No one in the Yang household showed excessive surprise or regret over Twelfth Concubine’s miscarriage.

After all, even if they had never eaten pork, they had seen pigs run. Twelfth Concubine’s pregnancy had been troubled from the start. Even when the divine physician Second Young Master Quan examined her, he only advised bed rest and recuperation. His words, between the lines, conveyed the meaning of “do what humans can do and leave the rest to fate.” The miscarriage could be considered within expectations.

It was just that it happened to coincide with Third Concubine’s matter…

The rumors that had once subsided began swirling and boiling up again.

The First Madam had no choice but to make another example of someone, using the old methods to quell the rumors among the servants.

But she herself carried three parts unease.

News came from Huansha Pavilion: when the fetus was expelled, it was already developed enough to see it was a male infant…

Thinking again of the several matters Nanny Liang had privately told her about.

The First Madam truly could not sit still.

“Investigate,” she ordered Nanny Wang. “This matter must still be investigated thoroughly, otherwise I won’t feel at ease.”

Nanny Wang couldn’t help but feel troubled.

How could they investigate to achieve a thorough result?

Matters of ghosts and spirits were inherently uncertain. If there was something even more ethereal than ghosts and spirits… it would be rumors.

Whether the source of rumors or the root of ghost stories, both were intangible and impossible to investigate.

Even Nanny Liang rarely spoke up for Nanny Wang. “This kind of matter—it’s unclear where to even begin…”

How could the First Madam not know Nanny Wang’s difficulty?

She sighed. “Let’s first go look at Qinghong Pavilion!”

She also sent Nanny Liang to visit Twelfth Concubine. “Tell her not to grieve too much. This miscarriage is also like a small confinement period—crying too much during confinement ruins the eyes.”

After all, she was now a concubine of the Yang family, and the Grand Master still regularly spent nights at Huansha Pavilion. The three sisters still needed to be kept close.

Nanny Liang and Nanny Wang divided the tasks, one leading people to inspect Qinghong Pavilion, the other going to Huansha Pavilion to visit Twelfth Concubine.

With idle time, the First Madam summoned Seventh Miss to keep her company.

The young ladies’ lessons were never attended with much dedication. With this summons from the First Madam, Seventh Miss’s afternoon embroidery class could no longer continue.

After Third Miss and Fourth Miss came of age in recent years, the embroidery class lost two students. Embroiderer Huang was single-mindedly determined to pass all her skills to Sixth Miss, and was actually quite relaxed with Fifth Miss and Seventh Miss.

The First Madam casually asked, “Does Embroiderer Huang still teach attentively? These past years, looking at your embroidery skills, they seem rather mediocre.”

Seventh Miss smiled with pursed lips. “Little Seven has clumsy hands, unable to embroider with Sixth Sister’s miraculous craftsmanship.”

“Sixth Miss is indeed skillful with her hands.” The First Madam couldn’t help but sigh, then asked, “Has your Fifth Sister caused any trouble these past months?”

Fifth Miss’s age had gradually increased, and she had become somewhat disobedient. The First Madam had found her displeasing several times and scolded her, causing Fifth Miss to sulk. Though mother and daughter weren’t exactly estranged, when the First Madam wanted to know Fifth Miss’s recent situation, she sometimes had to inquire through Seventh Miss instead.

Only a birth mother and daughter could so unscrupulously quarrel like this.

Seventh Miss smiled. “Fifth Sister has gradually become more steady. These past months she’s been very proper. Little Seven sees that even the most critical etiquette nanny couldn’t find the slightest fault.”

The First Madam tapped Seventh Miss’s forehead. “Only you know how to make me happy.”

However, speaking of it, Fifth Miss had indeed learned to hide her feelings these past years. She was no longer like before, announcing every little dissatisfaction for everyone to know.

It seemed that ever since that incident before Huansha Pavilion, when she was slapped by the Grand Master, Fifth Miss had suddenly matured.

She rarely acted childish anymore… acquiring the demeanor of a young lady.

The two discussed trivial matters of this family and that household.

The Wang family again showed signs of being restored to office. Although the position of Fujian Provincial Administration Commissioner had long been divided up by the Crown Prince’s Chief Administrator Zheng family, still, a provincial education commissioner position would not escape them.

“It’s hard to say! Still depends on how this war goes!”

Thinking of Grand Tutor Qin’s arrangements, the First Madam’s expression became inscrutable.

Also because of this suddenly erupting war, the old man’s arrangement for officials to petition in writing requesting the Crown Prince move to the Eastern Palace had naturally been shelved.

The Grand Master also temporarily didn’t need to take sides.

The eyes of the court and the world were all focused on the northwestern border…

She sighed. “Others see our Yang family as a garden of blooming flowers, cooking oil over a roaring fire, but who knows the trepidation beneath… Perhaps by next year, you young misses…”

Having spoken only half a sentence, she felt it was inauspicious and stopped, falling silent and lost in thought.

How could Seventh Miss not understand the First Madam’s meaning?

In official circles, one wrong step meant the difference between heaven and hell. The Grand Master, as a frontier official with the nickname “King of Jiangnan,” how could he possibly stand apart from court struggles?

Usually he was cautious enough in words and actions, yet troubles continuously entangled him. Now with the succession dispute in court raising dust and clamor, the Grand Master, as a trusted minister in the Emperor’s heart, would certainly be drawn into this storm.

After all, even the Qin and Xu families had clearly taken sides…

But if they bet wrong, they risked their lives and fortunes!

There was no free lunch in the world. Glory and wealth were not so easy to enjoy.

“Mother.” She smiled and spoke.

Her voice was low and soft, yet penetrating with coolness.

The First Madam found it very pleasing to her ears.

“These are matters for the men outside to consider…” Seventh Miss gently began massaging the First Madam’s hands.

Her cool small hands kneading the First Madam’s palms made the First Madam’s tense body relax.

“Father will naturally worry about it. Speaking of which, from a small presented scholar all the way to today… Though Father has a thousand faults, he’s done well in official circles.”

The First Madam couldn’t help but laugh aloud.

“Our Little Seven really knows how to talk!” She relaxed completely, leaning against the five-colored continuous fortune large welcoming pillow by the bed. “True, let your father worry about these matters. We women only need to manage the inner courtyard well!”

Seventh Miss smiled with pursed lips.

It seemed the First Madam still guarded against her… The entire courtyard had spread news of Third Concubine’s haunting, yet she didn’t ask about the details of interrogating Xiaoxue.

Both had their thoughts, falling silent for a moment.

Nanny Liang’s voice sounded from outside.

“Madam, I’ve brought Niaoniao from Huansha Pavilion for you.”

Her voice faintly carried taut tension, with infinite emotions suppressed, making her sound so proper it was somewhat strange.

“Some words are clearer if she tells you herself.”

The First Madam sat up straight, a trace of surprise flashing across her brow.

Seventh Miss was startled.

Niaoniao was actually from the main courtyard?

This she truly didn’t know…

When she had encountered Shuxia, the maid beside Twelfth Concubine was Niaoniao…

However, this girl was merely a small maid beside a bed warmer, and might not dare speak carelessly before the First Madam about seeing her near Qinghong Pavilion.

First, it had happened some time ago and might not be remembered.

Second, once this matter was mentioned, wouldn’t it be equivalent to suspecting Seventh Miss of ghost manipulation? How would a small maid dare offend a favorite of the First Madam?

Seventh Miss barely suppressed the unease in her heart.

She made to request leave. “If there’s anything Little Seven shouldn’t hear…”

The First Madam waved her hand. “You give me advice too.”

Seventh Miss sat beside the First Madam, watching Niaoniao being led by Nanny Liang into the eastern side room.

This little maid was also an old hand beside Twelfth Concubine. Compared to Bailu’s batch of maids, she entered the household one batch later. Unexpectedly, she was from the main courtyard.

Niaoniao kowtowed to the First Madam and Seventh Miss, then slowly began narrating what she witnessed at Huansha Pavilion.

“Just after evening, Twelfth Concubine began feeling unwell… She kept saying her stomach was uncomfortable. However, this had been common these past days. After taking the medicine prescribed by Second Young Master Quan, it would gradually improve.” Niaoniao’s voice carried urgency. “Who knew that in the latter half of the night, Twelfth Concubine began having pain, blood…”

She glanced at Seventh Miss and stopped without continuing.

The First Madam also listened with some discomfort. “Just tell me about this so-called Third Concubine haunting—is there any basis to it!”

She paused, then asked, “Also, was it really a boy!”

Niaoniao bit her lower lip, staring at her shoe edges, slowly saying, “When the child came out, it already had form… It was indeed a boy.”

The First Madam slapped the bed post sharply.

“Alas! Truly!”

For the First Madam, naturally the more male descendants in the Yang family the better.

Seventh Miss also let out a long breath.

Everything Niaoniao said was what she wanted to hear.

“As for the haunting…” Niaoniao’s shoulders trembled slightly. “This servant cannot say well… However, that night in the privy, there was indeed blood on the floor…”

The First Madam gasped coldly, her expression changing dramatically.

“Who would have thought it’s really her haunting!” She spoke word by word.

Seventh Miss’s heart eased.

“Twelfth Concubine miscarried!” She instead grasped the First Madam’s hand, speaking gently to console her. “Inside and out, everywhere was blood…”

The First Madam reflexively grasped Seventh Miss’s hand tightly, her palm damp and cold.

“Also,” Niaoniao’s head lowered even more. “Twelfth Concubine kept asking if there was a woman in red clothes standing outside the window…”

The temperature inside the room seemed to drop suddenly.

The First Madam’s grip on Seventh Miss’s hand tightened, squeezing until Seventh Miss felt sharp pain.

Even Nanny Liang’s smile seemed forced… more like a bitter smile squeezed out.

“This matter, perhaps Twelfth Concubine was just panicked…” The consoling words only made it halfway before she couldn’t continue.

When Twelfth Concubine entered the household, Third Concubine’s grave trees were already tall. Moreover, no one in the household dared mention Third Concubine’s matters. How would she know Third Concubine loved wearing red?

“Why… why won’t she let go of our Yang family!” The First Madam muttered to herself. “First Ninth Brother… then this unborn child…”

After a pause, she spoke to herself again, “Fortunately Ninth Brother’s life was strong! Though hex-suppressed, he didn’t lose his life!”

Already completely convinced.

Seventh Miss quickly comforted the First Madam. “Perhaps… perhaps some wish remains unfulfilled…”

“She should depart!” The First Madam pressed her palms together, murmuring Buddhist chants. “Only hope she departs soon… and reincarnates as a person!”

Nanny Liang led Niaoniao away. The First Madam pulled Seventh Miss’s hand, discussing holding a Buddhist ceremony for Third Concubine.

“Several years ago I was thinking, could it be that Ninth Brother was young and made a fuss over nothing…” The First Madam recounted at length the inside story of Ninth Brother being “hex-suppressed,” breaking into Qinghong Pavilion to change Third Concubine’s clothes, then coming out and getting injured. “I felt this matter was suspicious. Consider Fengjia’s temperament—she’s not ignorant of consequences… Even if she took a dagger, how would it result in bloodshed? Turns out someone was performing hex suppression behind it all!”

Seventh Miss’s face showed shock.

“Ninth Brother never told me about any of this!” She suddenly understood. “So—this Third Concubine truly is a lingering ghost!”

The First Madam sighed.

“It’s also the Master who was ultimately too… Alas! If Ninth Brother hadn’t been ranked as a daughter and registered under the already deceased Ninth Miss, he might not have survived this long!”

Her thoughts scattered to the Second Madam. “Your Second Aunt these past years has been like a mad woman fixated on Ninth Brother. Perhaps she was also hex-suppressed!”

Seventh Miss cried out inwardly.

The First Madam’s imagination was too expansive!

However, Ninth Brother was finally cleared of suspicion.

She asked the First Madam in a gentle voice, “Why did Third Concubine die? Little Seven still doesn’t know clearly…”

The First Madam partially revealed past events to Seventh Miss. “…gave your father Lingling fragrance… utterly depraved… “

Seventh Miss also showed fear. “Such a person exists! No wonder she became a malicious ghost after death. Better give her a proper send-off!”

The First Madam nodded repeatedly. “Invite the high monks from Hanshan Temple and Huiqing Temple to the house to chant sutras, and dispel the evil energy!”

The First Madam usually had little dealings with Huiqing Temple.

Rather, Fourth Concubine was familiar with Huiqing Temple’s abbot. Before marriage, she often went to Huiqing Temple to burn incense.

Perhaps because of this, even though Huiqing Temple always had a reputation for effective prayers, the First Madam never paid them attention.

Now she didn’t even avoid Fourth Concubine, speaking repeatedly only seeking efficacy…

Holding Seventh Miss and talking until evening, when children from various quarters came to pay respects, the First Madam finally set the matter aside.

That night, Lichun quietly told Lixia, “Nanny Wang led people and found several more red garments in Qinghong Pavilion… all torn and old… seemingly styles Third Concubine wore in the past!”

“There was also an indescribable smell. Looking upstairs, they discovered blood pooled on the floor, hardened into clumps! Flies flying back and forth—truly frightening!”

Lixia remained composed, agreeing with Lichun. “Such things actually exist!”

Good news doesn’t leave the gate, bad news travels a thousand miles. Within days, everyone in Baifang Garden knew Third Concubine had begun haunting again.

The First Madam was very anxious about Ninth Brother. She specially went to Hanshan Temple to request new registration talismans and safety locks, personally hanging them on Ninth Brother.

“Coming and going, never let people leave your side!” She held Ninth Brother’s neck, advising repeatedly. “You’ve been hex-suppressed once before, you know the danger. If something happens, how will your mother live?”

Ninth Brother also showed fear. “I’ll definitely keep someone with me! Go everywhere with Lichun!”

Even the Grand Master was alarmed.

“The Ouyang family is close with the Quanzhen Sect’s leader.” The Grand Master looked exhausted. “Better invite several aged and virtuous Taoist masters from Quanzhen Sect to perform ceremonies and properly send her on her way!”

The First Madam nodded repeatedly.

“The main family members are about to arrive. With the household in such chaos… Alas.” The Grand Master also sighed. “The deceased truly cannot be offended!”

“It’s all past matters, why mention her?” Yet the First Madam was somewhat dismissive. “It’s also Third Concubine’s own fault, inexplicably targeting descendants. Truly a fox spirit sent by heaven to torment our Yang family!”

The Grand Master’s eyes flashed—he said nothing.

He asked again, “When the main family comes this time, we must send a household member back to register in the clan genealogy—whose name do you plan to register Ninth Brother under?”

The First Madam fell into contemplation.

That the Grand Master asked this was naturally not without purpose.

For an only adopted son like Ninth Brother, there had always been precedent for recording under the legitimate wife’s name.

Especially since the Yang family was large and prosperous. In the future after Grand Master Yang’s passing, inevitably someone would covet the family property… and they were separated from the main family by thousands of mountains and rivers.

Reporting Ninth Brother as a legitimate son would avoid much future dispute. The main family couldn’t say anything either. After all, separated by these thousands of miles, who knew whether Ninth Brother came from the First Madam’s belly?

However, once reported as legitimate son, the matter of adoption could never be considered again…

“I was thinking,” the Grand Master said slowly, “might as well simply request an imperial mandate for Ninth Concubine, elevating her to proper concubine status, so she can rest assured in the afterlife and protect Ninth Brother. What do you think?”

Ordinary concubines had no imperial mandates. However, for a concubine like Ninth Concubine who bore the Yang family’s only son, requesting a ninth-rank mandate and elevating her to proper second-household concubine was not without precedent.

Ninth Concubine was already deceased. Elevating her fundamentally elevated Ninth Brother. A son born of a proper concubine, though a concubine-born son, could not be regarded the same as ordinary concubine-born sons.

However handled, it was paving the way for Ninth Brother’s future inheritance.

The First Madam sighed. “Let’s wait and see. After completing the ceremonies, then discuss!”

The Grand Master remained silent for a moment, but still agreed.