The two talked for a while longer.

Second Miss then showed signs of fatigue.

“So many matters, up and down throughout the household.” She let out a long breath, somewhat dejected. “I can’t make decisions either, so I can only give you empty instructions. From now on, you’ll have to act according to circumstances. Just forget what I’ve said after hearing it.”

Seventh Miss couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Second Miss would undoubtedly become a capable household matriarch in the future.

But it was the Great Madam who managed the Yang household.

Second Miss’s greatest flaw was being somewhat too idealistic.

“I’ll definitely keep Second Sister’s words in my heart!” she answered earnestly.

No matter what, Second Miss’s instructions were worth remembering.

Second Miss shook her head. “Actually, Mother understands these principles too!” She sighed again. “But many times, even understanding them, what good does it do…”

People were ultimately emotional creatures after all.

The two sisters fell into mutual silence.

Second Miss surveyed the empty room, her eyes also revealing reluctance.

People weren’t grass or wood—how could they be without feeling? Having lived in Baifang Garden for so many years, facing this parting, she wasn’t indifferent either.

“In this household, the one I’m most worried about is Yang Wu.”

This wasn’t the first time Second Miss had said this.

On the long bench outside Juba Xian, she had already said her greatest concern was Fifth Miss.

“Her temperament is stubborn, her temper bad… and her mouth isn’t sweet. When I’m home, there’s still someone who can restrain her, but in the future…” Second Miss shook her head.

“Second Sister, I’ll naturally advise Fifth Sister!” Seventh Miss obediently expressed her determination.

She truly didn’t dislike this young girl.

In grand residences, there were many people whose depths were unfathomable.

Fifth Miss was like a small stream—though the current ran rapid, one could see straight to the bottom at a glance.

Second Miss looked at her and smiled.

“Then it’s up to you.” Her tone was gentle. “In the future… I won’t treat you poorly!”

Second Miss always kept her word.

She said she would promote the Feng family, so she spoke up before the Great Master, and truly promoted the Feng family.

Now that she had made such a promise, Seventh Miss felt much more settled.

Even if the Great Madam proved unreliable in the future, there was still Second Miss who could give her some support…

The two sisters talked for a while longer, then Xiaohán entered the room to deliver a message: Lady Li wanted to see Second Miss.

When an elder summoned, Second Miss dared not be negligent. She hurriedly departed with Xiaohán.

Seventh Miss could only walk out of Youhuang Residence together with Fifth Miss.

Both had a belly full of thoughts.

Fifth Miss didn’t take the route through Changqing Tower, but instead passed through Little Xiang Snow.

Several plum trees in Little Xiang Snow were already in bud. Sixth Miss’s giggling laughter clearly transmitted from the plum grove.

Seventh Miss couldn’t help but smile knowingly.

Sixth Miss was truly a little ray of sunshine.

Fifth Miss’s face also showed traces of a smile.

“They set up a swing in Little Xiang Snow, and it’s made that girl so happy she’s beside herself!” she remarked to Seventh Miss.

“Sixth Sister has a very cheerful temperament.”

The two began discussing the amusements in Baifang Garden.

“Apart from the swing in Little Xiang Snow that can be used, and the lotus flowers and seed pods in Wanhua Liuluo that can be picked for play, there’s really nothing fun in the garden!” Fifth Miss declared.

As they talked, they passed by the cold and quiet Qili Xiang.

The lush osmanthus trees all grew beyond the courtyard walls. Several four-season osmanthus were still blooming, their faint fragrance wafting over.

“Eighth Yiniang has also been gone for half a year!” Fifth Miss remarked with feeling.

Thinking of Eighth Yiniang, Seventh Miss also couldn’t help but sigh. “I’ve almost forgotten what she looked like.”

“You came late.” Fifth Miss recounted past events to Seventh Miss. “I still remember when I was six, we celebrated Father’s minor birthday. Eighth Yiniang personally played a tune on the vertical flute. The moonlight was beautiful that night. She played on a small boat, and the boats passing back and forth outside became so congested they blocked the river—everyone listened without a sound. When the tune finished, they all cheered, which startled Mother!”

Wanhua Liuluo turned beyond the courtyard wall into a waterway. Back then, Eighth Yiniang’s flute music could transmit beyond the courtyard wall, attracting passing boat passengers to moor and listen carefully—her skill must have been exquisite. Seventh Miss couldn’t help but yearn for it, but Fifth Miss fell silent for a moment before slowly saying, “Actually, thinking back on it now, Mother must have felt terrible inside.”

Fifth Miss was now nine years old. Six years ago, when she was six, Seventh Miss and Ninth Young Master were only four. At that time, the Great Madam must have been competing fiercely with Fourth Yiniang for authority. Eighth Yiniang playing the flute was not without intention to curry favor—how could the Great Madam feel comfortable?

Seventh Miss only smiled but didn’t respond.

“I’ve always wanted to ask you something.” Fifth Miss didn’t mind and also changed the subject.

Seventh Miss made an acknowledging sound and looked toward Fifth Miss.

“That night before Father, why did you plead for me?” Fifth Miss’s expression was somewhat strange. “I know I’ve never been very good to you!”

Seventh Miss couldn’t help but smile.

Such a small matter—if Fifth Miss hadn’t brought it up, she would have almost forgotten.

Pleading for Fifth Miss, to be honest, was simply because she couldn’t stand the Great Master’s shamelessness.

Only knowing how to bully his own family, venting his anger on his own people—what kind of man was that?

“Because you hadn’t done anything wrong.” She answered sincerely.

Fifth Miss fell silent again.

Seventh Miss gazed at Wanhua Liuluo and sighed, seemingly intentionally, seemingly unintentionally.

“After Second Sister leaves, in the main courtyard, there will only be the two of us sisters left.”

Fifth Miss lowered her head and said sullenly, “I still don’t like you!”

Two rosy clouds floated onto her flower-like cheeks.

Getting these words out wasn’t easy either.

After all, Seventh Miss bore her no old grudge or recent enmity. Apart from her making things difficult for Seventh Miss, Seventh Miss had never made things difficult for her.

“I’ve seen plenty of people like you.” Fifth Miss’s tone was sullen, and that familiar expression appeared on her face again.

That night after receiving a slap before the Great Master, she had worn this very expression.

“What kind of person am I?” Seventh Miss found it quite interesting.

Little girls inevitably had some bashfulness.

Being able to say she didn’t like someone actually meant she already liked them three parts.

“Elder Sister and you are both like this… never making mistakes!” Fifth Miss said hesitatingly, pondering as she spoke. “Whatever you say is always just right, you never easily offend anyone! Any random thing you do has two or three layers of meaning.”

Seventh Miss laughed. “Fifth Sister, you overestimate me!”

“Whether I’m overestimating you or not, you know clearly in your heart!” Fifth Miss again displayed her familiar boldness.

“Being careful everywhere is only because I lack the capital to make mistakes. I’m a concubine-born daughter being raised by Madam in the main courtyard… Whatever I do, of course I must think thrice, lest I lose face for Madam!” Seventh Miss could only bring out this explanation.

These words weren’t wrong either.

If she were a legitimate daughter, why would she need to be so cautious?

Fifth Miss fell silent.

She pressed her lips tightly, her large eyes looking here and there, just not at Seventh Miss.

Though she hadn’t spoken, her face was already covered in words.

“Yes, Fifth Sister dislikes my cautious temperament.” Seventh Miss found it amusing and simply spoke for Fifth Miss.

Fifth Miss let out an “aiya” and actually showed a smile.

“I didn’t say that.” She couldn’t suppress a laugh. “You admitted it yourself!”

Seventh Miss smiled and gave Fifth Miss a sidelong glance.

Both felt a different kind of closeness.

“However.” Fifth Miss sighed again. “Actually, rather than saying I dislike it, it’s more like envy!”

What a moody child!

“There’s nothing to envy about this.” Seventh Miss was nonchalant. “It makes more sense for me to envy Fifth Sister.”

Fifth Miss was about to speak when she cried out in surprise.

“Cousin? When did you enter the garden?”

Seventh Miss started.

She indeed saw Xu Fengjia slowly walking over from the distance.

#

Truth be told, Xu Fengjia hadn’t seen Seventh Miss for quite a while.

Although he still frequently came to pay respects to the Great Madam, whether intentionally or not, he always managed to miss the daughters. The few times he went to the west side courtyard to visit Ninth Young Master, Seventh Miss had deliberately avoided him.

Though the doubts surrounding Ninth Young Master’s injury weren’t necessarily Xu Fengjia’s fault, she just had this feeling about Xu Fengjia—better not to meet than to meet.

“Cousin.” She forced a smile in greeting.

Then hid behind Fifth Miss.

Fifth Miss couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

“Look how scared you are.” She didn’t step aside, but stood like a big sister in front of Seventh Miss. “Cousin, do you have business in the garden?”

“Tomorrow I’ll be boarding the boat.” A trace of amusement also flashed through Xu Fengjia’s eyes. “Came in to look around one more time.”

He glanced at Seventh Miss. “Seventh Cousin.”

His tone was still that slow.

Seventh Miss managed a strained smile and nodded at Xu Fengjia.

“Oh,” Fifth Miss also revealed a trace of reluctance. “When I go to the capital, I’ll come find you to play!”

Xu Fengjia and Seventh Miss couldn’t help but simultaneously show slight smiles.

After this parting, who knew when they would meet again.

By then, with the separation between men and women… it wouldn’t be like childhood, meeting whenever they wanted.

Xu Fengjia smiled and raised his hand to tap Fifth Miss’s forehead.

When talking to Fifth Miss, his attitude was obviously much more relaxed.

“Go away, I have something to say to Seventh Cousin.”

Not only did Fifth Miss not yield, she alertly narrowed her eyes.

“Don’t bully her again! You’re about to leave—don’t cause any trouble now.” Her tone was casual and intimate.

Xu Fengjia impatiently clicked his tongue and tilted his head to glance at Fifth Miss.

Fifth Miss could only pat Seventh Miss and whisper, “Don’t be afraid, I’m here,” before stepping aside.

Seventh Miss had no choice but to steel herself and meet Xu Fengjia’s gaze.

Xu Fengjia grabbed her hand and dragged her to the side of the path.

This small path led to Juba Xian. A few months ago, Second Miss and Seventh Miss had sat here in intimate conversation.

“Don’t think this matter ends here.”

Xu Fengjia’s voice was very low.

Almost like a whisper.

Seventh Miss had to lean forward slightly to understand his words.

“You two certainly have deep sibling affection… I don’t care—I’m putting this account on your head.” Xu Fengjia simply spoke lowly by her ear, his warm moist breath blowing against Seventh Miss’s ear causing waves of tingling. “One day, I will definitely settle this!”

Seventh Miss couldn’t help but shrink her shoulders slightly.

So he came to issue a warning.

“You’d better be careful. This matter isn’t so easily finished. If my Fourth Yiniang discovers the truth… your days will probably become difficult!”

Xu Fengjia finished speaking on his own without waiting for her response, then released her hand and stepped back a few paces.

In the warm afternoon sunlight, his face seemed gilded with gold—brilliant yet even more mysterious.

He opened his mouth as if wanting to say something more.

Seventh Miss couldn’t help but assume a listening posture.

Xu Fengjia hesitated for a moment, then pressed his lips together, turned and strode away quickly.

Seventh Miss lowered her eyes to look at her toes, not speaking for a moment.

Fifth Miss’s light footsteps sounded in the path. “Cousin didn’t make things difficult for you, did he?”

Though she claimed not to like her, the concern in her words was obvious.

Seventh Miss raised her head with a smile and shook her head.

“Shaking your head so hard, you’re like a little dog shaking its ears!” Fifth Miss burst out laughing, making mocking gestures at Seventh Miss.

Seventh Miss gave Fifth Miss a sidelong glance. “Let’s go! Ninth Young Master is alone in the west side courtyard—he must be bored to death.”

#

Ninth Young Master wasn’t very bored. He was jumping up and down in the room with several young masters from the Li family, having great fun.

Lichun had personally tried to persuade them several times but failed… The scar on Ninth Young Master’s face had already begun to fade. His recovery speed was so fast that several physicians clicked their tongues in amazement.

Having lain in bed for so long, even adults would want to move their muscles and bones, let alone energetic children.

Fifth Miss and Seventh Miss had just entered the west side courtyard when they heard them making a commotion in the west inner chamber.

Fifth Miss entered the west inner chamber while laughing.

“Twelfth Brother, you’re leading our Ninth Young Master astray again!”

Twelfth Brother was obviously very familiar with Fifth Miss. He stopped with a smile, straightened his clothing and bowed to Fifth Miss. “Fifth Cousin!”

Seventh Miss also pressed her lips together and exchanged bows with Tenth and Eleventh Brothers.

This was her first time seeing Tenth Brother. He had a square face, spoke little, and after exchanging bows with Seventh Miss, simply stood before the desk browsing through Ninth Young Master’s collection of books.

Eleventh Brother had grown taller, wearing a robe trimmed with silver rat fur. He smiled and bowed to Seventh Miss, then asked, “How have you been recently?”

“Very well. And you, Eleventh Cousin?” Seventh Miss could only smile in response.

Eleventh Brother smiled and nodded.

After Twelfth Brother exchanged bows with Seventh Miss, he wanted to go back to wild romping with Ninth Young Master.

Seventh Miss couldn’t help but frown secretly.

There were many bottles and jars in this room.

If they accidentally broke a few, it would be no joke.

The weather was also cold, and Ninth Young Master had applied Rejuvenation Dew—he couldn’t easily leave the room.

“Ninth Young Master!” she called out lightly.

Ninth Young Master immediately showed a dejected expression and walked properly to Seventh Miss’s side.

“Everyone should sit nicely and drink tea. Why are you running around?” Seventh Miss coaxed softly, then gave Fifth Miss a meaningful look.

Fifth Miss quickly pulled Ninth Young Master and Twelfth Brother over. “Sister will get clay figurines for you to play with.”

Twelfth Brother happily clapped his hands.

All the maids visibly breathed sighs of relief.

Eleventh Brother observed this and nodded to himself.

Seventh Miss had originally only planned to greet them briefly before returning to the east inner chamber, but now could only sit down to drink tea and watch over Ninth Young Master.

Eleventh Brother asked Fifth Miss and Seventh Miss, “What are you studying recently?”

“We’re doing ‘A New Account of Tales of the World.'” Fifth Miss said with a smile. “We just started the ‘Appearance and Manner’ section.”

Female education differed from male education. Studying ‘A New Account of Tales of the World’ was to broaden the young ladies’ horizons.

Eleventh Brother smiled and asked, “Who was the one who said ‘Sitting with you is like having pearls and jade at my side, making me feel ashamed of my appearance’?”

“That was Wei Jie.” Ninth Young Master answered first.

Twelfth Brother blinked. “Those words sound so familiar!”

Eleventh Brother smiled without speaking, but Tenth Brother said, “Father used them yesterday to praise the new top scholar.”

Ninth Young Master and Fifth Miss both showed interested expressions. “What new top scholar?”

Children of official families usually paid attention to such matters as imperial examinations and court affairs.

“I heard this year’s academy examination top scholar is as handsome as Pan An and Song Yu.” Eleventh Brother explained. “His literary talent is also excellent… Several chief examiners who’ve seen him all praised him endlessly, saying he combines both talent and looks, and will be a future talent of Jiangnan.”

Jiangnan people were like this—they valued talent and prized beauty. Whenever there was a talented scholar, he had to have good looks to satisfy the audience.

Fifth Miss was somewhat curious. “Is he really that handsome? What’s his name?”

“Feng Jin.” Tenth Brother answered.

Tenth Brother spoke quite differently from Eleventh and Twelfth Brothers.

Eleventh Brother was affable, Twelfth Brother was childish, while Tenth Brother was steady.

Fifth Miss didn’t think anything of it, but Ninth Young Master already showed a shocked expression.

#

The next morning, a light rain began to fall. The fine misty rain pervaded Second Miss’s wedding ceremony.

Several sisters all accompanied Second Miss and didn’t go to the front courtyard to steal glimpses of their brother-in-law—with the rain, it wasn’t very convenient to run back and forth between the outer courtyard and Baifang Garden.

Third Miss watched as Second Miss slowly completed her grooming and donned her pearl crown, her eyes revealing unstoppable envy.

As the legitimate wife of a marquis household’s heir, Second Miss held a third-rank imperial mandate. Her ceremonial dress was far more magnificent than that of commoner families.

The imperially bestowed scarlet satin woven with gold from Songjiang, the pure gold crown inset with South Sea pearls the size of longans… The fortunate matron leaned in to dot Second Miss’s lips with rouge the size of a soybean, and applied flower ornaments to her cheeks, adorning Second Miss with incomparable beauty.

Supported by maids, Second Miss gracefully rose and bade farewell to her parents.

The Great Madam looked at Second Miss, tears already streaming down her cheeks, choking up and unable to speak.

Second Miss lowered her eyelids, her lashes also trembling slightly. Then she pressed her lips together, raised her head with a slight smile, grasped the Great Madam’s hand and patted it gently.

Then she bowed to the Great Master.

Toward her father, she showed little reluctance.

She then surveyed her sisters.

The sisters showed tears and smiles, envy and amazement. They all came forward one by one to bid her farewell. Second Miss nodded with sighs and smiles, especially grasping Fifth Miss’s hand.

Fifth Miss also wept uncontrollably, almost throwing herself into Second Miss’s embrace. Seventh Miss quickly pulled Fifth Miss back, then gave Second Miss a genuine smile.

Second Miss paused, then returned a beautiful smile.

Outside the window, the wedding attendant’s voice urging her to depart already sounded.

Second Miss then turned and left the pavilion.