The matter of Master Wang being stripped of his official hat indeed caused a considerable stir at court.

However, Fourth Yiniang quickly recovered her spirits, and Third Miss’s face also showed renewed smiles.

The Wang family was already in chaos, naturally having neither the inclination nor the face to come propose marriage to the Yang family again. Third Miss’s marriage prospects had thus returned to square one.

The old man who lost his horse—who knows if it’s not a blessing?

If they had truly betrothed her to the Wang family then, with the Great Master’s word being his bond, he naturally wouldn’t easily break the engagement… Marrying into the Wang family as it was now, Third Miss wouldn’t be so comfortable.

Yet the Great Madam abnormally wasn’t troubled by Fourth Household’s joy.

Since the news reached Jiangnan, throughout the twelfth month and first month, the stream of carriages and horses before the Yang gate never ceased. Male and female guests took turns, keeping the Great Master and Great Madam so busy they had no time even to drink water. The Great Madam even developed a cough, requiring physicians and medicine, causing further chaos. Combined with Fourth Miss suffering some asthma every spring, this year’s illness being rather severe, with everyone in Baifang Garden having tasks to keep them busy, the household actually became peaceful.

In the blink of an eye, the fourth month arrived.

Not until late in the fourth month did the Great Madam remember to send someone to Yuhang to fetch First Miss home for the Dragon Boat Festival.

First Miss had given birth to the Li family’s eldest granddaughter in the first month this year. Though not a male heir, the Li family was still very pleased, celebrating both the third-day and full-month ceremonies quite grandly, showing no preference for sons over daughters.

The Great Madam was quite moved, remarking to the Great Master, “Marrying down is still more comfortable.”

Not long after Second Miss married into the Dingguo Marquis household, she began managing the household affairs. The Sun family had extensive property and many miscellaneous matters. Letters from Lady Xu, Minister Qin, and others corresponding with the Yang family all mentioned that within just a few months of marriage, Second Miss had lost considerable weight.

The Great Master was also pleased. “First Miss is fortunate. We’ll see if First Son-in-law can pass the provincial examination this autumn.”

Passing the provincial examination gave one the qualification to purchase office. Before Second Son-in-law Sun Liquan, he wouldn’t need to bow his head.

The Great Madam smiled and nodded. “I heard First Son-in-law studies very diligently! He rarely even leaves his study.”

The sisters also discussed keeping First Miss for an extended visit.

“Right now it’s Elder Sister and Second Sister—before long, Third Sister and Fourth Sister will probably leave too!” Sixth Miss sighed like a little adult. “The household population just keeps decreasing.”

Families with many daughters were like this—people married away one by one, until in the end, only Ninth Young Master would remain.

“There will also be new additions!” Seventh Miss smiled to comfort Sixth Miss. “The household still has so many yiniangs… concubines…”

Sixth Miss looked at Seventh Miss and smiled.

These past months, the Great Master had indeed distanced himself from the people at Huansha Wu, specifically resting at Xike Fang.

This made Shuangjiang so delighted she didn’t know what to do with herself, constantly dropping bowls and breaking dishes, as if not causing some commotion couldn’t demonstrate her favor.

However… the Great Madam hadn’t summoned Seventh Miss to strategize.

Ninth Young Master was still somewhat impetuous after all. Though his intentions were good, his actions had finally caused the Great Madam to develop some suspicion toward Seventh Miss.

Yet Seventh Miss wasn’t anxious.

As early as the night Ninth Young Master was injured, she had anticipated this day would come.

There was no obstacle that couldn’t be overcome.

As long as she could continue her low-profile approach to the end, surely the Great Madam couldn’t keep suspecting her until she married? After a few more months, this unfounded doubt would naturally dissipate.

The sisters chatted as they left the family school.

Third Miss and Fourth Miss, arm in arm, had already gone far ahead.

Fifth Miss brought up First Son-in-law Li Yixing. “…When he came to fetch the bride that year, I happened to be ill and didn’t see Elder Brother-in-law’s appearance. Last year when he came to deliver festival gifts, I happened to be away again. I wonder if he’ll accompany Elder Sister to Suzhou this year.”

Sixth Miss laughed. “Elder Brother-in-law just has one nose and two eyes, honest and plain—not particularly handsome.”

Fifth Miss rolled her eyes. “That depends on who you’re comparing him to. If comparing to the Ugly-looking Top Scholar, Elder Brother-in-law could be considered an elegant young gentleman. But if comparing to the Silver Flower Top Scholar…”

The Ugly-looking Top Scholar referred to the previous examination’s top scholar Fan Zhihong. Though also a young talent who achieved top scholar at barely twenty, he was so ugly even the Emperor exclaimed upon seeing him. His reputation as the Ugly-looking Top Scholar spread throughout the realm.

These past months, Fifth Miss had been very actively discussing Feng Jin.

Seventh Miss sighed inwardly and could only comfort herself: girls this age always had awakening feelings. Seeing a handsome young man and being moved was very normal.

Probably in a few years, Fifth Miss would cast this name to the back of her mind.

Sixth Miss also said curiously, “This Top Scholar Feng is quite strange. Having already become Master Zhang’s student, yet not following Master Zhang to visit Father.”

With the Yang family’s position, if a scholar top scholar could establish even a slight connection, his future would be boundless. Feng Jin had already entered Li Wenqing’s household and been introduced to Zhang Weiting through Li Wenqing, clearly not someone averse to currying favor or a reclusive scholar devoted solely to study. Why wouldn’t he further ingratiate himself with the Yang family? It was truly puzzling.

But Seventh Miss didn’t want to linger on this topic.

Ninth Yiniang’s status was lowly; few in the Yang family remembered her maiden name was Feng. However, if discussed too much, this secret that wasn’t really a secret would be hard to keep.

With Ninth Yiniang’s status, she would inevitably bring embarrassment to Feng Jin.

“Lady Wang came again yesterday.” She brought up the Seventeenth Lady from the sixth branch of the Wang family.

Both Fifth Miss and Sixth Miss showed expressions of familiarity.

“With the Wang family in such chaos now, if she doesn’t curry favor with Mother and Lady Zhang, how can Seventeenth Master continue his business?” Fifth Miss enlightened Seventh Miss. “Yang Qi, you should think more about underlying reasons. When the Wang family was flourishing, Lady Wang never visited our household so frequently.”

Seventh Miss could only smile faintly.

The three young ladies turned into the main courtyard.

They happened to come face to face with Second Madam.

“Second Aunt!” They all quickly curtsied.

Second Madam was all smiles. “Back from school?” Then said, “I was just saying it’s time for Eighth Miss to begin her education. In a few days, I’ll send her to the family school.”

Recently Second Madam’s visits had become more frequent. Though the Great Madam still wasn’t very warm, seeing that Ninth Young Master hadn’t caused any trouble during her several visits, she gradually softened her expression.

After exchanging a few words in the courtyard, they each returned to their rooms.

Seventh Miss had just entered the main hall of the west side courtyard when Lixia came forward with a cup of cold tea. “Dragon Boat Festival is approaching—the weather is visibly getting hotter.”

Shangyuan and Zhongyuan were setting out bowls and chopsticks on the small round table in the main room. “Today we have Miss’s favorite three-steamed cured meats.”

Seventh Miss smiled and said, “I’ll have to eat an extra half bowl of rice then.” She removed her skirt, went to the washroom to clean her hands and dust herself off, then came out to sit down and eat.

“Miss really eats too little usually.” Lixia attended to Seventh Miss while chatting about trivial matters. “It’s the time for growing—you should eat more.”

After eating, she slept during the afternoon rest, then upon rising went to Zhuying Tower to embroider.

The days continued on so uneventfully.

#

On the first of the fifth month, someone finally arrived from Yuhang with a message saying First Miss had departed from Yuhang and would probably reach Suzhou within a day or two.

The Great Madam finally summoned Seventh Miss to speak.

“It’s time to move Ninth Young Master out of the main hall.” She came straight to the point.

Seventh Miss was startled.

“Ninth Young Master is visibly growing day by day. Still living in the main hall is somewhat improper.” But the Great Madam didn’t notice Seventh Miss’s surprise. “Fifth Miss is also nearly ten years old—it’s not good for her to continue living in the main courtyard.”

The main courtyard sometimes received male guests. When Fifth Miss was younger it didn’t matter, but past age ten, her comings and goings became inconvenient.

It seemed the Great Madam wanted Fifth Miss to move into Baifang Garden and move Ninth Young Master to the east side courtyard.

Seventh Miss understood the Great Madam’s meaning.

Ninth Young Master had always stayed by the Great Madam’s side without his own staff of servants.

Since the two senior maids Xiaoxue and Chushu were both suspected and demoted home, and even the two new replacements suffered setbacks because of Ninth Young Master’s injury, only Lichun remained to attend to Ninth Young Master. Over these months, Lichun had lost considerable weight… Expecting her alone to manage Ninth Young Master was truly too much to ask of Lichun.

Moreover, once established independently in the east side courtyard, he couldn’t share the Great Madam’s household staff.

She quietly gazed at the Great Madam, waiting for her to continue.

“However, picking maids for Ninth Young Master is truly difficult.” The Great Madam couldn’t help showing some distress. “I don’t know what’s wrong—the people selected one after another are all perfectly fine elsewhere, but once they’re by Ninth Young Master’s side, they start causing trouble!”

Seventh Miss still smiled without speaking.

The Great Madam had to reveal the answer herself. “I’ve observed coldly for several months and feel that Lixia at your side is quite steady. What do you think…”

She gazed intently at Seventh Miss with bright eyes.

Seventh Miss found it somewhat amusing.

If the Great Madam thought such tactics could probe her intentions, she was underestimating her.

“Lixia is young and doesn’t quite understand things yet.” She replied calmly. “Besides, she came with Xiao Qi from the south side courtyard, so her manner probably still has some rusticity…”

The hesitation in her words was clearly evident.

Seventh Miss’s acting skills had never been very good; otherwise, she would have really liked to perform more anxiously and excessively.

The Great Madam’s expression relaxed.

If Seventh Miss was devoted to winning over Ninth Young Master, she naturally wouldn’t miss such an excellent opportunity.

This child still knew propriety very well!

She couldn’t help recalling the incident before Huansha Wu.

If what Ninth Young Master said was true, then Seventh Miss had nothing to do with it.

These past several months, observing coldly, Xiao Jiu and Xiao Liu talked more than with Xiao Qi usually…

The Great Madam sighed, showing genuine frustration.

“Growing day by day, yet still living in the same room with me—it is indeed a bit improper.”

Though the meaning was the same as the earlier official statement, the tone had already shifted to intimacy.

Seventh Miss also shared the Great Madam’s furrowed brow. “The household has been quite unsettled these past couple years! And there are still many unsolved mysteries…”

The Great Madam looked at Seventh Miss with a knowing smile.

Still just a child after all.

Though it wasn’t her business, given the opportunity, she still couldn’t resist inquiring.

Only a child would inquire so obviously.

She then told Seventh Miss half-concealing, half-revealing, “It’s probably Third Yiniang causing mischief!”

Seventh Miss’s eyes widened.

Some vague thoughts formed in her mind.

The greatest difference between ancient and modern people was that ancient people had too little knowledge.

Regarding nature and spirits, ancient people held sincere reverent fear.

Talk of hauntings would of course be dismissed as nonsense in modern times, but in this era, many people seriously attributed strange occurrences to ghosts and spirits.

Ninth Young Master’s unreasonable, inexplicable actions—if it was because Third Yiniang was haunting him… everything could suddenly be explained.

“Third Yiniang exactly…” She spoke halfway before swallowing the rest.

A trace of hatred flashed across the Great Madam’s face, but also clear fear.

“It’s all in the past!” She glossed over it lightly, pressing her palms together. “This time at Guanyin Mountain we specifically held a seven-day ritual for her. No matter how great her resentment, she should have been reincarnated by now!”

Seventh Miss quickly composed her expression and chanted Buddha’s name several times with the Great Madam.

But in her heart she thought of the time when Eighth Yiniang died and the Great Master ordered dharma services for Third Yiniang.

The Great Madam then discussed with Seventh Miss, “Speaking of which, if even Xiaoxue and Chushu can’t be trusted, who knows how many reliable people remain in this courtyard.”

Which maid serving in the main courtyard didn’t have a large family behind her?

Everyone made their living in the Yang household. Even if one could guarantee the maid’s own loyalty, who could know what her family members were thinking?

Seventh Miss also sighed. “If only there were more maids like Lichun—with no family burdens, capable and honest.”

The Great Madam also sighed, for a moment truly seeming to thirst for talent.

“Even with Lichun, she alone still isn’t enough…”

Seventh Miss couldn’t help but rejoice—from the Great Madam’s tone, she wouldn’t have other designs on Lichun.

In respectable families like the Yang household, the Great Master wouldn’t spare even a glance at maids in his son’s quarters.

Even if he originally had thoughts about Lichun, he had probably forgotten them by now.

Though this matter had no stakes for Seventh Miss, and Lichun had rarely come to the west side courtyard these past months, it was still genuinely pleasing.

In deep residential compounds, there were too few things that warmed the heart.

A girl in her bloom deserved to have a husband completely her own.

The two spoke a few more words, but Seventh Miss couldn’t produce any better solutions.

She always preferred not to meddle too much in Ninth Young Master’s courtyard affairs.

The Great Madam could only set this matter aside for now and brought up Third Miss’s marriage. “…Fourth Household constantly nags in Master’s ear, saying they must settle Third Miss’s marriage before the Wang family comes calling.”

Originally the Great Madam and Great Master had agreed that when the Wang family came to propose, they would make excuses to decline the match, then after a year or so when the storm passed, arrange another match for Third Miss.

Now the Wang family was too preoccupied with their own troubles to think of proposing. Fourth Yiniang wanting to seize this opportunity to settle Third Miss’s marriage wasn’t a terrible strategy.

After all, Third Miss was fourteen this year. If they truly waited for the Wang family to propose before refusing, the delay would be two or three years. A girl’s youth couldn’t wait.

However, from the Great Madam’s expression, she planned to obstruct Third Miss’s marriage.

Seventh Miss chuckled and teased the Great Madam. “You needn’t worry—Fourth Household has done too many unconscionable things, there’s sure to be karmic retribution. Perhaps one day the Wang family really will come calling…” She rarely spoke so caustically about Fourth Yiniang.

The Great Madam was made to laugh heartily by Seventh Miss. “I never knew Seventh Miss had such a clever tongue!”

Seventh Miss smiled with slight embarrassment.

To build good relations with someone, the best method was naturally to share their likes and dislikes.

Though Seventh Miss wasn’t skilled at acting, expressing her distaste for Fourth Yiniang wasn’t very difficult work for her.

The Great Madam indeed felt several degrees closer to Seventh Miss.

“Actually,” she said with some deliberation, revealing to Seventh Miss, “In the third month, the Gui family of Tianshui sent word through someone that they’re also interested in forming a marriage alliance with us.”

Seventh Miss raised an eyebrow.

Baoji Yang, Tianshui Gui—the Gui family was also a northwestern powerful clan with frequent dealings with the Yang family. Seventh Miss couldn’t say she was unfamiliar with the Gui family.

However, the Great Madam had received the message in the third month but only now mentioned it to her…