Seventh Miss couldn’t help but be startled.

For a moment, she had no time to react and could only listen dazedly to the sound of wind by her ears.

Her vision blurred, the world spinning. When she came to her senses, Gui Hanchun had already blocked her with his body. The dark fabric with gold-embroidered peonies was right at Seventh Miss’s nose.

Seventh Miss felt rather awkward.

She retreated a few steps.

“Is cousin alright?” Gui Hanchun also stepped forward accordingly, widening the distance between himself and Seventh Miss.

He hadn’t expected that the birdcage was already swaying, and with his tall stature, his shoulder knocked the birdcage over. Bird seed and droppings scattered all over the ground.

Though Gui Hanchun reacted quickly, twisting his shoulder to dodge, Seventh Miss didn’t possess such swift reflexes. Her eight-panel Hunan embroidered skirt was splattered with sunflower seed spots.

“Oh dear.” Gui Hanchun exclaimed regretfully. “I’ve implicated cousin!”

He felt somewhat embarrassed again, his face taking on a spring-like color that made the young man even more charming.

Seventh Miss hurriedly shook her head and exchanged courtesies with Gui Hanchun. “It’s Xiao Qi who was reckless and dragged cousin into this—Cousin, please go ahead. Turn the corner and go left to reach Gathering Eight Immortals.”

But Gui Hanchun still felt rather apologetic.

He touched his nose and looked around.

“Let me catch the bird for cousin!”

Without waiting for agreement, he made the decision.

After all, it was a domesticated bird. The lark hadn’t flown far and was perched on the artificial mountain rocks, preening its feathers.

Seventh Miss was about to decline when Gui Hanchun’s figure flashed and he leaped lightly and skillfully onto the artificial mountain.

With his tall, lanky frame and long limbs, his movements were swift. In the sunlight, he sprang up with a lithe grace combined with vigor. Seventh Miss couldn’t help but stare.

She saw Gui Hanchun aim for the lark. His hand shot out quick as lightning. Before the bird could dodge, he had grasped it in his palm, turned and jumped down from the artificial mountain, laughing heartily as he entered the covered corridor and placed the bird back in the cage, securing it.

“How careless of me, please forgive me, cousin!” He turned back and apologized earnestly to Seventh Miss, his face completely sincere.

Seventh Miss’s face burned.

After all, it was her own rash carelessness, her wandering thoughts, that had opened the birdcage…

“Not at all, not at all.”

The two exchanged more courtesies.

Seventh Miss felt too embarrassed to ask more about Xu Fengjia. After directing Gui Hanchun on his way, she took her leave. “I have other matters to attend to…”

Gui Hanchun glanced at Seventh Miss’s skirt.

The white silk embroidered with Hunan bamboo was stained with yellow spots that looked rather glaring.

He smiled knowingly. “Please go ahead, cousin!”

As he spoke, he strode off around the corner.

This Second Young Master Gui’s manner of doing things was truly decisive and neat, like biting into a cucumber in summer—crisp, refreshing, with a particular lingering taste.

Only after he had turned out of sight did Seventh Miss’s expression darken.

She returned to the artificial mountain in a few steps.

“Fifth Sister, you’ve done me in!” She rarely showed such girlish petulance, stamping her foot in complaint at Fifth Miss.

But Fifth Miss and Sixth Miss were already laughing so hard they couldn’t move.

The two wanted to laugh but had to suppress their laughter, holding back until tears filled their eyes.

Fifth Miss wiped her tears while comforting Seventh Miss.

“Yes, yes, it’s all Fifth Sister’s fault.” She burst out laughing again, leaning on Sixth Miss and shaking. “Our Seventh Sister has been wronged, giving Second Young Master Gui a chance to play the hero rescuing the beauty!”

“Fifth Sister!” Seventh Miss wished she could hit Fifth Miss. “It’s all because I was trying to find out about Cousin for you!”

Sixth Miss laughed while teasing Seventh Miss. “Our Seventh Sister has finally had her turn! How did you used to laugh at your sisters? This, this is truly karmic retribution in this very life!”

Seventh Miss stamped her foot in frustration. “I’m going back to change my skirt!”

Fifth Miss and Sixth Miss followed behind Seventh Miss, laughing all the while.

When everyone entered the west side courtyard, Seventh Miss changed her outer skirt but still instructed Bailu to bring tea.

“The Four Harmonies Pavilion is hot after all. With today’s heat so oppressive, I’m afraid Eighth Sister won’t come either. Better to hide indoors and drink tea.”

Fifth Miss and Sixth Miss drank tea while smiling at Seventh Miss.

Seventh Miss was laughed at until she truly felt somewhat annoyed.

Now she finally understood the embarrassed and vexed feeling Sixth Miss had when being teased.

There was absolutely nothing to this marriage prospect yet. Though they were still young and it didn’t matter much, if word got out, it would ultimately damage Seventh Miss’s reputation.

“If you dare speak of this, don’t expect to hear about Cousin!” She threatened Fifth Miss.

With Sixth Miss’s temperament, though she would tease, her lips were definitely sealed tight.

Fifth Miss could only press her lips together, trying her best to look serious.

“Alright, alright, I won’t speak, I won’t speak. Xiao Qi is thin-skinned, I know, I know.”

Only then did Seventh Miss reluctantly and unwillingly repeat Gui Hanchun’s few words.

But she deliberately omitted the matter of left-handed swordsmanship.

Fifth Miss was already listening with worry written all over her face.

“I hope Cousin is safe and sound!” She clasped her hands together and shook them. “Another day we’ll persuade Mother to go burn incense at Hanshan Temple. I want to pray for Cousin’s safety!”

Her eyes were completely calm and pure.

Seventh Miss couldn’t bring herself to tease Fifth Miss.

Clearly, Fifth Miss truly cared about Xu Fengjia.

Perhaps it was because she had no biological older brother! Though Xu Fengjia was arrogant and domineering, he had always looked after Fifth Miss especially well.

“Naturally.” She agreed. “I imagine Cousin at the frontier has truly suffered quite a bit…”

Unexpectedly, she felt rather irritated.

If Xu Fengjia’s hand was injured… wouldn’t Ninth Brother have ruined his entire life?

After a few more exchanges, Fifth Miss organized a game of backgammon.

Seventh Miss had no interest. Claiming to observe, she watched for a while before going to lie down on the bed, announcing she would take an afternoon nap.

Tossing and turning, she couldn’t fall asleep. Filled with endless worries, every time she closed her eyes, she thought of the bandages wrapped around Xu Fengjia’s hand…

The next day she had a slight headache and fever, unable to eat. She hurriedly took two doses of the peaceful prescription Dr. Quan Zhongbai had written and rested in bed before gradually recovering.

When Fifth Miss came to visit the patient, she brought a small ivory birdcage.

Inside the cage was a little lark that bobbed its head adorably.

“To keep you company!” Fifth Miss was quite pleased with herself, winking at Seventh Miss. “You must feed it well!”

She dropped the birdcage and ran off.

Seventh Miss couldn’t very well return the bird—that would be too affected.

She had no choice but to hang the birdcage outside her room.

After a few days, she grew accustomed to the lark’s gentle, clear warbling.

When the Grand Madam personally came to the west side courtyard to visit, she also stood under the eaves and played with the little lark.

“I always felt your courtyard was too quiet before. With this bird, it’s become more lively.”

The Grand Madam seemed to be in good spirits, her eyes and brows carrying smiles.

“Mother!” Seventh Miss made as if to get out of bed.

The Grand Madam hurried forward to press Seventh Miss back down. “Silly child, you’ve just taken medicine. Don’t move around carelessly, lest you catch cold again.”

She couldn’t help but sigh. “After all, your constitution is delicate. Even in this great summer heat you catch cold…”

Seventh Miss’s face showed embarrassment. “I’ve caused Mother trouble.”

The Grand Madam gazed at Seventh Miss with affection. “You call this trouble? Then hasn’t Mother thoroughly troubled you?”

Mother and daughter chatted and laughed, completely harmonious.

The corners of the Grand Madam’s eyes and brows faintly carried joy.

When it was nearly time to leave, she still couldn’t help but reveal to Seventh Miss, “Your father has already smoothed things over with Second Uncle from the main family branch. They will naturally take care of entering the family register.”

Seventh Miss’s spirits lifted.

This was truly genuine good news.

“How much did it cost?” She couldn’t help but inquire.

The Grand Madam smiled. “Not much.” She casually showed Seventh Miss two fingers.

“Two thousand?” Seventh Miss drew a sharp breath.

“Twenty thousand!” The Grand Madam laughed.

She explained to Seventh Miss.

“Changing legitimate to common-born, common-born to legitimate—if word gets out, it’s all disgraceful. Though everyone tacitly understands, the clan head still bears the risk… Twenty thousand can’t be called little, but I’m afraid your Second Uncle from the main branch still thinks it’s not enough!”

Seventh Miss shook her head and sighed repeatedly. “This is too much…” Her face showed heartache.

The Grand Madam was very pleased to see this.

After all, Xiao Qi was considerate. At such a young age, she already understood household economy.

“It’s all worthwhile.” She comforted Seventh Miss. “You’re young and don’t know the power of the clan. If Ninth Brother were merely a common-born son, in the future he would inevitably face disdain at every turn in the clan. The three hall brothers are separated by another branch after all… Registering him under my name, he’ll have standing in the clan in the future.”

In great clans, rules were paramount. There were plenty of venerable elders in the clan who relied on their age, along with countless unwritten rules and endless gossip. The Yang family’s two branches had such substantial family fortunes. If he wasn’t registered under the Grand Madam’s name, should Ninth Brother prove even slightly weak in the future, after the Grand Master passed, those who would play tricks, spread false edicts, and bully Ninth Brother overtly or covertly would certainly not be few.

The Grand Madam was someone who could take up and let go of matters. Once she believed Ninth Brother harbored no ulterior motives, she immediately promoted him to legitimate son…

Suspicious people were like this—once you gained their trust, everything became easier to handle instead.

One smooth step led to smooth steps all the way.

Seventh Miss genuinely showed gratitude. “Mother is truly virtuous and wise, a model for all mistresses of households…”

The Grand Madam was delighted to hear this, covering her mouth as she laughed.

“However.” Seventh Miss’s tone shifted, showing worry again. “I’m afraid someone might obstruct this…”

“You mean…” The Grand Madam’s expression changed.

Those who would obstruct such matters could only be the second branch.

Even though Seventh Miss left her words unfinished, the Grand Madam could guess.

“This shouldn’t happen.” She also pondered. “Your Second Aunt has never returned to the northwestern hometown. She entered our household in the capital and has spent years either in the capital or Suzhou…”

Seventh Miss understood the Grand Madam’s meaning.

Ancient times weren’t modern times—information spread inconveniently. For Second Madam to obstruct this matter of the first branch, she would have to send people back to spread “rumors,” slandering Ninth Brother as actually common-born.

But Second Madam herself had never lived in the northwest. She was unfamiliar with both the people and geography, and her servants rarely interacted with the main family branch. They would probably find it very difficult even to locate Yang Family Village.

Unlike Second Uncle from the main branch who knew the way well, by the time Second Madam’s people found Yang Family Village, Ninth Brother and Seventh Miss would have long since been entered into the family register.

“Exactly!” Seventh Miss relaxed. “Mother has thought it through thoroughly.”

Each soft, gentle “Mother” melted the Grand Madam’s heart.

“Still, we must have Steward Niu remain vigilant.” She patted Seventh Miss’s hand. “Xiao Qi is so much more meticulous—once you’ve recovered, come learn household management by my side! In the blink of an eye, you’re over ten years old. It’s time to learn these things!”

The Grand Madam had never concerned herself with such matters before.

Seventh Miss shared another warm mother-daughter moment with the Grand Madam.

Only after seeing the Grand Madam off did she lean against her pillow and smile to herself.

“Truly, one smooth step leads to smooth steps all the way…”

She called Lixia over. “Come here.”

Lixia approached with a completely obedient expression.

“Didn’t you say last time that Xiao Man, the rough servant girl newly arrived at Brookside Lodge, is your distant cousin?” Seventh Miss’s face showed unconcealed smiles. “As her cousin, you should go visit her, lest people gossip behind our backs, saying we people of the west side courtyard are arrogant!”

“Yes,” Lixia smiled knowingly. “After dinner, I’ll go visit her.”

Though Brookside Lodge and the main courtyard had a cold relationship, that was the masters’ affair.

The servants had their own social circles.

Before the first watch, Lixia returned to the west side courtyard.

“I had barely spoken a few words with Xiao Man when Shuangjiang called her away.” She recounted to Seventh Miss in detail. “Standing at the bottom of the steps, she was pointing at mulberry trees while cursing locust trees, saying Fourth Concubine is a distinguished concubine with status, and it’s not the west side courtyard’s turn to lord over her. Just the other day at the welcoming banquet for Second Master from the main branch, Second Madam spoke so amiably with our Fourth Concubine! Fourth Concubine barely acknowledged her!”

Seventh Miss’s eyes lit up.

She clapped her hands in delight.

“How wonderful!” She laughed. “Fourth Concubine is truly capable!”

She tested Lixia. “Do you understand what’s behind this?”

Lixia smiled unhurriedly, her face honest and simple.

“If Miss wants Lixia to understand, Lixia understands. If Miss doesn’t want Lixia to understand, Lixia doesn’t understand.”

Seventh Miss was momentarily stunned.

She watched as Lixia nodded meaningfully.

This girl had truly been tempered through experience.

#

Second Uncle from the main branch was eager to return home. He couldn’t wait until after the Mid-Autumn Festival to depart. Hastily selecting an auspicious date, he packed his luggage and joined Gui Hanchun’s mule train onto the official road.

After lengthy discussions, the Grand Madam and Grand Master ultimately dispatched Steward Niu.

Entering the children into the family register was one matter; transporting various valuables inconvenient to carry back to the hometown for safekeeping was another.

Both matters absolutely required a capable person supervising them before the couple could rest easy.

In previous years, Second Madam had always simply sent things directly to the first branch and left it at that. This year, surprisingly, she also dispatched a trusted steward from her side. “This time the second branch has many more valuables. It wouldn’t be right to always trouble Elder Brother and Sister-in-law.”

The Grand Madam understood perfectly, responding with smiles on the surface. “Second Aunt is becoming more and more considerate of us.”

She gave Steward Niu detailed private instructions.

How could Steward Niu not understand?

Just into the ninth month, word came from the second branch’s steward: on the road, he couldn’t adapt to the local conditions, suffering from vomiting and diarrhea. The military convoy couldn’t wait for his recovery and left him in Bengbu.

In private, the Grand Madam complained to Seventh Miss. “Tell me, where in the world is there someone like your Second Aunt! Her eyes are glued to our first branch’s property—I’m afraid they couldn’t be pried off even if you tried!”

Seventh Miss laughed while worrying. “I’m afraid Second Aunt’s methods won’t stop at just this!”

“What more can she do?” The Grand Madam was dismissive. “Once Ninth Brother is entered into the family register, he’s our family’s legitimate son. How could there be any logic in ignoring a legitimate son right in front of us to adopt a nephew?”

Seventh Miss moved her lips, stopping short.

The Grand Madam’s heart stirred.

With Seventh Miss’s meticulousness, she might actually be able to identify some oversights for her to consider.

First Miss had returned to Yuhang… After all, she was a married daughter whose heart would always place her husband’s family first.

“Speak your mind if you have something to say.” She was gentle and pleasant. “Between us mother and daughter, we don’t play these games.”

Seventh Miss lowered her head and began criticizing Second Aunt in a soft voice.

“I just feel that in recent years, there have been many strange and supernatural occurrences in the manor.”

The Grand Madam’s expression changed immediately.

She instantly recalled First Miss’s words.

“Even if Third Concubine’s supernatural powers were profound, after so many ritual services performed, she should have passed on to the afterlife by now, shouldn’t she? Never mind Master Tongshou of Mount Guanyin—even the masters at Hanshan Temple, we’ve troubled them many times, and there are annual private offerings… Even if she had boundless resentment, it couldn’t withstand these great masters’ years of ceremonies and offerings…”

“Naturally, regarding Ninth Brother’s food and use, we’ve been extremely careful. With Sister Lichun watching over him, there won’t be any problems.” Seventh Miss sighed again. “But regarding supernatural matters, one must still guard against them… After all, these are unclear, inexplicable things!”

Seventh Miss was worried about Third Concubine!

She feared offending her, so she dared not speak plainly.

The Grand Madam narrowed her eyes, lost in thought.

First Miss had visited many temples, secretly arranging numerous ritual services for Third Concubine… Just before leaving, she had gone to Mount Guanyin. The abbot Master Tongshou had sworn: “I’ve already sent her onto the path of reincarnation. If anything strange happens again, this old monk will bring you my head.”

These masters were elderly and virtuous people. Without complete certainty, they would never speak false words.

Could it be… someone was secretly performing malicious spells against the Yang family’s male descendants?

She suddenly recalled Shuxia’s words, Eighth Concubine’s death…

The Grand Madam’s expression grew somber. For a long while, she said nothing.

Seventh Miss forcefully suppressed her heart full of laughter and carefully added another line.

“However, these are all Xiao Qi’s wild imaginings. Please don’t take them to heart, Mother.”

The slight worry and anxiety in her words perfectly conveyed Seventh Miss’s anxious state of mind.

The Grand Madam waved her hand, absentmindedly comforting Seventh Miss with a few words before falling into deep contemplation again.