“Did Second Sister send this too?” Seventh Miss asked indifferently, her voice betraying neither pleasure nor displeasure.

Bailu was also stunned.

Lixia entered carrying a plate of grapes. Hearing the tail end of Seventh Miss’s words, she said, “Fourth Concubine sent this. I didn’t want to accept it, but Shuangjiang said whether to accept it or not was Seventh Miss’s decision.”

Her voice carried a hint of grievance. Shuangjiang had a sharp tongue and had likely said many unpleasant things.

“Return it.” Seventh Miss’s voice was as cold as winter wind. “What else did she send?”

Lixia quickly shook her head, then pointed to a dark patterned bundle on the bed. “Second Miss did send a couplet first, then some clothing. We haven’t unpacked it yet.”

It seemed no one had been fooled by Fifth Miss’s tantrum. Second Miss also knew what had happened.

Seventh Miss smiled and shook her head. “Sister Bailu, I’m sorry to trouble you, but please return this plate of silver.”

Bailu felt some admiration for Seventh Miss.

Fourth Concubine’s motives in sending this silver were truly ill-intentioned.

If Seventh Miss accepted it, not only would she be subject to Fourth Concubine’s control in the future, but when word reached Master Yang, it would become ammunition against her. If the Grand Lady lost face, who else would she take it out on but Seventh Miss?

This silver absolutely could not be accepted.

She picked up the silver and left the courtyard.

Only then could Seventh Miss and Lixia sit down to talk.

“Lixia,” Seventh Miss sat at the table and gently called the young maid to her side, “you didn’t suffer any grievances today, did you?”

Lixia smiled but said nothing.

This was exactly what Seventh Miss liked about Lixia—she could hold her composure, didn’t like to lie, and was relatively honest.

“We’ve just arrived, so even if we suffer some grievances, it’s only natural.” Seventh Miss said slowly. “You should follow Bailu more and learn from her manner. Don’t take Fifth Sister’s matter to heart. No matter who asks you about it, don’t say much.”

If someone caught hold of the details and this matter got out, Fifth Miss would certainly lose face, but she wouldn’t look much better either. Moreover, this matter was partly because she hadn’t had time to explain things clearly. If the Grand Lady was biased and thought she’d wanted to humiliate Fifth Miss, there would be no good outcome for her.

Even with Lichun present to speak a few words on her behalf, it would still be an untenable situation.

Lixia blinked and nodded, though it was unclear whether she truly understood.

Seventh Miss couldn’t help but sigh.

In wealthy households, there was always so much trouble.

She lowered her eyes. “Unwrap the bundle Second Sister sent.” Second Miss’s kind intentions were different from Fourth Concubine’s—they must be accepted.

Lixia went over to unwrap the bundle and shook out the clothes one by one for Seventh Miss to see.

Though the clothing Second Miss sent wasn’t made of materials as precious as those Second Lady had sent, the sizes fit perfectly. There was a ginger-yellow tribute satin jacket that Seventh Miss particularly liked and wanted to try on immediately.

When Lixia shook out the garment, several small objects rolled onto the floor, striking the bluestone surface with crisp sounds. She picked them up to show Seventh Miss.

They were four small silver ingots.

“About four taels.” Lixia weighed them and placed the ingots on the table, then shook out the remaining two garments in sky blue and dark red. Two more silver ingots fell from the sky-blue vest.

Holding these six taels of silver, Seventh Miss was filled with emotion.

That evening when Bailu returned, she pressed two taels into her hands.

“I owe you much for resolving things during the day.” She spoke tactfully. “I’m not as wealthy as my sisters. Take these two taels for now. If it’s not enough, when the monthly allowance is distributed at month’s end, I’ll make it up to you.”

Bailu hastily pushed away Seventh Miss’s hand. “It wasn’t that much, and besides, this is what a servant should do.”

“This should come from me.” Seventh Miss was insistent. “Take it quickly, or I’ll give you four taels at month’s end.”

Bailu couldn’t help but laugh and accepted Seventh Miss’s silver.

Seventh Miss then took out a small box and, in front of her, placed the four taels of silver inside.

It was an old camphor wood box, empty except for these four small silver ingots.

Seventh Miss smiled at Lixia and Bailu. “Life unfolds gradually. Now that we’re in the west side courtyard, we’ll slowly make our days better and better.”

Lixia happily agreed—in the south side courtyard, Seventh Miss hadn’t even had the concept of private savings.

Bailu’s eyes dimmed slightly. Though unspoken, in the main courtyard, the young ladies each received four taels monthly allowance, two taels more than the young ladies in the concubines’ quarters. Moreover, when the Grand Lady thought of it, she would send them money from time to time. Second Miss’s money box was full to the brim. Several times when Bailu delivered money, Second Miss would casually reward her with half a silver ingot.

She looked at Seventh Miss in the lamplight and smiled again. Seventh Miss was right—life would get better and better.

The next day after Seventh Miss rose and finished washing, Nanny Liang personally delivered two garments.

“I meant to send them last night but was delayed. I altered them a bit—they should fit well.” She said with a smile.

Seventh Miss thanked her repeatedly. “Thank you for thinking of me, Nanny.” Altering clothes was no easy task. Regardless of whom Nanny Liang had do the alterations, she was doing Seventh Miss a favor by bringing them, so thanks were in order.

Nanny Liang glanced at the sky-blue vest hanging on the screen, her eyes flickering.

“Second Sister sent this yesterday.” Seventh Miss smiled somewhat sheepishly. “Second Sister is cold on the outside but warm within.”

Seventh Miss’s words were quite pleasant. What was originally an awkward matter, spoken this way, made Second Miss seem warmhearted. Nanny Liang patted Seventh Miss’s hand with smiling eyes. “It’s good that Seventh Miss thinks this way.”

After speaking, she returned to the main hall. The Grand Lady was still in bed. Ninth Young Master was putting on clothes to one side, clumsy and awkward, yet refusing help. The Grand Lady watched with only laughter in her eyes.

After Ninth Young Master went out to wash, Nanny Liang relayed Seventh Miss’s words. “She knows how to speak.”

The Grand Lady nodded. “To think this way doesn’t waste Second Sister’s kind intentions.” She lazily sat up. Nanny Liang stepped forward to remove her sleeping robe and help her into inner garments. “Have Xianxiu Workshop make all four seasons’ worth of clothing. These past few years when Fourth Concubine managed the inner household, she withheld quite a bit from their mother and daughter’s monthly allowances. Look at what Seventh Miss wears! Make more this time—Second Sister and Fifth Sister won’t object.”

Nanny Liang said carefully, “Fifth Miss is also clamoring for new clothes.”

“Nonsense!” The Grand Lady got out of bed. “Yesterday’s matter hasn’t been settled with her yet. After breakfast, have someone go give Guyu a few strokes so she knows the severity—at her age, acting without any sense of propriety.”

“…Yes.” Nanny Liang said no more. If this had been any other young lady, it wouldn’t be resolved with just a few strokes to the maid. The Grand Lady truly doted on Fifth Miss to an extreme degree.

“Might as well make some for all the sisters,” the Grand Lady changed her mind again. “Second Sister will soon be of age for marriage discussions. When she accompanies me out, she’ll need more clothing. Make a few for Fifth Sister as well to prevent another scene.”

What could Nanny Liang say?

So after breakfast, the three young ladies didn’t go to the family school. Embroiderers from Xianxiu Workshop came to take measurements for new clothes.

Seventh Miss received the most—twenty-four complete outfits for all four seasons. The Grand Lady even asked her to choose fabrics from the storeroom herself, but Seventh Miss declined, saying she didn’t understand such things. Fifth Miss was enthusiastic, pulling Second Miss to find Nanny Yao to look at fabrics in the storeroom. Though she only received four new outfits, she was still pleased.

Second Miss was indifferent and simply went along. Seventh Miss then took her leave and returned to the west side courtyard.

She had returned late last night and hadn’t met the young maids and servants face to face. This time she finally met them.

Though the Grand Lady had been harsh to Ninth Concubine, she treated Seventh Miss quite well. The four young maids sent over all had clear features and were honest people with downcast eyes. The two servants also had loyal faces and neat appearances. Seventh Miss said a few polite words, then let them go about their work. She returned to her room and after searching for some time asked Lixia, “Where are my sewing things?”

Bailu smiled. “They’re all arranged in the west inner room.”

The west inner room had no round table. Against the window stood a small set of beech wood table and chairs. Beside the chair were embroidery frames and stands. Several balls of dark-colored silk thread rested on the frame—dark gold thread that Seventh Miss had never seen before.

Seventh Miss couldn’t help raising her eyebrows at Bailu.

“Nanny Yao brought them yesterday when she opened the storeroom to get the embroidery frame.” Bailu said as if it were natural. “If Seventh Miss finds it too little, when you’ve used it up I’ll go get more.”

Gold and silver thread were usually counted strictly in the storeroom and watched carefully. Though Seventh Miss had learned embroidery for over a year, she’d never used such expensive thread. Occasionally she’d seen Third Miss and Fourth Miss sitting in the garden pretending to embroider, but they too used ordinary silk thread. Young ladies in the main courtyard, even concubine-born ones, had more prestigious food, clothing, and supplies than those in the concubines’ quarters.

“I’m just embroidering for amusement,” Seventh Miss said with a smile. “No need for such fine thread.”

“Ninth Concubine’s needlework was excellent.” Bailu seized the opportunity to flatter. “I remember years ago when her handkerchief was lost and the maids found it, none could figure out how the peach blossoms on it were embroidered.”

“After all, she came from an embroiderer’s background.” Seventh Miss smiled faintly, lowering her head to thread her needle. Lixia came to sit beside her, helping match thread colors.

Bailu felt somewhat awkward, realizing she’d misspoken.

“I still have half a purse face left to finish.” Seventh Miss raised her head. “I want to make it for Mother, but I don’t know what color combinations she prefers.”

This was something Bailu would certainly know—she came from the Grand Lady’s quarters. Bailu smiled and sat beside Seventh Miss.

“The Grand Lady prefers more staid colors. Brown background is best, embroidered with dark gold thread in continuous cloud patterns—dignified and rich.” She spoke casually. Seventh Miss produced a small piece of brown official satin. Bailu fell silent.

“This fabric is somewhat inferior. My embroidery isn’t very good, so whatever pattern I embroider, I’ll practice first before embroidering on better fabric.” Seventh Miss explained. Only then did Bailu feel relieved.

“Seventh Miss embroiders well—quite presentably.” Looking closely at Seventh Miss’s technique, Bailu couldn’t help but praise.

It would be fantasy to expect a six or seven-year-old girl to embroider anything earth-shattering, but Seventh Miss truly did have presentable form—this much was evident.

The atmosphere in the room was harmonious.

Lunch was served in each household’s quarters. After eating and napping, Seventh Miss no longer needed to attend to Ninth Concubine and had leisure time. Upon rising, she embroidered again.

Close to dinnertime, the Grand Lady suddenly sent Lichun over with a plate of silver.

“Young ladies in each household all have their own money boxes.” Lichun explained. “It’s not yet time to distribute monthly allowances. This silver is for Seventh Miss to spend as needed.”

The implication was clear: whatever Second Miss and Fifth Miss had, the Grand Lady would not deprive Seventh Miss of.

Seventh Miss thanked her gratefully. “Mother is so thoughtful.” She lowered her head somewhat sheepishly. “Indeed, things have been rather tight lately.”

Likely they’d never not been tight—everyone understood this. Lichun brought out another bundle. “These are clothes Ninth Young Master wore. You and Ninth Young Master are twins… whenever you wear them, it will give everyone a laugh.”

Seventh Miss accepted the bundle and saw Lichun to the steps. Returning, she held her needle and stared blankly at the purse face.

That the Grand Lady knew Fourth Concubine had sent her silver and that she’d returned it was no surprise. She lived right under the Grand Lady’s nose—it would be strange if the Grand Lady didn’t know.

But why was Fourth Concubine going to such lengths to help her?

Knowing she had no money, going out of her way to send silver so that the Grand Lady had to contribute as well to silence everyone’s talk.

Even helping arrange for her to enter the main courtyard for care… Fourth Concubine’s elaborate show of goodwill must have some purpose, surely?

Seventh Miss was merely a helpless concubine’s daughter. Without Fourth Concubine’s machinations, she very likely wouldn’t have entered the main courtyard at all. Was such a person really worth Fourth Concubine’s efforts to curry favor?

Master Yang had spent three consecutive nights at Fourth Concubine’s quarters.

Seventh Miss found it very strange.

And then there was the Grand Lady, suddenly sending Ninth Young Master’s clothes for no reason. What was her intention?

Seventh Miss thought about it but couldn’t fathom the Grand Lady’s thoughts.

You could say the Grand Lady was muddle-headed, yet she was extremely meticulous, handling all matters large and small quite properly.

But if you said the Grand Lady wasn’t muddle-headed—she’d already moved into the main courtyard, so why give Fourth Concubine and Second Lady opportunities to curry favor? Everything should have been prepared properly from the start, giving her cause for gratitude.

Seventh Miss stopped thinking about it.

“Since they’ve been sent, let’s put them away.” She said lightly. “Tomorrow I’ll start attending the school. Bailu, what do the teachers at school teach?”

Bailu smiled and put away the needlework. It had grown late—not good for more needlework.

“There are several teachers at school, both men and women. Morning lessons last one hour for character recognition and reading. Afternoon sessions last two hours for learning embroidery.”

Seventh Miss frowned slightly. Bailu said, “Not knowing characters isn’t a problem. Ninth Young Master is so big yet only just started his education.”

“I know characters.” Seventh Miss smiled. “I just haven’t attended school and haven’t read many books.”

Bailu couldn’t help raising her eyebrows.

“Ninth Concubine’s father was a scholar who ran a private school.” Lixia spoke calmly, not proud of knowing Ninth Concubine’s background.

Bailu softly acknowledged this.

Mentioning Ninth Concubine made the atmosphere in the room somewhat strange. Seventh Miss sighed inwardly.

“Everyone says Second Sister is very learned—” She thought of Second Miss lounging on the beauty couch reading.

Bailu smiled. “For a daughter, one can’t speak of being learned. But Second Miss does love reading books—that’s true.”

Seventh Miss looked at the sky, then rose and went to the main quarters supported by Bailu.

She arrived neither early nor late. First Concubine and Second Concubine had just arrived. Third Miss and Fourth Miss came directly to the main quarters after school. Second Miss, Fifth Miss, and Ninth Young Master sat beside the Grand Lady chatting and laughing.

When Seventh Miss entered, she felt a moment of hesitation. It was already crowded beside the Grand Lady, and Third Miss and Fourth Miss weren’t seated by rank order—Fourth Miss actually sat above Third Miss. However she sat seemed wrong.

Though troubled inwardly, her face showed nothing. She bowed to the Grand Lady, then greeted each sister in turn.

Meeting Second Miss, her manner was natural—she didn’t become especially warm just because Second Miss had sent her a few taels of silver. “Second Sister, I’d like to ask a favor.”

As she spoke, Seventh Miss naturally took the seat below Second Miss’s, which placed her above Fourth Miss.