Seventh Miss froze.

Adults with smallpox faced inherently dangerous conditions.

Not to mention ancient times—even in modern times with abundant medical resources, there were cases of death from smallpox.

Moreover, ancient times had no antibiotics or injections… only relying on traditional medicine to manage the condition, still subject to individual physician skill…

The First Madam having this worry was entirely reasonable.

However, sick people most needed to avoid wild thoughts. Once imagination ran wild, who knew how many dangers the First Madam would envision herself—even a condition originally improving might be imagined into deterioration.

“Mother, don’t overthink!” Seventh Miss was rarely firm. “Lie down and rest quickly. You’ll need to get up to eat soon!”

The First Madam let out an irritable breath.

“Itching to death! How can anyone sleep!”

She asked again, “Has the Master returned?”

“Father sent word last time saying he’d depart soon. Military grain has been mostly procured and is ready for transport…” Seventh Miss answered softly. “Just be at ease. When you’ve mostly recovered, Father will have arrived home. Now Elder Sister is still watching over things—everything is going smoothly.”

While listening to Seventh Miss speak, the First Madam raised her hand to scratch the blisters on her face.

“This will leave scars!” Seventh Miss quickly took the First Madam’s hand down.

Adults with smallpox most feared scratching. It was even more unbearably itchy than children’s smallpox. Once scratched open, scarring was one thing—it could also trigger infection.

The First Madam frowned, wanting to struggle free. “It really itches terribly! Can’t help it!”

People in illness always inspired some pity.

The normally imposing First Madam was now merely a bad-tempered patient.

Seventh Miss suppressed her full heart of impatience, coaxing the First Madam. “Once you fall asleep it will be fine—won’t itch anymore. Sleep quickly!”

She patiently re-wrung the cloth, dampening it with medicinal powder to wipe the blisters on the First Madam’s face and body.

“My legs itch terribly!” The First Madam directed Seventh Miss while gradually lowering her voice. “Also my waist… face… behind my ears…”

In her previous life, Seventh Miss had also gotten smallpox as an adult.

That peculiar itching could indeed make one thoroughly irritable.

Thinking of this, her impatience gradually disappeared.

Regardless of whether the First Madam would remember this scene in the future… at least she had already done her utmost in service.

She responded to the First Madam’s words while gently wiping her entire body.

The First Madam had already fallen into deep sleep.

Only then did Seventh Miss yawn and leave the western side room.

“Is there anything to eat!” she asked Lixia. “When mealtime comes, I definitely won’t have time to eat again.”

Lixia busily brought Seventh Miss to the eastern side room. “Prepared several savory pastries here for you… Shall I have some noodles sent?”

Seventh Miss let out a weary breath, wishing she could collapse on the ground. “Mm, nothing vegetarian… Usually I don’t notice, but once I start nursing someone, I feel I have no strength without eating meat!”

Lixia smiled and instructed Shangyuan to pass word, then came to help Seventh Miss. “Better wash up first. It’s hot weather—you’re also covered in sweat.”

Seventh Miss went with Lixia to the privy to wash up, then came out and ate a few small pastries.

First Miss hurriedly entered the eastern side room.

“Fourth Sister may not make it!” Her face showed panic. “Has Mother’s high fever broken?”

Seventh Miss was greatly startled. “How could this happen out of nowhere… Mother still has intermittent low fever and can’t be left alone!”

First Miss sighed, stamping her foot irritably. “Heard she couldn’t bear the itching and scratched several blisters herself. Right now half her face has festered. Fourth Concubine has fainted from crying several times. She herself keeps seeking death…”

Seventh Miss’s teeth ached as she sucked in a cold breath.

Dying from illness versus suicide were ultimately two different concepts.

However, if Fourth Miss truly became disfigured… this matter would truly be difficult to handle!

First Miss complained while sitting at the table, picking up several pastries to eat.

“Busy all morning, still haven’t eaten anything!” While eating, she complained. “At this juncture, Third Sister still won’t be quiet. At Qiliuxiang’s entrance, crying and cursing that we household managers are biased, not prescribing good medicine, causing her sister’s disfigurement… Ridiculous! Isn’t the medicine the same for both sides? The three young masters from the Ouyang family have all been invited to our home to consider medications day and night. The Li family is even coming to our door requesting them. Since the old divine physician’s health declined and he stopped seeing patients, throughout Jiangnan these three young divine physicians are most effective. Should I go all the way to the capital to invite Second Young Master Quan for her?”

First Miss, as a married daughter still managing household affairs inside and out—ultimately, wasn’t it for the First Madam’s sake?

Yet in the end to be slapped in the face like this by Third Miss… Even a clay figure has an earthen temper. No wonder First Miss was so angry.

Seventh Miss had no choice but to set down her pastry and comfort First Miss. “Elder Sister still doesn’t understand Third Sister’s temper? Just that mouth isn’t likeable. If you argue with her over this, no one can live peacefully. I think, ninety-nine steps already taken—better not fall short on the last step.”

First Miss had managed everything inside and out flawlessly lately. If at this moment she didn’t appear to comfort Fourth Miss, speaking of it in the future would sound somewhat bad—meaning all previous efforts wasted. Before the Grand Master, she couldn’t claim credit justifiably.

“Won’t go!” First Miss’s anger hadn’t subsided. “Let her curse! With such a patient in the room, instead of properly attending her, she has idle time to come out cursing in the street? Still has the face to beg me to speak for her… asking me to advise Father to arrange her to the Zhang family…”

Seventh Miss’s heart stirred.

She immediately thought of the unfinished conversation with Fourth Concubine in the corridor.

So Fourth Concubine had her eye on Zhang Weiting’s Zhang family!

She looked at First Miss.

“Wonder which young master of the Zhang family Fourth Concubine has her eye on…”

First Miss’s expression shifted.

“Fourth Concubine’s heart’s desire is arranging good in-law families for her two daughters. Right now with Fourth Sister in this state, she’s useless…” She looked pensive. “I guess Fourth Concubine originally eyed the Zhang family’s legitimate Second Young Master. Now her heart probably isn’t that ambitious. Being able to arrange the concubine-born Third Young Master would satisfy her!”

Fourth Miss’s bad luck—contracting smallpox and becoming disfigured—she certainly couldn’t be matched to any prominent family. Third Miss’s marriage became Fourth Concubine’s lifeline.

Circumstances changed, so expectations naturally adjusted accordingly.

Fourth Concubine still hoped Third Miss would marry quickly to help her sister, getting Fourth Miss matched out too. Setting sights too high would be unrealistic.

With the First Madam’s clear rewards-and-punishments temperament, the affection of Seventh Miss attending her devotedly until recovery—she definitely wouldn’t forget. Seventh Miss’s position in the First Madam’s heart would naturally rise like a rising tide…

If the First Madam could smoothly recover, after this illness, Fourth Concubine would probably have to kneel and beg Seventh Miss to speak for her, asking her to advocate before the First Madam, requesting the First Madam relent and give Third Miss a break!

Countless ideas had already flashed through Seventh Miss’s mind—she could use this situation to make up for her oversights and lay groundwork for future schemes…

She lifted her head to sincerely thank First Miss. “Elder Sister is broad-minded, willing to promote us younger sisters. This favor, Little Seven has recorded in her heart!”

First Miss wasn’t stupid.

Managing household affairs versus attending the First Madam—which created better impressions, she naturally knew clearly…

Being able to give such an opportunity to Seventh Miss, the favor within was self-evident.

First Miss patted Seventh Miss’s shoulder. “How difficult it is being in the main courtyard—don’t I know? You’ve done well, arranged things well! Mother now—no longer mentions adoption.”

Seventh Miss couldn’t help but raise her eyebrows.

Since laying the trap at Qinghong Pavilion, this was the first time she’d heard such a clear answer, knowing her scheme had worked.

Her heart couldn’t help but leap with joy.

“Though the household has many people, only Elder Sister can understand me…” She smiled and revealed some inner thoughts to First Miss. “Since Mother’s heart no longer harbors misgivings, Little Seven can sleep soundly at night.”

Perhaps she’d need to knock down one more person before Seventh Miss could sleep peacefully.

First Miss only smiled.

“Good, good, I know you have plans.” She rose to take her leave. “You also quickly eat some pastries, then go attend Mother… If Mother has any mishap, don’t mention anything else again!”

Seventh Miss quickly saw First Miss to the door, watching her hurry into Baifang Garden before returning to the western side room to apply medicine to the First Madam.

The medicinal powder prepared by the Ouyang family had calming and cooling effects. Though the First Madam’s entire body itched unbearably, as long as she continuously applied it, it could provide some soothing effect.

This work wasn’t easy. For Seventh Miss’s age, it was truly somewhat taxing.

But neither Lidong nor Lixia intended to share Seventh Miss’s burden.

Precisely because it wasn’t easy, it showed Seventh Miss’s effort and diligence.

The First Madam seemed half-asleep, complaining about itching while asking Seventh Miss, “Your elder sister just came? Why didn’t she come see me! Also can’t be relied upon!”

Seventh Miss sighed inwardly.

“It’s Fourth Sister…” She began explaining for First Miss.

The First Madam in illness became increasingly temperamental.

After another three or four days, the pox all bloomed. Pus soaked the bedding. New pox erupted. The unbearable suffering was imaginable.

The First Madam’s temper grew even more irritable. If attendants showed slight neglect, she’d scold sharply.

Fifth Miss personally talked with her through the window, advising the First Madam to calm down. The First Madam agreed nicely to her face, then turned around and scolded Seventh Miss. “Why did you let your Fifth Sister enter the main courtyard! What if she contracts smallpox?”

“Do you want to see her like Fourth Miss before you’re happy?”

“You all have wolf hearts… coveting my dowry…” Finally becoming incoherent. “Itches terribly!”

Seventh Miss could only softly agree while wiping the First Madam’s body.

“Fifth Sister is fine. Don’t worry.”

“Yes, yes, all covet your dowry. We won’t bother with those people.”

“Itching is good—when it itches, recovery is near… Don’t scratch, you can’t scratch! Mother!” Always guarding against the First Madam scratching blisters.

When the Grand Master arrived home, Seventh Miss had thinned to the point she could be lifted and shaken.

The Grand Master entered the Yang residence on the seventeenth of the fifth month.

Speaking of it, he’d actually returned to Suzhou on the fifteenth.

First he handled two days of official business at the Governor’s Office, arranged the first batch of military grain for transport, then returned to the residence to visit several patients.

Upon entering, the Grand Master headed straight for the main courtyard.

“Father!” Fifth Miss and Ninth Brother both came to dissuade him. “If by some chance…”

If the Grand Master also contracted smallpox, the Yang family would truly fall into chaos.

The Grand Master insisted on not listening. “I’ve had smallpox! You all go back quickly, especially Ninth Brother. Don’t contract it and have it recur. These days don’t come to the main courtyard to pay respects!”

Fifth Miss had no choice but to pull Ninth Brother back to Yuelai Pavilion anxiously.

Seventh Miss watched through the window as the Grand Master headed straight for the western side room.

“How is she! What did the doctor say?” The Grand Master asked Seventh Miss upon entering.

He deliberately lowered his voice, not disturbing his sleeping wife.

The concern in his eyes couldn’t be hidden.

After all, they were husband and wife of many years…

“Says adult smallpox unpredictably takes a full month.” Seventh Miss lowered her voice, not daring to wake the First Madam. “Right now there’s no fever. By evening, it might flare up again.”

All along, she’d encouraged the First Madam with “almost better” to endure this torment of high fever.

Actually counting fully, from onset until now, only ten days had passed.

Over twenty more days of torment remained.

The Grand Master let out a long sigh. “How could this happen!” He stamped his foot. “How did it get this bad!”

He turned to leave the room.

Seventh Miss’s heart stirred.

“Father!” she said softly. “Mother surely has much she wants to tell you…”

She stepped forward to pat the First Madam. “Mother, Mother.”

The First Madam slowly awakened.

The first thing she saw was Seventh Miss’s slightly anxious, concerned face.

These past days, this face had accompanied her through hellish days and nights…

“What?” The First Madam shifted her gaze away, asking wearily. “Time for medicine again?”

Seventh Miss smiled with pursed lips. “Father has returned!”

“Master!” The First Madam was somewhat surprised. Reflexively, she tried to half sit up.

“You lie down, lie down!” The Grand Master quickly stepped forward, sitting at the bedside. “How are you?”

The First Madam smiled bitterly. “Just like this…” She couldn’t hide her concern. “How did matters in Zhejiang go?”

“All handled.” The Grand Master stroked his short beard, averting his gaze. “If Liu Zheng wants to fight with me, he’s too inexperienced. Just took too long, making you suffer!”

“Still fine.” The First Madam weakly produced a smile. “First Miss is very capable… Seventh Miss has also attended devotedly. I haven’t suffered much. Just this illness… I fear I cannot endure through it.”

“Don’t talk nonsense!” The Grand Master couldn’t help but be moved. “Just getting smallpox…”

He couldn’t help but grasp the First Madam’s hand.

Seventh Miss slowly withdrew from the western side room, giving this couple with complicated relationship some private space.

Through the crystal-clear beaded curtain, the First Madam’s voice could still faintly be heard.

“Second Miss… childbirth… dowry… Xianxiu Workshop…”

“Proper status… funeral arrangements… clan genealogy…”

The Grand Master only occasionally responded. Most of the time the First Madam was speaking.

The First Madam was arranging her posthumous affairs!

Though this illness theoretically wouldn’t be fatal, the First Madam was the patient. The torment she endured, naturally she knew most clearly. Having thoughts of conveying last words was human nature.

Seventh Miss suppressed strong curiosity, not moving close to the door to eavesdrop.

In her view, the First Madam would most likely recover.

Only ten days in, the new round of erupting smallpox was already noticeably fewer. The Ouyang family’s medicinal powder was increasingly effective. The First Madam was slowly recovering.

That being so, these so-called last words merely represented her views on Yang family affairs. Portions favorable to Ninth Brother and herself would naturally be maintained. Unfavorable portions—there was ample time to reverse.

If the Grand Master discovered her eavesdropping… that would be awkward.

She simply left the west wing, enjoying the cross-breeze in the main hall.

“Father returned?” She saw First Miss crossing the threshold. “Just right—wanted to ask Father some questions.”

“Father is having private words with Mother.” Seventh Miss smiled, blocking the way. “Elder Sister better wait a bit.”

“Oh!” First Miss couldn’t help some surprise, then sudden understanding. “Yes, Mother surely has countless things to instruct Father about.”

The two affectionately held hands entering the eastern side room for tea.

“What does Elder Sister want to ask Father?” Seventh Miss couldn’t help but be curious.

First Miss had no intention of hiding from Seventh Miss. “Father wants to hold another ceremony for Third Concubine. The other day from Hangzhou he sent word back, asking us to find virtuous monks or Taoists to chant rebirth sutras for Third Concubine, letting her reincarnate soon—quietly without fanfare… I don’t know what Father means. With so many matters, I actually forgot and never found anyone. Coming to apologize.”

Her expression was relaxed. Apparently she didn’t mind not completing the Grand Master’s instruction.

Seventh Miss’s heart stirred.

It seemed the Grand Master also had his own views on Third Concubine’s death.

“Elder Sister!” She smiled and spoke. “I have a favor to ask…”