth Lady.

Sixth Lady was smiling as she ate preserved plums, chatting with Fifth Lady, completely unaware of anything amiss.

She was still too young after all. Though quite clever, she was somewhat careless.

As for Seventh Lady…

Thinking of the Li family’s numerous legitimate and illegitimate sons made her head spin.

With so many sons, not to mention daughters, the Li family’s inner household was probably far more complex than the Yang family’s.

Otherwise, with Madam Li’s capabilities, would she need to retreat to Guangfu Temple for respite so frequently?

Though she had never met First Lady, Seventh Lady envied her.

As a concubine-born daughter, what better fate could there be?

Finding a modest, prosperous household that was simple and warm, peacefully becoming a country estate’s young mistress.

She hoped the Great Madam could arrange a not-too-different fate for her.

Even if her future husband was somewhat ordinary, even if they had no emotional foundation—it didn’t matter.

Feelings could be cultivated, but circumstances could not be changed.

Since she could only go with the flow, naturally she hoped that in the latter half of her life, this little fish would find herself not in a turbulent sea with fierce winds and high waves, but in a tranquil fishpond without ripples.

After eating the sweet and sour Guangfu preserved plums, the children separated.

Eleventh Lang led Ninth Brother and Twelfth Lang to play at Guangfu Pagoda.

The girls were much quieter. Fifth Lady had no patience for climbing mountains and called for Sixth Lady and Seventh Lady to play shuanglu with her.

Usually the Yang family daughters were all busy with their studies, rarely having time for leisure. Sixth Lady was also enthusiastic and eager to battle with Fifth Lady.

Seventh Lady took the opportunity to lead her two sisters back to their lodgings.

“It’s already deep autumn—sitting outside for long gets cold,” she said lightly.

Neither Fifth Lady nor Sixth Lady sensed anything amiss.

Given Fifth Lady’s status, she would certainly never marry into the Li family. The Great Madam would surely arrange a match for her comparable to the Sun family of Duke Dingguo.

Sixth Lady had already spent some time with Eleventh Lang.

Eleventh Lang would probably come next to evaluate herself, wouldn’t he?

Seventh Lady had no interest in accompanying them.

Madam Li and Madam Xu sat quietly at Guangfu Pagoda for the day.

The next morning, they rose early together to offer the first incense.

Xu Fengji had the patience to accompany her mother on the first day, but on the second day, she slipped away. Rather than mixing with Ninth Brother, Eleventh Lang, and Twelfth Lang, she came to talk with Fifth Lady.

Sixth Lady and Seventh Lady could only agree to go worship in the hall together.

It wasn’t until mid-afternoon that Madam Xu reluctantly emerged from the great hall and returned to their lodgings.

The pleasure boats had been prepared early, but the Great Master was nowhere to be seen.

He was said to have gone to appreciate the ancient cypress at Situ Temple and, finding conversation with the abbot engaging and encountering several renowned scholars of Wu by chance, stayed at Situ Temple for dinner. He left word asking Madam Xu not to mind.

Everyone understood: he probably didn’t want to constrain Madam Xu.

Given the Great Master’s status, he had been quite considerate of Madam Xu in every way.

Madam Xu’s expression showed great pleasure.

“He treats my family so thoughtfully,” she praised the Great Madam.

The Great Madam smiled with pressed lips. “That’s just his temperament. Actually, we’re all family, and at our age, even being on the same boat shouldn’t matter.”

A flash passed through Madam Xu’s eyes, but she didn’t respond.

Seventh Lady, watching from the side, felt exhausted.

Madam Xu clearly knew that the Great Madam and Great Master were at odds… In the Yang household, this was no secret. In the past month or two, the Great Master hadn’t stayed in the main courtyard even once.

Yet both sides had to pretend not to know.

After all, they weren’t full sisters…

#

In the afternoon, everyone boarded the carriages and proceeded in single file toward the dock.

The dock had been sealed tightly with tarpaulins, completely protected from wind and rain.

The sailors had all withdrawn into the cabins.

Maids and servants clustered around the Great Madam and Ninth Brother as they boarded first, with Madam Xu and Xu Fengji following closely behind.

The Li family’s Eleventh Lang and Twelfth Lang, being young guests, followed Madam Xu, taking the gangplank in three steps instead of two.

The three sisters—Fifth Lady, Sixth Lady, and Seventh Lady—boarded in single file. Fifth Lady deliberately stomped on the gangplank, making it bang loudly to frighten Sixth Lady.

Sixth Lady was somewhat afraid of water and was scared pale, freezing on the gangplank.

Seventh Lady could only step forward with a smile to comfort her with a few words.

Sixth Lady stood for quite a while before recovering.

Seventh Lady couldn’t help but glare reproachfully at Fifth Lady.

Though the two had never been particularly close, having lived in the same courtyard for several months, they had grown somewhat familiar.

Fifth Lady laughed triumphantly. After Sixth Lady boarded, she took her arm and chatted with her while walking toward the cabin.

Eleventh Lang and Twelfth Lang didn’t enter the cabin, but curiously touched the helm and the fishy-smelling thick ropes at the bow.

Eleventh Lang nodded at Seventh Lady with a smile.

Seventh Lady also smiled at him courteously, then turned to enter the cabin with Bailu.

The two pleasure boats glided leisurely into the lake waters.

The autumn sky was high and crisp, with reeds swaying along the shore. Taihu Lake’s autumn was truly beautiful.

Madam Xu sat by the window, completely absorbed in the view.

The Great Madam instructed Lichun, “Watch Ninth Brother and the Eleventh and Twelfth Young Masters carefully. Don’t let them get too close to the water.”

Though Eleventh Lang was already thirteen, he still had some childishness. If he couldn’t control his two younger brothers and they fell into the water, that would be a disaster.

Lichun went smiling to Ninth Brother’s side.

Madam Xu also instructed Xu Fengji to be careful while playing on the boat.

Several girls also watched the autumn scenery from the stern deck, while Ninth Brother and Twelfth Lang chased each other on the deck.

Speaking of which, Twelfth Lang was ten years old this year, but compared to Xu Fengji, he was still a child.

Xu Fengji leaned against the cabin doorway, chatting desultorily with Eleventh Lang.

Her attitude was quite haughty and somewhat absent-minded.

Eleventh Lang didn’t mind at all, maintaining a smile as he introduced stories of Guangfu Town to Xu Fengji.

Seventh Lady observed this and couldn’t help but shake her head inwardly.

Given the Li family’s status, if Eleventh Lang’s mother were still alive, why would he need to carefully curry favor with Xu Fengji or select a future wife from among the Yang family’s concubine-born daughters?

However, Eleventh Lang was quite adaptable. Having lost his mother at such a young age and having to serve a stepmother, he showed no trace of melancholy and appeared generous in every way. Such a person might achieve no small success in the future.

No matter how beautiful Taihu Lake’s scenery, children tired of it easily.

After all, they had few concerns, unlike adults who easily felt emotions stirred by scenes.

They gathered to discuss what to play.

Fifth Lady and Sixth Lady wanted to play shuanglu. Seventh Lady was indifferent either way. Ninth Brother and Twelfth Lang wanted to fish from the stern.

Eleventh Lang smiled and said, “With strong winds and rough waves, fish won’t bite. Better to go into the cabin and play shuanglu or liubo!”

Being the oldest and speaking reasonably, Ninth Brother and Twelfth Lang grumbled for a while but still followed everyone into the inner cabin.

The pleasure boat was large. The Great Madam and Madam Xu sipped tea and conversed in the front hall, while the children played in the rear cabin. Shuanglu, liubo, cards, chess, and shuttlecocks were all prepared.

Fifth Lady became excited when she saw the shuttlecock.

“I can kick it a thousand times!” She snatched the colorful feathered shuttlecock. “Who’ll compete with me?”

Twelfth Lang laughed. “I can kick it a thousand times.”

Ninth Brother circled around Fifth Lady in confusion. “I can also kick it a thousand times!”

“Boasting,” Fifth Lady made a face at him.

Sixth Lady also looked longingly at Fifth Lady.

Several children immediately chased each other back to the stern deck.

Only Eleventh Lang, Xu Fengji, and Seventh Lady remained in the room.

Seventh Lady felt very awkward.

Her coordination wasn’t particularly good, and she had little interest in such childish games. Even if given the shuttlecock, at most she could only kick it a few dozen times. Standing aside just watching would be equally awkward.

The atmosphere in the cabin became somewhat strained.

Neither Xu Fengji nor Seventh Lady spoke.

Eleventh Lang scratched the back of his head, somewhat troubled.

“Cousin Xu, shall we play shuanglu?” he invited Xu Fengji.

With Lichun and Fifth Lady watching, Twelfth Lang and Ninth Brother wouldn’t cause much trouble.

Eleventh Lang could also slack off for a while.

Xu Fengji’s eyes flashed. “You play with Seventh Cousin. I’ll observe.”

Seventh Lady had no choice but to stop her steps toward the cabin exit.

The discord between her and Xu Fengji needn’t be exposed before the Li family.

“Very well,” she smiled. “However, I’m not very good at it. Please be forgiving, Eleventh Cousin.”

Eleventh Lang smiled with pressed lips and gestured slightly with his hand, inviting her to sit.

Shuanglu’s rules were very complex, similar to flying chess but requiring more skill and involving more gambling. Each side controlled fifteen pieces and two dice, with the dice determining how many steps to move in each round. The first to move all pieces into the opponent’s gate won.

Playing shuanglu required not only good luck but also strategic vision and calculation ability. To make the most efficient moves required calculating the opponent’s possible moves.

Fifth Lady and Sixth Lady just played randomly. Many times, when there was clearly an opportunity to knock an enemy piece back to the starting position, Sixth Lady would deliberately avoid it, only concerned with moving her own pieces.

Eleventh Lang played extremely well. Though Seventh Lady racked her brains, having rarely practiced, she ultimately wasn’t as skilled as Eleventh Lang.

Though she repeatedly rolled high numbers, she was quickly defeated thoroughly.

Eleventh Lang showed no mercy.

Seventh Lady wasn’t angry either—games were merely a minor pursuit.

“I can’t play against Eleventh Cousin,” she said with a smile. “The skill levels are worlds apart! Cousin, you should play instead.”

Eleventh Lang’s gaze toward Seventh Lady softened.

Yang family’s Sixth Lady was full of innocent charm, very lovable.

Seventh Lady was gentle and refined… One never saw her flustered.

Even being thoroughly defeated at shuanglu caused her no displeasure.

One’s character in chess reflected one’s character in life.

Playing seriously, losing gracefully—Seventh Lady had good character.

Xu Fengji looked at Seventh Lady.

“Seventh Cousin is quite self-aware!” She spoke slowly, her tone carrying a trace of something strange.

Xu Fengji was inexplicably odd.

Seventh Lady felt secretly annoyed but didn’t show it.

“I’ve always known my shortcomings well,” she replied with a smile, yielding her seat.

Eleventh Lang was slightly startled, then understood.

Through this interaction, he had also noticed that this Young Master Xu’s temper wasn’t particularly good.

Presumably, being the only legitimate son in the family, he had always been arrogant. Showing little courtesy to these Yang family concubine-born daughters wasn’t surprising.

Eleventh Lang’s eyes dimmed slightly, and he couldn’t help but sigh.

It was rare that Seventh Lady, at such a young age, handled everything appropriately without taking offense at Young Master Xu’s rudeness.

Yet this made him somewhat wary.

To have such depth at such a young age—who knew what capabilities she would possess in a few more years?

The Yang family’s threshold was already high. Even the concubine-born daughters had maternal families as backing.

If things went wrong, it could become a case of the wife being stronger than the husband…

Sixth Lady suddenly entered the hall.

“I’ve kicked myself into a sweat!” She smiled and picked up the small tortoiseshell cup from the table, drinking it in one gulp. “Seventh Sister, you come too!”

Seventh Lady took the opportunity to respond and followed Sixth Lady out of the rear cabin.

Eleventh Lang couldn’t help but watch the backs of the two sisters walking side by side.

Xu Fengji glanced at him with a half-smile.

Suddenly reminded of her own concerns.

With Eleventh Lang’s status as a legitimate son in the Li family, having lost his mother’s protection, he still had to condescend to select from among concubine-born daughters.

Xu Fengji felt a trace of irritation, and her moves showed disorder.

Eleventh Lang didn’t press his advantage but instead slowed his offensive pace.

“Cousin Xu, be careful,” he reminded with a smile.

Xu Fengji collected herself and began playing against Eleventh Lang.

The laughter of children outside, accompanied by the autumn wind, poured uninhibitedly into the cabin.

Fifth Lady and Sixth Lady’s laughter sounded like silver bells.

Seventh Lady’s laughter was low and soft, like a spring breeze blowing through the deep night.