“The Gui family is also a great clan!” She smiled as she brought up her experiences in the northwest to the Grand Madam. “A few years ago in the northwest, though I was still young, I vaguely remember that some of their declining clan members were only slightly better off than ordinary farming families.”

Great clans and noble families were naturally prosperous and flourishing with countless descendants. Apart from the core few branches, it was impossible for every collateral and secondary branch to be wealthy and powerful. If the Grand Master hadn’t争气 striven on his own to pass the imperial examination and married Miss Qin, this branch would have declined long ago.

The Grand Madam smiled and nodded. “Those who can discuss marriage proposals with our family would only be the Gui family’s Ninth Branch!”

The Gui family consisted of military officers, different from the Yang family. In the army, military merit had to be fought for with one’s own blood. The Gui family’s Ninth Branch had flourished with descendants over the years, producing many brave warriors. They already showed signs of surpassing the main branch. The current General Zhenxi, Gui Ming, was from the Ninth Branch. Though only in his thirties, he had already accomplished several great feats and seemed likely to further glorify the Gui family name.

“His Majesty will likely stir up trouble in the northwest again in the coming years,” the Grand Madam analyzed for Seventh Miss. “With General Gui’s bravery, it would be difficult for him not to shine brilliantly.”

The Gui family was in its ascendancy, and as military officers, they were more stable than civil officials. Both families were great clans from Shaanxi, having maintained connections over many years, making them very suitable marriage partners.

It was precisely because they were too suitable that the Grand Madam probably wasn’t willing to arrange for Third Miss to marry into that family.

Seventh Miss looked at the Grand Madam with some surprise. “According to Mother’s meaning… the Gui family is actually a rare first-rate family?”

The Grand Madam smiled faintly. “If we speak of disadvantages, there are indeed some. You haven’t been to Tianshui, so you probably don’t know. The Western Regions have been very chaotic these years! With trade routes blocked, few people travel to the northwest… Though it’s an important border garrison, it’s quite desolate.”

Though Tianshui also had the reputation of being a Jiangnan beyond the Great Wall, compared to Suzhou, the land of fish and rice, it lacked some prosperity.

Not to mention that the border had been restless all these years, with small-scale wars breaking out from time to time. Generals stationed near Tianshui could be called to campaign at any moment.

Marrying into such a family, even with power and influence, would probably offer little enjoyment in life!

“Moreover, the Gui family’s household rules are strict and proper. Though General Zhenxi has gradually risen these past years, he probably doesn’t have much silver on hand.”

This statement from the Grand Madam revealed the Gui family’s greatest weakness.

They were military officers who could be called to don armor and go to war at any time, and the family didn’t have much money. If Third Miss married in, though her official title wouldn’t be low, in terms of life’s pleasures compared to First Miss and Second Miss, it would be like heaven and earth.

If this marriage were arranged, it couldn’t be said to lack respectability. The Gui family’s sons would certainly all go to the battlefield to fight across the land in the future. With their father’s protection, as long as they could survive the warfare, a fourth-rank Assistant Regional Commander position was assured—Mister Li would need to accumulate qualifications for who knows how many years to reach fourth rank! Even if the Grand Master found out, he probably couldn’t say much. For Third Miss, a concubine-born daughter, to marry into such a family would be her good fortune!

Privately though, whether it was sweet or bitter would be known only to oneself… The Grand Madam had truly expended great effort to find such a match for Third Miss!

“Mother truly has far-reaching plans!” Seventh Miss casually praised the Grand Madam.

Just as the Grand Madam analyzed, this marriage had both advantages and disadvantages. For Third Miss, it could be considered relatively ideal.

After all, the Gui family’s strict household rules—Seventh Miss had witnessed them firsthand in the northwest. Sons raised under such rules were mostly upright in character and proper in conduct…

That was certainly better than marrying some wastrel dandy in the capital, wasn’t it?

The Grand Madam’s expression showed slight worry again. “Having said that, the Gui family has no concubine-born sons in this generation! All the sons are legitimate, and Third Miss’s age only matches the eldest legitimate son. I’m afraid the Gui family won’t accept Third Miss as the eldest legitimate daughter-in-law!”

Seventh Miss couldn’t help but be startled.

The eldest legitimate daughter-in-law would be the future mistress of the household.

The mistress of the Ninth Branch household would be the clan matriarch of the Gui family. Even if the Gui family fell to its lowest point, they would never marry in a concubine-born daughter to be the clan matriarch.

“The northwest is different from our Jiangnan!” She hurriedly dissuaded the Grand Madam. “They take the distinction between legitimate and concubine-born more seriously than we do in the south… I think Mother should not broach this subject, lest it damage the friendship between the two families.”

The Grand Madam showed a trace of a smile. “The Gui family’s second son is also twelve this year. If only we didn’t want to avoid placing Third Miss under my name…”

Now that they were all young, a two-year age gap didn’t seem like much, but after marriage, it would leave Third Miss less time to bear legitimate sons.

The Grand Madam had dug another pit for Third Miss.

Seventh Miss didn’t quite agree though.

General Zhenxi held a rank of second grade junior, which was indeed two ranks lower than the Grand Master’s first grade junior, but the difference wasn’t so great that the Gui family could marry a legitimate son to a concubine-born daughter.

Of course, if it were a legitimate second son marrying a concubine-born daughter raised under the Madam’s name, that would be another matter. But with merely Third Miss’s status as a concubine-born daughter, even though the Grand Master now wielded great power in Jiangnan, marrying a Gui family legitimate son would be marrying up.

However, having already rejected the Gui family’s eldest son, to now reject another candidate—even though the Grand Madam understood the reasoning, she might not be pleased to be contradicted by a concubine-born daughter again and again.

“It sounds like a well-matched marriage,” Seventh Miss said with curved brows and eyes. “However, Xiao Qi is young with shallow experience. For such an important matter, I dare not rashly give an opinion.”

The Grand Madam indeed showed some impatience and frowned.

Just as she was about to speak, Seventh Miss quickly added, “Eldest Sister will arrive in Suzhou soon. If Mother still feels anything is inappropriate, why not ask Eldest Sister? That would be more reliable than asking Xiao Qi!”

What the Grand Madam had previously discussed with Seventh Miss were merely trivial household matters.

Second Miss’s dowry had already been given away—even if the Grand Master was angry again, what could he change?

Whatever Madam Xu went everywhere praying to gods and Buddha for had nothing to do with the Yang family.

A matter as significant as forming an alliance with the Gui family truly couldn’t be decided based solely on Seventh Miss’s few words.

The Grand Madam also understood the reasoning and calmed down, developing a bit more goodwill toward Seventh Miss.

There had never been a concubine-born daughter raised by a Madam who didn’t compete for favor.

Seventh Miss and First Miss had never met, so naturally there was no sisterly affection to speak of.

Both followed the path of strategic thinking and wisdom.

It was rare that Seventh Miss could still generously admit her own inexperience and yield the opportunity to shine to First Miss.

The way she looked at Seventh Miss became somewhat warmer.

“Have you had enough spending money lately?” She inquired about Seventh Miss’s daily life.

“There’s usually nowhere to spend money,” Seventh Miss also gave the Grand Madam face, showing a delighted expression. “The money box is so full it can barely close.”

The Grand Madam was in excellent spirits. “This is the proper dignity of a young lady from the main courtyard.”

She then instructed Seventh Miss, “In a few days, Eighth Miss will enter the family school. She’s weak in health, and your Fifth Sister is careless. You’ll need to pay more attention so nothing happens to her at the family school, or I won’t be able to face your Second Aunt.”

Though the family school was nominally run jointly by the first and second branches, in reality it had always been attended by children from the first branch. If Eighth Miss had any accident, the first branch would naturally be hard pressed to shirk responsibility.

Seventh Miss’s heart stirred: the Grand Madam’s attitude toward the Second Madam had unknowingly become completely gentle.

She hesitated but ultimately didn’t voice her question.

The Grand Madam had received the Gui family’s letter at the end of March.

Yet she waited until entering the fifth month to discuss it with her.

She probably still harbored some doubts.

For now, she must continue to endure.

Seventh Miss smiled and agreed, then rose to take her leave. “Eldest Sister will be returning to her maiden home. Mother must have many matters to attend to. Xiao Qi won’t disturb Mother any longer.”

The Grand Madam also smiled faintly, watching her leave the eastern side room. She turned past the main hall window and entered the corridor leading to the western side courtyard.

Her expression gradually grew solemn again.

Nanny Wang entered the room and reported in a low voice to the Grand Madam, “The families of those few young maids have all been investigated.”

The Grand Madam’s expression shifted. “How was it? Are the families all respectable?”

Nanny Wang replied softly, “They’re all from the dowry families you brought from your maiden home, Madam. They have no dealings with the servants in this manor.”

The Grand Madam’s dowry families also numbered over ten households. Over these many years, they had formed a considerable force within the manor.

The Grand Madam nodded indifferently.

Nanny Wang thought of her own second son’s expression when mentioning Lichun, and her heart tightened.

Gritting her teeth and gathering courage, she spoke softly, “However, given their young age, they still can’t do without the guidance of an experienced senior maid!”

The Grand Madam sighed. “Then give Lichun to Ninth Young Master! After all, she’s served him for half a year already. To replace her with another group would truly look rather improper.”

Nanny Wang was overjoyed.

Yet she was also puzzled.

“Wasn’t it said she’d be transferred back to the main house…” to be trained as a chamber maid?

“Xiao Qi is a proper child,” the Grand Madam suddenly spoke of Seventh Miss. “She has no intention of planting people around Ninth Young Master.”

Nanny Wang broke out in a cold sweat down her spine.

She thought of the details of Lichun and Seventh Miss’s comings and goings during their days living in the western side courtyard.

“She’s still so young!” Her voice trembled imperceptibly. “The people around her are all given by you.”

The Grand Madam couldn’t help but laugh at herself. “This past half year, I’ve watched coldly—Lichun and she don’t have much private interaction.”

Which meant these two simply mutually appreciated each other: the maid appreciated the young lady’s steady temperament, and the young lady appreciated the maid’s capable performance.

In these deep manor courtyards with such limited space, everyone was connected to everyone else in some way. If one avoided this and avoided that, there would be no one left to use.

As long as Lichun remained the Grand Madam’s person, given her family background, she was naturally the perfect choice for a senior maid in Ninth Young Master’s quarters.

Nanny Wang secretly let out a long breath.

She quickly assumed an expression of sudden understanding. “So that’s how it is!” She flattered, “Madam’s thoughts are truly far-reaching!”

“You don’t understand,” the Grand Madam instructed Nanny Wang. “Ninth Young Master is young, and he’ll soon be moving to the eastern side courtyard…”

Such a young child—how could he know right from wrong, good from bad? Whoever the people around him spoke for, he would naturally speak for them too.

If Lichun had been won over by Seventh Miss and secretly spoke improper words to Ninth Young Master…

Nanny Wang laughed dryly. “Madam is truly far-sighted!”

The Grand Madam waved her hand with a smile. “Oh my,” she exclaimed, “I forgot to discuss something with Xiao Qi.”

She was about to have Nanny Wang call Seventh Miss back.

After thinking it over, she smiled again. “Forget it. Eldest Miss will be returning soon anyway. Asking her would be the same!”

#

First Miss arrived at the Yang Manor early on the third day.

She brought two dowry maids and Nanny Yao, entering the main courtyard’s hall with a face full of spring breeze.

“Mother!” First Miss called out affectionately, then knelt on the red cushion and kowtowed three times solidly to the Grand Madam. “It’s been a full two or three years since we’ve met!”

The Grand Madam was all smiles, bending down to personally help First Miss up. “Let me see, let me see—you’ve lost weight!”

“I’ve actually grown plump!” First Miss laughed and touched her face. “After giving birth to First Girl, I gained over ten pounds. I was round all over. Only in these past months have I slowly slimmed down.”

This was a refined young matron wearing a willow-green lattice-patterned cross-collar jacket and skirt, which made her figure appear all the more ample and well-rounded. Her not-too-large eyes curved like crescents, filled with the joy of reunion after long separation, yet without excessive frivolity.

Seventh Miss glanced at Third Miss.

These two sisters were quite similar, both having round faces.

Third Miss had apparently copied First Miss’s manner wholesale… However, seeing the original, one felt she was like trying to paint a tiger but ending up with a dog…

She pondered absentmindedly.

First Miss had already received the baby girl from Nanny Yao’s hands and presented her to the Grand Madam with pursed lips like a treasure. “This is First Girl… She slept all the way down the boat, slept onto the carriage, and entered the household gate still sleeping!”

Though First Miss wore only fine Huzhou satin, First Girl’s swaddling clothes were made of gold-embroidered Shu brocade. The Grand Madam first examined the swaddling, then couldn’t help but laugh.

“This child, the dowry wasn’t meant for you to squander like this.” As she spoke, she affectionately tapped First Miss’s forehead, then picked up First Girl and weighed her. “She’s not light!”

“A full six pounds and more, this big plump daughter. Usually she eats and sleeps well…” First Miss smiled as she told the Grand Madam about First Girl’s daily routines. The Grand Madam listened with eyes full of laughter.

Nanny Yao and the two dowry maids paid their respects to the Grand Madam, then were led away by the lower servants to withdraw.

First Miss smiled and took each sister’s hand in turn. “When you have leisure, you must come visit in Yuhang! The manor is very peaceful and not dirty or chaotic at all.”

Though her words were ordinary, combined with her warm smile, they conveyed genuine sincerity.

Upon seeing Seventh Miss, First Miss paused slightly before smiling and taking Seventh Miss’s hand. “This is the first time meeting Seventh Sister! With such a large household and estate, there are many disadvantages—brothers and sisters can’t often be together!”

Seventh Miss also put on a smile. “Greetings, Eldest Sister!”

First Miss smiled as she looked Seventh Miss up and down.

She did so quite obviously, but it didn’t provoke resentment. Her gaze held no malice, only pure curiosity and appreciation.

“What a jade beauty!” She praised Seventh Miss. “Every one of our family’s younger sisters is more beautiful than me!”

All the Yang daughters burst into laughter. “Eldest Sister still speaks so well!”

“Oh my, am I not speaking the truth?” First Miss feigned surprise, covering her mouth. “Having stayed too long in the countryside of Yuhang, I thought myself rather good-looking… But returning to my maiden home, I realize my vision was shallow!”

Everyone laughed together again.

The atmosphere was harmonious and warm.

Seventh Miss couldn’t help but secretly admire First Miss’s skills.

With such eloquence and such a spirit of self-deprecation, where wouldn’t she thrive?

The Grand Madam held First Girl lovingly, unable to put her down. She asked again, “Why hasn’t your husband come in to pay respects?”

First Miss quickly replied, “He’s outside paying respects to Father! He wasn’t sure whether the sisters should avoid him, so he didn’t dare come in for the moment.”

When mentioning her husband Li Yixing, First Miss naturally revealed a trace of gentle sweetness.

Third Miss’s face showed an envious expression. Even Fourth Yiniang standing behind the Grand Madam—the clouds in her eyes dispersed for a moment, revealing a trace of longing.