Second Miss’s eyes flickered. “Oh?”

“I heard Second Sister loves reading.” Seventh Miss was not discouraged by her cool attitude and said with a smile, “Tomorrow is my first day at school. I don’t know what the teachers will cover, so I wanted to ask Second Sister to lend me a few books to look at and prepare.”

The Grand Lady looked at Second Miss warmly.

“I just read a few miscellaneous books in my leisure time.” Second Miss said dismissively. “For us daughters, what’s important isn’t in books.”

Seventh Miss lowered her head somewhat aggrieved, rarely showing a childish manner.

Third Miss then laughed innocently. “Fourth Sister, don’t you also have some books? What’s the harm in lending them to Seventh Miss?”

Fourth Concubine glanced at Third Miss but said nothing. A flash of triumph and disdain passed through Second Miss’s eyes. The atmosphere grew awkward. The Grand Lady couldn’t help but look toward Seventh Concubine.

Seventh Concubine touched her hair as if she hadn’t heard Third Miss’s words, and said to Seventh Miss with a smile, “Seventh Miss, Sixth Miss is about to study the Four Books for Women. If you don’t mind, I’ll have Sixth Miss send you some elementary primers later.”

Sixth Miss smiled innocently. “Yes, Seventh Sister, the ‘Young Learner’s Encyclopedia’ is quite fun.”

Seventh Concubine had been brought back from the capital by Master Yang. She never got too close to the other concubines, and maintained a neither intimate nor distant relationship with the Grand Lady. Though not close, she was faultless. Sixth Miss was seven this year. She greatly resembled Seventh Concubine and was exceptionally beautiful—a budding beauty. She was always innocent and kind, much beloved by the Grand Lady.

The Grand Lady smiled. Second Miss pursed her lips without speaking. Fifth Miss widened her eyes, looked around at everyone in confusion, then laughed coquettishly and asked Seventh Miss, “Seventh Sister, can you read? Can you understand the ‘Young Learner’s Encyclopedia’?”

Though Fifth Miss was spoiled, she recognized quite a few characters—she just never applied herself to it. The Grand Lady came from a scholarly family and was quite attentive to her daughters’ education. By age six, Fifth Miss had already recognized several thousand characters.

Seventh Miss sighed inwardly.

In wealthy households, there was so much intrigue. Even borrowing a book became fodder for Second Miss to make a scene.

Third Miss seemed clever but was actually foolish. With just a light remark from Second Miss, she seized the opportunity to curry favor with Seventh Miss, instead exposing Fourth Concubine’s schemes completely—Fourth Concubine’s desire to win over Seventh Miss was now obvious to everyone. Seventh Concubine was kind-hearted, stepping in to smooth things over and playing the good person.

Fifth Miss understood none of these undercurrents. She only knew to seize on Seventh Miss’s weakness to mock her.

Did she not consider that if Seventh Miss truly couldn’t read, would she ask her sisters to borrow books?

Seventh Miss smiled. “Fifth Sister, I do recognize some characters. I’m just rather slow and afraid of embarrassing myself before the teachers, so I want to prepare ahead.”

Her words were all aimed at keeping the peace. Fifth Miss was ungrateful. She raised her eyebrows and was about to speak.

Second Miss suddenly smiled. “Sixth Sister, you’re studying the Four Books for Women now? Time really flies. Two years ago when you started school, you held the ‘Young Learner’s Encyclopedia’ upside down. When the teacher tried to turn it right-side up, you gripped it and wouldn’t let go.” She covered her mouth laughing.

Everyone laughed along. Fifth Miss’s words remained unspoken. Ninth Young Master looked at this person, then that person, pinched Fifth Miss, and said quietly, “Fifth Sister, are you studying the Four Books for Women yet?”

Fifth Miss blushed slightly. Though clever, she was inconsistent in her studies—three days fishing, two days drying nets. Two years older than Sixth Miss, she hadn’t even finished the Four Books for Women.

“I’m studying it now.” She acted coquettishly toward Second Miss. “Second Sister, teach me more! There’s so much I don’t understand!”

“Your Second Sister is busy embroidering her trousseau. Where would she find time for your nonsense?” The Grand Lady said with smiling eyes.

A flash of envy passed through Fourth Concubine’s eyes. Seventh Miss caught it directly. She lowered her head with a slight smile, beginning to calculate inwardly.

The match Second Miss spoke of was with Sun Liquan, the legitimate eldest son of the Dingguo Marquis Sun family in the capital. The engagement had been settled two or three years ago. Last winter, the Sun family sent someone to set the date for this coming winter. Second Miss had stopped attending school and was carefully embroidering her trousseau in Youhuang Li.

After Second Miss married, they would arrange matches for Third Miss and Fourth Miss. Following proper order, Fifth Miss’s marriage would be decided after her older sisters’…

Seventh Miss suddenly understood Fourth Concubine’s desperation.

She raised her head to glance at Fourth Concubine, who was smiling but with a somewhat wooden expression, her thoughts drifting elsewhere.

Third Miss’s face beamed with joy as she joked playfully, making Second Miss both shy and happy. She bit her lip and turned her head away. Ninth Young Master understood nothing and just made noise. The scene was quite lively.

Fourth Miss, Fifth Miss, and Sixth Miss said nothing. The topic of trousseaus truly had little to do with these unmarried daughters.

“Alright, everyone disperse.” The Grand Lady’s smile had not faded. “After eating, you sisters should rest early. Teacher Huang will come tomorrow—you need to be well-rested.”

Everyone laughed again.

Seventh Miss was somewhat confused, looking around at everyone blankly.

Sixth Miss, sitting across from her, explained in a delicate voice, “Teacher Huang is our embroidery instructor. Last winter she was so angry with us that she swore she wouldn’t come teach this year.”

Everyone laughed again. The Grand Lady pointed at Sixth Miss, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. “If you hadn’t brought the Four Treasures of the Study to the embroidery room and spilled them all over Teacher Huang, why would she have been so angry? It cost me several extra taels as year-end gifts.”

Sixth Miss leaned against the Grand Lady acting spoiled—a picture of familial happiness.

Master Yang walked into the inner room to see this harmonious scene.

“What’s everyone so happy about?” He laughed heartily, stroking his beard.

“Father!” All the children rose to bow. Fourth Concubine’s smile suddenly brightened. The Grand Lady lazily rose only slightly. Seventh Concubine stepped forward to help Master Yang remove his outer robe and led him to the washroom.

Before long, Master Yang emerged wearing a bamboo-colored straight robe. Seventh Concubine came out carrying his official robe and handed it to Lichun.

“Master came home early today!” The Grand Lady made conversation. Second Miss, Fifth Miss, and Ninth Young Master all rose and moved to the row of grand armchairs, leaving space for Master Yang.

Master Yang sat beside the Grand Lady and patted her knee with a smile.

“You know how it is—the office has reopened after New Year, and there are drinking engagements. The first month is always the busiest all year.” As he spoke, his eyes swept over the concubines standing behind the Grand Lady. He smiled at Fourth Concubine. “Why don’t I see Eighth Concubine?”

“She’s been suffering terribly from morning sickness these past days. I told her not to leave her room—better to rest in bed and nurture the baby.” The Grand Lady said. “After dinner, go see her.”

This was proper. Master Yang had few descendants. If Eighth Concubine was carrying a son, she would be a great contributor to the Yang family.

But with Ninth Concubine’s precedent, perhaps Eighth Concubine would rather give birth to a daughter.

Fourth Concubine’s eyes sparkled. “I stopped by to see Eighth Concubine earlier. She said she’s craving something sour tonight.”

The Grand Lady was unconcerned. “Then have the kitchen send some pickled plums.”

Seventh Miss lowered her eyes. The Grand Lady managed inner household affairs—Master Yang had little say. That Fourth Concubine dared interject about inner household matters showed Master Yang was very fond of her.

Master Yang nodded. “After all, she’s carrying a child—she must be well cared for.” He pointed at Fourth Concubine. “She came from your quarters. Whether busy or not, visit her more often.”

“Yes.” Fourth Concubine crisply agreed, adding, “Madam sends someone to check on Eighth Concubine daily—she’s very attentive.”

Master Yang looked at the Grand Lady with added warmth in his eyes.

Second Miss seemed surprised and glanced at the large gilded cloisonné clock in the corner.

Her movement was rather pronounced. The Grand Lady said, “It’s time for each household to have dinner. Master, which quarters will you dine in tonight?”

“The main courtyard.” Master Yang said casually. “Everyone disperse and eat well.”

Everyone rose to bow. Lichun picked up Ninth Young Master. Second Miss, Fifth Miss, and Seventh Miss filed into the washroom with their maids.

Notably, except for the young ladies of the main courtyard, none of the concubines’ daughters’ maids could enter the main hall.

When Bailu stood beside Seventh Miss, Third Miss’s eyes looking at Seventh Miss clearly held a measure of jealousy.

After washing hands and eating dinner, Master Yang and the Grand Lady entered the bedroom to talk privately. Ninth Young Master was handed to Fifth Miss. “Play with your brother for a while.”

Fifth Miss was somewhat curious. “What matter requires hiding it from Ninth Young Master?”

Before the Grand Lady could answer, Ninth Young Master said crisply to his sister, “Auntie Xu sent a letter, right?”

The Grand Lady smiled and tapped Ninth Young Master’s head. “Such a blabbermouth.”

The Grand Lady’s maiden name was Qin, also from a prestigious family. Her sisters all married well. The Grand Lady’s sister married into Duke Pingguo Xu family and bore the legitimate son. She was now the lady managing the Xu household.

The Yang family was a prominent household in Jiangnan; the Xu family was powerful in the capital. It was natural for the two families to maintain close ties. Master Yang always let the Grand Lady review letters from the Xu family.

Fifth Miss asked no more and led Ninth Young Master out. “Ninth Young Master, let’s solve the nine-ring puzzle.”

“Good.” Ninth Young Master was very happy.

The Grand Lady smiled as she watched them leave, then asked Master Yang, “I heard the front courtyard received three more young women?”

Master Yang was somewhat embarrassed. “Last time the Prince of Yue invited me to drink, he casually sent in these triplet sisters. I couldn’t very well refuse.”

At Master Yang’s position, many people wanted to send women to him. Master Yang was relatively restrained, only accepting those he truly couldn’t refuse. He naturally dared not refuse gifts from the Prince of Yue.

The Grand Lady’s expression softened slightly as she took the letter from Master Yang’s hand to read carefully.

The next morning, Xianxiu Workshop delivered several outfits. Seventh Miss changed into a dark green jacket embroidered with golden cup flowers and an onion-yellow pleated skirt to pay respects to the Grand Lady, who was very pleased.

“You’re dressed beautifully—now you truly look like a daughter of the main courtyard.” She praised with a smile.

Nanny Liang and Nanny Wang both chimed in, “Since coming to the main courtyard, Seventh Miss has become more and more distinguished.”

Anyone with money naturally appeared distinguished. Seventh Miss sneered inwardly but looked somewhat embarrassed. “The nannies flatter me.”

Ninth Young Master ran out from the inner room and nearly collided with Seventh Miss. Both froze. The Grand Lady pointed at Seventh Miss and asked Ninth Young Master, “Does Seventh Miss resemble you?”

“Yes.” Ninth Young Master said in a muffled voice.

They were twins—of course they resembled each other. No one could deny it.

“Does Seventh Miss look pretty in these clothes?”

Seventh Miss wore her hair in a maid’s bun, adorned with silk flowers, and dressed in jacket and skirt—she looked like a jade maiden descended from a painting.

“Very pretty.” Ninth Young Master said.

“Would you like to dress like this too?” The Grand Lady asked with a smile.

Everyone laughed. Master Yang emerged while fastening his inner garment, Lichun following behind to drape his everyday sky-blue outer robe over him. “Ninth Young Master, what do you say?” He casually patted Seventh Miss’s head.

Seventh Miss lowered her head, stepped aside, and sat down.

Ninth Young Master involuntarily followed to her side, tilting his head to examine her seriously.

“No.” He shook his head and turned to the Grand Lady.

The Grand Lady smiled faintly. “Why not?”

“I’m a boy—I don’t need to be pretty.” Ninth Young Master answered crisply, running to the Grand Lady. “Mother, am I right?”

Everyone laughed again. Second Miss and Fifth Miss laughed as they entered from outside.

“We heard your voice as soon as we entered the courtyard.” Fifth Miss pointed at Ninth Young Master. Ninth Young Master snorted. “Fifth Sister is bullying me! I’m not talking to you anymore!”

Fifth Miss and Ninth Young Master quarreled every few days, but soon after would be as close as one person. Fifth Miss had patience only for Ninth Young Master.

Seventh Miss felt a sour ache in her heart. She rose and went to the west inner room for breakfast.

After the meal, the concubines and young ladies came again to pay respects to the Grand Lady. The room was full of people—so noisy that Seventh Miss’s head ached.

Being mistress of a great household was no easy task.

The Grand Lady discussed with Fourth Concubine attending a banquet at the Zhong family.

“By rights I should take Third Miss to gain experience, but unfortunately the Zhong family’s children are all in their hometown. Third Miss would only be able to stay by my side—I’m afraid it would constrain her.”

Fourth Concubine’s smile was somewhat forced. “Madam naturally considers Third Miss’s interests. I’m merely a concubine—what wisdom could I offer?”

The flavor of these words was somewhat off. Master Yang glared at her.

“Third Miss is still young—she’ll be fourteen after the New Year. It’s not too late to discuss marriage then.” He said rather unhappily. “When the time comes, I’ll personally select a good family for her.”

Seventh Miss found Master Yang quite interesting.

Third Miss rose shyly and hid in the west inner room. The unmarried daughters all entered the west inner room together, then pricked up their ears to listen to the conversation outside.

The Grand Lady was somewhat displeased. “Third Miss is already thirteen—one cannot say she’s young. Fourth Concubine should weigh the matter yourself.”

Fourth Concubine’s voice was somewhat anxious. “Master, that’s not what I meant… well, yes, Third Miss is my birth daughter, but ultimately she was raised by the Grand Lady. Whatever you decide is fine.”

That’s what she said, but Fourth Concubine was the Yang family’s power broker. Years ago when the Grand Lady’s health was poor, the inner household was entrusted to her management. Only after Ninth Young Master was born did the Grand Lady regain the energy to manage the household. Not consulting Fourth Concubine’s opinion about Third Miss’s marriage would surely displease Master Yang.

Seventh Miss couldn’t help glancing at Third Miss.

Third Miss’s face was flushed with embarrassment. Her usually openly joyful expression was now completely shy. At thirteen or fourteen, her figure was graceful. Though her face was somewhat round, she was still an appealing young maiden.

In modern times, this would be the age for first love. Here they were already discussing marriage!

Seventh Miss shook her head. She felt someone watching her. Turning her head, she saw Ninth Young Master sitting on a round stool, eyes wide and round, gazing at her curiously.

Nanny Wang entered the west inner room. “Young ladies, time to go to school.”