Quan Zhongbai’s arrival stirred up quite a commotion in the Yang household.

The Grand Madam had suffered from chronic worry and depression. This asthma probably couldn’t be cured. Quan Zhongbai prescribed several general tonics and instructed the Grand Madam to worry less in daily life, smile more, and when troubled, brew a dose of medicine. In short, she needed to maintain calm spirits and think less, worry less to have fewer ailments and less pain.

He also prescribed two doses of pregnancy-preserving medicine for Twelfth Concubine, instructing her to stay in bed and rest quietly. When there was no need, she shouldn’t get out of bed to move around. Even if the fetus moved vigorously, she shouldn’t casually leave bed.

Twelfth Concubine naturally understood the severity. It was said that her face turned white with fright at the time. She went straight back to bed and stayed there, not getting up for several days. She even ate her meals in bed.

He naturally didn’t publicize the poison in Seventh Miss’s body.

“Though this poison is said to be beyond even immortals’ rescue, ultimately it’s just difficult to cure. I never expected to encounter such a dose again in Jiangnan after so many years…” Quan Zhongbai’s eyes flickered like two low-hanging stars in the night sky. “Using the finest aged ginseng from the old mountains as the guide, taking the medicine I’ve prescribed continuously for several months will neutralize the residual poison in your body. That will be enough. However, you should keep this prescription yourself. Take it whenever it’s convenient…”

Seventh Miss lowered her eyes and thanked Quan Zhongbai for his kindness.

Quan Zhongbai nodded thoughtfully and reached out to pat Seventh Miss’s head.

“You haven’t had it easy either! As I said before, worrying less, smiling more—that’s the way to maintain health…” His sigh was only half-released before he stopped it. “That’s easy to say, but how many can truly prioritize health preservation?”

A few days later, an urgent order came from the capital. Quan Zhongbai packed his bags and set out for the northwest together with several young skilled physicians from the Ouyang family.

For a time, the household was filled with lingering medicinal fragrances. After taking the general tonic Quan Zhongbai prescribed, the Grand Madam indeed gradually recovered.

But Twelfth Concubine at Huansha Pavilion was increasingly unwell.

By the end of the second month, the fetus had largely stopped moving. There was barely any movement all day. Twelfth Concubine, panicked and short of breath, summoned skilled physicians to check pulses and midwives to feel for the fetal heartbeat…

The fetal heartbeat had weakened to the point of barely being detectable.

The Master’s face was full of gloom. When he saw anyone, his face showed not a trace of smile.

Since the birth of Seventh Miss and Ninth Brother, this pair of heirs, the household had never added any more people.

Eighth Concubine had died with her child, and now Twelfth Concubine was in this state… Even if this pregnancy could be preserved, even if it was a male infant, it would be of no use.

Stories about Third Concubine’s past quietly began circulating in the household again.

Third Concubine had died just these few months ago. The year she died, the peach blossoms had unprecedentedly bloomed more than ten days late. The early peach blossoms at Light Crimson Pavilion had become late peach blossoms.

Wasn’t this year the same?

Already entering the third month, the small peach grove outside Light Crimson Pavilion had only formed tiny buds, all showing signs of withering before even opening.

At this time, no one remembered that late spring cold snap from early second month.

People love gossip. This kind of rumor always spreads very quickly.

The cause of Third Concubine’s death was soon dredged up, chewed over until everyone in the household knew.

Wasn’t it precisely because she had ruined the Master’s heir that the Master beat her to death?

It was said that the incident with Ninth Brother’s injury a few years ago was also because Third Concubine’s ghost had bewitched Ninth Brother’s mind…

This talk finally reached the Grand Madam’s ears.

The Grand Madam flew into a rage, caught several gossiping servants, and sent them all far away to the estates to do rough labor. Only then did the commotion in the household subside.

Openly it was stopped, but privately, who knew what maggots the servants were chewing on in their mouths!

The Grand Madam sent someone to summon Seventh Miss to talk.

After taking several doses of the medicine Quan Zhongbai prescribed, Seventh Miss had indeed gradually improved. However, her movements still revealed weakness.

After just a few words with the Grand Madam, she began coughing. While coughing, she apologized, “I’m—I’m offending Mother.”

The Grand Madam waved her hand gently with a soft expression, showing concern for Seventh Miss. “What did the young physician say? You being well one day and sick the next isn’t a solution. You must take some general tonics to supplement your body.”

“The young physician did prescribe some, but Little Seventh thinks it’s not necessary to go to such trouble.” Seventh Miss was somewhat embarrassed.

The Grand Madam smiled. “Silly child, what’s embarrassing about this? Just give the prescription to Nanny Liang later and have her prepare it for you. If you don’t nourish your vital energy now, you’ll suffer more in the future.”

Though Seventh Miss’s mind was full of thoughts, her face showed a smile. “Ah, then Little Seventh won’t be polite.”

The two continued back and forth, displaying maternal kindness and filial devotion affectionately.

The Grand Madam complained to Seventh Miss. “I don’t know where this perverse wind came from. Even baseless matters are being spread so convincingly.”

Seventh Miss showed a trace of hesitation. Seeing this, the Grand Madam’s heart stirred.

“When Third Concubine passed away…” Seventh Miss began with some hesitation. “Little Seventh was still in the northwest and doesn’t know how much truth there is in this matter. However, for someone who died young, her heart probably carries some resentment… Though we don’t believe in such things, others in the household might. Just trying to suppress it probably won’t…”

Even though the Grand Madam usually didn’t believe in these gods and ghosts, thinking of the several incidents that had occurred in the household over these years, she felt some chill.

First there was Ninth Brother—big matters, small matters, not a year went by without worry.

Then Eighth Concubine had difficult labor, dying with her child… Now the child in Twelfth Concubine’s belly was precarious, looking unable to be saved.

Even Ninth Brother had borrowed the deceased Ninth Miss from the second household’s ranking among daughters and became a nominal disciple under the abbot of Hanshan Temple before he could grow this big. Even so, the road had been bumpy all along—if not natural disasters, then man-made calamities…

Talk of ghosts and spirits was deeply rooted in ancient times. The Grand Madam’s so-called disbelief was merely not being overly superstitious.

With this matter spreading so vividly, how could she not believe?

The Grand Madam’s brow carried traces of fear.

“We hold memorial services every year. Must we still find some Daoist priests to exorcise evil spirits?” She lightly tapped the table. “Our family can’t afford to lose this face! Little Seventh!”

Though even the imperial family had official astronomers, such matters ultimately couldn’t be brought into respectable society. If caught, it would be a handle of no small significance. The Master’s reputation for “lacking private virtue, believing in ghosts and spirits” would be inescapable.

Seventh Miss also sighed along.

“These past years the household has indeed had many troubles.” She seemed to sigh with feeling. “Even if the Grand Madam and we don’t believe in our hearts, we should still hold memorial services—the servants are still superstitious about such things. If people become panicked and push everything onto ghosts and spirits, that won’t do either.”

Indeed, there was no better solution.

The Grand Madam sighed. “Yes, the more you forbid people from talking about such things, the more they become topics of conversation. Better to ignore it for now, then hold a proper memorial service in a few months and invite some feng shui masters to give guidance and dispel bad luck.”

Seventh Miss took her leave, then sent Bailu to visit Twelfth Concubine.

“If anyone asks, just say you didn’t realize Twelfth Concubine couldn’t stand for long. That day we talked so intensely with Twelfth Concubine that I feel badly about it.” Seventh Miss carefully instructed Bailu.

Bailu listened very seriously, then asked, “When I see Twelfth Concubine, what should I say?”

Seventh Miss pondered for a moment, then said slowly, “Talk more about Ninth Brother’s studies… Also comfort Twelfth Concubine, saying this pregnancy must be a boy, and Ninth Brother will certainly take good care of this younger brother. Also tell Twelfth Concubine: ‘When the old man at the frontier lost his horse, who could have known it was a blessing in disguise?’ Even if the child unfortunately miscarries, she’s still young, and she’s been elevated to concubine—her future days still hold promise.”

Bailu blinked, carefully savoring the meaning in Seventh Miss’s words, but couldn’t fathom Seventh Miss’s thoughts at all.

She just took a few plates of snacks, packed a food box, and entered Baifang Garden.

Seventh Miss spoke with Lixia. “Give these two prescriptions to Nanny Liang. Say that Second Young Master Quan said these prescriptions work best when taken regularly over months and years. Unfortunately, the medicinal ingredients in the prescription are all precious. If Nanny Liang finds it difficult, just send a few taels first. After finishing them, I can ask her for more.”

She took three freshly copied prescriptions and gave them to Lixia.

Lixia took them and glanced at them, raising her eyebrows.

Seventh Miss sighed with some fatigue. “Though Nanny Liang and we aren’t without friendship, duty is duty. If the Grand Madam wants to see them, Nanny Liang will certainly show these prescriptions to the Grand Madam.”

Lixia suddenly understood and sighed along with Seventh Miss. “Truly advancing step by step…”

Concerning her health, Seventh Miss naturally wouldn’t treat it lightly.

In ancient times, medical standards weren’t very advanced. Illness was a very painful matter. Even in modern times, health was the most precious wealth.

She would definitely take the prescription Quan Zhongbai left behind.

Thinking back, Seventh Miss couldn’t help but feel some belated fear at Quan Zhongbai’s boldness.

He hadn’t even known to send Lixia out of the room first… If Lixia was the Grand Madam’s person, wouldn’t her position become even more awkward?

It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Lixia, but in such matters, the fewer people who knew, the better.

She also thought of how at that time in the room, knowing someone was watching from behind the curtains, he had still directly revealed that Ninth Brother’s wound was suspicious…

#

Nanny Liang soon delivered the medicinal ingredients. Though not a large quantity, they were all of the finest quality.

Aged ginseng from the northeast mountains, schisandra, wolfberries from the northwest, angelica from the west…

She also held Seventh Miss’s hand and talked for a long time.

“Having deficiency ailments at such a young age—what bitter fate.” Nanny Liang’s face was full of concern. “Second Young Master Quan checked your pulse. What did he say?”

“He didn’t say much. Still the same—congenital deficiency, excessive worry acquired later, depleted vital energy.” Seventh Miss handled it smoothly, then somewhat embarrassedly reminded Nanny Liang. “Nanny, you forgot—two years ago when Second Young Master Quan came to Jiangnan, he said both Ninth Brother and I had congenital deficiency…”

Nanny Liang nodded thoughtfully. “But he didn’t prescribe the same general tonic for Ninth Brother.”

“He did,” Seventh Miss quickly said. “Last year at the Sea of Fragrant Snow, when he came to check my pulse, didn’t Second Young Master Quan also prescribe for Ninth Brother?”

Nanny Liang finally felt relieved.

“True, though they’re twin siblings, they ultimately weren’t raised together from childhood.” She smiled again, comforting Seventh Miss. “Fortunately you encountered such a divine physician who could see your problem at a glance. After taking a few more doses to replenish your vital energy, you’re still young—you won’t develop any lasting ailments.”

After exchanging a few more courtesies, Bailu escorted Nanny Liang out.

Outside the courtyard, in the corridor leading to the main courtyard, Nanny Liang pulled Bailu’s elbow.

“Did Young Master Quan really say this about Seventh Miss?” A trace of doubt showed on her face. “That she just has congenital deficiency and thinks too much?”

Bailu was slightly startled.

“Indeed, he said such things two years ago. Last year at the Sea of Fragrant Snow he said the same. Fifth Miss and Sixth Miss were both in the room then and heard it.” She reported truthfully.

Nanny Liang examined Bailu several times.

She completely set her mind at ease.

She had watched this girl Bailu grow up. Whether Bailu was lying, she could tell at a glance.

So even if Young Master Quan had noticed something wrong, he didn’t tell Seventh Miss?

That made sense. After all, Seventh Miss was still young. Second Young Master Quan couldn’t know she was so precocious…

She bid farewell to Bailu with a smile and entered the main room.

She carefully reported Seventh Miss and Bailu’s words to the Grand Madam.

The Grand Madam half-closed her eyes, listening very carefully.

She began coughing and wheezing again. Nanny Liang hurried forward to pat her back and hold up the spittoon.

“I suppose so. Though Seventh Miss has some schemes, if she knew of such a major matter, how could her face not reveal even a trace?” The Grand Madam seemed to be talking to herself, then sighed. “Second Young Master Quan is quite impolite. Prescribing such precious medicinal ingredients without hesitation. Using century-old ginseng as a general tonic for a small child? It makes me somewhat suspicious.”

Nanny Liang could only smile along. “Those are all matters of the past. Didn’t Second Young Master Quan tell you to worry less… Besides, it’s probably because Seventh Miss has congenital deficiency that he prescribed such nourishing ingredients.”

The Grand Madam slowly nodded, then sighed again. “Worrying less—easy to say, hard to do. With so many matters in this large household, doesn’t it all depend on me bustling about inside and out?”

“When Ninth Brother grows up and takes a wife, you’ll be more comfortable.” Nanny Liang could only comfort the Grand Madam.

The Grand Madam hummed and slowly closed her eyes.

Just as Nanny Liang was about to quietly withdraw from the room, the Grand Madam spoke again.

“What do you think about this matter of Third Concubine’s haunting… How much truth is there…”

Nanny Liang felt cold all over.

Mentioning ghosts and spirits, especially such sinister hauntings—most people had this reaction.

“Seventh Miss is right!” Nanny Liang had to carefully use Seventh Miss’s words as a shield. “In this matter, we don’t believe, but others might. Better to have someone perform memorial services—it will bring peace of mind!”

The Grand Madam opened her eyes again in irritation.

“I’m baffled!” She half sat up, her face taking on a flush of red. “What does Third Concubine want? Over these years, how few gold and silver ingots have we burned? Every year on her death anniversary, we secretly hold ceremonies for her, praying she’ll be reborn soon. After all these years, she still haunts the Yang family’s heirs?”

She quieted down, stubbornly staring at the bedding. “Anyway, I don’t believe it! This matter still needs investigation!”

Nanny Liang broke out in a cold sweat.

Even Light Crimson Pavilion had been completely repainted—what more could be investigated?

“This… this…” she said in a soft voice. “I think we should first ask the Master’s opinion…”

After all, Third Concubine was beaten to death by the Master. An investigation would inevitably dredge up disgraceful past events. The Grand Madam’s disbelief didn’t count—only the Master’s word could proceed with an investigation.

The Grand Madam quieted down and leaned back against the pillow. “I need to think this through carefully! This matter… hmph!”

Only then did Nanny Liang wipe her sweat and withdraw.

By evening, several children came to pay respects to the Grand Madam. The Master also came in to exchange a few words with the Grand Madam, then went to the outer courtyard.

After taking the medicine Quan Zhongbai prescribed, the Grand Madam went to sleep just after the first watch.

In the middle of the night, she groggily opened her eyes and saw a dark shadow quickly flit past the window.

The Grand Madam was so frightened she sat up at once, breaking out in cold sweat. “Who!”

Lidong, keeping night watch, also sat up. “Does the Grand Madam want water?”

Her voice still carried thick drowsiness.

Just as the Grand Madam was about to answer, another dark shadow swayed past the window.

Looking carefully, it was actually a parasol tree in the courtyard being blown by the wind, swaying back and forth. With the moonlight, it cast tree shadows onto the window.

She breathed a sigh of relief.

Lidong served the Grand Madam water, then turned over and lay down again. Soon she was emitting soft snores.

But the Grand Madam couldn’t fall back asleep.

The slight crackling sound of candle wicks falling, the distant sound of the water clock, the hoarse cries of cold crows…

Only when dawn broke did she slowly close her eyes and fall asleep.

Less than two hours later, she was carefully awakened by Nanny Wang: Twelfth Concubine at Huansha Pavilion had miscarried last night.